Author's Note: I'm going to get this outta the way first. This chapter is the first half of a two-parter. I know the last chapter was ridiculously long compared to the others, at least in my opinion, so why not just release this as another long chapter? Well the main reason was my own good. I sort of burned myself out writing the previous chapter, and took a bit of a break, so writing out a chapter that would be longer than that, would have been just as hard on me.

But hey, it's not really a bad thing, not unless you dislike the suspense that comes from waiting. Also I've been writing on a new computer, a desk top to be precise, where as all my other chapters were done on a laptop that i was thoroughly familiar with, so there may or may not be some spelling errors that slipped past my double checking.

Anyway, I've probably talked your ear off enough for now. I'll have the second part out soon enough, for now however, I hope you all enjoy this, I hope to see some new reviews, as I always enjoy seeing your feedback. Your kind words continue to inspire me to write the way I have been. Have a good time reading, and I'll see you all soon, until then, see ya!


The Blue Spirit, Part One.


With the looming fear of an unknown entity hunting them through a vast sea of woodland no longer present, the trio's travel resumed, not before some well deserved sleep of course.

Sleep that, at first, Zuko declined taking part in, choosing to "rest his eyes" as he put it, at any chance he was given.

Of course Katara wasn't going to have any of this, and insisted on having Lee as she stilled referred to him as, sharing a sleeping space with her. The next night had been an awkward experience for both teens, they'd shifted and turned about in their sleeping bags, trying their hardest to avoid eye contact, what with the recent show of affection that almost took place the night prior.

The "problem" as it had been labeled, had been resolved when Yuki decided to place himself between the two flustered teens, blocking their view of one another.

The matter couldn't be avoided the following morning. This led to an equally awkward conversation, one that boiled down to the two of them agreeing that the moment they had shared was a result of the high tensions from the events that had occurred.

" It was just the spur of the moment… " As Zuko had put it, not exactly believing his own words at the time.

They ate a quiet breakfast, one that Katara had allowed him to make, with her supervision of course. She had become wary of anything that involved Lee and food that wasn't simply him eating what she cooked.

Much to their combined surprise, the food was surprisingly edible. Yes he had still managed to leave the food in a crispy state, but that hadn't seemed to have hampered it's taste for the hungry travelers.

Yuki however, didn't care if the food was charred, he happily ate without much care of the food's condition.

" See Lee, somebody does like your cooking after all! " Katara had said, unable to bite back her laughter. Despite the jab at his cooking skills, Zuko couldn't fight away his own laughter, Katara's joys giggles just seemed so infectious at that moment.

For the first time since their journey began, the duo felt at peace, with no worries that anything or anyone was going to just show up and ruin the momentary splendor. At least that was Zuko's sentiments, because in his honest opinion, it felt nice. He'd become so accustomed to glancing out the corner of his eye every so often, that the idea of true security felt foreign to him.

It seemed that being around Katara was having more than just one effect on him.

" There will always be somebody out in the world for you Zuko. Somebody waiting for you, it's a part of your destiny, both yours, and theirs. What that person will do when you eventually unite, is up to you, so always keep your eyes open, after all, that person could very well be the key to something larger in your life, or, and this is just what I would like, they could be waiting to give you a nice hot cup of tea, and play a game of Pai Sho! "

And for once, Iroh's abrupt echoes in his head didn't seem to bother Zuko. But it did make the swordsman wonder, were these actually memories that he subconsciously dug up when his mind dubbed the best moment, or was Iroh just that ingrained in his mind that he could make up his own wisdom and put the man's voice with it.

Zuko just shrugged the thought away, he was in too good of a mood to let such time consuming thoughts sidetrack him. He'd get the most out of this day, he Katara and Yuki would push forward with the sun as their guide to their next destination, because in all honesty, neither teen knew where exactly it was that they were going.


This lack of precise directions had actually worked out for the travelers, as it had led them to where they were now, a small village resting along some shallow marshlands, primarily used for traders and the such to rest during their travels. The perfect place for two teens and their fox who've had nowhere to sleep except the forest floor.

At least, it had seemed that way at first glance.

As it would turn out, the village was nestled oh so closely to a Fire Nation prison stronghold, and while the village had managed to evade the ire of their invaders, it didn't mean they were safe. It came as no surprise, but the Fire Nation didn't seem to care about the area surrounding their major holdouts, and as a result, surrounding areas tended to decay from the various actions made.

One such action had resulted in the water the village drank from becoming contaminated, leading to several children coming down with an illness. A fever of sort that robbed the afflicted of their strength and in some cases, their minds.

That was how Zuko and Katara ended up in their current situation, shacked up in a spare hut, resting in the corner of the village. The knowledge that the Fire Nation was behind what had befallen the children, struck cords within the two righteous teens. They just had to help, any way they could.

And so a routine that, so far had lasted three days, began. Katara would tend to the children as best as she could, using her waterbending and her knowledge of Water Tribe remedies to try and ease the fevers, and Zuko would assist with any kind of manual labor he could, which mostly involved him heading out to gather medicinal ingredients for Katara, meanwhile, Yuki would entertain the ailing children, helping to keep their spirits high.

It was a routine that neither held any complaints for, all that mattered to them was that they could help.


The fourth day had rolled around since the travelling teens and their furry companion had arrived at the marshland village. When they had initially volunteered to aid the village, the elder was obviously skeptical. To see strangers so willing to help, and asking for nothing but a place to stay while they stayed, well it was almost unheard of in the war torn world they existed in. But thanks to some persistence on Katara's behalf, and a solemn vow from Zuko, the village elder relented.

A decision that he wouldn't soon regret. Yes the villagers treated them in a not-so-friendly manner on their first day. Their opinions hadn't lasted any time at all, as watching the two strangers nearly keel over from their efforts moved something within everyone who watched.

And so now, making his way through the village, while still awkward for Zuko due to his lack of social experience, was far easier.

Speaking of sauntering through the village, that's what Zuko was doing at that exact moment. Having just finished assisting with the cutting of firewood, the bandaged young man was returning to the hut that he and Katara had been set up in.

" Mornin' Lee! "

" Thanks for the help yesterday Lee! "

" How are you doing today Lee! "

It was all so different for Zuko. He was used to people outright ignoring him, mostly because he made it a goal of his to stay as unseen as possible any time he needed to enter an inhabited area. Of course since he had started his travels with Katara, social interactions had become more and more frequent for him, whether it was someone they met in town, or another traveler passing by on the road of life.

Rather than verbally responding to the villagers greetings and thanks for his hard work, Zuko would instead give an "eye smile" as Katara called it, and awkwardly wave. It seemed acceptable by the villagers, with some of them just coming to the conclusion that he was a mute.

He'd taken notice of just how quiet the village was after the first day, although it was to be expected. With a majority of the children sick, and the rest kept indoors for their safety, the lack of playful noise that could be heard in most towns and villages just wasn't present.

In all honesty, it gave the town a rather somber atmosphere, the laughter of children was the one thing that those affected by the war could hear and still feel some semblance of peace and joy. It bothered Zuko, but he didn't let it get him down, he felt deep down that with enough time and help, those children would be out of their beds and playing once more.

As Lee made way for his temporary abode, the sound of a conversation that he felt should have been private caught his attention.

" Please. There's no need for resorting to that, we don't need that woman's help...So long as Lee keeps gathering the herbs from the forest, and Ming keeps the children's fevers down, we'll have this illness gone by week's end. "

That was the village's head healer, whoever she was talking to, it sure sounded like she was confident in what she was saying.

" ...You may think so now, but the fevers have been getting worse. That boy can only gather so much medicine, and that girl always looks like she's on the verge of keeling over. As helpful as they've been, two people who wander into the village out of sheer chance are not the solution we're looking for. "

That voice belonged to the village elder. He spoke with a tired tone, this whole ordeal was weighing heavily on him, after all, as village elder it was his job to keep everyone that resided under him safe. So the knowledge that the lives of so many young souls were at risk must have hit him as hard as it did the parents.

" Before they showed up the children were on their last leg...Give us a few more days, I can assure you that everything will be alright in the end. "

" You say that...But the girl is at risk herself. So far we only know this illness to affect children, she's no child, but she's still young enough that it might afflict her, and then what? All I'm asking is that you allow me to send the boy to the old healer up the mountain, she may have some remedy we can use. "

" Elder or not, I refuse to have that woman's help...She's not right, and I will not have these children's lives risked any further over a possible "remedy." This conversation is over and I have to get back to making medicine… "

Zuko chose that moment to resume his walking, but as his body moved, his mind remained frozen on a single thought. It was what the village elder had said that bothered him so much.

" The girl is at risk herself. "

Was Katara really putting herself in danger by assisting the children so closely? He shook the thought away, racking himself with worry was the last thing he needed. Katara was staying strong, so he would do the same thing.

He'd reached the door to their temporary housing, pushing all thoughts that didn't involve relaxing to the furthest reaches of his mind. The door hadn't even opened all the way before Yuki came rushing to his ankle, rubbing up against it before bolting back into the hut.

" I wasn't gone that long, Yuki. " Zuko smiled from beneath his bandages. While domestic life was something he knew little about, coming back to the abode to be greeted by the kit, Katara, or both, brought about a warm sensation from within.

" Yip! "

" I'll have to agree with Yuki on this one...You were gone longer than you said you would… " Katara came into his view, wearing the same tired smile she'd been wearing the day prior.

It pained Zuko to see her like this, even if it was because she was out doing good. She'd managed to work herself to the brink of exhaustion in such little time, despite Zuko having told her several times since they started helping that, "You need to rest," she continuously refused, stating each time that "If I rest now those kids will never get any better. "

It took her becoming as stubborn as he was for him to see just how he had been acting. Wanting to shoulder the various problems in the world by yourself, telling anyone who asked to help that you could do it.

" ...That's how I was acting… "

But instead of voicing his worries further, he'd chosen to just silently aide her, making sure she stopped just before she collapsed. It was all he could do when she was just so determined.

" I thought you were getting a little rest..? "

Katara held the smile as best she could, not wanting Lee to see just how tired she was, even if he already knew.

" I think I got enough in, besides, I have to get back over to the healer's house so I can help her make medicine… " She smiled sheepishly, her tired eyes shut to avoid eye contact.

Zuko's brows furrowed beneath the confines of his bandages. The longer he looked at her, the more he noticed just how much worse her exhaustion had become within the few hours that had passed since he'd seen her last. There were bags under her eyes, her cheeks were flushed, and she had the slightest sway to her body.

She was just tired, that was all, at least, that's what Lee told himself.

" ...Well, If you insist on going back already then...Well then at least let me make you a cup of tea. "

" I'd like that… " She said with a smile, one less forced in appearance.

Tea, as it had turned out, was the one thing that Zuko was at least semi-decent at making. At first it was just something he was compelled to make the first night they had stayed, with the knowledge coming from a memory of Iroh. Zuko shouldn't have been surprised, he remembered that when he wasn't spouting proverbs of arguable degrees of use, that all Iroh ever seemed to talk about was Tea and Pai Sho.

Iroh was a strange old man.

" There is nothing better than being able to relax with a nice cup of ginseng on such a beautiful day. Why the only way it could get better, was if I had brought my Pai Sho board with me! Oh, I know, how about on my next visit, I will teach you the basics of tea making, and how to play! Doesn't that sound wonderful Zuko? "

It hadn't sounded all that wonderful when Zuko was thirteen, all he cared about back then was finding out who he was, and the identity of who burned him. At the time, tea and board games didn't exactly entice him, but now? He'd give anything for a chance to experience Iroh's idea of relaxation.

Katara watched as Lee turned his back to her, his attention now on the old wood stove in the corner of the room. The rediscovery of a memory that actually aided him in the kitchen had surprised her, and while it was nothing along the lines of being a master cook, the knowledge that they could have a nice cup of tea any chance they'd get, brought about a sense of nostalgia for her. She'd helped her Gran-gran with cups of tea many times in the past, so having a cup of her own in her hands brought out some of her better memories, and for that, she was grateful.

And in no time at all, Lee had finished the tea, bringing it over to her in one of the ceramic cups that the village had provided along with the hut. Katara took in the tea's aroma, it was far from perfect, but the scent was pleasant, and for Lee to still be "learning" how to make tea properly, it's taste was just as pleasant.

" You're a natural with tea Lee...Hehe, I rhymed your name with tea… "

" Yes that's very cute, now what's so great about me being good with tea. It's just hot leaf juice. "

She smiled. He'd lived in the shadows for so long, that praise was something just as new to him as being social was. This applied to even the smallest of things he did that brought about commendation, that included being complimented on his steadily growing kitchen skills.

" ..You know, maybe after the war ends, you could put your mask away and open up a tea shop. Yeah, I can see it now, your own little tea shop. Wouldn't that be nice? "

" After the war ends." She says it was so much assurance, so much conviction, even in her weakened state. The war had been going on for a hundred years by this point, what exactly made this the year to end all that fighting? Oh well, Zuko wouldn't open his big depressing mouth, Katara already had so much on her plate, the most he could do was shut up about reality, and humor her little vision for his future.

" Katara, I don't think I'll ever put my mask away for good. " He turned his head away, looking outward through the window. " There will always be someone in need of help out there, so if I'm able to, I will...Also...Me, in a tea shop? Like that would ever happen…Have you seen how I am around people? What would I do? Quietly offer them a cup, slink away behind the counter and wait for them to leave? "

He'd manage to swiftly drop the subject of him never being able to truly retire, replacing it with the ridiculous concept of him working in, or running a tea shop. Never in a million years would he let such a thing like that happen, It was just silly, wasn't it?

" Oh come on Lee...You can be hospitable...Somewhat. " She stifled her laughter behind her hand, watching Lee's visible eye take on a flustered appearance. He was always so fun to tease, and never took it as seriously as Sokka did. When she'd tease him, he'd act like such a little kid, pouting until Katara would apologize.

" Right, because offering you a meal, destroying said meal, then leaving you to wake up on your own while I train, is the best kind of hospitality. "

Katara couldn't fight back the fit of giggles that had been building up, Lee always seemed to know how to make her feel better. And making her laugh, even with such a dry sense of humor, was one of the best ways he'd been able to do it. Nothing he said was particularly funny, most of it was just the many sarcastic responses he'd spoken to her since their journey began, and yet, it always filled her with a gleeful warmth.

" W-well, when you put it that way…Hehehe "

That laugh of hers had some mysterious sway over Zuko, forcing a smile to form beneath his face's cover. It befuddled him how she did it, but maybe complaining was the last thing he'd wanted to be doing, all that mattered to him was that he could see the smile that accompanied her laugh. After all, he did think that Katara had such a beautiful smile, one he'd never want to see get wiped away.


They'd spent the better half of an hour in each others company, with Katara keeping her spirits up by teasing Lee. He never seemed to make much of a deal about it, and even got a laugh, or at least at the very least, a chuckle out of him.

And when they hadn't been making one another smile, he was regaling her with a tale of his many trips through the Earth Kingdom. It astounded her, Lee seemed so well traveled, and yet if he never said anything, she'd never have expected it. He'd been to so many places, seen so many different people, but never for himself, it was always to help anyone he could.

That's why Katara cared for Lee so much, because he never seemed to care for himself. He only ever cared about the well being of others, whether they were safe, or smiling. Never had she even heard of someone so selfless, not even among her people, where things such as selfless love were celebrated with the highest praise, at least that's what her grandmother had once said.

The moment of cheer and peace the two had shared came to an end unfortunately. Katara couldn't be away from the children for too long, especially if their fevers flared back up, and with the medicine used to keep the fever at a manageable level running out, the need to make more was ever present.

She knew that Lee protested out of concern, and she knew that rest was vital, otherwise she'd drop. But these children needed her, and she'd do anything she could even if it broke her in the process.

Without wasting much time, Katara had reached the healer's hut, which had been recently worked on, it's size increased to fit all that afflicted children. The village's healer was working tirelessly at a table, grounding the herbs that Lee had gathered into a fine powder.

" Ming my child, I'm glad you're here. We need to get this batch of medicine finished and with haste, the children's fevers are starting to rise again...I fear if we don't get their fevers to break soon, we may have to find some other means to cure them… "

Oh, right. She was using the false name of "Ming" under Lee's instructions. She didn't really see the point, especially for a village like this, one with a clear disdain for the fire nation. But if it helped him feel at ease, she'd do whatever she could.

" ...Then let's hurry. "

She'd made her way to the mixing table, taking the mortar and pestle into her hands, and proceeding to grind the medicine. The process felt more taxing on her wrist than it had the past two days, as if she didn't possess the strength to properly mash and grind the herbs without straining.

" Ming dear, are you well? You seem to be having troubles… "

She wouldn't relent, what she was feeling was just exhaustion, brought about by overexertion, nothing more.

" ...Yes, I'm fine. I just didn't get much rest is all… "

The healer's eyes lingered on her for a moment longer than necessary, with obvious concern in them. Concern that wasn't needed, Katara felt fine, or as she was repeating in her head.

" You're fine Katara. Just gotta catch your breath. "

But the more she repeated those words, the worse she felt. But Katara was strongly willed, maybe too much so for her own good. She'd pushed through the growing heat that was pulsing through her body, fought back against the exhaustion that had been building since the day prior, and finished preparing the medicine.

That was as far as she had made it though. As Katara took the first step to start distributing the freshly made medicine, her legs gave way, causing her to go crashing to the floor. Her vision blurred, and her hearing became distorted, and to top it all off, the room was spinning around her, spinning faster and faster as she lay motionless on the floor. A swath of heat blanketed over her body, pulling her into the void of her mind, lulling her into unconsciousness.


Just as Zuko was preparing himself to leave the hut, a cold chill ran down his spine, a chill that felt wrong to him. As he wondered what brought about the chilling sensation in his body, he couldn't help but find his gaze drawn in the direction Katara had gone off in a few moments earlier.

Whatever he was feeling, it was traveling down to his stomach, building up, and weighing against his gut like a lead brick. But it was nothing to dwell on, right? Nothing more than a meaningless feeling brought about by his wandering mind, it wouldn't have been the first time.

But sadly this wouldn't be like any times prior. As he made his way into the village, one of the village men came running towards him, his eyes widened.

" L-LEE! "

The feeling in his stomach grew worse at the urgency in the man's voice.

" LEE! It's...It's Ming! She...She collapsed! You have to hurry to the healing hut! "

That's when it happened, that's when everything around Zuko froze. Without thinking, his body started moving, taking off in a mad dash, with a speed he'd never possessed in the past. His vision narrowed, tuning out everything except the shoddy medical hut tucked away in the opposite corner of the village.

Before he even realized it, he had barreled through the door, nearly knocking it off it's rusted hinges with a forceful push from his shoulder.

" Where is she?! "

He hadn't needed a verbal response, not that anyone would have given him one at that moment. Resting in one of the same beds she'd been trying to keep the children out of, was Katara. Her eyes were painfully clenched shut, sweat poured from her forehead and down to her flushed face.

The weight Zuko had been feeling in his stomach came back tenfold, leaving him feeling like a hole had been torn in him. The sight of Katara tossing and turning in the little cot left Zuko trembling.

" Lee… "

The villager healer saw the despondency in his visible eye, and knew the pain he must've been feeling at this moment.

" What...What happened...How did she… "

Feeling weakness in his knees, Zuko fell forward, catching himself on the edge of Katara's cot. The sight of his friend in such a state left his body in a trembling mess. He felt so helpless, feeling that, deep down, he was responsible for this, that if he had only persuaded her to rest more than just a short period, then she wouldn't have ended up like this.

Yuki, who was rested against Katara's cheek, lifted his head, his eyes meeting Zuko's. His ears fell back as he felt the pain in his human's eye, a pain that he himself felt from seeing Katara how she was now.

" She's come down with the illness is what happened… "

Zuko's head rose, turning to meet the stern expression worn by the village elder. But as Zuko's gaze lingered on the elder's he noticed the older man's expression shifting from stern and serious, to truly concerned.

" I'm sorry Lee...But this was bound to happen...This illness, it affects the young ones...We thought that, maybe since the two of you were nearly adulthood, that you'd be safe from it...But that girl, she was just so determined...She worked herself till not even her body could fight back, she's still young, and the only thing keeping her safe from that blasted sickness, was her will… "

As Zuko took the elder's words in, his head lowered, his fists tightened as much as physically possible, and he started gritting his teeth.

" ...I'm afraid...There's nothing we can do...The herbs are only so effective...And with Ming's body already so weak… " The healer didn't finish her sentence, she couldn't.

" So what then! " Zuko barked out, fury filling his body. " So I'm just supposed to sit here and watch her suffer?! Well I won't! "

" We're not saying that at all, lad. " The village elder stepped forward, kneeling next to the bandaged swordsman.

" For the last time, Fong! We are not resorting to that! That woman is not to be trusted! "

The elder glanced back towards the healer, a silent animosity had suddenly formed at the elder's unspoken suggestion.

" We have no other choice! We either do this, or everything will be for naught! "

" What are you two geezers talking about?! " Zuko was already tired of them raising their voices, they'd no doubt disturbed Katara and the other resting children. " If you two know about something that can fix this, then you're going to tell me! "

The two elderly individuals turned to look at one another, a silent argument had begun between them, an argument that the village elder ultimately won.

" Very well...We'll give it a try… "

" Argh! Give what a try?! "

" Not all that far from here, up a trail of a nearby mountain, lies what used to be a medical institution...In the days before that damned fortress had been constructed, Earth Kingdom soldiers from all over would be transported there, having their various medical needs tended to by the herbalist and healers that resided there...Now however, only one lone soul remains. An old herbalist that knows many remedies for many diseases...This illness is not too dissimilar to one that ravaged a neighboring village some years back, a village that received aid from that same herbalist. "

" So...I find this old medical place, talk to the lady that lives there, and she'll tell me how to fix all this? "

" If it is so simple...then yes. "

Zuko's gaze drifted to the floor below, his mind mulling over the decision that laid before him. The healer had a reason to be skeptical of this, so there's a large chance that this could all be for nothing. But at the same time, the village elder seems to be holding out greatly for this possible solution, and someone who values the life of those that live under him, wouldn't just rely on something he didn't believe would work.

In the end however, it all came down to one thing. What Zuko thought.

Without Katara, and with the medicine only being so effective, a cure was needed desperately, but was it really worth what was essentially a gamble.

Just asZuko was on the brink of pushing himself into the depths of his thoughts, the newest of voices that he'd recently heard came echoing from within his mind. The disembodied voice of his so called "cousin."

" Come on now Zuko, there's no need to think too hard on a decision. It's when we find ourselves thinking too much that we hesitate, and one moment of hesitation is all it takes for things to go bad real fast. You just gotta do what your heart tells you. "

Silently, Zuko pulled himself off the ground, his head raising to look towards the ceiling.

" I'll do it… "

" Lee you don't have to- "

" I said I'm going to do it! " He paused, lowering his "eye" to meet those of the two elders. " I'll go by myself...If there's even a chance this could work...Then I'll be the one to do it… "

" Yip! Yip yip! " Yuki rose to his four legs, staring down Zuko, if his human was going somewhere, then he'd want to be by his side.

" No Yuki… " Zuko casted the kit a sideways glance. " I need you to stay here with Katara...Keep her company, at least until I'm back with a cure… "

The healer reached out for Zuko, but as she had gone to speak, he had always bolted out the door.

" ...That child… "

" He's just doing what he thinks is right...The world needs more people like him… "

" If the world is in need of more reckless idiots then perhaps I've lived long enough...The path leading to that old place is constantly being scouted by the Fire Nation… "

But Zuko had been too long gone to hear any of this, his legs carrying him to the hut he had made into a temporary home with Katara. It was a surreal experience sharing something like that with her, and it was bound to be the closest he'd ever get to domestic lifestyle.

Thinking of it though, just broadened the proverbial hole that had become Zuko's stomach; A pit that had formed the moment he saw Katara's fragile, unconscious form, one that reeked with dread. And with that dread, came the rage he was getting oh so familiar with, the rage that burned in him, and screamed for him to do everything in his power for Katara.

" ...Don't you worry Katara...I'll be back in no time… "

He'd removed his wrappings, replacing the dull grey bandages for the demonic grin of his Blue Spirit mask. At that moment, the thought of wearing such a horrific creature's face didn't sicken Zuko, no, with the fury spiraling in him, wearing such a beast's smile felt right.

This whole ordeal was all the fault of the Fire Nation, just as so many other things had, but now wasn't the time for Zuko to release his swelling anger. Instead he'd use the raging fire in him for something else, something less destructive. The Fire Nation would get what they deserved, soon or later at least, but for now, the anger he was feeling towards them, would be what fuels his drive.

And he'd need all the fuel he could get, if he was going to help the children and Katara.


To the West of the afflicted village, over the marshlands, past the ruins of Taku, rests the towering monolith of a fortress, known as the Pohuai Stronghold. A major supply depot for the Fire Nations military, acting as the primary supply hub for the Western-most front of the Fire Nations never ending war.

Surrounded by giant stone walls, large enough to house it's own prisons, and home to the legendary Yuyan archers; bowmen who possessed inhuman accuracy and reflexes, capable of taking out even the most capable of benders before they'd even get a chance to retaliate.

And as of the current moment, temporary base for the now Admiral Zhao, who in his never ending pursuit for the Avatar, had come to request the aid of the very archers that the fortress had been known to house.

Zhao was a ruthless man, who'd stop at nothing to destroy the last piece of hope this pathetic world held onto. He'd always been that way as it would seem. As he stared off into the distance, his gaze piercing the sky, his mind couldn't help but wander, searching for the first time this innate cruelty reared its ugly head.

Perhaps it was during his days under the tutelage of the greatest Fire Nation desserter to this date, well, second greatest, as of recent history. But the power hungry admiral never got to delve too deep into his thoughts, as a voice, as stern and powerful as his own, came from behind, bringing the "reminiscence" to a premature end.

" You know, admiral, I've always enjoyed the view that the Earth Kingdom had to offer. So serene at sundown, not a smokestack or obstructing pagoda for miles. "

The voice had belonged to a soldier who had recently been placed under the admiral's command. A recently appointed captain who'd encountered the fabled "Blue Spirit" and lived to tell the tale.

" Save your admiration for when this wretched slab of earth burns with the Fire Nation's flag risen high above the ashes. Now, Captain Roh, was it? Why exactly should I tolerate having such an inexperienced, half-breed such as yourself serving under me? "

Rather than reacting how the admiral wanted him to at the jab towards his origin, Roh simply smiled, his face creasing where the fresh scars had begun to develop; The permanent reminders of his goal.

" I believe that I have much to offer, Admiral Zhao. Like you, my aspiration is to rise through the ranks of the military, hoping to reach the top. And who else to serve under with a goal like that, than the man who's pushing closer and closer to that goal with each day. "

Under Roh's smile hid much malevolence. Men like Zhao disgusted him, ignorant, single-minded fools who thought that burning away at the world would be what engraves them into history.

" A narcissistic cretin like Zhao doesn't deserve the position he holds now...Thankfully his own ego and aspirations blind him from seeing through my sweet words...Chasing the Avatar? Foolish. There will always be an Avatar, always some mystical entity that holds the world together...But what I aspire to destroy, is something that not even the Avatar could compare to… "

The conversation, if it could have even been referred to such, with Zhao, had come to an end with a prideful smirk, a backhanded comment towards Roh's heritage, and a brief mention of the admirals poorly laid out plan for capturing the Avatar.

It all infuriated the young captain to no end. It was the Fire Nation's blind efforts to destroy a child that would be their downfall. But before it could come to that, he would do his damnedest to change everything, he'd push his way through the ranks, rise higher and higher, until only the Fire Lord himself was the only person above him, and then, well that would be for Roh to known, and the rest of the world to experience.

" I don't intend on ridding the world of the spiritual bridge. There will always be an avatar, someone that the world can look to. But there's a steep difference between being the one that the world hopes and prays towards, and being the one that answers those hopes and prayers. No, I aim to destroy this world's hopes and prayers, or what's left of it. And to do that, I'll destroy the ones who answer them, the "heroes" the "freedom fighters" the "vigilantes! " "

A great flame had been stoked inside of Roh, one that was fueled by hatred, and anger. One that would continue pushing him towards his goals, never ending, not until he himself came to an end.

" And You, the Blue Spirit, will be the one i take so much pleasure in destroying! This world does not deserve to be protected, nor does it deserve to be burned to ashes...It deserves to be left to rot...Left to fester in its own anguish...Just like she was forced too… "

His thoughts were beginning to drift, going places where he'd rather they not. Places that hadn't been delved in for years now, because they were the source of his burning hatred, and he feared that going too close to them, would burn him far worse than any actual flame.

With a swift shake of his head, the captain forced himself back to reality, doing so just in time to watch the Yuyan archers mobilize, dashing out the front gate with their bows in hand, their quivers filled, and a clear purpose in mind.

" So it seems that Zhao is putting his plan into action already...Maybe another failure will humble him...Then again, can something so simple-minded actually be humbled? " He mused to himself, laughing under his breath as he made his way to the room he'd been placed in.

There was an interesting odor in the air, one that only he'd seemed to have noticed. While Zhao's plan was doomed to fail in the end, it didn't mean that nothing interesting was going to come out of tonight, and he wanted to be the first person there to witness whatever this event was to be.


To say that Zuko was frustrated, would have been an understatement. Having just trekked up an unkempt mountain trail, avoiding the likes of Fire Nation scouts, falling rocks, and a platypus bear of all things, the masked swordsman was more than flustered at this point.

So reaching what was left of the dilapidated medical facility, and finding a little old lady who told him that the key to fighting the illness could be found in "Frozen wood frogs, " had left him feeling past the point of traditional frustration.

The first thing wrong with that, was the fact that getting his hands on anything remotely close to a wood frog, would require another trek down the mountain trail. The second thing? Gathering enough frogs for everyone afflicted, if they'd even work. Frogs tended to hibernate during this time of year, and they were rather solitary creatures when hibernating, so finding so many in such a short time, was bound to be an exasperating task.

But that wasn't the only thing that had been on Zuko's mind as he made his way down a secondary path.

The old herbalist had briefly mentioned that a bald boy had visited her, asking about something similar, before flying off on some kind of kite. He knew he shouldn't have mulled over it for as long as he had been, but something about what she had said, had caused his mind to start acting up, piecing together a puzzle that he'd never intended on making in the first place.

" Bald boys that fly...Katara said she was traveling with the Avatar before I found her...And that he was an airbender...Airbenders were supposed to be bald, and I don't really know of any other boys that can fly… "

He'd come to the conclusion without even trying to. The Avatar was in the area, that meant the same for Katara's brother, and something about that knowledge left a sour feeling in the pit that had formed in Zuko's stomach.

" She's going to leave you know… "

Zuko froze in place, his eyes widened, his shoulders rigid. A new voice had crept it's way from the depths of his mind, one of the two voices that haunted his nightmares. Hearing it while awake left him feeling as if his spine had just frozen solid. The silky tone that belied the voices true nature, had long since tormented him as he slept, but never once had he heard it while conscious, not until now at least.

" They're nearby you know...Waiting for her to get all better so they can take her away, and then you'll be all alo- "

" SHUT UP! "

Birds flew away at the sound of Zuko's outburst. His head was lowered, and his fist was firmly planted against the bear, having thrusted it into the solid bark in an attempt to silence the voice. Though his hand trembled from the new pain, his mind was put to ease, the voice was gone, and he hoped it would stay that way.

Reaching the bottom of the trail had been far easier than Zuko figured it to be. With most of the path having been walked while Zuko fought his inner demons, he'd never even realized just how fast he'd been moving before smashing his fist into the tree.

Apparently it had been fast enough to reach the base of the path in less time than he'd taken to walk up it. Perhaps he'd inadvertently skipped parts of the trail, but it didn't matter now, the murky waters of the marshland were within his view. All he'd need to do was get a bag full of those frogs, and get back to the village as fast as his legs would carry him.

Of course when it came to Zuko though, everything was always easier said than it was done. Something always seemed to crop up when at the most inopportune of times.

And now was one of those moments unfortunately.

Just as he'd stepped into the chilled water to retrieve the first of his quarry, the unmistakable sound of an arrow whizzing by caught his attention. Following this was the sound of panicked sloshing through the water, and a cry from a young male.

Not caring for how cold the water was, Zuko lowered himself till only the top half of his mask was unsubmerged. Creeping through the water, using the weeds to conceal himself, Zuko had made his way to the source of all the commotion.

Beneath his mask, Zuko's eyes were as wide as they could get. He'd seen many things in his life that left him feeling varying degrees of sensations, from pain to disgust. But never had he felt such shock running through his body, never until his eyes had laid upon the trapped form of a bald boy, adorning the most unusual robes he'd ever seen, with arrow shaped tattoos on his stretching across the exposed parts of his body.

He was looking at the Avatar. THE Avatar, the very same that Katara had previously been traveling with, was within throwing distance. The boy could have seen him if he wanted to. He could have, if not for the fact that the Avatar, the bridge to the spirit world, and master of all elements, was ensnared in a net, cast upon him by the Yuyan archers.

At any other time, Zuko would have rushed to aid the boy, getting in close before the sharpshooter could knock another arrow and cut the boy free. But he couldn't, not in such unfavorable conditions.

His movement was severely hindered in the waist deep water, and there was no doubt more archers in the surrounding trees, none of which had spotted him yet, thankfully.

Although it pained him, Zuko was forced to watch as the boy was hauled off by the archers, dragged through the waters and onto land like a net full of freshly caught fish. His fists tightened beneath the water's surface, and his eyes had shaped into a glare sharper than either of his blades.

" Just let the brat go...If he's around then Katara will leave you, just think about it. "

Zuko ignored the voice, pushing it, and his own treacherous thoughts to the depths of his mind. That didn't matter now, at least, not as much as it once had. A boy, no older than twelve, was just abducted before him, and he was helpless to do anything.

Avatar or not, Aang was still a person, a person in need. And wherever there was someone in need, someone who needed saving, he would be. The Fire Nation had just made the one mistake they shouldn't have, Zuko was already enraged over the hand they played in the children's illness, but now, he had an actual reason to go after them.

" Don't worry Avatar...I won't let them take you...Katara wouldn't want that… "

Gone was Zuko at that moment. A newfound objective had been placed before him, one, not for the amnesia ridden youth, but for the Blue Spirit.

He was going to save the Avatar. No matter the cost.