Chapter Two

Katara groaned and sat down heavily on a barrel standing behind an old abandoned building. If I had realized how big this side of town was I wouldn't have suggested exploring the entire thing myself. She thought grumpily. Her feet were killing her. She had been walking for well over an hour and there was still no sign of Aang. She hadn't even made it around her side of town yet. She absent mindedly rubbed the back of her legs, trying to get them to stop hurting so bad.

"No. She got away but it isn't that important. Once our plan is set into action then we will no longer have to worry about the Avatar."

Katara froze, her heart leaping into her throat. The all too familiar voice of Prince Zuko drifted out from inside the old building that Katara was sitting behind. She listened closely, hardly daring to breath.

"Whatever you say Prince Zuko." Katara recognized the second voice to be that of the old man that traveled with Prince Zuko. What was his name? Iroh?

She heard footsteps and realized they were walking farther away; she could no longer make out what they were saying. What were they talking about? A feeling of unease filled her as she thought back to the banished Prince's words. I've got to find out. Aang could be in danger!

She stood up slowly, trying not to make any noise that would draw their attention to her. She saw a broken window above her head and realized that was how she was able to hear their voices so clearly. She slowly raised her head until she could just see in. The room in front of her was bare except for an overturned table and a chair with one leg broken off. Everything was gray looking from lack of light and covered with dust and cobwebs. She noticed a two pairs of footprints in the dust going across the room and out the door into another, larger room. She could just make out a flight of stairs in the larger room and she assumed the two had climbed them.

"I have to get up there." She muttered to herself. Glancing around, she crept around to the other side of the old house. There was another broken window on that side. Katara peeked in. She could see the stairs against the opposite wall. She could now see underneath them and was surprised to see that there was a cupboard with a tiny door that was shut. She had assumed that there was simply an open space beneath them but now as she gazed at the tiny cupboard a plan began to form in her mind.

Casting one more glance around to make sure that no one was watching Katara slowly swung her leg up over the window sill. She pulled herself up until she was sitting on the edge. She kept her head low to avoid the sharp pieces of broken glass that were still hanging from the top two panes of glass. She slid carefully in until she felt her feet touch the ground. Dropping silently to the floor she crept across the room to the stairs. She hesitated when she came to the cupboard. In a building as old as this the door was sure to be rusted and would probably squeak when she opened it. She hadn't planned on that. Maybe I should just go back.

THUMP. THUMP. Katara jerked, startled and realized with a thrill of horror that someone was approaching the front of the building. Suddenly a shadow appeared outside the front door and she could just make out the figure of a person reaching for the door knob. Katara spun around and grabbed the door to the cupboard. It was either this or be caught by whoever was outside. She wretched the door opened. It groaned in protest but swung open enough for her to slide inside where she quickly shut it tightly behind her. Glancing down her eyes fell upon an old rusted latch. She quickly latched it, feeling slightly more relaxed. Maybe if the door was locked it would discourage anyone from trying to get it.

She was not a moment to soon. Just then the front door flew open and Katara could hear heavy footsteps as someone entered.

"General Gonju. I'm glad you could make it." Prince Zuko's voice floated down from the top of the stairs. She heard his lighter footsteps as he came down them. He crossed the room to where the other man was standing.

"I don't have much time. My men are anxious to be off. We have orders from Admiral Zhao to be back at the Fire Nation in three days time." General Gonju's voice was low and cracked. "What is this so called plan that you have come up with? It had better be worth my time."

"Oh don't worry." Zuko answered smugly, "It is." Katara heard him begin to pace the room. "I'll get right to the point. There is something I need very much. It is a weapon that until now was only heard of in legends; however I have word from a reliable source that it does, in fact, exist. It has tremendous power that, in the right hands, could render the Avatar helpless. It would completely destroy his powers. However, I need help to get it. Help from someone who would be very, very richly rewarded."

"What would I have to do?" General Gonju asked suspicion apparent in his voice.

"I need supplies. From inside the Fire Nation. This…item is locked away in a temple on an uninhabited island. Only Fire Nation soldiers can enter but if I were to borrow some of their supplies I could use them to get inside."

"I see." There was a pause. "Fine. I will get you your supplies but if Admiral Zhao finds out my intentions I will tell him everything I know."

"Then make sure he doesn't." Prince Zuko hissed. "I leave tomorrow. One of my soldiers will meet you at the Fire Nation's border at dusk in three days. I'm training new recruits to take with me to the Temple for protection. I don't quite trust my men. They are not devoted to me."

"I will be there. But if I do not get my reward then you will be getting some unwanted attention from Admiral Zhao."

"It will be there." Zuko snapped. Katara heard footsteps as General Gonju crossed the room and left, slamming the door behind him.

"Come Uncle!" Zuko called up the stairs. "We must get the new recruits on the ship. I don't want to waste any time."

"As you wish. But perhaps we could stop for some tea first?" Iroh asked, coming down the stairs.

"Uncle!"

"Just asking."

There was a slam and then all was quite. Katara opened the door and stepped out from her hiding place, her head spinning. What am I going to do?

A/N: Sorry if it's taking a little while to get started but it should pick up soon.