Chapter 41: Bad Luck Charm
"You're making it wrong!"
Katara's irritation echoed through the kitchen as Zuko continued to boil the tea in front of him over the stone stove. Iroh had left the room to go ensure the customers were happy, and while he did so he tasked us with keeping the kitchen running. As I mixed dough for pastries, I looked over to see Katara was trying to grab the tea leaves from Zuko. He held the clay container out of reach as she tried to grab it from him.
"I've been with my Uncle for three years! I know how to brew some damn tea!"
"And I've been cooking since I was six!" She jumped up to try and grab the container. "You can't just dump the tea leaves like that! You have to be slow, moron!"
Letting out a deep sigh, I dropped the wooden spoon I was using to mix the batter and walked over to Katara and Zuko. Butting between them, I snapped, "You two have been bickering nonstop since Iroh left. It's tea for goodness sake! One little error isn't going to be the end of the world!"
Katara stepped back, placing her hands on her hips. "I'm just trying to protect Iroh from losing customers! If you brew it too strong the taste will be bitter!"
"But we want it strong enough so people taste the tea! With your method we might as well give them water!" Zuko lowered the container. "But fine! If you're such an expert then by all means!" He shoved the tea container towards Katara.
She huffed. "No! I know what you're trying to do! You're trying to hand off the work to me so you can go be a lazy Prince!"
"Well not much work is getting done with you not wanting me to be a lazy Prince! Stop hovering over my shoulder and the tea will get done!"
Grabbing the container, I said, "For goodness sake! Katara, food! Zuko, dishes! I'll handle the tea!"
They were astounded by my demands, but they both did as I requested in defeat. As they went to separate sides of the room, I let out a deep sigh glad to see that boiling water and flames were not soaring through the air.
In silence the three of us worked in the kitchen. I was relieved the yelling had stopped for a brief moment, and hoped we could keep peace a little longer. As we worked, I began to hum a soft tune without thinking about the origin of the song. Katara had calmed down and was surprised by the melody.
"I haven't heard that song in years." She stopped with the bread and looked over at me with surprise. "Mom used to sing it to me. I heard it the night before she died."
I grimaced, stopping my melody and stepping back from the brew. "Oh… Sorry… I didn't even notice it was her song."
She smiled over at me. "No… It's okay. It's good to hear it again." She looked over at Zuko then with a smirk. "What about you? Your mom ever sing to you? Got any songs you want to sing?"
Zuko placed the tea cup he was drying back on the table, and his face twisted in pain as he thought about his mother. "Not really… My mom was more of a story teller. I think she used to sing when she was my age, but she never mentioned her childhood much to me." He paused for a moment, and then continued. "From what I can gather though, she really liked the theater and listening to music. She'd take me to shows and festivals all the time when I was little… I'd even started learning how to play the Tsungi horn a few months before she disappeared because she asked me to."
Katara's smirk fell. "Oh…" She looked over at me briefly, and then back at Zuko who was staring at the washbasin in front of him with deep thought. "Can I ask… I mean, Crystal told me your mom isn't around like ours, but she didn't go into detail… what happened to her?"
Taking in a heavy breath, Zuko answered, "I wish I knew…"
My heart ached at the pain in Zuko's voice. Taking the pot off the stove, I set it aside to stop the water from boiling over. Then I walked over to Zuko and placed my hand on his shoulder to comfort him. He placed his hand over my own and gave it a squeeze to reassure himself and calm the pain in his heart.
Katara was surprised by his reaction, and then she hung her head with guilt. "I'm sorry… I shouldn't have brought that up. I've just always been curious." She met my gaze momentarily, and then turned back to her bread. "I wish I knew what happened to my mom too… Looks like we have something in common."
Her words felt like a slap in the face and I grimaced. I pulled my hand from Zuko's shoulder, and then crossed my arms for my own comfort. My chest tightened as images of that awful day flashed through me again. "Katara… She died… You know that…"
Katara refused to meet my gaze. "All I know is you and mom were together… She was attacked and stabbed… You were burned… There's so much blank space."
Zuko looked over at me with concern, knowing the answer Katara sought would be a very painful thing for me to give. I'd told him about my mother's death in detail, and by the end I lost it with tears. I feared telling Katara would be worse, because I'd feel the inner guilt that still weighed within me emerge. I'd kept the truth about that day from my family, because part of me blamed myself for not being strong enough to protect her.
"I'm sorry, Katara… I can't tell you... It's my burden to bear…"
She went to argue, but the door to the kitchen opened cutting her off. Iroh stepped in then, and he looked at the three of us with question when he saw the somber expressions on each of our faces.
"I see there's been some heavy discussion in here…" He came over to the dried cups and grabbed one. Then he began to fill it with the tea I'd freshly brewed. "You three should head on to the headquarters to get the plans from the generals. They should be finishing up their meeting by now, and it looks like you all could use some fresh air."
My eyes widened as my thoughts moved from my mom to the reason we'd stayed in Ba Sing Se in the first place. Dropping my crossed arms, I looked at Katara with shock. "The meeting! I totally forgot!"
Katara was surprised herself. She dropped the topic of mom as she returned to our mission at hand. "We better head over quick! We need those plans. I promised I'd bring them to the King by mid-day."
Zuko started to head towards the door that led to the space behind Iroh's shop. "Then we should head out before it gets too late." He opened the door and gestured for Katara and I to step out first. As Katara made her way out of the shop, Iroh grabbed my arm to stop me. Looking at him with question, I saw him look uneasy. "You three be careful… I've heard rumor that some of the Dai Li are still loyal to their previous leader. Keep alert."
Nodding, I placed my hand over his to reassure him. "We'll be careful, Iroh… Promise…"
He released me, but as the three of us left the shop, I looked back at him one last time to see the uncertainty on his expression. His worries caused my own uncertainty to build. Things were going too well for all of us… Our luck usually wasn't that great… I feared Iroh's concerns were rational.
Taking a carriage from Iroh's shop, the three of us arrived at the military headquarters where the Council of Five were done with their plans. As we stood in the war room at a giant circular table with a stone map in the center, General How finished up the meeting by asking Zuko some last minute questions about the Fire Nation. As Zuko answered the questions, the other four generals listened with great interest and curiosity. Katara looked over the written up plans as the discussion commenced, while I fiddled with one of the stone figurines from the giant war map in front of me.
Eventually General How finished speaking with Zuko and shot one last scroll to Katara and I from across the table. As Katara took the scroll that had been delivered by a moving stone across the table, she added it to the other scroll in her hand.
General How spoke once the scroll was secure with its deliverer. "All we need is the Earth King's seal in order to execute the plan. You three should head out swiftly."
Katara stood and nodded. "We'll get these scrolls to him right away. Thank you, General How."
As the three of us left the Council of Five to return to the carriage that would take us to the palace, Zuko let out a deep sigh. "I can't believe I'm spilling the Fire Nation's secrets so easily. It's like I've been a traitor for years rather than a few days."
Running a hand through my hair, I responded, "You were banished by your father, Zuko… You can't be a traitor to a place you're not allowed to return to…"
He fell silent for a moment, pondering over my words. "Yeah… I guess you're right."
Katara spoke up as well. "If it's any consolation… I like traitorous Prince Zuko better than banished Prince Zuko."
He was surprised by Katara's compliment. He smiled and then whispered to me, "I think I'm finally getting on your sister's good side."
She stopped walking and turned around to face Zuko. We both abruptly stopped in our step as well so we didn't run her over. At first I thought she'd snap at Zuko's comment, but I was relieved to see the playfulness in her eyes. "You know... Listening to you talk to the council today made me reconsider a lot about you. I always pegged you as a mindless rich kid, but you're much smarter than you look. Thanks for proving me wrong."
She turned and continued towards the waiting carriage before us. As she did so, Zuko's jaw dropped in shock. Then he recovered and crossed his arms. "Wait! What do you mean by that?! You thought I looked stupid!" She ignored him getting into the carriage. "Hey! Answer me!" He headed towards the carriage to get his answer. As he did, I smiled feeling a moment of ease. It was such a comfort seeing the two of them get along for a change.
A few moments later, after hearing Katara and Zuko bicker back and forth in the carriage, we finally arrived at the palace. Once we got there, we headed through the large gate and arrived at the empty courtyard. As we headed towards the steps that led up to the throne room where Earth King Kuei waited for us, I stopped mid-step with an unsettled feeling inside me.
Zuko, who had been walking beside me, noticed my halt and stopped as well. "Hey… You okay?" By his words, Katara stopped at the bottom of the steps and looked back at me with question.
"I don't know… Something feels off… There are usually more guards positioned in the courtyard. I haven't seen any though…"
Katara looked around then, as if noticing this for the first time. Zuko seemed to take in my words with understanding. "It is a bit strange now that you mention it." He looked around us for any sign of the King's men.
My sister stepped back over to me, saying, "If you're worried something's wrong, then why don't you wait out here… That way if we're not back in half an hour you can come look for us… You can be our backup in case something goes south."
Her words put me slightly at ease. "Maybe that's a good idea…" I rubbed the back of my neck anxiously. "I don't know what it is… but I haven't felt right since we left Iroh's shop. Everything is just going too perfect. I don't get why we're having so much luck…"
Katara sighed. "Things can go good for a change, Crys. That's not a bad thing. But I understand your concerns… Stay out here, and if we aren't back soon then come to the throne room… we will be back though. There's nothing to worry about." As she turned to walk off, I reached in my boot for the sheathed knife I always kept for precaution. "Wait… Just in case…" I held the knife out to her. "You may not have water, and it's better you're prepared." She looked at it with shock.
"Really Crystal! It's fine!" Katara handed the scrolls to Zuko, and then stepped over to me pushing the knife down. "What has you so worried?"
I grimaced. "I don't know… Maybe Sokka's instincts are actually a twin thing… I just have this awful feeling inside me that something is going to go bad… The plans we have right now are a huge turning point to this war… I just don't want them to fall into the wrong hands…"
She sighed. "How's about this then... Zuko will hold on to the plans. That way if something happens he can burn them…"
Nodding, I gripped the knife's sheath tight. "Okay… I'll wait out here…"
She smiled reassuringly, and then took the knife from my hand. "If it will make you feel better... But I won't need it…" She stuck it in her boot, and then turned to head up the stairs.
Zuko stepped over to me before following Katara. "I heard what Uncle said to you before we left… If the Dai Li tries anything, I'll be ready this time. Don't worry… Everything will be fine."
Letting out a heavy sigh, I looked into his golden orbs with plea. "Be careful."
He smiled and leaned towards me. "I'm not the one to worry about. From what I remember, you're the one constantly getting into crazy situations."
I pouted. "It's not my fault bad luck seems to follow me…"
He kissed me softly on the lips, and as his warmth lingered he whispered, "It will be fine. We'll be back soon." Turning, he and Katara made their way to the stairs and started their ascent. As they made their way to the king, I watched them both go with thoughts racing through my mind of a fear I didn't understand.
What if Long Feng still has control somehow from his prison cell? What if the plans don't make it to the King's hand? What if we fail?
With angst, I walked over to a fountain that spouted out water from the top of the statue of an Earth Kingdom generals head. Sitting on the rim of the fountain, I crossed my arms as I watched the two figures of Zuko and Katara disappear over the stairs and out of my sight.
"Please let me be wrong…"
Third Person POV
Entering the inner chamber of the palace, Katara let out a deep breath as she replayed the interaction she'd just had with her sister. "I can see why she's so worried… This is a big step we're about to take and very risky… But she does freak out way too much…"
The expression on Crystal's face stayed with Zuko as he clutched the scrolls. Her anxiety was clear, and he knew it had a lot to do with everything that happened to her in the past.
"I mean…" Katara continued. "I don't blame her for being so paranoid. She's been kidnapped, attacked, burned, and almost killed numerous times in the last few months. But there's no sign to indicate anything is going to go wrong."
Zuko listened to Katara's banter, and then added his own thoughts. "I understand what she's worried about. There are still people within this city that do not have loyalty to the King. We just need to keep alert to ensure these plans don't fall into the wrong hands."
A moment passed between them of silence. Then Katara let out a laugh from her own inner thoughts. Zuko looked over at her with puzzlement. "What's so funny?"
She smiled. "Nothing… I was just thinking about what you said. A few days ago you would've been the wrong hands. It's ironic that the fate of the world now rests in the literal grasp of the Fire Lord's son."
He grimaced. "Yeah. I never would've imagined myself to plot against my father like this."
She glanced over at him from the corner of her eye. "Avatar Roku would be proud to know his Great-Grandson chose the right path though. Honestly, these last few days have opened my eyes to some things… Something Crystal told me a long time ago is actually true… There is good in everyone…"
The corner of Zuko's lip rose by the familiarity of those words. "Crystal would say that to me all the time back on the ship. She'd always try to convince me that there was another path I could take. At the time, I only ever could see one path before me. She showed me the light, and taught me how to smile again… I owe her for not giving up on me."
The way Zuko spoke about Crystal surprised Katara. She was astounded to hear so much love and adoration come out of a guy who weeks ago was chasing them across the Earth Kingdom. Their conversation came to a halt though as they approached the large door that opened to the throne room. On either side of the door stood a Dai Li agent. Their heads were bent so their faces were concealed by shadows cast by their large hats.
"We're here to see the King. We have the plans from the Council of Five for the invasion."
The Dai Li were silent as they turned and both swung their fists at the doors. As the doors opened to allow Zuko and Katara access into the throne room, Katara was relieved to see the Kyoshi warriors standing by the empty throne. From the distance, she assumed the tall one in green was Suki.
"Hey, Suki!" Katara stepped in, and Zuko followed behind. As they went, the doors shut closing them inside. The sound of the door being shut surprised the two, and they looked back in shock.
"Suki, huh…?" There was a slight pause, and then snicker. "I'd wondered what that chicks name was. Her uniform fit me perfectly."
Zuko's blood dropped as a familiar voice echoed across the room, and his eyes shot over to the girl Katara had mistaken as a friend. Katara gasped in horror at the person she realized to be in the stolen green Kyoshi warrior dress. She covered her mouth as she spoke out in shock. "Azula?!"
Zuko knew what he had to do before being told. Without a second to waste, the scrolls in his hand turned to flames as he burned them to a crisp. Azula watched from across the room with disbelief as her brother protected the secrets of the invasion she'd heard word of from the Earth King himself.
"Ah… So you've turned on us, Zuzu." She stepped forward, and the two other girls followed on either side of her. "And found yourself a new girlfriend."
Katara's face turned red, and she snapped, "I'm not his girlfriend!"
Zuko scowled at his sister, ignoring her foolish comment. "What are you doing here?! How did you get in the city?!"
She grinned. "Simple… I used my charm and good looks."
Katara's fists tightened as she prepared to fight. "More like your deception and force!"
The tall girl who stood to the left of Azula, spoke up in a leveled voice, "I admit that way was much more entertaining." She then darted her eyes to Zuko. "Long time no see."
Zuko recognized Mai as soon as she spoke. He knew she'd had a crush on him in the past, but to him she'd always been a nuisance. He could see the hurt and betrayal on her face, but he felt no guilt for falling in love with Crystal. He tried to stay composed. "Mai… It's been a while…"
"Yes." She ground her teeth in irritation. "But I see you've been having fun. You even found yourself a pretty little Water tramp to play with. Crystal, right? Congrats, Zuko."
Katara scowled. "Don't call my sister that!" She whipped water out of her moccasin ready to fight.
Azula smirked. "Girls… Let's give our guests a proper greeting. What do you say?"
Crystal POV
Staring at the water beside me, I played with a stream in the air but the impatience caused me to drop the water back from where it came.
"This is taking too long," I muttered to myself, running a hand through my hair. "I knew something was off…"
With a heavy sigh, I stood from my perch on the palace fountain and headed towards the steps of the palace entryway. After a moment of climbing, I reached the opening to the inner chambers and headed down the hall. However, uncertainty fell over me as I noticed something strange the further I entered into the palace chambers. Instead of the King's usual guards standing at the entrance to the palace, there were Dai Li agents. Not just that, but there were no Earth Kingdom guards in sight anywhere. All I saw were the Dai Li, and my heart began to thud. I didn't need a scroll placed in my hand with a hidden warning on it to tell me something was going on.
Quickening my pace, I rushed through the halls with anxiety, fearing the worse had happened to Katara and Zuko. When I finally reached the throne room doors a moment later, Dai Li officers stood on both sides and glanced over at me.
"What's going on? Where are all the guards?"
The Dai Li officer to my right answered cautiously. "We were requested to guard the King today. His officers were sent out to scout the border."
I didn't need Toph to see through his lie.
"Open the door… Let me through," I ordered.
They both stepped in front of the doors. The one who had spoken to me before stated, "We can't do that, miss. The Earth King is in the middle of an audience."
I grit my teeth. "That audience is my sister and Zuko. Let me through!"
They stood firm. "Not until we are given the order to do so," the other man finally spoke. "We were told not to let anyone pass."
A scream suddenly sounded from inside, and I gasped knowing fully well who the owner was.
"KATARA!" In a frenzy of panic, I rushed forward towards the door. The two men grabbed my arms to stop me, and tried to pull me back. "Let go of me!" I kicked at them both in the knees, but they refused to release. "Let me in!" Thoughts were racing through my head. I had no clue what was going on, but I had a feeling the Dai Li were written all over it. Katara's scream filled me with anxiety.
"Hey! What's going on here?"
Another male voice rang from behind, and I turned my head to see another Dai Li officer approach us from down the hall. The other two men released me and backed away to their original positions. Lowering their heads, the one who had first spoke to me answered, "The girl is trying to enter the throne room."
The middle aged man who wore a darker green than the other Dai Li, stated, "As your commanding officer, I suggest you open that door. The Avatar's friend is our special guest."
Both men nodded and spoke in unison. "Yes sir." The man to my right turned to the side then and punched his hand towards the door. The massive frame opened and I hesitated to step in. Without giving me a chance to linger, the commanding officer of the Dai Li shoved me forward into the room. When I stumbled in, I was horrified by the three people in the room I wasn't expecting.
Azula stood where my sister and Zuko were currently restrained, and I could tell by the way the Dai Li officers held onto each of their arms that they had been hit by Ty Lee's chi blocking. The tiny girl with a long braid sat on the steps of the throne room looking anxious, while her friend Mai stood at the King's empty throne with narrowed eyes. They were all dressed in Kyoshi Warrior uniforms like the one I had seen Suki in, and I knew without a doubt the uniform belonged to Suki. What had Azula done to her and the other warriors? And where was the Earth King?
Once I entered the room, all eyes had turned to me with surprise. Azula was stunned by my appearance, but then I saw thrill fill her gaze. Katara and Zuko were horrified.
"Well, well… I was wondering when you'd arrive," Azula chimed.
"No! Crys! Run!"
My sister's shout brought me out of my shock, and I jumped into action. As a Dai Li agent shot earth at me from across the room, I darted to the side with a shriek. Searching wildly for water, I saw a pitcher on a tray beside the King's throne. Darting my hand forward, the liquid in the container followed my command as I brought it to me. As this occurred, another agent rushed towards me sending his own stone projectile at me. Jerking to the side, I whipped my water at him hitting him sharply in the forehead. He fell back as his senses were knocked around.
Jerking my water behind me then, I heard the crash of a stone slam against my stream as I blocked the other Dai Li agent's attack from behind. Turning, I kept control of the water as I shot it at the surprised agent and knocked him off his feet onto his stomach.
"GET HER YOU IDIOT'S!" Azula's rage echoed from where she stood by her brother.
The other two agents in the room shot their own mounds of stone at me, and with luck I brought my water in front of me fast enough to create an icy barrier. The rocks hit the frozen molecules cracking the surface, but the stone did drop to the floor. As soon as their attacks were blocked, I brought the ice back to liquid and shot two streams away from me towards each agent. They both dodged, but weren't fast enough to dodge again when I brought the water at their backs. My hit sent them both stumbling forward.
"That's it!" Azula's enraged shout rang through the room. Blue fire shot towards me from the corner of my eyes, and I gasped stumbling back in just enough time to feel the heat fly by. As this occurred, my water fell to the floor soaking into the stone. Turning to Azula, I had just enough time to dodge her second ball of flames.
Zuko panicked from nearby. "Crys! Get out of here!"
I knew he was right. I couldn't fight his sister with the limited water I had. I needed Iroh.
"She's not going anywhere!" Azula rushed at me, and I stumbled back to try and run. Before I could though, the ground lifted behind my ankle and I tripped back trying to get my footing. As I stumbled, she jumped up and kicked a stream of fire towards me. The heat brushed the skin of my hands as I tried to block my face, and I gasped from the sharp pain that erupted. Catching myself from falling, I barely had time to react when Azula grabbed my wrist and jerked me forward. Her tight grip caused me to cringe but I tried to kick her for release.
"What are you idiots waiting for?! Grab her!" She shoved me back and I was immediately restrained by a Dai Li officer from behind.
Twisting in his grip, I snapped, "Are you insane?! Why are you helping the enemy?! Is controlling the city such a desire that you would turn on the Earth Kingdom entirely!"
The Dai Li man kicked me in the shin. "Silence!" As this occurred, another Dai Li agent arrived with some firm rope and managed to tie my hands together behind me.
"Azula! Stop! Let her go, now!" Zuko's rage was heard from behind, but he was unable to move to assist me. "You can hurt me all you want, but Crystal and her sister are not a part of this."
She scowled, stomping over to Zuko with spite. "I can do whatever I please! I can make you feel more pain than you've ever felt!" She lit a flame in her hand and held it threateningly to his face. "You've been nothing but a thorn in my side since we were young."
I was horrified at the thought of Zuko getting hurt. "Hey! Your brother has done nothing to you! Don't take your anger out on him," I snapped. "He isn't a punching bag!"
Azula smirked. "You don't want me to punish him, huh?" She brushed a loose strand of hair out of her eyes. "Fine… I see what's going on. I don't mind using you as a substitute."
Zuko was horrified. "No! She has nothing to do with the quarrel you have towards me Azula! Don't touch her!"
Azula ignored Zuko as she stepped towards me. I struggled in the agents hold to try and break free to save us all. "You hear that Crystal… Zuzu doesn't want me to touch you." Her hand grabbed a fist-full of hair and jerked my head back. "What do you think? Should I listen to him? Should I grab the other waterbender instead?"
At the mention of my sister, I knew I had to keep Azula's attention on me. I didn't want any of Azula's psychotic actions to have my sister as their target. With a scowl, I spat at her face and hissed, "Why? I'm the one you want to torture to get back at your brother. Leave her out of it."
Azula cringed as my saliva trailed down her cheek. Taking her hand, she wiped the liquid with disgust. Then she grinned devilishly and backhanded me. The contact caused my cheek to pulse and an iron taste to fill in my mouth. My vision blurred a bit.
"Stop! Leave her alone!" Katara cried from behind, paralyzed by Ty Lee's chi block and unable to escape the hold of the agents that held her up.
"If you want to hurt someone then hurt me! This is between us!" Zuko tried again from behind, but he could not struggle either due to Ty Lee's attack on him as well.
Azula grinned and stepped past me. The agent forced me to turn so I was facing Zuko and Katara once again. They both looked greatly concerned about my wellbeing. As they both tried to get there mobility back, Azula stepped over to Katara. I struggled harder, shouting, "Get away from her!"
She ignored me, meeting Katara's gaze with delight. "So… The Avatar's girlfriend, right? You're my key to capturing that boy…" Her nail hit Katara's chin only enough to push her head back. Katara kept her fear composed. "No worries, peasant. I won't hurt you until your boyfriend arrives. You're my leverage." She then walked over to Zuko, who glared daggers at her. "Oh come now, Zuzu… You should've guessed I would win… I always do…" She leaned forward and spoke something into his ear. Whatever she said, his eyes widened and he looked at her with horror. "What do you say, Zuzu? Want to go home and make daddy proud? Or should I just continue with your punishment? It's your decision."
He fell silent for a moment, letting whatever Azula spoke to him run through his mind. Then he took in a deep breath, and shook his head. "No… I will not betray the woman I love… I can go home once this war is over…"
Mai scowled at his confession. Her eyes shot to me with fury.
Azula smirked. "Once this war is over, the only place you'll be going is to prison for treachery. You can tell all the other pathetic worms about being related to Avatar Roku, since you think that small detail is so important." She backed up. "You have one more chance Zuko… Come back over to my side and help me bring this world into a new age… Or betray your own people and suffer… What will it be?"
He took a moment as her words sunk in again. I could only imagine he was afraid of what was going to happen to him if he refused his sister, but he knew in his heart the right path to take. "I will not turn my back on people who need help. This war is wrong, and it's time peace is restored."
She sneered. "These peasants have made you soft, brother." She turned away from him and walked back over to me. "Very well… Take him and the waterbender away. I'd like some alone time with Zuko's pet. We have catching up to do… I mean," she looked back at Zuko, "As my future sister-in-law I have to get to know her."
Zuko and Katara were dragged out of the throne room then, and I could tell they both were anxious about being separated from me.
"NO!" Katara cried out. "Let her go! Don't touch her!"
Zuko's shout was rage. "AZULA! DON'T DO THIS!"
She ignored them, stepping back to me with composure. "Don't worry, you two. She'll be joining you as soon as I'm done." She stopped in front of me, meeting my infuriated gaze with amusement. "It's been too long..."