Chapter Nine

The Cave

A child and his father were playing in a grassy field. They were tossing a ball back and forth between them. "Daddy, when I grow up, I wanna be an admiral just like you," said the child, walking to his father. The child looked up at his father and gave him a hug.

The father chuckled and hugged his son back. "That would make me very proud," he said.

There was a flash. Now the boy was older and he was in that same field, except this time, he was with a girl. They were standing face to face, her hands in his. "Azula, why now?" he said.

"I just don't think it would work. You understand right?" Azula said.

Khundes opened his eyes. He hadn't had a dream like that in a while. He sat up and looked around. They were still flying. "How long was I asleep?" he asked.

"Only about an hour, but you were very restless," Katara said.

Khundes looked down over the edge of Appa's saddle. "Aang, go ahead and land. There are some caves in this area that we can hide in," he said.

"Alright," Aang said.

"Caves are our only choice right now. We should avoid cities and villages as much as possible until we get to the Fire Nation capitol," Khundes said.

They landed on an out cropping in front of a cave and got off of Appa. Khundes lit a ball of fire in the palm of his hand and walked into the cave. "These caves were made by a group of earthbenders who were trying to get to the Fire Nation capitol secretly and toke out the Fire Lord so they could end the war. All but one of them were caught. The one that wasn't caught made it to the capitol but was killed when trying to get into the palace," he told them.

"Why haven't they demolished the caves?" Katara asked.

"I doubt there is anyone who cares enough to waste time to demolish these caves. The Fire Nation has become over confidant. The Fire Nation believes itself to be invincible," Khundes said.

"How did you know these caves were here?" Aang asked.

"I learned about them when I was still in school... before I got sent to help at Omashu. I also know that sometimes prisoners from the prison tower are executed here," Khundes said.

Katara gasped. "Thats horrible. There's never a reason to take someone's life... ever," she said.

"I wish that was everyone's attitude," Aang said.

"Are we done walking yet? I can't even see the entrance anymore," Sokka said.

"Yeah... we should be far enough away. If Azula decides to search the caves though there's no where to go but deeper into the cave," Khundes said.

"We could close off the tunnel for the night and open it in the morning," Sokka said.

"Are you kidding? We'd suffocate. The cave can stay open we just need to have watches. Someone needs to sit at the mouth of the cave at all times," Khundes said.

"I'll take the first watch," Sokka said, walking back to the cave's entrance.

Later that night, Khundes sat at the mouth of the cave keeping watch. He began thinking about his father and how disappointed he'd be right now. By helping the Avatar he had shamed his father... No. He hadn't. Helping the Avatar is the right thing to do.

"Khundes?" came Katara's voice from behind him.

Khundes turned his head slightly. "Shouldn't you be asleep Katara?" he asked her.

Katara sat down by him and looked at him. "She meant something to you didn't she?" she asked.

"Who?" Khundes said.

"Azula... she meant something to you," Katara said,

Khundes looked down at the ground and nodded slowly. "There was a time when I would have done anything, hurt anyone for her. My father was over joyed when he found out that I was involved with Azula. Our family would become part of the royal family if she and I got married. Which, for a while, was going to happen once we came of age. Fire Lord Ozai even told me once I'd be a great Fire Lord," Khundes said.

"You could have become Fire Lord?" Katara asked.

"Yeah... after Prince Zuko that is. The Fire Lord also said once, that I was like the son he never had and that I make him proud. So I think I would have become Fire Lord before Zuko," Khundes said.

"You could have put a stop to the war. What happened between you and Azula?" Katara asked.

"Either she got bored or she faked that she didn't want to be with me. She was always good at faking. I guess I'll never know," Khundes said.

Katara scooted close to Khundes, put an arm around Khundes' waist, and rested her head on his shoulder. "I'm so sorry she hurt you," she said.

Khundes looked at her. "Katara... take my advice. Tell Aang now," he said.

Katara looked up at Khundes. "What?"

"Tell Aang you love him. If you don't, you'll miss the opportunity," Khundes said.

"I don't know... What if he doesn't feel the same way?" Katara said.

"Then there's other fish in the sea," Khundes said.

Katara didn't know what to say now. She felt confused and frustrated. What should I do?

Khundes looked at her. "It's not east to lose or let go of the one you love, Tell him, or you'll never know how he feels," he said.

Katara stood up and looked at Khundes. "You're right," She stopped suddenly and looked off into the distance.

"What is it?" Khundes said, getting to his feet and looking in the direction she was looking. Then he saw it. A trail of dust was fast approaching them. "Azula."

"She might pass us by," Katara said.

"No... she won't. She'll have the caves searched. We need to wake the other," Khundes said.

"I'll go wake them. You wait here and watch what she does," Katara said, turned and ran back into the cave.

Khundes layed down on the rock ledge and watched as the dust cloud approach. As it drew closer he could see the outline of the vehicle pull up and stop. He didn't need light to see who it was. He could hear her shouting orders.

"Spread out and search the caves. I'll check the one at the top," Khundes heard Azula say.

Khundes stood up and ran back into the cave. "We need to hurry. Azula is coming up here herself," he said.

"Where do we go?" Toph said.

"Further into the cave. Its the only option we have right now," Khundes said, lighting a fireball in his head and began walking further into the cave.