Chapter 3: The Hunt Begins

Legend

Italics shows character thoughts

Word shows Date, time, and location

-Word- Shows Noises, or actions such as sighing

Enjoy, and Please Review!

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Location: Earth Kingdom - Eastern Air Temple - Day 5

The Avatar and company were enjoying a mostly quiet lunch, mostly meaning that only two people were talking; Aang and Hye. Aang was telling Hye all the great things about air bending, the said female listening intently with numerous and frequent nods of her head.

Sokka, as always, was skeptical of Hye and her being a Rune Bearer. Toph was neutral in this situation but was secretly interested in how another person is affected by a Rune, like herself. And Katara had opted to remain silent and eat without comment.

Toph was easily the least opposed to the idea of Hye coming with the group and even muttered a comment or two towards the female, a few Toph styled friendly questions, meaning they were painfully blunt and outright. The girl, now visibly more at ease, had answered the question with vigor similar to Aang's.

The atmosphere had grown thick and eventually someone had to ask the obvious question. Thankfully Sokka rose to the challenge before a mysteriously upset Katara did.

"Hey, Hye. So we know you've got a rune and all….what's that like?"

Hye put a finger on her chin and gave it a thought. Finding her answer she turned her hand into a fist and slammed it into the palm of her other hand softly, "It's like having a constantly nagging mother in your head, a cool mom sure, but a nagging one too."

"Huh?" Was Sokka's brilliant answer.

"The Rune is always talking to me, always trying to direct me, or had been. Ever since I met Aang and everyone else it has been pretty quiet." Hye seemed to lose herself in thought again but quickly returned to reality with a smile, "Yep, she's not here."

"She?" Aang asked.

"Oh, well, I think it's a she, it sure sounds like one. She acts like a mother type so I just assumed. It never said itself to be one or the other." Hye clarified.

Sokka looked a bit skeptical while Aang seemed vaguely interested, Toph was neutral about it since she too had a voice booming in her head, and Katara remained as distanced as she had been the entire meal. The group fell into silence.

Aang stood up, "Maybe I should take Hye to see Guru Pathik. Come on Hye." Aang pointed to where they were heading and Hye stood with a slightly confused nod.

Aang and Hye ventured into the temple leaving the remaining group behind. Momo choose this time to appear from no where and stole the remaining portion of Aang's food before running back into hiding. Toph fell unto her back and grunted as a cloud of dust engulfed her.

Katara pushed her food away, "I guess Aang has found a new girlfriend."

"Wha? Who? Hye?" Sokka asked while his mouth was full of food.

"What is up with Aang anyway?! Doesn't he realize that that girl is dangerous?" Katara stomped to her feet and threw her hands up in the air.

Sokka mumbled something, swallowed his food, and tried again, "What are you talking about, Katara?"

Katara looked at her brother, "Ugh! What is it with you boys! Toph, what do you think?"

The female earth bender didn't even change her position , "I doesn't really matter to me. I'm just here to teach Aang earth bending." Toph flung herself up into a sitting position, "You sure seem jealous though."

"Jealous!? Of what?! Why would I be jealous?" Katara snapped.

"Hey, don't ask me. I'm just pointing out that ever since Hye came over you've been a sour apple." Toph flopped unto her back again.

Seeing that Katara was about to explode Sokka decided to make a quick intervention, "Katara, calm down. I know that she could be dangerous but Aang's right, we don't need anymore enemies." Sokka put down his food, " All we've been doing lately is running from the Fire Nation and from people like the Dai Li. The more people we have on our side the better, and Hye could be a great ally. I think Aang knows that too."

"But…"

Sokka walked over to his sister, "Katara, what's really bothering you? Normally you'd be the first one to welcome a new friend, right with Aang." Sokka waved his hands about, "I'm normally the untrusting guy!"

Katara sighed, "I don't know…but you're right, we need all the help we can get." She smiled at her brother, "I don't know why I got so upset, I'm sorry."

Sokka sat back down, "I know that Jet fooled us all, but I don't have any bad feelings about Hye...I think she's a good person. I don't think we have to worry about her betraying us."

"I hope you're right."

Away from Katara, Toph, and Sokka, Aang and Hye entered the inner sections of the Eastern Air Temple and encounted Guru Pathik in deep thought, or he appeared to be. As soon as foot steps came into his ear shot he was turning on his butt and focusing on the two newcomers.

"Ah, Aang and…?" Guru Pathik began, eying Hye.

"Guru Pathik, this is Hye, an air bender." Aang put special emphasize on 'air bender' to point out the already painfully obvious. The guru's eyes opened wide for only a second before reverting back to his normal casual, almost sleepy, gaze.

"Ah, hello Hye, I suppose you have many questions about the rune you have?" Guru Pathik patted the ground, a sign to tell the two to sit.

Hye sat as she answered, "Um…no," she shook her head, "not really. It's something that happened, and I like that it happened. I want to learn to air bend."

"I said I would teach her, Guru Pathik." Aang chimed in.

"Did you now? I see. Well Hye you do know that the Avatar is trying to defeat the fire nation? You'll have to travel with him if you want to learn and it could lead to trouble." The Guru continued the casual conversation, now deciding to avoid the Rune subject for a time.

Hye shrugged, "I don't mind and Wind has already told me all about the Avatar and his relation to the runes." Putting her right hand to her forehead she continued, "and if Aang will teach me air bending I will promise to seal the pact again if he can get the other three to sign it as well, but only after I finish my lessons in Air bending."

Aang looked to Guru Pathik for a gesture that would say it was okay for Aang to take this wild card with him on his journey. The old sage crossed his arms and took in the deal given to him. To allow Hye to grow was to put Aang in great danger should the Rune, or its Bearer, turn on the Avatar. As she was now she couldn't harm him greatly. On the other hand if she trained, became strong, and remained an ally she could turn the tables greatly in Aang's favor. With the backing of Wind the chances of stopping the Fire nation would increase, and could be a valuable weapon against the Rune of Fire, since it will most likely align itself with the Fire Nation.

"Very well! If you feel so strongly I see no reason to stop you, if Aang wishes to teach you then taught you shall be." He was lying of course, or rather he was completely unsure if such a choice was the best path to take. Only time would tell now.

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Location: Earth Kingdom - Ba Sing Se - Day 5

Five days, had passed since Azula had struck down the Avatar and five days since that water bending girl, Katara, took off with the Avatar. Even worse, it had been five days since Zuko had turned on his uncle, Iroh, and turned back over to the Fire Nation.

In the dungeons Zuko walked past cell after cell, he hadn't spoken to his uncle ever since the incident and before he left he wanted one last chance to justify his decision. At the last cell he stopped by the door, refusing to look through the tiny barred window at his favorite relative.

"Uncle, I'm leaving to search for the Avatar." Zuko stated, keeping his expressions hard and his face forward.

"I see. So, my nephew, you still believe that what you did was right?" Iroh asked from the shadows.

Zuko nodded, "Azula says I restored my honor that day…and--"

"And you believe her? Zuko, you know more than anyone that Azula cannot be trusted."

"Which is why I'm going after the Avatar, I want to find him and bring him back, dead or alive." Zuko's fist tightened, the thoughts of all the struggle the Avatar had put him through flooding into his mind. If he had only captured him in the beginning he could have returned to the Fire Nation…and regained his throne.

"Zuko, listen to me! The path you are heading down is not one you want to lead." Iroh quickly moved towards the gate, "Look at yourself, you've betrayed everyone, even yourself!"

"NO!" Zuko moved away from the cell door, "No, uncle, you've betrayed me. You were supposed to help me capture the Avatar, not help him escape!"

Iroh's face dropped, "Zuko…your father cannot be trusted, just like Azula! They are bringing his country down, because of them an entire nation of people have lost their honor! And you've lost yours my nephew!"

"Shut up! Don't act like you know my father, you're just jealous that he became Fire Lord over you!" Zuko gritted his teeth, "That's why you never taught me the more advanced fire bending techniques, you didn't want me to grow stronger!"

"No, Zuko, I didn't teach you everything because you were not ready. The fact that you couldn't bend lightning without it exploding in your face shows that. Your heart is still conflicted, even now you don't know if the choice you made was correct."

Before Zuko could answer footsteps he sensed another presence and turned to face his sister who seemingly appeared out of nowhere. The fire princess' smile held that same superior mockery that Zuko had come to loath.

"That's quite enough uncle, I think you've had your chance to turn my brother into a traitor." Azula walked up to Zuko, "But I think you're right, Zuzu, I think the Avatar needs to be confirmed dead or alive and I'm willing to let you go after him…on one condition."

"Don't listen to her Zuko!" Iroh protested, "The avatar is needed to keep balance in the world, if Azula gets her hand on him then nothing is safe!"

Ignoring his uncle Zuko asked for the single condition for his allowance to hunt the Avatar, and his group, down.

"It's simple really, you just have to take with you a soldier or two of my choosing, for security. Now that you have returned to us as a loyal member of our family we can't have you dying on us." Of course it was a lie, the whole ordeal was to simple keep Zuko on a leash, to watch him closely.

"Two people will slow me down, make it one." Zuko requested forcefully.

"Humph, I hardly think you're in a position to ask for more than what you are given, Zuzu."

"Stop calling me that!" Zuko roared.

Azula hardly seemed phased but she relented, "Fine, one soldier than. And I know just the man for the job." She turned to Iroh's cell, "You should see him uncle, a natural with lots of potential…but no self-restraint at all. Remind you of anyone?"

Iroh remained silent for several seconds, "Yes, your father. He was a powerful fire bender but could not control his own emotions. He is a loose cannon waiting to explode."

"Oh, I was talking about you, uncle. You have so much potential too, but you let your feelings get in the way of what was most important; your family." Azula smiled at the darkness of the cell and, feeling that her job was done, turned her back on Zuko ,"I'll have your partner briefed tonight, you may leave in the morning Zuko." And then she left, knowing that she had been victorious.

Zuko waited several moments, for the sole purpose of putting distance between himself and Azula. Once he felt that he was safe from her influence he began to his own exit. He didn't care about this other soldier, as long as he didn't slow him down he wouldn't have any problems.

Iroh called out to him, "Zuko! Don't destroy the Avatar, search your heart, you know that it is the wrong thing to do!" Iroh pressed himself against the door, "I know you want your fathers acceptance, but your father only cares for conquest!"

Zuko didn't reply, be continued down the hall, eyes closed and his fists tight. He knew his path and be it right or wrong mattered little. It was about honor now and somehow he knew that only by confronting the Avatar was he going to obtain that honor again.

"ZUKO!"

That was Iroh's last futile attempt to garner his nephew's attention…

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Location: Earth Kingdom - Ba Sing Se - Day 5

Sheng had quite the full day: a meeting with a princess, an early morning fight with the Dai Li, a complete turn around in the attitudes of the men around him, and now he had a personal request from the Fire princess? Fate, if there was such a thing, had quite a sense of humor.

But his fellow fire benders had taken a better liking to him now, or rather they respected his abilities and saw that he graduated early from the academy for a real reason, that he was a good fire bender. A few of them approached him an ate their lunch with him, and after a few moments of uncertainty Sheng felt that he could get along in his new place.

Still, he was one of two fire benders called to see Princess Azula for a special mission. Though Sheng had yet to see the other fire bender who was to accompany him on this mission and as such he stood alone in the former Earth Kingdom's throne room. He wondered what had happened to the second fire bender.

Odd thing was that the room was completely empty and Sheng was beginning to wonder if this whole thing was actually some kind of cruel prank to embarrass the 'genius' or something of the sort. Sheng sighed, trying to calm himself. It was a huge problem he had, his temper, and he spent so much time controlling himself that he more often than not came off as just completely dull and cold. But it was better than falling into a rage like he knew he could…it had gotten he warden of the academy maimed and landed him in the position he was in now.

The sound of movement caused Sheng to shift his body to the left so he could watch the spectacle as a girl came cart wheeling into the room. The girl came up to the stairs that lead to the throne and stopped as gracefully as she had entered. She had her back to Sheng and for a moment he thought she hadn't noticed him, but the thought was quickly trashed as she bent backwards, to the point where she could put her hands on the ground.

"Oh, hi! You must be the new guy who beat up those Dai Li." The girl brought her lower half into the air and walked towards Sheng on her hands. Sheng wasn't sure if he should back away, fry her, or stand perfectly still. What was this girl doing here? She couldn't be part of the fire nation army, could she?

Wait…she isn't my partner is she?! The thought struck Sheng so suddenly that he actually stepped back once.

The girl saw the movement, "What? Never seen a girl bend before?" She flipped from her position up to her feet.

Before Sheng could answer another girl entered, no two, one was Azula and the other was a girl who didn't seem to be very interested in this meeting at all. Princess Azula walked up to her throne, if it could really be called hers. The girl, Mai, took a seat on one of the steps and appeared bored as could be.

Ty Lee, as Sheng later learned was her name, was no longer as cheerful as she normally was. A slight, almost nonexistent expression passed over her face. Sheng caught it only by chance but couldn't make up what it signified. Fire seemed to know that look though.

Fear. This girl fears the fire princess.

"Well, I'm sure you're wondering why I called you here." Azula had the small smirk on her face that Sheng had ever seen. He began to wonder if this girl was naturally cold or if it was a front she put up.

When Sheng hadn't answered, because of his own thoughtful musings, Azula stood from her throne and continued with her briefing as she walked towards her soldier.

"My brother, Zuko, is preparing to go after the Avatar and as much as I want to go after him myself I have to prepare Ba Sing Se to be presented to my father, otherwise I'd have Zuko stay right here." Azula walked around Sheng , hand behind her back, " But Zuko is a hard case and I can't have him leaving Ba Sing Se unattended…which is where you will be coming in. You'll be accompanying Zuko while he searches for the Avatar, to find his remains should he be dead or to finish the job if he isn't. Any questions?"

Humph, that's about as vague as a mission briefing could get, isn't it Fire?

She wants to keep you as in the dark as possible…obviously this Prince Zuko isn't trustworthy….but that could be useful to us.

Seems more like a babysitting job than a mission. Let's see what else we can find.

After a second of conversation within himself Sheng had one question only, "Is this mission to find the Avatar….or to watch Prince Zuko?"

Azula stopped her march, placing herself to Sheng's right. The silence seemed to leak on forever, but before the feeling could began to really feel like an eternity the fire nation princess turned her head to look at Sheng .

"Does that bother you? To spy on a member of Royalty?" Azula moved to Sheng's front and regarded his face, "Zuko has shown to be, untrustworthy at times, and if he chooses to get out of line you will act. Is that a problem?"

Sheng regarded he question. He found himself surprised to that the answer came to him within seconds.

Loyalty, to the Fire Nation, the people, not to the royalty.

"No, I have no problems at all. If Prince Zuko should try and turn on the Fire Nation I will strike him down."

"Excellent, but as added insurance, if you do break your oath….lets just say that your family will have more hardships than they currently have. I was going to send another with you, but something came up. You'll go with him alone." Azula turned her back on Sheng and walked back to her throne. The young man took that as a dismissal, and so he left.

Mark that one…she toys with us. I see now the blight in our nation is deep indeed.

She's using my family against me…

Calm, we will have our chance yet. And we have much work to do…I see now that our nation has lost its honor, its royalty care nothing for nobility and chivalry. I see now that our job may very well require us to topple the fire nation from the inside. But I fear that the people of Fire may be beyond saving and you will need a teacher before the end. This struggle may continue for some time. To start, we need to get inside the Fire Nation's command.

…Then I guess we should start by gaining trust.

Indeed…and watching Prince Zuko might just be the way to do it.

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A/N: Alright, so chapter 3 (Or 4 if you count the prologue). Hopefully to you readers things seem to be coming together with most of the characters from the show and my two of my own characters moving towards a goal now.

About my OC, for those that might be concerned, I don't plan for them to take the spotlight from Aang and the other originals. This story was made from the lack of information about the Avatar story and so, in my free time, I began filling the gaps…and here we are. I hope for these OC's to add an interesting perspective to the Avatar story but, like I stared before stated, these people won't be taking the story over (and shoot me if I stray).

Anyway, some feedback on the story thus far would be great, though I realize things are just barely getting off the ground. Feedback on my characters would be great too, since I know Avatar is currently loaded with Mary Sue's (Cursed things). Oh, and I lack any one to look at my stuff prior to a posting so I ask you, did you think Katara's reaction was in character? I know she has a temper at times but as I'm writing I'm wondering if it might have been much. Doing that part I was going off of Katara's experience with Jet and that, even though she forgave him, she might have learned not to trust so easily. Opinions?

Other than that I don't have much to say, I think I did a good job with Zuko and Iroh, any tips would be awesome, and I think I got Azula pretty good. But any pointers would be cool. Sorry for typos too, I try my best to get them but there are times when I forget the 'w' in was and I don't pick it up, and neither does spell check. Bare with me on those, I normally catch them a day or two later (but only after I publish them…go figure.)

Read and Review!

-Arc