Chapter 5: Azula

That stupid airbender kid was easy enough to fool, but what if he tells Zuko anyways? Whatever. I can't afford to even think about it. The only way to go right now is run.

Run where you ask? After my mother, of course. The hatred I feel for her will not be vanquished by spilling out my feelings to Zuko. She had brought me into this world, and treated me like absolute shit. Why didn't she just dump me in a river instead of letting Ozai use me like he did. I felt like a tool, a piece in their games. My life was never my own.

Mom has the answer to my questions. If it is necessary I will hunt and hurt her to get them. I need to know my purpose for living. I won't, no, can't be Ozai's puppet for the rest of my life.

Sometimes I wonder how things would have played out if she had truly loved me.

Nevertheless, i had to keep moving. With that obnoxious flying bison they can catch up to me in hours even if i travel for days. The sun was due to set soon.

I gathered my things, and headed east, towards Sing He. According to my mom's attempted letters to Zuko, she was headed towards there. I haven't told Zuko a thing, so it'll take him awhile to figure anything out.

The mountain path was the quickest way, but also the most dangerous path. With my weakened body, traveling alone would not be wise. With a sigh, I headed towards Han City. It was a busy city, with many merchants. I will definitely be recognized there, but there is no other choice.

"Hot buns! Get your hot buns here!"

"Fire flakes for 2 ban!"

Han City was as usual, busy, noisy, dirty, and smelly. Yuck. This is no place for a princess. However, the smell of spicy pork buns filled my nostrils and my mouth started to water. It's been hours since I've last eaten, and those buns were the most delicious thing ever.

"How much for two?" I wandered up to the vendor, poking at the soft burning bun.

"Don't touch missy," the vendor, a big burly man, snorted "You touch, you buy."

"I was going to buy anyways," I retorted. "Now answer my question."

He raised an eyebrow "They're five ban for two."

"Alright," I dropped five small coins into his hand "Here you go."

"You look familiar Miss," He glanced up at me while he was filling a paper pouch with the buns.

"I'm sure you're mistaken," I brushed off the comment "Don't come from around here at all."

"Well that's strange," the man chuckled "With those eyes, you could be a native."

His comment shook me. I couldn't let these people find out I'm the banished princess. They'd attack me and attempt to kill me.

"I will take that as a compliment," Being uncharacteristic, I dipped my head and said my thanks

Looking around frantically, I dashed towards an alleyway while cramming the buns into my mouth. The spiciness numbed my tongue, and it was delicious. But anyways, I had to get out of Han City fast, before any officials were alerted of my presence. If they find me, it'll all be over.

"Hey! What you doing in there!" Feet shuffled behind me. I ran, crashing into a cabbage cart

"My cabbages!" The man cried. God, they were just cabbages, why get so worked up about it. I stooped down to help him pick them up, only to end up chucking it at a nearby man who was chasing me. "NOOOO!" The cabbage vendor yelled. "My poor cabbages!"

While they were tripping over the vegetables, I ran through the crowds of people, towards the river that linked Han City to the city of Shu Jing. Even though Zuko's teacher, Pian Dao, lived there, I should be pretty much unrecognizable. Taking a ferry would be the faster way, considering it would take weeks to get there walking.

Down by the docks, I gathered my money for a first class pass. The people in first class were few, and secluded by guards from the rest of the passengers. This hiding around thing was bugging the crap out of me. Why do I have to hide around like a common thief? I'm the fire nation princess for god's sake. Minus the fact that I'm banished.

"Hurry and grab your tickets! The ferry is leaving in 10 minutes!"

I hustled to the ticket booth, where a strange couple were waiting for the ticket master to give them their stuff.

"Here you go," the man behind the booth waved them away casually "Now get on."

They were carrying a bunch of luggage, looking around nervously. Then they caught me staring. The woman's eyes widened, and she ran towards the ferry. The man followed, giving me a questioning look.

"Hellooo? Do you want tickets or not." Said the ticket man impatiently. I dumped 500 ban on the counter.

"First class to Shu Jing, give me the most secluded room you've got."

"Young girls like you should go out and socialize more," He laughed "But it's your choice missy." He handed me a gold boarding pass "By the way, first class includes a spa treatment, so have fun."

Spa treatment? What was that supposed to mean? That I'm ugly or something? I nodded, concealing my rage, and walked away. I jerked my ticket to one of the stewards, and they led me to my room. It was far away from any other passengers, just what I had asked for.

"Here you are miss," The steward bowed "The spa is right down that corridor. Even though I'm sure a young lady as beautiful as you are doesn't need any kind of treatment." He looked up, brown eyes gleaming playfully.

I blushed, and turned away quickly. Urgh, what has gotten into me, blushing at comments like that. But his eyes… they reminded me of someone. Aang! Shit, now I'm even worse. Aang pops into my head out of everyone else in the world. What's gotten into me!

I quickly closed the door and jumped onto the bed. This had been a long day, and my body was worn out. The sheets were a luxury for me, after a year of sleeping on straw mattresses in the cell. My tired muscles ached, but my eyes closed and I quickly fell into a deep sleep.

o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

"Miss," Someone knocked at the door "Dinner is being served in the dining room, would you like to join?"

I yawned and stretched. It's been awhile since I have slept so comfortably.

"No, have it delivered here to my room."

There was no way I was going to risk getting caught. Fire Nation ferries are large, and frequently used on long trips by travelers. I guess you could say they were the equivalent of cruises, but it was much cheaper and efficient for travel. So, there are probably hundreds of people on this boat, and even though I'm traveling first class, there's still a bunch of people in the dining car.

Another knock at the door.

"Come in." I'm feeling all princessy again, with all these servants, I mean stewards, at my command.

Two of them, including the one that had escorted me to my room earlier, wheeled in a cart full of fire nation delicacies. One of them left, while the other one with the brown eyes stayed.

"Here is your meal," He glanced up at me a strange look in his eyes "Princess Azula."

My eyes widened, my jaw dropped. How the hell did he know who I was. My hand went up and shot a fireball before I even realized what was happening.

"Whoa calm down!" He yelled, jumping out of the way "It's me again!"

I didn't stop.

"AZULA THE WHOLE DAMN PLACE IS GOING TO BURN DOWN AND YOU'LL GET FOUND OUT IF YOU DON'T STOP!"

My hand dropped. "Aang?"

He whipped his hat off "Yup, it's me!" His blue arrow tattoo was now visible, and a large grin on his face.

"Why the hell are you here!"

"Well, Zuko was kinda distraught after you left soooo I came to check on you."

"What does that have to do with anything."

"What do ya mean?" He sat on the floor "By the way, you mind if I have some of that roast beef stuff? I've been following you all day, and I'm kinda hungry."

I nodded at him, watching him tear into my food. How dare this kid follow me around! This is my business, and if he is so eager to find my mother also, why can't he just go with Zuko? I grabbed a pork chop coated with some kind of reddish sauce and ate it.

"Once you're done 'checking' on me, please leave." I spat at him, irritated. I'm not sure what I'm irritated about, the fact that he's here and stalking me, or that I was thinking of him and how nice his eyes were, the way they sparkled and how they're a light bright… AH I'm doing it again! My face flushed, and he caught it.

"Want me to crack open a window or something? You look hot." Then his face turned red "I mean you look hot as in temperature wise not that kind of hot well you are wait what did i say I meant i meant it in the sweaty way cause your face is red but not the look kind of hot but I'm not saying you're not so please don't blast me into a thousand pieces." He blabbed on and on.

Now I'm not sure who's more embarrassed.

"Well now that I know you're safe and okay I should get going." He jumped up and practically ran towards the door, his face still bright red.

"Uh, it's quite dark out, why don't you just stay." Why did that come out of my mouth! What was I suggesting!

Ok, this is enough, I'm just embarrassing myself to the max for no apparent reason.

"Well if you don't mind!" He stuffed himself with the food again "You can call a steward for blankets."

Man, this kid had some cheek. But I was the one suggested, so I'm the one to blame. Argh! Why am I so stupid! Falling for the avatar! Did I just admit it? No. Oh nonono. I am not falling for this stupid kid. No frickin way.

"I'll just go get the blankets," his voice interrupted my thoughts "Wanna sleep already."

Then he left. I let out a sigh, and not from disappointment. I'm so confused. Why am I interested in this kid. I have no heart, I have to remember that. I'm a grenade, hurting everyone around me, everyone close. I looked at the platters of food on the cart, still steaming hot and looking delicious. But I can't eat. I felt so sick of myself. Perhaps it would've been better for Ozai to have kept using me, because right now I felt as if my head was about to blow up.

There is no point worrying about things that can't be fixed. I laid myself down on the bed and closed my eyes, hoping sleep will come soon.

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and please R&R :)