Behind These Painted Masks

Chapter 5

Imagine This

I hated lying to my brother but it was necessary. As I said two years ago, I will never ever turn my back on people who need me. Ever since Aang died I've kept true to that promise, it feels that he embodies that promise.

So here I am, just outside the Rough Rhino's camp ready to attack, these rhinos are asleep but their riders were awake, laughing, joking and planning their next attack.

I checked my ankle, it was still broken and still hurt like hell. For a moment I considered waiting until I could heal it until a hand came out of the darkness and tapped my shoulder. I spun around creating a small water whip, but swords sliced through it. That same souless mask was staring at me, the mouth smiling. I attempted to stand by my ankle wobbled slightly and I collapsed agasint a tree.

"The Blue Spirit." I disguised my voice. He only pointed at my foot.

"My foot? There's nothing wrong with it." I could hear Toph's voice echoing in my head, "I can tell you're lying."

I heard the scoff and could see the shaking of his head, I swept off but before I could manage the fog around me he grabbed my wrist, still shaking his head, both his swords were in back in their sheth while a rope was in his other hand. Before I could do anything he tied me to a tree, it was so fast I couldn't even Bend, kick or scream.

I resorted to glaring as he ran off into the camp. I fought against the binding for what seemed to be hours, trying to ignore the explosions of swearing, flames and egos from behind the cover of trees.

After the moon had lowered to the west, the Blue Spirit came marching out, I knew even behind the smiling mask there was another smile.

"Untie me." I lowed my voice dangerously, "now."

He sheathed the blades and reached into his pocket bringing out a small vial. It held a clear liquid, that caught the moon's shine. He pulled my veil back and recoiled when I showed him my eyes.

Zuko's Point of View
Katara? Katara is the Painted Lady?!

What next!? Toph is the Blind Bandit?

It took all my self-control to keep my cool profile. I reached for the vial again and gently tilted it into her mouth. She squirmed for a moment but her blue eyes shut and she sagged against the tree.

----

I want you to picture something for me.

The Blue Spirit known for his grace and power.

Then imagine the Painted Lady cool and collected.

Now imagine the Crown Prince dressed as the Blue Spirit carrying a unconscious Water Tribe girl costumed as the Painted Lady.

The only thing we need to complete this is Ty Lee dressed up in her circus-dress riding on Bosco while Mai is behind playing the sumki-horn.

I stashed the mask in the crock of a tree and arranged my swords so they were casually placed at my side. I folded the Painted Lady's dress in half and placed it in my bag.

Now I need a story explaining why I was out in the middle of the night with an unconscious Katara.

Sokka is going to kill me.

A/N

not much to say but I really like this chapter...

I have no idea why though...