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Chapter 3: Blood and Deception

A few sparks came off the rock Sokka was using to sharpen his sword. By him Suki was busy practicing her forms and Hakoda was talking to the man whom Sokka and Zuko had brought back from the Boiling rock. Toph was training Aang as Haru watched. Teo was making some improvements to his wheel chair and The Duke watched with wide eyed fascination.

Zuko looked around the temple. Everyone was working on improving and getting ready for an all out fight. They had finally come up with a plan. The small group of rebels would sneak into the palace at night avoiding all the most guarded areas until they reached Ozi's room. But first they had to hone their skills so they could be absolutely ready for anything.

They all knew that the chance of coming out on top was slim. They were going up against the most powerful army in the world with only eleven people. However they couldn't just sit back and allow the Fire Lord to destroy everything.

Zuko sighed. Then he noticed something. Where was Katara? He wondered. She probably doesn't want me to look for her. His face screwed up in pain. Why do I care what she thinks of me? He stood up. Nevertheless her miss trust might be a problem.

Zuko walked off in search of the young waterbender.

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I won't lie, life in the palace started out great. Ozi had been watching all the advanced firebending classes looking for people who would make good soldiers one day. Because I was around her age Ozi had sent Azula to bring me in.

My family and I were invited to live in the palace and I was sent to the most advanced, and expensive, firebending school there was. My sister made friends with one of Noble's children rather quickly. They liked to explore the palace together. I received corrective lenses for my poor eyesight and life was going pretty well.

Azula and I became good friends. Since I was about two years older than her I taught her some of the things we learned in the older class. Two of the Noble's daughters, Mai and Ty Lee, became good friends with Azula and me. Because Mai and Ty Lee weren't firebenders they went to a different school, but the four of us still always found every chance we could to hang out.

Azula started out fine, but over the years I noticed a change in her. I ignored it because I wanted to see the best in people. Her brother, however, seemed to see the evil brewing inside his young sister. Her mom seemed to be trying to see the best in her, like me. If we could only see what this innocent little girl would become.

My thirteenth birthday was extravagant. The decorations were great and they served all my favorite dishes. All without meat; I still stuck to the Nomads beliefs of not wasting life. There were so many people there; including many I didn't know. Azula, Ty Lee, Mai, I had a great time just like at all our past birthday parties. That day was one of the best days of my life. Unfortunately, the next day would turn out to be one of my worst.

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Thirteen. I was now officially a teenager. I wonder why people think a certain age suddenly makes you more mature. Whatever the reason I was now old enough to learn my purpose.

After breakfast Azula asked to talk to me alone. Her expression was odd. Now that I think back she seemed to have an evil glint in her eyes. A glint that had been forming for some time but I had failed to notice.

"There's a man in a town very close to the palace that threatens the stability of the Fire Nation." That's how Azula started it, her little speech. I wonder if she believed it herself. I had no idea what she was talking about. So I asked. I really wish I hadn't asked. I don't know if it would have made any difference, but I still regret forming the question because of the explanation.

Azula told me she wanted me to take care of the man in question. My superior firebending skills made me perfect for the job. This was the reason I had been invited to stay in the palace. I argued at first because I still felt like I had a choice. I said I would help the Fire Nation arrest this man, but I didn't want to kill anyone. She said that if I didn't do the job I was assigned then I was of no use to her and I had to leave the Fire Nation.

Then she said something that I will never forget. "When you leave the palace we will no longer protect you or you family." It was a threat and I recognized it. If I didn't do what she said she would hurt my family. I thought about how kind they had been to me. They had taken me in, knowing nothing about me except I needed a home. They were my family in every way except blood.

I looked into Azula's eyes and for the first time I didn't see my friend. I saw the princess of the Fire Nation. A nation that the air nomads had warned me was fuelled by murder and greed. I fell to my knees and bowed my head.

"Yes, princess," I said. "I will do as you wish."

"Good," spoke the princess of the Fire Nation. Her voice was colder than I had ever heard it. "You leave at sunset."

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When I entered my room I found a pile of new clothes lying on my bed. The red and black shirt and black pants seemed to mock me as they sat in my familiar room. Pairs of red and black boots and gloves were next to the pile. I changed with a numb feeling of dread. At the bottom of the pile I found a small red pendent for my hair. It was a flame, the symbol of destruction and of my nation.

I pinned the pendent in my ponytail and sat on my bed. My room that was once so inviting now felt cold and empty. It felt like a lavish prison cell. My window seemed like a peep hole to a better world that I was no longer a part of. Everything that I thought I knew seemed to be crashing down around me.

I hid my head in my hands. My body shook with grief as tears dripped through the cracks in my fingers. I stayed there in my bedroom and prison cell until sunset.

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I walked towards the town Azula had mentioned. She had given me a detailed description of where the man's house was as well as a portrait of him which was now in the pocket of my new pants. When I reached the town the colors of the sunset had diapered behind the nearby mountains. Cloaked with darkness I slunk through the streets. They were nearly deserted but I avoided the few people I saw.

I arrived at the house Azula had described. It was small and slightly run down. It looked like a family lived there. I snuck around the back and peered into an open window. My heart skipped a beat at the sight that awaited me. I saw the man in the portrait sitting on a chair and reading to a little girl.

She looked about five and was dressed in pajamas. She was obviously getting ready for bead. I slumped against the wall. He had a family just like me. What would happen to that little girl when her father turned up dead?

I peered in again. The little girl was looking at her father with admiration. Her eyes sparkled as she tried to stay awake. It was obvious that she loved her father. I felt a stab to my heart, but then I thought of my own family. I looked back in the window. I watched them finish the story. Then the girl left the room and I entered.