Sorry for the wait guys. I went on vacation last week, and I couldn't put up word of it before I left. Hope the chapter's worth it.

Chap. 35

Surfaces of the Water

"Attention one and all!" Oscuridad called out, as he moved to stand upon the remains of a large machine. Everyone celebrating instantly quieted and turned to face the bat as he spoke.

"Today, we accomplished a great feat. We have overtaken the most important factory in the Fire Nation. We have defeated the Fire Lord's greatest weapon. And now, in a day's time, we will march upon the Fire Nation capital, and end this war at long last!"

The crowd cheered for a full minute at that. Oscuridad let them go, and then held up his hands for silence. "However, none of this could have been accomplished without the hard work and sacrifice that everyone has put into this Army. So I wish to first say, thank you all for what you have given to this Army. Second, I wish to mark a few people who have been especially crucial to out efforts. First, our long lost brothers and sister, the Airbenders!"

Applause rang through the factory, as Malu and the governing Airbenders stepped up next to the bat. Oscuridad embraced them as friends, and then turned the stage over to them. Malu turned to face the Army, cleared her throat, and began to speak.

"For a long time, my people have been a legend." The girl began. "We were ghosts of a race long destroyed. But we survived, and went into hiding. We believed the outside world had nothing left to offer us. It was a dark and vicious place that bred only death and destruction. It had killed our forefathers, and driven us into the dark. But we were wrong. After a century in the shadows, it was an outsider that brought us back into the light, back into the skies. It is outsiders who stand with us now, to help overthrow those that destroyed our homes. And I say to you now, that when we march upon the capital, when we go to avenge all our friends and family, that the Airbenders will repay your kindness and honor tenfold!"

With that, Malu held her staff high, saluting the Army in the way of the Airbenders. And below, members of the Army returned that salute in the way of their own people. Years later, the members of the Army would remember this as the first sign that they could truly return the world to it's original, balanced state. So many different people, all making the same oath in their own way, all united to the same cause. If these people could be given the world, then perhaps they could do away with the greedy, selfish ways of their ancestors, once and for all.

As the salutes began to vanish, Osc spoke again. "There is another that we must credit for out victory today. Though the Airbenders bring us even greater strength then what had before, all that strength is useless without proper planning. And though we have many fine strategists among us, it took someone unexpected to bring to glory. It was a person many of us were distrustful of. In fact, many of us hated her openly. I was one of them, but I stand here today a humbled man. This person has proven herself to us through hard work, determination, and a better understand of the world in which she lives. Ladies and gentlemen of the Army, I give you Princess Azula of the Fire Nation."

The bat stepped aside once again, as the woman of the hour made her way through the applauding crowd. Thought she had been announced as royalty, she did not look the part. No royal garments clothed her, no elegant jewelry decorated her frame. Her hair was tied together with rawhide, not the familiar gold hairpiece. No guards accompanied her to the 'stage.' The only sign of any sort of high social rank came when Oscuridad came before her, drew his sword and saluted her in the way of the Elemental Knights. Auzla snapped to attention, giving the high salute of the Fire Nation. Then, she turned her gaze to the crowd and the royalty faded, leaving a girl who seemed overwhelmed by the roar of the crowd. Her face full of awe, she gently raised her hands for silence. As the crowd began to quiet, Azula began to speak.

"I-I thank you for you kindness." Azula began. "As Oscuridad said, I have been an enemy to many of you. You have associated me with viscous cruelty and malice. I can't deny those things and so I will not try to do so. I performed acts that have endangered people for my own selfish want for perfection. I did them because I believed that only what I wanted and needed mattered. It's not an excuse, but it is the truth. I would have never believed it before, but I do now. I believe that I was the evil person that you all thought I was. That is why even though you have accepted me and given me your praise, I cannot accept it. Not yet. Because I need to accomplish the last piece of my redemption. To help this Army bring an end to my father's reign, and undo all the evil that he has brought down upon you and your people."

Azula stepped down then, but not before giving the Army the high salute. They responded by cheering their lungs out for the girl that had finally cast off the chains of her father and had dedicated herself to atoning for her sins. But one who watched her walk down was not convinced. Though Katara believed in Azula's determination and ability, she knew that what she promised could never come to pass. Nothing would ever undo the losses that everyone had suffered. And nothing would ever bring Katara's mother back. Nothing that anyone in the Army could do would erase those nights Katara had cried herself to sleep, wanting so badly to hear her mother's voice or feel her touch.

Stop it, Katara. She told herself. You aren't the only one here who's lost someone. And feeling sorry for yourself won't help. What will help is making sure that no one else loses their family to the Fire Nation. That's what Aang….

But at that thought, Katara could feel her sadness sink back in. Something had come over Aang in the last few weeks. He had finished his Firebending training, but had continued working with Guru Pathnik, albeit more intently. It had taken over so much of his mind, he did have time for anything. He hadn't spoken t Katara or even tried to since he'd begun. He'd always been so eager to talk to her about anything since the very beginning of their journey. Now it seemed like Aang was going out of his way to avoid her, and Katara had no idea why.

Although Katara was heavily involved in her sadness, it did not block her from noticing something strange in the crowd. She saw a bald figure pushing through the crowd towards the exit. For a moment, she wasn't sure, but a second glance told her enough. It was Aang. And he was angry. Without a second thought, Katara began to move through the crowd, straining towards the exit.

It took her a few minutes, but Katara moved through to the exit and stepped outside after Aang. If he would talk to her, then she would talk to him. But when Katara saw him, she wondered if she'd be able to talk to him. Flame danced all around him as he released fireblast after fireblast. Then he leapt up and with a scream of anger, slammed down into the ground, flames and earth erupting around him. Katara had to brace herself against it, but after a moment, the tremors subsided. Katara saw Aang standing there and breathing deeply, his energies apparently exhausted. Slowly, Katara approached him and spoke.

"Aang?"

He remained standing, apparently clouded by his anger. As she had done in the desert, Katara moved to closer to him, put her hand on his shoulder and spoke again. This time, he started, then turned to face her.

"Katara? What are you…"

"I followed you. Aang, what's wrong?"

"N-Nothing." Aang replied nervously. "W-Why would you think something was wrong?"

"Aang, I saw what you did. You only act like that when you're angry, so what's wrong?"

Aang stammered, trying to invent any kind of excuse to get out of this situation. He couldn't tell her the truth, couldn't bare himself like that. Ever since he'd failed at opening the last charka, Aang had been doing everything he could to distance himself from Katara. It was not what he wanted to do, but it was what he had resigned himself to. Aang was the Avatar. The world and all it's peoples were his responsibility. He couldn't fail tem, not for his own selfish needs and desires. So he was doing everything he could to break away from Katara, so that he could finally break his attachment. Aang knew it hurt both of them to act this way, but it was easier then admitting his feelings, and then saying he could never act on them. This would be less painful for the both of them.

But at the same time, Aang's anger and confusion at the Airbender situation was pressing hard against his vow. Everything had changed so drastically, and none of it made any sense. Aang's insides were writhing and twisting, and he wanted to scream out his confusion to the world. He looked at Katara, and he remembered all the times she had held him, had listened to him when the weight of the world was too much to bear. The he remembered, the more he could feel his resistance breaking down, until finally, he sighed and began to speak.

"The Airbenders, Katara. It's the Airbenders and the Knights."

"What do you mean?"

"Katara, the Knights knew. Aire just told me. He found the Airbenders because he knew where to look."

"What?!"

"All the Knights knew about them. They could've told me but they didn't. They let me think I was alone for nothing."

"Aang." Katara whispered, her voice dripping with sympathy. Gently, she placed a hand on Aang's shoulder and said, "Tell me everything Aire said. I want to understand all of this."

Nodding, Aang began to recount the entire conversation word-for-word. Katara listened with a concerned look on her face, as Aang struggled to hold back his anger. But finally, he finished and looked to Katara for answers.

"I…I can't believe it." She stammered.

"How could they do this to me? After all the times I've wanted my people back, they hold out on me. Those self-serving…"

"Aang, wait." Katara interrupted. "Listen, you have every right to be angry. But I can't say the Knights were completely wrong."

"What?!"

"Aang, I agree that it would've been better if they'd told you. I know how much it hurt you to think you were the last Airbender. But it sounds like the Knights were trying to do the right thing. They were trying to keep the Airbenders secret from the Firebenders. Aire was right, the Fire Lord would've destroyed them if he'd found out."

"But then why didn't…"

"I guess they thought it was the safest bet. But Aire sounded heartbroken from what you told me, Aang. What if things were different? What if you had to tell Aire that there were other Knights, but doing so could get them killed?"

Aang stood silent a moment, then said, "I didn't think about it that way."

"As I said, you have every right to be angry. But we both know how loyal the Knights have been to us. They wouldn't have hidden this form you unless they had a good reason."

Aang stood there silently, absorbing all that had been said. Finally, he spoke, "I don't know if I'll ever accept all this. But this isn't all about me."

Turning to Katara, he said, "Thanks for your help. I forgot how smart you are Katara."

"Don't mention it." Katara replied. "C'mon, you need a hug." She said, spreading her arms wide.

But at that, Aang merely hung his head, mumbled, 'thanks but I'm ok" and walked off. Katara lowered her arms and stood thee, alone, hurt, and even more confused.

Back inside, the celebration continued. But as always happens in these stories, one person was not there for the merriment. He made his way through the party, taking no refreshment, nor saying hello. He was looking for one person in particular to speak to. There was much bubbling in this person's mind, and he needed to speak to this person to make it stop. Thankfully, he didn't have to look long. He saw the person and quickly went to him to ask an important question; "Jet, isn't it?"

"Yeah that's me." The tall lanky boy replied. "And you are?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. My name is Hahn. I'm part of the Water Tribe."

"I can see that." Another voice said. Hahn turned to see a girl standing next to Jet, dressed in green battle gear and white face paint.

"Suki right? You're the head of the Kyoshi Warriors."

"Right. And you're some stuck-up royal from the North Pole."

"Suki…" Jet began.

"Sokka told me all about you, Hahn. We may not be together, but he's still my friend. And what you did to him.."

"Look, I know I was harsh before." Hahn said, his voice smooth and silky. "But I've talked with Sokka and worked things out. It's ok between us."

"Hmph." Suki snorted. Jet quickly stepped in. "Is there something you wanted to talk to me about?"

"Actually yes. I need your expertise on a military matter. Could we speak in private?"

"I suppose." Jet replied, despite a glare from Suki.

"Good, let's step outside." Hahn said, already moving to the exit. Jet started to follow, but stopped when Suki grabbed his arm. Jet turned, and said a few words to Suki, asking her to trust him. She listened, the reluctantly released his arm.

"Excellent evening, isn't it?" Hahn said, as Jet stepped outside. "Stars are out and victory is in the air. It's a good feeling all around."

"I suppose." Jet answered. "But I don't think you brought me here to discuss the evening. What's going on?"

"To the point, I see. Very well, I'll cut the pleasantries. I believe that our attack on the capital tomorrow may be being undermined."

"By who?" Jet asked, suspicion already on his face.

"The person who has the most to gain by our failure. Someone who had been a thorn in the free world's side for a long time. Someone who has no love for anyone but herself and her father."

"Wait a minute." Jet said, his suspicion being replaced by anger. "You mean Azula, don't you?"

"Who else? If we fail, she's guaranteed the throne. She's done damage throughout the world. And she only cares about herself."

"That's how she used to be." Jet said through gritted teeth. "People change Hahn/ Believe me, I know. Besides, Suki told me all about the little rivalry you have with her. If you don't like her, fine. But don't drag me into this. At least without some real proof."

"You want proof?" Hahn spat. "Haven't you noticed how she hides all the time? She shows up for training, and then spends her time alone. Isn't it possible that she's getting messages ready for the Fire Lord? Messages telling him of out arrival that she could send out at night?"

"Please tell me you have more then this." Jet sneered. "This isn't proof, it's a half-baked theory."

"I don't believe it." Hahn smirked. "You actually believe her little act. Wake up! Azula has always been a good actor. This is just another stage mask for her. When the time is right, she'll pull it off and betray us."

"I can't believe you are so wrapped up in your own delusion." Jet snapped back. "Suki and Sokka were right. You only care about yourself. You'd ruin the whole Army to prove yourself right. Stay away from me. In fact, stay away from everybody."

Jet spun on his heel, meaning to leave Hahn in the dust. But before he could take a step, he felt the boy's hand on his shoulder.

"Jet, I'm not going to let you walk away." Hahn said. "You know what I'm saying is true. Even if I have no immediate proof, how much do I need? She's a Firebender, and royalty at that. Her loyalty will always remain with them. And from what I understand, you know first hand what the Fire Nation is capable of."

Jet stiffened at that, but replied calmly, "That was a long time ago."

"Was it? Has it been so long that you've forgotten that night? Forgotten how they destroyed your home, your family, how they made you an outcast?"

"Shut up." Jet whispered. But Hahn's words had done the job. Jet could hear the screams of his parents, could see the fires consuming his home.

"Think of all the evil they've done." Hahn continued. "Think about what she's done. What I'm offering you is a chance to sure that Azula will never make anyone else like you did. Now, what do you say?"

Hahn stood in silence, waiting for Jet's answer. He could feel the conflicted feeling radiating from the boy, and smiled inwardly at his words. Hahn's father had always been able to talk his way to what he wanted, and he'd taught his son well. This was solidified a moment later, when Jet turned and asked, "What did you have in mind?"