Tiptoeing down the silent corridor, Katara wondered where all the palace guards had gone. Were they sleeping? Doubtful. Azula knew about the solar eclipse; she wouldn't let the palace be left unprotected.
Turning to face Aang, Katara walked backwards as she whispered, "Okay, I think we're near the throne room now, so we'll have to be extra-" she broke off, crying out in surprise as she backed into a suit of armour. With a loud crash, the metal-man collapsed onto the floor.
Seconds later, footsteps could be heard pounding toward them. Looking in the direction of the sound, Katara saw Zuko round the corner. The prince stopped abruptly when he saw her and Aang, looking quite surprised. And why shouldn't he? For all he knew, the Avatar had been killed by his crazy sister.
More footsteps echoed down the corridor. Katara grabbed Aang's hand and pulled him into the nearest room.
Not that hiding would make a difference. Zuko had already seen them; he knew Aang was alive.
"Prince Zuko!" Katara heard a voice call from the other side of the door. "I heard a loud noise over here, is everything all right?"
There was silence for a few moments. Then, "Everything's fine. I just tripped."
Katara eye's widened in disbelief. Why had he lied? Why didn't he tell the guard where they were?
"Katara?" Aang's voice broke through her thoughts. He was standing in the doorway, looking at her curiously. "Are you coming?"
She nodded slowly, following the airbender into the corridor. Glancing toward the place where Zuko had once stood, she couldn't help thinking that, somehow, her enemy had changed.
Author's Notes: Sorry I didn't get a chapter up sooner. I'll try to more up next weekend, when I don't have school Monday.
Disclaimer: I do not own 'Avatar' or any of its characters.
