Alright i know i was suposed to post the chapter yesterday but my computer and family didn't want to cooperate.

I'd like to give a notice that Azual is mentioned in the start of the chapter. I'd like to give credit for Azula's personality and attidute beyond the shoow to appa-appa-away. You won't notice much similarity here but if you've read her story Behind The Lies (great fic by the way) you will see simirarities in her later breakdown.

Well again sorry about not posting when i said i would. Enjoy the chapter....

Azula walked up to her father and bowed. She stood up and smirked deviously. "My task is complete, father"

"Good. So now both your brother and the avatar have been taken care of?" Ozai asked

Just then two Yu Yan Archers walked in quickly and bowed. "Fire Lord Azula, my apologies. Our task was not successful. Chan's men were all killed."

"So your telling me that twenty of our best men couldn't defeat one rebel girl?" Azula asked

"Well no. There was someone else, who got in the way." the other archer answered.

"Who?' Azula demanded, rage overtaking her voice.

"Your brother, my lord" the first one answered, shakily.

"You must be mistaken. My brother, if so fit to say, is dead. And if not, he's shock full of lightning." Azula pointed out. "Now who was it!"

"Your brother, my lady. And he was for certain gravely injured but Chan um did something to aggravate him. Um to the point of extreme power"

"I see' Azula said, taking a deep breath. "Why didn't you shoot at him?"

"because, my lord, if we were killed, who would bring you this news?" the archer said.

"You have a point" Azula admitted. "Dismissed" the two practically ran out.

"Father." Azula said, back on topic. "Regardless of current and horrible information, we shall launch attack on the Southern Water Tribe tomorrow"

Ozai smiled, much like his daughter. "Will you be seeing to it personally?"

"Yes, father. The attack force leaves within the hour" and with that Azula got ready to leave.

XXX

Zuko and Aang retreated to their room and set their things on the beds. Somehow along all the ordeals his bag manages to remain in tact and none of the few belongings were damaged. He didn't really feel like opening the bag, purely because the picture of his mother was at the top and that wasn't something he wanted to see at the moment.

So he sighed and shoved the bag under the bed. Aang was already laying on his, looking at the ceiling. Zuko followed the example, not really sure what to do.

"So…." Aang started, trying to make some kind of long overdue conversation with the older teen.

"So" Zuko said, in the same bored tone.

'This is awkward" Aang stated

"Yes it is" Zuko replied

"I'm going to sleep for a while" Aang informed. Zuko shrugged as the young air bender rolled over.

Meanwhile the girls did the same. Well Katara was pacing around the room and Toph had fallen asleep.

Zuko assumed he'd fallen asleep because when he woke it was already night, and there was something eerily weird going on.

Zuko walked out of his room, careful not to disturb the others, to easily find the source of his own disturbance.

It was quite simple really. Mizu had been peering in the window, obviously wary of the new arrivals, and he yelped as soon as Zuko moved.

The scarred teen rolled his eyes and went outside. Mizu look down, either ashamed, or faking it. Zuko hadn't taken the initiative to figure it out yet.

Truthfully neither of the boys had anything to say. Luckily fate decided to make the moment not so awkward. But rather terrifying.

Right as Zuko opened his mouth there was the sound of metal hitting ice. From where they were, the boy's couldn't get a close enough look to tell what it was but Zuko had a pretty good idea.

He signaled for Mizu to follow him and the older teen began slyly maneuvering around the ice huts.

"Why can't we walk in a straight line?" Mizu asked, struggling to keep up with Zuko with looked kind of pathetic on his part being that Zuko was untrained and injured.

"Just because we can't see them doesn't mean they can't see us" Zuko said.

"Wait. Them? They? How do we know it's people?" Mizu asked.

"Ever heard a fire nation ship dock?" Zuko responded. Mizu shook his head no. "Then I'd suggest following me and shutting up"

"How do I know your not leading me into a trap?" the water tribesman asked skeptically.

Zuko thought about it. "Well, I guess you don't. But I suggest you trust me"

Mizu scowled. Zuko chuckled internally. The kid was annoying, obnoxious, ignorant, and easily angered. The kid was actually allot like him when he was younger.

Finally they were behind the main wall, and at a close enough distance to make out the far off docked ships. "Oh no" Mizu said, staring in fear.

The ships were still well away. Zuko assumed they would take maybe, another full day if not more to be able to actually invade. But who's to say they didn't already have spies in the city.

"We need to go warn everyone" Mizu said. Zuko nodded and took a finally look at the ships. "Do you think one of us should stay?'

"No. Come on" Zuko started back towards the camps with Mizu close behind him.

"Watch out!" Mizu called giving Zuko just enough time to dive down, watching the arrow land right where his chest would have been.

"Thanks" Zuko whispered. Another arrow shot forward and Zuko pulled Mizu in to a small jewelry stand.

"Why are they shooting at us. This is bad. This is bad" Mizu was panicking. That's one way he was unlike Zuko. Zuko never panicked.

"Shh" Zuko said. "Stay low, stay quiet, and stay between at least three walls" Zukostarted getting up.

"What do you think your doing. No way are you going out there!" Mizu exclaimed.

"So are we just going to stay here all night. Because, I at least can think of a million way's I'd rather die then here" Zuko pointed out.

Mizu sighed. "I'm going with you"

"Look" Zuko tried to reason with him. "It only takes one of us to ran back and get help. They're after me, not you."

"Well that's all the more reason for me to go alone. I'm smaller, faster, and they won't chase after me." Mizu said, smirking that he got his pint across.

Zuko scowled because he knew it was true. They would shoot a few arrows, but they wouldn't put a chase on Mizu. Plus, not that Zuko was willing to admit it, his energy had drained pretty fast. While they were distracted with Mizu, Zuko could sneak out and follow from another direction.

He nodded, and gave a quick beefing of his plan to the young warrior who eagerly nodded. Mizu got up and sneakily maneuvered around the carts and stands. Arrows mobbed at him, but he definitely had had some warrior training and was putting it to good use.

Meanwhile Zuko snuck behind a cart and followed the opposite movements of Mizu. Finally both boys were out of range and they stopped shooting.

Mizu breathed a sigh in relief and that took off running at top speed. At first Zuko tried to keep level with him but that soon became a useless wish.

Mizu actually felt pretty bad about taking off, but this was important. He ran continuously keeping a steady pace. The air was freezing but he had been training in these weather conditions all his life.

Things didn't seem right though. Mizu just had this feeling. One of those 'I'm about to walk right in to a trap' kind of feelings. He looked back but there was no sign of Zuko. That could have meant three things.

One would be that Mizu was running faster than he assumed. Two would be that Zuko was close to him but still taking sneaky percausions. Three would be that Zuko was captured or hurt.

Mizu would have settled for anything but the latter. He almost considered going back to look for Zuko but he needed to tell everyone first. They'd know what to do. As least Sokka or Hakoda would.

Meanwhile Zuko darted through the buildings and shops. Mizu was fast but fast didn't work against Yu Yan archers. And Zuko didn't doubt for a second that they'd be after him.

XXX

Aang rolled over, semi conscious in sleep. "Morning Katara" he muttered to the pillow. His eyes opened and he turned around, suddenly remembering that he was rooming with Zuko. And Zuko wasn't there. Oh, and it wasn't morning either.

Aang quickly went into the girls room to make sure nobody else was missing. Katara, being the light sleeper she was, woke up instantly.

"Aang, what's wrong?" Katara darted up.

"Nothing. Zuko's gone and I wanted to make sure you guys were still here." Aang informed.

Toph was also waking up at the moment. "What kinda mess did Sparky get into this time?" her voice was slurred into the blankets. She hadn't slept on the floor, being it was freezing.

"Let's get Sokka" Aang suggested. The two walked into Sokka's room.

"Wake up Sokka!" Katara yelled.

"What's wrong?" he shot up. Seeing it was dark he laid back down. "It's still night"

"Zuko's gone" Katara informed

"And you woke me up because?" Sokka asked, now fully awake, "Katara, Zuko's a big boy now, and he can take care of himself"

The door opened and Hakoda and another person walked in. "Have you seen Mizu?" Hakoda asked. "He went missing and someone overheard him saying he wanted to spy on Zuko"

"We haven't seen him. Or Zuko for that matter. Oh this is bad" Aang said

"Do you hear the sound of killing?" Toph asked.

"Um No" Katara looked puzzled.

"Then I'm going back to sleep" Toph informed. Of course than never happened because Mizu ran in.

"There's going to be an invasion!" he exclaimed.

"Where's Zuko?" Katara asked, angrily.

"Um, somewhere in the city" Mizu shrugged

There was a soft sound from the bedroom. "Zuko" Toph informed. And as she said that he stepped into the narrow hallway.

"So what's this about an invasion?" Hakoda asked

"There are fire nation ships about a day away. About twenty of them. An attack force no doubt." Zuko informed.

'Should we wake up the others?" the man next to Hakoda asked.

"No use in anything until morning. You sure they're a day away?" Hakoda asked Zuko sternly.

"One hundred percent. They're not fast ships. And they're probably carrying bombs or giant rocks" Zuko said.

"And you would know this how?" the other man asked

"I commanded a ship similar for three years." he turned to the others. "Listing to Azula's plans to take over the would as a four year old helped also. No doubt she's on the head ship"

"Well this is great. Can a single day go by without running or fighting!?!" Toph whined.

The others looked at her strangely but Zuko answered. "No"

yeah, did you really expect my non-probablem chapters to continue. But don't worry, i'm not jumping into attle. The next chapter shows off sokka's amazing planning skills.....sort of. XD

Thanks to everyone who's readin and reviewing this. i got the most reviews so far on the last chapter.

wWith that i'd also like to note the Mizu means water in japaneese. It has signifigance later on.

Please review.