"Oh! I'm really going to miss the boys!" I smiled as Katara made a surprised face.

"Really now?"

"Well what can I say? I've become attached."

We shared a laugh before entering the meeting room. The generals had already begun, and quickly delivered us a scroll that needed to be signed by the Earth King. It was a comfortably sunny day, and I think everyone believed things were going well. Sokka had gone to see his and Katara's dad, and Aang to unlock the Avatar State. That left me and Katara here to handle the official business for the invasion.

It was a leisurely stroll to the palace, and Katara spotted a tea shop that piqued her fancy.

"How about some tea?" She questioned.

"You and Momo go; I'll take care of the scroll." I offered.

"Alright." She handed over the scroll and I continued on to the palace.

Not too far from the tea shop, Katara ran to me in a panic.

"What's wrong with you?" I asked the panting female.

"Tea shop…Iroh…Zuko…Fire Nation!" She wheezed.

I swallowed nervously. "No way!"

Katara nodded profusely. I laughed awkwardly.

"We need to tell the Earth King!"

The palace was quiet, and the only people in the throne room were the Kyoshi Warriors. Katara was in before me, shouting about the two Fire Nation outlaws.

"Calm down." I put a hand on her shoulder.

"Oh really?" My ears perked at the sound of the Kyoshi warrior's voice.

I was not here when they had arrived in Ba Sing Se, but I knew that voice. It sent ice running through my veins.

"Katara!" I said, worry pricking my voice.

"What? And where is the earth king?" She demanded.

"Oh, he had to take care of a little…business." Azula smirked.

"Damnit Azula what did you do!"

Azula shook her head. "You still have such a feisty temper Hikari. I guess some things don't change."

"Looks like you haven't changed a bit, either. You're still just as bitchy."

Azula scowled, and without looking away from me said, "Take care of them."

It was then that I noticed Mai and Ty Lee. Well, it looked like they were still playing as Azula's minions. I swiftly knocked Mai's hand away. She was faster than I remembered. Now I felt handicapped because of my lack of water. I nearly missed catching her head on fire with a kick. My fire bending was a little rusty because of disuse in Ba Sing Se.

Mai took advantage of this, and her dumb needles hurt!

"Katara!" I called. There was no answer.

I peered around Mai while dodging a kick. Dai Li officers had her hands in cuffs, her body limp. I cursed under my breath as I realized this was Ty Lee's doing. A piercing pain in my shoulder knocked me off balance and I found myself cornered by the two of them.

"Still Azula's minions I see." I spat at them.

Mai's face remained emotionless while Ty Lee's displayed a hurt expression.

"You know," she began, "you could still work with us. I'm sure the Fire Nation wouldn't mind if you came back."

"I would mind." I hissed.

She shook her head sadly and Mai put a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry about her, Ty Lee. She's not coming back."

I screeched as I felt the Dai Li lock my hands together. It was no use struggling, even though I did. I tumbled down the rocky passage way with Katara. It was good that she had regained use of her arms, but I couldn't contain my anger.

"Damnit! I can't believe this!" I wanted to burn something to smithereens.

Katara looked sadly at me and continued to sit there as I paced. The crystals in the cave glowed a soft green, and the ceiling reached high over head.

"Damnit!" I shouted again, my voice giving a quiet echo.

"Calm down, Hikari." The voice wasn't Katara's.