Chapter 11: Anticipated Entrapment

Little Falcon: Sorry for the long wait. My writer's block is getting chronic I better hope it's not terminal or else it'll take a miracle for an update. Let's keep our fingers crossed okay? Like Always read and review okay?

Standard Disclaimer: I only own the idea that's all. If I did own this series I'll be the happiest person on earth!

Even before he opened his eyes, his hand reached for the opposite arm and he wasn't surprised to find no evidence of the knife he impaled there hours ago. He was back inside the inn, comfortably resting on the bed inside his room. Sitting up, he didn't bother to think anymore… no more questions… just bland acceptance. His wound was healed completely but his memories remained intact, whether it was her cruel joke or a special bond, he didn't make any more out of it. She left willingly… that's all I needed to know.

"Zuko! Have you seen Kata-err-Azrael?" The energetic monk immediately inquired as he stormed inside his room. Seeing the not-so-pleased mood the young fire lord is in, he stepped back while scratching his tattooed head. "Good um… morning. Sorry about the door…"

"She left," snapped Zuko as he got up and grabbed his satchel.

"Huh? When will she be back?" Aang knew that their blood bending comrade had a way of running off time and again.

"What part of SHE LEFT did you not understand?" Through his gritted teeth, he tried to keep his temper from getting the best out of him however; he can't seem to keep his voice as controlled. The others started to pile outside the open door with concern in their faces.

"Azrael out us all to sleep last night then left and I'm sure that this time… she won't be coming back," his tone was even now as his mood grew from furious to sullen. "We've been dependent on her too much anyway. The full moon is in a few days; we'll have to make do with protecting each other's backs… like we always have,"

This was the first time they've heard the fire lord call her "Azrael" and somehow hearing it makes sounds strange… almost wrong in some unfathomable reason. After that incident, the gang didn't ask fro anymore details because they knew that it affects Zuko the most.

Her bright sapphire eyes watched as the moon took shape above the darkening skies. The absence of her water bending did not impede her from feeling the energy of the silver rays coursing through her veins making her feel as if she's almost invincible.

Distant screams and explosions tore her from the trance-like state. Just in time. For three days, she has been scouting this village for the veracity of the information she garnered from a not-so-reliable source. The chaos within the small Earth Country village was a mere prelude to what will transpire soon after… that much she can tell.

Aside from the fire that razed houses and huts alike, the smoke that blinded their eyes and the explosions here and there, the unmistakable signature that this catastrophe was perpetuated by them were people clumsily running around and hacking their friends and family as tears were in their eyes and apology in their lips.

It was as if her eyes saw an invisible thread leading to their puppet master. Just as soon as a father was about to axe his son, the female blood bender sliced the air with her right arm as she made a complete and elegant spin. Instantly, the weapon fell heavily on the ground as the man embraced his kid tightly then bound off.

All the screaming and crying ended at that moment. With just a single move, everyone was free while the real culprit remained unseen.

Just like a predator, she entered the forest with confidence and caution. The branches were too thick to let any light in but she can tell that there were indeed three other people nearby. Unfortunately, they weren't close enough to let her manipulate their blood. Water whips burst out of nowhere and began to attack her. With her trained skill, no weapon and no blood to bend, all Azrael could do was run and evade that was until, of course, she sensed one person's way too close proximity.

With a triumphant smirk, she back flipped to avoid the water projectiles by mere inches and as soon as she land her hands and feet started to move in perfect synchronization. The ice spear that was about to pierce her throat stopped in midair then landed to the forest floor dematerializing in a splash.

Her pupils dilated in both surprise and realization. With a rough tug, she pulled the blood bender out of his hiding spot and made him drop face down in front of her. His insidious laughter sent shivers down her spine. Azrael gritted her teeth as she made a quick flick of her wrist. Two other distraught villagers emerged from the bushes and ran away.

"Where are the others?" Her tone was cold and calm, terrifying enough to vanish his misplaced arrogance.

"I have done my part… now, they will do theirs," he drawled as he refused to look straight into her eyes.

"But of course! Princess Azula wasn't known for her honesty, after all" Arching an irritated eyebrow, she sighed audibly.

This night's full moon is different. Although the silver orb hangs beautifully among the dark star sprinkled tapestry above, it made the hair on the back of his head stand as if it was giving a silent warning. It wasn't only the young fire lord who felt such anxiety, as his amber eyes coasted over his friends, he knew without asking- the feeling is mutual.

True, it wasn't very wise to be spending this night camping but as they were midway through traveling Suki and Toph felt too sick to ride so they absolutely had no choice. Having their only blood bender gone didn't promote their survival rate as well.

Forming a circle, they protected each other's backs as they prepared for the worst. The forest was unusually quiet… dead silent. Only the cracking of their bonfire disturbed the stillness until. "THERE!" The blind earth bender exclaimed then distorted the earth beneath the enemy.

Jumping out of the shadows, the figure skillfully leaped on top of a branch that was immediately cut by a boomerang then seared by a giant fireball as it was detached. When Aang was about to deliver the final strike, his hands froze making the wind he was controlling scatter.

Just like an acrobat, their enemy landed on the balls of her feet with her arms outstretched. "Beautiful moon, don't you agree, Zukie?" She smirked as she tilted her head in amusement at the scene before her.

"AZULA!" Zuko tried to break free of the invisible hold but to no avail.

Conceited enough to approach the gang by herself, she did so by dancing like a little girl who just got her first doll. "Not so tough now without your little Blood Bending Angel over your shoulder, eh?" Her high-pitched laugh made them cringe. "You know, I still can't believe that she fell for it. She may have become a little better but definitely not smarter,"

"Humor me," her brother spat.

"Alright since I'm so entertained by her stupidity, I see no reason not to share this with people who, apparently, have no chance of escaping," the fallen princess took seat in front of the fire and crossed her legs comfortably. "Azrael made a deal with me,"

"YOU'RE LYING!" The avatar countered almost immediately.

"Hey, I'm not asking you to believe me but let me ask you… why isn't she here?" The silence that came after made her arrogant smirk grow. "I just pointed out the location of the blood benders she was searching for and in exchange, she would no longer involve herself in MY battles," for a while she watched their face turn from red to pale. "Obviously, I lied. Who in their right mind would give up THIS kind of power? Although I had to burn one pawn to keep her there, it was worth it… seeing you all angry and helpless," Rising to her feet, another shadow materialized from the nearby river. It took shape into an older man with brown skin and the same warrior braids as the water tribe's. Nonchalantly, this person glanced at the frozen captives before approaching the princess.

Her smirk twitched as her subordinate whispered something in her ear. With a wave of her hand, she dismissed him; he disappeared as easily as he came. "This moment gets better and better," clapping her hands together, her leery eyes wandered to the two females strategically standing behind the others. "Why wasn't I told? You girls are pregnant?" her feigned concern sounded almost comical.

Suki gasped and Toph swallowed while their better half struggled more. "Don't touch them!" Sokka snarled.

"Alright," Everyone was flabbergasted as they watched her turn her back and walk away. "But then again…" she stopped walking then wheeled around. "I hate kids," with her words, Suki and Toph screamed in agony.

Not a second later, Aang broke free of the bending and delivered a massive air blast to Azula. The unseen blood benders must've panicked in return because the binds that held the others began to weaken. In response to this, the avatar created an enormous hurricane with them in the middle then made it spread out to interrupt the blood benders' concentration.

The plan was more than successful. Not only were they released from the manipulation but they were also able to pinpoint the location of the two enemies as they tried to stay out of the cyclone's area of effect. While Zuko entertained his little sister, Aang and Sokka continued to attack the two, making sure they have no time to perform any kind of bending.

Fire against fire. The dark night was illuminated by humongous blasts between the collision of almost equal force. "What' s the matter Zukie? Did it break your precious heart that your girlfriend chose her goal over you?" Azula panted heavily and as did her opponent that was standing a few yards across the shallow river.

"Don't be mistaken Azula," the fire lord resumed his battle stance. "The one you made a deal with is Azrael… not Katara,"

"Whatever, you'll die anyway," with confident moves, she summoned lightning at her fingertips which Zuko redirected rather well. He was too occupied by the flashy attack to sense the presence of two archers behind him and just as the lightning passed through his body, they released their arrows. "I win," Azula declared under her breath.

In a flash, it was as if the river itself rose and enveloped the fire lord from the projectiles. A second after, the archers cried in pain from their hiding place as their body was wrecked with intolerable pain.

"WHAT?"

Overhead the sky bison wailed loudly as his only passenger leaped out and landed right in front of her. "Hello, princess," her brilliant blue eyes reflected the purity of the silver moon.

Little Falcon: Happy Holidays everyone! Read and review please…