Chapter 9

The day before

Zuko walked all of the way to the prison where his father was kept. The more he thought about his beloved, the faster his feet took him, and by the time he could actually see the prison he had started running. The guards exchanged looks when they saw the Fire Lord running towards them. Zuko sped past them, and hurried to Ozai's cell. By the time he was standing in front of it, he stopped himself. Ozai might know where she is. He might be able to solve Zuko's problem with out even knowing. But, how would he get Ozai to tell him? There was no way. He wouldn't even tell Zuko where his own mother is. Why in the world would he tell him where his girlfriend is? When he loves her so much that he is going somewhat insane? Zuko wanted to make sure his hair wasn't messed up, so Ozai didn't think he was actually running to his cell. If he knew Zuko was that desperate, then he might not speak. He took a breath, and opened the door.

Ozai was against the back wall, his hair sprawled out onto the floor. Zuko frowned at him,"I know what you're up to." He had to remain confident, even if his theory was wrong.

Ozai sniffed,"Well, if it isn't my trader of a son. Here to ask about your mother again?" He egged Zuko on.

Zuko ignored his comment,"Where is she?" He asked darkly.

Even Ozai was almost surprised of how flat Zuko's tone was. Almost. "I told you, your mother could be anywhere." Ozai told him, annoyed by his over-asked question.

Zuko took hold of the iron bars that separated the two for support,"I'm talking about Mai!" Zuko screamed. He couldn't believe he had just said her name. His heart thudded in his chest.

Ozai gave him a questioning look,"I don't even know a Mai. You're wasting your time." He remained calm.

"Don't lie! I know you're behind this whole thing! You are obviously planning with Azula!" Zuko shouted. He didn't even care if he was wrong. He needed to yell at someone, for some reason.

Ozai shot him a look,"Yes, Zuko. I've managed to sneak out of my cell when ever I want, swim across the ocean to your sister on an island, that is unknown to the citizens of the Fire Nation, got permission by the guards to visit her, plot with her, and both hired an assassin to steal Mai, a girl I don't even know." He explained, showing a hint of irritation and sarcasm.

Zuko tried not to look like an idiot,"Well, the institution gives family members the location of the island!" He shouted, desperate.

"Zuko, leave. I don't know who or what you are talking about." Ozai explained calmly.

Zuko's mouth twitched with anger," I'm not leaving until I at least have a clue to where she might be! If Azula is behind this, you must know of a place she might hide her!" He yelled at him.

Ozai sighed silently, annoyed,"The only prison like place we had ever both known about, that you haven't, is a small,secret, hidden chamber in the bottom of an active volcano. Actually, many of our ally's knew of it. None of the warriors or guards or any type of police figure knows where it is. So, when assassins wanted to hide their dirty work, they would simply throw the bodies in one of the cells. Once the volcano erupts, it cleans the cells out." He explained.

Zuko felt like he was about to burst. To think, his girlfriend might be at the bottom of an active volcano, surrounded by dead bodies.

"Where is this place?!" Zuko shouted. If there was even a possibility that she was there, even if it wasn't likely, he wanted a team on their way this instant.

"If I told you it wouldn't be much of a secret chamber, would it?" Ozai challenged.

Zuko groaned in frustration, and tugged at his hair. He wanted to hurt his father as much as he was hurt. Zuko had never wanted to hurt somebody more in his entire life.

"You have to tell me!" Zuko screamed, feeling more desperate than he has ever felt.

Even Ozai, almost felt slightly pitiful, but he wasn't. He almost did. He snorted,"You mean you haven't figured it out? Actually, I think I heard you were right at the top of it, at a time." He said with a mischievous smile.

"What do you mean?" Zuko asked.

"I mean, think back." He said, jolting to his side, which told Zuko that Ozai was done talking. Zuko groaned again, and flew the door open, then slammed it shut.

Sokka yawned,"Great, we were pretty much awake all night. I hate when that happens." He sighed.

Ty Lee jumped,"But staying up late is so much fun!" She shouted.

Suki chuckled. The palace was already in plain view. They had been stopped by people on the streets, asking for signatures, or even hugs.

When they finally reached the palace, guards came to them, making sure they were guests of the fire lord.

"Me and Zuko go way back." Sokka said confidently with a smirk.

Suki rolled her eyes,"We need to talk to him. It's about Mai." She said. The guards let them pass, but followed them, to make sure they weren't assassins of some kind. They remembered Zuko telling them that let anybody through if they have any information at all about Mai, and they strangely obliged.

Sokka ran up to the fire lords chambers, and pounded on the doors." Knock knock!" He yelled, over excited that he would be able to see his old friend.

Zuko slammed the door open, his head down. When his eyes looked up to meet them, Sokka's grin disappeared.

Zuko had huge, grey bags under his eyes. And, he looked as if he hadn't shaven in weeks. His mouth was set in a deep frown. His clothes were obviously over-worn, and his glare made them all get shivers that ran up their spines.

"Nice to see you." He spat out dryly and turned, inviting them in. They slowly followed into his room, which was covered in paper work. His drawers were knocked onto the floor, and a chair was turned over onto its side. Sokka had no idea he was in this bad of a shape. He had never seen Zuko so depressed about anything. He rubbed the back of his head, embarrassed,"So, Zuko. Have you heard anything about.." He trailed off. Sokka didn't want to stir anything.

Zuko sighed and scratched his head,"Well, not really. I sent a team to search for a secret chamber under a volcano, but that's all." He said.

Sokka nodded and rubbed his chin,"Hmm.. I don't think who ever it was would go that far... Maybe.." They were both lost in thought, but Ty Lee spoke up.

"We were all guessing that Azula was behind this." She chirped, sounding somewhat cheerful. Zuko glared at her, with out even noticing it.

"So do I. I visited Ozai, and he didn't even know who my girlfriend was." Zuko explained dully.

Suki stared at the ceiling,"If she is the one behind this, Ty Lee told us there are districts that align the Fire Nation. And that one is actually sharing the island with Azula's institution. I also heard that the institution has visitor hours. Which means, she might have hired somebody to kidnap Ma- .... her." Suki said, realizing Zuko hadn't said her name at all.

Zuko bit his upper lip,"That might be true.. Though, I've asked to multiple the guards that surround her cell.. But I have said nothing about visitor hours.." He trailed off.

"So I guess we are going to visit Azula, next?" Sokka suggested.

"Maybe we should split up. Somebody, or some people, should visit her. Somebody should stay here, just incase she is found or returns, and somebody should search the district." Suki said.

Everybody nodded.

"Who will stay here?" Sokka asked.

Ty Lee spoke up,"I guess I will."

"Okay, so that means me, Zuko, and Sokka are all going to the island?" Suki asked.

They both nodded, and Suki said goodbye to Ty Lee as Zuko prepared a ship for their new mission.

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Sorry, it feels like this chapt. is a bit short. But, hoped you enjoyed it

anyway ! ;] oh! And please review XD