Chapter Eight : Behind the Line of Fire
The carriage ride was hot and long. Katara sat angrily staring out the window, leaving the other two uneasy. They didn't know what had her so angry, and decided to leave it be.
Toph turned her face to the small window, and after a minute pressed her face up close. "Sparky! Hey, what's that?"
Zuko leaned over her to look out the window. "What's what?" he frowned only seeing trees pass by. He heard Katara giggle and turned to look at her. "What?"
Katara shook her head. "We all fall for it at least once." she snickered.
He raised an eyebrow and turned to Toph who had a smirk on as she waved her hand in front of her unseeing eyes. "You little mud bug!" he smirked. "I'll get you back for that... on no."
Toph's smirk was wiped off her face immediately. "What?"
"It's a fire spider!" he gasped in mock horror running his fingers up her arm. "It's going to get in your pretty little hair!"
Toph was giggling and smacking at him to get him to stop, as Katara sat back and watched the two. The ride seemed to go faster as she watched them interact. It was just getting dark as they pulled into the palace grounds. Zuko gave Toph a tight hug and whispered in her ear, before climbing into the hollowed out seat.
"Are you sure you're alright in there?" Katara whispered.
"Ty Lee taught me a few things." He replied quietly before shutting the seat.
The carriage stopped and Katara felt her nerves start to get the best of her. Zuko's hand slid out from the seat and squeezed her knee, she squeezed back as she calmed her nerves.
"You okay Sugar Queen?" Toph said in a hushed voice sitting back down once Zuko pulled his hand back in.
"Yes." Katara smiled. "Ruse, it'll be so exciting to see cousin Ty Lee again. And she sounded so excited to meet you."
Toph smiled an innocent smile as the door opened. "Too bad daddy can't be here." she sighed.
The freedom fighters who were playing their servants helped them out of the carriage. Katara looked up at the palace to see a pink blur running at her, but it wasn't the pink blur she was looking at. Behind it was the Fire Lord standing at the top of the steps.
Ty Lee collided with her. "Rivlyn!" she said loud enough for Ozai to hear. "I don't know how you pulled it off, but you look like you're in your twenties." She whispered.
Katara smiled at her warmly. "Ty Lee, it's so good to see you. I haven't seen you since the academy. This is my daughter, Ruse."
Ty Lee bent down and hugged the shorter girl. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'll have to tell you all kinds of stories of how your mommy and I got in trouble when we were little."
"If I remember correctly Pinky, it was you who got in trouble." Katara smiled and grabbed Toph's hand. "Come Ruse, we should meet our host. You there, collect our things and follow the royal servants to our quarters. Wait there for me." she said ordering about the freedom fighters.
"Sweetness, when did you get so royal." Toph whispered.
Katara squeezed her hand. "We'll see if he minds letting you rest, dear."
Ty Lee walked them up to the Fire Lord and bowed. "Fire Lord Ozai, I'd like you to meet my cousin, Lady Rivlyn and her daughter Lady Ruse."
Katara and Toph bowed, but he waved them off. "It is a pleasure to meet young Ty Lee's cousin. She was rather lonely with my daughter gone."
Katara took a mental picture of the fire lord and smiled. "Yes, so I've realized. She told me she spent the last week driving you up the wall." she replied.
"Lady Ruse, you are a beautiful young maiden. You'll have several young men after your hand." He cooed.
Toph's hand tightened on Katara's. "I doubt it sir." Toph replied shyly. "No man wants a blind wife."
"Ah, yes. Lady Ty Lee said something about that." He said leading them inside. "If you are to tired to attend dinner I can have the servants lead you to your rooms."
"Actually, Fire Lord Ozai, my daughter is in need of a rest." Katara smiled weakly. "But as soon as I have her taken care of I'd love to join you."
Ozai nodded. "Of course Lady Rivlyn." he smiled.
"Fire Lord Ozai, I can take them to their room." Ty Lee beamed. At his nod she bowed and did a cartwheel down the hall and bounced off the walls with Katara and Toph following.
Princess Azula's ship had been stuck in the same spot since the engines exploded. They weren't even a mile away from the temple, and she'd sent out a crew of men to find help. It had taken her four days to wake up after her little face off with that boy. Mai, to her surprise was beside her the entire time.
She had explained what had happened after Azula passed out. When she'd asked to see Mai's back the other girl frowned at her, but complied.
"I thought for sure you were hit harder." Azula said in a bored tone.
Mai sighed. "I wear heavy robes, you know that." she replied. "How long until those idiots get back. Sitting here is boring."
Azula nodded in annoyance. "I don't know, but we have to get word to my father about Zuko and Uncle." Mai felt her heart rip. "But we'll have to wait until those fools get back and my leg gets better."
Mai sent out a silent prayer that Zuko was far away from the fire nation. She knew it was wishful thinking, and she couldn't let Azula get word to Ozai.
Toph was left alone in the giant room after Katara and Ty Lee left for dinner. She slipped the dress off to reveal the black pants and shirt Katara gave her. Slipping out into the hall quietly, she mapped out the palace as she ran through the shadows.
She stopped as she recognized a set of footfalls. "Smellerbee?"
The girl froze and turned. "You're that blind girl that was under the lake. The one that could detect lies." she whispered.
Toph nodded. "What are you doing here?"
Smellerbee grabbed her wrist and pulled her into the servants quarters. "There's a lot of us here. Katara thought it would be wise to get as many of us in here as possible. There's about fifty or sixty freedom fighters inside the palace. There also a hundred or so scattered through the capitol."
Toph scratched her head. "Sugar Queen has been busy." she smirked as she felt Zuko sneaking into the servants quarters. "Sparky, why didn't you tell me there were freedom fighters inside the palace?"
Zuko froze just behind her. "I didn't know." he said looking at Smellerbee. "Tomboy? I take it this is what Jet and I missed?"
Smellerbee smirked. "You weren't supposed to find out. Well, Jet wasn't supposed to. He's still messed up in the head. What are you doing here?"
They froze as the door slid open and a small girl slipped in. "They're about the leave dinner. Ozai is taking Lady Rivlyn for a walk!"
"That's my cue." Zuko said taking out his swords. "Mud bug, get back to your room."
Toph pouted and stomped her foot. "I'm not a little kid! I can come with you!"
He bent down. "Bug, I know you can handle yourself. Ozai doesn't. He thinks you're a helpless little girl. We need to keep it that way."
She sighed. "Okay dad." she stuck out her tongue, before creeping back to her room.
Katara was walking beside fire lord Ozai through the gardens. It had been an odd dinner. She might have been calm on the outside, but inside she was a nervous wreck. He had been asking personal questions that she didn't know the answers to. Ty Lee would cut in, but she had sensed Ozai's annoyance at that.
"So, Lady Rivlyn, how do you like the palace?" Ozai smiled sweetly.
Katara caught a glimpse of a blue mask out of the corner of her eye. "It's lovely." she replied. "Have you ever been to any of the other nations, my lord?"
"I visited the South Pole before." he said bitterly. "It was quite barbaric. Walls of ice circling the entire city. We were raised thinking they lived in igloos, and we got there to see a giant ice palace. My father said he couldn't have savages living like kings. It was quite beautiful watching the flames reflect off the ice. It looked like the entire city was made of fire." he paused and looked over at her. "Did they ever rebuild it?"
Katara gaped at him. "Pardon?"
He let out a laugh. "Oh please, Lady Rivlyn has been locked up for years. If Ty Lee talked to her family, she'd know it. I know you're water nation. Now, tell me, did they ever rebuild the South Pole Palace?"
Katara put her hands down at her sides, more so she could stop Zuko from reveling himself. "No."
"My favorite part of that raid, was when my father killed this particular woman." he laughed. "She was a water bender. Beautiful, exotic, and she had these bright blue eyes. She fought like an animal, all fire in her soul as my father had me and my worthless brother hold her children. I made sure the little girl watched her mother fall. Iroh allowed the boy look away."
Katara was trying to control her temper. "Sounds fascinating." she said bitterly.
"Isn't it though." he smiled. "If I ever meet that little girl again, I might make her my second wife."
Katara's head snapped up. "Why? Why would you want a savage for a wife?" she spat.
"She didn't scream or cry when my father murdered her mother. She sat and watched. She'll have grown up to be a strong woman. One that thinks she can parade herself as a noble. Isn't that right, Princess Katara."
She took control of Zuko's body as he tried to charge out. "What do you want Ozai?" she snarled. It was then she realized there were guards stationed around the court yard.
"You will be my wife, or you will be thrown in the dungeons." He smirked. "Along with your daughter and Ty Lee."
She spit in his face. "Put us in the dungeon. I won't marry filth."
It was too fast for her to react. His hand struck her across her face knocking her to the ground. She didn't let go of the hold she had on Zuko, and as she got up she saw the guards moving in to grab her.
They hoisted her up to face Ozai. "Take her to the bath house first. Have the servants scrub her down. No need to look like a noble if you're going to be locked away."
"You're going to put me in a room with water?" she laughed. "Iroh should have been fire lord. At least he has brains."
She didn't even see it coming. The flames wrapped around her throat and arms knocking her down, but she had enough strength to keep Zuko back.
"Send two guards to arrest Ty Lee and Katara's daughter." Ozai sneered. "Kill the servants she brought with her."
"No, they're just regular servants." Katara choked out.
Ozai smirked. "Fine, they'll be a nice collection. Get her out of my sight." He left the garden not even looking back to see them drag the burned girl away.
Zuko felt her hold on him drop as soon as Ozai disappeared. He shook his body and followed the guards to the bath house. They passed her off to the servants inside and when they turned he slipped in.
Smellerbee was inside with a few other freedom fighters. "What happened to her?" she gasped.
Zuko stepped out of the shadows. "Ozai gave her a choice." he growled. "Be his wife or get locked up. Toph and Ty Lee are on their way to the cells now."
"She... these burns are deep." Smellerbee said peeling the burnt fabric back.
Zuko looked over his shoulder. "Block the doors." he said picking her up. "And I need different clothes for her."
One of the girls ran and grabbed a set clothes. "You can't be in here when we bath her, Prince Zuko." she scolded.
His head snapped up. "You can't bath her until she heals anyway." he hissed as he sat in the tub of water pulling her on top of him. "Brother, wake up." he cooed trying to coax her awake.
Her eyes fluttered open. "Z-zuko?" she mumbled.
He sighed in relief. "You and I are going to have a talk later. Heal yourself quickly." he said quietly.
She smiled and dropped under the water causing him to jump in surprise when she pulled him down with her. The girls outside the tub watched in awe as the the water glowed a bright white blue. Nothing was visible through the blinding light, and they could hear the guards beating on the door to get in.
One of the girls broke from their trance. "You can't come in here while we're bathing her!" she shouted. Through the door they heard a man ask what the light was, but the girl laughed. "There is no light. It's just the torches!" she scoffed. The guards outside settled down.
Katara and Zuko emerged and the glowing stopped. She smiled as she brushed the wet hair from his face. "Now, get out so I can bathe." she laughed.
He got out of the tub but didn't leave, he tied a blind fold around his head and sat down. "We have to get Toph and Ty Lee out of the dungeons."
Katara stripped out of the dress and started washing the make up off. "No we don't." she replied. "You will pass as a servant now. You will work with Bee over there. She'll explain everything."
Smellerbee stepped forward with a towel. "Katara, what about you and the other two? Are we supposed to break you out?"
Katara smiled. "What kind of cells? We will need plenty of food to keep our energy."
"Metal cells." Zuko said grumpily. "I don't see why you insist on staying in those dirty cells. We can get you out and you can meet up with your brother."
She chuckled as she pulled the tunic over her head. "Don't worry about us. We'll see you at night. We have our ways out. Besides, it'll be harder to get back in if we leave."
Zuko blinked against the light when she removed the blind fold. "But that prison is terrible."
"All prison's are terrible." Smellerbee snickered.
"Not true." Katara corrected. "King Bumi had us put in his refurbished prison. Very nice." They all stared at her.
They were early to the rendezvous point. He was surprised when they reached Goa-ling and everyone Sokka had mentioned was already waiting. The tea shop they went to said the men they were looking for would meet them at this point a week before the invasion.
"We're here two weeks before the invasion." Bato said coming up behind him. "Do you think those men will be here early?"
He turned. "As of right now, I don't care. We should take some time to relax. Not get lazy, but relax."
They were startled out of their conversation when a warrior walked in. "Chief Hakoda, sir." he blushed. "I'm Hahn from the North..."
"If you're asking for my daughter's hand the answer is the same for everyone else. Ask Pakku."
Hahn gave a start. "Oh, I..."
"Forget asking Pakku, she's not marrying him." Came an annoyed voice from the entrance to the tent.
Hakoda turned and smiled. "Sokka. It's good to see you. Did you bring your sister?"
Sokka shook his head. "No, she's in the fire palace." he said looking at Hahn. "Why are you still here? You're dismissed."
Hahn looked like he was about to say something, but Bato guided him out of the tent. Sokka turned to his father angrily, and waited for an answer.
"Don't look at me like that. I didn't even know he was here until now." Hakoda said putting his hands up. "Why is Katara in the fire palace?"
It took less time to round up all the freedom fighters and get them to the tree village around the capitol they expected. Jet was amazed at how big the group was. He decided he would let Longshot take the lead this time. A small group he could handle, but this was insane. They had two weeks to wait, to train, to prepare their weapons and in some cases, bending. They had two weeks to live as a whole family, as free people. Because everyone knew in two weeks, it could be their last.
The cell was cold, wet, and smelled of mold. Katara was shoved into the cell with Ty Lee and Toph. As she fell onto the floor she turned to the guards.
"If I were you, I'd pick a better side of the war to be on." she snarled.
The biggest guard turned and looked at her. "If you were smart, you'd have taken his offer. It's a shame such a pretty little thing has to be locked away. Maybe after we crush the rest of the nations he'll let me have a present."
Toph and Ty Lee grabbed her arms and held her back. They were surprised at the curse words coming from her mouth. As the guards walked away laughing, Katara turned to them hugging them close.
"I'm sorry guys." she sighed. "He knew I wasn't Rivlyn. Zuko wanted us to break out and leave, but I told him no."
Toph tore the dress off and tossed it aside. "So what then? Just sit here? And what offer?"
Katara grew quiet. "He asked me to be his wife. Him and Iroh were there the day my mother was killed. Ozai force me to watch his father kill her. I never wanted to remember it." she growled. "We have two weeks until the invasion. We'll stick to the plan we had, only now it'll be more dangerous."
Toph cracked her knuckles. "You just said the magic words Sugar Queen." She took her meteor rock bracelet and formed a key.
Ty Lee sighed. "How do you intend to sneak around the palace without being noticed? What plan did you have exactly?"
Katara smiled as they slipped out of the cell behind Toph. "Firstly, we find Zuko and make sure he has my bags yet."
"Zuko's here?" Ty Lee beamed.
Katara, Toph, and Ty Lee slipped into the servants' quarters to see Zuko waiting impatiently.
"Mud bug!" he rushed over and grabbed her and turned her around several times lifting her arms.
"Sparky? What are you doing?" Toph asked in confusion.
He crushed her in a hug. "Just making sure you're okay." he turned to Katara. "And you, I heard you harassed the guards. Didn't you learn anything when Ozai tried to burn you."
"Oh Princess, you worry too much." She said sitting down and pulling a cup of tea to her. "Did you get my bags?"
He tossed them beside her. "Ty Lee, how in the world could you come back here? You had to know he was up to something."
Ty Lee blushed. "I was told to come back. I don't think Ozai is in his right mind though." Then she gasped and pushed the hair out of his face. "Your scar's gone." He blinked but said nothing.
"Sounds about right." Smellerbee smiled as she sat a tray down. Zuko reached over for the tea and she smacked his hand. "No, it's not for you. This is Ozai's midnight snack."
He raised his eyebrow. "What's it matter if I drink his tea? He hates tea."
Smellerbee smirked to Katara who shook her head. "My sweet princess, if you feel like drinking poison, go for it. I'm not saving your ass again."
His eyes bulged. "You're poisoning Ozai?" he gaped. "And he hasn't caught on?"
Smellerbee handed the tray to Ozai's personal servant. "It's only a little bit of hemlock every other day. By the time the invasion comes he'll just feel a little headache."
"Who's idea was that?" Ty Lee said in awe. "It's brilliant."
"Katara said she had a run in with the poison." Smellerbee said proudly. "We decided to do it every other day just to weaken him. We didn't need him catching on."
"Very interesting." Ty Li mused. "How is it your scar is gone?" She said pushing his bangs out of his face.
"I used blood bending in a way. It's hard to explain really. But I combined my healing to my blood bending to refresh the scarred skin again." Katara said sheepishly.
Toph yawned. "Well, that's all great, but I'm tired. I say we go back to our cell and sleep for now. We have a busy two weeks."
Zuko refused to stay in the servants quarters when they went to leave. Katara had to have Ty Lee use her technique to subdue him. Once they got back to their cell they fell asleep instantly.
Katara woke to the sound of keys jingling. Toph and Ty Lee were still asleep as she sat up. She wasn't expecting to be grabbed and pulled from the cell.
"Hey! Let me go!" she growled half awake.
Her screams woke Toph and Ty Lee. "Hey! What's going on?"
"Mom!" Toph yelled reaching blindly for Katara. "Mom, I'm scared!"
"It's okay Ruse, I'll be back." Katara strained to say. "Where are you taking me?"
"The Fire Lord wishes to speak to you." the guard said holding her arms.
"I don't wish to speak to him!" she snarled as they pushed her along.
Aang had been avoiding everyone as much as possible. He'd take his lessons from Iroh, but as soon as he was done he'd disappear. It was the third day that at the rendezvous, and Sokka had enough. He waited until the lesson ended and he followed the small monk.
Aang looked behind him a few times, but kept going until he came to a cliff edge. Momo perched on the branch next to Sokka as they watched Aang sit and meditate for hours. It was near lunch when he finally moved again, and Momo flew out to greet him. Sokka stayed back and waited.
"Hi Momo." Aang said sadly. Momo purred and rubbed against him. "It's not working Momo. I'm trying to get into the avatar state, but without Guru Pathik, I don't think I ever will."
"Then it's good I listened to the spirits." came an old voice.
Aang turned on the spot and smiled warily. "Guru Pathik? What are you doing here?"
"I was told to come here by the former avatars. I heard what happened to you. If you have realized now that you can no longer get into the avatar state, you have finally accepted your duty." Pathik smiled sadly. "Are you ready to begin?"
Aang sat down and shooed Momo. "Go get Sokka. He'll feed you."
Sokka jumped down from the tree and picked up Momo. "Sorry Aang, but we were worried. How did you know I was there?"
"You were snoring. Go back and tell Iroh I might miss training tomorrow." He said taking onion and banana juice from Pathik.
Sokka nodded and turned to Momo. "Race you to lunch?" The lemur took off with Sokka hot on his tail.