Author's Note: Thanks so much for all of the reviews! They are so greatly appreciated. I hope you will continue reading AND reviewing, despite the delay in the update. I won't delay any longer, so read on and enjoy!

Chapter Four

He sat against the chilled metal floor, one hand unchained and the bowl sitting before him. His eyes stared at the torch beside the empty cell, watching the embers dancing against the scorched steel. They flickered in his eyes and he wished he could bend the flames. Rough fingers touched the metal-plated stone that pressed against his chest and slid down the beaded harness that ran across his ribcage, splitting and fastening against his back. He hung his head, eyes peering into the bowl below. If only he could have bent. Maybe then…he wouldn't have failed them.

Maybe…he wouldn't have had to betray them.

"Do you really want to follow Uncle Iroh's fate?" Azula sneered from the other side of the metal bars. Zuko's eyes didn't shift.

"What do you want?" he asked hoarsely.

"Oh, nothing, really," Azula replied smugly. "I just thought you might want to know what happened to your friends." His eyes met hers, hidden worry lingering on her sharp and knowing gaze; he didn't speak – he was afraid to ask. Part of him didn't want to know. "They've escaped."

"What?"Zuko said, becoming more alert at the news. "But…but how?"

"Does it matter?" Azula said; the truth was, she didn't know. But why should he know that? "Either way, they are gone." Zuko exhaled with slight relief despite the confusion that had begun to overwhelm him. After a moment, Azula opened the cell door and entered."You know, Zuko, I can't seem to figure why they didn't save you." His eyes lowered shamefully.

"I…I betrayed them," Zuko replied weakly, the words like heavy stones inside him. "I don't deserve their sympathy."

"Is that how you really feel, ZuZu?" she asked, leaning against steel wall.

"What do you mean?" he asked, feeling somewhat childlike for not understanding.

"I mean,you wanted to save them, didn't you? You tried – shouldn't that count for something?"Azulareplied. "And yet they didn't even bother to help you?" The hurt stung his eyes, and he turned away.

"But…I didn't," he said. "…And you were right."

"You know, you don't always have to agree with me," she sighed. "Don't misunderstand – I fully believe what I said: in my opinion, you did betray them. But is that what you believe, ZuZu? Do you think you betrayed them?"

"…I…" Zuko was confused; he couldn't find the words. He didn't feel that he had betrayed them – failed them, yes, but…betrayal? "No…I didn't want them to go through that. You're the one that put them through the torture – not me."

"And yet they couldn't even bother to try and break you out?" Azula said with a tone of pity. "Some friends. True, I told them that you did nothing – that the door was open and you chose to let the Avatar die." Zuko looked away and she chuckled slightly. "It's true, Zuko – don't try to deny it; accept it. But did your so-called 'friends' bother to hear your side of the story? Instead, they chose to believe me – someone they should never trust." Zuko didn't look back at her.

"Then why should I trust you, Azula?" he asked softly. "Why should I trust you if they shouldn't?"

"Because, they aren't family, ZuZu," Azula said, placing a warm hand against his cheek. He pulled away from the touch and she drew back her hand.A hint of hurt shot through her voice. "Do you think I like seeing you like this? I had to make you watch – to make you suffer. Father said that was to be the punishment for your actions."

"…Stop it, Azula," he whispered, the words catching on the lump in his throat.

"But…if one thing came of it, you finally were able to see their true colors," she continued. "Don't you see, Zuko? They used you to teach the Avatar firebending. They weren't your friends no matter how you felt."

"That's not true!" he yelled, tears burning his eyes.

"But I know how you can get even – make them regret turning their back on you," Azula said. Slightly pinked eyes gazed upwards into hers. They gleamed with the dancing embers of the torchlight. He didn't say anything. "I need someone to go after them."

"…Do it yourself," he replied, looking away.

"I can't," Azula replied simply. "Father has put me in charge of the Fire Nation while he's conquering the Northern Water Tribe. I can't leave my country, Zuko."

"Then send some of the soldiers to capture them," he said with slight annoyance.

"They couldn't catch them escaping, Zuko," she replied. "Besides, I need someone with experience tracking them – someone who knows their thinking."

"…Forget it, Azula," he finally said, turning to where she could no longer see his face. "I won't help you."

"Fine, Zuko," she retorted, anger clearly laced in the words. "But keep in mind that this is your freedom you're refusing."

~*0*~*0*~*0*~

Slow days passed and the thought lingered against his quiet cell. He was truly alone. Zuko had hoped that maybe, just maybe, the others would come back for him. Maybe the guards figured out that they were escaping and they didn't have the chance. They would come back for him, though part of him wondered if he deserved it. Maybe Azulawas right… Maybe they didn't consider him a friend – just a tool to help defeat his father, a failed attempt. Did they even want to know his side of the story? Or…

…had they betrayed him?

His only visitor was the silent guard that brought him food daily. Other guards passed, but none took a glance at him; after all, he was just another rotting prisoner to them. Azulahadn't come back since she suggested he go after his – no, the Avatar's – friends. Part of him longed for the golden beams of sun and starlit nights that freedom would bring – another for the satisfaction of revenge.

'Stop thinking like that,' he told himself. Azula was trying him – wanting to use him just like before. He didn't want to play right into Azula's hands – he didn't want to be her pawn again. Yet, somehow she seemed more genuine this time – more sincere. She had said she didn't want to put him through this, pain lingering in her voice when he believed she was the one wanting to bring him down.

The truth was…she was sincere.

So what would refusing her offer bring? An eternity in his dark prison cell, chained to the wall eating mush with no bending abilities? Were they worth it? After all, to them, he wasn't even worth the time to rescue.

"They aren't coming for you, Zuko," Azula said, sympathy lingering in her words. "For you, I wish it was the other way around. But face it Zuko – it's been over a week. Don't you think they would have come for you by now?" He hated to admit it, but Azula was right. Zuko turned away as she entered his cell. "Stop lying to yourself." A silence fell between them before Azula spoke again. "I'm giving you one more chance, ZuZu," she said with a hint of hope hiding behind the words. She squatted to his eye level. "Take revenge on your so-called friends. Help me capture them. In exchange, you'll have your freedom." He didn't answer. "Well?"

"…Alright," he finally replied. "I'll do it."

~*0*~*0*~*0*~

Whale Tail Island bloomed with cherry blossoms and irises this time of year. The green-lined path leading into the village had been lined with grateful faces as they had entered the town. Admittedly, that was only after their ship had been attacked and they had almost been killed by waves of water and pummeled with stones as large as the small tug boat. If it hadn't been for Katara'swaterbending and Toph'searthbending, they might have been sunk. Once the defenders had seen their bending, they seized fire and allowed the ship to dock. They had all been shocked to see the friends of the Avatar. They were presumed dead.

Toph had assumed right. The safe haven had been formed by the Order of the White Lotus, the group Zuko's uncle and so many other familiar faces had been a part of. They had been greeted by many they feared dead or imprisoned. Haru and his father had managed to flee, seeking refuge on the isle. Suki was glad to see that Ty Lee and some of the other Kyoshi Warriors had managed to escape. Even Mai had come to the village, though she seemed disappointed that Zuko was not with the group. Hakota had greeted his son and daughter with tearful relief, though he bore the sad news that Bato had been killed while they attempted to flee. Katara was surprised to learn from a few of the Freedom Fighters that Jet had managed to survive the ordeal with the Dai Lee, and had fled to the island from Ba Sing Se. Even Appa and MoMo had made it to the village, bringing many refugees with them.

And yet, it was hard to celebrate. They bore the news of Aang's death; the Avatar had fallen. It seemed as though all hope was lost, and their hearts dropped.

"If Aang is gone, what's left to fight for?" Teo asked with sadness.

"What are we supposed to do now?" Ty Lee asked. "I mean, how are we going to do anything without the Avatar?"

"She's right," Haru agreed in. "Without the Avatar…"

"…It's hopeless," Mai sighed.

"I don't know," Katara said. "But we can't just give up hope. Aang…wouldn't have wanted it. We have to keep fighting. There is something to fight for isn't there? Our homes and villages?Freedom?The same things we've been fighting for. We can't just give up hope because Aang…" she hesitated, unable to speak the truth.

"Katara's right," Sokka said. "I mean, what are we going to do, just sit around here until the Fire Nation finally blows us off the face of the planet? We have to stop Ozai from winning this , nowhere will be safe…for anyone."

"Sokka, it's already not safe," Hakota said quietly. "The Earth Kingdom has been overthrown and the Southern Water Tribe was forced to surrender."

"And I'm afraid our Northern Tribe isn't far behind," Paku said.

"Kyoshi Island was taken a few weeks ago," Ty Lee said. "The girls fought really hard, but…we really weren't any match." The other warriors nodded.

"Their forces are just too strong," JeongJeong said, closing his eyes.

"So that's it?" Jet said, standing. "We're just giving up?" The group fell silent. "Maybe you can forget what this war has done, but I…I can't. I'll fight until the Fire Nation is brought to its knees – or until I'm dead." He approached Katara and the others. "If you're fighting, I want to come."

"Well, it's not like we exactly have a plan," Sokka said, cross-armed. "I mean, right now, I don't even know where to begin."

"Look," Suki began. "We're all tired – it's been a long journey and I'm sure things haven't been easy here, either. Why don't we get some rest and we can start planning tomorrow?" The group murmured in agreement. Many headed back to their houses, most of them being earthbent into place by the earthbenders in the bunch. Suki, of course, stayed with the other Kyoshi Warriors, happily catching up with friends she assumed dead. The rest were invited in by Hakota, who was currently living with Haru and his father.

Suki was right: it had been a long journey. Sokka gratefully accepted a bed wrap and fell asleep in his hammock-cot hung in the corner of his father's room. Toph and Katara were given Haru's room, and he slept by his father's side. Toph preferred the ground, but accepted Katara's protests and added a warm sleeping bag to her nest.

~*0*~*0*~*0*~

"I've never heard of it," Zuko said quietly.

"Well, you'll know it as Whale Tail Island," she replied. "Since the resistance has formed there, it has become known as Isle of the Lotus."

"The Lotus…" he said, his mind trailing. They turned the corner and headed up the metal staircase. Azula pushed the door at the top and it opened, the bright sunlight flooding Zuko's eyes. He placed a hand before his eyes, allowing them to readjust to the sudden light. They were in a courtyard. A cobbled path crossed the center and stretched out towards the sea. A ship sat at the dock, and Zuko could see its crew loading up supplies.

"As of now, it is the only safe place for them to hide from our troops," she continued. "Unfortunately, the benders have prevented us from capturing the island. A few waterbenders keep our ships at bay while earthbenders take them down. It's a good strategy, really, but a nuisance. If there is anywhere for the Avatar's friends to be welcomed, that will be the place."

"If the troops haven't been able to approach the island, what makes you think I can?" Zuko asked pointedly.

"Your crew will be the decoy," Azula said. "They and a small fleet will attack from one side of the island. Meanwhile, you and a small crew will board the small ship and attack from the other side. Their defenses will be so busy warding off the fleet to the north that they won't even notice a small ship docking on the south side of the island." They reached the dock as the last of the supplies were loaded and the crew boarded. Rays of sunlight gleamed off the steel bow, and waves splashed against the hull.

"And if I fail?" he asked quietly.

"You won't,ZuZu," she replied. "If I thought you would, do you think I would have even bothered asking you to help?" He didn't answer.

"Does he know?" he said after a moment.

"No, do you think I'm a dumb-dumb?" she gave a playful little laugh, before placing a hand on her brother's shoulder. "Listen. He wouldn't have wanted me to even offer you. If it were up to Dad, he would just send ship after ship to attempt the mission, and I know that will fail. But once he learns of your success, all will be forgiven, Zuko. He'll see where your loyalties lie, as I already do."

Zuko didn't speak. Azula's eye met his, sincere and soft, and the other covered with a patch. It watered slightly as she smiled and let her hand fall. He turned from his sister and headed for the ramp that led to the deck of his ship. The wind ruffled his hair and locks of deep brown danced before his eyes in the crisp breeze.

"Be careful, Zuko," she called behind him. Zuko smiled a little to himself, but didn't acknowledge Azula's well-wishes. Part of him was confused. She had never respected him, shown him love or kindness… Azulaalways lied. Even when he had returned home before, he had known she had something up her sleeve. But somehow…this time she seemed sincere...she seemed human.