Interception- Ty Lee

A/N: This chapter is from Ty Lee's perspective. I'm going to do this from time to time, giving insight to the opinions of the girls. Once the gaang moves into the picture, I'll do them too. All the 'interceptions' will be first person, and I will always announce the interceptions so you don't get confused.

I walked through the halls silently, following Azula and Mai until they both entered their rooms. Continuing to walk, I pondered on Zuko's aura as we had left. It had been a dark purple color. Blue was sad or hopeless, and red was angry. It had pained me to see him like that, defeated and crumpled on the floor.

I turned into my room, which was covered in a reddish pink color. I knew Azula and Mai didn't care if I wandered to halls, since they knew I would do it anyway. I stood up from the bed and walked on my hands past my friends' doors. I wanted them to think I was on a careless trip to the kitchen, like I had done many nights before. Once I was around the bend of the hall, I dropped onto my feet again.

I knew he would still be there. He didn't know the way back to the cell-like room Azula had placed him in, and I doubted he could even get up after the beating he had received. A few minutes later, I reached the doorway. As I had thought, he was still curled at the end of the table, hiding his face as if he expected another blow. I crouched next to him, reaching out to touch him. I stopped, my hand hovering just above the bare skin of his arm. I expected him to flinch away, or growl and strike out at me.

Instead, he let out a faint warning noise, but he allowed me to touch him. I had the sudden urge to pick him up and carry him like he was a wounded puppy. Not even stopping to think, I scooped my arms under him, grinning as he groaned and curled into himself. I thanked Agni that he seemed to be half asleep, because as I lifted him up, he pressed his shoulder against my torso. I grunted, shifting from foot to foot as I fought to maintain balance. He was sort of heavy.

"Mother?" He mumbled drowsily, flickering his eyes open. I giggled, shifting my arms to hold him better.

"Eh, I'll take it." I said, trying to suppress a fit of giggles. Zuko had just called me his mother! I hoped Azula and Mai never found out about this. Even though I wasn't one to tease people, Azula would never let him live this down. Shifting my weight, I moved so I was carrying him bridal style.

I snuck past my friends' rooms, sliding the door to my own room shut behind me as I gently shifted Zuko until I could see his back. I placed him, face down, on the bed as I foraged around in my drawers for medication that would work for soothing his pain. Finally, I found the right cream. Not only would it clear the pain, it would clean the cuts from the sharp edge of the leather.

"Hold still, this will sting for a few minutes." I warned him, laying a hand down on his shoulder. He grunted, seeming to realize who I was, considering he snuck a glare at me out of the corner of his eye. I frowned, trying to ignore it as I spread cream along his upper back. He hissed, fumbling with his hands as he attempted to pry the bottle from me.

"That hurts!" He growled, struggling against me as I held his arms down. I ignored him, continuing to lather cream on his back. I hesitated when I reached his waistband, knowing there wore sores there too, but I didn't really want to have to treat those. Angry Zuko was better than Angry, Embarrassed Zuko. I was glad when he snapped, "Don't you dare!" And tried desperately to slap my hand away from his bum. It was sort of cute. He was cute when he blushed.

I wanted him to do it again. I wanted to see his face burn up in that cute little blush that Mai said she loved. I shook my head frantically, trying to snap out of it. He was in love with Mai. I was not going to interfere with that. Even if I was the one to comfort him, not her.

"What?" I squeaked, keeping up the innocent charade that I used to seem aloof. Zuko scowled at me, attempting to push himself off of my bed. I didn't know where he thought he was going, but it didn't really matter. As soon as he was standing, he went rigid. I knew just from looking at him that he was trying to fight the pain.

I steered him back down, ignoring his cries of protest at being commanded by a 'circus girl'. We sat in silence for a while, just staring at each other. Eventually, he seemed to grow tired of silence.

"Why do you have so much medicine?" Zuko asked bluntly, gesturing to the large drawer of medications.

I didn't think about my answer, stating, "You can never be too careful around your sister." I noticed his eyes widen in surprise, he obviously was expecting some stupid happy-go-lucky answer. Panicking, I quickly covered up my slip. "And, Um, it's for the little birds outside!" I said hastily. I relaxed when his expression returned to normal. I hoped he would forget about it by morning.

Zuko had fallen into a restless sleep sometime during the late hours of the night, leaving me alone in the dark. I had chosen to meditate, breathing in and out softly so I wouldn't wake him. In the hour before sunrise, I snuck over the the bed.

"Zuko." I whispered, softly touching his cheek in an attempt to shake him out of sleep. "Zuko, wake up, we have to get you back to the room."

He looked up at me, his eyes drooping as he silently tried to lift himself up. He looked so... innocent. It astonished me how someone with such a temper could have mellowed out enough to appear so innocent.

Clearing my mind of such thoughts, I said, "Come on, they won't be happy if they find you in here." I watched as he tried to stand, but I had forgotten about how weak the beating had made him. After he collapsed again, I helped him back onto the bed, ignoring his confused stare. That was the second time that night I had said something serious and smart.

"Don't carry me." He grumbled, striking out at me as I slipped my right arm under his knees. I smiled cheekily at him, tapping his nose with one finger before placing my other arm under his shoulders. Zuko scowled at me.

"Have you suddenly found the strength to walk?" I asked, trying my best to look innocent. He struggled against my grasp, and I gasped as he almost fell to the ground. Gripping him tighter, I shot him a dirty look before placing a finger to my lips. He begrudgingly obliged, keeping silent as we snuck down the hall. We both held our breath, desperately hoping that Azula and Mai were still asleep.

Once we turned the corner, I let out a relieved sigh. It was followed by a similar sigh from Zuko. I glanced away from the hall down to the boy in my arms. It was hard to call someone I was carrying in my arms a man. It didn't help that he was pretty much my personal slave.

When I sat Zuko down on the table, I noticed that the crop Azula had used to beat him was still there. I picked it up, looking at the dried blood that crusted the end.

"Here, wanna see?" I asked, flipping the crop around so the handle faced Zuko. He flinched when the leather grazed his hand, and I saw pain flash across his face. He shifted nervously, mumbling something incoherent as he looked away.

"Okaaay." I said, putting the crop down. It was hard not to notice how he held himself. Head bowed, back straight, and legs dangling over the edge of the table. He seemed defeated and regal at the same time. He hadn't even said a word and he impressed me.

Zuko shifted forward from his sitting position, moving so he was just barely touching the floor. I helped him off the table, and he nodded to me. I gave him a small smile, watching as he curled back into himself.

Sighing, I turned away and walked out the door. I hurried back to my room, thanking Agni that no one was awake. I hoped Zuko was okay. I wished I could help him through what Azula was going to do to him.