Book 4 Air

Chapter 2 Entrapment

Leaning against the stone wall with her hair in tangled knots, Azula stared at her reflection from the large puddle on the floor. Dark circles caved under her eyes and early signs of botchy skin formed around her nose and cheeks. Continuous voices rang in her head, telling her to keep what little sanity she had left untouched.

Yet at the same time she knew she wasn't crazy. She was right…she always was right.

'How dare he lock me up like some animal…like some monster…' thought Azula, she then narrowed her eyes…

"Monster…?" Azula said softly as the memories of her mother came into view.

'If she loves me so much…then why am I still here?!' Azula thought as she hugged her knees rocking back and forth. Trying to think positive she spoke again in an almost manic tone.

"Father will be here soon…He's probably already burned Ba Sing Sa to the ground…heheh…And then I princess Azula will be throne as rightful Fire Lady!" Azula said out loud as she grinned widely.

Just then a small jay bird flew to the sill of the barred window, its small feathered body fitted through the thick bars as it started chirping merrily. Azula backed away from the window. Almost frighten by the small animal, she then glared at it. The color of the bird's feathers…the color blue-it reminded her of the water tribe girl.

'How dare she…How dare she! That filthy peasant!! It is her fault! If she hadn't had interfered I-I would have…I would have had EVERYTHING!" screamed out Azula as the small bird jumped slightly by the princess's outburst. It tilted its head and then flew off into the bright clear skies. Azula gasped and then ran to the window, lengthening her arms out. "Wait!" cried out Azula, she paused slightly then in desperation cried out again. "I order you to come back!"

Already feeling the effects of nearly total solitude, it began to take a toll on the princess. She started breakdown again. It was a sad thing really…Even the guards kept their distance from her. Merely pushing her tray of food under the cell door then leave shortly after, giving Azula no social comfort.

Azula then backed up against the cell door and fell to her knees and sobbed quietly.

"Come back…" cried out the princess pitifully as tears rolled down her redden cheeks.


The view of the enormous palace was wondrous to Aang and the others. It seemed different now that the war was over. It appeared to be more in richen with Fire Nation history whether than an evil hide out for the previous Fire Lord to plan over his wicked tactics on destroying the world.

Once the group entered into the huge antechamber then to the dining room. They sat down on big red floor pillows, each one big enough to probably lie down on. The table was set low as the visible grain of the fine cherry wood shone with a soft glaze of polished gold in the middle. Servants walked around the table, offering the group chilled tea and many kinds of delectable fruits.

Katara reached over and grabbed a fire plum along with mango. Cutting the fleshy fruit into bite size pieces she took a light nibble.

Looking over she noticed Sokka's gluttonous behavior of stuffing his face with the fruit as juice poured out of his mouth and down his chin. Katara then saw Suki admiring the waterbender's brother with a gentle love in her eyes.

'If Suki can stand Sokka's childish manners then she's perfect for him…' thought the waterbender with an anomalous look.

Next to Katara was Aang. He slurped up his tea then scooped out the fruit from a lychee, popping the grape-like seed into his mouth. He grinned with an innocent look on his face.

"This is so delicious!" exclaimed Suki as she bit into a dragon fruit she picked out.

Sokka swallowed his last bite of some mango and looked over at Suki. "I wonder why they call it a 'dragon' fruit?" asked Aang as he poured some more tea.

"Yea, I've been wondering about that too…It doesn't like a dragon at all…" Sokka said as he poked it with his chopstick.

"Haha…It's called a dragon fruit because of its mild-sweet taste and its flowers bloom once every year." Katara said with a small chuckle.

"Actually you are almost correct, Katara…" said a silken voice.

The group turned and saw the new Fire Lord. Zuko smiling softly, "I am impressed you know about the fruit, especially since it is considered very rare." Zuko said as he sat at the head of the table.

"Well then what did Sugar Queen not know in this lovely fact?" exaggerated Toph as she chopped down on a red mangosteen.

"It blooms on the night of a full moon. Legend says that on the night of the full moon on that single hour the Golden Dragon will lay its unborn young (eggs) within the pollen of the blossom. The red fruit will ripen into the scales of the beast and forever remain one with the skies and the flame." Zuko said with pride.

Katara was in awe of the mythical story, while Sokka shrugged it off. Suki smiled then looked over at Toph, who started picking the seeds off some of the fruits then drop them on the floor. Aang just blinked as he then wondered if all dragons were based on elemental categories whether than just fire alone.


Later that evening after the group were given each their own separate rooms in the guest's wing of the palace. Katara got up from her bed; unable to sleep she decided to take a short walk. Walking pass the long hallway and out to the open balcony, the waterbender then noticed to figures standing next to a carriage near the front gates. It was Zuko and Mai.

Mai lightly caressed the Fire Lord's cheek as she leaned in kissing him softly. They seemed to be talking about something. Looking at the scene Katara knew full well that they were saying their good-byes.

Leading her into the carriage, Zuko closed the small door. Then ordered the driver to leave. A small roar cried out from the red rhi-horse (rhino-horse), as the driver pulled the reins towards the entrance gates. The wooden wheels creaked against the dirt path as Zuko stood watching the carriage ride off into the night.

Katara decided she would leave when she then saw the Fire Lord turn his head. His golden amber eyes seemed to stare straight at her. The glistening moonlight shone into his piercing orbs, along with the light's soft blue hue covering his pale skin and face. The waterbender froze, never has she seen him so mysterious and almost dark.

"Mm…K-Katara? Are you alright?" asked the sleepy airbender as he rubbed his eyes.

Katara turned, "Yea, I just couldn't sleep…What are you doing up?" asked the waterbender.

"Mm…I was thirsty after I got some water I went to check on you." Aang said as he lightly blushed.

Katara smiled warmly, "Thanks Aang…"

She walked over and kissed his cheek then hugged him. Pulling away she said with a soft voice, "Come now, let's go to bed."

Aang smiled and nodded, as he turned and walked back in, Katara looked back and noticed Zuko was gone. A light frown formed her lips as she walked in. 'Zuko…I hope he'll be alright…'


Katara yawned as the soft rays of early morning sun danced across her face. Opening her cerulean-blue eyes she smiled warmly. Stretching out on her full sized bed; feeling the silken burgundy sheets beneath her. Katara sat up and then dressed in her usual blue wear.

Brushing away her tangles of her long rich chocolate-brown hair, she then pulled back a few stains then walked out of her room.

Walking pass the main hall she then hear someone call her name. She froze in disbelief, turning her head she gasped.

'It can't be…' thought Katara as her eyes glistened with unshed tears.


There's my second chapter! Sorry to cut it off short…

And for a little information on some of the exotic fruits and names I have used for this chapter. They are listed below:

Lychee
Native to southern China, found in India, Taiwan
Coming from an evergreen tree, the lychee or litchi are small white flesh fruits, covered in a red rind, rich in vitamin C and with a grape-like texture.

Mangosteen
Native to the Sunda Islands and the Moluccas.
The mangosteen is another evergreen tree that produces oddly shaped fruits. The fruits are purple, creamy, described as citrus with a hint of peach.

Dragon Fruit
Native to Mexico and Central and South America
Dragon fruit, strawberry pear or pitaya is a fruit of several cactus species with a sweet delicate taste and creamy pulp. The most rare dragon fruit is the red pitaya, but other varieties include the Costa Rica pitaya and the yellow pitaya.

Well that's it for now! Please review!!