This chapter is where the real stuff starts to happen… I know I have been torturing you guys, going dreadfully slow with how the story goes, who the prisoner girl is, what's up with the warden and Tenma… but you will finally be content-and unsatisfied, as this chapter is extremely suspenseful. And some of the questions will be left unanswered… for the next chapter! X3

I truthfully don't know if Aang fully took over the Avatar State or not, but in my story, he hasn't. I know he probably did, but y'know, just go along with it.

Review, and I hope you like it!

Xxx

AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER

The Unknown Elements; The Spirit in Azula

Chapter Five: More Than Meets the Eye

Tenma sat at the Firelord's dinner table, which was piled high with food, drinks, wine, and all other kinds of delicacies.

Her black eyes studied the various people around the table, who were chattering and talking excitedly over the wedding plans.

There was Firelord Zuko, speaking with Iroh and the dark girl who introduced herself as Mai. They were all talking intently, the Firelord sometimes sneaking some rather intimate glances Mai's way, who returned them. She was to be his wife, as of tomorrow. The wedding the next day certainly was important to everyone in the Fire Nation, as there were many festivities and decorations throughout the kingdom.

Mai was one option.

Then Tenma averted her eyes over to the right of the three, as she picked at the dumplings on her plate. There was a gangly boy in blue, chattering endlessly with a girl who was smirking beside him. His name is Sokka, Tenma thought, and made a mental note to remember that. The teenage female beside him, with heavy red and white war paint, was stifling giggles, as she watched the boy beside him describe something with rapid hand gestures, simultaneously stuffing his face with noodles. The face paint concluded that she was a Kyoshi Warrior by the name of Suki. She was close friends with the Avatar, but not close enough.

That's when Tenma snuck a glance at the all-powerful leader; who turned out to be a little kid. He was not a fully-realized Avatar, he still had plenty of training to do, as well as fully take over the Avatar State. Thirteen years old, and as goofy as ever, he sent wide grins and friendly laughs to whoever had spoken to him. This disgusted her. How could he be so carefree?

Apparently, he wasn't. He kept on biting his lip, and looking over at a rather pretty female in blue beside him. Azure eyes, dark hair. Her name was Katara, the master waterbender that defeated Princess Azula of the Fire Nation. Avatar Aang obviously had some sort of connection to her, as his face kept flushing tomato red every time the girl so much as smiled.

Katara was another option.

Tenma furrowed her eyebrows in frustration, and jabbed at a green bean with her chopstick. Which girl should she choose? The Firelord's fiancé, who obviously loved the man she was going to marry; or the Avatar's little crush? If something happened to the waterbender, it would obviously have a big impact on the boy.

"So, Tenma," a voice in front of her said, "I hope you're having a good time."

She looked up to a smiling Katara across from her, her blue eyes filled with sparkling kindness.

Ugh.

Tenma forced her own small smile. "It's… it's been very fun, Miss Katara."

The waterbender flipped her hand, as if to brush off her formal name. "Oh, don't call me that. Just say Katara." Then she motioned down to Tenma's plate, which was barely filled. "Not hungry?"

"No, not really. Er… Iroh… he rather went overboard with the food for the trip here."

Next to Katara, Avatar Aang chuckled. "That's Iroh for you."

The waterbender glanced over at the boy beside him, and chuckled quietly, obviously amused at his statement.

The Avatar's face blushed a rather remarkable crimson that was similar to the color of a cherry, that Tenma had no idea regular beings were capable of.

She was once again torn between two choices. Mai… or Katara?

And then she came to a decision.

Xxx

"Ah!" Katara said, smiling widely. "Done!"

She had just sewn the last stitch on Suki's dress. It was the day of the wedding; she had barely made it by with all of the bridesmaids' dresses. It was still seven hours until the actual ceremony, and the palace was buzzing with excitement.

Katara spun her friend around to face the soon-to-be bride. "What do you think, Mai?"

Mai tapped her chin as she studied it, and nodded. "I love it. It looks like a Suki dress."

It was a deep, dark maroon color. A gold half of a square was set upon her hips with a thin silk ribbon, and the long sleeves were lined with golden satin, as well as the hem of the skirt, which was floor length. It was simple, yet pretty; just like Suki.

Ty Lee squealed, and twirled around in her own. "Oh, Katara, you are amazing! How on earth can you do it?"

Her dress was Ty Lee-like. It was a cross of strawberry and cherry red, a sort of pinkish cerise color, the skirt billowing out in ruffles; lots and lots of ruffles. A wide burgundy band was adorned around her waist, the gathered sleeves stopping at her elbows. The heart neckline dipped just below her collarbone, and no further.

Toph sat in her chair, her chin propped up on one hand. "Sugarqueen, did you have to make the dress any more uncomfortable?" she complained. She was obviously grumpy from being shoved into the fancy clothing.

Ty Lee gasped. "But, Toph! You look so pretty!"

"And do I want to look pretty? No." She indignantly puffed at an ink-black strand of hair.

Her dress was, indeed, pretty, but not very extravagant. It was a nice carmine color, with a straight skirt that was floor-length, just like the rest, but it wasn't as flowy. There was a thin maroon ribbon just below the breast, with a square neckline and a matching maroon sash that she tossed over her shoulder casually.

Katara stood, looking pleased with herself. "You all look great. I can't wait for the ceremony! It's going to be so fun!"

Toph's eyes widened. "Uh, Katara… there's a bit of a problem."

"What?"

Toph let out a small snicker. "You didn't make your own bridesmaid dress. Smooth one, Sugarqueen."

Katara's eyes widened, and her hands went to her face in shock. "Oh no, I didn't!" She started to pace, making rapid hand gestures. "I won't be able to get it done! I still have to make the bouquets! This is so not ideal…" She ran her hand through her long dark tresses, a worried look plastered across her pretty features. "What am I going to do…?"

Mai chuckled, and grabbed her friend's arm. "It'll be okay, Katara. Just borrow one of my dresses. You're about my size."

"But, Mai-"

Mai brushed it off with the wave of her hand. "But nothing. Don't worry, I have plenty. Come on."

Katara continued to protest as she was pulled out the door and down the hall.

Xxx

Yuna sat in her cell, curled up in a ball, wedged into one dark corner of the dank room. She was shivering endlessly, her bony fingers whiter than usual as they gripped her legs, trying to keep herself warm. Knobby knees and skinny ribs stuck out, as they were not very generous with food.

Now she regretted not telling her that Shinya was alive. Then maybe they wouldn't be in this mess.

Yuna wiped away a dirt smudge set upon her pale face, and looked out at the guards. They just sat; no slurred words, no canteens full of whiskey. They just sat outside her cell, hands wrapped around their weapons, bodies motionless.

She bit her lip, and pushed a matted strand of light brown hair from her eyes before crawling up to the entrance of her small cell. Her tiny fingers curled around the bars as she looked through with longing, wishing desperately she could run as far as she could from this place.

A loud gurgle split through the air. Yuna swallowed, and looked down at her stomach. It was sunken, the bones underneath jutting out horribly into her skin.

She knew how to get food. This was a tactic she would use if extremely hungry, but not one she could use all the time, as she would get whipped.

She licked her dry lips. "Guards?" she whispered, in a raspy, cracking voice. Her hands started to tremble at the thought of nutrients to fill her body's needs.

The men turned, black eyes looming over her like a hawk after its prey.

She swallowed. "May I… May I have something to eat?"

Usually, guards would have felt a pang of guilt and sympathy, and would have gotten her some bread and water, maybe even a whole roll instead of a half. But they didn't this time. Their faces expressionless, they simply turned back into their original position, as if totally unaware of the sound of her voice or her ragged breathing.

Yuna's stomach lurched, empty and begging for a scrap to feed itself.

She sighed sadly, and tightened her grip on the metal bars, her dirt-encrusted fingernails turning white. What she would do for some food…

Or some freedom.

Xxx

Tenma sat in a rather large living room, surrounded by a considerable amount of… boys. Or, rather, people of the male gender.

In fact, Tenma was positive that she was the only girl within a forty-foot radius.

Iroh was in the corner, playing an extremely annoying song on the songi horn. Firelord Zuko sat in a large, comfortable-looking chair, talking with old friends from school or generals and admirals that he actually liked, which, from what Tenma observed, was quite a feat for him. Avatar Aang and Sir Sokka laughed and chatted along, all obviously absorbed in the truly fascinating conversation, whatever it was about. Truthfully, Tenma didn't know, and didn't want to know.

She sighed, and tucked a strand of jet black hair behind her ear with one pale finger. Her midnight eyes contrasted with the whiteness of her skin, giving her an eerie, but beautiful aura. She was quite proud of this, as it was quite intimidating when it came to boys. In other words; they left her alone. It came in quite handy when she was shoved into a predicament such as now.

"What do you use, Tenma?" a voice suddenly asked, obviously directed at her.

Her head shot around to meet the many eyes of the men she was unfortunately accompanied with. She realized the voice belonged to Sir Sokka, who was waiting excitedly for an answer.

She was confused for a minute. "I'm sorry, repeat the question?"

Sir Sokka nodded, grinning. "What do you use for defense?" He shrugged. "You know, to fight with?"

Oh. It was only natural for men to talk of such things. "Well, I'm no bender. I have a dagger that I keep with me at all times though." It was the truth- she did have a knife she keeps in a worn leather sheathe on her arm, hidden from view, even in her old rags.

Sir Sokka's eyes lit up. "May I- may we see it?"

Tenma glanced over at the head of- well, pretty much the whole country. Firelord Zuko.

He nodded his consent, not really looking excited to see the little weapon.

Xxx

Aang watched Zuko nod at Tenma, who bit her lip and reached into the arm of her robe.

And out came a small, silver dagger, nearly the size of his hand. The pale girl passed it over to Sokka, who looked at it with interest.

Sokka's eyes widened. "Whoa! This thing is cool! Look at it Aang! Look at the little symbol on the blade!"

He passed it over into the airbender's awaiting hands, and continued to rant about how awesome it is at Tenma, who was looking awfully uncomfortable and a little irritated at all the attention.

Aang studied it. It was very sharp; so sharp that he was sure even the smallest brush of blade on skin could slice it immediately. The whole thing was metal, even the handle, which shone bright silver. It was molded weird; like both the handle and the end were shaped like a sharp dagger, a deep dip in the middle to separate the parts. But sure enough, on the blade, was a symbol. It was peculiar-looking; a dragon, its body in a wavy line up the blade, surrounded with what looked like flames. The animal looked as if in pain; writhing and thrashing around in its own element.

What a strange thing for her to be carrying around, Aang thought. He studied the intricate details of the serpent, and found it oddly familiar; but not in a good way. In fact, it sent a wave of dread from the top his head to the tips of his toes.

In a rush, he shoved the knife back into Tenma's hands. "Yeah… that's really neat…"

Tenma studied him with dark, eerie eyes for a minute, and sheathed the dagger back into its leather bound. "Um… thanks…"

Sokka scoffed beside him. "Are you kidding, Aang? Really neat? It's friggin awesome!" He turned to Tenma, practically bouncing up and down in his seat. "Where can I get one of those?"

And then they all enveloped into a new conversation on where to find the best weaponry. Tenma went back to fiddling with her robes, obviously bored with whatever was going on.

Ever since seeing the snake, Aang has kept a steady eye on Tenma. He doesn't know why, but he feels that somehow… there is more to this girl than meets the eye.

Xxx

As I wrapped a dirty cloth around my new wound (thanks to a guard who thought my sharp tongue should be recognized), and winced.

Jeez.

I felt horrible. My stomach was sunken in and painfully empty, my skin paler than usual. This was saying something, since my complexion was almost stark white. My usually well-muscled hands, defined from years of working with my bow, were thin and frail. My trousers and shirt was nearly covered in a dark layer of dirt, and a thin sheen of sweat was always set upon my temples, sticking my dark hair to my forehead.

But most of all; I felt weak.

I hated it. Despised it. Loathed it beyond reason. I hated feeling as if I could do nothing worthwhile. Why? Because it was just me. A week ago, nobody could knock me down. Now; I could barely stand.

I really, really need to get out of here.

And I need a good distraction.

But what would that be?

xxx

"But, Mai, I'm not sure I should be wearing your clothes!" Katara screeched, twirling one long curl through her fingers.

Mai continued to rummage through her closet, rolling her eyes. "Katara, you've made a bunch of dresses for my wedding, so I might as well."

"But-"

"Oh, just stop it, and accept the stupid dress, whichever one I'm going to give you." She passed through a variety of blacks, oranges, maroons…"Ah! Here we are; this should fit." Mai reached in, and pulled out a garment, and held it out for Katara to see.

Katara eyes widened. "Oh, Mai, I couldn't- I mean…" She fought the urge to reach out and touch the red silk, not satisfied with admiring it from a distance. "It's so pretty…"

Mai actually smiled, and held out the dress. "Try it on already. See if you like it."

Katara hesitated, but plucked the dress from Mai with careful hands. "Are you sure…?"

"Positive. Now, get the thing on, preferably before I'm eighty."

Katara, too nervous to be offended, nodded, and stepped behind Mai's changing curtain.

A few minutes later, Mai sighed with irritation. "Ugh, Katara, how long does it take? I'm going to be dead by the time you shove yourself into that thing."

There was shuffling, and a little groan. "Just a second! I'm having trouble with… with the clasp…"

"C'mon, we've got lives to live."

A tan, delicate hand emerged and pulled the curtain back. "Okay, okay! I'm done."

Mai's eyes widened at the sight, and her hands were brought to her mouth. "Oh… oh my gosh, Katara…" She blinked several times, and swallowed. "You are…"

Katara looked horrified, her eyes wide with dread. Her heart-shaped lips parted into a small frown. "Oh, no. It looks bad, doesn't it? I told you we shouldn't have done this…" She shifted in the gown, and reached down to touch the skirt. "It is made for you after all."

Mai let out a small gasp. "No… Katara, you look… you look amazing."

It was sleeveless, which was quite uncommon, but lovely nonetheless. It billowed in many folds and drapes, the crimson sheen to the silk setting fire to the dress. The skirt reached up all the way to just below her breast, were a thin, lacy dark red ribbon lay. The strips were tied into a bow behind her, the long ends almost touching the floor. The neckline was heart-shaped, and dipped just below her collar bone, showing no cleavage, but pretty anyways.

It wasn't the dress itself that was beautiful. Oh, no. The cerise satin seemed to make Katara's caramel skin glow, radiating beauty. The dress was quite very, very flowy in the skirt, and whenever she moved, it would accumulate her flawless hourglass figure. The warmth of the rest of her features seemed to set off her flawless, ice-blue eyes, wide and innocent.

Katara looked down at herself. "Eh, I look okay, I guess. It's an awful pretty dress, though."

Mai's face immediately straightened out, and she leaned back in her chair. "Keep it."

"What?"

Mai snickered, her silver eyes sparkling with mischief. "I said to keep it. It doesn't look right on me, anyways."

Katara's eyes lit up, her face breaking out into a smile. "Really?"

"Really, really. After all, you did do all that work on the dresses. And besides; you still need to arrange the bouquets."

Katara's eyes widened. "The bouquets! Oh, no!" With a flash of shocking red, she rushed across the room and out the door, forgetting completely about the rest of her clothes.

Mai chuckled, and shook her head. Sickeningly sweet, overprotective control freaks. What would the world be without them?

Xxx

There was no interrogation today.

Not one.

Maybe they just wanted to know that I came for Yuna. And yet, they seemed to want to know so much more…

But does it matter now? No. I need to figure out a way to get out of this hellhole.

Those soldiers can stuff it. The guards can stuff it. The Dai Li can stuff it. The warden can stuff it, for all I care. For now, I need to concentrate on the escape.

If there is any possible way, I would do it. No questions asked.

Xxx

It was about to begin.

In the back room of the long aisle inside the Fire Nation palace, members of the wedding group: groomsmen, bridesmaids, etc., chattered excitedly as they got in their places to march down the aisle to stand beside the altar.

Iroh was Zuko's best man, despite his age. He was up at the front beside a giggling Ty Lee, who was talking exceptionally fast and making rapid hand gestures to the man beside her. He listened intently, chuckling every so often.

Aang felt excited and overwhelmed at the same time. He was honored to be chosen as a groomsman, but all of this was just too much to take in all at once. Too much moving around, too much talking, too much fancied-up, squished-together bodies to give him any room to breathe.

He loved it.

He could hear the steady slap of palms, and turned to see Suki clapping her hands. The chatter immediately ceased. "Okay, I want everyone in a straight line of two, with your partner you were set with. Katara should be in here any minute with the bouquets and the boutineers for the guys, so just hang tight, okay?"

Everyone murmured in consent, and began to line up; Sokka and Suki in the front, one of Zuko's old school buddies (Aang tremebered his name wto be Rozu) with Katara, which, of course he wasn't very happy about. But there was such a contrast between Rozu and Toph's height that it would "make it look like a pile of unorganized hooligans in fancy clothes," Mai insisted. And after all, it was her wedding, so they had to oblige.

Then, of course, was Aang and Toph. The earthbender grudgingly took her place beside the airbender, and nudged his side. "So… you happy for Zuko?"

"Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?"

Toph shrugged her shoulders. "Hey, just trying to make conversation, Twinkles. Can't blame me for that."

All of a sudden, the door burst open. "Oh, jeez, guys, so sorry… I had to make these in a rush, and it wasn't much of a fun experience…"

Aang felt all of the air whoosh out of his chest. There was Katara, in all of her ravishing glory, carrying a basket full of red bouquets and flower pins, hurriedly rushing from one person to the next, either handing them a small bundle of blooms or pinning a blossom to their robes.

She was gorgeous.

There was just no contemplating how impossibly beautiful she was.

She was naturally pretty, of course, there was no mistaking that. She still wore her mother's necklace, set evenly atop her collarbone. But the crimson silk dress looked so perfect on her, setting off her skin tone and gracing her figure modestly… she was truly mesmerizing. He couldn't take his eyes off of her.

When she walked over to her two friends, she smiled, making Aang's heart thump rapidly and his palms sweat even more.

Katara plucked a bouquet from the basket, and handed it to Toph. "Here. Be careful, though, the ribbon comes loose easily."

Smirking, Toph nodded. "'Kay."

Then she grabbed the last lone boutineer, and turned to face the extremely nervous airbender. "Here." She leaned over to pin the bloom onto the chest of his robes.

Aang's jaw immediately tightened, his face flushing all the way down his neck. His breathing became rapid, and his heart pounded against his ribs like a sledgehammer, threatening to have him collapse at any minute. His wobbly knees and lack of air didn't help.

She was extremely close. So close that he could feel her sweet breath on his face, and he could smell the natural perfume that wafted off of her like a lovely aura. Her skin glowed caramel, and her dark chocolate curls tumbled over her shoulders as she averted all of her attention to pinning that blossom through the thick layers of the boy's shirt.

When Katara finished, she did something unexpected. She leaned over, and gave him a peck on the cheek.

Aang was positive he was either going to faint or collapse. He could vaguely hear Toph snicker through the pounding of his heart in his ears.

Katara smiled at him, her endless oceanic orbs sparkling. "Excited?"

Aang's blush deepened tremendously. "… Uh, yeah." His cheekbone tingled pleasantly from where her soft lips touched his skin.

Toph chuckled a second time, obviously amused by the airbender's reaction.

Katara's flawless features were suddenly overtaken with a look of concern. "Are you alright?" She put a cool, smooth hand to his clammy forehead. "You seem a little hot… you're not coming down with something, are you? Do you feel sick?"

Toph snickered, and nudged his side. "Oh, he's anything but sick."

Katara threw a glare at her direction that could wilt flowers. In fact, Aang thought he even noticed the fire lilies in Toph's bouquet begin to droop.

Aang managed a small smile at the waterbender. "No, I'm… I'm fine."

Katara looked unsure, but walked off to give Mai her extravagant bouquet, leaving Aang staring after her.

Toph snickered once again from beside him. "Oh, Twinkletoes. Don't be so nervous… I mean, it's Katara."

"That's exactly why I'm nervous," Aang muttered under his breath, watching the beautiful girl take her place up beside Rozu. The teenager started to talk to her, making rapid motions with his hands. Katara laughed at whatever he said, a melodious sound even he could hear, her eyes sparkling. Aang's face flushed; not with embarrassment, but with jealousy.

Suki, who was at the front of the line, turned and waved a signal with her hand, a gesture that told them to get ready to walk out. The talking immediately quieted, and everyone took their places. Aang watched with envy as Katara hooked her arm with Rozu's, something they were instructed to do. But, of course, he was jealous anyways.

A small hand wrapped around his arm, and jerked. "Hey, Airhead. Hook elbows, and quit watching Rozu flirt with Sweetness. We're going out in, like ten seconds," Toph whispered from his side.

Forcing his arm though hers, he glanced at her skeptically. "How did you know I was-"

"Because I know you, stupid. Now, shut up, before Katara gets on to us."

Sure enough, Katara turned her head to send a meaningful glance their way, firm but gentle.

And then Aang could hear soft music drifting in from outside. That was the cue for Suki and Sokka to start walking.

And so the ceremony began.

Xxx

The reception was very, very fun. That was all Katara could describe it as.

She danced so much her feet ached. Her cheeks hurt from smiling too much. Her dress was became quite uncomfortable in her two hours of spinning and twirling to the beat of the music, and her legs were sore from darting from one area to the next to make sure all the preparations were in place, and everything was in order.

It was one of the best times of her life.

She had danced with so many people she had lost count. That included her own brother, who was probably having even more fun that she was, a couple generals and admirals she was acquainted with, and some of Zuko and Mai's old friends. Even with Aang, multiple times.

Now she sat beside Suki, resting her tired feet, sipping at some tea (generously made by Iroh). "Wow. This is so much fun. I hope my wedding is like this."

Suki nodded, picking at a blueberry scone. "Very... joyous. But I'm afraid that we're going to run out of food soon. Sokka is cramming all the snacks he can get his hands on into his mouth."

They both leaned over to look at the tribesman. Sure enough, he was working his way through a pile of muffins, stuffing at least three down his throat before even attempting to chew.

Both of the girls giggled at the sight.

"Well, that's Sokka for you," Katara said, sitting back in her chair.

Grinning widely, Suki agreed. "Ah, what would life be without him?"

They both paused for a minute, pondering this.

Then they looked at each other, the same humorous gleam in their eyes. "Boring!" The girls cried simultaneously, before laughing hard at the teenage boy, who was past the muffins and already working on the dumplings.

Suki snickered. "He's eaten, like, half the table. Do you know what Mai planned the dinner to be?" She looked at her friend with one eyebrow cocked, as if to say; Because you're the control freak and you know everything.

This did not go unnoticed by Katara. She stuck her tongue out playfully, before tapping her chin and thinking over the evening meal. "I'm not sure… it was listed on some pamphlets…" her eyes widened in horror. "That I left in the dressing room! Dang, I knew I forgot something!" She stood up, and turned to squeeze her friend's shoulder. "Thanks for all the help lately, Suki. You've been a lifesaver."

"No problem. Now, go get those pamphlets." The Kyoshi Warrior glanced over at some generals, who were watching Sokka cram cookies into his mouth with disgust. "I have a feeling a lot of people will go hungry."

Katara nodded, and rushed across the room, weaving through men and women of various sizes and shapes, all laughing and having a good time.

Xxx

Aang watched Katara from across the room, trying to fight with the urge to drift off into a trance.

A battle of which he was sorely losing.

He felt like a total creeper. Staring at her from across the dance floor, felt almost… stalker-like. But it was kind of hard not to notice her... and he didn't seem to be the only one that had that problem. Every person that was, in fact, a guy, whether they were three years old or three hundred years old, kept on flicking glances over in her direction. Especially the ones that were around her age. This made him mad.

But who could blame them? She practically radiated beauty.

Right now, she was sitting beside Suki, talking and laughing like she was having the time of her life. Which she probably was. He could see her blue eyes sparkle even from a distance.

Then those beautiful eyes widened. She looked shocked, as if she had forgotten something extremely important. She shot up from her chair and darted from the room in a flash of red silk and long curly hair.

Immediately when the door shut behind her, Aang stood up. Summoning the courage he needed to have this… particular discussion with her, he began to march across the wooden floor, making his way through dancers and fat old men and women in too much makeup. He heeded to do this. It seemed like the right time.

And then he felt a hand touch his arm. "Av… Avatar Aang…?" A quiet voice said from behind him.

He turned to meet the coal-black eyes of Tenma, and forced a smile. "Just call me Aang."

Tenma licked her lips. "Uh… do you know where Miss Katara might be?"

Aang tried to swallow the groan that was forcing its way to his throat. Great. "Um… she just walked out the door…"

Tenma gave him a small grin; something she hadn't done since the first minute he met her. "Thank you." She bowed respectfully, and made her way toward the exit.

Aang quickly grabbed her shoulder; a knee-jerk reaction. He could feel her tense up under his hand. "Wait- what do you need her for?"

Tenma was silent for a minute, and looked over her shoulder. Her eyes radiated a steely, frightening glare, though her face was completely expressionless. A flash of silver shot through her onyx orbs. "Private affairs, Avatar Aang. Please; do not interrupt." Then with a shove of her shoulder, she was gone.

Something, deep down in Aang's chest, told him he should be afraid. Very afraid.

Xxx

Katara bounded into the dressing room, occasionally tripping over her long skirt. The gown may be pretty, but it was starting to get annoying.

She grudgingly adjusted the garment, and began to search through the piles of clothes that they had left astray when deciding a right dress for her. So many reds, oranges, yellows…

And her hand flipped away a fold of satin, to reveal crème colored pamphlets. With a triumphant grin, she grabbed the papers, and held them out in front of her, as if shoving them into another person's hands. "Finally! Thank goodness!"

Then she heard the slam of a door behind her.

She turned to see Tenma, her hand lingering on the knob. Her face looked dead-serious; as if she was about to discover something dreadfully important… or about to do something important.

Katara felt a shiver go up her spine, but plasters a smile onto her face. "Yes, Tenma? May I help you?"

The girl licked her lips, and faced her, her black eyes solemn. "Yes. Yes, actually, you can." Her voice was no longer quiet and girl-like; instead, it was strong, with a certain rasp to it that sent trembles to go through Katara's body. Tenma's hand was concealed within the ruffles of her dress; Katara thought she saw something flash silver.

Katara swallowed. "Well, what would that be?" She began to inch backward toward the changing curtain, beginning to grow extremely nervous. What was she doing?

Tenma's mouth curled into a smirk, her eyes narrowed into an evil snarl. "Well, I need something. Something that could… let's just say… help me."

"Help you… with what?" Her hand insinctively went to grab for her water mocassin; only to find it wasn't at her waist. She was wearing a bridesmaid gown, and there was not one trace of liquid in sight.

Tenma's frightening smile widened, and she lifted her hand to reveal a blade. Katara's heart began to thump as she realized her intentions. Her hands felt the silk of the curtain behind her; she gripped it for stability, but it provided little.

The small girl brandished the knife to nearly an inch close to Katara's nose; she could see her reflection in the metal.

Tenma snickered, and pressed the flat of the blade to Katara's cheek. "Wait and see."

Xxx

Aang had waited long enough.

It had nearly been an hour since Tenma had disappeared to find Katara. How and why she needed her, he had no idea.

So here he was, walking through the long halls of the Fire Nation palace, sneaking a peek into every room where he thought Katara might be in.

He became even more confused when he saw a door wide open, scratch marks on the paint of the wood.

How odd, he thought, and ventured nearer. "Katara?"

He reached for the broken knob, and opened to door with a creak.

What he saw made him stop breathing entirely, all of the air in his lungs suddenly gone. His blood rushed ice-cold through his veins.

Oh, no.

It was a mess. Drawers were thrown open, their contents scattered across the floor. The changing curtain was torn from its rings, the silk laying in mountains and peaks across many upturned chairs. There were punctures in the walls, as if somebody had taken a sword and sliced through the wood. Dresses were ripped and torn, strewn across the floor like dead bodies.

He walked into the room, stepping over strewn papers and valuables, sucking in a breath. What on earth happened here? A thief… a burglar, maybe?

Then he noticed something out of the ordinary. It was a gleaming silver blade, stabbed right into the floor. There was a circle of blue ribbon around the handle, and a piece of paper jabbed in between the ground and the knife.

Gingerly, he reached down to pick it up. He grabbed the handle and jerked it out of the floor, the piece of parchment attached still on the dagger, along with the blue strip of silk.

Aang plucked the strand of ribbon from the dagger. Something heavy weighed it down; a piece of blue moonstone, an intricate symbol carved into the gem. It was easily recognizable as Katara's necklace.

Dread began to form like a dark cloud at the pit of his stomach. Could something have happened to her? Was she hurt?

And then he studied the knife. It was painfully familiar. Embedded in the blade was the symbol of a writhing dragon, flames surrounding its body.

Tenma's knife.

Gears began to click in his mind. It wasn't hard to connect the dots. Yet, he shouldn't jump to conclusions. Someone could have easily taken the dagger, and used it on Katara.

Then he spotted something. He slid the paper off of the tip of the blade with one hand, and looked at it for a minute. Food and drinks were listed in black ink; Katara's dinner pamphlet.

There was some writing on the back. A note.

As soon as his stormy greys skimmed over the handwritten words on the back of the page, all doubt fled from his mind and was quickly replaced with rage. His suspicions were confirmed. The weapon he possessed slipped through his fingers. He barely noticed. He could hear the clang of metal near his shoes as he clutched his beloved's necklace in his hand, crumpling the note with the other.

As he rocketed down the hall toward nowhere in particular, all that went through his head was that someone was going to hurt Katara. Someone was probably torturing her right now. He could almost hear her cries of pain, her muffled wails.

A new wave of irate rage washed over him, and he ran faster, his boots pounding against the padded carpet of the halls, banners going by him in a flash of red and gold.

Tenma kidnapped her… and she was going to pay.

The words of her letter still rang through his head, refusing to leave.

You want Katara back?

Come to the Yunsei prison by sundown tomorrow… or she will be killed.

We'll be waiting.

-T.

Xxx

I told you it will get good.

Well! This was extremely hard to write. I was going through this chapter, trying to think of the best way to cram everything I wanted into it.

Oh, well. REVIEW, peeps! Need your opinions… sometimes they give me extra-good ideas! Thanks to all that reviewed! :D