Chapter 9: Fated encounters
If he was being perfectly honest, Kaze felt really excited. He's never been in a circus before, and he had managed to convince Azula to stay and watch the show.
Now that Zuko and Iroh were well on their way through the Earth Kingdom, he and Azula came up with their next course of action.
"Knowing father, he most likely has contingencies in place in the case of his death… If we really want to create the world we want, we're going to need to root out every single one of his sympathizers from the inside. And more importantly, we're going to need to convince the other nations that we're fighting for their side…" Azula said.
They were sitting under the moonlight, leaning on each other on the deck of the ship.
"So, you're saying that…" Kaze thinks for a few moments. "We need a symbol… someone they can get behind…" His eyes lit up in realization. "In other words, we need the Avatar…"
Azula giggles. "It seems the academy did wonders to that head of yours as well… Although there is one problem…" She interlocked their fingers. "Reports from the north pole indicate that the Avatar is still just a child… And he hasn't mastered all elements." She sighed. "If he's not strong enough to save the world… we're going to need someone else… Someone who is part of not just one nation…"
Kaze chuckles at her words. "I don't know if the world would listen to me just because I'm a waterbender from the Fire Nation."
"Maybe not. But they will once they realize the type of person you are." She squeezes his hand. "It took you three total days to make me decide to follow you instead of my father… I reckon the other nations shouldn't be more difficult." She lightly jokes.
"Wasn't that because you fell hopelessly in love with me?" He raises an eyebrow, smirk in his face.
"Maybe." She says playfully. "But it's not like I would've known what it meant back then, so my point still stands."
Azula puts a hand to his cheeks and makes them lock eyes. "You are unbearably kind and understanding, while also being strong enough to fight for your dreams… If the world will listen to anyone, it would be you…"
"And what about you?" Kaze looks at her with an unreadable expression.
"If I can stay by you, I will…" She averts her gaze to the ground. "But I don't know if the world would trust a princess of the fire nation…"
Kaze's own gaze becomes full of affection. "That's where you're wrong."
He laughs lightly while turning to look at the moon. "I'm pretty sure that person you described suits you just as well… you just don't know it yet…" He starts rubbing circles on her hand with his thumb.
"But let's not worry about that yet. Considering the Avatar did defeat the entire navy in the North, I'm sure he will be enough to save the world from the Fire Lord."
Azula remains quiet for a minute.
"We're going to have to test him." She says, new fire in her voice. "If he is to defeat my father, he will need to face opponents like us. Face adversity unlike what Zhao or my brother were."
"What are you thinking?" Kaze asks, already having an idea of what her plan is.
"We leave the royal procession and create a small elite team." Azula's expression becomes confident again. "And I think you know who I'm talking about."
"Gee, I don't know Azula." Ty Lee said while upside down in a handstand. "I would love to help you but… I'm just so happy being here in the Circus, I mean, my aura has never been pinker!"
"Really? It looks the same from here." Both girls turn towards the sudden voice. Kaze is walking towards them, happily eating cotton candy.
"Kaze?! Is that you?" Ty Lee jumped to her feet before rushing to hug him. "Wow! You've changed so much. I almost didn't recognize you!"
Kaze laughs brightly, matching Ty lee's energy. "Well, you haven't changed one bit."
"That's not true! I've definitely gotten cuter." She says in mock offense.
Azula looks at the display, annoyance climbing.
"As heartwarming as this reunion is, I'd like it if we could get back to the reason we're here." She pries Kaze out of Ty Lee's arms with a little too much force, making Kaze squirm nervously.
Ty lee eyes their interaction, before her eyes light up in excitement. "Wait! Don't tell me…" she then jumps and squeezes both in another hug. "Oh Azula, I'm so glad you were able to tell him how you feel. Also, right as he came back! You really work fast!" She laughs teasingly, making Azula glare daggers at her friend, while Kaze rubs the back of his neck bashfully.
"Ty Lee… You'll release us this instant or I'll make sure to burn this entire place to the ground!" Azula says through gritted teeth, making Ty Lee quickly let them go, nervous smile on her face.
"Come on Azula! She's just happy for us." Kaze tries to brighten the mood.
"She can be happy for us on her own time, right now we need her to figure out if she's going to help or not!" She purposely avoids looking at his beaming smile.
"I…" Ty Lee looks at the ground. "I'm really sorry Azula, but I finally found something I want to do and… And I'm not ready to leave it yet." She finishes with as much confidence as she could muster under Azula's glare.
"Fine…" Azula sighs in slight disappointment. "If you really feel that way then I won't force you."
She then turns around to leave, before pointing at Kaze. "This dummy wanted to catch your show before we left, hope that's okay." She then heads back to their carriage, gaze ever so slightly down.
Kaze couldn't help but feel slightly sad. Azula often talked about her two other friends in her letters, so he was sure this rejection definitely wounded her.
He hears a sigh besides him.
"Did I make the right choice?" Kaze hears Ty Lee ask as Azula makes her way back.
"Well… I don't really know." He says with slight melancholy in his voice.
"But don't feel bad about it… She'll be fine." He tries to look reassuringly at his downcast friend.
"Can I ask you something, Kaze?" She looks up to him, voice ridden with hesitation. "Don't you ever… find Azula… scary?"
"Scary?" Kaze thinks for a second before answering. "I've never really thought her as scary. She can be very intense and assertive, not to say pretty intimidating, but…" He smiles fondly. "No, she's never been scary."
"Not even when she threatens to burn you to a crisp?" Ty Lee looks at his expression with skepticism.
Kaze laughs heartily. "The only time I've ever thought she would actually do it was that day we met. I mean, her flame was pretty much inches from burning my face off." His smile is replaced by a solemn look. "But even then, I could tell she was way more scared than I was."
"I don't really know how she was before that night in the palace but…" He takes a deep breath "But I know that she's been working hard to change." He then locks gazes with Ty Lee. "And I'm sure you've noticed too."
Ty Lee stays silent, going over his words. "…I know she's been different ever since you appeared… It's just a little hard to come to terms with it." She looks over at Azula's smaller form in the distance. "But you're right. She wouldn't be going against her own father if she wasn't seriously trying to make the world better…" She then takes a deep breath, as if going through everything that's happened so far. "Okay. I've made a decision."
Kaze is taken by surprise. "Wait, I thought you already did?"
"Well…" She smiles playfully at Kaze. "Since I know that you can't wait to watch the show, I'll tell you guys after it finishes."
Kaze smiles brightly at this. "Awesome! Can't wait to see the platypus bears… I'll see you later then, Ty Lee!" He moves to a light sprint to get to the carriage, gobbling whatever was left of his cotton candy.
Heading backstage, Azula was sure she was going to kill him.
"Cmon Azula! You have to admit the way that platypus bear started juggling was incredible! Not to mention how crazy Ty Lee's act was!" Kaze was practically jumping from excitement. Guess he's still the same boy he was five years ago in some ways.
Azula huffs in indifference. "I've seen better. It would've been more exciting if they just put the safety rope on fire and released all the animals at once." Azula smiles.
"As interesting as that would be…" Kaze is laughing at her humor, making Azula proud at herself. "I'm not sure Ty Lee would've appreciated it."
"Oh, I'm sure she could handle it." She says as they enter the tent Ty Lee was in. "She is my friend after all."
"Anyway, Ty Lee said she wanted to tell us something so let's go on over."
"Hey! Ty Lee!" Kaze runs at the acrobat who is currently sitting in front of a mirror, back in her regular outfit. "The show was great! You were great! I'm so glad we stayed to watch!"
Ty Lee giggles at his excitement. "Oh thank you, Kaze! I really put out all the stops to give you and Azula the best show possible!"
"I still don't really understand why you would settle for a rundown little circus when you could easily put your talents somewhere less… filthy." Azula comes after Kaze.
Ty Lee then turns serious, eyes losing their usual cheer. "Actually, about that…"
Kaze and Azula stare curiously.
"I changed my mind, Azula. If you two would have me, I would be honored to help you in your quest for the Avatar."
Azula is taken aback at this. "Wait. But you said you weren't ready to leave the one place that made you feel happy. What changed your mind?"
"Well, you know how good Kaze is at convincing people…" This makes Azula raise an eyebrow at her boyfriend. "And well, I now know how much you're sacrificing in order to change the world… So, I want to help out! Can't let my best friend risk her life and not do anything about it!" She takes a breath to compose herself. "What I'm trying to says is… If the offer still stands, then you can count me in!"
Azula stares in disbelief, her chest feels warm at Ty Lee's words.
Once again, Kaze managed to do something she couldn't. And judging by the look on his face, she's sure he wasn't even aware of it. She should feel frustrated at this, but instead, the warmth in her chest reaches her entire body. She's once more reminded how lucky she is that he's promised to stay by her side.
"Thank you, Ty Lee. We would be lucky to have you with us." Azula responds, genuine smile tracing her face.
Katara had her doubts.
Even if they had his son, she wasn't sure if that Fire Nation Governor would care enough to let King Bumi go.
But she had to trust Aang. If he had a good feeling, then she would simply have to ride with it.
'…H-Huh?' Her world suddenly turned black. As if the very sun extinguished, leaving only darkness in its wake. She felt dizzy. Something was pulling her, as if she was floating in a raging ocean.
Then the sky lit up. But it wasn't the sun.
The moon was shining, but something was wrong.
It was abnormally big. Every single ridge and crater visible from where she was.
And it was black. The typical light of the moon was replaced by a blood chilling glow.
And as fast as it appeared, it was gone. Aang and Sokka were staring at her, worry painted in their faces.
"Katara, what's wrong? You looked like you were going to pass out…" Her brother moved to help her get up, as she just realized she was on her knees.
"Maybe you should go back to the hideout…" It was Aang, his voice held so much concern for her it almost hurt to hear.
"No. I'm okay now, don't worry." She takes a deep breath, as she tries to figure out what exactly just happened to her.
"We don't know if it's a trap or not yet. You'll need as much help as you can, Aang."
She composes herself. She wasn't about to let the Fire Nation get away with taking control of more parts of the world.
"Are you seriously going to ride a palanquin all the way to the city?" Kaze can't help laughing at how silly they look while walking through the bridge towards Omashu.
"I offered you a seat beside me and you refused." Azula glares at him from behind the curtain. "So quit complaining!" Azula's sharp tone is completely lost on Kaze, as he keeps lightly laughing.
Arriving at the city, Kaze couldn't help feeling sad at the state it was in. What seemed like a once beautiful and unique series of intricate viaducts and houses now was being demolished in favor of metal and a giant statue of the Fire Lord.
Thankfully, the person they were looking for was the one waiting for them right at the entrance, meaning that hopefully they didn't have to stay long. Then from his left, Ty Lee rushes towards her.
"Mai! It's so good to see you!" Ty Lee wraps her in a tight embrace.
"Woah, what are you doing here? I thought you said the circus was your calling." Responded Mai, slight surprise in her usually emotionless face.
"Well…" Ty Lee moves closer, smiling teasingly. "Those two lovebirds over there called just a little louder." She whispers as she points at Kaze who is currently holding a hand to help Azula get out of her palanquin.
"Wait, are you saying…" Mai raises an eyebrow at the sight. Azula was slightly flushed as she said something that made Kaze laugh brightly. Not to mention the way their hands lingered a bit more than it should've been necessary.
"Yeah, apparently it happened right as Kaze came back." Ty Lee is practically gushing. "Though they haven't told me how it happened yet." She says dispirited.
"Huh, who would've thought…" Mai says to herself as both remaining people walk towards them.
"Hey Mai! Still gloomy, are you?" Kaze approaches her with his usual wide smile.
"And you're still not funny." She deadpans at his comment.
Then she looks at Azula. "Please tell me you're here to kill me." She tells a joke of her own, making both girls laugh.
"It's good to see you again Mai." Azula moves to hug her friend.
"So, are you three going to tell me why you're really here for?" Mai asks as she returns the hug.
"We have a mission." Kaze replies promptly. "And we need the help of someone we know we can trust. In other words…" Kaze gives her a smile yet his eyes remain serious and determined. It honestly took Mai slightly off guard.
"We need your help, Mai." Azula finishes his sentence.
Mai sighs at their words. "I don't know if I could tolerate working around two annoyingly bright people." She looks at both Kaze and Ty Lee. "But if it gets me out of this stupid place then… Count me in."
"Oh! This is so great! The band is back together!" Ty Lee jumps to give everyone a group hug.
Azula looks at her unamused. "You two barely knew Kaze for a week and a half."
"Oh, like you didn't barely meet him a day before us." Ty Lee responds, flicking her tongue out.
"We, traded letters every month. We are not the same!" Azula huffs in offense.
"Oh, how romantic! I didn't know you had it in you Azula." Ty Lee teases in turn.
"W-Well, it was his idea!" Her cheeks glow red as she points at Kaze.
Despite Azula's words ringing true, Kaze was glad to get two of his friends back.
Katara, Sokka and Aang were waiting for whoever representative the Governor would send, with Tom Tom hanging in Sokka's arms.
"Someone's coming." Aang says as he notices four figures moving towards them.
It was the Governor's daughter along two other girls and one guy.
Katara doesn't know what to think of them. Despite being Fire Nation, they look somewhat… normal?
They were teenagers just like them.
And so, it happened once more.
For what felt like an eternity and a split second at the same time, Katara drifted through the sea and the Moon threatened to swallow her whole.
But why now?
She looks at the opposing group once more, trying to see if they were somehow the cause, which honestly wouldn't surprise her considering they were Fire Nation.
And then she meets his eyes.
They weren't amber, or brown, or gold like most Fire Nation people.
It was like looking into an image of the past, when her tribe was still standing, and when her mom was still with her.
His eyes were a deep blue, just like the ones her brother had. And just like the ones she had.
"So, what's the plan then." Asked Mai, as they head towards the location of the exchange.
"Well, they want their King back in exchange for Tom Tom…" Kaze's tone signals complete worry for his friend's little brother. "But we can't just let the resistance take the city back…"
"If we want Father to not doubt our loyalty, we are going to have to at the very least fight whoever that little band of rebels are, while making sure we take Tom Tom back." Azula says, as she walks to Mai's left.
"But we're not going to hurt them, are we?" Ty lee walks to her right.
Kaze purses his lips. "Considering they resorted to kidnapping, I don't think they'll give us much of a choice… Let's just focus on getting Tom Tom back, that's the priority."
As they start heading up a series of steps in scaffolding right beside the giant Ozai statue, the four of them can make the shape of three figures. Kaze was honestly surprised they only brought three people with them, but it honestly might make it easier.
The one in the front small boy wearing a weird orange outfit and hat. But it's the ones behind him that bring Kaze's heart to a stop.
They didn't look Earth Kingdom, like at all. They had a set of blue colored clothing, their skin is close to his but a little darker, while their eyes reflected the same color he has had to live with all his life. They were blue.
And those two were water tribe.
The fact they're the first water tribe members he's ever seen sends Kaze's head to a spin. But no. He can't let himself be distracted. He has to make sure they save Tom Tom, no matter who's his opponent.
A metallic sound brings him back from his thoughts. Looking up, he notices that they imprisoned the King in a constricting metal box, that allowed for no movement whatsoever. Although, for some reason, the King was seemingly cackling as he was being lowered.
"Hey, are you sure that cage's humane?" He whispers to Mai, whose face was as emotionless as ever.
"Don't ask me like a had a say in the matter." She says, raising at eyebrow at him.
She then turns to the group of rebels. "Do you have my brother?"
The smaller child is the one that answers. "He's here." He then points at the toddler one the water tribe boy's hands. "We're ready to trade."
Kaze takes a deep breath, readying himself for what comes next.
"Wait a second, a thought just occurred to me." Azula said, just as they had planned.
"Trading a two-year-old for a king, a powerful earthbending king, hardly seems like a fair trade, does it?"
"Hmm… Yes, you're right." Mai follows Azula's lead, as she starts walking towards the group. "The deals off."
And now they wait to see how they react.
But something catches Kaze's attention. He can feel water stirring somewhere where the rebels were. Something was disturbing it, and it wasn't him.
'They have a waterbender.' Kaze realizes, as he eyes the two dressed in blue.
Looking at their stances, the one who doesn't have Tom Tom looked ready to fight. It was a darker skinned girl dressed all in blue, wearing an detailed necklace. He's seen something similar before, but he can't remember from when.
Then a shout snaps his attention.
"Bumi!" The younger of the three runs at unbelievable speed, almost as if… he was caught in a powerful tailwind.
The gears in his mind turn. The boy in front of them fit the description of the one they had planned everything behind.
And then, Azula fires a blast of blue flames towards the boy.
And that's what gives an answer to his question.
The boy managed to evade the fire by jumping several meters into the air. So fast in fact that his orange hat slipped of his head, revealing the defining symbol of the one they were looking for.
It was the Avatar.
The four of them look at him in disbelief. What was the Avatar doing here?
"Change of plans! I'm going for the Avatar." Azula tells them, as she moves to chase the airbender. "Remember the mission! We can't let this chance go to waste!"
The three remaining nod in understanding.
"You two secure Tom Tom." Kaze steps forward, breathing deeply. He focuses on the air directly around him, as his element floated freely in it. It's not a lot, but it should do. He's been hiding his bending for so long, that he's always relied on whatever surrounded him. He might need to take a page from the girl in front of him.
He releases his breath and turns to Mai and Ty Lee.
"Leave the girl to me."
Katara's head is still spinning.
Whatever that blue eyed boy was doing, it was still messing with her mind.
Aang is trying to free King Bumi from his cage right now, but the firebender went after him. She wants to help him, but she can't. For now, she's going to have to fight whoever's in front of her.
She uncaps her water skin, she's not going to let them win, no matter what.
She readies a water whip, daring anyone to come challenge her.
And so, the same boy who has been silently attacking her head takes a step forward.
'Just who are you?' Katara mutters to herself. Her eyes are narrowed, as her mind decidedly tries to ignore the theory growing in it.
But she can't, as said theory manages to send a chill down her spine.
Her fingers are trembling, and her feet feel weaker and weaker as he approaches her.
He then closes his eyes, as something shifts in the air. She's never felt this before, but she knows exactly what it is.
Her jaw tightens as her theory is slowly but surely being proved correct.
But how?! Why?!
Her mind cannot think anymore. She's always thought her enemy would be strictly Fire Nation.
Her vision turns red, as a hidden rage overtakes her, and her dizziness is put to the back of her mind.
She's felt betrayed before. Her father leaving them and Aang lying to them at the forefront.
But this was different. She wasn't sure how, but it was.
She wanted answers, and she was going to make sure she gets them.