A/N. And… now we are beginning to understand what is happening..

"She is here."

Aang was sure. If Appa had stayed here, on the island, that meant one of two things: Katara had been captured here, and the bison hadn't known where to find her… Of he had stayed somewhere close to her.

And the airbender had to believe that the latter was the case. His mind had to believe that. The alternative options were all too dark and horrifying. No, he had to believe she was somewhere inside the town. The town they had visited… Of course, she would stop here.

Zuko had said she had gone to join them on Wulong Peninsula… And Appa would have had to rest at one moment, and knowing the waterbender, she would have chosen a place familiar enough, but where she wasn't known… And Kirashi lay on the eastern most edge of the Fire Nation, straight across Wulong. It was the most logical place… It had to be.

"Well, we should ask them." Toph spoke beside him. They were standing on a small hill a few miles away from the town, overlooking the fortress city. This morning, they had been woken up by the sounds of axes chopping into trees, by voices and laughter. And the undeniable sound of hundreds of people. So, they had climbed the hill, followed by Appa…

Appa… Spirits, it felt so good to have him back. His mind had been occupied by Katara, but Aang had missed his bison terribly too. And to see that he was safe… It had been the greatest relief he had felt since beating Ozai.

But their view this morning was something quite… disturbing. A whole army of men and women was throwing up tents and makeshift shelters around the town. And Toph had just pointed her chin towards the biggest cluster of men, a mile in front of the gate where they had asked entrance the day before.

"Who do you think they are?" Aang asked. He was trying to be kinder towards the earthbender, who wasn't at fault for the problems facing them now. No… He was angry at himself and the world, yes, but not at her. Nor any of their friends. No… If there was something to blame for their situation, it was him… Always him.

Why had Raava chosen him a century ago? He wasn't the kind of person to fight, to stop endless slaughter. He was the kind of person that wanted a quiet life, a good life… With the people he loved. But Raava had thought he was the good and right person to be the Avatar during a century old war… She had been wrong, she had to be.

"Too many people. And I can't single out someone I know well." Toph answered, shrugging her shoulders. She was carrying her own vest over her shoulder, while wearing a sleeveless tunic that revealed her muscular arms. Looking at her, Aang knew that she too was worried… But tried to hide it from him.

"Toph… I'm sorry for yesterday. It was uncalled for." He had been rather unkind, thinking that no one was worried for Katara… While deep in his heart, he knew they all were sick with concern. But some of them hid it better than he did. He had been… An ass. Simple as that.

"Twinkletoes. Like I said yesterday, I get it, okay? Just try to be a little less… Avatar-y. You know, the one that threatened fire and destruction upon the Fire Nation." Toph rolled her blind eyes at him, but Aang felt a slight irritation spike into his heart.

"That wasn't the Avatar." He grumbled angrily, trying with all his might to keep his simmering rage under control. Even though he knew Toph meant well, he also knew that she didn't understand. So, his apology for yesterday was true and well meant, but it didn't mean he thought Toph understood his pain.

"We will have to find Sugar Queen quickly. I don't enjoy lovely dovely flower Aang, but this." She gestured towards him, "This is much worse."

He didn't answer that. What was there to answer?

"Come on, let's meet the neighbours." He began to walk down the small hill, where Appa was waiting for them. Once more, his heartbeat slightly quicker when he saw the bison. At least… At least he was safe. Not everything was lost.

Only your heart's desire.

Aang let a hand pass through the soft white fur of the bison as he walked past his friend, who bellowed softly at the touch. After finding him the day before, he and Toph had spent the rest of the evening washing and brushing Appa, for the bison had become rather filthy. The airbender knew that Appa got like that when he didn't take care of himself, or when he was in his shedding season. But the weather hadn't become cold, only wetter… So, for some reason, the bison had stopped washing himself during those two weeks of separation. Why, the airbender could guess.

He had been searching too.

Appa was cleverer than any animal… And, if Aang was being honest, the bison had more brains than some people. And during their lessons, the monks in charge of the stables had always insisted that Sky Bisons were able to find their companions, wherever they may be. And to be honest, he had seen it. The whistle was only to guide Appa towards him… But the bison had been able to find his own way most of the time.

Had… Had Appa been looking for Katara? If that was the case, he had been unsuccessful… But that could also mean he had been looking from island to island…

No. He would have stayed where he lost her. Of that, Aang was certain.

"Have you seen her, boy? Please… Please… You can't imagine the horrors I am living with…" He whispered in the bison's ear, quietly enough to make sure that Toph, who was also descending their hill, couldn't hear him.

For he had been plagued by nightmares… Nightmares, vivid and horrible. Nightmares that always featured her. And things… things that no one should ever think of. How his mind could conjure up such things, Aang didn't know. But he wasn't ready to speak of them. For he knew that sometimes… the images were not just in his head. At the Eastern Air Temple, for example… His vision had been the truth. But he refused to believe that what he was seeing in his nightmares was true. It could just not be true.

"Come on Twinkletoes. That army is here for a reason. We can get in without revealing who we are, learn some of the things that happened while we were island hopping in that horrible balloon." Toph joined him, punching his arm. Aang ignored the punch, for he knew that it was just Toph being herself… But he hated to be touched at this moment. Each… Each sign of affection, from whoever… Was… Well, it wasn't welcome.

Sighing, the airbender nodded.

"Boy, stay here… They can't know who we are. And well… You are too easily recognizable." He whispered, answered by a soft wind caressing his face. Aang couldn't hide the fact his lips twisted upwards at that little show of understanding. No need to talk about what was happening… Appa understood. And showed he cared, without imposing himself…

"Is that a smile I feel?" Toph shouted over her shoulder. Looking at the blind girl, the airbender saw that she had begun to walk towards the tree line from where smoke was rising in small, thin columns that indicated campfires. Gritting his teeth, he quickly ran over to where she was.

"Appa had to stay. I wasn't smiling."

"Ostrich horse shit Aang. You were. Admit it, finding Appa was a good thing. It means that at least one of the things you care most for is safe." The airbender was surprised at the fact that the earthbender used his real name.

"I care about a lot of things." He answered thinly, trying to ban the memories of his nightmares.

"Again… Ostrich horse shit. You love Katara and Appa. Then, you love your friends. Aang, stop being an idiot. I know you are having nightmares."

He didn't answer that. Of course she would know that. She had been sent with him to, officially, help him search with her seismic senses. But he knew that Sokka, Suki and Zuko had agreed to this for one other reason. To keep him in check. Of all their friends, she was probably the only one to be able to restrain him if needed. Except Katara that was. And, of course, she was keeping… an eye… on him.

But he didn't want to talk about the nightmares. Not now, not ever. How could he talk about them? Toph didn't need to know the things his mind had come up with.

"I'm fine Toph." He answered instead, trying to sound as even as possible.

"Lie."

Spirits, damn her and her ability to detect even the smallest of lies. But to her credit, she didn't pry any further, letting him wallow in silence. Aang knew that since learning about the death of the Air Nomads, he had been prone to brooding… But whenever he had felt like that, Katara had been there to drag him out of it. But now? Now, his brooding had overshadowed the rest of his personality. Ever since Ba Sing Se, Aang had felt that his more… joyous half was being chipped away by worry and war. And now? Now… Now Aang wasn't sure what was left. Those two weeks had been the worst of his life.

Now he understood Katara, when she had told him about the three weeks he had been unconscious after the fight in Ba Sing Se.

It took them less than twenty minutes to reach the tree line. Twenty minutes of silence, during which Aang tried to stave off the memories. The memories which had not happened. Things that couldn't have happened, and things he would never allow to happen.

"Put on that ridiculous hat Twinkles. From now on, you are Kuzon the merchant son." Toph grumbled as they neared the trees, "There are sentries every twenty paces, and there are archers in the trees."

Meaning that whoever was camping their army next to the town was not counting on friendly visits. Aang had actually hoped that the soldiers were Azula's, gathering to make a grouped effort to fight against Zuko. But if the person in charge took the precaution of setting guards around his camp, Aang suspected it were his friend's soldiers.

Grumbling, he took out the hat from his pocket and pushed it on his head. He had thought that the hiding his tattoos would end after the war… But he did it, for her. Only her…

"Halt."

Great, another soldier. Spirits, he was getting sick of seeing those uniforms day after day, night after night… And even in his sleep, those fire-red clothes were there… in his nightmares.

"Who commands here?" Toph asked, stepping in front of the airbender. Yeah… probably a good idea to let her do the talking. If Aang heard one more time the I can't let you in¸ or the Fuck off, he would scream.

"Lord Piandao. Now fuck off, we have better things to do than keep a couple of youngsters out of the camp." The man sighed, leaning on a spear.

Piandao? That was good. At least, Aang supposed it was. He had not seen the man since the days at his castle, where Sokka had learned sword craft while he and Katara decided what they were… Spirits, every time. Every time his mind managed to find a way to associate a thing with her.

"In that case, tell the old rat bat that there are some… friends." Toph smiled sweetly, but Aang saw the rather roguish gleam in her pale misty eyes.

"How did you call his lordship?" The man straightened, clearly shocked.

"An old rat bat. You know, those ugly things hanging in caves?" Toph continued, and now, Aang realized what she was doing. No way this soldier would let them pass if they asked nicely. So, of course, the blind girl had found another way. By asking in the most insulting way possible so that the soldier would get irritated.

"Alright girl. Fuck off, before I lose my patience."

"I mean, come on. Have you seen his face?" Toph laughed, "Of course, that is nothing compared to the fact that he has… eight thousand two hundred and fifty-four people roaming around a town in the middle of fucking nowhere. Of which, around… a thousand archers, roughly. He also has four catapults, a hundred tanks, and… Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but judging by the way two hundred people are a little isolated from the others, I would say some prisoners."

The man just stared, in shock, for a heartbeat. And Aang couldn't help but do the same. When had Toph had the time to count, let alone assess the whole army?

"And instead of just standing there looking stupid, why don't you take us to Piandao? Or do I have to ask my rather prickly friend to throw you around a bit?"

Aang rolled his eyes. This was all a waste off time. They could easily say who they were, and just walk into the camp. And he was not going to beat up this soldier for doing his job. However much it would release some pent-up energy…

"Follow." The man grumbled, turning around into the trees. Toph turned her head to "look" at him, still with that stupid grin.

"We could just have told him our names." Aang sighed, putting his hands deep into his pockets and following the man.

"Eh, where would have been the fun in that?" Toph laughed, and began to march beside him. As they followed the man, the airbender began to look around. From among the trees, he could see flashes of a wall a mile away, and he supposed that was the town's wall. So, Piandao had begun to encircle Kirashi.

Where Katara had to be. And if she was there… Azula would be too. No way the princess would let the only thing that was keeping her safe out of her sight. And oh… If Aang was just sure that Katara was there… Oh, that wall would be gone.

"Lord Piandao!" The man shouted as they neared a clearing, in which a tent was set up. Next to it was a long table, with several men and women at it. Aang was surprised to see that most were around his own ages, with some notable exceptions… But there were around ten of them. And for some reason, they didn't look like military personnel. Most were wearing elaborate clothing, gold and red flashing everywhere, with the occasional black satin and silk.

Nobles.

Aang felt his nose go up as he looked at the people at the table. Those people were the reason Azula even had a fighting chance… Toph had told him the situation they were in around a week ago, when he had gone from maniac flying from island to island to guy brooding in the corner. And of the thirty clans, there were only five loyal to Zuko. The others had thrown in their lot with her.

"Yes?" The man at the table looked up, and Aang saw that it was the sword master. He had not changed an inch since they had met him at his own castle, except that now he was wearing breeches and a simple tunic instead of the elaborate clothes of a noble.

"These… peasants… say they know you. And they also knew our strength. Details, I mean… It could be spies." The soldier explained, gesturing towards them behind him. Toph smiled and waved, but the airbender just stood there, looking the man straight in the eyes.

He saw the little recongizion, and the immediate hiding of that fact. So, Piandao knew who they were, even if he didn't show it to the others.

"Welcome." He said, waving to two empty seats at the table, "care for some breakfast?"

"Well, thank you." Toph made her way to the table immediately, and Aang just followed, falling down beside her at the indicated chairs.

"Why are you inviting peasants to our table?" One of the younger men, a youth around the same age as Aang, asked. The airbender studied the man for a second, realizing that there was nothing of worth. Just a typical Fire Nation man, a topknot, ember eyes and a pointed chin.

"Because peasants are sometimes more important than nobles, dear Chang." Piandao sighed, sitting down.

"Hah. As if." The young man, named Chang, answered with a sarcastic twist of his lips.

"You would do well to remember that Chang. The Lord Zuko will strip your family of all its riches. The mighty Keohso clan of Shuhon… Gone." Another person at the table, a young woman in her mid twenties, responded.

"Or that idiot might do the same to yours, you ass licking Seowon."

After that, the table exploded into a cacophony of voices and shouts. Aang had to resist the temptation to put his hands to his ears. This was all a waste of time… he needed Piandao to confirm that Katara was inside the city walls… And then he would go.

Go and put a stop to this ridiculous war.

Once more.

As if you would do that. If you even get to your love, you would make sure she was safe. And then go on to your revenge.

Ignoring the voice in his head, Aang turned to Toph.

"What the fuck is this?" he whispered, making the girl raise her eyebrows at him.

"First of all, I'll tell Sugar Queen to wash your mouth when we find her. We didn't raise such a bad mouthed boy. Secondly, welcome to what I call noble talk. Where two brain cells try to fight over who will get to say the most words!" Toph whispered back, sounding as if she was having fun.

"Are you all done?" Piandao's voice, even though it was reasonable and not at all loud, pierced through the noise of ten people shouting at each other, "While you noble were displaying rather bad table manners, our friends the peasants have behaved like civil people. What does that tell you?"

"That they can't say five words in one effort?" the woman snickered, earning a few laughs around the table.

"That we all may learn something from them. Please, tell me who you are?" That last part was clearly directly at them.

"Kuzon. And his sister." Aang grumbled. In the foliage of the trees, Toph and he looked alike enough to pass as family members. It helped that he had forgone the shaving of his head and face this last week, thanks to which his chin was covered a few hairs of the same colour as Toph's hair.

"Sister?" He heard her grumble beside him. He tried to resist a snarky comment, but then the face of Jinora floated into his mind, and he held his tongue.

"Well… Kuzon. I welcome you. Please, let me present the sons and daughters of the clans of the Eastern Archipelago." Piandao gestured at the ten people around the table, "Whose families have graciously surrendered them as hostages… as insurance for their good behaviour."

"Meaning, if our families step out of line, we are getting our heads chopped off." The man, Chang explained with a smile that said I understand if you peasants didn't understand that.

Aang put a hand to his jaw, to hide how it pointed forwards in clear disapproval. He had heard about that practice a hundred years ago, in the Fire Nation. Grumbling clans would have their children invited to serve at Sozin's court, at they would be educated by the army of tutors, handpicked by the Fire Lord. To make sure that his ideas were imprinted into the younger generations of the clans.

And apparently, Piandao had learned a trick or two of Sozin. Of course, he would not teach them to hate Air Nomads or to sow death and despair anywhere they went… But the idea was still the same. It was still taking free will away from these people and their families.

"Out of line?" He managed to ask, as calmly as possible.

"What Chang meant was that I asked their families for some insurance. In return of which they are to keep their lands and titles… Under Lord Zuko." Piandao explained, looking at him directly.

Aang understood. Zuko had probably sent Piandao with a part of the army to get the Eastern Archipelago under control, while he was besieging Fire Fountain. And that army had reached Kirashi over the course of two weeks… Spirits, even Aang, who knew next to nothing of military operation, realized that was quick. Very, very quick.

"How did you…" He began, only to be hit by a rock against his leg. Turning to Toph, he saw that she saw looking straight ahead, ignoring him.

"As these fine youngsters will be able to tell you, we landed our troops on the island of their family, and instead of fighting, we offered them a bargain. No fire or destruction of their properties, and they would get to live on their comfortable lives… In exchange, I offered to educate their eldest child." Piandao smiled, but Aang saw the little line net to the man's lips. One that said no more questions.

"You were lucky our guards were away." One of the younger people at the table grumbled, crossing her arms.

"Indeed, I was. But as you will learn in my lessons later today, there was no luck. You can't count on luck, only opportunities you create. That was what I taught Lord Zuko, and the Princess Azula, when I served as their tutor in military matters." Piandao took a cup of tea from the servant who Aang recognized as the man who had been at the castle.

"Princess Azula was taught by her father, may Agni protect his flame!" Chang spoke up.

"I wouldn't think so Lord Chang, otherwise the princess would be much less refined in her tactics. And, as I told your parents, the Avatar spared the former Fire Lord." Aang could nearly feel the little look Piandao cast towards him.

"And you have not shown a single shred of proof to that claim, Lord." Chang sighed, slumping in his chair.

"As soon as we have finished here, I plan on asking the Lord Zuko to relieve me of my military duties. I will, however, take you all to the capital to show you the former Fire Lord is being treated as well as could be expected for a criminal." Another sip of the tea.

"Lord Ozai was no criminal!" The woman in her mid twenties objected. Piandao's ember eyes looked over the cup to the woman, and Aang realized that, sitting in the chair at the head of the table, sat one of the shrewdest minds of the Fire Nation.

"What would you call burning the Earth Kingdom, if not a crime?" The sword master took yet another sip of his tea.

"Necessary!" Chang objected

"Why? You just said that these two peasants would not be able to utter five coherent words. Why would peasants from the Earth Kingdom be any different? What would have been the threat?" Piandao sighed, putting down the cup.

"When we have spoken with the governor here, as I expect to do in the coming hours, I will begin my lessons. But the first one is this. Ozai wanted to emulate his grandfather, Sozin. Sozin, who burned away an innocent people and so many futures. Sozin, who has been responsible for so much suffering. Ozai wanted to repeat that, and to throw us into yet another century of war and despair. Mull that over, my dear children. You might find that we weren't the good guys in this story."

With that, the man stood up, grabbed a sheathed sword and walked away, into the forest, leaving them at the table with the ten hostages, in complete silence.

And Aang knew, for certain, that if there was someone who could help to learn the truth hiding behind those thick walls a mile away from them, it was that man.

"Szeto has truly disappeared." Kuruk grumbled, looking at the old firebender in front of him. Roku had tasked them to look over and over, search every corner of the Spirit World… Without success.

"And you Yangchen? Have you done what I asked?" Roku looked at the Air Nomad nun, who nodded sadly.

"I have. I found Koh, dead in his layer."

Kuruk felt numb at those words… Roku had asked that prissy Air Nun to check up on Koh? And to add insult to injury… Koh was dead. And not by his hand. A dead spirit could be used… And he had planned to give the faces back to the wandering spirits… in hope to find her…

And now, that had been taken away. The hope he had for centuries… gone.

"Koh was able to hide himself, even for other spirits… The fact that he is dead means someone wanted that power." Wan sighed next to him, and Kuruk felt the hand of the first Avatar on his shoulder.

"Szeto." Kuruk gritted his teeth. That slimy bastard had clearly planned this from the start. He had always talked about how great the Fire Nation was. And had been the most vocal in refusing Aang access to the Avatar State.

And now, he was gone, Koh was dead, and the young Air Nomad was forced to stay on the sidelines as the Fire Nation descended into chaos.

It didn't make any sense. Szeto would have done better to kill Aang and his friend, first and foremost Zuko, the only alternative to Azula. But… But that would have meant breaking an ancient law in the Spirit World. No one, even an Avatar, was allowed to kill a living person.

"He plans to let them all tear each other apart." Kuruk grumbled, "His stupid spirits will work their magic, seeping doubts into the minds of the right people, while he hides away. He won't break any rules, technically. But he will get what he wants."

"And that is?" Kyoshi stood next to him.

"To keep the Fire Nation as the greatest of the Four Nations."

Answers :

Guest: Glad You enjoy it! I felt a little off with the beginning, as theis was the firt time I had to rely completely on my own imagination, instead of following the story with my own little changes, but I'm glad you are enjoying it!