EDIT: Decided to rename Walteru by simply just calling him Waten. Honestly, I don't know what I was thinking with that first name. X(

"Are we there yet?" Azula heard one of the prisoners say in annoyance.

Azula turned her head briefly to glance at the prisoner who asked the question, the prisoner being a large and obese man in his early twenties with dark short hair, brown eyes, and a somewhat large nose. She believed his name was Edi. They all learned each other's names as two days went by while traveling through the Fire Nation. He was wearing the red outfits and dark shoes that belong to the Fire Nation prisons, much like she, her father, and the rest of the escapees were wearing.

Only four prisoners – six if you count Azula and Ozai - made it into the airship. The others were either captured or probably dead depending on how they must've fought back. These prisoners that were in the airship now weren't even followers of her father, they just wanted out. They pretty much looked average compared to the rough individuals that were in the prison, which to Azula, and probably Ozai was a big loss to getting strong recruiters to her father's 'uprising'.

Along with the obese prisoner named Edi who was sitting in the back row at the airship's seats, the other three – another man and two women – were sitting in the seats as well. The other man who was in the same row of seats as Edi looked like to be in his late twenties and has short dark hair as well, his facial features a little handsome. He said that his name was Jemusu. He remained quiet throughout the trip, never saying much. He always seems to be in thought, for whenever he was spoken to, he asked to repeat it again.

The other two women were sitting in the second row below the men; a pretty young woman in her late teens with brown shoulder-length hair and soft brown eyes, also sat quietly in her seat. She seemed to look a little nervous, although, about what, Azula wasn't so sure. Her name was said to be Anjera. The last woman was quite attractive and had shoulder-length dark hair, piercing blue eyes, high cheekbones, and looked to be in her mid-twenties. This woman's name was said to be Meira. She had her arms and leg crossed over her other leg, looking bored as she sat there.

"Almost. We're ten minutes there. You can all just relax for now," said a handsome man in his mid-twenties with nicely combed dark hair, wearing somewhat formal dark red clothes, as well as glasses on his face. He was the one driving the airship, holding onto the steering wheel.

Edi grunted, "Well, I'm getting hungry. We skipped breakfast, ya know?"

Azula decided to speak up at that point, "I have to agree. There better be food on this island."

"Calm yourself, Azula," said a calm but stern voice next to her left. The princess turned to the voice that belonged to none other than her father, Ozai, who sat there composed. "These people have freed us and we should be grateful. In due time, we shall overthrow your brother, and then you will reclaim your throne."

She remained silent for a moment, until she muttered, "Yes, Father," she turned her head forward as she waited for when they reach their destination.

"You can have some of my bread, your majesty," said an audibly quiet male voice.

She turned to the voice to her right, which belonged to a stringy brown-haired man in his early twenties. He was wearing a red long-sleeved coat, along with a brown shirt underneath, and some black pants. He had a kind and handsome look to his face, his eyes showing no mischief, just sincere honesty as he smiles and held out a loaf of bread to her.

If she remembered, this man's name was Waten. He has a tendency to stare at people when they weren't looking, and Azula noticed this. He even stares at her at times, which was quite...creepy if she was honest. Either way, they all introduced themselves when entering the ship, but she hasn't communicated with anyone else.

Azula looked at him in caution and glanced at the bread for a moment. It looked like ordinary bread, no mold or anything. Deciding she would take it, she glanced back at the man and hesitantly said. "Thank you..." she grabbed the loaf and began eating it.

"You're most welcome," Waten said with a warm smile.

For some reason, his smile was unnerving to the princess.

In fact, all of this seemed too suspicious to her. While they were in the Capital City Prison, three days ago her father secretly told her that some people were going to break them out in the morning. He was direct and straight to the point, and Azula knows her father is not one to joke. When asking him how he got this information, he said someone gave him a coat as a gift along with a note that was slipped in one of the inside pockets, telling him they were breaking them out of there. He knew it was crazy to believe, and Azula had to agree with that, but he told her to get ready for anything in the morning just in case.

And it seemed he was right. Three men busted into the prison and suddenly came in firing their firebending. They seemed to be really trained and started to take care of the guards as they rounded up her, Ozai, and everyone else. Azula fought mercilessly beside them, which the man Waten backed her up by speeding through using his fire-bending boosts and making fire knives from his knuckles as he proceeded to slash and stab the guards' necks. The man named Vucen, who was driving the airship they were on right now, was also a good shot with his extremely fast fireballs that went through their armor, never giving them the chance to strike back. The last man, whose name is Maikera, was also a good shot as well, carrying a crossbow with him as he shot some soldiers in exposed places, as well as the head. At often times, he would use fire-whips to swat away the guards. He also seemed to be the medic of the group just in case anyone got injured, which thankfully for all of them, no one did. Even the escapees fought back with some of their fire-bending but only used it to defend themselves, slightly injuring the guards in the process.

They soon stole a Fire Nation airship and along with Azula, her father, and the four other escapees, they flew over to their different isolated spots until they reached their destination that was coming up as of now.

As she kept eating the bread, she glanced around to see the other man named Maikera standing next to Vucen. The medic of the group looked older than the other two, his age probably somewhere in the late forties. He has short dark brown hair and a mature square jawline, his appearance making him look like he had years of experience in the medical field. He stood by and watched everyone, for...whatever reason.

Actually, they did break them out of prison. It's understandable that he would be wary of prisoners on board, and Azula doesn't even know anyone of these escapees really well...which she can say the same for these people who had rescued them.

'I wonder what the note to my Father had said to make him believe he'll get his fire-bending back?'

Her father quietly told her this bit of info as they landed somewhere isolated to hide from authorities the first night they were trying to escape. He said that the people who gave him the note had a way to bring back his fire-bending. While curious and somewhat skeptical, her father promised her that she will return to the throne as Fire Lord once these people will keep their end of the bargain. Not only do these mysterious rescuers will bring back his bending, but they said it will be even stronger than before like it once was at Sozin's Comet. Azula was still skeptical but didn't let her father know that. If he wants to believe there is a way to bring his fire-bending back, then she will support it...besides, she wants to be Fire Lord. And Zuko will surely pay for stealing that title from her.

As she contemplates this, she swallowed a piece of her bread...still feeling eyes on her, she glanced to her right again and saw that Watu was still staring at her, his warm smile still remaining.

"...Can I help you?" Azula asked, a little miffed by him still standing next to her.

Blinking, Waten snapped out of his daze, "Oh, I'm sorry, your majesty. I just...never have seen one of royalty eat so...delicately before."

Raising a brow, Azula looked at him curiously. "...Thank...you?"

Waten rubbed the back of his head a little sheepishly, "I'm sorry, I, um...I tend to stare at times. I mean, I...uh...I-I'll leave you alone now."

And with that, he turned around and walked away from Azula's side, going towards the door that leads to the airship's deck outside.

Azula's suspicious gaze followed him, and when he left the interior of the airship, she turned to her father and whispered, "Father...this seems odd."

"Although it may be, at least we are free from prison. And these people who've rescued us are capable fighters, so if we can, we can try to recruit them to our cause," Ozai said quietly.

"And what of the ones that escaped with us?" Azula asked, motioning her head to the people sitting behind them.

Ozai hummed softly. "We need supporters, so they'll have to do."

The Fire Nation princess turned her attention back to the windshield in silence. The passing skies were all that she sees for now, but in the far distance, there seemed to be three mounds breaking through the clouds.

"Ah, I see it now. Home sweet home," Vucen said with a smile.

"I'll tell Watu to come back inside," Maikera said as he went to the decks outside.

"Well, we're about to arrive in a little bit, everyone. Soon, we'll land in Sairento Hiruzu Island," Vucen announced.

Ozai's eyes widened just a tad, "Sairento Hiruzu Island, you say?"

"Oh, um, right. We haven't exactly told you the name of the island we're hiding in, haven't we? My apologies," Vucen said as he turned his head to glance at Ozai with an embarrassed smile, "But yes, we're hiding in Sairento Hiruzu Island, in the town of Silent Hills, our home."

"...Interesting. There are people still living there?" Ozai asked in curiosity.

Azula glanced at her father in confusion at the question.

"Oh, very much so," Vucen said as he turned his head back to the skies, "In fact, only me, my younger brother Waten, Makeira, and three more people live in the town still."

Ozai raised an eyebrow, "Only six of you live on the island?"

"Well...yes..." Vucen said with a little bit of hesitation.

Azula glanced back at Vucen, intrigued. 'Interesting...he sounded a little too cautious,' she thought.

"Hmm...I heard the island had somewhat of a troubled past," Ozai mentioned.

"It has...we're trying to bring it back to its former glory," Vucen paused for a second, "How much have you heard about the town and the island?"

"I heard from the Royal Academy back when I was little that it was a cesspool of a place," Ozai stated.

"...Oh...well, at least we're in the history scrolls," Vucen murmured.

"Although, is it true what they say about the island? How that it's sacred ground?" Ozai asked.

Vucen smiled as he looked out the window that displays the hills through the skies, "That it is...perhaps we might've angered the spirits who inhabited the island when people started living there before us...either way, we respect the land and try to maintain it as beautiful as we can. It's the least we can do for the island and for the spirits who reside there."

"...I see," Ozai simply said.

"...Actually," Vucen turned his head to Ozai, "Um...if you could, your Highness, we would like it if you respect the land as best as you can when we land."

Ozai hummed and nodded, "Certainly."

Vucen nodded with a smile and went back to driving the airship. Maikera and Waten came back inside and the airship became quiet once more as the engines roared outside.

Azula was quiet for a moment, until she asked in a curious whisper to Ozai, "Father, what is this Sairento Hiruzu Island about? Should we even be concerned?"

"I shouldn't worry too much about the island, Azula. It was just a place of crime and misfortunes, and whatever spirits that are on this island we are heading to, I have confidence in you that you will take care of the situation." Ozai told her.

"Thank you, Father, but...what about these people who rescued us? Can we trust them?" Azula asked.

"In due time, we will see. Either way, we are free from the prison, and we should be thankful enough to get in good graces with them to serve our uprising," Ozai advised.

Azula could only hum in agreement. She turned her head to look at the escapees, who were still in their seats. Anjera sat there silently and Meiria examined her nails in the second row, while Edi had his arm propped on his knee, his hand on his chin, and Jemusu was just sitting there. Jemusu then noticed the Fire Nation princess looking over where they were. He smiled and waved at her.

Sneering, Azula turned her head back at the windshield to see that they are now beginning to descend through the clouds.

Jemusu blinked and frowned in dejection. He turned to Edi and whispered, "She doesn't seem to be happy."

Edi scoffed and whispered back, "I don't see why she isn't happy. We just got out of prison, what more does she want?"

"Well...I think it's because she's not Fire Lord anymore. I mean, wasn't she Fire Lord at one time?" Jemusu speculated.

"Well, yeah, I think so, but still, it doesn't mean she has to act all high and mighty about it. I mean, she was in prison like the rest of us. Tch, I bet she thinks I'm nothing but a fat slob," Edi mumbles, "Like everyone else here does."

Jemusu frowned, "Hey, Edi, don't do that to yourself, man. Come on, you can't let your weight define who you are. And you're lucky; you basically got ten years for just fire-bending a shot at that noble's pet. You would've gotten a longer sentence if you hadn't refrained from killing the guy as well."

Edi didn't say anything then, until he grunted, "He was mocking me. And I feel like his dumb dog-lizard was too," he turned to Jemusu, "And what does it matter? I've only stayed in prison for like two days and escaped. If I ever get caught, my sentence will be even longer. I only did so because I don't want to waste my time in there," he glanced down at the floor and took a deep breath to sigh, "My mom was right. I won't amount to anything."

Jemusu looked at him in pity and said nothing.

After a moment of silence, Edi glanced at him for a moment, "What were you in prison for again?"

"...I was accused of killing my wife," Jemusu said quietly.

"...Did you?" Edi asked, a little wary.

Jemusu looked at Edi with wide eyes, "No!" he quietly exclaimed as he shook his head, "Of course I didn't! I love her too much to do anything remotely bad to her!"

Edi held up his hands in defense, "Whoa, hey, sorry! I was just asking, man."

Jemusu frowned at how he blew off on Edi like that, "I'm...I'm sorry, I just...I didn't kill her, alright? She died because she was sick...the illness took her."

Lowering his hands down, Edi frowned as well, "Hey...I'm sorry."

"...Thanks," Jemusu said as he glanced down at his own two feet as he sat there.

"...How long have you been in prison?" Edi asked.

"...Just four days," Jemusu said.

"Huh...well, we've escaped prison, so we might as well enjoy this freedom while we can," Edi suggested.

"Yeah..." Jemusu said.

"...What do you think those girls did over there?" Edi asked.

"Huh?" Jemusu glanced at the two women who were sitting at the far left of the second row. "Um...you know, I really don't know. They kind of just arrived recently back at the prison as well."

"Hm..." Edi hummed and didn't say anything else.

The airship continued its descent onto the island...

A tan-skinned girl with flowing brown hair sat on a giant flying animal with her arms wrapped around her knees. She looked out at the sea as they flew above it.

The sea...water...her element...she wished she can use it to heal all her inner problems away...

The girl sighed.

"You okay, Katara?" asked her brother's voice.

The girl in question, Katara, turned to look at her brother Sokka, who was sitting next to her with his hand on her shoulder. They were on Appa as of now, along with Suki, Toph, and Aang. Yesterday, they received word from a messenger hawk from Zuko while they stayed in Omashu to celebrate the city's Spring Festival. It came during nighttime, telling them the news of Ozai's sudden breakout. They all decided to rest and leave in the morning to go to the Capital City, their merriment having to be put on hold for a bit.

They are about halfway to the Fire Nation, with the only thing underneath them being the seawater. Aang was, of course, driving Appa, while Toph is relaxing on the saddle, chatting next to Suki who was sitting next to her as she chatted with her as well.

"Oh. Yeah, Sokka, I'm...I'm fine," Katara said, her tone lacking confidence.

Sokka raised an eyebrow, "Wow, I don't even need to be Toph to know that that's a lie."

Katara groaned, "Sokka, I just want to be alone in my thoughts right now."

"And see my little sister brood like the old Zuko who used to chase us around? I'll take that risk in bothering you right now."

Katara chuckled, "Come on, Sokka, Zuko didn't really brood that much."

"Well, maybe it was when I hung out with him. And see? Ya chuckled! That's a good sign!" Sokka said as he wrapped an arm around his sister.

"Sokka..." Katara whined.

"Come on, little sis, tell me what's wrong," Sokka urged as he gave her a one-arm squeeze.

Katara was silent for a moment until she said, "...Do you...do you think everything we've done for the world...all amounted to nothing for us?"

"Whoa. Where did this come from?" Sokka asked her with slightly wide eyes.

She sighed, "It's just...have we really learned anything from all of this?"

"Uh...we learned that wars are bad?"

"Well, yes, but...have we learned anything spiritually?" Katara asked.

Sokka put his hand on his chin, "Hmm...well, for one thing, you've been hanging around with Aang too much."

"Yeah...I know..." Katara said as she lowered her gaze to her lap.

Sokka looked at his sister in concern, "Hey...you're really thinking about this, aren't you?"

Katara hummed in reply.

Sokka frowned, trying to think of something to cheer her up. "Well...I learn women are capable of anything."

Katara turned her head to him with a smirk, "Well, there's that."

"Heh, yeah..." Sokka rubbed the back of his head, "Also, I've...learned to be a man."

Katara giggled, "Yeah, you kind of have."

"Kind of? Come on, I'm a full-blown man now," Sokka puffed his chest out.

"Then what does that make me?"

"...My little sister."

"Sokka."

"Hey, you'll still be my little sister whether you like it or not. I don't view you as a woman, per se. Other men, on the other hand, do view you as a woman. And they, especially Aang over there, better not disrespect my little sister if they know what's coming to them."

"Sokka..." she looked like she was about to say something else, but she said, "I can handle myself."

A little confused by the hesitation, Sokka decided to go back to the main topic, "Do you...feel like you haven't learned anything?"

...Katara said, "I don't know. I feel like...I haven't really."

"Why is that?"

"...I..." Katara faltered.

Sokka frowned, not used to having the optimistic sister that he knows to be so downtrodden. He decided to say, "Well you know what? I think you're wrong."

Katara looked at Sokka with a puzzled look, "What?"

"I mean, you're wrong about feeling like you haven't learned anything spiritually. You learned to reach out to people when they need it, and it worked. Like Zuko! It took time, but he turned around eventually!"

"...Yeah," Katara said with a smile.

"And, you learned to be a bad-ass water-bender throughout your journey!"

Katara chuckled, "Why thank you, Sokka."

"Hey, I'm serious! And also, you found someone you like and cherish," he motions his head to Aang, "Like me and Suki!" he leaned in a whispered, "Now all we got to do is let our earth-bending friend not be the third wheel."

Katara smiled, "You know what? You're right Sokka. I have learned some things on my journey. Thank you...I don't know what I do without you."

Sokka grinned, "Hey, that's what big brothers are for! No worries. Whenever you feel like you need someone to talk to, you come to me!" he gave her another one-arm hug and kissed her on the cheek. "Love ya, sis."

Katara chuckled, "Thanks, Sokka."

"No prob! I'll be here for ya. In the meantime, I'm gonna relax on the saddle for a bit. Just know that I'll always give you words of advice, alright?"

Katara rolled her eyes, "Sure thing, bro."

Patting her on the shoulder, he got up and made his way to Suki. Katara watched him go, but her gaze soon turned to Aang, who was on Appa's head driving the flying bison.

She turned her head back at the sea.

...She has Aang...

...She frowned.

"Aang...you really shouldn't be thinking about these kinds of things right now."

"B-But why? I mean, couples tend to have feelings like that, right?"

"Yes, but...Aang...you're thirteen. I'm fifteen. It's just...it's not right."

"What do you mean? Sokka and Suki are doing...things, why can't we?"

"It's just...you're too young, Aang."

"But I'm a teenager now! I'm basically a young adult!"

"Yes, but...Aang, I just don't feel right doing that."

"...But...I love you, Katara."

"...Aang..."

"I mean...we're together now, right? I...I want...I want us to go to the next step in our relationship."

"Aang, this isn't a good time to talk about this. We need to leave tomorrow to the Fire Nation to help Zuko."

"Well, when is it a good time!?"

"..."

"Katara, I...I really love you. I, I just...I mean, don't you love me?"

"Aang, of course I do! I just...I just..."

"Just what?"

"...I just don't think this is a good time to talk about it, Aang. We need to rest and go tomorrow. We'll...we'll talk about this some other time."

"...When will that be?"

"After we help Zuko catch his father and Azula."

"...Okay...I'm...I'm sorry, Katara. You're right. I'll...I'll wait."

"...Aang...I know you're growing up fast, but...there's a time when you need to know when you're ready for your first time and when you're not. Me, I'm just...not ready. And I don't think you're ready as well, Aang."

"...Okay...but I do love you, Katara. And...I want to let you know that I really do love you...but at the same time, I want to make you feel comfortable. So...I won't rush these things."

"...Thank you, Aang."

Katara frowned deeply.

...What is she doing?

Is she really...?

...She loves Aang. She really does.

...But...to go that far...

...Katara kept looking out at the sea.

End of Chapter 3

Yeeeeep...there's that...

But yeah! What do you think of this chapter? Does it now intrigue you? :)

The next chapter will be when Azula, Ozai, and the others will land on the island! And soon some other stuff happens! Hoorah! ;D

Remember, if you like this story, leave a review, fave, and follow if you want! Also, spot those SH character references! XD

Thank you all for reading and until next time; keep on rocking everybody! ^_^

-TSP