Fire Behind Blue Eyes ch. 15

The next day, most of the gang woke up at sunrise to the sounds of the festival on the streets. Zuko could hear the children running around and laughing in the streets below his window. He just laid there for a few minutes after he woke up, listening to the sounds and smelling the foods wafting up through his open window from the vendors' booths. He sat up on his bed finally and looked around.

Sokka, of course, was the only one still sleeping.. and snoring rather loudly. Zuko rolled his eyes and left the room with his swords on his back. He had made it known to the others that he wasn't going anywhere without those swords, especially in towns in case there was trouble. He knew his firebending could get him arrested.

"Zuko, wait up!"

He turned around to see Katara just coming from her room. She had on a dark green robe and pants that she had bought the night before and her hair was pulled back for the first time since before the island. Zuko felt his stomach doing cartwheels as she neared him, smiling.

"Come on, let's go play some games!" she said excitedly, grabbing his hand and dragging him downstairs.

"Wait, what about breakfast?"

She laughed and pulled him into the dining hall, grabbing a couple biscuits and running back out. "Now come on!"

They ran outside to see all the decorations covering the streets and buildings. There were all kinds of bright colored streamers everywhere and booths all along the streets. A few of the games were going on already down near the docks, but there were a few up near where they were. The smell of festival foods were almost enough to suffocate one, but they smelled so good that Katara wanted to throw their biscuits aside. Instead, she ate hers quickly before she really did throw it away. Zuko ate his a little slower, looking around at everything.

"Wow, I guess they love summer," Zuko said calmly.

"Or they just love this summer. This is the one that determines the fate of the world, remember?"

"Yes, but don't you think they're overdoing it a bit?"

"Maybe they're just trying to make the best of it."

"Our town tries to make the best of everything since the war," Aki said, coming up behind them. "We try to live life to its fullest for there's always the chance that we may be overtaken any day. So tell me, why do you need those swords, Prince Zuko?"

Zuko and Katara both looked at her in complete shock and surprise, both of their hearts pounding and each scolding themselves for their lack of words.

"Don't be alarmed, young ones. I'm not going to harm you for I know you are helping the Avatar. I'm sure you're teaching him firebending and, judging by your blue eyes, you're his waterbending teacher?"

Katara nodded, still a bit nervous. She looked back to Zuko for help and he understood, though he didn't like discussing it much, especially with strangers in public.

"The swords are for when I'm out in public and I can't use my bending," Zuko sighed. He hated when people knew who he was, it was risky. "You never know when trouble will happen."

"You are an honorable person for what you're doing, despite what people may say," she smiled, calming the two teens some. "You are going against your own nation to help save the world instead of destroy it. I have to admit that you're not the same person I've heard about. I expected you to come through here blasting everything down, but you're quite the opposite of what I thought you would be."

"I've changed a lot since my banishment three years ago, even more in the last few weeks with her," he said, nudging Katara. "I've seen the effects this war has had on the people on the recieving end and I know it needs to stop. That's why I'm with Avatar Aang helping him. Please, let no one else know of me here. I don't know these people nor what they would do if they found out. While we're here, my name is Li."

"Of course," Aki said, bowing her head. "Tis not my place to speak of you. No one will know."

"Thank you."

"Now let's go play some games! Maybe you can win me something!" Katara squealed excitedly. Aki laughed at them as Katara pulled Zuko along down the street. When they got far enough away, Katara said, "That woman is very nice. I like her."

"Almost too nice, don't you think?"

"What are you talking about? There's no such thing as 'too nice' in my opinion."

"Well, there is in mine. I think it's a cover. She's suspicious, she knows something."

"Are you always so paranoid?"

"Are you always so carefree?"

Katara giggled and spun around like a child. "I can be, most of the time."

Zuko gave her a nervous smile, but he still didn't trust this place. Something wasn't right. He decided it was best that he was with her so he can protect her should anything happen.

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Aang, Toph, and Iroh were having breakfast in the dining hall. Toph was telling them about her 'real' dream and they were both listening intently.

"It just seemed so real, and I saw all of you! I mean, since I've never seen colors, I can't identify any, but I know that Iroh's beard was a light color and Katara's hair is dark. I had to keep brushing my hair out of my eyes so I could see."

"Well, last night was a full moon-"

"That's what Katara said. She said Yue could've sent me that, but it didn't make sense because she didn't know me and I didn't know her."

"But she's the moon, everyone knows her now," Iroh said.

"Did you know her? Before she became the moon, I mean."

"Not very long, but yes. I believe I'm the reason she realized she could give her life to the moon. She was very beautiful. I've never seen hair so white, not even on me," he chuckled. "And her eyes were almost as light."

Toph sighed, "I got to see you guys bending. It was great. You, Zuko, and Katara," she pointed to Aang, "you were all sparring on the beach and it was just great to see."

"That's good."

"Excuse me for ruining this conversation, but when are we leaving today?" Iroh asked.

"I'm not sure. Katara and Zuko ran off early this morning to the festivities and Sokka's still asleep. Ty Lee might be too, I haven't seen her this morning."

"Well, can we enjoy this for just a little bit before we're restricted to woods and rivers and an occasional tiny town until we get to Ba Sing Se? Please?" Toph pleaded.

"Okay," Aang laughed. "We can stay for a little bit, but we have to leave soon."

"That we should. As nice as the people here are, there's something about this place I don't trust," Iroh told them. "I'll feel better the sooner we're away from here."

"Wow, is Zuko this paranoid?"

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"Katara, I really think we should be leaving now. I feel like we're being watched."

"Of course we are, we're not from here. This town probably doesn't get many outsiders."

"Come on, you know what I'm talking about. I'm starting to feel really uncomfortable around these people. Maybe we should go check on the others, just to make sure they're okay."

"Zuko, everyone's fine! It's a beautiful day and everyone is enjoying it, why can't you?"

"Because something is wrong here. I can tell these people are expecting something to happen because of the way their eyes keep shifting around. They're all nervous! Please, can we just go check on everyone else?"

"Ugh, fine, but we're coming right back if nothing's wrong."

"Okay, let's go," Zuko said hurriedly, grabbing her hand. As soon as they turned around to go back, they stopped dead in their tracks.

"Where are you running off to in such a hurry?" asked a familiar voice from behind them.

"No.."

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Sokka sat up in his bed, yawning and stretching. He looked out the window and noticed the sun was up a bit, then noticed that Zuko was already gone, with his swords of course. He cursed himself for letting him out of his sight. He jumped up, stumbled over himself trying to get his shoes on, and ran out the door and into the hall.

"Where do you think you're going?"

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"I'm not being paranoid, I'm just overly cautious. Something here isn't right. These people know something that we don't and if we don't leave soon, we're going to find out the hard way."

"Calm down, Iroh," Aang said. "This town is great! There's a festival outside, games and people and good food everywhere, there's nothing here to worry about!"

"That's where you're wrong, Avatar."

They turned around towards the voice and saw a girl dressed in dark robes with long black hair and black fingernails. She kept a straight face as they turned around to her, all with similar shocked looks.

"And to what do we owe this honor, Mai?" Iroh asked sarcastically.

"Shut your mouth, old man. And don't think of trying to fight," she said quickly, pointing to Aang, who was now standing and reaching for his staff. "You'll want to think of your friends' safety first."

"Where's Azula? What've you done with my friends!" Aang yelled, his voice echoing through the room.

"We haven't done anything with them yet, but then again, we can. That all depends on you, Avatar."

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Zuko unsheathed his swords and Katara uncorked her waterskin as Azula stepped closer.

"Oh, come now brother. Are you really going to use those barbaric things?"

"I'll take any advantage I can get."

"Oh, that's right. Because you could never beat me as a firebender. You're so pathetic and weak, Zuzu. That's why father never loved you. And now look at you! You're helping the Avatar and falling for a peasant! You truly are a disgrace to our father and our nation."

"This peasant just happens to be a waterbending master and I could easily beat you!" Katara shouted.

"Now you're going to fight his battles for him?" Azula giggled evilly. "It's worse than I thought. Why don't you just admit defeat and stop wasting my time. You could never defeat me, you worthless waterbender."

Katara stepped forward angrily, but Zuko stopped her. "This is my battle. Go find the others and make sure they're okay. I'll tell you 'I told you so' later."

"But Zuko-"

"Katara, go!"

She turned and started back to the inn, but after a couple steps she stopped. She turned around quickly and snapped Azula with a water whip. "That was a warning if you ever want to fight me instead." Then she turned and ran back to the inn.

"She's got a fighting spirit, I'll give her that," Azula said, rubbing the spot Katara hit her. When she pulled her hand away, it was covered in blood. "Too bad I'll have to kill her for that later."

"You won't win, trust me. I bet she's killed more people in the last two weeks than you've killed in your life. She's been more places and accomplished more in her life than you ever will. She's better than you in every way possible, not to mention she's a year younger than you."

"Aw, you're obsessed with this girl. How about you stop going on about her and get ready to lose to me."

"I won't lose, Azula."

"We'll see," she growled.

She shot blue flames at him. He put his swords up and they hit the swords, then he redirected them down to the ground. He swept his swords out towards Azula, flames shooting from them. She dodged them easily and jump-kicked more flames at him. His shoulder got caught by them, but he didn't pay attention to the pain. Katara could always fix it later. He ran at her, swords crossed in front of him, and sliced out at her. He sliced her unprotected forearm, the one whose armguard Aang had broken a while back.

"You're putting up a decent fight, Zuzu. Practice much?"

"Everyday."

She jumped at him, but he side-stepped her and knocked her to the ground with an 'oomph!'. She flipped over and attempted to kick his feet from under him, but he jumped and landed over the top of her with his swords across her throat.

He smirked and said, "I guess my little sister isn't as good as she thinks. I win."

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"Ty Lee, what are you doing?"

"I'm sorry, Sokka. Azula and Mai found me last night in my room, I have to go with them. I really am sorry, but they're taking care of your other friends as we speak. They wanted me to take care of you."

"So what're you going to do?"

"Take you downstairs with Mai and the others. I don't want to fight you, Sokka. Just cooperate, I promise it'll be okay. I just don't want to see you hurt."

Sokka looked at her with hurt in his big blue eyes and she had to turn away. "It won't be okay. If Azula's behind this, nothing will be okay. If you don't want to see me hurt, let me go."

"I can't do that, Sokka. They know I'm better than that. They'll think I'm turning on them and kill me. I'm sorry."

"I am too."

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"Mai, I know you like Zuko. If you really do like him, you'll let us go help him before Azula kills him."

"You aren't going anywhere so just be quiet."

"Aang, what's going on?" Toph asked, a hint of panic in her voice.

"You remember those three girls that were chasing us?"

"Yeah."

"They caught up to us again."

Toph put her hands up to her sightless eyes and pretended to cry. She fell to the floor on her hands and knees. "This is so unfair!" she shouted. Mai watched her unsympathetically as she "wept". Toph punched the floor in fake frustration and earth shot up through the wooden floor of the dining hall under the unsuspecting Mai. She was sent up in the air, but she jumped off the chunk of earth before it hit the ceiling. Her darts were sent down at Toph, but she pulled up an earth sheild, then sent that at Mai as well.

Great, I'm against air, earth, and fire, she thought. Where's that stupid waterbender now?

Just then, Sokka came running in, throwing his boomerang and slicing the darts that Mai had shot again. "Guys, get out of here!"

"Sokka, where've you been? Where's Ty Lee?"

"Just go!"

Iroh shot a fireball at Mai, distracting her so Aang and Toph could get away. Sokka ran in to help Iroh, his machete and boomerang ready. Mai shot her darts, but the ones that Iroh didn't burn to a crisp, Sokka had no problem stopping with his own weapons. She pulled out a red blade and two more pieces popped out of the sides. Sokka recognized it as the piece she almost used at Omashu before he knocked it away with his boomerang. She threw it at Sokka's face, but he moved his head and caught it by its handle, surprising both himself and Mai. He threw it back and it pinned Mai to the wall, so he and Iroh ran out while she tried to get it out.

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Zuko's swords were crossed over her throat, but Azula brought her feet up and kicked him in the groin and flipped him over her head, landing on the ground behind her. He struggled to get his breath back as she started moving her arms, blue sparks jumping off the tips of her fingers. Just as she was about to release the energy, she was knocked back by a wave of water.

"Zuko, get up!"

He slowly made it back to his feet just in time to see his sister running after Katara. Zuko shot a really big fireball at Azula's feet and hit, making her trip. She cursed herself for not paying attention and turned back to her brother. She made a mental note to get the water wench later.

"You're not finished with me yet, Azula."

"You're right. You're not dead yet."

Azula made the motions for lightening again and Zuko smirked. He knew exactly how to handle this. Her two fingers shot out the lightening right at him and he took it in him, redirecting it back to her and hitting her directly in her armored chest. She fell back onto the ground unconcious with a black scorch mark on her chestplate. He ran down the street and back towards the inn where he saw Sokka and Iroh emerging.

"Zuko, what's happening?"

"Azula's knocked out, let's get out of here before she wakes up!"

"Where's Katara?"

"I don't know!"

He made it up to them, almost out of breath. He pointed down the street the way he saw Katara running a couple minutes ago when Azula chased her. Sokka and Iroh took the hint and started running that way and soon came across Katara, Aang, and Toph.

"Where's Ty Lee?" Katara called to Sokka.

"While we were together, she taught me a few things. Let's just say I had to use one of her lessons on her."

"She was part of this?"

"Azula found her last night, she would've been killed if she didn't do anything."

"Guys, come on, let's go!" Aang yelled.

Appa was waiting for them up ahead in the town stables and Zuko noticed a couple ostrich-horses as well. While Aang was getting Appa, he grabbed Katara and jumped up on the back of one. He grabbed another one and led it out of the stables and Sokka took the hint and got on.

"You guys take Appa out, we'll ride!" Sokka yelled up at Aang, who was on Appa's head already, trying to steer him out. "Just make sure you can see us so we can somewhat stay together! We'll stay on the path out of here!"

Without waiting for a reply, he and Zuko kicked the ostrich-horses into motion and they were headed down the path, Katara holding onto Zuko's waist trying not to fall off. Within a minute, they saw Appa above their heads and sighed. It wasn't even noon yet and it had been a long day. Katara noticed the burn on Zuko's shoulder and pulled out her water to heal it. He looked back to her, smiled, and said one thing:

"I told you so."