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Chapter 15 - Chapter 15

Azula pursues them relentlessly, yet the Princess has an ease about her as if this were nothing more than a game of tag. Katara tries to not stumble under the Avatar's weight but it isn't easy. Azula's strike had been terrible and devastating.

Aang is alive, not by much, and it has taken everything Katara had to get him to this point. She did not miss the disappointment in the woman's golden eyes nor did she miss the self-satisfied smirk on her lips. In Aang's more lucid moments, he asks Katara about what happened. It's not that the Water Bender has much to tell him though. The attack had come out of nowhere during the battle for Ba Sing Se and caught them, as well as Ozai and Long Feng, off guard. It had only been instinct that had led Katara to freeze Azula in a wall of water. While the woman had been trapped in the quickly melting ice, Katara and Zuko had grabbed Aang from where he lie and ran.

It has not been easy though because Azula didn't stop there. Even now as they hide in some Earth Kingdom village, Katara questions if she will ever stop. Reaching over she wipes sweat from Aang's forehead. His skin is cold and clammy. The Avatar's sleep is restless as he twists and turns under the blankets. When he murmurs Azula, Katara freezes in her ministrations.

"What about her?" She asks in a low voice.

He only shakes his head in reply, his eyes closed tight.

It's not the first time he has said the Fire Bender's name in a half delirious sleep either, and, if not for the few occasions Katara happened to be awake to hear the fitful sleep of the Avatar one more than one night, Katara could chalk up the woman's mention to the fact she literally pulled Aang right out of the sky with her lightning. She can't though and it only adds to the deepening sense there is more to the story than what she sees. As Aang settles down and draws a deep shaky breath, the name Azula is whispered again with a pain that is heartachingly familiar.

Ooo

Zuko knows there is more going on than what he sees. Outside the house they have taken refuge in, the clouds are dark and stormy. It is almost as if the weather itself is reflecting the somber mood inside. Katara puts every bit of energy into caring for Aang. The rest of them do what they can to help and be on guard.

He doesn't know if Ozai survived. He doesn't know if Long Feng survived. He doesn't know how Aang survived. All three had been struck and struck hard by Azula. Zuko has never seen a lightning strike hit three different targets at the same time but the effect had been destructive. As the Fire Nation closed in, they had no choice but to retreat. They lost the city and the war.

Hakoda is nearly silent as he steps up beside the Prince, staring out at the same stormy sky. "We can't stay for long." He says noting the flashes of light in the sky beyond. The storm that rages in the distance is a painful reminder of their loss, of their near loss. "I thought she was on our side." He whispers sadly.

Zuko glances at the man beside him taking in the exhausted and worn look. He has seen the same look on Katara's face as she spends night after night at the Avatar's side willing him to live.

"Azula always lies." Zuko says crossly as he looks back at the angry sky. His warnings had fallen flat with the older man and perhaps Zuko should have been more resistance to the supposed help his sister offered.

"All those people." Hakoda's voice breaks at the thought of the souls lost at Ba Sing Se.

Zuko doesn't have it in him to be a comfort now. "Let's just hope Ozai is one of them." He shoves off the doorjamb and out of the house, stalking into the distance.

Hakoda watches him go.

"Everything happens for a reason." Iroh's sagely voice muses as he fills the void left by Zuko.

He doesn't know what connection the Chief has with his nephew but he does know when Zuko is angry. On some level though there is brotherly concern. Zuko has always had a contentious relationship with his sister and Iroh is simply at a loss as to what to think about recent events. If she had merely attacked either the Avatar or the Fire Lord then her allegiance would be clear. However, Azula had dealt a heavy blow to both sides.

"Can we even come back from this?" Hakoda asks.

Iroh watches Zuko as he disappears over the horizon towards the darkened skies. "I am sure a way will find us."

Ooo

Azula leans heavily against the cave's entrance. Her stomach is churning as much as the clouds in the sky above. Morning sickness is such a misnomer. Ever since Ba Sing Se, ever since Azula poured out every bit of anger and rage into her three most despised enemies, she has been sick day and night. It is impeding her hunt for the others. However, it's not as if they are making it difficult for her. It is clear they are demoralized and traveling with an injured Avatar is slowing them down even more.

Seeing the last best hope for the world taken down at the pinnacle of his power was as delicious for Azula as it had been as horrifying for his allies and it brings a smile to her face despite the nausea that ebbs and flows. She takes delight though in staying one step behind and watching them run like frightened mice. Still, she thinks as she looks at the horizon to the east where the smoking ruins of Ba Sing Se lie, it is not entirely for her own pleasure that she is running them aground.

Somehow, Ozai survived and Azula begins to think nothing will kill the man. The Fire Lord not only survived but is being relentless in his own hunt for both the traitorous Princess and the wounded Avatar. Even now, bounty hunters trail them, and Azula does what she can to keep the group moving.

"Why don't you kill him?" The black fabric of Ursa's skirts swim into view as Azula tries to heave up what little food she managed to eat earlier. "Why draw this out?"

Azula can only laugh as she shakes her head. "Because I can."

She hears the hiss as the spirit kneels down to her level. There are no whites in the ghost's coal black eyes as they stare her down. Sharp needle teeth are bare under the slant of red lips. "You seek to protect the man that cares nothing for you!"

Azula ignores the taunts as she wipes her mouth with the back of her hand and stands. The world tilts as a wave of dizziness overtakes her and she sits down hard on the boulder standing sentry to the cave's entrance.

"See what he has done to you?" Ursa muses with a superior air. "What man would want you now?"

Azula glares. "He is not Ozai."

Her father's love had been so conditional, so demanding, with standards set too high for any mortal to reach.

"And yet you struck him down the same as the Fire Lord. What does that say about you? As if he would want you after that, stupid girl."

In the days since the attack, Ursa has become more hateful as Azula has failed to heed her words.

"Where is the love, Mother?" Azula asks with a smirk. "Are you as narrow minded as Father? Or shall I list the concubines in the Royal harem for you?"

Black eyes gleam at her. "I need only name one of the Avatar's whores."

Azula's smile broadens. "Air Benders don't believe in money. What she did, she did for free."

Ursa growls a deep, inhuman sound and Azula laughs before another roll of nausea hits and she pitches forward. If Ursa weren't a ghost, her shoes would be covered with the bits of bread Azula had managed to choke down earlier.

Ooo

Zuko watches from a distance. He had not thought to run across her, yet here he is. The conversation is one sided, though Azula seems clearly engaged in her discussion with empty air. He has never known her to be ill, aside from the mental instability, but watching her obvious distress is confusing. He should return to the others, bring some back up and put a stop to Azula once and for all. He should but something tells him not too. Carefully, he closes the distance. He can tell the moment she spots him as she stills, eyes narrowing into slits. He sees her muscles tense, ready for action.

Zuko could attack, maybe should attack. Take Azula out so they can focus on Ozai but something compels him to hold up his hands instead.

"I just want to talk."

Azula stares unblinking before casting a quick glance to her side. "About what?"

He chances to take a step closer and sees the pale drawn features of her face. "Are you okay?"

Azula has always been vibrant with fire and life but now she seems broken somehow.

"I'm fine." She snaps as she stands. The thick clothes move with her.

Zuko frowns as the robes seem overly large for her and his sister is never someone he considered small. "Are you sick?"

Standing up straighter and crossing her arms over her chest, her glare deepens. "What do you want?"

Pushing Azula at the wrong time can be a tragic mistake, so Zuko shifts focus. "I want to know why."

"Why?" She bristles as she shifts weight from one foot to the other. Zuko watches carefully wary of a signal of impending attack."Why what? Just what are you asking?"

The tone of her voice and flicker of panic in her eyes sets his nerves on edge. This is not the sister he has known and feared.

"Why did you attack Aang and Father?" He knows her relationship with both men is odd at best but given they are polar opposites, one choice or the other should have been clear.

"That's what you wanted to ask? You don't want to know if the Fire Lord is alive or what became of Ba Sing Se?" She gives a small laugh of amusement.

"Father is alive." It doesn't take much to see the unfortunate truth.

Azula smirks. "Alive, but not well." The smirk leaves her face. "Father is recuperating with a team of healers and harem girls. I'm sure he will be back in fighting form before too long."

Leaving Ozai alive has left a bitter taste in her mouth.

"Ba Sing Se?"

Her face turns pensive and she gives a small shake of her head. "No."

Zuko looks away to the distant sky filled with smoke. "How many?"

Azula gives a tired sigh. "Why are you asking me? I'm not the one that killed them."

His eyes snap back to her blazing with anger. "If you hadn't shot Aang, we could have saved the city!"

Azula holds his stare and speaks with a regrettable truth. "Even in the Avatar state, he could not have stopped it. Father was too crafty."

Ozai was never one to rely on one course of action and the walls of Ba Sing Se had collapsed under the sudden surge of Fire Nation forces. There had been heavy losses of Fire Nation troops but the Fire Lord cares little for that, not when he has countless more in training. Ba Sing Se, on the other hand, only had a finite number of soldiers.

Zuko digests the meanings between her words before speaking quietly. "You could have stopped Ozai."

Suddenly, Azula fairly shakes with emotion. "It wasn't about stopping anyone! I don't care about the war!"

The abrupt outburst takes him by surprise. "Then what was it about? I can understand shooting Father but what about Aang? You and he were like involved or something."

The discovery still disgusts Zuko.

Azula makes a derisive noise. "Oh, please, he's since moved on to warmer waters."

Zuko stills. "Meaning what?"

She gives him a bemused look. "Meaning that Water Tribe slut." Seeing the confusion on his face, she elaborates joyfully. "I saw them in Ba Sing Se. They looked quite cozy kissing on the balcony before she pushed him inside. I can only assume what happened next."

Zuko wants to argue. He wants to deny, but something tells him that Azula is, for once, telling the truth.

"So you did it out of jealousy." He isn't asking. He understands the emotion all too well.

The look in Azula's eye settles into understanding. "It would seem so, Brother, but I'm not the only one who's jealous, am I?"

Zuko wants to snarl at her, drag her back to the others and throw a tantrum befitting a prince of the blood but he doesn't. He reins it in. "Is that why you're following us?"

Azula rolls her eyes. "Please, I have better things to do than chase after him like some lovesick puppy. The price on your heads has tripled and there are those that don't care which side wins."

Zuko starts at this. "Bounty hunters?" It's a threat they have dealt with before and not always with the best of luck.

"Of course, dum dum. They aren't far behind and isn't it better that I keep you moving without caring if I catch you or they do?"

"You're helping us?" Zuko speaks slowly. Azula never helps anyone unless she stands to gain from it.

She pouts at him."Don't go thinking I've grown a heart or anything. I'll still kill him and that bitch if I have the chance. I don't want Father to get to him before I do."

Ozai will not get another one up on her, not this time.

She expects a fight from him, maybe some sort of disagreement over killing the Avatar before the Fire Lord has a chance. Maybe even a few words defending the little Water Tribe peasant but the Prince doesn't.

Zuko just nods his head with a look of understanding, mumbling, "Okay," before turning around and walking back the way from which he came.

Azula watches the retreating back of her brother as does Ursa at her side.

"My, my, how my little boy has grown."

Ooo

Azula's face swims before his eyes. Her eyes bright with passion. Her lips open and gasping. Her breath is hot against his neck and she whispers the most delightful things as her nails dig into his skin. Her eyes turn cold and her lips become a sneer. Pleasure becomes searing and lightning rips him from his sleep.

Aang gasps and jerks as he awakens. The room is unfamiliar and he struggles to get his bearings. Everything hurts and his breaths come hard and heavy. He's in a bed, at least he thinks he is, but when he tries to rise, he finds he can't. His reactions are sluggish and difficult.

"Aang, it's okay." The voice is warm and soothing. "Just lie still." Gently a hand on his chest pushes him down. "If you don't, you're only going to hurt yourself more."

Feeling disoriented, he grabs the hand on his chest while reaching up. His fingers graze warm skin as he cups a soft cheek.

"Azula?" Looking up he blinks away the remnants of his dream and stares into deep blue eyes. "Katara?"

She smiles in relief as her other hand closes over the one on her face. "Yeah."

Letting his head drop back onto the bed, his eyes flutter close as he feels the sharp stab in his back. "What happened?" He asks with the feeling of already knowing.

Katara shifts onto the bed more as she leans over him, slipping into healer mode. She wipes the sweat off his face as she speaks."You were hurt."

He tries to turn his head to avoid the cloth before snapping in a frustrated tone. "I can tell that. What happened?"

With an annoyed sigh, she pulls back and her forehead creases in aggravation. "You were shot with lightning."

Aang contemplates this. "Azula."

Katara's head bobs in acknowledgement. "She struck you, Ozai, and Long Feng."

The chain of lightening had been unexpected.

"Ozai?"

"We don't know." She answers quietly but something tells Aang the Fire Lord is still out there. "Azula's been one step behind us ever since." Katara isn't sure how much longer they can keep this pace up."Let's get you on your side and I can work on your injury." For days this has been all that she has done.

Aang struggles to roll onto his side and Katara moves to help. It's an effort on both their parts but they get the task accomplished. Settling in behind him, she pulls the water to her and sets to work on the burnt flesh of his back. He can feel the liquid seeping into his back. The cool feel of it is soothing on the ache left behind.

Azula tried to kill him and he closes his eyes tightly at the thought. If she is carrying his child, that is if the child is actually his, then what was she trying to accomplish by killing him?

Katara leans over him, working the water up and down the wound, feeling the pull of energy against her ministrations. He could have died, almost did die, but fortunately the strike didn't have enough force. Dividing it between three targets had softened the blow and, while this is good for Aang, it most likely means that Ozai and Long Feng are still alive as well. Hopefully, she thinks as she pulls her hand back and stares at the barely healed flesh, Ozai doesn't have a healer as good as her to help him recover.

Aang breathes deep and even and with a quick look she can see he has fallen asleep again. The healing session has taken it out of her so she lies down behind him but far enough away to avoid the injury and her own eyes flutter close.

oooo

It's late when Zuko makes it back to the small house. Suki gives him a nod from where she stands guard at the door. Everyone else is bedded down, sprawled in chairs, on blankets, just anywhere they can find to lie down and catch a few moments rest. Crossing quietly through the room, he gently eases the door to the bedroom open. Seeing the Avatar asleep in bed, rolled onto his side, is nothing new but the Water Bender curled up beside him makes Zuko's jaw clench. He stalks back through the room to the outside. Suki eyes him curiously.

"We need to leave soon." He isn't pouting as he crosses his arms and leans back against the wall.

"The plan is to move out tomorrow evening." Suki replies, eyes scanning the darkness around them. "Aang was up for a bit earlier."

The Avatar's voice had been heard through the closed door. Slowly the Avatar is recovering.

"He's not now." Zuko bites out.

Suki raises an eyebrow at the tone of his voice. "Something you want to talk about?"

He shakes his head. There isn't anything to say. Azula is right, always right. He curses her under his breath choosing to direct his anger at his spiteful sibling than at the two he really feels it towards.

The Kyoshi warrior brushes it off with a shrug. "You better get some sleep. We drew lots and you have next watch."Zuko glares at her and she smiles. "You weren't here. Toph picked for you."

"How nice of her." Zuko says sarcastically as he goes back inside to find a space to bed down for a few hours.

Ooo

He can't sleep. Zuko lies there listening to the rumbling snores of Iroh and the murmurs of Sokka. Occasionally, Toph kicks him in the shin and he swears he hears a stifled giggle from the sleeping girl. It's not until he hears the groan muffled through the bedroom door that he moves. He pauses at the door listening. All he can hear is Aang, obviously in pain, but Katara's voice is silent. Pushing the door open, he sticks his head in.

Aang is seated on the edge of the bed, hunched over with his head in his hands. The light sheen of sweat shows the effort it took for him to get upright. The pain shows in his gray eyes as he meets Zuko's concerned gaze.

"You okay?"

Aang gives a shaky smile. "I've been better."

Zuko pushes the door open and sits in the small room's lone chair. Aang follows the Prince's eyes to the sleeping woman behind him.

"She's exhausted." Aang says in way of explanation for the Water Bender in his bed.

Zuko is still for a moment before giving a short nod. "Yeah, she's not left your side for days." Aang nods as he looks around the room. "I spoke to Azula."

He expected the visible jerk of Aang's head but the sudden intensity in the Avatar's eyes surprises him.

"And?" Aang demands.

Zuko pauses, thinking of what to say about the very odd conversation with his sister. "Ozai's alive." Aang grimaces at this already expected news. "He's sent bounty hunters after us. They aren't too far behind Azula."

Aang's eyes narrow. "And Azula told you that?"

"Yeah, she did." Zuko answers with the same edge to his voice. "Something's not right about her."

Aang gives a strangled laugh. "You're just now realizing this?" The laughter fades."She'll only betray us again." The words ring with a very sad reality.

Zuko stays silent. There really isn't much for him to say to this. It's true, all true.

He interrupts the Avatar's rant. "I think in a way she is helping by chasing us down." Aang glares at him. "She says she doesn't care if she catches us." Aang shakes his head, jaw clenching with unspoken words as he looks away. "Where can we go that is off the maps?"

They have to hide, find some place they can bunker down and figure out a plan.

"The Western Air Temple." Aang answers quietly, still not meeting Zuko's eyes. "I've never been there and it's not easy to find but it's closer to the Fire Nation."

"If you've never been there and it's not easy to find, how do we go about finding it?" Zuko asks in a droll tone.

Every last bit of patience is wearing thin with the Prince.

"I'm sure we can find it." Aang growls. "We just need to keep heading west."

There's no debate. The Avatar's word is gold.

"West it is." Zuko agrees easily enough. "What do we do about Azula?"

Aang still doesn't look at him as he answers. "Let's get to the temple then I'll take care of it."

Zuko doesn't miss the distinction of the word it rather than her.

Ooo

For days she trails them as they move westward. Their pace hasn't slowed but there is no longer the panic that marked their travels. It isn't easy, though, dealing with the bounty hunters licking at their heels.

Azula rolls to the side, barely dodging the rock as it explodes from the orange stream of fire. The searing temperature is hot, even to her, and she knows her opponent packs a serious punch. Peeking around the stone pillar, she sizes up the rather odd man. He stands tall, nearly too tall, watching and waiting for her next move. As far as weaknesses go, the man seems to have few. He has deflected her strongest blows with a wave of his metal arm and she has never before seen a Fire Bender project flames from his forehead.

She sees the upturn of his mouth and instinct tells her to move. A river of fire follows her, scoring the earth in her wake, as the giant pursues her. His persistence would be admirable if he didn't have the aim of finishing what she started at Ba Sing Se. Of all the bounty hunters, Ozai has sent her way this one could actually be successful.

She crouches behind a boulder, forcing herself to remain still. His heavy footsteps draw near and Azula holds her breath. A duck, a dodge, and one good twist is all it takes to close the distance. The palm of her hand strikes with more force than necessary on the third eye staring her down and the spark of electricity is thin and precise as she seals the orifice. The giant falls back clutching at his forehead and she rolls to the right quickly putting distance between them. Once away, she turns, crouching low prepared for another attack. The giant regains his footing with more speed than she would have given him credit for possessing and braces his feet preparing to fire. Nothing happens but a crackling sound coming from inside the man's head. The wide eyed look tells Azula all she needs to know and she throws her arm up creating a wall of fire shielding her from the heat of the explosion. Once the smoke clears, she eyes the scorched metal arm at her feet. Ozai will have to try harder than that.

Oooo

The Western Air Temple is truly a marvel. Even Toph who hasn't the gift of sight can tell it is breathtaking but beside her, Aang is as preoccupied as ever.

"So, she's trying to help now?" She asks in that slightly baffled tone of hers as she ponders Azula's new role.

"Zuko seems to think so." Aang replies sourly. The Avatar is more skeptical of the Princess' actions having already been betrayed one time too many.

Toph contemplates this. "What if she is? Bounty hunters have come after us before and if Princess is taking care of them, then that's better for us right?"

Aang is mending fast with Katara's ever helpful hands but he would still be hard pressed to deal with the multitude of agents and assassins sent after him.

"What are you going to do?"

Staring out over the canyon beyond, Aang thinks about the twists his life has taken since being freed from the ice.

"She's not going to stop, not now, not ever. Azula meant to kill me and she'll try it again. I think it's time to stop running."

If Toph were ever going to say something poignant then this would be the time, however, no one ever accused Toph Bei Fong of being a poignant person.

She gives a light punch to his arm. "Now, you're talking like an Earth Bender, Twinkles. Go do what you got to do."

Oooo

The inner sanctum of the temple is unchanged from a century before. There is a quiet sense of power around him and Aang sinks down onto the stones in the middle of the room. The ache in his back has become a dull throb. Katara has put all her effort and more into healing him as much as she can. The rest is up to him.

He closes his eyes and searches for that still quiet voice deep inside. The guru had spoken of cosmic energy. Releasing of earthly attachments was the path to the Avatar state. Something tells Aang that he can't let go of this though. Not all Avatars have had to let go of what the world has to offer and they still managed to fulfill their role and master the power at their fingertips.

The past Avatars weigh in. Roku speaks of decisive action. It was, after all, Roku's lack of action that led to the war in the first place. Kyoshi preaches of justice but where is the justice in all of this? Kyoshi always did see things in black and white. Kuruk advises him to actively shape his own destiny. He lost the love of his life because of his laid back approach.

The monks taught him to release attachments and Azula has been a hang up of his for some time now. It has led him to be deceptive with his friends and to make decisions that have ended badly time and time again. Too much has been lost and Aang refuses to give anymore ground.

As Aang opens his eyes, a sense of peace settles over him. When he stands, he feels a strength that he has not felt in such a long time and a decision is made. No, he won't let go of Azula but he also won't let her call the shots anymore. With a last glance at the oversized statue of a past Avatar in the room's focal point, Aang turns and leaves out the doors intent on finding Azula and taking her down once and for all.

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