Avatar: The Legend of Azula, Book 1: Air

"Because I wanted to see how you two progressed. I have to say, I do approve of your relationship. I imagine Father would be fine with it as well. Oh, but I do have something to say to Cheng." Kuei said, smiling.

((Will post with Iroh once Yue and Aang are posted with.))

Cheng felt himself gulp involuntarily. This guy may have been a tea-drinking, strange middle-aged guy, but he was still a legendary general. He looked at Kuei and asked, "What is it, sir?"

Yue

Yue followed Fire Lord Iroh. She felt incredibly sad for both Zuko and Azula (especially Zuko, though she'd never admit that aloud), and wished she could talk with them about this. However, now wasn't the time. She needed to let them have the time to mourn.

Aang

Aang wanted to comfort Azula, but it wasn't the time to do so. If she wanted to talk about it, she'd talk about it, though it might not be with him. All he could do was be there, and it made him feel bad.

((Oh and yes Toko, Iroh is On Ji's great-grandfather. Lu Ten, who is still alive, is her grandfather.))

Iroh

Iroh lead them all back into the Palace and to the dinning hall. A large table was set up, and piping hot foods were ready to eat. Iroh took his seat at the head of the table, and motioned for the others to follow. Ursa sat at his right, and Zuko sat across from his mother. Servants came in to pour glasses for the guests.

(Where's Lol lol lol?)

((Has anyone heard from Lol recently? I'm afraid if she doesn't return soon, I will have to recast Azula and Toph. So we can finally continue.))

[[ I'm soooo sorry guys! Vacation and not being able to get on a computer have kept me away for so long! I didn't realize it! And yet again I have to leave until Friday! >.< Again I'm so sorry! ]]

Azula followed Uncle Iroh into the dining hall and looked over all the food. It made her spirits rise a little to think of all the memories that had taken place here. She then sat by her brother.

~-~

Toph sighed heavily. The comment about her father made her cringe because usually she wasn't very approving of what her father was. But who knew? Maybe her father would absolutely despise them and banish both her and Cheng... That was a delightful thought.

Cheng looked at Toph in concern. He asked, "Are you okay?"

(I'm not sure what to do with On Ji. Hm..)

((I think I'll put this on hold until Lol gets back. Hm, sure am glad the season finale is only one episode away. That way we can get things moving rather quickly. I think I may do a mini-time skip too, once we get this episode going again.))

[[ I'm back! YAY! I'll be on for a good two weeks now. ^^ ]]

"I'm fine." Toph replied with a smile. She just really hoped her father didn't a happen to show up any time soon.

"Good. We have an Avatar to catch," Cheng told the blind earthbender confidantly.
(Welcome back!)

((Good. If no one minds, I'll do a time skip to night. That way, the action and start quickly.))

General Narrative

Night soon fell on the Fire Nation capital. Fire Lord Iroh had long ago retired to his room. The Avatar, her brother, and her friends had been given rooms of their own. Ursa and her children were still up. She was currently telling them stories of their father, and what she had done since they had disappeared. After a brief talk with Iroh, Aang had been given scrolls containing the history of the Northern and Southern Air Temples. Iroh had encouraged Aang to read them and keep them. Yue was out practicing her archery*. Activity in the palace had slowed down to halt, beside the patrolling of the guards.

Prince Kuei, Toph, and Cheng had managed to sneak into the Fire Nation capital. Their had been a close call, but now they were close to their objective. They stood hidden behind the grand wall that separated the palace and the rest of the city.

Kuei

"Ok, we're here. Toph, Cheng, stay behind for a moment. I'll clear out any...obstructions in our path." Kuei said. He climbed over the wall before either could say anything.

((* Means that during Book 1 Yue learned from an archer master briefly. I couldn't find a way to bring that up before. Just so everyone knows. U_WB was ok with the idea.))

Toph grumbled and crossed her arms. "I think he thinks we're still children. Doesn't he think we're capable of clearing 'obstructions?' " She made air quotes as she said the last word. Although she showed no signs she was a little nervous about this. If anything went wrong they'd be in a heap of trouble quicker than you could say Ares.

~-~

All the stories were amazing! Her father had done so much! But yet Azula still couldn't help, but put some of the blame on herself for his death. She had to blame it on someone. But she tried to avoid that though as she listened to her mother.

"Maybe he just wants to get some action. He is a former general. He must miss a good fight," Cheng told Toph with a shrug, "And at least you didn't have to swallow a sword in front of a bunch of Fire Nation peasants."

"You didn't have to act weak and feeble. You could act all tough." Toph was still mad at Kuei for making her act that way. She absolutely hated feeling weak. This feeling increased with the loss of her arm.

"That's true," Cheng said as he read Toph's expression. 'Dirty Fire Nation peasants', he thought to himself as he discreetly put his hand on the blind girl's shoulder.

Aang

Normally Aang didn't like to read, it seemed kind of stale compared to flying or riding on an air scooter, but here he was, in a room with candles reading about the Air Temples. "Wow, I didn't know that the temples housed refugees from the Water Tribe Wars," Aang said, reading. "And Monk Tayora was the one to Unite the Four Air Temples. He was from the Southern Temple like me!"

Yue

Yue got her next arrow out, aimed at the target some distance away, and fired her bow. The arrow soured through the air and hit the target right in its center. She smiled at another well done shot. Thanks to Master Atu, she had finally found a way to be useful to the group. It had bothered her for awhile. Aang and Azula were benders, and Zuko had his swords. While she, on the other hand, had neither. She wasn't a bender, and she knew she'd never be good at swordsmanship. During their journey, she had been lucky enough to find a an archer master by the name of Atu. He taught her to be an archer, though briefly. She had been practicing whenenver she could get the chance since the event.

Yue readied another arrow, and aimed at the next target...

Kuei

Kuei suddenly climbed up and jumped from the other side of the wall. He landed gracefully and came to his feet. "Our path is clear now. But ah, you two are a little...short to climb up the wall properly, and I neglected to get rope. So ah...I'm afraid I have to pick the both of you up, and throw you over." Kuei said, giving an apologetic smile. He knew Toph might not take so well to that.

Ursa

Ursa yawned, and glanced out at the window. The moon was fully shining now. "I think it's getting now. I should get to bed, as well as you two. You may both technically be around my age, but you're still my children. Which means you still have a bedtime." Ursa said, giving a smile.

Cheng nodded, a little annoyed that he had to be tossed over the wall. He sighed, "If it must be done, then do it."

"Couldn't I just do this-" she shot herself over with a single motion from her foot. Toph didn't land too gracefully, but she was over. "-and get over?"

~-~

Azula herself looked out the window at the moon. She always loved the night. It was usually an escape from a hot Fire Nation day. When she heard her mother's comment she smiled and then stood and stretched. "Wonder how late it actually is..."

On Ji entered a room and spotted Aang reading something. She didn't want to disturb him, and tried to leave, but she ended up tripping over her robes and falling to the ground. On Ji let out an "Ow.." and pulled herself to her feet.

'Great. Just make a fool of yourself On Ji. I'm sure Aang will like that.'

"Okay. Now only I have to be tossed," Cheng commented with a frown. He sometimes envied earthbenders for being able to do stuff like this.