Avatar: The Legend of Azula, Book 1: Air

Cheng looked at Toph, his memory of music night coming back to him. He remembered how they had felt a bit akward with the crew staring at them, so Cheng led them to a small balcony overlooking the back of the ship. It was so small that they were almost touching The soldier smiled, wryly. They did anywway. They had gotten to talking and before he knew it, he was kissing her. Since then, they had kept their relationship a secret, though the soldier felt like people knew sometimes.
He looked up and told Kuei, "I'm willing to do anything for To-the Earth Empire."

On Ji hung back at the door. She didn't want to interupt her two friends' reunion with their mother. She felt a little upset that they had seem so mad after finding out she was a princess, but it wasn't her fault.

Yue

Yue smiled as her friends were reunited with their mother. It was great that after being gone for so long, they had returned. It made her wish she could reunite with her own parents soon enough. Arnook, her mother, and the rest of the men from her Tribe were currently working with the Eastern Air Temple, to liberate an island captured by the Earth Empire. She hoped her eventual reunion with her parents would be as great as Zuko and Azula's.

Aang

Zuko and Azula were reunited with their mother, and it made Aang glad for them. He knew how painful it had been when the Air Temples had been attacked, and he lost parts of his family.

"I'm glad too." Azula said. She was very happy to see her mother, but what would make it better was if father was here. "Where's dad?"

~-~

Toph looked at Kuei with a questioning glance. "And this wonderful plan is?"

Ursa

Ursa's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. "He's...in the courtyard. Do you wish to see him?"

Kuei

"Simple: We sneak into the capital at the dead of night." Kuei explained. Of course, several members of the crew who had heard him laughed at the idea. Sneak into the capital of the Fire Nation? It was a suicide mission. The Earth Empire had tried it before, and had failed. Of course, Kuei had the perfect plan in mind...

Cheng felt himself sweatdrop. That was Kuei's ingenius plan? People had tried it before and they were all either captured or killed. The Fire Nation was paranoid about spies in the capital. He spoke, "And being burnt at the stake will help us capture the Avatar, how?"

The corner of Toph's mouth lifted at Cheng's comment. But there had to be something more to Kuei's plan. He wasn't that stupid. "What's the catch?"

~-~

Azula nodded. "Please?" She hadn't seen him in forever! Ursa's frown had gone unnoticed.

On Ji looked over at Aang and smiled.

"So how have things been since I last saw you?"

Kuei

"You did not let me finish. We will sneak into the capital. However...they wouldn't suspect spies to sneak in from a circus now, would they?" Kuei asked. He held up three sheets of paper. Passports for himself, Cheng, and Toph. However, they identified them all under different names, and it stated they were in a circus from the Earth Empire.

Ursa

"Of course Mom!" Zuko agreed. He had noticed the frown for a moment, but had said nothing. Ursa gently pushed her children away and stood up. She smiled at Aang and Yue.

"And these are your friends?"

Aang

"Uh... busy, and dangerous, but it's been fun too," Aang replied, smiling. He and On Ji had been trapped in the Spirit World together when the Painted Lady took them, but after that they had split up. He wanted to tell her all about what they had done, but this wasn't the time or place. He looked over to Azula and Zuko and saw their mother was looking at him and Yue.

Yue

"Yes ma'am, we are. I am Yue, and this is Aang. We're from the South Pole, where we found Azula and Zuko." Yue introduced, giving a mid-bow to the Fire Lady.

Azula nodded at Yue's comment. "Who knows how much longer we would've been in there if they hadn't come along..." She trailed off there with a sheepish laugh.

~-~

"Phew. For a second I thought we were going to be in the circus... We aren't are we?" Toph couldn't read the papers so she couldn't tell.

Ursa

"I see. I'm glad the both of you found me children. Hmm...Azula, isn't Aang a bit young for you?" Ursa couldn't help but tease. She would do whatever she could to forstall the coming revelation. Her children deserved a bit more time of innocence. If she could, she would have never told them the truth. But they had a right to know...

Kuei

"No...but we'll have to dress and sometimes act as circus people." Kuei added.

Aang

Aang couldn't help but blush as Ursa commented on them being together. "It's not like that, we're just friends," Aang said. He did like her, though, she was fun to be around and nice, but she was also a Princess, not to mention the avatar, and there were probably other guys she'd rather be with anyway.

"Well I'd like to hear more about it later," On Ji told Aang. She felt a little upset when Ursa made a comment about Azula and Aang being together, but she didn't say anything. After all it meant nothing.

Azula smirked. "We're just friends, mom." She was a little anxious. Her mom never put off anything... Why would she be stalling getting to dad? And she could tell because she usually didn't tell jokes of that kind.

~-~

"So I have to act like a pitiful blind little girl?" Toph thought for a moment. 'Hopefully I don't have to wear a dress again...'

Ursa

"Of course the two of you are," Ursa said, smiling. She gave a small sigh. She couldn't stall forever. It had to be done sooner rather than later. She walked toward the doorway.

"Your friends can follow if they want."

Iroh joined Ursa in the hallway and led them down the stairs, out the back, and to the courtyard. Ozai, nor anyone was in sight. All that was in the courtyard was a single tree. Zuko looked around in confusion. He couldn't see Dad anywhere. Where was he?

Kuei

"Yes, you do. Your act would be embarrassing situations occuring because of your blindness. If we ever have to prove we're from the circus. Sadly, Father can't join the three of us. Even if he's been out of rule for years, he'd still be recognizeable." Kuei mentioned.

Bumi

"That's quite allright, Kuei," Bumi said, appearing near them seemlingly from nowhere. "I've been a part of a circus before, I don't want to do that again." He laughed and looked over to Toph. "Toph, even if you have your uncle and friend to look after you, don't get into trouble."

Azula followed her mother and when they arrived at the courtyard she was confused. So there was one tree... but no humans in site. Where was he? Her question was plain on her face.

~-~

Toph grimaced. "Great. So what's my act? 'Watch the blind girl walk without running into anyone!'" She simply shrugged off her grandfather's comment.

Kuei

"Well that, and anything else you can think of. But remember, the both of us cannot bend. That would blow our cover. Whatever you do, do not bend." Kuei warned.

Ursa

Ursa walked over and grabbed her children by the hands. She guided them over to the tree. At the base of it, a small stone was seen. Writing was visible near the middle of it. Tears started to stream down Ursa's face.

"Zuko....Azula....I'm so sorry...." Ursa said. The inscription on the stone read as the following,

Here lies Prince Ozai: Husband, Father, Brother, and Hero

Azula's eyes widened as she saw the stone. "No." Azula murmured. She looked at her mother. "How?" Her eyes were already filled with tears just begging to spill over.

~-~

"Great." Toph muttered. "What if it's a dire emergency and there's someone that needs to get a lesson taught to them? Then can I bend?"

"Toph. If you bend, then we will be captured," Cheng told her with a frown, "If that happens, then they will recognize you and almost certainly put you to death or use you as a bargaining chip. If anything happens, I'll protect you." He felt himself blush at that last comment.

Toph sighed in defeat. "Fine, fine." After a pause she added,"When do we leave?" She was curious as to know when she'd have to start acting weak. She'd have to get Kuei back for this.

Kuei

"Your boyfriend is right Toph. You cannot earthbend unless I tell you to. We can leave in a few hours if you wish." Kuei said.

Ursa and Zuko

Horror and sorrow started to fill the young Prince. Their father....Dad was dead. No, it couldn't be true! It..it just had to be some sick joke. No...Mom would never lie to them. Neither would Uncle Iroh. "H-How?" Zuko stuttered, blinking back tears.

"Your father fought hard on the day the old capital was taken. Your Grandfather, then Fire Lord Azulon, had ordered us all to escape while he and a small army held off the advancing forces. We were all reluctent at first, but we eventually had to go. Lu Ten's wife was going into labor, and we could not stay behind any longer. However...your father secretly slipped away to join your grandfather in battle. By the time w had realized it, it was too late to pick him up. Your father and grandfather fought valiantly, to the end. A few days later, we were setting up the capital, when the survivors arrived.

Your father was among them, but he was badly wounded. Our medics treated him the best they could but..." at this part Ursa started to choke up. Iroh walked forward and gave a reassuring hug. Ursa continued,

"But he did not make it. Your father and grandfather were buried here several decades ago." Ursa finished. Indeed, a second stone marked the grave of Fire Lord Azulon not a few inches away from Ozai's marker. Ursa started to cry more and Iroh hugged her tighter. Zuko hugged her as well, fighting back the tears that were coming.