The Fire Within Us All (Completed)

Chapter Nine - New Theory

3/5/15

"He went to see Uncle last night. I worry about him Arabella." Azula and I were getting our hair done. This is amazing!

"He did? Did you ask him why?" I ask looking over at her. "No, he was with Mai and I had to get back here before someone got onto me about leaving. I missed something I was supposed to do earlier." I hum a yes.

"This is nice. I can't thank you enough for letting me stay." I say looking in the mirror before sitting down. We were having a girl's day. She's not all that bad really. "I couldn't leave you out on the streets. You've been helping Zuko, and you helped me."

"I'm happy to help anytime. I have to repay you for taking me in." I smile over at her. She smiles back. "That's good to hear." It's not good to hear you say that though. It makes me feel like I just gave you my word to order me around.

"My father is having a get together party with some of the higher up people. I'd love it if you can come with me." We were now walking in the hall. "Of course. I need to get an outfit." She waves her finger. "I'm going to have yours made along with mine."

I couldn't speak. She was having mine made? "Thank you so much." I say putting my hands together. "The party is tomorrow night. The dress will be in your room by then." I thank her once more before she leaves me alone.

"I have a plan." Zuko whispers and I swear I jump 10 feet. I really need to stop having my guard down just because I'm in a castle.

"What's your plan?" I ask as he shuts my bedroom door. "Tonight, I'm going to hire someone to kill the Avatar. It's the only way we can do it without being found out." He leans against my bed looking at me. "Well? Are you coming with me or not?"

A sigh escaped my lips as I walk over to my bag and grab my cloak out of it. "Let's go." I say as his frown turns into a small smile. I look down not wanting to see it. 'You're with Mai yet you act like you're with me."

"The only way out is to climb." He walked out onto my balcony and I gasped. "There has to be another way." Zuko shoot his head. "Two floors down is a vine that we can use to slide down." He held his hand out for me.

I stared at it before grabbing it. "I'll carry you until we get so far down." He helped me onto his back. "Just wrap your arms and legs around me and don't look down." I nod hiding my face in his cloak.

He started climbing down making me hold onto him tighter. Soon he was sliding down. "We're down." He says as his hands go under my legs to help me down, but I don't budge. "I can't believe we did that."

Zuko sighed before walking on with me still on his back. "It will be easier to get out of here if it's just one person walking." I nod loosening my legs a bit so they weren't crushing his stomach.

As soon as we made it up the side of the volcano, I hopped down. "Is it because of what happened underground or what's happening now that's making it awkward between us?" Zuko asked grabbing my hand.

"I don't know." I mumble as we walk. "You like Mai so it's okay. Like you said underground, I wanted to kiss you at least once." I look over at him to see him looking over at me.

"I do like Mai, but I like you too." He says sincerely. "I like you too, but Mai is far better for you. So, stop cheating on her with me." I looked away biting my tongue. I say those things yet neither one of us want to let go of the other's hand.

Dang it!

"We're here." Zuko says as we stop. This place looked like a factory that had been abandoned years ago.

A man came out of the shadows. He had an eye painted on his head and had an iron foot and an iron arm.

"You sure you weren't followed?" The man didn't say a word.

"I've heard about you. They say you're good at what you do, and even better at secrets." I look over at Zuko before looking back at the man. He seems a little off.

"The Avatar is alive. I want you to find him." I breath in at his last part.

"And end him."

2/2/2020