Azula's Journey

The Truth Comes Out

The man watched as Ro and Azula took off on Hira, his comrads staring from behind him. "The boy was lying."

"Anyone could see that, Mongke." One of the others chuckled.

"Then you know we need to follow him." Mongke announced. "Their eel hound is fast but our rhinos can keep pace enough to keep them in our sights. Not to mention our contacts in the desert can point us in the right direction."

All the men nodded in agreement then saddled up. They took off in the direction the eel hound and its riders had gone, following its tracks in the sand. Moving fast was important when tracking the desert. If the wind picked up the tracks would be covered. Though they had informants in the desert who could possobly point them in the right direction, there was no guarantee. All they could do was keep moving forward.

After hours of riding they reached the edge of the desert. A large forest was spread before them, the brush hiding anyone inside.

"What now?" One of the men asked.

"Patience Vachir." Mongke said. "We'll find them. There's a river that flows through these woods. After travelling through the desert they likely stopped for a drink. Let's find the river then follow it. If I'm right, we'll find them before nightfall. Let's head in and stay vigilant. Our best chance is catching them off guard."

Elsewhere in the forest......

Hira drank from the river while Ro and Azula refilled their canteens. Their ride through the desert had been quiet. Ro hadn't said a word since they left the Oasis. What had he been so keen on going after?

"Are we staying here or are we going to move on?" Azula asked, breaking the silence.

Ro stared at his reflection in the water then closed his eyes. He remained silent, not answering her question.

"Okay, what is going on with you?" Azula asked, growing aggitated. "You've been silent since we left and now you're ignoring me!? What was so important that you dragged us out there anyway? Answer me!"

Ro stood up slowly, turning his head to meet her gaze. His eyes narrowed. "Is that an order, Princess Azula?"

"What....What did you call me?" Azula asked, frozen in place. He couldn't know. He couldn't.

"Princess Azula. That is your name and title is it not?" Ro asked coldly. "Or should I just keep calling you Mai for old times sake?"

Azula's guard went up. She was exposed. "Who told you who I am!? How did you figure it out!?"

"There was a group of men at the bar." Ro explained. "They showed me a wanted poster with your picture. It said you were unstable and highly dangerous. That you escaped from an institution and committed crimes against the crown. I knew there was something up with you. That you were hiding something. Now I know. You're an insane princess from the family who sent my parents to their deaths!"

Azula looked away from him, focusing her gaze on the water. Ro had no idea what really went on behind the palace walls. How little power she'd actually had under her father's constant watch. Her only purpose was to make her father look good. Be the perfect princess, perfect daughter, perfect firebender. Always perfect.

"I tried to warn you Azula." He father's image appeared in the water. "He will never accept you. You are his enemy."

"Go away father." Azula pleaded quietly, tears running down her cheeks. "You're not real."

"But he is." Ozai warned. "If you let him go he'll have you captured. Zuko will have you locked away. You'll spend the rest of your life a prisoner. Kill him Azula. Do not let him take your freedom."