Polar Opposites *A Prince Zuko Love Story*

Chapter 12: The Boiling Rock: Part 1

Happy New Year everyone!!!

I was hoping that I would get this chapter done by today, and I did!!!

I really hope you guys enjoy this chapter!!!!

A couple of days later, after Zuko and Aang went on their little field trip together to the Sun Warrior ruins, the others and I are all sitting around the fire as Zuko is giving out tea to the others and I. I sit next to Sokka, who's been really quiet today... I've been trying to make him talk about it all day, but I can't get him to talk to me... It's so strange to see him acting like this... All quiet and depressed looking... I have a sneaking suspicion that it's about how our dad was forced to surrender after the failed invasion... I really hope I'm wrong about that suspicion though, because knowing Sokka, he's going to do something drastic... "No one can make tea like Uncle, but hopefully I learned a thing or two." Zuko's voice cuts through my thoughts and I turn to see him pouring tea into some cups that are on a tray that sits in front of him. "Would you like to hear Uncle's favorite tea joke?" he asks as he gets up, the tray of cups in his hands.

"Sure."

"I like jokes."

"Bring it!"

'This should be good.' I think with a smirk as Zuko kneels down in between The Duke and Haru giving them their cups. "Okay. Well, I can't remember how it starts, but the punchline is 'Leaf me alone, I'm bushed!'" Zuko says, in which he gets no response. The others and I just stare at him in silence for a moment, before I remember how the joke goes, because Iroh told me the same joke when we were travelling together. "I remember how it goes." I smile, causing everyone to look at me. "What does a bush say when it's getting poked at?"

"Ohhhhhhh."

"That makes sense."

"I get it now."

I giggle as everyone gets the joke now that I finished it. "It's nice to get a chance to relax a little. It hardly ever happens." Toph says before Zuko hands her and Teo a cup of tea each. It's true. It's been a while since we've gotten the chance to just relax. It's nice. I feel a hand on my shoulder, breaking me out of my thoughts. I turn to see Zuko kneeling on his knee next to me. "Sorry." he says sheepishly, handing me my cup of tea. "It's okay." I respond as I take the cup from him. Zuko's about to give Sokka his cup of tea, but before he can Sokka turns to him. "Hey, can I talk to you for a second?" he asks before he stands up, walking away from the others and I. Zuko and I exchange a glance for a second before he sets down the tray and follows him.

I watch them walk away for a moment before getting up myself and following them. "So, what's up?" I hear Zuko ask Sokka as they walk past Appa who wakes up and looks at the 2 of them as they walk past. I approach Appa, placing my hand on his side, causing him to look at me. I silently shush him by placing my index finger to my lips. Luckily, he obeys and puts his head back down. "If someone was captured by the Fire Nation, where would they be taken?" Sokka asks as he and Zuko get to the end of the platform, far enough away from the others so that they can't listen in on their conversation. "What do you mean? Who was captured?" Zuko asks him, sounding confused. "When the invasion plan failed, some of our troops were taken." Sokka explains dejectedly. "I just want to know where they might be." "I can't tell you." Zuko replies. "What? Why not?" Sokka asks him. "Trust me. Knowing would just make you feel worse." Zuko responds.

I look past Appa's head to see him turn away from Sokka to leave, but before he can, Sokka grabs him by the shoulder stopping him. "It's my dad. He was captured too. I need to know what I put him through." Sokka clarifies. "It's not good, Sokka." Zuko answers. "Please." Sokka begs. "My guess is, they were taken to the Boiling Rock." Zuko answers, giving in to answering Sokka's question. "What's that?" Sokka asks him. "The highest security prison in the Fire Nation." Zuko replies, causing Sokka to look at him, horrified. "It's on an island in the middle of a boiling lake. It's inescapable." Zuko continues as Sokka turns away from him, crossing his arms over his chest. 'What are you planning Sokka?' I ask silently, knowing that he's already planning something. Something reckless and stupid. "So, where is this place?" Sokka asks Zuko. "Why do you need to know? What are you planning?" Zuko asks back.