Freedom

Chapter 45: The Fire Nation Insignia

Her emotions came from many sources. The first being anger for Azula, for forcing Zuko into this position, for forcing him to choose between his Uncle and the world.

The second was anger at Zuko, for not telling them that this note had arrived. If they knew, they could come up with a plan. They could work together to save his Uncle and keep their plan intact.

The last, and most maddening, was the fear of the unknown. Did Zuko tell Azula about their plans? If so, what did she know? How much did she know? Is everything they've worked so hard for since the library just for nothing? Are all of their efforts mute at this point? Is the invasion even worth it?

Her heart was beating out of her chest. Katara hastily tossed the paper in her pocket and dug through the bag. If he responded there had to be another paper, a response or something. That couldn't just be it. She rummaged through the bag, throwing out useless items and letting them fall on the ground.

Toph heard the clanging of metal and the thud of earth and looked up. She frowned, walking toward Katara, "I get it. You like Zuko but it's a little creepy that you're going through his things"

Katara didn't respond, only kept digging until she found another paper, holding the same insignia across the front.

Her heart dropped to her feet, her hands shaking as she tore it open.

You chose well Zuko. Let us know if any plans change. Or your Uncle will pay the price. Tell your little friends about this and the little Waterbender might just end up with the scar she saved you from.

Your Dear Sister, Azula

Toph stared at her confused, "Katara?"

She didn't speak for a moment, knowing the girl was blind and unable to read the note but for a moment, not caring. She needed to sit in everything for a moment, let herself come to the realization of what had happened.

"He betrayed us..." she spoke barely above a whisper. She didn't want everyone to hear just yet but she also just couldn't bring herself to say it any louder.

The man she sacrificed everything for had betrayed them. They stuck out their own necks for him. They were almost all killed trying to save him. And yet, he still betrayed everyone.

Toph watched her, silent herself, not quite knowing what to say. She knew that if Katara herself was saying he betrayed them, the evidence had to be damning. Katara shoved the papers into the bag and practically threw it across the camp. She paced with her chin resting in her hand.

She stopped after a moment and turned to Toph, "Don't tell the boys... when we land, take Zuko into town to get supplies... I'll stay behind and tell them"

Toph raised an eyebrow, "Are you sure?"

Katara nodded, swallowing a pit in her throat, "We need to decide where to go next... if we just leave him behind or we hold him prisoner and demand he tells us what he told them or... I don't know..." she paused for a moment, "Sokka will know what to do..."

She was a 16 year old girl. There were very few times where she needed her brother any more. But this was one of those times. She felt betrayed, blindsided, and every emotion in between. She needed a level head, someone to tell her they would figure this out.

When they finally got onto Appa and flew into the air, the group was quiet. Aang and Sokka watched with concerned eyes at Katara's quiet demeanor. Toph felt helpless, unable to feel lying heartbeats in the sky. Zuko just looked out at the clouds, seeming to feel lost in his own daydream.

The time passed eerily slow, as they flew over the clouds in utter silence. Katara found her mind racing to pass the time.

How much did Azula know? Did she know about Sokka's submarines? Did she know about the centipede tanks that were going to house the earthbenders? Did she know how big their army was?

Was this why he had asked her to help him find his Uncle? Was that just a ploy to get her away from everyone so that when they lost, she wouldn't know it was him who caused it? He could steer her away so when the time came and they were double crossed, she would say it wasn't him because he was with her the whole time.

His Uncle wouldn't know and she wouldn't know.

So the Avatar would fall by just pure accident.

It sent a shiver through her body just thinking about it.

She wasn't sure who mentioned stopping for supplies, the words not registering in her mind. But as Appa started to make his descent, she let out a breath that she didn't know she was holding.

Katara was the first one to jump off Appa, her feet desperately needing solid ground. She started unloading their things silently, her lips stuck together in a straight line.

Aang gathered some hay and placed it in front of Appa, who ate gratefully. Appa let out a moan of appreciation in between bites.

"Me and Zuko will go get the supplies today" Toph spoke up, after bending herself a small rock shelter for the night. The boys gave her a strange look, one that she could feel without needing to see them. She shrugged, "We look the most like colonials out of all of us. It's best if we go"

Katara nodded quickly, "I agree" she spoke, not looking up from her bag. Aang and Sokka looked at each other, but shrugged seeing no problem with it.

"There's a small village up stream, about a 10 minute walk" Aang told them, pointing them in the right direction. Toph nodded, "Come on Sparky" she motioned him to follow her as she started walking. Zuko glanced behind them at Katara, who didn't even look up to say goodbye. He let out a sigh and followed Toph without another word.

Katara waited until they were out of earshot. When she could no longer hear their footsteps, she spoke up immediately, "We need to talk..." she turned to her brother and Aang with a look that was dangerous to place.

Sokka and Aang glanced at eachother before sitting down next to Katara with eager ears.