BEARS AND COLD FEET

Although the early morning had been clear, the air by mid-morning had acquired a heavy stickiness. By the afternoon, the sky over Ba Sing Se had become dark and the distant rumbles of thunder could be heard. Servants preparing for the evening engagement celebration scrambled to prop up tarps along the entrance that would protect the noble guests from any rain as they made their way in and set places for a crowd of over 5,000. No one, save for the occasional Dai Li agent, paid attention to the shaggy-haired boy in servant clothes walking the halls with a bundle of cloth. The Dai Li would soon dismiss his presence after he ignored them in turn.

Jet was counting on it.

Last night, he had a very vivid dream of the fire brat. Like the day time visions that plagued his mind, the prince had been underneath him and he had been slowly running his hand up and the side of the prince's exposed neck until he met the very edge of the scar. "My beautiful Li," his dream self had said before leaning down to kiss the scarred eyelid. Then Jet had a flash of Prince Zuko several feet away from him in a worn serving man's uniform, pouring tea for a group of Earth Kingdom soldiers who were ignoring the boy. Jet awoke with a feeling that he was failing to remember something very important about the boy who would soon be Queen of Ba Sing Se. Li… where in the world had his brain come up with that?

The nagging feeling would not allow him to fall back asleep. He had to find out what images were real and what images were results of desire. Before the others stirred, he had snuck out of the Avatar's quarters through a servant passage and had stolen clothes from the laundry room.

Finding his way to the Fire Prince's quarters was remarkably easy as there was a steady train of servants flowing in and out of the quarters all day. The director of this chaos was a middle-aged woman with a painfully wide smile who was pointing where each object belonged. Jet was immediately weary of the hag. Stylists and hair products went to one door, make-up artists and their tools followed. The servant ahead of him was carrying oils and was immediately directed to another door.

The young prince was nowhere to be seen but the older firebender appeared to have given up any control and was quietly dozing in a soft, padded chair in the corner with a hot cup next to him and let out a loud yawn that the woman met with a scornful look before fading into the face-cracking grin. The woman then turned to Jet, who immediately held out the cloth with his head bowed.

As quick as the removal of a mask, the tight smile vanished. "More cloth? And none of it matches the prince's outfit," the woman stated with exacerbation. She pointed to an empty chair, "Just put it over there."

Jet shook his head, keeping his head low so that they would not recognize him. "I was told to give these cloth samples to the prince so he can determine which fabric he wants for his first-night gown."

"Onni," growled the woman. "That tailor really has too much time on their hands to keep sending cloth samples for a simple gown that the Earth King will rip off the Prince's body in seconds." Jet saw the older firebender cough and shift uncomfortably at the image. "Just put them in the prince's bedroom with the others." The woman pointed at the middle door behind Jet and Jet promptly obeyed, reaching the door just as the woman called out, "Be quick about it and wake the prince while you're at it! He needs to begin preparations for tonight."

"Yes, Ma'am," Jet said softly before opening the door and walking inside. The room was obviously designed for sleep or mediation only. Without windows, it was rather dark but Jet could make out a figure on the bed. Of course a fire nation prince would be asleep while servants just flowed in and out of the room; the brat was probably a lazy good-for-nothing that didn't know a real day's work and could afford to spend the day in bed. But this was the perfect opportunity for Jet to have the fire whore answer his question.

Dropping the bundle of cloth apathetically on the ground, Jet then made his way to the head of the bed. "Time to wake up, little prince," he sneered as he shook what felt like the prince's shoulder. When the bundle simply made a noise and wiggled, Jet shook the lump harder until whatever was on the bed gave an inhuman growl and reared up showing the outline of a form that was far too large to be the prince. Taken back and heart pounding in fear, Jet pressed himself against the far wall and frantically felt behind him for the door knob as the hulking form drew closer and closer. "I take it you're not the prince…" It was such a silly comment, but it came tumbling out all the same.

Finally finding the door, Jet flung it open just as another roar went up and the form charged. Jet collapsed on the floor as his attacker emerged into the light. Dark eyes met dark eyes set in a face of large fur and fluff.

Screams of terrified servants ripped through the air and Jet was swept up the chaos, pushed to the ground by two other servants who were frantically trying to flee. "How did the King's bear get in here? Someone get the handler!" The woman barked at the scattering servants who didn't show any acknowledgement of her words. "Stop running you fools! And where is the Prince?!" There was the sound of crashing and more light growling.

"Oh… my tea…" mourned the old firebender in the corner.

"Stop running around you idiots and go find Prince Zuko!" shouted the hag.

It seemed answers would have to wait. Right now Jet had to leave before they discovered who he was.

It was almost mid-day and servants were hurrying back and forth, carrying trays of food, cloth, and utensils in the hallways as more and more people trickled in from the main gates. Feeling the vibrations from where she sat in the servant's hall outside their guest quarters, she guessed more than five hundred guests had arrived so far and many more were coming.

Toph sighed. If there was one thing in the entire world that Toph hated more than being treated as a helpless blind girl it was the falseness of nobility. Backward compliments and thick perfumes…blah... She'd take a war over attending a high class shindig any day. Katara, Sokka, and Aang had been getting ready for the event since this morning and this was simply the engagement feast. Jet was who-knows-where. The strange boy had attempted to 'sneak out' earlier that morning but as he hadn't taken anything or carrying any weapons, she could care less what he was up to at the moment.

So here she was putting off getting dressed for as long as possible as she listened to the servant's gossip as they dashed about, ignoring the little blind girl like she was deaf as well or simply a doll, inanimate when left alone for the moment. Servants back home did the same thing, so she was quite used to it.

Amid the occasional comment regarding Zuko's beauty and contemplations about the looks of future children as they passed, there was something very odd. Unlike the other servants, this one was walking alone. From the swishing of his clothes, she could tell it was Dai Li uniform with the hat placed awkwardly tilted on the left side. While the Dai Li had been going up and down the hall as well that day, none of them had the hesitation in their footing that this one did. Either this was someone new or something else was going on. But there was some nagging familiarity about this one.

Toph waited until the Dai Li agent had rounded the corner before getting up and discreetly following. Now that her feet were firmly on the ground, she could clearly see what had been so familiar about the agent. It was Zuko. It had to be. Although she had only met him briefly, she recognized the slightly different gate that came from larger hips than other males and the slim build that made said hips slightly smaller than the average Blessed One. So the question was… what was he doing out here in a Dai Li uniform when he should be getting ready for the engagement feast and rehearsal?

In the silence of the hallway, despite the distance, it was easy to hear the quick beating of Zuko's heart. Oh… was he trying to make a run for it? She couldn't blame him if he was. She certainly didn't fancy the idea of sticking to the social sphere of high society women and Blessed Ones for the rest of her life. However, unfortunately for Zuko, if they wanted the Earth King's support during the Day of the Black Sun then it probably would not be given if someone found out she had let their King's Consort run away before the wedding.

Toph sighed. Well… for now she would just keep him in her senses. If he tried anything, a gussied-up doll like him would be no match for her and she could easily drag him back to where he belonged.

He stopped outside the ballroom which had been set up as the temporary receiving room for the massive crowd of nobles and opened the semi-hidden paneling. For minutes, he simply stood there in the small little doorway like he was looking for something or someone before entering the room and pasting himself to the wall, tilting his hat slightly more to the left. Why… oh that's right; Katara had told her the most distinctive thing on Zuko's face was a huge scar and Sokka often called him Scar-face.

Toph waited to see if any of the nobles or guards in the ballroom had noticed the future Queen in their midst but none had and she almost snorted at their ridiculousness. Really and they called her blind? Sighted people relied on their sight far too much in her opinion. Then she entered the ballroom going in the opposite way from where Zuko had, not wanting to tip him off that she was on to him. She had barely gotten five feet before a guard stopped her.

"This is no place for beggars, little one. Better see yourself out before the Dai Li spot you," the man said as he gently pushed her towards the entrance.

"I assure you, sir, that I belong here," she grumbled as another guard joined him. Behind her, she could feel Zuko tensing up. "I'm only here 'cause I'm starving. No one has brought me any lunch yet so I figured there probably was some food at the little party out here."

"Soun, that is the Avatar's little blind friend," the other guard cautioned the first in that sickly sweet tone one always gave to something that needed to be pitied. It set her teeth on edge.

"Oh… in that case, how about I get a nice servant to lead you back to your quarters and help you clean off that dirt on your face?"

"I have dirt on my face?" Toph asked, faking surprise as she wiped a dirty hand on her clean cheek and rubbed more on. She laughed internally when both guards flinched. Really and these guys called themselves Earthbenders? Slight vibration told her Zuko was moving now. He was getting closer and closer to the entrance until he was finally outside the building. She had to follow him. "In that case, I will see myself to my room." When she began walking back the way she came, occasionally pausing to tap the ground as though remembering a particular crack, the guards instantly moved on. The minute their backs were turned, she was off like a projectile on a slingshot as fast as she could without guards chasing her thinking she stole something.

A small clap of thunder momentarily threw her off with the overstimulation as it vibrated the air. But she soon regained her sight and was able to feel Zuko has tucked himself in an alcove.

Once at the entrance, she pressed herself out of Zuko's possible ranger of vision against one of the terrace pillars and waited. Minutes trickled by and Zuko did nothing as more nobles and extremely wealthy merchants entered the building muttering about 'rain spoiling such a day,' 'shouldn't the Avatar be able to make it sunny?' and plans to betroth some family member's infant to the couple's first born. When over half an hour had passed and Zuko still had not moved other than slightly flinch when guards or Dai Li ran by, Toph was beginning to wonder what he was doing. It was not raining yet and the thunder was coming every half an hour now so there was plenty of time to make it to the train before the storm began.

Suddenly there was a whispered comment that almost knocked Toph off her feet in surprise.

"Well, this is a dark, depressing place," came a voice that had haunted Toph over a month ago.

"I think it goes well with Mei's makeup," came the bubbly voice that Toph could easily identify as Ty Lee.

"Oh ha ha ha," the soft, sarcastic third voice whined.

What the spirits were they doing here? They were in strange outfits but it was no question in Toph's mind that Azula, Ty Lee, and Mei were simply strolling into the palace. Just as the trio disappeared inside, Zuko quietly moved to follow and Toph's blood ran cold. She had been right. This was all a trick; some scheme of the Fire Nation to take over Ba Sing Se using the Fire Lord's son to gain control of the throne without even using force. Or maybe the wedding itself was simply a diversion to get Ba Sing Se to let down its guard long enough to allow Azula and her gang to walk right through the front gates, get Aang, and take over the city. In either case, Toph was going to stop them.

Toph reluctantly brushed a great deal of the dirt off of herself and echoed Zuko's footsteps.

"Excuse me, sir, but might you know of a room my friends and I can freshen up in? We've had such a long journey," Toph heard Azula ask a guard. Toph noted Zuko had pressed himself back against the wall.

"Right down the hall to the left is a woman's room," the guard replied as he pointed her in the general direction. Stupid. Stupid. That will only legitimize those Fire Rats going further into the palace. Stupid guard.

"Thank you," Ty Lee stated as the trio made their way into the main hallway.

Before Toph could make a move to go after them, someone snatched her from behind with a huge hand placed over her mouth. After only a second of struggling, there was a voice behind her.

"Someone has been a very, very naughty girl," said a voice that Toph thought she would never have to hear again.

"Naughty doesn't begin to cover it," said the man holding her, groaning as Toph was able to land a hard kick to his inner thigh. Though it caused him to stumble, Xin Fu made no move to release her.

"Just what is going on here?" asked a guard.

"Oh… it's okay. My name is Master Yu and I have been asked by this young girl's parents to bring her back home," Master Yu soothed the guard as he presented him with some papers from the sleeve of his extremely extravagant robe. Toph violently shook her head as she recognized her parent's seal on the paperwork.

While the guard was looking them over, she tried biting Xin Fu's hand to get him to release her. He yelped and the moment she hit the floor she bolted towards the servant's hallway and sealed the panel. It was the fastest way to get to her friends and she was going to need her help on this. She had to get to them before Azula got to the Earth King.

Kyoshi Warriors. Of course his sister would find such a clever disguise to get into the palace. Although the Kyoshi Warriors were not nobles, they were a highly respected group not often seen in Ba Sing Se. No one would question their unfamiliar faces nor deny them the right to enter the palace.

Zuko's heart was drowning out any thunder from outside as he slowly trailed his sister and her group though the palace, waiting for them to either notice him or to arrive at a spot they would not be disturbed. Zuko could tell the instant they realized he was following them when they turned into a dead end to anyone who was not an Earthbender. This was where he had been taken with his Uncle for safety. This place would do.

Taking a deep breath and readying himself to catch any lightening Azula would throw at him, he turned the corner after them.

Zuko quickly ducked as two fireballs sailed towards his head, the movement sending the hat he was wearing clattering to the floor. And then Ty Lee was upon him, sending a crippling pain to his right arm with only one small touch before he was able to evade her.

"Oh… it's Zuko!" Ty Lee chirped happily as she settled herself back on her feet and clapped in delight.

His sister drew her fire back within and laughed as Zuko regained his fighting stance. "Ah… Zuzu. I heard you were getting married, dear brother. No invitation for your sweet sister to such a happy event? I'm so disappointed."

"Enough Azula. I'm not here to fight; I'm here to talk." Out loud those sounded like the dumbest words on the planet. Why was he doing this again?

Azula tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear with a smile a croco-lion might give a turtle-duck an inch away from its nose. "Oh? Really, dear Zuzu. Are you getting cold feet? Let me warm them for you."

Zuko dodged the three fireballs and a punch from Mei aimed at his head and was rewarded with being several feet closer to his sister just as Ty Lee cart-wheeled to his left. Before she could do anymore damage, he ignored the pain in his right arm, grabbed her arms and tossed her towards a stalking Mei with all his strength. Both girls were momentarily knocked off their feet. They quickly recovered as Azula shot another round of fire blasts at him.

"Azula, please, I need to talk to you," Zuko gently entreated as he slid to the side before regaining his defensive stance.

"Pleading for your life now, Zuko? You're weak!" Punch. Dodge. Fireball. Duck. "You've always been weak." Ty Lee managed to pinch a nerve on his left leg that sent him almost to the floor before he rolled himself up. "Always whining." Dodge throwing blade from Mei. Knock out her supporting foot. "Always so weak you needed extra attention." Punch. "Always Mom's favorite."

"Mom loved you too Azula," Zuko declared as he struggled to maintain his balance with his two throbbing limbs.

"She despised me!" Azula yelled as she sent another fireball at his side just as the air began to build. Zuko saw the sparks of blue just as a loud boom of thunder broke from outside. Her two friends were backing away.

"She thought I was a monster!" This was it. Spirits help…

"Well can you blame her?" came a young male voice from behind him.

The lightening flickered out as all assembled turned to face the young Avatar and his friends gathered in the hallway. The Waterbender was quickly able to freeze Mei with water from her flask and had to keep refreezing it as the pale girl kept creating cracks with her struggles. The little blind girl who had been following him around that day was having worse luck with Ty Lee. The Water Tribe boy was trying to help but she was sending both of them for the loop

"Give up now, Azula."

Lightening shot past him, aimed at the Avatar and, almost instinctively, Zuko jumped in front of it and redirected it harmlessly at the earth wall behind them.

Deep shock and disbelief shown on his sister's face as he pulled himself back up. "It's over, Azula. Please, see that…" A sharp jab in his back dropped him to his knees. Quick little Ty Lee. Should not have turned his back on her. The world was going fuzzy and he couldn't move.

"It's not over," Azula cackled manically as she seized him by his hair and held the discarded throwing knife to his neck. "If I can't have the Avatar at least Father will be happy that I rid him of the family shame."

To Be Continued…

PLEASE please PlEaSe REEEEEEEVIEEEEEEEW

A/N: Sorry for the wait

Thanks for the reviews:

Cheza the Flower Maiden: Glad you liked it. Happy 2013.

Librarycat9: We'll see.

AUehara: She has a ways to go.

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Jime-chan: We'll see.

Tony: :)

Suezanne: Azula needs a hug

ArrayePL: muse is not really back.

Dl: hope you like this one.

Inu: He likes him but he's not in love yet

ABundleofDaydreams:Just imagine if he still was… :O

Nehan Shinzui34: We'll see about K/Z but in regards to the fire nation's distaste for Blessed Ones, it comes from their difficulty bending which they view as Agni's disfavor.

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