To crapshak50: Glad you like him! I'm thinking of doing some more

To Tiernank: Thanks, I hope you enjoy the rest!

To Guest: And when I think of something I'll work on it, right now I've got one idea I might go with

"What!?" Suki yelled, "They're alive?"

"And they're gonna be at Ba Sing Se?" Toph added.

Haru nodded, "It's true. They announced it five days ago, the execution's suppose to take place two hours after sunrise on the solstice."

The warrior froze in disbelief, subconsciously placing her hand on her growing belly. Her voice cracked, "H–have you...have you heard anything about Sokka? Will he be there too?"

The bender looked into her pleading eyes. "No," he shook his head. "No, I haven't heard anything about him. The poster only stated that Zuko and Katara will be hung for treason. Sorry."

Changing the subject, Toph turned to the older boy, "So what do you suggest we do? There's only the three of us, and I bet they'll have a platoon or two on guard. Let alone, Azula. Got any ideas?"

He looked at the girl, "I'm not sure. I've been traveling with The Duke and Pipsqueak, we talked a little before I left to find you. They were thinking the best way to succeed was to make a distraction. Make it as chaotic as possible! But we aren't sure how."

The three teenagers sat quietly, the crackling fire filling the silence. Several minutes passed when the blind girl jumped up. "Of course! Ba Sing Se—Pipsqueak and The Duke!" She turned to Haru, "Have they ever mentioned anyone by the name Longshot or Smellerbee?"

He thought for a moment, "Yes, yeah I think so. Didn't they use to work for a guy...Jet?"

"Yes! Do you know if they're still in Ba Sing Se?"

"I believe so, why?"

The Blind Bandit smiled, " 'Cause I've got an idea."

"What d'ya mean you're leaving? How am I suppose to watch all of 'em?"

His earthbending teacher rubbed her forhead, "It's like I said Toran, you and Leena are in charge while we go to Ba Sing Se. If anything happens, you gotta lead the kids to the next safe spot. Do you remember how to leave the message for us?"

"Yeeesss..." he mumbled, rolling his eyes.

"I'm serious, Toran!" She yelled, "You've gotta do your best to protect them! They're counting on you two to keep them safe. Understand?"

The boy looked down, "Yes, Sifu Toph."

"Good," she said sternly. "Suki and Sung should be back soon with supplies, there'll be enough to keep you guys happy 'til we get back—and NO giving yourself extra rations."

He nodded.

"Good." The earthbender repeated. "Now go pick up the mats."

Her student bowed and left to help the younger kids. "Also!" Toph called out, "Make sure everything is packed and ready to leave at a moment's notice!" She sensed his hand wave in acknowledgement.

Taking some time to herself, the blind girl practiced her stances. Doing them slowly, one by one. Finishing, she felt Suki and Sung return, carrying the food they brought to the cavern. After giving the children some last minute instructions, Suki took a minute to say goodbye to Haku, hugging him. Toph watched blindly at the teenager, feeling the struggle between the warrior and child.

"Please, don't go Miss Suki!" He cried, tears running down his face, refusing to let her go.

"I have too," she said calmly. "I have to save my friends." Releasing herself from his grip, she took the boy's hand and brought him own to Sung. "Listen, Sung promised me that she'll look after you, okay?"

Squeezing the girl's hand, he continued to plead with her. "Don't go, please! I've gotta feeling...somethin' bad's gonna happen."

Stroking his hair, she smiled reassuringly. "Nothing's going to happen. I'll be back before you know it." Grabbing her travel bag, she leaned down and gave him a kiss, "You be good, okay?"

"Okay," he sulked

Giving him a smile, the Kyoshi Warrior stood by the Blind Bandit, "Ready?"

"Yep," flinging her bag over her shoulder. "Let's go meet Haru and the others."

"Katara? Katara, are you awake?"

"Yeah..." the waterbender mumbled.

Rising slowly, she blinked as a beam of sunlight hit her eyes. Hands and feet bound, the girl blocked the light as she scuttled over to the bars that separated the benders. Shuddering when the cold bars touched her skin.

"What time is it?" Yawning as she asked.

Looking out the tiny window above them, Zuko answered. "It's about mid-day, and here. You missed 'breakfast'." He said sarcastically. Arms chained behind his back, he kicked over a small plate of food. "It's not much, but you haven't eaten the past few days. You've mostly slept."

"That's because I finally got the time to relax without worrying about Azula." Reaching for the scrapes, she ate it eagerly. "Thanks."

"No problem." The firebender watched her. There wasn't much in the bowl; it consisted of stale pieces of bread, a couple of expired vegetables, and maybe a tiny cut of dry meat. But she ate it eagerly. Then his eye's were drawn to her arms, lingering on the light pink scars that covered them. "I'm sorry, for what she did to you."

Wiping her mouth, she placed her hands on her shoulders. "It's not your fault. You would've beaten her if she didn't attack me." She paused, looking at him. "You're strong, you know, you're not as weak as you think. There's no doubt in my mind, you would've won."

Zuko stared at her, seeing that her ocean blue eyes spoke the truth. "Thanks, you're not so bad yourself."

Katara laughed. Pulling her legs to her chest, she tried her best to take her mind off the fate that awaited her in the coming days. She was unsuccessful.

"How much longer until we get to the Earth Kingdom." She asked.

"I think we'll arrive some point tomorrow, possibly by tonight if they go full speed." He replied knowingly, "Then it'll take a few days to get from the port to Ba Sing Se."

"So...we've got less than a week to live." Clenching her legs tighter she rested her chin on her knees. "Do you think he'll come?"

"If he's alive, yes."

"Do you think he's alive?" She whispered.

Hesitant, he looked down, "I–I don't think so..."

"He had to be!" She burst, "Otherwise why would she do this?"

"Because she can, Katara! You know the kind of person Azula is. She's ruthless and a tyrant!"

"I know that! I just can't—I can't help but believe, that without a reason, she wouldn't do this. Aang has to be alive. He just has to be..."

"But what if he isn't?"

The waterbender buried her head, hiding her tears, "I don't know."

"Come on you two, get up!"

Standing, Zuko helped Katara up and then put out his hands. She did the same, the guards strapping them both in cuffs and led them out of the carriage.

"Where are we?" He asked.

"We entered the gates of Ba Sing Se, just outside the lower level of the city. We have orders to walk you through to the palace."

"In other words, my sister wants to show us off. To humiliate us." He said dryly.

"Yes, you Highness."

Realizing his mistake, the soldier quickly left the two. The teenager nodded, guiding the half-asleep waterbender beside him. "Katara," he whispered, "It's time to get up, we're here."

She murmured in response and yawned, "Okay, I'm up. I'm up."

He smiled, and held out his hand. "Come on, let's get this over with."

Taking the warm hand, she stood next to him as they walked through the city, Fire Nation soldiers marching on all sides. Both prisoners kept their heads high. It wasn't long before they came to a street Zuko recognized, around the corner was the Jasmine Dragon. He smiled at the place, the peaceful memories they contained, the ones that should've been made. They soon passed it, on to the next street, and the next.

"Lee?! LEE!"

Startled, the firebender looked through the crowd. Searching for the voice calling his false name. And there she stood, the Earth Kingdom girl, the one he spent a wonderful night with. Standing high on the ledge of the water fountain she'd brought him to. Catching her eye as he walked, a look of confusion and pity covered her face.

"Jin..." He turned away, ashamed. He never wanted her to find out his secret.

The sun was close to setting when the party arrived at the palace. The guards led the exhausted benders to their cell, with the binds still on, they were roughly pushed into the small room. Katara fell with a thud, lying still on the floor. Zuko quickly went to her side, carefully lifting her up.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, just tired."

A small noise caught the firebender's attention. Looking behind him, a young man with brown hair and dark skin occupied the far corner. Seeing the familiar features, realization hit him.

"Sokka?"

"Wha-?" Twirling her head, the waterbender looked at the new prisoner. Her eyes widened with recognition. "It can't be!" Finding new strength, she ran to her brother.

"SOKKA!" she threw her hands around his neck, crying. "I can't believe you're here!"

The boy didn't move, limp in her embrace.

Concerned, the bender backed away slightly, "Sokka? What's wrong?"

He sat there completely still, Moments passed before he spoke. "He's not coming..."

"What? What do you mean?"

The Wolf Warrior looked at his sister, "Aang, I'm talking about Aang! He's not coming."

Her breathing shallowed, shaking her head in disbelief. "No, you're wrong! Of course Aang's coming. Why would you say that?"

"Because he's dead, Katara." He said darkly.

"No—NO! He can't, that the whole reason why we're here. We're the bait! He'll be here!"

"KATARA! He won't"

Zuko was quickly by her side, doing his best to restrain and calm the girl. Knowing the truth she denied all this time was coming to light—It would break her.

"WHY!?" She cried, trying to fight the firebender off her. "Why are you saying this?"

"BECAUSE!" He yelled. "I saw it!" His body shook with anger, "I saw Ozai kill him!"

So this might be the last chapter for a bit. The next chapter's the last one I wrote originally, so the rest are gonna take longer. I was gonna post this one next week (since I posted three chapters within two days), but I wanted to get this note out sooner rather than later. Anyway, stick around!