Chapter 1
The second I saw the scarlet hot air balloon appear over the edge of the misty horizon, I knew something was wrong. Sokka wanted to take Appa out and attack it. Everyone else wanted to wait until it reached us and find out what was going on first, then attack. I just wanted it to disappear.
As it inched closer and closer to the Western Air Temple - our hiding place - we each got ready to fight. Sokka had us all crouched behind an overgrown wall of shrubbery, preparing our defenses while we held our breaths, waiting for the crimson balloon to reach us. It was obviously Fire Nation. Printed in gleaming black on its side was a huge flame insignia. Familiar, and even more unsettling.
"What do you think it is?" I whispered as softly as I could to whoever was listening.
"Quiet, Katara. Do you want to get caught?" my brother replied hoarsely. I kept silent from then on, even though I knew there was no chance of us getting discovered when the thing was so far away. It probably wouldn't even land here for another few minutes.
Aang was getting restless, his left eyebrow twitching every now and then as he stared through the thick bushes at our most recent enemy. It was kind of funny, and I had to bite my bottom lip to keep from laughing at him. Sokka probably wouldn't have been too pleased with me laughing right then.
Just as the balloon reached the edge of our cliff hideout and landed with a soft thud on the dusty earth, I felt something kick me. And without even trying to stop myself, I screamed. Everyone's eyes seemed suddenly to be on me, and no one looked too happy. "Sorry," whispered The Duke, who was standing behind me.
I guess Sokka decided to use this as a signal to begin combat, because he jumped up, weapons all glinting in the mid-afternoon sun, and rushed toward the balloon, which so far hadn't even appeared to have anyone onboard. Haru, Toph, and Aang followed him, leaving me, Tao, and The Duke still hiding behind our leafy fort.
Before anyone had a chance to fight, though, the entire balloon exploded in a tower of fire. Sparks and bits of charred red cloth flew through the air and a wall of scalding heat and smoke washed over the entire area, choking me and probably everyone else, too. Toph screamed. I screamed. I think even Aang screamed. And starting right then, I knew that whoever had landed here in their burning balloon was going to be big trouble for all of us.
A/N: This is going to be a Zutara eventually, and we're planning on updating every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday until the end of August. Hopefully. I'm co-writing this with my sister, Hope, also known as Squaw. And you can call me Bedhead. Please leave reviews. Flames totally accepted. Thanks. Bye.
