This is my first story on there. So, please be nice.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything from Avatar the Last Air bender, or any of its characters. Except from my OC's.

He Does Care.

Some Fire benders are cruel, power hungry monsters. But, one or two still have a heart; still have a mind of their own. Katara x OC.

Note: Chapters 1-17 has once again been checked, some chapters have been changed a lot, and others have only been grammar checked. But, the whole story does not need to be re-read completely. It is your choice if you do or not, however, if you don't read it all again it will still make sense. Sorry.

Thank you,

So... Enjoy.

Appa-Appa-Momo. :)

Chapter One:

Lee's POV:

I watched as the young water tribe girl was roughly tied to the tree in front of me. She didn't look scared, she wasn't frightened even. There seemed to be no fear in her eyes. She looked proud, because maybe it was her honour to be part of the Southern Water Tribe. It made me smile, her courage did anyway. She was a brave girl, however, I was the only one that thought this.

But, what she didn't know is what Zuko was capable of. He would hand her over to the pirate's straight right away, if he knew it would get him the Avatar. He wouldn't even give it a second thought. The pirates would choose a girl over a scroll any day, but, thank Agni Zuko didn't know that.

My thoughts trailed back to the girl, I could tell she was from the South Pole. Her clothes looked poorer, plainer. They had nothing to them, the colour: a plain light blue. Nothing more.

They also didn't have the design of the North either. Even her hair was done differently to the North. Therefore, she must have been from the South Pole. It made sense, because she was a friend of the Avatar's, right? Well, she travelled with him anyway, so... she must be from the South, the South was where the Avatar had first been spotted for the first time in over a hundred years, it made perfect sense. To me it did anyway.

The Southern Water Tribes had taken the worst first blows of the war. It was one of the first things the Fire benders had on their 'to do list.' Wipe out the Water benders of the Southern tribes. Their land had been huge; they had a great city once, a great kingdom.

And one day they will again. I just know it. However, now after hundred years of fighting their great land and city had been turned into one tiny village. There were already fewer Water benders there than in the North, and now thanks to us, there were none. However, I had heard they were powerful there... very powerful. I had never faced one before though, so I wouldn't really know. But this girl here, she didn't look like one. She couldn't be a Water bender. How could she? The Water benders of the Southern Tribe's had been killed off over ninety years ago now. It would have been impossible for her to be one, right?

Nothings impossible.

"Lee!"

I glanced up. Zuko was looking at me, with his face emotionless.

He hated me, and I didn't know why. I was one of the youngest on his crew and I got bullied a lot for it. The bruises on my face and arms would prove it, but, I had to answer him, because his emotionless face was now getting angrier by the second. I sighed; looking up at him fully now, I finally answering him.

"Sir?" I asked quietly.

I wasn't one to talk much besides it got me hurt half the time. I finally walked up to him; the girl's eyes were followed me all the way over to him, I didn't know why, but I knew it wasn't for a good reason. However, I ignored it. I turned back to his Lord. "Your majesty?" I asked again.

I was now a bit confused by his silence, "is there something you need?" I questioned.

I didn't want to say too much in case it annoyed him. But his majesty's eyes seemed to soften. But it might have been my imagination.

"Go and stand next to that water peasant." He demanded. I was bowing so he couldn't see my facial expression: I was scowling at his harsh words. But, I had to follow his orders, if I didn't... well, I didn't want to think about what would happen if I didn't...

"Yes... sir" I stammered. I stood up straight; turned and stared to walk over towards the tree where the girl was tied up. I looked at her, her brown hair, blue eyes, and her constant glaring at me as I got closer. I didn't blame her. Her glaring was accepted and understandable.

When I got in front of her, I stepped over to the side of her and stood next to the tree. I looked to the side, at her. She was looking at me, her blue eyes met my golden ones, all I could see was determination, and she wasn't going to give up any time soon. I could see that. I could see it in her eyes... her beautiful blue eyes.

Lee.

I looked away from her, I could remember my granddad's stories of how he killed Water benders from both the Northern and Southern poles. But, I had never killed anyone in my life and I never planned too. Not like others in my family...

Father, no... I'm so, so sorry.

However, I knew one day I would have too, this was a war and one day I would have to kill someone... I don't even know how I was going to do it. I sighed. It really did hurt.

Zuko continued to give orders to the loyal men and woman of his crew. Me not being one of them. I didn't know how... I looked up to see Zuko turning to Li. No, not him. Don't give him an order, please, don't. However, he did.

"Right, Li. Take some of the men and go search the woods, my uncle and I will go south with the rest." He turned to me.

"Lee you keep an eye on that peasant; make sure she doesn't escape. You hear me?" I nodded. I heard the girl growl under her breath.

"Yes sir" I muttered, now looking at the ground. I felt like I was about to cry, and I didn't even know why. It hurt being treated like a nobody. No one would care if I just died right now! They would just replace me with some other poor bastard! I lifted my head up; my golden eyes looked at Li. He was looking at me too, I saw him whisper something to one of the crew, and then he stared walking over to me.

Great.

He pushed me over to one side and sighed. He was the only one that didn't treat me like- he interrupted my thoughts.

"Lee, listen to me. We're going to be gone all night, so you're going to have to guard this girl for a long time. If the Avatar shows up just..." He looked away from me, and then slowly faced me again. It was like he was ashamed to know me, and then he gave me a sad smile. "Just try your best Lee," he put his hand on my shoulders. "I know this crew"... he looked over at them

"...they treat you like a... well..." He pause again. "Know only Chan and Koran treat you like that..." once again he sighed. I think this was getting harder for him. "You know that right?" He asked.

I just nodded. "No one else would dare. But know that I care if you die or not, okay?" I just nodded again and smiled. Tried to anyway.

"Thanks Li. Please, keep safe."

"You're welcome kid, and I will... for you." He pulled me close and hugged him. It only lasted a second. I had to let the last of my family go.

I tried to give him a happy smile. However, I failed.

"...If I don't come back Lee, find some strength, and just..." He paused again."I have always said to you... Try, please try and talk to Zuko. He is your commander and he cares about you. Even though he doesn't show it, he... does care. I promise. You're his youngest and I'm going to remind him of that." He ruffled my hair, like you would a little kid. We both laughed together... maybe for the last time.

Li gave me one last smile and walked away. I turned back to the girl, she was looking at me and on her lips there was a faint smile on her lips. I walked up next to her and just stood there, next to her...

Something was telling me that Li, the man who had taken care of me ever since I walked on that ship, he had been there since... I don't even know. But there was one thing I knew...

...he wouldn't be coming back, not this time. It really did sadden me. Yes, Fire benders do feel emotions.

I watched Zuko while he was talking, well more like shouting. I'm sure it was so that everyone could hear him. Then all the men went off with the pirates into the woods, except for Li and Zuko, which worried me. Li said something to Zuko. Which made Zuko look at me, and then he turned back to Li and nodded. He didn't look very happy though. Then they both left, left me alone, well not completely alone...

I had a very angry and annoyed Water tribe girl to guard. Well it could be worse. I heard her growl in my direction. Nah, it really couldn't

This was going to be... a very long night.

So there you go, chapter 1 done! Please review. I want to know how I did. So, tell me what you think, please.

Appa-appa-momo.