Title: Summer's Rain
Category: Cartoons » Avatar: Last Airbender
Author: demise of my sanity
Language: English, Rating: Rated: T

Chapter 1: Chapter 1

I do not own the characters of ATLA

A barren stretch of ice stretched before Katara. Wind hit her exposed hands with an icy blast. "You can do this Katara, you're a waterbender" Taking a deep breathe in she concentrated her entire mind on making the water in front of her dance and sway. Raising two hands up Katara brought up water from the ocean in a quivering ribbon. "Sokka, Sokka I'm doing it!" Katara yelled out to the boy sitting be the ocean.

"Yeah, yeah Katara, I'm looking," Sokka muttered trying to concentrate on spearing a very allusive fish.

"Ahhhhhh! Sokka you weren't even looking. That was the best I've done!"

"Yeah, yeah Katara, your wacky magic waterbending looks very good"

"Uh you are so infuriating Sokka!" Katara yelled as she ran off.

Sokka shrugged and went back to his fishing.

"Uhhh he makes me so mad sometimes!" Katara fumed. She walked on with her shoulders tense and her mouth set in an angry grimace. As she continued walking, she came across a cave near the ocean. Feeling utterly worn out from her long trek across the ice, she sat down in the entry silently with frustration.

The wind across the ocean started to pick up howling and screeching. The delicate snowflakes that were previously falling had started to turn vicious blades of ice. The onslaught of ice whipped into Katara's face turning her cheeks a rosy red. Oh no, a blizzard. Fear started to sink in, moving like poison through her veins, Katara grew scared as she backed futher and futher into the cave out of the way of the icy attack. She reached the cave's back wall and leant against it wearily.

Katara you are so stupid. The one time you run off you get caught in a blizzard.

The cold had now started to seep into Katara's bones and her teeth started chattering. Breathing came in short gasps and her mind was slowing becoming numb. So cold and tired. A last fruitless attempt at conserving some of her diminished warmth, she curled up against the rough ice wall and started to cry. Sokka… was her last thought as she slipped into a deep sleep.

"Katara, Katara!" Sokka yelled frantically. It had been 2 hours since she disappeared and now there was a blizzard right on their igloo's doorstep. "Katara", he whispered hopelessly as he paced restlessly around the tiny closed in space. His baby sister had run off into a blizzard and he had been too concerned about catching a fish to stop her. Dad would be so ashamed of me right now. Guilt was seeping deep and fast through his body.

"Come away from the door Sokka" Gran Gran called from behind. "Don't give up hope yet" she soothed in her deep calming voice; an attempt to console an upset Sokka. Her words were useless as Sokka walked away from her angrily. Nobody had ever survived a blizzard in the South Pole. Survival was slim to none, especially for a petite and fragile 14 year old girl. Both Gran Gran and Sokka were aware of this, which did nothing to lift their spirits.

Sokka trudged to his bed in the corner and lay down. Only when he was sure Gran Gran had turned her back immersed herself in her cooking, did he then let one tear escape before being hastily wiped away. I miss you little sister, I promised dad I would look after you and now I have failed.

Gran Gran pretended to not have seen that tear. She closed her eyes in sadness and grief and said a prayer to the ocean and moon spirits Tui and La. Spirits of the ocean and moon, protect my grandchild, shield her from danger. Kana knew if she lost Katara her heart would break, she had already lost her daughter in law to the fire nation and the war had taken her son away to fight. As everyday passed she lost a little more hope that the war would ever end.

Sometimes the spirits listen.

Zuko stomped across the icy ground trying to get some warmth back into him. "Stupid, Stupid, STUPID! For once why couldn't I listen to my uncle", he yelled to himself. Zuko had argued for a good 45 minutes with Uncle Iroh until the old man agreed to let Zuko scout the area alone checking for the Avatar.

Zuko was very suspicious of the Avatar being in the South Pole, the ideal place to hide and with water being the weakness of the Fire Nation. But of course pride got in his way; he wanted to be the one to find the Avatar to show his father that he was not weak and didn't need the helped of his accomplished troops to help Zuko find him. Ever since the Fire Lord had scarred Zuko for speaking out in his war council he had only been trying to earn his father's love and regain his honour.

"Why do I have to be so stubborn? Now I am stuck it this frozen hell hole". Zuko started to tire but pushed on; he couldn't even bear to show any weakness even if he was the only one to witness it.

The wind started to pick up; roaring and howling, swirling around Zuko making him feel the slightest fear before it was ignored and pushed to the back of his mind. Survival started to kick in shelter he thought as he ploughed ahead to a cave in the snow across the icy plain. He started to pick up his pace as the snow pounded down on him forcing him in to the ground.

Finally reaching the cave he sighed in relief. He was about to summon his inner fire when he realized he was not alone. In the dark of the cave against the very back wall lay a girl maybe a bit younger than him. A few wary steps forward confirmed her as a member of the Water Tribe. Out of curiosity Zuko crept further and peered at her face. She was in a deep deathly sleep; her normally tanned skin considerably white and her lips blue. Fuck Zuko thought. He was too young to have a death at his hands. Even though his Nation was notorious for causing death and destruction; Zuko has never actually caused someone's death and he really didn't want to start now.

Going against all teachings and common sense Zuko gathered the girl into his arms, and sat down and taking over her spot by the icy wall. Zuko increased his body heat slightly as he shifted into a comfortable position; hardly feeling the weight of the petite girl resting in his lap. After hastily checking her pulse he found it to be slowing not speeding up as he would have though. Not a good sign.

Zuko was slightly panicking as he started to peel of her parka and outer clothing. There was no warmth left in her body as he laid his hand experimentally on her. She was wearing nothing but a thinly woven shift covering her modestly. Zuko breathed a sigh of relief; he did not need a scantily clad girl around, he was after all only 16.

Wrapping his arms fully around her and increasing his inner fire even more he waited for some life to return to her frozen body. He didn't even know why he was being so nice to a girl he didn't know. Underneath all the yelling and anger there was a normal boy who still existed waiting to be let out once more, Zuko didn't even know he was there.

Iroh was pacing on the deck of his ship, worrying more and more every moment that passed by. "Stupid boy", he mumbled. But then again this was typical Zuko; never listening to anything his uncle said.

Giving up waiting Iroh retired to his cabin with a hot cup of Ginseng tea. After just one sip he was considerably calmer. He had trust in his nephew that he would return; whether he was injured or unharmed would be revealed later. After two more cups of his favourite tea, he lay on his bed and dreamed of pleasant things; mostly containing tea.

Sokka tossed and turned all night never quite getting to sleep, having eaten nothing for dinner his stomach was rumbling; but food never crossed his mind as he waited for Katara to come home.

Katara started to stir slightly. She could feel her fingers and toes again and found herself very warm and slightly uncomfortable. Snuggling deeper into the warmth she heard a cold voice.

"Finally you are awake peasant" Zuko sneered somewhere close to her ear.

Katara jumped up immediately but found herself stuck in a man's embrace. Kicking and punching she scrambled out and fell gracelessly on the icy floor and backed away on her hands and knees from the scary looking boy with a scar on his face.

Deep blue eyes met golden as she stared at him. "Fire Nation", Katara whispered taking is his red clothing and black hair. The fierce boy glared at her, he looked even scarier with his flame like scar on the left side of his face.

Zuko smirked, "Water Tribe", he sneered just to piss her off. It didn't work, she was too scared to say anything, and with good reason too, his Nation has been terrorizing her people for a good 100 years. Looking her up and down for the first time he realised she was a pretty girl with dark blue eyes that seemed to draw you in. Her long wavy hair brown hair in braid down her back brought his attention to her slight curves and lean body.

Katara noticed him looking her up and down and that really pissed her off. "What do you think you're looking at murderer?" she fumed. No boy should be looking at her in her undergarments like that! Seeing the sudden fury on Zuko's face, she realized that her insult had hit a nerve.

Standing up and stalking over to her Zuko stopped right in front of her and towered over her haughtily, he slowly bent down to her height and glared into her face "Why would I want to look at a dirty Water tribe peasant when I am the Prince of the Fire Nation" he hissed. Surprisingly she didn't even react to the mention of his station in life and stood her ground still glaring at him.

"You're coming with me" Zuko grabbed her around her small waist and swung her over his shoulder awkwardly. He walked swiftly out of the cave into the now calm icy plain. The blizzard had stopped by now and the ground was covered with a new layer of snow. The water tribe girl was yelling now and hitting his back making it difficult for him to walk but he managed. It was a long walk back with many insults coming his way. In a way Katara was grateful she was being carried by someone so warm; still feeling weak from her deep sleep. After walking for about an hour his ship came into sight. He walked forward quickly now with a slighting dozing Katara still on his back. He reached his ship and prepared himself for the argument that was due to come from his uncle.

Walking up the ramp and on to the deck Zuko was back in commander mode. He barked orders readying the ship to search further east, where he hoped the girl's tribe would be. Iroh came running with his waddling pace on to the deck. "Zuko you have returned!" he rejoiced, and was about to give his nephew an embarrassing bear hug when he noticed a suddenly animated angry girl draped across his shoulder. "Nephew who is this?"

"Just a girl I captured uncle, I am taking her to a room right now" and with that Zuko disappeared into the ships hallways; conveniently avoiding a conversation with his uncle. Dumping her onto a soft bed in a vacant room he quickly rushed out of the door and locked it before she could regain her footing and try to escape. He strode away happily ; ignoring the insults being yelled at him through the thick door. He had to admit she did have a bit of a temper, but not nearly as bad as his own. Although who could blame her; he did after all kidnap her and lock her on his ship.

Before Zuko made it too the safety of his room, Iroh intercepted him. "Zuko, why did you capture her?" This was really the last thing Zuko needed; his uncle nagging him on his intentions.

"Bait" Zuko mumbled "I think the Avatar is in the next village and I will use her as bait" not that it is really going to work

"And if he is not there, than what Zuko" Iroh shouted angrily. "You never think these things through". Can he read minds? Zuko thought; shaking of this disturbing thought he tried to dodge past his uncle. Seeing his attempt to escape Iroh his bedroom door fully with his impressive girth

Zuko looked unconcerned and replied casually "She can cook". Dodging his uncle ( Agni knows how) he walked into his room and slammed the door.

Iroh was silently fuming and decided to check up on the girl. He opened the door quietly and heard choked sobbing coming from the bed. Lighting a fire in his hand he could see a girl curled up crying. "Miss, are you alright?" he said asking with genuine concern.

Katara's head shot up and stared at the kind sounding man her blue eyes leaking tears. "No" she whispered.

"I am very sorry about my nephew, but he isn't really like this normally", Iroh chuckled but got no response. Changing tactics Iroh asked "Would you like to go for a walk on deck and have some hot tea with me?" Katara nodded timidly and took his outstretched hand.

With the old man accompanying her Katara made her way up the stairs and out into the sunshine, wiping away tears she took in her surroundings. She was standing on the deck off a big metal ship heading towards a small town in the distance. Realisation kicked in and she recognised it was her town that they were heading too. Katara gasped realising that her family and friends were to be invaded.

"What is she doing out of her room uncle?" Zuko shouted coming out on to deck. Turning around Katara could see he was furious. Of course uncle had to release her

"She needed some air" Iroh replied calmly. Knowing that his really wasn't true Iroh just hoped and prayed that Zuko wouldn't pop a blood vessel or two.

"She doesn't need air uncle, there is AIR in her room" he hissed. This conversation continued for about 5 minutes while Katara stood off to the side quite amused with Zuko's temper.

"Fine" Zuko hissed. "But she is your responsibility, if she escapes it is your fault" and with that he stormed off. Stupid Uncle threatening me with another music night

"Now that we have that out of the way… come lets have a hot cup of tea" Iroh exclaimed joyfully, bounding down into the ship dragging Katara after him.

I guess he really loves his tea she thought to herself very amused

Iroh lead her into a small room with cups of tea on the table in the middle. Looking around, Katara could see tapestries adorning the walls all just about screamed fire nation. Seeing her discomfort Iroh gave her a comforting smile. "Sit down Ms you look parched" well she doesn't really but the tea will get cold soon, thankfully Katara sat and complied too his wishes. Sitting down Iroh reached forward eagerly and grabbed a cup of tea, after a few sips Iroh gasped "oh it seems I haven't introduced myself yet, I am Iroh Zuko's uncle."

Katara giggled "And I am Katara" this old man was very nice even if he was Zuko's uncle. "What are you going to do with me?" she whispered sadly looking down into her lap.

Iroh looked at her sadly she is such a nice girl, it really is a shame that she ran into Zuko "Well…" Iroh started but was interrupted by the ship crashing into ice. "Ahh I guess we are here, you had best stay down here" Iroh hurried to the door and gave Katara one last look "Sorry" and Katara knew he meant it.

Please Read and Review this is my first fanfic please don't be harsh I have fixed this chapter up a bit so hopefully it will be more entertaining