This is the first part in a little drabble series. It's essentially Zutara perspective on all the "major" Zutara moments of the seasons. Beginning of course with the Waterbending Scroll episode.
I do not own Avatar. If I did, Zuko and Katara would be together and have dozens of babies.
He catches her wrists in one smooth movement
"I'll save you from the pirates." He whispers, but it's been a long time since he's saved anyone. As a child he played "rescue" with Azula, always freeing Mei or Ty lee before Azula could "harm" them. No one asks for his help with anything anymore; he's alone and he's accepted it. He's unwanted.
"Let me go." It isn't a cry or a desperate plea, it isn't even angry. Her tone is calm, demanding, and her eyes meet his and they're wonderfully blue, like twin pools of water. He loses himself for a brief second and is surprised when he doesn't see his relflection.
"No." She struggles when he ties her to the tree; one of her soft, bronze hands slaps the side of his face before he can avoid it. The blow stings and he ties the ropes around her slim body maybe just a bit tighter then he should.
"Tell me where the Avatar is." She doesn't respond to him, she turns her head away and stares up at the moon. It casts a silver glow on her copper skin. He knows she isn't going to answer him. She could be in honest danger, blade pressed to her throat, the metal drawing a line of red blood, and she wouldn't tell him a damn thing. And if she were in danger, she would never ask for his help. He tries to convince himself that he wouldn't save her if she asked him to, and he doesn't quite know the answer.
"Fuck you." She spits at him, this time he manages to dodge her assault. He pulls the necklace out of his pocket and decides to try another method. The silk ribbon is cool between his finger tips as he dangles it absently, watching the blue water symbol reflect dim light.
"Such language, but not unexpected from a Water Tribe peasant." He twirls the necklace absently and approaches her from behind. "You need to understand, I'm trying to regain something I've lost. And in return, perhaps you can regain something you've lost?" He holds the necklace up for her to see. The girl's blue eyes widen and he can hear her gasp. He doesn't understand women's fascination with jewelry, with trinkets that mean nothing and are seemingly worth nothing as well. "No answer? Well." He summons a flame in his hand, it's bright and orange and hot, he brings it close to the necklace and the girl's expression is one of panic but her mouth remains shut. He can't bring himself to burn the piece of jewelry; he pockets it instead. "The avatar will come looking for her soon enough." He tells the pirates, and they begin to set the trap.
After the day is over, the look of horror on the pretty Water girl's face when he threatened the necklace stays with him for a long time.
Please review if you read. Thank you very much. ;)