I dont own The Avatar, if I did Katara and Zuko would be together all the time lol.
Bittersweet
Description:
The banished prince and his search for the life he thought he wanted and the receipt of one he never realised could exist.
It was early morning when Katara woke from a restless sleep. Sleep seemed to have difficulty finding her these days. Dreams were a pesky thing. The sun had yet to completely rise over the ocean her group was camped next to. She yawned and smiled at the sleeping forms of her friends.
Katara got up and walked towards the water always compelled by its ability to change from turbulent and angry to still and calm. She slipped her toes into the water until she was submerged knee deep. The water bender closed her eyes and took the stance she had grown so accustomed to. Bending and pushing the waves, fluidly swaying back and forth with the second naturedness of it. Slowly she created a small ball of swirling water and held it in front of her a hint of a smile upon her face.
Her grin turning to a scowl as she heard the loud crashing sound from her camp, causing her to drop the orb back to the ocean with a loud splash. Turning around she noted her brother, Sokka, attempting to get out of his sleeping bag and failing miserably. She giggled and walked back towards her friends.
"Good morning Sokka... sleep well?" Katara said muffling the laugh bubbling under the surface.
"Very funny little sister." Sokka replied from the position he was in on the ground. Aang slowly opened his eyes, yawned and smiled his goofy smile exclaiming "Where's breakfast!?!" Katara laughed out loud at that and reached into her pack grabbing a few fruits and some dried meat. Aang happily took the fruit. Katara helped her brother escape from the entrapping sleeping bag. They sat in silence, eating their lackluster meal.
"We need to be moving on soon. The fire nation is never far behind us and I need to make sure to get to Ba Sing Sei as soon as possible. The Earth king needs to know about what the fire army is up to." The trio nodded in unison and began to pack up there small camp and pile things onto Appa's back. "I need to do something, I'll be back." Katar said receiving two very curious looks from her friends.She walked into the forest and to a small clearing where she had earlier prayed to her mother. She sank to her knees and looked at the sky, still not yet full of the bright sunlight. Bowing her head she clasped her hands together. Brows pinched together she concentrated on the image she had been shown the night before in this very spot.
An image of a dark man surrounded by fire, seeming to beckon to her, begging. Moments later the flames engulfed him and she screamed out in anguish trying to grasp the aparition. Her eyes shot open and she tried to calm her breathing. "What does this all mean mother. I know you're showing me this for a reason." Her frustration growing she dashed the tears from her eyes and stood up, with one last questioning look at the sky she turned and walked back to her new little family. She stopped suddenly when she heard a sound from behind her within the cover of brush.
"Who's there?" she demanded in as strong a voice she could muster. "Show yourself!" Her eyes scanned the treeline not seeing anything. Before she knew what was happening her vision went black and she was falling to the ground with the most splitting pain in her head she had ever felt.
Katara's eyes snapped open and the groan she emitted came out in a moan as she was presently gagged and bound lying on her side on what appeared to be a metal cell floor. The pain in her skull throbbed and she fought the tears that threatened to spill. As her eyes adjusted she tried to make sense of the situation. Finding nothing but darkness everywhere she looked she gave up and rested her throbbing head on the cold ground.
It seemed to Katara like hours before a light appeared as the squeak of the cell door came. The sillhouetted figure stopped then rushed forward and scooped her up. The sudden lift was cause enough to knock her unconcious again due to the head injury and as she slipped out of conciousness she thought she saw the outline of a scar on the face of her captor.
When Katara didn't immediately return from her venture into the forest Sokka became worried and started walking towards where she had disappeared from sight. Aang turned and frowned knowing his thoughts were the same as his friends. They exchanged quick worried glances and rushed into the woods. Coming to a clearing and seeing the disturbed ground a short distance in Aang closed his eyes and clenched a fist. "They got her..." Sokka's jaw firmed and fierce anger came into his eyes. "Not for long." and with that he was off at a run in the direction of the flying bison and his sister. Aang followed just as quickly with the same intentions.
Katara came to again but this time was aware of laying on something soft and warm. No longer bound she lifted her wrists bending away the stiffness. Trying to sit up she realised her head still ached fiercly and she fell back with a thump and an oath. Looking around through slitted eyes, she noted the red tapestries and numerous candles. Another glance revealed a small window reminding her of a porthole on a ship. She closed her eyes unable to bear the light anymore and let herself relax. Just as she was near to dosing off again the door opened and in walked none other than the banished prince of the fire kingdom, Prince Zuko. For an instant it seemed his eyes were softer than usual but quick as a whip they were the cold hard stone she remembered from their numerous encounters. "Do you need something for the pain?" he asked her gruffly-. Katara looked at him incredulous and turned her face away. "Fine! Dont complain to me when you're head hurts tomorrow!" he said and slammed the door rather loudly earning him a groan from Katara.
She thought of a few choice names she could fling at him but decided against it to spare her head. Eventually she drifted off into another fitful sleep.
"Help me... PLEASE!" Katara was running, running towards the man engulfed in flames. He only seemed to get farther and farther away. "What can I do?" she asked the aparition. He only slumped as though defeated and was consumed by the flames. Katara fell to her knees overcome with grief. "Why cant I save him?" She squeezed her eyes shut and was aware of someone speaking to her in anxious tones.
Katara's eyes flew open and as her eyes adjusted, Sparkling blue eyes met flashing gold ones. Her breathing was laboured and the Fire Prince hauled her into a sitting position. "For Agni's sakes dont have a heart attack!" Zuko handed her some water and watched her caustiously sip at it. He also held out his palm and revealed two tiny greenish looking roots. She looked away with her eyes closed, "I dont want your help!" Prince Zuko sat back on his heels beside the bed. He grunted once in exasperation and set the tiny roots on a table near the head of the bed, then he walked out of the room closing the door quietly this time much to Katara's relief. That's when Katara let the tears fall.
'I feel so alone' she thought to herself. 'My brother, Aang... they'll be killed... because of me.' She drew her knees up to her chin and buried her face in her knees. Realising how very much her head hurt when a wave of nausea hit her she looked over at the table. Reaching for the roots she eyed them curiously. Giving them a sniff she decided 'why not' and popped them into her mouth enjoying the taste more than she expected. As she could slowly feeling their effect easing the splitting pain she looked around at her surroundings more thoroughly. There was a door, a formidable solid metal kind of door. The porthole, tapestries with the fire insignia on them a wardrobe and another door. This one looking to be more of a flimsy divider. Sighing again she hurled herself backward on the bed and huffed.
A knock sounded at the door. Katara was startled and sat straight up, glad her head had stopped aching so. "Y-yes?" she called out nervously. "Miss Katara? May I come in?" the voice asked. Surprised Katara simply called out a yes and the door opened to reveal the Uncle Iroh she heard so much about. "Ah Miss Katara, good to see some color back in your cheeks." the former firelord and potential conquerer said with a smile. A genuine smile to Katara's surprise. She found herself smiling weakly back at him. "You took quite a knock to the head. Does it pain you much?-" Katara lifted a hand to her forehead noticing for the first time the large bump there. Feeling embarassed by the ugly bruise, she ducked her head. "It's ok little water bender. I promise not to make fun of you. It is a scar of battle you should be proud." Katara stared at him blankly for a moment then threw her feet over the side of the bed looking down at the floor, not quite sure what to say. "Are you hungry?" Iroh asked her plainly. She felt a blush creep up as her stomache answered for her. Iroh chuckled and walked over to her offering a hand to help her stand up. "Come with me little one. I will fill your belly to ease it's complaints." Katara found herself liking this man. 'How is it possible he's related to the Firelord. Yeesh' "So... do you ever talk or am I getting special treatment?" Iroh asked innocently smirking as they walked down a dark corridor lit by torches in the walls. Katara immediately felt guilty. This man obviously had nothing to do with her being there else he wouldn't be so friendly.
"I'm sorry. I'm just not quite sure what's going on, and as you said I took a knock to my head. I think there might be permanent damage to my manners." Katara said starting to smile. They reached a door similar to the one in her cell. Which she thought quite odd. Why would a cell door be so finely made. Not only strong but appealing to the eye. Inviting smells wafted from the room once the door was opened. She sniffed and heard her stomache protesting again. Iroh laughed raucously and ushered her inside. The room was filled with crewmen and people who were obviously there to serve them. Katara and Iroh sat at a table away from the others. Katara immediately felt uncomfortable, knowing there were many eyes boring holes into her back. Iroh noticed her tense posture and glared at the men who turned there eyes away continuing on with whatever the crew joked about. A young man came over with two plates of steaming hot fish and bread. Katara could barely contain herself as she dug into the meal.
"Does the meal meet your appetite?" Iroh asked Katara as she wolfed down the entire meal fast enough to have the men staring at her now in awe. Katara stopped realising how ravenously she ate and blushed deeply setting down the bite she was attempting to stuff into her mouth. Iroh patted her hand and chuckled. "It's alright Katara you haven't eaten in quite some time. Getting you to drink the broth you did while you were out was a feat in itself." Katara's eyes snapped up to the man. "How long was I out?" she asked quietly. "About 2 days. Prince Zuko wasn't able to get to you the first day because of the weather but when he did you were on the verge of the spirit world child." Iroh's face went very serious at this. Katara furrowed her brow and felt a shiver creep up her spin. "I had no idea. I only remember standing in the clearing and everything going black. Then the pain... oh the pain." Iroh's eyes shifted in compassion. "I know. I know."
There was a sudden lull in the crowd of men as the door opened again. Katara turned and saw Prince Zuko walk casually into the room. He scanned the room and when he caught sight of them his eyes turned cold again. Katara looked at Iroh, suddenly scared. Iroh only smiled and stood to greet him as he rushed over. "Zuko how nice to see you at mid day." Zuko looked like a volcano about to burst. Grabbing his uncle by the arm he turned him slightly and said in a quiet but deadly voice, "What are you doing? She's still our prisoner and you take her out of her room? Unshackled, with my men all around?" Iroh put his hand over Zuko's and said calmly "Zuko, she needs to eat. And that room is far too stuffy to stay in so long. Besides I wanted some tea and I knew you wouldn't share some with me." Zuko shook his head impatiently and glanced at Katara who was staring straight ahead. Storm clouds were brewing there he thought. He made a sound of frustration and stomped away, the door slamming behind him. Iroh sat back down and merely smiled at Katara. She smiled knowing, at least, she had one ally here in this scarey fire infested place.
The tea came next and she found herself enjoying the steamy cup. What was it? Ginseng he had said. For the most part they sat in silence. Iroh suddenly stood up and helped her up also "I should get you back before Zuko has me thrown overboard." chuckling to himself he walked beside her, arms in his sleeves and a smile on his face. 'Strange man' Katara thought.
Back in the room, she sat on the bed pondering everything that had ocurred. She walked over to the small window peering out longingly at the ocean. She pinched her nose and decided it was better to sit. Getting restless again she stood back up and walked to the wardrobe in the corner. Opening the door slowly as if a monster might jump out and attack her, Katara peered in and realised there were womens clothes inside. 'That's odd' she thought. 'Why would Zuko have a cell with a wardrobe full of womens clothes?' She was trying to figure it out when the door opened. She slammed the door shut quickly and spun around to face Prince Zuko. He stared at her for a moment. "Find anything interesting?" he taunted. Katara glared. "What do you want with me?" she demanded. Zuko seemed to seeing clear through her. "I need you so the Avatar will come." he stated simply, devoid of emotion. Katara's fists clenched. "He wont come for me you know. He has to go on to save the people." "Oh he'll come." said Zuko with all the confidence of royalty. "If this was fair I would kick your butt Zuko!" Katara said hotly. "Get me some water and we'll see who's got who!" Zuko smiled arrogantly. "Sorry peasant. You're in no position to make demands. You're lucky you are where you are. You cold still be in that cell."
It was then that it hit Katara. The fire insignia! She had thought it was odd that there was so much decoration in a cell. "You gave me a room?" she asked amazed. Zuko shrugged and moved his eyes to gaze out the window. "You're hardly a threat to me anyway." Katara felt her anger rising again at the challenge in his voice. "Fight me and then say that Prince Zuko!" she retorted. Zuko looked back at her and shook his head. "Not on your life peasant." Katara stomped her foot in frustration. Zuko merely chuckled and began walking out the door. "By the way, water bender, This door WILL be locked at all times. I or one of the men will bring you you're meals here and to the lavatory when needed." With that the door closed and she heard a click as the lock slid into place. So angry she was near tears Katara stomped around the cabin for a moment then in an effort calmed herself down. 'You're opportunity will come' she told herself. 'Keep your eyes and ears open.' She flopped down on the bed, realising too late that her headache was coming back. She fell asleep just that way shortly thereafter.
Well that's all for this chappy. I love reviews! Pls Submit some... come on ppl! lol Also let me know any ideas you may have.
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