CHAPTER I: Troubles of a Water Scroll

Author Note: Hi, I'm Eliene. I've always been an avid Zutara shipper (SERIOUSLY. OTP.) This story will start with the oh-so-famous pirate scene before spinning off into an AU. Hope you like it!

"I still can't believe you got that bison whistle."

Aang shrugged, his mouth widening into a toothy smile.

"This way I can always call Appa!" he said, his eyes crinkling merrily. Sokka groaned, clutching at his stomach.

"Food. Food. Food," he chanted dramatically, his eyes widening. I groaned; my brother is known to know one and only one thing – meat. It was quite pathetic, really. But he was my brother, so I was known to indulge him…but that didn't mean I couldn't tease him about it.

"Sokka, you just ate. Besides, what's important now is buying supplies."

"Yes! And supplies includes meat," he said, shaking his fist for emphasis. Before I could respond, a loud, hoarse yell interrupted our conversation.

"Cheap, wondrous items for sale! You'll never have an opportunity like this again!"

I scoffed skeptically, eying the caller's obviously less-than-honest appearance; a scuffed leather sheath was strapped to his waist, his hair was unkempt, and he had the shifty look of someone who wished to avoid the law.

"Let's go in!" Aang shouted. Oh no. We were not going into that pirate's ship; besides, it was probably all stolen goods anyway. I told him as much and he sighed, doing the patented look only Aangs can do.

Sigh. Who can resist those queer gray-brown eyes? I sure couldn't. I allowed myself to get dragged up the splintery gangplank and into the musty, damp-smelling interior of the ship.

I eyed the interior of the ship warily, noting that every item was overcast with a shadow – both literal and figurative. I was dimly aware of Aang's joyful exclamations and Sokka's moans about the ship's lack of meat, but I was too aware of the items before me to take much notice.

I ran my fingers against the dusty surfaces, holding my breath as my fingertips brushed fine silk cloth and cool, hard jewels.

Wait. My hand paused at a dust-covered scroll. I narrowed my eyes, inspecting the wooden handle; it was inlaid with mother of pearl, inscribed with…water tribe characters! My breath caught as my mind whirled; the pirates must have stolen it…which meant they took it by force. A red haze rose, covering my eyes with its all-consuming wrath.

"Ah, that there's a special one," came a coarse voice from behind me. I whirled around, opening my mouth to retort, snarl, do anything but stand there and let this blatant thievery and probably pillage of a fellow water tribe go by unpunished.

Before I could, however, he continued, "I was saving it for a buyer in the Earth kingdom, but…it's yours for two hundred gold pieces."

The sheer audacity of his words dispelled any thoughts I'd had; I spluttered indignantly, my eyes flicking from the worn scroll to the captain's cruelly twisted face.

"Two hundred?" I finally managed, my mouth hanging open in a rather unbecoming way. Noting my modest clothes – or rather, the lack of expensive attire – he sneered, reaching over me to flick the scroll open.

I tried not to gag when the stench of rotten fish wafted from his breath.

"Look. Waterbending moves. You're a waterbender, eh? These aren't just any moves; they're rare."

Against my wishes, I found my curiosity compelling me to lean forward. Several figures were sketched, each one depicting a different move. Mounting excitement began to overtake me; just think of the possibilities! All the waterbending I'd learned before had come from my own practice and secret sessions during the night. It had taken me weeks, months, years to master even the simplest moves – maybe this could help me learn more! I was sure with such a useful teaching ancillary, I'd be learning the moves as fast as Aang had earlier today…and there was one of the real reasons. As much as I hated to admit it, I resented Aang's natural aptitude at water bending…but who could blame me? I'd spent so much time attempting to even do a move he'd accomplished in mere minutes.

"Look, are ye going to buy anything or not?"

The parrot on his shoulder squawked, eying me with a beady black eye. My eyes lingered on the scroll as I frantically tried to memorize the positions; noting this, the Captain quickly snapped it shut.

"Nice try."

I huffed, crossing my arms over my chest. I suddenly sense Aang behind me; he eyes me curiously, lightly holding the wooden staff to his side.

Taking notice of the situation, he brightened before saying, "Pirates love to haggle!" Turning to the captain – who by then was sneering at Aang's small stature – he said firmly, "One copper piece."

The captain stared at him for a moment, unsure if he's joking. After a moment it became clear that Aang was painfully serious.

The captain laughed, one of those full-body, belly-wrenching laughs that rumbles throughout your whole body. Taking his lead, the various other pirates positioned around the ship begin laughing as well.

Aang still stood there, his chin rising defiantly.

"All right, two pieces then."

If possible, the laughter's volume seems to increase. I glance at the pirates briefly; they're still overtaken with laughter, their eyes squeezing shut. I eye the scroll; it's within reach, just inches off of my left side. It's tempting me, taunting me with the possibilities. Mental images flit through my mind teasingly; me, executing a difficult whirl that only true waterbenders can master. Me, bowing proudly to a cheering Aang. Me, mastering the moves effortlessly as Aang had.

Before I know it, the scroll has been slipped into the pocket of my blue watertribe tunic. It seemed to emanate a burning shame that travels to my cheeks; I'm sure that by now I am hideously red…there might as well be a sign pointing to me that says "THIEF."

My chin jutted upward; well, it's not as if the pirates obtained it honorably. They'd stolen it from a waterbender. I was merely returning it to its rightful owner…or at least, another waterbender. I deserved it more than they did.

Still, I'd like to leave but anyone notices. I leaned forward and poked Aang, hissing, "Let's get out of here."

Unaware of my theft, he nodded, eying my flushed face with concern. Ignoring his silent question, I marched towards the door, grabbing Sokka – who was about to lick a suspicious-smelling hunk of something dangling from the ceiling – by the ear.

"Ow!" he protested, scrabbling at my iron-hold on his ear.

Ignoring his complaints, I dragged him down the splintery gangplank and onto the smooth cobblestone street.

I began walking furiously, my feet pounding the hard stone below.

Sokka panted, struggling to keep up.

"Katara!" he gasped. I ignored him, looking steadfastedly forward.

"What's the rush?" Aang asked curiously.

"HEY!"

Shoot. Shoot. Shoot. I spared a quick glance backwards, spotting the captain's now-tomato red face glaring daggers at me. Shoot.

"Run!" I bellowed, willing my feet to go faster. I sensed Sokka and Aang's forms following me as I ran, my long chestnut braid banging uncomfortably against my back. The scroll's metal ends dug into my side, seeming to whisper "Thief, thief, thief" which each painful stab.

The sounds behind us grew louder and the captain was joined by some friends. Great. Just what I needed. I ran furiously, my arms punching the air in front of me. Innocent passerbys yelped when they saw me, jumping away at the nick of the time as I twisted through the intricate streets.

Right. Left. Dodge that rat-weasel. Jump over that rock. Run.

Run.

I panted heavily, sweat running into my eyes. I blinked them away furiously, wincing as the salty liquid burned. I turned a corner, running right…

Oof.

Oh no. A cabbage cart. The flimsy wooden structure toppled over, the pale green vegetables spilling over to the dirt road. I had no time for this! The cabbage merchant, a gangly man with a sparse mustache, shouted angrily, flailing his arms dramatically.

"My cabbages!" he moaned, flinging his head into his arms. I thrust my right hand into the soft leather pouch at my side, withdrew a couple coins, and flung them at him unceremoniously before scrambling to my feet.

"Hey!"

Whipping around, I spotted the captain. He gripped a long, winking silver sword with his left hand and grinned wickedly.

"Got you know, thief," he leered before motioning to the two pirates that flanked him, big, hulking men that looked as if they hadn't used a single brain cell in their whole lives.

Silence. Shocked silence. Uh oh. Did I say that out loud?

I smiled warily, stepping backwards. My foot slammed into the back of the overturned cart. Shoot.

The men roared, flinging themselves at us.

I had no water in my flask; I'd forgotten to refill it in my angry jealousy the other day. I cursed myself, bringing my hands up in what I hoped was some semblance of a real defensive position. In the water tribe, I was never taught self-defense, fighting, or anything remotely useful; that was for the men. Unfortunately. Yes, it aggravated me to no end, but that didn't change that fact that I was about to be pummeled.

Woosh.

Aang's light form leaped in front of me, his feet sliding back into some fancy-looking position. His arms whipped above his head, weaving the air into an intricate funnel. Aang clenched his hands together in a sudden movement, sending the air at the pirates with a furious slap.

Not bothering to survey the results of his bending, he twisted on his feet and shouted, "Run!"

Well, I certainly didn't need to be told that twice.

Run, run, run. Feet pounded, chests heaved, sweat was poured.

It seems like I'm always running.

We stop by the river, hidden by the evergreen trees reaching above. I bend over, my hands on my knees.

"What-happened" Sokka panted, flopping onto the dry sand below.

I bit my lip nervously, saying, "Don't freak out. But…I kind of…"

Instead of finishing my sentence, I drew the worn scroll from the dark recesses of my tunic. Sokka's eyes widened, and he retorted, "How could you be so stupid, Katara! That's theft!"

Feeling defensive, I hid the scroll from view again and crossed my arms across my chest.

"The pirates stole it from a waterbender! This is a waterbending scroll!" I yelled, my chest heaving. Sokka sniffed, turning his head away.

"Besides, I'm just returning it to its rightful tribe," I added, albeit a bit quieter. "Think of it as high risk trading."

Aang shifted uncomfortably, his big eyes darting from me to Sokka before going back to me again.

"Katara's right, Sokka. Besides, this way we can learn from it."

Sokka huffed, saying, "Whatever. I'm going to go hunting. Maybe I can finally get some meat around here."

I beamed happily, quickly unfurling the scroll. My eyes pored over the intricately drawn forms, my feet automatically beginning to follow their movements.

"So, when should we start?" Aang's voice sounded. I blinked. Oh.

"No time like the present!" I said brightly, trying to mask the fact that I'd completely forgotten about him.

Breathe in, breathe out. Ice cold water pooled around my knees, lapping contently at the bottom of my tunic. I inhaled deeply, trying to expel the last traces of adrenaline from my body.

"Alright, Aang. This is the water whip," I called out. Aang nodded eagerly, his eyes gluing themselves to me.

"Okay, water. Do your thing," I muttered quietly to myself, bringing my arms up with a sudden movement and snapping my wrists forward.

Nothing.

I breathed heavily, my cheeks burning with embarrassment.

"Um…Katara?" came Aang's high voice from behind me. Suddenly I was overcome with frustration. Why couldn't I do this simple, stupid move?

"Argh!" I yelled hoarsely, flinging my arms again angrily. Nothing. The water flowed as serenely as before, mocking me with its calmness.

I clenched my fists, seeing red.

"Maybe…maybe the forms are wrong," Aang offered tentatively. "Here, let me try."

He breathed in deeply, drawing his hands towards his core. Then he breathed out, his eyes shut gently. His arms drew up slowly, and a snake of shifting water draped delicately from the surface of the river. My eyes widened, my tunic getting steadily damper.

How…

There. Aang snapped his wrists out with a single, fluid motion, shifting his body weight at the same moment. The water whip flicked itself fiercely, collapsing into a shower of glittering droplets before falling down into the surface below.

"Oh," came Aang's soft voice. He looked at me nervously, scratching at the back of his shaved head nervously.

"Um. Beginner's luck?" he said timidly, smiling cautiously.

"Argh! You and your stupid water bending! If you're so good, just teach yourself! You're the all powerful Avatar, right? You can do anything! Well, guess what. If it weren't for Sokka and me, you'd still be stuck in that ice ball. You abandoned the world! Left us to the fire nation!" I screamed, my words tearing from my throat viciously.

Aang's mouth quivered, and crystalline tears welled up in his eyes.

Oh no. Regret flooded through me.

I was a monster.

"Aang…" I said softly. "Aang…I'm so sorry…"

Aang flung away from me, bending himself into the air. I watched sorrowfully as he ran off into the dark cover of the woods.

"Wow, Katara," Sokka said. I whirled around. Had he seen the whole..? He avoided my eyes, flinging a rabbit-beaver onto the ground next to our campfire.

Yeah, he'd seen it.

"I'm going after him," I said fiercely, running out of the river. The water dragged at my legs, weighing me down.

"Aang! Aang!" I yelled hoarsely, cupping my mouth with my chapped hands.

My feet crushed various branches haphazardly, and squirrel-birds chattered angrily at me.

After a moment, I collapsed on a fallen tree, cradling my head in my hands.

I sighed wearily, my hand going to the conspicuously bare skin of my neck.

I'd lost my mother's betrothal necklace – one of the only things I had left of her – sometime…I missed having its familiar weight wrapped around my neck, missed being able to cradle the smooth metal surface, missed being able to pretend she was there with me.

Guess Aang was just another thing I'd have to say I lost…

No. Overtaken with a sudden, steely determination, I flung myself from the trunk. I was disgusted; how could I just lie over and give up?

"Aang!" I resumed my shouting, my feet resuming their previous work of crushing as many sticks as they could find.

There. I caught a glimpse of the pale yellow shirt he always wore between two tall maple trees. Their leaves were a brilliant red and sunlight streamed between them, dappling the ground with liquid gold.

"Aang, I'm so sorry," I said softly. He turned around, an unusually somber expression on his face.

"I promise I won't use the scroll anymore."

Aang nodded, mustering a weak smile.

"Let's get back to Sokka," I said, hugging him fiercely.

The moon always looked so lonely on cloudy nights like this. I could just make out a sliver of the iridescent object peeking out from the wispy gray clouds.

Dinner had been an awkward matter; Sokka of course had eaten with gusto, but I had only picked at the roasted rabbit-beaver. I don't think Aang ate at all.

Unbiddingly, my eyes wandered to the very edge of the scroll, which I could spot peeking out of the tan satchel three feet to my right.

Glancing over at my companions' gently snoring forms, I scrambled to my feet and eased the scroll out of its place quietly, wincing at every sound.

xxx

"Argh!" I flung my arms sharply again and again, willing the water to just cooperate. Nothing. I huffed angrily, my hair growing damp and matted.

"Hey!" came a rough voice.

Great. I whirled around, finding myself uncomfortably close with the rotted, yellow teeth of the captain of the ship.

"Get 'er!"

I screeched, running frantically through the water. I ran away from the camp; if they captured Sokka and Aang too the world would be doomed. Tree branches flung themselves at me, snapping angrily in my face. My bare feet managed to trip over every little rock as I tried to peer through the inky darkness; no stars were present to light my way.

I stumbled blindly through the eerily dark woods, my arms clawing my way in front.

Oof.

I slammed into a solid, warm thing.

I peered up, my eyes widening as they were met by piercingly bright golden eyes, one partially hidden by an angry purple-red scar that wrapped its way around the entire left side of his face.

Zuko. I hissed angrily, moving to run away.

Iron strong hands captured my wrists, pinning them to my sides. I struggled for a moment, glaring at him the whole time. This was the prince of the nation that had killed my mother. The nation that had ravaged our lands. The nation that had murdered so many.

He leaned uncomfortably close, bringing the scent of cinnamon.

"I'll save you from the pirates."

AN: Hope you liked it! Please review – I do honestly love reading them c: