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Aang has been captured and of course, Katara and Sokka will try to save him. Definitely a Zutara, enjoy!

Her breath was ragged, coming out in short, harsh gasps. She felt her chest heaving up and down, much faster than normal, noting how she felt as though her heart were about to come out of her chest.

Sokka, you better hurry up with that door.

By now, Sokka should've been inside, taken out all the guards, and had the door unlocked. Getting inside the Fire Lords castle was harder than they had both expected. They didn't think it would be a walk in the park, but they certainly weren't expecting this. Guards around every corner, every door locked, and even death traps in some places. But Sokka was her most prominent concern right now.

She heard a click, then the door swing open. She blew out a sigh, which was followed quickly with a sharp intake of breath. There stood her bruised and bloody brother, looking worse than ever. And there behind him was Admiral Zhao, looking as smug as ever as he held her very own brother up with one arm in front of him.

"Look what I found, Miss Katara. You Water Tribe folks are quite interesting, risking two lives for the price of one. Doesn't seem like a fair trade if you ask me." Zhao cooed. "Since he is the Avatar though, I guess that would be the exception. But if I had all three of you, I think that would make the Fire Lord one happy Firebender, don't you think?"

She hated him. Absolutely despised him. If Sokka wasn't at his mercy, she would go right for his throat.

"I think that would be unfair. You can't have everything you want in life, Admiral Zhao." She said, using a mocking tone.

Piss him off Katara. He'll either do something unusually stupid or call the guards. Let's hope for the first.

His smirk disappeared, replaced with an expression of pure annoyance.

"Listen here, you annoying little water peasant. I'm bigger than you, stronger than you, and smarter than you. I would kill you now except the Fire Lord wants you alive. Learn your place or I'll make you learn it."

Katara gave him a small smile, using every bit of energy she had so her voice wouldn't shake.

"That's quite a big threat coming from someone with such a little title."

His eyes narrowed to slits and she saw his hands start to grow hot. At that moment, Sokka's eyes fluttered open and he said the word she dreaded the most.

"Inferno." He croaked.

There code word. If either one of them said it, the mission was dropped and they were to haul ass out of there, no matter if one of them was hurt. They were to leave each other behind. They swore on their mother's grave, they would follow that rule. It felt like they were protecting each other when they said it, but now in the action, she felt like she was abandoning him.

Katara's eyes hurriedly searched for an exit.

There's got to be a way we can both get out of here.

Sokka's voice became more steady, more alarmed, more serious. "Inferno. Inferno! INFERNO!"

She looked painstakingly at her brother and then Admiral Zhao who was giving Sokka a questioning look.

"What are you talking abo-" He started, but at that moment, Katara turned on her heel and headed for an exit. If they both were captured, neither one would get to Aang. She had to think about this logically, or else her feelings would get in the way, hold her back from her true objective.

She made it through the door, just as a ball of fire hit the side of it, throwing small licks of flame at her face and hair. She ran blindly through it, feeling some of her skin burning.

I'm so sorry Sokka. I'll be back, don't you worry.

Hope you liked the beginning, reply and criticize but be nice!