Katara's POV
I sent a water whip at Aang, who was wading in the water thirty yards away from me. He shot it back at me, and I let it drop.
"That's enough for today," I called to him. "Let's go meet up with Sokka and Toph for dinner."
He agreed. Though since Sokka usually gathered meat, Aang mostly ate nuts he gathered. And cabbage. He was an air nomad, a monk, a vegetarian. There wasn't much to talk about while we ate that night, it was quieter than usual.
"I think I'm gonna crash, guys," said Aang tiredly. He was the only one who didn't use a sleeping bag. Except Toph, but she slept in her earth-tent thing. Aang curled up, Toph and Sokka soon joining him.
Soon I was the only one awake. Every night I was the last one to sleep.
Zuko's POV
The Avatar would be the first one to wake. I had to admit to myself that I wouldn't be able to take him on; having barely handled him even when he could only bend air. It was a shame, It was a humiliation to not be able to capture a twelve-year-old. Now he could bend three of the four elements.
But I would still capture him. Still get my honor back. The image of the avatar in chains grew in my mind, though it was sick. This time maybe I shouldn't just barge into a fight with him. No, I had a better idea.
The Avatar had a weakness. His friends. And a very specific weakness was the water-tribe girl that he traveled with.
It was midnight, the Avatar was asleep. Only him. Where were his friends?
I found her by the river, practicing her waterbending. Good, this makes my plan easier. I walk up silently behind her, she's too absorbed in her bending to notice.
My hand flies out to cover her mouth, my swords pressing against her neck. She screams into my hand. Before she can start bending at me, I grab her hands in one of mine and tie them behind her back.
Her eyes smolder with anger as she kicks me. I shove her onto the ground and signal to my guards. Dragging along the water-tribe girl, I lead them into the clearing where the Avatar lies asleep. He hasn't stirred an inch.
Then I drag fire down the girl's arm, releasing my hand from her mouth. She screams in pain. And the Avatar shoots up, his eyes wide.
"Katara!" he yells
My crew holds him back as he tries to run to her, but he blows them off. I hold the knife to her throat again as he prepares to bend at me. "Come with me and nothing will happen to her."
Anger fills his face and he bends a rock at me, not missing. I grunt in pain and fall back, taking the girl with me. The Avatar is attacking me in a second, his bending vicious. I press the knife into the water-tribe girl's neck and blood drips.
"OK!" yelled the Avatar desperately. "OK! I'll come with you!"
My guards surround him, taking him to my ship.
"Aang!" shrieks the girl. "Stop it, what are you doing!"
"Don't worry, Katara! Find the others, I'll be OK. Please, I promise."
The Avatar disappears into my ship. I'm about to let go of the girl, but I pause. I should take her with me, I realize, so I can have something over the avatar if, when, he tries something.
So I take the girl with me, ignoring her resistance.