"You are SO stupid!" Zuko grumbled around Katara, who was fuming over something rather miniscule.
"I'm stupid, huh? So then THAT'S why I asked you to do a tiny little favor of doing the dishes for me while I help make everyone's beds!" she scolded harsly.
"Yes, and I kindly turned it down!" Zuko grumbled louder, trying his hardest not to yell at the enraged Waterbender. He only know that would enrage her more, and he wanted to fit in. Meanwhile, the rest of the group were listening intently by the small kitchen window. This was very common for those two every night, almost.
Finally, Katara stormed out of the kitchen and slammed it with a resounding SLAM! And stormed out of the temple. No one else dared to go near her in one of her... Moods. Taking the small elevator-rope to the cliff above the Western Air Temple, she stalked into the woods, hoping to calm down or clear her mind.
"Psh, he really expects me to do EVERYTHING? He really is the exact same thing I've seen for the last year or so... The same selfish, foolish, power-hungry Prince I've always known," Katara growled under her breath, sitting heavily under a tree. She didn't bother to use manners, seeing as she was alone in the forest. The cold night air calmed her nerves slightly, making her sigh.
She wondered about that night in Ba Sing Se... When she almost trusted Zuko. Katara just scowled at the thought. 'What a fool I was...' she thought bitterly. She sighed again and leaned against the tree, hoping to fall asleep and maybe the wolves get her, so she can be out of this nightmare...
The Moon was still bright in the sky when Katara woke up to some rustling. "Leave me alone, Sokka," she hissed into the darkness. However, no answer came. She felt something boring her eyes into her back, and Katara stood up, ready to defend. Glancing around, she thought 'I didn't mean it literally about the wolves!'
For a split second, the girl caught a glimpse of prowling creatures. The shadow cast down on the bushes, and faint growling was heard. Her instincts taking over, Katara dashed any direction away from the sound. But it was no use, there was a creature chasing after her, and gaining fast! Her legs carried her as fast as they could, but every step she took, the beast was that step ahead of her.
Before Katara blacked out from the beasts teeth and claws, she saw it's wolf-like shape and cold, hungry gold eyes.
"Katara? Katara can you hear me?" She barely heard a voice plead to her. She opened her eyes slowly, glancing at the whole Gaang infront of her. Forgetting her energy and anger, Katara sat straight up.
"Guys! You have to run! There's a wo-," she was cut off, glancing around the room. Katara was back at the temple in her room! But how...?
"Thank the spirits your okay!" Sokka exlaimed, hugging his sister gently. Aang and Toph greeted her happily and joined in, careful not to hurt her, due to the wounds. Meanwhile, Zuko just stood in the doorway.
"Yes, welcome back," he smiled at the Waterbender. It wasn't in love, mockingness, or just the reason of smiling. He just wanted to be friendly. Almost...apologetic. Katara glared at him, resisting the urge to growl.
"Anyway," she said, turning her icy glare from Zuko, "How did I end up here?"
"Well," Aang started to explain, "We saw you blacked out under this huge beast, but for some odd reason, he ran off when we walked up to you. Then we just saw you, broken and bleeding on the ground."
"Then Zu- I mean all of us MINUS Zuko," Sokka chuckled nervously, "brought you here." Katara nodded, slightly scared. She told them she needed to be alone and think, and her friends left.
Katara managed to stand up, and examined herself in the mirror. Her clothes were torn, the peices missing exposed bandages. She was rather beaten, yet she couldn't help but stare at her own face. A strange feeling washed over her, chilling her bones.
For some reason, Katara felt like she had just become a beast...
To Be Continued...