I own nothing...as usual. Feel free to comment. I'd appreciate it. ) this is a Zutara fic...enjoy!
Unexpected Love
Chapter 1: Stranded
"Kay guys, dinner!"
"I hope it's not nuts again Sokka..."
"Uhh...it's not..."
"Then what is this?" Katara said as she picked up a nut and examined it.
"Umm...that's a...umm..."
"A nut Sokka."
"Hey! Well at least I gather food..."
"Yeah you also eat it all..."
"Okay guys calm down it's okay. I' m sure we can find something." Aang said trying to stop a fight between the siblings.
"Other than nuts I hope..." Katara said disgusted.
Sokka shot Katara a look of frustration.
"Come on Sokka, we'll look together." Aang said as he grabbed his staff.
"Okay." Sokka said with a sigh.
"Good, while you two are gone I'll get a fire going."
"Okay." Aang said as he smiled.
"Come on let's go Aang."
The boys walked off into the trees in the forest they had set up camp in. Katara gathered the necessaries for the fire and arranged them in the proper manner in the middle of the campsite. She put hand to her stomach as it growled with hunger.
" I hope they hurry...I'm getting really hungry..."
She looked up at the stars that danced in the sky above. She sighed and laid by the fire closing her eyes and listening to the sounds of the night.
---------------------------------------He stood on the deck of the ship keeping a sharp eye on the skies above him. The only thoughts running through his mind were of the avatar. He took a deep breath and rested his hands on the rail in front of him and sighed.
'Something wrong Prince Zuko?"
Zuko sighed again and looked out to sea lost in his own thoughts.
"No, nothing out of the ordinary."
"Would you like a soothing cup of tea to help calm your nerves?"
Zuko hissed with frustration.
"No...I'm going to go to bed. Please do not disturb me."
"All right" Iroh shrugged and walked away.
Zuko walked off heading towards his quarters. He opened the door and walked over to his bed. He paused a moment lost in thought, then he began to strip down to his pants, removing his armour carefully and placing it next to him. He stood up and walked over to a small altar he had set up to do his meditating at. He sighed and sat down in front of it. Zuko grunted and the began to meditate.
"I'll get you avatar..."
He became lost in his thoughts again. He closed his eyes and continued to meditate.
---------------------------------------Two hours had gone by before Katara woke up from the nap she had taken. Sokka and Aang weren't back yet. She was getting worried.
"I wonder where they are..."
Katara sleepily got up and walked over to where the boys had taken their leave.
"Sokka? Aang? You guys there?"
She looked around frantically.
"I wonder..."
Her thoughts trailed off into the darkness. She looked over at her canteen, which was empty, then looked back in the direction that the boys had left.
"I guess I'll go fill my canteen up...maybe I'll find them while I'm out there."
She made her way to the waters edge. It wasn't too far from the campsite. She walked up to the water and opened her canteen. She closed her eyes and concentrated on bending the water into the canteen. After a few minutes the canteen was full. She closed it off and looked around.
"Hmm...no sign of them here..."
Katara gasped at what her eyes had fallen upon. Huge dark storm clouds were forming in the sky. The stars were gone. She heard thunder and felt the air around her get heavier.
"I'd better find shelter."
Katara looked around quickly and spotted a small cave a few feet away from where she was standing. She ran inside of it and sat in the back huddle up against the wall.
"I hope Sokka and Aang are all right."
---------------------------------------Iroh looked up at the sky troubled. He silently turned away and walked towards his nephew's quarters. He knocked on the door.
Zuko stirred and finally woke up.
"What is it?" He said half asleep.
"Prince Zuko, there is sight of a terrible storm. It would be smart to anchor somewhere and wait the storm out."
"Whatever..." He mumbled.
He jumped at the loud thunder he had just heard. He threw the covers back put his armour on and made his way onto deck. He examined his environment. Men were scurrying around preparing for the worst. Zuko looked out to see and noticed that the waves were growing more violent as the time passed. He began to feel sick. The rough rocking of the boat made him feel even more uncomfortable than before. He stumbled over to the rail and grabbed onto it with both hands. He looked back out to sea and saw a huge wave forming. His eyes grew wide with fear.
"That wave is going to swallow us what should we do sir!" One of the men shouted at Zuko. He continued to watch the wave form.
"Sir!" The man shouted again.
"Prepare for the worst." Zuko heard his uncle say. He could hear the concern in his voice. He knew that the ship or the crew wouldn't make it through the storm, not this one.
The wave grew even bigger. Zuko watched it as it made its way toward the ship. It towered over the ship. Zuko heard men screaming and the sound of bodies hitting the water as they jumped over board. Then in an instant he felt himself gasping for air in the violent seas that he hated. His new found home that he had grown somewhat accustomed to. He felt his energy being pulled away from him. He closed his eyes and passed out.
---------------------------------------The storm ceased and Katara walked out of the cave she took cover in. She looked around to see if there was any sign of Aang or Sokka. There was no sign of them. She sighed.
She looked out to sea. The water was calm now and the air was heavy. She started to walk back to camp when she noticed something washed up on the shore. She cautiously walked up to it and rolled it over. She covered he mouth and gasped.
"Oh my...Zuko..." She laid a hand on his cheek and examined him.
"He's deathly cold. His ship must have been wrecked..."
She sat down next to him and pulled him into her lap. She closed her eyes and concentrated on bending the water that resided in the fire bender's lungs. She was successful. Zuko coughed and gasped for air. He opened his eyes faintly to see two large blue eyes looking into his.
"Are you okay? What happened?" Katara asked concern in her voice.
Zuko grunted, rolled out of her lap and sat up. He rubbed his head.
"Are you okay?" Katara reiterated.
"Yes, I'm fine." Zuko retorted.
He stood up and looked out to sea.
"Have you seen anyone else wash up on shore besides me?" He said continuing to rub his head.
"Sorry no...was your ship wrecked?"
"I suppose so...the last thing I remember was me going overboard and then I blacked out.."
Katara walked up to him cautiously.
"I was just heading back to my campsite to see what I can salvage, do you suppose we should stick together?"
"I...I don't know.."
He walked up the beach a few feet with Katara following close behind. She broke the silence.
"Have you see Aang or my brother?"
Zuko spun around to meet her gaze. He examined her. She was hugging herself for warmth they were both wet from the storm.
"Well?"
"No."
"Oh okay..."
"Where was your camp set up?"
"Over there." Katara pointed in the direction of her camp, or what was left of it.
Zuko walked towards the camp. Katara followed him. The campsite wasn't as bad as she thought it was. Everything was still there, but there was still no sign of Aang or Sokka.
Zuko examined the area.
"Well good everything is accounted for...you okay?"
She walked up to him. He was lost in his thoughts. He was so close to the avatar.
"Uh...yeah.." He said preoccupied.
"I'm a little worried...I haven't seen my brother or Aang since yesterday afternoon, and I'm really..."
"They'll be back." Zuko cut her off. He walked over to her and looked down at her.
"I...hope so..." She said nervously.
He looked past her into the trees. He walked over to the regarded area.
"This is the way they left?"
She nodded. He pushed past the trees and looked around. There was no sign of them. He shivered slightly.
Katara walked up to him and threw a blanket over his shoulders.
"Thanks..."
She smiled slightly at him. He quickly looked away and continued to look for her comrades.
"Are you helping me find them?"
"You could say that."
"I appreciate it...thanks."
Zuko continued the search. A few hours later it began to grow dark.
"Maybe we should find some place to settle down for the night..."
"Yeah good idea."
Katara gathered some wood and put it in a pile in the clearing they found. Zuko lit the fire while Katara gathered berries and whatever else she could find. Zuko sat down and began to remove his armour. Katara returned with a handful of berries. She stopped and watched him get comfortable and then spoke up.
"I found some berries..."
"Great..." Zuko said with disappointment.
"I know it's not much, but it's all there is right now..."
"I know that."
Zuko stood up and stretched.
"I wonder if my Uncle is okay."
"I'm sure he is.." Katara said reassuring.
"Yeah.."
He walked off to find a spot to train. Maybe it would take his mind off of things. Bending his element was one of the only ways to let out frustration and anger. Although each time he did bend, his dark past would come to mind and cripple him. He unleashed wave after wave of furious fireballs. Each one as furious as the next. Katara watched him in wonder.
"How is he doing that?" She thought to herself
He stopped and looked over to find her watching him. He walked over to her and waved a hand in front of her face. She blinked, snapping out of her deep thoughts. Katara giggled nervously.
"What were you staring at?" Zuko growled
"Nothing, I...wast just watching you..."
"Humph."
Zuko turned away and walked back towards the camp. Katara followed him pondering his power. He sat down and watched the girl stuff some berries into her mouth. She had innocence that he had lost years ago. He envied her. He laid down watching the dark skies above as if waiting for the answer to all of his problems to show up in the stars. He looked over at Katara who was now trying to warm herself by the fire. He sighed and walked over to her. He draped the blanket she had given him over her shoulders and wrapped it around her. She looked p at him contently.
"Thank you." She smiled.
"Yeah..." Zuko returned to his spot and laid back down.
He closed his eyes and relaxed. He shivered slightly, but he knew that the blanket would benefit her more than him. He had done a good thing. Katara noticed his shiver and walked over to him. Zuko felt the warmth of another body settle closer to him. He opened his eyes and was shocked to see her laying there next to him. She threw the blanket over the two of them and cuddled closer to him for warmth. he put and arm around her and closed his eyes. That would be the best nights sleep they both would have in a long time.