Disclaimer: I don't own shit, simple.
Summary: (Zutara)Luck plays a strange game as Katara gets a makeover and stows away on Zuko's ship by accident. Can she deceive the Dragon of the West or will Zuko find out he's harboring his enemy and show her what true fear is…contains swears & violence. Flame my ass I probably flamed u too
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The red clad symbol of the fire nation beamed as the sun rose shining on the banished prince's armor insignia. Prince Zuko was on deck scrutinizing the landscape to see if there was any sign of the Avatar. And again he saw nothing but blue ocean it had been nearly 3 weeks since he had even heard a rumor of the Avatar's whereabouts and his patience was waning. Irohn was quick to gage his nephew's mood as he noticed the military stance Zuko was in didn't hide the scowl.
Irohn knew better then to argue with his nephew on his search and current relentless course to find the Avatar but decided a white lie wouldn't harm anyone.
"Prince Zuko, the ships coal is running low. It is imperative for strategy that a ship of the fire nation have a well stocked boiler to prevent a forced docking later on." Irohn stated sagely his voice calm as he approached his nephew at a slow gait.
"Fine uncle! Rine City is a day's trip from here. Tell the captain to change course we may be able to get back on track by tomorrow nigh if we time this right," Zuko said raising his voice at the command as Irohn began to turn to walk away. "The avatar can't be too far off…" Zuko finished his voice dropping at the end of his sentence speaking mostly to himself as his authoritative tone wavered.
"Have about some jasmine tea, Price Zuko it will help concentration and is said to instill patience. A virtue which all men seek but few retain," Irohn finished his hand stroking his beard as he contemplated his latest teaching.
Zuko just rolled his eyes a bit before catching himself in the habitual adolescent act and returning his gaze to the un-phantomablevastness of the ocean before him. It had been nearly a month since Zuko had decided during meditation that he was not commanding enough because of his childish outburst so he was striving to act as was fit for someone of his stature--well unless Zhao was around, he would not give that slithering ass kissing bitch ass "Admiral" any of the proper respects which the title deemed fit--therefore he no longer allowed himself to wine or slouch in his chair if in public he would act as their superior so WHEN he returned home he would be fit to regain his honor and title as heir.
Hours passed and suddenly voices from the crew and the preparations for docking were apparent. Zuko broke from his reverie to turn and supervise the efficiency and tack of his crew. The last thing he needed was to have lazy shipmates; they would only serve as hindrances when he finally set his trap for the Avatar. Zuko then proceeded to command certain slower soldiers to practice drills and clean the prison cells. Oddly enough Zuko felt more secure knowing the cells were clean and ready to house his "guest of honor".
The harbor was now in site as the sad excuse for a city took shape. Its low brimmed houses of green and red tin roofs laded the grounds white buildings. Small figures of mostly brown and yellow clothing moved around the houses like chickens searching for food. There were only a couple of ships on the port. Nothing special a simple unmarked wooden ship and an old ship which had been painted a fading white, further toward to the center dock there amassed a small horde of plain fishing boats. It was a basic city near the outskirts of the earth nation surrounded by mountains and lush yellowish pine tree forests on 3 sides. The city could easily have been seen as quaint and beautiful, but compared to the Prince's homeland it was trash with people.
The ship docked near the deeper eastern edge of the port shaded by trees and Zuko quickly descended with his uncle ready to find a suitable source for coal and leave as soon as possible. But of course Irohn had other plans as he skillfully made his way between shops with his nephew looking for bargains much to Zuko's chagrin.
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Katara and her friends were traveling through the market place of Rine City oblivious to Zuko's presence thanks to the ill-fated trees blocking the view of the ship. They continued walking and Ang had a large smile plastered on because he saved a cat from a tree and managed to get them quite a bit of spending cash… old women were very good tippers he learned.
Suddenly a young lady in her mid thirties dressed in a simple green/tan drape style dress called out to the group her voice distinct with a whiff of exoticness as she spoke with an accent that clearly stated she was not earth nation or any nation they knew of for that matter…
"if di' travil di' ned me. Gurl di want make-over? it es 6 braze pe'sis, make ze butty' ful I garanti," the woman aked her English lacking but her message clear.
"A makeover like Katara would put herself through that," Soka emphatically implied snorting at the still smiling lady.
"What do You mean by that," Katara reproached her glare aimed strait toward her brother while Ang smiled at their exchange.
"Look all I'm saying is you've had that same look since u was little," Soka made a scrunched up face as if he smelled something rancid and continued, " Remember when gram gram cut your hair cuz u got the blubber stuck in a knot of it….you cried for days and that was only an inch.. I mean then, there was that time that Brassy the town healer got you that nice new navy blue parka and u refused cuz it was 'too nice,' " Soka paused his hands waving over his head as he emphasized shaking his head back and forth in exasperation wining his next part, "admit it Katara, you don't like change so why consider this crazy lady's proposal your not gona go through with it so lets just not waist time and go find some nice plums…U know… Rine City has some of the largest variety of plums and I can't wait to try them all…" Soka finished as his stomach growled loudly making his checks tint red. His eyes searching the shops ravenously for the fruit he was yearning for.
Katara meanwhile had her hands balled into fists her eyes promising to cause Soka intense pain even Ang scooted away from the angered water bender.
"Well…well you may be my brother but you don't know me that well… as it turns out I am going to get the makeover I've been tired of my look for a while now I was just trying to be nice since we didn't have that much cash but since YOU insist Soka I'll do it. And it will be a FULL makeover…go do your shopping and come pick up the NEW me when you're done," Katara stated her voice shaking a bit but trying desperately to sound confident and assertive.
"FINE we will," Soka said then whispered a bit too loudly, "2 bronze pieces say she gets her hair trimmed and chikens out."As he and Ang proceeded to walk away leaving Katara with 7 bronze pieces. Ang was weary on the decision but Soka kept talking about his sisters habits and basically half-dragged Ang away with him.
Katara then smiled at the lady her plan now set she would teach Soka to eat his words she'd get a drastic makeover just to get him back… though she would keep her parka packed up for later on also.
"Here's the money I want a full makeover clothes, hair, everything…is that enough" Katara asked suddenly feeling like it was too little clothes alone could be quite costly.
The woman only smiled and nodded as she led Katara to her makeshift house/store.
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3 hours passed and Katara emerged form the shop expecting to see her friends waiting for her. It was getting dark and she had yet to se her appearance the odd lady didn't have a mirror strangely enough. Bored Katara decided to walk around, a mirror had to be nearby somewhere. She felt giddy as she carried the backpack with her blanket and parka on her back in search of something to show her reflection. Catching sight of large tub of water a few building away Katara instantly went toward it not paying much attention as she her anxiety increased. Halfway there a familiar voice made her heart freeze and she rushed to placed herself in a nearby fruit barrel stand's small alley stuffed next to a cart with barrels hoping to go unnoticed.
"Prince Zuko sometimes you have to calm down I didn't see any movement I'm sure it was just a rat or something," the old man's distinct voice flouted to her as she scanned the ally for a way out
"Uncle I'll calm down when we get out supplies and leave but I'm sure I saw someone run into the ally. And it was NOT a rat. Rats don't wear green fabric…It was a person I know it. Probably a spy," Zuko's cold voice said evenly as Katara's heart seemed to loud and her thoughts raced… I could of waited at the shop but I HAD to find a mirror Fuck...I can't get caught… think, think there has to be something… Katara closed her eyes trying to calm down and think clearly when the sent of plums reached her. She turned to her right to see the closest barrel was half with white plums with the cover hastily laid on the side of the old raggedy cart. Without another thought Katara climbed into the barrel, pulling the cover down tightly to close the opening and huddling down into the squishy wetness, forcing herself to hold her breath as the voices grew closer.
"Yes uncle, I remember that a rash man is commonly blinded by what he fears and what he wants… Let me just check. Isn't there a proverb on being careful?" Zuko said trying to keep his voice even as it wavered again cuz of his annoyance. Scanning the ally carefully and checking the dirt for any intruders Zuko approached the barrels… no dirt was moved it was perfectly fine no sign of his "Spy". Suddenly his investigation was cut short as Ironh called to him.
"Zuko this man has the rare white plums. Why don't we buy them, It will be a real treat for the soldiers and your favorite plum-berry crumb cake dessert can be made…?" Irohn asked though his needy tone and his intense eyes told Zuko he had no choice.
"Fine uncle," Zuko replied leaving the barrels alone.
He suddenly felt really tired he had wasted his entire afternoon shopping and even imagined people … he needed to sleep. And though he wouldn't admit it he really wanted to have his dessert again it had been nearly 3 years since he had it. Even the fire nation only had it on rare occasions seeing the fruits seasonal only for a few weeks a year and had to be shipped from the one port able to produce them.
Zuko handed the merchant the money and Irohn proceeded to instruct soldiers to take his discovery to the ship.
Katara suddenly felt her barrel move and she braced herself trying not to make noise. The cart squeaked a bit but rolled easily as the soldiers pulled it along adding the other curios General Irohn had acquired to it. After a half hour ride which seemed like hours to the trapped and now motion sick Katara the cart stopped and was then taken up a steep rise. A cold sweat passed over her. She was going on the ship, Prince Zuko's ship…."shit," she cursed softly unable to resist thanks to her now worst predicament. She heard voices outside but was too engrossed in scolding herself to pay attention as her barrel finally stopped.
There were more voices and what sounded like a cheer. Voices seemed to be everywhere she couldn't figure out what to do. Staying in the barrel all her life wasn't really possible though she did have plums to eat (slightly squished and stepped on plums but plums none the less) but sooner or later her barrel would be opened.
Katara waited and time passed slowly the voices never seemed to end and she began to drift. Her crotched position giving her no comfort but she was tired and her adrenaline was gone she just hoped she'd make it out of this one safe and that the guys were o.k. She didn't notice the voices slowly fading or the barrels slow movements as it was taken toward the kitchen. She had nodded off into a dreamless sleep as the sweet tangy plum smell invaded her senses.