Hey all! I really want to apologize for this taking me forever. Sorry! I had a busy and rough summer and just managed to finish this part up a few days ago. I uh also realized that Part 2 was going to be really freaking long so I'm splitting part to up into 2 sections. Big documents freak out my technology and also it overwhelms me so that's why. Heh don't judge me! Anyways here ya go. Part 2 (1)!


Lost at Sea ~Part 2 (1)


All these years I have been alone, isolated from the world only because the spirits saw my life as pathetic and useless. The world is cruel and I hate it. However, it is my element and it has sheltered me and provided me with food in my solitude. I have managed to survive in my solitude and for that I am thankful. I suppose it is not the world I hate, but how it deals out fate to us simple humans. Are we toys to them? Is one to simply be handed a wealthy, fruitful life while another is to suffer and fight to stay alive? Maybe it depends on how strong they see the human. Am I too strong for them or too weak? Maybe the lucky ones are the strong ones because I am weak. I guess none of it really matters now. I am cursed for life and will probably die here on this island in everlasting loneliness...


Katara Pov

We floated on the iceberg for two more days with no sight of any land or ship. I woke early both mornings to keep the ice from melting under the intense heat of the sun and disintegrating into the ocean. Our situation was almost as bad as being stranded out in the middle of a desert. The only differences were that we were surrounded by water and we had a chance at obtaining food. The water was by no means great, but I was able to extract most of the salt, making it at least bearable to drink. Our only option for food was to catch fish. I could easily trap a fish with my waterbending and Zuko could fry it with his firebending. That was the easy part. The hard part was actually finding a fish. Over the span of the two days we spent floating helplessly in the middle of the ocean, I only caught three fish about eight inches long. They were pathetic, but it was better than nothing. Both nights we went to sleep with our stomachs screaming for food.

I was surprised that Zuko and I didn't end up fighting. After all, we had practically everything to blame each other for. I could stand here and say that this was his entire fault and he never should have gotten involved. He would probably say something to perfectly deflect me like I would have been dead by now without his help. However, we remained silent towards one another for the most part. Zuko was convinced that we were going to perish out here either by drowning or starvation, but I reassured him many times that that was not going to happen. I could see the uncertainty behind his eyes though. He didn't know what was going to happen to us and it was plain to see that that fact bothered him a great deal.

My legs had stopped bleeding not long after I had tied them up on the pirate ship. Even though it made my legs feel fuzzy and weak, I made sure to tie my bandages tight and keep off my legs as much as possible. I tried healing them with the salt water, but it stung like crazy. It made my whole leg jolt, causing the wound to reopen a little. It bled some, so I tied it up again as quickly as I could. I was going to try healing it with water that was filtered, but when I unwrapped the bandage later, it started bleeding again. I decided that I would have to leave it alone for a while before trying anymore healing.

Our clothes were already getting holes, no thanks to the salt water and sun. Zuko had already discarded his black long sleeve shirt because it was way too hot to wear. Now his back and shoulders were sunburnt and peeling. So every afternoon, I would rub ice on him to cool his skin off and relieve him of some of the pain I knew he was hiding. He hated it, but I didn't know what else to do to keep him from getting completely charred from the relentless rays of the sun. I tried a few times to get him to put his shirt back on, but he stubbornly refused and eventually got so mad that he flung out into the water. Our lips were chapped and our skin was dry from the saltwater. It was all slowly becoming more and more torturous.

At night, Zuko continued to try and read the stars when the sky was clear of clouds, but every time he ended up melting part of the iceberg because he would heat up so much from all his frustration. I tried to encourage him in hopes of him remembering what he had learned from his Uncle.

Our second night out in the ocean, I sat down next to Zuko in the center of the iceberg. He had his legs drawn into his chest and his arms wrapped around his knees with his face buried in the hole it created.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered almost inaudibly.

I sighed heavily and placed my thin hand on his shoulder in an attempt to comfort him. "It's ok. Please try not to be so hard on yourself."

He said nothing and jerked his shoulder, causing me to retreat my hand. I sighed and folded my hands in my lap. I gazed around at the dark water of the sea and then looked down at the ice I was sitting on. The stars above reflected in it in the most beautiful way. They twinkled and danced making the ice sparkle in the darkness. "Look at the ice," I whispered to Zuko, even though it felt like I had directed the request at someone else.

He was still for a moment, but he eventually lifted his head just enough so his eyes could peer over his knees at the ice. I dared to look his way. I drew in a quick breath when I saw the ice contrasting in the most magnificent way with his sunset gold eyes. Fire and ice. I never realized that they looked so good together.

We curled up on the ice that night slightly delirious from lack of everything as we prayed for death or deliverance. I will never forget how hungry I was that night. I could have sworn my stomach started eating itself. We both quickly passed out, exhausted from forcing ourselves to stay alive.

°○•●°•○°○•●°○•

Crack!

A flash of blue light and a loud sound made me sit bolt upright. I was shocked to find myself drenched from head to toe and the wind blowing strong gusts of air mixed with water in my face. The ocean was in an uproar.

I quickly flashed back to all the terrible storms I had seen when I was a little girl in the South Pole. I had seen angry waves and heavy downpours, but nothing like this. This was the worst storm I had ever seen. Rain was dumping mercilessly from the sky into the raging, dark blue ocean. The wind was blowing rain everywhere and the waves toyed with our little iceberg, rocking us back and forth.

I jumped when I felt something grip my hand. I turned to see Zuko looking at me with intense eyes.

"Are you ok?" he shouted over the howl of the wind.

"I'm alright!" I shouted back.

Reassured, Zuko released my hand and tried to stand up, but was unable to get a bearing. "This is ridiculous! How can this storm get any worse?"

"I think it's only just getting started!"

I was kneeling next to the firebender and was only able to stay on the ice by digging my fingernails into it. I slid to face the center of what was left of our iceberg. Suddenly an idea popped into my head. I turned back to look at Zuko. "Hold me down!"

"What?" he yelled as he edged closer to me so he could hear.

"Hold me down to the ice!"

He gave me a funny look as if he wasn't sure he felt comfortable doing what I had asked. Thankfully, a flash and a clap of thunder changed his mind and he did as I wished. Once I felt secure, I lifted my hands and captured some of the rain into a big blob of water. I touched it down to the middle of the iceberg and then, with a quick flick of my fingers, I froze it solid.

"Hang onto this!" I shouted over my shoulder.

Zuko released me and we slid over to the lump of ice on our hands and knees. We grabbed hold and I prayed hard that it would stay secure until the storm passed.

"When do you think it will calm down?" Zuko asked loudly as we rode over another angry wave.

I looked out at the stormy ocean and shook my head. "I'm not sure! I've seen crazy storms, but never anything like this!"

Zuko opened his mouth to shout his reply, when the ink black sky suddenly lit up for one second and then an earsplitting boom filled the air the next. It surprised me so much that I let out a little terrified scream.

"Hey! You ok?!" Zuko asked, sliding closer to me.

I nodded as I clung tighter to the ice. "Yeah, it just surprised me!"

I closed my eyes and tried to shut it all out. Being stuck out in the middle of the ocean was already bad enough! I honestly didn't think it could possibly get any worse!

Then, something with calming warmth, made my whole world dive into slow motion as it spread across my back. I was quickly plunged back into reality though, when I saw an arm cross in front of me. I looked up and turned my head to see Zuko shielding me from the storm.

"Zuko wha-!"

"Just hang on, ok! The last thing I need is for you to get tossed into the ocean!"

I pursed my lips in frustration. I don't need him protecting me all over again. I can look out for myself!

But I didn't shove. I wanted to yell at him. I wanted to toss him into the raging ocean. But that wouldn't solve anything. I would only end up regretting it for the rest of my life.

Just then, we surfed up on a huge wave. I could feel the air and rain rushing past my face. When reached the top, gravity worked its strange magic and we plummeted down back into the ocean. We went under for a moment, but resurfaced quickly. We bobbed on top of the ocean for a moment and I was starting to think the worst was over. However, not long after we had come back up, another wave crashed over us and the force of it pushed me sideways and I hit my head hard on the ice. Pain shot through my skull and I felt my senses dim. The crashing waves and stormy sky slowly started to blend and fade to black. I could hear Zuko calling my name. I tried desperately to respond, but I couldn't. Everything faded away rapidly and I was certain I was going to die.

°○•●°•○°○•●°○•

Zuko Pov

I never could recall much of that storm that horrible night after Katara hit her head on the ice. As the ocean continued to rage around us, I was plunged into something of dream or a state of shock that made the world around me fuzzy and dim. Almost as if... the world didn't exist anymore or it had lost it's meaning. Like everything had suddenly become purposeless. It felt as though the world had become black and white, but the shades of gray mixed in made everything unclear and blurred.

I had tried to wake the waterbender, but she had gone limp in my arms. I saw a little bit of red trickle down the side of her head and drip off her temple. The ringing in my ears got louder as the rain poured down even harder. My vision had slowly become more and more clouded as my eyes filled with tears. I never could remember why I had cried. Maybe I had been scared. Not for myself, of course, but for Katara.

The waves crashed around a bit more and then the ocean must have finally decided it was finished with us, because I remember being jerked and feeling as though I was explainable weightless. The sensation of flying only lasted for a second because something hit me and I suddenly felt cold and heavy. My feet could no longer feel a surface. I tried to kick my legs to resist the awful weight, but I only continued to sink. Then, just when I felt as though I would continue falling forever, something soft and warm hit my face and skin. It wasn't a hot warmth that startled your senses, but a relaxing, neutral warmth that promised everything was going to be alright. I felt the weight that had been causing me to sink before roll away, allowing the overpowering warmth to completely encase me. The warmth gently lulled me into a deep sleep that was comfortable, peaceful, and needed.

My head was swimming as I squeezed my eyes tight shut against the harsh, bombarding rays of sunlight coming through my eyelids. I was sore and very stiff, so I shifted a little and realized that I was no longer laying on the cold, smooth surface of the iceberg. No, this stuff was rough, itchy, and very uncomfortable. It felt grainy too. It had already gotten under my clothes and was chaffing my skin.

I rolled off my side and onto my back to let the warm sun cloak my body. I forced my eyes open a tad only to see the bright blue sky that was completely cloudless. It hurt my eyes, but it was nice to see the clear blue sky again.

I opened my mouth to take in a deep breath, but when I felt something hitch in my throat, I quickly sat up to cough the sea water out of my lungs. I coughed harshly for a few seconds and then cleared my throat to be sure it was all out. I tried breathing again, and was able to with ease, as I sat back on my hands. That was when I noticed the new and completely unexpected scenery surrounding me.

The sparkling blue ocean lay vast and open in front of me and to my right and left stretched the shore. As for distinct features, there were coconut trees here and there on the sand and a cluster of big rocks to my right about a five minutes' walk away.

I could hardly believe my eyes. I slowly got to my feet and dusted the sand off my hands and chest. I spun around, and to my amazement, saw lots of tall tropical trees and big rock formations decorating low hills and tall cliffs. An island. We've washed up on an island.

I looked to my left again and noticed Katara for the first time on the shore a few feet away from where I was standing. She was sprawled out on her back in the sand sleeping peacefully. Her clothes were damp like mine and her long wavy hair was everywhere. A couple of strands were even stuck to her forehead. She was little thinner too, I noticed, but then again, I probably was as well.

I trotted over to where she was and knelt down beside her. Her face looked so serene, despite the nasty cut on her forehead and her wild hair. This was the first time I had actually seen her sleeping without the pain of hunger and her legs on her mind. I almost didn't want to wake her.

I looked up again and found the sun was past its peak point in the sky. "It's past mid-day," I commented absentmindedly. "It will be dark with the next couple of hours."

We had to get moving and find shelter before it got too dark. I had no desire to find out if there were any species of carnivorous animals on this island just sitting and waiting for things like us in the open to creep up on and attack. Having little interest in being dinner, I returned my focus to Katara. I grabbed her shoulders and shook her. "Hey Katara. Wake up," I called. Her head bobbed back and forth quite a bit with my shaking, but she didn't open her eyes. "Come on, wake up."

With no result, I released her shoulders and she dropped back onto the sand. I sat back on my heels and ran my hand through my growing dark, brown hair. This is a big problem. If I can't get her to wake up, I'm stuck in the open until she does and there is no way we can afford to wait around here for however long that will be.

I looked back at the jungle behind us and decided that I would have to take a chance and go in there in hopes of finding something to shelter us. Standing up, I went back to where I had woken up to retrieve my dual swords. It was a pure miracle that I still had them and they had remained in their sheath. Strapping them over my shoulder, I turned back to Katara and leaned over to scoop my arms under her legs and upper back. I hoisted her up against my chest and readjusted my arms so her weight was balanced in my grasp.

She was light. So very light and warm from lying on the sand under the brilliant sun. Her hands rested unfolded in her lap and her head dropped onto my bare shoulder. I felt a little uncomfortable at our faces being this close, but I knew there was no other option for transporting her right now. She was easy to carry and there was no way I was going to leave her to wake up to me being nowhere to be found or at the snapping jaws of some wild animal. It would kill me if she were to get hurt again unnecessarily.

Swallowing what little saliva I had in my mouth to wet my dry throat, I turned and began my trek into the jungle. The beach had been scattered with a few coconut trees here and there, but the trees in the jungle consisted of more than just coconut trees. I saw multiple ferns and tall palms and other trees that were big and thick and had lots of greenery growing out of and on them. Moss had collected on the ground and had begun to make its way up onto the base of some of the trees. Vines were crawling everywhere. Up trees, across trees, over the ground, and up on rocks.

On occasion, I would stumble over a root or a rock and come close to dropping Katara and falling face first into the damp terrain. Thankfully though, I was quick to regain my balance and keep on walking. I pushed past thick wads of vines that would hang down from tall trees and climb over rocks that barricaded my path. A few times the vines got so intense, that I would have to set Katara down next to a tree and take the next ten minutes or so to hack through them with my swords.

I had been walking for around a two to three hours, when I came across an apple banana tree. Thrilled and relieved at the sight of food, I set Katara down beside a big tree and plucked a bunch off the fruit tree that look about ripe. I then hastily, but thoroughly ate through the whole bunch. I went back to the tree and pulled off another bunch of the fruit. I knew that when Katara woke up, she would be hungry.

Deciding it was a good time for a rest, I dropped down next to Katara. I pressed my back against the tree trunk and breathed a heavy sigh. Glancing upward through a crack in the foliage above us, I noticed that the sunlight was growing weaker. "Suns going down," I said to myself. I looked over at Katara. She still looked peaceful in her sleep. I was glad and actually quite relieved that she was resting this long. We had both had had a lack of it, and plenty of other things. Looking at her, I got the desire to sleep as well. I was exhausted from carrying her all afternoon, even though she weighed less, and hacking through vines. That kind of labor takes a toll on someone, especially if their body is already weak and tired.

No I can't go to sleep yet. The sunlight will be gone soon. I need to find shelter or some sort of high ground for us to sleep. My eyes shifted upward to the tree me and Katara were leaning against and I noticed that the nearest branch was about eight feet up from the ground. Many more branches, decorated with leaves and vines, climbed up the rest of the tree. An idea came to me.

Standing up, I took a few steps back so I was little ways from the tree. Then I dashed forward and jumped up with my hands reaching for the lowest branch. I missed and fell to my knees. Quickly getting back on my feet, I stepped back again and ran forward. This time my fingers grazed it, but I was still unable to grab it. I landed on my feet this time and bent over to catch my breath. I hated how easily I got tired now because I was so physically weak.

Repeatedly, I continued to make grabs for the branch, but never once did I catch it. After multiple tries, I bent over with my hands on my knees trying to catch my breath.

The world around me felt quiet and dead of moving life, but to someone else, my landings and grunts had interrupted a trip in dreamland. Gritting my teeth and deciding this was the last time I was trying this, I made one final dash at the branch. I leaped into the air and felt for a moment that I had it. But my fingertips slid unaffectedly across the surface of the limb and the next thing I knew I was on my knees again.

I hung my head in surrender as I panted and rubbed my sore knees. This is pointless.

"What on earth are you doing, Zuko?"

The curious voice scared me and my whole body had a spastic attack. Looking up, I saw Katara staring at me with a confused look in her eyes. She had pulled her knees into her chest and was resting her hands on her knees.

That was when I actually thought about how I may have appeared to someone watching me. I chuckled as I stood up and wiped the bit of mud off my hands on my pants. "Fair enough."

I sat back down beside her, still panting. "I was trying to reach that branch right there," I pointed as I grabbed the bunch of apple bananas.

She looked up at it and, a bit to my surprise, giggled. "That one way up there? Oh you are determined."

I shrugged my shoulders and offered a banana to her. "Here, eat this. Slowly."

She took it tentatively in her thin, brown hand. She pulled back the peel and took a bite. As she chewed, a contented smile presented itself.

"Any good?" I asked.

She closed her eyes in satisfaction and nodded. "Beats fish any day."

After she finished her first one I broke off another one and handed it to her. She ate that one and three more after it. She wanted a sixth one, but I told her that she should wait for a bit so she didn't startle her stomach.

I looked up at the crack in the tree foliage again. The light was fading fast. I looked up at the branch again with a scowl.

"What's wrong?" Katara asked as she wiped her hands on her ragged skirt.

I sighed and pushed my bangs out of my eyes. "Well it would be ideal to have a high place to sleep tonight, unless of course you want to make some friends."

Katara thought about my comment for a moment before her eyes grew wide with fear. "Have you seen any animals?"

I shook my head with an amused smile. "No, and I don't really want to."

Katara nodded and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Me either."

I looked back up at the branch again, trying to come up with some way I could reach it. I couldn't reach it using my own height. If only I had something to stand on...

"It's a shame you can't reach that branch," Katara commented. "It would the perfect tree to stay in. If only you had something to boost you up then maybe... umm... Zuko. Zuko, why are you looking at me like that?"

"Because you're a genius!" I said jumping to my feet.

"I am?" she asked incredulously.

"Or course! Come on, stand up," I said excitedly.

Katara leaned against the tree for support and got up her weak legs.

"Ok come here," I instructed, pointing to the ground where I wanted her to stand.

She limped over to the spot and stood there. "Now what?"

I took a few steps back to double check that she was standing in the right spot. "Perfect. Ok. Here's what I want you to do. Lace your fingers together like this," I told her, spreading my own fingers and putting them together to demonstrate.

She opened her hands and did as I told her. She looked up gave me a nervous glance. "Like this?"

"Good," I took a couple more steps backwards. "Your hands are my boost. When I step onto your hands, use all the strength you have to push up. Got it?"

She looked really uncertain about my plan, but we were both aware that we were running out of options and the sun was sinking fast. "This is crazy, but ok." She positioned herself and nodded.

"Ready?" I asked.

"Ready."

I took a deep breath and then charged. I stepped up onto her hands and I felt her push up. The combined power of her push and my jump was just enough leverage for me to reach and grab hold of the branch. "Got it!" I exclaimed.

Katara smiled up at me, pleased that her effort had solved their problem. I wrapped my legs around the limb and pulled myself on top of it. I startled the limb and then turned back to Katara. "Ok your turn."

I twisted my body and reached my hands down to her. She reached upward, but she was to far by an inch or so for me to grab her hands. "You're going to have to jump."

Her eyes widened and she looked away. "I... can't. It hurts my legs."

"Not if I catch you, it won't." She looked up me despairingly. "Come on, please try at least. I'd hate for you to become a midnight snack."

She looked out at the surrounding trees and then sighed and nodded. "Ok, alright I'll try."

The uncertainty she felt was all over her face. None the less, she gritted her teeth to fight the pain as she bent her legs. I was ready for her when she pushed herself off the ground. Her hands fell into mine and I grabbed hold of them. She gasped when her feet remained in the air. I grinned down at her. "Told you I would catch you."

She grinned back. I pulled her up and she perched herself beside me. "I don't want to go any higher."

I nodded. "Ok, I won't force you."

The last of the sunlight faded from the sky, as we situated ourselves on the tree limb. I was sitting on the branch where it connected to the trunk with my head and back rested against it as I steadied my breathing. Katara remained in her sitting position, all the while staring up at the remaining light. Once it was gone, she shivered and moved her eyes to watching the ground below her feet.

I noticed a concentrated look on her face. "What's the matter?"

"This whole thing... it's all unbelievable. I never dreamed I would ever get stuck on an island. Let alone with you."

If her words had exited her mouth in a different tone, they could have really stung. But her words were nowhere near hurtful. They were worse because they sounded soft and broken.

I rolled my shoulders. "Gee thanks."

She sighed and turned her eyes to look at me. "I didn't mean it like that." She paused and lowered her voice. "I'm actually kind of glad it's you."

This statement surprised me. "Oh really? You wouldn't rather be stuck here with your little Avatar boyfriend?"

Katara's small smile faded and transformed into a frown. "His name is Aang. And he's not my boyfriend."

"Heh, try telling that to the world."

"Huh?" she asked incredulously.

I closed my eyes and put my hands behind my head. "Don't pretend you don't know."

She scowled. "Sorry to disappoint."

Figures she wouldn't know, I guess. "Everyone knows that the Avatar is traveling the world with his girlfriend and her beloved brother."

"What?"

"That's right. Everyone thinks you two are a couple."

"Well their wrong!"

I reopened my eyes at her outburst.

She turned her head away as she sniffed and wiped her nose. "Their wrong. He's... he's like the little brother I never had. There's no way he would like me anyways. I forced him and Sokka into a magical romance I created with someone else who I barely knew and thought was a good person. I hate him now, but my bad character judgments scare me sometimes. It's... it's just so hard to trust people now with the war going on."

Her words startled me. I had always believed that her and the Avat- Aang were together. But her words made sense of their relationship. They were close like a family, not like lovers. I scratched my nose and nodded. "I see. It would appear that they, and I, were wrong about you and Aang."

She glanced back at me. She didn't say anything, but I read a thank you in her sapphire eyes.

Katara yawned and closed her eyes again. A faint breeze drifted through the air, sending with it the scent of sea water. The water bender shivered and rubbed her arms.

"Cold?" I asked.

"No," she responded tartly.

I grinned at her tough guy act. "Katara, it's not a crime to admit your cold."

"I know. I'm just not, that's all."

I smiled and then reached forward and placed my hand on hers. As I suspected, it was as cold as ice. She glanced at me and in return, I gave her a look that silently asked her to not resist. She shivered again and gave in.

She turned her back and scooted cautiously towards me until her back rested against my chest. She laid her tired head on my chest as her injured legs sank down, falling over both sides of the limb. I rested my head against the tree trunk again after I pushed her hair over one of her shoulders so it wouldn't get in my mouth. Then, a little timidly, I wrapped my arms around Katara's upper body to keep her warm and safe. Her thin, injured body felt so tiny and fragile beside me. Once I knew she was asleep, I felt a small sense of guilt as I hugged her closer to me as if I could somehow erase all that had happened to her the past few days.

The night became darker and deeper as I slowly and quietly drifted off into a deep sleep, exhausted physically and mentally from a long day.

°○•●°•○°○•●°○•

The next day ran something similar to the previous day, mainly consisting of moving through the jungle and looking for food and water. After the sun had risen and we had jumped out of our tree, I plucked a few more apple bananas, and we ate as we began walking. Katara had complained a little that morning about her legs hurting. Once we were back on the ground, I offered to carry her, but she politely refused and treaded on ahead of me. I saw the limp in her steps and I noticed she favored her right leg more than her left. I couldn't help wondering if an infection had already set in.

We continued on in that fashion in what felt like a straight line. However, on a few occasions, we did have to alter our course because of mud pits, thick vines, rocks and the likes. Even if we were going in circles, I don't believe we had have known the exact differences. Our surroundings always looked the same to a certain degree and we were always too concentrated on bush whacking to memorize our surroundings. We took turns cutting through the vegetation. The air was very humid, as it is in any tropical climate, and so Katara could easily bend some water from the air to slice through vines. Her bending abilities were also the only way for us to have something to drink. It wasn't the greatest since it was coming from hot, sticky air, but it was better than nothing. Visualizing it as hot tea helped it go down a little better, even though it couldn't compare to a chilled glass of water.

We rested about midday under a tree with some more bananas we had found a bit earlier. I took a short nap and woke up to find Katara fiddling with her leg bandages. I watched her for a short moment as she retied the wrappings and readjusted her skirt to cover them. Then she pushed herself up onto her feet using the trunk of the tree for support. She winced a little and I saw pain etched on her face for second, but just as soon as it came, it disappeared. After steadying herself, she wobbled over into some bushes to answer natures call. I heard her hiss and then curse and I supposed she must have stepped on something sharp again. That was the third time today.

After she came out of the bushes, we continued on into the jungle in silence until late afternoon came and I began keeping a look out for a good tree to spend the night in. By about the time the sun setting, I discovered the perfect tree. Its branches were not as high as the tree we slept in the night before, but it was much easier to climb.

I climbed up first again and then leaned down to help Katara. She was so light that I didn't even break a sweat between getting myself up and then pulling her up. Once we were settled, we chatted on useless topics while we waited for the sun to go down. We talked about the war, and how much longer we thought Ba Sing Se would last, and how things might be if Aang defeated Fire Lord Ozai.

"But what if my father defeats Aang?" I asked, actually very interested in her opinion.

She was silent for a moment while she considered my question. The way she looked up at trees with a hint of loneliness in her eyes made me think she had tried to answer this question before. "I don't know. I think things will only get worse from where there are now. For some people though, life isn't too bad. Like the people of the Fire Nation and in certain parts of Ba Sing Se. They have it easy. They have their families, they don't have anything to fear, and they have homes and food."

A sudden darkness crept into her eyes making her blue orbs look like black ice. "And then there are people from the North and South Pole and parts of the Earth Kingdom who are barely making it. Their families are split up from fathers, brothers, and sons going to war or being killed in some way or another. They count themselves very lucky to have a meal each day and a roof over their heads to escape the weather. They are always wondering when the fateful day will come when their enemies will find them and what little they had will be gone." She turned her head to look at me. Her eyes were alive with an emotion I couldn't quite pinpoint. It was something deeper than anger, but not as savage as murder.

"If your father does happen to beat Aang, many people will break and many more will die. This war is all I've know my whole life. If I don't live to see it ends..." She trailed off and turned away from me.

The ice had broken in her eyes and I knew now she was probably just scared. Most people were. How could things get any worse? What would happen if things did get worse? Ozai would level the four nations if he defeated Aang. And who would save them then? If Ozai didn't kill Aang, he would lock him up to rot in a damp prison cell.

"Life in the Fire Nation is not all roses and rainbows. It may seem that way to the other nations, but it's really not much better. Some families do live in poverty and struggle to maintain what they have. People of a lower rank are treated with cruelty by people of a higher rank. The people don't know what freedom feels like and I have always wanted to share that with them. Or at least how it feels to not have to be afraid."

We fell into a lapse of silence after that as the last of the orange and gold rays of the sun slowly faded away from the cracks in the foliage above our heads. The jungle was hushed and we were surrounded by darkness. There were no sounds except for a few frogs that came out to chirp until the middle of the night. With my back resting against the tree trunk I began to nod off.

I almost jumped when I felt a cold hand latch onto mine. I sat up with a groan. "Shhh!"

I opened my eyes all the way and strained to see through the darkness. I found Katara's wide eyes glowing like sapphires in the blackness. "What's the matter?"

"Be quiet!" she hissed. Her hand was clamped tight around mine and I noticed that it was shaking a bit.

"Katara," I said in a low whisper. "What's going-"

I was cut off by a noise that sounded like a low menacing growl. I swallowed. Crap.

"Zuko," Katara whispered, clutching my hand tighter. I could feel it starting to cramp. "What are we going to do?"

Thinking fast, I tried to calculate the best way to keep ourselves from being attacked. We are about five feet off the ground. That's child's play to a full grown panther or platypus bear to jump up or swipe us off our limb. But maybe it was something not as big as that and would stay on the ground. Yeah. I'm sure were safe right where we are.

But another growl, louder than the one before, and a gasp from Katara quickly changed my mind. "Katara, we need to get to the next limb up," I whispered urgently. I expected her to stubbornly refuse, but she nodded instead. "Ok."

I climbed up to the next branch which about three feet above our head's. I then leaned down to help Katara, but she was already pulling herself up. I grinned. She was trying to be cool, but I could tell she was freaked out of her skin.

"Ok. We should be safe here. And if something does attack, I've got my swords and you can bend just fine," I reassured her as I settled back against the trunk.

She didn't say anything in reply, but a few moments later I felt her cold hand again, this time on my knee. "I'm cold," she whispered almost so I couldn't hear her.

I blinked twice and then got her hint. Five minutes later we were both sound asleep with Katara in my lap and her head resting comfortably on my chest with my arms wrapped protectively around her so she wouldn't fall or get eaten.

°○•●°•○°○•●°○•

The next morning we found no animal footprints or any evidences that there had been an animal below us last night. I assumed the animal had either not been there very long or there had been no animal at all and we had been merely jumping at sounds and shadows.

The started out very badly between me and the waterbender. For reasons I didn't know, Katara had decided that she was going to be difficult and nasty that morning. She got down from our tree branch with some difficulty, but she didn't let on that it was hard or painful for her. However, once she was down on the ground, something clicked in her and she instantly sat down and began to complain excessively that her legs hurt and that she was not going to walk today. Tired as I was and steadily growing in impatience, I tried my best to persuade her to walk for maybe just an hour if not anything. But she only frowned up at me from her spot on in on the mossy ground and bluntly refused again to walk at all.

"Well, we need food so someone has to go get some," I stated grumpily as I pinched the bridge of my nose.

Katara was already in a bad mood and was fixated on having her way. "I'm not going anywhere," she informed me.

I glared at her for a moment and then put my hands up in defeat. "Alright, fine." I reached behind my shoulder and pulled one of my dual swords from its sheath. "I guess it's up to me then," I replied. I tossed the sword at her and it hit the ground with a thud near where she was sitting.

She glanced at it confusedly and then tilted her gaze up at me to give me a weird look.

"What's this for?" she asked gesturing to it.

I rolled my eyes. I was slowly growing more and more exasperated with her. "Please don't be offended and I know you can bend, but I don't feel comfortable leaving you alone here without a reliable weapon."

She glanced again at the weapon, but this time more distastefully. "How am I supposed to use it if I can't even walk?" she asked grouchily.

I shrugged my shoulders as I pulled the second dual sword out from behind me. "I'm sure you'll be able to find the strength in you to get up and fight or run if you're about to be eaten."

She sneered at me in what felt like an attempt to get me to take it back. But then she snatched up the sword and turned her head away from me. "Fine. Now go find some food already. I'm starving."

I balled my empty fist and forced myself to swallow a retort before I gave her one last look of irritation instead and headed off into the jungle in hopes of finding some food to satisfy the needy little waterbender.

Katara Pov

With the hilt of Zuko's broad sword still grasped tightly in my left fist, I scooted backwards towards the trunk of the sturdy tree we had slept in last night so I could rest my back against it. I sighed and winced as I bent my right leg upwards to get myself more comfortable. I closed my eyes as the pain quickly subsided and tried to relax.

"Pfft!" I said aloud with my eyes still shut. "No point in even trying to relax. There's way to much going through my head right now."

I tapped my head against the tree trunk in thought. "For starters, my legs are killing me. I'm positive one of them, if not both, is infected. And then there's this whole fix of being stuck on this stupid island. Who knows how we will get off."

I paused for a moment and then felt a sudden sense of horror as new thought dawned on me. "Or what if... what we never get off." Absentmindedly, I slowly lifted the sword into my lap. "What if I am stranded on this island for the rest of my life? What if I die here never knowing where my family is or if their alright? I'll never see the war end and make a peaceful life for myself."

These new revelations flooded and overwhelmed my mind, causing a mix of fear and anxiety to take over my body. I grew tense and, without even realizing it, the knuckles of my hand that was holding the sword had turned white. My body began trembling from the tenseness.

This can't be it. This can't be how it ends. I don't want this to be my story!

As my mind continued to race, the loud snap of a stick resounded from the thick trees and vines surrounding me. My body went rigid as my mind came to a sudden standstill. I looked nervously around me as a whole new fear sent chills crawling up my spine.

I waited in frozen terror for a few moments, straining for anymore noises to identify what had made the noise. An animal? Or maybe a bird? Nothing. Silence took control of the atmosphere again, making my panic even worse. Then, I heard movement coming from somewhere near. I urgently looked left and right as I began to push myself up onto my feet. Then I looked straight in front of me to see a long thing that looked something like a long stick, poking out from behind the foliage.

I lifted my weapon, ready to defend myself against whatever was behind those trees. Thoughts of fight or flight were racing through my brain. I desperately wanted to flee, but there was no way I could outrun a carnivorous animal in my current condition. I felt that I at least I stood a chance fighting. But what came out from behind those trees, I never could have prepared myself for.

To my complete surprise, out stepped an old man with a magnificent tan, a gray mop of hair and a gray beard about two inches long. He wore earth colored clothes and had shining green eyes that were almost completely hidden by his big, bushy eyebrows. He was barefoot and stood slightly hunched over as any old person does. The stick poking out of the foliage, I now realized, was his walking stick.

The man was not scary or intimidating in the least, but his presence, the presence of a human being, and the shock of it not being animal as I had expected, rattled my panicked brain and body. To this day, I still don't understand why I dropped the sword and screamed as if I were being murdered, instead of rushing forward to hug him.

The old man went a bit pale and seemed to be somewhat frightened, but he didn't move. My scream was short lived and I remained where I was standing on my trembling legs with my paralyzed body pressed up against the tree. I watched him carefully as he leaned on his walking stick and shifted his eyes back and forth a few times from me to the dual sword. A confused look came over his face, causing me to feel confused for a reason I wasn't sure I understood.

"And where did you get this?" he asked in a deep, raspy voice as he pointed to the sword.

I blinked and then glanced down to where he was pointing. I pursed my lips as I tried to find the words to respond with. "It was... given to me," I finally answered in a small voice.

The old man squinted and cupped a hand to his ear. "Say what?"

I swallowed. "It was given to me," I repeated, louder and more assertive this time.

He nodded slowly as he placed his hand back on his walking stick. "Ah I see. And who might have given it to you?"

I searched my mind for the proper word to refer to Zuko as. "A friend."

"And where might that friend be?" he inquired further.

"You sure ask a lot," I replied a little more sharply than I intended.

To my surprise he didn't look hurt, but instead smiled and released a small chuckle. "Oh you think so?"

I found myself relaxing a little at his easy mood. "Yes."

The old man continued to smile. "Does it bother you?"

"It... no not a lot I suppose," I answered truthfully.

"Well then is it fine then if I ask just one more question?"

His eyes twinkled with curiosity under his thick eyebrows. I nodded with an equal curiosity as to what he would ask me.

"Who are you?"

Zuko Pov

As soon as I heard her scream, I turned tail and sprinted back in the direction I had come. Thoughts and fears raced through my mind, making me run faster and faster.

I knew I shouldn't have left her alone! What was I thinking?

I darted through the sections of vines I had cut and dodged any tree that got in my path, all the while praying to Agni that Katara would remain unharmed until I got to her. There was no way I could forgive myself if she were to get hurt. Again.

I spotted the small clearing where I had left the waterbender just ahead of me. I ran faster with one last push and exited the mass of trees. I was greeted with an interesting shock.

There was Katara sitting with her back against the tree we had slept in and standing above her with his back to me in olive colored clothing and dark skin, was a man supporting his weight on a walking stick. A wave of emotions I didn't understand at the moment but what I recognized later as protectiveness, washed over me. I thought later that it all had something to do with the events of what happened on the pirate ship.

I darted over to them and stepped between them. "Get away from her!" I warned glaring at him.

He looked up at me in surprise, but not shaken and then glanced beside me to where Katara was scrambling to get onto her feet.

"Zuko stop! He wasn't- ah!"

I turned to see Katara fall back to the ground with her face twisted in pain.

"Is this your friend, my dear?" he asked Katara without a tremble in his voice.

Katara was in too much pain to respond, so I did it for her. "You better bet your life on it!" I lifted my broad sword and pointed it at his face. The old man stumbled back a few paces, but remained on his bare feet with great assistance from his staff. "What did you do to her?" I exclaimed.

"Nothing," he responded calmly. "Why would I do anything to her?"

I gritted my teeth and let my raging emotions take over my speech. "To hurt or take advantage of her! I don't know, but I do know I don't trust mysterious, older men anymore!"

The old man still didn't move or appear to be in any sort of way worried or fearful of the situation. "I think a past experience has led you to misunderstand this one."

I was fazed slightly by his words in a revelation that he could be right, but I held my ground. "Judging by your age, you should know more than most that it's hard to trust anyone these days!"

He gave me a bit of a confused look, but brushed off my words easily. "I think your worrying Katara."

Startled at him knowing Katara's name, but more worried about Katara's well-being, I turned to see her standing rather unsteadily on her feet with her eyes wide open with anxiety. "Katata? Did he hurt you?"

She shook her head. "No! Of course not. He's a friend."

Katara Pov

I desperately wanted to get between them so Zuko wouldn't hurt the old man, but the pain in my legs restricted me. I knew if I even took one step away from the tree, I would fall. "His name is Rohan. He didn't hurt me."

Zuko turned away from me and lowered his sword. He took a small step backwards in what looked like a bit of an embarrassment. "I'm sorry. I... I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions," I heard him say quietly. I was honestly quite surprised he actually apologized, let alone admit his fault.

Rohan smiled kindly. "It's alright my boy."

Zuko sheathed his sword, performed a brief apologetic bow and then turned to me to make sure I was alright. "You ok? Do think your legs are bleeding?" he asked with honest concern in his voice as he picked up his other sword and put it with its twin.

I nodded as he leaned down a bit to my eye level. I slipped an arm over and his neck and limped a little from the tree. Zuko had a better idea though. He leaned down more and gently slipped his arms under my legs and around my back. My bare feet left the ground and the next thing I knew, I was pressed up against Zuko's bare chest. But before I could complain, I realized how much better and pain free my thighs felt. I bit back my words and allowed him to help me.

Zuko walked back over to Rohan and spoke with a much humbler tone of voice.

"Rohan right?"

Rohan nodded. "It is a pure pleasure to meet you. Your name is..."

"Oh. Zuko. My name is Zuko," the firebender replied without a stutter. I was a little shocked because it seemed like he would be more careful with his title.

"Nice to meet you Zuko," Rohan grinned. I couldn't help but cringe a little at his crooked, decayed teeth. "Hmmm Zuko. That's a Fire Nation name, isn't it?"

Zuko nodded. "Yes."

"You're a firebender then?"

Zuko nodded again.

"Well it seems like you two have yourselves in a rather peculiar situation. From what Katara has told me, you've been here a couple days?" Rohan asked looking at them with the same curiosity as before.

Zuko sighed dishearteningly. "That's correct. We washed up a day or two ago."

Rohan nodded. "I have shelter about a ten minutes' walk from here. I can also offer food, fresh water, bedding, and medical attention." He turned his full attention on me. "If I'm not mistaken miss Katara, your legs have been injured and you cannot walk?"

I nodded solemnly. "You would be correct."

"You're lucky then. I have some background in healing," Rohan replied reassuringly. "Now come. Let's get back before the sun sets."

°○•●°•○°○•●°○•

Rohan's shelter was truly incredible. The materials of the exterior were bamboo poles and furans. The bamboo seemed to make excellent, strong walls and the furans made for a working roof that was waterproof. I was shocked when he told us that he had built it himself and was still making improvements on it. The actual structure was built up on a platform about a foot off the ground. Beside the platform was a small cultivated area that I supposed was a garden of some kind. There were four steps leading up to a covered deck-like area with the entrance to the hut on the right. It would be a lie to say that there was a sturdy door, or least the type of door you may be imagining. This doorway was covered with a tarp of some kind, which I soon discovered was a sail from a boat. I recognized the feel of the material.

If the outside wasn't surprising enough, the interior sure was something to behold. There appeared to be three separate rooms, each serving a different purpose. After closer inspection, we discovered that the smallest room was where Rohan slept and kept all his belongings, the second room, which was a bit smaller, served as a kitchen and a place to store food and other supplies.

The third room was my favorite. It was like an entry room but it became a living room for us. There was a table built from bamboo beside the doorway, a bench that was also crafted from bamboo at the back of the room and a rolled up blanket instead of a sofa, lay in front of a small cave cut from the wall with rocks surrounding it. Judging from the sand and ashes in it I guessed it was a fireplace of sorts. Two openings had been carved from one wall providing light during the day. Two rolled up curtains sat above the windows.

"This is beautiful!" I commented in amazement as we entered.

Rohan smiled with a hint of a blush. "Thank you. It's a work in progress though."

The old man hobbled into his bedroom and returned a few moments later with some blankets and sacks that were stuffed so they were puffy. I assumed this was the best he could do for a pillow. I wasn't super dependent on pillows though because me, Aang, and Sokka had traveled without them.

"I'm afraid this is the best I can do for bedding right now," he said as he dropped the bedding in one corner of the house near the fireplace. "You can use that blanket there too," he added pointing to the sofa blanket.

Zuko nodded in thanks. "Thank you. We really appreciate all this."

Rohan grinned mischievously. "I've only just begun."

He went back to his room and came back with; I could hardly believe it, clothes! He offered Zuko a chestnut vest with a white undershirt and maroon pants. For me, he had a blue dress with white details and princess sleeves that reached down a little past my knees. He also said he had some sandals for me that I could try on later. The question as to where he had all this clothing did cross my mind, but once I and Zuko tried the clothes on, it vanished in an instant.

Zuko fixed my bed up for me and I was about to slip into it very much ready for some well-deserved rest, but Rohan stopped me. "May I have a look at your legs, Katara?"

I wanted to say no, but decided against it and agreed. So sitting on my bedding with my legs straight out in front of me, Rohan pushed my dress up so he could have a good look. I thought he wouldn't have enough light to see, but the light of the afternoon streamed in through the windows providing us with more than enough light.

After he undid my bloody wrappings, Rohan washed the wounds with a brown cloth dipped in water from a small bowl. Then he had Zuko tear two new strips of cloth from an old blanket that was obviously falling apart. He wrapped those around my legs tightly, but not as tight as I had them before. This whole process took longer than it seemed and the daylight slowly started to slip away. When Rohan finally finished his work and asked me how the new wrappings felt, the sun was already setting behind the waves surrounding the island.

"Much better," I sighed contentedly, as I pushed my dress back down over my legs.

"Good," he replied. He rose to his feet with the help of his staff. "Are you hungry?" he asked, though I knew he already knew the answer.

We both nodded vigorously. He grinned in amusement at us and then headed toward the kitchen to retrieve some food.

I began to lift my blanket so I could settle down, but Zuko took it for me. "Thanks," I said as I got under it and nestled my head on the pillow.

"Sure," he replied. He became silent for a moment as his eyes drifted away from me. I knew something was bothering him. "I'm sorry," he said quietly.

I blinked in confusion. "What for?"

His jaw worked as he tried to find the words. "All of this. I... I never thought any of this would happen when I followed you that night. And now we're stuck here and your hurt and-"

I gently placed my hand on his leg to silence him. "Hey. I don't blame you for any of this," I said sincerely.

The firenender's eyes were tearing up a bit. "I know... but I still... I still feel responsible."

I gave him a sad smile and then pushed myself up into a sitting position. I moved my hand away from his leg and pulled him into a hug. "I know you were only following your heart. Please don't beat yourself up for that. We will find a way out of this."

His warm arms found their way around me and he pulled me closer and closer to him until there was no space between us. "Your right. This isn't the end."

We pulled apart a bit and I placed my hand on his scared cheek. To my surprise he didn't flinch or move away. "Promise me you won't give up?"

His eyes were still a bit misty, but he nodded. "I promise."

I smiled in relief and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek I was touching. Then, before he could say anything, I lay down on the sack pillow again and closed my eyes. It was only a matter of seconds before I drifted off into a peaceful sleep.

Zuko Pov

I lifted my hand to where she had kissed me. I brushed the rough scar tissue with my fingertips. She hasn't been this caring towards me since we were on the iceberg.

I noticed for the first time that I had cared for her on the pirate ship and on the island because she had been vulnerable and physically weak. But she had been so strong on the iceberg and was always there to comfort me when I felt hopeless. And now that she was feeling safe and at peace again, she has reverted back to her more caring self.

"Asleep already?"

I turned my head to see Rohan standing above me with a plate full of food. I hadn't even heard him come back into the room. "Yeah. I think she was more tired than she realized."

Rohan grinned knowingly and jerked his head over to the fireplace. "It gets cold here some nights. Would you be as so kind as to light me a fire?"

I glanced at the fireplace and noticed for the first time a small pile of wood beside it. Getting up on my feet, I walked over to the fireplace and knelt down in front of it. I took a few logs from the neatly stacked pile and placed them on top of the ashes from previous fires. Finally, I sent a spark towards the wood and a fire was blazing in a matter of seconds.

Feeling satisfied with my work, I sat back on the sofa blanket and watched the flames flicker in the simple, but well-made fire pit.

"Thank you," Rohan said in a low voice as he sat down beside me. "Sometimes it takes me forever to get my blasted spark rocks to work."

I grinned, but kept my eyes on the flickering flames. I only shifted my gaze when Rohan set the plate of food on my lap. My mouth instantly began to water. There was freshly sliced pineapple pieces, two slices of a juicy looking mango, and half a coconut shell filled with clean water. Instantly I began eating everything and had it all down in two minutes flat. Setting the plate aside and sitting back on my hands, I sighed contentedly. "Thank you. That was excellent. I haven't had fresh fruit like that in a few years."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it," replied the old man.

All sounds dissipated from the small hut, except for the crackling of the fire and the koi qui sounds some tropical frogs were making. Finally, it got to me and I felt I had to break it. "So what is your plan for getting off the island?" I asked nonchalantly as I sat up and began taking off my boots.

The old man turned and looked at me with an expression of confusion. "I beg pardon?"

I glanced sideways. "Getting off the island. What's your plan so far? Do you have a boat or raft some sort in the works?"

Rohan stared at me for a moment longer before I knew he understood what I was asking. My hopes fell too quickly at his solemn expression. "Zuko... mmm... I guess there is really no easy way to say this."

I cocked my head. What did he mean by that?

Then he looked me straight in the eye and told me the ugly truth. "Zuko, I have been stuck here for thirty years now. I have made multiple attempts to get off this island, but there is almost like a curse or a force keeping me here and refusing to let me leave. I have tried building rafts, but they have all sunk. I have tried smoke signals, but no one ever sees them. I have bottled four rescue notes, but not one has been answered nor has it found its way back to this island's beaches."

All the hope I had been storing up since we first got lost at sea on the iceberg, began to pale and disintegrate. "You mean..."

"I'm sorry," Rohan continued sadly while shaking his head. "There is no way off this island."

I stared with shock and disbelief into the blazing fire. There was no way off? How can that be?

The flames flickered and licked each other and the longer I stared at the flames, the more I felt like my element was taunting me. Maybe this is my punishment for everything I've done in the past.

I gazed over where Katara was sleeping soundly. I gritted my teeth in frustration. This is so unfair to her. She's good and innocent. Why did she have to get trapped here too? She should be with her family and Aang, not with a banished, scarred prince who doesn't have any place to call home.

"We can't tell this to Katara," I whispered as I battled with my freshly stirred emotions.

"I agree," Rohan replied. "She has a lot going on right now and I hate to see how this news would affect her." He paused and added, "But Zuko, please remember that we will have to tell her eventually. She will ask and there is no point in telling her a lie."

I nodded to show I understood. "Alright."

Rohan sat still for a moment and then rose. "Well I must be going to sleep now. You should too. If you want, you may release the curtains on those windows above you two so you don't wake to the sunlight in your eyes."

I nodded again, but kept my eyes on Katara.

"Good night," Rohan whispered and then without waiting for a reply, hobbled off to his room.

I got up from where I was sitting and fixed the windows as Rohan suggested. Using the remainder of the blankets Rohan had brought out, I made my own bed up and situated my pillow. But before I got into bed, I knelt in front of Katara.

She looked so at peace and happy as she slept and for me that was a great comfort to know that she wasn't in as much pain as before. I lightly brushed a strand of chocolate hair out of her face and tucked it behind her ear. Then in an almost silent whisper I said, "I promise I won't let you go. I will always come after you. I won't abandon you and if you run, I will follow." Smiling sadly to myself, I pulled her blankets up to her chin and, without thinking, returned her kiss from earlier by planting my lips on her forehead.

Looking back, I think I was so exhausted from the previous few days that I wasn't completely aware of my actions that night. But I do remember sleeping the best I had in a long while and having the simplest of dreams that gave me fruitful rest and peace.

Part 2 to be continued... °○•●°•○°○•●°○•


So just in case you didn't catch it, (I didn't make it clear) the first paragraph is Rohan's thoughts before he meets Zuko and Katara. Just to be clear. Thank you so much for reading and I am sorry again for this taking so long! I would love to hear what you think! It takes ten seconds for you to send your thoughts to me. I'm fine with criticism, but please nothing nasty. Till next time!

~Magical Reality~