Chapter 2:
Comforted By Darkness
The next two weeks were miserable for Katara. Zuko kept his promise to bring bread and a cup of water every morning and every evening, but the conditions of the food were not the best. She had been given bread that had a hint of mold beginning to grow on it, and the water had been polluted with dirt and other grimy bacteria. When she tried to ask the guards if it was possible if she could receive better provisions, she was given a hard hit to the head.
Her strength was holding out fairly well. She even came up with her own exercise routine, so that her body would stay in shape, and she wouldn't end up to weak to move. Running in place often gave her quite the sweat outbreak, and she knew she had a chance to use her waterbending to possibly make an escape attempt. But what good would it do. Where could she go? The Fire Nation was everywhere. No matter where she hid, they'd would always be one step behind her.
Waiting for a moment when she was alone to strike. Sitting in a curled ball in the corner, Katara began to think. Zuko was just as ruthless as she remembered him to be. He hadn't visited her cell since last week, but he promised that he'd return very soon. Perhaps she could start a conversation with him. Talk about his new life, and the wicked world that his father was hell bent on creating.
What was she thinking? Conversing with the man who destroyed her life? This atmosphere had clearly gone to her head. She was now even considering bonding with a villain to lighten the situation. No, she would rather rot in an empty cell till the end of time, then form a friendship with a person as cruel as Zuko.
Katara leaned her head against the wall. A drop of water fell from the ceiling onto her cheek. She didn't bother to wipe it off. The cold liquid felt soothing to her. She watched as the drop slowly slid off her check and then died on her lips. Another memory flashed before Katara's eyes. This time it was when her, Sokka and Aang had been traveling through stormy weather. Aang insisted that they camp under bushes in the forest for the evening, but Sokka was keen on reaching the next town, so they could make more progress.
She eventually agreed with Aang, and the three took shelter in the woods, under a giant tree that sat in the middle of the forest. Katara remembered how cold the rain felt on her skin that day. She loved the water, it was her element, but this particular blend of rain gave her chills to the bone. The more she cuddled close to Appa, the warmer she felt. But as his fur became soaked with water, Katara found herself chilled again.
Then, Aang wrapped her in his shirt and pulled her close to him for warmth. Katara remembered at first feeling awkward by this. Her best friend pulling her to lean on his chest? But she was cold after all. And Aang had managed to stay completely dry, so she could easily find warmth. The memory was soon torn away, when Katara heard the creaking of the door opening.
She quickly scooted herself to the center of the cell, brushing off the dirt that she had on her arms. Katara looked forward to see Zuko striding over to her cell with a sly smile across his face.
"Finally, I thought you weren't going to come back," she said.
"Oh, and were you eager for me to return?" Zuko retorted.
"Ha, I'd rather eat grime."
"Well, that can be arranged my dear princess," Zuko said.
"How dare you call me such a name! I will never be anything more to you than your prisoner, and even that is something that won't last for long."
Zuko knelt down to the foot of the cell. Through the steel bars he could clearly see the animosity on Katara's face. Her eyes as the week before, shot words of hatred towards him, and cursed every minute that he took a breath of air. But Zuko was not easy to break. He gave another sly smile and moved closer through the bars for Katara to hear.
"I'll assure you, any escape attempt you plan on making, will most certainly be futile."
"There are guards all over this perimeter, and without any water to bend, you're defenseless."
"Not to mention, I can clearly see the look hidden deep within the anger of your eyes. You've given up hope, don't deny it. The once optimistic young girl has faded into memory. Now replaced by a miserable being left to rot away in the darkness. My oh my, how the world works in mysterious ways."
Zuko stood up and walked towards the wall. He placed a hand on the dirty bricks, and began to rub up and down.
"My father, sister and I are having supper together this evening," he said while still rubbing the wall. The first time in what it seems like decades. He even asked me this morning what I would like to eat. Amazing isn't it? How one simple deed could change someone's entire outlook on you. I spent many countless nights on my ship thinking about what it would be like to feel a father's love again. To have someone look at you as their pride and joy, and not a disgrace to their name."
"I'd ask you to join us; however, the Fire Lord doesn't take kindly to prisoners roaming around his home. I'll be back soon, peasant. Next time I come, we're going to have a longer chat. Maybe then I can get some insight to your personal background."
Katara felt her heart skip a beat. This man was unnerving. The way he spoke to her like his pet instead of his prisoner. Almost as if he admired having her locked away where nobody but himself knew where she was.
When Zuko left the prison, Katara's eyes quickly filled with tears. The mark from earlier when the guard struck her was beginning to turn red and Katara feared she might be bleeding soon. With no water around, there was no way to heal the wound. It could possibly get infected, and no one would even care to help a water tribe prisoner.
"Oh mom, if you can hear me, please get me through this. Please let there be some miracle on the horizon. I haven't lost faith yet, but I starting to think that there may be nothing left to believe in."
Zuko entered the grand hall with dignity. The walls were decorated with red and gold steamers, in celebration of the Fire Nation's victory in the war. The dining hall was just as Zuko remembered it. A long narrow table just in the center of the room, with a variety of delectable food all placed in an orderly fashion. Zuko saw Azula sitting close to the far right end of the table where Ozai usually sat. She looked devious as always. Only this time, she was wearing a bright red dress that matched the streamers hanging in the hallways.
"Why Zu Zu, what a pleasure to see you this evening. Do like the decorations? I had those filthy Earth Kingdom peasants deck the entire palace in honor of our legacy.
"Its nice I guess," Zuko said softly.
"Nice? After killing the Avatar and his friends, achieving victory in an a hundred year war, this is all just nice to you," Azula said.
"No. It's just… I've never cared for decorations that's all."
"Funny, you always seemed elated whenever mother asked you to help her decorate," Azula teased.
Zuko's face turned red with anger. He slammed a hard foot to the ground and pointed a finger across the room at his sister.
"Shut up about mom, Azula. You are not one to talk about her, especially in the bitter manner that you usually do."
"Zuko, it's been eight years, you really have to move on and accept the fact that she's…
"What dead?" Zuko spun around this time with tears leaking from his eyes. How could Azula ruin this occasion by bringing up the memory of his mother. The one who he knew would be most displeased with person he had become. As he closed his eyes to hold back the tears, he could picture her face staring right back at him. Her brown eyes filled with disappointment as she shook her head.
A door swung open and Zuko turned to see his father walking towards the table with a sly smile on his face.
"Come my children. Sit down and tell me about your day," he said.
Ozai stood by his chair and held out a hand signaling Zuko where to sit. Zuko obliged to his father's wishes and took the seat right next to him.
"I hope that the chefs took to your order correctly, Prince Zuko. If anything is incorrect you can be sure that I shall inform them immediately." Zuko could sense a hint of terror hidden in his voice. He quickly put down his cup of wine and coaxed his father.
"No father. Everything looks splendidly prepared. I am eager to start on this luscious meal that the chefs have arranged for us on this lovely evening."
Zuko picked up his chopsticks and began to fiddle with the plate of white rice. He truly wasn't that hungry. But he couldn't look like a fool in front of his father, who just accepted him back into the family. Where was the appreciation in refusing to eat?
As the feast went on, Zuko kept quiet to himself, while Azula and Ozai had a conversation about the recent plans in Ba Sing Se.
"Yes. The eastern army is to bring the palace down tomorrow afternoon. By then, we shall start a new city in Fire Nation history."
"Excellent father, I'm glad that my hard work in conquering the city has brought you some use in your plans."
"You've done more than enough to help with my plans, my daughter. And now that your brother has returned, he too can take on the responsibility of becoming the new leader in charge of Ba-Sing-Se."
Zuko nearly choked on a piece of roast duck in his mouth. He was trying hard to get lost in their conversation, so that he wouldn't have a clue what they were talking about. But the words rang clear as a bell to him. Ozai wanted Zuko to become his successor. Now that the Avatar was dead, The Fire Lord could place a new reign on his son.
"Father, I am humbled by your glorious news, but I honestly don't believe that I am ready to take on the responsibility of ruling a city."
"Nonsense Zuko, you have Fire Lord blood running through your veins. The definition of the word leader is as clear to you as the scar on your face."
"In a few days, I shall arrange for a carriage to take you two to Ba Sing Se, there you will meet with General Hoh. He will tell you about the construction plans for our new city. There you will provide him with any demands you wish upon the building. And see to it, that it will be a marvelous addition to the land of the Fire Nation."
"Yes father. As you wish," Zuko softly said. He wished that his father would stop talking.
"Now that the Avatar is dead, nothing in the world can stop the Fire Nation from conquering the world," Ozai said taking another big sip of his wine.
"Not to mention his friends are out of the picture as well, so there are no chances of a rebellion in the midst," Azula added.
"That's true; his friends always were the faithful type."
"Especially that watertribe girl. Always believing in fighting for what is right and never turning your back on people who need help. What a pathetic waste of skin."
"I remember that night when they were all killed, Zuko. She was begging at your knees. Pleading that she knew there was good in your heart. Ha! The Fire Lord's son? Don't make me laugh. I never saw you actually take her life Zuko. Tell me, was it painful? Did you make her wish she was dead? Did you see the last bit of life leave her eyes?
Azula was on the edge of her seat with excitement. What a demonic soul she carried deep inside of her. These questions were demented. How could he bring himself to answer them? Let alone the answers all being lies. No one knew that he was the one keeping Katara alive. The two guards he paid to bring her food, only agreed to remain quiet as long as Zuko paid them double the amount they earned. Something about Katara seemed special. The day that the Avatar and his friends were killed, he couldn't bring himself to kill her. The reason why, he couldn't seem to understand. For now, he had to keep her hidden from the world. Until he could finally let go of his troubled past, and move onto the glorious life that lay ahead of him.
"Excuse me father, I don't seem to be feeling well. May I be excused to go lie down in my room?"
Of course, my son. You are a prince. Therefore you may do whatever you please. Good night, Zuko. Tomorrow we begin a new chapter in Fire Nation history. Only this time, this story has no ending."
There, another chapter well done. Zuko seems to be having a little bit of a change of heart in the last few pages. But only time will tell if we find out if he really will change. Hope you enjoyed this chapter! It was certainly fun to write. Next chapter will more interesting as well.
Please Review!