Chapter 4
He could feel the sun rising and slowly awoke. Before opening his eyes, he stretched out his hand reaching for Katara's slender body…but all he felt were cool sheets. Snapping his eyes open he sat up straight finding her side of the bed empty. He whirled around fearful she had run in the night but came up short seeing her sitting on a cushion wrapped in her sarashi and holding a cup of steaming tea.
"Morning Zuko…this arrived only a few minutes ago" gesturing to the breakfast tray. "I didn't think I'd be permitted to eat without you so I only poured a cup of tea while waiting for you to wake. I hope that's alright." He didn't particularly like the way she emphasized permitted but he let it go for now…let her think she had to ask. He rose and stretched before taking his seat across from Katara as she busied herself removing the lids and pouring him a cup of tea.
"Thank you" he said taking the cup from her. She looked well rested and, though she still had a slight attitude, less aggressive. He glanced over her body, "I see you have decided to put your sarashi back on…was it dry?" her lips pressed tightly together.
"Yes, it was dry and I thought I should be as decent as possible before anyone knocked at the door...as they so happened to do shortly after I'd finished." she quipped.
"They know to leave it outside if no one answers" he retorted. She looked down at the table not sure what to say.
They continued eating until a knock came to the door. Zuko held up his hand for her to stay as he answered the door to the commander who bowed "Good morning your highness I have the clothing you requested." He held out an open box "It's all we could find on the ship sir. We found them in some merchant boxes. If they aren't what you are looking for we can acquire something at the next port."
"Thank you, Commander Chan" he took the box and closed the door. "It looks like you will have more to wear after all." Striding to his bed he dumped the contents of the box, revealing various articles of women's clothing in shades of red and black. Rifling through the clothes he pulled out a long crimson red skirt and matching sleeveless top before thrusting them into Katara's hands. "Put these on...they'll do for now."
Katara stared at the clothes in her hands and after a brief moment of hesitation put them on without further argument. The red skirt hugged her waist before cascading down, nearly reaching her ankles. Along each side was a split reaching just above her knees, giving her room to walk and sit comfortably. The matching sleeveless shirt was simple as it wrapped around her chest and covered her midriff.
Zuko could tell she was pleased to be dressed again, though she tried to hide it. She just couldn't keep from running her hands over the outfit seemingly stunned at how well it fit her. He enjoyed how well the red contrasted with her exquisite mocha body and how the silk seemed to accentuate her natural curves. Finding himself distracted he told her "That's enough" as he fought the urge to run his hands over her body. "This room needs cleaned before long and I have scrolls to go over before meeting Azula for lunch." Breathing deeply, he turned and began to pull several scrolls from a drawer.
The rest of the morning passed with Katara clearing the small table, putting the clothes away, making the bed, and picking up his various possessions from the floor. Zuko sat and poured over maps and scrolls before yet another knock came to the door. It was the guard here to take Katara down to the cells leaving Zuko free for a few hours.
Clad once again in the wretched irons Katara was led away down to the belly of the ship. The soldier slid back the bars and ushered her inside before slamming the door shut...never once did he utter a word. She stood just inside for a few moments allowing her eyes to adjust to the near darkness. The cell wasn't very large she noticed, looking around realizing there was nothing but the cold metal ground for her to sit upon and a bucket in the far corner which emanated a foul odor. Wrinkling her nose, she decided to sit as far away from the bucket as possible. She made her way to the side closest to the adjoining cell before sliding down to rest.
Her thoughts had begun to wonder if she would ever be able to escape this hell when a familiar voice came through the shadows "Why hello miss Katara, I hadn't been expecting to see you again. How did you find yourself here?"
"General Iroh? Is that you?" Katara asked as she turned and found his withered body bound in chains...he looked like they were barely feeding him.
"Yes, my dear. How did you get here? Last time I saw you I thought I told you to go and get as far away as possible." She bowed her head, how could she forget, he had sacrificed himself to fend off Azula and Zuko allowing her and Aang to escape. Guilt began to wash over her, thinking of how she had failed before he continued "I hope the Avatar is not here as well..."
"No, it's just me general. It's a long story but I am here alone."
"A long story? Well I seem to have some extra time on my hands so if you are willing I'd love to hear it." Katara smiled at the old man and without hesitation began to tell him nearly everything that had happened since she'd last seen him...leaving out only a few details such as healing Aang and not actually sleeping with Zuko…she had made a deal after all.
Time seemed to be slipping away as she talked and Iroh listened. It was a comfort to have someone to share with...someone who was in the same place as her. Upon bringing the story full circle on why she was there sitting near him he smiled. "It seems my nephew...lost though he may be...has taken kindly to you." Katara frowned "Now, now I know Zuko can be difficult and hot tempered but he has a compassionate soul given the trauma he has lived through. He is lost, I'm sad to say…but I think with time and a little help he can find his way back. I know it's hard to see now but he still has much to learn. Maybe fate has brought you together for a reason."
Katara didn't know what to say, she knew the general to be a kind man and Zuko seemed to be as well...unless he lost his temper. Before she could speak a rough looking guard came down the stairs...momentarily making her think she would be taken back to Zuko. However, he didn't open the door initially, he simply lit the torch within her cell and stood outside the bars leering at her. "Are you here to take me back?" she asked in a shaky voice. There was something about him that made her hair stand up on the back of her neck as his face split into a sadistic smile.
Zuko watched as the guard lead Katara away bound in chains…he'd have to obtain more salve if he were going to save her skin from any permanent damage. He turned and made his way to his sister's room...thankfully on the other end of the ship. Upon arrival Zuko knocked respectfully before entering. "Well it's about time brother, I was afraid our food would be cold before you arrived" she chastised as Zuko looked over the steaming food clearly having just been delivered.
"I apologize, I didn't mean to keep you waiting hopefully it wasn't terribly long" he stated in the politest voice he could muster while concentrating on not rolling his eyes.
"Ah well it should be fine the food here isn't even that great anyways" she prattled "Anyways, Zu Zu how'd you sleep?" She asked a little too sweetly. He could sense she was hedging at something.
"I slept well Azula, thank you for asking. Now…"
"Only well Zu Zu? From what I hear you should be feeling fully relaxed" she said smirking as she leaned on the table folding her hands under her chin. "Did you have fun with your little peasant? Maybe take out some of that rage you've been harboring?" Zuko attempted at an impassive face; this was not something he wanted to discuss with his sister.
"Is that why you called me here sister? To hear the tales of my evening? No offense but I don't enjoy sharing with others, especially about such sordid details. Now here I thought you wanted to discuss our travels or what's been happening at home." Azula pouted at being deterred from her initial inquiry but gathered herself immediately.
"I've sent a messenger hawk straight to father describing our time in the catacombs. I informed him of uncle's betrayal and your victory in killing the avatar" she stated.
"You told him I killed him? But...but it was you. You struck him down. Why would you not want credit for that?" Zuko looked perplexed.
"Oh Zu Zu, you honestly think father would let you back if I told him it was me? He will welcome you with open arms and a parade in your honor knowing you killed the avatar. You should be thanking me for giving you the credit! Why are you so shocked? I can be nice you know!"
"I didn't think about it like that, I just thought by proving my allegiance that he would...never mind...thank you Azula" he said quietly though he couldn't help a nagging feeling in the pit of his stomach. They continued to chat about the changes of the war, plans for Ba Sing Se now that it'd been taken over, and what to expect when they arrived home. An hour had easily passed and Zuko stood to leave. "I should get back, I have things to do before dinner. Thank you for lunch."
"You honestly think I'd believe you have 'things to do' Zu Zu. I know what you want to get back to...that little peasant!" she scoffed "well if you find you have any free time between sessions maybe you could find time to spar with your little sister?"
"Of course, Azula, I'd love to duel you" they smile at each other as he turned to leave.
"No. No, I wanted to come and see what the prince took from us" Katara's stomach clenched as the man leaned into the bars "Seems a little unfair that he gets to keep a pretty young thing like you all to himself, don'tcha think?" As his face came into view Katara pushed herself as far back as she could. Fear gripped her as she stared; his eyes were small and beady, his nose looked as if it'd been broken more than once, and his teeth were twisted and yellowed. He wasn't a very large man but bigger than her and lean from having worked in the military for years. Though he still stood on the other side of the bars she could smell his foul odor mixed with soot.
"Now now, that is no way to speak to a young lady let alone a servant of the prince" Iroh's angry voice pierced the silence. "You should be ashamed to have dishonored your leader in such a manner." The man sneered when looking over at the general.
"What would a traitor like yourself know of shame. You sit in this cell a shackled and broken old man, a disgrace to this nation...you know nothing of honor."
"Leave the girl be" Iroh stated calmly.
"What are you going to do if I don't?" he said before spitting in Iroh's face.
"Don't do that! Leave him alone!" Katara yelled as the guard turned and jerked open the cell door. She tried to back further into the corner as she realized her mistake and attempted to make herself as small as possible. He closed the space between them wrapping his thick hand around her throat pulling her up to her feet, pressing her back against the bars. She gasped for air and, though her hands were shackled, dug her fingers into his arm hoping he would release his hold. Iroh was yelling out for other guards before being kicked roughly in the side by the man attempting to strangle her.
"I was just going to have a look but you're such a pretty thing I think I might have a taste and if you know what's good for you, you'll keep your mouth shut...you too old man or I'll give you a beating to remember me by" spit flew as he spoke and she could hear Iroh gasping in pain trying to catch his breath. "It's not like I'm asking much...just a taste...that's less than what you gave to the prince within minutes of being alone with him from what I hear." She squeezed her eyes shut not wanting to look at him. Praying someone would walk by and intervene. He was so close to her now she could smell his rancid breath and feel the heat of it on her face. Her heart pounded in her throat as she clawed at his hand to release her...just so she could breathe...please please just let me breath she thought.
Just as his lips brushed her cheek his hand was ripped from her throat. She coughed and sputtered as she fell to her knees unsure of what had happened. "How dare you touch what's mine!" she heard Zuko roar. Looking up she saw him pinning the man against the other side of the cell bars, his face contorted in rage. "You think you can come in here and lay hands on my property! Hmm?! Touch what's mine? Taste what's mine?" she had never seen him so angry and for once she was glad of his temper.
"Prince Zuko…prince Zuko" she called out to him in a constricted voice. Zuko's head snapped up upon hearing his name.
"Not now Katara" he said turning to another guard "I want her taken back to my chambers and have a healer check on her. Turning to her once more "Go, I'll be there when I'm done teaching him a lesson."
"Please…" Katara begged "Zu...I mean prince Zuko I think your uncle's hurt!"
"What?" he turned to look at the man curled on the floor in the next cell.
"He tried to stop him from touching me. He told him to leave me alone and yelled for the other guards. This man spit on him and kicked him hard through the bars telling him to shut up or he'd beat him." Zuko's eyes narrowed and his jaw tightened causing the other guards to back a few steps away and the man he held to cower.
"How dare you," he said in a low menacing voice "how dare you spit and kick a member of the royal family."
"He's a traitor though, sir" the man's voice trembled.
"Traitor or no he's still a royal and only the Fire Lord can determine his fate! It is not for some lowly piece of trash to decide the punishment. You've gone too far. You've dishonored me and this crew by attempting to force yourself upon my servant and attacking my uncle. You will be whipped raw and placed in a holding cell without food or water for three days. Maybe then you'll have learned to do your job and keep your hands to yourself because no one touches my property without my consent."
