My Assassin Is My Knight In Shining Armor
Chapter 3: Next Target
"Aang!" I called out to him.
It was getting dark now, and we should head back. I have been out here with Aang riding penguins for the longest time now. If I could I would stay out here with him, but I can't. I have my jobs to do and so does he. Plus, he and I have to wake up early tomorrow and pack. So we should be heading in now.
"Yeah Katara?" he yelled back. "WooHoo!" The black and white animal flew over a snow-ramp with Aang on its back.
"We need to head back now!"
"What?" he called back. Looking my way confused.
Is he deaf or something? "We need to head back now! It's getting pretty dark!" My hands were cuffed around my mouth.
"Oh....one second!" he jumped off of the penguin and made an air ball. Soon he was at my side with a hand out saying, "Ready?"
I nodded and we started to walk back.
Our feet are sore. Our mouths are thirsty. Our backs ache for a bed to sleep in.
"I hate heights you know?" the little earthbender complained.
I shifted myself on the grounded and faced her. "I know, but we have nowhere else to go." I told her. She just made an 'hmph' sound and rolled her back to me. She wasn't happy that we are going to visit Jet for a bit. It's not my fault that the spies where smart enough to head to that town, but stupid enough to think that I might have been a girl.
I rolled on to my back and stared up at the sky. I did not set up camp again. It would have just been a waste to me. Sleeping on the ground is the same to sleeping in a sleeping bag. We are just resting though so no need to set up camp for a bit. We need to get going again but I have to let her rest, for her health and because we have been running and walking ever since those spies. If they capture us they would kill me without a doubt and they would either kill Toph or send her off to her parents. Which to her is death but worst.
My eyes were closed, but I opened them back up. I could see all the stars. They were peaceful. Billions upon billions of stars lie up there and each and every one of us has our own to claim. Uncle says that you have to find your own way in this world just like that star has to find out how to shine on its own. I miss him traveling with me. Before I met Toph, Uncle uses to travel with me. I wasn't the assassin at the time. I was just the disown prince who's father and nation betrayed.
But not Uncle.
The Blue Spirit took some time. I actually was a savior not a killer. Well, when I still save someone I still killed the attackers. The only person I saved was a little boy, but he too disowned me also. He wanted nothing with me because I was a firebender. Fire is a sign of fear. Not for me for others. Others fear fire.
My father found out right after that fight and asked if I wanted to restore my honor. Of course I said yes. I will do anything to get my honor back.
Uncle was not happy about my choice. When I was going to tell him what I plan to do, he vanished. I never saw him again and sometimes I wish that I never became an assassin that day. But what's in the past stays in the past. You can't do anything about it so you just keep on moving.
Tomorrow is a new day for a new task. My father will reach me somehow and give me a mission, to kill. I will probably destroy some innocent man life. Whatever my father wants is done. That innocent man is just trying to get through life. Marry the love of his life, have a kid or two, provide for his family, watch his young ones grow up and have their own kids.
I could never imagine a life like that. I will die lonesome, nobody will love me and nobody will give a shit about me.
Yes, it sickens me. It sickens me that my father would do this. Just kill innocent people that are in his way. Let me rephrase that, that are not in his way just in the wrong nation. The nation that he does not rule, well does not rule yet anyways.
I closed my eyes, trying to rest. But, of course, I can't. Someone can be watching us. Waiting in a tree, behind a bush, stone, rock. They could be anywhere. My eye shot open. I can't let my guard down. I won't until we are safe.
I sat up and scanned the area.
No one.
Good, good for now. I lay back down and my eye went over to the body next to me. She's a sleep, but will wake if someone is coming. We will leave once dawn comes. I will rise when the sun rises.
The feeling of the sun coming down on you is hot.
And I hate it.
I hate the feel of the sun waking me up. I hate the feeling of a new day that has more jobs for me to do. I hate the feeling of be responsible for everything. I hate the feeling of being cooped up in this place. I feel like I belong somewhere else. I feel like I have more to give. And one day, soon hopefully, I will fly out of this nest and explore.
Light hits my eyelids and I shield myself with the covers.
There is something in this world that brings me joy. I am not a girl that is weak, hopeless, depress, or distress. Waiting for her knight to come and save her. Sweep her off her feet and ride into the sunset hand in hand. But I do want a knight in shining armor. A man that will love me and hold me through the tough times, but also a man that could understand me. That will let me spread my wings and fly. Fly away, with him, and just fly.
Helping people brings me joy. Seeing a smile that is filled of joy, happiness, fulfillment, peace, love and nothing more is something you can't buy. Something you can't bribe, bet, or beg for. It's something that comes when you help them out. You help them out because you care for them. You make them feel special, like they do mean something in life. They have something to live for.
"Katara...you wake?" Sokka peeked through the doorway. Of course I am awake! Stupid bright, red, yellow, orange sun!
I rolled over and looked at him. "Yeah, I am awake. Is Aang getting ready?" I asked.
"Yeah, he's waking up Appa, well trying to. Suki is just about done." What time is it?
"What time is it?" repeated myself but this time out loud so he could hear and answer.
"Just about time for you to leave."
"What?!?! Why didn't anyone wake me up besides the sun!?"
"I don't know, but you better get up now."
I shot out of bed and ran over to him. Pushed him out of the doorway and slammed the door. How could this be happening to me? Why did I sleep in?
I ran over to my travel bag and shoved some spring clothing in. The weather is going to be totally different so I need different clothing or I would burn up. I stumbled over some blankets but made my way out. I was hopping around trying to put on my boots. Suki was just about to close the door until I called out to her.
"Wait! Hold the door please!" she turned around and gave me one of those looks that said 'slept-in', I just nodded and hopped my way outside. The sun was just rising. It glowed over the snow that made the scenery look absolute breath taking. Ok, so I lied. I do like the sun, just a tiny bit.
Appa was out and so were Sokka, Aang, Suki, Gran Gran, and dad.
I gave them a smile and they gave me one back. I walked over to Appa and threw my bag on top of him.
"Well," I looked at all of them. "I guess we should be going."
"Well yeah! Suki has to get back!" Sokka threw up his hands to prove his point.
Suki gently punched him in the shoulder. "Sokka...."
"Now, Aang," The water warrior started talking. "Take care of them and watch over them."
"I will sir," he gave my father a smile and hoped onto Appa's head.
My father turned to me, "Katara." his whole face was telling me to stay safe and not to get into trouble not to cause any trouble too. How many of times have I heard this from him? Lots.
"I will dad. I will." I couldn't do it. I had to give him a hug before I left.
I ran up to him and wrapped my arms around his neck. Hiding my tears into his thick winter coat.
"Please come back safe," He returned the hug but was holding me closer. Like I was going to fall out of his arms any second now.
"I will come back don't worry." I pulled him closer and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "I will, I promise."
"Good," he released me but held onto my hand. This was my first time traveling without him. He's a bit overprotective when it comes to me. He already lost one girl he loved and he doesn't want to lose another.
"I hate Jet." Toph grumbled as she stomped her way into the woods. "Him and his Freedom Fighters and his heights!"
His place is around here somewhere, I know it.
"Can't we just camp down here?"
A long, tired sigh escaped from my lips. "Toph.....you know why." Was all I said.
She stuck her nose up in the air and stomped faster. You could feel the earth beneath you fall apart, crumble. Separate and form cracks. Like a bears roar when woken up from its winter slumber.
The earthbender will not calm down for a while. She really hates heights.
"I just don't see why I have to go up there," she pointed to the sky. "We will be perfectly fine down on earth, where I can see." She huffed.
My eyes went up to the trees then back down to the ground. "I need some....sleep." I hate to point out what I need. I hate telling people my feelings. I hate it when they feel sorry for me. I hate it when I feel weak.
Luckily, Toph does not care.
Well she does, but she does not care if its minors. Now, if I was hurt and close to dying. She will probably feel bad for me, but still have a joke up her sleeves that's about my conditions.
"You're right Sparky." Her body spun around to face me. Here comes the jokes and her. "You are a lot grumpier this morning-WOAH!"
Ha! They got her this time!
Toph was hanging from the tree. She stepped into a trap and got caught by her foot. Her arms were everywhere. Huffing and puffing, squirming as she rocks and bounces around. She was like a piñata, just human form.
"GET ME DOWN FROM HERE!" her voice roared through the woods.
The sight was all full. It was fully hilarious! I could help but chuckle at the sight. She was red from embarrassment. And just to top that off, she was making it worst by huffing and puffing. The Mighty-All-Knowing-Powerful-Teaser is trapped and embarrassed. The pay back has come. Thank you Karma.
"Zuko!" her body was spinning in circles as she just hung there, helpless. "I want down! NOW!"
Releasing the air inside, I started walking towards her. Watching each movement I made. Trying not to get into a trap like her. When I reach her, her arms were cross and her hair was a mess. She looked funny.
"Is that a new style?" I teased her. This is a rare occasion, teasing her instead of her teasing me. Karma will always bite you back young earthbender.
Her head turned in the opposite direction, which made her rock some more. "Shut up Princy or so help me-"
I interrupted her. "Whatcha gonna do?" A hand made contact with my nose. I let out a cry of pain when she hit me. Blood was dripping out of my right nostril. Taking a few steps back, I wiped my nose with the back on my hand. She punched me in the nose.
"Toph!" I cried out.
"Yes, Hot. Head." That smirked of hers crawled back onto her face. Pain satisfies her. Pain that she causes onto me.
My temper was rising with each drip. The fire from beneath my hands were lighting up. I am not planning on hurting her at all. I'm just releasing my anger through bending. It's the only trick so far. But it's not a great one. If I am truly mad I will lose everything.
"Well, look whose back!" I knew that voice anywhere. It was that no good, charming, lovable guy that could get under anyone.
Jet.
"And is that Toph?" he called out from the tree. "Stuck?"
The little earthbender started to growl. "I. WANT. DOWN.!" He is dead when Toph gets her hands on him.
We are up in the trees and I hate it. Holding on to the Hot Head for dear life is how I spend my time up here. Awesome right? No, it's the worst thing ever! It's like holding onto your mother's hand as you watch your fellow friends run around. Skipping, laughing, tackling, pushing, but you have to stay at mommy's side watching in envy as they played around.
Zuko and Jet have been talking about the mission that Zuko just finished up, or should I say Blue Spirit has just finished. Yes, Zuko is Blue Spirit but a different person when he is. He becomes different when he put that mask on. He becomes a different person and it's hard to trust him every now and then. It's like asking a spy if he is on their side or the enemy. When he's Zuko he becomes a smart mouth, angry, tired, demanding person. The know-it-all guy. The bull in the china shop. The bags under the eyes. The captain of the ship, but when he's puts that mask on he becomes a stranger. So quiet, so dead. It's like he's not even there. Invisible you might say. There's not a heart nor heart beat. He just waits and watches everyone's movement. Not making a sound just trying to find out all he can on how they move. He tells me that people's movement tells him a lot about the person. Swaying means drunk, happy, or cheerful. Slouch meaning worried, thinking, confused, or sad. Up straight means a proud person one who thinks highly of themselves.
Blue Spirit is silent and that's what makes him so deadly. You never know where he is until the blade is held to your throat and you're pleading, begging for him not to. Asking for a second chance. But nothing comes except for the blade of death. The fire of burns. He does not give you grace.
"Well," Jet leaned back, "You guys are welcome to stay." The crowd went wild. Cheering and thanking Jet. I wonder why they like us so much? I mean I am such a pain in their butts and if I am not then I must be sick. Nahh, if I was sick I would still give them a hard time.
"Thanks." Zuko said and then he coughed. "....Toph." I wished he was choking on food or something, but no he wants me to say thank you. To this! He knows and everyone else knows that I am not fond of this idea. In fact, I rather chew off my own finger then be up here!
"....Thank you," my mouth mumbled out. I could hear Jet's snickering in the background. Well, that's going to come to an end.
"For nothing! I mean who lives in trees? That is so stupid. Nobody can see anything!" I let out.
"Toph!" Zuko roared and stood up. I went blind now. My guide was gone.
My hands started feeling around from Zuko. "Zuko?" I asked.
"It's ok." Jet said in a cool way. "I can tell that she loves me." Yeah right.
"Hmph..." I scotch. "In your dream Jet the Charmer." Nicknames are perfect. They beat everything.
I didn't even have to be able to see what he was doing. If he is just like a player he would be smirking and that's probably what he is doing. "Mmhmm..." he let out.
"Zuko," I whined. I am getting tired of this crap. "Take me to my room." I order and he came back to my side. I held on to his shirt like a scared little girl holding onto her father's shirt for dear life. And I was holding onto him for dear life. When we made it to the room I let go. I stumbled around for my bed. When I reached it I collapsed down onto it.
The room shifted as I turned onto my back. "You ok?" Zuko asked me.
"Yeah, how long are we staying here?" I cried.
"Not long, just a couple of days." He informed me.
"....Awe."
The air escaped my lungs as I looked upon Kyoshi Island.
"Wow....." I found something to say.
"Yeah...home sweet home." Suki said and started walking in to her kingdom. Kyoshi Island is not really a kingdom it's more like a village. A nice, friendly, loving village.
I heard some squeals to my right. They were coming, her girlfriends. The Kyoshi Warriors. "Suki!"
Kyoshi is similar to our village. Loving, friendly, and kind. They have warriors and we have warriors. The only thing different was that there warriors were mostly girls and ours were guys. Only guys.
Suki spun around and squealed along with them.
"Ready to go, Katara?" the air ninja asked me.
I turned to my left and saw his goofy smile on his face. Aang is my knight. My knightly friend. I wish I could love him the same as he loves me, but something is holding me back. I do love him just more as a brother right now.
"Yes, we should say our byes first." I suggested.
"Ok!"
We are heading for the nearest village. Just to visit and explore. It feels so good to be free and open. Nothing is going to ruin this moment.
The captain of the Kyoshi Warriors came up to us. "You guys leaving?" she asked us.
"Yes, we are." I told her. She frowned once the words left my lips.
"Well, I guess I'll see you when I come back to visit." Suki smiled and hugged me.
"Can't wait, Suki! We'll miss your company there." Aang piped up.
She laughed and let go. "Well, I'm miss you guys just not the snow." We all joined in laughing at the joke she made.
"Goodbye Suki." I said in a hush tone.
I made my way up on to Appa's back. Aang was already up and getting antsy about leaving.
"Good bye guys, have a safe trip." She waved and Aang said yip yip. Appa shot up and now we are heading out. I can't wait to touch the ground again.
My roommate was a sleep. Snoring away.
I couldn't sleep again. Walking around would have helped, but leaving her would be dangerous. Her guide would be gone and she would be scared.
Outside of our hut was someone. I don't know who, but it's probably just the night watchers.
Rolling over, I looked outside the window. The sick feeling is still there. Blood, lots of blood was on my hands. The feeling of driving swords into a body is a painful sight. There is nothing good that comes out of killing someone and there is defiantly nothing to be happy about. You're ending someone's life, the only life they got.
They say it's supposed to go away, the feeling of ending a life. But no, the feeling stays, and it rots in the pit of your stomach. All of the people I killed.....all of the-
"Zuko....." the sound whispered into the dark room as it interrupted my thoughts. I was not aware that someone opened the door and slipped in. When I sat up I could see the persons head. It was Jet. What is he doing up and over on this side of the tree?
I made my way over to the opening and walked out. We walked for a bit until he spoke. "You have another mission." The word 'another' ran over and over again in my head. Another.......another.....another.......another.........
"From him?" I asked. Wishing that it was not. Wishing that it was just stealing information, not killing.
He sighed. "Yes, and it's a bit different than the others."
My eyes darted over to him. "What do you mean?"
He came to a complete stop and looked pasted me. Not meeting my eyes. What is he hiding? "He wants you to bring him someone."
I looked up at him and his met mine. I was confused. "He wants you to save someone."
My mind went blank. Save.....Who is this person? I asked in my head.
"And I don't like the sound of it."
"What could be worst then saving this person?" I asked a little bit hash.
"Look," his anger grew. "This person is a nobody and it doesn't make sense."
"What do you mean?"
His eyes fell to the ground. "Well spit it out, Jet." I hissed at him.
"She's just from the Southern Water Tribe. Her name is Katara and she's a nobody. Why would your father want someone like her? A water tribe girl?" he yelled out.
I looked at him stupidly as he just ranted on and on. "What is she? What is so important about her?"
"I don't know and don't care why. Where is she?" I asked. Waiting patiently for the answer.
"She's a few miles from here. She's with a boy."
"Then this shouldn't be hard."
He looked past me. He has more to tell. "Well, I do know some stuff about her."
I waited again.
"They say that she's the last waterbender in her tribe—" That made no sense. They killed the last waterbender. Well, my nation did. How could she be the last waterbender? And why does my father want her alive? "—but that's just a rumor I heard."
Breathing out, I looked up at him. "Then I'm going to need your help on this one."
"I don't serve for the Fire Nation at all." He said with a stern voice.
I can't do this alone and I can't do this with Toph. "You won't, you will be serving me. You owe me." I told him and he nodded.
Tomorrow I will start out to seek this person. To capture, not destroy.
A/N: Well, that's it. The next chapter is going to be so exciting! So stay tune. Nobody asked any questions but I came up with some. Just so you don't get confused later on in the future.
- I do other character POV so sorry if you got confused with Toph.
- When I put a line down it mean that someone else is going to talk. Changing character.
- ***** five of the stars will mean later on, I'm skipping. They will be in the middle when I put them out and it will be the same person talking. So if I have a line and Zuko is talking and then there are stars that mean later on and still he will be talking.
- Zuko does not have a ponytail. His hair is like the four season and his clothes are the four season clothing. When he turns good. Katara will be looking like the first two seasons of the series. Braided hair and that outfit she always wears in the first season. She will not stay the same; I will change her outfit and hair later on. Toph looks like Toph. Outfit is the same as to the outfit she wears all the time as an earthbender. Jet looks the same as always. Suki is the same just with her make-up and everything. Aang is wearing the outfit when we first saw him. Sokka is wearing is winter coat and all.
Well, that's it. I hope you like it and Zutara will happen in the next chapter. I am thinking about starting a new story but I don't know. It's on my profile if you want to check it out. Anyways, lots of reviews please! Questions are welcome and so are haters! Lol. R&R!