Chapter 7: Love
Sokka prodded one of the guards with his boot, and inquired where any of the ships were. Kaara walked on by, ignoring everything. First, she told Zuko of her escape, and suddenly he brushes it off, as if she said nothing. Trying not to cry, Kaara looked back, and saw Zuko and Mai kissing. She felt stabs inside of her, as she kicked the nearest wall.
"Suki!!" yelled Sokka's voice, causing Kaara to turn around. Sokka had run to a girl with brown hair and dark blue eyes. She watched them kiss, and smiled. 'At least that's sweet.' Kaara sighed, and sat next to Katara. "Who's that girl, that Sokka just kissed?"
Katara replied, "That's Suki; a person we met. She's Sokka's girlfriend and she's a Kyoshi Warrior. She was imprisoned a long time ago, and Aang and I found Suki. Kaara, what's wrong?" Her blue eyes stared at Kaara, worried.
The smile on Kaara's face disappeared, and she mumbled, "Nothing… Nothing at all. I'm just disappointed…"
"Why? What happened?" asked Katara, her voice sounding troubled. Katara was Kaara's best friend and Waterbending teacher; what couldn't Kaara tell to Katara? Easy, being in love with Zuko, the son of the horrid Ozai.
Thinking quickly, Kaara decided to lie. "My father… I didn't find him. His name was Kozen…" Kaara felt an anger pulsing through her veins, for lying and for Zuko.
Katara replied, quietly, "Kaara, that's okay. We can find your father. What did he look like? I did see a man who had dark black hair like you, and kept murmuring something about finding Yoko…"
"Wait… Did you say 'Yoko'?" asked Kaara, suddenly interested in what Katara was saying.
"Yeah, why?" answered Katara. Kaara forgot about Zuko, and immediately, gasped.
"It's my mother's name. My father is here and he's alive." Tears started to well up in Kaara's eyes, as she asked, "Where is he?" Katara pointed to a man talking with Hakoda, who had the same shade of black hair as Kaara. Kaara stumbled as she walked towards her father. The man had silver eyes and had stubble growing around his face. He appeared to be in his late forties, wrinkles starting to form on his face. Kozen laughed with Hakoda about a joke. His eyes looked at the prison, and saw Kaara. His smile disappeared, and trails of tears started to fall.
"Kaara! You're alive!" Kozen rushed to his daughter, and hugged her tightly, as he cried a waterfall of tears. "
"Yes, Dad… I thought I would never see you again," said Kaara, forgetting she was sixteen, and remembering her eleven-year-old self dragged to jail.
"Daddy!! Mommy!" yelled Kaara, as she was put in chains. Chains bound her hands, as she was dragged across the lush yard towards the metal carriage. Kaara looked once more at her mother, the same ocean green eyes and long straight, jet black hair, who was chained to the ground. Hysterical cries came from Yoko, begging to spare her daughter's and own life. Kaara cried as she saw her father being led into another carriage, no doubt going to be punished severely. A pain occurred at the back of Kaara's head, from an annoyed soldier. Seeing her mother crying and her father leaving faded into black….
"I can't believe we're seeing each other again. I never knew we went to the same prison, Kaara. You've grown up so much; you look like your mother," said Kozen as he broke free from the hug.
"Dad, neither did I… I wish mother was here, Dad," uttered Kaara. She then continued, looking at her father, "Dad, are you going to fight the Fire Nation?" Kaara had to make sure her father was on their side. Who wouldn't want to destroy the Fire Lord for what he had done to people?
"Of course, Kaara. Yoko was killed because of his rules," said Kozen, smiling, one last tear falling down his face. His attention was captured by something else, his eyes focused on something. "Is that Prince Zuko?"
"Huh?" Kaara looked in the direction her dad was looking at, and saw Zuko and Mai approaching Hakoda. "Yeah, it is. Dad, I need to go for a second, okay?" Her father nodded, agreeing. A small group started to form around the Prince and Hakoda. Kaara squeezed between people, saying the occasional 'Sorry' and 'Excuse Me'. Finally at the front of the crowd, Kaara listened to the conversation between Zuko and Hakoda.
"Err…. This is Mai, from the Fire Nation. She was once on Azula's side, but Mai's on our side now. Since she was a friend of Azula, Mai probably knows things that we might need on the invasion… Uh… Would it be okay if she joins the invasion?" stated Zuko, trying to be direct, but hesitating at some points in his speech. Hakoda thought for a moment, his fingers tapping against his chin. Finally, the Water Tribe chief said something.
"Of course," said Hakoda, as he shook hands with a grateful Zuko. He then shook hands with Mai, who of course who appeared unemotional.
Kaara squeezed back outside, and saw that lines of people were going towards to an immense steel door. They were going into the door, where Sokka was standing near. Out of curiosity, Kaara peered through the door. Many Fire Nations ships were in the underground harbor, being filled with Boiling Rock prisoners. 'So that's how we're going to leave…' thought Kaara, as she saw Aang sitting alone. The expression on his face was familiar to Kaara; Aang was smiling dreamily. 'Hmm… What's wrong with Aang?' She followed his line of vision and saw he was looking at Katara. "Hey Aang, how are you?" asked Kaara, plopping herself next to Aang, on the stone bench.
"Fine, thanks," mumbled Aang, still staring at Katara. He turned to face Kaara, and saw she was staring at him, a sly grin on her face. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Nothing, really. I was just noticing… You looking at Katara, dreamily." Kaara stretched out the word 'dreamily'. Her smile was starting to spread even more along her face.
"What?! I wasn't…" replied Aang, blushing terribly. Kaara's smile was starting to make Aang feel as if he was under questioning. "Fine, I like Katara," sighed Aang, letting Kaara win the round.
"I knew it!! Hahaha!" laughed Kaara, pointing fingers at him. After getting over her laugh, Kaara asked simply, "For how long?"
Aang blushed even deeper, and answered, "As long as I've known her…" He looked at Kaara, and noticed that she was interested in what she was hearing. So he continued, "Katara's really sweet, she's pretty, and I just love Katara. I don't know why. She's always there to comfort me, and when she's around me, I feel so happy… Do you have anyone you ever really liked, Kaara?"
Taken by surprise, Kaara stammered, "N-no. Of course not!" She looked at Aang's doubting expression, and she started to fiddle with her hair. After a few minutes, Kaara blurted, "Okay, I do like someone! I really like… Really like… Zuko." Zuko was just barely heard by Aang, but it was enough to surprise him.
"You like Zuko?! Why?" asked Aang, his eyes open with surprise.
Kaara blushed, and responded, looking at her feet, "Well, Zuko is sweet… I met him before I went to jail, and he was really nice. Zuko's really changed over the years, but under his attitude, Zuko is still the same. Not to mention, he's tall and handsome… But he has a girlfriend now, so yeah, he can't ever love me." Kaara's expression turned from soft to hard.
"You know, she's just his girlfriend. It doesn't mean they're going to get married. You still have a chance. You just need to wait, maybe Zuko might begin to like you," suggested Aang. "But still maybe not, though it could happen."
Kaara smiled sweetly, and said, "You know, that's really good advice. Now it's my turn to help you. You should sit down with Katara one day, talk about all the things you've been through, and then, ask her what she likes about you, and why you're friends. Then you can say that you love her."
"Hmm… I might just do that before I have to fight the Fire Lord. Thanks, Kaara. I have to go now," said Aang, as he waved bye, and ran off to see Katara. Kaara grinned, then sighed.
Sokka's voice echoed, "All Boiling Rock Prisoners enter the first five ships, people who were at the invasion, go to the last three." More and more people went into the harbor, and it took a whole hour for everyone to be on the ships. Katara, Toph, Zuko, Sokka, and Aang were preparing to ride on Appa, along with Hakoda. Toph yelled, "Kaara!! Come on!! We need to go now."
Kaara smiled, happy to know she was remembered, as she jumped onto the Sky Bison's metal saddle. Appa flew up with Aang's 'Yip Yip' and went over the waters. Toph bended the rocks in the ocean away, letting the ships pass by.
"Well, that worked for once, Sokka," said Toph, grinning, as she punched him on his arm.
Kaara glared at Zuko for a minute, which confused Zuko. Zuko moved towards Kaara, and asked, "Kaara, are you okay? You're acting strangely." Kaara turned away from him, leaving Zuko even more confused. She caught eye of Aang, who was mouthing, 'Talk to him.' Sighing, Kaara turned around and looked at Zuko.
"Nothing, Zuko. But thanks for asking though," replied Kaara, looking at Zuko. He was smiling again. "Zuko, why do you like Mai?"
"Huh?" Zuko was got off guard. He hesitated but he answered, "Mai… Was a childhood friend? She's nice… Err… She's pretty?"
Kaara thought, her mind working, 'So Zuko doesn't really know why he likes Mai… Aha!! I can use that to my advantage.' "So you don't really know, Zuko? Why does she like you?"
Zuko stammered, "Uh... She had a crush on me when we were younger… Other than that… Wait, why are being so curious about my love life?" A suspicious look appeared on his face.
"Just wanted to make sure you two were okay," replied Kaara, trying to sound cool, calm and collected. "Zuko, I want to ask you something…"
"What?" asked Zuko, seeing her cheeks blushing when she asked the question. He thought, 'Why is she blushing so much? Do all girls do this? Except for Mai; Mai barely shows her expressions… I wish she could be more emotional, like Kaara… Wait, I like Mai, not Kaara… I didn't say I liked Kaara, I just meant it as an example.' Zuko shook his head slightly to get the thoughts off his mind.
"Have you ever liked another girl, besides Mai?" asked Kaara, her face beet red.
Zuko smiled gently, and said, "I did… There was this girl I met… She was the nicest girl I ever met. It was a few years ago, and she almost pushed me into the pond at the palace. But I never saw her again, and I didn't even get her name. But she was nice and really pretty. She was a year younger than me, and she had long, black hair. I wish I could meet her again one day…" What Zuko was telling Kaara was familiar… Wait it was the first time they met, when Kaara had pushed him into the pond.
'Oh my Agni, I can't believe Zuko loved me when he was younger… I have a chance!!' thought Kaara, as her face turned even more red. Trying to sound normal, Kaara said, "That's good, maybe you'll meet her again. Would you choose her over Mai?" She waited for his answer, hoping he would say yes.
Zuko looked at her, and replied, "It depends, I love Mai, but sometimes I wish she was a girl who would show her emotions." Kaara frowned a bit, but it disappeared when Appa was flying towards one of the ships. The large Sky Bison landed onto the ship, and the group got off Appa.
One man who seemed to look like he was from the Water Tribes approached Hakoda. He was explaining the route they were headed and how long it would take to get there. Apparently, even though the hidden harbor was close, the currents were slow, so it would take a day to get to the harbor, unless the waterbenders bended the water faster.
Katara grabbed Kaara's shoulder and asked, "Do you think we should go faster or take our time?"
"It gives us more time to prepare; so yes," replied Kaara. She and Katara prepared to bend the water around the ship, as Aang went to the other ship. The Swamp Water benders went to the rest of the ships. With the help of the benders, the ship was able to reach the harbor. Sokka was right; it was a vast harbor, completely surrounded by walls of rocks, besides a small hole in the wall. Aang bended the door open, big enough for the ships to get through side by side. After getting through, the ships docked in the natural harbor. Kaara walked off the ramp of the ship, grinning. She was in pretty good spirits.
Everyone started to gather some supplies that were on the ship, and built tents. Kaara dragged a large bundle of cloth across the sand, before collapsing. "Too heavy… Why do I even have to carry this?" grumbled Kaara under her breath.
"Kaara, why are you carrying all that cloth? Are you going to make a house or a tent?" joked Katara, as she put her small sheaf of cloth on the ground. The girl helped Kaara up, and pointed to a large patch of grass a few meters away. "That's where we're going to set up camp."
With Katara's help, Kaara was able to fix up her tent. Kaara said, "Katara, are we ever going to go to the Fire Nation, before the invasion? I don't mean an hour before the invasion, but a week before, for supplies and stuff."
Katara answered, fixing up the tent, "Maybe, especially if only some of us go. Like Sokka, Toph, you, me, and Aang…"
"Zuko?" asked Kaara as she sat in the entrance of her tent. Zuko was with Mai, but maybe she still could have Zuko…
"Yeah, if he's not too busy with Mai…" Katara said, as she pointed to Zuko and Mai kissing each other on the shoreline. Kaara glared, jealousy filling her once again. "But anyway, Kaara we should practice water bending. You seem a bit edgy right now," said Katara as she pointed to the small exit in the walls that led to a small pond.
"Okay, but what should I change into?" Kaara asked, as she emptied her water skin bag, and washed her face.
"Your under clothes, since they're made of bandages," replied Katara, as she started to paced towards the arch. Kaara followed shortly after. The pond was only a few yards away, and it was about waist deep. Katara slipped off her tunic and waded into the water.
Kaara took off her dress and pants, and sat on the edge of the pond, her feet dangling in the water. "So what should we practice?" asked Katara, as she bended some water from the pond.
"Katara, I want to do something else. Something not done in Waterbending." Kaara said, as she jumped into the water. The water splashed onto the grass.
"Kaara, what do you mean?" asked Katara. She walked towards Kaara and bended some water towards her.
Kaara caught the water between her hands, and bended it back. "Well, I want to learn techniques in Waterbending, that no waterbender has ever done." The water continued to be passed around between the two girls.
"Okay. But how are we going to make new techniques? Waterbending probably hasn't changed in a hundred years. It could take a life time to make create a new Waterbending form," explained Katara, watching the water circle around them.
"So we start now. Maybe we could borrow some bending forms… From airbending. They're pretty much the same, right? Defensive, flowing, and not opposites." Kaara grunted when she dropped the water into the pond.
Katara bended more water up. After a few minutes of circling the water, Katara pointed out, "Kaara look! When you bend the water, it's not like mine! Yours is more… more… Like a liquid fire, that's strange…" Kaara held the water between her hands, and noticed the same thing. Instead of the water being smooth, the water had edges like a fire. The edges tapered out, like flames. "Kaara, sometimes the way you bend, is caused by your feelings… Something tells me that you're not okay."
Kaara ignored what Katara said, and asked, "Katara, can we try to use other techniques?" Katara nodded, trying not to look disappointed with Kaara's attempt to ignore her question.
"So Air, right?" asked Katara, as she walked out of the water, onto the crisp grass.
"Yeah."
"Okay, so Kaara, let's try something easy, so we can get the hang of-" Katara was cut off, when Kaara zipped by, riding on the water version of Aang's air scooter. The water sphere was starting to shrink, until she rode through the pond. Apparently, the water scooter would lose water, as the person rode it on dry land. However, it would absorb water while riding on any water body. "Kaara, watch out! There's a rock!!" yelled Katara, but she was too late. Kaara smashed into the builder, and fell on her back.
"Wow… That was fun! Let's do that again!" said Kaara, after getting up. Before she could create another water scooter, Katara gripped Kaara's shoulder.
"I think that's enough water bending for today, Kaara," said Katara.
Kaara bowed to her teacher, and picked up her clothes, then ran off towards her tent. After changing, Kaara sat on a rock, watching everyone. 'Why did Katara want to stop practicing? I wonder why…' She blushed when she saw Zuko shirtless. He and Aang were practicing Firebending. Firebending was something she could connect with, more than Waterbending. Waterbending may have been Kaara's bending element, but she felt more at home with Firebending. From what Katara told her, the Water Tribes were cold and mostly made of ice. That disappointed Kaara; she expected a much warmer climate. Her eyes were glued to Zuko; he attracted her. Even when she was little, she had always dreamed of marrying of marrying the Fire Nation prince. The first time they had met, Kaara thought Zuko was adorable. Now after all these years, Zuko had changed. He's banishment, the war, and everything else affected him badly. But still, Zuko still had his dorky moments. Kaara giggled when she saw him fall on his face, into the grass. Zuko's changed physically, too, his shoulders had broadened and he had gained muscles. The only problem was… Well, Zuko already had a girlfriend. Kaara grimaced when she saw Mai laugh at Zuko, as he smiled at his girlfriend. 'Oh well… Hmm? What's that?' Kaara thought, as she spotted something half buried in the sand.
Curiosity overcame her, so she ran towards the object.
AN: One of the longest chapters I've ever written. Kaara is obsessed with Zuko and Mai in this chapter.
