ATTENTION ALL ZUKO FANS...HE FINALLY APPEARS IN THIS CHAPTER AND WILL PRETTY MUCH BE IN THE REST OF THE STORY...well, besides those ocasional chapters that update on Aang, Sokka, and Haru's adventure.
Oathkeeper: Ugh, this week was dreadful! I hate coming back from break especially because my break for the Holidays wasn't even that long > but still. Anyway, had tons of work to do this week...more than I thought, and of course I procrastinated majorly which is why I'm so exhausted rigtht now. I was going to give you guys chapter seven yesterday but I just had too much work to do, and this weekend is going to be the same. I'm preparing for my school art show as well doing a crap load of homework, and preparing for my stupid spanish Oral thingy :Cringes: I hope you enjoy this chapter!
.:Reviews:.
Boylessgirl52941 -- I'm SO glad that I was able to help you! Hopefully you'll enjoy this chapter, and as for Zhao...well, you'll just have to wait and see what happens, so be on the look out for my updates since I tend to update randomly...hehe, I really need to get a fluent update schedule here! I guess you can expect chapters at the end of the week, weekends, and the beginning of the week.
La Zatara Femme --Sorry about the first person thing, but I wanted to be different as well as challenge myself since writing in first person is harder...at least for me. And the thing about my fan-fic, is that I'm trying to show the different sides of the characters. You see, Bumi wasn't has funny as he is in the show because now Souzin's comet (don't really know how to spell that) is coming closer (this will be mentioned later) and I though that I needed to show Bumi's more serious side since he does have one. Plus, if my town was being invaded by some crazy nation, then I'm sure I'd act more serious towards the situation.
SleepingDragon13 -- I'm glad you've pointed all those little things out, because I'll know better in the future! Hope you're enjoying
Disclaimer...Don't own anything Avatar; last time I checked, Nickelodeon does!
Chapter 7: My Hero
The moon has fully risen and the night is quiet. Opening her eyes despairingly she stares at the door of her cellar. All the rhinos are sleeping and nothing is to be heard but the faint snoring sound of the guard outside the door.
"I don't know how much longer I can take this" she thinks to herself "What if my friends really did leave me here? But they wouldn't do that, Sokka wouldn't do that! Come on Katara, Zhao is just trying to poison your mind, don't listen to him…"
Meanwhile, Zuko and Iroh, along with the rest of his crew are outside in a tent, waiting for their ship. General Jee is playing a game of Pai Sho with the chef, while the others continue to sleep in the corner next to the warm fire. Iroh is comfortably sipping his tea while he watches his nephew standing at the opening of the tent, staring off in to the distance. A look of concern comes across his face as he gets up from his comfortable position and walks towards Zuko.
"Don't worry, Prince Zuko. I'm sure we can still get the Avatar even with Zhao in our way" he says calmingly while placing a hand on his shoulder.
"I know Uncle. There's only one way to do it, but it'll be risky" he responds quietly.
"What do you have in mind exactly Prince Zuko? I warn you, don't be too hasty. We can't afford getting into trouble with the Fire Nation any more! There are rumors flying around that we are sought after. The fact that we are able to even receive a ship is very grateful indeed" says Iroh "Don't do anything that would risk us getting into more trouble"
"Don't worry Uncle. Everything will be fine, and once I finally have the Avatar for myself, I know things will go back to the way they were. I will regain my throne as well as my honor, and I will restore the honor to both you and my crew" he says proudly "I'm going for a walk"
"Ok, but return soon. There's a storm coming on and our ship should be ready in a few hours" yells Iroh as he watches Zuko walk off into the distance.
The Fire Nation ship is slowly swaying from side to side by the tides in the ocean. The feeling causes Katara to feel uneasy and her empty stomach does nothing to help the awful feeling. As she leans weakly against the wall, she clutches onto her barely there stomach, wishing there was food and water for her take in. Even if it were just left over scraps from the crew's dinner, anything was better than day old bread and warm water.
"Aang, Sokka, Haru…where are you? Things are just getting worse down here. Aang…give me hope to last through this terrible mess…" she says as she closes her eyes.
Katara's thoughts are cut short by the sound of the guard landing onto the floor and here eyes quickly open up once again. A creaking sound of the keys turning in the lock, are echoing throughout the cellar. The door scrapes against the metal floor revealing the outside light and a masked stranger at the door's entrance. Katara pushes her hands against the floor, pushing herself up from the ground and walks towards the unknown person.
"Hurry, come with me" Whispers the masked hero as he sticks out his hand.
"Who are you?" asks Katara, unsure of what is going on.
"I'm known as The Blue Spirit"
"You're the one who helped Aang…he told me…" Says Katara faintly, but is unable to finish her last words. She collapses to the ground, but Zuko hurries to pick her up.
Her body lays limp in his strong arms. To him, her light and frail body feels like nothing. Making sure to not get caught by the other guards, Zuko quickly runs off the ship with Katara in his arms. He suddenly spots some guards up ahead, and heads towards a set of hills on the farther side of the port. There, there's a cave for shelter and safe place for hiding from the Fire Nation Guards. A flash of light is seen and a loud crackling sound is heard off into the distance. The air is all of a sudden quiet, and then the rain starts pouring down. The downpour is heavy, preventing any of the Fire Nation soldiers to search for the masked hero.
Setting her down gently onto the soft earth, he places his hand upon her forehead. Just like before, her body is chilled but her breathing has become even fainter than ever and a fever is approaching. Gathering some wood from dead branches and leaves, he starts a fire by rubbing two sticks together, fearing that the water tribe peasant would wake up from her slumber. Out of his pockets, Zuko grabs some dried meats and a sheepskin container full of fresh water. He gets up and picks up the girl into his arms. Tilting her head up, he sips some cold water into her mouth. After just a few sips, she opens her eyes gradually revealing their deep blue color.
"Where am I?" she asks.
"We're in a cave right now, just outside the ports. I'm hiding from the guards, so until then, we're stuck in here" responds Zuko, while trying to hide away his true voice.
"Why did you come and save me?"
"I can't explain right now. All that's important right now is that you rest"
"I must know who you are!" Katara insists "Why must you wear your mask?"
"My identity cannot be revealed, if it is all will be lost and you would never want to see me again"
"Now what gives you that idea?" asks Katara.
"Just trust me on this one" Responds Zuko blatantly.
"I trust you" answers Katara, while she places her hand on his. He quickly jolts his head towards hers, as he is caught off guard by her actions "What are you going to do with me?"
"Don't worry about that right now. But I assure you that you will be safe with me" responds Zuko, as he stares into Katara's entrancing gaze.
"Will I ever see you again?"
"Tomorrow night" says Zuko.
She smiles lightly and falls asleep in his arms. He can feel her head lightly rest upon his chest. Her body was cold, and he knows the only way to warm her up was to hold her and transfer his own body heat. Zuko is confused. He didn't understand why the water tribe girl had trusted him so easily. All he knew was that he needed to keep his identity hidden and be The Blue Spirit so he could get more information about the Avatar.
"What am I doing?" he asks himself "No, this is nothing but business. I need her. If she trusts me, then she'll tell me about the Avatar so that when I finally do capture him, it will be no problem. But why does she want to see me again? Looks like I've already gained her trust, and this plan is going to be easier than I had planned. Father, I won't disappoint you this time"
Oathkeeper: Well, there's chapter seven! I hope you guys liked it, and just to let everyone know, that Katara doesn't know about Zuko being the Blue Spirit (That's what Aang was trying to tell her in the first chapter), and I do make him talk. I tried writing it with him just giving hand signals but it just didn't work plus for a whole other reason, which you'll see soon! Stay tuned for chapter 8! Please read and review, especially for those who have me on alert and don't bother to review! I need your opinions people, since that's what gives me drive to write more as well as better AND quicker updates!
