Kindred Souls

By: ChiaraBrie

Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to Avatar: The Last Airbender. This story is pure fiction, from a fan =]

"It is wise to disclose what cannot be concealed." Johann Christoph

Chapter Seven: Crescendo

The eruption of noise after Zhi's speech snapped Katara out of her stare.

Silverware made contact with plates, hungry children cried out for food, and conversation began to fill the air in such a natural fashion that Katara was taken aback. Had these people listened to the same speech she did? Watching the citizens absentmindedly eating their dinner made her think otherwise.

She looked back down to the floor where she saw Bao's hand a second earlier and was relieved to see him using it to eat. 'This place is making me paranoid. Zuko and I need to escape. We are not guests here. We are prisoners.' She stole another glance down the table and saw Zuko eating as well. Despite everything he seemed calm and collected, and inwardly Katara sighed with relief.

"So, my young friend, now that you are fed and watered why don't you delight us with your history? I'm afraid we haven't even learned your name," proclaimed Zhi loudly from his seat; his grandeur was beginning to gnaw at Katara's sides.

"My name is Li, and my companion Ka—I 'm Li and…", Zuko began to fumble over his words. He had not had to lie about his identity for years, and if history proved anything he was horrible at making up names on the spot. Quietly, Katara cursed her premature votes of confidence for the Fire Lord.

"Kali? Li and…Kali?" Zhi raised a quizzical eyebrow.

"Yes, my name is Kali. Li and I grew up in the same town, and our parents were not creative," giggled Katara, easing the rising tension Zuko's lies were causing. Zhi laughed loudly along with her—it seemed that women were allowed to speak during dinner. Katara suspected that women were simply excluded from "man" business such as war and money.

"Well then, Li and Kali, what brings you to our humble island?" Katara turned her eyes back to Zuko, who took the lead.

"Kali and I are simply traveling around the islands, looking for my… father," Zuko quickly took a sip from his cup, " He was a fisherman lost at sea. We were trying to see if he was stranded here."

Katara let out a breath, relieved at the plausible lie Zuko told.

"A fisherman you say? What a laudable profession. We could use a man with knowledge of the sea in our town," Zhi responded, urging Zuko to continue with his story.

"Yes, but unfortunately my father never taught me his trade," Zuko began rubbing the back of his neck trying to evade Zhi's subtle hints of his desire for them to stay.

"No? I have never met a father who did not teach a loyal son his work. Why, Bao here has been learning to lead our people since he could walk! Where was it that you say you were from?" All eyes at the dais table turned once more to the scarred Fire Lord in their midst.

"Li was never fond of water. He always got sick on the boats. That's why he became skilled with his swords. While his father hunted at sea, he hunted on land. Isn't that right, Li?" Katara smoothly interjected. Zuko eagerly nodded his agreement.

"Oh ho! A loyal son indeed to travel the seas, something he detests, to help search for his father! He must be a proud man to have you for a son." Zhi's words made the scar on Zuko's face feel even brighter than normal. The rest of the meal continued in this fashion; Zhi would politely and loudly question them about their pasts and upbringing, while Zuko and Katara lied and carefully avoided any mention of their bending abilities.

While Zhi spoke, Katara scanned the tables in the square and studied the people. Despite their backwards ideals, they all seemed…happy. The children looked well fed, the men and women were clean and mannered, and the plates on the table wanted for nothing. But something in her gut told her everything was not as it seemed. 'I'm just not sure I want to find out what it is.'

A few seats away, Zuko was having a difficult time keeping up with the boorish chief. His loud remarks and expressive attitude was not something he was used to dealing with. Not to mention the fate of Katara and himself rested on his ability to fool the man that they were simple non-bending travelers. 'For once, my scar may be a blessing. He truly believes that I agree with him because of what benders have done to me. Even though it was my father who I am "searching for " that did it…' Oh, cruel irony.

Luckily dessert was relatively light, and the meal ended. Zuko looked towards Katara who was engaged in conversation with Bao. The chief's son was laughing loudly, waving his arms in the air as he told Katara a story. 'There is no doubt that Bao is Zhi's son," thought Zuko as he watched his mannerisms. It was when Katara laughed with him that he felt a small bite inside of him.

He was reminded of earlier that morning when they shared their own laughter, and how nice it made him feel to be familiar with her again. Yet here she was, just as engaged with someone else. Zuko felt like a fool to think that they were such good friends even after all these years. He wrote off his feelings as his natural protective behavior, and returned his focus to the end of the celebration.

Then suddenly, a slow musical sound began to thrum in the background.

Zhi rose from his seat, and clapped his hands loudly. Instantly the square fell silent. "Let us show our guests, Li and Kali, how we celebrate!" Like lightening the villagers stood up, and began to gather in the clearing beyond the tables.

"Miss Kali, may I have your hand for this dance?" Katara looked up and saw Bao's intense eyes boring into her. All evening she had to play the giggling girl, boosting his ego to avoid his questions, and now she was paying the price. Everything in her being screamed 'no', but she saw Zuko stand and knew she had to comply. He led her to the clearing where men and women were lined up on opposite sides.

Bao, after leading her to the female side, quickly found his place directly across from her. Zuko stood beside him. He was used to these formal dances and knew them by heart; however, he worried for Katara. She probably had no knowledge of the rigid Fire Nation dances, and Zuko could only hope that she would be able to catch on. She was standing across from Bao, trying to avert her eyes from him and Zuko could see why—his gaze would make anyone uncomfortable.

He has seen that look many times in his enemies. It is the gaze of a predator, a hunter, a man who was not used to being told 'no'. And that was just who Bao was. As the son of a chief on this secluded island Bao probably likened himself to a respected and feared prince, although Zuko only saw him as a spoiled and egotistical child.

As the music began, the two lines of men and women walked to the center of the clearing to greet their partners and bow. Zuko was paired with a plain girl his age that was giggling and smiling as if she was being uncontrollably tickled, but he wasn't paying attention to her. His body followed the structured dance, but his amber eyes were directed to his left.

Bao was never an inch away from Katara, even though everyone else was a respectable foot from their partners. Katara's dark hair flowed like water behind her as she followed the dance the best she could, but it was obvious she was new to the style. Bao used this to his advantage; he stepped closer, allowing his hands to brush a little too low when she turned around or gripping her waist a little too tightly when the music permitted. Without him realizing it, something warm began to coil inside of Zuko.

Katara was trying her best to avoid the wandering hands of her partner, but following the steps was a more demanding issue. All she could do was pray for the song to finish, and fast. But it seemed like the song would never end as the steps got harder and the beat a little quicker. The women began to twirl and shuffle, moving back and forth with the men in perfect formation. Everything around her was spinning. She slipped her foot to the left, hand in the air—twirl, side step—back to the front, move to the right…The music got louder, the beat got faster. She could barely make out the dance floor anymore. All she knew were Bao's eyes, his thin lipped grin, his hot warm breath near her face…

And then the drums stopped.

Katara was breathing heavily, winded from the fast paced movements. She froze on the spot, observing the stances of the other women around her. The men were behind them holding their waists, and the women had their fingers laced with their partner's. Katara looked down and was not surprised to find large hands clasping her waist, and she was reluctant to hold them. But the slow thrumming from the strings demanded her movement.

The other couples spun their partners face to face, and began swaying to the ocean like music; Katara stayed frozen.

Slowly, she watched as the hands crept from their position and reached for her own, the alabaster skin contrasting with her own dark hue. The rough fingers gently opened her clasped fists, wiggling themselves between her soft grip. Katara was slightly bewildered at the ease with which Bao's hands held her own, as if he was being…tender.

His fingers locked with her own, and with an encouraging squeeze he twirled her around. Katara flew half circle into his broad chest, her face pressed up against him. But something was wrong—his frame was smaller than she remembered, his arms were leaner….

Katara lifted her head and found Zuko's amber eyes boring into her own. He took Katara's hand and placed it on his shoulder, securing his other on her lower back. He gently nudged her forwards, left foot leading right in a slow musical pattern.

Over Katara's shoulder she could see Bao grinding his teeth, looking over the head of the girl he was forced to dance with when Zuko stole Katara. "Thank You," she whispered in Zuko's ear, and once again he found his body reacting to her voice without his permission.

"You saved me once, it was only fair" he responded before spinning her out and back into his arms. Katara smiled against his shirt. "I'm not sure that we can call this even. I rather fight a storm any day than go through that again." They were not looking at each other, but both of them were grinning.

Zuko led Katara smoothly across the floor, dancing in the moonlight and the glow of the candle torches. For once he did not mind their silence; Rather, he found peace in it. But as soon as he slipped into his calm reprieve, the voice which haunted him all day boomed out again.

"Ladies, we thank you for your contribution to our lovely feast!" Katara inwardly screamed at the sound of Zhi's voice. 'Doesn't this man ever stop talking?' She wasn't sure what bothered her more, his voice, or the loss of warmth that she felt when Zuko pulled away at the end of the song.

"But the night has come to an end. Please allow your escorts to take you home. Tomorrow is another day for prosperity, purity, and peace. Goodnight." Zhi bowed and the crowd of people began to disperse. However, just as Zuko and Katara were about to leave, Bao popped up in front of them.

"Li, my father would like to invite you to an important meeting tomorrow morning," said Bao, whose tone was a lot colder than before. He then turned his eyes to Katara, and once more Zuko noted the hunter's gaze in his dark eyes. "Perhaps I can give you a more extensive tour in the morning, Miss Kali. There are many wonderful aspects of our town that my father did not show you. " Zuko nodded respectfully in acceptance, and without allowing Bao to speak or Katara to respond, he grabbed her wrist and led her away.

"You don't have to pull my arm so hard Zuko, I can walk on my own," Katara said when they were a safe distance from the crowd. Zuko didn't answer, but kept his eyes forward. When they got to their room, Zuko quickly went to his bed and lay down, not saying another word to her. He wasn't sure why, but something was on fire inside of him.

Katara ignored Zuko's spurt of rage as she tried to remember how she used to deal with his temper all those years ago. 'But he's different now. And so am I. We just need to get out of here and continue on to the edge of the world.'

She looked over at Zuko, who was burning a hole in the ceiling with his eyes, and decided against bringing up Ursa. They had priorities. "So what is our plan? How can we leave here tomorrow?"

Zuko stayed quiet a moment longer before answering. " I will try and learn as much as I can at the meeting tomorrow."

"And what am I supposed to do? Sit around all day while my escort makes all our decisions for us?" she bit back. His flare of temper caused one in her as well.

"I am sure Bao would be more than pleased to occupy your time," snarled the Fire Lord.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing! I meant…nothing. We have a long day tomorrow." And with that Zuko rolled over on his cot. Katara didn't know what to make of Zuko's behavior, or her own for that matter. The meal was still warm in her belly, and she felt the acute exhaustion from their day. She went into their adjoining bathroom and changed for bed.

When she came back out Zuko was asleep, not bothering to change his clothes. Lying on her own bed, she let out a sigh of annoyance. A short while ago, she felt herself growing close to Zuko again. She saw the ties of their past and the hopes of their future bring them together in a way that could only be described as destiny. And then tonight…the way he held her, how his steps were so sure, how his firm body led her around the floor…the memories brought goose bumps to her arms. 'He was being a good friend to me,' she thought. But she couldn't lie to herself. She enjoyed her dance with him.

'And there is no harm in that.' She heard Zuko move in his bed, and Katara quickly rolled over to the wall.

'…Right?'

When Katara awoke the next morning Zuko was gone.

She rolled over to find his cot vacated and made; seeing his empty bed made her feel lost. She was hoping that they would talk in the morning and erase all the pent up frustration that came out last night. But he was gone, and she was alone.

'And I don't want to wait around here for Bao to find me,' she thought as she quickly dressed in her traveling clothes and made her way out of the house. The sun was still low in the sky, yet the morning was stifling hot. Being surrounded by the dense jungle prohibited the breeze from the ocean to reach them. It was another reminder of their imprisonment, and her inability to be close to her natural element (even though she couldn't bend if she wanted to while she was there.)

Instead Katara opted to head to the nearest well for a drink. Beyond the field surrounding the house she noticed the tiny spec that was a water well, and took the lengthy walk over. She made her way through the tall reeds and vegetable plants which grew so high in the volcanic soil that they rose above her head. 'I just hope I am heading the right way!'

Just as she was about to give up for being lost, she felt the ground quake. Katara froze and instantly looked up towards the volcano, expecting another eruption or mudslide to come falling down on her; but the sky was blue and the volcano silent.

And there it was again! She knew she felt something below her. Years of being friends with Toph made her very familiar with earth bending – wait, earth bending?

Katara crept forward quietly parting the plants in her way until she came to the edge of a small clearing. In the center was an ancient looking stone well, with a young girl bending far over the edge to peer inside.

"Come on, so close… just a little higher…" she mumbled into the well which echoed her voice back. And then Katara saw something she couldn't believe. The girl stamped her foot down again, sending seismic waves into the earth and up Katara's nerves, eliciting a gasp from her.

Quickly the girl spun around and placed both of her dirty feet on the ground. She looked absolutely horrified to see her there in the brush.

Katara calmly stepped forward, her hands raised in a sign of peace. "It's ok. Don't be scared," she told the girl. She noticed that tears began forming in her green eyes. "I won't hurt you."

The girl looked around the clearing, and dashed toward the dense fields for an escape. As she fled, a long thin piece of fabric flew away from her. "Wait! Stop!" Katara cried out. She picked up the material and held it in the air. "You dropped this!"The girl stopped running, and turned back around. She looked horrified when she noticed what she lost.

Hanging in Katara's hands was a red scarf.

She slowly took a step towards her, eyes pleading for her lost treasure—but Katara had a question.

"You're an earth bender, aren't you?"

Zuko woke up in the morning in a cold sweat.

After he shot up in bed, he looked over to where Katara was peacefully sleeping next to him, and he sighed in relief. He could have sworn his dream was real. Bao was hanging Katara off of a giant waterfall at the edge of the world, and he had lost his bending. He was frozen and unable to move as he watched him throw her off the cliff, falling and falling and falling. It was all his fault she was here, and now she was dead…

But it was just a dream, and they were safe. In a sense.

Looking out the window Zuko saw the sun creeping into the sky, and knew his meeting with Zhi was quickly approaching. He took a bath, dressed, and left the room before Katara awoke. As he made his way towards the clearing where the meeting was being held, he again thought of last night. He was embarrassed about his behavior towards the end, especially towards Katara.

She did nothing wrong, yet he found himself inexplicably angry. 'It wasn't her, it was Bao. I just let my temper get the best of me…' Again. Zuko was mentally kicking himself for such a childish display. He worked hard over the past years to control his emotions and stay focused when angry, and was doing very well. Even Uncle Iroh told him so.

Yet in one night, he was back to square one. 'Ok not square one, maybe square three or four.' What caused him to lose control? Whatever it was, he still needed to apologize to her when he returned. Hopefully this meeting would give him some possibilities for escaping Zhi's village and they could leave.

As he approached the clearing, he noticed Zhi sitting in a large chair before a table of older men. They were all solemn faced, and even Zhi did not do his usual energetic greeting at his arrival. Instead, he motioned for him to take a seat among the counselors.

"Chief, if we are going to plan our entire culture's future on the word of a spy, we need more solid information," one of the men began.

"Can we even trust he is on our side? Or that his information is correct?" said another.

"It all seems so farfetched. There must be a different possibility…" began the third.

"Enough," said Zhi in a commanding voice. "My informant is trustworthy, as well as accurate. His reports have helped us grow into the village we are today. We have no reason to mistrust him. As he says, another serious war is in the works in the world of benders."

"But how does he know this?"

Zuko could not believe what he walked in on, not that he understood any of it. From what he could gather from their cryptic speeches was that another powerful bending (war?battle?death?) would soon come to pass which would help them further their goals. He listened closely.

"His means of acquiring information are not important to this council. What must be understood is this: our dreams of expansion are coming to fruition. As long as we prepare ourselves, we will not miss the chance. Our troops need to become skilled in the way of the sword, as well as other forms of fighting," Zhi quickly eyed Zuko, who now knew why he was there, "so that we can fight when the time comes."

"But sir, what if it takes decades for this opportunity to arrive?" squeaked another old man.

"Then we will have had that long to train and grow stronger." The councilmen nodded at his wise words, but Zuko could only stare. As if on cue, Zhi locked eyes with the scarred man.

"Now that you have seen and shared in the fruits of our town, you are considered to be our brother. Li, once this meeting has concluded I will lead you to our troops for the first day of training," he said.

Zuko noted how he did not ask, but told him. Suddenly the broad swords on his back weighed a ton.

The fear that crossed the girl's face when Katara showed her the scarf was immeasurable, and instantly she felt guilty for causing her such distress.

"This is very lovely," Katara said in a soothing voice, but the girl only whimpered in response. "Please, don't be afraid. You have a gift."

"A gift? You mean a curse!" the girl cried out, and suddenly broke down into a fit a tears. Katara slowly stepped over to her, and kneeled beside her on the ground. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. Everybody has their secrets," she told her, but the girl was inconsolable.

Katara bended a wave of water out of the well and held it before the girl, who instantly quieted at the sight before her. Katara froze the stream into a ball of ice, and placed it into the girl's hands. She held the ice up towards the light, trying to see if it was real or some kind of trick.

"You're…a water bender?" she asked. Katara smiled and nodded. The girl then stood up from the ground and wiped her tears away. "So, you promise you won't tell then right? My parents would be so angry."

"No, I won't tell. But you should not have to hide who you really are. Your parents will understand," Katara tried to reason. But the girl shook her head vigorously. "You don't understand. We left everything behind to come here….and we left everyone we knew and loved." She looked at the red scarf again.

"We once lived in the Earth Kingdom, in one of the Fire Nation colonies," she began. Katara stayed silent and prompted her to speak. "Only fire bending was permitted, but the boy who gave me that scarf knew I was an earth bender and he was my friend anyway…my best friend." From the longing in Katara's eyes, she could tell he was more than a friend.

"How old are you?" she asked.

"I am fourteen," the girl responded.

"And how long did you know your best friend?"

"My whole life," the girl smiled.

"And how long have you been in love?"

"…My whole life"

The girl tenderly took the scarf back from Katara and wrapped it inside of her clothes. "My parents hated him because of who he was. He couldn't help that he was from the Fire Nation! He couldn't help that he was a fire bender! I swear he is good, he really is! But they found out about us. They saw him kiss me and...and…they made us leave."

The girl walked over to the well again, trying to hold back her tears and anger. "Believe it or not, they still don't know I am an earth bender. I hid it my whole life, even from them. I didn't want to be sent away to the camps, or get them in trouble. But I never hid it with him…he loved me. And my parents took me away from him because of bending! They blame it for their imprisonment all those years…"

"Bending is a part of us. It's who we are," Katara said. She was instantly reminded of her dear friend Haru, who years ago was in the same predicament as this girl was. Katara was able to help him then, but she didn't know if she could help her while they were on this island. Which made her realize….

"Listen to me. A close friend of mine has been traveling the world teaching talented earth benders. When I leave here I will make sure she comes for you, do you understand? We can take you back to him," she indicated towards the red scarf, "and you can be free. I promise."

"Leave?" the girl said. "What makes you think you can leave?"

A plunging feeling hit Katara's stomach at those words.

"There's always hope if you look for it," she said more convincingly than she felt. But the girl smiled, and Katara hoped her words really helped her.

Then as quickly as her smile came, it vanished.

The girl was looking over Katara's shoulder across the clearing with a horrified look on her face. Katara whipped her head around, and felt the breath leave her body.

"Interesting thing to find on a volcanic island," said Bao who was clutching the ball of ice in his hands. "It's almost like the water just froze for no apparent reason."

He took long strong strides towards them, his arm reaching behind him for his sword; hunter had found his prey.

Katara screamed as she bended the water from the well towards the oncoming man, who quickly dodged her attack. In the chaos she grabbed the girl's hand, and pulled her into the fields.

"Run! Run!" she cried as she dragged her along.

"Run and don't look back!"

Author's Note:

Sorry for the long delay in updating, but I made this chapter a little longer for you all! Thank you as always for your kind reviews and suggestions, they make a writer want to keep on living (and writing!). A complimentary (and imaginary) box of fire flakes to anyone who can figure out who the girl is.

TTFN.

ChiaraBrie