I'd like to thank you all for being patient over the last two weeks. I won't make you wait any longer for this chapter so here you go, enjoy!
Chapter 7 Disaster Day
After Katara and Zuko had their little talk, they spent the rest of the day with each other. They went up to the deck and just watched the sea. They didn't have to say anything, they just enjoyed being in each other's presence. When the sun began setting over the horizon, Crescent Moon Isle had come into view, and a smaller island to it's side. Katara looked at the two islands and was overcome with guilt. "Zuko..." She began when Iroh walked onto the deck, accompanied by Lt. Jee.
"Prince Zuko, Miss Katara, how are you two this lovely night?" Iroh asked upon seeing them. "Having fun?" He smiled.
"Hello General Uncle, Lt. Jee." Katara bowed, Iroh nodded his head and Lt. Jee bowed also, to show his own respect. "It is a really nice night, isn't it, it's so warm."
"That's because we're in Fire Nation territory. It's always warm." Zuko remarked, turning his gaze from Katara to his uncle. "What do you mean having fun?" Zuko didn't trust his uncle, he had to know something to ask that type of question.
"Well, I was busy walking around the entire ship, like I always do, when I just happened to overhear a certain conversation this morning. Now I didn't want to stay and intrude on your privacy so I sped up a bit and quickly left. But I was able to catch a quick glimpse into your room and if I weren't mistaken I could have sworn that I saw--" Iroh had a big, sheepish grin on his face as he shoved his hands into his sleeves.
"Uncle!" Zuko yelled. "Why do you have such eavesdropping problems? Didn't we just have a talk about that?"
"It seems like you've been having quite a few talks lately, Zuko." Katara teased, giggling. Katara knew Iroh didn't mean any harm, he was just happy to see that they had finally admitted their feelings.
"Prince Zuko." Zuko corrected. Katara crossed her arms over her chest, placed her weight into her right foot, and stared disbelievingly at Zuko.
"Uh oh, looks like a lover's quarrel is about to begin. We'd better go check on the instruments Lt. Jee before we get hurt." Iroh chuckled as he headed below deck, Lt. Jee behind him. Iroh smiled as he thought of only one word; Grandchildren. Then another word popped into his thoughts; Eventually.
"We're not lovers!" Katara called after them as they disappeared below deck. "Isn't that right, Prince Zuko?" She had spat out the word 'Prince' as an insult.
"Katara, I don't want my Uncle to know, but it seems a bit too late for that." Zuko scratched the back of his neck.
"Yeah, it kind of does," Katara mumbled, leaning against the railing of the ship. "But I guess it's better if we do continue acting like before, I mean nothing really has changed."
"We only have to act like that until tomorrow and tomorrow is almost here. Then after that we'll admit our love and be free to show it openly." Zuko replied trying to sound optimistic. "Besides, my titles not that bad is it? Soon enough you'll be Princess Katara and then--"
"I don't want to think about that right now, can we change the subject?" Katara pleaded.
"Why don't you want to talk about your future as a Princess? It's not that hard to imagine, in fact it seems like a rather nice future, don't you think?" Zuko scoffed.
"No, it's not hard to imagine the future, in the future my brother and friend will be in chains while I'm a Princess. Not hard to imagine at all." Katara commented as she rolled her eyes, her guilt on her expression.
"Oh, right. Well don't worry about that, I promise you, once I'm Fire Lord, the Avatar will be set free and your brother will become a member of the court. Then everything else can be forgotten." Zuko smiled at Katara as she smiled back at him.
"Alright, Prince Zuko, if you say so." Katara eased her worried mind.
If only it was that simple, but that's okay. We'll stay in this pretend world for now, where nothing can hurt anyone. If this is the world you're use to Katara, we'll stay here for as long as we can. "Exactly." Zuko teased. "Now let's get out of here before it starts." He grabbed Katara and started to pull her downstairs.
"Before what starts? What's going on?" Katara questioned keeping pace with Zuko so she wouldn't be dragged.
"Nothing really of concern, we just have to leave before the most horrible night of the week begins. Besides, it's late, we should go to sleep, tomorrow will be rough. But no more questions out of you for tonight, I'm too tired to be answering the tough questions you seem to think of." Zuko frowned as they stepped into his bedroom.
"You two missed a wonderful Music Night last night." Iroh commented as he poured himself another cup of tea, his third that morning. "Lt. Jee had sung another stirring love song. He has quite a voice, he should really join the choir when we get back home, he would make an excellent addition."
"Music Night? So I did hear music last night, Zuko kept saying it was all in my mind, he was actually able to manipulate me into thinking I was just hearing things. That jerk!" Katara smiled, she had had a good morning so far, a quick shower and breakfast with Iroh.
"Yes, Prince Zuko had never been one for Music Night, we haven't been able to get him to stay for an entire night, yet alone sing a song." Iroh smiled. "I often wonder if he's even able to sing."
"For the past two years you've had this once a week and Zuko's never sang a song? Not even once?" Katara paused. "Actually, that's not much of a surprise, but I would have thought if anyone you would be able to get him to do it, General Uncle." Katara joked. Iroh shook his head no as Zuko entered the room.
"Good morning, Prince Zuko." Iroh smiled as his nephew took his usual seat. "Are you ready for today's events?"
Zuko stared at his uncle, as if he needed to be reminded of what was happening later that day. They were already docked at the small island and all of his men were on the lookout for the Avatar's flying beast. As soon as they came into view, he would spring into action and finally capture the Avatar. "Yes, Uncle, I'm ready." Zuko bit into an apple and wiped the juices from his mouth. "Lt. Jee is suppose to get me if there is any sign of the Avatar and then we'll--" He began, only to be cut off by the panting Lt. Jee rushing through the door.
"Prince Zuko, sir, we spotted the Avatar. He's a good 10 miles from landing, he was spotted heading this way from the Southern direction." Lt. Jee huffed as he started to calm his breathing down. "Should we start with the plan, sir?"
"Yes, tell everyone to get into position, to follow every order, and to make sure every detail of this plan is in order." Zuko commanded as Lt. Jee bowed and ran out of the room to make sure the Prince's orders were followed. "Uncle, stay on the ship. Katara, come with me." Zuko stood up and walked out of the room. Katara waved goodbye to Iroh as she quickly followed after Zuko.
"So, what am I suppose to do?" Katara questioned as she finally caught up to Zuko in the hallway. Zuko didn't answer her, he kept quiet and continued to walk with Katara by his side. "Zuko?" Katara tapped his shoulder and he grabbed her hand roughly. She gasped as she was caught off guard as Zuko pulled her into a loving embrace.
"Katara, I want you to know, that if I had a choice I wouldn't do this. But that's not how life is, I have to do this, for my people's future, for our future, for anyone's future." Zuko took Katara's hands behind her back and started tying them with rope, Katara was too confused to understand what was going on. Zuko was saying such kind yet depressing words, how could he be about to do something so wrong when he knew it was wrong? "I want you to keep in mind though, no matter what I might say or do, my feelings will remain the same and I hope your's do too." He finished tying her hands and she took a step back so she could take him all in.
He looked worried, he had sweat on his forehead, and he kept fidgeting with his hands. Katara had never seen Zuko so nervous, what was going on? He has everything planned out, so what could he be so nervous about? What exactly was he planning on doing? "Zuko–" Katara uttered but was stopped suddenly as Zuko kissed her. It wasn't the same type of passionate kiss they had had before, it was more desperate. He ended the kiss as quickly as it had began.
Katara didn't have any time to respond as Zuko quickly placed a strip of cotton over her mouth and tied it at the back of her head. I'm sorry, Zuko thought as he stepped behind her and placed a hand on her back, making her move onto the deck. The sun hit her hard, as she had spent all day under the deck, and she squinted as she first looked around.
Guards were everywhere and it seemed that they couldn't stand still for a second as they raced around on the deck, getting everything prepared. Everything seemed to be going too fast for Katara to comprehend. She walked really slowly as she tried to understand what was happening, but Zuko pushed her, ever so lightly, from behind, making her keep walking. The world seemed to be spinning but it started to make sense as reality quickly came back to her as she saw the giant bison landing on the island.
"Katara!" Aang screamed as he spotted his friend being lead down the ship and onto the island. Prince Zuko was behind her, he obviously wanted to make sure she didn't try to escape.
"You better not have hurt her!" Sokka threatened as he hopped off of Appa. He watched as his sister, Prince Zuko, and many guards descended onto the island, forming a circle around them.
"She's fine," Zuko smirked. "For now at least. Don't worry, no harm was brought to her and if you wish to keep her in such condition I suggest you surrender now, Avatar." Zuko commanded.
"What will make you keep your promise to not hurt Katara or Sokka after I turn myself over?" Aang questioned as he gripped his staff tightly.
"Nothing really." Zuko stated. "But," He lit a small flame in his palm. "Only one thing will keep this girl from harm, for now at least." Zuko moved the flame a bit closer toward Katara and he felt her flinch and tense under his touch. "Now, throw your weapon in front of me." Zuko's guards all stepped into their battle poses, ready to fire if given the command.
Aang threw his staff to the ground and raised his hands into the air. Two of Zuko's guards cautiously walked forward and Aang quickly lowered his hands, causing sand to fly up with a gust of wind. Coughing was heard from the guards, so was shouting from Zuko, as Aang jumped into the air. He hovered above the confusion for a moment before he quickly dove down. He landed exactly where he wanted to land, next to Katara.
Aang reached for his bounded friend but before he was able to touch her, Zuko had gained control of the moment. He pulled Katara into a protective embrace and launched a fire attack at Aang with his foot. Aang easily dodged the attack by moving to the side but Zuko quickly sent two more at him. One barely missed Aang's shoulder and the other one caught Aang's arm.
Aang screamed out in pain as the fire burned through his shirt, luckily he wasn't burned by the flame, well, not burned that much. It would heal and eventually go away and be all but a painful memory, but what will happened next, will be in Aang's mind for the next month.
Zuko still had Katara in an embrace, Katara's back to him, and Zuko created, in each hand, what he likes to call his Flame Daggers. "Don't think I won't hurt her, Avatar. If you don't want to see her hurt give up. NOW!" Zuko commanded. Aang stared at Katara's face, she had her eyes closed. She was trying to imagine that everything that was happening wasn't. She was trying to go back to her safe dream world where every gets along and wars weren't real.
"Release her!" Sokka cried as he threw his boomerang at Zuko, who easily ducked. Appa and Momo were behind him, Appa used his tail to fend off the guards as Momo jumped on a few guards' helmets.
Sokka caught his boomerang as it came back to him and Zuko growled. "Do you want her to be safe?" Zuko threatened. He brought his Flame Daggers closer to Katara's skin and she let out a tiny yelp behind her gag.
"Of course I do! She's my sister and I'm going to save her from you, you Fire Nation scum!" Sokka screamed as he prepared to attack Zuko the next chance he got.
"Then give up." Zuko smirked as his guards jumped on Sokka. Sokka struggled under the guards weight, but it was no use. They were two Fire Nation soliders who were trained, had armor on, and quality rope, which they were now using to tie him up.
"Sokka!" Aang screamed as he lunged to help him friend, only to be tackled by three guards and tied down with heavy chains. "Fine, you have me! Now release my friends!" Aang yelled as he stopped struggling.
"You broke the deal, you didn't give yourself up peacefully, so I'll be taking your friends as punishment for your insolence." Zuko smirked as Aang was picked up to his feet by the three guards, Sokka by the two, Momo in a cage, and Appa was surrounded by fire benders. "Now tell that beast of yours to follow my men into our storage area on the ship." Zuko ordered but to no effect. Aang only glared at him in response. "Or else I'll kill it where it stands and leave it's body to rot on this island!" Aang frowned and nodded his head in acceptance.
"Fine. Appa, follow the mean people now boy. It will be okay," Aang soothed the beast as Appa snorted and reluctantly followed the Fire Nation guards into the lower storage area in the ship. "Let my friends go. You don't need them, they mean nothing to you!" Aang commanded.
Zuko shook his head. How wrong you are, Avatar. "I'll be keeping your friends, to keep you in your place."
"You only need one of us! Take me and leave my sister here!" Sokka argued as he struggled against the guards.
"You'd rather I leave your poor, defenseless sister on a deserted island in the middle of Fire Nation waters? I could bring her on ths same ship with you, you could all travel toward our destination together, in chains." Zuko smirked as he brought Katara closer to him. She gave him a nasty glare and he took a deep breath of salty air as he looked back to Sokka.
"It's better than her being with you for another day! Fending for herself on an island is better than whatever you've been putting her through!" Sokka seethed. He hated how that Fire Nation bastard was touching his sister. I swear, if he touched her I'll chop his hands off and feed them to his own rhinos. "So release her!"
Zuko smirked. "I don't think I will, I don't have to release anyone and even if I did, it wouldn't be her. I've gotten to know your sister very well over the past few days and I think I've grown rather fond of her." Zuko's grin grew wider when he saw Sokka glare at him. Sokka started struggling against the guards again.
"I swear, if you touched her in any way over the last couple of days, I'll make you pay!" Sokka threatened through gritted teeth. Zuko chuckled and tightened his grip as he felt Katara struggle a bit in his arms.
"What do you mean by touch? Do you mean like this?" Zuko placed his hand on Katara's cheek and he rubbed it gently. "Or like this?" He moved his other arm around Katara's waist and pulled her even closer to him. She was now fully up against him. "Or maybe you mean touch like this." Zuko leaned close to Katara and kissed her on her cheek. Katara kept her eyes closed, she didn't want to see the looks in Aang's and Sokka's eyes as Zuko made his announcement.
"You fucking bastard! Don't you ever touch her like that again!" Sokka screamed as he lunged forward, only to be brought down by the guards. Aang felt so hurt, it seemed to him that Katara wasn't fighting as much as she could. Was she enjoying all of this? No, she couldn't, Zuko had probably just scared her stiff. Yes, that's the only possibility.
"That wasn't the first time," Zuko chuckled lightly. "In fact, you should be proud of your sister. She'll have the honor to be the first waterbender added to the Fire Nation's nobility. Well, at least she will once we return back to the Fire Nation and I regain my place as heir."
"What do you mean?" Aang asked as he took a step forward. Please Katara, look me in the eye. Let me see your truthful eyes, let me see that everything Zuko is saying is a lie. I know you, Katara, I know that if you were truly against something, you wouldn't go through with it at all, he couldn't have force you to do anything.
"I mean," Zuko simpered slyly."It means, Avatar, that I'm going to marry Katara." Sokka launched himself again at Zuko, but the guards brought him down, again.
"Like hell you are!" Sokka screamed. "You'll never be able to marry my sister, never!" Zuko glared at Sokka.
"Take them to the holding chambers, I'll deal with them later." Zuko ordered his guards. He turned around and walked up the ramp onto the ship, he still had Katara by his side. She had reluctantly followed him up and she still had her eyes closed, she knew the second she opened her eyes that the tears she was holding back would be released.
Iroh was waiting for him at the top of the ramp. "Prince Zuko, that was quite unnecessary." Iroh scolded his nephew.
"I thought you'd be happy Uncle. Katara and I are sharing our secret with everyone else now." Zuko looked at Katara and saw the pain on her face. She felt like she had betrayed everyone she cared for, (well, not everyone) she felt terrible and wanted to apologize.
"I could have upset him more than I did." Zuko frowned as his uncle shook his head from side to side. "It wasn't his place to order me to do anything and there is no way that I would leave Katara on that island to fend for herself." He looked at Katara, who still had her eyes closed, tears falling down her cheek and landing on the deck's cold floor. "Katara, it's okay. I promise, I won't hurt them while they're in my custody." Zuko crooned as he rubbed her cheek lightly. She shook her head and he removed his hand.
Zuko frowned and undid her gag. She remained silent but opened her tear filled eyes. She looked at Zuko and frowned. "Can I at least explain things to them? Just so they don't think I've lost all of my morals and loyalty to them. I know they know that I wasn't trying to escape from you, they probably know it was all an act. They probably feel so betrayed. Please, just a word with them, I'm sure Aang and Sokka wouldn't feel betrayed if I explained everything to them." She pleaded as Zuko just shook his head no.
"You won't be seeing them for a really long time, Katara." Zuko empathized. "I want you to just forget that they're on this ship or that they're your friends. At least forget for now." Zuko commanded as he looked at Katara with sympathy.
"You..." Katara glared as she turned her head to the opposite side. "Bastard." She mumbled silently, but loud enough to make sure that both Iroh and Zuko had heard. Zuko stood there, stunned, for a moment. He didn't even know Katara had the ability to swear, she seemed so gentle.
He looked to his uncle for him to help him with her, but was given none, Iroh only shook his head and walked away. Thanks, Uncle. Zuko thought sarcastically. And I thought you were a 'ladies' man back in the day'.
"Listen, Katara, I just don't want you to see the Avatar, you can see your brother before we get to the Fire Nation capital, but only then." Zuko compromised. He looked over his shoulder as his guards walked by, 'escorting' Aang, Sokka, and Momo to their new rooms.
"Katara!" Aang and Sokka screamed in unison. Katara turned around and tried to run to her brother and friend but Zuko held her back. She was still tied up or else she would have slapped him for being so inconsiderate.
"Aang! Sokka!" Katara cried as the tears kept coming. "I'm so sorry." She whispered in between her sobs as Zuko pulled her into a close hug. "Please, just let me explain to them."
"No. I'm sorry, Katara, but I don't want you to see the Avatar again. You can explain to your brother when you see him, but not the Avatar." Zuko whispered in Katara's ears as she cried on his shoulder. I don't like the way that boy looks at you, Katara. He looks at you the same way I do, but you can only be in love with one person, and that shall be me!
Zuko watched as Aang and Sokka were taken to the lower chambers. He loved seeing Aang's face pale as he comforted her. He beamed that he was so lucky to have all of her love and he stared at her as her back trembled. I know it must hurt, Katara, to be a betrayer. Even if it's not the case, but don't worry, it will get better.
"It's just so hard to see people you love in chains," Katara sobbed. Zuko frowned and started rubbing her back in an attempt to soothe her. "It's alright, I'll be okay. As long as I have you to help me handle the guilt." Katara smiled as Zuko untied her bounds.
"I'll always be here for you, Katara. Always." Zuko held her in his arms up until his uncle returned on deck.
"Prince Zuko, Miss Katara, it's time for lunch." Iroh smiled as he saw them in each other's arms. Aw, to be young and in love is such a blessing. Iroh remembered his first love, she was a beautiful young girl who always wore her long, golden blonde hairin two braids. Now, what was her name again? Oh well, it's in the past now.
"Thank you, Uncle, we'll be down in a minute." Zuko smiled as he lifted his head off of Katara's. Iroh nodded then returned below decks, trying to remember who exactly his first love had been. "Hungry?" Zuko asked Katara, she nodded yes and they walked to the galley, hand in hand as lover's normally do, but Katara was pretty sure lover's don't plot against each other, the way she was at the moment.
Well now, what is Katara planning? We'll just have to wait until chapter 8 next week to find out. And I'd like to share one review I recieved that was relevent this chapter, or at least will be next chapter.
Ditz4lyf wrote: Yes,I totally love this chapter but dang Katara don't give in that easily...
For everyone that agrees with Ditz4lyf, you'll see that Katara isn't giving up just yet. She won't just let Zuko start planning her life without afight first, and there will be a fight! But the fight will probably come in two more chapters or so.
