LH: I promised that the next chapter would come up! Don't complain if it's short, you guys!
Zuko: Why would I? I mean, the less time I have to deal with Ms. Princess over there, the better…
Katara: ZUKO! I AM SO NOT HELPING YOU ANYMORE
LH: You two need counseling.
Toph: Isn't that what you're here for?
Aang: Can I get candy now?
Sokka: STILL BLIND HERE!!!
Jet: Lady Hart…you mind telling me which one of us gets Katara
Zuko: You can have her.
Aang: (shifts around umcomfortably) Katara's not something to be owned…
Katara: Well…I can't argue with that…but I can't argue if Jet is so determined
Zuko: WHAT? I thought you were going to put up a FIGHT?!?
Katara: What are you going to do about it?
Zuko: Lady Hart…can I talk to you for a second? (Pulls LH, who has her laptop and they talk for a few seconds)
LH: (thinking) hmm…not bad, Zu-Zu…not bad.
Zuko: Well?
LH: I'm in. I'll need Toph, though…
Previously…
I finally decide to get up and go towards the window. The streets seem to be lined with silver and the warm glow of a nearby street lamp is the only thing that illuminates the scene. All of the houses have their lights off, in fear that the gangs might come. I close my curtains and all is dark.
When will the madness stop?
Chapter 6: The Dream and the Harsh Reality
Katara…
"Who's there?" I said. I couldn't see. It was pitch black
Katara…I need you
The voice sounded familiar. Who is it? Who needs my help?
Katara…
As soon as the voice said my name, the darkness is ebbed away into flames. I tried to scream, but nothing comes out. I tied to get out of the flames, but can't
Katara!
A figure then approached me. He extended his hand through the fire. I'm unsure at first, but then his amber eyes assured me that everything would be all right. I took it and he pulled me close. I touched the side of his face and he kissed the palm of my hand. I pulled away from him for his kiss felt like fire. He came towards me and he leaned forward. Then… he burst into flames.
…
I woke up in cold sweat. It couldn't have been real…
I get up and open the window and the sun is shining…and a row of house next to ours were nothing but rubble…
Later…"Are you sure you and your children don't want to stay here until you can find another home, Mrs. Kaito?"
"No, you have already done so much for us," Mrs. Kaito said to Grams as she cradled her baby. Mrs. Kaito was one of our neighbors whose house burned down. She and her four children were able to make it out alive with only the clothes on their back.
"Well, then, take this," Grams gave her a bag full of clothes Sokka and I didn't need anymore and some food, "It's the least we can do."
"Thank you," Mrs. Kaito burst into tears and hugged Grams. I turned to the window and felt a tear fall down. I tried to wipe it away, but then the saw a pair of familiar eyes stare at me from the sidewalk. Zuko was standing near our gate with a look of…concern.
I slowly walked out the door and to the gate. I just looked at Zuko and he looked back. We were like that for a few minutes.
Then, Zuko broke the ice. "I'm sorry."
"Sorry for what? Don't feel sorry for me. Feel sorry for all of those people whose house burned down! For all those who lost their homes, their memories, their…their…" I choked on the last word.
Zuko opened the gate (LH: Gosh…you left the gate open, Katara? What the heck…people can just come in and…well…continue) and put a hand on my shoulder. "I know."
Then, I did the last thing that I ever…EVER should have done. I hugged Zuko. At first, he was shocked and stunned…but then he gave in. He was so warm.
"I promise not to let anything bad happen to you," whispered in my ear.
"I know."
Suddenly, we heard a stifling scream. Zuko and I broke away and then looked at each other. Then, we ran inside.
"GRAMS! SOKKA!" I yelled as Zuko and I came into the door.
"Don't move, or she gets it," Aang said as he held out a knife before her throat.
"Aang! You've got to stop!" Zuko yelled.
"What do you want?" I asked.
"No!" Zuko said.
"What? I thought you were all for it?" I looked at him, confused.
"Well…I.."
"I want you," Aang said plainly.
"Katara, don't!" Grams sobbed.
"No, Katara," Zuko said, "I realize now that you might not be able to make it. Please, don't go."
"I have to. I promised to save her, didn't I?"
"But…" he tried to say, but I pressed my finger to his lips.
"I'll be fine." I strode over to where Aang and Grams were, then Aang let Grams go and I took her place.
"Please don't hurt her," Grams sobbed.
Then, out of the blue, there was a loud bang and policemen swarmed in.
"Freeze, man!" a lady officer with short black hair and the most piercing blue eyes yelled.
"I thought three was a crowd, but this is a little too much for me," Aang said and he dropped something round to the ground. It exploded and smoke came out. Just before I blacked out, I heard Zuko yell my name.
And so…the world was consumed by a boy's greed.
LH: And so, I shall update sometime within the month. Sorry! Happy New Year!!!
