Well, I hope I'm able to type events clearly in this chapter, because a lot is going to happen. It seems all broken up right now, yes? Like, 'Where can the story possibly go now?' Well, I hope not, because that is not what I'm aiming for! I read over every chapter, mulled ideas around in cooking class again, and, poof, here it is!
I do not own Avatar.
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When Katara had entered the campsite the previous night, she had been welcomed with relieved smiles, hugged by every warrior, and tackled by her brother, Sokka.
He had rambled on about how many Firenation soldiers he had taken down, elaborating on the details of their travels, and warned her not to eat green seal jerky.
"Gee, how did that go over for you?" She had teased him.
"Well, you could say it took its sweet time." Sokka had rolled his eyes and promptly changed the subject.
And Hakoda never left her side. Her father, who she hadn't seen in a long time, her father who had told her that her Waterbending wasn't a curse, it was a gift. He was the one that encouraged her to be a Waterbending master. He was the reason Katara had been able to survive in the midst of the enemy and alone in a bitter, arctic tundra.
"Your hands…" His fatherly eyes welled up with tears, ashamed that he had not been there to protect his daughter.
She had given him a perfect smile "I have something to show you, dad."
She had given the curious warriors a demonstration of her newfound healing powers, stunning all of them.
After a hardy meal, stories and laughter, Hakoda had smiled upon his daughter, putting a proud arm around her shoulder.
"Your mother would be so proud of you." He put his other arm around Sokka, who was at his other side, "She would be proud of both of you. If only she were here…"
His sentence trailed off as he remembered where 'here' was.
Katara gave a worried look "Dad?"
Sokka looked up from his bowl of steaming soup, "What's wrong, dad?"
Hakoda had sighed heavily, "We're still at war, and we need to make plans to get out of here."
Katara's eyes sparkled eloquently, "This forest is crawling with squadrons of Firenation. The only way to go is away from here."
Hakoda was shaking his head before she even finished her sentence, "They have us surrounded. Luckily, they don't even know it." He gave his proud smile.
Sokka, busy scooping up more soup, grinned widely, "Yeah, but when we run into one, their gonna have it tough! Who could be man enough to defeat the Southern Water Tribe?" Nearby warriors took up a cheer, clapping Sokka on the back.
Sokka dove back into his stories, telling Katara about the tribe's own experience with the mothbats, about how the little pests had raided their bags in the middle of the night and feasted on all of their meat.
On the outside, Katara looked attentive, but her mind was plagued by thoughts.
Was Zuko okay? Why did she care? Should she go back? Or would he just try to kill her again? But, when it came right down to it, he hadn't killed her. She was brought to her knees, as vulnerable as an infant, burnt and injured, but he didn't deliver a killing blow.
Did that mean he had come to his senses?
Or did he just want to savor the kill?
She gradually shook off the pestering thoughts, and began telling Sokka about her travels, alone and captive.
--
Zhao, tall and menacing, loomed over poor Hagen.
"You're telling me that Prince Zuko, heir to the throne of the Firenation, and son of Firelord Ozai, has committed treason and joined the Water Tribe?" He spoke slowly and precisely.
Hagen stupidly bobbed his head, terrified, "Y-yes, Admiral Zhao."
He rose from the small table, "Deploy our elite troops. Tell them to kill the traitor on site."
Smiling widely, Zhao watched Hagen nod eagerly and scurry away.
Alone in the room, he chuckled to himself, "This is just the chance I needed."
Fantasies ran through his head.
He sank down into his bed that night, whispering 'General Zhao…"
--
Stupid!
She was right there, completely defenseless, and he couldn't do it! He had never felt regret for killing, so why was this any different?! She was just a stupid peasant hailing from snow banks and rank fish!
Zuko paced vigorously in his clearing, pinching the bridge of his nose.
He hissed the word 'stupid' over and over again.
Thoughts of her ran through his mind. Memories of her, her displeasure whenever she was forced on to the rhino, her blissful expression whenever she had entwined their feet together, and the way her hair had brushed against him when he was sleeping at her back. But the memory that stood out the most was their conversation about her home, the South Pole.
"What's the South Pole like?"
"It's just ice and snow."
"That's it? No towns of ports? Just…ice and snow?"
"Yep, and houses made out of ice and snow."
"…That's ridiculous."
He sighed heavily. He didn't want to think about her anymore.
He had been looking for any sign of his men. Any other thoughts he had that weren't based on Katara were thoughts of Private Mong.
Zuko was baffled when he awoke several hours later in a daze, the boomerang leaving a pounding knot on his head.
Sympathetically, he had turned over the stiff, cold body of the young private, only to be horror-struck. Mong's throat had been cut open wide into a grotesque smile, his head only connected by his spine.
Had Mong been a traitor? Or maybe it was a cornered assassin making a last stand?
He brushed away the idea. It was probably nothing. He had burned Mong's body, giving him the respect of a proper funeral.
Gradually, his mind returned to Katara. Realizing this, he threw his fist into a small bush, igniting it and turning into a pile of ashes in seconds.
He could think of no other reason.
He had enjoyed her company. Not enjoyed, but savored. Not savored, but needed.
He sat heavily on the ground, his legs out in front of him, his knees bent.
Seething, Zuko stared at the frosted ground, willing his mind to empty itself.
He curled his legs into a criss-crossed position, and eventually began to meditate.
She had been an enemy, a hostage, and briefly, a friend.
But Zuko had only seen her as an object of his desires.
He liked her, and that infuriated him.
--
They moved like shadows.
Flitting in and out of the trees, seeming to move between two planes of existence, the hunters tracked down their quarry with deadly preciseness.
They were the wardens of the outposts, the very best of Firenation genetics, taken at birth and formed into weapons.
They did not require words. Instead they communicated to each other using intricate hand signals, relaying their findings to each other.
Several of these hunters were women, and all of them were clothed in tight fitting leather as black as night. They all had long meticulously kept hair, even the men, and their faces were hidden behind cryptic masks that resembled dying men.
The hunters had a duty, and they would die before they failed.
'Should we split up?' A tall, lean male signaled to a small, longhaired woman. She was obviously the leader of the small group, her distinctive, grotesque raven-themed mask singling her out from the rest of the group.
'That would be best.' She pointed to five hunters, half of her group. 'You five find the tribe' She motioned to the last four, 'You come with me. We will arrest the prince.'
They separated like water, and began to seep into the night-veiled forest.
--
He didn't want to, but it looked like Zuko would need to return to the outpost.
He had gotten back on the trail several hours ago, the Saia Ty Mountains far behind him. By morning, he had come to a crossroads, where an elderly man sat behind a small counter, displaying his wares. Other than the man, there was no one currently here.
A post of wood with a lit torch on top was staked exactly in the middle of the four diverging paths. The post loomed over Zuko as he approached it.
Flyers and wanted posters plastered the wood.
Sauntering up to the man, Zuko crossed his arms over his chest, trying to look daunting.
"Did a troop of men recently pass through here?"
When the man looked up, the color drained from his face. He pointed at Zuko, his hand trembling. "P-p-p-p Prince…Z-z-z-z Zu…k-ko." His voice was rasping and bewildered.
"Yes, I'm Prince Zuko, now tell me-"
"Traitor!!" It's the traitor!!" Like a scared deer, the man bolted down the path towards the outpost, screaming traitor.
Zuko was left in his dust, jaw hanging open. "…Traitor?"
Dazed, Zuko numbly walked back to the post of wanted signs.
All of the flyers bore his image.
--
She had missed the taste of good food.
With a wide grin on her face, Katara slurped up the soft noodles, savoring the rich flavor.
She had a tent all to herself, and she didn't need Zuko to keep her warm because she had been covered in thick, cured pelts of arctic foxbear furs.
The warriors were gracious to her, providing her with everything, even if she didn't need it.
She had been given a fine silver hunting knife, new blue robes cuffed with thick fur, a matching silk ribbon to tie her hair back, and a personal supply of dried meats, given to her by Sokka.
But Hakoda's gift was the best of all. He had brought his wife's necklace, the only thing Kaya had left for them, besides Katara's life.
Katara had tears in her eyes when she tied it around her neck, the bluish-purple charm resting comfortably in the hollow of her throat.
"Thanks dad" She embraced him, burying her tear streamed face in his thick parka.
"Your mother wouldn't have it any other way, Katara."
Sokka peered out from behind the tree, "Dad?"
Looking up, Hakoda smiled at Sokka, "What is it, Sokka?"
"It's been three hours since our scouts left. They haven't come back yet"
Worry lines creased Hakoda's face, "It seems our happiness is short lived."
Katara's heart broke at her father's downcast expression. "It doesn't have to be. We can run. We can go back home."
Again, Hakoda shook his head, "We can't do that. We have the responsibility of invading the outpost. We have never gone home defeated, and we will not start today." The pride rimmed his voice.
That brought a stressed smile to Katara's face.
"That's right, Katara! There are still Firebender heads to knock!" Sokka clapped his sister on the shoulder, knocking the wind out of her. She retaliated by elbowing him in his ribs.
"Stop it, you two." Hakoda's smiled drifted on his voice. The his expression went serious, "Let's get ready for a full force attack on that pathetic little thing they call an 'outpost'
The family smiled widely, and embraced.
They knew it wouldn't be last time, as long as the three were together.
--
Run. That's all, just run.
Zuko bounded down the trail, away from the crossroads, back into the forest.
He was no traitor! His mind raced, but nothing made sense. He had been betrayed, but how?! Then the thought struck him.
That's why Mong was dead. His own men, the troops he had called brothers for nearly half a year had stabbed him in the back. Mong had been the only loyal one, making him their only problem.
Pity coursed through him, followed by confusion, then burning anger.
He had nowhere to go. But he did have someone to turn to.
He just hoped she wasn't bitter about the whole trying-to-kill-her-thing.
--
Ah, I feel proud over this one. I love describing Hakoda, he's just as awesome dad. And Sokka is also fun to bring in. Do I copy his humor well? I know there isn't a lot of humor so far, but it's Sokka-ish right? Well, review and I'll be on the next chapter soon.
