*I do not own any of the characters or Avatar the Last Airbender
*All pictures of the vehicles and dresses are in my profile!!!!!!!!!
*I would like to thank everyone who has supported, given advice or reviewed this story. There are 8 people who I would like to thank personally…
AvatarAiris, Apolla 101, BonitaChickia ,Clairelovesedward ,Roxy (), HimeIchigoYuki, Matthew, Zutara-vampirepirate, and Z1ZYX
Previous:
Kuzan turned off the car and got out. Katara opened her door and grabbed her bag before she shut the door closed. She glanced around to see almost everybody in shorts and short sleeved shirts. Katara made her way to the main building, remembering that she never went to her 2nd or 3rd periods. Katara closed her eyes and sighed deeply. After making her way to chemistry (123), Katara opened the door and went to the same desk.
Katara knew that she was early, but she didn't care. She could see Mr. Bumi walking towards her with fear in his eyes. "Miss Katara," Mr. Bumi said with a clam voice. Katara stared in his eyes when she spoke.
"Before you ask, there won't be a repeat of yesterday," Katara said. After hearing this, Katara saw his shoulders relax a bit. She watched him walked back towards his desk. The sound of the bell brought Katara out of her thoughts. Katara lead forward and watched the students file in. Today was going to be a long day.
Now:
Friday had come quickly for Katara, but not for Sokka. The week had flown by Katara and Friday night was here. She leaned her head on the window and watched the passing trees. She couldn't help but smirk when she remembered the week. The hallways cleared for her when they were jam pack. Classmates tried to sit away from her in class, but the teachers wouldn't listen. She and Zuko had not spoken a word to each other since their run in yesterday. Katara had been going to the park to shoot hoops after school for an hour. Kuzan stop by once and talked to her for a bit, while they shot hoops.
Sokka kept his eyes on the road, but keep glancing towards his sister. The week had passed by slowly for him. He spent every minute watching over his sister. He feared that she would cause more trouble and be expelled from school. If dealing with Katara wasn't enough, his own friends stopped hanging out with him. For the first time in his life, Sokka was an outcast in his group of friends. His own girlfriend had stopped messaging him at night. He wasn't quite sure whose idea it was, but he was going to find out.
He pulled up into the driveway and turned the car off. He sat there quietly; thinking to himself. He didn't notice that Katara had turned in her seat and was now facing him. Sokka glanced towards Katara to see worry in her eyes. Sokka knew that Katara would only show concern in her eyes for him and Kana
"You look like shit," Katara voiced in a dull tone. She had noticed that Sokka was becoming quieter and more laid back than normal. She figured that it had something to do with her, even though he would never admit it out loud. Katara had also noticed that Sokka had stop hanging around his friends, however it could've been the other way around.
"You should come tonight and relax a little," Katara said with a smirk.
"I thought that you weren't going there to fight anymore," Sokka said with a hint of disappointment in his voice. Katara threw her head back and laughed. Sokka was stunned for a second; he hadn't heard Katara laugh for a while.
Katara got out of car and tossed her bag over her shoulder. Sokka followed her movements and headed towards the door. They walked through the front door and smelled fresh baked bread. Katara glanced back at Sokka and gave a sly smile.
"I am not going there to fight. You should know that by now. By the way, a set of clothes are on your bed for tonight," Katara said with amusement in her voice. She walked up the stairs and the sound of a door shutting was heard.
*****
"Take a left up at the next fork," a girl verbalized as she sat in the passenger seat. The driver took the left and drove a bit before they came upon a line of cars. The driver moaned with dread and slumped in his seat, putting his hands on his head. His fingers wove through his hair.
"If you didn't take forever, we would be there earlier," the passenger said with a mocking voice as she leaned over and put her arms on the dashboard. The driver peaked over his arm to look at the owner of the voice. Her rich brown hair was up in a bun with a few wisps hanging freely. The black halter dress clung tightly around her body and fanned out at the waist. The neckline plunged below the navel and was embellished with a ring detail. Her knee length black boots shined in the light.
"Will you stop checking me out already! For heaven's sake, I am your sister," the girl teased with a smirk. The boy looked at his sister in the eye and began to chuckle. He sat up straighter as he eased off the brakes and crept forward.
The girl looked at her brother, more like examined him. This would be the first time that he would ever step into her world. He had guessed and assumed things about this place, but this time he would see with his own eyes. The girl had been wondering all day if he was ready for this.
Her eyes fell upon his appearance instead of his actions and approved. His dark blue silky shirt hung loose with the first few buttons undone. He wore black slacks with black shoes. His dark brown hair was spiked up and his navy blue eyes shone with anxiety.
The driver followed the cars until they came to a stop. They both got out and a valet took the keys and gave the boy a ticket. The driver took the ticket and walked towards the girl. They both walked towards the door.
The guards were in a relax position as they walked up. One of the guards' eyes glanced up and he suddenly sucked in a breath. He straightened up quickly and stared ahead at nothing. The guard on the opposite side looked at his partner and raised his eyebrows. He glanced towards them and went pale. He followed his partner's stance and looked at nothing.
The boy and girl walked up to the door and the girl stopped. Her eyes fell over the guards' faces. She wore a frown on her face as she looked between the guards.
"Acting like that won't get you anywhere here," the girl said with a harsh voice. The boy noticed both guards flinch, whether it was fear of what would happen to them or the tone of her voice. But the boy dared not make an objection because he was an outsider to this world. Tonight would be the first time that he has ever witness her world.
"Sorry ma'am. Everyone important is already here," the guard who reacted last blurted. He spoke without thinking and was too scared to realize his mistake.
"Everyone important..." the girl echoed with a questioning voice.
The guards face paled even more when he realized his mistake. "I meant everyone but you Dark Angel," the guard apologized. Both guards held their breaths, waiting for what the Dark Angel would say.
"Well, that's always good. Oh and by the way, I am only dangerous in the ring," Dark Angel expressed with a smirk on her face. The boy whipped his head towards his sister with wide eyes. He knew from past experience that Katara could be very dangerous outside the ring. The past week was a perfect example of this.
Katara looked back at her brother and beckon him with her head. They walked through the door and Sokka was blown away. Loud music met their ears and colored lights took control of their eye sight. Sokka was almost lost his sight and hearing until Katara led them through a mass of people.
Sokka glanced around to take in his surroundings. They appeared to be in a warehouse on the main floor. He noticed a staircase in front of them, the direction they were heading. They headed up and were almost to the top until Katara stopped them.
"Most people hang down there until the fights start. Most of them are rouge teenagers, young adults, and no one of importance. Everyone with money, power, and influence are up there. I can get away with almost anything because of who I am here. I have power here and that is very import here. Don't say anything that will piss them off. Don't say anything about me or our family unless you are questioned by someone who knows us and don't get drunk," Katara preached to her older brother. Her eyes boring into his, making sure he got the point. She could see all the questions floating around in his eyes.
"Why am I aloud in there then?" Sokka questioned. It was one of the many questions he had. He witness his sister give a sad sigh. He was here fir barely 2 minutes and he was already confused.
"Certain people...fighters...are aloud to bring...friends...company with them. I know you don't know a ton right now and your head is filled with questions that demand answers. I wish I could prepare you for any and everything that will or might happen tonight, but I can't. I wish I could give you a survival guide, but I can't. Some things are better learned when you experience them for yourself, whether then me telling you about them," Katara jested.
"Alright, lets just get this over with," Sokka commented. He went up a step before Katara gripped his forearm. Sokka stopped and turned his head toward her.
"Not a word about mom. It was an accident and end of story," Katara demanded. She was not playing round with this. Sokka nodded his head and they both walked through the door. The double doors open to reveal a mass of people.
The upstairs was completely different from the main floor. Grown adults were the main population with several teens. There were also quite a few older adults here too. The men wore clothes like Sokka; silk or nice dress up shirts, dark jeans or slacks, and black shoes. The women wore dresses, some more modest than others. However all the dresses were modest and covered the main areas. The room was carpeted in white with surrounding pale cream walls. There was a large bar in a corner with two people standing by; a bartender and a waiter.
Glancing around at the faces, Katara quickly spotted people here she didn't want here or liked very much. Moving her eyes across the crowd, her eyes fell upon a friendly pair of green eyes. She walked towards the man with Sokka in toe. She could sense everyone's eye on her and knew why.
"It's always good to see you outside the ring and training. But seeing you here is a real treat. Plus that outfit is really drawing attentions," the man proclaimed. His eyebrows were raised slightly and his piecing stare didn't brake for a second.
"I was in the neighbor Matthew," Katara replied with a dull voice. She knew that this conversation wasn't just between them; everyone in the room could hear them.
"Speaking a person's name so freely is unheard of," Matthew protested with a blank face. He was completely right and everyone knew this (expect for Sokka). Before everyone's eyes were fixed on them, but now everyone's body's faced them.
"So is speaking like that to me," Katara snapped with a harsh voice. However it was completely fake and only a handful of people caught it.
They both started laughing and Matthew turned to the man next to him. "I told you that this night was going to be special and one of a kind. The greatest fighter on the east coast has grace us with her presence," he praised to the man. Katara felt the need to correct him on a few points, but fell silent for a moment.
True Katara had never been beaten in a match, fought with people who weighed greater than her, and fought with a burning passion. Even with all this, Katara never felt the need to brag to others. On the other hand, Katara had not stepped inside a ring for a real match for a year. She spent her days training rookies and watching her back. You learn to watch your own back during your time with underground fighting. Secretly Katara missed those days of fighting and would love to go back to the ring.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person Dark Angel," the man said with an accent. Katara couldn't quite place it, but knew he had to be from Europe. Her hand went to meet his, but instead of shaking it, the man brought her up to his mouth. His lips gently caressing her hand as she fought the need to pull away. The man let go of her hand and went back to talking with another man beside him.
Matthew touched her shoulder to grab her attention and led her towards the place where she didn't want to go to. Katara followed him but didn't pay attention. Her mind was drifting back to the man and how he looked familiar. She missed what Matthew said until her said her ring name.
Katara stared into the eyes of 4 people she knew and spoke coldly, "We've already met." Matthew seemed taken back for a moment, but nodded his head and returned to the strange man. This left Katara (with Sokka standing behind her) with 4 people who she knew and didn't want to talk to.
"You never come to these events if you aren't fighting," a girl spoke. Her voice was enough to send chills down your spine, but Katara didn't noticed. Her eyes settled on the girl who spoke, Azula. She wore a mini, body hugging red dress with asymmetrical ruffles. The ruffles stopped at her knees and wore golden heels. This showed off her long pale legs to the world. Her jet black hair laid bone straight across her shoulders and neck.
"How would you know?" Katara questioned with a dull voice. If these people wanted to wrestle her feathers, Katara would stand her ground.
"Azula always goes to these things," another girl beamed with cheeriness in her voice. Tylee was the only person Katara knew who could always be happy and have an aura of pink 24/7. Katara was shocked to see Tylee not wearing a pink dress, but a white one. It had a deep v-neckline and a halter top which tied in the back. The dress came to her mid-thigh and accented her curves. Her silver heels match the silver hoop earrings and bracelet. Her light brown hair was out of its normal braid and lying in ringlets across her back.
"You obviously don't," Katara said. She could tell that Tylee didn't come here often or she just didn't care about the "rules".
"What in the hell makes you think that?" spat another girl in the group. Her grayish golden eyes shone with anger, one of few times they showed emotion. Mai never showed her feelings, it was always I hate this and I hate that. Mai wore a little black dress; this didn't shock Katara at all since Mai's favorite color was black. The dress had a deep v-neck with a halter top. Ruffles detailed throughout the dress and stopped about mid-thigh. The black heels and black earrings went with her black hair.
"Because if both of you went here normally, you would know not to speak to me in that manner. I have more power here than any of you here and most people know this," Katara said. Katara was waiting for the last member to speak because it was he who had the most to say.
"Have you wondered why Zuko hasn't said one word to me yet?" Katara asked Mai and Tylee as she moved her hand to point at Zuko. Their eyes swept over Zuko, waiting for him to respond to her comment. Both were confused on why Zuko was putting up with Katara's comments.
Before anyone could speak, an announcement was made, "May everyone take their seats now for the fight will begin soon." The mass of people slowly made their way towards the balcony which overlooked a large ring. People started seating in certain seats, but Sokka had no idea how they knew where to sit.
The balcony had three rows of seats but stretch out in a circle shape above the main floor. The seats weren't straight behind each other so anyone could see the fight clearly. Katara led them to the front row and sat down. Sokka sat down to the right of Katara as Matthew sat on her left. Likewise, the strange man sat on the other side of Matthew. In the row behind them, Tylee sat between Sokka and the guy who sat down next to Sokka, while Mai sat between Matthew and the strange man. Zuko sat between Sokka and Katara as Azula sat between Katara and Matthew.
The dance lights turned off and the normal lights turned on. Everyone had taken their seats on the balcony and on the main floor. The people on the main floor stood up suddenly and started shouting. Two shirtless men walked out of the two doors and walked towards the ring.
Sokka could tell these were the fighters for the first round. Both were shirtless and had large muscles over their bodies. Scars from combat lined their upper chest. A few healing cuts were on their faces. Both had an air of confidence around them and walked with straight faces; despite the cheers and shouts from the crowd. Sokka realized Katara did the same when she walked; this is where she must have learned it.
"Don't you wish you could be down there right now?" Zuko whisper quietly as he leaned forward so only Katara could hear his comment. Katara felt herself stiff and made her body relax again. She leaned back in her seat so his chin came dangerously close to her cheek.
"Yeah." Katara said quietly and low. She didn't know why she was telling him anything, after all he didn't like her and she didn't like him. For all Katara knew, Zuko would tell anything she said to him to everybody he knew. However, Katara felt comfortable right now and that made her drop her shield.
"Then why don't you go down?" a smooth voice said. The warm breath brush against her cheek and she had to suppress a shiver. The warmth felt amazing compared to the air around them that was filled with alcohol, smoke, and sex.
"I made a promise to someone." whispered Katara quietly. The need to vent and let someone know how she felt crept into her mind, but she quickly shook that from her head. She had no idea what she was doing, she never felt this way about anybody.
"Break the promise then." Zuko said to Katara in a low voice. Katara turned her head slightly so she could make eye contact with Zuko. Her eyes were cold as normal but there was another emotion in them hat Zuko had never seen before. However, he couldn't tell what exactly it was though; guilt, sadness, hurt, or pain.
"I was taught not to, Zuko." Katara said. Her voice trembled a bit but she didn't notice at the time. On the other hand though, Zuko noticed this and was surprised. Katara turned her head back and focused on the fight, which had yet to begin. They were still announcing the fighters.
Katara watched the fight as it began and took notes in her head. She laughed to herself slightly as she watched the two fought each other. Both had bad stances and were no good at their basics. Both were trying to out do each other with fancy moves, but failed to use their basics. To add to her laughter, these people thought that this was a real fight.
"What do you think, Dark Angel?" Azula asked over the shouts and cheers. This drew everyone's attention around them as they awaited her answer.
Katara sighed deeply before she spoke, "These aren't real fighters. Their stances are narrow and aren't steady. Anyone could easily knock them down if they took out one their legs. They may have "tight" moves, but they have yet to use any of the basics they were taught. Both are not patient, which can be a good or a bad thing; in this case is a bad thing. They are too busy with trying to do their moves that they are leaving prefect openings to take them down."
Everyone fell silent as they took in what Katara said. They began to watch the two fighters with careful eyes to see what Katara had said. Katara leaned back and shut her eyes. This fight was terrible and she wanted it to end quickly. The main reason why she never came to these fights after she left was this; she couldn't stand watching these people make mistake after mistake. It bugged her to death that these people used terrible skills. Katara had been trained in the same place as these people, but Katara learn more quickly and fought harder than anyone else.
She felt a hand be place on her arm and thought about breaking their wrist. Her eyes opened slightly to see Matthew leaning over. His green eyes bored into her ocean blue eyes. She knew that there was something between them, but not a relationship.
"Are you alright?" Matthew said with a caring voice that only Katara and Zuko heard. Katara gave him a slight smile and a slight nodded of her head.
"I am alright, just annoyed with the fighters." Katara said. Katara knew that Matthew would be there for her when she needed a shoulder to lean on. She watched Matthew turn his attention back towards the man from earlier. The man was familiar and it was bugging her that she couldn't place it.
"You two seem pretty close for co-fighters." Zuko said with a hint of something in his voice. Katara knew that she should smirk and come up with some smartass comment, but she couldn't do it. Her head turn towards Zuko and looked into his eyes for the first time, actually looked into his eyes and saw the depths.
"He was my trainer…my friend…" Katara trailed off. She should've just given him a smartass comment or use sarcasm, but no she had to be nice and give him part of the truth. She realized then that she was swimming in dangerous and unknown waters for her, she had never opened up to a person before. Her mother had been her best friend, but since that day, she was left alone in the world.
Zuko leaned forward, to the same position they had been in earlier. His chin hovered above her shoulder and was barely separated from her face.
"They are thinking about cutting either the basketball or soccer team." Zuko said. He watched her face light up with confusion and something else that he couldn't place. He thought that it was anger, but it looked more like amusement.
"Which would you prefer to be cut, soccer or basketball?" Katara asked. She would hate it if they cut the soccer team since that was her true love. Katara wonder what sport he would pick. She watched as the thought swam around in his eyes.
"Probably basketball, my love is for soccer. The field and sky…" Zuko began but trailed off. Katara knew exactly what he was trying to say.
"Feeling the wind blowing against you, the sun beating against your skin or the rain falling on the ground, the mud stains on your jersey and the cuts from slide tackling on your legs." Katara whisper slowly. Her eyes shone with happiness as she spoke about soccer. Zuko noticed her passion as she spoke and was surprised.
"We have a winner!" a voice yelled from the ring. Katara and Zuko turned their attention towards the ring. One lay on the floor, trying to sit up while the other one had his arm raised in the air.
OMG did Zuko just be nice to Katara?! Was Katara really differenet to Zuko?! OMG the whole world is being turn upside down!
Just kidding. Thought I might shake things up a bit though in this chapter . Review please :)
