Oathkeeper: Ugh, what a long day! I've basically spent my whole saturday trying to finish my stuipd art project. At least the good news, is that it looks totally awsome! Anyway, I'm just taking a few minutes right now to give you guys Chaper 8 to read, and hopefully enjoy as well There's definitley A LOT more Zuko in this chapter as well as the up coming chapters...well, except for those that are about Aang, Sokka and Haru. I know it may not seem like it right now, but this fan-fic has some amazing things coming up, and things between Katara and Zuko are about to get even MORE interesting with each upcoming chapter. Just wait until you see the final result of this fan-fic...you'll definitley be surprised, let's just say that without giving too much away. Oh and before I forget, I have a ton of test coming up this week and I'm leaving for Florida on Friday...so updates will be slow this week, so hopefully I'll be able to give you guys a lot of chapters this weekend and in the beginning of the week.
.:The Lovely Reviewers:.
SleepingDragon13 -- Hehe, I just love your comment since it makes me laugh!
Rebirth of the Phoenix -- I just love getting reviews from you and I'm glad you enjoy mine as well!
avafangirl -- How have you been? I love getting reviews from you as well as enjoy reading them! I hope you like Chapter 8, and everything else that will be coming up!
latafmodginkianp1618 -- Thanks for the comment...it's nice to know that you're willing to wait for me to post my chapters. Now I don't feel as much pressure!
wilderness-writer -- YES The Blue Spirit is FLIPPIN' AWSOME! He makes Zuko even cooler than he already is, if that's even possible, but in this case it is! I thought the Blue Spirit would add some interest and some new ideas to this over used plot even though it seems VERY unlikely for The Blue Spirit to return to the actual show. But in my mind, he still exists
Boylessgirl52941 -- I LOVE YOU TOO! Well, in a non-sexual way of course I'm so GLAD that you're enjoying my story as much as you are!
JustAnotherAvatarFangirl -- I love your story! My favorite Disney&Avatar is an awsome combination! I mean really, why WOULDN'T you want to read something that involves Disney&Avatar? Come on people!
TickleMePurple -- Thanks!
NOTE: I know it may seem kind of redundant for some of you, but responding to your replies and comments before the chapter begins is much easier than trying to reply separately to all of you. Plus it assures me that you know that I read your comments since they are VERY important to me and keep me inspired as well as motivated!
DISCLAIMER: Do I really need to say this...?
Chapter
8: Just a Dream
Releasing a yawn, Katara slowly gets up from the ground. Everything seems like the night before, only without the sound of the waves crashing up on the docks and the wet smell of the small cave. She opens her eyes to reveal nothing and the smell of the burning fire could no longer be recognized. Rubbing her eyes gently to get them into focus, she pulls her hands away slowly to reveal nothing but metal and numerous boxes surrounding the room with damaged armor and other supplies and a small piece of clothing, which she had slept on. She gets up and looks around to better observe her surroundings. Unlike her previous room there was a small round window near the far left corner of the room, but barely let in enough light to do anything. Underneath the window, there is a small wooden table with a red box on top. Curious comes upon her, as she walks towards the small table. Putting out her hand she strokes the medium sized box, running her fingers over the burnt corners and the golden latch. Leaving the box behind, she moves the table to look out the window and all she can see is water and that the ship is moving at a pretty quick and constant speed.
"Where am I?" she asks herself "I can't be on Zhao's ship; he would never put me in a room this 'nice'. Great, now I'm on another Fire Nation ship, could this get any worse?"
The sound of the door opening disrupts her thoughts, as one of the guards opens the door. Taking tiny steps backwards she places herself up against the back wall of the room, fearing for her life, and possibly more mistreatment. She places her hand to her neck, grabbing onto nothing but an image of her mother's necklace stares sternly at the guard who is approaching her. The sound of the guard's shoes hitting the metal ground makes her nervous as here heart beats faster and faster with each approaching step. Quickly turning her head, she puts her hand up to defend herself.
"The captain of this ship would like to have a word with you. Come with me right away, and don't even think about refusing his orders" says the guard while tying Katara's hands behind her back "Come this way" hey says again as he leads Katara out of the room and locks the door. She turns her head around her should to watch the guard lock the door. She's confused as the why the guard hadn't hurt her in anyway. After all, she is just a mere water peasant and to the Fire Nation she's considered scum.
It was just like the other ship only smaller. The hallways were still dark and desolate with hardly any light, with the exception of the small lanterns placed approximately two yards apart. The long hallway finally comes to a sudden stop as the guard places his hand on the wall with a small flame to open the door in front of them. The light of the room pierces Katara's eyes since they have not been exposed to such brightness for quite some time.
"You will kneel before our captain, and do not life up your head until he demands" says the guard coldly as Katara is pushed to the ground with her head down.
"Let her go, is that really the way to treat our guest?" says a familiar voice "Go outside and watch for the Avatar" he finishes while Katara's eyes get wider with confusion.
"Zuko…" says Katara "What do you want from me?" she says, demanding for an explanation.
"I saw you yesterday on Zhao's ship and figured out that you were his plan to capture the Avatar. But I can't allow him to get the Avatar when I already have so much at risk. You are my prisoner now, and until the Avatar arrives for your rescue, you will remain on this ship and will not be allowed to leave" Zuko responds "Do I make myself clear" he says as he picks Katara up by her arms.
"Ahh, please let go that hurts!" she screams, revealing the untended cuts and bruises on her arms.
"Uncle, make sure this girl receives treatment and then lock her up in her room. I'll talk to her later" demands Zuko.
"Yes Prince Zuko" says Iroh as he gently takes Katara by the shoulder
Cupping her hands together to keep her warm, her heart begins to beat faster and faster for each passing second. Holding back the tears she walks next to the elderly man, Zuko had called his Uncle. She doesn't understand how someone could care for a ruthless prince like himself. He was so demanding and cared about nothing but himself. The only thing she still couldn't understand is what he meant when he said that everything was at risk. Those words were immovable.
"Miss, we have arrived at the proper room. Please go sit down on that chair in the corner while I bring the supplies over" Iroh kindly says "What is your name by the way?"
"It's Katara" she responds awkwardly "Thank you so much for helping me. It's been too long since I've gone untreated for my injuries. But why are you helping me?" asks Katara confused.
"Although we may be Firebenders, doesn't mean we don't have morals as well. You see, as men, we grow up learning to respect women no matter what the circumstance may be" explains Iroh.
"I see, so you're only being nice to me because I'm a girl? Great, it's not like I don't already get special treatment just because I'm a girl since guys act like we can't do anything! Besides, Zuko sure doesn't act like he respects women. He's always so cold and uncaring" complains Katara.
"I know my nephew may not come off as the nicest person in the world, but he means well. He may say some harsh things once and awhile; well, actually a lot of the time, but he would never actually hurt anyone or you. It may not seem like it, but he has more respect towards others than that"
"I'm sorry, but after all my encounters with Zuko, you're going to need a lot for me to ever think of him 'caring' for others. It just doesn't seem like his nature. " grunts Katara.
"I'm sorry to hear that young Katara. You see, we've been out at sea for way too long, and it's starting to get to us. That is why I must have my ginseng tea with me all the time. It sooths me when we're having rough times which is mostly everyday. I know it doesn't look hopeful from your perspective, but I will try to convince Zuko to treat you more like a human than what Zhao did. May I also apologize for the way you are feeling right now? I know coming from Firebending General this may be hard to believe, but I am treating you with kindness because I feel that you need to feel like you are comfortable. We need someone like you on this ship to liven things up and I feel by your presence that you will be able to do that. Anyway, Zuko told me everything last night when he snuck over to Zhao's ship. At first I wasn't too happy about his decision to do such a thing, but by the time I had found out, it was too late since we had already traveled quite a few miles away from the port. So now you're here"
"Zuko took me from Zhao's ship?" asks Katara as she stares at the old man while he's wrapping a bandage around her damaged arm. For some reason she isn't as afraid as she had expected to be. Unlike any other Firebender she has encountered, Iroh has kindness in his eyes. She smiles and then looks up to see a shadow standing against the frame of the door.
"Uncle that will be enough; please leave so I can talk with the prisoner" Zuko demands as he points at the door. Iroh sets down the bandages and tucks his hands into his moderately long sleeves and heads off.
"You're not going to try and interrogate me again are you? Because this time it won't work. I don't know how you managed to get me away from The Blue Spirit, but he will come back and save me!"
"The Blue Spirit; do you really think there's such a thing as The Blue Spirit? You must have been more delirious than I thought. There's no such thing as The Blue Spirit, and even if there was, why would he ever come back to a poor peasant like you?" he says while caught off guard.
"Take that back" Katara yells "Why should I listen to you anyway? All you care about is yourself and nothing else. You may as well just treat me as poorly as Zhao did"
"Because of the way I was raised, I cannot harm you; besides, you wouldn't be alive for the Avatar when he finally arrives. I know that if he were to see you hurt he would be even more powerful than he already is and I can't allow that when I'm trying to capture him. Now follow the guards outside this door, and they will lead you back to your room. I'll make sure they bring you something to eat and drink"
Katara walks out of the room and follows the guards to her room. She turns around looks at Zuko with her sad eyes while she turns her head from side to side. The guards nudge her, to make sure she keeps looking forward. Once again, they lead her down the long hallway, grasping onto her hands to assure they have a tight hold of her. Her vision becomes blurred as tears fill her eyes with great sadness. She blinks, letting the tears run down her face and falling onto the cold hard stairs of the ship. One of the guards releases his grip on Katara's shoulder to unlock the door, while the other continues to have her in his possession. The door unlocks, releasing a slight clicking sound. The guard opens the door, and thrusts Katara into her room, locking the door. Frustration builds within her as she sits her self down on the thin piece of cloth.
"Katara, you must pull yourself together. You must survive this! You've been through worse than this!" she says to herself as she clings to her knees tightly "I know Aang and Sokka will come back for me. I know they will. I need to get away from this place. Never in my life have I felt so uncomfortable. Blue Spirit, come back for me…"
Oathkeeper: Yay Zuko is finally in the picture! I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, and I promise you that the next one will be even better than this (Well, hopefully). But as in regards as to when it's getting posted...well, I have no idea, but soon hopefully. Please Review!
