Hell's Rain
by Kaline Reine
Disclaimer: I do not own the Avatar series or any of the characters/settings. This is just a fanfiction story written for my own amusement.
WARNING: Adult situations and graphic sexual content. May also contain borderline, if not full-on, rape. Also some character death, angst, and other dark themes. If it's not your thing, then turn back now. You have been warned. This is written solely for my own amusement. If you don't like the pairing or the plot, then go elsewhere for your entertainment. This is my first Avatar fanfic... That being said, if you think you can handle it, then I hope you find it an enjoyable read. Feedback is welcome and appreciated.
Chapter 9:
She was shaking violently, trembling with fear... Every time he looked at her all she saw was the pain of what he had almost done to her. Katara found herself unable to speak or even move for the time being. She knew that she should run away... But where would she go, anyway?
'He's right... I am his prisoner. I'm stuck here, to face him and whatever he wants to do with me.' The reality of just how grave her situation really was had finally sunk in.
Zuko didn't want to startle her, but he needed to get some sleep. He had a lot of things to do tomorrow. He couldn't just leave her alone in his room. There was no telling what she might do... And it wouldn't be right to send her back to her ice cold room either. And there was no way she'd ever calm down enough to share a bed with him again. He'd just ruined all semblance of peace between them.
'Damn it. I've been such a fool.'
Sighing, he got off the bed. He'd finally decided what to do.
Katara could only watch, as the Fire Prince disappeared through the door that led to her room. She couldn't have spoken if she'd wanted to. Part of her wanted to know what he was up to, but the other part was just glad he wasn't anywhere near her.
"Goodnight..." He told her. "And sorry."
Katara had drifted off to sleep, after a long night of staying up worrying. Zuko had never returned to his room. She was a little more calm now that she'd made it through the night. She wasn't sure what time it was or why she'd woken up. She glanced at the clock on the wall. It was later than she usually slept, around ten in the morning she guessed.
Being careful to keep the fluffy blanket wrapped around her frame, the Water Tribe girl crept her way toward the ominous door that separated their two rooms. She wanted to know what he'd been up to and why he'd left like that... If he was even still there.
She found her attacker sleeping in her bed. His brown hair was messy and hung around in his face in clumped spikes as he snored loudly. He looked so peaceful. For some reason, it brought a smile to her face.
'What is wrong with me? I must be completely insane.'
Unsure whether it would be safe to wake him, she wandered back into his room... She knew she was lucky to have gotten away with her virginity in tact last night. He'd been so rough and horrible but... In the end, he had stopped.
She didn't want to be rude by going through his things while he was out. She realized that if he'd truly been cruel, he would have sent her back to her cold room. Why had he given her the warm and comfortable bed? That didn't make sense to her. Then again, nothing here really did. All things considered, she really could use some time to herself to think about everything. So she was content to sit on his bed wrapped in the same blanket until something happened. Either Zuko would wake up or she'd eventually cave and just go wake him.
She eyed her water tribe outfit, discarded nearby on the floor... It was torn to shreds. There was no way it could be repaired.
About an hour later, there was a knock at the door. She wasn't sure if she should answer it, but she kind of had no choice right now. They'd know something was up if no one answered. Gathering all of her nerve, she crossed the room to see what they wanted.
"Nephew, are you awake yet?" A familiar voice called.
Katara opened the door, clutching the blanket tightly around herself. It was the old general, Iroh. Though he was old, she'd seen him fight quite a few times and she knew he was not someone to be trifled with. She noticed he was looking her up and down with suspicion.
"Oh, uh... Zuko isn't here right now. Try next door." She blushed, realizing how it must have looked.
But Iroh was respectful to her. He even bowed. "My apologies for disturbing you, miss. Is everything alright?"
Katara debated telling the man about what had happened last night. Since he was Fire Nation, and on top of that he was related to the royal family, she decided against it. He would undoubtedly have been on Zuko's side anyway. "Everything's fine. Thanks."
She watched him go to the next door, and mumble something to the guards, who let him in. They seemed unaffected by her presence. Now would be a good time to run... But she didn't want to fight two powerful Firebenders at the same time. And the guards were right there, too. They'd be able to catch her in no time and then she'd really be in big trouble.
Iroh sauntered into the prisoner's room, seeing his Nephew sprawled out across the guest's bed. Gently shaking him, he finally succeeded in waking Zuko up.
"I see someone certainly had an interesting time last night," Iroh smiled jovially. "Judging from the state of the poor young maiden next door."
Zuko scowled. "It isn't like that, Uncle. Get your head out of the gutter, old man."
"Haha... Whatever you say. I've come to tell you the reinforcements you sent for have arrived. And to discuss this plan with you. Surely you can't-"
"I've already thought things through. It will work, Uncle. Just give it time." He sat up and his palm flew to caress his temples. He had a splitting headache. "I need some medicine. My head hurts."
"Well in any case, you slept through breakfast. It's almost lunch time now... Had a late night, did you?"
Yellow eyes narrowed to angry slits. "Shut up."
Suddenly, they heard one the guards yelling just outside the door. "Hey! Get back here!"
"Don't just stand there!" The other added. "After her!"
This caused the Prince to jolt out of bed. He was at a loss for words, as he knew instantly what it was. The girl he'd been holding prisoner was making a run for it. He was down the hall in no time, running after the guards, just as she turned the corner. They were on her heels. He knew she wouldn't get far but he still had to make sure she didn't escape. Some of the guards could be rather clumsy at times.
Iroh was still standing in the middle of the room, shaking his head.
Katara had decided, against her better judgment, to attempt an escape anyway... After all, what did she have to lose? Her freedom? Tch.
Barely making it down three halls until she ran into a dead end, Katara was snagged by the first guard almost immediately. Today's guards looked kind of bulky and stocky, but they were much faster than they appeared.
When Katara tried to dodge him, he dove at her and managed to grab hold of her ankle. She twisted out of his grasp with a swift kick to his side. The first guard buckled over in pain, but the other was still pursuing her. That was when she noticed someone else had joined them. Zuko was on her trail too. She ran away from the dead end, and managed to make it out in time before they reached her.
'Oh crap... Not good!' The girl barely even had time to think, as she ran through the maze of corridors she knew nothing about. 'It would help if I knew which way to go...'
It would have been a lot easier to run if she still had her traditional outfit. Escaping with only a blanket was going to be a pain. She sighed, and grabbed the black fur folds which fluffed up against her silken skin. If only Zuko hadn't torn her clothes off of her... That was why she knew she had to get out of there, and fast. The sooner she escaped and got back to Aang and Sokka, the sooner she'd be safe. And then all of this would be behind her. She wouldn't have to worry about what the Prince would do to her.
Speaking of her friends, she wondered what the rest of the gang was up to right now...
A/N: I really don't have much to say in these little author notes right now... I hope everyone is enjoying the story. Sorry again for slow updates, and sorry this chapter is so short. I will try to make the next one longer. School, work, and life are keeping me pretty busy.
-k.R.
