11/15/2014 - Same old re-update, this time edited. You probably won't notice the difference, but I DO and that's all that matters. ;-)
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H-hello? Is...is anyone there?
LOOL, okay, so I GUARANTEE you guys have forgotten about this by now. Pretty sure my story's not THAT memorable. But if you have managed to dust off this story from the attic of your brain, I hope you like it!
Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar the Last Airbender.
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Chapter 10: Pai Sho
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"Yes, Prince Zuko."
She ushered the other Guards out of the room slowly, sending me a haughty look as she passed. You're dead, it said. You're dead, and there's nothing you can do about it. I tried to calm myself down, breathing deeply and slowly. I would just explain what happened, and he would let me go. He had to.
The prince turned to his companion, another female Guard, and nodded towards the door. She returned the gesture slowly and turned to leave. I could feel her eyes on me as she passed, cold, detached, and seemingly unaffected by what was about to happen. It was frightening how flippant the Fire Nation acted towards death and suffering. And now I was being left alone. With their prince.
The door shut with terrifying finality and a tense silence settled in its wake. My stomach coiled with anxiety, beads of sweat dampening my hairline. We stood, completely still, staring at each other shamelessly. I had a hard time believing that I was here, seeing him again, after all these years. I was almost positive that PrinceㅡFire LordㅡOzai had only one son.
But I needed to see it for myself. I started to get a vague recollection of this boy from my past, but I needed to be certain. I stared harder, searching for that something. Beneath the scar, I saw a pale face, a chiseled jaw, a straight nose and golden eyes.
Something was missing.
His jaw clenched and his nose tilted up just the tiniest bit, as if to say 'What are you staring at?'
Found it.
I didn't know how I felt about that. It wasn't relief. After all, he was still the prince, and despite any memories we had together as children, I was still a supposed Rebel. I doubted he even remembered me. I doubted he even cared. They're all the same.
He walked over to stand in front of the table, opposite the chair. The distance made me brave. I immediately fumbled with my words, rapidly trying to prove my innocence.
"Please, this is a mistake, I'm not a Rebel, I've never even left the South Pole before, I'm inn一"
"Silence!"
I flinched sharply, sucking in a breath to calm my racing heart.
He still has a temper. Not good.
He stood stock still, clenching the piece of wood tightly in his fist, never once looking at me. I glanced at the door briefly, wondering if I had time to make an escape. The door was either locked or unlocked. I didn't hear it lock when the Guards left, but it was still a fifty-fifty chance. If it was unlocked, there might be Guards at the door. Another fifty-fifty chance. If not…
Then what? I thought dryly.
I looked over again at the Prince, who was staring intently at the item in his hand. Again at the door. I was running out of time and options with each passing second. If I tried to prove my innocence, would he listen? Or would I be sentenced to the firing squad without hesitation? I needed a plan. And I was horrible at making plans.
"Sit."
He was staring at me, golden eyes gleaming in the dull light of the tiny room. I stared back dumbly. His gaze darkened, patience already run out.
"I said...sit."
There was something about his voice, his attitude, his appearance that compelled you to obey. I hated it. Hated the natural authority born into the royal family, hated that my life was in the hands of someone who has not even reached manhood. Hated that I was here, trapped in that nation that killed my mother, broke apart my family, and murdered by tribe.
I clenched my jaw under the weight of his stare, trying to appear as composed as he was. He reached out, and I flinched back on instinct. He froze, hand hovering as he watched me carefully. My cheeks heated. I didn't want him to think I was afraid. No matter how much I was on the inside.
Then, slowly, he opened his palm and tossed the wood onto the table. It landed with a soft 'tap' a few inches from me. I didn't dare take my eyes off him. He noticed this, and slowly leaned forward, resting his palms on the table casually, and all I could see was that horrible scar on his face. I leaned back before I could stop myself. He noticed that too, and scowled.
"Do you know what this is?" he asked. His voice was raspy, like someone who had smoked one too many pipes in his life.
I shook my head.
"Answer me."
"No." my voice cracked.
"No?" he challenged, cocking his eyebrow at me.
I cleared my throat. "No, I haven't seen that before."
His staring was making me more than uncomfortable. I shifted a bit in my seat. I wanted to look away, more than anything, but I knew that would make me seem even more guilty.
More guilty than that thing in my pocket? I thought bitterly.
"You don't know what this is." It was statement, but his tone was disbelieving, with the tiniest hint of mockery that made my blood boil.
"No, sir." I added formalities, even though he was only a few years older than me.
"You have no idea what this means." Again with that tone, as if there was no way I could exist and not know the significance of a piece of wood.
"No, sir."
"You've never seen this before."
"No, I haven't." I said, irritation creeping past my fear. "I've said it a dozen times already. I've never seen that before, and I have no idea how I got it. I didn't even know it was there."
He didn't seem to notice me mouthing off, and for that I was grateful. Instead, he squinted his eyes, cocking his head slightly, as if he seeing me for the first time.
"Where are you from, prisoner?"
I searched his face for a second, looking for any trace of insincerity or recognition. He cocked an eyebrow, and I swallowed. I guess he doesn't remember me.
"The Southern Water Tribe. Sir." I added on quickly.
He glanced down at the wood, brow furrowing deeply. I took the chance to stare at his scar. Again. It was hideous, to say the least. A large blaze of red on his face - darkest around his eye - blending into a sickly pink that covered almost the entire left side of his face. It had burned off everything一his eyebrow, his eyelashes, his skin. The texture of the scar was even more disgusting一a mix of warped, rough flesh and smooth, rubbery muscle. I almost cringed at the pain it must have caused when it was inflicted. How did a prince get an injury like that?
"The Southern Water Tribe." he repeated quietly. He looked up, expression blank and calculating. "I assume you got out just in time, didn't you?"
My gaze hardened into a glare, furious at his insinuation, and how lightly these people regard the death of an entire people.
"Excuse me?"
"That couldn't have been a coincidence." he snorted, and a strange smile tilted the corner of his mouth. "If my father knew the Rebels were sending in little girls to do their dirty work…"
"They're not. Nobody sent me!"
"Then what are you doing here?"
I scoffed, ready to explain that I was a waterbender, and I'd been captured just like everybody else. But I took a good look at this 'prince' again. On the surface he looked calm and controlled, no doubt he had been trained that way. But if he was still anything like the prince I knew…
I sat back in my chair, crossed my arms, and said, "That's a pretty stupid question."
He stiffened.
Bingo.
"I'll decide what questions are stupid or not, waterbender."
I fed off of his anger, seeing him lose a bit of the control he'd probably worked so hard to master. All I could see was that snotty nosed brat that exploded at the drop of a hat, and threw a tantrum when he didn't get his way. I didn't care that he could order my death in a second, or that he was and would always be more powerful than I could ever be. I didn't care anymore.
"Why? Because you're the prince?" I taunted, mocking his title carelessly.
"Exactly." he countered, deadly serious. "And you're nothing but a watertribe peasant."
'I'm rich and you're poor. I'm better than you.'
Of course. I'd almost forgotten how the world works.
"That doesn't mean anything to me." I spat. "Not in here. I'm already a prisoner. You people already took away everything I care about. What else can you do?"
And suddenly, he was right there, eyes boring into my skull. I swallowed, heart slamming into my chest.
"It better mean something. Because trust me when I say, you don't want to find out."
And just like that, I was afraid of again. I waited nervously for him to continue, fighting every instinct to get as far away from him as possible. But he just leaned in closer, until all I could see was the golden hue of his eyes. Then, very quietly, he said, "Now. Are you a Rebel?"
I wanted to scream in frustration. Hadn't we just gone over this? What more did he want from me? However, I pulled in a bit of air, looked him straight in the eye, and said, "No."
In the seconds following, I kept perfectly still. I didn't breathe, I didn't budge, I didn't even so much as blink. All the while he stared at me, studying me, reading me. I was unnerved by this behaviour. The prince from my past was angry, rash and small-minded. This new prince was still angry, I could tell. But there was an air of command about him that could have only come with age. He was more controlled now. More serious, if that was even possible. But I supposed I'd changed a lot too since then. Growing up does a wonder to someone's character. I'd learned that the hard way.
My eyes began to tear up, but I still refused to blink. I hadn't let this prince beat me before, and I wasn't about to let up now. I kept staring, struggling to ignore the scar. It looked even more hideous up close.
Suddenly, he was gone. He pulled back, taking the wood with him.
"Ok." he said simply. He started making his way to the door.
"What?" I breathed, sagging in my chair. "That's it?"
He turned his head. "You want there to be more?"
"No!" I blurted. "It's just...how do you know I'm not lying?"
"Are you?"
"No!"
Spirits, he was as infuriating as he was ten years ago.
He grabbed the doorknob, and stopped suddenly. I waited, anticipating a response.
Then, quietly, he said, "Let's just say I've dealt with my fair share of liars. I'd know if you were one."
He opened the door.
The Guard was inside immediately, looking positively gleeful to say the least. When she saw me, she froze. Her face lifted in surprise, twisted in confusion, and tightened in obvious anger and disappointment. I felt sick.
"Your Majesty, what…?"
"Please escort this prisoner back to her cell immediately." the prince ordered, folding his arms and watching me again.
"But...she's a Rebel." she stressed the word, practically whining.
"She's a common peasant. Nothing more, nothing less."
My stomach twisted, because all I could hear was nothing.
The Guard seemed annoyed at the prince, looking at him as if he were a complete idiot. She slowed her speech, obviously trying her very best to stay calm.
"Your Grace. She had a Lotus tile. There's no other explanation."
My gaze drifted to the Prince's hand. So that's what it's called.
The prince eyed the Guard for a long time. His face was completely neutral, but I knew it was a trick. I'd seen it in action not even a minute ago. He turned to the Guard, arms falling loosely to his sides.
"What's your name, Guard?" he asked. His voice was deceptively low.
"Uh, Tao, sir." she stumbled, obviously realizing she'd crossed the line.
"Tao?" he repeated scornfully.
The Guard, Tao, blushed and nodded. "Yes, sir."
"Do you think I'm an idiot, Tao?" he spat her name like dirt.
Her eyes widened. "No! It's just—"
"Are you going to disobey a direct order from a member of the royal family?"
"Of course n—"
"Because if you did, I could charge you with high treason without trial, and sentence you to death. Right here, right now."
She swallowed audibly. I didn't know if it was funny or frightening to see a Guard as big as Tao cowering under the Prince's glare. Tao was bigger and taller than the prince, but somehow, I just knew the Prince was stronger. Hopefully, he wouldn't be around long.
"Now." he said quietly, voice still laced with concealed anger. "Escort this prisoner back to her cell. Don't make me ask you again."
"Yes, sir." she murmured weakly.
She came over without a word, and pulled me up by my arm roughly, jagged nails digging into my skin. She shoved me towards the door impatiently. I scowled as I caught my footing, but was too relieved that my life had been spared to do anymore.
"Let's go, waterbender." she barked, but I heard the slightest tremor in her voice.
I felt the Prince's eyes on me as I walked past. I ignored him and kept walking, chin up, head high. Apparently the Prince was someone to be feared. And maybe I did, but I sure as hell wouldn't let him know that.
I turned once I was outside the door, just in time to see the Prince grab Tao's arm tightly.
"The next time I see you, it better be when you've found the real Rebel." he snapped, knuckles whitening over her sleeve. "Don't waste my time again. Got it?"
She nodded through gritted teeth, reigning in a shameful fury. "Yes, Prince Zuko."
…
His name is Zuko.
I was almost sure I'd heard it more than a few times before, but I'd never put a name to the face until now. Sure we'd only known each other for a few days, but wasn't it normal to exchange names when you met someone? Or is that irrelevant when you're a kid? It was a wonder I still remembered him. We were so young. I guess no child really cares about names or ages, what nation you're from or what element you bend. Not naturally anyway. Those things don't matter when you're young.
Does that mean something?
"Strip."
I sputtered at the command, once again caught off guard in my thoughts. We were in the same room as earlier, the one where they'd taken me away. This time, I starting taking off my clothes without question. When I was down to my underwear, I stopped, waiting for further instruction.
"Strip." she said again.
"I did."
"Those go, too."
My face burned.
"No." I said firmly, horror pulling my eyebrows in tightly. "No, I won't."
Tao stepped closer, and I stepped back. I wasn't even going to try and pretend I wasn't scared of her. She was twice my sizeㅡtall and beefy with muscles in every place imaginable. She held up a hand, producing a ball of spitting fire.
"Do it. Now." The flame flared, making me take another step back. Tao's eyes hardened, daring me to disobey.
I didn't.
When everything was off, I forced myself to stand tall. Tao went to the corner and unwound a hose. She came back over, casually adjusting the nozzle. Then she aimed, and fired.
The white water that shot out hit me with enough force to slam me up against the back wall. I choked out a pained gasp and curled in on myself, trying to protect my body from the hard, freezing water. The water dug into my sore muscles, biting and gnawing into my skin. Tao tilted the hose, and the water struck my face, sending my head into the wall with a dull thud. I cried out and reached up to cover my face, head swimming from the blow. I collapsed against the wall, curling up around myself with my arms over my head.
The water kept coming, cold, solid and relentless. Over the roar of water in my ears and the sounds of my own voice, I heard Tao, laughing. I hated her. I hated that she was getting her revenge, that she was probably enjoying this more than anyone ever should. That because of who I was, what I was, I couldn't do a single thing about it.
The water vanished as quickly as it came. I bent over and coughed, choking out cold, mucky water by the mouthfuls. I massaged my throat weakly, trying to quell the raw burn as I caught my breath. Tao stood by, wrapping up the hose as if this was normal to her, as if she didn't do anything wrong. I glared at her from beneath my lashes, blinking back angry tears and breathing harshly through my nose. She caught me staring, and snorted mockingly.
"Get up." she said.
I did, muscles trembling and burning hatred building with each passing second. She picked up a bundle of fabric from the corner table and tossed it at my feet. My eyes never left hers, jaw clenched in repressed rage. She smiled at my defiance, and, with a vengeful satisfaction, let her gaze fall from head to toe, and back up again. I pictured myself standing here, barely holding myself up against the cement wall, cold, wet, and humiliated, with nothing on but a metal collar.
My eyes stung and my throat ached, and Tao said, "Dress."
I did.
…
The prison was quiet and dull, with an eerie red glow that reminded me of blood. It seemed unnatural for a prison this big, yet so silent. I followed Tao along the inner perimeter of the prison, circling the huge square common room from above. The common room was a strange, unlike anything I'd ever seen. It looked like someone had cut out the inside of the prison, like a giant square gap in the middle of the floors. There five floors in all - rooms that followed alongside the outside of the common room, with a simple barred rail on the left side of the hall. We passed dozens of identical metal doors as we walked, each one of them as silent as the last. Nothing distinguished the rooms but a number written over the barred window of each door.
I began to feel anxious.
How will I find him? This prison is huge. Where do I even start?
I glanced at the back of Tao's head, willing myself to swallow my pride and hatred, for Zaq's sake.
"Where is he?" I asked, voice tight. Tao didn't answer. I pleaded with the back of her head, swallowing hard before trying again. "Please. The little boy I was with. Where is he?"
Tao came an abrupt stop in front of me, and I barely managed to freeze before ramming into her back. She reached for the door in front of her and turned the wheel of the metal lock. I kept my eyes on her, hoping that when she turned around, she'd see something that made her change her mind.
Instead, she grabbed hold of the handle and pulled, muscles bulging and stretching as she did. I winced and shifted backwards at the piercing screech of metal on metal.
"Get in." Tao ordered sharply once it was open, not even sparing me a second glance.
I shook my head, stepping back.
"Please. I need to find him, he's only a little boy. If you canㅡ"
She snorted and shoved me in roughly.
"Hey!" I yelled, grunting as I hit the ground.
She shut the door.
I pulled myself up, wobbling weakly and wincing as the collar pulled at the skin of my neck. I heard the lock snap shut, and Tao's heavy metal boots fading away.
The room was tiny. Metal walls and metal floors of course, but only about three metres wide and four metres long. A thick slab of metal jutted out from the wall, with a thin mattress stretched overtop. The pillow was small and the blanket was thin. The room was hot and the air was stuffy. It was too small, too dark, too lonely. I shuffled over to the bed shakily and sat. The bed was hard.
I sat there, staring into space. I didn't know what to do. The door was locked. I couldn't get out. I couldn't get Zaq out. I was a prisoner. My tribe was gone. My brother was gone. And Gavin…
I sucked in a deep breath, and forced it out slowly along with any thoughts of him, or Sokka, or even my tribe. Now was not the time. Those feelings could come later. Now, I had to focus on the present. I promised I'd get Zaq out of here. I promised.
I need to find Zaq.
The Guards would most likely let us out sooner or later. I needed to find Zaq then. I left him with Haru, so they might be together.
Haru…
My jaw clenched. I knew he put that Lotus tile in my pocket. He was the only one that could have.
But why? The prince and the Guards thought I was a Rebel because of it. Does that mean Haru's a Rebel?
I shook my head. Thinking about him wasn't going to solve anything. Rebel or not, I'd need him if I wanted to escape. I couldn't do it on my own, I knew that. But for now, I needed to wait.
…
Time dragged on in my cell. Each second was an hour and each minute was a day. I was bored and hungry and thirsty and going out of my mind with worry. I tried not to imagine this as the rest of my life, sitting in this same room for days, staring at the wall and driving myself mad in loneliness. I'd resorted to pacing after my legs went numb, tugging up my pants every now and then as I walked.
The clothes were too big for meㅡthe waist of the pants was too wide and the collar slid off my shoulders. The fabric was coarse and itchy, and they were red. I hated red.
Suddenly, I heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps approaching my room. I rushed towards the door in a heartbeat, slamming my fist on the metal as hard as I could.
"Hey!" I yelled, tiptoeing to peek through the window. "How long are you going to keep me in here?"
The Guard outside turned to look at me. I recognized her. She was the one talking with Prince Zuko earlier in the room. She was older than I expected, probably in her late thirties, with a long brown ponytail and golden brown eyes.
A firebender, then, I thought bitterly.
"How long do I have to stay in here?" I asked again as she shuffled towards me.
She hesitated, glancing up and down the hall twice before speaking.
"Don't worry, you'll be let out in a couple of hours." she said, and I was amazed at how gentle she sounded.
"Is it normal? Us being in her so long?" I asked, dreading the coming days if it was.
She shook her head. "No. It's just standard protocol for new arrivals. They need the prison to be secure."
I nodded, and we fell into silence. I bit my lip, contemplating my next question. So far, she was the only person who seemed the least bit interested in answering them. But then again, I'd been fooled by the Fire Nation before.
"Wait." I blurted, just as she was about to leave. "There...there was a little boy I came here with. He's seven, Water Tribe, like me. Have you seen him? Is he okay?"
She frowned sadly. "I'm sorry, I haven't. Believe it or not but there are quite a few children here."
Her voice hardened at the end, just the slightest bit. It was almost unnoticeable.
"Why?" I asked, taking a bit of a risk. "Why do they make the children come here? They're harmless. They're not leading rebellions or fighting in the war. What difference does it make if they're in here or in their homes?"
Her lips tilted sadly, but before she could say anything, we heard footsteps in the corridor. Our conversation was over. She looked at me briefly while already walking away. "Just a few more hours, okay?"
I nodded, and waited.
…
An hour passed―or maybe less―before I heard something. Three loud blares followed by piercing screeches of metal on metal. Doors opening, I decided. I waited patiently for mine to open as well. A second passed, then two, then three. And my door was still shut. I leapt up, pressing my ear to the door. I heard a low murmur from outside, and the unmistakable sound of people walking past my door.
"Hey!" I yelled, slamming my fist on the door. "Let me out!"
The murmuring got louder as more people seemed to be filling the hall. I banged on the door again and again, yelling for someone to open my door. Someone slammed their hand on my door from the outside, startling me.
What was going on?
I glanced around the room in panic―the tiny, windowless, darkened room that I was trapped in. I yelled louder.
"Hey! I'm still in here!"
Another fist slammed onto my door, followed by a rough, male shout. "Wait your turn, bitch!"
I stepped back, puzzled.
Wait my turn?
I stumbled back onto my bed, and waited. And waited. And waited. And waited. The voices had long since faded by now, and I was left on my bed, leg bouncing, teeth gnawing at my thumbnail.
Why am I still in here? Was Zaq let out already? Where is he? Is he alright?
I sighed loudly, bending over my knees and clenching my hair in my hands tightly. I needed to find Zaq now. I didn't think I could take any more of this.
When the blares sounded again, I jumped up, reaching the door as soon as it opened. I stepped out, and in almost no time, the crowd swept me up, shuffling impatiently for a chance to stretch their legs. I followed the general flow of the crowd, keeping my gaze at waist height as I searched. But all I could see were women. Old, young, younger, but no children.
I itched forward, clipping heels and nudging bodies as I walked. They were all moving so slow, and I need to find Zaq now.My room had been on the third floor of the prison, so it still took a long time to get down all three flights of stairs. The crowd spread out once we made it to ground level, but the general flow still went in the same direction.
I craned my neck, spotting a huge exit flanked by armed Guards. They stood stiffly, eyes deceptively blank and unfocused, though I knew better. The open doors revealed a harsh white light that could only come from the outside. I walked faster. Everyone seemed as anxious as I was to get out, probably having been stuck in their cells much longer than I was.
I squinted once the sun hit my eyes, peering through the glare of its rays as I stepped outside. People shoved me from behind, anxious to get out too, and it wasn't until I was well out into the yard that I got a chance to really look around.
There were prisoners here of every kindㅡbig and small, dark and light, male and female, each wearing the same haggard, hopeless expression as the one before. All dressed in red, all with metal collars clamped around their necks. The men were separated though, by a tall wire fence that stretched down the middle of the yard. The prisoners looked lost, as if they didn't know where they were, or what they were doing. They huddled in groups or stood off alone, never looking each other in the eye, hardly speaking at all. There were hundreds of prisoners outside, and it was so quiet. Too quiet.
I took the chance to scan the faces in the crowd once more, searching high and low for Zaq. They wouldn't put children on the male side of the fence. Women and children are always together. Wasn't that how it worked?
Growing desperate, I reached over and tapped the shoulder of an elderly lady.
"Excuse me, I'm looking for a little boy. He's from my tribe and—"
"NO!" she screamed. I backed up quickly, snapping my hand back to my side. A few prisoners looked over, eyes blank and lifeless.
"I'm sorry, I—"
"Noooo!" she screamed, collapsing to the ground. I jumped back, startled and nervous, glancing around again. Nobody's stares lasted long. The Guards didn't move from their posts. I looked down at the old woman, who was breathing harshly, eyes wide, hands over her ears.
"Please, get up." I pleaded. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you."
She mumbled under her breath, obviously not hearing a word I said. I repeated myself, and she started to shake. I looked around again, at the people ignoring us as they passed, the prisoners refusing to acknowledge an old woman in distress. It made my blood boil.
I stooped with her, moving into her line of vision. She looked terrified. I bit my lip, remembering my time caring for Yugoda. How sometimes she would fall into episodes like this, and I'd be the only one around to calm her down. It seemed like ages ago, and yet I knew it hadn't been that long since I'd lost her. So much had happened since then, that I didn't have the time to think about it. Yugoda deserved more than that.
Focus, Katara. I willed the tears away, sighing deeply. Now is not the time.
"Hello." I said gently. "My name's Katara. I'm...I'm new here. I didn't know. I'm sorry I upset you."
Her breathing quickened into ragged gasps, and I knew I had to calm her down quickly.
"Hey, hey, it's okay." I whispered, reaching a slow, gentle hand to rub her back. She flinched at my touch, but surprisingly, relaxed into it a moment later. "It's okay."
She blinked, and suddenly, her glassy eyes focused, and she saw me.
"Are you okay now? Do you need me to stay with you for a bit?"
She stared, and stared, and stared, and just as I was about to give up, her lips twitched. I smiled back, relieved.
"Come on." I said, grasping her elbows gently. "Let's get you up."
She stood shakily, gripping my forearms, her lips still curled up the tiniest bit. I looked around the yard unsurely, looking for a bench, a table, somewhere for her to sit and rest her legs. I spotted a plain wooden bench in the corner of the yard, next to a Guard.
Smiling, I turned back to her. "Come on, I found a—"
"Katara!"
I twisted, eyes darting around frantically. I'd know that voice anywhere.
"Zaq?" I called, pulling away from the old woman. She held tight, and I turned back to her, trying to get her to understand. "Please, I have to find him. I'll come back, just let me—"
She smiled, a real one this time, and patted my cheek gently. I smiled hurriedly in thanks and rushed off.
"Katara!"
I whirled around, and there he was, standing by the fence. He rushed towards me, meeting me halfway. I barely had time to get my arms open before he was in them, burying his face in my shoulder and squeezing me tightly.
"You're okay." he said, half laughing. "You're okay."
I squeezed him tight, pressing a kiss to his temple as calm relief replaced hours of pent up worry.
"I'm here." I said. "I'm alright."
He pulled away, grinning widely through watery eyes. I smoothed his hair back, smiling just as wide. He clutched my sleeves, refusing to step away or let go.
"What happened? Why'd they take you? Where—"
"Zaq!" We twisted in unison, seeing Haru running alongside the other side of the fence. "Zaq, why'd you—"
He froze when he saw me, eyes widening in shock. Zaq grabbed my hand and dragged me over to Haru, grinning from ear to ear.
"See?" he tugged my arm excitedly. "I told you she'd come back!"
Haru's throat bobbed, eyes watching me with caution. Zaq turned back to me, tugging my arm again to get my attention.
"Haru said you'd be gone forever. But I knew you'd come back. You promised." he announced proudly. I straightened, glaring coldly at the boy in front of me. He swallowed again. It's not that I expected him to be loyal to me just because we shared a prison cell. I didn't expect him to be nice, or even acknowledge us after we got out of the ship. But this crossed the line.
"Katara, I一"
"You bastard." I seethed, pulling Zaq behind me even though the fence provided more than enough protection.
"You don't understand." he insisted. "You're from the Poles. Out here we do whatever it takes to survive. That's just how it is."
I pushed Zaq even farther behind me, ignoring his questioning glance.
"I don't know what kind of twisted morals you people live by, but out there, in the Poles, we protect our own. And we never put others in danger just to save our own skin."
Haru scoffed, as if the very idea was nothing but a childish fantasy. "You'll understand soon enough. That kind of thinking is what gets you killed."
"What's going on?" Zaq tugged on my arm again. I didn't react.
"I'd rather be killed than live with the guilt of sentencing an innocent person to death." Haru scoffed again, but didn't say anything. I gritted my teeth, annoyed and angry that he could be so cold. He'd never even said he was sorry. In fact, he didn't sound remorseful at all. His attitude was entirely too Fire Nation for my liking. "Don't come near us again. Got it?"
Haru was unaffected. "Yeah, right. You won't survive here without me."
"I don't need you." I said, eyes narrowing.
"Face it, Katara. You're a fish out of water here. You don't know anything about life outside the South Pole."
"I know enough." I snapped.
"Again, the kind of attitude that'll get you killed. Ignorance is not the trait of a survivor, Katara."
I bristled, amazed that he had the audacity to preach to me about surviving. Me, who scavenged for food, going hungry so four children wouldn't. Me, who cut a deal with a firebender, just so I could stay close to my father in the only way I could. Me, who was dragged into a ship, starved, humiliated and sent to prison by someone I thought was my friend.
"Katara?" Zaq whispered, sounding so confused and lost and scared at the seriousness of our tones and words. I laid a hand on his head, comforting him as best as I could.
"Why should I trust you?" I asked thickly, because Haru was right. Although he didn't know the real reason why, I needed him.
His answer was immediate. "Because I'm the only ally you've got."
"You tried to have me killed." I said angrily, amazed that he could spout such a lie to my face. Zaq gasped behind me.
He sighed, long and loud, and said almost sincerely, "Look. I'm not sorry I did it, okay? But I am sorry it was you."
I wasn't sure what to make of that. I couldn't understand how someone could be so complacent towards betrayal and death, let alone someone who wasn't Fire Nation. I tried to put myself in his shoes. If I was part of a secret rebel organization and I got caught, would I put the blame on someone else, knowing the penalty was death? Shouldn't I be willing to commit to the cause, even if it cost me my life? Isn't that what war was all about?
Haru shifted uneasily, glancing over both shoulders awkwardly. I watched his face intently, wanting him to feel uncomfortable, wanting him to feel the slightest bit of remorse for his actions, even though I wasn't dead. He shuffled some more, taking the silence as defeat. But just as he turned to leave, as always, my never-ending curiosity won in the end.
"What was it?" I asked dejectedly, angry at myself for giving in.
Haru's eyes lit up faintly as he answered. "It's a Lotus Tile."
"What's a Lotus Tile?" Zaq asked, looking up at us in confusion.
I rolled my eyes, shifting my weight in annoyance even though I'd only learned the name a few hours ago. "I know that. What does it mean?"
He paused, gnawing at his lip for a moment. Then, he stepped away from the fence. "Follow me."
I pulled Zaq along, following Haru along the fence until we reached the very middle of it. It made sense, I supposed, seeing as a Guard was flanked in each corner of the yard. Although, nobody seemed to be paying much attention to us anyway.
Haru took one last look at the Guards before coming close to the fence again, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's a token. From a Pai Sho game."
"What?" I blurted in disbelief. A game? I was almost killed over a game?
"But it's more than just a game." Haru added quickly, nervously looking around. "It's the way they communicate. The Rebels, I mean. It's a way to know who's on your side. If you have it you're a friend, not a foe."
"Then why do you have it? Are you a Rebel?"
"No." he said, too quickly. "No. I just...I was holding it for someone when I was captured."
"Did you know that you were 'holding it?'" I asked dryly.
His eyes narrowed. "Yes, I did."
"Awfully nice of your friend to let you know your life was in danger."
"It was my father's." he snapped, anger replacing his anxiety in an instant.
"He was a Rebel?"
"Yes." he whispered, eyes fading into distant sadness. "He gave it to me before he was captured. I've had it ever since."
I nodded, not sure what else to say, or how to get Haru to snap out of his grief without coming off as harsh. Haru looked up at me, eyebrows furrowed as if he had just remembered something. "He told me to use it when I was ready."
"Ready for what?"
"I can't say."
"Can't say, or won't?"
His eyes hardened as they found mine, jaw firm in irritation. "Won't."
"Does it have to do with the Avatar?" I asked, probably a bit too loudly.
Haru didn't seem to notice. His eyebrows pulled together sharply. "What? No, the Avatar doesn't exist."
"Yes, he does. He's just been gone a long time. But he's back now."
He studied me quietly, as if trying to decide if I was crazy or not. I hated that look. Finally, he looked away, jaw still clenched tightly.
"Whatever." he said quietly. I frowned, toeing at the sand beneath my feet. We fell into silence, each of us refusing to look the other in the eye. I thought I'd get answers by talking to Haru. But now I just had even more questions than before.
"We need to make plans." I said firmly, keeping my voice low.
"Huh?"
"To escape."
He looked at me with this sad pitying look that made my blood boil. "We can't escape."
"Yes. We can."
"Katara, have you seen this place? It's impossible."
Zaq stepped forward. "If Katara says she's going to do something, she will. She promises."
Haru shifted his pitying gaze to Zaq. "Sure thing, kid."
Suddenly, the blare rang out. I jumped, looking around hurriedly. Time couldn't be up already, could it. Haru didn't flinch. Instead, he took a step away fro the fence, offering a sad half smile.
"I gotta go." I nodded, and he was gone, blending into the crowd of male prisoners being ushered back into the prison on the other side of the fence.
What a coward.
"Katara? What…" Zaq trailed off, brow furrowing as he searched for the right words. "What's going on? Is Haru a bad guy?"
I frowned, eyes trained on the closing doors. Maybe Haru was right. Maybe I was naive, and I shouldn't have gotten angry with him. Maybe this was how it worked, out here in the real world.
"I...don't know. Not yet."
"We're getting out of here, right? I wanna go home."
I sucked in a sharp breath, forcing a smile onto my face. "Yeah. Of course." I bent to his eyes level, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "But, it's a secret, okay? You can't tell anybody, or we'll get in a lot of trouble."
Zaq looked scared. "Would they kill us?"
I wavered, unsure how to respond. Kids should never have to worry about that possibility. Never.
"...you just keep quiet about it, and we'll be fine. Okay." He nodded, pressing his lips together tightly. I straightened, taking his hand. I turned, ready to go check on the old woman from earlier. "Come on, I一"
I flinched back, seeing her not a foot away from us, watching with unblinking eyes. The corner of her mouth was still tilted up, but now, it looked more like a grimace than a smile.
"Oh." I said. "I was just coming to look for you."
She said nothing, smile and glassy grey eyes widening noticing. I felt Zaq shuffle behind my leg, clutching at the fabric at my waist.
"Um...did you need something? Do you want to go sit down?" She didn't move, standing still like one of my old childhood dolls, frozen smile and all. "Come on, let's一"
"I can do it."
I blinked. "What?"
"I can get you out." her voice was stronger this time, more stable.
"We一"
"Are the same." her eyes danced, smile frozen stiff on her lips. She stepped forward, I stepped back. "We stick together. You and the little boy. I'll get you out."
Her smile widened, showing off her crooked grey teeth. "I have a gift. A special one. Just get me out, and I'll get you out."
I glanced around the prison nervously, pushing Zaq behind me as she cornered us against the fence, seriously regretting helping her earlier. This woman was insane.
"Do it. Get me out, and I'll get you out." she grasped at her collar, grinning like the lunatic she was. She stepped forward, and Zaq whimpered against my waist.
"Please, just一"
"Three days. Just wait. We'll be free." she grasped at my arms, pulling herself close to my face as her voice rose in excitement. "Three days. We're the same. Just wait, you'll see."
"I don't know what you want, I'm sorry. Please一"
"Hey! Leave her alone!"
The old lady pulled away abruptly, eyes going impossibly wide. In a short moment, she'd reverted back to a helpless old lady, and scurried off as fast as her frail legs could carry her. I breathed out a heavy sigh of relief, turning to my saviour.
She approached quickly, giving me a sincere, almost embarrassed smile. Zaq immediately pulled away from my side, standing just the tiniest bit taller.
"Sorry about Hama. She's a bit of a loose screw around here. I hope she didn't scare you guys too much."
"No, it's...okay." I answered dumbly, thrown by her pretty smile and upbeat spirit.
She was about my age, with short auburn hair tied away from her face. She was dressed the same as the rest of us, but somehow, she didn't seem like a prisoner. She seemed confident and self-assured, a stark contrast to the gloomy faces around us.
She cocked her head to the side, studying me. "I've...never seen you before. What's your name?"
"K-katara." I stammered, and she smiled warmly. But I couldn't stop staring at her, because past her slim build and pretty face, there was something that set her apart even more than her personality.
She didn't have a collar.
"Nice to meet you." she said, voice as smooth as honey. "My name's Suki."
…
And there you go.
Honestly, I meant for this to be up way sooner. Like, I was just looking back at when I last updated and I was like, 'Are you kidding me?' I'm mad at myself. But I mean, school started and it has been crushing me. It's my last year of high school and I feel stressed. I'm trying to get the best grades I can, and it is killing me, because I am not satisfied.
I don't know, I'm just asking you guys to try and understand. My life is busy, and sadly, this is not my top priority. But I will finish this story, and I guarantee that I AM trying. I don't want to rush this and give you guys a crap chapter every update. (I hope THIS one wasn't crap, oh geez).
But anyway, I DO apologize to the many who messaged me begging me to have faster updates and I totally let you down I'm so sorry. I really do wish I have more time to write, but the truth is, I don't. I'll try to time manage as best as I can though.
Anyways, I really hoped I did Zuko justice, and if I didn't, I'm sad. Please let me know your thoughts on this chapter in a review! Even if your review is just to tell me how horrible I am for no updating I will appreciate it! (to a certain extent)
Thanks for reading and I really hope to see you guys for chapter 11 really REALLY soon! *fingers crossed*
-SilverLining33 :)
NOTE: I'll probably repost this chapter in a couple days with a few edits - as usual nothing major. Just spelling, grammar, typos, more descriptive content etc. This chapter is unedited, I repeat unedited, because I didn't want to hold off any longer. You guys have waited long enough. Hope you still love me (if you ever did lol).