The Avatar was gone; he had been taken by the Fire Nation. Sokka's anger flashed through his being like a bolt of lightning. There was nothing he wanted more than to hunt Zuko down. And so without any hesitation he'd gathered what little belongings he had and headed up the boy's giant bison.
"Yip yip," he said, remembering Aang's words when he commanded the large beast and before he knew it, they were off and flying over the Fire Nation ship that took the Avatar.
"Hey!" he shouted and got a curious stare from Zuko. He maneuvered the large bison until it was level with the ship and jumped right on deck. Pulling out the dagger from his belt he held his ground and almost growled at Zuko. "Give him back to me," he yelled his tone deadly. He could sense the guards coming closer and then saw Zuko hold up his hand.
"No, you don't understand, I need him," Zuko supplied but there was something in the boy's eyes that Zuko found so familiar, so close that he lost himself for a moment. "Please," Zuko breathed and that was when Sokka found the snow from the mountain they were passing, turning into a blob of water which encased him. The water solidified around his form and he froze, looking curiously at Zuko. And that was when he saw her. There emerging from below deck was a girl, maybe a year or two younger than himself, eyes steely, cold and almost frightening.
"You… you're a waterbender." Sokka breathed and the girl nodded. This was a Fire Nation ship, it was impossibility; Fire Nation soldiers didn't bend water and they most certainly didn't have blue eyes.
"We need the Avatar," Zuko said and moved closer to Sokka. "Come below deck, I will explain everything," Zuko said and nodded at Katara who released the boy from her vise.
"What about the bison?"
"My men will see to him," Zuko said and nodded at the men.
"Please, sit," Zuko said and gestured at a chair when they were below deck. Sokka was still suspicious of the other man at first but decided that if there was any chance in him leaving with the Avatar he would have to listen to what Zuko had to say.
"Where's Aang?" he said as he sat down on the chair. "I want him out here!" he exclaimed because he couldn't bear the thought of them hurting the airbender.
"He's safe."
"I want him out here!" Sokka declared again and watched as Zuko beckoned a guard to retrieve the Avatar.
"Sokka!" Aang called and ran to hug Sokka. Sokka's relief washed over him and he smiled at the monk.
"Please Avatar, sit," Zuko said and waited for them both to settle down.
"I am Zuko and this is my best friend Katara," he began. "When we were in the Fire Nation, my father… hurt her and my sister. I was only thirteen then, and didn't know what to do. So I attacked him, and received this," he pointed to his scar.
"What happened?" Sokka asked, his curiousity getting the better of him.
"And then, he banished us three and my Uncle from the Fire Nation," he paused. "To avenge my sister and Katara, I have to bring the Avatar to the Fire Nation and that is why I need him," he explained and Sokka nodded, realization creeping in. "I need to avenge them, they deserve this."
"But… why don't you join the resistance?" Aang asked from the corner and Zuko looked at the boy.
"I… I haven't really thought about that," he admitted thoughtfully and then shook his head. "No, it wouldn't work, it's too risky, and what if we don't win? Then Ozai gets away with rape," he said.
"No, he won't," Sokka chimed in. "He won't get away with it, I promise. Besides, we've got Aang on our side, he'll be great!"
Zuko turned to Katara who looked at him square in the eyes. "I wanna do it," she told the man and he nodded reluctantly. Katara moved to hug Zuko.
"Thank you."
A/N: It's been precisely 1 month since I updated. Thanks for being so patient with me... as always, read, enjoy and review. Your feedback is much appreciated.
