Not being woken up by someone trying to kill them was a welcomed surprise. Katara cleaned up camp, and Aang helped Yue to her feet. Toph explained where the third weak spot was, and the group was off. Katara and Toph led the group watching out for any of the other contestants or their friends. It was a little after midday when they came across the weak spot. "Wow, this one was close by." Aang cheered as he put down Yue. "We'll get to the last spot by the end of the day!" Katara and Yue sat down in the grass, watching as Toph disappeared into the cave. Aang created an air scooter and started to whiz around them, causing both girls to laugh. "Wanna ride?" He asked Yue and she hopped to her feet and climbed onto the monk's back. Katara watched as Yue held onto Aang while he flew them around their small rest space.
For the first time while in the arena Katara felt calm. She sat in the sun with her jacket off and the rays soak into her skin. She shook her hair free from it's braid and allowed it to fall in loose waves down her back. If she weren't in the arena she could actually enjoy the day. It was beautiful. The sky was filled with large, white fluffy clouds, and the sky was the lightest blue she had ever seen. It was humid and the heat was almost unbearable but it all felt so good. She wished they were still at the lake so she could strip down to her underwear and take a nice long dip in the cool water.
"AANG! SLOW DOWN! WOOOOOOAH!" Yue shouted as she clung to the young airbender for dear life. He was laughing uncontrollably as he whizzed through the trees and over the bushes. Her poor friend looked like she was about to throw up but she also looked like she was having a lot of fun.
Katara was too busy laughing at the sight of Yue clinging to Aang to notice the arrow. She heard them fall and stood up from her spot to make sure they were okay. "YUE!" Katara dropped to her knees and watched her friend coughing up blood. The arrow was lodged in her chest so deeply that she had trouble pulling it free before another arrow flew at them. Aang covered them and sent the next few arrows flying back to their owner. "Can you save her?" Aang asked as he prepared for more arrows.
"I can't pull out the arrow." Katara cried out as she pulled water from her canteen and tried to coax out the arrow gently. "It won't come out Aang! Why won't it come out?" She was frustrated and couldn't focus. Her friend was dying right in front of her and she was struggling to gather her thoughts.
"You can do i-" A massive burst of fire sent Aang flying backward while an earthquake shook the ground underneath Katara and Yue. Katara looked around, trying to find Toph to scold her, but instead, she saw a boy who looked around Aang's age. "Katara, he's an earthbender!" Aang shouted as he sent a powerful blast of air towards Yee and Kuzon. Yee jumped through the three branches dodging Aang's relentless attacks while Kuzon advanced on Katara. She watched him lift boulders into the air prepping them to throw.
"You've gotta pick! Your life or hers!" Kuzon shouted, and Katara turned to look down at Yue, who was struggling to breathe. She ripped water from the grass and bushes around her creating a bow and arrow. She sent several ice arrows his way hitting him in the arm and the thigh. Kuzon dropped the boulders and pulled out the frozen arrows. Katara picked up Yue as carefully as she could and led her back to the cave laying her inside.
"What's going on?" Toph asked as she ran to the front of the cave.
"The other Fire Nation non-bender is actually an earthbender, Yee is attacking Aang, and Yue was shot with an arrow." Katara explained and watched the slow smirk grow on Toph's lips.
"I'll take care of the brat. Save Yue." Toph cracked her knuckles and ran outside. She took her stance, sliding her foot across the ground. She could feel where the boy was and he was getting ready to attack. She smirked, lifted her hand, flicked her wrist, and felt as three broad pillars of earth shot out from the ground.
"AH!" Kuzon cried out in pain when one of the pillars slammed into his chest and sent him flying back. Toph kicked up a boulder and launched it into the side of the mountain.
"Get out of there Sugar Queen!" Toph called back as she caused an avalanche to tear apart the side of the mountain. Katara dragged Yue's body away from the cave and towards some bushes while Aang and Toph fought with the Fire Nation teens. She continued to pry the arrow from her friend's chest gently. Finally, it was free, and she covered her hands in water, placing them on her chest.
Sokka heard and felt the fighting ahead of them. Haru and Suki had fallen behind while the rest of the group raced towards the struggle. Sokka could see the determination on Aang's face and the evil smile on Toph's. Toph was enjoying herself and Aang was fighting for his and his friend's lives. He couldn't see his sister or Yue, though.
Mai watched as Yee leaped through the trees so quickly she looked like a black blur. Aang was moving just as fast trying to catch her, but Mai heard his pained cry as he fell from the tree clutching his leg where he had been stabbed. "Get her Ty!" Mai cried out and ran over to Aang's side. He had been burned badly on his stomach. His t-shirt was singed with some pieces still on fire. Mai took out her canteen and started to pour the cool water over his torso trying to help cool the burn. She didn't have medical experience though and the only one who did was currently trying to heal someone else. Suki and Haru edged out of the forest to the battle ahead and jumped into action.
Suki ran to help Mai who was struggling to carry Aang over to Katara. The next problem was finding her and getting to her. "Put him down. We'll have to do what we can here." Suki ordered and asked if she had any medical supplies. Mai ran to grab Zuko and Sokka's packs and fished out the antiseptic, burn ointment, and bandages. "Perfect this should cover him until we can find Katara." Suki started to shout directions as she cleaned his wounds while Mai prepared the bandages. Somewhere along the way Aang had passed out.
Zuko and Kai ran to Toph's side and began to bend bursts of water and fire towards Kuzon, sending him back several feet. Toph stomped on the ground and kicked large boulders at the boy who stumbled back, desperately blocking every giant rock that came his way. Zuko advanced, wanting to take out the destructive bender before he could slip through their fingers again. "TOPH!" Kai threw his body weight into her small frame and knocked her out of the way of a lava covered boulder flying her way.
Longshot tried to get clear shots of his intended targets but everyone was moving too quickly or their given elements were in his way. "Damnit…" He cursed as he let his arrow fly just missing Ty Lee's arm.
"Haru shake the trees!" Ty Lee ordered and launched herself at Yee as Haru cracked the ground open underneath them. Ty Lee jabbed the falling girls arms in several places as they fell from the tree into the open earth. Haru caught them both with a pillar that sprang from the ground. Ty Lee watched as Yee tried to lift her arms with no luck. The young firebender jumped from the pillar and called out Kuzon or Longshot to help her. Ty Lee tried to chase after her but Haru pulled her back.
"She got you too Ty. Let's get you checked out." Haru lifted her into his arms and ran over to Suki and Mai and the two got to work cleaning the deep cuts on her arms and back from Yee knives.
A cannon went off and that stopped everyone mid-fight. Kuzon used the distraction to find and grab Yee before disappearing. Longshot took to the trees and ran off. The scream that ripped from Katara's throat is what got everyone's attention. She hovered over Yue, still trying to heal the hole in her chest. Sokka and Zuko found her and watched as she continually tried to heal someone who was already dead. Zuko walked up to her slowly and put his hand on her shoulder. "Katara-" He started, but she shook off his hand and kept working. The tears were filling her eyes as she tried to heal her friend.
"No- I can save her! I know I can do it! I can't lose anyone else…" Katara told him and felt Sokka join them on the ground. He took one of Yue's hands and tried to make her squeeze his hand but she was already gone and his sister was in denial. He watched as she tried over and over again before Zuko finally pulled her into his arms and into his lap. "No! I can do it! Just let me try again!" She begged through her tears and he watched as Zuko whispered something to her before she finally gave up and collapsed into his chest. Sokka picked up the arrow and noticed a purple substance on the arrowhead. He was about to touch it when Mai yelled for him not to.
"It's poison! I used the same berries on my knives." Mai explained, and Sokka dropped the arrow. "You wouldn't have been to heal her unless you knew the arrow was covered in poison. There is nothing you could've done…" Mai hoped her words would bring the crying girl some relief but she was too wrapped up in her failure to notice. Sokka looked up at the usually gloomy girl and silently thanked her for stopping him from dying.
Mai looked over at the devastated princess cradled in Zuko's lap. He was whispering to her which only made her cry harder. Mai watched how his arms flexed and held her as close to his body as he possibly could. "Katara, Aang needs your help. He was burned badly and Ty Lee has deep cuts that won't stop bleeding." Suki spoke up and hoped she wasn't being ignored. Katara pulled herself from Zuko's grasp and wiped her eyes. She pulled water from the trees and grass around Ty Lee and started to heal each knife wound. She could feel the girls skin knitting back together as the cuts closed. Suki took note of the sheer determination her friend had on her face as she moved on to Aang. She carefully uncovered his wounds and called for Kai's larger canteen. She emptied the contents and gloved her hands before ordering for him to get more for her. Her hands glowed bright blue as she focused on the third degree burn that covered his stomach.
Zuko watched as Katara focused solely on Aang while Sokka held his dead girlfriend's hands, quietly crying into them. He watched as Toph walked over to join Sokka, resting her head on his shoulder and wiping a stray tear from her eye. "I'm so sorry Sokka." Zuko heard her whisper as she rubbed his back and cried silently with him.
"I need more water!" Katara yelled and Haru and Kai both flinched from her tone. She couldn't lose Aang too. She couldn't lose anyone else. Her heart couldn't take losing another friend. When Kai returned with a fresh, full, canteen of water she gloved her hands again and continued to work on the burn. It must have been an hour before she was able to pull back and work on his leg. Zuko looked over the monk and saw only his tone stomach. No scar. No evidence that he had ever been burned. He did notice that Katara was sweating a lot and her body shook. She was overworking herself to make sure Aang would be okay.
"Katara, he's going to be fine. You can rest now." Zuko whispered to her and she shook her head. She continued to work until she felt the last of his nerves reconnect in his leg and the hole was completely closed. When she was finally finished she put Aang's head in her lap and watched his chest rise and fall. Just seeing it was enough to melt the tension in her shoulders. Zuko visibly relaxed when he noticed her shoulders finally fall.
The group gave the siblings as much time as they could offer before telling them they had to move on. Katara had made sure Yue was clean and resting peacefully before they left. She covered her in flowers and whispered a quiet prayer in their tribe's native language to her. Sokka watched his sister and appreciated everything she was doing for Yue. Sokka kissed her forehead and her cheeks before standing up and rubbing his eyes free of tears. Katara couldn't leave her. She looked so young and peaceful. She looked like she was only sleeping. She ran her fingers through her friend's white hair once more before moving her hand back down to the cold fingers that wouldn't return her squeeze. She couldn't stop her tears and when Zuko tried once again to gently lift her, she shook her head.
Eventually, he reached down and lifted her into his arms and brought her against his chest. Sokka laid Yue's hand back down on her chest after forcing Katara to release her. "No! No please!" Katara begged but Zuko tightened his grip on her small frame and continued to walk away with the rest of the group. Once they were far enough away from the body, the group slowed and sat to rest for a moment. Kai took the canteens from everyone to fill in the stream, Mai and Ty Lee rationed out the food everyone had, and Suki and Haru wandered off to find more Lychee nuts and any fruits they could find.
Zuko shrugged off his backpack while still holding Katara and dropped it to the ground next to a tree. He carefully sat down and curled his body around hers, keeping her tucked firmly in his arms and legs. She had stopped crying, but she had this empty look in her eye. He recognized that look and it broke him to see it on her. He had seen that look in his own eyes after he had received his burn. After that day he felt like he had nothing left in him. He was completely numb to his life, emotions, and the physical pain he should've been feeling and he had been okay with that. But seeing Katara in that state made him understand why his uncle and cousin did everything in their power to heal his spirit while the doctors healed his eye. Her beautiful, bright, ocean blue eyes always had a light in them and to him they should always have that twinkle. He crushed her to his body and kissed the top of her head, her forehead, her cheeks. Nothing he did brought her out of her daze.
There was only so much a person could take. Katara felt drained of everything. Why try anymore? Her friends were dying and she couldn't save them. There were too many people trying to kill them. Katara had seen more death in the last four days than she had ever seen in her life. She could feel his lips on her skin, his arms encasing her body, and his legs keeping her securely in his grasp. She snuggled into his chest and felt his sigh of relief.
Zuko ran his fingers through her hair and leaned back against the trunk of the tree. Katara was holding his free hand in hers, interlocking their fingers. "I'm glad you're okay." Those were the first words she had uttered in hours. "I've been...worried." She swallowed as tears threatened to fall again. Zuko lifted her chin and hesitantly leaned down to give her chaste kiss. She froze under his lips and he remembered what Sokka had told him the night before. He pulled back and looked down at her hoping for some sign that she wasn't upset with him.
When she lifted her lips back up to his, he cupped her cheek and gently kissed her back. He rested his forehead against hers and stroked her cheek with his thumb. "Every time a cannon went off I panicked, thinking it was you." Zuko whispered to her and was gifted with another kiss from her. "I'm not leaving you. I can't stand to be away from you." He wanted so desperately to kiss her with all the passion he was feeling but he didn't know how she would react. He also did not want to push her into a situation she would later regret.
"I don't want you too." Zuko crushed her against his chest and held her tight. She needed him. He knew she was hurting but just hearing the need in her voice warmed his heart. He kissed the top of her head over and over again to show his appreciation for her declaration. He heard her small, quiet giggle and kissed her once more. Their friends started to stand and pack up their things before continuing their hike through the outskirts of the forest.
"Do you want me to carry you?" Zuko asked her and she shook her head. She did take his hand and interlocked their fingers as they walked. He squeezed her hand and led her through the forest to join their friends.
Jet threw his hook swords at Longshot, who jumped out of the way. "It wasn't done on purpose, Jet! I was aiming for Aang, and she was clinging to him." Longshot explained and tried to make it sound as convincing as possible, but Jet knew that Longshot never missed. This was no mistake. He killed Yue on purpose, and while she was one of the people they were supposed to be killing, he still needed the princess for Hahn.
"Bullshit! You never miss!" Jet yelled, and Longshot just shrugged his shoulders.
"Bee was right. Your obsession with Katara is blinding you. We have a job! I'm going to continue that job!" Longshot shouted back, and Jet froze. He had never heard his friend raise his voice before. "Are you with me or not? I'll leave Jet. I'm done letting you lead with your dick. She doesn't want you, she never wanted you, and she needs to die. So are you with me?" Longshot asked again, and Jet swallowed and nodded his head.
"Yes, I'm with you." Jet ran his fingers through his hair. Everything his friend was saying was right. Katara had made it abundantly clear that she didn't have an interest in him, but that was only because she didn't know him. He knew he already blew his chance with her after what he did, but he still felt that maybe if he got her alone and talked to her. If they just talked about who he was and why they would work perhaps she would come around. "But we save her for last. I want her to watch as her friends drop like flies." Jet explained, knowing that he wouldn't be able to keep his promise to his friend. He wanted that girl more and more by the day. He would save her for last, and if she still didn't want him, then he would kill her.
"And we tell Hahn that Mai accidentally killed Yue. We can't have him switching sides on us. We need all of us to take them out. Everyone in their group who is left is strong, and we can't afford to lose our numbers." This Longshot could get behind. He patted his friend on his shoulder and said he would break the news to Hahn before that evening.
While everyone walked together through the forest, Haru and Suki continued planting the explosives they took the day before. Suki asked how they would go off without a proper detonator, and Haru smirked as they placed another carefully on the forest floor. "When Toph and I set off the earthquake, we're aiming for the furthest weak points. This last one that we're going too will trigger an avalanche that will set off these bombs. That will give us enough cover to leave the arena without being caught. Toph thought about it the night we explained where everyone would go. She knew we would run into problems, and this seemed like good plan B." Suki took in all of the information and had to give it to the tiny earthbender. She was a genius, and this plan would provide them with enough smoke cover and time to escape without the Fire Nation catching them.
The group walked together until Aang, and Ty Lee begged for the group to stop for the night. Toph made a disgruntled sound and said they should make up as much ground as possible since they had to take a longer route to avoid Jet's gang all day.
"We're close enough Toph, and we need to go over everything for tomorrow anyway," Haru argued as he created a cave for the group to sleep in. Everyone filed in and started to break off into smaller groups as they settled in. They all laid out the food they had with them and rationed it out so that everyone would have a decent meal. Sokka sat with Kai, and the two whispered about home and missing Yue and Enzo. Toph and Aang huddled together as Aang continued to apologize to her for making them stop early. Toph finally gave into him and told him he could stop apologizing because she was tired as well. Mai and Ty Lee looked the happiest out of the group. The duo were tangled up in each other as they shared dinner and cuddled under their blanket.
Katara settled into a spot beside Zuko. He brought over her food and watched her slowly pick at it. Ever since their moment earlier in the day, she had been quiet again. Zuko tried to make conversation, but he could tell she wasn't in the mood. He figured she was still reeling over losing Yue or maybe it was their kiss? Maybe his affections were too much for her right now. Either way, she was lost in thought, and he felt powerless to bring her out of it. Toph must have noticed because he felt the cave extend further into the mountain. She nodded for them to sink further into their temporary home for some privacy. "Do you want to get away from the rest of the group?" He whispered in her ear and waited for her response. He watched her lips curve into a small half-smile. He looked over at Toph as Katara gathered her dinner and saw the smile shot him.
As the two benders hid further in the cave, he noticed her shoulders seemed less tense. He brought over a blanket and wrapped it around her shoulders since they were too far to get warmth from the fire he started. She ate her dinner slowly but ate all of it. It brought him more comfort than he could express. He reached over, and before she could protest, pulled her between his legs and wrapped her in his warmth. "I don't know what happened or what's going on inside your head, but I'm here. I'm here for as long as you need me or want me." He whispered to her and kissed the side of her head and then the spot behind her ear. She squeezed his hands as a silent thank you and pressed her back into his chest. It was a small gesture, like finishing her dinner, but it helped put him at ease.
After a long stretch of time, Katara finally spoke, and it wasn't what he was expecting. "Which one told you? Sokka or Kai?" Zuko nuzzled her neck and tightened his hold on her. He looked over at the men he was starting to consider friends and disliked the feeling that he was ratting them out. But she seemed to be in a talking mood and he didn't want her to clam up again.
"Sokka told me about Jet being allowed into your room and what he made you do, but that's all he knew," Zuko confessed, and he felt her entire body tense in his arms. "You don't have to tell me anything, Kat. If and when you're ready, I'm here." He continued and turned her to look at him. She wasn't crying, which is what he thought she would be doing.
"I was going to tell Yue, but now she's...dead. I don't- I can't tell you. I don't want you to think less of me…" Her voice was so small, and she looked so disgusted with herself. He could feel his inner fire explode with his anger. Jet had made her feel like she was now less than because of what he did to her.
"What he did wasn't your fault Katara, and I would never think less of you for what happened. Please look at me." Zuko begged, and she finally lifted her head meeting his smoldering gaze. He lowered his head and slowly ran the tip of his nose along the bridge of hers and kissed its tip. "You're so strong, confident, intelligent, and kind, but you don't have to be all of those things right now. I've got you. I can be whatever you need me to be until you start to feel like yourself again." Katara blinked, and her armor cracked a little. How did he know just what to say to make her better, special, and dare she say loved?
Katara rested her head on his shoulder and felt his arms and legs cocoon her. She felt safe for the first time since the games started. Whenever she was with him, she felt safe, but at the moment she felt more secure than she ever felt before. His heartbeat was strong and steady against her hand as she relaxed further in his arms. His thumb drew small circles on her arms over the blanket. Her eyes started to droop and her breathing became slow and steady. Soon she was asleep in his arms. Zuko looked down at her and laid them both down on the hard ground. He noticed that the entire group with the exception of Kai and Sokka were starting to fall asleep. He pulled her against him and made sure she was comfortable before falling into a light sleep as well.
She could feel the moon from her spot in the cave and gently nudged Zuko to get his attention. "Can we go outside? It's almost a full moon." She asked and he looked down at her in confusion, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He gave into her, though, because it was the first time since they had been reunited that she looked genuinely happy. If the moon could bring her some solace, they could look at it outside of the safety of the cave.
The two quietly walked out of the cave to find Sokka and Kai sitting outside as well. Kai was lying in the grass, soaking up the moon while Sokka thought about Yue. Katara guided them away from her brother and friend and to a small cliff just above their cave. It gave them a better view of the moon and the forest around them. As soon as she stood in its light, she felt more powerful. The ledge was just large enough for Zuko to sit back and watch while she went through several stances. Her water spouts were more powerful, her whips stronger and longer, her icicles sharper and faster. He watched in awe and couldn't wait until tomorrow evening to see what she could do under the full moon.
He was relaxing against the rocks when he felt his body seize up. He felt like he had no control as he stood and walked over to her. He looked up at her and saw her hand beckoning him forward against his will. When he was right beside her, she dropped her hand, and his body was his again. "Wh-what was that?" He saw her eyes shine with a little excitement before lifting her hand again and making him turn to face her.
At first the feeling was terrifying. He had no control over his actions or his body, like he was nothing more than a puppet. The second time she did it, whatever it was, he was a little more prepared. He thought it would hurt or cause some sort of pain, but it felt more like a tickle in his blood. His eyes widened at the realization as she sheepishly smiled up at him. "My blood...you were bending my blood?" His question received a small nod. This girl was full of surprises.
"We're made up of 70% water. Hama taught me when she used to live in the south. She said that when in a foreign land waterbenders can find water in any living thing. Plants, animals, and people…" Katara explained as she pulled water from a nearby tree. The tree shriveled and twisted unnaturally as the water flowed through the air towards them. "I've been trying to figure out how I can use bloodbending for healing but I can only get a really good grip during the full moon. I can do it other times but it's taxing. I usually end up in bed the rest of the day."
Zuko took in all of the information she was sharing with him. He thought back to how tired she was the evening before they left for the games, how pale she looked. That was how she got her score. The judges already knew about her bloodbending. She had truly mastered her element and was pushing forward to create a new style of waterbending. He must have made a face because she looked worried. "Are you- does it scare you? It scared me at first. I wanted you to know before tomorrow night, well I guess before tonight's full moon. I'll only use it as a last resort." She lied and he could tell. She was preparing him because she was going to use it.
All he could think about was Jet. She was going to use it on Jet. He has this coming. He deserves this. Zuko smirked and for a second Katara could see the family resemblance between him, his sister, and his father. He reached down for her hand and brought it up to his lips and kissed her palm before leaving feather light kisses on each of her knuckles. "No it doesn't scare me. You do whatever you have to do to get on that boat with me. You promised." He reminded her and leaned forward closing the space between them. She met him half way and tentatively kissed him. She needed him. She needed them to feel like they had the night before Jet ruined her desire to be close to someone.
Bless this man. Katara thought as he very gently kissed her back. His free hand never strayed away from the dip of her waist. He pulled her closer to him and dropped her hand to cup her cheek. As she began to feel more comfortable she leaned into him more and wrapped her arms around his neck. She tangled her fingers into his hair and bit down on his bottom lip before soothing it with her tongue. Zuko let her set the pace for their kiss. He wanted to make sure she felt safe with him and knew that he wouldn't take advantage of her, but as she deepened their kiss he felt his resolve being tested. He groaned when she bit his lip and opened his mouth for her. Before he knew it their tongues were tangled together and he was pushing her back against the mountain side.
His groan made that fire ignite in her lower stomach again. Her hands traveled from his hair to his chest, down his sculpted torso, and up his back to his broad shoulders. She could feel every muscle under the fitted shirt flex as she became familiar with him again. His hands slid down to her hips and he pushed himself against her. The sensation reminded her of Jet and she froze underneath him. Zuko pulled back when she stopped kissing him back and knew he had taken it too far. He could see the fear in her eyes and could feel how rigid her body had become in his arms. "I'm sorry Katara. I- I took things too far. We can stop." He whispered to her out of breath. If she didn't kill Jet tomorrow he would. He would do it slowly, enjoy watching that man suffer for what he did to his Katara.
Katara took several deep breaths trying to remind herself that she wasn't with Jet. Zuko would never do to her what he did. Zuko would only go as far as she wanted to go, but the position and his arousal pressing into her just made her think of Jet. His hands, his breath, his knee between her legs. She started to shake with fear at the memory. She felt dirty all over again and a few tears left her eyes before she could force them back. "Kat…" She could hear all the hurt, anger, and concern in his voice as he hugged her protectively. "I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I could stop him. I'm sorry you had to go through whatever he did. You didn't deserve that. You don't deserve this." Katara rested her head on his chest and let him hold her. All of her fears for their future were still there but at that moment she decided to not let them confuse her feelings for him. He was wonderful and to her he was perfect. Scar and all.
Kai and Sokka could hear the whispers coming from the ledge and looked up seeing the tender embrace between the two benders. Kai looked away quickly and picked at a few pieces of grass before ripping the water from them to create a little icicle. Sokka could see how good they were for each other. From a big brother perspective Zuko was a good match for his headstrong, stubborn, borderline domineering sister. From a best friend perspective he felt for Kai. Katara wasn't dead but she wasn't his and after seeing the two on the cliff she probably never would be. Kai was the logical match for her but Zuko was what she needed. "We should get some sleep. We need to be at our best for tomorrow." Sokka told his friend, but Kai stayed seated.
"I'll be fine and keep watch. Go sleep." Kai nodded to the cave and stared up at the moon. He would be fine right where he was for now. The moon was his strength and he needed to feel strong. Katara and Zuko slowly made their way back into the cave and Kai erected a large wall of ice covering the opening to the cave. He watched from behind the ice for any of the other contestants and tried not to think about the way Zuko held Katara or the way that she buried herself in his chest. There was an ache in his chest as he tried to push away the image. Instead he promised himself that he would do everything in his power to make sure she made it out. He may not end up with her, but she was still the most important person in his life next to Sokka. They were both his family and he would keep his family safe no matter the cost.
The following morning Katara found herself completely engulfed by Zuko. His head was on her chest, a leg was draped over hers and his arms were wrapped around her. They were covered with the blanket and her head was resting on both of their jackets. If she wasn't so uncomfortably warm she wouldn't mind the position. She ignored the heat radiating off of him as she ran her fingers through his hair. She felt him stir and stopped playing with his hair as he looked up from his spot on her chest. He slid up her body and kissed her lips lightly. "Good morning." I could get used to this. His raspy voice greeting her every morning along with a kiss.
"Morning" She reached up and touched his scar, his lips instinctively found her palm and kissed it. He leaned into her touch and she took note that he was shirtless and on top of her. She didn't mind it. Progress? She leaned up and kissed him once more. Before she knew it they were in a deep, slow, tender kiss that was only broken by gagging sounds and giggle from Aang? The two broke apart to look for the sounds and found Toph and Aang not even bothering to conceal their emotions from them.
"You two can practice the art of baby making later. We have to discuss the plan for tonight. Zuko put your shirt back on or give it to Aang. Lets go! Separate!" Toph ordered but only loud enough for the two of them and Aang to hear. Katara looked up at Toph and watched to know how she knew he was shirtless before she noticed the blind girl's foot on his shirt. Seriously when did it come off?
Zuko hid his face in her neck and until they left. He kissed the sensitive spot at the crook of her neck and smiled against her soft skin when he heard her soft moan. He kissed it again and was gifted another moan, as she tipped her head back to give him better access to her neck. "You're very tempting but I don't want to get interrupted by Toph again." He said against her neck and lifted himself off of her. Katara sat up on her elbows, unabashedly checking out the muscles that covered his chest, stomach, and arms. He watched her eyes darken as she took in his shirtless state. He smirked and flexed his muscles as he slid back into his t-shirt.
Katara sighed when he was covered with his shirt again and moved to get out from under the blanket. She ran her fingers through her hair like a comb and worked on the knots. She pulled half of her chocolate waves back into a bun and left the rest of her hair down. "LET'S GO! YOU TWO ARE BECOMING A ROYAL PAIN IN MY ASS!" Toph shouted and they shared a looked before walking back over to the group. Zuko ignored his pack and made sure his swords were strapped to his back. He tossed his jacket over to Aang to wear for the day.
"Shit may still hit the fan tonight but we need a basic plan." Toph started and the group moved closer to her. "Haru and Suki have been setting up explosives all over the arena. I want to blow this place to high hell before we leave. I've created enough tunnels in these mountains to create several avalanches. The smoke from the explosives and dust from the avalanches will give us enough cover to escape. The boat will be waiting for us tonight. We have to survive until tonight and make it to Enzo's lake. Haru and I will set off the avalanches with two separate earthquakes pointed in the directions of the weak points. The avalanches will set off the explosives. I'll tunnel out to the bay and we run. I'll wait on the other side of the tunnel for everyone but if I sense trouble or hear trouble I'm collapsing the tunnel. Zuko, you need to be through the tunnel. That boat won't leave without you and I want to leave." Toph explained their plan and gave Zuko yet another warning about being on the damn boat. He nodded and then was scolded by Toph and told to answer. She couldn't see if he was nodding. He answered that he would just follow her through the tunnel.
"We know Jet is out there with Longshot, Yee, Kuzon, and I guess Hahn. Kuzon and Longshot are the main priority. Today while we hike to the last weak spot, keep an eye for them. If we can get them out of the way it will only be Jet, Hahn, and Yee we have to worry about later. They're going to try something. We don't know when or what but we do know it will happen. So I say just in case we get separated we have groups that will protect the known targets. Sokka and Aang stay with Toph. Mai and Suki stay with Ty Lee. Kai, Zuko and I will stay with Katara." Haru finished and everyone seemed to be on the same page. "Great. Kai caught some fish earlier. Let's eat and head out." Katara looked around the room and wondered how many of them would make out alive. How many more friends would she lose. She started to panic, her heart was racing and her breathing was erratic. Toph noticed the change in Katara and walked over to her taking a seat by her side.
"In...out...in...out." It took a moment for Katara to understand what she was doing but after a minute of focusing on her breath she felt better. "I'll make sure Aang and Sokka make it to the boat. I know they're supposed to be protecting me but let's be real, I'm going to be the reason they survive." Toph said confidently and Katara snorted. "And we both know you're the reason those three are going to survive. You're stronger than all three combined. If anything happens get them to the lake and defend them from there." Katara whispered in the affirmative to her friend as they were handed their fish.
Zuko watched the two girls whispering to each other, but decided to ignore whatever they were saying. He had two goals, keep her alive and get them both on that boat.