((Hello everyone. I wanted to tell you how sorry I am that i havn't posted in a while but my mom was in a car crash not to long ago and well she just got out of the hospital and things still arn't back to normal around here. And She put a password on the computer so i couldn't get to my story. I know I'm just giving excusses but please forgive me. I will be posting more of my story in the next few days trying ot get ot the number that i should have had already posted. So keep a look out for it. Once again I am sorry for the wait.))
Katara looked at Zuko a look of horror on her face. She made to go back underwater, but found herself paralyzed by fear of the teen aged boy. Her blue eyes went wide as she tried to decide what to do, only to have him make the decision made for her.
"Get out of the water," he said simply his voice low, a threat barely concealed in it.
A blush rose to her face, setting her dark checks even darker. "…Um…." She tried to tell him to turn around but found that her voice was incapable of making a true word. The blush on her face darkened.
"Fine," he said in a huff, turning his back to her, knowing that there was no other way out, but the flame over his hand crackled menacingly, telling her what would happen if she attacked him.
The sound of water moving reached his ears, but he forced himself to stay where he was and give her some privacy, though he didn't know why he cared. He heard her step out of the pond, and pull her clothing on.
"I'm done," she said softly, almost to soft for either of them to hear. Her eyes where directed to the ground, not able to look him in the eye.
She couldn't believe that she had gotten past him the first time, only to get captured when he came back. How could she have been so stupid? She knew he was on the island, and she hadn't left. The buffalo whistle was in her pocket, for her to use when she wanted to be picked up.
Zuko turned around and glared at her, angry at the length of time she had taken. He studied her silently, trying to figure out why she was just standing there, and not fighting back. They had met a few times, and she had always used everything that she had at her disposal. So what was it about this time that was different?
"The Avatar isn't here is he?" Zuko hissed at her, his eyes going wide with anger, and the fire over his hand rose to reach the roof off the chamber, causing a few of the dried vines to smolder before the water in the air put the tiny flames out.
Katara only shook her head no, not having the nerve to look him in the eye just yet. The fact that he might have seen more then she wanted him to weighed heavily on her mind. And the fact that she could have avoided the entire situation wasn't helping her much either.
"Where is he?" Zuko asked stepping up to her after his temper had cooled off a bit. His face was for the most part blank, but his eyes sparkled with a desire that scared the young water tribes-girl when she finally looked up at him.
"Like I'd tell you," she snapped at him, some of her fire coming back, startling both of them. Her blue eyes went wide with fear as he took a few more steps closer to her, putting himself right in front of her.
"You will tell me. One way or another, you will tell me where the Avatar is hiding," he said softly to her, as he looked her in the eye, a smirk on his lips.
Taking a shaky breath Katara glared at him startled by how, calm he was being, and by how soft and, well gentle, his voice was. She tossed her head from side to side forcing herself to remember that this was the boy that had threatened her and her brother and Aang several times, the one that had tried to kill them on more then one occasion.
Zuko reached out his empty hand and touched her check lightly, wiping away a stray water drop. The look on her face at the tender action made his blood boil. When had he become such a monster, that any touch scared the people he dealt with? His men often times didn't trust his good moods, and even his uncle acted as if the kindness he could show was as bad for him as any illness.
"Come on," he said grabbing her hands and pulling them behind her back before pushing her towards the entrance of the chamber before him. His golden eyes narrowed in anger, but his kept the heat away from the hand holding her arms, not wanting to burn the poor girl.
Mentally smacking himself for worrying about her, he forced her down the proper tunnels and out into the waterfall. His mind was so wrapped up in why he was being nice to her that he forgot that she was a water bender, and was more then a little shocked when the stepped out without getting wet.
"No water bending," his hissed at her, not caring if it had kept him dry. The fact that she had done it without him noticing was bad; he really needed to focus right now. Not only did he have to deal with her, and sooner or later the Avatar but he also had to get his uncle and men off of the earth kingdom ships that they had been taken to.
He took a deep breath as he moved her around most of the hills and in the direction of camp. He prayed that there would be some chains or rope left, though he wasn't sure if they had even brought any off of the ships.
They walked silently, both of them lost in thought, not really paying attention to where they were going. Neither of them realized that the birds that had been flying around the island since they had arrived were finally silent.
They both stopped just short of stepping out from the protective cover of the last hill before they both heard the sound of troops on the ground, marching in formation. Zuko felt a slight tremble pass through the girl as the moved farther back.
His eyes went wide as her body pressed against his as the sound of the men came closer to them. He pulled her after him and started running to the cave. The sound of the earth kingdom's birds started to follow them.
Pulling her into the cave again he started down to the camber he had slept in only a few hours ago. He pushed her up to the roof and she grabbed onto the vines that were growing there. The fear on her face was more then he could bear to see. He pulled himself up and forced her higher into the plants, only to meet a strong resistance from her.
"Go," he hissed as he pushed her, the sounds of boots filling the tunnel before them.
Katara nodded her head silently and pulled she up the rest of the way, nearly calling out when she found that there was a small chamber above the one they had been in. her blue eyes where wide as she reached down and helped pull Zuko up alongside her.
The look on his face was full of curiosity as to why she had helped him. The girl could have pushed him down and waited out the Earth kingdom troops. But instead the girl had helped him, knowing full well he could, and more then likely would, hurt her later.
He glanced around, trying to get his barring so they could leave if need be. He pushed on the vines below him only to find that they were springy, and very sturdy. He made a small flame over his hand to show them the rest of the area they were in, fear of being discovered keeping it just large enough to see by.
The smooth rock walls of the cavern gave the impression that this chamber had been man made. And the tunnels that followed over the ones below had their own rock flooring. Slowly climbing to his feet, Zuko reached down and grabbed Katara's hand yanking her to her feet before silently dragging her to the tunnels leading to the mouth of the cave.
He felt her stumble as she managed to get her foot caught in the vines of the floor. Harshly pulling her free he kept going to the tunnel, feeling that the rocks would be safer then the vines. After all he could just picture the vines moving as they walked across them, giving the earth kingdom troop's the chance to catch them.
"You two, down the one to the left, and the rest come with me," came the voice of a man in command below them, earning a small gasp of fear from Katara. Her eyes wide with fear as she froze to her spot, suddenly becoming harder for Zuko to drag.
"We have to get off of the vines, they can move. We don't want to get caught," Zuko told her softly, praying that she would listen to reason.
Katara looked down at the vines under her feet, unsure of what to do. The Earth Kingdom troops would except any water bender, or water-tribesmen, and they would be safer then Zuko. But the fact that if she did go down to them would mean the princes capture she wasn't sure if she wanted that. Even after all that he had done to them, she didn't think that he had earned the punishment of being a prisoner of war. She had spent some time as that and knew how bad it could be.
Nodding her head she moved to the tunnel that he wanted, not sure why she made the decision, but feeling that it was the only one she really had. She reached out and grabbed his hand her footing unsteady on the vines textured surface.
He looked down at their joined hands, shock filling him as he led her over to the rock floor of the tunnel. He braced her as she kept loosing the weak footing that she had gained after her decision had been made. He silently wondered why she had picked him over the Earth Kingdom troops.
After reaching the rock flooring they sat down, the fear and adrenaline in their systems leaving both of them weak as they started to ebb away. They looked at each other their eyes wide with uncertainty as to how long they would be stuck up in the tunnel, waiting for the Earth Kingdom troops to leave.
Katara looked down at her hand, still clinging to his as if letting go would cost her everything. Slowly letting go she looked away from him, her face darkening with a blush that made her angry. Why should she be blushing? She could go down, go and tell the Earth Kingdom troops that Zuko was up here and her and Aang and Sokka wouldn't have to deal with him any more.
But in the pit of her stomach she felt the stab of fear at knowing for sure if the Earth troops in the cave would except her or not. She knew what to expect from Zuko but the men down there were unknown to her, and she didn't feel like dealing with them right now.
Moving to the edge of the tunnel, her back pressed against the wall she brought her knees up to her chest and placed her head on them, not caring if he saw a little bit of her legs. She closed her eyes and felt her mind empty in preparation for sleep, though she couldn't understand how she was going to sleep with Zuko in the same room as her, watching her like a predator.
Letting out a sigh she allowed herself to drift off to the land of dreams, praying that when she returned to the realm of the waking she would not need worry about the boy sitting across from her with a scowl on his face and a glare in his eyes.
Iroh looked up at the General of the Earth Kingdom troops; his face was twisted into a nasty grimace as he looked over the report from the men on the island. He looked over at Iroh, his face blank so as not to insult his old friend with the thoughts running through his mind.
"Well it looks as if you have bought yourself more time," he said to the firebender silently wondering if this was the plan all along. Both knew that Iroh wouldn't be able to escape the Earth Kingdom troops but the boy seemed to have done a fine job. Even with their earth-bending abilities, his men couldn't find the boy.
"You are going to use me as bait for the boy," the dragon of the west said simply knowing that his friend was only doing what he needed to do to help his people. Even the fire lords own brother had to admit the war was stupid and should end, but as long as his brother was in power there was nothing that any one could do to stop him.
"We need the boy. When the fire lord is defeated the other fire-benders might rally around him and finish what his father nearly did. We can't take the chance, you know that Iroh. And the same thing goes for you, I am sorry old friend," he said softly looking his friend in the eye, knowing full well the king was in a poor mood now that the boy had escaped them for the time being.
Iroh nodded his head as he took another sip of his tea, silently re-heating it to as to keep it to his liking. He was still a little surprised that he was left with his hands free and his firebending left alone. Even if the general was his friend those were mandatory things to deal with. But on the ship he was being treated as an honored guest, which was better then he was often treated on his nephews ship.
Letting out a heavy sigh at the thought of his nephew out on the island and virtually running for his life he looked at his friend. "Zuko's a good kid, only wants his father to notice him," he said finally breaking his sage like comments that he had been giving them for over an hour.
"Th fire lord banished him, that much almost everyone knows, but the why is still a mystery to most," the general said hinting he would like the answer to the unspoken question.
"That is not for me to say," Iroh said slipping right back in to his annoying past time, playing mind games with people.
"And to think the corporal didn't see what you where doing on that ride. I still can't believe that just you and your nephew that according to Commander Zhao hasn't even mastered the basics, beat the five of them," the general said lightly with a little laugh. "Must have been a wake up call to the corporal, he trains night and day now. Says he'll beat you two some day."
"I will look forward to the rematch with him. He was the only one that fought with honor and skill," Iroh said with a small smile on his face as he looked at the general.
"I will make sure to tell him of that," the Earthbender said with a smile.
"Such high praise from a man that is going to die," said a voice from the doorway. Both men tuned to see a waterbender step into the room. He bowed in respect to the general but shot Iroh a glare that would have scared most men.
"Captain, what is it?" the general asked looking at the man his distrust for the man clear on his face and in his voice.
"The men have returned from the island. They say there is no where for him to have hidden from them. They found a cave and sealed in up, only an earthbender could open it back up, so even if he had managed to hide from them in there he won't be coming out any time soon.
"Also Commander Zhao says that several of Zukos men clamed that the trip to the island was hard due to a waterbender in the area. They never saw it but they know that one is there. What are your orders?" the captain asked his face blank not wishing to upset his commanding officer any more.
"Try and see if there are any more hiding places on the island, and see if Zhao remembers anything of importance to us," he said with a wave of his hand dismissing the captain without a second thought.
"Yes sir," he said before bowing once again and leaving the room, a small smirk fixed firmly on his face as he walked down the hall and back to the man he had been trying to understand.
"He will betray you for power," Iroh said simply, not caring to make the statement softer.
"Yes he will. Only thing is, that would mean he was on my side to begin with. And to tell you the truth I don't think he's loyal to any one but himself. Just wish his majesty would see that and remove him from the ranks," the general said looking at the teapot.
"Would you like me to reheat it?" Iroh asked softly, his voice holding in a slight laugh at the little jump his friend gave at the comment before nodding his head.
Smiling to himself Iroh used his firebending to heat the pot to a temperature that both of them would like. The looked at each other small smiles on their lips and the picked up their cups and took a sip from them, not knowing how much longer they would get to enjoy each other company.
Zhao looked up from the floor of the room he was in, only to see the Captain that he had worked so hard to get rid of come sliding back into the room like the snake he was. He fought back a glare before waiting for the man to speak first.
Zhao knew what it would cost him to get sloppy now; he had spent the better part of three hours trying to convince the men to believe him about the water bender. Only he himself wasn't sure if he believe it. The men had sworn that it was so but surely there would have been some sign of the bender.
"My general is not happy that the boy has not been found. Have you dealt with him already Commander?" the man asked moving to look the commander in the face. His eyes shone with an intensity that scared Zhao in a way only the fire lord ever had.
"What ever do you mean?" he asked knowing he would be dead if the fire nation found out that he had killed the prince. The boy might be banished but his fame hadn't gone away, merely underground to avoid the fiery wrath of the boy's father.
"It is a well known fact that you and the boy have had disagreements. And your men where seen coming out of the cave. All of your favorite men commander. So please tell have you dealt with the boy on your own? No one will fault you," the captain said his eyes blazing with the chance to beat the general to a win.
"Did I deal with the boy? No, but you might want to ask my men, if you're so sure they where coming out of the cave. Maybe they did to make things easier for all of us," he replied. He knew full well that he was on thin ice but he couldn't force his temper to vanish completely.
How could they have been so stupid as to miss the ship sitting in the second cove, to miss people watching them? Or even for him to take his men at their word that the boy had been dealt with. Though now it didn't matter. If the boy were found either way he would be dead soon enough. And so would the men that had failed him.
"But you ordered your men to kill him, did you not? And are we sure that they listened to you? They might have been more loyal to the boy then you. After all he did manage to beat you," the Captain said a smile on his thin lips.
"If your asking if I wanted him dead then yes, I did. It's hardly a secret as you yourself pointed out. But did I kill the son of my Lord? How could you even suggest that? I am loyal to my Lord, are you loyal to your king, because that is also a well-known fact. And it is hard to believe that you have any power right now," Zhao said stopping his insults only when the mans fist cam in contact with the side of his head, sending him toppling over.
"I will ask you one more time, did you tell your men to deal with Zuko?" the captain hissed his temper getting the better of him.
"Yes," Zhao said from his place on the floor.
"And did they?"
"You'll have t ask them. I had more important things to deal with."
"Ah yes. Things like getting captured," the Captain said turning and walking out of the room leaving Zhao bond and on the floor silently cursing the man and for once praying that Zuko was alright.