Chapter Six

"There!" Aang pointed to a spot on the rough terrain below. "I think we can land in that field."

Sokka clutched his stomach, "I hate landings! They make me so air sick." His face turned green.

"Hold on, here we go!"

Appa went into a steep dive while Sokka screamed and covered his eyes. THUMP! They landed in the middle of a deserted field where Aang promptly flew off Appa and landed on the ground. Sokka groaned, tripped over a blanket, and fell off Appa's back with a thud.

"I hate landing." He grumbled.

"Come on Sokka! The town is this way!" Aang cried, rushing off. Sokka shook his head followed behind him. Soon they came upon the small earth bending town. It was deserted.

Sokka looked around uneasily. "What's going on? I thought you said this was a thriving community, still hid from the fire nation."

"It is." Said Aang uneasily. Slowly they made their way through the silent streets. It was like a ghost town. Empty houses sat staring back at them, with a hostile feeling that made them feel like someone didn't want them there.

"You don't think fire benders got here before us, do you?" Sokka asked finally, in a hushed voice.

"I don't think so." Aang pointed at the houses. "If it had been the fire nation I think there would be signs of a battle, at least a few burnt buildings. But this town looks like the people just….vanished!"

"I don't know but it gives me the creeps. I think- Hey! What was that!" Sokka spun around.

"What?"

"I saw something!"

They both looked as hard as they could but there was nothing there.

"Come on Aang, let's get out of here."

"Ok."

They turned around but after only a few steps, they got the distinct feeling that someone was watching them. Sokka felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up. He didn't saw anything but he noticed that Aang had started walking faster and he quickly adjusted his pace.

"There." Said Aang finally, as they came to the entrance to the village. "I guess it was just-"

BANG! They took a step forward and suddenly two separate nets flew up around them and lifted them off of the ground. Sokka and Aang yelled in surprise and the village erupted with noise and people poured out of buildings. For a few minutes everything was chaos as people swarmed around the nets and Aang and Sokka fought uselessly at the rope prisons that held them captive.

"Aang! Can you air bend your way out of this?"

"I wish!" Aang called back. "If only we hadn't left Momo with Appa! He could chew through these ropes!"

"Enough!" a strange voice called out suddenly. Sokka was about to turn his head to see who it was when the nets sprang open and, with a bone jarring thump, he and Aang landed on the ground.

"What in the-" Sokka started to say, but froze mid-sentence as he felt the cold metal of a knife being pressed tightly against his throat.

"Now, prisoners, you have exactly five seconds to tell us who you are and why you're here or your going to regret that you ever set foot in our town."

Katara stared out the window at the ocean. She watched as the waves rolled lazily buy. I wish I could feel that relaxed. She thought. Her mind wondered to fight that had taken place the day before. Since then Prince Zuko had been trying every possible way he could to get back at her. They were never allowed anywhere alone together, courtesy of Uncle Iroh, but in one day Zuko had managed to trip her on the stairs, knock her into the railing above deck, and conveniently "forget" to bring her any lunch or breakfast. Her stomach rumbled at the thought of the meals she had missed. I cannot wait until I am off this wretched boat! She thought miserably.

BANG! BANG!

"Oh great." She muttered, as the all too familiar knocking of Prince Zuko sounded on the door. "Probably thought of some other way to make me miserable." She sighed and turned around as the door swung open.

Prince Zuko entered. Katara was surprised to see that there were no guards with him and wondered uneasily if his Uncle knew that he was down here without anyone around to keep them apart. Oh well, I can take him if he tries anything funny. She told herself.

"We're approaching land," he said, regarding her coldly. "I was sent to bring you above deck. We're going ashore for the night. Suppose to be rough weather ahead and my Uncle has decided to spend the night here instead of trying to press on."

"Fine." Katara said, giving him a look as cold as his.

He just stood there staring at her.

"Well? What are you waiting for?"

He couldn't help but grin. "I'm also suppose to tell you that I have to tie your hands until we get to the Inn where we'll be staying for the night."

"What!" Katara felt the anger rising in her. "There is no way I'm going to agree to that!"

He shrugged. "Suit yourself. But then I'll just have to lock you in here until we set out again. And I don't believe you would be getting anything to eat for a while. A very long while. Who knows? This storm could last for days."

Katara was so angry she couldn't even speak. She felt her face growing hot. "Aaagh!" she screamed finally, in defeat, "I hate you!"

He smirked. "Oh, that hurts so much. I have always wanted to have the love of a water bending peasant."

Katara avoided his gaze. He walked over to where she was standing. "Ok, enough stalling. Cross your arms behind your back."

Katara wordlessly turned and crossed her arms behind her. Prince Zuko began to tie her wrists together with the rope. As he did, however, his hands brushed hers. Suddenly Katara felt a tingling sensation go through her body as his hands touched hers. She was surprised at how soft they felt. Snap out of it Katara! She commanded herself firmly.

He finished tying the ropes, then suddenly gave them a hard tug. They tightened sharply, digging into Katara's wrists, almost drawing blood.

Katara gasped in pain. "What are you doing!"

He grabbed her arm and led her out of the room to the stairs. "I don't know what you're talking about." He said smugly.

"Yes you do! They're too tight! I can't feel my hands!"

"Not my problem." They began to climb up the stairs. He still kept a firm grasp on her arm.

This has got to be the most miserable day of my life. Katara thought, and to her horror she felt a tear slide down her cheek. Please don't let him notice, please don't let him notice! She silently pleaded. If he does I'll never hear the end of it.

Just at that moment however, she felt his gaze as he glanced at her. She stared pointedly at the stairs and braced herself for whatever new taunts he was about to make. But to her surprise he didn't say anything. She was even more shocked when he hesitated, then stopped and loosened the ropes slightly that bound her wrists. She looked up at him in surprise. She had no idea what to say to this unexpected act of kindness.

He glanced at her, then back down at the stairs. He seemed to be trying to decide if he should say what he thinking or not. Finally he looked into her eyes and, just loud enough for her to hear, muttered, "Sorry." Then he quickly turned and walked out onto the deck.