Chapter 3:

Winner Both Ways

It didn't take long for Aang and Sokka to arrive at the ship. Zuko had been correct when he said he had something of great importance. As soon as she saw the two boys Katara ran over to them. Surprisingly, Zuko let her seeing there was no way off the ship anyway, there were soldiers everywhere.

"I knew you'd come avatar," Zuko spoke smugly. He was very confident that his plan would work. He began to pace back and forth, shifting his gaze from Aang, to Sokka, to Katara, and back again. Out of the three, Sokka was the first to speak, "Why did you bring my sister here? Who gave you the right to just pick girls up and bring them to your ship!"

"I gave myself that right you water peasant. As for your sister..." In one swift motion he reached over and grabbed Katara. She gasped as he pulled her against him. Aang tried to grab hold of Katara before she was completely in Zuko's grasp but a quick fire blast from Zuko blocked his path and he couldn't airbend without risking the injury of Katara.

"Let her go!" He shouted as he watched Zuko toy with Katara's hair.

"I don't think so. I still need her. As for you avatar, I have a proposition for you." With his arms wrapped firmly around Katara's waist, he started to pace around Aang and Sokka once again, Katara, having no choice in the matter, did the same.

"What kind of proposition?"

"It's simple really. You give yourself up and I let the girl go. However, if you should refuse, the girl stays with me." He tightened his hold on Katara to the point where it was getting hard for her to breath. "You're hurting her!" Aang responded when he noticed Katara's labored breathing. At this, Zuko loosened his grip but still kept his arms around her. He bent down to whisper an apology, making sure that Aang and Sokka didn't hear and masking his true intention.

"So, what will it be avatar? You or the girl?"

"That's not a very fair proposition."

"Of course. I proposed it in the first place. Therefore its only fair for me to come out the winner both ways."

Aang looked at him in disbelieve. He simply could not understand how one person could be so evil. Zuko watched him as he thought about his answer and smirked when it seemed that Aang had made up his mind. But before Aang could even utter a word, Katara spoke, "Don't give in Aang! The fate of the world lies in your hand! You're the only one who can restore peace to this land. You can't surrender, not now. Please Aang, don't do it!" Zuko looked down at the girl currently in his arms. He couldn't believe he had heard those words come from her. She was in danger and she still protected the damned avatar. Deciding to worry about that later he turned to Aang.

"Well avatar?"

Tension filled the air as Aang finally voiced his answer, "I won't do it. I won't give myself up."

Zuko smiled a smile filled with evil intentions. He turned to his soldiers and as two stepped up, Aang and Sokka new nothing good was about to happen. They could only watch in horror was a kicking and screaming Katara was taken away.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure she's well taken care off. As for you two... Get off my ship." He sent a fire blast that sent Aang and Sokka flying overboard. All they could hear was Zuko's laughter as they hit the water with a splash. After laughing for a while, Zuko turned to the commander, "Set sail at once."

"Yes sir!"

The ship set sail, leaving behind an extremely angry Sokka and a sad Aang. They could only watch as the ship sailed away, with Katara on it. Meanwhile, Zuko planned on making his guest more... Comfortable.

Yay! Chapter 3! Okay, I am glad to say that I got reviews for the last two chapters. Thank you very, very, very much. Now, someone said that this is another Zuko captures Katara fanfic... Yes, it is :-D. But you know you love it (lol)! As for making the chapters longer and adding more details, I'll try. But I get writer's block! Plus, I also have to worry about finals. And these mean teachers keep giving us final essays. They even gave us one in geometry! What am I suppose to write about in geometry, the Pythagorean theorem? I'll keep updating. I don't want someone, who shall remain nameless (coughs Stick'ums) to sick their evil stick minions on me. Don't forget to review!