Chapter 8

Katara stared right into the eyes of the now current enemy. Something seemed wrong about this picture. She was down in the dungeons facing Zuko's cell thinking that she was dead. Of course that's what she got the idea from. Katara backed up until she was backed up straight into a wall where Zuko, Nyla, and her brother were. It made her nervous the way Ruko walked towards. Either way he was going to rape her sooner or later so he figured that Zuko might be able to stop him this time.

Ruko pinned Katara to the wall and began to kiss her neck occasionally licking it. Zuko had to be held back from killing his brother right on the spot. Ruko continued with this on slaughter for sometime until he decided to take it a step further. He ran his hand down to Katara's thighs and slowly back up them. Katara so badly wanted to scream for help just like Zuko wanted to run out there and kill the bastard for even touching her like that. Sokka knew that if Zuko ran out there, there would be more trouble than there already was.

"Katara can take care of herself. She's had this trouble once before when she was like tweleve." Sokka whispered in Zuko's ear. Zuko nodded he had to trust Katara more than anything in the world at this moment.

Katara had let her guard down completely and Ruko knew it. He backed up slightly and took a good look at Katara. Katara smirked slightly and ran towards him. After she quickly kissed him she pulled back then turned her back towards him.

"Shame that you have to be so forceful boy." She said trying hard not to laugh. She pulled out something that Iroh had given earlier during their trip. Turning around she threw it at him.

"A smoke bomb." Zuko whispered then recognized the smell and tried not to breath any more than what he needed to.

The bomb consisted of all sorts of Fire Nation plants that gave off an ugly sort of smell. It came from three different types of wild roses and a type of leaf from a cherry tree. If mixed correctly it made a powerful knock out gas.

Ruko felt dizzy and fell to the ground clutching his head. Both Katara and Zuko knew that the gas wouldn't last long so they took the chance to get out of there and escape just outside the city. It was nightfall by the time they reached the end of the city.

"We need a plan to get rid of my brother." Zuko began to pace back and forth.

Katara looked at Zuko with envy. He was to rule a great nation and he was going to end the war, she had a feeling of it. She knew that Zuko would forget about her as soon as he got the throne. It was just plain and simple, that's the way of life works.

Zuko stopped and looked at Katara. His father was coming in less than three days. And his brother was showing his power hungry side through. Ember was nowhere to be found and his uncle was going crazy about who he should marry for becoming the next Fire Lord. He continued to stare at Katara for a while. She had been kind enough to come back and free him from Ruko's cells. She had helped him through everything so far and even taught him the feeling of jealousy. Despite that she used Ruko everything seemed perfect about her. Zuko looked at her and wondered if would have happened if she didn't come back.

"Zuko earth to Zuko." Sokka said waving his hand in front of the young fire bender's face. "Do you understand the plan?"

"Huh?" Zuko sounded like a schoolboy daydreaming and not paying attention to reading time or something like that.

Katara giggled slightly before answering, "Aang will fly you up on Appa and you will talk the figure yourself if needed. Ruko will not be expecting any of it…"

"Wait what if he catches us?" Zuko interrupted. "Look why don't we meet in the war room in fifteen minutes? We'll do this in a war type situation." All of them nodded. After all Zuko knew what he was doing.

The group left leaving Zuko and Iroh to their thoughts. Zuko watched Katara walk off talking to both Nyla and Crystal. Zuko couldn't help think about how perfect Katara was in every way. It would only take him a little time to get her to date him. After shaking his head of the dating feeling thing he looked around. Katara would never date a guy that was exiled from his homeland and a fire bender.

"Copper coin for your thoughts Prince Zuko?" Iroh asked tapping the prince on the shoulder.

"No just thinking about a plan." Was his reply.

Iroh shook his head chuckling a bit. "I know that look dear nephew. It's the look that my brother gave your mother when he first laid eyes on her. You can't lie to me. You're in love with that water bender."

Zuko smiled just a bit. "Uncle you never cease to amaze me." He sighed. "But unfortunately that's not the reason. It's really none of your business." He turned and made his way towards the war room. Thinking about Katara and the last time he was there.

"You know women are like a good cup of tea." Iroh started. "One moment they're there and the next they're gone."

"Uncle what kind of proverb is that?" Zuko asked. "Forget it I don't wanna know. Wait yes I do."

Iroh chuckled a bit before answering the young prince. "Talk to Katara before your ship sets sail."

Zuko knew what that meant. If he didn't tell Katara his feelings towards her than he wouldn't ever get another chance. It seemed that the world was falling apart on him. That really didn't surprise Zuko that much though. After all, his entire world really did start to fall apart shortly after he was banished from the Fire Nation itself. He wasn't really worried any more. After all he learned a lot more from Iroh then he was willing to admit.

Walking towards the war room he sighed. It was time to put his thoughts aside from Katara and thinking about a way to get back at his brother and sister. Being the youngest also meant he had someone to look up to, which meant that anything Ember and Ruko did he could copy… he stopped in his tracks flinching at that thought. Okay he could do almost anything within reason. He learned something from Ruko and Ember one day that he could use against them bringing them down in their defeat and finally allowing him with a clear shot for the throne.

He finally found himself in front of the war room. It was now or never. All he had to do was figure out a way for himself to get past the guards and destroy Ruko once and for all. Stupid bastard, Zuko thought opening the door to the room.

Katara was standing in front of him crying. Zuko titled his head as she ran into his arms sobbing.

"What's the matter?"

"It's Sokka." Zuko looked over at the water warrior and raised an eyebrow. "He's calling me a slut…"

"Well she is. First she falls for Jet who was just plain evil. Then she fell for your brother who is a horny bastard." Sokka folded his arms. "She just has no taste in boys."

"So the Avatar is the only one good enough for you?" Zuko asked knowing where this was leading. "So that's who you're going to arrange her to marry?"

"No I have a cousin in the North Pole who is perfect for her." Sokka replied.

"That's interbreeding." Zuko yelled narrowing his eyes.
"So what's your point at least she's marrying someone her own race." He yelled back.

Katara gripped Zuko tighter as she continued to sob. "Shouldn't you let her choose her own husband?"

"No! She'll only choose a guy who will use her for her looks and nothing else."

Zuko dragged Katara over to the table and sat her down. "Lets get this meeting started." He said avoiding the subject of marriage completely.

Zuko looked around the table seeing Sokka furthest away from Katara. Not that it mattered. They only had a few hours to figure out a plan to destroy both Ember and Ruko and get off the island before Ozai showed up. Iroh arranged the table so that it showed every part of the castle.

"There's got to be a way to confuse Fire boy." Crystal muttered looking over the blue prints.

"There is." Zuko turned Aang and sighed. "Unfortunately it's not easy. My father is coming out from the Fire Nation Capital to over see my beheading. And he should be in here in a few hours."

"So how can we confuse fire?" Katara asked looking at Zuko.

"Okay sees, there are some things I'm not sure about quite yet. Ruko of course will use my death to take over the Fire Nation for him. After all I was always more popular than him. But of course now that we're both banished…"

"What Ruko got banished?" Nyla asked.

"Yes shortly after Zuko did." Iroh answered. "It turned out that the boy had snuck into his father's slave room and took several of the women slaves for his own pleasure."

Katara, Nyla, and Crystal shook their heads of what happened when Ruko did that. Sokka and Aang were confused but paid no attention to the girl's reactions.

"Anyway, instead of banishing him out of the country like Zuko he put him in the castle with no one but his sister." Katara looked like she was going throw up from that statement.

"Yes enough talking about my brother. Actually Nyla's earth bending powers are great for someone her age. I was figuring maybe we could use those for our benefits." Zuko said drawing a picture in the sand.

Nyla nodded. Everyone leaned in as Zuko lowered his voice and explained the rest of the plan to them. It was going to be complicated especially since Katara was involved completely. Sokka didn't agree with most of it. But Zuko assured him that it was the only way to get back at Ruko. Of course if his father came into the picture between now and the time of Zuko's execution then things would be ruined.

"Okay so everyone knows there parts right?" Zuko asked looking at the group. Everyone nodded. Katara looked at the ground unsure if she would be able to pull her stunt off. "You have five minute break before this plan goes into action." Everyone again nodded and left the room. Zuko turned towards his uncle and Katara.

"Zuko you won't let anything bad happen to me will you?" Katara asked refusing to make eye contact.

"Katara, as long as I have this scar I'll keep my word." Zuko smiled then turned to his uncle. "Uncle will you please get my mask and my training clothing I'll need them for this. It's time that the Blue Spirit makes a special appearance."

K15: Okay guys that's chapter eight. I think there only be two more chapters. Now the question is when I'll update. (Shrug) Okay so if you guys want a sequal... (I don't think they're be one.) just tell me. Anyway so if you're confused who the Blue Spirit is oh well your fault. (Ha you'll find out in the chapter.) Acutally I explained it kinda well. Oh great I'm babbering again. So check ya later. Later. K15