Inutenshi: Hihi peoples. Another hectic weekend went by and major writers block got me for a few days.
Zuko: LaAaAaAaAaAaAaAaAaAaAzZzZzZYyYyYyYyYyYyYyYyYy! (gets bopped) .
Inutenshi: Anywho. I've changed the title from what it was originally going to be called. I hope no one minds.
Katara: Of course not. (huggles dizzy Zuko) There's fluffiness in this chappy! And since Zuko is currently incapacitated, (shakes him) yup, I'll be starting off the story. Yay! Okay so...On-
Zuko: (wakes up) On to the story! (falls unconscious again)
Chapter 7: New Friend,Old Traitor
Many of the civilians had left, leaving the soldiers to party amongst themselves. A few lay in drunken slumber, scattered across the camp. Off to the side of the camp, the quiet grunts and bellows of the Komodo rhinos could be heard and the exciting crowd that had gathered around the now dwindling fire had reduced to only five.
Sakura and Toya had nodded off a while ago and were resting peacefully against Katara's lap. Katara herself was resting against a log, stroking the children's heads as they dreamed. Zuko sat across the fire, free of his armor, and Iroh dozing off beside him.
"Uncle, you've partied enough for tonight." He said, nudging the old general. "Go get some rest."
Iroh jumped and looked around in confusion.
"Oh…oh yes. I believe I will." He yawned and stood. "Good night nephew."
"Sleep well uncle."
Katara saw Iroh get up to leave and gave a gentle wave. She was getting tired herself and her butt was going numb, but she stayed in place, fearing her movement would wake the children resting on her. Zuko saw her shift uncomfortably and tried to decipher what was going on behind those bright blue eyes. He flicked a stray ash from his robe that lay folded and unused beside him.
Anything could be going on in her mind. Escape plans, his assassination, the reasons she was there at the moment. It was irritating not knowing what she was thinking. When he noticed her shiver, he decided: "No time better than the present to find out."
Katara had just closed her eyes and was ready to fall asleep, despite the small chill in the air. She didn't realize that Zuko was now seated beside her until she felt her him left her back slightly and drape the robe over her shoulders. Opening one eye, she looked at her visitor and blushed slightly.
"Thanks." She mumbled and snuggled in.
Zuko stared at her for a moment then looked to the twins. Toya muttered something in his sleep and stirred, but did not awaken. The prince reached out and stroked the boy's head. He wanted to take them with him so that they could escape from their lonely island prison. Unfortunately, he'd only be dragging them from one hell right into another.
The large ship of the exiled prince of their nation's enemies was not a suitable place for them. And he already had enough responsibility on his shoulders with his hunt for the Avatar and his 'guest'. They'd be better off here where the only thing they had to worry about was a few meager rebels. Katara watched his every move and missed not one of the flickering emotions in his eyes.
"You must be uncomfortable." He stated.
She shifted slightly.
"Just a little, but I'll get by."
Zuko shook his head.
"I'll take them to bed now. Don't want them to be stiff in the morning." He said, picking up Sakura first and holding her to his chest. Her head rested on his shoulder and her arms automatically wrapped around his neck. When he took Toya, the boy curled himself up in the crook of Zuko's arm and gripped his shirt.
Katara found the moment absolutely sweet. The big bad Prince Zuko was holding two sleeping children, preparing to tuck them into bed. He disappeared into the tent Iroh was in for a moment then came out and returned to her side.
"Are you still cold?" asked Zuko, watching her try not to shiver.
"A little, but I'll be fine." She said, pulling the robe tighter around her.
Zuko smirked and increased the shrinking flames from where he sat with a gentle raise of his hand. Katara sighed happily, loosening the robe and propping herself up on her wrists. The pain had faded and the bruises and cuts were nearly gone. She enjoyed every moment of not having to struggle. Once the fire was to Zuko's liking he lowered his commanding hand. But instead of feeling the rocky earth or the cool grass underneath it, he felt soft, warm fingers. Katara had felt it too.
When she looked, it had taken her a few moments to register who exactly was touching her. Both of them blushed slightly, Katara more so than Zuko. The flustered prince jerked his hand away with a quick apology and folded his arms across his chest. Katara held her hand to her chest, stroking it in an embarrassed gesture.
An awkward silence filled the camp, only disturbed by the ramblings of distance soldiers and grunting rhinos.
"So…um," Zuko cleared his throat. "Where'd you learn to dance?"
Katara looked up at him in confusion.
"Huh?...Oh! My great great grandmother used to be a geisha. She passed her dancing skills down to my great grandmother, then hers to my grandmother, and then hers to my mother."
Zuko nodded…Wait! Something was missing.
"Didn't your mother teach you?" He asked.
Katara cringed. Why did he have to catch that?
"My mother died before she could teach me. My grandmother is too old to so I had to learn on my own, just like I did my waterbending." She sighed. "Like most of the things I know how to do, I had to teach myself...Like reading, writing, and a little bit of hunting."
Zuko watched her saddened face. It must've been frustrating to have to learn everything on your own. Then again…
You will learn respect and suffering will be your teacher!
Those words rang in his mind like a cracked, off tone bell. They infuriated him, made his blood boil in anger and despair until he feared it would overflow in a torrent of blazing fire. But that was how'd it had always been since his exile and the incident with Souten's comet only severed to increase the problem. His temper was so much more easily flared that even his own uncle was wary about arguing with him.
"You haven't gotten around to telling me yet." Katara interrupted his thoughts.
"Telling you what?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.
She turned her head and looked him square in the eye. Her fingers glided towards him and brushed across his marred flesh. Their coolness felt divine against the old burn.
"Your scar." She whispered.
Zuko's confused eyes were now heavy with shame and remorse. He raised his hand to hers. This time, instead of pulling it away, he pressed into it, letting her explore every dip and contour like she had before.
"Are you sure you want to know Katara?"
She nodded and listened closely as he told of his disgraceful past.
"…So the next day, my uncle and I departed from the Fire Nation…Many a times…I look back and condemn myself for being so foolish…"
"You aren't a fool and you did nothing to deserve that!" Katara protested. "You wanted to defend your people and your father punished you! What monster does that to his own child?"
"A ruthless dictator who doesn't take disrespect lightly." Zuko scoffed.
"Even from his own son?"
"Especially from his own son." He scowled. "But despite what happened then and at Souten's comet, I still believe that once I bring the Avatar to my father, he'll accept me as his son and heir once more…I'm still working to prove Zhao's words wrong."
"What words?" Katara asked.
Two years ago - Commander Zhao's ship
Zuko sat uncomfortably in his seat across from his uncle, listening to Zhao drone on with his usual nonsense.
"You can't compete with me. I have hundreds of warships under my command." Zhao said proudly. "And you...you're just a banished prince. No home. No allies. Your own father doesn't even want you."
"You're wrong." Zuko replied. "Once I deliver the Avatar to my father, he will welcome me home with honor...and restore my rightful place on the throne."
Zhao chuckled mockingly.
"If your father really wanted you home, he would have let you return by now, Avatar or no Avatar." He paused. "But in his eyes you are a failure and a disgrace to the Fire Nation."
Zuko stood.
"That's not true!"
"You have the scar to prove it." Zhao retorted.
The scared prince had had it with this monkey's insults.
"MAYBE YOU'D LIKE ONE TO MATCH!"
Present
"That was completely uncalled for." said Katara, cursing the man who was now six feet into the ground. "I bet even the worms won't want to devour his corpse."
Zuko chuckled.
"If he tastes as bad and he looks and smells, I wouldn't be surprised."
Katara giggled at this, and then began to laugh. Soon Zuko too had gone from a chuckle to a pure laugh.
"What is it about you that makes your presence so…comforting?" He asked, causing Katara to blush.
"I don't know." Her smile withered. "I've just considered myself somewhat of a tool or a burden to you."
Zuko's smiled faded and he cast his eyes to the ground. He couldn't blame her for her thoughts. He was using her to get to the Avatar and she did get a little annoying, but her smile and laughter overruled that. What would he say to get that smile back?
"You're not a tool Katara." He said placing a hand on hers again. "I need your help. With out you I can't go home…None of us can."
The waterbender's eyes were wide and her tan face was red. It angered her that he was going to use her against Aang, but it also embarrassed and gladdened her knowing that she was needed even by this pompous, arrogant, spoiled, bloodthirsty,…sweet, charming, attractive prince of firebenders.
"It's nice to know that I'm useful for something, although, that something is capturing my best friend." She said with a wary smile, but it disappeared.
"Your father won't kill Aang will he?"
Zuko shrugged.
"It's not likely. Once I bring him the Avatar, my father will just probably gloat and throw him in the dungeon." His fingers unconsciously curled around hers. "Once I take the throne after my father...I'll…"
Katara stared at him expectantly.
"You'll what Prince Zuko?"
"I'll…" He let out a heavy sigh. "I'll set the Avatar free…and do all I can to end this war."
The waterbender stared wide eyes at his confession. She had just opened her mouth to comment, when a few drunken soldiers staggered over to the fire. She giggled as they sang in proud, slurred voices.
"You want to go somewhere else and talk?" Zuko asked.
"Sure." She replied and stood. "Sakura and I found a place not far from the river. It's perfect."
With their fingers still intertwined she helped him to his feet and led him into the forest. They helped each other over fallen logs, passed ditches and puddles, often falling into one another. Katara was currently standing on a small ledge, preparing to jump down to Zuko. She crouched down and reached for his hand, but as she did so, the earth gave way and she slipped.
Without thinking, Zuko stepped up to catch her, sending them both crashing to the ground. Katara sat up and rubbed her hip, which had been the first this to come in contact with the hard forest floor. Zuko leaned back on his elbows.
"Are you ok? Nothing broken?" He asked.
Katara smiled sweetly.
"No, just a sore hip." She said embarrassedly. "I'm sorry. I should've watched what I was doing."
"There's nothing to be sorry for. No harm was done." Zuko stood and dusted himself off, then helped Katara to her feet.
"Are we almost there?" He asked, helping her brush the dirt from her clothes.
"Um yeah…its right passed these trees." She walked passed him brushing his shoulder and he smiled.
The area was wide open to the full moon's gaze. The white orb's reflection shimmered in the still waters of the rippling lake. The stretch of wildflowers moved carelessly in the night's cool breeze. A circle of trees shielded them from the outside world, only opening to let the river pass through. This place held a free, warming, magical presence about it, like the embracing arms of a mother.
"Prince Zuko!"
The distracted firebender shook his head at the call of the waterbender. While he was in awe of their surroundings, Katara had managed to slip out of her shirt, chest bindings, and pants, leaving her in a dark red undershirt (kind of like a beater) and matching shorts. She was glad she'd found it while shopping. Zuko's ship and today's weather was much too hot for her and she'd been wearing somewhat heavy clothes all day.
"What are you waiting for?" She called excitedly as she waded into the lake water.
"Uh...um I'm trying to figure out why you just undressed down to your underclothes." He said, completely bemused.
Katara giggled and backed up until she was waist level in the water.
"Come on. It's fun."
"Um…no."
She clasped her hands together under her chin and gave him the biggest set of puppy eyes she could.
"Pwease?"
Zuko gave in with a heavily and stripped down to his undershorts. He retied the bandages over his side wound slightly tighter.
"I'm warning you." He said, stepping into the lake's cool water. "I'm not much of a swimmer so if I start drowning, I'm counting on you to save me."
Katara giggled casting her eyes down at the water snake slithering towards him on the water's surface. The Fire Nation prince didn't know what hit him. One moment he'd been up to his knees in the lake, and then he was suddenly pulled under the water. He came back up sputtering in the laughing face of the young woman.
"Oh…So you think that was funny?" He growled, his anger heating the water around him. "I'll show you funny."
Katara squealed as he pounced her and held them both underwater. She glared at him through the clear lake. He grinned triumphantly and she too found herself smiling. Taking his hand once more, she delved deeper until they nearly touched the bottom. A school of fish scattered in fright as the foreign visitors descended upon them.
Zuko was amazed by the side of the ocean he thought he knew so well. He would've explored more, but his lungs were weakening. Just as he was about to swim back up, Katara grabbed his wrist and kept him where he was.
Fear flashed through him when he realized how big of a mistake he'd made. The girl had been kind to him, lured him into a false sense of security, drew him into his people's weakness, and was preparing to kill him right on the spot. He was preparing to fight if he had to, but when Katara tilted her head and gave him a confused, somewhat…hurt look, he began to consider his next course of action more.
Katara pulled him closer to her with her one hand and made a sweeping, circular motion with the other. The move had caused a bubble to form around them, allowing them to breathe. Never before had Zuko appreciated air so much as he took a deep breath.
"What's wrong?" Katara asked, mentally filtering their breathing through the bubble.
"Nothing." He said quickly. "I just got scared for a moment."
Katara smiled and laughed.
"You don't need to be scared of me Prince Zuko. I'm not a wolf leading lambs to their death." She said, readjusting her wet clothes.
Zuko watched the way the red material clung fast to her still healing skin. For a moment he thought of it as the filthy blood stained hands that had defiled her beautiful, sinuous body. Yes. He admitted it. He did indeed think Katara was beautiful. And she understood his pain. He could speak with her about anything and not fear about being judged.
Well…there was the war, but that wasn't going to be a topic of discussion…Nor would the Avatar…Hell! The reason she was with him wasn't anything they'd have a civil conversation about either. She seemed happy enough now, but he knew that if something related to the previous events were to come up…her angelic smile would shatter and her beauteous voice would sound only cries of mourning and pain.
And he just couldn't do that to her.
"Oh look!" She said excitedly, pressing her hands against the bubble.
The schools of fish returned and formed a glittering silver circle around them. The moonlight reflected off the scales and into Katara's wide sapphire orbs. A single fish separated from the group and pressed its big lips against the girl's shield. She giggled and pressed her face against the bubble in a similar manner. The firebender beside her couldn't resist the laughter that crawled up his throat.
"That's the most ridiculous things I've ever seen!" He cried, wiping joyful tears from his eyes.
Katara pulled her face away and looked at him, her features unchanged. This time Zuko laughed so hard he fell backwards, clutching his sides as they began to ache. The injured right one was throbbing no more than the left, but as he rolled onto it his hissed in pain and the laughter ceased. Katara's silly expression became horrified.
"Has his wound reopened?" She thought fearfully.
Pulling him onto his back, she found no blood or signs of further injury.
"Maybe we should head back up. I don't want you hurting yourself even more." She said, helping him to his feet. "Hold onto me."
Zuko held his left hand to his side and his right over Katara's shoulders. He took a deep breath and braced himself as she reached out and popped their only access to the life giving substance. Lake water instantly moved in the fill the void and served to propel the benders up to the surface.
Once on dry land, Katara sat Zuko against a tree and unwrapped the sopping bandages. A small trickle of blood trailed down his side where the wound's scab had cracked slightly. She cleaned the little amount of blood with a wet scrap of the bandages and replaced the whole thing with her chest bindings.
Zuko had protested against it, insisting she didn't have to. Katara scolded him and continued wrapping the fresh cloth. She double knotted the ends, overviewed her work and smiled.
"Done."
"Thanks." He muttered.
"No problem." said the waterbender as she threw his shirt over his head. "Get dressed before you get sick silly."
The dark figure in the forest had returned, keeping watch over its charge as they dressed and conversed about things he couldn't hear. His teeth gritted and clutched his good hand in anger as the girl moaned childishly and draped herself over the young man's lap, complaining about not wanting to sing or something. Their smiles and laughter sickened him.
As if she had not betrayed him and her people enough, now she was befriending the enemy. It maddened him to the point were he was reconsidering her punishment from her treachery to something more demoralizing. The waterbender would suffer for this and so much more.
Seeing the two stand and head into the woods, he slunk back into the darkness and prepared for the attack.
Katara had to help Zuko on the way back to camp. The last thing they needed was for the wound to tear open any further. They traveled quickly, feeling a stalking, foreboding feeling about the forest. Someone was there and they both knew it.
"Don't be scared Katara." grunted Zuko, as she pulled him up onto a large log. "Fear clouds your judgement."
"I'll try to remember that." She assured, jumping off the log onto the ground.
It felt soft to her…A little too soft.
"Is everything okay?" Zuko asked, readying himself for a landing.
Katara cast away her thoughts and smiled.
"Yeah, everything is fine." She helped him down. "Just thinking."
"About what?"
"About what uncles going to ask if he finds out we left camp." She lied, not wanting to worry him.
Zuko laughed and sat down to rest for a moment.
Katara stayed standing, surveying their surroundings for anything suspicious. A few birds and night animals made their midnight calls and a twig snapped, nothing more.
"You ready?" She asked reaching out the resting prince and tugged him up when he nodded.
They'd not even taken three steps when a large net snapped up from the softened earth and wrapped itself around them, holding them suspended several feet above ground.
Zuko growled in annoyance.
"Katara, hold onto me. I'm burning the ropes."
She hugged him around his shoulders and waiting for the drop. Zuko's burning fist snapped the ropes and they tumbled out of the net. The fall had jostled him so much that his wound tore open and blood flowed freely. Katara sat up and instantly began inspecting him. Tugging his shirt up, she saw the bandages were stained and it was spreading.
"Oh goddesses...Prince Zuko you have to get up." She pleaded and tried to pull him up.
The firebender hissed in pain and clutched his side. Katara began to panic. She didn't know what to do. No one from the camp was close enough to hear her cries for help nor did she have the equipment to repair this kind of damage. Tears pricked the corners of her fearful eyes.
"Prince Zuko. I'm sorry…I…I don't know what to do." She sniffled.
"How about you accept your punishment for your betrayal?" A bitter voice hissed from the side.
From the shadows, emerged the being that had stalked them. His shady grey eyes glowered menacingly from behind his dull brown, shoulder length hair. The rusted plates of armor he wore on his chest, waist, shins, and shoulders glinted in the spotted light pouring from the trees. The clothes he wore and the cloth wrapped around his fore arms were dirty and torn in various placed.
Katara recognized him, but she couldn't place his face. Where did she meet him? The stranger smirked at her confused expression.
"So you don't remember me do you Katara?" He asked, the piece of wheat between his teeth wobbling with each word. "Well how about this?"
He drew the hooked swords from his back, jamming his right hand into the hooped handle much tighter than his left. He resisted a chuckle as the blood drained from the waterbender's face and she inched back.
"J…Jet…"
From their undersea temple, the Water Goddesses watched the moment unfold.
"Are you sure it was wise to entrust this task to his man Marina?" asked Nadia.
The oldest woman nodded, her red eye trained on the flower crystal's orb.
"Yes. He wishes for revenge against the girl and hates the prince's people. I gave him the information he needed and he makes our job easier."
Karran sighed heavily, propping her elbows on her bent fin.
"Are you sure this is right?" She asked.
"What?" Nadia asked, casting an astonished look towards the young one.
Karran shifted uncomfortably.
"What we're doing…it just feels…kind of wrong."
Marina tore her eyes from the orb and approached her fellow goddess.
"What we are doing is preventing the elemental spectrums from going haywire." She growled. "Since the Avatar cannot restore the balance, we have to keep the Crossing from happening. We're protecting ours and the other Gods and Goddesses' people. How is that wrong?"
Karran cast her gaze to the floor.
"I just feel that what nationality you origin from…shouldn't be a hindrance to your heart."
Nadia frowned.
"Don't be such a fool Karran! We think of our people's survival, not their emotions!" She shouted. "That is the duty of the Muses."
"Exactly!" Karran exclaimed. "What if the Muses learn about what we're doing? They'll surely interfere."
Marina narrowed her eyes and returned to the orb.
"Then we'll press on…For the sake of the world we must press on with this…"
The young goddess sighed once more and observed the flower's images just as the waterbender had turned her back to protect the firebender and the hook of the man's sword imbedded itself into her shoulder.
Inutenshi: I hope that wasn't too bad...
Katara: (sarcastically) Oh not at all. (rips hook out of shoulder) AIIIEEEE!
Zuko: (pokes his side) Ouch...(pokes again) Ouch...(again) Ouch...
Inutenshi: O.o...Well...Hopefully the next chapter will take less time.
Zuko: (continues poking and saying 'ouch')
Next Chapter: So Close