AN: This is a little shorter than my usual chapter, but they're going to get longer. This is kind of a go-between connecting to huge chapters. And remember when I told you that you would hate the foreshadowed former flame of Zuko's Kinita? You're about to find out why.

...Until then I'll protect you

And keep all evil at bay

Until then I will love you

And let no one take you away...

Chapter 22: The Capture

Zuko and Katara rejoined the banquet, but Katara was a little protective, mainly because she'd just admitted her deepest secret and had no intentions of letting Zuko get away from her. He was talking to some Fire captain named Hezier, and he had to go speak privately with him, so she reluctantly let him go. He pecked her on the cheek and promised to be back in a moment.

Hezier smiled at his prince. "You're eighteen now, you'll be needing a queen soon."

"You don't say."

"Yep. And the Lady Katara looks strong."

"That's just another reason why I love her."

"And she's brave."

"And she's dead."

The two men spun around, beholding a very angry young woman. Zuko's eyes widened in shock.

"K..Kinita?" She grinned.

"You're mine now."

A throat was cleared and silence fell. Zuko and Hezier turned and looked up onto dais where a young Fire Nation woman was standing. Kinita stood beside Zuko and placed a hand on his arm, unnoticed by him.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I am now your host. I've come to show you the foolhardiness of your previous hosts, and for the Guerriers, the insanity of your commander. They got all of you here together, and then your poor host said anyone was welcome. Your commander stated to us that you could easily infiltrate our society, but he failed to mention how we could return the favor."

At her words, many of the Fire Nation soldiers began to take off their armbands, declaring their allegiances. True Guerriers did not follow their example. Katara made her way over to Sokka and Aang, who began to move slowly towards the door.

"Water Tribes and Earth Kingdom guests, I came here for two things. If I get those things, I'll leave the rest of you unharmed. The things I want are the Avatar, and my brother."

Zuko hissed, finally recognizing his sister, Zula. He should've known that Zula was after him but it hadn't crossed his mind. Her soldiers began to move through the crowd towards him and Aang. The presence of the Oath was going insane inside him. He called out to Hessair in his mind, and in life, he shoved Kinita back off his arm and shouted.

"Don't trust her! Protect the Avatar!"

All hell broke loose. Everyone began attacking the loyal Fire Nation soldiers and Zuko fought along side them. He grabbed Katara and yelled at Sokka and Aang to run. Once outside, Hessair was waiting. He got Katara and Sokka on the dragon's back, but Aang was nowhere to be seen. Zuko turned back to the fray.

(Zuko!)

Get them to Appa! Make sure they're safe then come back for us, don't get captured!

With that Zuko ran back into the banquet hall. He found Aang easily and beat a couple soldiers off him. Pulling the young air-bender to his feet, they began to fight there way out. Luckily, Appa hadn't been far off, and Hessair was waiting. Aang climbed on his back but Zuko had to keep fighting to give them space. There was no way he could reach the dragon without compromising Aang's safety. Neither the Oath nor Zuko contradicted the decision, for they had no choice.

Go!

(What about you?)

I can take care of myself, get Aang out of here!

Zuko turned from Hessair and ran as the dragon took flight, Aang trying desperately to get off. Finally, Hessair grabbed Aang in his taloned front claws and carried him away.

Zuko pulled a soldier away from a noble woman of the Water Tribe, who then turned and ran, her eyes showing her gratitude. A group of soldiers surrounded him, and except for his bending, he was unarmed, but that had never stopped him before. Half the soldiers had drawn swords, and they all attacked him at once. Between dodging swords and fire blasts, he never saw Admiral Zhao until the bastard dealt him a blow across the back of the neck.

Any ordinary man would have been down for the count, but Zuko got his hands beneath him and struggled to push himself up even as his head felt like it had disconnected with his body. A booted heel forced itself into his back, and strong hands shackled his own together. He was dragged roughly to his feet causing the blackness on the edge of his consciousness to try to invade. A twisted foul-tasting cloth was pulled roughly between his teeth and tied at the back of his head. He barely registered his sister's face and her words before he passed out.

"One prize will do for tonight."

Hessair met Appa in midair and he placed Aang easily on the bison's back. Katara's blue eyes searched his imploringly before Sokka voiced her thoughts.

"Where's Zuko?"

(He fell behind, and has been captured.)

Aang's head jerked up.

"How do you know this?"

(He's my bond for Saitrie's sake! I can also tell you he's unconscious.)

"We have to go back for him?"

(After he risked his life to save yours? I doubt it.)

"Don't worry Katara, they probably want him alive. They're expecting us to come and save him. He's safe."

(I wouldn't be so sure.)

All eyes turned to the dragon.

(His sister wants the throne, and the only way for her to get it is to kill Zuko. I fear that Zuko, in her hands, is far from safe.)

Morning came quickly, and Zuko woke to a chillingly cold cell. The stark metal that had once been comforting now seemed harsh and unforgiving after the forests he'd spent months in. Unlike a usually prisoner's cell, there were nobars. The room was solid, except for a small window that allowed very meager light in. He couldn't distinguish the door from the rest of the wall.

Zuko took a deep breath to clear his throbbing head and took stock of his situation. His hands were chained together, palms facing each other. His feet were also chained. The room was cold, and he was bare-chested, so fire-bending was as close to out of the question as possible.

There was a grating sound behind him, and he twisted his head around. The first sound was followed by a second and then a section rolled back in his cell. His eyes widened. His cell was three walls thick. They must really consider him a threat and he vaguely wondered why he was still chained up. Zuko wasn't surprised to see Zula and Kinita come in.

Zula frowned at him at he turned away from her, resting his throbbing head against the cool stone, but he heard her anyway.

"Greatly against my wishes, I'm going to give you a chance for freedom and life, but it depends on your cooperation. I'll let Kinita give you the details." The grating sounds returned and then he was alone with Kinita.

After a silent moment, Zuko felt his gag being loosened. The cloth fell to the floor and a warm hand caressed his scalp. "That's better isn't it my prince?"

He spat on the floor, trying to get the disgusting taste out of his mouth.

"Yes, now I can tell you how much I hate you."

Kinita sighed, and began massaging the tense muscles of his shoulders. He couldn't pull away, so he suffered her touch.

"Zula's offer is really simple Zuko. You can live a happy life, free from the worries of the Fire Nation."

"And the catch?"

"You have to spend it with me."

This time, he found the strength to get away from her. He twisted and pushed away until his back pressed against cold steel. But she came after him lithely. There was a look in his eyes that he didn't trust. She brushed her lips against his, and smiled.

"I know that doesn't sound appealing to you Zuko, but it won't be as bad as you think. And you'll get to live." He turned his head as she leaned in to kiss him again.

"I'm going to show you exactly how good your life with me could be." He couldn't back away anymore and she settled herself into his lap. Now he knew why he was still chained up.

The sun broke over the horizon, and Katara woke from the spot where she'd cried herself to sleep the night before. Hessair was pacing aggressively nearby. She sat up and looked at the beast. Their eyes met, and she saw the anger there.

The night before the dragon's eyes had been filled with pain and despair, but no anger. "Hessair?"

(I'm going to kill her. How dare she touch him against his will! They will all die for this dishonor!)

And then Hessair resumed his pacing. Katara's eyes widened when she understood what the dragon had said.

An attempt at randomness by me...

Scene: Zuko and Katara's first kiss...

Katara walks out onto the balcony. Zuko is singing softly to himself then stops.

"Please don't stop."

"It's..." (paper backdrop rips and Zuko falls through)

Director: CUT! Zuko are you alright?

Zuko: WHAT IS IT WITH ME AND IMPROMTU ACCIDENTS?

(Sokka walks by whistling innocently)