Disclaimer: If I pwn'ed Avatar, I wouldn't have such a crappy computer. I just own my muse. Why do I even have this muse? He's of no help to me.

Anyway, this plot bunny cornered me in a narrow alley and threatened to bombard me with holy grenades if I did not comply and post this story. It's random plot, humor and drabble... and frankly I'm making it up as I go along. :)

Feel free (and I insist) to check out my other Avatar fiction, Why the Caged Bird Sings, because I'd like to think it's not half bad, and maybe you will, too.

I have no idea how long this will be or how much fluff may find its way in here (and/or how weird it may be.)

And, as they say... Onward, to the fields of battle!

Keep Your Enemy Closer

01

Inanimate Does Not Equal Innocent

Two big blue blobs stared back at him.

When he moved, they moved.

When he squinted, they squinted.

"Sokka, get away from the potions."

The elder boy reluctantly pulled back away from the mysterious bottles and vials, each filled with equally mysterious colored substances. And even though his sister eyed him like he was an idiot (she often gave him that look, he realized) he still kind of wriggled his body a bit and watched his distorted reflection in the oddly shaped vials wriggled around too.

"Don't be so stiff," Sokka replied breezily, kinda pivoting on his hips.

"Sokka, you look ridiculous!" Katara scoffed, but even she couldn't help the grin on her face. She considered just letting the boy have his fun - it was better than him whining, or better yet, rambling on about his dreams.

In all honesty, she was halfway tempted to join him. Maybe, maybe, she would have if Aang and an old woman hadn't been in the same room and there wasn't a chance of some stranger wandering in at any moment to see her.

Aang was laughing at his friend and actually did join him, to Katara's displeasure (and jealousy,) and the both of them ended up striking poses and slithering around comically in front of the potion shelves.

Katara rubbed her forehead before turning to the old woman, who owned the store, and clasping her hands together apologetically. "Sorry, they can be really..."

"They're just boys," the old woman chuckled good-naturedly. She shuffled behind her counter, her gray robes and equally gray hair flouncing about her. "Now, are you interested in anything?"

Katara spared a glance around the store, not really knowing how to reply. On their way through town Aang had spotted random goodies in the store window and convinced her and Sokka to go in with him. It was almost like an antique shop, with dusty shelves and odd and ornamental objects scattered on tabletops, on the floor and in small piles. A cleverly crafted candleholder and candle burned atop the counter where the old woman sat, papers and a moneybag stacked in front of her. She smiled.

"Feel free to look around," the woman stated. She slid her old eyes over to Aang and Sokka. "At least while your friends are...busy."

Katara looked back over her shoulder. Aang was standing on his head, wriggling his legs around in the air. Sokka was laughing, pointing at different glassware that reflected especially humorous images of him.

"Look, Aang, this one makes your left foot look huge!"

"Well, that one makes your ears look big!"

"HEY!"

Katara shot a thankful look at the old woman, along with a smile. "Thanks - I think I will!"

The Waterbender tucked her shopping basket under an arm and proceeded to pilfer around the store while the boys continued to have their...well, brainless fun.

"Where do you get all your items?" Katara asked, her back to the counter as she tinkered with an odd item she'd found lying in an old wicker basket - a small, hallow figurine of a deer.

"Oh, here and there," the old woman replied with a wave of her hand. "Old friends, family heirlooms, merchants... locked houses..."

Katara swiveled around in surprise, her eyes going big. The old woman burst out laughing at the girl's expression and threw up her wrinkled hands in defense.

"Kidding! I don't steal."

Katara relaxed, smiling again as she turned and sat the trinket back on its shelf. The boys had stopped when the woman had laughed but continued acting silly shortly afterward.

Katara returned to her pilfering, making her away along long stretches of shelves. She let her hand glide against their surfaces as she passed, reveling in the fact that for just a moment she wasn't running from anything. She was just like any normal girl, looking for a good deal in a quaint little store in a quaint little town.

Something suddenly caught her eye. A small, rounded box sat at the back of a corner shelf. It's exterior was dirty, beige and plain with a simple rope ribbon tied on its lid.

She wandered over to it, gingerly reaching back to pick it up and draw it away. It didn't feel heavy and for a minute Katara wondered if there was anything in it at all.

Just to make sure, the girl managed to pull the slightly cracked lid off, placing it back on the shelf.

She was taken by mild surprise. Inside was plain as well, except for what looked to be a simple bracelet, the color of old brass - a simple chain from which dangled a small charm in the shape of a cresting wave.

Intrigued, Katara reached down to lift out the piece of jewelry to inspect it further. But as she did there was a tinkling noise and the charm snapped off from the body of the bracelet, resting back in the body of the box.

Looking slightly horrified at breaking it, Katara froze. The padded footsteps of the old woman approached from behind and the Waterbender dropped the bracelet back in its small box with the charm, whirling around to face the storeowner as she did

"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to break it..."

The old woman tilted her head, and then held out her gnarled hand. "Oh? What did you break? Let me see it."

Sheepishly, Katara placed the small box in the woman's hand. Scrutinizing it, the storeowner tenderly reached in and retrieved the bracelet, along with its charm. She set the box to the side and rolled the jewelry around in her palm, casting a keen eye over its mass.

Katara felt herself sweating, wondering if she would be berated or ordered out. She genuinely felt quite horrible. Usually it was Aang or Sokka breaking things.

"It looked like it was already wearing thin," the old woman replied gently. "So it's not your fault. It's a very special piece, though."

"Oh?" Katara perked up, her voice wavering just slightly. The woman didn't seem angry with her.

"Yes. I received this from a friend of mine. It had been an heirloom in her village for some time, but when the land was dispersed it wound up with her. Care to hear about it?"

Katara nodded, gripping her hands to her chest.

"You're from the Water Tribe, right?"

Katara blinked before nodding slowly. The old woman chuckled.

"Of course. I could tell by your attire. This should be especially interesting for you, then."

Katara leaned forward a little. "Really? Why?"

"You see," the old woman began, "this bracelet once belonged to a woman named Amana. She was a simple Water Tribe woman, her most noticeable talent being that she was a Bender. She wasn't particularly skilled or otherwise specially blessed; she was rather normal, in fact.

"Her tribe, however, was in a bitter conflict with a neighboring Earth Kingdom town; back in those days it wasn't entirely unnatural to find a Water Tribe residing on the southern shores of the main continent. It's not entirely clear what brought about the conflict, but they were quite the enemy of each other."

Katara blinked, immediately reminded of the time she, Sokka and Aang had crossed the canyon and met the feuding Xjang and Gon Jin tribes.

"Amana, not being a great warrior or a great negotiator instead turned to her own means and used what she already knew, along with her simple will to bring about peace, to find a solution. She created this bracelet, supposedly, and blessed it. It is said that she later used the bracelet to resolve the differences between the two peoples, but no one really knows how she did it."

Katara gazed down at the trinket. It didn't look very special. It looked like something Momo would stuff up his nose.

"Do you really think that's it?" Katara asked doubtfully.

"Supposedly," the old woman replied with a laugh. "But you know how legends are, though. I have a slipper that supposedly belonged to a famous legless pirate."

Sokka burst out laughing, having briefly stopped his silliness to eavesdrop on the nearby conversation. Katara fought the urge to roll her eyes and Aang toppled over, unable to balance on his head anymore.

"Uncle, I don't want to be here."

"Sure you do," Iroh replied joyously. "There's nothing better than strolling down a crowded market on a beautiful day! The only thing that could make this better would be..."

"Don't say it," Zuko ordered snappishly, fearing he might implode if he heard the blasted word 'tea.'

Iroh coughed into his sleeve innocently, continuing to make his way down the street with his nephew by his side. Random people sent them glances and they received some glares but no one said or attempted a single thing.

Well, except for one man.

"Are YOU brave enough to look inside this bag?" a chubby merchant shrieked, jumping in front of the duo.

"A bag... how exciting!" Iroh exclaimed. Zuko curled his fists, his eyebrow twitching.

"Are YOU?" the man asked, shoving the bag at the prince. Zuko growled, batting the bag and the merchant's hand away.

"Out of my way!" the Firebender roared, stalking past the startled merchant. Iroh blinked but followed, slowly shaking his head.

"You should have looked, you know," the old man scolded softly. "Now it's going to bother you."

"I could care less," Zuko replied, slightly miffed.

"Oh Zuko, you say that but you do not mean it. You're wondering right now what was in it."

"Probably dung! It doesn't matter, Uncle."

"But you don't know that."

Zuko let out a hiss. Iroh decided to drop the subject but chuckled into his sleeve (disguising it as another cough) and watched his irritated nephew storm ahead of him.

"I can keep it?"

"Go ahead, it's not worth much now after you broke it."

"I always said you were destructive," Sokka accused his sister with an exaggerated point. "Destructive! Just like you destroy every little piece of me every time you don't listen to-"

"Are you sure?" Katara asked the old woman again, ignoring Sokka, still feeling the cool weight of the bracelet in the clenched palm of her hand.

"Just like I said!" Sokka bemoaned once more, holding his hands out to the metaphorical sky. Aang raised an eyebrow at his friend.

"Uh, Sokka..."

"I know, Aang. I know."

"Yes, I'm sure. Consider it a gift, from a long deceased Waterbender to you," the woman replied.

Katara smiled, nodding. "Thank you!"

As they left the store, Aang turned to Katara, his face beaming. "You really think that charm is magic?"

Sokka couldn't retain the urge to roll his eyes, and roll his eyes he did. "You actually believe that?"

"Sokka, after all the weird things that have happened - and Aang being the Avatar - I think we should be inclined to believe almost anything," Katara pointed out as she strolled between them.

"Yeah, and next thing I know you'll be claiming this apple -" Sokka reached over and snatched up an apple from a nearby merchant, "- has the power to make eagles fly out of my butt."

"Put the apple down," the merchant hissed. Sokka quickly swallowed and gently placed the fruit back in place.

"I don't know, Sokka," Aang laughed. "Maybe it does!"

Katara giggled as Sokka hung his head in defeat and they continued down the dusty road.

The girl barely had time to register the hastily approaching figure, and it was too late when she and Zuko collided.

The Firebender reeled back in shock, having been too aggravated with his Uncle (and also too preoccupied wondering what really WAS in that stupid bag) to pay attention correctly. Katara stumbled backwards, too surprised to notice a small, thin object drop onto the ground.

"Zuko!" Sokka snarled.

"Avatar," Zuko purred.

"Granny!" a little girl exclaimed from across the road.

"Come on, Aang!" Katara breathed, grasping the stunned Airbender's hand and taking off in the opposite direction.

"Hey!" Sokka yelped, torn between getting into a catfight with Zuko and running for dear life. He decided to do the latter and was soon caught up with his sibling and Aang.

Zuko, not being one to loiter around, went to charge after them. However a familiar hand grabbing his shoulder stopped him and the Firebender let out a sound of frustration and anger as he whirled on Iroh.

"What are you doing?" Zuko demanded in frustration, pointing jaggedly behind him. "The Avatar is getting away!"

"You can't chase them here," Iroh replied calmly, glancing around. People had stopped and were staring at the yelling, trembling prince and his calm uncle. "Too many civilians."

Zuko fumed, feeling he had wasted a wonderful opportunity. Iroh, however, had taken notice of something else. He knelt down and picked up a small brass-colored object.

"What's that?" Zuko grumbled, not really caring but wanting people to stop staring at them. He sent a scowl at the apple merchant.

"I believe the Water Tribe girl dropped it," Iroh clarified. He held it out.

"Why should I care?" Zuko asked peevishly, though slowly calming.

"It might be important, or maybe not. It seems broken."

Zuko stood still for a moment before conceding, snatching the small charm from his uncle's hand. He peered down at it, noting its shape and age.

"A waste of time," the prince stated firmly and stalked back in the direction from which he had came. However he did not throw the charm to the side or dispose of it in any way - instead he held onto it, and Iroh followed him back to their ship.

"That was too close," Sokka breathed once they had reached the area in the woods where they had left Appa and Momo. He swung a bag onto the large bison's back.

"We'd better leave," Katara advised. Aang shook his head.

"It's getting too dark... and I'm really tired."

Katara regarded the Airbender in shock. "You're not worried?"

"I don't think they'll come for us tonight," Aang affirmed, yawning widely.

"...Aang, we practically walked - no, waltzed - down Zuko's throat, and you think he's going to let us off?" Sokka replied shrilly.

"It's a feeling," the Avatar replied sheepishly. Sokka stared at the boy before throwing up his arms.

"Whaaaatever. I've had enough of the heeby jeebie I-have-a-feeling episodes of yours."

"No better than your instincts," Katara teased. Aang snorted and Sokka folded his arms defensively.

"Yeah, yeah," the older boy muttered.

Zuko stared at the metallic object sitting in his palm. It would've been nice if the charm could've formed a mouth and told him exactly what significance it had, but sadly, this did not happen. It continued to sit there. Inanimate.

The Prince stretched out with his back against his bed, holding up the charm into the red and gold light of his bedchamber. The aged surface caught little light. It didn't look very valuable.

The only thing that seemed note worthy was that it was shaped like a wave, or at least Zuko assumed so. He rolled over and pilfered through his bedside drawers. Out from one he drew a black necklace with a polished blue stone.

He compared the two butthey shared little else in common. He frowned, growing frustrated. Briefly rubbing a thumb across the polished stone, noting its cool touch, he placed it back in its current abode in his drawer.

Weary from long treks with his Uncle (how Iroh resembled a giddy school girl when faced with bargains) and a drawn-out Music Night (Iroh had acquired eccentric flutes) Zuko sighed and leaned onto his side.

The Avatar was close, so very close. And he'd get him, soon enough. He would.

Zuko drifted off to sleep, still dwelling in his immortal and insatiable thoughts. The charm remained idle in his closed fist even as he slept, perfectly innocent and inanimate.

Katara pitched and rolled over, trying to get comfortable in her bedding. She could hear Aang snoring softly from behind her, and through her drooping eyelids she could see Sokka hunched against the darkness, keeping lookout. He wasn't as convinced by Aang's "feelings" as she was.

Katara yawned, flexing her wrists and shifting her weight some more. She felt the gentle tug of the bracelet against her wrist. She flipped onto her side and looked down at it.

Without its charm it was just a simple, thin chain. She'd felt horrible (once again) when she'd discovered she'd misplaced it. She'd scoured for it around their campsite but had turned up no trace, and she was beginning to face the grim fact that she must have dropped it back at the marketplace.

The worst part was that it was a gift - kinda, sorta. Too guilty to sleep with it on, Katara undid the small chain and placed it on the ground beside her head.

...Too guilty to leave it lying there unprotected, the Waterbender rested her hand over it and closed her eyes. She eventually drifted off to sleep, still troubled in her own thoughts. The chain remained motionless under her fingertips, innocent and inanimate.

The sun rose, obnoxious and shiny. Kids sprinted up from their beds, teenagers groaned and rolled over in their sheets, and adults set to work. Small furry forest creatures proceeded to scamper about the forest and look cute and furry, and hungry forest predators proceeded to eat them.

Katara slowly woke, her limbs feeling uncharacteristically heavy and numb, almost detached. A great weight seemed to be pressed upon her from all sides, physically and mentally. She groaned, inwardly and outwardly and tried to roll over. Her body felt like empty, dead weight. Gravity cheered as she tumbled off the bed and landed on the floor. She sighed and rested her cheek against the rug, snuggling against it.

...Wait a minute.

Katara's eyes snapped open, and then slowly traveled around the room.

Her mouth dropped open.

She had no idea where she was.

Obviously she was dreaming. She commanded her body to move, to squirm, to flop around until she woke up. However her body refused, too numb and groggy to bother to respond. It felt like her head was floating in the air and her body was far below her, its own entity.

Aggravated with this prolonged dream, Katara managed to draw herself up.

And stared.

Indeed, Katara proceeded to stare at her wonderfully sculpted, perfectly muscled, firmly toned bare chest.

A chest that most certainly did not belong to her.

Zuko rolled over in his sheets, the first touches of awareness creeping through him. He stifled a yawn then frowned to himself, feeling strangely constricted. He wriggled his toes and slowly forced his eyelids to raise. Everything was a blur around him, a blur of blues and deep greens and browns. Forms that mysteriously began to resemble trees towered above him.

Zuko closed his eyes again, blaming it on the fish he had yesterday. With a grunt he tried to roll away from the restrictive sheets, feeling light-headed and weighted down, along with being numb and sluggish.

He felt his shoulder bump into something warm. He lolled his head to the side to see what it was.

The face of a strange familiar boy beamed down at him.

"Morning, sunshine!"

Zuko's mouth slowly parted.

His breathing nearly ceased.

He only stared, his eyes bugged.

Stray black hairs fell lightly in his face.

Hair that did not belong to him.

Yes, yes. I'm weird. Go ahead and say it! Huuhaha!