Benders
Katara watched in amazement as Zuko trained. With ease he ducked under a soldier and punched up, hitting him in the chin and causing him to stagger back.
"Good Prince Zuko! But remember to shift your balance faster than that." Iroh instructed from the sidelines, next to Katara. The prince said nothing but continued the spar with the crew member. Katara smiled at Iroh as he handed her a cup of tea. Everyone had avoided her the second they discovered who was after her. Whenever she came near, soldiers would scatter. It was . . . . unsettling.
"He's good." Katara muttered quietly to Iroh. The retired general smiled at Katara as she sipped her tea.
"Do not tell my nephew that or his ego will grow bigger." Katara fought back a giggle and sipped more of her tea, this time with a smile. "Your highness, perhaps you would stop beating up on the poor soldier with your fists and start working on your firebending skills!" Zuko nodded as he and the soldier moved far away from each other. Iroh looked down at Katara as Zuko and the soldier began to use their firebending. Zuko kicked his foot out in an arch, causing a wave of fire to shoot forward. The soldier jumped over the flame and punched forward, letting loose a fiery ball. The two fought gracefully, exchanging fire blows. However, Zuko proved to be the better fighter and quickly defeated the soldier. Smiling at how taken Katara was with the small spar, Iroh decided to dismiss the soldier, who was happy to leave. Zuko shot his uncle a confused look but smirked when his uncle stepped out in front of Zuko into a deep stance after bowing to the boy. "Now is the time to test yourself against a master, your highness." Iroh waited until Zuko bowed to him before his palm shot out, emitting a blast of fire at the prince. Zuko was knocked back slightly when he broke it. Zuko ducked under another wave of fire and punched forward, sending a fiery blast towards his uncle. Iroh knocked it to the side, not phased by the next ball of fire sent right after that one. Iroh smirked and slammed his hand onto the deck, letting out streams of fire from his fingertips. Zuko jumped over the fire and rolled to the side, avoiding a fiery kick from Iroh. Zuko sent two more flaming kicks and another punch only to be blocked or have Iroh sidestep them and have them miss completely. Narrowing his eyes, the banished prince stepped to the side, avoiding a fire ball from his uncle. Zuko punched out with both arms at once and sent flames towards Iroh. Yet the old man rolled out of the way and stood as he sent a barrage of fire balls at Zuko. His eyes widened slightly at this but Zuko ran to the side of the ship and used the railing of leverage to flip up into the air and avoid the fire. Katara watched in awe as the two continued the deadly dance for nearly five minutes. It finally broke when Iroh sent a massive wave of fire at the young firebender. The Prince was pushed back as he blocked the fire and before he had a chance to retaliate Iroh held his hand in front of Zuko. Iroh withdrew his hand and the two bowed to each other. "Very good Prince Zuko. You are improving. But remember, it is breath not strength."
"I know uncle." Iroh nodded.
"Yes. Today you were more focused and you made less errors. However, you should work on keeping yourself more balanced." Zuko gave him a curt nod and looked over at Katara.
"You'll have to stay with uncle for a short while." Shooting him a confused look, Katara asked why. ". . . . . I need to take a shower . . . ."
- - - - -
Ceres stood over the dead body of the fisherman who had stopped his boat and pulled her out of the water. She tilted her head to the side with a raised eyebrow.
"Had you not tried to violate my sacred body with your filthy hands I would have allowed you to live awhile longer." There was no emotion in her silky smooth voice. Picking up the dead body, Ceres threw the corpse overboard. A quick scan around the boat caused a sigh to escape her red lips. The boat was not that large, but not very small either. Other than a few fish, there was no one else there. Ceres glanced up and noted that the sail was up. Good. It would make sailing faster for her.
- - - - -
By the time Prince Zuko had finished his shower, Katara had started to practice bending the water from the ocean. Zuko watched in silence as she moved skillfully through the stances, causing the water to lash out in the form of a whip. Iroh stood off not to far away and watched while sipping his tea. Katara easily lowered the water back into the ocean and turned. She looked at Zuko surprised before turning away. Zuko looked up at the sky and noted that the sun was starting to set.
"We're going to bed." Zuko ordered sharply, coming off stronger than he intended. Looking back up at him, Katara glared.
"Don't order me around!" She snapped. Iroh winced, sensing a huge fight coming on. He could already see his nephew losing his temper.
"Listen! This is my ship so you'll do what I say!" Katara narrowed her eyes as she crossed her arms.
"I'm not some lackey you can order around!" Katara yelled. "I'm a human being! I deserve respect!" Iroh watched wearily as Zuko's hands began to glow.
- - - - -
Sokka looked ahead at Aang. The sun was going down and they had yet to see land. Appa would have to fly through the night.
"Hey Aang . . . ."
"Yeah Sokka?"
". . . ." Sokka hesitated, unsure of how he would word his thoughts.
"What is it?" Sokka stared at ocean.
"Do you think Katara will be safe with Prince Jerk?" Aang glanced back at Sokka before looking down at his lap.
"He wouldn't do anything to her. She's the only one keeping Ceres from stealing other people's bodies." Sokka was quiet again. ". . . . Sokka?"
". . . it was hard enough before, running from the Fire Nation . . . . but my sister was here with us. Now we're suppose to team up with the Fire Nation and stop some all powerful demon . . . . and Katara is the one it's after."
"Don't worry. Zuko will keep Katara safe." Sokka looked up at Aang.
"How? How can we trust someone so selfish?"
". . . . we just do."
- - - - -
Iroh watched as Katara and Zuko argued back and forth. They had been going on like this for awhile, the sun had long since gone down. In fact, it had turned into petty insults.
"Spoiled brat!"
"Water peasant!"
"Jerk!"
"Witch!"
"Enough!" Iroh shouted, fed up. Taking a deep breath Iroh calmed himself. "Miss Katara, it will be easier to watch over you and protect you when there is light out. Not only that, but Prince Zuko has a long day ahead of him. Not only that, but a good rest calms everyone." Iroh directed the last part to Zuko. Katara grumbled but agreed, following an annoyed prince to his room. Iroh sighed as the two stalked off. "I have a feeling that this will be a long trip . . ."
- - - - -
Hi! Normally I'd like this to be longer but I've gotten tagged with some writers block. It is killing me so hopefully a good nights rest will make it go away. Don't worry, the next chapter should be longer. And don't forget to review! Ja ne!