A storm or a typhoon?
Ceres stared at a gray haired man in dark red armor. He had identified himself as Admiral Zhao. Ceres smirked inwardly. She could sense a great deal of greed in him. He was power hunger. She could smell it. At the moment the youthful beauty was sitting across from her at a large table. When she had come close enough to the ship, the soldiers had informed him of her arrival. He ordered for her to be taken aboard when she requested it. Now Zhao had was questioning her. After all, it wasn't common for a young woman to be out on the sea all by herself. Especially if she was wearing what Ceres was.
"Madam, why were you in the middle of the ocean, alone?" Ceres closed her eyes as she folded her hands in her lap.
"I was trapped on an island. Luckily I got off of it and a fisherman found me floating on a log." Zhao raised an eyebrow.
"Really? What happened to the fisherman?" A smile was fought back as she remembered killing him.
"He's dead. He tried to defile my sacred body." Zhao narrowed his eyes.
"Sacred body? Are you a priestess?" This time the smile came out as she answered.
"No. I am Ceres." She opened his eyes and saw him stand up and knock his chair over, startled.
- - - - -
Zuko muttered incoherent things to himself as he looked over a map. He was in his own world, not paying attention as the captain gave out orders to the crew or as his uncle sipped tea and played a game of Pai Chow with Katara. Said girl glanced over at him and fought back a smile. It was . . . . cute. Not that she would ever admit that out loud. She had trouble admitting it to herself. He was suppose to be the enemy. Well, he was the enemy until she released Ceres. That subject was harsh for her. She felt so stupid for doing it. Katara glanced at Zuko again. Iroh did not take long to notice the glances Katara made towards Zuko. He chuckled as he moved his lotus tile.
"My nephew is off in his own world. While he will not say yes to just about anything, it is fun to bring him back into reality." Iroh turned to Zuko. "OH MY GOD! THERE'S A SNAKE BEHIND YOU PRINCE ZUKO!" Zuko spun around with flames in his hands and searched the room frantically before he saw Katara giggling and his uncle smiling while trying to act normal. "What?" Zuko sent a death glare towards his uncle as his flaming hands burned fiercely.
"Uncle!" Zuko growled, trying to keep himself for losing it. Before he could say anything, the captain turned to him.
"Sir, there appears to be a storm coming." Zuko sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"We have to keep heading to the north pole." The captain nodded as Zuko turned to leave. Katara smiled and quietly said goodbye to the old man before quickly following Zuko. She treaded after him, trying hard to keep up with his fast pace.
"Where are we going?" Katara finally asked softly, so soft that Zuko almost missed it. He stopped and turned to look at the waterbender.
"I'm going to meditate."
"Oh." Zuko hesitated, unsure of what to do. He had forgotten all about her when he stormed out of the room.
". . . . there might be a basin of water in there." He muttered before continuing his trek towards his meditation room. Katara nodded and followed him. Curiously began to emerge. She understood why he trained. But that was all she understood. She knew that he needed to capture Aang to get back his honor, but still did not understand why or how he lost it. There was so much about him that was a mystery. If she was going to be spending some time with him, she would like to understand him. At the very least know alittle more about him.
"Um . . ." Zuko stopped and turned to look at her with a questioning look in his eyes. ". . . . why do you need to meditate?" Katara figured that question would not be too personal. Zuko closed his eyes in annoyance before answering her.
"Fire is a dangerous element. To master it I have to master my mind. That way I can control the flames better. And the heat will not bother me so much." With that said, Zuko set off towards the meditation room once more. Katara did not speak again, not being able to find the right questions to ask. The two benders finally reached the Prince's meditation room. Entering, Katara did see a basin of water on a small table. The room was bare with the exception of a mat in front of four candles and a dragon head design. Without saying a word, Zuko sat down on the mat and began his meditation. Katara put the basin of water on the ground and sat down in front of it. As quiet as possible the girl lifted the water up and began to practice her bending skills.
- - - - -
Ceres smirked as she stood up and looked at Admiral Zhao.
"Impossible!" Flames appeared around his fists. Ceres eyed the flames wearily but did not back down.
"Come now, it's not entirely impossible, is it? After all, Senku wasn't that strong." Ceres moved the side and avoided a fireball. Glaring Ceres crossed her arms. "I am not here to steal your body, if that's what you want." Sighed the demon.
"What do you want?" Zhao asked quietly, trying to come up with a plan in his mind as to how he would deal with Ceres.
"Simple really." Ceres kept her tone sweet. "I only want one girl. And, of course, the scarred boy who stopped me and the old man he was with." The last part her tone took a dangerous edge. Anger flared in her eyes as she remembered Zuko and Iroh.
"Scarred boy? Over his left eye?" Narrowing her eyes, Ceres nodded.
"Have you seen him?" Zhao scoffed at this.
"Seen him? I know that little brat! He's the banished prince of the Fire Nation." Ceres raised an eyebrow at Zhao's angry tone.
"You seem to want him dead almost as much as I do." A smirk crossed her face. "Why?"
"He's a spoiled snot-nosed little disgrace. His very existence is an insult to the great Fire Nation. And the worst part is he's the only heir. One way or another, the Fire Nation will eventually take him back." A grin spread across Ceres's face.
"Well, he prevented me from having my prey. Perhaps you have seen her." An illusion was cast over Ceres for a moment, changing her shape to that of Katara. When she spoke, even her voice belonged to Katara. "Her name is Katara. She's a waterbender." As quickly as it had come, it was gone and Ceres changed back to her original form.
"I know her. She travels with the Avatar." Ceres rose an eyebrow.
"The Avatar? Does he have arrows on his body and carries a glider?" Zhao nodded.
"Yes. I take it you've seen him." Glowering, Ceres confirmed this with a quick nod. A dangerous smile played on Ceres's lips.
"Perhaps it would be best to strike a deal." Zhao narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at the demon.
"What kind of deal?" Smirking, Ceres answered.
- - - - -
Zuko looked up at Katara when she let out a cry of surprise after thunder rumbled loudly. He didn't say anything, but stood up and began to hurry up to the deck to trying and figure out what was going on. Katara nearly ran to keep up with him. The two soon emerged on the ship's deck with the rain pouring down on them.
"Is everything alright?" Zuko yelled over the raging winds. The captain nodded.
"Yes sir! But this storm is getting stronger as we speak!" Katara stumbled slightly as the ship was tossed about in the waves. Zuko turned when he felt her bump into her and looked surprised to see her out in the storm.
"Go in!" He yelled, trying to make sure she heard him over the rain and wind. Katara shook her head vigorously.
"NO! I'll be fine! I'm a waterbender, remember!" A thought passed over Zuko.
"Can you calm down some of these waves?" Katara looked out at the ocean to see the large waves.
"I can try!" Katara moved out to the front of the ship and began to use her waterbending skills to try and deflect most of the dangerous waves.
- - - - -
"You want power. I know you do. I can give it to you." Ceres explained with a cruel smirk.
"Go on."
"I can make you the Fire Lord. It's like you said, even if he's banished, the Fire Nation will let him come back after his father's death if he's the only heir." Zhao's face contorted into a disgusted look at the thought of Zuko coming back to the Fire Nation.
". . . . if anyone finds out about this, it will be my head." Ceres made a criss-cross motion over her heart.
"Promise I won't tell if you don't." Ceres watched him carefully. "And my word is my bond."
"How do I know if you're going to keep your word?"
"Unlike humans, demons do not go back on their word. It is something we take pride in." Ceres held out her hand. "So, do we have a deal?" Zhao thought for a moment. Could he trust a demon? It they failed, his fate would be worse than death. But if they succeeded . . . . he would be Fire Lord! It was dangerous, either way. Ceres could easily kill him and move on to find another power hungry firebender. His larger, rough hand clasped itself around Ceres's smaller frozen and soft hand.
"Deal." It was then that an unholy alliance was formed.
- - - - -
"We're through the worst of the storm." Zuko turned and saw his uncle coming up to him. Katara stood ahead of the two and was redirecting the waves to the best of her abilities. There was serious strain on her. Even from a distance it was easy to tell. Sweat dripped down her face and into her eyes. Periodically, she would quickly rub the sweat away with the back of her fist. Her breathing was heavy and her movements were sloppy. "She needs rest." Zuko nodded before walking up behind her and tapping her on the shoulder. Turning, she gave him a questioning look.
"Rest. We're through the worst." Katara shot him a curious look.
"How do you know that?" It came out sharper than she meant due to her exhaustion.
"Just trust me on this." Zuko snapped, causing Katara to glare at him.
"Go jump in the ocean!" Now it was Zuko's turn to glare.
"Just go rest!" Zuko hissed causing Katara to cross her arms and turn her back to him.
"You can't tell me what to do!" Fed up, Zuko before she knew what was happening, Zuko had picked her up and slung her over his shoulder. "HEY! PUT ME DOWN!"
- - - - -
Hi again! Thanks to your support, I'm starting to kick that writer's block's ass! Let's just hope it doesn't get a second wind. I'm barely staying afloat here. Well, anyway, thanks for making it this far! I hope you guys like the alliance between Zhao and Ceres! Hope I'm getting the characters right. Especially our two love birds! Review please! Ja ne!