Disclaimer: I own no portion, slice or pinch of Avatar.
Sorry for the late update again, but school was horrible and I had testing. So for convenience, I'll post up a summary of the last chapter. :)
In the last chapter, Sokka and Aang were separated in the market. Sokka ended up meeting an old man with a speech impediment. Sokka agrees to stay the night with the old man, who agrees to help him look for Aang the following morning. Aang, meanwhile, runs into Iroh, who is looking for Zuko. Iroh agrees to let Aang say with him, and they can look for Zuko, Sokka and Katara the following morning. It is also alluded to that Zhao may also be staying nearby...
Meanwhile Katara finally gets to practice Waterbending. She then decides to make some balm for Zuko's wrists. As she goes to gather herbs for making it, an unknown girl assaults her. Zuko manages to take the girl down, but who exactly is she?
I might start doing this from now on, because... I'm sad and I like recapping. Anyhow - onward! You've waited long enough.
Why the Caged Bird Sings
09
Spending Time on a Quality Line
Her name was Mai. She was seventeen, so she said, and alone.
She often hunted thieves and stole what they had stolen from others. Maybe this made her a thief as well, but she claimed it was the only way she could survive.
And despite everything in the world, Katara didn't like her.
She had tried, honestly - very hard, in fact. She wasn't quite sure what was keeping her from giving Mai the chance she needed to prove her character.
Maybe it was the fact that Mai periodically ignored Katara. Yes - that might have something to do with the situation. Just a bit.
Katara didn't take very well to being ignored. As she watched Mai stalk back and forth, examining the herbs and basket she had dropped earlier, Katara suddenly felt sympathy for Sokka. Maybe they were a little hard on him sometimes. There were instances were his being ignored were accidental, but sometimes the Waterbender ignored him on purpose. He was just so dramatic all the time!
The girl wrestled with feelings of guilt before clearing her throat, approaching their new guest. "What are you doing?"
Mai said nothing and circled the basket before kneeling, giving it a rough jab with a blunt stick. "What did she think she was trying to make here, soup?" Mai muttered to herself. Katara balled up her fists, feeling her anger bubbling.
"Excuse me," Katara intervened, snatching up the basin and throwing what few herbs had fallen out back in. "But I wasn't making soup."
Mai swiveled up, blinked at Katara, shrugged, and then stood. Then she made her way back to the beach, humming merrily to herself without a single word.
Katara followed Mai with her eyes, secretly hoping to maybe burn a hole through her back. How rude...
Zuko wished she would go away. However he kept quieter than he usually would. This time it was time for him to take charge of things.
Even a rock could feel the tension between Mai and Katara, so when both of them came walking up onto the beach (Katara trailing behind, looking sour) it was fairly obvious. And Zuko, well...
I'm going to have fun with this, he thought.
"So?" Zuko demanded verbally, eyeing the two girls sharply. Mai tossed up her knife and caught it before winking at the young Firebender.
"She's brought back the soup she dropped," the girl whistled. Katara bristled, shooting Mai a dirty look.
"It's not soup," the Waterbender repeated, though more calmly than she thought she was capable of. Mai didn't seem to hear - instead she inspected the edge of her blade, making content noises.
Maybe he was being childish but Zuko was really enjoying the torment Katara was going through. He had had the short end of the stick for so long that now he didn't mind being a bit of a sadist.
Girls are so difficult to understand, the prince thought as he watched Katara angrily mix and bash up the herbs as Mai loitered nearby. Maybe it's a good thing I never had anything to do with them.
However all things were not settling well on the Firebender's stomach. Mai had not said anything about his binds, and the prince found that highly unusual. She had made no comment about his appearance, or Katara's, nor asked for their names or occupations or birthplaces (and they had not volunteered to tell her anything, either.) Instead she had told them a little about herself and had then gone about hanging around them like she'd been their friend since forever.
Most people might be thankful for such a thing, but Zuko didn't like it. People just didn't do that. People were curious by nature, especially in dangerous times like these.
This Mai girl had an agenda.
The problem was that Zuko was having difficulty figuring out what it was. So instead of saying anything he merely kept quiet and waited for clues. Meanwhile, he didn't drop his guard and he kept his senses sharp.
"Are you actually going to rub that gunk on him?" the older girl asked, wrinkling her nose. Katara gripped the basin firmly before suddenly letting go and standing up straight.
"I thought you were convinced it was soup."
"Gunky soup."
Katara's eyes flared. "You know what? Why don't you go do something constructive? Why don't you run off somewhere and scout, or look for food? Or better yet go back to where you came from? Because you are not helping us here nor does it look like you want to. So go boil in your own negativity elsewhere!"
Katara then breathed, calming herself. There was brief silence and the Waterbender suddenly felt embarrassment creep into her face. It wasn't like her to suddenly shoot off at someone for no reason, especially someone she didn't really know.
But it had felt good. Katara had been teetering on the edge for the last few hours and her nerves were wearing thin. There was still no sign of Aang or Sokka and her worry for them was gnawing viciously at her insides. Zuko was being more quiet than usual and this worried Katara, because she thought he'd have at least told Mai to buzz off hours ago. He had certainly shown Katara his dislike for her company when they had initially met, so why did he spare Mai his temper tantrums?
Then there was Mai herself, who just followed Katara only to ignore her, and was always making snide comments in her presence. It was not the type of person Katara wanted to be around right now. Katara needed relief, and she wasn't getting it. She wanted normalcy, and Mai was nothing like Aang or Sokka. If anything Mai's presence made Katara value Zuko's even more - at least he didn't always have something negative to say...
"Okay," Mai chirped, sliding her knife back into her belt with a grin.
Katara blinked. "What?"
"I'll go look for food," Mai said, nodding at Zuko. Then she turned on her heel and left, humming merrily as she strolled down the beach and was soon lost to sight.
Katara let her hands drop to her sides. She couldn't believe it. Mai had left. And she didn't seem bothered in the least by Katara's outburst.
If anything this just aggravated the Waterbender more. Katara scowled and stomped angrily at the ground. "Fine!" she yelled out after the older girl, though the Waterbender doubted she could hear her now.
A few moments passed as Katara stewed inwardly. Then she heard laughter. Knowing immediately who it was the girl spun, pointing accusingly at her companion.
"And what are you laughing at, Zuko?"
The Firebender continued to laugh, and the more Katara fumed themore obnoxioushe became. He was sitting cross-legged on the sand, his head thrown back as his shoulders shook in small convulsions.
"What?" Katara demanded, flushing in embarrassed rage. "Stop laughing! It's not funny!"
The prince finally contained himself, though he still had a little trouble. Katara towered over him, forgetting all her previous fears.
"What was THAT about?" she demanded once more, still flushed.
"How pathetic," Zuko managed. Katara glared.
"It's no better than your little tantrums," the girl shot back. All mirth left Zuko's face and he sent her a sharp, offended look.
"She's not worth your time," the prince finally released.
"You seem to like her well enough," Katara continued, not wanting to let the conversation die. Zuko raised his eyebrow.
"What gives you that idea?" the prince demanded with a defensive tone. Katara placed her hands on her hips.
"You never said anything to her! You let me know that you hate me, but when she comes along you don't say anything?" The girl huffed, folding her arms.
Zuko almost rolled his eyes. Why was talking to females so difficult? It was like trying to explain something to Iroh. "I don't hate you. Now, are we going to leave?"
"Of course you -" Katara suddenly froze, replaying Zuko's sentence in her mind. "Wait. Leave?" She frowned, all anger subsiding in her veins. Zuko eyed her cryptically.
"I take it you want to go check on the Avatar. If you're going to go, we'd better leave now."
Katara kneeled in the sand so she and Zuko were more eye level. The bound prince only watched her silently. "You mean... leave, and not tell her?"
Zuko smirked.
For a moment Katara felt like throwing her arms around Zuko and kissing him on the cheek for being so sly. Then she realized how silly that idea was. Hiding minor embarrassment at ever conjuring up such a picture, Katara glanced around.
"Alright. I'm really worried about them... Aang and Sokka, I mean. But how are we going to find them? Aang never told us where the market was."
Zuko tensed and pulled himself up to stand, Katara following his example. He'd gotten more used to rising without the use of his hands for balance - and though horribly uncomfortable, he had to admit it was pretty good training. "We're on an island, closely adjacent to a continent. Right?"
"Right," Katara replied, wondering what Zuko was getting at. Then her eyes widened. "... That means there has to be some kind of bridge that leads from the island to the mainland. We just cross it and the market should be nearby..." She felt rather stupid for not realizing the logic of the problem earlier.
Zuko only nodded stiffly. Katara reached down to gather up their things before realizing her hopes were dashed. For up came Mai, appearing out of the brush, with some apples bundled in her arms.
"Got some stuff. Here, have some." Once she had approached them she let the fruit drop onto the sand and then brushed off her palms, smirking victoriously. Katara felt her shoulders slump but she conceded and picked up an apple. After close inspection she took a cautious bite. Mai cleared her throat.
"You," the older girl suddenly said, gesturing at Katara. "I need to talk with you."
Surprised, and wary, Katara glanced up to lock eyes with Mai. "What?"
"You, me. Talk."
Katara lowered the apple from her mouth and glanced quickly at Zuko. The prince had tensed visibly.
Mai rolled her eyes. "Oh, not the drama again. Look, we'll be right over there, Handsome." The girl gestured to a nearby sand dune. "I don't eat people, you know." She grinned, accentuating her point by biting roughly into a piece of fruit.
"Alright," Katara said, brushing her apple against her robe to clean it off. She then followed the older girl to the sand dune, some yards away - but not without glancing back to Zuko, who remained standing in place. His eyes followed them as they left, and even when they stopped and Katara turned to face Mai, she could still feel them resting on her back.
"Look," Katara began before Mai could start. She glanced down at the sand. "If it was something I said, I'm sorry... I've just had a rough day."
I don't know why I'm being so nice to you. You deserved everything I said. But...
"No idea what you're talking about," Mai said, waving dismissively at Katara. The Waterbender frowned slightly, almost offended at Mai's apparent lack of concern for her apology.
"Now see here," Mai continued, letting her arm drop as she leaned closer to Katara. Her voice dropped as well. "Drop the goody-goody act and explain why you have Handsome all tied up."
Katara jerked back, surprised at Mai's suddenly firm curiosity and also stung by her accusing tone. "What do you mean?"
"Don't play dumb," the older girl pressed severely. "He's all tied up. He can't do anything, can't eat. So why?" She eyed Katara blatantly. "Doesn't look like you could take on someone like him by yourself. Did you have help? You're obviously Water Tribe, your clothes scream it. So, is he Fire Nation? Catch him off guard; treat him bad, got him under some kind of oath? Becoming the very thing you hate - a no good sadist?"
Katara felt herself grow hot with embarrassment. "It's none of your business," she replied frostily. Mai rolled her eyes.
"Fine. But you're treating him horribly, and after all he did to keep me from hacking your head off, too. You're so ungrateful - just like a little kid."
Katara's eyes widened and she clenched a fist. "I am not a child!"
"Oh really?" Mai purred, smirking devilishly. "Then stop acting like one, sweetcakes."
Katara fumed. Here she had come, ready to apologize for anything she had done to offend Mai, and here Mai was - lashing at her with words.
And the worst thing about it was that Katara was taking it all to heart.
She felt guilty.
Strength drained from the Waterbender's limbs. It was only at the last minute that she realized Mai had left and was returning back over to where Zuko stood. The Waterbender glanced up and over at them, a pained expression on her face.
"I'm going now," she heard Mai tell Zuko. "It was nice meeting you."
She watched Mai walk away, still unbothered, still humming to herself. And she saw her disappear into the woods.
Slowly the Waterbender trudged back, her feet dragging across the sand. With a sigh she kneeled and began shoving things back into her bags.
Zuko frowned, feeling strangely uncomfortable around the Waterbender's changed persona. He watched her fix up the campsite for a few moments before the silence became unbearable.
"What did she say?" Zuko asked, though trying not to sound like he was actually concerned or even that curious. Katara mumbled something and slung the pack over her shoulder.
Zuko frowned. Their conversation had been out of his earshot but something told him something had been said to unnerve Katara. He told himself it didn't really matter to him what her problem was, but...
He still needed her. He was still under oath, no matter how much he regretted it or how silly it seemed. He still needed her to take him to the market to find the Avatar, and hopefully his ship and his uncle. He couldn't do this on his own, not as handicapped as he was.
And Katara wasn't the only one concerned about Aang. Zuko was beginning to wonder if something had happened to the Avatar, and if so, he needed to find out what. He couldn't risk anything happening to the boy - he needed him. He needed the Avatar, and he would have him. Katara, right now he was just using her to get to him. It was a matter of convenience.
However as more time passed Zuko began to realize maybe he was somewhat enjoying her company. She provided laughs, in any case, and an outlet for his frustration. She was also a good source of information on the Avatar. If he watched her close enough, maybe he could learn something.
And even though they fought a lot, the Firebender also realized that she listened. He'd been forced to get close to her, and getting close to someone was something the exiled prince hadn't done in years. The only person that compared was Iroh. However, Iroh wasn't with him.
Zuko sighed, heaving out stale air. Katara stood, surveying the sand. Noticing something that she had apparently looked over, the Firebender decided to speak up.
"Are you still going to use that?" he asked roughly. Katara followed his gaze and realized the basin was still sitting where she'd left it, still filled with her balm concoction.
"Oh..." The girl paused and leaned over, taking the basin up in her arms. She glanced down at it with a sigh. "No. I'll just throw it out."
"Why?" Zuko demanded, trying to prompt an argument. At least an argument would be normal. The girl being mopey and depressed was not. It made the boy nervous.
"It's no good," Katara explained, going to walk down to the water to empty it. Zuko stuck out his boot in her path and she was forced to pause. Curiously she glanced over at him.
"Use it," the prince ordered. "It's - chafing," he suddenly forced, twisting at his wrists. A strange pained look appeared in Katara eyes and for a moment Zuko wondered if he had said something wrong. But then Katara glanced down at the basin again before relenting.
"Alright," she replied, letting her pack slide back down onto the sand. She motioned for Zuko to turn around. The prince obliged and Katara steadied the basin on her hip as she dipped a few fingers into the mixture. "At your own risk, though. Are you allergic to anything?"
"Not that I'm aware of," Zuko replied grudgingly, feeling rather embarrassed that he needed someone to tend to him. Then again, it wasn't as bad as the time Katara had been forced to feed him. The prince's stomach growled roughly from within and the Firebender attempted to turn his thoughts from food.
"Good," Katara replied, almost with a laugh. Though he didn't show it, Zuko felt sudden relief at the action. Not so mopey anymore. Good.
The Waterbender paused before slowly running her fingers across Zuko's wrists. The mixture was cold to the touch and she proceeded to rub it onto all available areas. She flinched, seeing firsthand how raw Zuko's wrists were beginning to look from the binding chains secured around them. She asked him to move his wrists a little one way, and he did, and the chains shifted a little and she was able to rub onto more spots. Zuko said nothing throughout the procedure and relished the cold but tingly feeling the mixture left on his skin, along with the hot healing sensation that oozed into his sore muscles.
Katara paused, growing frustrated with the chains that were constantly in her way. Then she felt her hands tremble slightly.
Should I...
Zuko felt her stop, too. Furrowing his brows a bit, the boy swiveled his head a little. "What?"
"Nothing," Katara replied, beginning to work mechanically again. Zuko turned back again and gazed off over the ocean.
Suddenly he felt a tugging on his wrists that was almost painful, then a clank. Suddenly the chains loosened.
Zuko stood, scarcely believing what was happening as he felt the cords slide off his arms and fall onto the sand. A few moments passed and he didn't move.
Then he finally turned, bringing his hands out in front of him for the first time in days. His muscles screamed at him, having been tight for a long period of time. He glanced down at his palms and then rubbed them together to get the feeling coming back. They were slick with balm.
Then he glanced up at Katara. She stood, an unreadable expression on her face. Slowly she held out basin with the remaining balm inside. Her fingers were coated modestly with the rather sticky substance.
"Here," she said. "You can... do it by yourself, now."
The prince kept his gaze locked on hers. She forced the basin into his hands and went to turn away.
Suddenly one of Zuko's hands shot out, catching her by the wrist. She startled as Zuko pulled her around to face him, slight fear dawning in her eyes.
"Why did you do that?" the prince demanded, still holding the basin with his other hand. Katara avoided his gaze, her mind a storm of conflicting thoughts and confusion.
"Because..." She swallowed, trying not to look too afraid. She had made herself vulnerable now. It was all her doing. "...I felt bad."
Surprise took Zuko's features, but he didn't let go of Katara's wrist. He continued to hold it, gently but firmly.
"What?"
"I felt bad. You... don't need to be chained like that." She shifted her weight, digging her foot into the sand.
Zuko's grip loosened slightly. "So now..."
Katara straightened up, feeling courage mount inside her. "But... you're still under that promise."
Zuko raised his eyebrow. A moment passed. "...Until?"
"...Until I - we - find Aang and Sokka."
"And then?"
"I don't know," Katara admitted. Zuko's fierce gaze remained on the Waterbender as he felt newfound adrenaline rush through him.
He was free.
"Then you let me return to my ship," Zuko replied firmly. Katara nodded.
"Alright. As long as you don't try to do anything with Aang."
Zuko shot Katara an unreadable look. Deciding that was the best reply she was going to get, the girl decided to let the subject drop. Zuko let go of her wrist and she backed away.
He didn't turn on her.
Surprised, Katara watched Zuko sling their bags over his shoulder. He had put his gray shirt back on, much to both of their relief. Katara hadn't realized how accustomed she had gotten to seeing him bare-chested.
The only problem now was that now she had to get used to seeing him with his shirt on - which, it should be noted, is still rather thin and skin tight.
If anything, it only made his muscles even more noticeable.
However Katara tried to keep her mind off such things. Instead she fought with herself mentally.
I can't believe I just did that.
I'm so stupid! I let him go!
He's going to turn on me.
He's going to find Aang and take him.
That shirt looks nice on him.
I can't believe I did that!
And so forth.
Zuko was enjoying his freedom to every extent. He rolled his shoulders and flexed his fingers with cocky smirks. No more hindrances.
Well, except for the stupid promise.
However Zuko decided he could deal with that. Things were finally really starting to go his way. That was a good sign.
Katara also felt better. A burden had lifted from her shoulders, and though she had to admit she was in a more precarious position now, she was still in charge. Zuko was still her "prisoner," for lack of a better word - at least in spirit, if not necessarily in body.
She tried not to think that Mai had anything to do with it. In fact she tried not to think of Mai at all. She got a strange feeling in her chest when she thought of that strange, snide girl. As she and Zuko trailed their way down the sunny beach, enjoying the breezes bestowed upon them, Katara couldn't help glancing over at the woods to their right. She almost expected to see her there. But she never did.
Zuko noticed this, and he sent Katara a patronizing look. "Worrying over her?"
"No," Katara lied, trying to keep in step. She glared back. Zuko only smirked, realizing he was right, and resumed looking forward.
"If she tries anything, we'll be ready," the Firebender continued in all confidence, flexing his fingers to accentuate his comment. Katara glanced down at his action, feeling uneasy.
"What makes you think she'll try anything?" Katara ventured, trying to sound unconcerned. Zuko continued looking ahead.
"She was suspicious," was all the prince said. Katara felt a lump rise in her throat.
What did Mai want, anyway?
What if she wanted me to release Zuko for a reason?
But why would she want that?
Why did she just leave?
It doesn't make sense.
Chewing subconsciously on her lip, subtle confidence began to replace the Water Tribe girl's worry. If Mai did try anything, at least Zuko was fully available to handle it. Katara had seen the Firebender in action many times before, and his style was so firm and fluid, and learned, she thought only Aang could match. And that was only because Aang was so unorthodox in his fighting style that he was difficult to predict. Not to mention he had all the elements on his side.
Katara focused on her thumbs as she twiddled them around each other. Aang. Where was he? What if he and Sokka had gotten into trouble?
The girl glanced over to Zuko's back, her brows narrowed. What if the Fire Nation has something to do with it? What would Zuko do?
Her thoughts traveled back to the time Aang had told them what had occurred when he had been captured. How Zuko had saved him.
Of course Katara was sure Zuko had done it because it was in his own best interests... but lately she had given in to the fact that Zuko was not altogether a bad person.
A little proud, a little - well, a lot - angry, cocky, spoiled, narrow-minded... but nice enough.
Suddenly Katara felt a little sheepish. Then again, I haven't been a complete saint, either...
Her foot hit a buried rock. Taken off guard, Katara went sprawling forward, but she felt Zuko catch her elbow and steady her. She straightened, flushing in embarrassment. "Thanks," she mumbled.
Zuko gave her a quirt nod and continued walking, pulling his hand away. Katara brushed at her robe and mumbled, "You just bring out the worst in me." She blinked, realizing she had just verbally restated her previous thoughts.
Zuko stopped, turning around with a blink. Then he inclined his head.
"The same," he replied sagely. Katara grunted, puffing out her cheeks.
They continued walking for a few more moments before Zuko spoke up. "Uncle says to control and better the beast, one must first face it."
Katara tilted her head. "Your uncle?"
Zuko shifted suddenly, looking uncomfortable. He didn't meet her gaze. "Yes."
"Oh," Katara replied, remembering Iroh from before. "That sounds wise," she finished.
Zuko said nothing, mulling the phrase over in his head. Uncle always was spouting off proverbs.
"Sokka is the only family I have with me," Katara continued, hoping against hope they could carry a conversation without resorting to arguing.
Zuko snickered. "Beggars can't be choosers."
Katara was about to fire off a reply to the Firebender but she stopped and slowly smiled to herself. "Whatever," she replied breezily, skipping ahead.
Zuko watched her carry on in front of him. Why does she do things like that? he wondered, perplexed.
They reached the end of the island. There was a small channel of water, and beyond it they could see the beginning of the mainland. A little farther off, past some forest, Katara could almost swear she saw faint smoke, which indicated a settlement. They were near.
And though this was great news, there was a downside. There was a little rocky outcrop that rose near them, and from it and across the channel stretched an aged wooden bridge that led to an outcrop on the other side.
Katara felt her heart sink. "I can't imagine Sokka would cross that," she said aloud. "I bet he and Aang got on top of that, but didn't actually cross the bridge - I bet they used the glider."
"Useful item," Zuko remarked, already making his way up the outcrop. It wasn't extremely tall, but it was tall enough. The bridge's distance from the water below was three times his height at the least. There seemed to be a worn path that led up to the top, and there two firm stakes had been planted that formed the beginning of the bridge.
For a moment Katara pouted, wishing she had a glider. Deciding to voice her complaint about this later, the girl proceeded to make her way up onto the top as well. Zuko was already up, examining the bridge with a scrutinizing eye.
It wasn't a hard climb at all, and soon Katara was standing beside her reluctant companion. She shielded her eyes against the sun and looked out across the channel.
"Doesn't seem that far away," she replied. "From the air it looked farther. I don't think this is really an island at all, but just a piece of the mainland that kind of juts out, and the extension of it is submerged."
"Regardless," Zuko replied, "the water is deep in areas. It's wise not to risk a drop." He gripped a stake and shook it a bit. He frowned when it wriggled slightly in his palm.
"Not the sturdiest of bridges, is it?" Katara asked somewhat nervously. Zuko's frown was enough to tell her she was right. She rubbed her temple. "Can't we find another way?"
"Not unless you want to waste more time," Zuko replied firmly. He placed a boot onto the first plank of the bridge and applied his weight onto it. Nothing happened. He moved his other boot on it and stood before testing the next plank. "This was probably built by the rogues. It's crude, and ugly."
Katara was somewhat amused that Zuko was concerned over how ugly the bridge was, but she said nothing. She was too busy eyeing the aged wood.
"Come on," Zuko demanded, seeing her stalling. Katara stiffened her chin before slowly resting her foot on a plank, and then another. Slowly she threaded her way behind Zuko, who was beginning to grow more accustomed to stepping.
Everything was going fine until something under Katara's foot snapped. She yelped, clamoring at Zuko in her moment of panic. Zuko stared at the girl that had wound herself around his arm, and then back at the split plank.
"It didn't even fall," he commented dryly. Katara cleared her throat, releasing him from her hold.
"It almost did," she replied defensively. Zuko shook his head but took Katara's elbow and proceeded to lead her along. At first offended by the fact Zuko thought she needed help, she finally consented to the gesture. It felt better to have someone near to lead her than her making her way along by herself.
They were halfway across when the worst happened. Zuko tested a plank that collapsed almost instantly. When he went to step back, the plank that held him snapped at the sudden influx of weight. Katara felt the sudden break and before she could move the planks beneath her split, and they fell.
Or they would have fallen, if Zuko had not reached up and snagged the nearest whole plank with a hand. Katara dangled, her fingers digging into his shoulder as his other arm was looped firmly around her waist. She inhaled, her whole body stiff in shock.
"Move around," she heard Zuko grunt as he strained to hold both their weight with one hand. She thought she heard the plank creak and she clung tighter.
"How?" she asked, her voice shaky. The water below seemed dark and threatening. No telling what kind of creatures live in there...
"Move to my front. Keep your arms around my neck," Zuko ordered, still straining. His grip hadn't been the best to begin with, and his arms and shoulders were still sore and painfully tout from being bound for so long. "I need my other arm."
It took courage to loosen her grip, but Katara knew what she had to do. Slowly she moved her left arm around and snaked it around Zuko's neck. Then she let her body swing a bit, slowly, to the side, and she quickly snagged her other arm around his neck. Finally she was flush against him, her face buried against his chest. Zuko, now with his other arm freed, reached up and managed a second firmer hold into the plank.
"Now what?" Katara ventured, her voice muffled against his shirt. She dared not to move. She felt so vulnerable dangling there, and she was sure Zuko felt the same. She wasn't keen on falling into dark water, and she sure Zuko felt even more firmly about that - and if they fell, that meant they'd have to start over. And the bridge may no longer be passable. All the time they'd waste...
"Now this," Katara heard Zuko say. Suddenly she felt his muscles tighten and then she felt him thrust his other arm forward. Then she felt his body slacken and rock forward, and his other arm thrust out. The process was repeated.
Katara's eyes widened as she realized Zuko was swinging both of their weights across the planks. However the maneuver wouldn't do them any good if the planks were weak and broke.
However luck was with them, maybe because the planks on the far end of the wooden bridge were newer in build. The water below them grew shallower and soon the muddy bank of the mainland was below her.
"Drop," Zuko said. Katara did as she was told and let go, only to hit a muddy embankment a second later. She slid down a few feet and stopped, sitting upright in muddy ankle-deep water. She made a face.
Zuko let go and slid down the muddy embankment as well, though on his feet and with more grace. He stopped beside Katara, his boots sinking into the muck. He smirked.
"I hope you had fun," he commented as Katara struggled to stand up with mud sucking at her feet and sticking to her robe. She shot him a poisonous glare and he laughed sadistically, turning to make his way up onto dry land.
What came next was automatic. Katara reached down, grabbed a handful of thick mud, drew back her arm and then let it swing.
There was a splat as the mud clod connected with Zuko's head. The Firebender stumbled forward, reaching back with a hand to touch the clump of wet dirt attached to his head. Whirling around with mortification and astonishment he saw Katara impersonating his laughter, most of her lower robe and hands caked in mud.
He growled, reaching down to grab a handful himself. Seeing what he was doing, Katara wheeled around and tried to scramble up onto dry land as fast as possible. Zuko grinned, taking aim.
"No one treats a prince like that!" he declared, letting the mud clot fly. Katara barely avoided the projectile, and it only grazed her butt. She managed to get up onto firm ground and she collapsed, laughing and tired.
Zuko joined her, scowling and still picking mud from his hair. "Childish," he grumbled, pulling out a stringy plant.
Katara forced herself up, wiping the bottom of her shoes on a nearby rock. "You did it too," she replied mockingly, and she could feel Zuko staring her down. She looked up, perfectly innocent.
"That doesn't get out to anyone, understand?" Zuko demanded, pointing a mud-coated finger at the Waterbender. Katara wiped her hands off on her robe, which was already pathetically dirty.
"We'll see," the girl replied with a sly grin. She proceeded to make her way toward the woods, in the direction that she saw the smoke. Zuko angrily stomped behind her, his boots making squishing noises as he did.
"I mean it!" he barked out, adjusting their pack over his shoulders, which were aching horribly from exertion. Katara stopped, looking back at the Firebender sagely.
"Fine," she replied sweetly, pent up adrenaline revitalizing her. They'd made it across - they'd find Sokka and Aang any time now. She proceeded to use Waterbending to extract the water from the mud that coated her clothing, which left only caked dirt. This she brushed off easily, though there was still some staining. "And thanks," she added.
Zuko said nothing, but he understood what she meant. He relaxed, the mini mud war forgotten. He'd never admit that it had been somewhat fun.
"Let's go," he said, taking Katara's elbow and giving her a little tug. She consented and they made their way down a worn path through the trees, neither really noticing nor minding the touch.
Wow, that was longer than I intended. Oh well.
No Sokka and Aang in this chapter, but I haven't forgotten them! And no, that's not the last of Mai. She got a short first appearance, but she'll return.
Updates should become more regular now. Again, sorry about the wait!