Summary: This takes place after the season finale. Zuko is on the hunt again but what started out as the perfect ambush plan turns into a disaster. Something big happens...in chapter two...something I think they should do on the show. Yes this is Z/K and maybe A/OC. Rated Teen just in case.
AN: This is my first fan fic. I really hope you like it. If you dont, that's cool. Just review either way! I got the idea for this from a dream I had...yes, I know, creepy...but anyway...on to the disclaimer.
Disclaimer: I really dont own Avatar...honestly! Boy Scout's Honor! (too bad I'm not a boy scout)
Somewhere in Earth Kingdom territory...
A large mass of white floated through the clouds above where Prince Zuko stood. To any other traveler, it just looked like a fast moving cloud. Prince Zuko knew better though. He knew that on the back of the beast rode the Avatar. The one thing he hunted and now the only thing that could save him and his Uncle from the Fire Lord's wrath. Ever since the loss of his ship, he had gotten used to traveling on foot and with his Uncle. He left the North Pole tired and broken, but the fire inside of him burnt stronger than ever. His Uncle was not faring well. The retired General Iroh had caught a cold in the North Pole. Fire Benders need heat to remain stable, but the intense cold shocked the old man's system very harshly.
Zuko's head ached when he remembered the events that took place at the North Pole. He was filled with confusion, anger, and sadness. The Avatar had saved him from certain death again…Why? Was he so naive that he still thought that they could be friends!
The sudden descent of both the large white bison and the evening sun shook Zuko from his thoughts. He quickly set his mind to the task that lay ahead. His uncle was now considered a traitor in the Fire Nation and Zuko was still a failure. The Avatar was the only option out of the shameful situation they were now in.
Zuko watched his pale, sickly Uncle sleep by the roaring fire he had made. Maybe when I take the Avatar, I can also take some healing herbs from their camp. Zuko glanced at his shivering Uncle. My needs are greater than theirs.
At the Camp...
Katara was exhausted. After fighting with that arrogant Fire Nation Prince for hours at the North Pole, she, Aang, and Sokka rode non-stop for 3 days. They were in search of an Earth Bending master to teach Aang. Sokka was in bad shape. He had lost his first love back at the North Pole and now he rarely complained, ate considerably less, and frequently stared off into space. Katara was running out of ways to comfort him, so she decided to leave him alone until they reached camp.
In between trying to console Sokka and helping to strengthen Aang's water bending skills, there was little time to heal the wounds she had received from the battle with Zuko. She had a few burns and scratches but she paid little attention to them.
Katara leapt down off of the great white mass that was Appa and looked around their new camp. Tall, dense bushes walled in parts of the large clearing. Beside the grassy plain was a large river that was shallow by the camp. Great! I can practice with Aang here in the river. Katara took another look around the clearing. It is very peaceful here. If we stayed here two or three nights, I could help Sokka to overcome his grief. Katara thought to herself.
Several minutes later, camp was set up and they all converged around a small cooking fire. For the first time in days, she noticed just how bad her injuries had become. The burns were swelling and the scrapes were beginning to fester. Sokka and Aang noticed too.
"Katara, go down to the river and heal those burns. They are starting to creep me out!" Sokka stated with a look of disgust. Katara glared at him but held back a retort. She didn't want to discourage her brother from finally acting like himself again.
"Ok, fine, I'll be by the river if anyone needs me." The boys didn't hear her though because they were deep in conversation about gross wounds they had seen over the years. "Or if anyone cares." muttered Katara. She wandered over to the river and took off her top to inspect the damage underneath. The worst of the injuries consisted of a long burn across her arm and a narrow burn across her belly. She dipped her hands in the water until they started to glow blue. Then she pressed them on her tummy and arm. The wounds healed and then quickly vanished. Katara thought it was odd how the pain of the wound was still a little bit there underneath the skin even though the physical mark and ceased to exist.
"You can't completely erase the wound." She whispered to herself. She quickly dressed and headed to bed with the boys. They were still telling gross stories until she threatened to dump the river on them if they weren't silent. The sudden silence comforted Katara and she fell into the most peaceful sleep she'd had in weeks. They boys followed suit and soon they were all sleeping peacefully under the protective canopy of trees.