Chapter 5
The next morning, Zuko rose and gloomily headed to the galley for breakfast. He knew the water whelp had told her friends everything, so he braced himself for an attack by the Avatar and the moron. He slowly opened the door to the galley and stood there, waiting for their attacks. But they just smiled at him.
What are they smiling at? Surely she told them everything she knew? So why did they seem so happy to see me?
Zuko couldn't figure out what was going on, but he needn't have bothered.
"Don't worry, Kozu." Katara said innocently to him. "I haven't told anyone about our little talk."
Aang looked from Katara to Kozu. He was suddenly curious about their little talk.
"Hey, Katara, what are you talking about?" Socca asked.
"Well, Kozu has promised not to get angry anymore. Haven't you?" She looked at Zuko, who was gritting his teeth.
He nodded slowly.
This girl is going to be the death of me! Zuko thought as he sat down next to his Uncle.
Aang, Socca, Katara, Iroh and Zuko ate their breakfast in complete silence. Then Aang and Iroh went beck on deck and continued training. Socca hurried out and started practising his own strange fighting techniques. That just left Katara with Zuko.
He looked at her, pure loathing on his face. She smiled and began humming to herself.
"Why didn't you tell them?" He demanded.
The room was silent before she responded.
"Look, Zuko. I won't tell them, because a part of me finds this fun. Your Uncle is nothing like you. He's carefree, but you're always so angry. I know you're going to try to take Aang, but teaching him Firebending is a nice thing to do. Oh, one more thing. If you lose your temper or try to hurt us, I will tell them."
Zuko looked at her. He didn't know whether to char grill her or thank her.
Had she just said she was having fun?
He really couldn't understand the girl. They emerged from the galley together and proceeded to the deck to watch Aang's training.
Aang had advanced from candles to producing actual fire, even though Iroh was warned that teaching him how to do this was a mistake. Iroh had clearly forgotten what he was told, because he was smiling and encouraging Aang to try harder. Zuko glared at his Uncle, who merely grinned back at him.
"Now, now, son. Don't be jealous that the Avatar is learning faster than you did." Iroh continued grinning, as his nephew's face contorted with rage.
Zuko balled his fists, flames igniting as he did so, but quickly stopped when he saw Katara smirking at him.
She thinks I can't control my temper. Well she's sadly mistaken, he thought to himself.
He walked over to the stern of the ship and gazed around. The sea was calm, tranquil. Zuko found himself just staring at the horizon, but as he focused, he saw a grey cloud appear. The cloud grew larger and closer. It was then that he noticed the cloud was not a cloud, but smoke from a Fire Navy ship. Zuko tensed slightly then called for his Uncle to come and see this, saying "father" not "uncle". Iroh trotted to his nephew's side and Zuko pointed at the ship.
"What do you think?" Zuko asked his Uncle, a faint trace of worry in his voice.
"Looks to me like Admiral Zhao has caught up with us. Best you go and hide inside, with the Avatar and his friends. Don't want to be discovered do we?" Iroh put his hand on his nephew's shoulder then walked him to the Avatar.
"What is it, Kozu?" Aang asked, seeing their worried faces. Zuko thought carefully about his answer, before he said,
"Look, Aang. There's a Fire Nation ship heading for this island. I'm positive it's Admiral Zhao. We all have to hide fast, before he uses his telescopes to see you. My father, will keep Zhao from finding any of us." Zuko attempted to smile at the Avatar, but he couldn't cover his anxiety.
If Zhao finds Aang, he'll take him and I'll never get home. If he sees me, my whole plan will be ruined and he'll probably start asking questions that I don't want to answer.
These thoughts zoomed through Zuko's mind, then another one sprung up.
What would he do to the Avatar's friends if he caught them? He'd surely torture and kill them, which is something not even I would do to them. What'll he do to Uncle Iroh if he's discovered lying?
"Let's get inside. We can hide in my room." Zuko said, remembering the limited rooms unoccupied by the crewmembers.
Socca moved away from the rail and heaved a heavy sigh.
"Guys. What if we are caught? Couldn't we just run to Appa and leave this place? It's not like we need to stay…"
"We can't remember? Aang has to learn Firebending. I wish you'd stop thinking about yourself for once." Katara hated her brother's selfish attitude sometimes. It was definitely one of his worst qualities.
"Katara's right, Socca. Besides, we don't have time to get to Appa. The ship is almost here. Kozu, where's your room?" Aang's face was completely serious. He wasn't smiling. Socca folded his arms. He was always outvoted.
Zuko opened the door leading to the inside of the ship, and they all hurried down the corridor to his room. Aang was constantly looking around as they moved. He was almost positive he'd been here before. They stopped in front of the only door that had a Fire Nation symbol on, then stepped inside.
Aang almost stopped dead, which prevented Socca from getting through the doorway. He looked to his left. There was the banner he had thrown Prince Zuko against. He looked to his right. The mattress he had used to knock the Fire Prince out with for a few minutes.
And there, at the back of the room, was the small table with half-melted candles on top of it. A small cushion lay on the ground next to it.
Zuko turned round, his face falling slightly as he did so. His plan was abolished before he had even left the island.
Perfect, he thought angrily.
Aang's whole face was white.
Socca was giving Aang worried glances. He was the only one who didn't know. Katara's head was bowed in shame. She knew, but she hadn't told them.
"Katara," Aang swallowed, "you were right. This is Zuko's ship, and this is Zuko." He pointed a finger at 'Kozu', a small tear of guilt slowly descending down his cheek. He had trusted him, but he had been the enemy all along.
Socca was glaring at Zuko, disbelief and hatred in his expression. He knew something had been fishy, but had shrugged it off.
Katara walked over to Aang from Zuko's side, carefully placing a hand of comfort on his shoulder.
Zuko tried to think of something to excuse the clear evidence around them, but all that he could think about was Aang's pale, heart-broken face.
He had truly trusted me. How could I have been so cruel? He's only a twelve-year-old boy! He has feelings like everyone else! I should've just tried to capture him like all the other times. Why do I feel so guilty?
"Aang, I only did it to capture you. I didn't know you would react like this. I'm sorry." Zuko truly meant this. It was rare for him to apologise, but this time he had sincerely meant it. The only problem was, the Avatar and his friend, Socca, weren't prepared to accept this.
"Look, Zuko! Aang doesn't need your fake apologies! You've done enough damage, now leave him alone!" Socca tugged at his sister and Aang, trying to make them accompany him off of the ship, but Katara stood her ground.
"I thought you said you weren't going to hurt any of us, but you've managed to accomplish that! I bet you didn't care for one second when we treated you like a human being! You're just like all the rest- cruel, selfish and cold. There isn't a shred of decency in you is there?" Her words impacted Zuko harshly.
He took in everything she had said.
She's right. I have been cruel, just like the people that banished me. I've been acting like a monster, but I did like their company, didn't I?
He looked at the Waterbender girl- small tears had stained her face. He looked at the Avatar- he was still ghostly white. The boy, Socca, looked ready to kill him. Guilt continued it's fast paced journey through Zuko's body. He wanted to cry, but he stopped himself.
"Katara, Socca, Aang. I am sorry. I did enjoy your company. I felt like we were friends for brief moments. I'm sure my Uncle liked talking to you three as well. I was surprised that none of you recognised me. I think that 'miracle cure' really was a miracle. It's not often that I'm happy these days. You guys made me laugh. I truly am sorry, but you can't leave. Zhao is about to board my ship. When he does, he will search for you. If he finds you he will take you to the Fire Nation, kill you two," he pointed to Socca and Katara, "probably have my Uncle tried for treason for harbouring the Avatar, and most likely have me killed. Don't you see. If you stay with me, you'll be safe."
Zuko looked at the Avatar, desperate for him to agree to stay, but Aang shook his ghostly pale head.
"If we stay, he will find us. If he doesn't find us, you will take me to the Fire Nation. We're leaving, and there's nothing you can say or do to make us stay."
Aang walked down the corridor and out onto the ship's deck. That was his mistake. Socca followed Aang slowly and cautiously; he did not want to turn his back on Zuko. Katara wiped her tears away from her face, looked at the person whom she had liked before she had learnt his secret, and went to her brother's side.
The two had barely made a step down the corridor, when they heard Aang cry out in pain. Zuko, too, heard the sound and ran to the other two.
"Aang! Are you okay?" Katara called. She moved towards the door, which led to the outside, but an arm had grabbed her.
"Socca, let go."
She glanced over her shoulder and saw Prince Zuko looking at her with a stern face.
"Don't go out there. It is more than likely that Zhao now has Aang. He may try to see if he can draw you two out. But he won't get to."
Zuko pulled Katara back towards her brother, then made for the door. He touched the handle.
"I will go out there and get Aang back. I'll save him."
He opened the door and stepped outside. Both Socca and Katara stood there, completely gob smacked. Zuko, Prince of the Fire Nation, was about to rescue the Avatar from the Admiral of the Fire Nation! Something in Zuko had definitely changed, and Katara and Socca could see it.