THIS CHAPTER WAS EDITED AS OF 1/19/06
Author Notes naturally; it's always at the beginning!
This chapter has had some minor editing done to it
Okay, sorry for the long holdup! My reason is this….when it was time for my weekly update I wasn't ready because, having suffered from mild writer's block and school, I was still only on page eight. Then, I had this break through and got up to page ten when Word had to close….so I reopened it…..and the program was lock so I couldn't write until I reinstalled Word. It would have been simple to just reinstall it then, but the CD was missing! So, four days later I FINALLY find it and reinstall it. So I go back in, and my story is still at page ten. I had to make a; 'beware irate writer at work do not disturb' sign and lock myself in my room for two hours a day until yesterday, when I finally finished. So FYI, this chapter is not at its full potential because I couldn't take half the time I wanted to edit. -- SO BE HAPPY!
And, I'm not sure if Fire Nation fortresses are made of metal or not so just bear with me on that…..same thing with the drains and windows. And I'm sorry, I've been calling Jet's swords 'butterfly knifes' when their actually Twin Tiger Swords. Sorry about that! I would like to go off raving about the finale but since you've probably already seen it and know how incredibly awesome it is, I'll just say that it was one of the best TV how finales I have ever seen! And the whole reason I brought up seeing Zula in the opening sequence is because haven't you noticed that Pakku was the guy doing water bending, and he ended up teaching on so here's my train of thought….Are they trying to give us the impression that ZULA (gag) is going to teach Aang fire bending! Eh, I might be over reacting, so please forgive my drama. For this chapter I'm going to individually reply using that new thingamabob fanfic has and to the people not signed in, thanks for reviewing! So FYI if ya want a response you have to sign in. Because I don't know about you guys but I've heard that some people are getting two week account suspensions for not following the rules so….yeah. o0 And forgive me, the chapter starts out slow but it all speeds up in the end….. ;)
Jalapeno1011: :p yea, that would have been funny; but seriously, I don't think any one would like a lump on the back of their head and a head ache for a couple days—but there IS something like that in this chapter….;)
KimchiCrusader: I like Jet's strategically side too, although its pretty hard to do because I basically have to develop the ones he talks about and I can't afford any weakness!
Um, the endurance….gee, maybe make a little more apparent that its telling on him but he IS a LOT more driven then the men he travels with. And Aang puts a lot of responsibility on his shoulders for sure!
Mysterioso: Thank you so much! You put a huge smile on my face!
Titan wolf: I think you've reviewed on almost every single chapter! THANK YOU. Okay, to ur review now; YEAH, IT WAS A LONG ONE! Yea, I've seen Yep, Finding Nemo and the comparison made me laugh storyalmost every single Zutara does….but I have seen a couple good ones that every one's IC. (in character) Oh my gosh, I LOVED that episode so much too!
Sasscreech: Ostriches and Flamingoes? LOL! Sorry dude, this is another cliffy (mwuahahaha!) and I'm glad you enjoyed last chapter!
Mystic Waterbender3: Eh, THIS chapter is the longest one ever. Seriously, i'm wondering if its TOO long...thanxk for your comments! Your Zutara quib made me laugh big time! I'm sorry for such a short reply when you gave me such a nice long one but i need to send this chapter in before y Dad yells at me to come and eat!
CaritaAnn: …..You like Jet? Don't get me wrong, this guy is fascinating and I love writing him but you like, LIKE him? Sorry if I'm coming across too strong…sheepish smile I'm so glad that this is your favorite story with Jet in it! It gave me a warm fuzzy feeling. And whattaya mean 'sorry' for the long review girl? I LOVE LONG REVIEWS! Jdawg: YEA! THANK YOU!
Franny: Yum, another juicy long review hahaha! You are so nice-thanks for the compliment on being a good writer! Oh yes….we're approaching the climax here so there's a lot of suspense! And good thing you like cliff hangers, because this chapter has one! Collective groan from everyone except Franny
TheDashLikes: Hey, nice to hear from you again! Good, interesting, not boring. Wipes sweat off brow I am so relieved and pleased that you think this is has original ideas (except for the whole Katara-captured-for-bait subplot that is so common) NOOOO, DON'T STOP REVIEWING! I HAD A VERY GOOD REASON FOR TAKING SO LONG! Thanks for explaining why you took your time in reviewing, I really appreciate it! Naw, you didn't bore to death at all! Trust me; I can relate….makes sour face
Neko-Chan: A challenger! Oh boy! Naw, seriously I appreciate the bluntness and forced myself not to get offended at the 'seemingly good writing and couldn't get past a simple word' quip. Gosh, that stupid 'flu' mistake! GRRRRR, IT KEEPS GETTING ME IN TROUBLE! Yes, believe it or not (I'm sure you do) someone else already pointed that out to me nods over at TheDashLikes but I've been so busy writing the currant chapters I haven't gone back to edit. But at the very end of the story, I'm going back to take care of things! And I appreciate you pointing out the story layout—as soon as I finished reading it I took care of this chapter's layout! THANKS, I NEEDED THAT! And I apologize to everyone if I came on a little harsh about the whole Zutara thing—there ARE good ones out there and I have read 'Why The Caged Bird Sings' and am enjoying it despite not liking Zutara. And about Zula, I just was too busy thinking about which episode was coming on to really look—but when I finally DID, I almost died. Why? Already told you look at the A/N! And thanks for the well rounded review—meaning thank you for saying 'great job.' Now, is this chapters story layout okay, or does it still need some adjusting? please tell me and I feel flattered that you think I keep Jet in character-he's a toughie since he must have a few screws loose! ;) AND I LOVE LONG REVIEWS!
Drgnprncss: Thanks for saying that! Yeah, this fiction is pretty much original except for the whole Jet comes back to get Katara thing….but I DO have a second story brimming up in the back of my mind that is completely original so…(sly grin) keep your eyes peeled and I hope you like this chapter!
Yikes, that took up a lot of space. dazed, unbelieving expression
Disclaimer: I, 1bzwriter, under absolutely NO circumstances own Avatar: The Last Air bender—"Is interrupted from repeated pounding on nearby closet door and a familiar voice shrieking: "Don't listen to her!" Cough-ahem, pay no attention to that….ON WITH THE STORY!
Chapter Seven
Rescue
Katara glanced sideways at Jet as the company walked down a narrow gorge, the walls of the canyon stretching high above their heads as clumps of snow fell into the canyon every so often. Jet had faint purple smudges under his eyes, and by the stiff way he moved Katara could tell he was tired.
She discreetly looked around at the other soldiers; many of them had their shoulders slumped, shivering slightly as an icy cold wind blew through the gorge. A lot of them had bandages over their eyes, and probably on their heads but their helmets made it hard to tell. Katara looked ahead before anyone noticed her careful glances and she began thinking furiously.
Now would be a good time to escape, when they were tired and the snow slowed them down. But if she ran off, she wouldn't have a fire, or food. Katara bit her lip. She could run back to Raidon's…..if she managed to escape the fire blasts they would send after her. Katara made a sour face. This is a no-win situation, she thought bitterly.
Out of the corner of her eye she watched Jet as he walked ahead of her, his face vacant in thought. Suddenly an evil idea popped into Katara's brain and repressing her urge to grin, Katara walked on like everything was normal.
Once Jet was a short distance ahead of her, Katara lifted her hand and then thrust it down, knocking a good sized chunk of snow off of the top of the canyon walls. The glob of snow flew through the air and then landed right on top of Jet.
The rebels howl of rage echoed throughout the canyon as he was knocked to the ground. The Fire Nation men turned around and then burst out laughing when they saw Jet floundering, his arms and legs waving wildly as he tried to get out of the snow pile he was in.
"It's not funny," He hissed through clenched teeth as he struggled to his feet, shivering as he vigorously wiped the snow off his face.
Katara put her hand up to hide her wide grin as she stifled her laughter. Still howling with laughter the men shook their heads and kept walking, leaving Jet behind as he screamed at them to shut up. Stifling another giggle, Katara walked past him, her ice blue eyes shining in silent mirth.
Jet angrily brushed the snow out of his hair and on the top of his shoulders, a scowl on his handsome features.
He stomped after Katara and for a split second Katara wondered if he knew she was the one who dumped the snow on him. But the only recognition Jet gave her was the evil eye as the joined the rest of the soldiers, his movements jerky and somehow Katara got the idea that some of the snow had slipped between his clothes and was making him very uncomfortable…..
Katara let a satisfied smirk slip as they left the canyon and stepped onto a clear, sloping expanse of the snow covered mountainside. Katara looked ahead to the distance and saw a green smudge that must be a forest, then spiky blue shadows that could be anything and in the distant horizon the faint blue-purple ridges that marked the distant mountain ranges.
She had covered this land by air and wasn't sure what to expect once they left the mountains. Katara's chest deflated with a gusty sigh and glanced behind her to look for Appa but the towering peaks blocked her view.
Katara lifted her chin and straightened despite her aching back and then glared at the back of Jet's slightly bowed head.
She wasn't going to lose hope and let him win.
Aang and Sokka:
"I really hate these mountains. We've already gone over them once and now we have to do it again and then again when we come back with Katara. Its insane!"
Aang gave a small smile as he listened to Sokka's ranting. But he really didn't want to talk right now; his head and arm hurt terribly and so far Aang had managed to keep a straight face and not complain….but he would appreciate a little quiet. Aang noticed Sokka glancing at him again.
"Katara can heal that once we see her again." Sokka assured him. "It'll only be a little longer."
Aang nodded his head slightly and clutched the thin blanket around his shoulders. For once, Sokka was the one trying to be optimistic. The thought made Aang smile again, but it was short lived. Momo ran over to him and dived into his arms, hiding beneath the blanket as he shivered.
"Hey boy," Aang said quietly, dipping his head so that the tips of Momo's fuzzy ears touched his chin. The lemur purred gratefully and tickled Aang's nose with his ears.
"Aang, maybe you should try and get some sleep." Sokka said slowly, as if he afraid he was sounding too much like Katara.
"All right…" Aang said with a sigh. Lying down, with the blanket and Momo's warmth pressed against his chest, Aang fell asleep faster then he thought.
Jet:
Stupid mountains. Stupid girl. Stupid snow. Stupid Fire Nation. Stupid Avatar. Stupid….Jet continued naming every one and everything with a "stupid" attached to the beginning. Jet stifled a groan as his hamstrings screamed at him in agony as he walked down the mountain.
Ugh. All those days in prison hadn't left him with as much endurance as he thought. He was so tired…..you didn't get much sleep in the same tent with a girl who was out for his throat, more or less since he had attacked her brother and boyfriend and then kidnapped her…. and not to mention he still had to figure out his strategy to manipulate Lazar to do what he wanted him to do…..
Suddenly Jet heard the impact of a bag hit the ground; after a couple paces, Jet glanced back at Katara. "What are you doing?" Jet demanded as he stopped and glared at her. The water bender had planted her feet firmly and was standing with her arms crossed, a pack lying at her feet and a fierce scowl on her face.
"I need a break."
"Suck it up," Jet snarled as his temple throbbed.
"I'm not going anywhere until I've had a rest and a drink of water." Katara said firmly, lifting her chin haughtily. Jet stared at her, incredulous. She thought she could get away like this? Make him, her captor submit to her will? Jet frowned and moved forward, intending to fling the insolent girl over his shoulder.
"If you pick me up I swear I'll ice the ground and you can sled down the mountainside instead of walking." Katara threatened, drawing back into the traditional water bending fighting stance. Jet lifted his hand for his Twin Tiger swords when her words hit him and an idea formed in his mind. Katara eyed him warily as he just stared at her, thinking hard. The slope was steep and there were no trees….maybe instead of walking…..Jet looked around but of course there wasn't any slabs of wood to ride on because of there being no trees. "Ice that long strip," Jet said suddenly, making Katara and the fire benders gawk at him. "But you said that if I—"
"Just do it!" Jet snapped, glaring at her.
Scowling Katara did as she was told, although Jet had to leap out of the way to avoid getting his feet frozen to the mountain. Jet glanced down at the strip of ice; it was about four feet wide and went down the mountain for almost a hundred feet. Without warning Jet turned and grabbed the nearest soldier standing next to him and then flung him on the ice.
Yowling like a drenched bearded cat, the man spun in a circle as careened down the mountain side uncontrollably. It got so out of control that the soldier flew off of the ice and into a deep snow bank. The soldiers laughed and the corner of Jet's mouth twitched.
"Bad idea," He muttered to himself with a shrug of his shoulders. Then aloud to the rest of them, "Let's keep moving! We don't want to stay in the open for too long." The soldier that fell in the snow bank was angrily brushing the snow off of him, while shouting curse words at Jet as he walked down the mountainside with the rest of his group, staying clear of the ice path.
Katara:
Two days later:
With a start, Katara woke up. Blinking hard, she groggily raised her head and listened for the sound that had awoken her. The stuffy tent she was sleeping in was silent, and the only noise from the forest outside was the sound of wind in the trees. Wishing she could rub her eyes, Katara ruefully eyed the thick ropes binding her feet and hands.
Ever since her attempt and near success of escaping at the market place in the village by the Ice Mountains, Jet had taken no chances and had even chained her waist to the tent pole.
There it was again!
Katara leaned forward as she listened to the excited whisperings coming from the forest. She heard a bush rattle and then she saw a shadow dart across the side of the tent.
Katara glanced over to Jet's side of the tent and saw his empty sleeping bag.
Katara narrowed her eyes. What was he up to? Wiggling out from under her blankets Katara went to the tent flap. It was ajar and flapping slightly in the wind. Katara made a face at the chain around her waist. She probably could have escaped if it weren't for that stupid chain waiting for her to knock down the tent. Katara poked her head out of the tent, and since her eyes were already adjusted to the darkness she could easily see Jet talking to a person hiding by a tree; Katara could only tell it was a person by his barely visible head that would nod vigorously from time to time. Suddenly the wind shifted and blew in Katara's face, blowing the sound of Jet's words in her ears. "….tell the others I'll be coming soon….okay…..Long shot……."
Katara's eyes widened as the name struck an image in her brain, that of a quiet, serious teenager who always carried a bow and a quiver of arrows by his side. Jet was talking to one of his freedom fighters! Suddenly the figure Jet was talking to disappeared with the rustling of leaves and Jet turned around, jogging back to the tent.
Before Jet could see her head sticking out, Katara dived back into the tent and frantically climbed between her blankets. She tried to slow her breathing down but to her the sound of her breathing echoed painfully loud throughout the small tent. Jet quietly opened the flap and then shut it and then with a glance towards Katara's supposedly sleeping face the rebel pulled his blankets over him with a soft groan.
Well, no surprise he always looks terrible in the morning, Katara thought to herself darkly. He's too busy sneaking around in the dark.
Soon Jet's steady breathing reached her ears but Katara was still wide awake. Thoughts of Aang and Sokka kept crowding her mind. So far there had still been no sign of the Avatar; that was driving Jet more nuts then he already was. Katara could only hope that it meant they were okay but had decided to not take the bait……and not that something….worse…..had happened to keep them from following her. Katara felt her throat tighten at the mere thought.
She took a deep breath and fought down her sudden queasiness. She just had to keep hoping they were okay—Katara started violently when Jet suddenly cut loose a loud, gargling snore.
I can't believe it, Katara thought gleefully, He actually snores! Suddenly Katara's gloating smirk vanished. Crap. He snores! Now how am I supposed to sleep? Katara glared at Jet's sleeping form as he let loose another monster snore. He sounds like a choking pig. Katara thought in disgust as she buried her head under her blanket. If time had seemed to go by slowly before, it seemed to go at the space of a wounded tiger seal now.
Katara moaned….she couldn't relax with him snoring like that! It seemed like he was shaking the walls of the tent! After a very long time (ten minutes could have been an hour for all Katara knew) Katara started to seriously consider knocking down the tent so that it would fall on top of Jet and wake him up. Giving a frustrated sigh after an especially loud snore, Katara inch wormed over to Jet until her mouth was by his ear. She took a deep breath.
"JET!"
Jet sat up so fast that his shoulder smacked Katara's nose and she fell back with a yelp. Giving out a short cry of rage Jet grabbed a knife from some where on his person and looked around wildly, his black eyes burning bright in his confusion.
Katara rolled back to her blankets, moaning softly.
"What the heck was that for?" Jet asked her angrily, his voice an octave higher then normal.
"You wouldn't shut up and quit snoring." Katara snapped as she reached her blankets.
"I don't snore," Jet scoffed, putting the knife away at his waist line.
"Then what do you call this?" Katara gave a highly exaggerated snore, crossing her eyes and cocking her head to further her point. Jet was livid as he watched Katara struggle to adjust her blanket.
"You woke me up in the middle of the night so that I can listen to your ridiculous lies?" Jet demanded indignantly. "I don't snore!"
"Whatever." Katara snapped back, finally giving up and letting the blanket lay at her waist. Katara twitched her nose for feeling as Jet grumbled and lay back down so that his back faced her. Katara turned over immediately so that her back was facing his.
"Good Night," Katara said, her voice dripping with sarcastic sweetness, intent on irritating him after the hours (so she felt) of listening to his snoring.
"Shut up."
The Next Day:
Katara distrustfully eyed the rhino in front of her. "Get on," Jet said as he mounted, the lizard like beast shifting its weight and swinging its head back and forth violently. Katara planted her feet firmly on the ground beneath her and stuck her tongue out at Jet. She wasn't getting on another rhino; last time she almost rode off of a cliff because the brute wouldn't listen to her! Jet glared at Katara. "Get on," He repeated as all of the mounted soldiers snickered. "I don't have time for silly games!"
Katara crossed her arms, thankful that Jet removed her ropes during the day.
"Drop dead," She snarled. Jet leaned over and grabbed Katara's shoulder and hauled her up as she protested loudly. With one quick movement he seated her in front of him.
Katara felt herself go stiff as Jet reached around her to grab a hold of the reins. Jet spurred the rhino on and Katara clenched her teeth at the surprising speed the bulky animal had.
It could have a little more grace though. Katara thought irritably as she was bounced up and down hard on the saddle, each time she bounced down hitting her tail bone.
After a couple hours of torture, after which Katara felt she could never sit down again, they passed out of the forest and onto the top of a large hill.
Once everyone had reached the crest, they stopped and looked ahead, their faces grave. Katara followed their gaze, half expecting to see some symbol of doom by the expression on Jet's face.
In between two very tall, barren mountains was a fortress made of metal, and from what she could see, it had two gates until it reached the center, where a tall tower was raised above the walls, covered with spiky battle works, everything a gruesome black.
Katara's heart sank. I wasn't too far off in thinking it must be a symbol of doom. This must be the place Jet is taking me.
The soldiers were sighing in relief and were clearly ready to go ahead, but Jet turned his excited rhino's head away from the fort. "We'll camp by the forest tonight." He said calmly as he rode past the fire benders.
"What?" They shouted indignantly.
"You can't be serious!" Makoto said angrily, reining his own rhino around sharply.
"If you don't want to stay then go back to your leader and tell him you left me alone in the woods with his bait. I'm sure he'll be really pleased to see you." Jet said sarcastically as he dismounted, followed by a trembling Katara who gasped as her legs touched the ground.
Katara groaned. Her poor legs! She could never walk again….
At the sound of tramping feet Katara glanced over her shoulder as Jet tied the rhino up and started to pitch a tent. The fire benders were exchanging glances and looked at their leader, which Katara had assumed was the light brown eyed soldier who hated Jet and was called 'Makoto'.
That same fire bender was beet red, his left eye twitching as he clenched his fists together. Katara made sure to get out of his way as he and the others rode down from the hill, all of them clearly livid.
Katara made sure to keep a distance between her and them and was grateful that she did when they lit their fires a little too enthusiastically for comfort. Jet kneeled by one of his bags and grabbed the crude paper and pen he had bought at the Ice Mountain village. He grabbed Katara's hand and dragged her inside the tent with him.
"Sit," he ordered, pointing to her blankets he had thrown inside. Scowling, Katara did as she was told, although she made a point of "accidentally" stepping her muddy feet on Jet's pillow as his back was turned, busily writing something on the crude parchment.
Katara quickly grew antsy as she sat there, listening to the angry, dangerous mutterings of the soldiers as they walked by the stuffy tent. Jet seemed to remain oblivious to them, and continued writing his letter. Katara drummed her fingers on her knee. She examined her nails. And then she tugged at her braid while glaring at Jet's back.
"Are you almost done?" Katara asked in exasperation; she was thoroughly bored out of her mind, sitting there in the hot tent for a half an hour or so.
Jet gave her the evil eye as he rolled up the parchment and tied it with a piece of twine. "Be quiet," He snapped as he went out of the tent, "and stay in there."
Katara crossed her arms and listened as Jet instructed one of the soldiers to take the parchment to the fort and give it to Captain Lazar.
XXX
Messages were exchanged with this Captain Lazar and Jet for the rest of the afternoon, and judging by the scowls on Jet's face and the furious way he wrote his answers, Katara came to the conclusion he was negotiating a deal. Evening had come by the time Jet received his last letter and by then Katara had fallen asleep. She was shaken awake by Jet, who had a smug expression in his eyes. "Get up," He said sternly. Rolling her eyes, Katara stood up. That was about all he said to her; that along with: "shut up" "be quiet" "sit" "stay there"…….
Jet grabbed her hand, jolting her out of her thoughts and dragged her outside, where the other soldiers were busily breaking down tents.
"Break down the tent while I get our rhino." Jet ordered the smug gleam in his eyes still apparent as he walked away to the tied rhinos.
Katara mimicked his words with a wildly outrageous expression, and the soldier walking by saw her and snickered. Katara turned around and looked the tent over, before just deciding to pull the chain still attached around the center pole.
The tent came down with a crash, and Katara calmly pried the stakes out of the ground, and once that was done she dragged the blankets out and put them in the large bag by her.
After messily cramming the tent in the bag Katara stood up and started dragging the bag through the dust and she just might have accidentally dragged it through some animal droppings….
Throwing the bag down with the other tent bags piled by the rhinos, Katara glanced at the large hill in front of her. Katara got a bad taste in her mouth when she thought of what might happen to her because she knew Aang.
Katara glanced back at the forest, her face sad and grave. Absently she looked up into the trees and then started violently, color rushing to her cheeks.
Was it her imagination, or was that Momo staring out at her, with his large ears perked as he watched her? She remained oblivious to the mounting soldiers around her until one of the more spiteful ones shoved her out of his way and she fell down to the ground.
Katara winced as a rock dug into her hip and she slowly pushed herself back up, looking back up in the tree tops hopefully.
But Momo, if it had been Momo, was gone, and not even the rustle of leaves showed he had even been there. Katara bowed her head and studied the ground in front of her, keeping her eyes on the tiny clover and thin wisps of grass, determined not to show her mounting despair to anyone.
"What are you doing? We're ready to go!"
Wordlessly, Katara rose to her feet and avoided meeting Jet's eyes as she climbed up the snarling rhino. Katara was forced to hold onto Jet's waist as he spurred the rhino ahead, its gait choppy and yet still speedy at the same time. The rhinos made short work of the hill and Katara slowly raised her ocean blue eyes to look at the intimidating tower ahead of her.
Katara felt a cold sweat form on her brow as the rhino's galloped down the slope, their riders urging them to hurry. The gate was black and spiked at the top, and men in uniform patrolled the wall, looking down curiously as the rhinos approached the gate. A couple of the men on the wall shouted to open the gate, and Katara watched with growing dread as the gate slowly swung open to greet the returning company.
Jet was at the head of the group so he and Katara rode in first, followed closely by the browned eyed soldier Jet argued with all the time. With all of her heart, Katara wanted to jump off the rhino and bolt out of the closing gate and back to the woods and freedom. The rhinos shuffled to a halt, pulling against their bits as their riders restrained them; Katara winced as the gate shut with a loud metallic clang. She swallowed hard and looked ahead as Jet argued with the gate man to let them into the courtyard.
The rhinos lurched forward as soon as the gate opened enough to let them by.
Katara noticed the thickness of the gate as they rode into the courtyard, where standing on the large shallow steps up to the tower was a tall man wearing Fire Nation armor, his hands folded in front of his chest, an ugly smile on his pale face. Katara hated him on the spot as he swaggered down the steps towards Jet and herself.
The fire benders had dismounted and stable hands had come forward to take the rhinos away. Katara took the opportunity to glare daggers at the approaching man as Jet dismounted from the rhino. Katara immediately jumped off, eager to get off the over excited animal.
"So Jet, is this the girl?" The man said, leaning forward and lifting Katara's chin up. "No wonder the Avatar has a crush on her, she's—"
Katara's blue eyes blazed and she jerked her head away and nearly bit the man's finger off, but his reflexes were too fast for her.
The self satisfied smirk on his face disappeared as he scowled at Katara, leaning back a little. "You little viper," He hissed angrily. Katara stuck her tongue out at him, her cheeks flushed from the comment on being called 'the Avatar's crush.' His attention turned away from her to Jet, who had his arms crossed as he watched the whole exchange with piercing black eyes.
"You're sure the Avatar will come for her?" The man demanded.
Jet's feigned bored expression never changed. "Lazar, the Avatar wouldn't leave his companion in the hands of the Fire Nation, let alone a girl he likes."
Since when do you know Aang so darn well? Katara thought darkly as she crossed her arms, frowning. Captain Lazar nodded, seeming to accept Jet's words. "Jet, would you please show this lovely young lady her chambers—" His voice dripped with sarcasm—"I'm sure you know where the prison cells are." He gave Jet a toothy grin.
Jet glared at him, and Katara noted the intense hatred suddenly shining in his eyes. If the captain noticed he didn't show it because he simply kept smiling until Jet grabbed Katara's forearm in a bruising grip and stormed ahead to the tower.
Jet didn't give the guards posted at the door a glance as he vehemently kicked the door open, causing it to swing back and hit another soldier in the nose.
Katara stared at the man's bleeding nose with wide eyes as Jet dragged her ahead, not even pausing to look at the soldier groaning on the floor. The men walking down the halls made a point to get out of Jet's way as he charged down the halls, sometimes tripping fire benders entirely on purpose.
Jet was walking so fast that Katara had to half jog to keep up with him, sometimes having to skip two steps at a time when Jet took her down stairs and then skid around corners.
He's this upset over one snooty comment? Katara thought as she winced at Jet's crushing grip. Katara began breathing hard as Jet took her farther into the tower, up and then down stairs, around halls and through so many doors that Katara lost count and totally lost her sense of direction.
The halls were lit with torches attached to brackets, and sent spooky shadows lurking around the corners and sharp edges of the halls. Katara struggled to keep up with Jet as he raced down a long stair. Her legs were screaming in agony as she skipped three steps to keep up with Jet's long legs.
Suddenly an unpleasant smell reached Katara's nose, like dirty water, unwashed bodies and mold. Katara wrinkled her nose in disgust as they came out into a long hall way that led up to an iron door. Jet came to such a sudden stop that Katara crashed into his back.
"I have a prisoner here," Jet said, gesturing to Katara with his free hand as the guards of the door studied her closely. Katara's skin crawled as she stared at the masked face of one Fire Nation guard. After a couple more seconds of staring at Katara he gave a curt nod and unlocked the door with a long iron key.
The smell became stronger as he opened the door and wasted no time in dragging her inside. Katara glanced at the row of cells, every one in four containing a bedraggled prisoner.
Katara felt sick when she saw a little five year old girl quietly crying on the shoulder of her slightly older brother, both huddled in the corner of the cell. Katara caught a glimpse of their soiled green clothing before Jet pulled her farther down the hall.
To Katara the hall seemed a mile long because of the hopeless, hollow faces that looked up at her as she and Jet passed. Finally they reached the end of the hall and turned around a sharp left hand corner to be met with more cells.
But instead of little square areas with rusting bars, these cells had iron doors and through a small window in the doors Katara saw a large room lined with a couple candles; and in between two iron posts stood the chained prisoner with his head bowed. Katara swallowed hard as she noticed this in a matter of seconds while Jet pulled her down the hall until he reached the fourth one on the right and pushed her inside.
Katara stumbled and barely managed to keep her balance by waving her arms wildly. The cell door slammed shut and she turned around to glare at Jet as he walked away.
Her breath caught in her throat and she clenched her fists together when she saw Jet leaning against the closed cell door, his arms crossed and an evil smile on his face.
Aang and Sokka:
"Momo!" Aang called, looking behind a large moss-covered tree and then up into its leaves. "Momo, come here!" Aang glanced over his shoulder at Sokka who was putting the fire out with some dirt. "Sokka, have you seen Momo?"
"Nope," Sokka said absently, his eyes intent on the ground to make sure he had put out the fire.
Frowning, Aang walked a little farther ahead and began yelling louder for Momo. "Aang, don't yell so loud! We're pretty close to Jet's camp and I don't want him to know we're following him." Sokka said sternly as he stepped out of the ring, brushing the ashes off his shoes.
Aang sighed and looked back up at the trees, before turning away to walk back to Sokka; he hadn't taken five steps when Momo suddenly came running through the grass with his ears pulled back. "Momo, there you are!" Aang said in delight as he turned around and opened his arms to hug the furry creature.
With a chirrup Momo climbed onto Aang's good arm and looked back at Sokka who had come up beside them.
"Aang I'm going to go see what's going on at Jet's camp and I want you to stay here." He said firmly, checking his boomerang over before sheathing it.
"Why?" Aang asked, frowning slightly.
"I need you to stay here in case…something happens." Sokka answered, avoiding Aang's gaze as he started edging away. Aang's mouth formed a silent "oh" as he understood. Sokka wanted him to stay here so that if he got captured, Aang could get help. "Okay." Aang said a little sadly, stroking Momo's fur absently with his hand was the lemur perched on his shoulder.
Sokka glanced up and gave Aang a quick nod before disappearing into the forest, leaving Aang alone with Appa and Momo. Giving a huge sigh Aang slowly walked over to where Appa was dozing, their supplies packed and ready to go on the saddle. "I guess its just us for a while guys," Aang said softly as he sat down next to Appa to wait for Sokka.
Sokka:
As the sounds of crashing tent poles, snarling rhinos, and the loud voices of the Fire Nation soldiers grew louder, Sokka slowed down, moving at a snail's space. His navy blue eyes constantly flickered to the ground to make sure he wasn't stepping on dead branches and then up ahead to see how far away Jet's camp was. Sokka tried to calm his pounding heart and quiet his breathing as he crouched and began creeping forward, his eyes intent and every muscle coiled to be ready for anything.
As the vague colors of red and black began to show through the green leaves and tree branches, Sokka forgot to avoid the dead sticks littering the forest floor and stepped on one, the nose causing Sokka's face to pale as the sound seemed to vibrate the air.
Suddenly keenly aware of his need to relieve himself Sokka gritted his teeth and bent low to the ground, envisioning the torture he would receive if the soldiers found him. Sokka found his breathing to be uncomfortably loud and painful as he strained his eyes for any sign of approaching fire benders.
When the seconds ticked by and the noise of the campsite never died down or wavered Sokka dared to start moving again, although this time carefully avoiding the smallest twig he came across. The leaves of the bushes brushed against his blue clothing as he walked closer towards the campsite, his hand clutching his club as well as he could with his still swollen fingers.
Narrowing his eyes Sokka forced his mind off his pressing need to go as the outlines of Fire Nation men and Komodo rhinos began to come into focus. Feeling thankful that it was twilight and that the dying light would make it harder to see him, Sokka crouched behind a old, towering oak tree and peered through the branches of the large bush hiding him from sight. His eyes narrowed even further as he quickly took in the scene of the steam rising from the ash-filled hole in the ground, pack covered Komodo Rhinos and the men mounted on them.
Whatever the signal was Sokka missed it as they suddenly spurred their creatures and bounded up the hill in a flurry of motion and waving tails. Sokka wildly looked at all of the riders as they thundered past him and up the big hill, their eyes intent on the approaching canyon ahead of them.
Sokka caught a glimpse of a blue clad girl, with her braid flying and her ocean blue eyes focused ahead sitting behind a teenage boy with bushy brown hair and a stalk of grass in the corner of his mouth. One moment they were there, and the next the last of the rhino's long tails was disappearing over the hill.
Sokka stayed frozen in place for about ten seconds, listening to the faint thud of the rhino's feet on the ground before bolting upright and racing through the forest, crashing through bushes, slapping aside over hanging branches and vines, leaping over small, decaying logs and darting around trees back to where he had left Aang.
Their plan to wait until nightfall to rescue Katara was ruined since Jet had for some reason insisted to move camp—they had just now finally caught up with them and Jet was already moving again!
Sokka bit down his irritation and forgot about all of his discomforts as his thoughts focused on his baby sister. I won't let her down, Sokka vowed just as he caught sight of Appa before bursting out of the underbrush and running towards Aang.
The air bender immediately jumped to his feet, causing Momo to crash to the ground. He gave a surprised hiss but Aang was too preoccupied to apologize as Sokka bent over leaning on his knees, gasping for breath.
"Need…to…go…" He wheezed, still panting from his mad dash. "Jet moved camp…. and they were….they were traveling south over that huge hill and towards the canyons." Sokka finished with a gasp, trying to choke the words out while attempting to catch his breath. Aang's eyes immediately widened and he gasped. "Sokka…" He said weakly, staring bleakly at the panting teenager, "There's…a fortress over the hill." Sokka paused, and stared at Aang incredulously. "What?" He said flatly, his face completely blank. Aang's miserable face was all the answer Sokka needed.
"I saw it before we landed earlier today." The twelve year old boy admitted softly. Sokka suddenly muttered a swear word, causing Aang to look at him in surprise as Sokka stormed past him and climbed up Appa, who was peacefully chewing on a small bush.
Sokka climbed onto Appa's head, his navy blue eyes dark and stormy as he gripped Appa's reins until his knuckles turned white. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Aang settle back against Appa's saddle. "Yip yip," Sokka said tersely as twilight started to give way to the blackness of the night, cloaking them in semi darkness while they soared into the sky.
XXX
"I want you to set out the bare minimum of your guards patrolling the grounds tonight," Captain Lazar said coldly to the officer walking with him as he made his way to the prison cells.
The officer's dark eyes widened in surprise. "Sir, I thought the Ava—"
"We need to lull him into a false sense of security," Captain Lazar interrupted, giving the young man a withering glare. "Have your men on stand by—once he's broken into the prison cells looking for his little friend, we'll surround him."
"Sir, what if he doesn't come? Do w—"
"Oh he'll come all right. You can be sure of that."
XXX
The moon was hidden behind thick, gray clouds, and with no wind and only the soft, barely discernable foot steps of the soldiers on the walls echoing off the mountain side, the night world so quiet it seemed as if it was holding its breath. Aang soberly looked at the large fortress; it was positioned right between two very tall mountains, adding to the intimidation of the iron spiked battle house. Aang swallowed thickly as Sokka discreetly flew Appa as close to the mountain side as he dared.
Aang heard Sokka mutter "yip yip" and soon Appa was coming in for a landing half way down the mountainside of the left hand mountain. With a low grumble, the bison landed on the rocky terrain of the mountain. Aang immediately slid down Appa, using his air bending to keep himself balanced as he skidded a short ways on the shale covered mountainside.
"Careful," Aang warned Sokka as the Water Tribe boy climbed down from Appa, clutching his club. The boy managed to keep his footing as he walked down to where Aang was half crouching behind a large boulder, Momo on his shoulder with his tail curled around the air benders shoulder.
Lowering himself close to the ground, Sokka peeked over the rock formation with narrowed eyes at the tower about one hundred feet below them. "So what's the plan?" He muttered keeping his eyes trained on the guards patrolling the outer wall. "Um….." Aang said awkwardly, "Well….uh…..I'm not exactly sure…."
"You don't have a plan?" Sokka demanded, glancing at Aang out of the corner of his eye. Aang resisted the urge to snap at Sokka's incredulous tone of voice.
"No." He said blankly, his face settling into a slight scowl. Sokka sighed heavily and somehow that annoyed Aang. "We need a plan." He stated, still avoiding the monk's gaze. "Thank you captain obvious," Aang hissed, causing Momo to tilt his head and chirp inquiringly at the young boy.
"How are we supposed to find Katara in that tower?" Sokka muttered after giving Aang a sharp glance.
"I don't know," Aang admitted after a brief pause, struggling to hold onto his hope. Sokka had no response to that, and they sat there in a heavy, oppressing silence. Aang took a deep breath and pushed aside his negative feelings and concentrated on how to enter the tower and get past the two outer walls. His eye brows came together slightly as he thought of where Katara could possibly be in that huge four story tower.
"I think we might want to try the basement level of the tower for prisoners." Aang said at last. Sokka started in surprise and then looked over at Aang.
"What makes you say that?" He asked curiously. Aang's eyes never left the building below him.
"It's just a guess; I mean, from the top half way down to the bottom are windows. I don't think the Fire Nation would put windows in prison cells." Glancing at Sokka's skeptical face, he added quickly "It's just a theory." After a couple moments of contemplation Sokka shrugged. "All right, we'll go with that. Now any idea of how we get past the walls?"
Aang squinted, but since the only light came from the very top of a thirty foot wall, the bottom half of it was covered by the inky blackness of the night.
"We need to get closer," Sokka muttered, starting to climb around the rock in front of them. Before following Sokka, Aang took Momo from his shoulder and held him in front of his chest; "Momo, you stay here with Appa," He said firmly to the blinking lemur.
He then gently set the lemur down on a rock and ran after Sokka, nimbly avoiding the boulders strewn across the mountainside as the lemur stared after him forlornly, its long ears drooping.
Katara:
Katara balled her fists and held them against her side, fighting to stay calm as Jet slowly walked towards her, his body language that of a stalking predator.
She told her feet to walk away from him, but they refused to obey, and just stayed rooted in the same spot as Jet came closer and began circling her like a vulture. Katara felt the fine hairs on the back of her neck stand up as she stared at the prison door, refusing to meet Jet's gaze as he circled around her. Suddenly, Katara felt his index finger tip her chin up so that she was forced to look into his dark eyes. Jet's left eye twitched and he abruptly dropped her chin.
"How are you Katara?" He asked his voice deceivingly calm as his bright eyes bored into her.
What? Katara thought in bewilderment, trying to understand what he meant by that comment. When no answer came from her Jet resumed walking around her.
If he wanted to intimidate her, he was doing a good job, Katara realized bleakly as she felt a cold sweat break out on her forehead.
"I myself am as good as a person can be after being taken prisoner by the Fire Nation. After being kept out of the sunlight in a dark windowless pit for months without the feel of wind on my face."
Katara's throat seemed to tighten as the rebel continued to circle her.
"Do you have any idea of what its like, to not seen the sun for weeks at a time, sleeping on cold metal floors and eating bland, lumpy grey mush for every single meal?" He asked in a low, dark tone as he stopped behind her.
The semi-darkness of the room seemed to press into Katara as he leaned over her shoulder and she felt his warm breath on her neck and ear. "No. You don't." Katara's breathing became ragged as she listened to the sharp, almost feral edge to his voice. She closed her eyes and took a deep long breath before opening them to see Captain Lazar passing her cell, a smug smile on his face.