Dangerous Ground
Dear Beloved Readers, welcome to chapter 13. I'm sorry I didn't update as quickly as I have been, but I was suffering from a writer's block, and so I took some time to map out the rest of the story so I know where I'm going. I'm very excited about where I'm going. Rubs hands together gleefully
Warning: This chapter contains some blood. It stays within rating, but I felt I should warn you, just in case you get easily squeamish.
Chapter 13
We fell into a steady routine. Each morning we would wake to the pounding of a guard's fist on the door when morning broke. Then, we'd get dressed and let ourselves be escorted to the breakfast ceremony under heavy guard. After breakfast Zuko would be dragged, sulking and growling, to the training room, where he'd mercilessly kick the young recruits around until dinnertime. I, on the other hand, would have to sit and watch the action while mending a pile of torn and, thanks to Zuko, burnt clothing.
Next, we'd eat dinner and be led back to our rooms where I'd spend the rest of the evening healing any abrasions Zuko might have accumulated over the day and trying to get him to open up to me. But, despite my best efforts, the Prince was stone-lipped. He spoke rarely, and when he did it was mostly just cryptic, bitter, vague sentences that made me want to scream in frustration. Then I'd give up and just lie there, staring into the fire, until I fell asleep.
Sometime during the night the fire would die, and I'd be forced to come as close to Zuko as I could for his body heat. It was stiff and uncomfortable, like two boards lying against each other, neither wanting to loosen up and soften for the other. And then the whole thing would start all over again the next day.
But one day the little routine came to an abrupt halt.
Zuko was beating the tar out of some poor recruit and I was stitching the tar out of some poor sock when suddenly a tall, lanky man came in. I'd spent enough time in the Earthbender army's camp to be able to recognize the subtle differences in the uniforms that denoted rank and position. The lightweight fabric and dark coloring of this man's uniform was that of a messenger. The man strode up to Teikei and whispered something in his ear. Teikei's usually calm, amused look changed in an instant. His face hardened and a dark appearance, like the sky before a storm, settled itself on his brow. He stood up suddenly and raised his hand, signaling the end of the sparring match.
"I am needed in the war room. Go to your stations and await further orders." Teikei had exited the room before I could ask any questions, the soldiers following on his heels, leaving only myself, Zuko, and one guard. He put a hand on my shoulder and began to lead me and Zuko to our rooms.
"I don't understand. What's going on?"
The soldier only shrugged.
"Are we being attacked?"
Another shrug.
"Did the Fire Nation find us?"
Another shrug.
"Why did Teikei go to the war room?"
This time, instead of shrugging, the soldier turned to Zuko. "Does she always ask this many questions?" Zuko rolled his eyes heavenward and nodded. I fumed inwardly. Men.
Hours passed as we waited in the cell. Questions buzzed in my head, refusing to let me rest. I paced. I tugged at my dress. I poked the fire. Nothing assuaged the anxiety that was creeping up my spine like the needling legs of a centipede.
And, to make the problem even more frustrating, Zuko was sitting with a calm, relaxed look on his face, as if he was bored with the whole situation. I knew it was silly and childish, but it irked me that he could be so nonchalant.
"How can you just sit there?" I snapped at him. He raised an eyebrow.
"What else is there to do?"
"Something! At least show a little emotion!"
"And how would that help the situation?"
"It would let me know you're human!"
"Since when have I had to prove anything to a weak-minded little water peasant?"
His comment had hurt, though I couldn't explain why. Zuko had insulted me before and I'd just let it roll off my back, knowing it had come from my enemy, and therefore was expected..
We sat in stony silence for an eternity. Without a window to let in light I had no idea what time it was, which made the waiting that much harder to bear. I set my back to the wall opposite Zuko. Drawing my knees up to my chest, I folded my arms and let my head rest on my forearms. I closed my eyes and listened to the fire snap and crack, the only sound that could be heard in the little room. I found myself lulled by it, the anger that had raged in my heart just moments ago now calmed by the soothing sound of the logs crumbling beneath the power of the flames.
I was roughly shaken. I blinked open fuzzy, sleep-soaked eyes and stared into the face of Teikei. Blood was caked on the side of his face and his eyes were ringed with dark purple circles.
"Katara, you once told me that you have no allegiance to the Fire Nation." I was confused, still shaking off the last vestiges of my fitful night's sleep, and stunned by the horrible shape of the Earthbender leader's face, but I managed to gather myself together enough to nod.
"Well, here's a chance to prove yourself. Come with me." I stood up, all weariness disappearing from my bones to be replaced with nerve-tingling fear.
Teikei had me follow him out of the room. He walked ahead of me, his slumped shoulders and dragging feet betraying exhaustion. He didn't even turn to make sure I was following him, just plodded on, trusting that I would not try to escape.
I took in the appearance of his clothing for the first time. Dirt and blood mingled together everywhere on his clothing. I began to wonder how one man could lose so much blood. Maybe it's not all his. A wave of nausea swept over my stomach and I began to feel glad that I'd not had a chance to have breakfast.
"Yesterday a messenger came and alerted me to the possibility that the Fire Nation was going to attack our nearest town."
So that's why he had left for the war room.
"We managed to beat them back, but casualties were heavy." Teikei's voice was pained, as if it were seeping from him like blood from a wound. I remained silent, realizing with sudden clarity what part I was to play in this.
We came suddenly upon a pair of doors I'd never seen before. A large green symbol had been painted on the front, and through it I could dimly hear shouting.
"You will be assisted by three of my best healers." He motioned a young man over to my side. "This is Danton. When you need more water, simply wave to him and he will bring it."
The doors were opened. A horrible smell hit my face like a sledgehammer and I took a step back as if I'd been assaulted. Blood and singed clothing mingled in the air and I felt bile rise in my throat. No, be strong. I commanded myself, rolling up my sleeves and walking into the midst of the wounded men.
"There are so many." I whispered to myself as I knelt beside the first soldier I came across, dipping my hand into the basin Danton had given me and healing the appalling burn that covered most of his right arm. Then I was up, running to the next prone body, trying to reach him before it was too late.
I'm not sure how long I worked that night, all I know is that I couldn't stop. The fear and horror that had first given me energy had long ago worn out, leaving me numb and reeling in my own world of shock. I didn't think. I didn't feel. I couldn't. I just healed.
I was exhausted, but I ignored the aching in my body, the trembling that had taken over my muscles as they gave more than they could give. I could dimly hear one of the earthbender healers coming up to me and speaking to me.
"Good job, young lady. We've never had a waterbender to heal the men before. You've done almost all the work. Go lie down. It is almost night and you've worked all day." But I didn't hear them. The world was a fuzzy, whirling mass. I heard a soldier cry out and I ran to him.
His eyes stared at the ceiling, fever burning in his cheeks as his body rallied itself for one last battle.
"It's okay." I murmured automatically as I searched for his wound. There it was. A blow to the chest. Broken bones. I didn't know how to heal broken bones. I watched helplessly as his eyes lost all light. He was gone.
I closed my eyes and balled my hands into fists. Rage and sadness swirled inside of me, boiling until I felt I would burst. I felt my nails bite into my palms, felt my own blood trickle from the small wounds.
Suddenly, strong, firm arms enveloped me, lifting me as gently and carefully as a newborn kitten from the floor. A low, familiar voice spoke into my hair. "It's okay Katara."
Zuko. I squeezed my eyes shut, willing myself to stop looking weak in front of him. "I'm a failure. Just like you said. I... I couldn't heal him. I'm a failure, Zuko! I'm weak! I'm-" I felt myself pressed against his chest. His warm body relaxed my tensed muscles, his heartbeat steadying my erratically beating one.
"You're not a failure. You're not weak. You did the best you could, Katara." He murmured. I felt myself pressed tighter against him as he began to walk. He said something to one of the guards and then we were moving again. Light and shadow passed over my tightly shut eyes as we passed the torches spaced down the hallways. I heard a door open and felt Zuko lay me down on the cot as gently as if I were made of glass.
The door opened again, a thin stream of light hitting my face. Zuko's low voice conversed with the higher-pitched of voice of the healer's for a few moments, and then door closed again. Someone neared me and I knew it was Zuko. The air was always warmer around him. I opened my eyes halfway, watching him listlessly.
He had a basin of water in his hands. He took his palm and set it on the surface of the water, then concentrated until steam began to rise from the basin. Satisfied, he took a towel and dipped it in the water, bringing it toward my face and wiping away the dirt and blood that had been caked there. Then he turned to my hands, taking my small cold fingers into his masculine, warm hand and began washing them tenderly. He wrapped the cuts I'd foolishly given myself in my state of shock. Was this man, who gently and tenderly comforted my shocked body, the same ruthless Fire Prince that I had been running from for months now?
Confusion coursed through my mind. Why did Zuko have to be such a mystery to me? One minute he was speaking of mercy and weakness as if it were a plague, and the next he was tending to me with a gentleness I wouldn't have thought possible from the Fire Prince. Part of me wanted to speak my mind, but then he put the basin down and walked out of my line of vision. I felt the cot give a little behind me, heard the rustling of sheets, and then his warm, strong arms were wrapped around my body, pulling me against him.
I gave up my questions. Maybe Zuko would always be shut to me. But for now, wrapped in his powerful arms, I gave up trying to understand. I curled into his embrace, giving myself completely into the curve of his body, the warmth of his arms, letting myself go soft at his touch, letting blissful unconsciousness take me away from this horrible place of pain and fear and confusion.
I woke up the next morning feeling warm and safe. The memories of last night came crashing down on me, but somehow I managed to find the strength to face them and accept them. I don't know where I found this sudden strength, if it came from some part of me that had laid dormant in my life before my blissful ignorance was shattered by war, or if it were in some way connected to the powerful arms that were still wrapped around me in a protective embrace. Maybe it was both.
I turned, stretching my muscles. I was surprised at how little they ached. Was it just that I was getting used to this lifestyle of running and fighting and struggling? Turning completely, I faced Zuko. He was awake and watching me. A strange, indiscernible look was upon his face, barely visible in the dim glow put off by the embers. It was the same he'd given me that night I'd asked him about the Fire Lands. I'd taken it for anger then, but now, as I had a chance to study him, I realized that it didn't resemble anger as much as it resembled... confusion? Wonder?
What did he have to be confused about? I sighed. Life had become so complicated. I would have given my left arm just to be back home, bickering with Sokka and baking cookies with Gran-Gran.
But then, if I were there, I wouldn't have a chance to see this. My eyes swept down over Zuko's shirtless chest. His muscles had become even more defined over the past few weeks that he'd spent sparring earthbender soldiers. I felt the heat of a blush rise to my face. What was I doing? I was admiring my enemy? I reminded myself that the masculine body I was wrapped in was a firebender's. The enemy of my people. The son of the cruel and barbarous Fire Lord. Zuko could break every bone in my body if he felt like it.
But would he?
Warmth spread inside me as I remembered the night before, how he'd tended to me with a grace and carefulness I hadn't thought possible in a firebender.
Hmm. People aren't always how they appear, are they Katara?
Wonderful. Gran-Gran was back and in full swing. I pushed the voice to the back of my mind and just concentrated on enjoying feeling safe for the first time since my father had left for war. That is, until my stomach let out a ravenous growl. Nothing had passed my lips since I'd started healing the soldiers the day before. I wanted breakfast. I wanted it NOW.
"Did the guard knock for breakfast?" I asked.
Zuko shook his head. "I told him last night that he was not to wake you this morning. You needed your rest."
Will wonders never cease? Was Zuko actually being... considerate?
"I thought you'd sleep the whole day away." He grumbled at me. I sighed. So much for that.
"I wonder what time it is." I said, ignoring his comment. I pushed myself, somewhat reluctantly, out of bed and onto my feet. Just then, a knock sounded on the door and it slowly opened as a young soldier peeked in.
"I heard voices, so I kinda thought it would be okay to..." He cast a quick look at Zuko. I smiled. This must be the guard Zuko had warned not to wake me up. The poor boy, Zuko must have put some kind of fear in him. And, not knowing Zuko, he had probably believed every word of the impending doom that would be brought down on his head if he dared wake me.
"It's okay. Yes, we're awake. And hungry. You don't suppose there's any food left after breakfast, is there?"
The soldier gave me a winning smile and nodded enthusiastically. "Follow me." That bright smile, that cheerful voice. He reminded me of Aang. Sadness crept into my heart as I remembered the little boy. How was he doing? Was he learning earth and fire bending? Did Sokka worry about me?
I wallowed in the feeling while I walked behind the soldier to breakfast, but pushed the thoughts to the back of my head as 500 soldiers rose as I walked into the room. All eyes were turned to me. I blushed a little under their gaze, until Teikei spoke.
"Our guest of honor has arrived. We may now all partake in breakfast." I gasped. They had waited for me? Why? I peeked at the faces around me and saw that most were staring at me with awe or even reverence.
"Many of the men here owe you their lives, Katara." Teikei said, his eyes expressing a kind thank-you. "From now on, you and your- ...you and Prince Zuko- will be allowed to walk freely about the fortress."
I bowed and sat down. Five hundred men followed my lead. All the attention was strange. It made me uncomfortable. I hadn't done anything spectacular. I'd healed many of them, yes, but what else could I do? Let them die?
"Now, I share your in happiness over the victory at Tu-Seng yesterday, but know that in protecting that town, we've tipped our hand. They now know that the town is important to us, and will undoubtedly attack again." Teikei addressed the soldiers. "I will be in the war room for the remainder of the day. The rest of you should take this time to prepare and catch up on your sleep." With that he stood up, having finished breakfast, and walked from the room, leaving everyone to their own plans.
"What do we do now?" I asked, feeling a bit giddy in the newfound freedom.
"We look for a way to escape." Zuko hissed at me as if I were stupid. I almost came back with some sarcastic retort, but realized that he was right. We should be looking for any opportunity to escape. I followed him out the door as he began to thoroughly searched the mountain fortress.
...To no avail. There were no windows, no exits marked 'escape door,' nothing that led to the outside world except for air vents no bigger than my fist. Zuko probably would have kept searching until we'd worn tracks in the ground if Teikei hadn't interrupted us.
"Katara. I need to speak with you." His face was set and solemn, his shoulders hung as if the weight of the mountain were settled on them. He ushered me to a secluded place along the halls. I heard Zuko following, though Teikei didn't stop him.
"My scouts have spotted Fire Nation ships approaching the inlet from the South, which confirms my worst fears. They're going to attack the houses just south of the town. They're mostly filled with the women and children of men who are in the Earthbender army."
"Your information is wrong. The Fire Nation would not attack a village for no reason." Zuko spoke up, fire burning in his voice. Teikei let out a sigh.
"It is a common Fire Nation tactic to kill the families of the men at war, to break their spirits and make them give up."
"That's not true! The Fire Nation has more honor than to-" Teikei gave Zuko a stern look and dropped his voice, anger adding a dangerous edge to it.
"I don't know what kind of idealistic views you may have of your mother country, young Prince, but I assure you: this kind of brutal warfare is far from honorable and far from rare for the Fire Nation. Do you mean to tell me that you grew up as a Prince in your father's household and never heard of at least one cruel battle tactic?" Teikei's eyes bored into Zuko's; pale green meeting fiery amber.
I fully expected another furious defense of the Fire Nation's honor from Zuko. But, to my shock, Zuko dropped his eyes. A look of haunting pain washed over the Prince's face for a split second before he turned away from Teikei's piercing gaze. I wanted to go up to Zuko and question him. I wanted to know what had caused that look. I wanted...
Teikei was addressing me again. "We think the best thing to do would be to distract them, confuse them a little. If you would be willing, Katara, I would like to ask you to come with the army tonight and use your waterbending to trouble the captains while we launch an attack from the opposite direction. It may be just the advantage we're looking for..."
"NO!" I spun around. Zuko's eyes were narrowed and boring into Teikei with a venomous bite.
"You can't bring a girl into war! They can't fight!" I gasped and crossed my arms, ready to come back with a comment. I felt Teikei's hand on my shoulder, restraining me.
"Zuko, is it not true that many Fire Nation women are warriors?" Teikei cocked his head to one side.
"Well, yes, but that's because Fire Nation women are stronger. You can't expect a waterbender to be able to hold her own in a fight." I opened my mouth, a stinging reply hovering on the edge of my lips. Oh, he was really going to get it this time. But Teikei's grip tightened. I looked up into his face, confused by this behavior. Why would he fight my battles for me? That's when I noticed the tiniest sliver of a smile tugging at Teikei's lips.
"I don't know. I saw Katara spar you and I thought she held her own quite well."
"That's because I was going easy on her. If you put her out there in a battle she'll be slaughtered."
"Oh, I see. So, you don't want me to let her to go because you're worried for her safety?"
A crimson tint lit Zuko's cheeks and he stepped back.
"I don't care what happens to her. She can die for all I care." He finally said, sending me a look of death as he turned and walked back to his room. Once he was out of earshot, Teikei burst out laughing.
"What? You're happy that he doesn't care if I die?" I wasn't sure if I entirely understood what just took place.
"No, no dear. Quite the contrary. Yes, quite the contrary in deed."
I looked at him as if he'd gone mad.
"Give it time, Katara. That's all I have to say. You'll understand."
Understand what?
"What are you doing?" I questioned Zuko as I walked into the little room. He was lacing his boots, a look of determination on his face.
"I'm coming with you." The answer was unexpected, to say the least.
"What? You're going to fight against your own people?" I raised an eyebrow.
"No. I'm just coming with you."
"I thought you didn't care if I died."
"I don't!" Zuko whirled on me, getting so close I could feel the heat of his body, smell the scent of fire and ashes. "I'm not just going to let you go escape and leave me here to rot in this place."
"Is that what you think I'm doing?" I shouted. "Well, guess what, your highness, escape is the furthest thing from my mind. Unlike some people, I'm not thinking just about myself. I'm going out there tonight to make sure innocent people don't die. Not that you'd have any idea what that means." I growled.
"Don't you dare judge me." Zuko's voice had dropped so low it was almost a whisper. Even the fire seemed to have quieted. The room was breathless. Somewhere along the way, I'd crossed a line. I averted my eyes and backed down. He was right. I was being the very person I'd sworn not be.
"I'm sorry." I mumbled, but Zuko was already out the door. He didn't even wait for me.
The hall was a roiling mass of battle-hungry bodies. Everywhere there were manly shouts and smells. I wrinkled my nose. Maybe Zuko was right. Maybe battle wasn't the place for a girl.
No! I was going to help those people. If it meant I was uncomfortable for a while, well, that was just too bad for me. I'd been traveling with two stinky, sloppy boys for the past however-long, hadn't I? Well, what was a few extra hundred?
"Katara. I'm glad you're here. You and Zuko will be traveling together, under guard. I hope you understand, we simply cannot risk you escaping if you're really..." Teikei's eyes pleaded forgiveness, and I gave it to him in a simple nod.
"I understand. It is the mark of a good leader to put the safety of your men above all else."
"You're very wise, Katara. Come, I'll take you to the front of the line with Zuko. We're about to march out."
Breathlessly waiting I really, really hope I did not disappoint you with that chapter. I really needed to challenge Katara's character. Katara has grown now, has found some strength. I toned this chapter down a lot from what it originally was, and I hope it was enough not to make you go stop reading. I have good things in store for this story. Really good things... You'll begin to see in the next chapter...