Dangerous Ground
Chapter 14
We marched forever. My legs were tired, scratched, and wobbly by the time we arrived at what would be base camp. We'd marched all night, and day was just beginning to peek it's rosy face over the eastern horizon, spreading a little warmth over the frost crusted ground. I waterbended the damp out of my clothes.
"Would you like me to take away the damp?" I said softly to Zuko, still feeling a little guilty after our last argument and wanting to mend bridges.
He didn't answer, only closed his eyes. His skin began to glow with an ethereal, rosy light and the water steamed off his clothes and skin. Okay, that was a big 'no'. I sighed. Why did he have to be so stubborn?
"Okay, men, just as we planned." Teikei's voice was low, barely reaching his men's ears before it disappeared in a whisper. Five hundred men hurried to find their positions, their war-trained bodies hardly making a sound on the forest floor. A firm hand was placed on my shoulder and Teikei's comforting voice calmed my rattling nerves.
"This way, Katara." He led me up a rocky path to the top of the mountain. The cold, pale blue of early dawn outlined the skeleton-like twigs of the trees, barren in winter's grip. I shuddered, wishing suddenly to be back home in bed, sleeping away this ungodly hour.
"You will wait here for the signal." Teikei brought me to the edge of a plateau. It overlooked the inlet and the beach below, giving me plenty of maneuvering room to waterbend. "Now, on the signal from my men, you will send a wave crashing over the edge of the ship. While they're looking for the source of the water, my men will attack from the opposite shore." I nodded. I was ready. Fear churned in my stomach, but I called upon the courage of my people to steady me.
Teikei left like a shadow, melting into the forest soundlessly. I was alone.
Well, not quite. A burly earthbender guard stood ready by a pine tree. He had one hand on his knife and another on Zuko's shoulder, who sat glowering on the ground. His wrists had been tied palm-to-palm so he couldn't fire bend, and his ankles had been shackled so that he could walk but not run. He had taken it in a surprisingly mature way, but still grumbled under his breath about honor and weakness and stupid earthbender blockheads.
I turned to face the sea. Icy wind cut through even the thick earthbender warrior's clothes I wore, and I huddled down into the rough, sturdy fabric, hoping to cling to the fading warmth as dawn crept into the sky with maddening sluggishness.
A glint caught my eye. Was this it? I squinted. Yes, there, reflecting the newly-born morning's sun was the metal of a firebender ship. My heart sped and I my breath came in short, shallow gasps. It would be soon now.
The ship made its way up the inlet slowly. So slowly.
Nearer.
Nearer.
My muscles tightened and I began to focus on the water beneath the ship, feeling its tug and pull, feeling it being parted by the bow of the ship.
Nearer.
Nearer.
Where was the signal?
Nearer.
There it was! A white flag fluttered briefly behind a bush and I stood up. I raised my hands in the air and pushed the water.
It was so heavy. I tried to remember if I'd ever tried to move this much water before.
Push! Pull! Push! Pull! A wave easily half as tall as the ship broke against its side, sending the ship rocking and twisting like a clumsy top. I saw small figures stagger on the deck, bewildered and dizzy. I pulled more water up. More! More! Another wave broke, this time washing all the way over the deck., pushing the ship up against the sand of the opposite bank, just as Teikei had instructed me.
Howls and war whoops filled the dawn as the Earthbenders broke from their hiding places and clambered up the ship's sides. The sky rained arrows as earthbender archers picked off the firebenders that didn't run for cover. The attack was going perfectly. I ran more waves against the ship, ensuring that it would not break from the shore.
But firebenders aren't stupid. They'd gotten good at war. Smoke and flame began to mingle in the air as they fought back viciously. I heard a dull rumble, then saw a giant ball of flame light on the ship's deck.
The catapult. Someone was working the catapult.
The fireball was in the air now, and it was coming at me. They must have seen me waterbend.
"Run!" I whirled around and shouted. But it was too late.
It crashed to the ground in an earthshattering thud, sending rock and debris flying around me. I ducked, shielding my face with my hands, feeling the ground sway and give like water beneath my feet. Dust filled the air like fog, making me choke and gasp as I whispered fervent prayers for protection.
But then the dust settled. The ground stopped shaking. I was still alive! I stood on trembling legs and looked around me. The ground had been flattened. Trees were ripped out of the ground, their dark roots sticking in the air like twisted snakes.
"Zuko!" I yelled. Had he escaped? Had he left me here by myself?
Suddenly, a flash of red fabric caught my eye. Zuko had refused to wear the earthbender green, so he had instead had worn the same red firebender tunic and pants he'd been wearing since we'd captured him. I rushed to the red fabric and began pulling the mounds of dirt and rock off of him. A wave of fear washed over me, cold and sharp, as I uncovered his body. How could anyone have survived that?
I reached forward, my hand trembling slightly as I touched his skin, hoping to find a pulse.
Not only was there a strong, steady pulse, but his skin was warm to the touch. I felt relief wring the tension from my body.
One thing we know about Zuko is that he never gives up. Sokka's words ran through my head and I smiled.
But where was the guard? I looked around, searched under the rubble, walked around the edge of the blast area. But there was no sign of him. He could have been thrown off the mountain. He could have been buried deeper than I could reach. He could be dead.
But one thing was for certain. He was gone. I could escape.
Exhilaration gave my legs a burst of energy. I could run right now...
But what about Zuko?
Zuko will be fine! I need to find Aang!
So you're just going to leave him here?
He'll make it! The earthbenders will come looking and they'll find him and take him back and I won't have to worry about him chasing us anymore!
Is that really what you want?
The question stopped me cold in my tracks. Just a month ago I would have given a hearty 'yes!" and run off into the woods. But something had changed. There was something inside of me holding me back. Duty? Honor? Words I'd heard often enough from Zuko's mouth, but words that didn't quite seem to fit in this situation.
Come on, Katara! You're going to betray your people by staying behind for this Fire Nation Prince? Have you no honor?
He rescued me from the arrows when he could have just gone on without me.
No doubt it was for selfish reasons!
I don't know what his reasons where...
I don't even really know what my reasons are...
Do I?
Just as I thought, Teikei came looking for me. He wore a wide, triumphant grin across his face like a banner.
"We won!" He shouted, raising his hands and letting out a whoop of joy. Then, stopping, he took in the destruction around me. His eyes widened when he saw the guard was gone, and Zuko was lying, still unconscious, on the ground. He gave me a quizzical look, and I just hung my head. I didn't feel like explaining. I was tired.
"Is he okay?" Teikei asked a healer, who was bent over Zuko, pressing and prodding, trying to find broken bones or inner injuries.
"Seems fine to me, just a little dirty. Let me clean him up for you." The healer said, pushing me from the room as two healer assistants came forward with a basin of warm water.
"Wait-" I said, but the healer had already undone Zuko's shirt and was pulling down the unconscious Prince's pants. I blushed and turned before the waistband got low enough to reveal... things. Teikei smiled and put a hand on my shoulder as he led me away.
"Don't worry. He'll be fine. You did good work today, Katara. You posses a skill that I've rarely seen before." Teikei's voice was full of pride. "I've ordered a bath set up for you. But don't get any ideas. It's in a room entirely devoid of cracks or vents." A twinkle shone in Teikei's eye as he hid a laugh.
Oooooh, it felt so good to be surrounded in my element again. The bath water was hot and smelled lightly of soap. I immersed my head and blew bubbles in the water, laughing at the tickling feeling they made on my lips and cheeks.
I soaked for as long as I could, but soon the water began to cool and I had to get out or risk freezing. I reluctantly climbed from the tub and wrapped myself in new earthbender clothes. The fabric was corse and stiff but warm. I sighed. It felt good to be clean again.
I walked slowly back to my room, thankful for the peace and silence of the halls. It was amazing how war could do that to a person: make them thankful for every moment of serenity, every moment not running or hiding.
I pushed the heavy door of my room open. And then stopped in my tracks.
Zuko was lying on the bed, still unconscious and completely naked except for a towel tied around his waist. Heat spread over my face as I stood there, looking at him. I'd seen him shirtless before, but never without his pants. His legs were toned, the lines of his muscles stood out even in his relaxed state. His skin still glistened slightly with moisture from the cleaning.
I stepped closer. The light cast by the fireplace played over the curves of his muscles, danced over every inch of him. I had been given new clothes, hadn't he?
Yes, there they were. Folded neatly by the cot. I waterebended the moisture off his skin and threw it into the fire. I listened to the flames pop and crack and hiss as the water evaporated in the heat.
Is he cold?
No, of course not, silly. He's a firebender. I touched his skin, just in case. A shock flew up my arm, just like that first night I'd touched him to see if he was warm. But this time I didn't pull back, I just waited. I let the fire arc through my body, fill my chest with heat, send my nerves sparking beneath my skin, until the shock faded, leaving in its place a warm, contented glow.
Golden eyes blinked open and looked at me curiously. Oh no. I'd woken him. But all I'd done was touch him lightly. Unless he'd felt the heat, too. Horror crept into me as I realized the situation I was in.
"I'm glad you're awake. You had me worried for a minute. I mean, I thought you were going to die and then I'd be left alone here with no one to help me escape." I said, trying to hide my embarrassment.
"What happened? Who took my clothes?" Zuko drew his knees up and looked around.
"You were knocked out on the mountain by a firebender catapult."
"What about you?"
"What about me?" This conversation was starting to sound familiar.
"Why didn't you escape?"
"It wasn't safe with firebenders running around."
What? What was that Katara? Well, it hadn't really been a lie. I hadn't been safe. I just wasn't thinking about it at the time. But why not tell him the truth? Why not come out and say 'because I didn't want to leave you behind'?
"Where are my clothes?" He repeated, once again bringing up the uncomfortable subject that he was completely naked except for the skimpy towel.
"Um.. Over there." I turned my head away and pointed in the general direction of the clothes.
"Those aren't mine."
"You're old clothes were dirty and ripped. These are your new ones."
"I refuse to wear disgusting earthbender clothes."
"Well, your highness," I stood, anger filling my voice at his arrogance. "Maybe you should just walk around like that for the rest of the day if eathbender clothes are so beneath you."
"I'd prefer that than to look like some ugly earthbending fool." He stood, also. The towel slipped a few inches, exposing the edge of his hip.
I wonder if it will slip off.
KATARA! I tried to hide my blush, make it look like anger as I shouted "You will never look like an earthbender." It took me a few moments to realize just how cruel my words were. My eyes traveled to Zuko's scar. Oh no. I really hadn't meant it that way.
Zuko narrowed his eyes at me. "Get out." He hissed.
"Zuko, I didn't mean-"
"OUT!"
I slammed the door behind me.
Dinner was eaten in silence. Zuko was still angry. But I expected that much. I was working up the courage to try and apologize again. It was a battle. Every inch of me wanted to slap Zuko instead of apologize, but Gran-Gran's soothing words circled my thoughts and squelched the fury I felt toward him. Just then, a commotion broke out. I could dimly hear the shouts of soldiers just outside the dining room. I jumped from the table, following Zuko as we made our way out the door.
Several soldiers surrounded something. Something that was... on fire? An arc of flame lit the room and several earthbenders fell back, widening the circle. Zuko pushed the last bit of the way forward and faced a very angry, very dangerous firebender captive.
"We were just moving him to his cell when he snapped a link in his chains and broke free." I heard a soldier explain to Teikei, who watched the drama unfold with interest. The firebender's hands and feet were on fire. He stood, feet apart and arms outstretched, looking into the crowd with a wild, dangerous look in his eye.
"What is your name." Zuko spoke. The firebender whirled, looked at Zuko, and then grinned maliciously.
"Well, if it isn't the shamed, exiled prince of the Fire Nation. Everyone thought you were dead." The soldier's hands lost some of their flame.
"But look at you! Alive as the day you were born. And working on the side of these weak, earthbending scum! Not that it would come as a great surprise. You have always been the shame of the Fire Nation." He spat. Zuko's face was emotionless, his arms crossed, looking for all the world that he was bored and had better things to do.
"That is no way to speak to the future Fire Lord." Zuko said.
"Fire Lord! Ha! Your father was wise to exile you if you are such a fool as to believe a traitor such as yourself would ever sit on the throne. Do you think that your father so much as shed a tear over your death? Quite the contrary, my prince. A celebration is being held in your sister's honor. It is she who will be future Fire Lord! She who will lead our armies to victory! She does not show mercy. She does not bear that horrible mark of weakness that you-"
The strike came faster than my eyes could follow it. A bright flash and then the soldier was on the ground, unconscious, a nasty bruise showing on his temple.
Zuko pushed through the crowds, practically running. I followed. Finally, he came to our room. He threw open the door and stormed inside. He turned to face the fire. I wondered if he knew I was there. Silence filled the room for what seemed to be hours. I searched for something to say, but words wouldn't come. When the silence was shattered, it was Zuko who spoke.
"Do you want to know how I got this scar?"
Was this a trick question? I took a deep breath, but before I could answer he made my decision for me.
"I spoke out during a war council. One of the generals wanted to..."
He told the whole story. I stood in amazed silence as he spoke of the warm room. Of the cruel general who would have sacrificed an entire troop of men just for one victory. Of how he'd challenged the general and so had been forced to settle it in Agni Kai, a fire duel. How he'd not had to face the old man, but his own father. He explained, pain lacing his voice like poison, that he couldn't fight his father. He was a loyal son. To go against his father would be to say that he fought against the Fire Nation itself. He could never do that. But his father left him no choice.
Nausea made the dinner in my stomach feel heavy as Zuko painted a world of pain for me. So vivid was his description that I felt I was there, standing among the people as they watched their prince writhe in agony as his own father mutilated him. I could smell the burnt flesh, feel the horror of the young prince as his future was taken from him by the very nation he loved and served.
Zuko finished the story and leaned against the fireplace, as if exhausted simply from telling of his ordeal.
"I'm sorry..." I said, extending one hand to touch his shoulder.
"Don't pity me!" Zuko whirled on me, anger and anguish playing behind his eyes. "When I capture the avatar, my father will see me for what I am: A loyal son of the Fire Nation! He will welcome me back!"
I felt tears, hot and salty run down my face to rest on my lips. I wasn't crying for myself. I was crying for Zuko. All this time I'd thought... I'd convinced myself... that he was a monster. But he wasn't the monster. His father was.
If only he could see that. If only he would realize that a father's love could not be bought... not even with the Avatar.
He stalked over to the cot and laid down, a scowl contorting his otherwise handsome features. Handsome? Since when did you think he was handsome? But I was in no mood to argue with myself tonight. I crawled up onto the bed beside him and wrapped my arms around him.
He didn't pull away this time.