Dangerous Ground
Chapter 20
My breath sounded loud in my own ears, and my heart thudded in my chest, a steady thrum thrum that matched the vibrations that were traveling through the ground and up my boots.
They were just below me in the valley now. My breathing quickened.
A catbird call pierced the night. I jumped and looked toward the sound. Unscrewing the lid of my canteen, I readied myself, feeling the water, focusing on it, letting its energy tingle in my fingertips. It would be just a little while longer now.
I shifted under the weight of my pack, relieving the cramps in my legs. Twenty men had donated their canteens to me and the weight was beginning to take its toll on my thighs as I squatted behind the bush. I only hoped I would be alive to give the canteens back. A second call came and I tensed. It meant the army had stopped and was bedding down for night. It was just as Zuko had predicted.
Zuko. I closed my eyes and saw his face burning behind my eyelids. The image gave me strength, though I didn't want to stop and ask myself why. The questions and feelings that had been welling up in me would be saved for answering at another time... a time when I wasn't crouched behind a bush in sub-zero temperatures just a short distance from a firebender camp.
Three calls. Time to move. Slinking through the forest, I imagined myself as a wraith, a shadow that flitted between trees but made no sound. My heart pounded in my chest, and I was sure the firebenders could hear it. The catbird called again, guiding me to the encampment. I silently thanked Sergei for his perfect mimicry of the bird, and for volunteering to be the one to scout ahead and alert me when the firebenders began to set up camp. The rest of the soldiers would be getting into position now... waiting for my signal.
Suddenly, I saw fire flickering between the trees ahead of me, tiny spots of light that quivered in the distance like gaudy stars fallen to earth. It was the Fire Nation camp. My breath caught in my throat and I stopped.
Katara, what are you doing? You can't do this! You're just a simple water tribe girl far from home. Self-doubt filled me as I stood there, shrouded in darkness, just a few paces from the edge of the firebender camp.
Who do you think you are? You should have said turned Teikei down this morning when he asked you to do this! Do you really think you're brave enough? Fast enough? You're going to be killed! You're going to let them all down! You're nothing but a water peasant!
Clutching the edge of my tunic I waited with a hammering heart, listening to the accusing voices that ate away at my courage, poisoning my heart with bitter words. Water peasant water peasant water peasant! They chanted. My foot lifted from the ground, but it wasn't going forward... it was stepping backwards into the safety of the darkened forest. I was going to fail. I wasn't strong enough. I was nothing but a water peasant.
NO! My eyes flew open and I glared at the fires that hovered in the distance. No! I clenched my fists and stomped my foot into the earth, the frost-hardened soil cracking beneath my boot. No!
I am Katara of the Water Tribes. I am a master waterbender. I am strong even when I am weak. I will not fail. I will not give up.
I crept to the edge of the camp, listening to the throaty snores of firebender soldiers and sizing up the ten or so small campfires they'd made. This would be so much easier with more than one waterbender. But I pushed the thought aside as I took a deep breath, gathering my courage and commanding my shaking legs to firm beneath me. I raised my arm and felt the thrill of battle replacing the stomach-turning fear in my blood.
I pulled a long whip of water from the canteen and sent it snaking quietly over the sleeping soldiers. In lighting motions I sent the whip into the firebender's campfires, putting them out in a matter of moments, the snapping and hissing of evaporating water filling the night, which had turned as black as charred wood.
An earthshaking yell rent the air as 500 earthbending rebels swept into the camp. The ground trembled beneath my feet, the thudding of their boots mingling with the screams of surprise and confusion as the firebenders woke to find themselves fighting an invisible enemy.
The firebenders were at a great disadvantage. The earthbenders could remain unseen, but the firebenders were easy targets in the dark, their glowing hands a dead giveaway to their positions. The earth heaved and cracked as the rebels pelted the firebenders, who were still stumbling around half-awake and confused. Finally, however, they gathered their wits and adopted a new battle plan: Throw fire at anything that was not throwing fire at you.
That's when Teikei brought out a secret weapon. An arc of flame lit the sky and mingled with the flame of another soldier, knocking the man to the ground. The firebenders shouted and began to panic as fire turned on them. Zuko let out a war scream that tore through the night like a knife through silk. It was bone-chilling and inhuman, as if he were crying with the voices of the hundreds of slaughtered innocents.
I joined in the scream, adding a wailing, shrieking tone that froze the men in their tracks as only a woman's scream could. I flew into the fray, lashing out with my whip, striking the fire from the hands of the bewildered firebenders.
By the time dawn broke, clear and bright on the eastern horizon, the battle had ended and seven hundred firebenders lay dead or bound at our feet. I knelt on the frozen earth, feeling the cold seep into my knees and cool my boiling blood. I took a deep breath and exhaled, watching the curling wisps of moisture dance from my lips in the morning air.
"You did good work, Katara." Teikei said, placing a hand on my shoulder. His face was streaked with dirt and his eyes were red and tired, but he carried himself with the stature of one who has beat the odds and come out the victor. I looked at the ground modestly.
"I did nothing, really. I didn't even kill any of them. Just put out the fires." I was proud of that fact. I didn't want to kill, I wanted to hold to the peaceful ways of my people for as long as I could.
"All the same, you played a vital part in the victory today." Teikei smiled at me. I felt as if I'd just been given one of the most precious gifts in the whole world. I beamed back at him. At that moment Zuko walked up. His clothes were so singed they were practically falling off his body. I shook my head at the images that flooded my mind at that realization.
"And you!" Teikei turned to Zuko. "I've never seen any man fight like you before." Zuko nodded, accepting the praise.
"Teikei's voice lowered to a somber, serious tone. "I would like to ask you something." Zuko stiffened as he looked at Teikei warily.
"I would like to offer you a permanent place among my army, as my second in command."
Teikei couldn't have surprised Zuko and I more if he'd put on a kimono and had begun dancing around the camp with flowers in his hair.
"You are a strong warrior, and have knowledge of the Fire Nation that I have not attained even after forty years of fighting. It would be an asset to have you on my side... and an honor." Here Teikei bowed low before Zuko, who stood frozen in his place, his eyes betraying a whirlwind of emotions. I sighed internally. This is the part where Zuko would arrogantly throw out some earthbender insult and storm away.
But he didn't. The whirlwind died down in his eyes, and, turning to face Teikei, he placed his hands together and bowed. "No, sir, it would be my honor." Now it was Teikei's turn to look surprised. I couldn't hid a little gasp of my own. Something had changed in Zuko since that day in the village, and whatever it was, I was definitely liking it. Teikei held out his arms and scooped Zuko up into a giant bear hug, chuckling wholeheartedly.
"Will wonders never cease?" He finally released Zuko, who straightened his tunic and gave Teikei a little rebuking glare.
"Well, back to work." Teikei's face settled into a grim frown. "The bodies will be buried, and the prisoners brought to the king of Omashu. He'll use them to barter with the Fire Nation for the release of earthbender soldiers."
I stood and walked past Zuko. The scent of smoke and sweat hung heavily on him, but I was not repelled by it. "I should tend to the wounded soldiers." I said, giving Zuko a quick glance. He was burned in a few places, but they were minor. Teikei held up a hand.
"No, my dear Katara, you've done enough today. Thanks to you, we suffered no casualties, and any wounds my men have received are superficial. They can wait until you are rested and have had a chance to bathe."
My eyes closed in pleasure at the thought of my element soothing and cleansing my body. Oh, it would feel so good!
"There are some hot springs nearby. Walk east and you'll hear the stream. Follow it North and you'll come to them." Teikei pointed east. "It's not far. You should be able to go and come back with plenty of time to reach us by nightfall." I nodded a polite thanks to Teikei and started into the brush.
"If I were you, I'd not venture into the forest alone." Teikei warned me before I could get far. I turned and sent him a questioning look.
"There could be firebenders in the woods that fled the battle. And don't forget that these mountains are heavily populated by platypus bears." I furrowed my brows at Teikei. How could he tease me like that? How could he give me the hope of being able to bathe and then snatch it from me with the warning of bloodthirsty firebenders and bears?
Teikei turned to Zuko and crossed his arms in an authoritarian gesture. "As your commanding officer, my first order to you is to escort this young lady to the hot springs and bring her back unharmed." Zuko's stepped back in shock, a series of emotions flickering in his face so fast I didn't have the chance to read them.
"Really, you don't have to do that... I'll be fine." I stammered.
"Why not? I'm sure he'll be a perfect gentleman and cover his eyes." Teikei winked at me. My face burned as a blush lit my cheeks.
"Aren't you afraid we'll escape?" I asked, grasping at whatever excuse I could. I really wanted to go into the water... but the thought of undressing while in the presence of Zuko brought a flush of excitement and a shiver of nerves that I didn't want to explore right now.
"I trust the word of a son of the Fire Nation." Tiekei said solemnly. There was nothing to say to that. Not without offending Zuko, at least. I turned and started walking, hoping my hair, which had become undone in the heat of battle, would hide the blush and the quickening of my breathing.
"Beautiful day, isn't it?" I said, desperately trying to make small talk to cover the awkwardness as we walked through the woods to the hot springs. Zuko only nodded.
"Amazing. Night was so dark. It's hard to believe that after all that death, all that horror, day still dawns and things go on as they have since the Earth was created." I sighed. "Nothing changes."
"Some things do." I turned to face Zuko, and found his golden eyes studying me, gazing at me in such a way that sent shivers racing from my head to my toes.
"What do you mean?" I whispered. I hadn't meant for it to be a whisper, but there was something intoxicating in his stare, and it stole my breath as easily as wind would pluck leaves from the trees in fall.
Zuko turned from me, giving me no answers.
But I didn't need any.
I already knew...
"Further!" I shouted at him. We'd arrived at the hot springs and I was taking my time in making sure Zuko was far enough away for me to feel comfortable. He obediently took a few more steps into the woods. "Further!" I shouted. Zuko growled. I decided to let it rest. He was far enough. Quickly I slipped off my dress and slid into the water. It was so hot I yelped.
"What's wrong?" Zuko shouted in the distance.
"Nothing." I yelled back, hoping he wouldn't come running to my rescue. I was still wearing my blue chemise, but it didn't change the fact that I didn't want him to see me bathing.
I immersed myself in the water, letting it comfort me, heal my bruises, carry me on silken waves. I closed my eyes and moaned in pleasure. I floated for a while, enjoying the feel of my element against my skin. Did firebenders derive this much pleasure out of handling fire? My thoughts turned to Zuko. I felt warmth fill me, warmth that far rivaled the hot springs in intensity. I spread my arms out in the water, thinking of the masculine curve of his shoulders, the passionate, fiery gold of his eyes, the way he looked when a rare smile graced his lips. His lips...
A shiver ran up my body despite the warmth of the hot springs. It was not entirely unpleasant. I smiled and spread my arms out against the pool.
"AGH!" I clutched my hand. Blood poured in a tiny rivulet from a cut just below my knuckles. A sharp stone, red with my blood, jutted from the side of the pool. I must have brushed my hand against it while I had been... what had I been doing?
Daydreaming about Zuko.
No... I am still just very tired from battle, that's all. I'm delirious from exhaustion.
No you're not. You were daydreaming, and enjoying it.
"What happened?" Suddenly the object of my internal battle was standing in front of me, a flame dancing in his hand as he searched the forest around me for the source of my distress. A blush covered my face like butterfly wings.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scream so loud. I guess I'm still a little jumpy. It was just a rock, see?" I held out my hand to him. He cocked his head, examining it. I smiled. Zuko was concerned. He was trying to hide it, but I'd spent enough time with him to be able to read the emotions that lay behind his golden eyes. The Prince of the Fire Nation was worrying himself over a Water Tribe peasant's tiny wound!
"I'll be fine." I said as I placed my hand beneath the water's bubbling surface. My hand glowed an ethereal blue for a moment, and then the cut slowly closed. Zuko nodded at me and started to walk away. That's when I noticed the burn marks and scratches that marred his own skin.
How could you be so selfish? You're here enjoying the hot spring while he has to sit and wait, covered in battle wound as he is? For shame, girl! Gran-Gran scolded me. I sighed.
"Zuko! Wait!" I called after him. He turned, and then quickly averted his eyes. I blushed and dropped further into the water to hide my womanly curves.
"You need some healing, too." I reached my hand out to him, inviting him to join me. My head filled with a thousand reasons not to, but I pushed them away. Hopefully, my instincts would prove better than Sokka's.
"I do not need healing." Zuko said, still staring at the forest to my left, not meeting my eyes.
"Zuko..." I murmured as I reached for his hand "You do not have to prove your strength to me. I know you are strong."
Zuko watched me for a while, fighting. Still fighting with himself. Maybe some things would never change.
But slowly, ever so slowly, he got down and slid into the water next to me. We were face to face, the small pool only allowing a few hands' breadth to separate us. I reached up slowly, the pale blue of healing water glowing against the skin of my hand, and touched the abrasion on his face. I closed my eyes, letting the energy course through my body and into the water. I felt the wound heal, felt my fingertips tingle as they touched his now-unmarked skin. The water drained from my fingers, dripping down Zuko's jawline and spilling down to darken his tunic.
My hand stayed where it was. My gaze had become transfixed in the golden flames of Zuko's eyes and I was bound with a more effective binding than any rope or chain on earth. I stared at him, meeting his gaze unflinchingly. I realized that it may be a breach of etiquette to be so bold. Surely none of the ladies in Zuko's court would have met their Prince's eyes. For good reason. I found it hard not to look away. His gaze was so intense, it seemed to burn me just in looking at him.
But I did not back down. I lifted my chin defiantly. Then I felt a warm hand touch my wrist. I remembered suddenly that I was still touching his face. I blushed and went to pull my fingers away, but Zuko's hand remained tightly gripped around my wrist, holding me in place. I could feel the heat of each finger. Slowly he slid his hand up my wrist to clasp my hand. I parted my lips as my breathing became quicker. Before I could stop myself I reached out and placed my hand against his chest. A shock ran through me with such power that I gasped. I felt my legs begin to buckle underneath me, but then felt Zuko's hand on my lower back, pulling me close against his masculine body. I gasped again, but did not break his gaze. I was lost in it...
"Are you feeling alright?" Zuko's voice snapped me back to reality and I jumped out of his embrace automatically.
"Yes... I'm fine. Really."
"You were trembling."
"Oh, I'm just tired, that's all."
"Maybe we should head back, then."
"No! You need more healing."
"I'll be fine until we get back." He said, taking my hand and leading me from the spring.
He picked up my dress and wrapped it around me while chastely averting his eyes. He really was a gentleman. Zuko evaporated the water off of his clothes in a cloud of steam while I waterbended the moisture into a puddle at my feet. That done, we set out into the forest.
I was still reeling a little. What just happened? It seemed I was asking myself that a lot lately. I looked up at Zuko, who was walking beside me silently. There were so many questions running through my head. Most I didn't want to know the answer to. But I did know one thing for sure.
Zuko was right...
Things were changing.
In more ways than one.
Wow, that was a fluffy chapter. I hope it was not too much for you. I really wanted to deepen Katara's relationship with Zuko, though, so therefore: Fluffiness. Thank you, dear readers, for all your wonderful reviews so far! If not for you, the light would have gone out of this story long ago. Give yourselves a hand!