Prisoners

AN: Yo! I'm back, and ready to write! Thank you for all of your reviews, and I tried to reply to every one. And if I didn't it might just be because I didn't want to give anything away, or I didn't know what to say besides "thanks" which I am saying right now! Now I'll shut up, and here's the new chapter!

Zuko didn't have much trouble finding Katara—she didn't have many places to go, anyway. He wondered vaguely why she hadn't just tried to escape if she hated him that much or something, but realized that her escape source wasn't in the best condition—the bison was hurt, obviously. He brushed the thought out of his head, as he walked over to Katara, who sat with her head in her hands, crying. (Sorry if I make her cry too much. I suspect she would because of everything I'm making her go through)

"Katara, I'm sorry." Zuko pleaded with her, stunning himself partly on how different he was acting, and confused on why he cared so much, but continued, "But this is what has to be done! I won't be able to change anything without my honor, anyway!"

Katara glowered at him for a second, then just shook her head, saying, "You still didn't have to do this!"

"Katara!" Zuko said as she got up and started to run off. He jumped after her.

When he reached her, he hugged her from behind. (Aww! So cute!) Katara looked over her shoulder at him, and then sighed, letting him hug her.

Then she asked, "Could I at least visit my friend and brother, please?"

"I guess." Zuko said, leading her to the cells.

He gave her the keys to Aang's and Sokka's cells, but when he went out the hallway door, he locked it after him, just to make sure that Katara would not free her friends and make him start his search over.

Katara walked into Sokka and Aang's cell, and Sokka jumped up at the sight of her, yet Aang was still unconscious.

Sokka had many cuts and bruises, but was overly all right.

She knelt down beside Aang, when Sokka stated, "He's just really badly burnt. Not dead."

Katara removed Aang's shirt, and lowered his high—riding pants a bit (You know this is a Zutara fic, not Kataang, so don't be thinking that!) and found his chest badly burnt, but not yet scarred.

Katara pulled out her water skin, and, as usual, she waterbended some out and it covered her hand, glistening.

She placed her shining hand over Aang's bare chest, breathing deeply in and out, and moving her hand around some. When finally she removed her hand, the blackened skin look was gone, and there was a huge, hurtful bruise left.

He opened his eyes weakly, and said, "Katara? Are you okay?" and tried to sit up. He moaned from the pain, and lay back down, closing his eyes lightly again.

"He'll be fine, Katara." Sokka said in a reassuring tone.

"I hope so." She answered, getting up and exiting to get them some food and more water.

Just as she reached the door, she recalled the fact that it was locked, and wondered what she should do. After a second of thought, she just sat down and waited for Zuko to come back.

After a while, Zuko walked in, and Katara jumped up. He looked at her simply, and held the door open for her. She walked to the kitchens, looking over her shoulder to see Zuko following her. She quickened her pace nervously, and then remembered he was probably wanting the keys back.

"Before I return the keys, may I get my brother and my friend some food, please?" she asked timidly.

"Whatever." Zuko said, exasperated, and kept following her.

"Umm…may I please have two meals?—for my friends! Not me. Hehe." Katara said nervously after the weird look she got for wanting two meals.

The cook looked questioningly at Zuko, as if asking whether he was allowed to (or had to) follow what Katara said and fulfill her request.

Zuko nodded, and the cook turned back grumpily and walked off to the back and began making the meals.

Katara waited a short while until the cook came rushing back with two trays of steaming rice, fish, and tea.

Katara wondered if they got tired of rice, fish, and tea just as she, Sokka, and Aang got tired of nuts.

Katara took the trays with a "thank you!" and walked back to the cells where she had once been in, where no one except Iroh had cared to get her food, and where she had almost starved to death. Yet so long ago that had seemed, for so many things had changed and occurred since then, turning her into a whole different person.

Zuko opened the door for her again, and she walked to the back where Aang and Sokka's cells were located.

"Give this to Aang, would you?" she motioned to Sokka the second tray, as he grabbed the first one from her and began gulfing the food down with a stifled, "fanks!"

She joined back with Zuko and they walked to the deck in silence, where they stared out at the glistening, beautiful ocean.

Katara put her head down sadly, having no idea what to do about her friend's situation.

AN: I know, I know, short and boring, but I tried. Once we get to chapter 14, they'll end up getting a little longer, and MUCH more active. And the next chapter is going to be extremely short, so be warned! Read and reply!