Chapter 7 Life isn't perfect

Zuko sighed and hung his head in shame of not being able to swim. He loved the water to tell the truth. But he kind of had this fear of it at the same time. He could almost be a water bender for his love of the water. But his biggest fear, next to his sister, was dying in the water. Katara put a comforting arm around him and smiled. She smiled before diving into the water itself. She surfaced for air before diving back under. Zuko looked over the edge wondering where in the world she was. The next thing he knew was that he was in the water next to her struggling to stay a float. He kicked against the waves coming from the boat. He finally sunk under the water. But he was pulled up to the surface and took in a deep breath.

Katara was on the other side of him holding him up above the water. It was a weird feeling being helped by a girl let alone a girl from a different nation from the one your from. Katara's touch was gentle and soft as helped Zuko stay a float. It's times like these where I wish I knew how to swim and didn't need to abandon my pride for help, Zuko thought.

Katara pulled Zuko onto shore and got up dusting herself off. It was like a trap already set for them because the minute they landed fire nation solders surrounded them. Zhao walked out and smiled clapping slightly.

"Great to see you again Blue Spirit." Zhao laughed. "I'm even surprised you'd show your face around here after you captured the Avatar. But I'm even more surprised that you have yourself a girlfriend. She seems to fill out in all the right places."

Katara shook herself of the feeling before turning to Zuko. He nodded and both took out their weapons and readied themselves for the attack. Zhao laughed, turned around and left the two with their battle.

Zuko got closer to Katara and whispered. "Don't let your guard down at all. He may have the YuYan archers close by." He looked around and noticed the solders closing in. "The archers, if they're here can knock you out even with your mask."

Katara nodded and allowed Zuko to make the first move. A solder walked up to him and causally offered a peace treaty if the two would turn themselves in quietly. But of course that wasn't going to happen.

The fire army launched their attacks but they had forgotten that they had come into close to the mask duo that they didn't leave themselves enough room for escape when they launched their fire moves. Both Zuko and Katara jumped to avoid being hit by the flames and watched as the guards caught fire. When they landed they took off running in different directions to keep each other out of danger. Zuko looked around for Zhao but found no sign of him. He was probably back giving orders to attack the ship that was out at sea. He turned his attention to the guards surrounding him and pulled out his swords and began to block their weapons. It was like fighting them when he was with the Avatar. Again a familiar sensation came over him, it felt like was doing the right thing and fighting for the right side.

Katara on the other hand was having a little more trouble than anything else. She was struggling to stay out of reach of their fire and trying so hard not to use her water bending against the guards. She took a deep breath and remembered that Iroh said always remember the basics. It didn't surprise her one bit that something seemed off while the guards were attacking her. It was like they held back their powers or something. Well it didn't help that they were fighting a girl. It didn't bother her one bit. She ran towards them and tried to remember all that Iroh taught her yesterday and before while she was still unable to do anything. She used her twin katanas and protected herself with them.

It was then when Katara had heard something whiz past her ear. It was an arrow. She looked towards Zuko in question of what to do. Katara ran past the guards trying her best to dodge every arrow shot at her. Zuko pointed towards a nearby tent.

Without saying any words she heard Aang yelling for help. Turning towards back towards Zuko she nodded and they ran towards the scream. They entered the tent and saw both boys trying hard to breath. Aang looked up at his saviors and squinted his eyes.

"Blue Spirit!" He tried to talk but ended up coughing instead. "You've got yourself a girlfriend now."

Zuko pointed at Sokka with his sword giving Katara the go ahead destroy her brother's bonds. Taking the swords he cut the metal chains around Aang's body. He motioned towards the exit so that Aang could run while he went to help Katara. Aang understood and took off towards the door. But before he could escape a wall of fire blocked them. Katara looked at Zuko in question what to do. Zuko looked around frantically for and exit. He shook his head put his swords down in defeat.

"Oh My God. We're all doomed!" Sokka screamed running around. Katara was half tempted to pull the boy down next to her and tell him to shut up but remembered that she was under incognita.

Zuko we need a plan I'm not going to die here, Katara mentally sent Zuko but knew he'd never get it.

With Zhao

He watched the flames continue to engulf everything left of the campsite. The site of the two masked people were no longer in site. So that was a good sign that they as good as dead. He turned to the side and looked towards Zuko's ship. It was going up in flame, which meant that was two people gone.

"And look who will be the new king of the fire nation." He said standing up straight stretching.

"That's what you think!" Aang yelled landing behind Zhao.

"What how did you…" he was speechless.

"Its easy when you're the Avatar. Plus a little help from your friends." He said winking at Zuko and Katara.

"I don't think so Avatar." Nyla said grabbing Aang's neck.

Aang began to struggle to get freed. But Zhao came up and grabbed him taking him back to the ship. This time Sokka ran after him and got himself tied up by the YuYan archers.

"Great I'm captured again. Makes sense." Sokka said being dragged off.

Katara looked at Zuko who shrugged again. She looked at her brother as he was being dragged off. It wasn't working what ever their plan was it was failing horribly. She couldn't help herself she was wondering what in the world to do about her brother's safety.

"If you wanna see the boy again then I suggest you follow me to my ship. I'll give you a couple of days. Three days that's all you get before I kill both the Avatar and the boy." Nyla walked off wondering who those two masked people were. If they knew anything about the avatar then they will come after him. But if they knew what was best for they'd stay away from her and the ship.

Nyla walked away from both the Red and Blue Spirit. They seemed familiar. But either way it doesn't matter. She wasn't worried at all. All they had to do was figure out that they were no match for her what so ever.

With Zuko and Katara

Katara fell to the ground and threw her mask in the bushes. "I hate this. This is so stupid!" Katara yelled taking out her daggers and also throwing them out of the way and into a nearby tree.

Zuko sat down next to her and removed his own mask as well. "Katara you can't give up just like that. Take it from me things aren't always as easy as they seem. At least your still have people who love you." Zuko snapped.

"I don't think you know what the hell you're talking about Prince Physco." Katara yelled getting to her feet. "My brother could care less…" She fell back down to the ground and muttered something about her mother.

Zuko rolled his eyes and turned grabbed her mask. "You can behind the mask but I can see who you really are."

"And who's that?" Katara asked putting her hands on her hips.

"A selfish brat who only cares about herself." He snapped.

"Oh I wouldn't be talking Mr. I am obsessed with the Avatar." She yelled.

"Oh really trying to get my honor back becomes an obsession and everyone's out to get me. So sue me." Zuko snapped.

Katara couldn't take any more so she jumped the young fire bender. She lost all of her normal calm and he didn't know what to do. Okay just defend myself and everything will be all right, Zuko thought to his self.

The next thing Zuko knew was that Katara had punched him in the mouth. That's it he'd lost his temper and hit her across the face. To defend herself she shot a water blast at him freezing his arms to the ground. Zuko burned it to a mere puddle. He then stood up quickly and pinned her to the ground with his foot. He lit his fist and held it right above Katara's face. He then launched his flame at Katara.

K15: Okay guys this is the second chapter in one day... man I must be bored. Doesn't surprise me one bit though. Thank you for your ideas keep em coming what you want the condition to be. I still haven't decided. Anyway I'll update later tomorrow or wendsay... well not tomorrow cuz that's my busyest day but I'll find time to work on it. Okay yup. Keep reviewing. Later. K15