Chapter 7: When Lighting Strikes
Tonight, their dinner consisted only of cooked vegetables and spices. Katara didn't want to use up all their meat in one week, and since she had cooked some in the previous night's dinner, the troupe would be forced to go through a few days meat-less. Sokka reacted poorly to this idea, and sulkily poured the soup into his mouth, every once in a while shooting a mild glare in her direction. She ignored him, as she had done at all the other times in her life when he had bothered her, and allowed herself to seem completely absorbed in the process of eating. She took her time, as always, enjoying every last bit. Her mother had always told her to appreciate whatever food was set in front of her, and she adhered to this advice. Her mother may have been dead, but parts of her lived on through Katara. Lost in a reverie, Katara placed her hand on her necklace, running her fingers over the smooth stone carving that glinted in the firelight. After finishing the food, she snapped herself back to reality, and began collecting up the bowls as she had the night before. Zuko's still held a good quantity of food. Instead of taking this as an insult to her cooking, she satisfied herself with hoping he'd starve so she wouldn't have to put up with him any longer. After she had collected the bowls into a tottering pile, she set off through the dark trees to the stream. As she passed out of hearing of the camp, she let a huge sigh rush out of her, as she finally felt comfortable to relax a bit. Although, she was leaving Zuko with Sokka and Aang, which worried her slightly; but she doubted Zuko would try anything so soon after his little attack this afternoon. Kneeling on the bank, she began washing the bowls as slowly as she could, hoping to waste as much time as possible so she wouldn't have to return so quickly.
Zuko, holding his hand to his stomach, reclined on a moss covered rock, trying to digest Katara's meal. His pampered self had been accustomed to cooking of the highest quality both in the Palace and his ship, and consequently this new corse food did not sit well with his taste. He was beginning to think he might be better at the art himself. But as he sat, his thoughts turned back to the little mishap during the training that morning. How could he have been so stupid as to let himself lose control like that? His meditation was supposed to help him control himself! A visible glared formed on his face, the corners of his mouth set tightly, his arms crossed. He remained in this position for quite a while, and Katara immediately noticed his expression when she returned from the stream, and glared hatefully at him. His eyes rose to meet hers, and in that instant they both felt a powerful gush of hatred and suspicion. It was a quick shock, a powerful jolt that surprised them both. The gaze only lasted a moment, but as she had stared into his bright golden eyes, she couldn't help but hate him even more, as her passionate loathing of him spiked dramatically at that single second they shared. Katara almost felt as though lighting had struck the ground that lay between them as their eyes had met; like the quick swoop of anger that overcame her momentarily and left her dazed, as she hadn't quite experienced anything quite like it. She could almost see the singed and blackened ground that lay between them. Why was it that whenever she saw him, she could only see destruction?
Unsettled as she might have felt for that brief moment, she pulled herself together and walked back to her own little space in the camp. After she had shoved the bowls into the bag, she settled herself again on the ground in her sleeping bag, in her rightful place next to Aang, and fell asleep rather quickly; after the last thoughts of his look left her mind.
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It had been two days. Two stinking days, since she had snuck aboard this ship, and she was already tired of sitting in the storage room. She only left it occasionally late at night; but that wasn't enough. She wasn't meant to be kept cooped up for long stretches of time; and it took all her self control to keep herself from bursting out of the room. She knew she couldn't, because the Fire Nation Soldiers, although easily beaten, would not hesitate to try and throw her overboard. It wasn't that she thought she couldn't take them- but there were probably more than she could handle on her own, and then even if she did manage to get rid of them all, who would steer the ship? She had no choice but to remain where she was, and keep her thoughts occupied with what she would do when they finally did reach the Fire Nation Capital.
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Morning was long past, and again, Zuko was teaching Aang firebending. Katara, however, had been shooed out by Aang, who insisted that she take a trip to town to clear her mind. Aang recognized that if Katara stayed and watched again, she would only worry for him more, so with great difficulty, he had persuaded her to go on a shopping trip with the little money they had. To assure her that nothing would go wrong, Sokka would stay with Zuko and Aang. (Katara trusted Sokka now, he was more than capable of fighting Zuko; it was the result of much, much training done in Omashu).
Katara wandered the slim streets of the town, her eyes flitting from one stand to the next, unsure of what necessity to take care of first. Although it was summer, the nights weren't overly warm, and she decided that a few extra blankets couldn't hurt. They could also use some more utensils, basic foods, maybe a bow and arrows for Sokka... the problem was that they didn't have a whole lot of money. Reaching down into the small cloth bag, she pulled out one gold, ten bronze, and five copper pieces. Looking from her hand to the shops, she finally decided upon buying stores of food, one extra blanket ( a used blanket at that) and another skin to hold fresh water with. After she made her purchases, she had but three bronze and two copper pieces. They would need to resort to stealing soon. Bundling up her things, she began walking slowly down the road, away from town, and back to their camp. As she listened to her heart's rhythmic beat sync with her soft pattering footsteps, her thoughts suddenly turned to Aang and Zuko. Her imagination began spewing horrid scenarios which all ended up with Sokka dead and Aang incapacitated by Zuko. Her pace grew faster, her brow wrinkling in worry. Her concern increased, building up to a powerful panic as her feet placed her nearer and nearer; for she wondered if when she returned, she would find a triumphant Zuko, smirking maliciously at her. How could she have left them! She knew what Zuko was capable of, this was a prime opportunity for him to capture Aang! Oh, why had she listened to him and come to the market! Curse Aang! These visions were nearly a reality for her, and it got to the point where she began running- tripping over roots in the ground, nearly spilling all that she carried. Breathing heavily, she sprinted down the road, finally reaching the forest. Hastily she tore through the trees, her heart rate speeding, breath racing and eyes wide, about to collapse from paranoia. She tore into the clearing, wide eyed, and her hair in a tussle, to find that Aang and Zuko were taking a break, sitting on the ground and drinking some fresh water. They all turned their heads to see Katara in her half crazed state. For a moment they all just stared at each other, until Aang finally broke the silence.
"Katara, are you OK?" he asked cautiously.
"Yes." She said as she threw the packages on the ground, and collapsed upon it herself. Sokka and Aang only gave her weird looks of confusion; but Zuko knew why she had arrived in such a fashion. Immediately when she had burst into camp, she had looked straight at him- and he knew it was because she had expected the worst of him. After all, she had good reason to. But Zuko merely looked placidly back at her, with as much innocence as he could muster.
Katara laid back on the ground in exhaustion. Trusting him would be so much easier..
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Four more days passed in this fashion, and Zuko's perseverance began to wear on Katara. Since his attack on Aang, he had let nothing slip. His determination carried him through now more than ever. One week in total, had passed, and not much had changed.
"Katara, we're out of meat."
"I'm going to town today, I'll buy some with what money we have left."
"Why don't we all go? It'd be a nice change of scenery. Staying put in this forest gets pretty boring." Aang commented lazily as he spun leaves around in the air, leaving them to flutter on top of Momo who chirred and swatted at them playfully.
Katara eyed the two firebenders. "I guess.." She replied, some concern lingering in her voice.
Zuko perked up slightly at the idea. It would be a chance for him to hear any news brought from the Fire Nation.
All of them then set off for town, and upon reaching it, decided they should stay together. (This was more Katara's decision than anyone else's, but she figured she could keep an eye on Zuko if they were all together. Not that any of them could be easily recognized, as she had forced them all into ridiculous disguises; but then again, some things are just too obvious to hide, Zuko's scar being one of them.
The five of them walked the streets, following Katara. Zuko kept his ears open to the buzz of the town, incase he should hear something about what was going on in the capital. Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he saw a small figure dressed in royal red and gold flash by. He looked around warily, his heart beat increasing slightly, hoping it wasn't who he thought it was. However, their little excursion went smoothly without interruptions, and they all began their journey back to their camp, when they heard someone call Zuko's name.
Slowly, he turned, his fists clenched in trepidation. As he faced the figure who had called out his name, his eyes widened and his eyebrows sprang upwards, his mouth agape. He saw nothing but the girl in front of him, and her honey eyes that their father crooned over so often. She stood confidently on the edge of the town, hands folded behind her back, and a cruel smile on the corner of her lips.
Zula.
Shit.
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My head hurts from school. I'm so sorry if this sucks. And sorry if it's going to slowly.. you know if you have suggestions to make it less suckish go right ahead.. I could use some help. (most likely not with the overall plot though, as I have that planned out.)
-humbly yours, ai
btw.. you all see the short preview for next season? Looks intenseee.