Disclaimer: They belong to Nickelodeon.
A/N: This is the next chapter of Exchange of Humanity! It's been what? Almost three months since the last update? That seems likeforever. It's hard to believe for me. But I've sort of been working on some other stuff (like two other stories that won't be posted for a little bit longer; if you're interested in finding out what they are just send it in your review).
Incase you haven't guessed already, this is AU after the first season. I haven't really had time to watch the second season. In fact, the last episode I saw was the one where the group had returned to Omashu. . . I did watch 'Avatar Day' on Turbo Nick though. I think that's going to be the only way I'm able to watch it, but I'm more than sure that I won't be able to watch the movie in September.
About this chapter, I think starting here, each chapter will now have both Katara and Zuko sections and not have their own individual ones. That might change with future chapters, but you never know. Though, just because they are both here doesn't mean that there will be the same amount of interaction for both of them. This one has more of Zuko.
Okay, I sort of forgot about updating until today so that means I didn't have time to get it checked over by Erin. Sorry about that. And as you can see, I couldn't think of a good name for the chapter. I had one earlier, but I didn't like it too much. If you can think of a proper one just let me know and I'll see about changing it.
Enough from me now, it's time to read!
Chapter 5: Untitled
The sun peeked through the scattering of clouds as it shown down upon two occupants standing on the deck. Accosionally, there would be a flash of orange light heading from one figure to the next. The practice of Firebending had begun at daybreak and had lasted through the previous four hours.
Iroh had woken that morning to find Zuko's bed empty. Walking through the corridors, he found himself soon on deck as the horizon faded from a dark blue to the different shades of morning. Off to one side watching the waves crash against the hull of the ship was his nephew.
"You never were one to rise before the sun, Prince Zuko." General Iroh moved with the ship as he came to stand next to the younger Firebender. "Is there something troubling you?"
For a moment, it looked as if the prince had not heard his uncle, but then came his voice full of sadness and a touch of confusion.
"Do you think memories can be seen through dreams?"
The question had taken Iroh a little by surprise. However, he thought that it would help him to understand what was happening.
"Are you referring to the dream from last night?" Zuko nodded his head and so Iroh continued. "It is not unheard of. Although, I can't say that what you dreamt of was truth of false without knowing what you saw. Why not enlighten your uncle?"
-----
"Remember. . . the strength comes from within." Iroh was once again trying to teach his nephew the basics of Firebending. He thought that it had been difficult before when Zuko had his hard past to live with. Now it seemed almost impossible. "Without the control of your breath, your flames will be wild. Wild flames can turn upon their controller."
---
Recounting the events of her dream, Katara noticed that Iroh had grown uneasy. Apparently there had been more to the dream than she had originally thought. Not only on the notion that Zuko's father had fought the fire prince, his own son, but Ozai had also banished Zuko from the throne and the nation.
Katara could recall a few things during her journey with Aang toward the Northern Water Tribe involving the Firebender Zhao. Iroh had told her some of what happened, however there was much left out she could be for sure of. Iroh was still wanting to shield his nephew. It was when Iroh fell silent that Katara asked her question; to be taught Firebending. Uncle seemed to brighten quickly and suggested they begin before the heat of the day set in.
It was much more difficult to learn Firebending than it was to learn Waterbending, and she had learned to bend water on her own! Katara was getting highly irritated at being a beginner again. She wanted to be a master again. Katara could tell that Iroh was getting frustrated as well. He had become very short tempered recently.
"Breathing!" He finally shouted afer having to dodge yet another wild move. "You must control your breathing!"
Katara was beginning to wear thin on her own patience. It was one thing learning the calm and flowing moves of Waterbending. Firebending was different with its sharp movements and heated emotions. Not to mention, Katara was already past the point of soar aching bones and muscles. Her arms were moving like the jelly she had eaten that morning with her bread.
Iroh must have noticed the look of tiredness on his nephew, for he called for a break not long after.
"Regain your breath and I'll have lunch ready below deck." The old general sighed and walked across the deck then down below into the gallows.
Katara dropped down and sat against the railing of the wooden ship. She took slow deep breaths and after a few minutes she was finally able to breath easier.
"I don't think I'll ever be able to get used to this . . ."
-----
The next couple of days had gone on relatively the same. Upon waking at sunrise, training would begin until lunch. After lunch, the training would resume until the evening hours and the evening meal. For the rest of the day, the crew relaxed with songs of the Fire Nation. A surprising moment came when their Prince had joined them.
"What's wrong? Did I do something?" The young firebender spoke softly to his uncle when the crew had stopped playing.
"Not at all. They are just glad to see that you have decided to join us." Iroh smiled warmly and began picking at the instrument in his lap. The other men took note and followed along.
That remained the normal routine until Iroh came to Zuko after a day of training.
"Prince Zuko."
"Uncle?" He turned from his place against the ship railing as the sun sunk below the horizon.
"We are nearing a small port. A few supplies will be replenished." The old firebender lowered himself to sit aside Zuko. Slowly, he found a comfortable spot. "I'm not as young as I look." He smiled. "I thought perhaps, you'd enjoy a change of scenery and join me to the bazaar."
-----
"Agh!" Aang and Sokka dropped their supplies from packing Appa. Immediately, both hurried off into the direction of which the scream had come. It was Katara's voice.
Hurrying through the trees, Aang was the first to reach the river with the use of his Airbending. Sokka was only a few seconds behind, but arrived short of breath. Both had thought to see something in the range of Firebenders to a Platypus Bear. Neither had expected the sight before them.
What they found sent them both into fits of laughter. Aang was slightly more composed, however, although a wide grin was on his face as he spoke.
"Katara, are you alright?"He could barely refrain from laughing once again, even with the look of death that was directed at the two.
It seemed that Katara had somehow ended up frozen upside down to a thick tree. The water of the river was frozen into a bridge-like structure and holding Katara completely bound to the tree's trunk.
"Shut up, you idiots, and just get me down!" Either the blood was rushing to her head or Katara was highly embarrassed and angry. It was perhaps all three of those.
---
Zuko had never been so humiliated in his life. Being as the mercy of two of his enemies was the last thing he ever thought would happen. Although, technically they were not his enemies. Then again, they were. However one was to look at the situation, it remained embarrassing all the same.
-----
It had not taken too long to get Katara down from the tree. As Aang had said before, 'it was all in the wrists.' Now the group walked along the crowded streets of a nearby village. There supplies were running a site low; meaning food. Katara found it a bit of a bother to feed him everyday after he had eaten the last pieces of bread.
"You know, I could help you--if you want." Aang ventured to mediate again. Perhaps if Katara did not want to go through another morning session like today, she would accept.
"And why would I ask for that?" The words came out harshly causing the Airbender to falter in his steps. Aang had thought that maybe. . .
"Why do you do that?" Sokka grew angry. Even for his sister he had a limited patience. She had been treating them lower than the dirt beneath Appa's feet for almost the past two and a half weeks. It was becoming exhausting.
"Do what exactly?" Katara seemed to rise to the unmarked challenge as the continued their way through the crowded streets.
"That! Push us away; act as if we're the lowest form of life and could care less!" the water tribe boy came to walk in front of his sister.
"I could care less. In fact I do." Katara spoke calmly, but with an edge to her voice.
"Alright! Enough Katara-!" Sokka had not been paying attention with his tirade about to begin. Before he knew it, he was on the ground sprawled over something highly uncomfortable.
"Hey! Get off me, you moron!" A tall, somewhat lanky man lay in the dirt street of the town. Two other men ran up, grabbed Sokka away from the other man, and threw him back to the ground.
"Watch it!" Sokka yelled as he spat out a mouthful of dirt.
In a flash of movement, the tall man had Sokka by his topknot and a blade to his throat.
"You were saying, brat?" The man spat out.
"Let him go!" Aang shouted as the other two came around him and Katara. He was about to take his chance with an air blast until be noticed the blade glow a soft orange then slowly grow into an angry red. This man was a Firebender. Looking to Katara quickly, he noticed she had learned the same. But why does she seem so calm?
I could care less. In fact I do.
Did she really mean that? Aang certainly hoped not.
"Hey, Makin, you know who this is don't'cha?" One of the other men asked the tall one. "This kid here's the Avatar."
The bottom of Aang's stomach fell out at those words.
---
No! Zuko tried hard not to strike out, for doing so would cost Sokka his life. . . not that he should have cared. I will not let them take the Avatar! He will bring back 'my' honor!
There had to be some way to get out of this. Zuko moved slightly, realizing he had his waterskin. He thought of using it immediately, but shot it down too quickly thinking of that morning.
I suppose I should have taken the offer, not that it really matters now. Zuko needed a distraction. He was still able to fight hand-to-hand if nothing else.
"The Avatar?" Makin looked at the young Airbender closer. "Why, yes, I believe it is."
To Zuko it seemed as if the situation had just gotten worse. Surely not everyone knows of what he looks like. . . Then he noticed it. Makin's grip had slackened on Sokka. His attention was on Aang now. Just a little more.
"Yes you are." An evil smirk appeared on all three of their faces.
With the look Makin was sending the kid, Zuko knew them to be soldiers. Only a Fire Nation soldier would have a greedy look in there eye. Capturing the Avatar would have meant unending praise from the Fire Lord himself. This village had been taken over by the Fire Nation, and recently by the looks of it.
'ut why are they dressed as civilians?
"So, you're the reason for our defeat. Just a little kid? It seems we did a great deal underestimating you at the North Pole." Zuko watched and realized something.
They were Zhao's men. No wonder. So now they run wild. Pathetic.
"It won't happen again." The two men moved closer to Aang ready to unleash any needed fire.
"No it won't." Zuko had his chance. Makin had released his hold of Sokka's hair. Reaching out, he took a chance with the water. At once the liquid shot out keeping the soldier closest to him at bay for more than enough time.
Zuko dashed forward to get Sokka away from the Firebender. With this current body, he was able to move quickly and without the interference of his armor. Though, now as he thought of it, the armor was there for good reason.
---
Instead of taking his chance to rid himself of the weak water tribe warrior, Makin changed tactics and went after the girl heading towards him. She would be easy to overpower. So, these two were the only protection the child had?
Bringing out his knife, Makin grinned darkly when he saw the look of pain dawn across the girl's face. He was slightly disappointed when there was no outburst, but he could live without it. The blood crawled down the blade dripping to the dirt below. It was a deep cut to the arm, but nothing more.
Makin realized his mistake hardly before it was too late. He had forgotten the most vital part; the Avatar. In the next instant, he found himself frozen to the ground with the Avatar before him. Had he not been so shocked, his fists would have been ablaze.
Without stopping, Katara ran to Sokka's side and took hold of his shirt. Pulling him to his feet, she turned to look for Aang. The said Airbender sent to two remaining Firebenders flying through the air with a blast of wind. Less than a second later, he returned to his friends.
"Katara, are you okay?" He asked with much concern on his face and in his voice.
"We need to leave, now." She had one hand trying to keep the blood from her injury under control; enough so to make it stop quickly.
"You need help." Sokka went into big brother mode ignoring the fact that he had been on the verge of yelling at her less than five minutes ago.
"We-are-leaving-now." She spoke each word so that there was no room for questioning. The look on her face would have been blood chilling had it not been for the pail look of pain that was also present.
The three hurried to the edge of the city where they met Appa and Momo. Without looking back, they group made their way into the sky.
"Katara, we could of at least gotten supplies! You could get sick if you leave your arm like that!"
"I'm fully aware of that, Sokka." She grumbled out as she tried washing the wound with what water was left after their little encounter. Needless to say, it was not the easiest thing to do when the blood had yet to stop flowing.
"Then why did we leave?" He was again at a loss with how his sister was acting. . . although, sometimes he could see similarities. . .
"Did you want to fight every bender in that village?" Katara gave up on the water and began looking for something to be used as a bandage. "That village was over run by Fire Nation soldiers if you hadnt noticed, but then again, such a great warrior like yourself probably noticed as soon as we set foot in its streets."
The sarcasm had not been hidden, and Aang was sure that it was not meant to be. He decided it was time for another peace offering before Sokka lost it again.
"Here, let me help." The twelve year old boy sat down and grabbed one of their blankets. He easily ripped a few strips then reached for Katara's arm. He just ignored the protests and the attempts of escape as he set to work wrapping the fabric tightly around the injury.
---
What does he think he's doing? Zuko glared at the boy before him. Why was he helping him? Had Zuko not just been horrible to him not an hour ago? Catching a reflection of blue from the neglected boomerang, he found his answer. . . although he could not help but think he wished it differently.
Friends are worthless in the end. It is only another liability. . .
. . . right?
-----
"General, sir." The ship's captain walked down the steps hoping to catch the wisened general. The ship had docked half a mile from the main city. The waters were too shallow for somthing of its capacity. A smaller boat had been sent out to check things over before the docking would be complete.
"Yes, Captain?" The old general made his way into the galley below deck to wait for his nephew. The thought of a warm meal caused his stomach to rumble. 'And it's such a pleasant morning. Perhaps I can persuade Prince Zuko to join me with a cup of Ginseng tea.'
"We've just received word of a disturbance east of our current position. It seems the Avatar has surfaced once more."
A/N: Alright, so there it is. Not much to make you guys wait so long is it? Well, just to warn you, I only have about two sences typed out for the next chapter and I'm not really sure what I'm going to be doing with it. I'll still try to have it out by the regular due date. And I've don't this with my other stories (including the GW that I removed because it wasn't moving anywhere), so I'm going to do it for this one; not that it's a big deal or anything. . . if you want to know the progress of the chapters then just check out my profile page. I try to ceck it updated on everything.
Well, that's all for now. Until next month everyone! And don't forget to make a stop by the review button. It'll only take a few seconds, I've kept time!