Disclaimer: I in no way own Avatar the Last Airbender
Chapter Two
They all let out a sigh of relief as they climbed on board Appa. Waving to every one that came to see them off on the next leg of their journey. Which was every one in the entire kingdom. It was a little startling at first to see everyone lining the streets as they walked to where Appa was resting. But then again she was with the Avatar after all. So maybe she should get used to how people will treat her as his companion. But when she looked at Aang she still saw the twelve year old boy. She would do what ever was necessary to help him along the way to fulfill his destiny.
Knowing that it would be a while till they saw the stalker, she allowed her self to sink down into the comfort of Appa's saddle. "Yipp, yipp." It seamed like music to her ears. She nestled close to her brother as they took off into the clear blue sky. She was not the least bit surprised to see that Sokka had already fallen asleep. She let a soft chuckle escape her lips and Aang looked back at her and she smiled at him pointing to the blue mass slumbering next to her. Aang let out a small laugh and turned around to give Appa a command.
Katara left the cool breeze blow across her face as she reflected on the past few weeks. But her thoughts lingered when they came to that night she could never forget. So much had happened. She felt so bad for her brother, which is most likely why he had already gone to sleep. Trying to forget.
She wished that she could forget. Because of her they almost lost the one person who gives the world hope. She felt so… weak. She fought to protect her friend and lose. Rendered unconscious in the end. How she wanted to prove herself even more. The next time she saw that sorry excuse for prince she would be the one to render him helpless. Realizing she was getting herself all worked up she decided to calm down. But could calm her now? So she let her eyes gaze down to the ocean below. How serene it all seemed to her. Her element was definitely the best in her eyes. It was so calming, but like all things it had another side but she chose not to think about it.
Just as quickly as the feeling to lash out at something left her it returned as so as she spotted a small craft sailing beneath her. On closer inspection she saw two figures the kind old man who had lent them his wisdom and another. She didn't think she could hate anything until she met him. Before she know what she was doing she was leaning over the side of Appa glaring into the eyes of the he most hated prince. When quickly she was pulled back onto the saddle. Meeting the horrified gaze of her older brother.
"What the Hell do you think you are doing?" He spat at her fists raised in the air pointing to the side of Appa. Realization just hit her of what she was doing. She was just about to jump from Appa to get to Zuko just so she could ring his neck. How foolish She must look. And now Aang had a worried look too.
"Katara it's not your fault. And besides it all worked out for the better. We're all safe now." were the wise words from her friend the Avatar. "Not to mention that is the sun hadn't risen you would have kicked his butt!" Laughter surrounded them until she looked down. They were her family and they were trying so hard to make her feel better. But it wasn't really helping.
All she could think of was Zuko. How he had fought her so fiercely. He was unrelenting, He would never give up. So she vowed that she would not either. She would be the one to see he was put in his place. He was nothing more than a spoiled brat who thought the world was his plaything. "Sokka? Aang? Would you do me a really big favor?" She waited till she had there full attention. When she did she continued, "I want you to promise me that the next time we meet Zuko you don't get involved." She stated in a dry tone.
Her brother looked at her in disbelief, but he understood. Aang on the other hand just didn't get it. "Katara what are you saying? He could hurt you." But his plea fell on def ears. Katara had made her decision and Sokka stood beside her on it.
"It's okay Aang." Sokka placed a hand on his friends shoulder. "She's not the stupid girl she once was. She'll ask for our help if, and only if she feels like she is in over her head….What's more I trust her." Looking between the two he sent a knowing smile to his dearest sister knowing that she would except the terms he had just laid down. And she did.
Returning his smile she leaned over and hugged her brother. He can be so pig headed at times and so sweet and understanding at others. She silently said a prayer to whoever was listening thanking them for the giving her the best older brother a girl could have.
Finally they were all in agreement, she would take Zuko one on one next time they met. Gazing over the edge she looked upon the dozing figures one final time. Settling into Appa's saddle she started thinking up ways to make a certain banished prince she knew suffer. She soon found herself thinking of nothing but the banished prince as they sailed through the sky on the way to the earth kingdom. What had made him do the things he did? Why was he after the Avatar? What could he possibly want with a twelve year old boy? But she know in her heart what he wanted. He had mentioned something to her once about needing Aang to regain something he lost. Honor? She just couldn't understand how one could lose their honor? What did he do that was so horrible that he lost it?
She mentally slapped her self trying in vain to rid herself of thoughts of him. But whenever she closed her eyes she could see his face looking back at her. How did he get his scar ? She wondered if had something to do with how he lost his precious honor. She would probably never know any so why could she not stop thinking about it?
"Hey? Anyone home in there?" She suddenly looked up to see her brother standing above her hands on his hips. "We landed like ten minutes ago and you are still sitting on Appa." He looked at her for a moment wondering to himself if he had made the right choice, but shook it out of his head . She had proved herself to him. She was a strong bender even if it was just stupid magic. "Well?… Are you going to help us set up camp or are you going to sit there?" Not getting much of a reply he heaved a sigh that seemed to have been stuck in him for an eternity and jumped down to where Aang stood.
"Sokka? I'm worried. She hasn't said a word since we last saw Zuko." Sokka just shrugged his shoulders at his friend and went to unload Appa of the supplies they would be needing to set up camp. "Oh, great now you aren't going to talk to me either?" The young boy found the silence that had fallen over them unbearable. But said nothing more. But stalked off to find some suitable wood they could us for a fire.
Upon the realization that yet another sigh rolled out of his mouth he turned to follow his friend. They needed to talk. "Listen, Aang. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to give you the silent treatment back there. Please forgive me." He pleaded with the boy hoping he understood the predicament he had put them in when he agreed to allow this. He was the older brother, meant to protect her but at the same time he had to allow her fallow her own path. The thought terrified him. What would he do if she didn't call out for his help? Would she hate him if he went to her aid? He really didn't want to think about it and at the same time didn't care. He would break that promise if it came down to it.
Aang looked up at the older boy knowing that both of them would never allow anyone much less Zuko hurt Katara. But could not tame the restlessness that was harboring in his heart. "I'm just worried, that's all…. I don't think we made the wisest decision." They both knew they hadn't. But all they could do is wait and hope that they didn't see or hear from the banished prince for a while.
Helping Aang gather the fire wood they headed back to camp. Where they were happy to see Katara had gotten up and started to set up camp. Taking out a few items out of a sack she looked up at the two boys, "Anyone hungry?" Glad to see she finally made an effort to speak to them they both couldn't help but grin back at her. Who was she kidding? They are always hungry. And the little space where they set up camp soon erupted in laughter. Yes, she would be just fine.