Disclaimer: I got into a fight with my hubby cause he said I don't own Avatar the Last Airbender He maybe right but he still isn't getten any. LOL
Chapter Seven
They reached the clearing where they left Appa to find that the Kings servants had all ready set up a very lovely picnic for them to enjoy. Sokka's Mouth instantly began to water at the sight of the delicacy's that were spread out before them. Aang ran to see Appa and found that someone had already gathered some of the most tasty branches and other root vegetables for Appa to munch on. "Hey boy, I've missed you. Have you been a good boy?" His only answer was a satisfied grunt from the gentle beast.
The enjoyed the feast set before them as they talked about the things that had happened over the course of a few weeks. How Aang had made so much progress. And that all was left for him to master fire bending. But today was a day to relax. And relax they did. Sokka's stomach being full he dozed off under a nearby tree. Aang continued his conversation with King Bumi. Mommo resembling a small ball of fur napped on Appa's head. Katara on the other hand was not all that interested in what Aang and King Bumi were talking about. So she decided to go for a walk. Leaving the clearing she could not help but sigh. She felt so... She her self really didn't know but she had the nagging feeling that she was lying to her brother and friend. Lying? No she wasn't really lying, but she wasn't telling them either. Soon she had wandered off and didn't really know which way led back to the clearing. "Great look what you did this time!" Panic in her voice she yelled at herself knowing there was no one to hear her.
"Are you lost little girl?" She spun around to the source of the voice to find it's owner was no more than... him. He was leaning up against a tree trying so very hard to look suave. The way he had his arms crossed against his chest and one led propped up on the tree. She thought to herself, 'A little to suave.' But put the thought out of her mind and quickly took a fighting stance. The prince pushed himself off of the tree and unfolded his arms, but did not take a stance. She took the opportunity and sent the nearby water soaring to him effectively in casing him in ice. He easily melted the ice only to be in cased once more. He thought to himself, 'This is not going to be easy. She won't even give a minute to...' And he was caught off guard by another blow.
Realizing he would have to over power he took a fighting stance. And the real battle started. Back and forth they went for what felt like an eternity neither willing to concede defeat. Soon they had caught the attention of Mommo who had wandered into the forest looking for some berries to share with Appa. He quickly alerted Aang and Sokka. The group was there just in time to see Zuko pin Katara to a tree. But she was able to push him off. She could have sworn he looked a little hurt but thought nothing of it. The battle continued and King Bumi asked, "Why are we just standing here we should help her?" But Sokka Quickly took his arm in his hand and explained that they had made a promise to Katara. They would not let him interfere either. She would ask for their help.
Sokka forced down a lump that had formed in his throat. He saw at the other edge of the small clearing that some fire benders had taken residence. Aang noticed too, but was shocked that much like them they were merely observing as well. There attention going back to the fray they saw that Zuko had once more gained the upper hand as Katara had tumbled to the ground where he pined her. "Why did you attack me?" He grunted.
She tried to shake him off of her, but it was no use he held her tight. "You were going to attack me!" She spat. Noticing that he relaxed his hold at this she pushed him off of her and sat up raising a hand to slap him witch he took in his. She plinked and before she knew what had happened she was beneath him yet again.
He leaned down and asked, "Where did you get that idea from?" She looked up at him but couldn't read his facial expression. So she continued to struggle. She was able to free a hand and she went to slap him again but he caught her wrist again as well. Now this time she was on top of him looking down.
"You always attack me. Or have you forgotten?" Still trying to free her self of his grasp she began to struggle again and fell backwards taking the bastard prince with her. Great now he was yet again on top of her. He still had a firm grasp of her hands and leaned closer. God, Dear Agni, he could smell her. She smelt like crisp new fallen snow. He could also feel the pressure building deep within him as she struggled beneath him. Before he knew what he was doing he leaned closer. Taking in more of her sent, He gently pressed his lips to hers and lingered there till he felt her gasp in shock. But he didn't take advantage of her no he merely wanted her to know.
But before he could speak he heard the girls brother Cry out for her. "Katara! Get off me sister you pig!" And then he felt the blow and latter would recall hearing a scream but it didn't reach his ears. The force of the blow sent the two boys tumbling into a nearby tree. Aang raced to Katara who had let out a scream of terror. When he reached her he was taken aback as were the other who had been watching. Katara had bolted up at the impact hands instinctively reaching for her leg. She raised her hands to her face and a small gasp escaped her lips as she gazed at her hands coated in a sticky crimson goo. Aang was just about to reach out to Katara when he found A fire bender had already taken her in his arms and begun to walk away with her.
Aang Felling that the fire bender truly wanted to help the girl let him and went to break up the fight between Sokka and the fire prince. He sighed, they hadn't even noticed. Aang grabbed Sokka while an old man grabbed Zuko. The two boys struggled to get free, but they were held tight. King Bumi Helped by in casing their feet in his element. Aang spoke up, "Look I don't know what just happened her but you two have got to stop!" He demanded.
Sokka yelled, "Aang he kissed my sister! He was hurting her!" Sokka was about to toss his boomerang at the odious prince when it was quickly enshrined in earth. Sokka let out a loud grunt.
"No he wasn't! It was just a kiss!" Aang came to the princes defense, as mush as he didn't want to. "Sokka, kisses don't usually hurt... But blades always do!" He let his words meet his friends ears. " In your zeal to fight Zuko for dishonoring your sister As innocent as it was... You... Hurt her! You, Sokka, Cut your own sister!" He paused for a moment taking ing the shock of the two boys. "I don't even know where she is right know! One of the fire benders carried her away. I think to get help." He voice became a whisper as he worried for his friend.
She couldn't help but think how the man that carried her so gently reminded her of her father. He would be taking her to safety too if were here right now. Soon the man set her down buy a narrow stream the sound soothed her and she soon forgot to be angry at Sokka. She also forgot that this man was a fire bender. He washed her leg and assessed the damage. It wasn't deep that was good. He went to tear some of his clothing to make bandages, but soon found a smallish hand stopping him. He looked up at her and was amazed to see her call the water to her. It slithered in the air till it reached her hands. Where it sheathed it self over them and began to glow. He watched as she lowered her hands to the cut and the water transfered to her leg and retained the glow. Soon the cut was gone and so was the glow.
"Thank you." Was the small whisper that reached his ears. And he watched the girl lie back, resting her head on the soft grass. "Why did you help me?" She asked. Shocked to find it was not her father after all but a fire bender. She must have bleed more than she thought. The kind fire bender looked down to her. 'When did fire benders start being kind?' She thought.
"It would upset my prince if anything should happen to you." Was his reply. 'What? Upset? Him?' She grew more confused as the misty fog of sleep took her. The fire bender sighed, Realizing she would be alright with rest and got up leaving her by her element and walked back to where he heard yelling.
When he entered the clearing all eyes were on him but he could not help but chuckle at the sight before him. The prince and the warrior boy were in cased in earth up to there knees and the little Avatar was yelling at them. The old general was first to ask how the girl was. But before he could answer the warrior boy shouted, "My sister has a name you know. It's Katara!" Then he looked down and shot a sheepish glance to the fire bender, "Is my sister okay?" He pleaded in a whisper.
"Yes, I left her to rest. She'll be fine. Katara will be fine." Sokka closed his eyes and let a gasp escape his mouth. He was preparing himself for the physical and verbal lashing he would get when Katara was awake.
He heard Aang ask Zuko why he attacked Katara and why the other fire benders were not attacking him. Hell, Sokka wondered why he wasn't right now? Just because his knees were in earth just like his didn't mean he couldn't shot fire. Right?
"I was defending myself." He stated. They all looked at him with the most outrageous look he had ever seen. He knew they didn't believe him. "Really she attacked me first. I only wanted to talk to her." But the looks just kept coming. "I was going to ask her to take me to you..." But he was cut off.
"See! I knew he was lying! He was just using her to get to you!" Sokka snapped. Aang shot him a sideways glance and he knew to stop, Aang wanted to hear more.
"I... wanted her to bring me you so I could offer my allegiance." He glanced at Sokka. Now his mouth was agape. 'What a stupid excuse for a warrior.' The prince thought. And soon found he was no longer in shrined in earth. And a smallish hand was extended to him witch he took in his.
"I hope that now we can be friends, Zuko." He was about to correct the small voice and tell him that it was Prince Zuko but he let it slide. He wanted to know if Katara was okay. "Come on Zuko lets go see is Katara is okay." Could this boy read his mind too? He wondered.
"Aang? Get back here!" The young warrior yelled. Aang gestured for Zuko to go on and went back to his friend. "Why the hell did you let him out and not me?" Arms crossed his chest. He would be tapping his foot if only he could. Aang let out a small chuckle as the rest of the fire benders and king Bumi did too.