Chapter Eight

It didn't take long for Prince Zuko to notice her escape. Katara had hid herself inside one of the crates in the storage hold just below deck. She wasn't sure what her plan was but she'd think of something.

She had heard his footsteps echoing down the corridor below her as he took her lunch to her room. She had to admit she was surprised by this. She'd figured after her recent outburst that she'd be lucky to get anything to eat.

There was silence for a moment when he had unlocked the door to her room.

"Guards! Guards!" he had shouted suddenly.

For the next few hours the ship was filled with the sounds of feet rushing around as the guards, and the soldiers that Katara had once fought with, searched the ship for her. But they didn't think to look in the crates.

Finally the pandemonium died down and Katara heard footsteps above her as they all came up on deck.

"She still has to be on this ship." Prince Zuko said angrily. "We'll take a break now since it's getting dark but tomorrow I want everyone to report to the deck at first light. We must find her. She knows where the Avatar is. There is a handsome reward for whoever finds her."

"But sir," one of the boys said, "what if she's not here anymore?"

Katara could imagine the look that Prince Zuko was giving him and had to bite her lip to keep from laughing.

"That's a good point," Prince Zuko said coldly. "Except for one thing. We're in the middle of the ocean!" He stormed off deck and his troops quickly followed.

Almost dark. That means it'll be time soon. Katara had finally come up with a plan while she was sitting hunched inside this miserable wooden box. There were some canoes stored below deck. She'd seen them once when she had gotten lost on the way to training practice. If she could get her hands on one then she could lower herself over the side of the ship and be long gone by morning. She just hoped they weren't to far from land.

Katara waited until she could no longer hear the footsteps of the guards echoing up and down the corridor. Cautiously she pushed the lip off of the crate and stepped out. She groaned softly and stretched her sore muscles.

"I'm never doing that again." She muttered. She was surprised to find that she couldn't move the fingers on her left hand. It had fallen asleep and now she couldn't even feel it.

"Great, just great." She sighed and looked around. The canoes had to be here somewhere. No sooner had she thought this then her eyes landed on one tucked away in the far corner of the ship. She crept over and gently pulled it out from under some cloth. Where is the paddle? Her eyes roamed the room but she couldn't find one. What kind of idiots have a canoe with no paddle! She thought furiously. Oh well. I can use water bending to make it go.

Dragging the canoe behind her she made her way out of the storage hold and up the stairs onto the deck. The moon was hidden behind a cloud making the deck dark.

"Stupid canoe!" she hissed at it as she lugged it towards the railing. "Why are you so darn heavy?"

"Maybe it's trying to stop you from escaping." A cold voice came from behind her. Katara let out a slight shriek and spun around. Prince Zuko stepped out from the shadows where he had been watching her since she emerged on deck.

Katara's blood ran cold at the sight of his face. I'm dead. The end of the boat she was holding onto slipped from her grasp and landed on the deck with a thud.

"I thought you might try to make a get away at night. Looks like I was right." His lips spread in a smile but it was anything but friendly. He walked slowly towards her, forcing her to back up until she was pressed against the rail. For the first time since she had put her plan into action that night back in the forest Katara felt truly afraid. She had been scared when she had been discovered and even when she had first boarded the ship but that was nothing compared to this. She remembered with a slight pang of guilt all the things she had said to him earlier. There was no way he was going to let her get away with that.

He was so close she could feel his breath on her face. "You know something?" he whispered, staring straight into her eyes. "You've caused nothing but trouble since you first showed your face that day at the dock. I'm beginning to wonder if it's worth keeping you here. I think it would be a lot less hassle for me to throw you over board to the mercy of whatever creature finds you and find other ways to learn the Avatar's whereabouts." He reached out suddenly and she felt his hands clamp down on her shoulders.

Katara continued to stare at him, unsure what to do. She didn't have a chance of fighting him, not when there were no others to help her. His grip tightened painfully on her shoulders. She tried to pull away, remembering all too when he had practically strangled her. "Let go of me." She whispered.

"No." Suddenly Katara felt herself being spun around and the next thing she knew the rail was pressing painfully into her stomach. His arm was against her back and it was the only thing keeping her from losing her balance and toppling over the rail. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw the rolling ocean far below her. She hated heights.

"Let go of me!" Katara's voice was shrill.

"If you insist." He loosened his grip slightly and Katara jerked violently towards the waves. She screamed and instinctively clutched his other arm.

"On second thought I think I'm comfortable like this." She said breathlessly.

He laughed slightly but it quickly died away. "Tell me where the Avatar is and I'll spare you your life. You'll still be my prisoner but it's better than dying isn't it?"

Katara watched the waves lapping against the ship. A vision of Aang and Sokka floated through her head but then, suddenly, it was replaced by an image of Prince Zuko, the night they had kissed.

"Go ahead." She said.

"What?" Now it was Prince Zuko's turn to be caught off guard.

"Go ahead." She repeated her voice slightly stronger. "I don't care what you say. I don't think you'll do it. You may act like a big shot but whether you'll ever admit it or not, we did kiss that night. And I think you liked it."

"You're out of your mind." He snapped.

"Then push me." She whispered back. "If you truly have no feelings for me at all, push me over the railing. Go ahead."

There was silence behind her. His arm was still against her but it seemed frozen. She could almost hear him thinking. Katara held her breath. Despite how confident she had sounded, she really had no idea whether he would let her slip or not. She was taking a big risk but she had to know.

Slowly he slid his arm off. For a second Katara thought he was letting go but then she felt his hands on her arms as he pulled her back. When he pulled her around she collapsed against him. She hadn't planned to but her legs were too weak to hold her up. She really hated heights. To her surprise he didn't try to push her away. Slowly he rested his chin on top of her head and stared out into the night.

"Zuko?" Katara asked cautiously when she was strong enough to stand on her own. She pushed gently against him. He let her go and she stood up straight.

"What?" he asked, still staring out over the ocean.

"About what I said earlier…I'm sorry." Katara said quietly, staring at the ground. "I'm sure your father will take you back…" She stopped suddenly. She had almost said I'm sure your father will take you back when you capture the Avatar. Her eyes widened slightly. What am I thinking!

"Maybe you're right." He muttered so softly Katara wasn't sure she'd heard him right.

"What?"

"Maybe you're right." He said, anger creeping into his voice. "Why would he take me back? I guess I've always wondered that, I just didn't want to admit it." His gaze suddenly fell on her. "You know you can go if you want. Take your canoe and leave. I'll even admit it," he threw his hands up in an I-surrender position. "I did like you. But I'm not going to give up my pursuit of the Avatar just for a girl. It's not worth it." He turned and walked slowly towards the entrance to the stairs.

This isn't how it's supposed to happen. He just said he liked me. Yet he acts like he doesn't even care! Katara hesitated, looking from the canoe to Zuko's retreating back. Then, slowly, she attached the canoe to the ropes that would lower it over the side of the ship. A single tear slid down her face. She brushed it away angrily. I will not cry for him. But she couldn't help but cast one last glance at the ship as she lowered herself towards the cold black waters below.

A/N: Ok to be completely honest I have now idea where to go with the story from here. I would really appreciate it if you guys could give me some ideas! Thanks!