Chapter Seven – Katara

Avatar: The Last Airbender

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"WHAT?" Sokka was gaping at his sister. "How did you manage to capture all them by yourself?"

"I wasn't by myself. Zuko was there." Kaitou gestured to said prince who just waved his hands at them.

"I may have been there, but I was tied up. Kaitou did it all herself."

The waterbender's girl friends squealed. "Yes! You go Kaitou!"

She just smiled at them before turning back to Sokka. "Sure, I did knock them out alone, but–"

"No buts! I don't want you going anywhere alone while you're here!"

She scowled while Zhike winced. "Excuse me, brother dearest, but I'm sure I can handle myself against most people here, if not all."

"You could take Aang?"

The Avatar's head shot up at his name. He really didn't want to be a part of this, especially the solution. He had seen her fight and didn't want to be hurting in the morning. He opened his mouth to say he didn't want a part, but Kaitou cut him off. "Yes, I could take and beat Aang."

"I agree with her!" Aang followed, but he was ignored.

"Lets see you then."

"No!" Aang was still ignored. This reminded him of way back when…sort of. Back then he wasn't in danger of getting beaten up by Katara…

"Fine. Get him ready and meet me in the sparing room. I need some fresh air." With that, Kaitou stomped out of the entrance.

Aang turned to Sokka with a frightened look in his eyes. "Do you want to kill me?"

"What are you talking about?"

Aang pointed after her departing body. "She was the one fighting against Azula!"

Sokka paused for a moment before laughing. "Yeah right. I'm sure it wasn't her."

Ruifu walked towards the two boys. "No, it was her. She's the only waterbender in our group."

Sokka was now freaking out. "Oh man, I just made it so you have to fight her! Now what?"

Tian calmly gave a suggestion. "You could go and apologize."

Surprisingly, Sokka was gone and instant later, running out the doors after Kaitou. "Katara!"

Kaitou heard the call, but only slowed down enough to let him catch up. "What?"

He sighed. "I'm sorry. I guess…I'm just the protective older brother."

To his shock, she embraced him. "Sokka, you are the protective older brother. You just need to figure out that sometimes, I don't need to be protected."

He hugged her back. "I missed you."

"I missed you too." They stayed like that for a few moments before Kaitou pulled back. "Oh, and when you go back, tell Aang that I'm not going to fight him."

"He'll like that."

She nodded and turned back to the cliff. Sokka was about to follow, but she motioned him not to. "I just need to organize some thoughts before I go scatter brained." He nodded and left.

When she reached the cliff, she gazed down into the water. Smiling lightly, she started scaling down. Stopping a few feet above where the waves crash against the rock wall, Kaitou sat cross legged on a large flat stone sticking out.

I think we should go back to being called Katara.

Maybe…Kaitou isn't who I really am.

Which is why I feel we should go back to Katara. It's obvious that Sokka's not going to call you any different.

I'm his sister. I wouldn't want to be calling him something other than his name.

So…are you?

Yes, I think I am.

She sat in silence for a moment before another thought peeked out.

So…what do you think of Zuko?

He's really different than he used to be.

Yes, that…what else?

What do you mean 'what else'? Do you think there's more?

Yes.

…Maybe there is, but then again, maybe there isn't.

But there is, isn't there?

…Yes…

So, tell me what you think of him.

Aren't you me? Don't you already know what I think of him?

Yes, but you need to figure it out on your own, and as there isn't anyone else to talk to, you're stuck with telling me.

Great, I'm talking to myself.

Now now, let's not get off track. Please, tell me what you think of the fire prince.

I think…I think I might like him…

Are you sure?

What do you mean, am I sure?

Are you sure you only 'like' him?

What else could I possibly…oh… You think I love him?

Don't you?

…Maybe…but even if I did, it would never work.

Why not?

Because he's fire and I'm water.

So?

So? They are completely different!

Like Yin and Yang?

Yes! No!...I mean… Yeah. They are Yin and Yang, but how can they work together without destruction?

Water is soothing, but it can also be both freezing and boiling. Fire is warmth and light, but it can also burn. Water can put out the destructive flames, keeping it from getting out of control. Fire can warm the water, melting the ice. Also they both have to be there to make tea and hot chocolate.

Yes…that's all true. And we love hot chocolate…

Besides. You didn't think it impossible when you became best friends with Zhike. What's the difference between best friends and something more?

…Besides the fact that one is a girl and the other is a guy…basically nothing. I guess it could work out…

So…are you going to tell him?

Soon…I'll tell him– What's that?

Kaitou looked out over the sea and noticed something, a rather large something, coming towards her. More came into view behind it. They were ships.

It's Azula! You have to go and warn the others!

How? If I leave and start climbing, they'll see me!

Dive!

Following her conscious, Kaitou ran towards the opening and pushed out as far as she could from the cliff wall. Once she went under, she used her waterbending to go further out from the cliff, as to not be thrust against it. She used up some, if not most of her strength getting far enough away from the wall to not become like a bug against a windshield. Panting, she walked out of the water on the shore and made her way through the bushes to the palace.