Chapter 5 Regrets of the past

Zuko released an attack killing all of the YuYan around them. After that he ran over to Katara and pulled out the arrow. He picked her up and ran back towards the ship knowing that Iroh could do something about it. He could only imagine what Katara's brother would say when he found out about what happened to Katara.

"What did you do to her Zuko?" Sokka yelled as Zuko ran onto the ship.

"Nothing. If I did something to her do you really think she would be bleeding?" Zuko yelled quickly.

Zuko, after that, paid no mind to the younger boy ranting and raving about his sister's care. He walked into Iroh's room and laid Katara on his bed. It didn't even take him half a second to tell that she had been injured. He walked out of the room and came back with the ship's doctor. It would have been best if someone more trained handle this situation. The doctor pushed both Zuko and Iroh out of the room and locked them out.

Sokka came down the hall while they were waiting and pushed Zuko against the wall. "You stay away from my sister you heartless bastard." Sokka yelled not carrying who saw.

Zuko pushed the warrior off of him. "You just don't get it. She doesn't want to marry the Avatar." He yelled as Iroh eyed him curiously. "She thinks of him as a younger brother. Nothing more."

"I don't care! I'm her brother and I know what's best for her." Sokka yelled back.

"You only think you know what's best for her! In reality you only care about being the man of the house. You don't ask her for her opinions or anything!" Zuko fists were flaming at this statement. "You claim you love her and want her well being but in reality you only care about if you keep your family name going!" Sokka didn't bother arguing back with this statement. He stalked off in rage slamming the door open causing a strong breeze to come through.

Zuko began to pace the hall back forth in a nervous way. Aang had stopped by and chatted with Zuko and found out about Katara's condition and began to worry as well. Zuko was half tempted to yell and scold Aang for even go along with Sokka's plan. But he had some strange instinct that he knew that the Avatar loved Katara. But there was only problem and it was the boy standing right in front of him.

"Zuko do you think Katara's going to be all right?" Aang asked looking at the prince.

"Avatar we both know that Katara's a strong girl. If anyone can get through this it's her." Zuko said as the door opened and the doctor walked out.

"How is she doc?" Sokka asked walking up.

The doctor shook his head and turned to Zuko. "She's asking for you Prince Zuko." He said calmly then walked down the hall.

Zuko shrugged and walked into the room leaving the two boys alone. Sokka turned to Aang and said, "I bet you anything that Katara's going to yell at Zuko for leaving her." Aang nodded in agreement.

Zuko shut the door behind him and looked at Katara. She was now sitting up looking at her hands in her lap. He walked over to the girl and pulled her gently into his arms. He missed this feeling when she would come willingly into his arms. But things were different now that she was engaged to Aang.

"Zuko…" Zuko put his finger on Katara's lips not allowing to her to continue.

"Let me go first there's more of my two year travels that I have to tell you." Zuko leaned on her head. "It's important that I tell you what really happened while I was coming to find you and Uncle Iroh."

Flashback

I was walking along a beach thinking of how to cross the water despite my lack of swimming. I followed the beach down to a campsite I had seen the night before. I knew that it was going to be dangerous considering I hadn't rested up well the night before but I traveled there anyway. My instincts were telling me to turn back for my safety but I didn't listen to them.

I walked into the clearing and came face to face with Admiral, now General, Zhao. My nerves for some unknown reason got the better of me. And I stood rooted to the spot. I knew Zhao was planning something to get me back for killing off my brother and ruining what he referred as the 'pure blood line'. I never paid any attention to it before though I knew he meant that Ruko wasn't banished for disobeying my father. He was banished because he didn't have a life.

It turned out that Zhao was planning to challenge me to another Agni Kai and this time not hold anything back. He was to destroy not only me but hunt down Iroh and Katara as well. I wasn't going to allow that to happen because I cared for both people too much for anything bad to happen to them. So I shot my fireball right then and there. I was letting my temper run the match from the start but I really didn't care.

It started out just like our first Agni Kai me wasting my energy for shots that he would just dodge. I remember versing earth benders earlier while still looking for the Avatar. I decided to use my moves there and another one I had picked up while training myself over the years.

My first move started out with a back flip and me launching my attack through my feet. I knew that some how some way he'd dodge it but I didn't care just as long as I would win. I landed on my feet and ducked just in time to avoid an attack heading straight for my head. I knew he was using all his energy in this match as well. I shrugged off any feeling that I had of fear. After a few more attacks I decided that it was best for me to go on the offensive. I did a side flip and launched fire from my feet again, when I landed in front of him I launched a blast of fire from my fist.

It was then when things turned from good to worse. Zhao took my pausing for a second to launch a deadly attack. I did my best to block it but the fire was too strong for me and I was sent flying back. He walked up over to me and held his fist up to my face it was glowing an orange color. I then did a low kick tripping him and giving me a chance to get back to my feet. It was then when I launched my final attack at him. Of course it hit him where I wanted it too. Lets just say Zhao won't ever be able to have children.

I turned and walked off. I knew that he wouldn't be able to move but I allowed my cockiness to get the best of me. I turned my back on him it was then he took the liberty of giving me another scar, this time on the back. I looked towards him and he was ready for another fight but I was still weak. He didn't even give me a warning before he launched his next six attacks at me, each hitting me in either the arm or the leg. I was limping by the time that the fight was over. He walked up to me then and hit me in the back with a dagger. I suppose it just barely missed my heart. I pulled it out and threw it onto the ground and found another one in my left arm. I was losing blood quickly. And I knew that be weak if I didn't hurry up and get to my destination fast.

End Flashback

"Katara that's why in the battle today I seemed to be moving slower. I wasn't as healed as I should have been." Zuko finished explaining. "I was careless and because of that you got hurt." Zuko turned away and refused to face Katara.

Katara smiled and pulled Zuko closer to her. "It's not your fault. I let my own feelings get in the way." She giggled slightly but ended up hurting herself. After all, the arrow hit right to the left of her left damaging her rib cage in the process.

Zuko shook his head then looked towards the door it still was closed but he knew that Aang and Sokka would be trying to find out what happened during their meeting. He pulled Katara into a kiss and laid her gently back down.

"I've got a ship to command." He said taking her hand into his. "We've got to find my sister and kill her. Plus I have a few things to catch up on."

"Be careful my prince." Katara whispered before falling into a well-deserved sleep.

K15: I swear this will get better. More action more blood. It's just the first couple of chapters dealing with Katara's arranged marriage with Aang. And a couple arguments with Sokka from both her and Zuko. Next chapter will be a lot more exicting. I think I'm going to put in another Agni Kai, but this time there will be a catch. So if you have any ideas for the story I'm opened to them. I hope you guys wont quit reading this because it might be boring. Anyway so I'll try my hardest to update before next friday. But I can't make any promises... well yes I can but still. So plz review cuz they keep me willing to write. Anyway. Later. K15