Chapter 11
Flames erupted from his hands and he yelled out furiously. When he stood up, Zuko stumbled back towards the wall. His hands and feet were chained to the cell and he couldn't move. Zuko growled viciously, trying to free himself of the cursed metal that was binding him to one spot. After a while he stopped trying and sat back against the wall. His fist slammed into the floor and then he put his head into his hands. How could this have happened? He should have woken up and protected Katara, but now she was gone, and he had no idea where to.
Once he calmed down a bit, he opened his eyes and looked up to the tiny window. Sunlight streamed itself into the cell and it left striped shadows on the floor. His life was messed up, but one thing he was sure of. He needed Katara more than anything else, and he was going to get her back.
"I'll find you Katara… somehow I'll find you…"
..:-:..
Katara didn't open her eyes, but she felt the overwhelming comfort she was surrounded by. Soft, thick blankets were on top of her, and pillows were piled on either side of her head. It was so warm and she felt like she was dreaming. Suddenly she jerked her eyes open. Since when was there a bed in her cell? As she sat up, her breath quickened and her eyes bulged. Her thoughts went wild as she took in everything around her. Katara was laid out in a poster bed as tall as the room itself. Inside, candles topped small bedside tables, and they flickered gently, their orange glow blinding her eyesight. It was dark in the room; there were no windows. Instead, each wall was draped in dark red banners and then straight in front of her eyes, was the Fire Nation insignia. Her back fell onto the pillows with a thud and she shut her eyes. It was a dream; when she opened her eyes, she would see Zuko's soft face and welcoming eyes.
But it wasn't a dream, and when she did open her eyes, Zuko was nowhere to be found. She was still in the room. An eerie silence accompanied her breaths and then she saw a cup of water. She pushed the covers away, but then another surprise greeted her. At the end of the bed, she saw chains connecting to her feet. It took a moment for her to take the shock in, but then she remembered the cup of water and smiled. In the time it took to tie a pair of shoelaces, she froze the chain and broke free from it.
She saw the door and ran for it.
"Now to get out of here."
Katara's hand reached for the door handle, but just before she did, the door swung open slowly and she drew back, complete horror on her face. The shadowy figure stepped into the room and a stream of fire melted the door handle. Katara kept backing away, her mouth open and she became speechless. Her heart was beating so fast that she felt it thumping inside of her chest. The figure loomed closer towards her, as she kept moving back, all the way until she reached the wall. Her arms spread across it and she shrank down to the ground. He walked up to her and grabbed her upwards by her wrists. She cried painfully at his aggressiveness and winced, keeping her eyes shut. He laughed viciously and a cruel smirk spread across his face.
"Good morning my dear Katara. It's so nice of you to drop by."
She opened her eyes as she was flung onto the bed. Katara scrambled under the covers and whimpered.
"Please don't hurt me."
The two of them were alone, in that damned blood red room. She still couldn't believe her awful luck. Out of everyone it could have been, it just had to be Fire Lord Ozai that was staring her down.
..:-:..
The time was passing by so slowly for Zuko. Every second seemed like an eternity and it pained him to not know where Katara was, or what was happening with her. Finally, he heard footsteps coming down the corridor and perhaps he would get some answers.
Azula had woken up in a good mood that morning. She had two caught two prisoners, and most likely she would catch the Avatar next. After eating her breakfast, she ordered a pair of guards to accompany her on the way down to the cells. There was a certain person she wanted to see.
Her footsteps echoed around her and as she neared the cell, a smirk appeared on her face. The door opened silently; the creaking noise was taken care of and then she stepped inside. Zuko looked up at her with pure hatred and disgust. He stood up with a fiery temper and his fists already engulfed in flames.
"What did you do to her?"
Zuko gritted his teeth but Azula stepped back, her smirk vanishing, and shock spreading throughout her body.
"Are you asking me where she is? How dumb do you think I am? She's escaped and you are trying to fool me! Well it's not going to work brother! Where did she go? That's what I ask you! Now answer me!"
Her anger came out in her commanding voice and he stepped back towards the wall, his arms falling to his sides. His anger subsided and he stared off distantly.
"She's gone… Azula doesn't know where… she… is…"
And he knew it was true, because if she did know, she would be rubbing it in his face. Instead she thought that she escaped. But then if Katara wasn't with him, and Azula had no idea where she was… did that mean she escaped and left him here? No, Katara would never do that to him…
"Get up Zuko! If you're not going to cooperate, I'll just have to make you tell me!"
He shot her a hot stare and gritted his teeth.
"You mean like last time?"
It was then that Azula saw that he bore no marking of being abused. Her eyes widened and she pointed her arm at him.
"But how is that possible? I tortured and burned you but there are no traces…"
Suddenly her eyes narrowed and she growled.
"That wench! She healed you and she must have healed herself! But I made sure there was no water in this cell!"
Zuko managed to chuckle and smirk.
"She doesn't need the water to be right next to her. This window was all she needed to get all the water she wanted!"
Her frustration was brimming on the edge of her boiling point and she turned around, sending hot blue flames at the guards.
"What is wrong with you? Did you not see any water come in here? Were you imbeciles even awake?"
All the two guards could do were bow their heads and apologize.
"We are sorry your highness. It won't happen again!"
"Excuses and apologies aren't going to cut it! There have been too many mistakes and I won't allow it! But for now…"
She turned towards Zuko and shook her head in disgust.
"You are going to wish you were never born."
Azula struck him on both shoulders, sending him against the wall. His head hit the wall as his body fell to the ground. Zuko's smirk dissolved and his world went into complete darkness.
"Take him out of here, and into the smallest, darkest room possible. No windows, no way out! Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes your highness."
They took his body out of the chains and she sighed in frustration.
"I need to find out what happened to that wench. She will pay dearly for crossing me right in front of my eyes!"
..:-:..
Katara pushed herself as far back as possible in the bed. The distance between where she was situated and where Ozai was standing wasn't that close, but it still sent her into a nervous fit. Inside she didn't know what to do, or what to say. Never in her mind did she think she was going to come face to face with him this soon. But then the question came to mind, why did he want her? Shouldn't he have been chasing Aang instead?
"Oh don't worry Katara, I'm not going to hurt you."
His malicious tone sent chills up her spine and the hairs on her entire body were on their ends. She closed her eyes and gulped, finding her shaky voice within her throat.
"What- do- you- want- with- me?"
"Please Katara, don't be afraid of me. I am your friend."
His long black hair and solid gold crown gave her an unsettling feeling and it fell down into the depths of her abdomen.
"You… you are not my friend!"
Somehow she was able to find her strength, even though his dominating figure stood at the foot of her bed. He laughed slightly and a fire suddenly appeared out of nowhere in the fireplace she had not noticed before.
"Of course I am Katara. You and someone else I might add."
"I am not your friend, and I don't know what you're talking about! You ordered the deaths of so many lives, including my mother… how could you possibly be my friend?"
He stood where he was and took off his top to reveal a perfectly muscled chest. Her eyes bulged as she observed his strength and realized she shouldn't be speaking out against him.
"Oh yes… your mother… that's exactly who I was talking about."
Katara was confused and squinted her eyes.
"What do you mean?"
"Your mother, I was her friend too."
She froze stiff with terror.
"You… knew her… but how? You couldn't have!"
"On the contrary, I did. That night when my soldiers invaded your humble little village, I saw her and knew that she would serve the fire nation without hesitation."
A burning hatred started to build up in her chest and she gritted her teeth.
"What are you talking about? Stop avoiding the subject! She died then and there! I saw it with my own eyes!"
The memories piled in her mind. Screaming filled her ears and fire blazed everywhere. She saw her mother's fading blue figure and then a loud cry.
"No, she did not die then."
Katara's mouth dropped open and she became speechless once again.
"Shocked? I understand. But see, at first she wasn't willing to cooperate with my requests, so I had to break her, somewhat like a wild animal in fact."
He laughed hysterically, remembering that one exciting night back so many years ago.
"Her gentle face and fierce blue eyes really drew me in from the beginning. I just knew that she had to be my… friend."
A terrifying realization hit Katara and she shook her head slowly, not wanting to accept the new knowledge.
"No… no… you didn't… she couldn't have…"
"Yes," Ozai sneered, "she was wonderful really. After that one night however, she became weak and caught a cold on the ship. Such a shame… we could have had many fun nights like that one…"
Anger overcame her and Katara exploded.
"Bastard! You treated my mother like she was a plaything! I am going to kill you!"
She shot up and out of the bed, ready to do anything to harm him. Suddenly an immense amount of fire exploded out of nowhere and then rested in his palm. Katara stopped in front of him, a vase in her hands.
"Ah ah ah! Now you wouldn't want to have a pretty scar like my son, would you?"
Katara put the vase down slowly and thoughts of Zuko passed her mind. She had been taken away and she wasn't even able to tell him good-bye or anything. How could this have happened? A tear slid down her cheek and she looked away, her spirit crushed. To everyone out in the world, she was lost in this room, with no way out. She still had no idea what happened to Aang, or even Sokka. Inside, she knew that Sokka would rip Ozai apart after learning what he did to their mother.
"What's this? A tear after mentioning my good for nothing excuse of a son?"
Katara looked up at him fiercely, brushing away her tear.
"You aren't worthy of being his father!"
"What? You must be kidding. I am the Fire Lord, and soon to be ruler of the world! He doesn't deserve to have my blood in his body."
Silence hovered the room after this comment and Katara stood rooted to her spot in front of him. Where was she to go? No one knew where she was. Finally, she was ready to hear the answer to her most burning question.
"What do you want me from me Ozai?" she asked stiffly.
He reached for her arm, and caressed it roughly. Katara winced but didn't budge.
"I already told you. We are friends."
She closed her eyes and breathed in deeply as he pulled her into his overshadowing body. Disgust flowed through her veins as she felt his dry lips on her neck. Concentrating on the task at hand, she somehow managed to relax in his embrace. She wrapped her arms around his upper back and she put her mouth on his neck. Ozai chuckled at the touch of her lips.
"See, there's nothing to be worried about… we're good friends. You are even better than your mother."
Katara took a deep breath of air through her nose and then with all of her might she kicked her knee into his groin. The unexpected strength of her blow caused him to fall forward. Katara still held onto him and then as his arms went to his sides, she bit his neck, expelling all of her hatred into his skin. He cried out and a hand went immediately to the place where she had bit him. She watched him fall to the ground and roll over onto his back. His golden eyes opened and bulged out with rage.
"You wench! You… you… ahhh!"
Ozai's vision went black as she stuck her fingers into his eye sockets. She pulled back quickly, the sickening feeling crawling up her arm from the touch of his eyes under her fingertips. He started to roll around on the floor, unable to do anything about his sight. His anguished cries filled Katara's ears and they mimicked her mothers. Revenge never sounded as sweet as it did then.
"What's wrong? Aren't we friends?"
The unnecessary remark from Katara made the Fire Lord even angrier than he already was. Without knowing where he was aiming, he sent blasts of fire around the room. Katara's eyes widened as she saw one coming straight at her, but she ducked and the blast hit the door, unlocking it from the impact. Ozai heard the door swing open and then he managed to stand up. Katara's only chance at freedom was before her, but getting away from the Fire Lord wasn't going to be as easy as she thought. At that moment, she cried out in pain as she felt flames hit her back. Her vision faded instantly when she hit the ground. Ozai heard the thump and cried out in victory.
"No one crosses me! I am always victorious! As for you wench, you will not … live …a day longer…"
..:-:..
Zuko's consciousness came back to him, and as he felt two pair of arms carrying him, he realized he must not open his eyes. Soon enough he heard Azula's voice echoing down the hall.
"It looks like he is out cold. I knew he would be, though. No one messes with me. I think that the two of you will redeem yourselves worthy. The little iron closet is down the hall and on the left. I have more important things to attend to."
The flash of the water bender's face sped through Azula's mind as she saw the two guards bow. She walked off in the opposite direction in a hurry. Zuko heard her footsteps fade down the hall. A door slammed shut and he knew it was Azula going farther and farther away from him. The two guards jerked in surprise as Zuko's eyes flashed open. He shoved out of their grip and he spiraled, flames erupting from his body as he did it. Once he was on his feet, he knocked the two guards out. Something gleamed as the two guards slipped down to the floor and Zuko realized that they had with them a sword apiece. He took both and weighed them in his hands. They were heavier than his broad swords, but he would manage. Zuko began to track his way back, but suddenly he saw a door swing open down the hall. Screams echoed in his ears and he realized that one of them belonged to a woman. His guts twisted inside as the knowledge wielded its power and gave him strength.
He made his way stealthy down the hall and towards the open door. Firelight bounced off of the wall and Zuko's heart began to race. His swords were in front of him, and he was ready to attack. However, the closer he crept to the door, the quieter it became. All his ears could identify was the crackling of the fireplace. Zuko finally reached his destination and took a deep breath. He jumped quietly into the room's entrance, and his arms dropped to his sides immediately.
Katara was lying there motionless. A painful arrow shot itself into Zuko's heart when he saw her torn clothes and burnt skin. He put only one sword to his side and tip toed inside. Another body was lying in the distance and Zuko wouldn't have realized who it was if not for the gold crown on the floor a few feet away. Complete fury raged through his mind and heart, and he would have killed his father then and there, but he knew that he needed to get Katara out of the palace first. He knelt by her and picked her up in his arms. It was then when he realized how small she had become. In the past few days, they had barely anything to eat and he gritted his teeth.
Zuko walked out of the room and made his way down the numerous halls. It seemed like forever until they reached the entrance of the palace. Zuko's adrenaline was at its highest. He had expected to run into many guards but shockingly there was only one, which he knocked out with a fire blast right when he saw him. His thoughts then turned to Azula and he realized that she must have sent every guard in search of Katara. Zuko looked down at her face and his heart began to ache.
"I don't know what my father did to you, but I promise I will take better care of you from now on."
The sun was right above them and Zuko had to squint to see Tochigi far in the distance. In his gut, he knew that they couldn't go back. It was too dangerous and they would most likely end up getting caught again. Zuko turned around and started on their journey away from Tochigi.
..:-:..
The sun was beginning to set, and Zuko's mouth hung open. His breaths were deep and he began to heave. His body had become dehydrated and his arms grew weary from carrying Katara, even though she was light. In the distance, he saw another village and a stream. Zuko thanked Agni and made his final steps towards the source of water. He stumbled and Katara fell out of his arms. She rolled away a few feet and then began to stir. Pain seared through her back, but she opened her eyes and saw Zuko's pained face near the stream.
"Zuko!"
She found new strength and crawled to him using her arms. The two of them were lying next to each other on the hard ground. Katara outstretched her arm and moved her hand in slow circles. Soon enough a small string of water made its way to Zuko's open mouth. He felt the cool wet liquid on his parched lips and swallowed thankfully when the blessed water filled his mouth. Katara did this herself and then laid back heaving. Zuko's eyes opened and he propped himself up. He brought Katara to his side and stroked her cheek gently.
"Katara, don't ever leave me again."
She managed to smile, but had to close her eyes.
"I need more water… my back…"
Katara winced in pain as Zuko moved her aside. He turned her over and cupped the water flowing in the stream. She felt the water drip down her back and concentrated all of her thoughts on the liquid. Zuko saw it glow and sink into her back. He knelt beside her again and she opened her eyes.
"Thank you Zuko."
Her soft smile calmed his worries and he knew she would be all right.
..:-:..
Azula had looked for the entire day, and found nothing in the forest except for a pair of huts. She burned them down instantly. Her prey was not there and she was angered further by not finding the prisoner. She returned to the cells, still unable to explain to herself how the girl had escaped. Azula scanned each corner and then suddenly she felt something sleek under her fingertips. She took the jewel into her hands and smirked.
"Looks like I've found something useful after all."
A/N: Surprised? Shocked? Numbed? I would to hear your reactions! For some reason it was easier to write the parts with Azula than the parts with Ozai… I don't know why lol xP
NEXT: Okay, so now that they escaped (a miracle, I know) they will be having a much-needed talk about things… and then… a surprise visit from someone. But not everyone will be reunited happily. Be prepared for a main character death!
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
-Monika-
