Didn't See That Coming

by Rebirth of the Phoenix

Hey, I'm so pleased I've nearly hit 100 reviews. Thanks to all who took the time to review, I love you guys!

Straight into the story then! Review!

Disclaimer – Still don't own ATLA, maybe it'll come in the post tomorrow? (Doubt it though.)

- - - - - - - -

Iroh paced back and forth across the deck. He was very anxious and he couldn't settle. Most of the crew were below deck, feeling slightly upset that their Prince had fallen victim to a demon. None of them were please that Katara was in danger either. The Waterbender had become just like another member of the crew and no one wanted to see her harmed.

Iroh paused in his pacing and took a sip of tea. Even his favorite ginseng infusion couldn't cheer him up. Iroh walked wearily over to the railing of the ship and looked down into the dark waters below, thinking. His musings were cut short, however, when something landed on the deck of the ship with a large bang.

Turning, Iroh saw that the Avatar, the Water Tribe boy and the bison were stood on the deck, seemingly ready to fight.

Iroh sighed and rubbed his temples. Today was not his day.

- - - - - - - -

Aang and Sokka glared at the an in front of them but he made no move to attack them, he looked rather tired. They were distracted when a door to the deck opened and several Fire Nation soldiers rushed onto the deck. They took fighting stances and fire lit in their hands.

Before anyone could throw an attack, however, Iroh stepped forward and spoke to his men. "Stop! Do not attack."

One of the soldiers looked at the man in confusion. "But General Iroh, sir -"

Iroh shook his head. "The Avatar did not come here to fight, so we will not fight either."

Aang looked at the man. "How do you know we don't want to fight?"

Iroh smiled softly at the young boy in front of him. "You came for your friend, and if you could do that without confrontation, then you would be happy."

Sokka cut in. "Yes, we did come for my sister! Where the heck is she? I swear if she's hurt -"

Iroh held up a hand to cut the boy off. "You need not worry, your sister is perfectly -"

Iroh stopped, he was about to say 'fine' but he realized that wasn't true at all. Aang seemed to notice his hesitation.

"What's wrong?"

Iroh sighed again. "Miss Katara has been under the watchful and caring eyes of Prince Zuko, and myself since she arrived. Now however, I fear she may be in danger."

Sokka stepped forward. "Danger? What danger?"

Iroh looked behind him at the dark forest. "Maybe we could sit and talk somewhere. It is quite a story."

- - - - - - - -

The darkness was clearing in the void and Katara expected to lose her grip on Zuko. She was surprised, therefore, when her grip on Zuko's hand remained as strong as ever.

They were now stood in what seemed to be desolate woodland. The trees were warped and bare, their branches burned so they looked skeletal. The sky above their heads was blood red and jutted with the darkest clouds; the whole place was ominous.

Katara looked at Zuko and raised an eyebrow. "I can still remember everything, can you?"

He nodded and they looked forwards again. Stood a few metres away, in between two wretched trees, was Kaen.

"Welcome to your feared Future, Katara."

Katara narrowed her eyes. "What are you playing at witch? Why can we suddenly keep our memories?"

Kaen glared back at Katara. "I said before that I refused to become predictable and I think it would more interesting to see how you react to your fears when they're manifested into physical form. I also think it would be an eye opener for your boyfriend too. To survive this fear, you simply have to make it to the end of of this path without turning back."

Katara and Zuko exchanged sidewards glances, this sounded almost too easy. "Hate to break it to you, but I'm not afraid of a path."

Kaen smirked widely. "True, but you are afraid of what you'll meet along the way. Remember, this is what you would hate to see happen, so I am going to enjoy watching you bear witness to them."

Kaen then turned and walked into the shadows, leaving the two teens alone.

Zuko cleared his throat and looked at Katara. "Well should we get moving then?"

Katara nodded mutely. This was what she feared most about the future? She had no idea what was coming but she knew she wouldn't like it.

They started off down the earthen path. Nothing stirred in the trees and whole place was as quiet as the grave. Katara's nerves were on edge, she knew something was coming, but she didn't know what.

Suddenly, a figure jumped onto the path in front of them and Katara screamed and Zuko jumped. Katara took deeper breaths when she realized she was staring at Sokka.

'No, not Sokka, he's not real!

Katara nodded inwardly and stared at her brother's imitator. He smiled at Katara and held out a hand to her, she didn't take it.

"Come on Katara, you're not going to leave me alone are you?"

Katara stared at the impostor before her. The leering grin he was wearing was truly disturbing and Katara shifted restlessly on her feet.

Zuko leaned in closer to her and whispered to her. "You can't turn back, remember? Everything will be fine, let's just carry on forwards."

Katara nodded and she took a step forward with Zuko. Her way forward was blocked when Sokka appeared right in front of her face.

His face was livid and he started yelling at her. "It's your fault my life is like this! If you had listened to me then we never would have found Aang and I would never have had to follow you off on your little adventure. I hate you Katara and I don't want to be with you anymore, I have no sister!"

With that he turned and ran down the path ahead of them. Katara stood there for a moment, speechless. It may not have been Sokka but the words still chilled her to the bone. She felt Zuko grab her hand more tightly and he coaxed her forward gently. She shook herself out of her stupor and they began walking again.

They had barely walked a few paces however, when another figure appeared on the path. It was a boy about Zuko's age and he had carelessly styled brown hair. In his mouth was a piece of grass and in his hands he twirled two hooked swords.

- - - - - - - - -

Zuko eyed the boy with confusion. He'd seen Katara's brother, of course, but he'd never seen the boy that stood in front of him. He looked at Katara and saw her eyes widen in horror. He waited for her to speak to the boy.

"Jet? No... this is supposed to be about the future, not the past."

Jet smirked a stepped towards Katara. "It is about the future, I'm just here to help you realize your fears. I'm merely a messenger. Did you miss me?"

Katara closed her eyes in disgust as Jet stepped closer. He reached out a hand and placed it on her cheek.

Zuko growled at the apparition, raising flaming hands and Jet looked at him still smirking. "My dear Katara, I see that you are again concerning yourself with Fire Nation scum? That remind me, I still need to tell you your future fear don't I?"

He removed his hand and stepped backwards slightly. "Katara, you fear that you will be alone in your future. You fear that everyone will leave you and you will be left alone at the end, with no one to turn to."

Katara gulped, yes she had always feared losing people, ever since her mother had died. She kept Jet's gaze in her own and stepped forward again, if only she could make it to the end of the path.

Jet stepped forward and grabbed her shoulders. "Not that fast Katara! You're not getting away so quickly. I'm here because you also fear facing me again in the future. And rightly so. I haven't forgotten your betrayal Katara, and you will see me again."

With that Jet turned and leapt into the trees, disappearing into the demonic night.

Zuko came to Katara's side and gripped her hand again. "Are you alright?"

Katara nodded. "Yes, it's just, I do fear meeting Jet again and I really would rather not to."

Zuko nodded. "It's just one of Kaen's tricks remember, it will never happen in the real world. Come on, let's get out of here."

Katara nodded and they walked forward again. It came as no big shock when another being appeared.

- - - - - - - -

It was Aang. He didn't leer at Katara or yell though, he just grinned at her like the normal Aang would do.

"Come on Katara, we've gotta go! I still need to master two more elements, come on!"

Katara didn't move, she just stared at the fake Aang.

"What's the matter Katara? I thought we were friends. I thought we were a family."

His voice sounded so hurt and Katara found herself stepping forwards. "We are a family Aang, but you're not real and I need to get out of here."

Aang still looked upset and he reached out a hand for Katara. Katara hesitated to step forward but she knew there was no turning back.

Aang walked on her other side and chatted happily. "I heard what Jet said, Katara. Don't worry though I'll never leave you."

Those word broke Katara's heart and she stopped. When Aang said that she knew something bad was coming, but she didn't know what. She peered into the distance and could see a faint glimmer of light though the shadows. She was so near the end, but she knew something bad would happen if she stepped forward. She closed her eyes and took her hand out of Zuko's grip. Whatever was coming wasn't good and she didn't want to but Zuko in danger. In the other side she felt the fake Aang move forward and carry on walking and laughing.

Taking a deep breath she stepped forward blindly. In those next few seconds several things happen that she had hoped never to experience.

The moment her foot touched the floor she heard Aang gasp sharply and Zuko yelled. She also felt a sickening splash of warmth on her face. Opening her eyes with much trepidation she couldn't stop the scream that tore from her throat.

Aang stood swaying in front of her, his back turned to her. There was a bloody hole through his stomach; something had ripped straight through him. Aang dropped to his knees and Katara rushed forward. She gathered the boy into her lap and looked down at him. His grey eyes were half closed and he was barely breathing. She forgot completely that this Aang wasn't the real one, all she saw was her friend dying and she was powerless to save him.

Aang coughed weakly and some blood spurted from his mouth. "K... Katara. I... I'm sorry... I... h... have to leave y... you."

Katara could feel the tears sliding down her face and watched as they hit Aang's face. She saw they were red and for a moment she thought that she was crying blood. Then she remembered that Aang's blood had splattered her face. She watched as her young friend closed his eyes and laughed no more.

- - - - - - - - -

Zuko watched, appalled as the Avatar died in Katara's arms. Even he was having trouble remembering that it wasn't real. He took a step forward to Katara but stopped short when a group of people emerged from the trees. There was Katara's brother, a boy his age with long hair in Earth Kingdom clothes, Jet and an older man in Water Tribe garb.

They walked to Katara and stood in a line in front of her, blocking the path.

- - - - - - - - -

Katara looked away from Aang's body and stared, sobbing at the group of people in front of her. There was Sokka, Haru, Jet and... her breath caught in her throat. Her father.

She gently lied Aang's body from her lap and stood on shaking legs staring at the melee of people from her past and present. She really didn't understand why her future fear involved these people.

She couldn't stop staring at her father, it was so good to see him again, but she knew it couldn't last. Jet stepped forward and she turned her eyes to him.

"Well Katara, so near the end. This is your final test on this path. Apart from me, all of these people are those who you would love to make up your future. Friends, " he gestured to Haru. "And family," he pointed to my father and Sokka. "Wouldn't it be such a shame to lose all of them like you lost Aang?"

Katara shook her head. "No," she whispered. "You can't! I can't lose anyone else."

Jet shrugged. "If you can't face your fears, then you have no hope of surviving either here, or in the real world."

With that he stepped back slightly and her three loved ones stepped forward towards her. Katara desperately wanted to step back but knew her survival depended on her standing her ground.

Sokka stepped forward. "If you weren't a damn Waterbender then I could've stayed in the South Pole and I would never have to risk my life against the Fire Nation everyday."

Haru stepped forward. "If you hadn't came to my village my people would have never angered the Fire Nation. You didn't expect them to take a defeat lying down did you?"

Her father approached her. "If you were never born I would never have had to worry about fighting in the war and I wouldn't be so far from home."

They all took a step closer and hissed in unison. "You deserve to be alone!"

Katara knew what was coming and she closed her eyes and covered her ears. It wasn't enough to block out the sounds of the three men's screams, nor was it enough to block out the sounds of three bodies hitting the floor.

She opened her eyes and saw her father, brother and friend all lying on the floor, dead. Their eyes were open and stared at her with blank, accusing eyes.

Katara gasped and was about to spin around and run when she felt strong arms encircle her. She felt Zuko's warm breath as he whispered to her comfortingly. "It's over now, it was not and never will be real. Come on, we can leave. Just hold on to me and I'll guide you."

Katara nodded and buried her head into Zuko's shoulder as he guided her away from the masquerading bodies on the floor. They were almost to the glimmering light when a most unwelcome figure blocked their way.

Jet grinned at Katara manically and he twirled his swords carelessly. "You're all alone Katara, that's how it will be in your life too!"

Zuko had had enough. He stepped forward, and with the arm that wasn't holding Katara he punched the manifestation square in the face. He was pleasantly satisfied when the creep fell to the floor surprised.

As Zuko led Katara into the light he hissed down to the form on the floor. "She isn't alone, and she never will be, no matter whether she's in the real world or not.

- - - - - - - - - -

Hiya. I really do not like that chapter. It was hard to write and I think it sucks! Oh well, I'll see if the next one flows better, forgive me!

Review!