Authors Note-Chapter 4 up already. Since I cant decide which way to go with this story as far as Zutara and Kataang, I might just make an alternate ending or something. Idk yet, will think about it. In the mean time, Thanks to abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz1...(haha, I totally agree, trying to keep it clean though;)) and Inulvr7(aww, I totally get what you mean…oocness, not so good with it))
Disclaimer-If I owned Avatar, do you honestly think that I would be wasting my time writing these fanfics? Nope….don't own it….
"Aang! Aang!" Sokka called as he blindly made his way through the forest. Suddenly, a small swarm of angry bees began stinging the unsuspecting warrior. Yelling, he began flailing his arms wildly and running. Not seeing the hill, he began tumbling down it. His screaming became louder, then stopped when he finally hit the bottom. Putting himself into a sitting position, he rubbed his head.
"Owww….At least I got rid of the bees." He said. Looking around, he saw Aang sitting on Appas tail. With a small smile of delight, Sokka ran over to the young boy.
"Aang, I've been looking everywhere for you!" Sokka said, putting his hand on Aangs shoulder. Aang turned around, forcing a smile.
"Hey Sokka." He said weakly. Sokka knew what was wrong, and he felt bad for the kid.
"Aang, listen. Katara doesn't know what's going on with herself. She likes you, that's why she's so confused." He explained, trying to cheer up the small avatar. Seeing a gleam of hope in Aangs large, gray eyes he smiled.
"She does?"
"Yeah Aang, I know she does." Sokka said. He didn't like the idea of his little sister being with someone, but he knew that there was no one that cared about her more then Aang, beside himself.
"Where is she?" Aang asked. He wanted to make things right. He wanted to see Katara again. He just wanted to hug her.
"I don't know, but we'll find her." Sokka said confidently. Aang smiled and jumped up on Appas back.
"Come on Sokka!" He said excitedly. Sokka hurriedly climbed aboard the great beast, eager to see his sister again.
"Yip Yip!" Aang said, snapping the reigns. We'll find her, we have to find her
"Zuko." Katara gasped as she nearly ran into the young prince. He was standing on the beach, his ship not far off.
"Katara! What's wrong?" The young prince asked, seeing her eyes waterlogged. Katara sniffled and spoke.
"Aang…he left.
Sokka went with him." She said. in other words, I have nowhere
to go.
Zuko wrapped his arms around the waterbender,
comforting her.
"You can come on my ship with me, if you'd like." He offered. Katara looked up into his deep, golden eyes. Where else did she have to go?
"Thank you Zuko." She said, smiling. Zuko returned the smile and lead her up onto the ship. They appeared to be almost ready to depart. Where can she stay? Zuko wondered, before remembering his uncles old room. Zuko lead her down the many corridors of the ship until they stood before a metal door.
"This can be your room." He said, opening the door to reveal her new room. It had a queen-sized bed tucked away in the corner. A wardrobe lay in the other side of the room, and a nightstand next to the bed. There was a large black rug spread out on the floor, along with a deep red fire nation insignia on the wall.
"Thanks." Katara said as she walked into it. Suddenly, she realized how very tired she was. Yawning, she turned back to Zuko.
"I'm rather tired, I think I'll go to bed now." Zuko nodded and left the room. Slipping into the bed, Katara loved how comfortable it was compared to the ground she usually slept on.
you cant just forget about Aang and Sokka
You
cant love Zuko!Its to wrong!
I cant, but I do.
Katara
sighed and turned onto her side. Did Sokka find Aang? She
wondered to herself. Thinking this was the last thing she remembered
before she fell asleep.
Katara opened her eyes upon hearing a loud knock on the door. Sitting up in her bed, she rubbed her eyes.
"What?" She called, not rising from the bed.
"Its me. Breakfast will be ready shortly." Zuko said from the other side of the door. Katara took a moment to stretch her arms before opening it. She followed Zuko down the hallway and into a large room, where Iroh was already sitting and enjoying a cup of tea. Katara sat down, and Zuko sat next to her. She was happy just to be in his presence, but couldn't help but wonder about Aang.
"So, why have you decided to sail with me and my nephew?" Iroh asked as the three ate. Katara looked up from her food, unsure of what to say.
"Well…I have a feeling that I'm not welcome to travel with Aang anymore." She explained.
"Aang?…Oh, the avatar." Iroh said, taking a moment to remember whom the boy was. Zuko, who had been silent the entire time, finally stood.
"I'm going up to train." He announced, heading out the door without so much as a wave. Katara folded her arms.Not very talkative.. She was taken out of her thoughts as she heard Iroh speak again.
"There is little for a women to do on this ship for entertainment, perhaps you would enjoy watching Zuko spare?" He suggested. Katara nodded.
"Very well, I shall take you to the upper deck." Iroh rose from his pillow on the ground and motioned for Katara to follow. The two wound their way through the ship, which seemed more like a maze. They needed a map posted on every wall! Finally, Iroh lead her up a set of steps and onto the deck.
Zuko stood on one side whilst two other soldiers stood on the other. Suddenly, one soldier shot a small column of fire at the prince. Katara gasped, thinking it was about to hit him. Yet Zuko wouldn't be bested with such a basic move. Lifting his arms, he easily deflected it. The two soldiers, as if on cue, shot another ray of fire at him at the same time. Zuko jumped in the air, evading the fire. While still in mid-air, he spun around and kicked, delivering a blast of fire that knocked both the soldiers off their feet. Zuko appeared disappointed at how easily they'd been defeated.
"I'll spare with you." Katara said, standing up and walking over to Zuko. He looked at her, surprised.
"Are you serious?" He asked.
"Zuko, it would do you good to fight one who bends something other then fire. After all, not all of your opponents shall be fire benders." Iroh chimed in from the background. He was about to mention that the avatar was a waterbender as well, but remembering Katara he decided it would be best not to bring him up. Zuko nodded, taking a fire-bending stance. Katara did the same, undoing her canteen. Suddenly, Zuko shot a blast of fire from his wrist. Katara jumped to the side.He's actually trying to hit me! She thought, surprised. No duh, it's a duel. The smarter part of her brain said.
She brought a water whip from her canteen and shot it at the prince, who blocked it with a hand of fire. She frowned, gathering up water from the ocean. Bringing a small wave aboard, she attempted to crash it down upon him. Zuko appeared taken by surprise, and was washed down by the force of the water. Jumping to his feet, he spun and shot several continue fire balls at Katara. She gave a small yelp of surprise, jumping out of the way.
The breath was knocked out of her as a ball hit her in the chest, making her stumble backwards. Zuko, seeing his chance, sent a wave over the ground at her feet. Katara was forced to keep stumbling. This was just like his fight with Zhao. He shot a blast of fire at her stomach, in an attempt to knock her down. But Katara regained herself surprisingly fast and leapt out of the way. Maybe this wasn't like his duel with Zhao. A stray whip of water zipped by his face, almost hitting him.
Zuko grunted, it was time to finish this. Whirling on Katara, he shot another column of fire at her. She blocked it with her waterbending, but before she could make an attack another column was hurled at her. This continued, her not having a spare second to make an attack, when finally a powerful blast knocked her down. Katara rubbed her head and opened her eyes, only to find Zuko standing next to her. A smug grin was on his face, and Katara felt like wiping it off.
He extended a hand, which Katara gladly grabbed and heaved herself up.
"I'd say that I won this round." He said triumphantly. Katara replied by sending a small splash of water in the princes face. He frowned disapprovingly, wiping the water from his eyes. He would have given her a bit of fire to the face, but he didn't want to hurt her.
"I'm going to take a bath, there are some clean cloths for you in your room." Zuko said before walking off. What is it with him? Hasn't he ever heard of good-bye?Katara thought grouchily.
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"Where is she?" Aang asked, growing impatient with their search.
"Hold on, let me pull out my crystal ball and find her." Sokka replied. Aang reacted to this in a very mature fashion; he stuck his tongue out at Sokka.
Why are you looking for her anyways? She turned her back on you.
No she didn't, she just loved someone else.
Exactly, so she doesn't love you
Maybe she does, maybe she just can't see it yet
I can't believe your going to go crawling back to her, she stabbed you in the back! I can't help it
What if you find her, and she's with Zuko?What if he kidnapped her?
Then I'll save her and win her back
What if she doesn't want to be back with you?
Aang gulped deeply at these thoughts. What if Katara was to deeply in love with Zuko to come back with him? He pushed the thoughts aside. He should be mad, no furious at her, but he just couldn't. He loved her far too much for that.
"Aang look!" Sokka cried suddenly, pointing to the ground. Aang looked down hopefully, expecting to see Katara. Instead, all he saw was the food sac. Worry gripped him as he remembered what had happened. Why did I just leave her alone to fight those guys? He groaned to himself. He was such an idiot! He reined Appa downwards until they landed with a heavy thud.
"Sokka, those guys must have got her!" Aang said.
"What guys?"
"There were these three guys back in the woods…" Aang said, trailing off. He didn't want to tell Sokka that he'd left his little sister alone to fight them.
"Three? Aang, there's only one other set of footprints." Sokka pointed out. Aang looked down to see that he was right. One set appeared to have come from the forests. Sokka could tell that the owner had been running, for the strides were far apart. The other seemed to have been walking, and the slurred sand told of a collision.
"Come on, let's follow them." Sokka said, grabbing Aangs arm and pulling him along the beach. Aang sighed, depressed to see that Katara was not here. He knew whose footprints that were next to hers…Zuko.
The tracks stopped suddenly, as if the two had grown wings and flown away. Aang tilted his head, confused. Sokka studied the sand again, noticing a giant tilt in it. A ship had been here.
"Aang, she's on a ship." Sokka said. He knew who's ship it was, but didn't want to tell Aang in fear that it would crush Aangs already fragile heart. But Aang already knew, afraid to tell Sokka in case he exploded with rage and worry. Yet the little airbender figured that Sokka needed to know.
"Zuko's ship." He finally said. Sokka turned to him.
"I know. Don't worry Aang, we'll find her." Sokka assured him. Aang hoped that he was right, he couldn't stand being away from Katara for so long. They both climbed on top of Appa and set off, hoping they were flying towards the ship. But at the moment, that's all they could do…hope.
Zuko stared at Katara for a moment, marveling at her beauty he never noticed before. She wore a black fire nation gown, sparkling flames dancing up the sides. It cut off at the shoulders, dipping ever so slightly at her neck. Usually the fire nations bold colors made their skin look sickly pale, but her brown tone seemed like smooth honey in it. It hugged her curves easily, but not so tight. It was not low cut, yet still appealing.
"Y-you- you look….acceptable." Zuko said, choking on his words. Katara frowned at him. Acceptable? Couldn't he say nice, pretty, even decent? But acceptable? It sounded like she was barley passing.
"Thanks." She muttered. She missed Aang and Sokka dearly, she wanted to see them both so bad. Zuko cast her another quick look, noticing the sad look in her eyes. He wished that he would wipe it away. Maybe if he regained his throne she would be more pleased to be in his company. Maybe…she could be the fire lady some day.
The thought seemed to delight Zuko. That was it. He'd capture the avatar, regain his throne, and propose to her. Propose! His mind screamed.
You cant marry her!
Shes water, your fire…opposites
Hey, opposites attract
Your father wouldn't accept it
Yes he would, once I regain my honor he will
Zuko stared off into the distance. A small island was approaching, one where the ship could land to replenish its supplies. The avatar was probably chasing them now. Perfect. Everything was falling so perfectly into place, and Zuko had the perfect plan.
Dun dun dun….just had to add that