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Chapter 2

Alone.

That one word buzzed through Katara's mind as she ran through the endless darkness that surrounded her.

"HELP ME! WILL SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP ME!" she screamed as the darkness seemed to close in around her. Tears streamed down her eyes. "Please someone help me." She whispered helplessly.

Suddenly a pair of strong arms reached out of the darkness wrapped themselves around Katara's body. But for some reason Katara wasn't frightened, in fact she felt very much comforted. She aloud herself to be pulled into a strong embrace, burying her head in the chest of her savior, but the darkness still enabled her to see who it was, even if she was this close.

"It's okay. You're safe now." The person crooned softly in her ear. Katara had never felt more protected in her life.

Suddenly lightning flashed between them, causing Katara to breakaway from her rescuer. An evil, high pitch laugh rang through the air. Katara covered her ears to try and drown it out, but it was too loud. Suddenly a terrible, agonizing scream rang through the air piercing Katara's heart, causing her to scream as well.

Katara's eyes flashed open, her heart pounding against her chest. Sweat poured down her face as she leaned up on her elbows. The images of her dream still flashing through her mind.

"Welcome back." Said a calm voice. Katara looked up in surprise…

"Zu-Zuko!" Her eyes widened at the sight of the teenager sitting only feet from her. It was then that she noticed that she was lying on blanket on the ground. She also noticed that it was now dark out and that stars had now filled the night sky. "How…how did I get here?" her voice shook slightly as she glanced back at the Prince.

Zuko blinked, "I brought you." He said simply.

Katara gaped at him; she could hardly believe her ears. Zuko! Zuko had helped her! He was her arch enemy and he helped her. "Why?" she asked air headedly.

Zuko frowned in confusion, "You were half-dead. Did you want me to leave you out there to die? Because you know, I didn't have to do what I did. I have better things to do then help Water Tribe peasants." His eyes hardened.

Katara glared at him. A glare Zuko returned.

"So what were you doing out there anyway?" Zuko asked, folding his arms.

"If you're asking me about Aan- the Avatar then you may as well forget about it, because I have no clue where he is." Katara growled.

Zuko smirked at her frustration, "It's just a question." He sneered.

Katara frowned. 'What a brat!'

'Hey! He saved your life!'

'Yeah! So what? That doesn't change the fact that he's a spoiled prince!'

'Oh, shut up! You're the one that's acting like a brat! You didn't even say thank you! That's pretty heartless.' Katara shook her head to clear her arguing mind.

There was a very long silence between them. It was in this silence that Katara made an attempt to sit all the way up; her side suddenly gave a tremendous throb causing her yelp in pain.

"What's wrong now?" Zuko sighed in annoyance.

Katara rubbed her side painfully, tears burned her eyes, "It's nothing," she grunted through gritted teeth. She didn't want to show weakness in front of him. Her body swayed slightly. Zuko sighed as he stood up and walked to her side.

"Let me see." He grunted as he sat down next to her.

Katara hesitated, wondering why Zuko even cared.

Zuko growled impatiently, "Do you want help or not?"

Katara frowned, she really didn't want his help, but her side was killing her. So in the end she tossed the feelings aside and very slowly she lifted the bottom of her shirt to reveal the blood soaked fabric she had used to try and stop the bleeding after she'd exited the cave. The bandages were dripping with blood by now, so they slid off easily this time.

Zuko face stayed expressionless as he ran his hands over the abrasion. Katara felt her face burn hot red.

'His hands are so soft.'

'What did you say? '

'I just think he's got soft hands for a firebender that's all.'

'Sure, but you also said he had beautiful eyes! Ha! Remember that.'

'Oh, shut up! That was before I knew it was him who saved me!'

'Sure ya did!'

'Oh! Just shut up!'

Katara shook her head to stop the feud that was now rattling her brain. She swayed slightly again and for the second time that day her world began to fade. Her head drooped slightly.

"Hey!" Zuko said sternly, he lifted Katara's head with his finger, "you need to stay awake. You've lost too much blood. The last thing I need for you to do is pass out again." He pulled his hands away from her side. Katara swayed again. "You need a doctor.

"Now, come on." Zuko through her arm around his neck, lifting her up just high enough to walk and enough to support herself. He walked her over to a large dead tree where, to Katara's surprise, a large ostrich-horse tied to it. Zuko untied the horse and helped Katara on first and then himself, making it so Katara had to hold on to his waist.

"What's your name?" Zuko grunted as he urged the ostrich-horse forward.

Katara glanced up at him, "Katara." And with that they were off.

Katara held tight to Zuko's waist as the sped through the expanding desert trees. Every once in awhile Katara had to hold back the urge to cry and yelp when they hit a bump or turned abruptly or did anything that would make her wound throb or stretch. Her vision was blurred even worse as blood poured from her side.

Slowly Katara laid her head on Zuko's back and concentrated on the steadied beat of his heart, it was the only thing she could do to keep herself awake.

It wasn't long before the two reached the nearest town, it had only taken a few minuets, but to Katara it felt like hours. Once they found the local infirmary, Zuko helped Katara off his ostrich-horse and half-carried her, half dragged her inside.

They were immediately met by a young, chipper looking nurse. "What seems to be the problem?" she asked.

"She's injured." Zuko nodded to the blood now flowing out from Katara's shirt. The nurses eyes widened slightly, "Just bring her to the back," she chirped as she turned on her heel and headed down the long hallway behind her, Zuko and Katara not far behind.

The nurse led them to a rather large room. One large bed stood in the corner, along with a few chairs, and a table.

"Now you just rest here and I'll be right back." The nurse chimed as she left the room.

Zuko sat Katara on the bed, but said nothing. He sat down in the chair farthest from her and stared at the wall. Every few moments the two of them would glance at each other, but neither of them said anything.

After a few minuets of awkward silence, the nurse returned with a small bottle in her hand, "Okay, honey just drink this and get some rest." She said handing the bottle to Katara. Katara swallowed the whole bottle full in one gulp. She gagged slightly, the liquid was very cold and scratched her throat, but almost immediately she began to feel very drowsy, even pain started to leave her. Katara laid her head down on the soft pillows behind her and fell into a beautiful, dreamless sleep.

Well that's Chapter 2! I hope ya'll like it! Plzzzzz don't forget the reviews. OH! And please tell me if you think I'm rushing it to much I don't want to rush a story and make it sound bad.