Hello! So this second chapter just poured out of me and I finished it was earlier than I had intended to. From here on the story will really start to diverge from the actual plot, which I am excited about.

This chapter was inspired by the song 'Rabbit Heart' by Florence + The Machine from the 2009 'Lungs' album!

Please enjoy and do let me know what you think (pretty please?)!

Chapter 2: Rabbit Heart

…

I must become a lion-hearted girl,

Ready for a fight

Before I make the final sacrifice

…

And in the spring I shed my skin

And it blows away with the changing winds

…

Katata's eyes fluttered open. She was back inside their tent, swaddled in furs with a cool cloth wrapped around her head. Groaning, she turned to her left to see Gran Gran and Sokka hovering over her. Her grandmother was holding a bowl of seaweed soup and handed the warm bowl to Katara when she was in a sitting position. She eyed the bowl's contents, her gaze following the steam rising from the soup as it disappeared into the cool air. Trying to recall how she had ended up in bed, her memory could only muster one image: a pair of smoldering amber eyes. The thought sent a shiver down her spine and the seaweed soup sloshed in the bowl as she shuddered.

"What happened?" She finally asked, turning to her brother and grandmother.

Sokka spoke first, "That angry Fire Nation soldier knocked you out and I was going to avenge you, but then Aang came back and offered himself up if they promised to leave the village. Oh, he's also the Avatar."

Gran Gran's gaze fell to her hands and her brow crinkled.

"What? He's the Avatar?" She looked to her grandmother, "Gran Gran, did you know?"

"Yes, Katara. I spoke to the boy and begged him to leave. I reminded him of his purpose – he needs to go learn the other three elements. But he didn't listen."

"And now the Fire Nation has him?" Katara looked back to her older brother, who shrugged in response.

Throwing the furs off of, she stood, dizzying herself from the sudden motion. She found her balance again and steadied herself. Sokka and Gran Gran were watching her.

"We have to go help him."

"Katara, are you crazy? This is the Fire Nation we're talking about. That one soldier took you out so easily."

"Um, I actually got a couple attacks in if I recall," Her hands found her hips in annoyance.

"Yeah, but he knocked you out."

"I saved you from getting burnt! You didn't even hit him once!"

"Hey, I was just warming up, ok?"

Katara hmphed and turned away, bending over to pick up some things from the ground. "Well, you don't have to come, Sokka, but I'm going."

"What are you thinking, Katara? There's no way I'm letting you go – this is crazy."

"Katara," Gran Gran stood, motioning to her, "Come with me."

Her head dropped, preparing for a scolding, as she followed her grandmother out of the tent. They weaved through animal skin tents and cookfires in silence. As they passed the remains of Sokka's snow wall, Katara found herself wondering where they were heading. When they were out of the village, Gran Gran spoke, "Katara, I was very impressed with your bending."

Katara's eyes widened, she was praising her? "But, Gran Gran-"

"No 'buts'," Gran Gran replied. Her lips turned up in the corners into a proud smile, "You stepped up and saved your brother. I saw that determination in your eyes – a boldness that has long been missing from the Southern Water Tribe, since the warriors left. I saw the whole thing."

Tears started forming in Katara's eyes, "You saw?"

The old woman nodded, "From the ridge, when I went to speak to the Avatar. You are perhaps the only one who can save him now."

They rounded a snowy hill, "You must go, my dear." Gran Gran held out her gloved hand towards the flying bison, who breathed heavily in his sleep, partially buried in snow, "Save the Avatar and find yourself a teacher. You are the last waterbender of our tribe and you deserve proper training."

Katara couldn't believe her grandmother's words. Gran Gran had always tried to support her waterbending, covering for her untimely disappearances whenever she was younger and their father was around, but she never thought the old woman would suggest she leave to find a master. Her father certainly wouldn't be fond of the idea; the last time they saw him she had asked to go along, to find someone to teach her, and Hakoda had vehemently denied her the opportunity.

"But… what about dad?"

"He's not here, is he? Leave your father to me," Gran Gran smiled, placing a hand on Katara's shoulder. "I'm so proud of you, Katara. You are growing into an independent young woman. You are responsible and kind and driven. I have no doubt you will handle this with strength and elegance."

A tear trickled down her cheek as she jumped into her grandmother's arms. "Thank you, Gran Gran. I can't tell you how much this means to me."

"Let's get you some supplies ready," The old woman rubbed her back, "It might be a long journey."

…

Zuko watched as his men guided the young Avatar through the corridors of the ship, his wrists tied behind his back. They had set course for the Fire Nation and Zuko was elated to be finally going home; though, a nagging anxiety still whispered in the recesses of his mind, worry over what had changed during the years, fear that his father would not want him back. Almost five years at sea had taken its toll on him. He had seen things he wished he could forget – things that made him hate the war and, at times, his father; The remnants of the Air Nomad Genocide, the ruined temples, the enslaved Earth Kingdom people in the colonies, miles of burnt, deserted towns.

He had heard stories too. When he and Iroh were traveling through the Earth Kingdom, looking for hints of the Avatar's whereabouts, they came across many little rural villages being abandoned as people poured into the larger cities for protection. Travelers and refugees told stories of ruthless attacks; soldiers burning down villages with families still inside their homes, taking away earthbenders to lock them up, burning a parent in front of their child's eyes, capturing a settlement and publicly executing town officials along with anyone who resisted.

The world hated the Fire Nation and Zuko found himself ashamed; he loved his country but he couldn't deny the truth, the cruel actions of soldiers during wartime, the evil that his father had allowed. Back in the Fire Nation, they were taught that the purpose of the war was to share their prosperity with the world – but in Zuko's travels, he saw no such thing. The war was the Fire Nation using their prosperity to subdue the other nations and spread their influence, attempting to create a new world order. It was military imperialism, plain and simple.

Zuko had vowed to himself on his last visit to the Earth Kingdom colonies that he would end the war when he became Fire Lord. He would bring the Fire Nation back to its former glory and he would mend relations with the other nations. But to take the throne, he would have to get back into his father's good graces and the first step to achieving that was the bald boy walking in front of him, the Avatar.

The Avatar peaked over his shoulder, curiously, "What do you want with me anyways?" He asked Zuko.

"I'm going to hand you over to my father, Avatar. And this staff will make a nice prize."

"You can just call me Aang," The boy replied, frowning, "What does your father want with me?"

Zuko scowled, "That's none of my concern. When I bring you to the Fire Lord, I will get my honor back."

Aang's eyes widened, "The Fire Lord is your father? He's the one who is waging this war?"

"Yes." Zuko replied coolly, as his men opened a door and shoved the Avatar inside. It was a modest bedroom, but would serve for the duration of their trip. The boy named Aang looked back at him, a mournful expression on his face, before Zuko closed the door and walked away.

…

"What? You can't be serious, Gran Gran!"

"I am serious, Sokka. Katara is going and I want you to go too. You need to watch your sister's back. You two will only have each other."

Sokka groaned in response, but eventually agreed, gathering all of his warrior stuff to go face the Fire Nation. Katara knew that he had intended to be there when their father returned, as promised, so he could finally join the Southern fleet. At eighteen, Sokka was old enough to complete the traditional trials for the water tribe warriors; a series of tests in strength, agility, combat, and sailing. She momentarily regretted forcing him to diverge from his chosen path, but she knew that their mission was important and hoped her brother would, too, come to realize that.

As they were getting onto Appa's back, Gran Gran called Katara over.

"Katara, I want you to take this with you. I made it a while ago and was going to give it to you on your next birthday, but I see it will be very useful to you now, on this journey." She held out a tiger-seal skin water pouch with an adjustable strap. Katara eyed the water skin, tears welling in her eyes.

"Gran Gran, it's amazing!" She exclaimed, hugging the old woman.

"You might find yourself in places without water; use it wisely and be sure to keep it full."

"Thank you, Gran Gran. For everything."

"It has been so long since I have had hope, but you brought it back to life, my little waterbender," Gran Gran reached up and stroked her cheek, then turned to Sokka in the saddle, "And you, my brave warrior, be nice to your sister."

Their grandmother stood on the shore, waving them off until she was no longer visible. Katara and Sokka were leaving the South Pole for the first time in their lives.

…

Zuko was in the bridge when a soldier came rushing in.

"Prince Zuko, the Avatar has escaped!"

"What?!" He looked out the window and saw the boy run out onto the deck, his wrists still bound behind his back, looking around as if searching for something. "How?"

The soldier winced, fearing Zuko's fury, "We were just bringing him food, sir. As soon as we opened the door he blew us back down the hall."

Zuko yelled, kicking fire towards the soldier, before he ran out of the bridge. The Avatar must be looking for his staff, which Zuko had left in his room. Rushing to his quarters, he entered the room to find it empty and planned to set a trap for the boy; he left the door ajar and placed the staff on the other side of the room in plain sight. Zuko scowled, waiting behind the door; When he captured him again he would have to put the boy in chains. His honor was at stake and he couldn't afford to let the Avatar slip through his fingers, not when he was so close to ending his banishment.

After a while, Zuko heard light footsteps pattering in the hall, and the Avatar came in through the door. He slammed it behind the boy and growled, "Guess I underestimated you," Then he punched into the air, sending flames at airbender.

The boy was agile, dodging the first couple attacks and ducking into the corner, breathing heavily. He bent the air around him into a swirling ball below his feet. Then, he was riding around Zuko in circles, up the wall, onto the ceiling, round and round the room. Zuko growled, missing the boy again with another fiery attack that set his bed sheets aflame. He had never fought an airbender before - few people that were alive had - and he realized that his lack of experience in this regard was putting him at a disadvantage. Anticipating the airbender's moves was near impossible as he skimmed up and down the walls, avoiding every attack.

The Avatar dismounted his sphere of air to grasp the staff and Zuko saw his chance; he sent flames towards the boy who had finally stopped moving, but the fire was absorbed by his twirling staff as the boy stepped backwards. Perhaps close combat would fare better for him, Zuko considered, as he eyed his burning mattress in irritation. He sidestepped towards the Avatar then turned into a tornado kick, aimed at the boy's face. The airbender's eyes grew wide and his jaw slackened at the oncoming attack but, stumbling backwards, he ducked under Zuko's foot and slunk behind him.

Much to his chagrin, Zuko now found that he couldn't hit the Avatar at all as he crept behind him, keeping to his back every time he turned. Every elbow Zuko sent behind him was met with the airbender's staff, every blast of fire was dodged. Frustration welling in him, he lunged forward and dropped into a spinning kick, sending an arc of fire around him. The Avatar jumped, narrowly avoiding the flames, but no longer occupying the safety of Zuko's back. Charging forwards, Zuko punched towards the boy, igniting flames at his fist, but the airbender caught the fire in another sphere of wind, pacifying the attack.

Growing increasingly frustrated, Zuko started sending forth sweeping attacks that nearly filled the room, pushing the Avatar back as he tried to block, retreating into the corner. The boy's eyes widened at the approaching flames and Zuko was certain that this was the end, his victory was in sight. Then, with a flick of the airbender's staff, the burning mattress hurtled towards him, slamming him against the wall then the ceiling. When he looked up, the room was empty and the door hung open.

…

"Sokka, there he is!" They were flying behind the iron ship when Aang jumped off a balcony above the deck, opening his glider and coasting out on the breeze. Then a soldier jumped out after him, catching Aang's ankle. Katara recognized the soldier from the village; it was the scarred firebender that had knocked her unconscious.

With the firebender hanging onto his ankle, Aang went down, rolling onto the deck of the ship. Other soldiers were coming out onto the deck and Katara turned to Sokka, "We need to land."

Her brother nodded and started bring Appa down towards the vessel. Katara uncorked her water skin, ready to attack. The firebender and Aang were exchanging fire and air attacks back and forth, until a blast of fire knocked Aang over the side of the ship into the water below.

"Aang!" Katara called after him. The firebender looked up at the sound of her voice and their eyes met. She could tell he recognized her when his scowl turned into a smirk. In response, Katara snarled at him like a feral animal, bearing her teeth; She hated this firebender.

A white light shone from under the water where Aang had fallen, and then the water was spinning, creating a funneling tower, with Aang rising at the center. He landed on the deck of the ship and the water circled around him; his eyes and tattoos were glowing like they had been in the iceberg. Aang released the water outwards in all directions, knocking over the soldiers and throwing the scarred firebender overboard. Katara's mouth gaped open. She didn't know Aang could waterbend. Was this the power of the Avatar?

"Did you see that? Now, that was waterbending!" Sokka declared. Appa landed on the ship and Katara was at Aang's side, pulling water out from the skin at her hip.

Gathering water puddled on the deck, Katara splashed at a soldier trying to get up, knocking him over again. "Aang, are you ok?" She asked over her shoulder; the light from his arrow tattoos was fading and his eyes were back to their usual dark gray as he slumped to his knees.

"Yea, thank you guys so much for coming to get me," He breathed, hauling himself back up to his feet, clearly exhausted from expending so much effort, "I just need to grab my glider."

Katara saw the glider lying near the edge of the deck and ran over to retrieve it. However, when she reached down to grab the glider, a hand came over the side of the ship, grasping tightly onto her wrist.

...

Zuko's head came above the surface and he spit out a mouthful of saltwater. He grumbled as he started swimming after the ship. He could reach the anchor chain and hoist himself back up to the deck.

When he neared the ledge, he heard footsteps and then recognized the waterbender, bending down to pick something up off the deck. With all this strength, Zuko lunged forwards, catching the girl's wrist in his hand and pulling himself back on deck. The girl yelped and tried to jerk her hand back, but to no avail. He smirked, seeing his chance to get the Avatar back.

Zuko stood and pulled the girl towards him until her back collided with his chest. Wrapping an arm around her neck, he lit a flame in his other hand. Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of the flames and her heart beat skyrocketed. He could feel her pulse through his forearm, pressed up against her neck. Her body seemed so small and frail against his; her slim neck, her skinny wrists, and her little hands, grasping at his forearm.

The look on the Avatar's face was exactly the reaction he was hoping for.

"Let her go!" The boy shouted at him, dropping into a fighting stance, but afraid to do anything lest he decide to burn the waterbender. Zuko had no real intention of burning the girl, but no one else had to know that. Ever since his father had burned half of his face, he had avoided burning anyone, which was quite a feat given fire's tendency to quickly get out of control. He couldn't stand the smell of burning flesh and the last thing he wanted to do was mar this waterbender's pretty features like his father had done to him. Nevertheless, his tactic seemed to be working.

"If you want me to let her go, you will return to captivity, Avatar!" His voice came out in a low rasp. He watched as uncertainty and indecision played across the boy's expression. Zuko could practically hear the girl's heart pounding now and he glanced down at her. In his arms, she looked like a trapped animal – the fierceness that he had seen in those icy blue eyes appeared to be lost. He caught her looking at him out of the corner of her eye, examining his jaw and lips; he smirked and felt her tremble under his gaze. Perhaps he shouldn't be enjoying this so much.

He leaned forward, lips nearly brushing her right ear, and whispered, "Don't worry, little Rabbit. I won't hurt you." She shivered in his grasp and bit her lip.

...

Her heart was pounding in her ears; she was an Arctic Hare, trapped and frightened. The flames were so close to her face and, for a moment, all she could think of was the heat. It paralyzed her. She looked out the corner of her eye at the firebender – at her enemy. He towered over her and, from this angle, she could only see his strong, sharp jawline and the corner of his lip turning up into a smirk; but she could feel his golden eyes on her. Her heart was pounding at her ribs, like a trapped animal in a cage. The firebender must have felt it too because he leaned down and whispered into her ear.

"Don't worry, little Rabbit. I won't hurt you." She could hear the smirk in his raspy voice and it sent a shiver through her as her lip found its way between her teeth. Then she frowned.

What was it with this guy? He attacked her, but also taught her. He threatened her, but also promised her safety. The dichotomy in this firebender both confused her and made her angry. This was just a game to him, as it had been back in the village. A sudden confidence came over her.

"Don't listen to him, Aang! Get out of here!" She yelled before the firebender could extinguish the flame in his palm and clamp his hand over her mouth. She was relieved that the flame was out, but his hand was still hot on her lips. Struggling against him, she bit into the flesh of his palm, clawing at the arm around her neck and elbowing him in the side. He grunted at the impact but didn't let go, growling into her ear as he pulled her further into him. Despite herself, and much to her vexation, heat rose in her cheeks at the feeling of his arm tightening around her waist.

It was then that she saw a metallic glimmer on the wind and Sokka's boomerang came hurtling towards the firebender's head from his periphery. He turned as the boomerang clipped the side of his head, just above his temple and he lost his balance, staggering backwards.

"Yes, boomerang!" Sokka called out from Appa's side, "That's from the Southern Water Tribe!"

Katara took the opportunity to tear herself away from the firebender, ducking under his arm. She rushed towards Appa, yelling "Go!"

Other soldiers were approaching her as Aang launched himself up into Appa's saddle after Sokka. The soldiers were taking a fighting stance and Katara could almost feel the heat from the flames they were preparing to throw at her. She cringed and swung her arms, bringing water puddled up on the deck to protect her, but nothing happened. When she looked up, she realized that she had splashed the soldiers and frozen the water over them. They stood frozen like statues.

She had never been able to freeze water like that before – no matter how many times she had tried. She could bend, but switching between the phases of her element had always proved too difficult. Shaking the surprise from her head, she ran up to Appa, yelling "Yip yip!" as she reached out to grasp her brother's outstretched hand. The flying bison took off and she bent some water up from the deck to douse the scarred firebender one more time as they flew over, for good measure.

She heard the firebender sputter and yell, "Shoot them down!" from the ship below. A ball of fire was heading towards the flying bison and her breath caught in her throat. Aang jumped from Appa's head, his nostrils flared, and swung his glider at the approaching fire. With a burst of wind, he directed the flames to crash into an iceberg to their side, which collapsed upon contact, burying the front of the steamer in snow and ice.

They all sighed in relief.

Something akin to shame came over Katara then. In their first battle, when she feared for Sokka's safety, something had taken over – like animal instinct, or adrenaline perhaps. Her reactions were sharp and she was strong. But when that firebender had her in his grasp, it was like she melted. All of the fear and trepidation came back – she had been so submissive. The firebender had read her perfectly, calling her 'little Rabbit' – as if he knew what was going on inside her head. Then she shuddered at the thought of him being so familiar as to give her a nickname.

But she couldn't be a rabbit anymore. She needed to be a lion, or a polar leopard, or a wolf. She couldn't afford to get frightened and melt into a puddle of helplessness – she had the Avatar and her brother to protect, she had to be strong for them. Gran Gran had said that they only have each other; she would have been a captive on a Fire Nation vessel if not for Sokka's well-timed boomerang.

"Sokka," She said, turning to her brother, "Thanks for saving me with your boomerang."

Her brother smiled at her, "Katara, I owe you an apology. I never thanked you for saving me from getting roasted by that firebender back at the village. I guess… I was jealous that you seemed more capable of fighting him than me and… well, I'm sorry. You're getting to be a pretty good waterbender, sis."

"Well, I've got a long way to go yet," She mumbled, "But thanks, Sokka. It means a lot." The siblings hugged. In Sokka's embrace she thought of how fearless he had been when they fought the firebender at the village; he was so brave, getting up every time and rushing right back at the enemy. She vowed that she would be more courageous from now on. She would be a lion, not a rabbit. It was time to let go of the child she once had been. The world was a big, dangerous place and she had to be ready.

When they finally broke the hug, they looked over to Aang who was perched back on Appa's head.

"So where are we heading to now?" Sokka asked him.

Aang turned, a cheesy grin on his face. He jumped back into the saddle and pulled out his map, looking hopefully between Katara and her brother, "Elephant Koi?"

…

Zuko looked at the pile of ice and snow that trapped his ship and spit fire into the air above, growling.

"Well, good news for the Fire Lord…" His Uncle Iroh sounded as he approached from behind, "The biggest threat to the Fire Nation is only a kid."

"A kid that did this." Zuko snarled, gesturing at the avalanche. He turned to the soldiers on deck, "Start digging us out, now!"

Then, mostly to himself, he muttered, "I won't underestimate him next time."

What do you think? Thanks for reading!

...

With love,

A Storm