Note: The characters are aged up—Katara is 18; Zuko is 20; Aang is 16.

~~~S1 E4: The Warriors of Kyoshi~~~

"Katara, don't ride the unagi. Not fun." Aang said as Katara cradled his head in her lap after his latest mishap trying to ride yet another new creature. Laughing, she helped him to his feet.

"Back to the village?" she said, walking away from the water and back to Kyoshi Village where they were staying.

"Yepp." Aang grinned at her, a little sheepishly, still thinking of how she had witnessed his foolhardy attempt to ride the unagi.

She smiled back at him, a light breeze ruffling her hair. She never thought her life would be so full of adventure, as it had been in the last few weeks since she and her brother Sokka had found Aang, the Avatar. No two days had been the same since rescuing him from that iceberg. It still felt surreal that she was now hunted by the Fire Nation for her association with the Avatar. This was the sort of thing that happened to important people, not an 18-year-old girl from the Southern Water Tribe who could barely control her fledgling waterbending abilities.

"Oh no…" came Aang's voice softly, staring at something in the distance.

"What?" Katara followed Aang's gaze to see the smoke rising from the direction of the village.

"Fire Nation."

Katara's anxiety rose as they sprinted toward the village and the smoke billowed overhead. She worried about all of the people who taken them in and been so kind to them. As they drew close, she covered her mouth and coughed, inhaling the ash falling from the sky. Most of the thatched huts were ablaze, Fire Nation soldiers crawling through the streets on their Komodo-rhinos. The statue of Kyoshi was burning.

"Nice try Avatar, but these little girls can't save you," yelled a familiar raspy voice.

Zuko.

That Fire Nation prince who had been chasing them since they found Aang. He had attacked her home. He had defeated Sokka with ruthless efficiency. He had threatened Gran-Gran.

And, quite frankly, he scared her. He was ruthless and cruel. Everything she'd expect from Fire Nation royalty.

Ever since their first meeting, when he attacked the Southern Water Tribe and captured Aang, Katara had trained with Sokka nightly to learn combat basics, as well as practicing her waterbending on her own. She wanted to be ready if they faced him again… but this was too soon. She wasn't ready and she knew it.

But that didn't matter now.

"Hey! Over here!" Aang called out, capturing Zuko's attention.

"Finally," muttered Zuko, replying by hurling fireballs toward Aang. Aang leapt toward the firebender, but was quickly surrounded by Fire Nation soldiers.

After ushering a group of children into one of the nearby houses that wasn't yet on fire, Katara turned to help Aang. Ignoring the voice in her head that asked what she could possibly do, she crept toward Zuko while he was distracted trading attacks with Aang.

She was nearly behind Zuko when he spun around, hearing her approach. He scoffed, "I told you, these little girls won't save you. No matter how many you throw at me."

With that he rushed toward her, faster than she was ready for. Raising her arms to block, she barely stopped his blow. The impact reverberated up her arm, almost making it feel numb. This wasn't like sparring with Sokka. This was real. And Zuko was like a cobra, tightly wound, coiled and ready to spring with lightning-fast reflexes. Settling back into his fighting stance like it was nothing, he rounded on her again. Katara dove out of the way as a ring of fire shot toward where she had just been standing. His arms flexed as he fire-bent with fury.

As she jumped back to her feet, Zuko gave her an appraising look and smirked. It was obvious this girl couldn't keep up with him. He'd take care of her effortlessly and get back to what mattered—capturing the Avatar and regaining his honor.

Seeing Katara in trouble, Aang sent a wave of air toward Zuko, before being forced to turn his attention back to keeping the other Fire Nation soldiers from incapacitating him. Zuko was knocked off-balance for only a split second, and Katara knew it was now or never. Without thinking of the consequences, she rushed him, tackling him in his moment of distraction.

Tumbling on top of him, they both went down. Her legs went on either side of his hips, straddling him. She wrapped her hands around his wrists and pinned his arms to the ground, hoping it would be enough time for Aang to get away or do… something.

Surprise crossed Zuko's features, softening the hard, angry look that was usually etched into them. Then, scowling again, he hissed, "Seriously?" before flipping her onto her back in one smooth motion.

He lay between her legs now, pinning her with his weight as surely as his hands now pinned her arms to the ground. Katara struggled with all her might to free herself. Zuko was too powerful. His lean, muscular body gave no quarter as he held her down and glared at her.

"That was stupid," he said.

Katara bucked her hips, trying to throw him off to no avail. She couldn't do anything against his unyielding strength. His body emanated a fierce heat, which she could feel on her thighs. She realized she was in a very compromised position at the moment, and completely under his control. Tendrils of fear wove around her heart and Katara's eyes widened. What had she been thinking, trying to tackle him? What did she expect to happen?

"Now what should I do with you…" he mused, looking down at her furiously. Katara tried to shrink into the dirt, away from him, wishing she were an earthbender so the ground could swallow her whole.

Zuko's golden gaze flickered as he registered the terror in the girl pinned helpless beneath him. The corners of his eyes relaxed almost imperceptibly.

"Just don't get in my way," he said, this time without malice. He released her wrists and moved off her, jumping up to chase down the Avatar.

Sitting on the ground, Katara began to tremble. She really was no match for him, after all. Her resolve hardened. She would just have to get stronger, then. She wouldn't let that fire prince get the upper hand again.

As Zuko reached Aang, Aang air-blasted him into the side of a building and flew to her side on his glider.

"Katara! Are you okay? Did he hurt you?" Aang's voice was full of tenderness and concern.

"Yeah. I'm okay." Katara replied, her heart still racing from the encounter.

Glancing around him, Aang said, "Look what I brought to this place."

"It's not your fault."

"Yes it is. These people got their town destroyed trying to protect me."

"Then let's get out of here. Zuko will leave Kyoshi to follow us," Katara swallowed. Her heart sped up, thinking of Zuko hunting them again. Overpowering her again. "I know it feels wrong to run, but I think it's the only way." Until we're strong enough to face him, she thought.

"I'll call Appa." Aang looked downcast.

As she, Aang and Sokka made their getaway, Zuko stood in the center of the village and watched them go. Her eyes locked with his, and she felt unable to tear them from his steely gaze until they had flown away.

~~~S1 E9: The Waterbending Scroll~~~

Since Kyoshi village, they'd run into Zuko only one more time—during the winter solstice when Aang had to travel to the Fire Temple to speak with Avatar Roku. Zuko had tried…again, and failed…again, to capture him. Katara knew he wouldn't give up and she intended to be stronger the next time they met.

That was why she swiped the waterbending scroll from those pirates. She would do far more good with it than they ever would, and she needed to improve her skills somehow. Besides, they were pirates so stealing didn't seem as wrong.

Feeling irritated with Aang for being naturally gifted at waterbending, she had snuck out in the night to the river to practice with the scroll. She didn't want anyone to see her feeble attempts at getting it right. She wanted so badly to be a powerful waterbender but it was just so difficult to learn even the basics without a real teacher.

She tried again and again to master the scroll as clouds gathered in the sky. Whenever the moon peeked out, it filled her with its power—although a full moon would have been better. It always made her feel so alive and full of energy.

"Shit! Come on water, work with me here!" she shouted in frustration, as yet another tendril of water wavered in her control before dissipating back into the river.

O – O – O – O – O – O

"Okay, what if I just… ouch! Stupid scroll!"

On the pirate ship, Zuko heard the voice cursing down the river and turned to the pirate captain. This time he would surely capture the Avatar, all because his little band was foolish enough to steal a waterbending scroll from pirates.

O – O – O – O – O – O

"Okay Katara. Shift your weight through the stances." She made her voice encouraging, thinking it might help, but the water still would not obey her. "Ugh!"

Her focus was interrupted by a loud scraping behind her. Her heart in her throat, she turned around to peer through the bushes. A large ship was docking a few feet away. The pirate ship.

She had to warn the others! Gasping, she began to run, but before she could see what was in front of her, she smacked into a heavily muscled chest. A huge bare-chested pirate looked down at her and grinned. She turned to get away from him but he grabbed her shoulders and pulled her back against him roughly.

"No! Let go of me!" she shouted, calling water from the river and splashing him in the face. The pirate sputtered and loosened his grip on her, giving her the chance to flee.

Looking behind her to see whether the pirate was chasing her, she turned forward just in time to see Zuko right in front of her. She skidded to a stop, but before she could change direction, Zuko grabbed both of her wrists and held her firmly in place.

Glaring at her, he said "I'll save you from the pirates."

Katara's stomach dropped unpleasantly.

Her eyes widened as all of the feelings of powerlessness from Kyoshi village came rushing back. She pulled and twisted her hands, trying to get away from Zuko but his grip was like a vice.

"Let me go!" she cried.

"I think not." Zuko replied. Then, calling to his Fire Nation soldiers, "Bring the rope."

Panicking, Katara tried again to rip her hands free.

"Stop. Struggling." Zuko commanded, his face dangerously close to hers. He walked forward, forcing her backwards until her back was against a tree. He looked to his soldiers and nodded his head toward her, motioning the men to tie her to the tree. His eyes glittered triumphantly.

Each circle of the rope held her more and more tightly, and she felt like a fly-spider trapped in a web. The soldiers tied the rope tightly—so tightly it bit into her wrists.

This was bad. Really really bad. A handful of Fire Nation soldiers, Zuko, and the entire crew of pirates stood evaluating her in the moonlight.

Zuko stood calmly before her. "Tell me where he is and I won't hurt your or your brother."

"Go to hell!"

Zuko glanced down for a moment, looking disappointed. He sauntered toward her with a scowl, circling predatorily as he continued, "Try to understand. I need to capture him to restore something I've lost. My honor."

Katara tilted her head as he moved, pointedly avoiding looking at him as he came closer behind her shoulder.

Zuko brought his lips next to her ear, lowering his voice. She could feel his breath on her neck, raising goosebumps as he spoke. "Perhaps in exchange, I can restore something you've lost."

Katara inhaled sharply as Zuko raised her mother's necklace in front of her neck. He reached around behind her to hold it up against her throat, encircling her.

"My mother's necklace!"

Smiling with self-satisfaction, Zuko let the necklace dangle from one of his fingers. Moving away, he fluttered it mockingly in front of her.

"How did you get that?" Katara demanded.

"I didn't steal it, if that's what you're wondering." Zuko replied, implying she was little better than a common thief. Turning to face her once more and jabbing a finger at her, he said, "Tell me where he is."

Katara felt a surge of defiance well up in her chest. There was no way she would betray Aang and Sokka, whatever Zuko did to her. "NO!"

"Enough of this necklace garbage. You promised the scroll." The pirate captain cut in, tired of the cat and mouse game Zuko was playing.

Zuko brought a flame to his palm, holding the scroll just above it so the flames could almost lick the bottom of the paper. "I wonder how much money this is worth."

The pirates froze, an involuntary, "No!" coming from the captain.

"A lot, apparently." Zuko sneered. "Now you help me find what I want, you'll get this back, and everyone goes home happy. Search the woods for the boy and meet me back here."

"Fine," said the captain, saving his look of distain until he had turned away from Zuko.

"AANG! AANG RUN!" Katara screamed as the pirates melted into the woods. She was certain they would come upon the group's camping site in no time and with Aang and Sokka sleeping, they'd be captured without a fight. "AAAAAAANNNNGG!"

"Shut it, peasant." Zuko closed the distance between them in a heartbeat, shoving his hand over her mouth to muffle the warning. Glaring at him, she bit down.

"You'll pay for that." Zuko promised as he ripped his hand away before she could do any real damage. "Gag her!" The Fire Nation soldier on Zuko's right stepped forward with a length of fabric.

"AAAANG RUNffmmphh," she shouted before the gag was fastened, cutting off her screams. She raged at Zuko, lunging at him as much as she could manage with her hands tied behind the tree.

Unflinching, Zuko said to his soldiers, "Take her to my ship. And don't let her out of your sight. I'm going to find the Avatar." He turned back to her, "And you had better hope I do."

Too angry to be frightened, and not wanting to give him the satisfaction, Katara poured every bit of her hate for him, and for the Fire Nation, into a defiant glare. Zuko sprinted into the woods, leaving her alone, surrounded by Fire Nation soldiers.

"Alright, you heard him. Let's go," said the nearest soldier. He gripped her arms tightly as another man moved to untie her hands. As the rope released her wrists, she clenched and unclenched her fists, feeling the blood return.

Just then, Aang and Sokka tore out of the woods, Appa right behind. Coming out of the trees like termites from a rotten piece of wood, the pirates swarmed after them, sporting crossbow weapons that shot nets toward her friends. Aang deflected one net with his airbending while Sokka dodged another. Spotting her across the clearing, Sokka began to sprint. Aang saw her too, but before he could come to her aid, Zuko leapt out of the forest, shooting fire.

Katara twisted and lunged, trying to evade the Fire Nation soldier's grasp and reach Sokka, but the soldier simply dug his fingers in even harder and wrenched her away. Her wrists were quickly re-tied behind her back and two soldiers flanked her, steering her toward the second riverboat that had docked—Zuko's.

Not giving up, Sokka ran on a collision course with the soldiers, his club in the air. He didn't get far, though. The pirates intercepted him, cutting him off. Sokka looked from the pirates to Katara with panic.

He's going to do something stupid, he always does, Katara thought. These pirates are ruthless. I can't let him be killed! She caught his eye and shook her head frantically, trying to look reassuring. Probably not very effectively, with her hands tied behind her back, gagged, and surrounded by Fire Nation.

Sokka skidded to a stop and started backing away from the pirates as they moved in around him. Suddenly, Aang landed beside Sokka, glider at the ready.

"What are you waiting for. Get him. Now!" yelled Zuko, crashing toward Aang and Sokka with the rest of his Fire Nation soldiers at his back.

Aang and Sokka looked at each other briefly, then to Katara, grave concern on their faces. Behind them, Appa huffed, stomping his legs and wanting to be away from all the fire and commotion. The wind picked up and the sky overhead grew dark, a powerful storm in the making.

"Katara! We'll be back for you! As soon as we can! I promise." Aang sounded anguished but there was no time. Enemies closed in around them. In one swift movement, he flew himself and Sokka onto Appa's back.

"Yip yip." Tears streamed down his face. Katara watched as her only hope of rescue flew away.

They'll come back for me. Just as soon as they can, she repeated to herself, blinking away tears of her own. It'll be no time at all. You'll see.

"ARGH!" Zuko exclaimed, watching Aang go. Frustrated, fire shot from his hands. "Fuck!" His face contorted in rage, he looked like he wanted to hit something.

Unfazed, the pirate captain rounded on him. "We held up our end of the bargain, now give us the scroll."

"You held up NOTHING. Useless. All of you." Zuko spat. In a fit of fury, he took the scroll from his belt and set it ablaze. "I didn't get what I wanted so neither will you." He stared down the pirate captain, daring the man to challenge him.

"Do you have any idea how much that was worth?" The captain narrowed his eyes dangerously and tapped two fingers against his hand. At his signal, three pirates emerged from the shadows around Katara and the two Fire Nation soldiers. The soldiers had no time to react before the pirates knocked them out. The same bare-chested pirate who had surprised Katara earlier swung her easily over his shoulder, carrying her like a sack of potatoes. He dumped her unceremoniously at the captain's feet.

"I guess we'll just have to claim a different reward." The captain said, crouching next to her in the dirt. She tried to lean away as he tilted her chin up toward him. "Waterbender, ain't she? Not many of those still around, are there? She'll fetch a fine price." She shuddered with revulsion, smelling rum and rot on his breath.

"No." Zuko said with uncompromising authority. "I still need her to help me find the Avatar."

The pirates hauled Katara to her feet, half of her face now covered in dirt.

"Don't be stupid." The captain wheedled. "We'll keep the girl and call it even."

"I said, no." Zuko took two steps toward them, his soldiers at the ready behind him. The pirates tensed.

Leering at her, the pirate captain grabbed her jaw roughly, turning her face from side to side. "Want to have a little fun with her, do you? I can see why. She's very pretty. She'll be great entertainment before I find somewhere to sell her off. Won't you, darling?" He laughed cruelly.

Katara wanted to throw up as panic formed a coat of bile in her throat. Which wouldn't be wise, considering she was still soundly gagged and would likely choke on it before anyone noticed. Holding in a whimper, she snapped her gaze to Zuko, pleading with her large blue eyes.

"Mmzzckoo," she managed through the gag. Please help me, she thought desperately. Aang and Sokka won't find me fast enough to stop these pirates. Please Zuko, please. Take me anywhere but don't leave me with them.

Zuko looked at the pirate with utter revulsion. "Are you as dumb as you look? I already told you. She's coming with ME." On the last word, Zuko closed the gap in an instant, grabbing her and yanking her into his arms. Away from the pirates.

Katara shrank into his chest, heart hammering in fear.

At that moment, all hell broke loose around them. Pirates and Fire Nation soldiers exploded into combat on both sides as Zuko ushered Katara out of the fray, shooting out a few blasts of fire to keep the pirates away from them. Quick on his feet, he was able to maneuver them both without being caught in the crossfire.

Standing at the ramp to the boat stood an old man, Zuko's uncle Iroh. Zuko made his way to Iroh, holding Katara in his arms both protectively and possessively.

Upon reaching Iroh, Zuko tore the gag from Katara's mouth. "You don't need this now."

"Zuko…" she breathed in gratitude.

Zuko looked startled for a moment, hearing her say his name like that, instead of with her usual venom.

"I guess I really did save you from the pirates," he said quietly. He blinked and cleared his throat. Then, "Uncle. Get her aboard our ship. We're getting out of here."

On the riverbank, the tide of the battle began to turn in favor of the Fire Nation. As it always did.