Hello and welcome back. This chapter very much reminded me of Frozen 2 and Moana. I hope you all enjoy it! PLEASE comment and let me know how it's going! I know this seems so slow but I truly want to build everything up. Don't worry, blood bending will be coming very soon!
Also, I know that there are tons and I mean TONS of Zutara fics on this platform, and the fact that you guys picked my story means a lot. Truly thank you so much for reading and commenting, it means a lot. Comments legit fuel my writing to the point where I've just finished writing the end of Book 0. Man, do we have a lot to do but I am so thankful and glad you stuck around.
In addition, I've decided that we won't go into the 3 years of Zuko and Iroh at sea. I think it's going to drag this story. Zuko and Katara will mention the three years in some moments.
The girls stared at the metal cage that docked at port. While the servants and soldiers readied the boat, Katara and Hwasa stood paralyzed. They were excited when Hama told them that they were going to a beach, they'd never seen one before. Katara knew the Icy Tundra while Hwasa knew nothing but swamp. Yet, this metal contraption had taken all the joy out of their day.
Katara remembered it vividly when they had come to her home. The man that cornered her mother in the house only to turn around and take her across the ocean, turning the one thing she resembled freedom into her biggest enemy. Katara loved the ocean, she would never part from it but she couldn't deny that it separated her from her home.
Hwasa reached out and grasped Katara's hand, taking off some of the pressure. Going back on the ship, the thing that had taken both of the girls from their home was terrifying. However, they needed to conquer their fears if one day they were to board a ship and make it back to their homes.
The girls found the strength to move their stone feet as they boarded the ship. They reminded themselves that it was only a few hours on the ship. Then they would reach Ember Island and finally be allowed to touch the water. Lu Ten and Zuko explored the ship while Hama took their things to the rooms.
"Does this remind you of home?" Hwasa asked, looking over the ship and out to the ocean, the water shimmering before her.
"A little," Katara admitted, not sure how to feel about being back at sea.
"Where did yo-"
"Katara, Hwasa," Zuko shouted, running from behind. "Can you bend with me?"
Katara looked at Hwasa who mentally teased her about Zuko being her boyfriend. Katara rolled her eyes, Zuko was no such thing. They were friends last time she checked and from what she remembered friends spent time with each other and gave them gifts.
Katara wanted to reply but she knew that they couldn't. Hama had a rule about only using her ending for healing unless they went on their weekly trips. Though this was technically a trip, they were still surrounded by the Royal Family, the Royal Guard, and Fire Benders. The last time Katara faced a Fire Bender, it was to protect her mother which landed her here.
"Is that wise, Prince Zuko?" a voice asked, and all the children looked to see Prince Iroh drinking his tea. "We are on a ship in the middle of an ocean, I think the Water Benders have us beat."
Katara and Hwasa laughed at the Prince's words, only a fool would fight a Water bender with this much of an advantage. At the Palace, Katara didn't spar with Zuko but she watched Lu Ten and Zuko's friends practice their bending and they were good.
"It's Noon." The cocky Prince said. "I rise with the sun."
"Well then," Hama said calmly. "I have no doubt Prince Zuko will gain something out of this."
Katara looked at Hama who held no expression on her face. Katara was confused, not sure if Hama would actually allow her to fight Zuko. Hama nodded and Katara looked at Hwasa who shrugged back at her.
"Some lessons we must learn the hard way." Lu Ten said, standing next to his father.
Katara drowned out the conversation; it didn't matter. She watched as Zuko took a stance, his boots sliding across the metal floor of the ship. Closing her eyes, Katara took a deep breath and let her senses take over, feeling the crashes of the waves. The moon wasn't out and there wouldn't be a Full Moon until tomorrow but being surrounded by the ocean was the best advantage Katara had in months.
Zuko stepped forward punching fire which Katara quickly blocked with a wave of water. Zuko stepped forward again, punching twice and then picking a stream of fire. Quickly calling the water, Katara built a wall of ice, extinguishing the flames. Not taking a break, Katara kicked the ice, two blocks coming towards Zuko. he leaped out of the way on the first one but the second one hit his shoulder.
"I'll heal it later." Katara taunted and the two Water Benders smirked.
It was fun sparring with Hwasa, but it was different, neither of them had fought another Bender. Zuko was skilled which gave Katara a good fight because this moment empowered her. She wasn't a master in the art of bending at all, but she was learning very quickly. While healing in the castle, Hama allowed the girls to go full out on their trips. Katara cut down trees and ripped through stones, fighting Zuko was nothing compared to her bending freely.
Zuko hissed, his stance breaking but then quickly gathering himself. Katara didn't stop, the water now bending and wrapping over her arms, tentacles forming. With every blast of fire, Katara put them out. She moved faster, soon the edges of water tapping Zuko's hands. Zuko kicked with his left foot which only allowed Katara to freeze his foot in mid-air and Zuko fell to the ground.
Zuko tried to break free but it didn't help as Katara moved forward, freezing Zuko's other foot. Soon, his hands were bound as well and Zuko grounded. Katara had him where she wanted and no she only needed to finish him off. Stepping forward, Katara flinched, feeling a hand rest upon her arm. Turning around, she met the worried blue eyes of Hwasa, and the water fell between the two girls.
Looking back at Zuko, he had finally broken free of the ice, rubbing his wrist. Snapping out of whatever trance she was in, Katara shook her head and looked back at Zuko.
"I think we all need some tea." Lu Ten said, helping Zuko up who pushed him away.
With an embarrassed and annoyed prince Zuko, Prince Iroh, and the rest of his family went down the ship for tea. Katara watched as Hama walked towards her, ready for the consequences of losing her temper. Hwasa stood next to Katara, held her hand, willing to take punishment as well.
Katara flinched as she felt Hama's thumb run against her cheek, the woman's nails scraping ever so gently upon her brown skin. Hama didn't always hit the girls but when either acted out, there were beatings and harsh words.
"You did well, Katara," Hama said. "Your training is coming along very nicely."
"Uhh...thank you?" Katara mumbled, not too sure why she was being praised for bedding with Zuko
If Hwasa hadn't stopped her, Katara didn't know when she would stop or if she could. It felt like second nature, to bend the ocean water so freely around her. Sure, it was nice to pull water out of thin air or plants, but the Sea felt like home as if she could just jump in and meld into it.
"Lunch will be served soon, and we should reach the island tomorrow," Hama said, smiling at the girls. "You can bend on the ship with each other."
The girls nodded and waited for Hwasa to go below deck before they practiced their bending. However, the girls weren't alone as soldiers watched the girls bend. It was awkward no doubt, but they didn't pose a threat to the benders. They were just two harmless children, what could possibly go wrong?
It came to her as a melody. Something that tickled her brain and transferred through her lips as she mumbled in her sleep. The call soothing and enchanting beckoning for the child to rise and meet them. It invaded her senses, smelling of free sea salt and amplifying the sound of washes crashing on the shore, the push and pull of the ocean, lulling the girl's body awake gently.
Tossing on her back, Hwasa mumbled to herself and closed her eyes. She hadn't been on a boat in so long, the rocking of the ships almost uncomfortable to her.
"The sea is where you and I will be free." a voice whispered.
Hwasa rolled onto her side, drowning out the voice. She managed to drown out the water surrounding her in the palace, not wanting to have the same issues Katara had. Once she healed Azula it was enough for Hwasa to figure out on her own how to drown out the sounds and listen to her own body. The feel of stepping into another person's body was haunting and Hwasa needed to shake it.
She didn't know if she was awake or not, what willed her body to move but it did. Gently slipping out of the covers, Hwasa stepped onto the warm metal floor. Her feet brushing against the steal, she found herself drawn to the door, pulling it open.
The dimly lit hall could not hide the little girl that walked through the bottom of the ship. Hwasa floated up the stairs, the waves crashing into the ship, begging to be one with her. She stepped on deck, the moonlight magnifying her porcelain skin. With every step the girl took, the waves grew higher, wanting to collide with her. The ship rocked but Hwasa didn't lose her balance, walking clothes to the edge.
The child's heartbeat found a soothing rhythm, dancing on the beat of the waves. Her dark locks blew within the salty sea air, taking her body into memory. As she continued to walk, Hwasa reached the edge of the ship, the wave arching over the ship.
There a woman reflected in the water, her blue eyes holding Hwasa's. Hwasa did not run or second guess herself as she looked at the woman in the water, waiting for her. Reaching out, Hama felt the water dance unto her fingers, the melody she had heard all night invading her ears. All she needed to go was leap into the ocean, the waves promising to catch her. Stepping onto the metal railing, balancing herself, Hwasa stood face to face with the woman in the water.
"The sea is where you and I will be free." the woman whispered, stretching her hand and reaching for Hwasa to jump.
Hwasa reached forward, her body wanting to follow until a force pulled her back. Hwasa watches as the waves fall from her, the moon hiding behind the grey clouds.
"What are you doing, you idiot!" a voice reprimanded, snapping Hwasa out of her thoughts.
Shaking her head, Hwasa snapped out of the trance she didn't know she'd fallen in. It was easy to be pulled back into her regular mind when she met amber eyes that burned in the darkness.
"Huh?" Hwasa groaned, holding her head as it throbbed.
"Of course, I get stuck with the incompetent bender." Azula hissed, standing up and glaring at Hwasa.
Hwasa ignored Azula, looking up at the sky and waiting for the moon to come out. When the moon did show its face, it wasn't full and she wondered why she felt a pull, a call to her. Looking around, Hwasa now understood where she was. She had made it onto the deck of the ship, not even remembering moving from her bed.
What she could remember or rather who she could remember seemed so faint. A woman with hair as dark as night with striking blue eyes stood in the waves. Hwasa was sure that she'd never met that woman, she would have remembered someone with a striking resemblance to her.
The woman's voice was calm and soothing, gently asking Hwasa to come with her and leap. Looking back at the railing, Hwasa sighed in relief, glad that she did jump but also questioning if she had jumped. Getting up from her stop on the ground, Hwasa walked back to the end.
"No!" Azula shouted, grabbing Hwasa's wrist.
"Don't touch me!" Hwasa hissed, pushing Azula away from her.
"I will not be blamed for you going overboard." Azula protested. "Don't yo-"
"I'm not going to jump," Hwasa said, finally breaking free of Azula's grip.
Hwasa had no intention of jumping but she wanted to look at the ocean. Azula eyed Hwasa carefully as she reached the edge, leaning against the railing and looking down into the deep dark ocean.
Hwasa wondered what below them. Sure, she bent water, but she wondered about the source of water, wondering if the source was just meters below. If she made it down there and found out the truth, would she find the truth of herself? The truth of the Water benders she didn't know.
Katara told Hwasa of living in the South Pole and though Hwasa enjoyed the stories, Hwasa wondered about her life, home and culture. She'd only known Hama since the day she was born, no mother, father, or Tribe of people to claim her. Hama told them how water had the power to heal, but could it do more?
"Don't jump," Azula said, once more snapping Hwasa out of her thoughts.
"I won't," Hwasa muttered.
"You seem like you want to," Azula said. "I would advise it but you're the only person I can tolerate on this ship."
Hwasa chuckled, almost forgetting all the questions that bounced within her mind. Looking at the water again, Hwasa saw the reflection of herself and the moon in the water.
"The sea is where you and I will be free."
The ship docked on the main Port of Ember Island the following day. Once everyone was settled, Hwasa and Katara ran to the ocean. Still embarrassed from his fight with Katara, Zuko stayed on the sand so he could have some comfort. He had never lost a spar unless he went up against Tadashi and Lu Ten. Zuko should have listened to his Uncle, fighting a Water Bender on a boat wasn't the smartest idea but Zuko never thought things through.
"Avoiding the water?" Hui Ying asked, sitting down next to Zuko on the warm sand.
"I don't want to swim." Zuko shrugged.
"Mhm." Hui Ying said following Zuko's eyes.
Katara and Hwasa played around in the water, splashing each other with tentacles. Zuko wanted to join them but he would rather not fall on his butt again. Lu Ten helped his bruised ego, informing him that it was rare for Fire benders to fight Water Benders and that Zuko handled himself well. Zuko took the loss and the win hoping his ego wouldn't be too damaged.
"I'm glad your father allowed you to come with us, Zuko." Hui Ying said, rubbing his shoulder.
"Me too." Zuko sighed.
Zuko loved his parents but it was nice to get out of the Palace. His father was no longer breathing down his back and Ember Island was the one place where everyone was happy. He hadn't been back in so long he'd almost forgotten about his favorite spot. Zuko would venture there later but for now, he wanted to enjoy this moment with his aunt.
Princess Hui Ying was sick for months, barely able to get out of bed. Now with the help of Katara, Zuko got to spend time with his Aunt. At this rate his Aunt could bend with him like old times, Hui Ying was his favorite teacher.
"I know I left your birthday early, but I wasn't feeling well." Hui Ying said. "However, I hope this makes up for it."
Reaching into her bag, Hui Ying pulled out a scroll and gave it to Zuko. He was confused, Hui Ying had already given him a gift at the part. However, Zuko wasn't going to refuse a gift. Opening the scroll Zuko gasped, digesting the images on the scroll. These forms were only ever performed by the one person that created and mastered them, Hui Ying. The Daughter of Dragon.
Zuko knew his Aunt was a powerful bender, but it was truly rare for a new type of bending form to be created. However, Hui Ying had created and mastered the form, proving that she was the best Bender in the Fire Nation because no one could complete the form other than her.
"Your stance…" Zuko mumbled. "I-I.."
"I want you to have it." Hui Ying said, smiling down at Zuko who looked up to meet her eyes.
"But what about Lu Ten?" Zuko questioned. "Has he mastered it?"
"No he hasn't but I want you to master it so you can teach it to him." Hui Ying smirked. "One day you'll be his bending master."
Zuko nodded, now excited to have this scroll, something that no one, not even Azula had. If Zuko mastered it then he would not only please but shock his father. He could also flaunt it in Lu Ten's face.
"And when I get better we can try it out together." Hui Ying kissed Zuko's cheek which made Zuko squirm. "Now, go play in the water, show those Water Benders that the Fire Nation never gives up."
Zuko got up, handing the scroll back to his aunt who would put it in his room. Running towards the ocean, Zuko came upon Hwasa and Katara who floated on the water. He wasn't sure if they were bedding the water or actually floating but it didn't matter.
"Finally decided to join us," Hwasa said, floating on her back.
Katara laughed and lifted up from the water, ringing out her hair. Zuko watched as Katara put her hair up in a ponytail.
"Here for a rematch?" Zuko questioned, taking his stance as he stood in the ocean against a Water Bender.
Katara looked at Hwasa who stood up and walked out of the water, not wanting to be blamed for drawing the Prince.
"Trust me, Zuko," Katara said, her hands calling the waves to rise. "It's not gonna be much of a match."
Zuko gasped, coming up from the water and Katara laughed. Zuko tried his best, however, he might have lasted longer if he fought Katara on land.
"This was fun." Katara teased, sitting on the sand letting it stick to her body.
Zuko groaned as he got out of the water. He hissed as he increased his body temperature, drying himself of the water. Zuko would beat her one day but it surely wouldn't be today. Sitting on the sand next to Katara, Zuko watched as Katara lost herself in the sea.
It didn't take a genius to gather that Katara had never been to the beach let alone play in water that wasn't freezing. Zuko loved Ember Island, it was the one place he could breathe. Now it seemed like Katara enjoyed it as well seeing as she and Hwasa stayed in the ocean for hours.
"Did you have fun?" Zuko asked, already knowing the answer.
"Yeah, beating you is always fun." Katara teased which made Zuko blush in embarrassment.
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
Both the children laughed until a comfortable silence fell between them. Zuko had never seen anyone look at the ocean the way Katara or Hwasa did. He wanted to brush it off and believe that it was a weird Water bender thing but there seemed to be more. Zuko listened to the crashing of the waves as the cool wind brushed over his bare chest wondering if he could feel the same thing Katara felt.
To him, it was just a body of water that separated Nations. There was nothing special about the ocean or the rain but the more time Zuke spent with Katara he questioned things. He knew that water could heal, and he'd seen it many times but when Zuko watched Katara bend, it was different. Zuko wasn't exactly sure what he was thinking about, the concept too massive for his brain.
However, he did want to impress Katara and if the ocean did that then his surprise would be better.
"Want to see something cool?" Zuko asked.
"Another bending match?" Katara groaned.
"No." Zuko replied. "It's something better."
Katara stared at Zuko for a second who only held a smile. Getting up from the sand, Zuko began to walk away. Soon Zuko heard Katara struggling to chase after him, the sand making her walk unstable. Zuko was definitely going to bend with her at Ember Island and win.
The children walked down the shoreline until they reached a mountain of rocks with a wooden path leading to the top. Looking back, Zuko smiled at Katara hoping to put all her worries away. As long as Zuko was by Katara's side, he would keep her safe. Katara looked at Zuko and nodded, following him up the wooden path till they reached the top.
Zuko could hear the waves crashing against the rocks at the ventures higher. As the air thinned Zuko could sense the heat, knowing that they were close. Stepping off the path, Zuko held out a hand, waiting for Katara to grasp it. Hand in hand, Zuko led Katara to the edge of the cliff, the view stretching higher and further the view of the ocean clearer.
"This is amazing, Zuko." Katara gasped, her eyes filling with wonder.
"Yeah," Zuko said, his eyes not leaving Katara's face though she was turned from him. "It is."
"Do you come here all the time?" Katara asked, looking around herself and letting go of Zuko's hand.
"Yes and no." Zuko shrugged. "There is more."
"What?" Katara question.
Shrugging, Zuko stepped back until he felt it at the back of his foot. Waving at Katara, Zuko stepped back, falling into the hole. Sliding through the hole, Zuko laughed as he reached his destination.
"ZUKO!" Katara cried into the hole. "ZUKO!"
"I'm alright!" Zuko shouted back at her.
"I'm going to get help!"
"No!" Zuko protested.
"What do you mean no?" Katara questioned.
"Come down here!"
"What?!"
"Come down here," Zuko repeated.
"No!" Katara protested. "I don't know what down there."
"I'm here."
It was silent for a few minutes. Zuko wondered if Katara left but stones trickled down the hole informing him that she hadn't left yet.
"I'm right here and nothing is going to happen," Zuko said.
"What about not letting me fall?"
"Well, it's more of a slide." Zuko corrected.
"ZUKO!" Katara shouted.
"Come on, I'll catch you," Zuko said. "Trust me."
Silence came again and Zuko sighed, regretting this idea. Then, Zuko heard Katara screaming as she slid down the hole. Readying himself, Zuko stood in front of the hole and dug his heels into the ground to catch Katara. Soon, she slid out of the hole, crashing into Zuko, both of them rolling on the ground. The pair separates Zuko landing on his stomach and Katara on the other side of him on her stomach. Zuko coughed, the wind knocked out of him.
"I don't su-" Katara mumbled but stopped once her eyes fell upon what Zuko wanted her to see.
Raising up, Zuko watched as Katara instantly went for the water, sticking her hand in it. "What is this?"
"I found it two years ago," Zuko said softly. "I call it my secret cave slash pool."
"Wow it's…" Katara didn't finish her sentence getting up and looking around the cave.
"Beautiful," Zuko said, finishing Katara's sentence.
Katara smiled as she looked around the cave, water running through the walls.
Zuko stumbled upon the place two years ago. It was the last time all his family had come to the Island. Lu Ten had annoyed Zuko like usual and the boy stormed off and decided to climb the cliff only to fall within this cavern.
"Is this another secret place for you and Lu Ten?" Katara asked, finally looking at Zuko.
"No," Zuko admitted. "No one knows about it besides you."
"Oh," Katara said, blushing and quickly turning away.
While Katara looked around the cave, Zuko looked at the ground, grabbing a rock. He then searched the walls for something he left last time he visited.
"What are you looking for?" Katara asked following Zuko around.
"I left something here." Zuko shrugged. "I'm trying to-here we go!"
Zuko flicked his left hand, a flame appeared lighting the wall. The two watched as the letter 'Z' was carved into the wall.
"I guess it is your spot." Katara giggled and Zuko smiled.
"Well Lu Ten and I have a spot and I don't want to break his promise." Zuko held the sharp rock in his hand and Katara looked at him. "This could be our spot."
"Our spot?"
Zuko bit his bottom lip, knowing that this plan could fail. He thought she would like it, being able to bend with the pool of water at the center. The way out of the cave was to swim and Katara proved she had no problem doing that. But maybe Katara didn't want to have a secret place with Zuko.
"If you want," Zuko mumbled. "You don't have to. I-I we-"
"Of course!" Katara said, taking the rock from Zuko's hands, their fingers only brushing.
Zuko watched as Katara bit her lip and struggled to carve her initials into the wall. Soon there was a plus sign between the letter's 'Z' and 'K'.
"There," Katara said stepping back and admiring their work. "Now it's officially ours."
"It's ours."
The moon rose above the sea, calling the tides to go forth and deliver its message. The sound of crashing waves, the laughter of the rippling waves carried themselves into the Fire Lord beach House. Within seconds, the music found their muse, gently lulling the girl to wake.
Not in control or conscious, Hwasa removed the covers from her. Moving through the house is silent as a shooting star, Hwasa made it to the front of the house. She floated down the steps, her weightless body being carried by the wind.
The light of the Full Moon wrapped itself around Hwasa as the waves chanted her name. Soon, Hwasa reached the line where the water touched the sand. Stepping softly, Hwasa floated above the water as it glowed under her feet. Looking down, Hwasa saw herself in the reflection of the water.
She walked across the sea, the waves carrying her slowly, not daring to move and set the child off course. Hwasa walked on the water, every step glowing white under her feet. Walking until she stood beneath the moon, Hwasa reached out her hand, waiting for the Moon to greet her.
The ocean parted and Hwasa fell under, still looking up at the moon. The child didn't fight, the water not invading her lungs but aiding her in her descent.
Warm fingertips brushed against Hwasa's cheek and she looked down, seeing the figure once more. The woman with pale skin clothed in black while piercing blue eyes looked back at her. Reaching for the hand on her cheek, Hwasa sighed, the warm so familiar and inviting.
"The sea is where you and I will be free." the woman whispered.
Then the world faded to black.
I hope you guys like this chapter. I'm personally really proud of it. I think out of the whole story I adore Book 0 because of the freedom I have to play with origin stories. This is an AU (alternate universe) but like I said books 1-3 do follow the tv show with some pretty big changes but still similar. Hopefully you guys like this story. I only know if you like or hate it when you comment so please do, it helps me so much! Book 0 is slow because we've got to get through some stuff before Aang is discovered in the south. It will pick up, I promise!
Thank you so much for reading!