So, thievery was definitely on the list of Things That Katara Was Not Good At; this situation had made that painfully clear. Being held captive by both pirates and an angry firebender who was obsessed with capturing your friend wasn't exactly a great place to be. She was tied to a tree for spirits' sake.
And trying to be sweet-talked by the aforementioned angry firebender with the obsession. With her mother's necklace as a bribe no less.
The jerk.
Katara hadn't really thought about how it could get worse until Aang and Sokka were dragged into the small clearing by the river, and then wanted to kick herself even harder. Voicing her remorse only made her feel worse (aided by the old man's words of course) and she really just wanted to bang her head against her little tree for her stupidity until a new development was made. The pirates and the prince were turning on one another, thanks to Sokka, although whether it was because it was an intentional, sly move, or a happenstance of his big mouth she would never know because she never wanted to ask. It would ruin it.
But then another problem arose. When the fighting started, she remained tied to the tree. She waited patiently, for Aang or Sokka or even Momo to come free her, but no one came. That creepy reptile-bird thing had Momo on the run, and the two factions of enemies had her friends busy. She was also near nothing that could help her, had nothing on her person, and couldn't move an inch. So, all she could do was wriggle and try to loosen her bindings, which really wasn't doing much because she couldn't really wriggle at all.
When the smoke overtook everyone, Katara couldn't help but growl in frustration. Because really, where was her help? They couldn't escape until she was free.
But it also didn't seem like Aang and Sokka were getting the chance to help her anytime soon. So, she settled for calling their names, hoping that at least one of them had a plan, because she didn't really. She couldn't tell what they had to work with, what options they had. She couldn't even see them. What if they couldn't get away from the firebenders and the pirates? What if this was the end of their journey? What if she and her stupidity had led the Avatar into Fire Nation hands?
Finally though, after an eternity, she heard her name be called. She responded in kind, and was told to stay where she was, and that they would come to her. That was of course said by Sokka; who else would tell a person tied to a tree to stay put?
But then she heard a shout, one that ultimately did not bode well for her at all.
"The Avatar is going after the girl! Men, get to her!" a prince shouted. It caused her heart to stutter.
"Get her, lads!" a pirate yelled. Hair stood on the back of her neck.
Smoke had cleared, and now she could see clear the number of men, firebenders and pirates alike, and her eyes widened. She saw her brother, she saw Aang, both trying to skirt the fighting and make it to her. But the men were advancing, on both her and her companions, and she met her brother's eyes. She told him to go, to run. They could get her later, she would be fine, she told him. She looked next to the monk, and told him to go. She put her best "giving orders" look on her face, the one that Sokka always gave into.
"Save me later!"
Confliction lasted for only a moment before a promise of rescue was made, and the boys took off into the trees. She heard orders from leaders of both factions to follow them, but one voice added an additional directive to the command.
"You men, stay with me! We're taking the girl."
The son of the Fire Lord was back in front of her, scarred and smirking face close to hers, like when he was trying to make her give up Aang. She puts her best glare on but had to push down the fear unfurling in her.
"Looks like you're coming with me."