Previously…

The remainder of the evening was fun, Zuko had to admit. He'd had fun watching Katara try to pet the turtle ducks, and actually laughed when a fire ferret scampered up her arm and onto her shoulder. The girl had frozen in place, eyes wide.

"I know he's just like Momo-" the Avatar's white winged-lemur, she'd clarified, "But he's so much…furrier."

Then, the fire ferret attempted to pit-pocket Katara, its' little mouth nosing its way into her robe pocket. Zuko did them both a favor and rid her of the weasley creature.

The pair finally made it back to the ship, Gin's dinner in tow.

"Gin!" Katara called up the stairs, feet lightly clicking on the metal steps. "We brought you back food!"

The cogwheel spun and the door opened to an empty room.

"Gin?" She called again, sticking her head out to look over the balcony.

Where was he?


Her footsteps thundered down the steps so quickly, Zuko's eyes were staring at the suite's door expectantly.

"Gin isn't here," she stated, a nervous look on her face. "Shouldn't he be back already?"

Zuko got up from his spot on the couch. "He's not upstairs?"

"No," she set the food bag on the small decorative table by the door.

The young man frowned. "It's late, he should have been back."

The bedroom door squeaked behind him and Katara emerged, cloak and water skin in hand.

"Let's go."

"Go where?"

"Into the city!" She said, as if it was the most obvious answer in the world. "We can't just leave him out there. What if he's hurt?"

"He's a grown man, Katara. If he's not back by morning, we'll go look." Zuko slipped his hands into his pockets. "We don't know for sure something happened."

The water bender chewed her lip.

Zuko did have a point. There really was no telling where Gin was and they could draw more attention to themselves then needed by wandering around this late at night.

No need to jump to conclusions just quite yet…

Huffing out a breath, she tossed the water skin back into her room, folding the cloak over her arm. "Okay… I just really don't like that he's not back. Especially since he said he was just going to get more fuel for the ship."

"I know," Zuko assured huskily. "Don't worry."

Katara waltzed over to the couch, plopping down with a sigh.

She pulled her legs to her chest and hugged them, staring at nothing in particular.

"Hey," he said suddenly, trying to get her mind off Gin. "Didn't you say that you wanted to talk to me about something earlier?"

Katara furrowed her brow for a moment, thinking.

"Yeah. Gin said that we'd have to state our purpose for needing through the naval blockade. Did you have any ideas?"

Zuko's brow wrinkled.

"I forgot about that," he said.

"I wonder if they've buckled down with the eclipse approaching." she mused, as Zuko took a seat on the couch beside her.

A hard look passed over his face, lips set in a line. "Probably not anymore than usual. Azula is not the only arrogant one in the family."

"Your dad wouldn't reinforce the borders? Even with the news from the Earth Kingdom?"

Zuko's lip curled in disgust at the term 'dad'. Katara made a metal note to not call him that again.

She wondered what it was like, to have a father that elicited such a reaction.

"I doubt he thinks the Avatar and his friends stand a chance against his naval fleet." Zuko explained. "I bet Azula is reveling in her glory, now that word has probably made it back to the capital with her that I've gone full traitor."

He shook his head scornfully.

"Let her," she offered, bumping his shoulder with her own. "I'm confident in Sokka's plan. We can still win this."

Zuko regarded the younger girl with disbelief and perhaps a hint of pity, like he couldn't fathom having faith in such a rag-tag team of friends from around the world.

"What?" She asked.

"You still think you all have a chance of success?"

Blue eyes unwaveringly met his gaze. "I have to. What world will I live in if we don't? How will my life turn out?"

He snorted.

Her expression faltered, the sound making her feel very, very naive.

It didn't lesson her belief in the chance for peace, however.

"Do you wish you chose Azula?" She asked, in reference to their conversation moments after Iroh was captured. "Gone back to your life of luxury in the palace?"

"No," he eventually muttered, to her surprise. "I don't want to be a part of his agenda, play the good little prince."

She turned to look at him.

He gestured at his face. "Did you know that my father gave me this?"

Katara's face went white in shock. "Your father?" She echoed.

"Yes." he said stoically. "I was thirteen. My uncle allowed me to sit in with the other generals and my father in a war meeting. A general proposed to sacrifice an entire group of soldiers, all for a distraction. I was not supposed to speak, but I did."

His shoulders dropped, fingers brushing the edges of the dark skin. "I'd thought it was wrong of the general, cruel to sacrifice men who only wanted to serve their nation…but it enraged my father and he commanded me to participate in an Agni Kai."

Zuko stared at the wall now, images flashing behind his eyes. "He wanted me to fight him…and I refused… begged for his forgiveness." A deep breath left Zuko's lips. "I was burned, banished and stripped of my birthright before being sent to 'find the Avatar'."

Zuko refused to look at Katara, knowing she had to have a look of horror mixed with pity - one he'd seen before, when his uncle had let his shipmates in on his situation.

It wasn't one he was fond of.

"If it wasn't for my uncle…" he rasped. "I don't know who'd I'd be…or where."

"So that's why…" Katara breathed, thinking back to their first genuine interaction in the caves. "Zuko. That's awful. I'm so sorry."

His body tensed, nostrils flaring. "I don't want your pity."

"I-," Katara started, before clamping her lips shut. Instead, she shifted towards him, unfurling her legs.

After a moments hesitation, she placed her hand on his leg. "No real father would ever do such a thing to their son."

His enter body seemed to get ever tenser, if it was even possible, beneath her touch. Her fingers stroked nervously, sending goosebumps through him.

She didn't notice.

The two sat in silence for a while, neither moving.

Slowly, surely, his muscles unfurled, his hand eventually sliding over her own to rest.

Katara was so kind, so caring.

He had a feeling it would be her downfall one day, though Zuko hoped he was just being negative.

"Zuko?" She queried softly. "What happened to your mother?"

Stealing a glance at her friend's face, she watched on as the all too familiar frown formed.

"I'm not sure. I think she ran away…"

His eyes searched the wall, mentally combing through the memories from so long ago.

"She was there one day, then gone the next," he mused. "I remember her coming into my room late one night, a week or so after Lu Ten died - Uncle's son - saying that everything she'd done was to protect me and to not forget who I was, no matter how much things might change. I awoke the next morning to my grandfather dead and her long gone."

He shuddered, squeezing the back of Katara's hand, as if her presence would keep him from losing himself in the memories.

"Azula told me the night before my mother left, that father had to kill me so he would know what it was like to lose a first-born."

Katara's hand wiggled beneath his own, flipping it over to intertwine her fingers with his. "Do you think she was telling the truth?"

"Azula always lies," he said huskily, sneaking a glance at her blushed face. "But maybe, that time she wasn't."

The younger girl nodded quietly.

"It sounds like she protected you, from him." Katara said thoughtfully, stomach flipping when he squeezed her hand.

"Yeah," he said dryly.

"If Aang wins - if we win - and stop him…that means you'll be the new Fire Lord, right?"

Zuko gulped, turning to gaze at Katara's face.

The possibility that they could win - that he would be the next Fire Lord - hadn't even crossed his mind, and it was evident to Katara by that look on his face.

He only nodded and Katara returned the gesture with a tight lipped smile.

"You'll have to let me read about Avatar Roku, then," she said, leaning into him more and bouncing herself off his shoulder. "I'm sure you guys have massive libraries at the palace."

Zuko thought back to what little memories he had of the palace. The trauma his childhood held had blocked out so much of it. Their lives had been so different.

They were so different.

Katara yawned, using that as an excuse to pull her hand free, not that she particularly wanted to.

She could probably fall asleep right there, fingers still intertwined with his. Her head on his shoulder…

Zuko yawned as well and she pulled herself from her thoughts.

Enough of that nonsense. Like she'd just noted, he'd be Fire Lord in no time, if things went the way she'd wanted - the way Aang wanted. There would be peace. And there'd be no room in either of their lives for messy adolescence romance - not that either even showed an inclination of wanting romance.

"On that note," she got up. "I'm going to try to sleep."

All worries of Gin had slipped to the back of her mind for now and Katara hoped they'd stay there until morning. Instead, the thoughts had been replaced with those of Zuko.

Of their hugs. Their momentary hand-holding, their stolen glances.

"Good night, Zuko." She said softly, shimmying past his legs and the coffee table.

~0~

Nightmares of discovering Gin and Zuko along with the bodies of her friends deep in the city tormented her sleep, the images locking her in until morning.

Sunlight filtered in through the small horizontal windows. What had woken her up?

Clunk.

Katara frowned at the noise, sitting up in bed.

"What was that?" She whispered to herself, hearing the strange hollow metallic thud once more.

Clunk.

"Zuko?" She called, pulling her skirts and tank on over her sarashi wraps.

A thunderous boom came from below the tower, rocking the ship ever so slightly.

Pulling her shoes on, she hopped out the bedroom door, to see an empty living room.

"Zuko?"

Clunk.

Where was he?

Katara trotted down the stairs, worry nagging at her.

A yelp came from outside and Katara's hands struggled to crank the cogwheel to open the door to the outside.

Two men, swords drawn, seemed to be toying with a swordless Zuko.

Pirates?

Lo and behold, an all too familiar dark wooden ship with three red sails loomed behind them on the docks, effectively trapping them in.

Fire erupted from her friend's fist.

Pirates.

Another man, one with a strange colored mohawk and a dumb expression, blundered across the plank towards them.

Katara bent water from the sea, swatting him off with ease.

He landed with a splash into the shallow waters below, followed not long after by his two companions.

"Friends of yours?" She asked, sliding into place beside him.

The pursuers seemed to halt momentarily, a figure popping up on the bow of the opposing ship.

"Greetings, Prince Zuko."

The captain, a taller olive-skinned man stepped into view. He wore his signature smirk and dark reddish brown hat, an iguana parrot perched on his shoulder.

"You," Zuko sneered, entire body stiffening. Katara's eyes widened at the long-haired man.

Theses pirates were no strangers to the banished Fire Nation prince - or to Katara. When Katara was no more then a novice bender, she'd stolen a water bending scroll from their ship. She remembered sneaking away late that next night, having been so unsatisfied with her current water bending progress, that she'd just had to practice. Away from her brother, away from Aang.

He'd been so good at it, so easily.

It didn't seem fair.

At some point, the pirates had met Zuko and his soldiers and teamed up - how, she'd never learned, but they'd happened upon her late that night, and she'd stumbled right into Zuko's grasp.

Katara had staggered away from the pirates and unintentionally into him.

I'll save you from the pirates, he'd murmured darkly.

Then, tied her to a tree and tauntingly dangled her lost necklace in front of her, like the sight of it would make her betray her friends.

He'd kept the men from touching her, posting his uncle beside her to keep a watchful eye. It was the one thing she'd been thankful for.

Her fingers brushed her mother's necklace beneath the red handkerchief.

How different things were now…

"Your sister sends her regards." The captain sneered, sending his parrot towards them. More of the captain's men began spilling over to overtake the Akagi.

"C'mon," Zuko hissed. "We can't stay here, let's see if we can lose them."

Katara glanced over her shoulder, running behind the dark haired guy.

"Here," she said, sending a wave hard against the length of their ship, successfully knocking the plank off. "That'll buy us time to lower the ramp."

Zuko set to work on lowering the bow's ramp, his hands rapidly cranking the wheel.

The wave she sent against the pirate's vessel was harder than she anticipated, the water bouncing back into their own ship, sending her flying. Her torso smacked into the railing and she toppled over it, plummeting down to the shallow waters.

With a scream, she flailed in the air, only to realize that she wasn't falling anymore.

Zuko's hand was tightly holding onto her own, leaning precariously over the side. Footsteps rumbled on the deck behind him.

She hung there, hand gripped tightly in his, for the longest of seconds.

He couldn't pull her up, not without encountering more pirates.

Katara didn't want him to fall and potentially break a leg, either.

"Do you trust me?" She grit out, locking eyes with Zuko. "Jump."

Not even a moment later, he obliged, sending himself over with Katara.

She pulled the ocean to their bodies, riding the water the rest of the way down and over to the wooden dock.

"Let's go!"

They took off into the city, weaving in and out of the locals, leaving drips of seawater behind them.

Squawk!

The iguana-parrot screamed overhead and Zuko cursed under his breath.

"We got to lose that damn bird."

They'd made it into the townsquare now, Zuko leading the way through the hordes of people. Their hands were still linked together, tethering one to the other as they zig-zagged around person and animal alike. The feathered creature dove at their heads, wings brushing Katara's face, too close for comfort.

The locals chattered and gasped around them.

It flew back up and away, before banking and dive-bombing them once more, clawed wings and talons outstretched.

The claws scraped Katara's face and she cried out, free hand shoving it away.

Another angry screech nearly deafened her, the bird's talons now scraping into her neck. The fabric on her neck grew taunt before her handkerchief and necklace were ripped free. A screechy sort of cackle echoed over the hubbub as the iguana-parrot flew back to it's master.

"No!" She yelped, tugging on Zuko's hand to slow. "My mother's necklace!"

The prince did not loosen his grip, simply continued to lead her through the chaos.

"My necklace, Zuko!" She repeated earnestly and they swung to the left, ducking into the nearest alleyway.

Stumbling to a momentary stop, he stood in front of her, holding her teary eyed gaze. Earnest amber eyes searched her watery blues.

He didn't have to say a word for her to know that they needed to keep moving.

Sniffling, she held her hand to her wounds and put on her best look of determination.

They were off again, running hand and hand further into the city.

The pair weaved in and out of vendors and merchant carts as they advanced through the shopping sector.

Katara stole a glance behind her shoulder, only to see one of the pirates still gaining, the same blasted green creature easily obtaining a bird's eye view of their position - and leading the cronies to them.

"They're getting closer!" She warned and Zuko yanked her behind a cabbage cart.

"Hey!" The cabbage merchant protested, as Zuko kicked the wooden stall over, sending cabbages rolling towards the pirate. "My cabbages!!!"

"Sorry!" She called to the elder man, who ripped his hat off and stared at his vegetables in shock.

"Why does this always happen to meeeeeeeee?" The cry echoed through the streets.

After they made it down one of the industrial streets, they slowed to a stop, taking rest behind a barrel down an alley. The buildings were tall and placed much closer together here, the sloped overhangs offering them some cover from the bird.

"Okay," Katara panted, knees pulled to her chest. She craned her neck to look down the alley, eyes flitting up to the blue sky. "I think we lost them."

Zuko peered down the alley from his spot beside her and nodded. "Finally."

Neither said a word for a minute as they caught their breath. Simultaneously, they seemed to realize they were still holding hands, rapidly pulling away and mumbling apologies.

The light flush that covered their faces was from them running, right?

Sweat dripped down her face and onto her neck, sending pain through her.

She hissed, bringing her hand up. It came away a light red and she winced.

"Is it bad?" She asked, turning towards Zuko.

The boy studied her face for a moment, squinting. Hesitantly, his fingers brushed a strand of her dark hair back, pushing it over her shoulder.

"Looks like it got you pretty good."

Her heart thundered in her chest as his eyes traveled up her neck, lingered on her lips before he seemed to realize where he was looking. Zuko cleared his throat, flicking his eyes away. Katara blinked bashfully, fingers trailing down the scratch on her left cheek and then to prod at the three gashes on her neck. "I can't believe I let it get my necklace."

Emotion swelled up in her and she shook her head bitterly, trying to keep the tears at bay. "Why would it take it?"

"They're pirates." Zuko mused awkwardly and he instantly regretted the words after they left his mouth.

"Yeah," Katara said dryly.

You idiot, Zuko inwardly groaned. Of all the things you could have said!

"Let's check down here!" A male voice shouted and they froze, pressing themselves up against the wall. A lone pair of footsteps got closer and closer, slowing as they got closer to the more congested part of the alleyway.

Gravel crunched and she held her hand out to Zuko, signaling him to stay still.

"Guys?" The same voice called again, and when there was no response, she struck.

Leaping out from behind the barrel, she summoned whatever water she could muster, freezing him against the wall.

Zuko took a bending stance, his fist pointed towards the man's face.

His bending would have to suffice, since he was without his swords.

They stared the man down for a moment before Katara released the icy gag on his mouth.

"Where is our helmsman?" Zuko snarled.

The pirate, a man with long dark hair and a rat like face, was one they'd dealt with before. Katara briefly remembered he was the one who'd drawn Aang and Sokka's attention enough in the merchant's port to get them aboard. Oh, was his name, if she recalled correctly from her time as Zuko and the pirates' prisoner.

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

A slimy smile slid on his face and the pit of dread in Katara's stomach grew.

"Why are you after us?" She demanded.

His beady eyes slid to Katara. "Well, aside from the fact that Captain doesn't like either of you," he said, obviously referring to the water bending scroll incident. "Your boyfriend's sister here hired us."

"He's not my boyfriend," Katara grumbled, making the ice around him even colder. "Azula hired you?"

Their prisoner made a motion like he was attempting to shrug beneath the ice.

"Sure did." He smirked maliciously.

"Why would Azula hire pirates?" She wondered aloud.

"It is an interesting choice of hitmen for my sister," he mused dully.

"Hitmen?" The pirate repeated, chuckling. "Oh no. We're just here to collect you and take you back to Harbor City. The reward is going to be well worth the effort of chasing down you brats. I'm sure Avatar bait could fetch us even more money in the long haul." His eyes slid back to Katara. "Maybe Captain will keep you around."

Her skin crawled. It would be likely they'd keep her and ship Zuko back to Azula, if they were caught.

Sokka just had to tell them how much the Avatar was worth…

Zuko's eyes narrowed, thoughts racing.

"There they are!" Someone shouted from down the alleyway and a trio of pirates barreled towards them.

Katara stumbled back at the yell, almost into Zuko. Taking one last look at Oh, they took off again.

~0~

A few hours later, Zuko and Katara squatted in an abandon cottage on the outskirts of the poorest section of the city. The area was settled in a more dangerous portion of the slums, though Katara found Zuko's resting grump face did more than enough to keep prying eyes away from them. It helped Zuko remained on high alert, pacing back and forth in the main room, occasionally pressing his ear to the wooden door.

"It's been hours now," Katara said from her seat against the wall. "You think they're still looking for us?"

The fire bender raked his hand through his hair. "Most likely."

"I hope Yujo is okay," Katara mused. "Probably thinks we abandoned…" her brows furrowed. "Is it a girl or a boy?"

Zuko mirrored the frown, "You know, I'm not sure."

A deranged chuckle bubbled out of Katara, hands clamping over her mouth. Coughs shook her chest next.

Spirits, she was thirsty.

She hadn't the slightest idea why she found that so funny.

He raised his eyebrow at her curiously and Katara waved her hand dismissively.

"We can't go back to the ship, can we?" She said instead, recalling how the pirates had blocked them in. "Would the harbor master let them stay behind us like that?"

Zuko finally stopped his pacing, plopping on the ground across from Katara. His hair was an absolute mess from his anxious finger-combing.

"The harbor master wouldn't want them there," he said thoughtfully, "But I highly doubt they'd concern themselves with pirates' affairs."

Katara chewed her lip, staring at the burlap fabric covering the window. "If we can make it back and find Gin, I could probably bend their ship out of our way…"

"That would be banking on them having Gin on their ship."

"Do you think they have him?"

He made a noncommittal noise.

Katara hummed thoughtfully in response, brewing a last ditch plan.

~0~

The darkness of night blanketed the city and Zuko took his place near the harbor.

The Akagi loomed ahead, the tower appearing unlit and unmanned, much to his relief. Readjusting the black cloth over his nose and mouth, he leapt off the short wall and down onto the Akagi's dock. Landing with a soft thunk, his body rolled instinctively behind a crate for cover.

A fog bell clanked dully in the distance, the soft waves eventually reaching the shoreline.

Darting forward, he launched himself towards the anchor line of their ship, fingers nimbly grasping the thick, weathered chain. Zuko rapidly scaled the side, slithering over the rail…only to be met with a short blade.

"Welcome abroad," a rough voice crooned, before slashing at the partially man.

Zuko shuffled back, fists raising.

Punches and slashes ricocheted back and forth, Zuko desperate to subdue his attacker before he could alert the others. His hand finally made contact with the pirate's forearm, sending the dagger clattering to the ground.

The guard's dark brown eyes shot towards the direction of the weapon, only to be met with Zuko's foot against his face.

Zuko had learned the hard way that unconscious people tended to not have a reliable timeframe of staying down and out - it was better to tie them up to ensure they wouldn't escape.

After retrieving the Blue Spirit mask, he made quick work of tying the pirate and gagging him.

His usual swords were nowhere to be found, and based on the ransacked state of the tower, he assumed they'd taken them to be resold.

Piandao's blades! He realized, darting into the storage room and poking around.

The handsome blades were still there, much to his relief.

The pirate ship was next on his agenda, the now fully masked spirit creeping down the plank onto the other ship. The ship, illuminated here and there with torches seemed barren of life, though he knew they'd have to be there somewhere.

The Blue Spirit drew his blades, weighing the newer steel in his hands.

The weight was near the same as his sword he'd lost before. The craftsmanship, however, was far superior.

Piandao never disappoints. A ghost of a smile appeared beneath the mask. It had been good to see him. His mother would have been proud that he went. She'd loved to watch him when he was a youth. It was something Zuko eventually excelled at; something his sister hadn't felt the need to learn.

Perhaps one day, he could find her once more and take her to see him.

~0~

Crouched beside a large industrial transport ship, Katara peered through the darkness at the Akagi. She'd skated around the ships as discreetly as she could, signaling the bell to let her partner know that it was safe for him to board. Now, all she had to do was wait.

If Zuko had managed to already board the Akagi, she'd have no way of knowing. The Blue Spirit - Zuko - had proved that to her time and time again. If he didn't want to be seen or heard, he wouldn't be. That was the one key element of their plan that she'd relied on a little heavier than she'd liked to.

The deck bobbed beneath her, rocking with the movement of the sea. A metal door clanked in the distance, a dock or two down.

Something slid down the plank between the two ships and Katara squinted at the blob.

Perhaps that was him there, she thought.

Footsteps grew louder from the next dock and Katara grumbled, pushing herself off the dock and into the water.

The warm water greeted her body and she grimaced, the liquid seeping into her shoes.

Pulling a low fog into the harbor, she cloaked herself and began to swim. A squawk of the iguana-parrot came from overhead, and Katara found herself thankful for the cover of the fog.

~0~

Above Katara on the ship, Blue slipped through the trapdoor to the below deck.

Zuko hated that he had to go in blind, but he didn't really have a choice. Katara wouldn't leave without Gin- not that he would leave without him either - and fighting the entire pirate crew would surely draw attention from the local law enforcement. So, there he was, creeping through the bowels of the pirate's ship, trying to perform a last-ditch attempt at a rescue, knowing Katara wasn't far off if he needed her.

Men's raunchy laughter echoed down the hall and he peered towards the source of the noise.

A long hallway ran towards the front and the back of the ship. The men appeared to be at the back of the ship, perhaps through the door at the end of the hall.

Dim torchlight dotted the walls. Zuko crept down to the bow of the boat, listening intently before peeking into the two rooms.

The door creaked open at the other end of the hall and Zuko darted inside the room ahead of him. It appeared to be a storage room, lines of crates and barrels scattered about. He silently rummaged around, deciding he would need a diversion.

Footsteps never seemed to come any closer, and the roof shook as the trapdoor to the top slammed shut. He eventually found a sack of familiar small black orbs.

Bingo.

Creeping back out, the Blue Spirit strategically placed two of the smoke bombs just inside the other room - a room filled with loot and various trunks and rolled scrolls.

Katara's necklace! Could it be here? Zuko thought, beginning to sift through the tops of the trunks.

After no luck, he picked up one of the trunks and pulled out two golden goblets, wedging one in the door. He lit the long fuse of the smoke bomb.

Zuko hefted the other cup down the hall at the other door, the object clanging loudly against the floor.

Smoke began to fill the room.

~0~

Katara's legs burned, the muscles protesting from treading water. She'd alternated from floating on her back and treading water for five minutes now.

Where was he?

Staring up at the starry sky, her limbs outstretched, she let the warm ocean sway her back and forth.

A man's yell suddenly sliced through her peaceful floating, a body tumbling over the rail of the pirate's ship.

So much for the stealthy approach, Katara thought, summoning water to fly her up.

The sea spit her out onto the deck of the pirate ship with a splash.

"Hey, ugly!" She shouted and nearly every pirate turned to open-mouth gawk at the girl.

The momentary distraction was all Zuko needed. He'd been surrounded, fending off four men with his twin swords.

Zuko roundhouse kicked the closest man, his body hitting the rail with a satisfying oof.

He straightened, steadying himself, only to be thrust over the edge with another man's body. Katara's water whip returned to her as she slid into place beside him, water coated hands at the ready.

"Any luck finding him?" She asked.

"No," he bit out, spinning his swords.

The remaining two aboard charged the pair, swords and knifes flailing. With a grunt, Katara froze them to the tall mast behind them, Zuko aiding her in getting them there.

The door leading to the cabin atop the deck burst open. The long-haired captain emerged, iguana-parrot in tow.

"I should have learned by now," he grumped. "Never send a boy to do a man's job."

The bird squawked on his shoulder, beady eyes scanning the deck.

"We're trying Captain!" One of the two insisted from their icy binds.

Gin sat bound inside the room, visible through the open door.

"There he his!" Katara exclaimed, eyes wide.

The man furrowed his nose, a pitiful attempt to push his glasses back up his nose. Tilting his head back to peer through the lens, a bewildered look overtook his face.

"Oh! Thank spirits!"

The captain sauntered forward, unsheathing the long sword.

Behind the duo, the two men furiously scraped at the ice.

"Look out!" Gin yelped, as a giant drenched hand wrapped around Katara's wrist.

Zuko's fist connected with the pirate in question's jaw seconds later, Katara wrenching herself free.

She stepped to the left, snaking water around the pirate's ankle and ripping him back into the ocean. The captain swung at Katara, mid bend, and Zuko swiftly batted the long sword away.

"Get Gin," Zuko rasped, stepping between them.

The elder man eyed Katara before flicking his eyes back to the masked man in front of him. Scooping up a dagger from the ground, she ran across the deck toward the cabin. Her brain kept her on high alert, keeping a watchful eye on her surroundings in case any of the other pirates were able to climb back aboard.

Metal smacked metal repeatedly behind her.

A mix of worry and curiosity tugged at her brain, urging her to keep a close eye on the battle.

He can take care of himself, Katara. She reminded herself, slicing through Gin's bounds.

"Get back to the ship," She urged Gin, tugging him up off the chair.

The man clambered to his feet and began wildly looking around the cabin.

"We got to get our fuel back or we aren't going anywhere."

Katara nodded, handing Gin the dagger's handle.

"Let's go get it then."

"Is your friend going to be able to hold him off?"

The man in question roared and Katara turned just in time to see him stab forward wildly, the blade scraping the side of Zuko's arm.

Bright red blood seeped from the wound and she started towards them. "Get the coal."

Gin disappeared off further into the ship's cabin, leaving Katara to begin poking through drawers and chests.

She needed to find that blasted necklace!

Zuko and the captain continued their match, the elder using his superior height against the masked man.

Katara watched on in horror as the bird dive-bombed Zuko's head, talons outstretched for the ribbon of his mask.

Quickly reacting, she flung icy daggers at the bird, the chilled water slicing through the bird's green feathered wing.

Zuko groaned in pain, hand raising to try to swat the creature away. It only served to cause the creature to move further away, taking the strap of the mask with it.

With an angry screech-squawk, it flew off, red flying from it's wound.

The mask tumbled off his face, hitting the deck with a clatter.

All thoughts of finding her necklace evaporated.

The captain let out a raspy chuckle, the pirates frozen behind him letting out a gasp.

"Of course it's you. I should have known." He shook his head, studying the youth. "The Blue Spirit is the treacherous son of the Fire Lord."

The ship creaked, Gin and his wagon emerging from deep within the cabin. Katara's eyes shot over to the doorway and then back to Zuko and the captain.

"Now perhaps he'll double my reward. Not only will I be turning in you, but the infamous spirit as well." A sick smile crept up his face. "And I can use your little water bender here to bait the Avatar." The iguana-parrot landed back on his shoulder. "We won't want for anything ever again," he cooed to his pet.

Gin inched closer, eying the tall man warily.

Katara water-whipped the captain and the bird, providing just enough of a distraction for Gin to scoot by, not that the captain was particularly interested in what he was doing, anyways.

The captain grunted, head whipping with the force.

Zuko lurched forward, kicking the captain back with all his might.

The elder man slammed into the wooden wall of the cabin, the wood splintering.

"Zuko!" Katara shouted, her and Gin now across onto their own ship. "C'mon!"

He obliged, turning to sprint off the ship, leaving the roaring captain behind.

As soon as his feet hit the decking of the Akagi, Katara burst into action, quickly pushing and pulling the waves beneath them.

The ocean swelled at her will, the water rising and falling with her movements. Katara ripped the anchor free from the sea, using the droplets of water clinging to the chain to summon it back onto the deck.

The door groaned open behind her, Gin quickly climbing the tower to the bridge while Zuko wheeled the cart full of coal to the engine room.

A bead of sweat dripped down her brow at the effort of controlling such a vast amount of water. Her concentration wavered, the once frozen pirates attempting to cross the wobbling plank.

"No!" She grit out, briefly dropping the seas to fling the men off their ship.

The boat lurched beneath her as the engines fired to life.

She had to get the pirate ship out of the way.

With another bending stance, she summoned the water beneath them, concentrating on moving the pirate's ship.

The dark wooden ship rocked back and forth in front of her, the pirates aboard crying out as they were flung to the side. Heaving the water now, she shoved her hands forward, the ship lurching free.

"NOW!" She yelled, hoping Gin was ready to go above them.

The Akagi slowly pulled off from the dock.

~0~

From behind Katara, a figure approached, their footsteps unsteady, clumsy.

"Zuko?" She asked, glancing out of the corner of her eye. "Are we clear yet?"

Zuko exited the engine room, the now-empty cart rumbling behind him.

He could barely hear Katara's voice from the stern. Who was she talking to?

A shrill noise cut through the night.

A scream.

"Katara?" He called, taking off in a run towards her.

The pile of ropes barely registered in his mind as he sprinted by where the once unconscious and bound pirate laid.

The pirate loomed over Katara's limp body, a sickening grin on his face.

"You," Zuko snarled, punching a fireball in his direction. "Leave her alone!"