"I thought you had changed!" She shouted across to him angrily. He wrestled with her water whips with his own whips of fire. The two elements collided violently, but neither he nor she flinched away. He looked at her from where he stood, still fighting.
"I have changed." He told her coldly.
Zuko's eyes flickered open, the images from his dream slowly fading away. For a moment, he was unsure where he was. Then the memories of the previous few hours came flooding back. Sure enough, when he looked over to the side of the cell, he saw the Water Tribe girl he was stuck here with. Lying huddled up with her back to the wall, she looked uncomfortable, and didn't appear to be resting peacefully. She was frowning slightly in her sleep, her eyes crinkled up.
Zuko's own sleep had been fitful at best, and he had a feeling that it wasn't yet sunrise, even though there was no way to tell inside this dingy cell.
Still, most Firebenders wake up with the sunrise, Zuko thought. He briefly recalled telling Katara something like that once.
He decided that, whatever time it was, it was too early to get up. He wasn't exactly tired anymore, but it wasn't like he had anything to do, apart from sit around all day being shouted at.
Turning over, Zuko shut his eyes and lay there impatiently, waiting to get back to sleep. After what seemed like an age of simply lying there, he knew that he wasn't going back to sleep anytime soon.
Sighing quietly (he didn't want the peasant to wake up just yet) Zuko felt around the edge of the mattress for where he knew the lantern was. Careful not to knock it over, Zuko located the handle at the top. Sitting up, still with one hand on the handle, he lit the candle inside of the lantern. Immediately, the flames illuminated the once dim cell. Moving the lantern in order to make room for himself on the cold, stone floor, Zuko manoeuvred himself into his usual meditation position.
Careful not to make the flames too bright, so as not to wake Katara up, he began to meditate in front of them.
Zuko's breathing stabilised as he blocked out everything that wasn't the fire in front of him. All of his subconscious thoughts and feelings left him, as he became immersed in the flames. Soon, the rise and fall of the flames reflected his breathing and Zuko concentrated only on that.
No worries or regrets, no fears or sadness. Just the fire.
It felt warm wherever she was, and she didn't want to leave. Her entire family surrounded her, and she could see them all smiling. Her mother and father were dancing merrily to music that she couldn't see the source of. Her grandmother was clapping along to the rhythm and laughing cheerfully. Even her normally grumpy brother was grinning like an idiot and shaking his head in amusement at their parents odd dancing. She sighed in content as she gazed at each member of her family lovingly. Everybody was here, and life just seemed right at the moment. She wished it could stay forever like that. But suddenly, laughter turned to screaming as people ran, panicking, into the room, shouting. Their cries made no sense to her; it was just noise. Confused, she turned to leave the room but was held back by her father, who shook his head quickly. He too looked panicked and talked to his family in low tones. She didn't hear what her father said, but found herself nodding anyway. Her brother held a protective arm over her shoulder and hugged her close, not letting her go. Soon, the room emptied apart from her and her brother.
"Stay down." Her brother told her, ducking down himself. She quickly followed suit, now understanding the sources of the screams and noise that were coming from outside.
The Fire Nation were here, just like their grandmother had predicted they would be.
She stayed down for several minutes, all the time being held by her brother who whispered comforting things into her ear. She nodded, but wasn't taking his words in. It was hard to distract herself from the shouts and screams, no matter how hard her brother tried. She wondered what had happened to their family. She knew that their mother could protect herself, being an excellent Waterbender, and their father was easily the best warrior in the village. But what about Gran-Gran? Or her Aunts? They were not Waterbenders or warriors, and therefore they had no means of protecting themselves.
Determined to help fight for her family, she wriggled free from her brothers grasp and ran to the door.
"Come back!" Her brother hissed, scrambling up after her.
She opened the door and was greeted by the familiar icy wind and its normal crisp smell. This time, however, the wind carried a different scent mixed in as well. It was the scent of burning and blood, of chaos and death.
Making her way through the snow, ignoring the fighting that was going on beside her, she looked for any member of her family.
Soon she found her mother, fighting against three Fire Nation soldiers. Although these soldiers looked strong, she knew that they were no match for her mother. Gathering ice and snow and flinging it in the soldiers' faces, her mother had quickly gained the advantage. As hard as they tried, the soldiers couldn't seem to retaliate fast enough to over-power her mother.
Grinning, she ran over to near where her mother was stood, wanting to get a better view of the fight. Her brother quickly caught up to her and began scolding her for running off. She told her brother to shut up, then pointed to their mother.
Distracted by her children's voices, their mother looked away from the fight.
"Get back!" Their mother screamed, gesturing for her children to run.
It had only been a second of distraction from the fight, but it proved fatal.
Noticing that her mother wasn't fully concentrating on fighting, the soldiers put all their energy into one final burst of fire.
Watching as if in slow motion, she saw the three separate fire blasts combine in the air and slam into her mother, sending the woman flying backwards.
Her mother crashed into the snow forcefully and didn't get back up again.
The Fire Nation soldiers seemed to have moved on to someone else, having done part of their job.
Horrified, she ran over to where her mother was lying and bent down, tears beginning to slide down her face. There was a trickle of blood coming from her mother's ear, but she didn't understand why. Her mother was just lying there when there were Fire Nation soldiers to fight!
"Get up!" She said, hating the note of panic in her voice. Her mother made no response, eyes remaining shut and not breathing.
Confused, she began to shake her mother's body, refusing to believe that her mother - her best friend - might be dead.
The crimson blood began to stain the snow beneath the body, and she moved back, shaking her head in disbelief.
"No." She whispered. "No!"
Her mother was dead. Killed by soldiers who had no idea how important the woman they had just murdered was to her children. To her village.
She didn't know how long she sat there, staring down at the body. It mustn't have been long; soon afterwards she felt her brother's hand on her shoulder, pulling her away. Allowing herself to be moved, she clenched her eyes shut as tears of despair and defeat began to stream down her face.
The moment she woke up, Katara realized that her cheeks were damp. Tears were still running down her face, even though her dream had ended. Without opening her eyes, she inhaled and exhaled deeply several times in order to compose herself. It wasn't the first time that Katara had had that dream/flashback, and it wouldn't be the last. Refusing to carry on crying, she told herself that it was only a dream. Unfortunately, seeing as this wasn't strictly true, it didn't help to console her and despite her efforts, fresh tears began to seep down her face.
It was a long time ago…Katara told herself. Time heals all wounds…
It was true that the pain wasn't as raw as it had been in the months that had followed her mother's death, but the pain hadn't decreased. She had just gotten used to it, and learnt not to mention it to Sokka. Every so often she would allow herself to cry, just a little, over her lost mother.
Now was one of those times.
Still keeping her eyes shut, she made no attempt to quell her grief, only making it so that she wasn't crying too loudly. She didn't want Zuko waking up and seeing her like this. That would show weakness, and weak was the one thing she could not allow herself to be in front of the Fire Nation.
Instinctively, she felt around her neck for her mother's necklace, as she always did when she remembered her mother. This time, the necklace wasn't there. Katara opened her eyes and frantically groped her neck again. Still not finding the necklace, she sat up and peered down the edge of the mattress, the tears stopping slightly in her panic.
Her hand ran along the stone floor, now desperately searching for the necklace, but again to no avail.
Katara frowned in annoyance and sadness as she recognized the fact that she had lost the necklace. Again.
Glancing up, she realized for the first time that Zuko was awake. He was looking at her, eyebrows raised questioningly.
Zuko didn't know how long he had been meditating for when he heard the noise. It was only a quiet sound, but in his meditative state all of his senses were heightened. At first he had tried to ignore the sound, but found his concentration broken. Irritably, he glared up at the Waterbender, knowing that she was the source of the small din.
He drew in his breath, about to shout at her for disturbing him. He quickly exhaled, however, when he saw that Katara seemed to be still asleep. She was frowning heavily, and tear drops were falling down her cheeks. Puzzled, Zuko continued to watch as her breathing increased and she appeared to have woken up. Keeping her eyes squeezed tightly shut, the Waterbender began to cry softly and curled up in an attempt to (Zuko assumed) bring her comfort. As fresh tears replaced the ones that had already fallen, the girl suddenly reached up to her neck.
It seemed that she was looking for her mother's necklace, which of course Zuko had…borrowed and put into his pocket. At the time it had been out of spite, but now seeing the girl's eyes open in panic and begin searching, Zuko couldn't help but feel guilty.
Katara looked down the side of the mattress desperately, tears still sparkling in her eyes.
If I give back the necklace now then she'll know that I took it and she'll never trust me…Zuko thought. On the other hand she might be grateful to me for giving back the necklace.
He rolled his eyes at this thought. Yeah, and while she's at it she'll probably tell me where the Avatar is, he thought sarcastically.
A frown creased the Water Tribe girl's brow, and she looked up slowly. Realizing that he wasn't supposed to know what was wrong, Zuko quickly raised his eyebrows in what he hoped was an inquisitive manner.
Katara sighed and shook her head in response. The tears seemed to have stopped, but her eyes still shone with suppressed pain.
"What time is it?" She asked, her voice low.
"Seeing as I don't have access to a clock, I'm not sure." Zuko told her scornfully. Seeing her face fall even more, his next words were in a softer tone. "But if I were to guess, then I'd say about an hour or so after sunrise."
Katara nodded silently. After a minute, she opened her mouth to say something, but shut it again.
"What?" Zuko asked her, his voice no longer soft.
Katara shook her head again and leant against the stone wall, wincing only slightly at the pain that must've remained in her side as she brought her knees up to her chest.
Shrugging, Zuko turned back to the lantern and attempted to begin his meditation over again.
The flames, just think of the flames, ignore the guilt, focus on the flames.
But it was no use; he wasn't in the mood to meditate anymore. Even after another few minutes, his concentration had deserted him.
Stupid Water Tribe peasant, she's making it so I can't even focus…Zuko thought, trying to be bitter. But, as he glanced over in the girl's direction and saw her staring sadly into space, he couldn't quite summon up any anger towards her.
At least, not right now. Once she got over her self-pity, he could go back to doing what he was here to do.
With nothing else to do, and not exactly having an over-talkative cellmate right now, Zuko sat back down onto his mattress and began to think of what would happen after he and Azula finally captured the Avatar. Not thinking of what they would do to the Avatar's companions, Zuko focused on the better aspects. The war would be won in favour of the Fire Nation and the world would bow to the power of the strongest, most powerful element. He began to think of battle strategies (a sure sign he was bored; normally in fights he charged in head-first and hoped for the best) against any opposing nations.
Considering the only place resisting the Fire Nation is the Water Tribe, I don't think it'll be too difficult to take complete control, Zuko thought smugly, remembering the pathetic Southern Water Tribe and its lack of defences. They should just surrender now…but if they're all as stubborn as this Waterbender, then there may be a problem.
Zuko looked over to Katara, who was still staring at nothing, a downcast look on her face.She seemed lost in her own little world, and Zuko was more than happy to keep her there. However, he supposed that he should say something…at least make it look like he cared.
"You've hardly said anything since you woke up. What's wrong?" He asked, wishing that his tone didn't sound so blunt.
The Waterbender blinked and turned around, apparently slightly startled.
"What?" She asked dazedly, stretching her legs out onto the floor.
Resisting the urge to roll his eyes, Zuko repeated what he had just said, making his voice sound more concerned this time.
"Nothing's wrong." Katara told him. Her statement sounded so unconvincing, that Zuko could see that even she doubted its credibility.
"I'm just not a morning person." She said, using possibly the worst excuse Zuko had ever heard. He raised his eyebrows, showing her what he thought of her explanation.
"It doesn't matter." She said, sighing and resuming her previous position.
"If it's important enough to make you act like this then it must matter." Zuko pressed, determined to get an appropriate response this time.
Katara looked at him curiously.
"What do you care?" She asked. "Last time I checked you were still on Azula's side."
Zuko silently cursed, wondering if he had seemed too out of character too soon. Instead of showing his alarm, he merely shrugged as if unconcerned.
"Last time I checked, people changed." He said nonchalantly.
Katara narrowed her eyes venomously and immediately Zuko knew that he had said the wrong thing.
"People like you don't change, Zuko. Except maybe for the worst." She spat.
Zuko considered arguing back (to be honest, from her perspective it seemed like she had a point) but there was a sharp rap on the door.
Azula? Zuko wondered hopefully. Maybe she's decided to give up this farce and let me go…
The now familiar sound of keys scraping the lock could be heard, and Zuko saw Katara look up too. Her expression was mixed; there was some hope, some fear and some resignation on her face.
If you've given up this easily then you're not the girl that I know, Zuko silently ridiculed. He stood up, prepared for whoever was behind the door. He saw Katara quickly follow suit, adopting a defensive stance.
The door opened, and instead of Azula there stood Mai. Three guards were behind her, one peering into the cell nosily. The other two seemed to be holding something, but Zuko couldn't tell what from this distance.
He could hear a slight disturbance in the background, but couldn't place what it was. A swift, sideways look at Katara proved that she could hear the noise also.
Turning back to Mai, he watched her glance behind her and nod swiftly. Two guards came into the cell and placed two bowls on the floor, just in front of the door.
It's like they're afraid to come in, Katara thought scornfully, some secret agent guys they are.
As if to prove her suspicions further, the guards backed away hurriedly, almost bumping into Mai. Katara suppressed a smirk at their incompetence.
To be honest, she was glad of the interruption. Zuko's questioning had made her uncomfortable enough to make up pathetic excuses in an effort to stop him from talking. She didn't particularly like discussing her mother with anyone, especially him. At least, not anymore.
"What are you doing here Mai?" Zuko asked sharply, glaring suspiciously at her. She merely stood there, with the bored look that was almost permanently fixed onto her face.
"Azula said she didn't want her prisoners to starve. It's soup." Mai said, acknowledging the bowls.
"If Azula thinks that I'm going to eat anything the Dai Li have given me, then she's crazier than I thought." Katara told Mai, glaring reproachfully at the bowls. From where she was stood, Katara couldn't see the contents of the bowls, but assumed that they would taste worse than the poisoned 'soup' she had previously eaten. And that was saying something.
"It's your call. But until Azula decides what to do with you, that's all you're going to be eating." Mai shrugged, starting to turn slowly to the door.
If I'm going to fund anything out, then now's my chance, Katara decided.
"Where are Toph and Iroh?" She called after Mai, determination in her voice.
Mai turned around to look at Katara.
"I'm not supposed to say." She said, a malicious glint in her eyes.
You evil, spiteful…Katara thought threateningly. Unfortunately, seeing as there was currently no water about, and Mai far surpassed her in hand-to-hand combat, Katara couldn't verbally threaten her. So, instead, she opted for another tactic. Shameless, but worth a try.
"Toph is just a kid. She's blind and helpless and depends on me for everything. She can't fend for herself and right now she's probably scared senseless." Katara lied, in an attempt to appeal to some non-existent emotions.
Mai actually laughed, finding amusement in Katara's words. She turned around to the closest guard and murmured something that Katara didn't hear. Nodding, the guard swiftly left.
Katara heard a door opening a little way along the corridor. The noise she had previously picked up became much louder, and she flushed as she realized the noise was Toph, screaming threatening obscenities at the top of her voice.
Katara bit her lip and reminded herself not to let Sokka talk around Toph ever again. After all, where else could Toph have learned those words? Certainly not from her upper-class parents.
Thanks for blowing a huge gaping hole in the middle of my plan, Toph, Katara thought, annoyed. Your timing is impeccable.
Suddenly the door shut and Toph's voice faded, now barely audible.
"So, 'helpless', huh?" Mai asked smirking as the guard returned. Katara glared at her, her mind directing obscenities of her own at Mai.
Zuko made a soft noise of disbelief. Turning to him, Katara could see that he was looking at her, amused, with his eyebrows raised.
"Where did she learn words like that?" He asked, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Katara shot Zuko a look of disgust before turning back to Mai.
"Let me see Toph." Katara said.
"Yeah, that's going to happen." Mai said, still smirking.
"It wasn't a request." Katara said, her voice hard.
"If I were you, I'd soften your tone." Mai snapped, "It's like I said before, how are you going to fight without your bending?"
"I'll find a way." Katara told her, but even as she said it, she knew it was a lie. Without Waterbending, Mai would kill her, Katara knew that.
"You always do, right?" Mai said spitefully, before turning to the guards, who hurriedly parted for her. She strode away, her footsteps echoing on the stone corridor. Two guards turned after her, and left. The third however stepped inside the cell.
To Katara's relief, she saw that it was Cai. She was about to call out his name, but then stopped. Cai nodded slightly to her.
"You do realize that there is more than one lantern in here, don't you? There are three more in the corners." He said, in a tone that suggested that he didn't much care.
"Of course we knew!" Zuko spat. Katara knew he was lying, but he was just too proud to admit that he didn't know.
"Okay then. I'll be back later to pick up the bowls." Cai shrugged, before leaving. He reached the door and looked back at Katara, meeting her eyes for a moment. Katara knew that he was trying to convey something, but didn't understand what. She narrowed her eyes and frowned slightly, confused, but Cai was already out of the door, shutting it behind him.
After the sounds of a locking door and footsteps had faded, there was silence in the cell.
"Mai's right, without bending you're defenceless." Zuko told Katara. He didn't say it spitefully or concernedly, just stated it.
"Shut up Zuko." She muttered, before walking slowly to her mattress and lying back down.
I need a way to contact Toph…but how? Katara wondered, staring intently at the ceiling, as if it had the answer.
A/N:
Whew, this one took me awhile to write. I was going to have Katara's dream much shorter, but it just sort of wrote itself really. Sorry if it was annoying constantly having to read "her mother" in the dream part, but I didn't want to include any names…strange, but there you go.
Hope you all enjoyed, as ever, please review, thanks to the ones that do review, and thanks for reading this far:D