Sorry it took so long but I have been busy and there has been a massive writer's block going on. But I'm back in action and now it gets really good!
Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar or Zutara would be existent.
Zuko tapped his fingers on the window pane in a bored-like fashion. It had been a month and his Uncle would not allow their leave. He insisted that Zuko would get a reading before they left but Zuko would not hear of it. That mumbo-jumbo wasn't real. It was a made up scam for money or popularity.
So there he sat waiting for the days to wither away. Maybe his Uncle would finally come to his senses if he waited long enough sulking. It was childish yes, but if you spent nearly a month with a crazy old woman who thinks she can see the future, then of course you would do anything necessary to get the hell out of there; especially if you have no one to talk to.
Speaking of which, that girl; Akiko; she occasionally popped up in his head every once in awhile. She was quite a curious girl really. So shy and quiet around Aunt Wu but has the Fire Nation soul when away. That bothered him; did she have something to hide? What was she really even like? That night when they were battling the thugs she was so different.
But even now what he mostly thought about was the Avatar and his obnoxious little friends. Out of habit he still was out to catch the boy. In his heart he wanted to believe that his father would take him back. But his head told him that it wasn't going to happen. He dared not go with the reason his head but he knew that that feeling was right. But some choose to go with it and others don't. And Zuko didn't.
The day wasn't going to get any more exciting so the firebender stood and decided to go meditate in the meditation room. He hadn't been there since Akiko left but decided he needed to clear his head. The Avatar wore him out physically but mostly mentally. That damned boy!
When he reached the hallway he stopped. He grunted in annoyance as in he forgot where the meditation room was. How stupid! He looked both ways and drew a blank. He really didn't have much of a clue on his surroundings.
Growing irritable Zuko clenched his fists at his sides and closed his eyes. He picked to go to the right with not much educated guessing. In this crazy old lady's place who knows what or who he could stumble upon.
Alright last door on the right, it looked the same but then again all the doors looked the same. Fabulous, he could be walking into a bathroom on his Uncle and that would be quite a tragedy. Zuko shuddered at the thought; he had almost seen his Uncle unclothed before and it was frightening to say the least.
Trying to push that awful memory to the side he opened the door. He expected to hear the soothing sounds of running water and see the mint green walls but that wasn't the case. It was Aunt Wu's reading room. Zuko felt heat rise to his cheeks in anger and he was about to turn and leave when a voice interrupted him.
"Zuko yes come in, sit." Aunt Wu said with a smirk.
Zuko's back tensed as he heard the old woman speak. Shit. Now she is going to want to give him a reading.
"Come sit. And I will give you a reading." Aunt Wu said like almost reading his mind.
Zuko clenched his fists. "I'm not in need of any reading Wu." He stated as calmly as he could.
"You shall find the Avatar." Aunt Wu stated calmly and sipped her tea.
Zuko once again tensed. Did she just mention the Avatar? Yes, I think she did. He suddenly grew interested in this woman's words. Anything that involved the Avatar caught his attention and his attention was indeed caught… by the throat.
"Come sit Zuko." Aunt Wu said motioning for the pillow in front of her. Zuko took a breath, not believing he was going through with this but obeyed her orders nonetheless. Aunt Wu smiled at him and attempted to grab his hand for a start in her reading. Zuko was about to snatch it back but he kept in mind the Avatar. So he growled and let her examine his palm. He grit his teeth when she made, "Hmm's", "Oh's" and "Ah's". It was highly annoying.
"Do you care much of your love life, Zuko?" Aunt Wu asked still examining his palm. Zuko rolled his eyes. "No." he said simply.
"That's too bad because it is going to be quite an adventure." Aunt Wu said.
Zuko was now becoming furious. He wanted to hear about that Avatar damn it! He didn't want to hear about some girl! Curiosity wasn't even present in the least for women.
"Let me tell you this Zuko," Aunt Wu said looking up at him, her long nails still tracing along his palm lines, "It isn't going to be anyone expected. It isn't going to be anyone you like at this moment. But it will be true love from a powerful bender such as yourself." Aunt Wu said her eyes telling no lies. Zuko looked at her for a moment. Interest was starting to become present but he shoved it aside with a force.
"Just--tell me about the Avatar." He said softly.
Aunt Wu smiled up at him. "You're going to do something you thought you would never do for him. Your quest shall end but you will rise." Aunt Wu said with again that no lies look in her eyes.
Zuko looked at her blankly. What the hell did that mean?
"What does that mean?" he asked his eyes prying. Aunt Wu surprisingly smirked.
"You will find out soon enough." She said simply. Zuko was shockingly not angry with Aunt Wu for not telling him. He was too busy in thought.
"You're going to have a brilliant idea that will lead you to your destination but hurt someone you came to love. And you have to console a broken friend." Aunt Wu said softly looking down. Zuko arched a brow. He had quite enough of this.
The banished prince got up to leave but Aunt Wu's voice stopped him. "You will be loosing someone for a short time. They have a destiny to fulfill to help someone." Aunt Wu said.
Zuko nodded and tried to walk again away from this insanity but her voice rang out. "And just remember the name Kiyo a few years from now." She said mysteriously. Zuko arched a brow but continued walking. That wasn't much of a help.
Aunt Wu was a strange person. Zuko would have normally lashed out at anyone who would dare not tell him important information. But when she said he would find all these things out…he believed her. Ugh, what a stupid fool he was; believing in such…nonsense.
Zuko growled under his breath and clenched his fists. He was an idiot. He needed to find Uncle and get out of there. He was becoming soft and it wasn't a good thing by any means. Yes he and Uncle would travel far away and forget this place! Forget Akiko, forget Aunt Wu, they would forget everything. Yes, good plan, very good plan.
He stalked down the halls trying to find a way out or at least his Uncle. But damn it! What did that fool mean about love? Surely he would not fall in love. He wouldn't allow himself fall for Song and he wouldn't allow himself to fall for anyone else! Love was weakness, love was pain and love wasn't real! He knew this from his parents' relationship. They weren't in love, his father needed a woman in high social status and his mother didn't have a choice. They actually couldn't stand each other from what he saw. They would avoid each others presence at all costs.
Love. Ha!
Before he knew it he collided with a big round beer belly. He stumbled back on his heels but soon caught himself. He brushed himself off sourly and eyed his jolly Uncle.
"Good. I found you. Now lets leave." He said in a commanding voice.
"Ah yes Zuko. Did you get your reading?" Uncle asked.
Zuko paused all movement of brushing himself off and felt his heart stop. He took in a deep breath and turned away from his Uncle not wanting him to see through him. Which Iroh seemed to be getting very good at doing!
"Yes." Was all he said and he began walking. His Uncle gave him a knowing look and followed him from the back. Yes they were ready to leave. Finally! After more than a month of waiting they were going to leave.
Zuko did not make such of a good-bye as Uncle. In fact he did not say good-bye at all. He was just more than happy to leave that crazy old bats presence. But after receiving his reading she didn't seem so crazy after all. But damn it she was confusing! But he decided not to dwell on it for it would only make him even more angry and confused. Zuko hated being confused about anyone and anything.
Zuko suppressed a gag as he saw Aunt Wu smother his Uncle Iroh in a large bodied hug. It was sickening to see his Uncle doing such things considering he has tried to block his Uncle's intimate life out of his mind. If he didn't block out those things…images would come up. And no one likes old people images.
"Please Uncle, let's just go already." Zuko snapped; his stomach not able to take anymore hugs.
Aunt Wu and Uncle Iroh parted and gave each other broad smiles. Zuko rolled his eyes at his smiling Uncle as the old man strolled up next to him.
"What a kind lady." He said with that same annoying grin.
"Whatever." Zuko grunted and they began walking with Aunt Wu calling out good-byes and waving around a pink cloth.
"Zuko, the second girl you meet with!" She called which made Zuko stop in his tracks and tense. Why did she always make him tense? But he shrugged it off and kept walking with his Uncle at a much faster pace to get out of there. He was going so fast his Uncle had to tell him to stop.
"Zuko please slow down! An old man cannot keep up." Iroh begged now panting. Zuko growled in his throat and settled for a slow pace beside his Uncle knowing that Iroh would enjoy asking questions of his reading.
"So what was your fortune?" Iroh asked with a grin and a wink.
Zuko grit his teeth and had to wave away the urge to clench his fists. "Haven't you ever heard that you're not supposed to tell anyone or else it won't come true?" he said coolly.
"Ah yes, but that is for wishes, not for fortunes to tell Uncles." Iroh said smartly.
Zuko sighed in defeat. "I am to meet a girl and I will fall in love with her soon. I will find the Avatar and do something for him and I am going to have someone I love leave and help someone." Zuko said vaguely. "She also said to remember the name Kiyo in a few years."
Iroh furrowed his brows in thought. Apparently he didn't get it either but that was no matter. It was just a made up fortune that Aunt Wu does to get everyone to love her. Ha! Zuko didn't fall for her tricks! No sere he was not falling for that crap!
"What about you're reading Uncle?" Zuko asked trying to hide the sharpness in his voice.
"Oh, I did not get a reading." Iroh said simply and tucked his hands into his large bell sleeves. Zuko felt the flame inside him grow and he couldn't take it anymore! The old fool didn't get a reading but he had to? What a bunch of bison shit!
"You mean I had to get a reading and you didn't?" Zuko flared leaning in towards his Uncle with clenched fists.
"Yes. A man my age knows what is coming next and I like the surprise. And you need more hope than I do." Iroh explained calmly.
"MY HOPE IS FINE UNCLE!" Zuko bellowed with smoke escaping through his nostrils.
"Of course nephew."
Zuko growled in frustraition.
0000
"Whoa what happened?" Toph asked rubbing her sore back as she stood. Appa was lying on his side in between some trees. Sokka was draped of his side limply.
"I'm not sure but I don't think Katara had anything to do with it." Aang said flying up next to her.
"Shut it Twinkle Toes," Toph barked holding a hand to his face without looking at him, "I don't think Katara had anything to do with this."
"But I-" Aang began.
"Sh!" Toph snapped closing his mouth with her fingers. Aang felt his eyebrows twitch in aggravation.
Sokka fell from Appa's side with a thud. "Well we have to find Katara and fast." Toph stated as Sokka was busy pulling his boomerang out of his backside. He hadn't realized it had gotten stuck there.
"I don't think Katara wants to be found." Aang said sadly.
"Why wouldn't she?" Toph asked putting her hands on her hips.
"Because-" Sokka said seriously causing both children to look at him, "She isn't always Katara. I would know because I have lived with her for so many years. My Gran-Gran said that she has a spirit in her that reincarnated into our family again to fulfill some legacy. That's all I know."
"Wait—what does this have to do with Katara again?" Aang asked taking mental notes.
"She is the reincarnated spirit of our family and she has to fulfill some destiny of hers. Katara has been off and on lately and it's probably because the spirit is showing itself more which means she is closer to fulfilling her destiny." Sokka explained trying not to get annoyed with questions.
"And what's this destiny?" Toph mocked.
"I SAID I DON'T KNOW!" he barked in her face. Toph only grinned. She used her two fingers to poke him in the head and she pointed at him and laughed as he fell onto his backside.
"Your going to regret that you little-BWAH!" Sokka was thrown into the air by the abrupt uprising of the earth. Toph was laughing fully at his stupidity. Soon enough Sokka grazed her across the cheek with his boomerang. She stopped her laughing and glared at him causing the situation to become serious. They stepped in the space between them and growled into each others faces.
Aang got in the middle of them and pulled them apart. "Guys settle down. Now do we find Katara or not?"
Sokka stepped back and regained his self-control (or lack-there-of) and leaned against a tree. "As much as I would like to find her… we can't. My Gran-Gran said I can never interfere with this destiny or else I will be cursed by the spirits. I don't need to be cursed. So no we don't find her. We still go on and if we come across her great but if we don't we leave it that way."
Aang looked down sadly and walked away into the forest. Being without Katara made him so depressed. Toph watched after him with a pang of anger and jealousy swarming through her heart. He would never care about her that way. Not that she cared or anything it's just that Katara was so…perfect.
0000
A crack of thunder sounded over Zuko's head. He didn't care if a tornado came; he was loosing his entire sense of care rather rapidly. He didn't know why he didn't care maybe it was because he felt worthless in every possible way to humanity. He suddenly felt like he wasn't worthy to firebend. And that would take so much a few months ago to make him feel so worthless.
"Zuko I think we should stop here." Iroh said pointing over to an inn. They had been traveling for a few days and were in an unfamiliar town.
"We're going to just because of a spring storm?" Zuko asked in mono-tone.
"Yes. Now come on it's about to rain." Uncle said walking into the inn. Zuko sighed and followed.
The inn was shabby and dirty. Zuko tried not to wince at the place. It was disgusting and vile. The ground was probably more sanitary than this place…it was repulsive to say the very least!
Once they checked into their room Zuko sat on one of the cot and put his face in his hands. Life was becoming such a nightmare nowadays. Why was he cursed to have done the right thing to have spoken out against that damn general! Why couldn't he have just stayed outside until the meeting was finished, why was he so weak?
"Zuko, your hair is growing out rather nicely." His Uncle commented randomly shifting his weight on his little cot.
Zuko stared at his Uncle for a long, long time.
"What? It's a compliment." His Uncle smiled a cheap grin and leaned into his nephews' ear. "I bet the ladies will love your hair like this." He whispered
Zuko pulled away and rolled his eyes hotly. "You're being a fool Uncle now get some rest; we have to set out early in the morning."
"What purpose do we have to travel so quickly?" Uncle asked.
Zuko opened his mouth to respond but nothing came out. He looked away down at his peasant shoes and sighed through his nose. No reason had come to mind. But so he wouldn't give his Uncle the satisfaction of knowing he was wrong he turned over and closed his eyes with a grunt which was supposed to symbolize 'good-night'.
His Uncle sighed heavily. He knew Zuko would really not go to sleep and that he was just avoiding the question but that was no matter really. He was able to get Zuko talking again but just not about the same topic.
"I hear Azula is to be engaged." Iroh said mischievously.
Upon hearing this Zuko yelped and fell off his cot in a whirl of surprise and confusion. He lifted himself half-way back on the cot and stared at his Uncle as if he had two heads.
"Azula…engaged; to whom?" Zuko nearly shouted the words.
Iroh smiled a bit and leaned back with his eyes closed. He seemed so calm. "To that nice young man Boo Fong Chi."
Zuko blinked several times before it registered. He grinned evilly and resumed lying on his cot calmly. "She is to be married to 'Buffoon Boo'." the name said it all.
Uncle Iroh smiled wickedly and settled in for the night. He thought that he would share a bit of his knowledge and lighten the mood of his nephew. It was only funny because Boo really was a buffoon. He had a hunched posture, a crooked neck, greasy black locks that hung like strings and he had a nasal-like way of speaking and when he laughed he resembled the royal Fire Nation pig, Crym. He was about at smart as a shovel and could firebend as well as a waterbender. If you loved humor then you would speak to Boo Fong Chi, Uncle usually spoke to him to get a good laugh back when they lived at the palace. There were some good times back then.
"So about this young lady…" Uncle winked. Zuko groaned and rolled over on his side away from his Uncle suddenly not in a humorous mood anymore. "She wouldn't be any girl we have recently met would she?"
Zuko growled and turned to face his Uncle. "No Uncle. It is not Akiko, she is engaged and I would not busy myself romantically with her anyway." He spat.
"I wasn't talking about Akiko." Uncle responded.
"Then who were you talking about?"
0000
The rain was beating down on Akiko's poorly clothed back as she shivered her way through the towns looking for work or at least a place to stay. It was becoming harder and harder to find now that everyone was beginning to hear news of her thanks to Madam Buzel. She is going to have something coming to her that woman is.
The mud stuck to her mid-calve boots like glue, making disgusting squashing noises everywhere she went. It was becoming annoying and it was making her stomach to flips every time she took a step.
A heavy sigh came from her mouth as she walked around without a coat of any sort. She had no where to go and no one to talk to. It was tragic really, that was how it had been for over a year now. No one was there to care if she was alive or dead besides Katara and Zuko. Maybe they would meet one day but probably not. Chances like those don't come very often. But who knows, they all could be reunited again.
In the midst of her thoughts an open shop with a dim light came into view. Akiko looked at it for a while debating on whether to run for it or not. Just as she was debating her answer she saw the shadow of someone walking by and felt relieved that someone other than herself would be there. Akiko ran for it with all her might. Finally someplace warm to sit for awhile. She needed sleep, and that was something she hadn't gotten in several nights.
When she came to the shops entrance she was disappointed to see that it was indeed closed. The light had simply been a Fire Nation soldier inspecting the shop. Wait a tick…a Fire Nation soldier? This could only mean trouble. The Fire Nation was not in control of this town. Of great luck Akiko saw some items of clothing were left outside for costumers viewing and she quickly grabbed a dark orange cape with a hood. She hesitated after she put it on but ran off to investigate despite her hesitation.
In the shadows Akiko ran alongside the dense soldier who still kept his fist aflame. The idiot would be discovered by whomever they were looking for at this rate…idiot. Akiko rolled her eyes and continued following the light.
Her heart stopped when her foot squashed rather loudly in a mud puddle. The soldier stopped and looked in the shadows with his eyes scanning the area for anyone who made the sound. After looking for a few seconds he finally realized no one was there so he shrugged and continued his walking as if nothing had happened. Akiko sighed in relief from the rooftop and jumped down so gracefully and quietly she was like a cat. She peered around a building and looked at the soldier still walking. She decided to get ahead of him and ran quietly but quickly until she was a good five minutes ahead of his own pace.
She began walking normally but was panting at her long quick run in which she had to be sure to be hidden and not make a sound doing. How the guard didn't see her she didn't know, hopefully he was stupid enough the think that the orange cape was his own light flickering or maybe the shadows hid her better than she had thought.
Before she knew it voices hit her ears. Female voices, hit her ears. Akiko immediately dodged in the shadows of a building beside the inn and listened carefully, yanking the dark orange hood down lower.
"So how do you feel about your arranged marriage?" a dull voice asked.
"Oh I love weddings!" chimed a rather perky voice.
"Boo Fong Chi is not worth my time. He is only useful for being accepted as Fire Lady." Came an icy voice. Akiko clasped a hand over her mouth to keep herself from gasping. Princess Azula and her crazy friends Mai and Ty Lee were here! This could only mean trouble so she listened even closer. She had heard stories of them all around her village in the Fire Nation and even when she was traveling. They were evil witches out for the Avatar, his friends, and some relatives named Zuko and Iroh.
"My brother and worthless Uncle are here. I know they are." Azula said with a smirk. "I want them killed, and Mai you get the honors of executing my brother."
Mai tensed but bowed respectively. "The only place we haven't checked is the inn." She said rather bored. "We should look there."
"Very well." Azula said with high authority. "I want both of you to search and bring them to me alive. We shall deal with them then."
Akiko's eyes widened in shock and fear and she looked up at the inn and saw a light in one of the rooms. It had to be Zuko's and she had to save him! His sister would get him and have that scary girl kill him.
Akiko wasted no time running up to the inn and climbing very carefully (so no vines would snap) up the side of the inn to save her friends.
0000
"Akiko?" Zuko asked in confusion.
"I said I didn't-" Uncle began but Zuko gestured to the window. Akiko was sitting on it in a dark orange cape panting, her platinum hair dripping wet.
Akiko's large aqua orbs looked up at him with fear and concern. She didn't care that she had vines tangled all over her body; she needed to get her friends out of there before Azula killed them all!
"Listen—" she breathed, "I don't—have much time—to explain but,--Azula and her—friends are here—they want you dead. Come—with me."
Iroh and Zuko exchanged glances and looked at Akiko determinedly. "Alright." Iroh said and stood with Zuko at his side.
Akiko grabbed all their stuff and flung it out the window. Iroh winced, "My good tea is—" but he dropped the subject when Akiko tossed him a hot glare throwing Zuko's things out the window as well.
Iroh decided he would slide first down the vines considering most of the vines would snap under his weight first and if he went second or last he wouldn't keep any of his weight up with any vines fewer; and he was certain that the young ones wouldn't be able to catch his weight.
Zuko went next to take up the rest of the vines though he could hardly see anything through the rain and fog and the thunder was very distracting. The vines snapped under his weight during the last few feet but his Uncle caught. Zuko then looked up at Akiko and opened his arms. Akiko looked down at him and bit her lip. She clenched her eyes and leapt from the window with her stomach rising to her throat and her cape fluttering above her head. Then she collided with Zuko's arms and was set down. She grabbed her things that she had left by the side of the inn and made sure that the men did too before running off into the forest with both of them on her heels.
0000
'BANG' went the door.
"Hey, where'd they go?" Ty Lee asked putting her hands on her hips. Both she and Mai looked around the empty room and sighed. Azula was going to throw a fit.
0000
They ran panting into a tiny clearing. That was too close for comfort for any of them to particularly care for. Azula was not one to confront, especially if you're running from her. That would make any child cry, from any Nation, from any family. Azula was just scary.
"Thank you for the warning and escape Akiko." Iroh said straightening. Zuko nodded at her and also straightened out. Akiko nodded to accept their gratitude's.
"We should get to bed and try to keep as dry as possible." Akiko said and put everyone's things in a pile in a hole of a tree.
Zuko huddled next to a large rock and Iroh next to him. Akiko smiled but didn't notice a book was falling from Zuko's bag until it landed on her booted foot. She hissed quietly and picked it up staring at it darkly. But the delicate words on the cover made her mood lighten. 'Destiny' it read out. She opened it and flipped through the pages and stopped at the very back where a wanted add a gray flower rested. She moved the flower and read the paper. She made a 'hmm' in her throat after she was finished. She began pondering over the subject. Zuko moved around a bit from his spot at the rock and Akiko quickly put everything back in its proper place before he could notice anything.
Akiko sighed and lay down under a large tree that would certainly keep her dry. She wrapped her cape around her and let the soothing sounds of the rain lull her into sleep.
Zuko on the other hand was awake but did not see what Akiko was doing with all their stuff. He figured she was looking through her own things for something. But honestly he didn't care, he was just concerned that Azula was so hot on his tail and he didn't even know it!
As troubling as these thoughts were they actually allowed sleep to overcome Zuko.
0000
Katara walked into the village and looked at everything she could lay her eyes on. It was so…different. Kermau was beaten down but it had traces of great and fine extravagances in its time. It was filled with character but seemed a bit on the gloomy side if you would search deep down into it.
She looked around more and more and she began to like the feel of it now. She really felt something strong and right going on here. It was the right decision and she knew it! But how to go about asking around to see if anyone knew anything about the Water Tribe spirit Mora. Suddenly it dawned upon her. Who in the Earth Kingdom would know about Mora of the Water Tribes? Katara groaned and kicked at the earth under her. Great, just great, now how was she going to find anyone to help her get to the Fire Nation and tell her about Mora?
Katara clenched her fists and began stalking around deep in thought of what she could possibly do now that she figured out that no one would be able to help her with this…problem if you will.
For hours and hours Katara walked about browsing in shops to keep people from becoming suspicious of anything. After all she was wanted by the Fire Nation for some reason. Not that she really did anything anyway but travel with Aang. Okay maybe she fought the Fire Nation and their Princess, okay and maybe she taught Aang waterbending but she really didn't do anything.
Soon it became night and Katara had not come up with one single solution. It was aggravating to know you were so…alone. She had never been alone in all her life and she honestly didn't want to start now. But what could you do when you had some big destiny to fulfill and you didn't know how to do it? Especially if it meant holding Aang back from his Avatar training.
A bar came into a view after awhile and it seemed rather quiet so Katara thought she might as well settle there for a while. Who knows it might just be a ticket for someplace nice to sleep for the time being, or at least until she could find someone to help her out with her Mora situation.
The closer she approached the nicer the bar seemed. She didn't even take the time to remember that looks could be deceiving. It seemed empty besides a few people that worked there and it smells of light alcohol but delicious barbeque. It seemed like a rather nice place.
Katara stepped inside and took a whiff of the great and homey smell of it. A fire crackled in the fireplace, a kind but stern looking man polished glasses and a few women sat around a quietly chatted merrily almost as if a war wasn't even going on. Katara loved the feel of the place.
"Erm…Welcomes to 'dis 'er bar ma'am." The bar owner said with a heavy accent. Katara smiled warmly at him and sat up at the bar.
"I don't have much but can I have some fresh stew?" Katara asked with her mouth watering from the very thought of the sliced vegetables, thick chunks of meat and warm broth.
"Yes'm. I bets I sure can make a fine stew for ya'." The man smiled a crooked grin and went to the back of the bar. Katara set her money down with a sigh, at this rate she wouldn't have any money left at all.
"Hello darlin'. You're lookin' a bit down so why don't ya have a seat by us gals?" a clear and sweat voice rang. Katara turned around to see the women that were chatting before looking at her with all smiles. Katara smiled back at them and nodded her head.
The couch wasn't very comfortable. Its springs poked right into Katara's rear and the cushions were stiff and thin. But other than that she had a perfect reason to smile. These women wanted to talk to her and make friends. Katara suddenly didn't feel so lonely anymore.
"Would ya look at that hair." One lady laughed and trailed a finger along a loop. Katara made a nervous laugh.
"Maybe Ah should try to make mah hair like that." Another lady said and began stroking her fiery red locks. Katara thought she might as well tell them that is a Water Tribe hair do.
"It originates from the Southern Water Tribe." Katara said proudly stroking down her long braid.
"You're from the Southern Water Tribe?" One lady asked handing Katara her soup.
Katara nodded and blew on the hot broth secretly using her ice breath. The ladies didn't notice just stared at her wide-eyed.
"Ah've neva seen anyone from there. I did hear dat befo' the war, it was a beautiful and magical place. But ever since the war started it has been in ruins." The ladies all made "tsk" noises.
"Yes my village is very small." Katara said sadly sipping on the warm broth.
The women made no comment to this. Katara guessed they didn't like talking about the tragedies of the war all too much. But who did? It wasn't the most pleasant thing that you could bring up in a conversation.
Katara finished her soup as the ladies talked and gossiped and people and things that were foreign to her. She sighed and brought her bowl up to the counter. The man smiled at her and began washing it. It was like he could sense that the women didn't make her feel better after all.
"So where you gonna stay, hun?" he asked.
Katara looked up at him for a while and then lowered her eyes. "I don't have a place to stay. I am looking for a way to travel to the Fire Nation but I can't. I don't know how or what to do when I am there."
"Fire Nation, eh? Why would ya wanna travel there?"
"It's…just something that I need to do." Katara said not about to tell him about her other person that just-so-happened to be living inside her body.
"Well I guess you could catch a ride on that Prince's ship." The man said seriously and then burst into laughter. He was actually laughing so hard tears were spilling from the corners of his eyes. Katara on the other hand did not find it funny at all.
"And why would I want to do that?" she spat.
"Oh, you wouldn't dear, he has no ship, he is no long a member of the Fire Nation, and his own father wants him killed. He's one sad case." The man said rounding up his chuckles and cleaning Katara's bowl.
Katara looked down. She didn't feel pity but she didn't feel good about it. No one deserved to have their parents turn on them and no one deserved to be kicked out of their Nation no matter what the reason might be. It wasn't right.
"Could I maybe stay here for the night?" Katara asked eyeing the mysteriously empty couch. The women must have left.
"Welp, I don't see why not." Katara could have kissed that man! Finally she had a place to stay!
Katara smiled broadly at him and said her thanks. And before she knew it she was out like a light on that uncomfortable couch. But that didn't matter; at least she got the chance to sleep!
0000
"Wake up!" the old bar owner hissed. Katara groaned and looked around; it had to have been at least four in the morning.
"I said wake up!" the man spat. Katara bolted upright and looked at him fearfully.
"Ya didn't tell meh that you're wanted by Fire Nation you damn fool! Now get up and get outa here. The Princess is around here looking for any trace of Prince Zuko, the Avatar, and you!" He thrusted her up and pushed her out the back door with a harsh and heavy force.
For a moment Katara stood out in the dark staring at the door. But after awhile it finally clicked, Katara ran out into the forest as soon as she let the realization hit. Okay so the crazy girl with blue fire was looking for all of them right now in this city. This is brilliant, if they catch her who knows what they will do?
Running at full speed this early in the morning did not help her stomach or her muscles for that matter. Her mind was so fogged that she didn't notice a root that was raised above ground and she fell face first into the mud. Katara gasped when she rose and flung the gunk of her face with her fingers. All she cared about was getting away, running far away. There was no place for her now.
Katara ran until her breaths were gasps and her lungs were numb. Her throat was extremely dry and her entire body ached and pleaded for her to stop and rest. It was amazing that she didn't collapse figuring how tired and groggy she was. But there was no use in wondering of such situations, she needed to find the next town and get to the Fire Nation. But the way to go about it was a mystery that was going to be awfully hard to crack.
Slowing down to a walk Katara sighed in relief, her legs were burning like mad. Now being more careful and aware Katara looked around her, the trees were tightly knit together and the leaves and branches of the tree mingled together making it difficult for any sunlight to come through and warm any chilled nose that came passing by.
"Gah!" Katara had tripped over a….bag? Katara took it up and examined it in her hands.
"You!" someone hissed. That voice…that voice was so familiar.
Then it clicked. "Zuko!" Katara screamed as she was met with the piercing golden eyes of the Fire Nation Prince himself.
Before she could open her flask she just barely escaped a long stream of flames that warmed her cheeks as they passed by. Katara finally got the chance to open her flask and launch a water whip at his neck. Zuko hissed at its sharp sting but growled at her, igniting his fists as Katara summoned the water ready for a strong defense.
"What are you guys doing?" a familiar voice rang. As Katara saw the familiar girl approach from behind Zuko the water that she had summoned splashed down to the earth.
"Akiko?" Katara breathed, hardly able to believe Akiko was with that…thing.
"Katara, how are you?" Akiko asked and walked up to Katara with a large smile.
Zuko extinguished the fire in his hands and glared at the waterbender whom he had came to loathe with a passion. "How do you know each other?" he hissed not taking his hot glare off the waterbender.
Akiko smiled at him. "We're friends." She stated simply as if that would cover as an explanation.
Katara looked at Zuko with an icy glare. "And how do you know Zuko?"
"We're friends." Akiko said again.
"How?" both Zuko and Katara asked with force.
Akiko looked from Katara to Zuko and Zuko to Katara. "Okay, I must have missed something here. Would someone mind telling me what's going on?" she placed her hands on her slender hips. Iroh was watching nearby with a confused look on his face as he gazed at his nephew and Katara.
"He is Prince Zuko, my enemy. He has been after my friend Aang the Avatar for months now. Both my brother and I traveled with him until I decided to leave just recently." Katara said still not taking her eyes off Zuko. She had once again summoned water in case he tried to pull a fast one.
"Lies! You never left the Avatar, he is around here somewhere, now where is he?" Zuko demanded causing a large flame to engulf his fist. Katara's glare intensified and her muscles tightened under his gaze.
"I know Akiko from Madam Buzel's Orphanage where I have recently worked with her. We both got thrown out." Katara said now ignoring him.
"And we know Akiko from Aunt Wu's place where she worked a few months ago. That must have been before she worked with you at the orphanage." Uncle Iroh said now amused by what was going on.
Zuko scowled at his Uncle for being so open with the enemy but shoved it aside. Right now he needed to deal with the girl and not his annoying Uncle.
"How did you get here?" Zuko asked with the flame still fully blazing and his glare still firm.
"What's it to you?" Katara taunted with a smirk. Zuko wanted to lash out at the girl for disrespecting him.
Zuko growled and took a step towards her still in a position of attack. Katara stepped back to keep a good distance from him. She didn't want him anywhere near her.
"Tell me and I don't scorch your pretty little face." Zuko threatened.
"Oh Zuko, you're concern for my pretty little face touches me." Katara spat.
Zuko growled loudly and ignited his other fist. "Stop playing games little girl and tell me!"
Katara smirked; she had the upper-hand here. "Fine if you must know." She said with a sneer. "I went into town and found a bar to spend the night. Then I was woken up by the bar owner because those weird Fire Nation girls were looking for you, me and my brother, and Aang. I was forced to run into the forest and get as far away as possible." Katara said honestly but her glare did not falter.
Zuko didn't say or do anything. The two continued to glare at each other. Akiko laughed nervously and stepped between the two benders with their elements ready. "Hey I have an idea." She laughed. "Katara you can travel with us!"
"WHAT?" both Katara and Zuko screamed, their elements vanishing.
"I will not travel with that thing!" Katara said crossing her arms stubbornly.
"And I will not travel with that worthless wench." Zuko spat crossing his arms too.
Akiko shrugged. "Well I thought it would be nice to go to the Fire Nation without being captured or killed."
Zuko attention was caught as was Katara's. "What are you talking about?" Zuko asked suspiciously. Katara eyed her.
Akiko smirked. "Well I always thought you both wanted a way into the Fire Nation with open arms."
"I never I said I wanted to go to the Fire Nation." Katara said still eyeing the illuminating lightningbender.
"That's true." Akiko said with a smug look, "But you said something about it in your sleep."
Katara looked down at her feet. Yes, she did have a history of speaking of what has been on her mind for awhile in her sleep. It was something she had no control of.
"And we all know Zuko wants to go back." Akiko said nodding to him. Iroh cleared his throat warningly. Akiko turned to the old man and winked giving him the signal that everything was going to be all right.
"I know I want to go home so this way everyone wins." Akiko said bobbing with enthusiasm.
"What are—" Zuko began put Akiko put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. "Trust me." She said through gritted teeth. And Zuko did trust her for some odd reason.
"I…But….Does he have to come along?" Katara asked putting her hands on her filling out hips. Zuko ground his teeth.
Akiko nodded.
"She is not coming along Akiko." Zuko barked.
"Yes, she is. She's my friend and just wants to get to the Fire Nation like all of us. She's coming." Akiko said firmly.
"I don't see why not. The more the merrier." Iroh said with a big belly laugh.
"My ass…" Zuko mumbled.
"What was that, royal snob?" Katara snapped.
"Nothing, you no nothing twit peasant!" Zuko snapped right back.
Akiko groaned. "Look all of you just shut up. I have this all planned out and we can all finally go home!"
Everyone was silent. "Ah, so the agreements made!" Akiko beamed, "Splendid!"
No one had the time to rule against her for she already picked up everyone's things and walked alongside Iroh talking about different teas. Katara and Zuko both glared at each other warningly.
Katara stepped into his face. "I don't trust you."
He leaned down to her. "Then why don't you leave and go find the Avatar?"
"Because," she spat through clenched teeth, "I need to go to the Fire Nation."
Zuko growled. "Stay out of my way peasant, or else."
"My pleasure." Katara sneered and spun on heel away from him, her long braid purposefully smacking him in the face. Zuko growled and stalked off to Akiko and hissed in her ear. "This better be good."
"Oh, it is." Akiko said with a smirk.
0000
The night was cold and frosty in the forest. They made camp in a tiny, tiny clearing and no one wanted to make a fire in fear of being discovered by Azula or any sort of the Fire Nation.
Katara sat on the far end of the clearing glaring daggers into Zuko's brain. And Zuko would refuse to even look at her. Katara refused to fall asleep when she was around him. She would not allow any kind of sleep to tempt her!
And they both only slightly tolerated each other (if you want to call it that) because they wanted to go to the Fire Nation for completely different reasons. Both didn't know how they were going to pull it off.
Meanwhile, Zuko was trying not to vomit from the overwhelming smell of ginseng tea. If it wasn't overwhelming it smelled rather nice and calming, but when his Uncle made it well let's just say his upchuck reflex was up and ready.
Soon, before his own eyes Akiko squirmed over to him and opened his bag. Zuko looked down at her in disbelief and then anger. He tried to snatch it away but she turned her body and still rummaged through it as if it was her own.
"What the hell are you doing?" he hissed in her ear. He could feel her smirk and stiffened his jaw in agitation.
"I'm showing you my plan." She whispered and shoved a paper in his chest.
Zuko was startled at first and then saw the paper was from one of his books. Normally he would have been indescribably angry with her for going through such private things. But before he got the chance to burn her to a crisp Akiko smiled. That smile shut him up, it was so…mischievous. Akiko pointed her index finger to the paper and then to Katara. This motion continued until Zuko's dumbfounded look disappeared into a look of sheer disbelief, he knew it would work if the stupid idiot would only agree to it.
"And what makes you think that she will agree?" Zuko hissed.
Akiko smirked. "Trust me, she will."
Zuko glared at the waterbender who had fallen asleep sitting up. "She better." He mumbled to himself.
Akiko got up and sat next to Iroh with a satisfied smile on her lips as she took the tea that she was given. She sipped it through her smile as her eyes darted from Katara to Zuko. Iroh gave a smug smile at her, he already knew her plan.
"They were not to long ago enemies." He said.
Akiko nodded.
"I don't think they will easily go through this together."
"I doubt it too, but they will do it to get to the Fire Nation. Zuko wants his family and honor back and Katara won't say her reason but it doesn't matter. We're all going." Akiko said and finished her tea.
Iroh sighed and then chuckled lightly in his throat getting ready for a sarcastic remark. "You sure are the angel of reunions."
Okay that was 20 pages worth people. Love it? Hate it? Tell me! (shakes screen) Now we are getting to the good stuff so stay tuned and REVIEW or else you don't get to enjoy the wonders!
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