Man sorry guys! I have just been so busy. Well I was sick today and got the chapter in so here you go! I seriously am sorry and I honestly like this chapter and I hope you will too. I guess I like it for the fluff, the hinting and the fighting. (wink) enjoy it kiddies!
Disclaimer: I don't own the show or else I wouldn't make everyone wait until December 1st for the Zutara goodness!
The next morning, Katara felt almost back to normal. She gulped down some left over cider from the other night and stood setting the glass down on the table beside her. A heavy weight filled her head but she ignored it and took a glance in the mirror. She winced. Her face was caked with dirt and her hair was out of control with twigs and leaves popping out at every angle.
Katara looked down at her nearly naked body. She was still in her costume that was ruined from the previous night. Katara opened the bathroom door and started up the shower. She knew it would be better for her sore and exhausted body to relax in the bath but for more efficient cleaning she would need to shower. She opened a cabinet under the sink and grabbed some beaded citrus body wash, facial cleanser, and lavender scented shampoo and conditioner. Katara could hardly wait to feel clean again! Her eyes went to the sink where there was a razor sitting on the ledge. She grabbed that too. She didn't know who it belonged to but it was very well taken care of so she didn't mind. And she hoped the owner didn't mind either.
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Zuko felt a bead of sweat dribble down his temple from the mental strain he was pushed under. His tongue pressured against the side of his mouth. His shoulders were hunched and his body stiff. His hand was shaking as he brought the card up to the top of the card mountain he and Jet had started making that morning. It was the very last piece and it all came down to the card in Zuko's hand.
Zuko gently placed the card on top of the stack. He winced and drew his hand back cobra quick when his pinky tapped a card. The whole mountain wavered as Jet and Zuko held out their hands with wide fearful eyes as if they did this the mountain would be saved. Finally the stack stopped wavering and the boys let out sighs of relief.
Suddenly, there was a shriek from one of the rooms and a door slammed, shaking the entire inn. The card mountain promptly fell over. Zuko and Jet looked hysterically up at Song who was running into Akiko's room shrieking, "SPIDER!"
Jet snorted, "Man, and to think we worked all morning on this thing."
Zuko crossed his arms and leaned back into his chair acting as if he didn't care. Actually he was rather peeved about it. He smirked when he heard Akiko shouting at Song that she was sleeping and didn't need to hear anymore about 'creepy crawlers' now that the phase of her creepy awakenings was over.
Jet suddenly heard the shower running and grinned. "I bet that's Katara up there taking a shower. Everyone else checked out way earlier."
Jet suddenly winked which made Zuko scowl.
"What's your point?" Zuko asked hotly.
The former Freedom Fighter snorted. "Did you see her last night?"
Zuko cleared his throat and shrugged looking away trying to hide his discomfort. "Yeah, what about it?"
Jet swung his arm around the back of Zuko's chair leaning in, "She looked hot, man. Even you have to think so."
Zuko chomped down hard on his lower lip. He wasn't going to say ANYTHING.
Jet smirked and leaned back in his chair again and propped his feet up on the table filled with spilt cards. "I knew you would agree. Why do you think I even wanted to go into that forest?"
Zuko frowned and looked at him, not sure if he wanted to know the answer. "Why?"
Jet grinned and tilted his head up cockily, "You saw how smokin' she looked. And the dark creepy forest with easy ways to get…separated from the group just made it perfect."
Zuko glowered at him, "What are you getting at?"
Jet shrugged, "I know she isn't easy or anything but you never know what can happen on Day of the Dead."
Zuko jumped to his feet glaring darkly down at the boy who looked pretty shocked. "Don't talk like that about her!"
Jet raised his hands up defensively, "Hey I was only kidding. You know, ha ha?"
Zuko snorted with the faintest of smoke coming from his nostrils, "It wasn't funny!"
There was a long silence between the boys. All that could be heard was distant sound of a shower running, low murmurs from Akiko's room and Zuko's heavy irritated breathing. Jet suddenly grinned madly.
"You like her…don't you?"
Zuko made a noise of something between a gasp and a choke. "W-what!?"
Jet crossed his arms and stared at the firebender smugly, "You-Like-Katara."
Zuko began pacing running a hand through his hair, "Don't be ridiculous! I would never ever like that peasant!"
Jet smoothly leapt to his feet and jabbed a finger into the exiled boys' chest, "You do! I can tell."
Zuko scowled and knocked the finger away from him, "T-that's…that's…ARGH! That's the stupidest thing I have ever heard of!" he said stubbornly crossing his arms.
Jet frowned deeply at the firebender and he looked up at Katara's room again. Zuko watched this with confusion. Was Jet jealous? No, why would he be? But the expression on Jet's face shifted into something else…worry.
Suddenly the shower was shut off and the whole inn went silent. Katara's door opened and there she was, wearing a fluffy yellow robe and she was drying her thick chocolate locks with a towel.
"Has anyone seen my bag?" she asked leaning over the stairwell at them. Both boys watched closely as a drop of water fell from a strand of her hair landing on the ground at their feet. Katara furrowed her brows at them.
"Okay…I'll just ask the girls then."
Zuko snapped his head away when he heard her suspicious tone and began cleaning up the cards on the table. Katara smiled at Jet which Jet returned half-heartedly. He averted his eyes and plopped down on a couch with one arm over his head. Oh man
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Katara poked her head through Akiko's door and smiled before stepping in. Song was clutching onto a pillow pulling a strand of her long honey colored hair between her fingers. Akiko had her head tucked under her blankets grumbling.
"Um guys, have you seen my bag? It's not in my room." Katara said leaning against the doorframe.
Akiko poked out from under the blankets and yawned, "I think you left your things in Song's room last night."
"B-but don't go in there!" Song squealed gripping to the pillow tighter. Akiko groaned.
"Why?" Katara asked.
Song bit her lip and Akiko groaned flinging her long milky legs over the edge of her bed. "There's a spider in there. And don't ask me to go in there and kill it! I won't!"
Katara giggled and left the room to face this fearsome spider. Akiko and Song exchanged glances and ran after her shouting things like, "Are you crazy?" and "It isn't safe."
Katara opened the door and looked around. She put her hands and her hips and scoffed, "See guys," she said motioning into the room, "It's gone now."
Katara grabbed her bag. Akiko and Song cautiously walked into the room and sighed in relief. Akiko crossed her arms but froze instantly. Her head snapped down and her face went starch white. There next to her bare foot was the spider that haunted her many times before now. One of its tiny lags brushed against her pinky toe and she screamed.
Oliver gasped when he saw the girl plagued arachnophobia scream and send a line of electricity his way. He barely scuttled out the line of attack. How was it that she could fight mud-crocs without have a panic-attack but when she saw him she nearly lost her soul?
Katara gasped as Oliver's eyes landed on her and narrowed, just like he had a while back. She lunged out of the way and onto the bed. She looked at a glass of water on the night stand and water-whipped at the freakish spider sending it back towards Akiko. Song was screaming, Akiko was shouting in aggravation, and Katara was making loud noises of frustration.
Oliver squealed when both elements were suddenly launched at him at the same time. As the elements clashed there was a mildly loud 'pop' and he was thrown out the window. Song slumped to the ground moaning and holding her head. The two boys suddenly barged in along with the owner.
"Twat on eauth be goin' on?" the owner exclaimed holding a broom in one hand. Akiko and Katara looked at each other and back at the scorched wooden floor, the hole in the wall, the broken window and the bawling Song, the exhausted Akiko, and the half naked Katara.
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"Well that went well." Oliver said rubbing his head. He had returned back to the underworld when his little spying adventure nearly cost him four of his legs.
Resbuto rubbed his hands together, "Don't worry about it. Everything will fall into place."
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"Way to get us thrown out guys!" Jet said crossing his arms. His eyes darted around the area nervously, expectantly.
"And all over some stupid spider." Zuko added glaring at the three girls as they fixed their hair in the lake reflections.
"But you don't understand!" said Akiko rising to her feet, "That was the same spider from back at Mora's travel house!"
Zuko scoffed.
Katara sighed as she finished washing her face, "It did look an awful lot like that spider, Zuko."
"It's a stupid spider!" he exclaimed. Katara narrowed her eyes and put her hands on her hips.
"Why are you so closed-minded?"
Zuko whirled around to face her, "ME!?"
"Guys come on, not now." Song said stepping into the space between them. Zuko growled in his throat and brushed it all off. Katara's face flushed as he began to walk away.
"Just because she says something you just stop?" she said leaning her body in his direction. Her eyes glittered angrily.
Zuko froze and turned his head around just slightly enough to see how angry she was. "Yes. Is that a problem?" he was secretly getting mild enjoyment from the heat radiating off her.
Katara felt her throat tighten and a nail be hammered into her chest again and again. She wanted to yell at him in a shrill hysteric voice. Something was coming over her and she had no clue what it was. "Wimp," she said in a cracked voice.
Zuko spun on heel and marched into her face, he was no longer enjoying her anger. "What did you just say peasant?"
Katara jabbed a finger into his chest, "You heard me Zuko! You are a drooling, hormonal wimp."
Zuko's face flushed. Hormonal? Over SONG!? "You don't know what you're talking about!"
Katara pressed her full lips into a thin hard line, her nostrils flared. "I know exactly what I'm talking about! Prince Zuko has gone soft!"
Zuko grit his teeth, "I HAVE NOT GONE SOFT!" he bellowed.
"OH YEAH? IF SHE WASN'T HERE THEN YOU WOULD HAVE NEVER WALKED AWAY FROM THIS ARGUMENT!" Katara screeched right back at him.
Zuko fumed, smoke swirled out from his nostrils mildly and he took a step forward his face completely in hers. "Fine, we'll just see how soft I've gotten then won't we peasant?"
"Fine, we spar until the last attack is put out!" Katara said bitterly hungrily awaiting the challenge.
"Guys come on. Don't." Akiko said intervening for the first time. She was ignored. Jet gnawed on a piece of straw uninterested. Song looked worried as she chomped on her nails.
The two angry benders backed away from each other. Jet sighed and slipped an arm around Katara's shoulders, "Come on Kat, just walk away from this."
Zuko glared daggers into Jets head as his face grew hot, "KAT!?" he bellowed, "WHAT THE HELL IS KAT!?" He was also ignored.
Katara shrugged Jet off of her. "Butt out all of you!" she said. Suddenly she began feeling the push and pull of the water in her head, prepared for a fight.
Zuko roared loudly to give his attack ammo and launched a large fireball at her. Katara swiftly swung out an arm in front of her to block the attack with water. Katara yelled in union with Zuko as a swirl of fire ignited from Zuko's fist and a spiral of water was thrusted from Katara's open palm. The elements clashed and sizzled on contact sending a heavy steam around the area.
The two benders waited until they could see one another before they would fight again. Katara took a stream of water in her hand and flung it out like a whip that struck Zuko in the shoulder. It stung. He hissed in pain as he held it. He glared at the smirking waterbender before recovering and shooting four expert attacks, one from gliding his hands across the ground to send fire at her feet, another from his fist, one from swinging his leg around and down and another by simply kicking. Katara had dodged most every one except the last one that sent her flying onto her back.
Zuko's breaths came in heaves as he watched the girl lay unmoving before him. Suddenly she shot up to her feet. Her arms lapped over each other at her abdomen soon lashing out one by one sending ice spheres his way. Zuko felt his pupils shrink as they came in rapid speeds. Zuko deflected as many as he could not even able to get a shot in. He growled and lunged to the ground rolling out of the line of fire...well ice in this case. He leapt up and kicked out his legs one after the other three times sending streams of fire her way. Katara lunged and then rolled out of the way swinging out an arm sending a grounded sheet of water to Zuko's feet. Zuko felt the water attack his ankles and throw him down.
Zuko rolled and flipped back up to his feet. He summoned the fire into an orb in his hands and stared darkly at the all-to-ready waterbender. But much to Katara's surprise, another orb appeared, then another, then another, then another. Her eyes widened as he was suddenly launching tons of tiny soccer-ball sized balls of fire. Katara pulled up water and lashing it out to put out the flames but she got too distracted to see what Zuko was doing next.
Before Katara knew what hit her she felt a foot knock out her feet from under her as she crashed to her side. She opened her eyes just in time to move out of the way of a fire ball hurling at her head. She jumped to her knees flinging a water wall up to protect her from the next attack. She put uplifted palms to the sides of her and lunged forward coming back down into a crouch, heavy amounts of water washed over Zuko slamming him back into a tree. Akiko was about ready to jump in when both Song and Jet held her back. Katara and Zuko locked eyes and smirked, they were performing a simple spar, it actually felt nice.
Zuko recovered quickly now completely engrossed in the spar, he wanted to give it his all. Of course he would never really mean to hurt her. He opened up his arms and felt a spinning ring of fire erupt in the gap. A move similar to Azula's, a surge of pride ran through him if only for a second at perfecting to move as he flung it her way catching her by surprise from this unseen move. Everyone felt the unbearable heat as the attack flew past them. Katara didn't pull up a defense but an attack. Ice daggers were thrown his direction making everyone's ears ring as they whizzed past. Katara just had time to pull up a small thin patch of water so it wouldn't be a completely direct hit. It was a stupid move. No one was supposed to get hurt.
Katara felt the chemical reaction and the heavy pain that consumed her as she was thrown back onto a flat rock in the middle of the river. She moaned and surrendered into momentary darkness. Zuko cried out as the ice daggers snagged his clothing and pinned him directly to a tree. His head popped on the bark making him black out for the moment.
The group blinked a few times before registering what was happening. Akiko was the first one to react by jumping into the river and swimming over to a still blacked out Katara. Akiko checked for any serious injuries finding none she felt Katara's head and winced. That was seriously going to hurt later on.
Jet and Song frowned at each other and went to Zuko's side checking for broken bones and found none but he would have some nasty bruises later on.
"Jet, get out here and pull Katara to shore. I have to get Zuko unpinned." Akiko ordered and carefully leaned Katara back on the rock before diving back in the water to release Zuko from his icy prison. Jet frowned and waded through the water swimming past Akiko to grab Katara. He pulled her close to him and leaned into her ear, "I'm so sorry Katara."
Katara unconsciously snuggled closer which made Jet chomp on his lower lip and look away with a pained expression on his face. He hated himself. He hated himself a lot. Zuko's eyes opened only the slightest to see this. He moaned painfully and surrendered into darkness again, not sure where he was anymore.
Akiko released him and let him collapse into her arms. She laughed softly, "Man you guys sure can beat the crap out of each other."
Exactly, two thoughts rang at the same time.
Zuko was lowered into the grass as Jet also placed Katara next to him. Song darted her eyes to the bushes as they rustled. She nodded her head sadly and reached in her bag for rope. Jet felt a stinging sensation in his eyes and nose as he looked down at his first real girlfriend. He had hurt her once and now he was going to do it again.
Akiko turned around to face Song when she caught sight of the rope she gasped as Song approached the two unconscious benders. "What are you doing!?"
Song didn't say anything just knelt down and began binding Zuko's hands. Akiko lunged forward to stop her but the sound of clinking metal distracted her. Jet had pulled out his weapons to face her in battle, "I'm so sorry…I'm so sorry sorry sorry…" he said trailing off. Akiko gasped as he came after her. She lunged out of his way. As the swords were about ready to crash down on her she blocked them with crossed wrists and pushed the weapons away from his, her arms shaking and quivering from the strain. Akiko shifted her eyes to see her friends bound. She grit her teeth and screamed pushing Jet completely back. Her fingertips sizzled.
"TRAITORS!" she screamed tears streaming down her face. Jets' heart ached at the sight.
"I'm sorry!" he said fighting back the urge to cry himself. Akiko screeched and attacked by sliding out her two fingers, one set after the other. Jet deflected the attacks and dodged them occasionally being thrown back.
Akiko could hardly see through her tears but non-the-less she struck out a pulsing fist sending a strong attack to him. Jet was momentarily disabled. Akiko whirled around and jumped a long ways to Song kicking the sobbing girl over before her feet touched the ground. Song clutched her now swelling jaw. Akiko bent down to untie her friends but a weapon of Jet's whizzed over her head getting stuck in a tree. Akiko grabbed Zuko's broadswords not fully knowing how to do advanced techniques but she would have to use them anyway.
Jet had already retrieved his other weapon of choice and was ready to battle his former ally. She fumbled with the swords before getting a solid grip and putting them in a defensive stance. Jet roared for emphasis and swung out an attack Akiko barely deflected it and swung his weapon back and struck out her own attack. Electricity pulsed from her knuckles down to the blade of the swords. Jet narrowed his eyes and swung out his attacks. Akiko dodged them swiftly and fluidly and slid out her swords the electricity flying off of it like it was cutting through time itself. Jet crossed his swords to deflect the attack but it didn't work and sent him flying back. He recovered and swung out fully making Akiko flinch back. Jet hesitated making the final blow. Too long actually. Akiko recovered and swung out her blades only to have Jet swiftly block them with his arm shove them to the side with a scraping metal sound, and before Akiko knew it she was knocked out cold on the ground. Jet knew that if she was calmer and not in such a state of panic and hurry, she could have gotten him.
Song was curled up in a ball rocking back and fourth, occasionally she would reach out and touch Zuko's cheek but that was all she was doing, Jet didn't even see her blink. "Song we have to get them back to…"he grimaced painfully, "the Princess."
Song sat up on her knees and looked at him, her big brown orbs were glazed with tears, "What have we done Jet?" she whimpered.
Jet heaved a sigh and ran his hand through his hair, "The worst thing in the world." He turned away from her and back to the river, "This isn't the first time I've betrayed her though. I could never be the man she deserves." He clenched his eyes tightly.
Song stood and put a hand on his shoulder to comfort him.
"Well isn't that touching." A dull voice said from the bushes. The two betrayers spun around to look at Mai and Ty Lee. Their hearts shattered as reality announced itself fully. There was no turning back now.
"Where's the Princess?" Song asked in a murdered tone. Ty Lee giggled and Mai smirked but it vanished almost as quickly as it came.
"Caught up in some affairs. We're here to claim our finds. You're annoying Tree Friends are safe monkey boy and your town is free of the Fire Nation for the time being." Mai said kicking an unconscious lightningbender on her back.
Jet and Song looked down, sure their friends and family were safe but they didn't feel any better. Song leaned down to Zuko and eyes his scar, she could touch it as her last sign of affection but she didn't and simply ran her fingers through his hair.
"Carry the girl, boy." Mai commanded to Jet carrying Akiko in her arms. Ty Lee fluttered her eyelashes at him and swung Zuko over her should after faltering a bit. "We don't want to catch Water Tribe diseases." She said sourly crinkling up her nose. Song scowled and followed after a struggling Ty Lee with hands delicately folded into her large sleeves.
Jet waited until they were out of sight before leaning Katara against a tree and lightly tapping her cheeks. He became angered when she did not wake up. He took her canteen and poured it over her head. Slowly, very slowly Katara began opening her eyes, only half conscious as tiny drops of water fell down her face mostly catching on her lips.
"Katara listen to me," Jet said hastily. Katara moaned in response. "In a little while you need to wake up and fight, do you understand me? I'm sorry Katara, I really am but I am trying to save you now. I'll loosen your bonds. Build up your strength during this time."
Katara blinked up at him.
Jet smiled faintly and brushed a loose strand of wet hair from her lips, "I know I don't deserve this but-" he didn't finish his sentence before he closed his mouth over Katara's holding the back of her head tenderly. Katara made a pleasured noise as he sat her back again loosening the bonds severely and refilling her canteen. He swung the dazed girl over his shoulder and couldn't help but smile. Even though she wasn't fully awake the kiss had been special, if only for him. If he made it until the battle was over, he would have to do it again while she fully awake of course.
"What took you so long?" Mai demanded in a clearing not to far away.
Jet stared at the Fire Nation girl darkly, "Nature was calling."
Mai flushed and Ty Lee had an extreme giggle fit as if the idea was so absurd that a man had to pee. Jet rolled his eyes and Song stayed silent. Jet caught her eyes and her big brown ones and she nodded in understanding. Jet felt Katara squirm in his arms a little, a sign she was waking up. Her blue eyes cracked open and looked at him. First they were blank; they shifted into shock, anger, embarrassment and then determination. He smiled at her, he was glad she remembered and was more determined than ever. Katara looked at him sadly and almost looked betrayed, Jet frowned and looked away.
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Azula blew a pointed bang out of her face as Boo went on and on about the royal courts and the food. Apparently it was to die for. Azula personally wanted to die. There was no way she would take Boo on one of her missions and it was only polite to stay with him and keep him company. She knew her friends could handle the mediocre benders but it was her turf! She wanted to show off and claim honor for herself!
Boo was now talking about the Palace's condom brands. Decisions now had to be made…
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Katara couldn't say she wasn't hurt. She was. But even though Jet had betrayed her yet again he had come up with a plan to get her out of it, to save her. That was the only part that kept her trust and liking of him. She didn't remember much after he told her things. She was swaying in and out of reality.
She carefully bent her knees and the ropes fell off her ankles, then she carefully and quietly pulled up her arms that were tied behind her back and the ropes slid off and she saw Jet move his foot the catch them to hide any noise they would make when they hit the ground. She studied his face but he didn't seem to be aware of anything, but she knew him better than that.
Katara brushed her fingers against his neck. He stiffed and shifted his eyes to look at her. Katara smiled faintly and nodded. She was now ready to fight. Jet smirked. She rolled off his back landing on her feet with a soft thud. Ty Lee whirled around so fast Zuko fell off her shoulders. Katara stood smirking with Jet and Song on either side of her. Ty Lee gasped and Mai turned around too dropping Akiko.
Katara opened the clasp on her water skin and smirked, "Nice try ladies, but it's still not going to work."
Ty Lee frowned at the pretty waterbender and flicked her braid, "Please, we are better fighters and have prettier hair."
Katara smirked wider, "Not really Ty Lee. My brother said I was much prettier then you were." Sure this was a lie but it made Ty Lee's soft face flush.
Mai snorted, "Whatever."
She positioned her knives in her fingers and tossed them, the sound rang through the air. Katara threw up a small sliver of water that hardened into ice making the silver blades bounce back to Mai and Ty Lee that were forced to dodge.
"Song, go wake up Zuko and Akiko!" Jet ordered warding off flying knives.
Katara water whipped at Ty Lee who rolled forward on the grass to avoid it. Katara grinded her teeth, "You handle Mai, I got Ty Lee."
Ty Lee arched her body back her hands pointed to jab at Katara. Katara was ready. Ty Lee's hand came down the instant after Katara had created an ice barrier in front of her. Ty Lee shrieked and pulled her injured hand back. She grit her teeth, her brows twitched and she attacked again leaping over the wall. Katara swiftly turned the ice back to water. She knew even with waterbending she was just as equally quick as this girl and it would be hard to catch her. For the time being she would just have to confuse her.
The water was in streams moving around them readily waiting to be used to defend, attack, or too simply throw Ty Lee off. Water coming at her from all different directions, swirling, being used at the same time would definitely create a problem for the perky teen.
Song undid Akiko's and Zuko's bonds but she wasn't quick enough. Jet and Katara were managing to hold the two crazy girls off but how long would that last? Fear clenched in Song's chest and made her whole body tingle with adrenaline that would most likely never be put to use. She shook Zuko's shoulders a bit, but he wouldn't wake up!
"Zuko come on!" she said pleadingly, knives whizzed passed them, "This is proof that you can Katara can fight, do it some more!"
Song bit her lower lip thinking on how she could ever wake him up. She snapped her fingers in realization she slowly lowered her hand down to his eye, the scarred one. Soon enough just as her middle finger was about to brush over the tough skin his hand blurred before her eyes and caught her wrist. His eyes flashed open, a brilliant and smoldering gold. Song smiled and helped him sit up.
Zuko looked around at the fighting and groaned. Apparently a lot had happened. "And to think this started out as a heated spar…"
Zuko leapt to his feet and pulled back a fist to fight but someone caught it. He was whirled around and faced with Azula. He winced at her cruel grin. He jerked back away from her and got into his stance. The siblings circled one another.
Azula smirked coldly and swung around her leg sending out a thick stream of blue fire. Zuko tried to pull apart the attack but only succeeded in it half-way and was thrown back and into Ty Lee both of them toppling over. Zuko groaned from his spot on the ground, not wishing to ever get up again.
Azula grinned and her golden eyes glittered and she licked her painted lips. She wanted blood, Zuko felt it. Zuko tried to sit up but everything was fuzzy and he only saw a faint silhouette of his approaching sister. Azula held out two perfectly manicured fingers, long and pale. "It was nice knowing big brother. But I'm afraid your time here has come to an end." She said and smoke swirled from her nails. Zuko tried desperately to get his eyes to focus so he could actually see one Azula instead of five. He finally closed his eyes waiting for his sisters' final blow, it was just sad that it was so early in the battle.
Katara arched her back backwards and snapped forward raveling her water around the Princess's wrist. Katara flung her right arm to the right; Azula's body was jerked from the ground. Katara rolled her shoulder around and flung her arm to left and Azula disappeared into the forest.
Zuko slowly sat up, things swayed before his eyes. He thought he was about to fall back over but someone with a gentle hand caught his arm. His eyes focused and he saw the waterbenders smiling and calming face. He gave her a tiny (almost non-existent) smile back until out of the corner of his eyes he saw a thin shot of lightning directed at them. He gasped and shoved Katara and himself out of the way.
Katara thanked him through her heaving breaths and lurched backwards when she saw a blur of pink before her. "AGH!" she yelled and was tripped by Ty Lee's swinging foot. Katara glared up at Ty Lee who was grinning at her. Katara rolled back and perched up in a kneeling position and sent many quick water saucers at Ty Lee who did flips and back handsprings to dodge them.
Jet growled loudly as he yet again blocked flying knives. He twisted his body and snapped his swords at Mai. Mai was ready and had a blade fly up from her sleeve and into her palm. The metal clanged and Jet became frustrated. She was beating him by throwing simple blades! Jet smirked and pulled out his other weapon, and used its hook to grab her ankle and send her flying over him. Mai gasped but caught herself before landing on her back in a painful way. She narrowed her pale tawny eyes and kicked out a slender leg consumed in dark clothing and long pointed arrows came from her heel. Jet easily dodged them.
Azula and Zuko circled each other. Gold clashing with gold. Fire clashing with fire. Zuko roared with impatience and threw out some of his best moves. He was pleased to see that Azula was having somewhat of a difficult time getting out of all their way.
Jet flew down on the ground with a loud cry as his spine snapped into an uncomfortable position. He heard a feminine yelp and a body fall next to him. He turned his head with a groan and saw Katara laying there her eyes coming in and out of focus. His heart ached. He didn't notice Song rush to their aid.
Zuko gasped when he saw his friends go down. As he looked away he felt a foot collide with his ribcage and send him back but he was still on his feet. Azula smirked at her brother. She had knocked the air out of him, completely minor compared to her next move. She raised two fingers. Suddenly she felt her feet being swiped out from under her. She landed on her hands and knees with a grunt. She looked up to see the lightningbender staring down at her with malice. Azula growled and leapt to her feet and sent a large stream of flames at the girl.
Akiko had her brows set. She was pumped. She ran under the flames, caught Azula by the wrist, twisted it and flung her over her shoulder. Azula landed on her back with a grunt. But soon she was back on her feet. Akiko barely sidestepped a stream of lightning and launched her own attack by circling two fingers in the air in front of her. A line of popping electricity pulsed in its place forcing Azula back. Akiko repeated this over and over and suddenly ripped her fingers through the airs balance and shot a precise aim at Azula's right eye. Azula squinted her eyes and jumped over the electricity and twirled in the air landing in a crouch next to the line of attack. Akiko gasped as Azula charged and caught her arm. Azula pulled Akiko's hair from her neck and smirked coldly.
"Aw, did poor Zuzu give this to you? Looks like he missed his mark, but I won't." she hissed. Akiko gasped and yanked herself away from Azula and backed into Mai who had her knives at the ready. She barely side-stepped Ty Lee's cobra quick hand and she was in line with Zuko, Katara, Jet and Song before she knew it. Katara had her flask open and was glaring, Zuko had his fists up and Jet had his weapons at the ready. Song stood behind them.
"Ready?" Jet asked. They summoned their elements but before they could attack they felt something strong bind all of them. They looked around and saw a man tying a knot at the side of them. They were all bound three times and it all seemed so fast! They struggled against it as the goofy looking man finished tying.
"Have you met my fiancé? While we were chatting he mentioned he was a skilled roper. It really is useful you know." Azula sneered. Her friends smirked and Boo looked as proud as ever for assisting.
"No problem Asula!"
Azula winced but still tried to seem calm but Zuko noticed and smirked at his younger sister.
"So peasants, how does it feel to know that this is your death?" Azula asked igniting her fists.
The trees rustled, "They won't ever know!" a small female voice said. Suddenly many outraged voices rang through the forest and out stormed the Freedom Fighters. All of them whooped for joy. Smellerbee untied them swiftly and held the rope in her hands. Boo who was trying escape did not go unnoticed by the small Freedom Fighter. She circled the rope in the air and lashed it out at the coward. It hooked him around the waste and she quickly tied him up dusting off her hands as if saying 'a job well done'.
Katara was pumping. Ty Lee was knocking out many of the Freedom Fighters and Katara decided to put the water away for the moment. Katara rammed Ty Lee with her shoulder sending the normally chipper girl back. Katara quickly uncorked her flask and send a tight water whip at the girl in pink who unfortunately didn't get to escape in time and was thrown into a tree and knocked out. Katara put her hands on her hips triumphantly.
Jet and few other Freedom Fighters hounded on Mai who looked massively overwhelmed. "Get away from me you Neanderthals!" she shouted flinging out massive amounts of stars at them. They only hit a few select people. Longshot paused in pursuing her as his noticed the band under sleeve that held the knives. He aimed and the band cracked in half and every star and knife she had in that sleeve. Mai looked amazed as she stared at the mute boy and she tried running. Jet smirked and bolted after her, easily catching up. One of his hooks snagged her the back of her garb and he flung her over his head and to the ground. Pipsqueak took it upon himself to take his club and knock her out. Jet winced but looked pride fully on his fallen enemy.
Zuko once more circled his sister Akiko beside him. It was firebender on firebender in this match. Azula averted her eyes to Akiko and let a sharp singing stream of lightning shoot her way. Akiko scurried backwards and to the right. Azula glared at her and shot a blast of blue fire at Zuko. Zuko dropped and rolled on the way instantly springing back on his feet. Akiko ran over to Zuko and electricity hissed in her hands as she clapped her hands and sent in one thick line at Azula who ducked and sent sweeping blue fire under them. Akiko and Zuko looked at one another. Akiko nodded and struck out two hands and electricity popped in them. She launched them and instantly Zuko had his fire swirling after Akiko's own attack. Azula cried out as the couldn't block both attacks and she fell. Zuko looked down at his sister amazed and wobbled a little, that took a lot out of him and judging by Akiko's slumping form it took a lot out of her too. But his pride was swelled up to max.
"Come on, let's get out of here!" Song said running through some bushes. Everyone followed after her.
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Jet smiled at the boat his comrades had made. They cleaned up rather nice he had to say. He felt full of pride that they cared so much about their leader that they would come after him ready for death even. His friends were all boarded up and ready to go. He almost was.
"Song…" Zuko said as the girl looked like she was about to cry before him.
"No Zuko, I am so terribly sorry. I betrayed your trust and I don't deserve your friendship. But thank you for everything. Really." Song gave Zuko's hand a squeeze and she took her newly found ostrich horse onto the boat. Zuko sighed and looked away. It wasn't much of a good-bye and something out of the corner of his eye caught his attention.
"Katara?" Jet asked meekly. Katara looked to her side at the boy that betrayed her yet again. She couldn't help but feel hurt but she smiled slightly anyway. "Yes?"
"I'm so sorry Katara. I really am." Jet said sadly. He ran his fingers through his messy hair. Katara nodded.
"I know Jet. I forgive you this time. You redeemed yourself." Katara said folding her hands in front of her.
Jet smiled and took another step closer. "I knew you would understand." Suddenly he leaned forward and gave her heavy but still gentle kiss on the lips. Their lips made a click when they parted. Katara's eyes bugged.
"Sorry, just always wanted to do that while you were awake." He smirked cockily. "Bye Katara." He took her hand and squeezed it before running to his boat. He waved at her as they set off and they sailed into the sunlight. Akiko was waving after them at the shoreline. Katara felt like she should be too but she couldn't move.
Zuko sighed and walked up next to Katara. "You okay?" he asked.
Katara slowly looked up at him and nodded. "It's funny…he kissed me and I expected fireworks but it was…a kiss."
Zuko smirked and slowly grabbed her hand, he noticed it was a perfict fit and smiled ever so slightly. Katara's heart skipped a beat and she saw the faint glow of sparklers.
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Tehe. I loved writing this. Yeah, truth, too much fighting but that's almost as fun to write as fluff. ALMOST! Lots of Jetara I know, but after Lake Laogai I loved the ship (though not as much as Zutara mind you) but still. A small dedication? There was a kiss but there was no fireworks but when Zuko HELD HER HAND SHE SAW SPARKLERS, is that not leading up to an amazing kiss or what?
Ahahahaha, you'll have to wait for that though.
Why Akiko came in so late? I don't know.
Why she and Zuko were BOTH fighting Azula? I don't know, I consider it a Fire Nation battle type thing.
How many Freedom Fighters were there? Eh…..I'd say about ten. And most of them were tending to the boats, only the good fighters came to aid.
Review please .