Chapter 18

Running Out of Time

Disclaimer: ooookay…I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender…are you crazy?

Zuko pushed his way through the crowd. Anger rushed through his veins. He wanted the avatar and he was running out of time. Just five days. He was on a hunt. How would he find the avatar in this mess!? He was desperate. He needed his honor, he needed the avatar. And what would happen if he found the avatar? What about Katara? He had to admit, he had been hesitant to take the avatar at their last encounter. What about that time on the ship, when Katara was taken from him? He had made no move to take the avatar then! He had grown soft. He would capture the avatar. Nothing would stand in his way.

Zuko pushed angrily through the throng of people. These peasants shouldn't be touching him, let alone push and shove him. Zuko looked down at himself. He was wearing peasant clothing, though he had to admit, it was much more comfortable than his armor. He wore his kasa hat, which hid his scar. Zuko thought through his plan. His uncle was waiting comfortably in a nice apartment awaiting the festivities. Where his men were, Zuko could only guess and his ship was hidden carefully miles from there. He slipped from the crowd and entered a less-crowded area. Zuko breathed a sigh of relief. He was tired and didn't feel like chasing a twelve-year-old. He was chasing a child, was that honorable? He remembered Katara's words the day he had discovered who she was…

"He is the only hope for the world! Why are you doing this!?"

Zuko winced. Those words stung. He shook it off; he wouldn't admit that what Katara thought was affecting him. He was so mad and angry. He was angry at the avatar. He was angry at his father. He was angry at everything. He was angry at himself.

"Phumph!"

Zuko had been so angry he ran into something. It was a woman. He quickly grabbed her hand, saving her from falling over.

A woman…clad in blue…

Zuko let out a silent, shocked apology. Katara's cross face disappeared as she looked at him and smiled…that smile. His heart skipped a beat.

"That's alright; I guess we're all in a hurry, huh? Just watch out, o.k.?"

She laughed a good-natured laugh and brushed him off. Zuko didn't know what to do. His heart was pounding out of his chest. And, what scared him most was, he didn't know why.

"I…"

She again smiled, he couldn't breath. She didn't know who he was. But, she looked so happy, and…beautiful

"Well, take care of yourself, bye."

She went around him, and Zuko felt helpless as she continued to walk, walk away from him. He mentally shook himself. Forget about her and get down to business! With that, he followed her through the streets.

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Well, Katara had no idea that the strange boy was following her. She had completely forgotten about him as she went down her mental list, talking to herself.

"Alright, let's see. New pants for Sokka, feed for Momo, and…Hey!"

Katara started laughing as she approached another mask cart. It was a mask with a giant smile painted on. It was orange and gold and a sunset was painted on it.

"Wow, that looks just like Aang!"

The merchant came out, as if on cue.

"Who?"

"Oh, my friend."

The man smiled.

"That's on sale you know."

The man mentioned a high price and Katara disapproved. They fought between each other what the price should be. It the end, Katara won.

"Oh, I'll take that too, it looks like my brother."

It was a mask with a comical angry face. Katara paid the man. They were both satisfied. She ran to look for her friend and brother; little did she know that Zuko was right on her tail.

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He saw her…within reach. She had stopped and seamed to be thinking to herself. She saw a mask cart and that smile broke across her face. Zuko angrily noticed that his heart skipped. He told himself to breathe.

Breathe breath breathe

She seemed to be arguing with the merchant. Zuko remembered when they were children how she could always persuade him. She was good at that. And, as Zuko expected, she won. Then, she was off. He wasn't far behind She had a happy walk and easily weaved through the people. She'd smile at little children who waved at her and try and shrug off men's stares. Jealousy rose to Zuko's cheeks. How dare those men look at her? Zuko found himself wanting to punch one boy. What was he doing? GET BACK TO BUSINESS!!!!!!!

Avatar avatar avatar

But, to his dismay, all that came to his mind was,

Katara Katara Katara

STOP IT!

Zuko tried to divert his attention to weaving through people. But he wasn't good at it at all. He was used to the way being cleared for him. He was a prince after all!

Katara turned in an alley. Zuko followed, but not as close. He saw her walk into a door. Most likely the avatar's apartment. The door slammed shut. A smirk was plastered on his face.

"Bingo."

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Haha…Mwa-ha-ha-ha!!!!

Ya, I'm evil! betchya cant wait to see what happens next!

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