Chapter 20
The Rescue
Zuko ran as fast as his legs would allow, holding his light bundle. She wasn't a burden at all. But he worried about how limp she was. He had to get her somewhere, somewhere safe. He ran through the streets and alleys, trying to avoid the soldiers. If he had to fight, he would have to put Katara down, and she might be taken. He shivered at the thought of what a man was capable of doing. This made him only run faster and carry her more tenderly.
Zuko stopped. His apartment was within sight. He had to get there. He dodged out into the open. He dashed to the door, opened it, and then slammed it shut. Katara was safe! Zuko was exhausted as he slid down the door, Katara still in his arms. He could see blood trickling from her forehead.
Iroh ran into the room.
"What is wrong!?"
Zuko looked up at his uncle.
"Uncle! I think she's hurt!"
Iroh nodded.
"Lay her in your bed, I'll find some bandages and make some tea."
For the first time, Zuko didn't retort about tea. He gently held his fragile bundle. He breathed a sigh of relief as he tenderly laid the girl on the bed. Zuko just looked at her. She did look beautiful. He brushed a stray hair from her face.
"Uncle! Where are those bandages?!"
"Right here."
Iroh entered and gave Zuko a type of ointment and bandages.
"Care for her, I'm still working on the tea."
Zuko rolled his eyes and turned to Katara. She was so still and peaceful. The slow motion of her even breathing sent Zuko into a state of tranquility as he washed away the blood. Her skin was soft and cool. He gently placed the ointment on her forehead. Then, he slowly bandaged it.
Zuko sighed. He was feeling things he had never felt before. He tried to push her out of her thoughts, but she always returned. Zuko put his head in his hands. He was exhausted. He hadn't even caught the avatar.
He was beginning to feel like there was no hope.
No hope at all.
Katara began to stir. Zuko jumped. She slowly opened her eyes and looked around. Her eyes fell on Zuko. She looked disappointed and sighed. Zuko didn't want to feel it, but he was deeply saddened. Why was she looking at him with such disappointment?
"What's wrong, Katara?"
Katara looked at him.
"I wish this wasn't a dream, but it always is."
Zuko looked surprised. She thought it was a dream…about him! Had she been dreaming about him as much as he had been dreaming about her? He walked quickly to her side.
"No, Katara, it isn't a dream."
She looked perplexed and his heart melt.
"Really? Zuko, is that you?"
She reached out to touch him. She tenderly touched his face and then his scar. She never was afraid of his scar, unlike many people. Zuko melted at her touch. Her cool hand was soothing. She looked at him and smiled…the smile. His smile.
"It is you!"
She reached out to him. They embraced. Zuko held her there, never wanting to let go. He felt something like he had never felt before. At that moment, no one could break this moment…not even the avatar.
"Um…Children?"
They broke apart. It was Iroh. Zuko growled mentally. He was angry and glared at his uncle for ruining and shattering the one moment he had felt happy in a long time. Iroh just smiled brightly and gave a cup of tea to Katara. Katara blushed and smiled.
"Thank you very much."
"I hope you are feeling better."
"I actually don't remember what happened. I was trying to help a lady and the man grabbed me. All went black."
Zuko continued.
"I brought you here."
Katara looked at Zuko.
"You saved me?"
Zuko just nodded, looking away, aware of the blush across his cheeks.
Iroh just chuckled.
"Yes, he burst in here and slammed the door. He was yelling at me to get bandages."
Katara looked at him, Zuko tried to pretend that he didn't care. She smiled.
"Thank you."
Zuko looked at her.
"You are welcome." He whispered.
She looked gratefully at the two and touched her forehead. She seemed confused. Zuko answered her unspoken question.
"In the process of your rescue, you received a cut."
Katara laughed good-naturedly.
"Well, I have a headache, do you mind if I get some rest?"
"Of course not!" Iroh answered.
Zuko just nodded. And the two, one more reluctantly than the other, left the room.
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Katara had dreams of Zuko…then of Aang… She was so confused. Zuko was like her brother…or maybe more? Katara mentally shook her head Zuko didn't think of her as more than a sister. Maybe it was better that way. And Aang! He liked her more that sisterly. She didn't think of Aang that way and tried to ignore him when he tried to make a move. She was here, in Zuko's room, in his bed…One word she could think of.
Dangerous
If she was here with Zuko, he may think of her again as bait. He would try to capture Aang through her. She had to get out of here. She awoke suddenly out of her sleep. She had to get out…For the ones she loved. She jumped out of the bed and tip-toed across the floor barefoot. She suddenly halted as she approached the door. What was she doing? Hurting someone she loved for others she loved. Katara ran her hands through her hair. Could she avoid hurting anyone? Maybe Zuko would let her go…He had before.
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Zuko lay awake in the guest room. He let out a groan. He couldn't stand the fact that Katara was in the next room and he was in this one. Did she need help? Was her forehead hurting? Was she having a nightmare? Did she need him? Was she dreaming of him?
"Stop it."
Zuko whispered to himself.
"What's the matter with you? Don't think of her. You need to capture the avatar, whatever it costs. She left you for him the first time; she would probably do it again. She doesn't care, you shouldn't either."
Zuko pulled out a piece of paper. The letter Katara had left him the day she left him.
Dear Zuko,
Please, don't hate me. I'm doing this for Aang. The world needs him. Without him, the world will never be as it was. The war has hurt many people, including me. I want to stop that. Please, do not hold this against me. I really care for you. You are like a brother to me. I'm leaving to do what I think is right. I will miss you and Uncle and the crew. I know that you must chase Aang for your reasons. But I must protect him for my reasons.
Love your sister,
Katara
"Sister. Like a brother."
Zuko crinkled up the paper. He wanted more than that. But, she already was engaged to that 14-year-old. He hated it. Why? He must keep her away from the avatar. He would use her as bait.
That is when someone knocked at his door.
"Come in."
Katara walked in and Zuko glared at her. Katara looked at him.
"What's the matter with you?"
"You
wouldn't care. Why are you here?"
Katara looked hurt.
"Zuko, I'm leaving. I didn't want to leave the way I did the last time, so here I am."
"So, you think it's just like that, huh?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean I'm not letting you go."
"Zuko, please, I-"
"Why do you want to be with him so much?"
"Zuko, he's going to save the world. And, he's my good friend."
"More than a friend."
"No."
"Hah, stop lying Katara. I'm not falling for it any more."
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm not stupid."
"Zuko! What the heck are you talking about?!"
Their conversation…now became a yelling, screaming fight.
"You love him! You never cared for me! Ever!"
"You mean Aang! He's like a brother to me!"
"What about your necklace?"
Katara looked at him, sorrow in her face. Zuko looked at her with misery knitted on his strong face.
"I knew it." He said. "You are engaged."
Katara looked at him. Now, he saw hurt in her eyes.
"Zuko, this necklace was my mother's. She was killed in a fire nation raid, right in front of me."
Zuko's anger erased. Her mother died? He remembered in their childhood, how they would talk about their mothers. How they would not know what they would do if their mothers had died. Now, they had lost their mothers. And, they both were hurting. A single tear trickled gently down her face. But she wasn't ashamed and she looked bravely at him. But, she was afraid; he saw it in her eyes. He had hurt her, a lot.
"Katara" he whispered
He walked quickly to her and put his arms around her. She welcomed his embrace. She cried silently on his shoulder. Zuko breathed in her hair.
"I'm sorry Katara."
His heart yearned for her. He never wanted to let her go. Katara looked up at him and he brushed away her tears. Katara felt something that she had never felt before. She felt safe with Zuko's strong arms around her. She never wanted him to let go, and she clung to him. But she had a question.
"Zuko, what did you mean when you said that I didn't care for you?"
"Katara…"
As if on cue, Iroh burst into the room.
"Is everyone alright?! I heard yelling!"
Iroh saw there embrace. The two broke apart hesitantly. Iroh just smiled brightly.
"Come you two. I made tea."
Iroh left the room. And Katara looked at Zuko. There was longing in both of their eyes. Both wondered if they felt the way the other felt.
"You didn't answer my question."
Zuko walked toward her, closing the space that was between them. They were inches apart. Again, as if on cue, Iroh walked into the room and took Katara's hand.
"Come along dear, I made ginseng. You know it's my favorite."
Zuko seriously hated his Uncle right now. She looked at him. Their gaze was broken as she disappeared around the corner, dragged by Uncle.
Slowly, hope built in Zuko's heart.
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Hey guys! This one was a long one! It's getting better and better…hehe
I want to celebrate the hit of 70 reviews! Yesh!!!!!
And I want to celebrate chapter 20!!!! Yesh!!!
I'll probably have to start wrapping this one up.
I'll either make a sequel and/or a new story I've been thinking about in my lil old noggin (I actually use it…Haha!)
Thanks to all reviewers
Nice questions redbluejay. No, the soldiers from the last chapter were not Zuko's soldiers.
Thank you Nyx-Night Goddess, Danyan, Redbluejay, sakura 1011, yrallih18, bartimaeus-lover, Snapple heart, Koori Youkai Hime….and all other reviewers!!!!!!! I love you!!!!!
Much love,
--Sahlili20