Chapter 23

The Pursuit

Well, I don't own Avatar the Last Airbender…You didn't think I did, did you? Hah! I laugh at you openly!!!!

That night, Iroh questioned Zuko about Katara. Zuko answered with frustration, leaving a very confused uncle. Iroh was fond of Katara and thought of her as a niece. He worried for her. His concerns just made Zuko even more frustrated.

"Is she alright?"

"Uncle! She's fine! No more questions, I'm going to bed!"

Zuko plopped onto his bed.

"I have to just forget about her."

It was easier said than done. Zuko buried his face into his pillow and breathed in…Katara's scent. Zuko jumped out of the bed. That was where Katara had rested when she was injured.

The scent of her hair was sweet and intoxicating. Zuko grabbed the pillow and threw it across the room.

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"Aang!!!"

Katara ran into the tiny apartment. Aang and Sokka ran into the room, it was late.

"Katara!" the two boys yelled in unison.

They ran to her and choked her with a hug.

"Are you all right?"

"Yes…" she was breathless.

The boys let her breathe from their tight hug.

"What happened? We couldn't find you anywhere!"

"It doesn't matter. Zuko knows we're here."

Sokka jumped in.

"What! Pack up guys. We're finding Appa and leaving this dump!"

"Sokka, I'd hardly call this apartment a 'dump'."

"I know, but I needed something nifty to say."

"Nifty?"

Katara cut into the boy's conversation.

"Guys, let's get packed!"

Katara just wanted to get as far away as possible from Zuko. Sokka and Aang went around packing their few belongings. Katara tried to keep from tears. She grabbed her small bag and headed for the door.

"It just wasn't meant to be."

She couldn't understand why her words had such an impact on her as she held back fresh tears. The 14 and 17 year old boys came out and greeted the 16 year old.

"Let's get out of here."

Aang smiled at Sokka.

"That's much more nifty, Sokka."

"Shutup."

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It was no use. He wasn't going to get any sleep. Zuko slowly got out of bed. He went to the kitchen and was greeted by his uncle…drinking tea. Iroh looked solemnly up at his nephew.

"Did you tell her?"

Zuko's eyes snapped to Iroh.

"Tell her what?"

"How you feel."

Zuko sighed and nodded. Iroh had known about his feelings?

"How did you know?"

"I'm your uncle, I know everything!"

Zuko rubbed his brow. This was so confusing. How could one girl cause all of these emotions in a prince?

A dirty water tribe peasant girl had perplexed and seduced an honored Fire Nation prince.

Well, soon to be honored.

And he would be. He would get the avatar. He immediately snapped to business.

"Uncle, Katara went to warn the avatar. They most likely are heading north. We could cut them off. Alert the men, the rest of their vacation days will be spent on the ship."

Iroh raised his brow.

"Wait, Katara refused you?"

Zuko let out another sigh.

"Both of us refused each other."

Now Iroh was officially confused.

"What!?"

"Just alert the crew!"

With that, Zuko stormed out of the room.

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"Ah, I feel nice and safe now."

This came out of Aang. Katara looked at him. She felt anything but safe. Zuko would most likely come after them…well, come after Aang. She shuttered.

"Well, Aang, it does feel good to be on Appa and feel the wind in my face again."

Aang beamed and Sokka brooded in the back of the saddle. Katara looked at him.

"What's wrong, Sokka?"

"I'm hungry."

Aang and Katara then looked at each other, then at Sokka, then said in unison,

"Shutup Sokka."

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Zuko had his amour on. He was on his ship. The elderly crew grumbled at their vacation cut short. But they were here. A storm had erupted inside Zuko's head. What if Katara was right? What if his father didn't accept him even if he did capture the avatar? In his heart, he knew that his ruthless father would never take back his dishonorable son. He hated it. In his heart he knew Katara was right. It would benefit both sides if he were to join the avatar. Would he?

His teeth clenched. No, he would regain his honor, even if it was the last thing he would do. His ship was far into the sea. He looked up. He searched across the sky, and spied a tiny dot…

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Hey everybody, sorry I didn't update for 10 days. I had a great Christmas and I hope you did too…Or Hanukah or Kwanza or Christmas or whatever…I hope you had a good time.

I'm swamped with homework and going to Basketball practice and games isn't helping how busy I am.

But, don't worry, the last thing I'm thinking about is giving up on this story.

I'm so grateful to you all for putting up with me!

Much love

--Sahlili20