Chapter 24

The Rescue Part 2

I don't own ATLA, are you crazy?

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Zuko looked up and spied a tiny dot…

"Men! Get to your stations! Now!"

The crew was fond of Katara. They were a little worried when Zuko ordered out the fire catapult. Zuko appointed the firer. The firer came up to him.

"Sir, Miss Katara is up there… What if something happens…like we shoot them down?"

"Don't shoot at them, just get the beast scared. Maybe we can get the avatar to come down without any fighting at all."

The firer seemed happy and went to his station. All of the crew was a little on edge. Zuko didn't want to admit how confused he was. Here was where his whole life would change…

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Katara looked at Sokka. He was sleeping. She looked at Aang. He was sitting peacefully. Maybe, they could pull this off. Just when she thought this, she looked behind her brother and spotted a fire nation ship coming up fast. She turned and screamed at Aang.

"Aang, its Zuko!"

Aang snapped his head around. He took Appa's reins and Appa went faster. Sokka woke up.

"Hey, what's going on!?"

Katara pointed at the ship's direction, to scared for words. Sokka looked in the direction.

"AHHH! AANG GET US OUTTA HERE!!!!!! AND I DON'T CARE IF THAT DIDN'T SOUND NIFTY!"

Aang looked at the two.

"HOLD ON TO SOMETHING!"
Sokka and Katara grabbed to a section of the saddle. Appa went as fast as he could go. The ship was so much closer know. They were going so fast! The rush of it all made Katara grip even harder.

Then, without warning, a fireball was shot into the air. The explosion was not far from them, but not close either. Appa became scared and went off course. Aang was yelling at the top of his lungs.

"NO BOY! STAY ON TRACK!!!"

Appa miraculously went back on track. Two more fireballs were shot. Katara's heart pounded out of her chest.

So it's come to this. He's shooting fireballs at me and my family…

The next fireball sailed through the sky. Katara watched it come closer. Was it just her, or was it closer than the rest. It exploded right next to them and Appa went out of control. Appa shifted up and down. The ride was bumpy. Katara screamed as her body was lifted in the air from Appa's rapid decline. All that was holding her to the saddle, was her hand still clutched onto it. It was too much; her hand became tired and slipped. She screamed. Sokka stretched out his arm, trying to save her.

"KATARA!!!"

It was no use, she was falling. She looked down as she fell from such a high height.

"SOKKA, AANG!!!"
She kept falling. Before she knew it, she was plunged into the water. She felt a sting around her body. The cold of the water, for the first time, scared her. She could not move or breathe. Then, everything went black…

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Zuko yelled at the firer.

"You IDIOT! That was too close!!!"

The firer shrank from Zuko's harsh voice. Zuko watched in agony as the fireball exploded and the beast went out of control. Zuko felt like he would die when he saw a form fall from the beast.

Katara

"KATARA!"

He watched helplessly as the girl plummeted into the water. She was close. He ripped off his armor and shoes. Zuko ran to the edge of the deck and jumped into the water with skill. He was a good swimmer and he did it with all of his might.

He paddled as hard as he could. His limbs were beginning to hurt. Where was she? He was beginning to panic. What if she was unconscious and already lost? He started yelling her name at the top of his lungs. No answer. Just deep, blue sea. He looked down and saw a figure sinking fast. He plunged into the water and swam down. It was her!

He was going to have to do this right, or they both would die. She was so far down! Zuko felt his lungs crying for air. His was getting closer. She was within reach! Zuko rejoiced as his fingers stretched out to her. He grabbed her and immediately headed for the surface. He would rejoice when he was sure they would live. He thought that his lungs would explode when his head finally broke the surface. He took a deep breath, relishing it. He drew Katara to him. She wasn't breathing. Zuko again panicked. Where was that ship!?

Just as he said that, the crew threw ropes down to them.

"Grab on Zuko!"

It was his Uncle. Zuko brought Katara close to him and grabbed the rope. The men pulled them slowly up. When they reached the top, Zuko and Katara fell hard on the wood deck. Zuko took no notice of his pounding headache and pulled Katara up. He looked at Iroh.

"She isn't breathing! Uncle, help!"

They laid her on the deck. Zuko opened her mouth and performed mouth too mouth resuscitation. She sat up and coughed up all of the water in her lungs and lay back down. She put her hand on her forehead.

"Where am I? Is Aang and Sokka alright?"
She coughed up more water. Iroh answered her.

"You are on my nephew's ship."

"What?"

Zuko spoke out.

"You'll be alright. Just rest."

Katara looked up at him.

"Zuko? What's going on?"

"Shhh…"

Zuko picked her up and brought her below deck. Te crew's pleased glances followed them down until Zuko shut the deck door. Iroh laughed.

Zuko brought her down to his room and laid her on his bed. He pulled up a chair.

"What's-"

"You fell off of the beast."

"Beast? Oh…"

Appa

It all came back to her now.

"Are the boys alright!?"
"They didn't fall."

"Wait, why am I here if I fell?"

"I jumped in after you."
It was then that she noticed that Zuko was also all wet and his shirt was ripped.

"You saved me, again?"

Zuko just nodded. Katara smiled and Zuko's heart did a somersault.

"Zuko…" there was a pause. "I'm so…so confused."

Zuko nodded "Me too."

Zuko looked at her.

"You'll have to leave me…again."

"This is as hard for me as it is for you."

"I hate this."

"Me too."

"Katara…"

"Yes?"

"I had a lot of thinking time when you were gone. Well, I want you to be by my side. I realize that you could make me very, very happy. And, well, I've discovered that you are a lot more important to me than all of the avatars that ever lived."

Katara gasped and sat up.

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that I will give up my honor for you and join the avatar."

Tears slipped down Katara's cheeks.

"Oh, Zuko…I…"

"Shhh…"

Zuko took Katara into his arms and held her tight. Katara was still weak, but she was so happy, she cried in Zuko's wet shirt.

Then, Aang and Sokka burst into the room. Sokka fumed.

"GET YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF MY SISTER!!!!"

Aang ran to Katara and picked her up.

"C'mon Katara! We're savin you!"

"Aang, no! Put me down!"

Zuko was fuming at the sight of Katara in Aang's arms. Sokka started yelling at Zuko.

"You sick creep! Don't you ever lay a finger on her again!"

Katara screamed at the boys.

"No! Sokka, Aang! Zuko is our friend!"

"What!

"WHAT THE FLIP ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!"

Katara glared at Sokka.

"Zuko is joining us."

The boys were speechless as they looked at Zuko. Zuko only nodded and crossed his arms. Sokka and Aang took Katara aside. Sokka started, whispering through his clenched teeth.

"Katara, are serious? You think that the man that chased me, you and Aang half way across the world and who needs the avatar so that he can get back home and restore his honor and get his throne and, need I remind you, IS FIRE NATION, is going to join US?!"

Katara looked at him.

"Yes."

Aang looked at her.

"Why?"

"Well Aang, we've actually cared for each other for quite some time now."

Katara's heart fell and the sight of Aang's crestfallen face. Sokka looked at Katara, his mouth wide open.

"WHAT!!!???"

"Sokka, he's saved my life twice and willingly let me choose to escape…twice. He cares for me…He's never hurt me…And, well, I care for him too."

Sokka sighed. If his sister was happy, he would have to be happy. Sokka rolled his eyes.

"Fine, But I'm keeping my eyes peeled and if he even does one thing to hurt you, I'll…"

"Thanks Sokka!"

Katara caught him in a tight hug, and then gave one to Aang. Zuko cleared his throat and Katara released her embrace.

"Aang, are you alright."

Aang smiled.

"Yah, I'll be great. I'm really happy for you, Katara."

Katara smiled and looked up at Zuko. He smiled too…He didn't smile much, and this time, Katara's heart skipped a beat…

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CELEBRATION DANCE!!!!

I'll probably write the epilogue soon…There will probably be a part 1 and 2….

I'm so Happy!

I love all of you who have reviewed and I will add a special chapter of thanks to all of you!!!!

MUCH LOVE!!!

--Sahlili20