Omigosh! I'm so sorry I haven't updated in forever, but the season finale totally killed my muse. Only when my friends asked me if I could please write the chapter did it recover. (Actually, the polite question was more like a kidnapping, with many colorful threats. Not to mention menacing with sharp, shiny objects that looked rather painful if they came in contact with my skin. But they said please the first time.) So you can thank Megan, Joe, Gabby, Shannon, Julia and Dijo for making me get of my lazy ass and write. (It was mostly Dijo and Julia with the physical threats, though.)
Wow. That was random. I need chocolate…
This chappieseriousness. At least, more seriousness then the ones before. Coughandamajorplottwistcough. And I can't write fight scenes if my life depended on it. Even though it kinda did…rubs bruises from previously mentioned shiny objects
THERE YOU GO JULIA AND DIJO! NOW YOU CAN STOP POKING ME EVERY TIME YOU SEE ME!!!
Tailz the Great, Avatarwolf, 38Aphrodite94, and SilencedProtest get cookies because they left the longest reviews. And Avatarwolf and SilencedProtest get special cookies for mentioning what I was going for in the story. THANKS YOU GUYS!!!
Disclaimer – Avatar equals not mine. Damn.
Zuko paused for a second outside of the village.
Is a little hunch really worth spying on Katara and Haru for?
His jealousy roared in reply.
Right. That's what I thought.
He snuck into the town, and made a beeline for the inn.
"…and that's what happened," Katara finished.
She looked at Haru, hoping that her description of all of the Dai Li's awful deeds would sway him. She couldn't see his expression, since his face was in shadows. After he didn't move for a while, she spoke again.
"So you see, Haru, you can't join the Dai Li. They are the enforcers of Long Feng's fascist government."
There was another awkward silence.
"Haru, I'm not insulting you or anything. It's just that I don't want to see you corrupted."
More silence.
"Haru?"
She got out of her seat and went to the other side of the table to get a better view of his face. He had blank look, but his face twitched and it was back to normal. He smiled at her.
"I'm sorry," he said.
See? He's much more polite than Zuko, wondering why she had to prove to herself that she did, in fact, like Haru.
What happened to the conversation that we heard in the woods?
Right. Damnit.
Haru continued. "It's just a bit of a shock, that a force that is supposed to keep Ba Sing Se safe is really a corrupt personal army of a dictator." He looked at her strangely. "Are you sure that's what you believe?"
"Yes…" she said slowly, slightly annoyed. "Of course. I only spent an hour telling you about how evil they are."
She was taken aback when he smiled widely at her. "In that case, would you join me on a walk?"
"Um…sure."
What is wrong with him? One minute he's strange and serious, and the next he's cheerful and polite? It makes no sense!
It makes perfect sense, if you think about it.
Who asked you?
Fine. If you haven't figured it out yet, then I'm not going to tell you. You deserve what's coming to you.
She ignored the last comment, and focused on having a good time with Haru. On the walk, they reminisced about the good times that had, and the times they had since the last time they saw each other. Everything was back to normal. So by the time she got to the hill, her guard was completely down.
Zuko had watched them from a small window outside the inn. Katara seemed to be having a perfectly fine time, although she was doing most of the talking
Damn…it looks like the bastard isn't causing any trouble. Maybe Sokka's right. It must have just been the jealousy.
The emotion in question gave a little snort of anger and distrust.
Better keep an eye on them anyways…Then he saw the blank look that Haru gave Katara.
"Ah HA!" he couldn't help but whisper.
Zuko recognized that look: it was the same one he had seen that morning. Just like that morning, however, it quickly disappeared, and the earth bastard said something to Katara.
She frowned and answered. Then the stupid bastard smiled widely and offered her his arm. Katara looked suspiciously at it for a second, then smiled at him and took it.
Zuko watched as they walked out of the inn, and followed them silently on the roof, using all of his mad ninja skills to stay unnoticed. (A/N - 3 3 3 3)
Katara seemed to be enjoying herself now, and he could hear little snatches of the conversation. They seemed to be discussing their journeys and experiences since they last met, as they slowly walked up a large hill.
Damn he couldn't help but think. Hill…by one lone tree…very romantic spot. Especially with the moon. The bastard knows what he's doing.
Zuko's jealousy was acting up again – he wanted to be able to talk to her casually about their travels. He wanted her to laugh at something he said, like she was doing now. He wanted her to – KISS HIM?
Zuko was frozen with rage for a second, as he watched Katara kiss the GODS DAMNED BASTARD ASSHOLE F#$K#& earthbender. ON THE LIPS!!! It felt like someone had ripped out his heart, tore it up, glued it back together, tore it up again, stomped on the pieces, and then set the pieces on fire.
When Zuko regained the capacity to think (about 2 seconds – he had fast recovery time), he desperately looked around to find some reason to take her back to the camp, and never EVER let her see the BASTARD again. He quickly found it.
Katara smiled at Haru, as he led her by the hand up the hill. She gasped at how pretty the moon was, even though there was only a little sliver left.
While she was gazing up at the moon, Haru moved closer and brushed her hand with his. She looked up questioningly.
"Yes, Haru? What is it?"
He smiled at her. "I just wanted to tell you that I had a really good time tonight."
She smiled at him. "So did I."
Even though you couldn't stop thinking of Zuko her common sense said obnoxiously.
Katara mentally groaned.
Way to break the mood.
Now thoughts of Zuko filled her mind, and she couldn't help but wonder where he was.
Ha! Gotcha! Her common sense made another little tally on the chalkboard in her brain, where it had been keeping score all night. Me, 163. You, 0. I really don't see why you're insisting on denying the fact that you like him anymore.That's it! I'll show you!
Katara kissed Haru firmly on the lips, wondering again why she was trying to prove herself wrong. She broke away and looked at the ground, unable to meet his eyes.
"I hope we can do this again soon," she murmured quietly, risking a glace at Haru. His expression was blank once again.
Probably just the shock of being kissed.
She searched for something to say, to fill up the awkward silence. "Um…why don't you join us on our travels? You can train with two master benders, and we'll get to see each other all the time."
So you can make Zuko jealous…veeeery devious.
It's not that! I don't care how he feels!
"Besides, you won't want to join the Dai Li, will you?"
Haru frowned, and was about to speak when he was interrupted by a loud voice.
"KATARA!" it screamed. "GET AWAY FROM HIM! HE'S IN LEAGUE WITH THE DAI LI!"
She turned around angrily, blushing and praying to every god that would listen that Zuko had not seen her kiss Haru.
Not that you care about hurting his feelings, or anything. "What the hell are you doing -" She stopped when she heard a horribly familiar voice behind her, and a familiar pressure around her wrists."Katara, companion of the Avatar, you are under arrest in the name of the Earth King, for spreading malicious rumors and disrupting the peace," Long Feng said into her ear, as he put rock restraints around her wrists.
"HARU!" she screamed. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?"
Zuko ran towards Katara, thanking Agni that he had thought to bring his Twin Dao.
Now, I just need to get to the Other Earth Bastard and take him out, take care of the First Earth Bastard (his jealousy purred at the thought), and then I can carry her back to the camp, no problem.
His plan was foiled before it began, however, by the five Dai Li earthbenders who seemed to appear out of nowhere.
DAMN IT! And I can't even use my bending…
He dodged one of the rock gloves that was flying towards him, and destroyed another with his sword, backing himself against the lone tree. Suddenly the air was full of hand-shaped missiles, all coming towards him. It was all he could do to avoid getting hit, let alone land a blow on attackers.
Zuko vaguely heard Katara yelling at the Earth Bastard, and felt a small twinge of triumph and pride.
I was right about Earth Bastard Number One. I told Sokka…
When Haru merely stared blankly at Katara, she realized something.
"Oh gods…he's brainwashed, isn't he? You brainwashed him and set him up to do this!"
Suddenly, all the blank looks, the wide smiles, the strange things that Haru would never do made sense.
I knew you would come around eventually.
YOU KNEW THE ENTIRE TIME?!?!I was going to tell you, but you decided to be rude to me.
OH MY GOD! I CAN'T EVEN CONTROL MY OWN COMMON SENSE!I know. You are severely lacking in self-control.
That sounds like something Zuko would say…With the thought of Zuko, she looked at him. He was fighting five Dai Li members with his broadswords, but not using his firebending. She admired his reflexes as he destroyed rock after rock that was thrown at him, but knew that he would tire quickly.
He's going to get hurt – and it's all my fault.
Yep, it sure is.
You're not helping.
Neither are you. You need to give him an advantage somehow. Get someone to fight
with him…
Who would do that?
He's staring you right in the face.
Oh, right. Thanks.
That's what your common sense is for, honey.
"Haru!" she shouted loudly. He glanced at her, no emotion crossing his face. "Please, snap out of it! Fight the Dai Li!"
Zuko glared at her. "I don't need that earth bastard's help!" he yelled. Damn his pride.
"Yes you do, you idiot!"
He ignored her and went back to fighting.
Now he was bubbling with anger.
I can take care of myself! Doesn't she trust me enough to save her without the help of That Gods Damned Earth Bastard?
His common sense made one of its rare appearances.
Don't be stupid, Zuko. You couldn't even fight off one earth soldier with only your broadswords. The Dai Li are toying with you. Why else would you have made it this long?
His pride and jealousy started beating his common sense to a pulp.
Damn…it's right. They're going to try to capture me. I'll need help to get them out of the way.
As he was debating himself, Zuko felt a lance of pain shoot through one of his arms as a rock glove finally hit it, breaking it.
He let out a cry of pain as he dropped one of the swords, his arm hanging limply by his side.
Katara watched as Zuko was hit in the stomach with another one of the rock gloves that the Dai Li used. He fell to the ground on his knees, doubled over.
Oh Gods, he's hurt, and it's my fault…
This is a bad time to say I told you so about the whole you-liking-Zuko thing, huh?
"Please, Haru! I need you! Help him, please!" She began to cry. She had never felt this desperate and helpless.
Please let him be alright…
With a blink, Haru seemed to snap out of a trance. "Katara…What are you doing here?"
Through a haze of pain, Zuko noticed that Katara was crying.
Don't cry, Katara, he thought fuzzily. I'll take care of you…don't worry…
"…Help him, please!" She seemed to be begging the First Earth Bastard to help him.
I don't need his help! Zuko thought angrily. But when he tried to move, he found had somehow sunk up to his knees in the ground.
We've been over this before, his common sense interrupted. Apparently, it was immune
to jealousy and pride, who continued attempting to kill it. Yes, you do need his help.
Now get over your pain and focus!
Yes…show no weakness. Be strong.
Zuko snapped to attention, his training taking over. Katara was talking to the First Bastard…
"Long story short - you were brain washed by the Dai Li, they forced you to turn me in to them, and now my friend is hurt because he tried to rescue me! Oh, and the Dai Li are really the secret army of a corrupt advisor to the Earth King."
"Don't listen to her, Haru," said Long Feng calmly. "I am the leader of the Dai Li. I am merely capturing her because she is a threat to the earth kingdom. Just look who she is traveling with." He made a motion that launched Zuko to his feet, where he was held still by two Dai Li. Zuko groaned in pain as his arm was jostled.
"The prince of the fire nation," he said smugly.
Zuko flinched as his identity was revealed.
So I could've bended the entire time…they knew who I was…
Earth Bastard Number 1 looked at Long Feng disbelievingly. "No…Katara wouldn't do that!" He looked at her. "Would you?" She looked away, and tears streaming from her eyes.
Long Feng took out a wanted poster for Zuko and Iroh, and gave it to Haru. "If that wasn't answer enough for you needed, then this should be."
Haru looked back and forth between the poster and Zuko. Then he dropped it, and turned to Katara.
"How could you do this, Katara?" he asked, sounding heart-broken. "After what the fire nation did to you? After what they did to the world?"
Katara was crying harder now. "No, Haru, you have to understand! Zuko isn't like other firebenders! He wants the war to end just as much as we do." She lowered her voice a little. "He has honor."
Katara saw Zuko move from the corner of her eye. She glanced at him, and he stared back at her, his golden eyes boring into her blue ones.
Thank you, he mouthed at her.
She smiled at him, and turned back to Haru, her voice a little stronger. The earthbender was now looking between Katara and Zuko suspicion and disbelief writing on his face. "I have trusted him with my life, and he has proved himself worthy of my trust many times." Haru's eyes closed for a second, and when he opened them, they were hard with anger and betrayal. He turned to Long Feng.
"I would be honored to assist the Dai Li, sir, if you would have me."
Katara let out a strangled "no."
Long Feng smiled. "It would be my honor, Haru."
Zuko listened as Katara stood up for him against one of her oldest friends, hardly hoping it to be true.
"…He has honor."
He twitched with surprise.
That means a lot, coming from her.
Katara glanced at him, and he mouthed 'thank you.' He meant it.
She smiled at him, and his heart soared. She smiled at me…
"I have trusted him with my life, and he has proved himself worthy of my trust many times." He was almost weak with happiness, until The First Earth Bastard turned to The Second Earth Bastard.
"I would be honored to assist the Dai Li, sir, if you would have me."
"No," Katara whispered tearfully.
The Other Earth Bastard smiled. "It would be my honor, Haru."
At this Zuko tried to inconspicuously get free, but the second he moved, the Dai Li jerked his broken arm savagely. Stars exploded in front of his eyes, and he screamed in pain, collapsing on the ground again.
So much for no weakness…
Katara rushed tried to move to him, but was held back by Long Feng. She struggled ferociously, still crying.
"Let me go!" she demanded. "He's hurt! I need to heal him."
She really cares…
He was yanked up by his good arm. The jolt still sent waves of pain running through his arm, and he staggered.
"Do you really think we would let him be healed? We're not even letting him into the city! No, we are taking care of this Fire Nation brat right now."
Katara's blood ran cold when she heard Long Feng say that.
No…he's in no condition to fight! This is my fault! How could I be so stupid as to not see through that stupid brainwashing thing again?
Even if he was healthy, do you think they would kill him in a fair fight? No, this is going to be an execution.
Katara was panicking.
There has to be something I can do! Some way to give him the tiniest chance to escape!
Hmm…different question…same solution…
Katara's eyes met Haru's for a moment. In the gaze, she put every ounce of pain, fear, and pleading she could muster - with just a drop of trust, for good measure.
Haru must still have some feelings for me…if he really cares, maybe he'll stop them from hurting Zuko…please oh please…
Katara glanced at Zuko, her heart torn with fear and apprehension. When she looked back at Haru, his gaze had hardened.
He turned to Long Feng, and Katara's heart soared.
Will he do it?
"Sir, I'd like to be the one to take care of the firebender." He looked at Katara again. "It's a bit of a personal grudge, you see."
"NO!" Katara couldn't help but scream. She struggled wildly against Long Feng, trying to get to Haru.
"Haru, you bastard, don't you dare lay a finger on him! I'll kill you if you touch him."
She finally made contact with her thrashing legs, and Long Feng let her go with a grunt of pain.
She fell, then rushed at Zuko, her arms still behind her. She threw herself towards him, only to be caught by a recovered Long Feng.
"Muzzle her," he said dispassionately. "She's going to wake up the village."
One of the Dai Li produced a gag and covered her mouth. She was reduced to muffled curses and promises of disembowelment to anyone and everyone in on this when she got free.
Long Feng spoke to Haru. "Finish him off."
A/N – Hee hee…I less than three cliffies. Told you this was more dramatic! Sorry to those of you who wanted more Katara and Haru action, but I've never actually written anything like that before. And I have a sort of mental block to anything that involves Katara and anyone but Zuko making out. Yes, I know I'm weird.
And now that my muse is back online, I'll try to get the chapter done ASAP. I've already trued to start it like 4 times, and its really emo. Since I don't want it to be too depressing, I have to keep trying.
Anyway, R&R!
Zukofangirl0802