Chapter 2
Decisions
Sokka is sitting on a rock near the river bed has his head in his hands in defeat. Aang is pacing.
"It's a trap I know it is!" Yelled Aang in frustration
"So what are we supposed to do let Zuko kill her!?" Yelled Sokka equally frustrated
"I understand how you feel Sokka probably more than you realize! But what's more important? Katara? Or ending this war?" said Aang with reasoning
Sokka held tight to his knees trying to deny the undeniable truth.
"The war...lets go to the North Pole we can get more help for her there."
Sokka replied with great sadness.
Aang walked up to Sokka and put his hand on his shoulder.
"Sounds like a plan." Saying this Aang flew up onto Appa, Sokka climbed on and they flew off in the direction of the North Pole.
-Down Below Zuko's Ship-
Katara looked at the old man and was suspicious.
"What are you suggesting?" asked Katara
"Befriend Zuko, try to understand him then convince him to do the right thing." Said Iroh with sincerity
"I would rather fight for my freedom" argued Katara
"There are times to fight but for the sake of your friends and winning the war, befriending Zuko and getting more than one firebender on your side could give you the advantage you need to win." Said Iroh wisely
"All he wants is his honor, his fathers love and respect! He'll never switch sides!" Katara yelled
"He doesn't know what he wants! He hasn't since he lost his mother!" argued Iroh
Katara turned away ashamed and angry
"I'll let you think about it, choose wisely" Iroh said and left Katara alone to think for a while and came back dinner time.
"Hungry?" Iroh asked Katara
"I've come to a decision." Replied Katara as she took the food.
"That's good, what is it?" Asked Iroh pretending not to be interested
"How hard do you think it will be to befriend Zuko?" Asked Katara casually
"Hard, but I know you can do it." Replied Iroh truthfully
"Ya just one problem. I am stuck in a cell!" Katara pointed out
"That can change; I'll go talk to him." said Iroh as he walked away. Katara was left to pace and hope their plan would work.
-Up at Zuko's Chambers-
Iroh approached Zuko's chambers and knocked on his door.
Zuko opened it and let Iroh in.
"What is it?" asked Zuko
"Hello nephew." Replied Iroh casually
"Is something wrong uncle?" Zuko asked suspiciously
"No not really." Iroh replied
"What is it uncle?" asked Zuko almost loosing his patience
"Can the waterbender come out of her cell?" asked Iroh finally getting to the point.
"Why?" Zuko asked very confused now
"She is very uncomfortable with the room she has now and she hasn't done anything terrible except side with the Avatar." Reasoned Iroh
"Fine...give her a comfortable room but keep a guard on her at all times." Replied Zuko even more confused now
Iroh decided that the only way to get them to talk to each other was to give both of them a motive so Iroh quickly came up with an idea.
"What if you convinced the waterbender to side with us that way we can have an ear to the rebels plans." Reasoned Iroh
After thinking about it Zuko realized his uncle's wisdom and he realized he loved the idea of spending more time with the interesting waterbender.
"That is a good idea uncle. Thank you. Befriending her may be my only chance to regain my honor." Said Zuko with a hint of a smile
-Down Below-
(again)
Katara notices Iroh walking back and she stands up.
"So?" she asked impatiently
"You will be moved to a more comfortable room. He thinks you might help him instead of the other way around so be careful." Iroh warned
"I will be careful." Promised Katara
"Good, come with me." Said Iroh smiling
-Upper Deck-
Katara followed Iroh to the upper deck to the chamber right next to Zuko (though it was unknown to Katara and Zuko at the time) Iroh opened the door and Katara walked in, and she took in the room it was filled with Fire Nation insignias. Iroh noticed her scrutiny.
"I hope you don't mind the decorations." He said.
"I don't think I have much of a choice." Katara replied with a touch of humor
"Well in that case you're free to join us for dinner." Said Iroh smiling
"Thank you, I think I will." Katara replied smiling back
-Banquet Hall-
Zuko looks up and Katara and his Uncle walk in.
"Hello Uncle….Peasant."
Katara's eyes narrow at the comment
"Zuko where are your manners?" Iroh demanded
"I apologize…what is your name?" Zuko asked correcting himself
"My name's Katara."
"Katara…" Zuko said testing it out and liking the sound of it.
"Dinner?" Iroh interrupted
"Sure." Katara replied glad to get off the subject of her name
Once the chef came out with the food Zuko held the platter with the roast duck to Katara.
"Hungry?" Zuko asked making conversation
"No, not really." Replied Katara
Zuko raised an eyebrow very confused now
"If you weren't hungry then why did you come?" Zuko asked
Katara shrugged
"You are one confusing peasant." Zuko replied annoyed as he left the room
"Since your not going to be eating do you want me to escort you to your room?" Iroh asked concerned
"No thank you I would like to take a walk though. Is that ok?" Katara asked innocently
"Of course, go ahead." Iroh replied with his mouth full of roast duck and noodles.
-On Deck-
Katara walks on deck and sees Zuko but decides to ignore him. Zuko looks up to see Katara walking on deck and wants to know what she is doing here.
"What are you doing out here?" Zuko asked angry that she always manages to confuse him
"Is it any of your business?" asked Katara
"Well it my ship so yes it's my business." Replied Zuko
"Well if you're going to act like that then I won't tell you where Aang is." Katara answered quickly coming up with a plan
"I thought you weren't going to tell me anyways." Zuko replied confused
"I was going to a second ago but you are so arrogant that I'm afraid you're going to have to fight me for the information." Katara replied to confuse him further.
Zuko started laughing at the idea of the beginner waterbender fighting him an experienced firebender.
"What are you afraid I'm going to beat you?" Katara answered his laugh baiting him
"No just surprised you'd give it up that information so easily." Zuko said smiling
"Well fine if your so scared to fight me then don't." Katara replied walking away
"No, no I'll fight you." Zuko stopped her by reaching out and grabbing her arm
"Good. When I win you let me go and give me my mother's necklace back. If you get lucky and you win I give you the Avatar."
Zuko smiles at her word choice
"In about two weeks we land I'll fight you then." Zuko replied as he walked away
"Coward." Katara muttered to his back
"No just smart and it will give you time to practice." Zuko said as he stopped to glare at her
"No you're just not confident that you can beat me!" Katara replied
"Oh, I'll beat you! I just want a challenge." Replied Zuko as he began to walk away again
"You won't beat me!" Katara yelled after him
"Don't be so confident." Zuko yelled back
Katara sighed and watched him leave and decided that while she had the time she might as well practice.