Disclaimer: Avatar is so awesome I wish I had come up with such a great idea. Only thing I own is this plot.
Present night...
Katara rolled to the left, then the right, shifted her hips, fluffed the pillow, and plunked back down on her bedroll with determination. She kept her eyes tightly closed for a few moments before finally admitting defeat; sighing and flopping on her back with arms spread wide. The young waterbender just couldn't shake the feeling that….something was going to happen…soon. Frustrated and utterly awake, she propped herself up on one elbow and surveyed the camp, noting the peaceful breathing of Aang, Sokka's loud snores, and the faint mutterings coming from Tophs' tent. They apparently weren't feeling the residual unease and restlessness of her nightmare. She studied Aang's innocent features in the dying firelight; his face was even more childlike and innocent when relaxed in sleep, and her protective instincts surged. I'm probably just worried about Aang; I mean he has to go against the Fire Lord in the end. Even though we don't talk about it, it's still going to happen. That would give anyone nightmares.
Katara climbed out of her bed roll and grabbed her bending pouch, padding quietly away through the dew soaked grass. It was pitch black in the dense forrest, but the faint and soothing sounds of rushing water soon led her to the creek. She knelt down and placed her hands in the cool, clear water and splashed some on her face before cupping her palms and drinking deeply. This is what the waterbender needed; the quiet dark woods, the rushing water, and the serene moonlight. Reveling in the moon like many others did the sun, she tipped her head back and let the silver moonlight caress her limbs for a few moments before sighing, "I should meditate, maybe it'll clear my head."
The water tugged gently at her legs when she stepped in the creek and waded downstream, finally settling herself atop a large moss-covered rock. Her legs folded underneath her body, and hands face-up on her thighs, she straightened her spine and inhaled deeply. Concentrating on her breathe and clearing her mind, Katara gently entered a meditative state. All thoughts were stopped from connecting and wandering in this plane of conciousness, yet she was aware of the water as it swished gently in time to her breathing. It was so pleasant and refleshing that she began to grow sleepy and blinked, coming out of her relaxed state. She smiled, then stretched luxuriously and slowly got up.
The waterbender had renewed body and spirit through her element and it was with a tranquil mind and heightened senses that she made her way back to camp. "Snap."
She faltered, stopped, and cocked her head. Sounded like a twig. Must just be an animal moving around.
After another beat of silennce passed and she shook her head and continued on her way, perhaps a little more cautiously than before.
"Crunch."
The sound of leaves cracking underfoot, and it was much closer. Great, just my luck. Sokka's the careless one. He should have been eaten by a Platypus Bear by now. Increasing her pace, now mildly anxious, Katara purposefully strode in the direction of camp.
"Thud."
She came to a halt, not daring to turn round and peer into the trees directly behind her. Okay, time to stand and fight, not become a running target for some Wolf Boar. Brace yourself Katara, you can stand against anything. Slowly she reached over and unclasped the top of the newly refilled bending pouch, streaming out a line of water and curling it around her forearm. Then took a wide stance, inhaled deeply, and waited, tense with anticipation for whatever was to come.
2 nights previous...
Zuko, numb and crying silent tears that he was barely aware of, hoisted himself quickly out of the earthen chimney shaft. He mechanically scaled down the wall, and retraced his steps through the courtyard and the secret pass. But everything was a distant muted blur until he inexplicably founded himself at the door of his bed chamber.
He blindly pushed into room and lay on his palate, staring unseeingly at the ceiling. Through a haze of pain, shock, and tears the Prince's mind raced; his thoughts chased each other in circles not unlike the revolving moon and ocean spirits. Suddenly he turned over and screamed, muffling the sound in a pillow. He screamed in anguish, in despair. He cried for all the feelings inside him melding together and the utter confusion and turmoil they produced. Where he fit into the world was gone, his destiny destroyed. Still numb, and mentally drained from such an emotional upheaval, the outcast fell into a dreamless sleep.
An hour or so later Zuko was startled out of his exhausted sleep by a loud pounding. "My Lord, Princess Azula wishes to speak with you!"
And without further warning the door was thrown open to reveal the devious Princess herself. Still disguised in Earth Kingdom regalia, she strode confidently into the room as Zuko shook his head groggily, trying to rid himself of the last traces of sleep. It was then that everything came rushing back; his sisters plot, his father's letter. Bile rose in his throat along with tortured hatred. He struggled for a long moment before swallowing with difficulty and fixing a look of calm unconcern and polite curiosity on his face.
"Azula," he said, swinging his legs around and arising lightly. "A surprise visit. How nice."
"Brother," she returned with a fake sickly smile. "I was going to speak to you earlier but got distracted by Mai and Ty Lee. Well enough pleasantries Zuko. Now that you are reconciled I have a mission for you." She smirked, "I received a correspondence from father."
Zuko steeled himself.
She spoke of father's praise, his pride.. "We have struck a monumental blow for our nation...the Avatar." Zuko's eyes narrowed…"father wishes you to resume your quest for the child... noble and honorable mission...You will have all authority and any resources at your disposal. "Azula concluded innocently, "father now has complete faith in your judgment."
You disgusting, filthy, little sick twisted…. I hate you and father.
Zuko allowed a look of slight disbelief and surprise to cross his face as his mind was still in confusion. But he had one clear thought. I will find the Avatar.
He looked his sister in the eye determinedly and said stiffly, "Fine Azula. I will obey father's wishes. I will find the Avatar."
Azula placed a hand on his shoulder, "Good luck Zuko." You'll need it. "In the morning we shall make the necessary arrangements."
She let her hand drop from his shoulder and made to exit, but stopped with her hand on the door handle and turned back to him. "And Zuko, if you cannot catch the Avatar, at least try for some of his companions, particularly that water wench." Azula's face clouded over with a nasty scowl.
Puzzled, Zuko flashed back to their battle in the underground earth city and suddenly remembered his sister getting her butt kicked by that waterbending girl. He nearly sniggered aloud. Instead he nodded once, Azula returned the gesture and left without another backward glance.
Zuko waited until her footsteps died away and then, as if planned all along, reached under the mattress to pull out a set of twin Dao swords. He opened his trunk and removed a pair of fitted black pants, shirt, and hood. Lastly, he flipped up a corner of the green-patterned rug and lifted out a loose decorative tile, revealing a small hiding spot. Zuko smiled wryly when he reached down and withdrew the blue and white mask hidden within. Little did his Uncle know that any self-respecting masked hero always kept a spare.
Quickly he pulled out a few other necessary items from various places. Food, water, clothes; he all packed into two separate small sacks. He laid the assorted items upon his bed and crossed the room to kneel in front of the fire. The Prince would spend the next hours in meditation and contemplation, mentally preparing for the dangerous mission he was about to undertake.
Gee I wonder who it could be in the woods???