Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender. This is torture -_-
A/N: You guys rock my socks! Please review! Enjoy :)
Knock You Down
Chapter 3
XXX
A sudden blow of air hit Sokka in the face, as he looked up from where his eyes had been staring. A door was being opened, letting a small amount of light come into his room.
Sokka closed his eyes again, suddenly uninterested in whoever decided to show their face. The person opened the cell bars, and unlocked the chains from around his wrists. His arms were very sore from being held up for so long. They helplessly dangled at his sides, as he attempted to stretch them.
The guard spoke in a harsh tone. "Time to eat, water scum." He tossed the tray onto the floor, causing some of the meat to fall off the plate.
Sokka opened his eyes halfway to look at the guard as he took a seat on the floor. "How is Katara?" Were the first words to come out of Sokka's mouth, as he stared at the food in front of him.
The guard laughed at the young man. "She shouldn't be alive for much longer. In fact, I believe she might be dead already." It was a joke, the guard would soon regret telling.
Sokka's eyes went wide, as he instantly jumped up from his spot. He punched the guard right in the stomach, and kicked him in his legs causing him to fall flat on his face in pain, and out of breath.
"Don't you ever joke about my sister sir. That's just something I will not tolerate." Sokka spoke through clenched teeth.
The guard only nodded his head. He was too busy trying to get his air back, to say something.
XXX
Aang sat on a wooden chair across from Prince Zuko. They were relaxing at a small table on the deck of the boat. Wind gently hit their faces, as the boat slowly moved across the water.
Aang sipped some of his hot tea with a slight smiled on his face. "Your uncle makes the best tea, Zuko." His voice was calm and soothing as the tea ran down his parched throat.
Zuko flashed a smile and nodded his head. "You mean OUR uncle. And yeah, I guess he does."
The two were quiet for a few passing minutes, just watching the sky out the window. Barely any noices could be heard, except the quiet hush of guards.
Zuko had something on his mind. Something that had been tugging at him all day. He almost didn't want to bring it up, but he felt as if he had to. The Avatar was like the little brother he never had, but always wanted. So yes, he had to bring it up.
"So, Aang?"
Aang looked up from his tea gently placing it back onto a small silver plate. "Yes Zuko."
Zuko cleared his throat and scratched his nose. "What were you doing last night?"
Aang pratically spit out the tea he was about to swallow. His voice became unusually high, and his eyes refused to look at the prince. "What...what was I doing?"
Zuko only nodded his head and response, taking a casual sip of tea. "I saw you with the waterbender," Zuko paused trying to remember her name. "Katara."
Aang's eyes widened when Zuko said this. Zuko continued on as if he saw no suprised expression on Aang's face. "Yeah. I saw you bring her some covers. It was a very cold night last night. That was very nice of you. You even let her out of her chains, so that she could be more comfortable. That was very nice of you as well."
Aang continued to keep his mouth shut. His heart beat went up with every word Zuko said. Zuko casually took another sip of tea, and looked Aang directly in the eyes this time. "Just watch out Aang. I don't want you getting too attached to her. She's just a peasant, and even worse a waterbender. I don't want you falling in love with her Aang..."
Aang was about to deny this, but Zuko put his hand up stopping him before he started. "I know you too well Aang. I know you well enough to know when you have feelings for somebody. But the problem is, she is a rebel. It would be different if she was at least a waterbender who listened to father. But she isn't. Katara and uh..." Zuko snapped his fingers when he remembered the boy's name. "Sokka both have disobeyed our father, and not just once but repeatedly. You can't get too close to people like that Aang. You understand that I am only looking out for your well being. You barely know her. Your pratically my little brother. I can't let anything happen to you, Aang. Be careful, she might poision your mind. Try to make you into one of them. Your my little brother and I refuse to allow that to happen."
Aang silently nodded his head solemnly. After a few minutes he spoke. "Zuko?"
Zuko looked up from the tea he was about to sip from. "Yes, Aang?"
Aang sighed and focused on the ground beneath them. It took all of his strength and courage to say this. Especially to someone who was like an older brother to him. Someone who usually gave good and sound advice. Someone who learned a lot of lessons about life, and shared his knowledge. "I don't think she's a bad person..."
Zuko sighed and shook his head. A hand went up to his forehead as he looked at the Avatar. He spoke very quietly as well. "I don't think any of the people we capture are truly bad people..."
Aang's eyes went wide. He did not expect this response at all from Zuko. He expected him to scold him on such thinking. To tell him that everybody besides people in the fire nation are bad people. "So...you would understand me if I wanted to help them escape, and save the world? Like put a end to this war once and for good. Even if that means stopping firelord Ozai."
Zuko took a deep breath, as Aang's words reached deep inside his head. He slowly nodded his head. "Yes. I would understand you perfectly fine. You are the Avatar after all. It kind of is your duty to keep peace and balance throughout the nations. I would expect for you not to like the way we treat people. It's not right."
A huge grin grew on Aang's face. "So you could help me? You could help me get them off that fire nation boat, and we can all save the world!"
Zuko immediately frowned and shook his head. "No, no. I can't do that Aang!"
A frown instantly came upon Aang's face. "And why not?"
Zuko sighed and put his face in his hands. "I just can't Aang. I'm a part of the fire nation. I can't betray my people..."
Aang's frown only grew. He immediately got up from his seat. "Oh. I see how it is. You can't betray your people... but you can betray the rest of the world."
Zuko's eyes went wide, and he shook his head. "Aang! That's not what I meant!"
Aang just shook his head and left Zuko sitting at the table by himself. Iroh came up to the table and smiled at his nephew. Zuko groaned as he put his face into his hands. "What do you think I should do uncle?" He peaked up from his hands to look at his uncle.
Iroh smiled at his troubled nephew. "Like a bright light that guides you through the darkness, let your heart be your mind Zuko. For your mind wants to deny the truth, but your heart knows what's right. You know the answer, its deep down inside of you. All you have to do is accept it, and follow through. Let the light be your friend Zuko. Let the light be your friend..." With that Iroh left picking up the plates with teas on them.
Zuko groaned and put his face in his hands. "Let the light be your friend." He paused trying to let the words sink in. "What the hell does that mean?"
XXX
A/N: Hope you guys liked it!
BTW you guys should totally check out my friend Ganstasdontpee14 (lol her nickname on here is so funny!) "What A Mess" story. It's basically about this girl who ends up in the Avatar universe. And no, I am not just suggesting her story because she put me in it... Anways just thought I'd give you a suggestion! Show her some support please, I think she's got a good story on her hands. Okay, I'm done lol. :)
Peace out, Zoey