Imprisoned
If there was one think Uncle hated, it was his nephew's temper. He knew that, which was precisely why Zuko had taken quarters on the stern while the old man slept. His temper boiled over and Fire shot from all available openings. How could have been so asinine as to let the Avatar get away. It seemed to him that this hunt was going to be harder than he thought. Not only was his prey the one and only (well, for now) Avatar, but his companions consisted of an oaf of a warrior who happened to get lucky enough to hit something every once in a while. And, of course, the pleasurable little Waterbender.
He shook his head, clearing his mind, if he thought too much of her, he would be distracted and would want to think of nothing else. And he couldn't do that. Not right now.
The ground was shaking beneath them like the grounds would shake in the Southern Water Tribe when the Fire Nation beached on their shores. Thump, thump. Katara woke with a start and thought she was home again. Her body groaned with protest at the abrupt movements. It wasn't used to sleeping on the ground. Usually she lay atop stacks of blankets and animal hides. Traveling, all she had was a sleeping bag.
She rubbed her neck, wondering why she had woken in the first place anyway. Then she felt it again. The ground shaking and rumbling, she poked at until, with sleepy eyes and a vacant expression, Aang was up. He was about to say something when Katara held a finger to his lips. She told him to listen, "Do you hear it?"
Aang reluctantly moved away from Katara's touch, closed his eyes and listened. Thump, thump. "I do. What is it?" his curiosity getting the better of him.
Katara just shrugged, "I don't know, but I think we should go see."
Aang readily agreed and attempted to wake Sokka up. "Sokka, we gotta go. Something's out there, we need to see what it is."
Sokka peaked one blue eye out from under his sleeping bag. He mumbled something to them, "MghmghIdon'twannayoucan'tmakememghmgh." His sentence was incoherent, but the other two didn't care. They had to go see what it was out there and they weren't leaving Sokka behind.
An idea came to Katara, "Sokka, come on, I think someone has food over there!" she began jumping up and down. Aang would have joined in if it weren't for the glorious sight of Katara's breast moving at a fast rate. Where did that come from? Aang mused, he'd never once before had such a thought. It both disturbed him and excited him. New things were hard to adjust to.
Sokka became conscience enough to know what 'food' meant: meat. He wasn't thrilled to be up, but he could bare it. "Alright, fine, let's go then."
Throughout the quest of getting Sokka awake, the noise had stopped. Katara grew frustrated. Dammit, she thought, now we're never going to see what it was.
Sokka realized this too. He grumbled and was on his way back to bed, when the noise sounded again. Thump, thump. The trio ran in the direction the clamor was coming from. They arrived just in time to see a tall man with brown hair, Earthbending. She'd only seen Earthbending one other time, when they'd visited King Bumi, just days ago. This man seemed to be a beginner. He didn't seem to notice them since his back was turned to them. She decided to call out.
"Excuse me, mine names Katara, this is Aang and my brother Sokka-" she wasn't able to say anything more. The man dropped the rocks he'd been practicing with and ran away. No explanation just ran.
Katara looked to the other two, "What was that all about?"
The boys shrugged, "I don't know, but I doubt he came from the earth and if he was out here bending, that means there's a village nearby. We can supplies and food." Sokka seemed more awake now after their run in with the man.
Katara nodded, "You're probably right. Let's pack up and see what's out there."
They arrived at the small village half an hour later. Though Katara wouldn't really call it a 'village'. Usually little towns like this were teeming with people and talk. But there was nothing here. No people. No noise. No children playing. Nothing.
Katara turned to the boys, "What do you think this is all about?" she was genuinely confused.
The boys once again shrugged, they were useless!
Katara just looked at them with a dead expression, "seriously guys? No response, whatsoever?" they shook their heads, "Fine, let's go knock on someone's door and see if they know a place we can get supplies." she started for the first house she saw, then stopped. "maybe you should do it, Aang, you are the Avatar after all." Katara backed behind Aang and Sokka quietly.
Aang looked back her laughing, "Okay, Katara."
The Avatar knocked on the door. A green iris appeared through a little crack of the opened door. "what do you want?" the question came out as a low whisper.
Aang smiled widely, not noticing or not caring about the anger the woman seemed to be speaking with. "Hello, my name's Aang, me and my friends here were wondering if you knew a place where we could find food and supplies?" if it were possible, his smile got bigger.
The woman's eye narrowed, "Go away!" she slammed the door closed in Aang's face. He truly felt like she hadn't just slammed that door, but stabbed him in the heart.
He turned back to the others, "I don't think she was too happy about our visit." it was like he believed what had just happened was a surprise.
"Gee, Aang, really? You got that vibe, too?" Katara's voice dripped with sarcasm.
"Yeah, I don't know what her problem is." he was oblivious to everything around him it seemed.
Katara shook her head. And he was supposed to save them from impending doom? They were all going to die. She rolled her eyes, and when they opened they landed on the man that they had seen earlier. "Hey, you, come back here!" she looked over at her brother and Aang. They were looking at her like she was crazy and she was looking at they as though they were stupid. Did they not understand who that was? "Guys, it's that Earthbender. Maybe he can help us." she ran after him, not bothering to see if the others were following her.
The Earthbender saw her coming and ran again. Katara was getting irritated, why couldn't he just slow down? All she wanted to do was talk to him. There was no way she was going to catch up to him. The Earthbender was much faster than her. Damn, she thought, there goes the only way of getting food in this town.
She was slowing down subconsciously, she couldn't run anymore. They were gonna lose him. Aang proved her wrong the minute he flew over her ducked head. He shot Air Blasts at him and the bender went down smoothly. Katara regained minimal energy, but it was enough to catch up to Aang and the boy. "Why were you running?" Katara sputtered out the question.
He didn't answer for several minutes. Katara and Aang waited in silence. "Hey guys! Damn, you guys are fast!" Sokka had finally caught up with them.
Some groaning emerged from the bender. "What do you people want from me?" he rose from the ground and stood next to Katara.
"We just want to know a few things actually. One: where we can buy supplies. Two: where all the people are who live in this village. And three: why you were running from us." Aang tried to be menacing, but it was hard to take Aang serious when he had Momo perched on his head like a hat.
The man, in fact, laughed and seemed to visibly relax, "you can buy everything you need here. I'll show you. People are scared to come out of their homes. Firebenders run this town. I was running from you because you saw me…well…you know… Earthbending." he whispered his last few words so low that they had to lean in close to hear what he was saying.
Katara was confused, "Why can't you bend?"
He looked at her like she had lost her mind. "It's forbidden here. Firebenders don't want a rebellion on their hands. My name's Haru by the way."
"I'm Katara, this is Aang and the oaf is Sokka-"
"Hey, Katara, that's mean!" Sokka yelled.
Katara didn't pay him any attention, "That's terrible. People shouldn't be tied down like that at all. That's just cruel and unusual punishment to do to someone. It's like taking away someone's freedom and right to be who they are. It's down right fucked up." Katara worked herself into a rage.
Aang looked as though he didn't understand something. "Katara, I completely agree with you. But what does that word mean 'fucked'? Or, for that matter any of those words you and Sokka have been saying. It is odd and confusing." he scratched his head in a way that said he really was left in the dark about all this
Katara laughed manically, "Oh, Aang, I'm sorry. I usually don't talk like that. It's language we've picked up from the Fire Nation soldiers, when they came to raid our shores. What I just said was foul and rank. I'm sorry I said it at all. But we need to focus on getting supplies." Katara quickly changed the topic.
Aang nodded earnestly, as though he knew what she was saying made sense. "So, Haru, right? Where do we get supplies?"
Haru kept looking at Katara, "I'll show you, but I need someone to go back to my house, it was one where the woman slammed the door on you, and take care of my mother and tell her that I'm okay."
Aang didn't like the way Haru was watching Katara, but it seemed like the Waterbender wasn't paying attention to the Earthbender. She seemed like she was genuinely upset about the Earthbenders not being able to bend their Element. "yeah, sure that sounds like a good idea. We'll go talk to her and Katara can go with you to buy everything. She knows what we need the most."
Katara looked up at Aang, confused, "Um, okay, I guess. Let's go Haru." she left with the Earthbender.
Aang with a heavy heart and sad eyes watched Katara walk away with a potential threat to his love life. He laughed sarcastically, he didn't have a love life, he only wished he did. Especially, with that enticing Waterbender.
"So, Haru, I'm sorry about your father, that's terrible. I haven't seen my father in two years, but now that I've heard you're life story and I've told you mine and we have the supplies, so I think we should get back and try to find Aang and Sokka. They'll be worried about me." she lifted one of the bags higher on her hip.
Haru laughed, "do you need help with those?" he stretched out his hands to catch anything if it fell.
"No, I have it all, thanks anyway." as she adjusted her bags again a scream erupted from nearby. "what was that?"
Haru shrugged, "let's go find out?" he phrased it as a question, but he didn't wait for Katara to answer. He took off running.
Knowing that she would never be able to catch up if she wondered about what to do, she dropped her bags and followed him quickly. She pushed herself to keep up with the Earthbender, it seemed much easier to do so this time and she wasn't sure why. She felt a new strength enter her body and her legs acted as though they had a mind of their own. Katara was reveling in the feel of her muscle when she ran into Haru's back.
"Oompf, ugh, Haru, what just happened?" she rubbed her head and peeked over his shoulder. Beneath a boulder was a fragile old man.
"Help me! Please, someone help me!" he held his hand out. His body was being crushed beneath the rock. "Help!"
Katara waited for Haru to move. She knew he could help him, but he didn't budge. Not one inch. "Haru, aren't you going to help me? You can just bend the rock off him. Do it!" she didn't understand.
The Earthbender looked back at her, "Are you stupid? I can't. Earthbending is illegal here. What you saw in the woods was wrong. I can't do it." he averted his eyes.
She rushed to the man's aid, Katara grew angry . Who was he to say that his own well being was more important than the well being of an elderly man who was in need. Arrogant child. She futilely began to remove the rock from the old man's back. Oh, who was she kidding? She wasn't an Earthbender. She was barely a Waterbender. She couldn't move these things even if she pretended she was.
She looked to Haru one more time for help. He stared back, he wasn't going to help her, Katara knew it. The old man was going to die, because Haru was scared. He was pathetic, Katara again tried to help, she knew it was useless, she reached her arms under the rock and lifted. It rose into the air without much strain on her part. What the hell?
Katara looked behind her and saw Haru bending the very Earth she was previously trying to move. She grinned, "Haru, you're an amazing Earthbender! I knew you could do it!" she tugged the man out of the way and put his arm around her shoulder. "Sir, are you okay?"
He looked at her like she was something foreign, "Get off me!" he pushed Katara away and ran toward the village.
Katara looked over at Haru confused, "what was that all about?" he shrugged, "hey, look I'm sorry about what I said earlier. I didn't mean to pressure you, but I'm really glad you helped." she smiled shyly and hugged the other bender. He wrapped his arms around her.
Katara began to pull away, but Haru pulled her closer. Too close, "Haru, what are you do-" she wasn't able to finish, Haru was kissing her. Uncertain of what to do, she pushed him away and put her hands up to fend him off, "What was that?"
He looked both pleased and abashed, "I…uh…thought you…you know… liked me?" he rubbed his head in an awkward way.
She felt guilt fill her being. "Oh, Haru, I'm sorry. Um…no. I don't like you. I didn't mean to make you think that. But thank you again for helping me. I'll see you tomorrow." she followed the old man's lead and ran. She found her abandoned bags and went back to the village to find Aang and Sokka.
"Thank you so much for letting us stay here for the night." Aang told the same woman and who slammed the door on his face. She nodded slightly to them and left the barn where the Avatar and the others were staying for the night.
Katara laid down on the hay and yawned, tonight she would sleep good. "alright, guys, I think we should get some shut eye. We got a long day ahead of us. Walking. As usual."
Silence greeted her, "Guys?" no answer.
She lifted her head up and looked around. Both boys were laying at her feet in a pile of arms and legs. Out for the count. She laughed silently to herself. "Good night and sweet dreams." she sent the words up to the sky. To Tui and La. To the stars and moon. To anyone who needed the well wish.
A whisper on the wind brushed his cheek, chilling him slightly. He embraced the cold. He didn't have a big tolerance for the crisp air, but he was getting used to it more and more each day. It was biting and bitter, but made him wake up.
They had left Kyoshi Island weeks before and were somewhere in the Earth Kingdom. He knew they were on the trail of the Avatar and were getting closer to him. But their route was going to be postponed for a bit. They were expected at a nearby mining rig for unknown reasons. All he knew was that Uncle wanted them to stop at the mining rig to visit someone.
He left the stern and walked around the ship, unsure of what to do. This was the second night he wasn't able to sleep properly. At least not without thinking about the water nymph. His Acqua Ninfa. "Aargh," he wasn't going to get anything done if he didn't take his mind off that troublesome girl.
Zuko went back to his rooms and laid upon his bed, his head resting on his pillow. One day he would have her and he wouldn't have to think about not thinking about her. He would just have to turn over and she would be there, smiling at him with her luscious lips.
"No, bring him back! He didn't do anything wrong. He's just a boy!" a high pitched screech came from inside the house.
Katara shot up, she shook the others awake. "Aang, come on, someone's yelling for help!" Aang and Sokka came to and they ran into the house.
On the floor was Haru's mother she was crying on her knees. "What happened?" Katara joined her and asked, worriedly.
The woman cried earnestly, "They took my baby! They took him away from me! He couldn't have done anything wrong! My baby! Please, you must help me!"
Katara was confused, Haru was taken away by the Fire Nation? "Why did they take him?" Haru was a good person, not one who should taken away.
Crying still, she explained that the Fire Nation came to their early in the morning, "An older man was with them. He said he caught Haru Earthbending. I don't understand! Haru knows better than to do that. Please help!"
She gripped Katara's clothes. Pulling her closer to the older woman, she buried her face into Katara's shoulder. Katara pat the women's arm and back. The mother was breaking down in Katara's lap.
She was mortified. The old man she had pressured Haru into Earthbending and saving. She had been the one to get Haru arrested. "where did they take him?"
The older woman mumbled something incoherent. Katara leaned down and heard the words 'mining rig' escape her lips.
Katara had been the one to put Haru into jail. She had done this to him. Guilt coursed through her, she felt it eating at her stomach. "don't worry, we'll get him out." she stood from her position and walked outside with the boys following closely behind.
"Katara, what are we going to do? Why are you so upset?" Sokka's concern was real, but it was concern for her, not for the man she had sent away.
"Sokka, it's my fault he's there. I made him Earthbend. So I have got to help him get out of that mine. He doesn't deserve to be in there!" Katara cried out.
Sokka placed both his hands on Katara's shoulders, "calm down, Katara, don't worry. We'll get him out." he smiled at her brotherly.
"But how?" Aang's voice chirped up from the ground, where he sat with Momo sleeping in his lap.
Katara looked to him, "I hadn't thought of that." she rubbed her neck, uncertain of what to do now.
Sokka's face lit up, "I got it!"
"Are you sure this is going to work?" Katara's voice held utter disbelief.
Sokka's excitement was palpable, but Katara just couldn't feed off of it. She knew this wasn't going to work. But, reprimanded herself, she had to have at least a little faith.
"Yes, Katara, I am positive that this will work and work damn good. So when I yell out something along the lines of 'Earthbending' Aang will blow wind up through the vents sending the rock into the air. Then the soldiers will see it and put you in the same prison Haru's in. Hopefully. After you get him out, we'll come for you tonight. He better be ready, Katara. 'Cause we're leaving with or without him. Understand?" he was firm with her, knowing, she had a hard time listening and taking orders.
Katara nodded, he was serious, "alright, let's do this!"
"Guards! Guards help! That young woman's Earthbending!" Sokka's voice rang out loud and clear in the sky.
That was the cue. Katara looked over her shoulder and saw Aang. He was crouched behind a crate. He nodded and blew a gust of wind through a vent. The boulder in front of Katara began to rise. She lifted her arms as though she was an Earthbender. Shouts came from her right.
They rushed her. For a split second, Katara had the urge to fight back, but had to calm herself down, You want to get caught, remember? The reminder flinted across her brain.
They grabbed both her arms and thrust her hands behind her back "you know the rules! No Earthbending! It's off to the mining rig for you, little girl."
Katara looked back and nodded to her boys. She would see them tomorrow night. And if she didn't have Haru with her she would have to leave him behind.
The mining rig wasn't what she expected it to be. The rig smelt of coal. Fire, smoke, everything seemed to have a burning smell to it. The rig was isolated and depressing. The prisoners were lifeless and it was no surprise, these people had their lives taken away from them. Their bending was prohibited and no one did anything to help them. They didn't do anything to help themselves. It was disgusting. She wanted to do something, but knew that her first priority was getting Haru out. The guards pushed her roughly into the yard where other prisoners spent free time.
Katara's eyes searched the area, looking for the dark haired Earthbender. But Haru was nowhere in sight. What if he wasn't here after all? This whole… mission… would have been for nothing. Dammit. Little black dots began to appear in her vision. No, dammit, come on, he's gotta be here somewhere. She walked around the yard across one side to the other, nothing.
Just when Katara was about to give up, she saw him. He was amongst a group of elderly men. She silently walked up to him, and knelt beside him, "Haru?"
He turned his head, startled. "Katara?" he seemed both ecstatic and confused. "What are you doing here? How did you get placed on the rig?"
Katara explained everything to him. "So, we need to be ready to leave by tonight. Meet me on the top where that little pointy thing is where we can see everything."
He laughed, "you mean the crow's nest?"
Katara looked at him like she could care less. "yeah, sure, whatever, that thing."
The laughing stopped, in lieu of it was silence. Gut wrenching silence. "Haru? You will meet me there won't you?"
He looked up at her, "I can't Katara, I found my dad, Tyro. Dad this is Katara." she kindly shook Tyro's hand. "I can't leave him. Not again." his voice cracked. This was hard for him but he had to come with her.
"Haru, come on, we'll get him out of here too." Katara looked at Haru with pleading eyes, "I can't let you stay here any longer. This place isn't good, please?"
He bowed his head and spoke in soft tones, "If we can get my dad out, then I'll go to, but I don't think he's going to come with us, Katara." Haru looked to his father and whispered in his ear, not wanting anyone to hear his secrets.
Haru's father reared back, appalled, he shook his head vigorously, "No, Haru, no. We cannot. It's too much to try and escape. There's no point. Truly, there isn't. I will hear no more on this matter. The only way to survive is to do what we're told and hope the war goes in our favor." he looked away from his son.
Haru stood up and steered Katara to the other side of the yard. "I can't leave without him, but I want to get out of here. Maybe we could rally up the other Earthbenders and start a rebellion against the Firebenders?"
Katara didn't think it was going to work, the Earthbenders were many, but there was no Earth around for miles. They were in the middle of the ocean. "I don't know, Haru, I just don't know, but we'll figure it out. I promise." she got an idea, "Maybe we can give them hope."
Confusion was written all over Haru's face. "what are you talking about?"
Katara grinned widely, "You'll see."
Katara hopped onto a huge crate, a pot and lid in hand, she looked out over the sea of Earthbenders. This was it. It was either now or never. Katara's breathing became ragged, she had to motivate these people to stand up for their lives and take back what is theirs. "Earthbenders! That is what you are isn't? Isn't it?" a few heads nodded in a scattered pattern. "Then why do you not act like Earthbenders? Why do you instead act like a tiny insect at the mercy of a Firebenders shoe? You are all so much stronger than that! Take back what is yours! Take back your bending! Take back your life! They cannot take from you what is as necessary as breathing. Your bending is in your entire being. Why is it okay for them to take your soul away? Who are they, but another Elemental bender? They are not better than you, they do not control you! Take back your lives!" Katara was out of breath from the excitement of talking in front of crowds. She felt she had done a good enough job at speaking. So why? Why did these strong Earthbenders just lower their heads and turn away?
Haru caught her eye, he nodded his head in another direction. She looked up and saw the Warden staring down at her with an arrogant grin on his face. His guards were stationed all around, ready to attack her if her speech had the desired effect. The Warden laughed and went back into his rooms. Katara jumped from her perch.
She met Haru, "it didn't work." she felt her heart tearing slightly.
He put a hand on her shoulder, "no it didn't, but if it's any help. I liked your speech a lot." he smiled, trying to get her to crack her own smile.
She did, "Thanks, Haru." Night had fallen, "Aang and Sokka are going to be here soon, I have to tell them we need one more day. I'll be back." Haru nodded and walked back to his father. Getting the older bender to fight back wasn't going to be easy. But if they wanted to get off this wretched rig, they needed him.
Aang and Sokka sat in Appa's saddle, waiting for the third member of their group, "where is she, Sokka?" the Airbender was getting worried.
Sokka looked over his shoulder, searching, "I don't know, Aang. I don't see her anywhere… wait! I think I see her." a dark braid swung against blue clothes, "yep, that's her. Fly higher!"
Katara hopped down a platform and landed on another, "guys, we can't leave! I know you want to get out of here, but I can't go. Haru wants to go, but he found his father. Tyro won't leave, he doesn't think there's a chance in hell of escaping. These Earthbenders need to get out. We have to help them." she pleaded with them silently. Knowing Sokka would be the most difficult to persuade.
Katara held her breath, she waited for what seemed like hours, but he finally nodded, "alright, we'll figure something out." Katara nodded and Aang agreed.
Silence again blessed them, until the Airbender shot up from his laying position, "I know exactly what we can do!"
"WHAT?" the siblings asked in unison.
Aang grinned, he loved having the power of keeping them interested, "How about this? What if we use the coal that the Firebenders use for fuel? Coal is a form of Earth. We can use the same trick we did to get Katara arrested. What do ya think?"
Katara just stared at him. Was the idea that stupid? Aang began to feel awkward and out of place, but slowly, slowly, her face broke into a smile. "Aang, you're a genius! That'll work out perfectly. Tomorrow, midday. I'll see you then." She waved goodbye, jumped on the platform and hiding in the darkness, she ran back to her cell.
Aang stared at her retreating backside. This Waterbender was going to be the death of him.
The sun was beating down on the Firebenders. It warmed them fully, inside and out. Iroh saw the rig in the distance. It was neither near nor far. Near enough to see. Far enough to wonder if they'd ever make it there. He sighed, his nephew was getting restless. He could hear Zuko behind him. Pacing, randomly shooting a fire ball into the open sky. The Avatar hunting was becoming tedious and it was taking its toll on his nephew. Zuko felt it was his destiny to capture the Avatar. But Iroh knew his nephew was destined for something far much greater.
"Uncle, how much further until we reach the mining rig? We have to get back to hunting. This is a waste of our time and I am not happy about this at all." Zuko's voice carried far.
Iroh chuckled softly, "Prince Zuko, you are never happy, so why does it matter?"
The banished Prince yelled out his frustration. Iroh just continued his ocean viewing. This side-line trip wasn't just for nothing. There was some purpose to it. He just wasn't sure what it was yet. But deep down, he knew that for some reason going to the mining rig would help Zuko in some way. And if he could help his nephew in any way, then Iroh would not hesitate.
They were all on the deck, waiting for the Warden to put them to work. Katara needed to only wait for a few more minutes. Then she would be getting these enslaved Earthbenders out. She looked to her left, searching for Haru. A few people down and he was there. She told him of their plan the night before. She nodded and he returned it. She heard Appa growl. On her right, she saw Sokka jumped onto the rig. "You ready for this?" she nodded.
It was time. She had to try to motivate them one more time. One more speech. With her pot and lid in hand, she clanked them together. Earthbenders looked to her, "I'm asking you help us! Help yourselves!" they did nothing.
The Warden came onto the deck at that moment, "Who is this?" he was angry.
"We are Katara and Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe. And we are here to free these Earthbenders." Katara stood tall.
The Firebender laughed, "You will do no such thing. You will surrender or die." He stood in a fighting stance.
Sokka pulled his sword from his sheath. Katara did the same, pulling minimal water from the ocean with her in her own stance, "Now, Aang! Do it now!" Burning coal flew through a vent. It scattered across the deck, littering it. "Now is your chance to fight! Don't let this man run your life!"
Nothing happened. No Earth being thrown, no shouts of agreement. Nothing. The Warden laughed cruelly, "There is not a thing you can say to them to get them to do anything. Their spirits were broken a long time ago." He deemed the Water Tribesmen non-threatening and walked away.
Aang finally joined them, but it didn't help. Katara's own spirit broke. They really weren't going to do anything to help themselves. This was the end for them. Sokka pulled on her sleeve, willing her to follow. She took one step and heard a yell. She turned around and saw the Warden rubbing the back of his head. At his feet was a small piece of coal.
She looked to the Earthbenders. Haru was standing at the forefront, three small rocks were circling in his hand. Elated, she shouted her joy for that one movement of life.
Growling, the Warden shot Fire lit his hands, "You will pay for that, you piece of shit Earthbender." The Fire shot from his hands, aiming for Haru.
Katara's breath stopped. He was going to die; her Waterbending wasn't strong enough to stop the attack. "Haru!"
Inches away from his face the Fire stop. Confused, Katara saw that his father, Tyro, and two more Earthbenders had deflected the threat. With Earthbending. "We will not be treated like insects, anymore!"
With only that as their warning, the Earthbenders fought back. A flurry of Earth, Fire, Water and Air surrounded the oxygen of the rig. Although, the Fire was strong and vicious, the others didn't back down. Katara did all she could with her Waterbending. Aang did ten times more damage than she thought was possible. Sokka tried his damnedest to do something helpful for them. The Earthbenders were amazing, it seemed as though their pent up rage and isolation reared its head and fought like wild Saber-tooth Moose-lions.
The battle lasted only minutes, the Firebenders retreated and the Warden was thrown overboard with a satisfying splash. "Earthbenders! We are going home and taking back our villages!" a victory screech roared from the crowd. "We must board the Fire Nation ships. Now!"
Soon lines were formed, and the ships were commandeered. They would be sailing back to their homes. Katara couldn't help smiling, couldn't help, but feel that she was the cause of all this. She met Haru's eyes one last time. He made his way through the crowd, giving her a huge any Armadillo-bear would have been proud of. "Thank you so much, Katara, you have no idea what you have done for them. For us. For Earthbenders. You're an inspiration and we'll never lose sight of hope because of you. Thank you." He pulled back and smiled.
She smiled back, wondering why she didn't feel anything for this young man. For someone strong and sensitive. "You truly are wonderful, Haru. I hope all goes well for you and your father."
"Don't you worry about that, little lady, I'll take damn good care of him. And myself." Startled, by the booming voice, Katara jumped. "As he said, thank you, Katara. We'd be nowhere without you. Now, come on, Haru, I'm sure your mother will be worried-sick." He laughed softly.
"Good-bye, Katara."
"Good-bye, Haru." It was sad; she would probably never see these magnificent, strong-willed Earthbenders again.
Haru and his father board the ships and set sail. She waved and until they were little, black spots. "Katara, come on, it's time we got going too." Aang and Sokka were in the saddle ready to go.
She smiled and gamboled in, settling next to her brother, they flew off into the sun. "Where to next?"
"There's a beautiful forest I want you guys to see. It's close by." Aang sat upon Appa's head, with the reigns in hand.
Katara looked up at Sokka, he shrugged. "Alright then, let's go guys." She touched her throat out of habit. Nothing was there. Her mother's necklace was gone. It was back on the burning ship. Back in the ruble. Back where she wouldn't get it. "Mom's necklace is lost."
Iroh and Zuko arrived on the broken and beaten rig, "what happened here?" Zuko asked aloud.
"I'm not sure, but whatever it was, I don't think the Fire Nation won this battle." Iroh peeked over the side and saw the Warden of the ship latching onto a ladder.
"No, I don't think they did, but I think we might have our own little victory." Zuko dropped down to his haunches and picked up a necklace. It looked like a Water Tribe necklace.
Iroh came next to him and touched it lightly, "Where have I seen this before?"
Zuko smiled coldly, "On the little Water Tribe girl." On his little Water Tribe girl. Finally he had something that would get him close to her. He supposed this out of the way detour wasn't a complete waste of time.