Ignition
Chapter 14: Cinders
Katara, Rhyu and Jeb rested beside the wagon enjoying their scant breakfast exchanging stories and jokes as they ate. As the boys proudly began comparing scars, Katara's mind wandered back to Zuko. Her thoughts drifted, traveling back and forth between the agni kai, chasing after him through the woods, the accident at the river, and to the previous night. Her icy blue eyes narrowed as the image of the branded young man struggling to hold himself up danced before her mind's eye.
A voice jolted her from her reverie. Startled, she looked up to find Jeb towering above her, looking concerned as he waved his hand in front of her face. Judging by the look on Rhyu's face, he had been attempting to get her attention for quite some time.
"Sorry I uh…" she began before pausing to clear her throat, remembering at the last second to deepen her voice. "Guess I zoned out there."
Jeb smirked. "Practice got you drained all ready? We haven't even started the day yet." He added with a friendly jab to the shoulder. As if on cue, a bell rang from somewhere in the camp. With a groan, Rhyu got to his feet. Katara followed suit, giving the young boy a questioning glance.
"Time to break camp." Rhyu replied with a grimace. Not only did he find working alongside his stronger agemates and the gruff older men difficult and particularly distasteful, he knew he would again be separated from Katara. His mind raced in an attempt to fabricate a plan to stay with her.
Jeb brushed the last crumbs of his breakfast from his hands. "Ok Rhyu, we'll meet up with you later. Koru you're with me. We get the wonderful task of loading the carts." He finished with a laugh as Rhyu walked away, glancing back over his shoulder apologetically. Katara barely suppressed a groan as she stood, her legs and back already sore from training.
At least this time all I have to do is lift. That's significantly less impossible than firebending. She spread her arms in a brief shrug. "Where to?"
Jeb led her across camp to the supply tent, talking casually as he walked. At first, Katara struggled to keep up with his broad strides until he adjusted his pace to match hers. She attempted to mirror his mannerisms, combining them with what she remembered of her brother's behavior. Hands in her pockets, she ambled along beside him. She made an attempt to put a bit of a swagger into her gait, barely disguising a smile as she remembered Sokka doing the same thing whenever Yue or Suki were within eyesight. Glancing idly over the camp and grunting in response to Jeb's occasional observations, she had achieved what she hoped resembled casual disinterest. So far, it seemed to work even though she felt ridiculous and somewhat rude.
"Here we are." Jeb muttered, indicating a large tent beneath which there was a great deal of commotion. Katara's eyes widened miserably as she saw the crates, caskets, barrels and sacks piled beneath it. Jeb bent down and scooped up a sack of grain, throwing it easily over his shoulder. "Alright grab something and I'll show you where we take it." Jeb explained simply. Katara reached for the nearest crate and barely managed to lift it without showing her strain. As soon as Jeb turned his back, she balanced it on her knee in an attempt to change her grip. Placing her hands beneath the crate, she began to walk after him towards what she realized were carts. A sweat began to break out on her brow as she hurried behind Jeb. Once they arrived at the carts, she noticed with relief the items were to be piled beside the carts- she would not have to lift it higher to load it herself. After placing her crate next to others that resembled it, she straightened. Quickly drawing a hand over her forehead, she walked purposefully back to the supply tent. The morning continued in exactly the same manner. Thankfully, the task did not require much speech or interaction as the boys scurried back and forth with their burdens distinctly resembling ants.
Zuko awoke with a start as the sound of footsteps reached him. Raising his eyes from the pair of booted feet standing before him, he recognized one of the less pleasant firebenders charged with his keeping. He struggled to get his feet beneath him. His efforts were rapidly undone with a swift kick that sent him tumbling down into the dust once again, wrenching his arms behind him at an even more painful angle. The firebender chuckled as he crouched down. "No funny business or I'll give you a few more scars." he muttered gruffly as he moved to unlock the shackles binding Zuko's wrists behind his back. The shackles snapped open and Zuko slumped to the ground, gritting his teeth against the throbbing pain and stiffness in his shoulders as he tried to heave himself upwards. "Get up." the firebender growled. "We're going to see the Admiral."
Zuko stood, his stiff muscles screaming in protest against the movement. He shook his hair out of his line of sight, his jaw set as the firebender cuffed his hands behind him. "Now walk, Your Highness," he snarled, chuckling. Zuko stared ahead blankly. The firebender snorted with disdain. "I said get moving!" he added, punctuating his order with another kick to the back of Zuko's legs, causing him to crash to his knees. Zuko looked past the man, his eyes unfocused and uncaring. "You lazy sack of shit, GET UP!" the firebender roared, tangling his rough hands into Zuko's shaggy hair and dragging him to his feet. The man propelled Zuko before him in this manner as they crossed the camp to the opulent tent in which the general resided. The firebender shoved Zuko through the heavy red canvas. "Here's the prisoner Admiral, as you requested."
General Bujing nodded and dismissed the man with a wave of his hand without even looking up from the table in front of him. With a curt bow to Zhao and Bujing, Zahn stepped outside. The embroidered crimson tent flap fell closed behind him with a dull thud.
As Zuko's eyes adjusted to the lighting, a tall man in the corner turned from the map he had been examining on the dimly lit table. "How kind of you to join us, Prince Zuko. Please be seated," he said politely with a wave of his hand though his eyes glimmered with hatred. Zuko remained perfectly still. "Very well then." Zhao muttered with a shrug. He gestured to one of his two rushers guarding the entrance who gave Zuko a quick shove that sent him sprawling. Unable to catch himself, Zuko slammed into the ground. "You've always been so difficult, Zuko. You'd think that scar would have taught you something." General Zhao said as he poured himself a glass of wine. Zuko raised his head, his face and hair caked in dirt. "Respect for your elders, perhaps? If not, at the very least, for your superiors," he added as he drained the glass. Zhao bent at the knees, smirking as he wrenched Zuko upwards by his hair.
"A little far from the sea, aren't you Admiral? A little taste of La's revenge was enough apparently." Zuko barked, a grin spreading across his dirty face as he remembered Katara telling the story of how the admiral had angered the Ocean Spirit by killing Tui, the Moon Spirit.
Zhao returned Zuko's grin with a maniacal smirk of his own. Shaking Zuko's head roughly from side to side, he laughed. "Actually, your dear father issued me a new directive: to locate his traitorous son and the misfit avatar gang. The airbender he wanted alive. The rest of you are mine to do with as I please." he finished with a sinister hiss. With a look of utmost contempt, Zuko spat in the man's face.
Zhao stood abruptly, wiping the mess off his face. "You just never learn do you, you stupid boy?" he growled, bringing his fist down squarely against Zuko's jaw. Zuko grimaced, spitting a mouthful of blood into the dirt beside him. "You have something that I want, and I intend to get it." Zhao straightened his armor over his robes as he stood up. "Where is the Avatar?" he demanded. Zuko stared at him in silence, his jaw set defiantly. Zhao shook his head as he turned to face Zuko once more. "You will give me what I want, boy, they always do in the end. And this time, your traitor grandfather isn't here to defend you. Lift him up!" he commanded. The masked rusher stepped forward again and grasped Zuko by the hair. He lifted him upwards, placing an arm quickly around the young man's throat while wrenching his arm behind him. Zhao stepped forward until his face was within inches of Zuko's once again. "I ought to give you a matching scar. Your father's work is quite impressive." Zhao muttered, turning Zuko's head to examine the scar left by his father. "It's quite a shame you haven't learned your lesson." Zhao scoffed before curling his fist and striking Zuko in the abdomen. The air rushed out of Zuko's lungs as he slumped against Zahn's grip. Zhao crossed the tent to the map once more. "I don't think Zuko is going to be very compliant this afternoon General. See if you and your men can loosen up his tongue a bit. We'll try this again later when we make camp, shall we?" he asked, returning to his seat at the rich mahogany table. Bujing smiled crookedly and clapped his hands. Zahn stepped across the threshold immediately, crossing the tent quickly. Zhao traced a route along the map with his finger. "Here. Ten leagues. See to it that we make it before sundown."
Zahn nodded curtly before rounding on Zuko. "Up!" he barked, dragging Zuko to his feet and shoving him roughly. "Walk, brat." Zhan ordered, propelling him forward once again. As they crossed what was left of the camp once again, Zhan shouted orders to those they passed. "Oy, Jeb!" he called, recognizing one of two young men bearing crates towards the carts, "Give me a hand with this eh?" he asked, indicating Zuko with a nod of his head. Jeb nodded curtly, placing his crate on the ground. He muttered something to his companion before taking off towards Zahn at a jog.
"What do you need Zahn?" Jeb asked as he slowed down. "Is he giving you trouble?" Zahn nodded.
"I don't have the time to deal with this one right now, there's things that need to be done to get this lousy show on the road. I need you and your mate there to get him loaded up so we can move out."
Jeb eyed Zuko. "This the Fire Prince?" he asked, unimpressed.
"Was," Zahn replied. "Now he's nobody." Zahn shoved Zuko again. "Just make sure he's chained up good and tight. Wouldn't want any accidents."
"No problem Zahn." Jeb replied, turning. He whistled loudly. "Koru!" he called. Katara turned, following the sound of Jeb's voice. "Put that down and help me out!" he added, indicating Zuko with a nudge of his foot. Zuko lifted his head to see who his new tormentor would be as Katara spotted him. Her blue eyes grew wide as the crate tumbled from her hands. She froze as she took in the dark bruise forming on his face, the blood mixed with dirt that now caked his chin, neck, as well as what remained of his tattered shirt, and the glazed look in his eyes; she hardly recognized him.
"Zuko?" she whispered. At the sound of her voice, Zuko's eyes flickered in panic. He shook his head almost imperceptibly, willing her to regain her composure before she exposed herself.
"Yeah that's him," Jeb muttered, unaware of what had transpired. "We have to get him loaded up into the carts," he explained. Katara was stunned beyond speech and simply nodded. "Help me get him up." Jeb said, grabbing Zuko roughly by the shoulder. Katara obeyed and together they heaved him onto his feet.
As they moved towards the carts, Jeb chatted animatedly without once losing his grip on Zuko. Katara nodded and occasionally grunted in agreement or provided an appropriate response, but internally her mind was racing. This could be the opportunity for them to escape, an opportunity that might not present itself again. It seemed like hundreds of possible scenarios ran through her head before they reached the long line of carts that had been hitched together in preparation for the camp's departure.
"Which cart?" Katara asked gruffly.
Jeb hesitated for a moment, considering the question. "I'd better go find Zahn and ask just to be safe," he replied. "You've got him?"
Katara nodded. "He's not going anywhere." Satisfied, Jeb took off across camp to find Zahn. Katara watched him go for a moment and as soon as he disappeared behind a row of tents, she rounded on Zuko, dragging him behind one of the carts.
Zuko stumbled behind her until she forced him to the ground. "What did they do to you?" she demanded in a hushed voice, seemingly on the verge of tears as she gingerly touched the side of his face. Zuko closed his eyes and leaned into her touch ever so slightly.
"You worry too much," he mumbled, softly kissing the inside of her wrist. "I promise it's nothing I can't handle," he added, raising his eyes to meet hers. She paused for a moment to collect herself, trying to calm the frantic beating of her heart.
"Don't be ridiculous, you can barely move," she quipped, shaking her head. "I'm going to get you out of here. Tonight, if possible."
"Please don't do anything stupid." Zuko demanded.
"Like what? Pretending to be a firebender and infiltrating a military camp?" Katara retorted, rolling her eyes as she stood up. Glancing around the camp, she spotted Jeb speaking with a large man she could only guess was Zahn. As she watched, he nodded and took off towards them at a slight jog.
"Yes, exactly like that actually. I've been meaning to mention that to you. What in the name of Agni are you tryi-" Zuko ranted before being cut off as Katara dragged him to his feet again.
"Shutup, Jeb's coming back." Katara hissed.
Zuko's eyes flickered briefly to the approaching young man and back to Katara's. "Hit me," he commanded.
"Are you insane?" Katara demanded in a whisper.
"You've been standing here talking to me, if you don't do something he's going to ask questions. They won't let you near me if they're suspicious and then whatever scheme you've come up with to get us out of here will be impossible. Hit. Me. Now."
"No!" she snarled defiantly.
"Coward," he muttered.
Katara's balled fist crashed into the side of his face, knocking him back against the cart as Jeb arrived. "He mouthing off?" Jeb asked, eyes narrowed.
"Like you wouldn't believe." Katara replied through gritted teeth. "Where does Zahn want him?" she asked, crossing her arms.
"He said this one would be fine." Jeb answered, indicating the one against which Zuko had slumped. "I think you knocked him out." he added, mildly impressed. "Alright, I'll get up in the cart and pull, you push." Jeb said as he jumped up into the cart. He reached down and grabbed Zuko's wrists and braced himself. "Ready?" he asked. Katara nodded and shoved as Jeb pulled. Zuko slid backwards into the cart, where Jeb promptly dropped him. Jeb leapt deftly from the cart and tossed a length of chain and a heavy key to Katara. "You get up there and bind him to that ring against the back and I'll get his legs."
Katara nodded, scrambling into the cart. Kneeling by his head, she placed her body between Jeb and Zuko, breaking his line of sight. She unlocked the shackles, passing them through the ring Jeb had previously indicated. As she leaned over Zuko to reattach the shackles, Zuko's eyes opened ever so slightly. "Nice hook," he whispered with the tiniest smile, his lips barely moving. Katara rolled her eyes, barely concealing a smile herself as she pocketed the key.
"Alright, all done up here." Katara said, turning to Jeb as she straightened. Jeb rattled the shackles cuffed to Zuko's ankles to ensure they were secure as the sound of a gong echoed across the camp.
"Sounds like everything's done and they're ready to head out," Jeb explained as he stood. "Let's see if we can find Rhyu." Katara nodded before jumping out of the cart. She glanced over her shoulder as they ran towards the large group of young men gathered at the back of the caravan collecting their belongings. Her pulse quickened as she spotted Zuko leaning against the back of the cart, his intense gaze never leaving her. She reached into her pocket and lightly touched the key she had hidden there earlier.
Please, let this work.
Author's Note: Teehee. Angst. I love it. Poor Zuko, being all abused and what not. Also, I'm going with the idea that Zhao was not killed at the Seige of the North. Ass that he is, I love his conflict with Zuko far too much to see him go just yet.