Ignition

Chapter 18: Charred

Warning: Things are getting a little darker. Right now it's a little violence and some implied adult situations that may or may not be expanded upon in the future. Should that occur, the rating will be changed. If this makes you uncomfortable, I suggest that you stop reading. Consider yourself warned.

Katara and Rhyu made their way back to their tent quickly, darting between the clusters of tents t avoid detection. Once safely settled inside, the two went about their evening preparations. Katara slipped between the blanket and her sleeping mat, drawing the cover over her hips. She then wriggled out of her breeches and folded them, setting them aside within reach. Rhyu was already fading, worn out by the course of the day. Quietly, Katara rummaged through her pack until she found her mother's necklace at the bottom. She pulled it out and gently ran her thumb across the carved surface of the intricate pendant. With a sigh, she flopped backwards onto her pillow and stared at the point where the tent came together above them. After closing her eyes and steadying her breathing, she felt herself begin to slip into semi-consciousness until all awareness left and she was able to pass into a deep sleep.

The young waterbender awoke with a start, sitting bolt upright. After a fearful glance around her, Katara remembered where she was. To her surprise, Rhyu had managed to sleep through her outburst. Well now I'm up I suppose…at least I didn't disturb him.

Katara reached her arms over her head and stretched with a yawn. Relaxing, she decided it was as good a time as ever to find somewhere to relieve herself without the risk of being exposed. Standing quietly, she stepped into her breeches and pulled them over her hips before fastening the gold clasp. Pulling her hair up on top of her head and securing it, she stepped outside. She glanced up at the sky in order to estimate the time that she had been asleep. "Well, the moon has risen and begun to set, so it's more sleep than I thought," she whispered to herself as she slid her feet into her boots. With a perfunctory glance to ensure she was not being watched, she set off towards the line of trees where the woods began.

Katara smiled as she passed the small fire pit where she and Rhyu had shared dinner with the older boys. Jeb seemed to have managed to make his way back to his tent, as he was nowhere to be seen. The larger, burlier figure she quickly identified as Maroch rested with his back against the large log behind him, his head back and neck extended. She resisted the urge to chuckle as a deep, rattling snore escaped his parted lips. Roan lay on his side, his body curled around as much of the fire pit as he could manage. Katara could easily imagine him scooting closer and closer as the fire faded, pressing himself against the rocks to catch the last bits of heat radiating from them. Taking a moment from her errand, she tugged a thin, worn blanket from the young man's pack and gently flicked it across his body. Once satisfied she pressed on towards the forest, unaware of the watchful eyes upon her.

The darkness around her deepened as she reached the trees. For a moment, Katara hesitated. During the day, the forest had seemed much less threatening. As her eyes adjusted, she chided herself. "Don't be such a baby, you've been through worse…" she mumbled before stepping forward into the gloom. As she walked, her mind wandered. Her thoughts turned quickly to the developing escape plan. Doubt began to creep in until she shook herself from her reverie. "This ought to do anyway," she muttered, glancing back over her shoulder to make sure that she could no longer see the camp. Finding a suitable cluster of bushes, she stepped into them and hunched down.

Once finished, she stood and fastened her breeches. She tightened her belt as she stepped through the bushes. A twig snapped to her right. Before she could spin to face it, she was knocked aside. Katara scrambled to get her feet under her, fighting for traction on the loose dirt and slippery moss but Tinzo was on her before she regained her footing. Grasping the front of her tunic, he hoisted her onto her feet before slamming her backwards against the coarse bark of a wide tree. Katara's vision swam as her head struck the tree. In the dark, she could just barely see the deep red leaves as they blurred together.

"Oh I'm sorry, did I startle you?" Tinzo goaded, bending closer to look her in the eye and snapping her attention back to him. Katara thought it better not to answer as her mind raced for a way to escape. Thinking her trip would not take more than a few minutes, she had not thought to grab the small boot knife in her pack or the flask of water by her pillow. Kicking herself for her lack of foresight, she examined her other options and came up short. Confusion and apprehension spread quickly as Tinzo grinned. A knife flashed as he severed the leather cord that bound her hair. He grasped her hair roughly at the nape of the neck and spun her so that she walked in front of him. The sharp prick between her shoulder blades allowed Katara to locate the knife with ease. With a forceful push of her head that jarred her neck, he propelled her forward. "You're coming with me."

Katara's eyes darted wildly in her head as she searched for something that could be used to escape her captor. She tripped and skidded on the loose rocks scattered among the roots on the ground. Each time, she was hauled back to her feet by her hair and thrust forward once more. Her heartbeat accelerated as they approached camp. The pair slipped through the trees and into the clearing. Katara's breath hitched as the blade made an appearance, the tip placed just beneath the curve of her jaw. "Not a word," Tinzo hissed, applying the slightest bit of pressure to the knife for emphasis. They continued across camp in silence, keeping to the shadows as they passed the smoldering fires and clusters of tents where their companions slept.

Katara struggled ever so slightly as they approached the center of camp where Zuko was tethered. The dagger at her throat kept her moving. At the sound of approaching footsteps, Ban straightened and slid comfortably into a defensive stance. "Identify yourself!" he barked. The sound of the guard's voice woke Zuko from a shallow sleep. His eyes grew wide as Katara was thrust forward, followed by Tinzo.

"I found myself a deserter," Tinzo explained coolly, sheathing his knife. "We're going to go have a little chat with Zahn."

Ban relaxed slightly and glanced at Katara. "Best be on your way then," he muttered, eyeing what appeared to him to be a frightened young boy. Pity crossed his mind briefly. Who among us hasn't thought of running at least once? Frowning, he turned his back on the boys and settled himself once more to watch his quarry. Senno had slipped away to sneak in a nap shortly after the fires had died down. By his estimate, Ban only had about an hour before Senno came to relieve him for his turn. With his thoughts occupied by the prospect of changing watch, the older man did not notice the frightened looks exchanged between Katara and the fire prince as she was hauled away by her captor.

With a final shove, Katara stumbled through the unsecured flap of Zahn's tent into semi-darkness and landed in the dust on her knees. "Brought you something," Tinzo muttered absentmindedly as he strode into the tent.

Zahn turned to inspect their prey with a smirk. "This is the one then?" he grumbled, taking a swig of wine. Tinzo nodded. The older man set his flagon down on the table and leaned against it, crossing his arms over his chest. "Go on then, prove it if you're so convinced."

Without hesitation and despite the girl's struggles, Tinzo grabbed the collar of Katara's tunic and wrenched her around to face him. He sliced down the back of her tunic with his blade and gave a sharp tug. With the ripping sound of shorn threads, it fell open around her. As she glared up at him, he pulled the shreds of the tunic down over her shoulders until it felt the ground at her feet. Goosebumps rippled across Katara's flesh as the cool night air came into contact with her exposed skin. The thin wrap used to bind her breasts did little to guard against the chill or to protect her dignity. Quickly she wrapped her arms around herself, though it did little to make her feel better about her current predicament.

"So it is true," Zahn mused as he strode across the tent. "And what would your name be, pet?" he simpered. Katara remained steadfast and silent. Zahn drew level with her and stopped, pausing to look her over. "You found yourself a sweet little thing, didn't you boy?" he muttered. The two men shared a leering laugh that did nothing to ease Katara's fears. Zahn reached towards her face. Instinctively, Katara flinched.

"A bit jumpy though," Zahn muttered with a chuckle. "Don't be scared love, at least not yet," he added as he gently brushed her hair with his rough hand. "Why don't we start with your name?"

Katara kept her mouth clamped firmly shut, intending not to answer. Suddenly Tinzo gave her another rough shove and knocked her to the ground. Once again he wound his fingers through her hair and pulled her head and chest off of the ground, forcing her to look up at him. "He asked you a question and I suggest you answer it!" he snarled.

Zahn laughed to himself and shook his head as he took another sip of wine. "These young boys, they can be so hard to control sometimes. You never know what they'll do," he muttered with a shrug. The thin tight-lipped smile on his face made Katara even more uncomfortable as Tinzo ran a finger down the side of her neck, causing her to tremble.

"My name's Kera…" she began, trying in vain to control her shaking voice as she concocted a background story to accompany the name she had heard once in a village market.

"There, now that wasn't too hard was it? Let the poor girl up Tinzo, she seems to have come to her senses," Zahn said calmly. He took a seat at the table and placed his hands on his knees in what Katara assumed was supposed to be a welcoming, fatherly gesture. Distrust coursed through her instantly.

"Now why don't you tell the two of us what a pretty thing such as yourself is doing here in all this mess?" Zahn asked, feigning patience.

"My brother Koru was hurt during the spring. When his conscription notice came from the Capital midsummer he was still bedridden. My family could not afford the fines or the dishonor so I disguised myself and came in his place," Katara murmured, improvising as she went.

"Now there is a loving sister, wouldn't you say Tinzo?" Zahn replied with a smile. "Unorthodox, but well-intended. Self-sacrificing even."

Katara barely managed to conceal her shock. She scarcely believed it possible that the men believed her haphazardly concocted lie. Her heart raced as Zahn approached.

"Real shame it's all a ruddy lie," he spat. She did not have time to shield herself before he struck her. Once again she attempted to pick herself up out of the dust, noticing with dismay that the hand with which she brushed the dust away from her mouth came back bloody. "Get her up!" Zahn barked.

Tinzo eagerly obeyed, twisting her arms up behind her and lifting her to her feet once again. He pulled her against him to steady her as she swayed. With her chin resting almost on her chest, Katara looked up at Zahn through her shaggy bangs. He considered her for a moment before turning to Tinzo. "And you're sure you saw her waterbend?" he asked.

"Yes. She caused the disturbance at the lake, and I saw her doing a few tricks while bathing when she thought no one was looking," Tinzo replied confidently.

"Very well then. Secure her in the corner until the morning when we can decide what to do with our foolish little spy," Zahn commanded, tossing Tinzo a pair of shackles that matched those that bound Zuko's wrists and ankles. "You'll watch her until then. Unless the camp is burning to the ground, do not wake me," he called over his shoulder as he tugged on a pull cord that caused a heavy canvas divider to close behind him.

Katara's heart sunk as she felt the heavy, cool metal cuffs tighten against her wrists. Tinzo's hands grasped her shoulders and he spun her to face away from him. She thrashed against him as his hands travelled down her sides to her hips and along the inside of her thighs. "Wouldn't want to miss any weapons," Tinzo whispered softly with a sly grin. "You're a fiery one despite all those water tricks aren't you?" he scoffed. Glaring, Katara spit in his face.

Tinzo swore, wiping the bloody mess angrily with his hand. Without hesitation, Tinzo landed a swift kick squarely in her abdomen, knocking her to the floor as the air rushed out of her lungs. Fighting the urge to vomit, she curled inward defensively. Tinzo's shadow stretched over her. Nervously, she glanced up at him through narrowed eyes. "You're in for a long night," he snarled menacingly.

Author's Note: Sorry for the delay, I'm sure you've grown accustomed to more frequent updates. Life got in the way the last few days but now I think we're back on track. Let me know what you think, particularly of the predicament that Katara has stumbled into. Reviews are much appreciated!