Behind These Painted Masks

Chapter 12

Prey and Predator

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"I'm going to save you." Katara voice whispered through the fog, comforting the slaves. The fog was so dense the slaves were blocked from the harsh whips of their masters. Using the water in the air she cut through the chains letting the miners leave. When she was sure everyone was gone she made the fog disappear with a quick movement.

Only 10 guards faced her she dealt with them easily, sending most of them into unconsciousness.

"That's a nice trick you have there." A female faced her, the Admiral's armor was shining and Katara was forcibly reminded of Zhao, "Can you do it against a real Firebender?" she taunted. Katara automatically sent icicles towards the cocky girl, who lazily sent up a wall of fire melting them; she faked a yawn, "Oh come now the Painted Lady can do better than that."

Before Katara could react the Admiral sent a stream of lightning right towards Katara's heart, and too stunned Katara stood her veil fluttering crystal blue eyes wide open in shock.

Katara's point of view

So this is it.

This feeling. Death.

Oddly comforting I must admit, though I am surprised I have never felt this before, not when fighting the Fire Lord, not when my village was attack. Onlynow as the truth flashed right in front of me.

I knew the girl bent on my demise was no older than me but the war had seemed to age her, those eyes. Cold and heartless amber were shining a blue from the lightning. For a moment I could myself in those eyes.

It amazing that all these thoughts can go through my head in only a matter of seconds. My hands are pinned uselessly to my sides and my legs are frozen solid.

This is what prey feels like, when the predator is staring you right in the eye, it claws outstretched ready to rip and tear, eyes filled with a bloodlust only seen when the prey is this fresh and this close.

I'm sorry Sokka…I should've listened to you.

I can feel the heat, so close but it seems cold, almost distant…how odd.

Finally, the lightning pierces my skin and I let out a gasp of relief, the time it was taking was agonizing, this was the way to die, saving other people. I always imagined myself dying on the battlefield, so this was a sweet victory.

And it was over.

At least I was going to see Aang again.

Zuko's point of view

I had watching calmly from the sidelines, ready to enter if Katara needed help. Obviously I had underestimated the Waterbender again; she took out 10 guards with a mere flick of her wrist.

I was jealous, she had been training for only 6 years and had mastered her Bending. I had been training my whole life and could barely hold my own in a battle.

Lost in my reverie I had not noticed the Admiral emerge from the fog.

It was the flash of lightning that caught my eye, bright, crackling and deadly. Keeping my mouth closed I used every single muscle to push myself forward.

I knew I was to slow, I could see the blue rip at Katara's stomach, and her crimson blood seemed to stain the lightning. Before it could go any further I collected the lightning in my finger.

My body was screaming no.

My brain was screaming no.

My will was screaming yes.

I brought the finger down to my stomach, keeping the distance from my heart far. Up back through to the other arm where longing for escape it left my body and found it's mark on the Admiral's chest. She screamed but it was cut short by the blue lightning capturing her heartbeat.

Just barely I caught Katara as she fell. She was breathing heavily, but the fact that she was breathing was a miracle.

"Blue…you're here." She mumbled cough slightly, a tiny bubble of blood dribbled from her lips, I checked her wound which was still bleeding profusely, turning my black outfit a shiny black.

"Yes…I'm right here." I responded right away not even bothering to disguise my voice. There was no time, but I didn't know what to do, I was no healer.

Her eyes wandered aimlessly trying to focus on one point, "Water, Blue. I need water."

I took her hat off so she could see better and gently hoisting her up; careful to keep her stomach level I made my way over to the nearest river.

Laying her carefully beside the river I could see her body failing, blood pouring out. For a moment she stopped moving.

Panic.

I tapped her face but she didn't wake, her head merely rolled from side to side.

Fear.

I splashed a bit of water on her face but she didn't wake.

Dread.

I placed her in the water and turned my mask to face the moon.

Yue was it? Agni can't help me with this. Do something anything, Yue save her.

The clouds cleared immediately and the moonbeams glowed strongly, reflecting in the water. Slowly the moon's glow moved further down the river closer to Katara, the water around her began to blaze with a harsh white light. I averted my face and when I looked back, Katara's wound was fully healed and her breathing was normal.

Thank you Yue…

I lifted Katara out of the water and tenderly dried her with my Firebending, when she completely dry, I held her against my chest rocking back and forth almost crying from joy. Katara was alive and well.

She moaned slightly and I looked right into her face, she blinked unfocusedly and motioned for me to come closer.

I obeyed and she reached for my mask, sliding it up reveling the lower half of my face but my scar was still covered. Coming even closer she pulled herself up.

Right onto my lips.

The shock that went through my body was enough to kill a baby rabberoo. It was short and she was smiling her whole body oozing weariness when she removed them.

"Just wanted to thank you." With that she fell into a sleep.

A kiss.

So simple yet so pure.

-

---A/N---

Yes yes I know, it was fast but Katara definitely wont remember.

So no true Zutara...

Yet.