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Zuko leapt to his feet. Katara sat stunned for a moment. She kept thinking over and over, this can't be happening. I don't have my bending. Not tonight. Not now. Katara snapped out of it and jumped up. She sprinted over to the stairway leading to the hull and snatched up the broadswords.
"Zuko! Catch!" Katara shouted as she tossed a pair to Zuko. He caught them with his one hand raised in the air.
"How cute, the lovers are feisty …" the pirate captain laughed. His men followed suit. Everyone raised their weapons. Zuko slashed his blades across each other and they caught fire. The pirates weren't fazed. They rushed at Zuko and completely ignored Katara. They knew she couldn't bend water and didn't count her as much of a threat. Katara closed her eyes for a second and tried to focus like she had seen Zuko do many times. She controlled her breathing and crossed the swords braying to the sun, the ocean, and the moon spirits to give her the spark of fire so she could protect her newfound love. She heard her blades slash together followed by a whoosh and heat and light. She opened her eyes to find her blades on fire.
Katara laughed out loud and the fighting stopped for just a moment as the pirates turned toward the sound. Zuko and Iroh had been fighting side by side and Zuko stood shocked by the flames. Two of the seven pirates broke off from the brawl and sprinted toward Katara. Katara danced through all the moves and formations Zuko had taught her. Fire flew from the three benders. Weapons flew overboard. People called to their comrades and jeered at their opponents. The fight ended with a blade at the captain's throat. Zuko had his blade press against his neck and declared the fight over. The captain was thrown back into his boat where he coughed and sputtered. He stared up at the prince in hatred. The pirates were severely wounded and the fighting had to stop. As the pirate boat floated away Zuko turned back to his companions. Katara had a gash across her waist and on her left arm. Iroh had small scrapes and bruises all over. Zuko looked down at himself to see what damage had been done. He was bleeding from his right shoulder and had a cut above his bad eye. He would take care of himself later. Right now he had to help Katara.
Katara was bleeding heavily. Zuko was bandaging Katara's arm when she laid her hand on his.
"How did that happen?" Katara whispered.
"I don't know…" Zuko said as he looked into her eyes with amazement. He shook his head and removed her hand from his. He began to bandage her waist and then moved onto his shoulder. Iroh brought some tea as well as the tealeaves. He lifted Katara's bandages and placed the leaves in her wound. The leave stung and Katara cringed.
"It will help," said Iroh, "I promise."
Zuko was next in line for the tealeaf treatment. He tried to keep a straight face as the stinging entered his body. The ship swayed and the stars twinkled overhead and the victors of the battle retired to a restless sleep.