I do not own Avatar: the Last Airbender, or any of the names or characters of the show. I merely control them for my own twisted pleasure from this point in the story on.

Chapter 29: Battle and Bait

Almost immediately after his uncle's body tensed at her words, Hanea attacked. She was swift and she was beside Zuko before he could even react to his uncle, let alone the underswipe kick that sent him to the ground on his back. His swords fell to the ground beside him.

She moved to kicked him again and he stopped her foot inches way from his chest. Pushing her back with all his strength, he jumped to his feet and followed through with blast of fire.

She dodged around it easily enough, appearing at his side again and severing the root of his flame at the base of his hands. The flame disappeared into the air as he tried to elbow her sideways. Hanae grabbed the exposed elbow and sent him whirling to the ground on his back again.

Zuko was breathless at the impact; she thankfully ignored him, but attacked his uncle who had appeared at his side to help. Zuko watched as they fought, wonder filling him as the two masters did what they did best.

He'd only seen his uncle fight once or twice, but that time had been nothing compared to the amount of power his uncle was expressing now. Hands grabbed him, and Zuko flinched, ready to attack. But it was Katara was at his side, and she had a look of shock on her face

"Why is she doing this?" She whispered it as she helped him up. Picking up his swords, he shook his head. Wanting to go and help his uncle, Zuko watched in aggravation when the two firebender masters didn't leave an opening for him use. Neither of them had any openings.

And Hanae wasn't even firebending.

"Who is that?" the Avatar's voice was full of alarm as it rose from slightly behind him. His eyes were full of shock and Zuko cursed the boy for not helping him like the time before. Zuko shook his head and ignored the airbender; his annoyance at the brat was nothing compared to the fear that rushed through him now. He had to help his uncle.

Suddenly, he saw it; an opening in Hanae's defenses. Zuko rushed forward and used the opening to insert himself between his uncle and the woman. He used his swords to block the attack she had aimed at Iroh. The old man cried out angrily but Zuko ignored him as he fought the brigmistress back and away from hi uncle.

There was not, however, an option of surrender this time like there had been last time, and Zuko could tell that she wasn't pulling any punches. Confused, not letting it affect his fighting, Zuko attacked her until he could tell she was getting tired.

It was only after a sudden spurt of speed had him both weaponless and powerless to move that he realized it been a trick. She had his arms pulled behind him and a foot on his back. Staring at the ground, panic filled him. Why hadn't his uncle come to help? Had the old man's cry been in pain and not anger? Damn the mask that covered his vision.

Suddenly he was wet and free. Jumping up he looked behind him and found Hanae on the ground a few yards back, surrounded in water and stunned. Zuko backed up until he was standing beside Katara, but couldn't see the Avatar anywhere. He chanced a look behind them and saw his uncle and the boy fighting against a large number of firebenders that had obviously tried to sneak up from behind them.

That explained why he couldn't find his uncle, and also why it's taken so long for Katara to interfere.

"Stay out of this Katara," Zuko said and took a sidestep in front of her as the old woman slowly picked herself off the ground and started walking forwards again. "You know she's too strong for you."

But Katara wouldn't stay behind him; she pushed him sideways and readied another attack with her waterbending, "Stop trying to protect me," she said, the anger in her voice didn't surprise him. He knew she was strong, but he wouldn't allow her to get herself hurt. Her voice was underlined with frustration, "I can take care of myself and you if I have too."

He stared at her for too long in astonishment, and she used the river water to thrust another blast of water at Hanae. The older woman didn't dodged like he expected her to; instead, she took the full force of the impact. But it was what she did with the water that surprised him.

She was on one knee and had both hands out in front her when the water disappeared around her. Shocked, it took Zuko a split second to realize what had happened. Hanea's firebending was so hot that by evaporating what was directly in front of her, the water blast had spilt into two sections around her. He'd used the same technique at the North Pole when Katara had incased him in that giant ball of ice.

"I told you," the firebender said as she stood, "if all you're going to do it blast water at me, it won't do you any good. Powerful enough firebending can turn your water into air in seconds."

Katara didn't let her dismay show. Evaporation had been a problem from the beginning, and if she didn't use enough water it would be the same outcome every time she tried to attack. Not to mention it seemed that Hanae could handle more water than a normal firebender.

But why was she suddenly attacking them? Hanae had been so close to Iroh in the brig, and had even helped them escape. Katara wanted to think that the older woman was acting, that there was reason for her deception, but there'd been no indication of that. The only choice was to fight and win, even against the firebender's master skills.

Katara thought back to her training. If she could get Hanae close enough to the river, she could dump a giant wave of water on the woman. That would effectively surround Hanae in water and render her firebending almost useless while Katara knocked her out. But Katara knew she wasn't strong enough to carry all the water over her head; she had to get Hanea between herself and the river.

"Turn her around," she whispered at Zuko, and he tilted his head. "Get her between me and the river."

Zuko barely nodded as he rushed forward at attack the much stronger woman. This would work. It had to work. She just hoped Zuko knew what she was trying to accomplish; if he got in the way she might end up hurting him too.

The two firebenders fought and Katara walked slowly toward the trees, giving Zuko more room to a maneuver Hanae into the right position.

As she snuck toward the trees, Katara looked back to see how Aang was doing. He looked like he was having fun, and she wondered if Iroh was too. The two of them worked well together, and she wanted desperately for Zuko to let them to join forces after they got themselves out of this mess.

After having spent some time with the old man, she was amazed at how alike he and Aang were. They would become fast friends, if only given the chance; Iroh was more like a monk in his ways than a firebender, and she'd actually come to think he'd make a better airbender.

As she watched, her heart ached, and she turned back to Zuko. She knew it would take him a while to do what she'd asked him and she hid in the trees.

"Trying to run are we?" An older male voice came from behind her in the trees.

Katara spun on her heels to see General Sho smiling viciously at her. Katara moved to attack him and realized quickly that she was out of water. Panicked, she turned to run back into the clearing towards help, but he was on her before she could even break through the trees.

Stronger than Zuko physically, it was easy enough for him to stop her. She struggled anyway and kicked at him. He grabbed her arms and pinned them behind her back with only one hand, putting another over her mouth.

"It appears both the Avatar and the Blue Spirit have feelings for you, my dear. That makes you the perfect bait."

Fear filled her because she knew he was right. Aang would surrender to save her from being hurt because that's what Aang had always done. Aang wouldn't fight unless Sho hurt her.

But she also knew that Zuko, however, would fight to protect her. That might get her hurt. If she was hurt, Aang would fight and then he might lose control.

She didn't know what was worse.

Frustration welled up inside of her, and her tears made her feel weak. She should be able to think of something to save the two boys. Anything to save her best friend and the one she loved.

But when Sho picked her up and carried her out into the battle field, she knew it was too late.

This is where my Author Notes go...Enjoy.

Okay, so. I wanted to tell you all a story.

Yesterday was the day from hell. I had one day off this week, and it was yesterday. I had everything planned out so where I could do everything I wanted to do and everything I had to do.

Taking home Chii after she spent the night, 2) shopping with my mom, 3) driving my boyfriend to work, 4) spending some time with my other friend and driving her home, 5) and picking up my boyfriend from work. Then that night, I was going to the movies with Chii and my boyfriend. Then afterwrads, I was going to write.

Did it work out like that? OF COURSE NOT!

At the end of the night I was so frustrated I was not only in a bad mood but behind by an hour, and had missed my chance to go to the movies.

Now comes the freaky part.

I was picking up dinner for my parents (because that was something they'd forced on me,) and I was waiting for the Chinese food to get ready and I had a cup of Jasmine tea.

I kid you not.

It worked, and I was fine for the rest of the night.

I love Iroh.

Anyway; no this isn't the last chapter, but it's close. I still have some nerves to rake and tempers to explode.

-evil giggle- this will be fun.