Chapter 8: Sheltered and Protected

A woman's voice screamed, and cried out. There was a man in front of him. A cruel face, his twisted and sneering figure, seemed to send shivers down Zuko's spine. It was hot. Burning. Bright orange roared around him, making him unable to escape. He couldn't move or scream. A wicked laugh echoed throughout his ears.

"AAAGGHHH!"

Zuko lunged forward, startled awake. His face and body was beaded with sweat, and his chest heaved with every heavy breath. For a moment, he stared wide-eyed at the blank walls. A nightmare. Never had he dreamt something like that, but it felt erringly real. Zuko took a couple deep breaths, and closed his eyes again, feeling the cool air of the morning. His entire body was sore; extending every muscle took all his self-control to not cry out.

He shook his head awake, and looked over to Katara. She hadn't woken up yet. Zuko sighed and continued to study her face. Every moment that passed by with Katara still out, seemed to weigh of him more and more. Suddenly, her eyebrows knitted together in a frown and she turned her head slightly. Zuko immediately jumped to his feet and approached her side. He didn't imagine that just now, Katara really had moved.

"Katara…?" he called out. All his hope seemed to be crushed when there was no response from her. His breathing quickened when she slowly opened her eyes, sluggishly closing and opening them again. She seemed unfocused and slow until she looked over at Zuko.

"Zu…ko?" Katara's voice sounded hoarse and dry, but it was the best thing Zuko had heard in the last 24 hours.

"Yeah! It's me. Can you hear me? Are you feeling okay?" He pressed closer to her face to try and hear her quiet voice. He wanted to ask her a lot of questions, but mostly, he was glad that she had woken up again.

"Zuko… where… what's…" Katara's words slurred as she tried to speak. She seemed to struggle with staying awake; her eyes darted around, unable to focus.

"Hold on," said Zuko. "I'll get some help, don't worry." He stood up quickly and bolted out the door. Thankfully the person he was looking for was already up.

"Sela!" he shouted towards her. She was in the kitchen cutting up food. She turned around surprised at the sudden call.

"Oh, good morning, Zuko," said Sela with a warm smile. "What's the matter?"

"Katara's awake!" he exclaimed, unable to calm himself down. "But I think there's something wrong." Sela nodded and quickly wiped her hands off and removed the apron. Once they walked in, she crouched down to examine Katara.

"Don't worry, Zuko," said Sela. "Her body probably feels really sluggish because she was out for so long." Sela walked out and brought back a small bowl of water. She gently helped Katara sit up and lean back against the wall. "Here," she gently lifted the bowl up to Katara's lips. "It's bad to be dehydrated…"

Katara slowly sipped the water and coughed to clear her throat. "Thank… you…" she murmured. Sela smiled at her and set the bowl aside.

"I'm glad to see you up," Sela looked over at Zuko. "He's been really worried about you." Zuko felt a blush creep across his face, and coughed nervously. Sela smiled knowingly at Zuko and proceeded to walk out. "Just make sure to rest a little more, and no burdensome activities." Both Zuko and Katara nodded at her words as she walked out.

"Zuko," Katara began. "Sokka…" He felt like there was a knife in his throat. What would he say to her? He stood still, silent, waiting for Katara to continue instead. "Where are we? What happened? I remember Sokka was hurt… and then…" Katara rubbed her forehead and frowned. "Everything just went black…" She looked up at Zuko for answers.

"Katara," he paused, it seemed to him that she didn't remember anything. How can I tell her what actually happened? She wouldn't believe me. It might be better for me to just take that part out. "You suddenly collapsed yesterday, when the soldiers came…"

"What about Sokka?"

Zuko turned his head in shame. How could he tell her that he brought her but not her brother? Katara would feel awful. "I'm sorry, Katara," he muttered. "I…"

"It's okay, Zuko," said Katara. He looked back at her face. She looked stronger than before. "Don't blame yourself, it's not your fault… Sokka's a grown man. He can take care of himself." Zuko felt inadequate. Here he was, being comforted by Katara when it was supposed to be the other way around. He told himself to snap out of it.

"Katara," said Zuko. "I promise that we will find your brother. No matter what." Katara nodded firmly at his words and gave him a small smile. "We'll find your uncle too," she said quietly. They came to a small agreement and Katara extended her hand out. "Help me up, will you?" Zuko smiled and helped her to her feet, and walked out.

"Oh my, up already?" asked Sela. Zuko smiled at her and sat Katara down on a chair.

"Zuko!" Lee ran up towards him, excited as ever. He noticed Katara next to Zuko and smiled. "Hey, you're awake!" He stepped towards Katara and stretched out a hand, "I'm Lee. Are you Zuko's girlfriend?"

"No!" both Katara and Zuko shouted simultaneously. He felt his face redden again and smacked his forehead. Sela muffled a grumble, and Lee frowned at the two of them. "Aw, really? I was so sure, with the way Zuko was stari—"

"All right, all right," said Sela as she pulled a hand over Lee's mouth and began to drag him away. "That's enough. Go out to the field and call your dad for breakfast." Lee mumbled something in his mom's hand but otherwise, left the room. "Anyways, I'm sure you two are hungry. Sit down."

Zuko didn't realize how hungry he was until she mentioned it. Both he and Katara hadn't eaten anything since yesterday morning.

"Thank you so much for taking care of us," said Katara, while inclining her head. Sela smiled warmly and began to set down soup bowls.

"Thank Zuko, he's the one who helped us first," Katara looked at Zuko questioningly and raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, I just happened to help Lee when you were out," said Zuko fidgeting, stammering with the sudden attention. He was glad for the distraction when Gansu and Lee walked into the kitchen.

"Those damn fire nation soldiers…" Gansu mumbled. Sela frowned at her husband as they sat down around the table to eat. "Honey, are they still here?" she asked worriedly. Gansu only nodded at her and sighed.

"Fire nation soldiers are here? What's going on?" inquired Zuko. Katara also looked up from her food to listen. Gansu took in a mouthful of soup before speaking. "Yes, about two weeks ago, a huge fire navy ship docked at the city. I heard they were looking for someone, but they've caused nothing but trouble since they got here." Lee nodded fiercely at his father's words. "They always bother old man Ted and demand stuff from his store; bullies." Lee grumbled.

"That's awful," remarked Katara. "How could they do that? Don't people fight back?"

"Well, they came under the flag of peace," said Gansu. "And even if we did try to fight them, they would just annihilate us all." He set his spoon down and frowned deeply. "Every since they drafted all the young men to fight in the war, we've been helpless."

"War?" both Katara and Zuko repeated? What war? The entire family quieted and looked at their two guests with confusion.

"What do you mean, 'what war'?" Gansu asked. "The war we're in right now against the fire nation, the Hundred Year War!" Zuko almost dropped his spoon at Gansu's words. He looked over to see Katara just as confused as he was. "Did you…?" he began to ask Katara. She looked back at him and slowly shook her head.

The table grew uncomfortably silent as no one said anything for the next moment. Gansu finally spoke up again. "Are you youngsters serious?" Katara and Zuko both nodded their heads. Zuko thought Gansu or Lee would exclaim 'just kidding!' any moment now, but it never came.

"I was never told about it…" Katara whispered. Zuko nodded in agreement. "Same, my uncle never said anything about a war at all." Gansu let out a low breath, as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Well…" Gansu shook his head and finished the last bit of his food. "Aren't you from the fire nation?"

"Well yes," said Zuko, also finishing up his food. "But I've never been there. I've always grown up with my uncle in the countryside as a farmer." Zuko paused before letting out his last words. "And… So then, don't you hate the fire nation…? Why…"

This time, Sela spoke up and gave Zuko a smile. "As much as we dislike the fire nation, and everything they've done to us, we don't believe you're a bad person." Lee nodded and gave Zuko a big toothy grin. "And we're not going to forget what you've done for Lee just because of your ethnicity, or where you're from."

Zuko felt eternally grateful to these people. He lowered his head again and spoke, "Thank you. You don't know how much that means to me." Katara also thanked the family.

"The fire nation soldiers burned my house down and took Katara's brother," said Zuko. Sela gasped, Gansu and Lee looked shocked. "We're trying to save her brother, do you happen to know anything about the fire navy ship?"

"I'm sorry to hear," Gansu hesitated before continuing. "From what I've heard this morning, there's suddenly a lot less of them. Usually, many soldiers are dispatched every morning to get supplies, but only a few of them showed up this morning. They might be leaving soon." Zuko felt his stomach turn at the news. It sounds like the same ones. Katara took out dozens of soldiers so what he says fits.

"But," said Gansu, interrupting his thoughts. "Don't do anything reckless. I've heard there's a very, very powerful person on board."

Katara nodded at the man and gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, sir, we won't" Lee finally looked up from his soup with a frown. "Then, Zuko, are you going to leave?" Zuko tried to deny and comfort the kid, but he couldn't say anything. Sela understandingly urged the two men to head outside. Gansu nodded and took Lee from the table. As soon as they left, Sela looked at Zuko apologetically. "I'm sorry about that. Lee must think that you're a lot like his older brother."

"Where is his brother?" asked Zuko. Sela's face fell again and sighed.

"He was recruited to fight against the fire nation," she said quietly. Zuko felt a jab in his heart. He felt like he was betraying Lee. "I'm sorry," he whispered. Sela simply nodded and gave him a small smile. "Are you sure you don't need to rest more?"

Zuko looked towards Katara for approval and she nodded and spoke up. "We'll be okay. Thank you for letting us stay the night, but we need to catch the ship before it leaves." Sela smiled at both of them and reached over for their bowls. "I'll take these." Katara shook her head and laughed, "I know a way to clean them much faster. Please let me do them." Before Sela could protest, Katara quickly grabbed the empty bowls and headed towards the water bucket.

Zuko laughed, knowing the old Katara was back. "I'll go get our stuff." He heard her smirk. "As usual," she remarked. Zuko slightly rolled his eyes and walked to their room. It was only once. Well, twice now.

He slung his swords over his back, thankful that they weren't over his neck anymore. The quiver and bow were propped up in the corner, so he grabbed them and headed out. Of course, by the time he came out, all the bowls were sparklingly clean. Sela looked really happy, and Katara appeared pleased with herself.

"How's your body?" asked Zuko as he handed Katara her things.

"Much better," she replied with a smile. Zuko felt his heart rate quicken again. Her brilliant blue eyes were looking up at him, and he felt so glad she had woken up. He would have never have forgiven himself if Katara had been permanently injured somehow.

"Time to save Sokka?" Zuko smiled.

"And your uncle," she laughed.

"Yes, and find my uncle," he agreed. The two stepped out of the house into the bright morning light, and heard someone approach. Lee had puffy eyes; his nose was red and sniffled. Zuko crouched down to Lee's height and extended his arms out, pulling Lee into a big hug.

"Stay safe, Zuko," he choked. "And come visit us again later."

"Of course," he replied, tightening his hug over the little boy. "Don't get into trouble again, and listen to your parents." Lee nodded into Zuko's shoulder and pulled back. Zuko and Katara bowed to the parents in thanks and said their farewells.

"Zuko, one last thing," said Gansu. "From now on, I think it'd be best if you don't say you're from the fire nation. Even though technically you're not. Don't fire bend if you don't have too, because it'll attract unwanted attention from people who really despise your nation." Zuko nodded in understanding. "And if you have to state your name, both of you should use a fake one for safety purposes, all right?"

"We will," both of them responded in unison, and laughed. Sela sighed and whispered something to Gansu, who looked quite embarrassed afterwards.

Zuko smiled at the family, and gave one last wave with Katara before turning around and heading off towards the dock.

A/N: The adventure is finally starting! I'm super excited for the upcoming chapters now, hopefully you guys are too.
What a happy ending. But it's only to prepare you guys for what's coming up later (:
In the episode where Zuko meets with Lee's family ("Zuko Alone") I was so sad at the end when everyone hated him and betrayed him because he revealed his firebending. I wanted to change that ending so that the family despises the fire nation, but they still see Zuko's caring heart for the people close to him. Hopefully the message was well read.

So until the next chapter, stay marvelous. See ya.