Blinking the sleep out of my eyes, I yawned. It was pitch black dark, I had a hard time breathing and my head hurt like crazy. What happened? Why can't I remember? Where am I? Think Katara, think! Slowly, but surely, the events of last night took place in my head. Arriving at the cave; looking for water; finding the fire nation camp; being attacked; and then I had nothing. The last thing I could recall was everything around me going black. I must have passed out. But where am I now? My wrists and ankles were burning, and I couldn't move them apart. That could only mean one thing; rope. I rolled over onto my stomach, and pushed myself onto my knees by my chest. Slowly inching my way in a unknown area, I began to listen hard, barely breathing. Snores could be heard in every direction. It must be night time, and there is probably a couple guards on duty somewhere around here. Without thinking I loudly let out a breath, and heard someone stirring a couple paces in front of me. Being careful not to make a sound, I squeezed my eyes shut; hoping. Please...
"Well, well, well," a deep voice in front of me said, "Look Rafu, the little water bending punk is escaping." Ugh. I heard them walking towards me and felt a sharp kick on my chest, forcing me to fall backward onto my hands. I cried out in pain, as I heard a loud crack. Moaning, I rolled to my side, tears streaming down my face. You'll regret doing that, you evil, snot-nosed pig!
Someone laughed, "You better shut her up, Nobu, before Mitsuo wakes up. He'll beat her to death, trying to make her give the information he wants." I realized I'd spoken my thoughts aloud. I need to stop doing that.
"Correct, Rafu. That is exactly what I'm planning on doing," a new voice, Mitsuo, said.
"Captain!" Rafu and Nobu cried in unison. I heard leaving crackling, so I suppose that the two guards were kneeling.
Chuckling, Mitsuo demanded, "Take that thing off of her head and pull her up on her knees so I can see her pretty face." I heard more leaves breaking; wow, they're easy to command.
"Yes, sir! Right away, sir!" I believe it was Rafu, but I couldn't be certain. Someone lifted me to my knees and roughly pulled the sack off of my head. Suddenly, I realized my eyes were still closed, and grinned mentally. I will not look this monkey in his eyes!
"My name is Mitsuo, properly called Captain. You are one of my many prisoners, and will call me 'My lord'. Got it, Water Bender?" he asked. Many?
"My name is Katara. That is what all of you son-of-pigs will call me! Okay, you hairy cow?" I growled.
Mitsuo laughed, "Oh, we got ourselves a stubborn one, boys!" Someone, Mitsuo most likely, struck me on the side of my face.
I gasped loudly and cried, "How dare y-" another slap on the other side of my face silenced me.
"My lord! Say it!" he shouted, "My lord! My lord! I want to hear you beg for mercy! My lord!"
"Never," I spat.
He punched me in my rib cage, and I bit my lower lip in pain.
"Say it!" he roared. I could hear more and more stirring, and the occasional chuckle, around me.
"No! I'd rather die then obey your command!" I screamed.
The crowd around me burst out laughing. Mitsuo shouted for silence and told me, "Fine. We'll see how long you'll last when it's not your life at stake!" I was so surprised, that I opened my eyes. There was at least two dozen warriors either sitting on the ground or standing up, all of which were grinning, and watching me. Two guards stood behind the man in front of me who had a square hat on, I guess he was the captain, with a unshaven beard, and curly black hair. I asked him, "What do you mean?"
He smiled, "Oh-ho that got your attention enough to even have you open your eyes and show me how similar they are to someone else I know! Nao, my honest little devil," A red headed young man jumped up and saluted Mitsuo, as the captain demanded, "Bring out Akana!" Akana... why does it sound so familiar?
Nao nodded quickly, "Yes, of course, sir," he glanced at me anxiously as if wanting to tell me something, but I couldn't read his mind. He gulped and ran out of sight. I wonder what he was trying to tell me...
Mitsuo took a step towards me and grinned, "My pretty little water bending girl," he reached out his hand to touch my face but I slapped it away and said angrily, "Don't touch me, Captain, or next time I'll break your finger!"
He put his face right up into mine and snarled, "Next rude comment and I'll break Akana's and your finger!" So familiar...
I blinked, "Do I know Akana?"
He smiled, showing his black, crooked teeth, "Maybe. We'll see if she's your friend, or just another innocent southern water tribe girl."
I gasped slightly and asked, "Can sh... she water bend?" Oh please! Please!
He smiled again and replied, "We'll see."
I huffed impatiently and replied, "Fine, My lord."
He absently patted my head and said, "Good girl."
I growled silently. How dare he treat me like a dog! If I ever get out of here alive I'll drown him in boiling water! I wasn't serious, but I was so scared and angry that I would've said anything. What about this Akana girl? Why does she sound so familiar? And what if she can water bend? How am I going to get us both out of here? I can't rely on Aang and Sokka rescuing me. They don't have any clue where I'm at, and probably never will. I sighed silently. Sokka would tear down this whole forest looking for me, but Aang wouldn't, he'd be to worried about all of the animals living here. I wonder if they're even missing me... Another sigh. This time aloud. I really need to stop!
"What? Are you scared, Beautiful? Don't be," Mitsuo looked at me, "'Cause everything will be alright...for me!" He laughed his head off before going on, "Maybe, if you're good, I'll let you be my servant...or maybe, if you're really good, I'll marry you," he grinned and put his arm around me. I didn't stop him. I was in shock. Marry him? Oh no, I have to get out of here! I can't marry him, I'd rather-
"Captain?" Nao asked, interrupting my thoughts, "I have the prisoner. Just as you asked, sir," I glanced at him, and saw that next to him stood a person my height with a sack over their head. I could tell it was a girl, by her brown ragged dress, and that she had black hair peeking at us from under the sack. Suddenly I realized he was giving me the same look as before. What are you telling me, Nao? His eyes widened, and he glanced nervously at the captain. Ugh, not again, Katara!
Luckily, Mitsuo didn't hear me. Is he half death? He told Nao, "Take the sack off of her head, Nao."
Quickly, Nao obeyed. Her eyes were big and blue like mine, she was tanned, and her dark hair was shoulder length and straight as paper. I noticed her eyes were on me, and said, "My name is Katara, of the southern water tribe. I've been captured by this lousy crew, who don't even know the difference between right and left! The captain, I mean, my lord, is so-"
Mitsuo removed his arm from behind my back and slapped me so hard spots danced in front of my eyes. He boomed, "Enough! I will not be so insulted! Especially by a water buffoon!" I only glared at him, seeing that Akana had replaced her look of amusement by fear... oh such great fear! Mitsuo continued, "Akana! Make your introduction to Katara."
Akana gulped and curtsied to me, "I am Akana Dolor, also from the southern water tribe. Sadly, I'm the only water bender left fr-"
"No!" I interrupted. Akana's eyebrows rose as I continued, "I am also a water bender from the southern water tribe!"
"What?" she cried, her eyes wide, "Why did I never know? Someone should-"
Mitsuo' face went red with anger, "Akana! I said introduction, not conversation!"
Akana blushed, "I am sorry, my lord. Truly, I am!'
Angry, I said, "Don't apologize! He has kidnapped us! Hurt us! He doesn't deserve ap-" Mitsuo kicked me hard to the ground. I landed with a grunt and quickly pushed myself to my knees by my chest. . Looking around slowly, I realized that escape was hopeless. I lowered my head, and thought hard. And fast. Aang. Sokka. You're my last hope, please! Help me! How can I get you to find me? An idea popped into my head like magic. Grinning, I lifted my head up towards the sky and screamed as loud as I could, "Aang!" I don't know why I yelled his name instead of Sokka's, but it didn't matter, "Follow my voice! You have t-" someone grabbed the back of my head and slammed it to the ground. I screamed in pain, as everything began to spin and turn black. Please Aang and Sokka… I need you…
AUTHORS NOTE: I want at least 10 comments before I continue! thanks