KATARA'S POV (A/N okay guys, different people will rate this chapter differently due to... violence. :) so be forewarned)
My eyes were still wide, as I cried out to Nao, "That evil pig! Where is Mitsuo? He did this, right? That man! He makes me want to... Gah!" I clenched my fists angrily.
Sighing, Nao said, "You do not understand."
"I understand enough to know that he ties unclothed people to trees', and burns them with fire!" In front of me, approximately fifteen, naked, young adults were tied to giant oak trees that scattered the dark green grass. They barely looked alive, and were splattered with a mixture of blood, dirt, and rain, and had fire scars, like the one on Zuko's face, covering them from head to toe. Those poor, poor people. How could Mitsuo do this? I have to help them! But how?
Someone placed a hand on my shoulder, which made me jump, and said sweetly, "My beautiful slave. How happy it-"
I turned around, and threw his hand away. Wait... my hands... they're unbound and my finger is healed... what happened? Mom? Dismissing the thought, I growled, "I'm no slave of yours, Mitsuo."
He glared at me and continued in a more bitter tone, "As I was saying," He frowned at me, and changed what he had been saying, "These people," he gestured to the half-dead teenagers, no younger then me, "were my slaves, as well. They were stubborn, like you, and I needed some answers. So... torture was the only remedy. When they answer my questions, I free them from their pain, and behead them. If they-"
"But that's just wrong!" I said, angrily. He raised his arm and slapped me so hard it was a wonder I still stood standing. I was about to push him ten paces away with water and scream at him, when he yelled, "Interrupt me again, and you'll end up like them!" He pointed to the people. I narrowed my eyes but closed my mouth. He continued more softly, but just as mad, "If they do not answer me, I burn them alive after I've hit them with my whip enough to make them cry out for mercy," Hatred boiled beneath my skin as he continued, "None of these hooligans have answered me yet. I'm on my break right now, but torture will continue, as usual, at sundown. If you do not wish to end up like them, then you must answer my question and do exactly as I command. Do you agree?"
I looked around at the helpless people before me. What do I do? I inhaled deeply. I can't get killed. Not yet. Exhaling, I bravely asked, "Where is Akana?"
He roared with laughter, and cried, "You think me that stupid, eh? She is in her usual prison, awaiting my return," Chuckling, he said, "Now. Answer my question," He put his face so close to mine I could smell his brandy smelling breath, and he whispered hoarsely, "Where is the Avatar?" Of course that's what he wants to know. He is just like Zuko. So persistent.
"I don't rightly know," I said. Slowly and carefully I lied, "He sent me off for water, and told me he'd find me."
He straightened up and huffed, "Fine, you little liar. Be that way," If I get out of this mess alive, Toph is so going to teach me how to lie! Mitsuo yelled, "Nao! Tie her up!" Nao had been standing quietly beside Mitsuo, but he jumped to his command and began pulling me to an oak tree, almost reluctantly, next to a blonde girl, who looked already dead.
I immediately began to struggle and screamed, "No! Don't do this! Please, I don't know where Aang is! You have to believe me!" My tugging and punching at Nao was useless; he was so strong! How is that? He looks like he has absolutely no muscle! He is as skinny as a twig!
Mitsuo followed and laughed, "Looks like someone isn't so stubborn after all," shaking his shaggy head he said,"You are a foolish fool, you know that, Katara? Very foolish indeed."
Maybe I should water bend... No, that wouldn't do any good. Oh Aang. Oh Sokka. I need you guys more then ever! Where are you? I continued fighting against Nao's firm grip on my forearms, until we reached the oak tree. Abruptly, fear filled me, and tears rose into my eyes, but I wouldn't give up Aang's location. Not now, and not ever! Not letting the tears fall down my face, I said calmly, "If you hurt me, you will suffer greatly," Not likely. Not really.
He grinned, "What? Will you return from the dead and haunt me and my loved ones? Too bad, 'cause I ain't afraid of ghosts and I don't have any loved ones. Not anymore," He frowned for a moment and his eyes seemed not to see me, but to be in some kind of flash back.
Nao cleared his throat and asked, "Shall I tie her up here and now, my lord?"
Mitsuo started, and blinked a few times before replying, "Yes. Tie her up tightly. So tightly that it hurts," Nao pushed me against the tree, more gently then he should have done and grabbing both of my wrists, tied them roughly on the other side of the tree; behind me. You make no sense to me, Nao. Mitsuo began studying me carefully. He looked me up and down, and side to side, before stating, "We're going to need some nails, Nao."
I gasped, as Nao stuttered, "Of... Of course... My lord. Just... Just as you... command... my lord," he began running toward camp, only looking back once, to give me an apologetic glance. Oh Nao. Please don't do it...Please...
Mitsuo laughed at my nervous face and said, "We can end all the pain. Now, before it even begins. All you have to do," He brought his lips next to my ear and whispered, "is tell me; where is Aang?"
I spat on his shoulder and kneed him hard in the guts with one of my unbound legs. Stupid 'Lord'. He yelled in pain and took a step backward. He screamed, "You little..." He punched me hard in the side of my face, causing me to give a little grunt, "Pest! Water bending," He punched me in the other side of my face, blood spurted from my mouth, "Rat! Evil, snot nosed," He punched again, only square in the nose. I heard a crack, and screamed as he continued his rant, "Pig! Stupid," Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Nao watching fearfully, and standing there with a fist full of nails doing nothing. Absolutely nothing! You worthless beast! Mitsuo kicked me hard in the chest, leaving me breathless, and yelled, "She-goat!" Nao flinched.
Tears were flowing down my cheeks as I cried out in ragged, choppy breaths, "Please... No more." Mitsuo growled and motioned to Nao to hand him the nails. My eyes widened, "No..." Come on, Katara! Think! I realized then that it was very hard to ponder when you were in such great pain. Aang and Sokka are too late! It's up to you now...Think... Water bending! Concentrating hard on my hands instead of Mitsuo testing the nails, I folded my fingers and began to search for water in the air and felt water tickling them not seconds after. Okay... Now what? I took a deep breath, and froze the water on the tips of my fingernails. I bent my wrist and began sawing away at the tough rope. Nao laughed nervously, as Mitsuo made some kind of joke. I closed my eyes and began sawing faster.
Mitsuo laughed and said into my ear, "Going to sleep won't block out the pain, Sweetheart." I opened my eyes just in time to see him stab my shoulder with a long nail. I swallowed a scream, and he pulled it out. More tears spilled down my cheek, from pain. Mitsuo turned his back to me and bent over to pick out another a nail. Abruptly I felt the rope fall off of my wrists. Great timing. Hurriedly, I kicked at Mitsuo's rear-end and knocked him over. Growling he got up onto his hands and knees, and I quickly water bended and froze his hands onto the hard ground, and froze more water over his mouth so he couldn't scream for help. I turned and began running, my shoulder bleeding heavily and stinging with pain, towards the thick forest. I have to save the prisoners later. If there even is a later...
Before I could go more then ten paces, I heard a shout from behind. Aww man! I forgot about Nao! Turning around I prepared for a battle, and saw him running toward me. As he reached me he said, "Wait! Please, take me with you!"
"After you were going to nail me to a tree? I don't think so. And you're also fire nation."
He shook his head, "No! I'm not a bender! Please. I was his slave! You have to take me with you! Mitsuo will kill me if you don't, and I'm helpless without you!"
Sighing, I said, "Give me one good reason why I should take you," Katara, don't be so mean, and just take him!
He cried, "I don't know! But... I... can...take you to Akana! I know where she is!"
I grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the woods, "Okay, let's go find some back up first, though."
Nao appeared greatly relieved when he said, "Oh thank you! You won't regret it! I promise." I nodded and let go of his arm and continued running.
A/N I'm sorry if there was too much violence :( but i hope you liked it nonetheless :) i will update...if not in a week, it'll be at least a few weeks due to family issues :( but anywayy look out for the next chapter :D oh and i'd appreciate some advice here soo review :) ̴ı̴̴̡̡̡ ̡͌l̡̡̡ ̡͌l̡*̡̡ ̴̡ı̴̴̡ ̡̡͡|̲̲̲͡͡͡ ̲▫̲͡ ̲̲̲͡͡π̲̲͡͡ ̲̲͡▫̲̲͡͡ ̲|̡̡̡ ̡ ̴̡ı̴̡̡ ̡͌l̡̡̡ LOVE FROM ME xD