A.N. 4-27-07 - This is the re-written version of the story, I hope it's better developed, please review!.

Chapter 2: A Deal to Fight

A week passed, and Kat did not see the old general again. One of the younger soldiers brought her food twice a day. They stopped chaining her to the bed by the third day. She was allowed to leave twice to visit the bathroom and shower. When they did let her leave her room she was chained and blindfolded while escorted. They did leave her alone in the bathroom, standing watch at the door, but as far as Kat could guess, it was in the middle of the ship. They never went the same way twice, ensuring that Kat was lost.

Kat tested the thickness of the ships walls in her room, and in the bathroom. There was no where to go; she'd never be able to cut through that much metal. She considered jumping the two guards and taking off running, but there was no way to plan an escape. Without knowing her way around, she'd just be caught again.

Without any warning knock, the door flew open.

"Evening," Kat sat up and looked to the door and immediately snapped her mouth shut.

Zuko rolled his eyes, and thrust the tray at Kat. "Here."

"But, where's the soldier who normally brings it?" She reached out and took the tray. The moment she had one hand on it, Zuko started to let go, and the cup of hot tea begin to slide. Kat cursed under her breath and quickly grabbed on with her other hand.

"Busy, with my uncle. He said to bring this here. If you don't want it –"

"No! I do." Setting the tray in her lap, Kat drew her legs back under her for a more stable seated position. "So…you're Prince Zuko?"

Other than a faint twitch of his brow, Zuko didn't react. After a moment, he nodded. "Yes, I am."

She studied him for a minute. He stood straight, his posture was impeccable, chin tilted slightly upwards. He couldn't be any older than she was, maybe 17 at the outside. The snug black tunic he wore was trimmed in red and gold and sleeveless; it showed off his physique. She thought his pony tail and shaved forehead looked ridiculous.

"So how'd you get your scar?" Tact isn't something Kat ever learned, or cared about.

"It's none of your business," Zuko hissed. He spun on his heel and started to stalk out of the room.

"No! Wait!" Kat jumped to her feet and dashed the few steps to the door. The guards immediately rushed into action, weapons drawn and ready to stop her from trying to run.

Zuko held up his hand and both guards back off. He turned, still standing in the doorway, and stared at his prisoner. "Well?"

"I…Look," she took a deep breath and then let her shoulders sag. "I'm tired of being locked up here. It's your ship, its crawling with fire nation soldiers and fire benders. I can't GO anywhere; I don't even know where we are. So, let's make some sort of a deal."

The Prince studied his waterbending peer with a faint hint of interest. She is about his height and only slightly smaller. They gave her some old soldier armor; plain black pants and a black tunic that is a few sizes too big, but she's knotted it off to keep it snug. The men's clothing didn't hide her curves. She's neither as striking as his sister nor athletic as Ty Lee; she's actually fairly average.

Except for her eyes he realized. He's seen her fight and knows she's a water bender, but she doesn't have their blue eyes. Hazel is the best description: they're a light to medium brown spotted with gold. The only nation where gold eyes are common is my own.

After a pause, Kat continued, "Alright…so you let me wander the ship and…I'll spar with you, every day."

"I practice with my men."

"Sure, but they're not water benders." Kat tries to sound as persuasive as possible; it's not a bad deal and she's getting desperate to get out of her room.

After a minute, Zuko nods, "Alright. Every day at sunrise." With that, he turns and leaves, and beckons for the guards to follow with him.

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"Good morning Miss Kat!" The old general offered cheerfully as he opened the door. "I was not sure what you liked and so I brought a little bit of everything."

Kat glanced up from her bed, and sure enough the plate was heaped with food; a few types of bread and sticky buns, eggs, a few kinds of meat, and several pieces of fruit. "Morning Uncle Iroh." She's not a morning person. Matter of fact, she hated morning people, yet here was the old man, grinning brightly even though the sun isn't up yet. The only reason Kat was up was because she was nervous.

Iroh set the tray down on her bed, and straightened back up. "I was glad to hear that you and my nephew have worked out a deal. I think that sparring together will ultimately benefit you both. You both have much to learn.

Kat had seated herself and was already was pulling pieces off the sticky bun. She swallowed quickly, "Depends how he feels losing to a girl." She smirked and licked icing off her lips.

"Ah, you will be a challenge, but I am sure he is up to it. Finish your breakfast and come to the top deck."

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The fresh air felt good. A week below deck was far too long to be kept out of the sunlight and away from the fresh air. A light breeze stirred as the ship cruised along, and brushed Kat's hair back from her face. Taking a deep breath, Kat took a minute just to appreciate the sunlight and blue sky over head after being locked in her room for four days.

Kat stretched, reaching her arms skywards and rising on her tip toes for a minute, before exhaling. It was just plain good to be outside. She began to pull her hair back, weaving the dark mahogany brown strands into a tight braid before pulling it over her shoulder and tying off the end with a bit of string.

Zuko was practicing his firebending. Two unlucky soldiers were his targets. Kat took a minute to watch him. He wore loose black pants and a snug black shirt, trimmed in gold. As far as she could guess he'd be an even challenge; they were both brimming with raw talent, but lacked the experience to mold it into something better.

Kat turned away from the open deck, and wandered over to the railing. Leaning over it, she stared at the water as it rushed past below. Lost in the ripples of the water, Kat remembered learning to water bend a few years earlier.

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"No Kat, like this!" Kai stood beside her, legs shoulder-width apart, and raised his right hand over his head. His palm faced outwards, thumb folded across it. Moving it in a circular, clockwise sweep, Kai brought his hand down, twisting his palm upwards, rotating his thumb back out as well. As he did so, the water in the small stream rose upwards in a slender column, and then fell back down again.

Kat mimicked his position, his movements. The water in front of her shimmered, bulged at the surface, and then flattened out again. "Damnit!" Kat stomped her foot on the ground. "Why can't I get this one?"

"Just keep at it, you'll get it." Kai smiled at her. He was her best friend out of their little group of water tribe orphans. They were all friends – Katsumi, Kai, Suki, Lei, and Tashu – but Kat and Kai were always together.

They practiced their novice water bending in private, at a small creek that ran behind their over-crowded house. They were careful not to be seen. Their small village was free of Fire Nation soldiers, but troops did occasionally pass through on their way elsewhere. They couldn't risk being known as benders, especially as water benders in a small earth kingdom town.

Kat sighed, and slid one leg back out into a more comfortable, wider stance. She tried again, raising her hand and repeating the circular motion Kai had shown her. This time the water climbed a little higher, but still not the slender column Kai could manage. "Ugh!" the water splashed back downwards again. "I wish we had a real teacher."

"We'll make it to the North Pole one day Kat, soon as we have some extra money for traveling supplies." Kai was always optimistic. It offset Kat's cynicism.

"With the way things are around here, I'll be old and gray before that day comes!" She turned back to the water, and tried again, with the same sad results.

"It'll be sooner than you think." Kai dropped into a bending stance beside her and repeated his own motions, showing her again how he did it. "And then we'll go to the South Pole after that and find out if we have relatives."

"I can't wait." Kat watched him then repeated it once more. This time, the water rose in a two foot column, before splashing down to the ground as Kat bounced up from her stance and shrieked "I did it!"

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"Don't even think about jumping overboard. We're miles from any land." Zuko's sharp voice brought Kat out of her reverie.

"I wasn't." She snapped quickly, straightening up. "I was just enjoying being outside."

Kat was one of the few people who immediately met Zuko's gaze. It unnerved him a little. Iroh was another, but he was family. Most of the solider and ship's crew always looked away, up or down, anything to avoid meeting his stern gold eyes. Zuko wasn't sure if they were down right afraid of him, or if they were just afraid of being caught staring at his scar. Either way, it was unusual for someone to meet his gaze head on.

Kat looked away, back at the clear blue water. It sparkled in the sun for miles in every direction, finally fading at the horizon where it blended with the paler blue of the sky. There wasn't any land in sight. Leaning over the rail, Kat stretched out her hand. From far below the water snaked upwards in a thin ribbon towards her hand, until she had a fairly good sized orb of it. She stepped back from the rail, keeping the water spiraling neatly as she walked towards the open deck.

"Ready to lose to a girl?" Kat grinned wickedly, turning back towards Zuko. Her attitude had not been damped by being taken prisoner. I can at least try to have some fun with this.

"I doubt it." Zuko scoffed haughtily. There was no way some water tribe peasant would beat him. Water benders were limited by their own element – even out here at sea.

The two teenagers took their fighting stances. Kat waited for Zuko to make the first move; it didn't take long.

Zuko executed a clean spin-kick, sending a large fireball straight at Kat. They weren't pulling any punches, despite it being a sparring match.

Kat blocked it easily, bending her globe of water into a large ice shield. When the fireball struck it, it melted, and Kat gracefully returned the water to a globe without losing a drop.

She didn't have much time though; Zuko began throwing fireballs hard and fast. Kat shielded once more, blocking two fireballs. She didn't even have time to turn the water to ice a third time, but rather opted to side step the ball of fire. At the same time, she lashed out with a water whip, grabbing Zuko's ankle and giving it a tug.

Zuko stumbled as his leg was pulled out from under him. His jet of fire went wide of Kat as he fell backwards. He was down for only a second; a quick kick-up and he was on his feet.

It gave Kat enough time to get a few offensive moves in though. Another water whip came down on him, slashing his arm as it did so. Her next whip was evaporated by a blast of flames though.

The fight was fast but clunky. Neither fighter knew the others style. Both teens took a few burns and cuts before Zuko raced forwards, with daggers of fire streaming both clenched fists.

Physically, Zuko was simply stronger and faster than Kat. It came down to years of combat training, versus a few months experience. Kat tried to side step and use Zuko's momentum against himself, but she wasn't fast enough. Zuko was behind her before she could pivot. Flames licked at her neck for a moment, before dissipating.

Zuko stepped back. Kat turned around, panting.

"What was that about being beaten by a girl?" The prince smirked with pride.

"Tch," Kat clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth and wrinkled her nose; "I was rusty!"

Zuko rolled his eyes. "You'll never beat me." He turned and headed across the deck, towards the stairs leading back down below.

"Will too!" She yelled after him. "Ugh." Kat exhaled in a loud puff. Great, an ego boost was just what he needed. She walked back over to the railing and bended some more water back into her hands. Guess I better start practicing more.

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Flopping over onto her back, Kat sighed loudly. She was exhausted; her limbs ached a little; yet she couldn't sleep. Throwing open the blankets and sheets, Kat sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed. The metal floor of the ship was freezing cold. She quickly dashed over to the tiny metal dresser. The spare soldier's room was small and had almost nothing in it, just the cot, dresser, and a small desk.

Kat figured she should be happy that she wasn't in chains in a cell somewhere really, but was a rug too much to ask for? I bet Iroh would get me a rug for the floor, she mused to herself. Kat quickly pulled on socks and dressed in her plain soldier's pants and shirt.

She pulled the door to her open as quickly as she could muster. Don't they ever oil the door hinges? The hallway was empty. She stepped lightly as she moved down the hall and after a few wrong turns, found her way back up on deck.

The moon was only about half full, maybe a little bit more. But the sky was clear, free of clouds, so the moon was plenty enough light to see by. The deck was deserted. Way up over head in the water tower two soldiers kept themselves entertained.

Kat moved to the railing, leaned over, and drew the water upwards in a thing stream. Her muscles ached. Ignoring her muscles dull pulsing protests, Kat took a few steps away from the railing and began to bend.

She wasn't about to practice any combat moves, but rather calmly moved the water back and forth. Kat focused on the water's fluidity as she stretched it into a long, thick strand and began to twirl it. The water snaked around her body as she raised her hands, wrapping around her a few times before snaking free and rising into the air.

The water shone with what moonlight there was, reflecting a pale white-silver light on its blue surface. Kat stepped forwards; the water that encircled her stepped with her. The free end which rose upwards snaked higher over Kat's head. It finally reached its peak, and like a fountain, began to drip and splash downwards. As the water droplets fell, shimmering on the way down, they collided with the swirls of water around Kat and were swept back up into the cycle. Kat stood with one hand raised above her head, controlling the peak and the other at waist height, keeping the water flowing in a spiral around her body.

Despite the protests from her muscles, the simple bending was relaxing to Kat. Being surrounded by her element calmed her. Focusing on bending the water quieted her mind.

From the doorway to below deck, Zuko watched Kat. It wasn't often he watched other benders with their element. Actually, I can't remember ever watching someone bend for fun. In the Fire Nation, all bending was for combat. Fire benders practiced fighting with their bending ever day. Fire just wasn't an element that could be easily controlled for the hell of it. And the Fire Nation was focused on war, not pleasure. The showmen at the occasional fire nation festival were the only fire benders who made a spectacle out of their bending.

Kat raised her arm that had been at waist level. The spiral of water coursed upwards, like condensing a spring. With both arms raised, Kat gathered the water into one large sphere and brought it back down to chest level again. Then she stuck one arm out, and let the water envelop it from the shoulder down. It clung easily to her arm, but didn't make it wet.

With a sweeping circular motion of her arm, Kat drew the water off her arm, upwards into a high arc. The water continued its arc, wriggled like a snake before it disappeared over the railing and returned to the ocean below with a soft splash.

Kat opened her eyes. The deck was still deserted. She headed back to her room to get some sleep.

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Zuko dreamed. It was sunny and hot and the marketplace bustled with people. Azula stood beside him, shoulder to shoulder.

"Look at them, they're so plain and simple!" She pointed at a passing woman, carrying one child and flanked by two more. "Look! They're filthy," she spat on the ground, "It's disgusting Zuko. Aren't you glad we're not like them?"

Zuko remained quiet, he watched the people go by. One of the children runs to a merchant who is selling toys, and grabs a simple wooden car. "Mama please!" The woman shook her head, taking the toy from her son and handing it back to the merchant, "No, we can't afford that hunny."

"Well, aren't you? We have everything we need. We are powerful, and rich. We are so much better than they are." Azula laughed haughtily. "Come on, let's have some fun!" She smiles the only way she knows how: evilly.

His sister dashed into the small market and began throwing fireballs. Vendor's wares go up in flames as they wail in protest. She destroys just to watch things burn. It's a demonstration of power.

"Zuko what are you doing?"

He spun around and found himself face to face with his mother. "Mom! I…"

"You should stop her Zuko, you know that." Ursa sighed and shook her head sadly. "You're not better than they are. You are lucky to have the things you need, they are not. It doesn't make you any better. You must learn that."

"But…Azula…"

Ursa didn't listen. She turned away, and headed into the crowd of crying peasants. Bending, she scooped up a small girl and hugged her.

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"Noooo, just a few more minutes!" Kat whined, swatting at whoever or whatever was shaking her side. She twisted in bed, finally opening her eyes.

"It's still DARK!" She moaned in protest and rolled over onto her back. Water tribe members just generally were not early birds. But then again, their spirit was the moon after all.

Iroh poked Kat in the side once more. "Come on, get up Miss Kat. It is time for your sparring match with my nephew again."

"Uuuuugh." Kat rolled out of bed after a bit more prodding. "Why so early?"

"Prince Zuko always practices at sunrise Miss Kat. Practice, and then breakfast. It is a daily ritual, and now it is your duty as part of your deal." Iroh stood with his hands clasp inside the sleeves of his red Fire Nation robes.

Kat grumbled under her breath. "Just gimmie 5 minutes and I'll be there."

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The two teens faced each other again. Kat shrugged off her sleepiness; she was intent on beating Zuko this time. Having had a chance to rethink the previous morning's fight, Kat felt a little better prepared this time around. She also opted to keep a pouch of water tied to a belt that was snug around her waist, as well as draw up a globe of water from the ocean below.

Again, Zuko made the first offensive move, sending a rapid-fire succession of fire blasts at Kat. She blocked with an ice shield, keeping it up with one hand and at the same time, using the other send a spray of water on the deck beneath Zuko's feet. She froze it, taking away his traction just as he tried to execute a spin-kick.

Zuko lost his balance, stumbling, but not falling. Kat sent another splash of water at his feet, freezing them in place, while at the same time lashing out with a water whip. Melting the ice on his feet quickly, he grunted with annoyance. The first water whip struck him, knocking him back a step. The second evaporated as it collided with a fire ball.

Having pushed Zuko to the defensive, a position that fire benders were slightly weaker in, Kat didn't let up. Another water whip, this one wrapping around his wrist and freezing over his hand, caught Zuko mid-motion. His hand glowed an angry red and hissed as the ice melted and went straight to steam.

Kat pushed the entire ball of water she had at him while he tried to recover. The large wave of water washed over Zuko, and she froze it, effectively trapping him.

Zuko struggled, trying to melt his way free, but it was too thick. Kat raised her hand and the ice melted, falling to the deck with a splash.

"You just got lucky, that's all." Zuko growled, annoyed at having lost. At least I know she's not holding back, not like some of the soldiers do sometimes. He wiped sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. "It won't happen again."

"Yeah, right." Kat laughed. Her laughter made several of the soldiers glance at her; laughter wasn't a common sound on their ship. It made several of them smile, infectiously.

Iroh looked on as he leaned against the ship's railing. Healthy honest competition, it will be a good thing for Zuko to learn to lose gracefully, and more importantly, win gracefully. He grinned widely; having them spar together had been a wise idea.

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"What is your problem?!" Kat shouted across the deck. She was panting, sweat dripping down her face. Her lower forearm was burned a dark angry red. "Why can't you accept that you LOST!"

"You got LUCKY!" Zuko hissed, climbing to his feet. He was soaking wet, the deck of the ship was covered in water and spotted with ice here and there. Other practicing soldiers had stepped to the far railing, out of the way.

It had started as a normal morning sparring match; day three of the new routine. Kat had won, surprisingly. Both were very basic in their bending skills, but Kat was more flexible than Zuko; she could improvise.

"I did NOT. I won, with SKILL!" She yelled back. Already Kat was gathering water from the deck and preparing a globe of water, swirling at waist level.

Kat had won that first match, and Zuko had demanded a rematch. The second match had quickly dissolved from sparring into an out-and-out fight when Kat slipped and left a nasty cut on Zuko's forehead from a ball of ice. Zuko immediately retaliated. Angry, his firebending grew more violent.

"You don't have any skill, peasant." Zuko spat out the words as he straightened. His shirt was ripped in a few places, as were his pants; a particularly nasty cut on one leg dripped blood onto the deck.

"I DO TOO!" Kat screamed, losing what little bit of her temper was left. Zuko was mildly injured, Kat was worse. Her lower fore arms were burned; he had grabbed both wrists and burned them to get her to drop the water she was using. Her cheek was cut and pink from taking a face-plant on the icy deck, and her pant leg was burned away, her leg blistering from a nasty burn. "You aren't as good as you think you are!" She scoffed, holding her head up high.

"And what you know about anything, peasant?" Zuko sneered.

"Aaahh!" Kat lashed out with her water, starting the fight all over again. Her whip slashed at Zuko's arm, he retaliated with a blast of fire. She side stepped, he round house kicked and sent another wave of fire in her direction. Kat ducked and brought the water on the deck up in a shield, then blasted it outwards, sending shards of ice at Zuko.

"ENOUGH!" A fireball flashed between the two teenagers. Iroh frowned. "Prince Zuko, go see the medic about your injuries. Miss Kat, take some water and go to your room."

The old man got death glares from both teens.

"He just can't –"

"She's the one who –"

"ENOUGH! Both of you, off the deck. Now."

Kat glared at Zuko, who sneered at her. Both of them stormed off in opposite directions.

So much for learning to lose gracefully. Iroh sighed, and folded his hands into the sleeves of his robes.

"Why can't I have her bound and thrown into the ocean Uncle?" Zuko was pacing in their private dining room.

"Because that would not be very kind of you, Prince Zuko." Iroh took a sip of his tea. "And I do not think Miss Kat would appreciate it."

"I don't care what she would appreciate! She's just a peasant!" Zuko almost shouted; the flames of the candles licked higher for a moment before shrinking back to normal.

Iroh sighed heavily. "She is not like the soldiers my nephew. She is a headstrong young adult, like you. You can not expect her to bend to your will."

Zuko growled and ignored his uncle. "Well then are we going to do with her; she can't stay here."

"You are the one who took her prisoner Nephew," Iroh took a bite of his fish and chewed it thoughtfully. "Perhaps after the ship is repaired we could take her back to the South. Pole."

"And lose the Avatar's trail?!" Zuko spun around, glaring at his uncle. "Never. I won't lose the Avatar just to take some water tribe bitch back home."

"Zuko!" It was Iroh's turn to glare at his nephew. "Watch your tongue!"

"She's rude, stubborn, and clearly doesn't know how to properly treat those who are above her!"

Sounds like someone else I know, Iroh though to himself, but managed to keep a straight face. "Perhaps we could drop her off at the next place we make port, after the ship is repaired that is."

"That is too long!" Zuko finally stopped pacing and dropping into a chair, sulking.

"Until then you should look on the positive side of things, you will be well practiced against water benders!" Iroh grinned, forever optimistic.

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