Judgement
Chapter Two- Arrangements
A/N: Sorry about any OOCness, I'm so much better at writing the romance stuff than I am the stuff buliding up to it. I hope it's not distracting. Oh and sorry it took longer than I expected to get this chapter up. I took reviewer's ideas and added on to the chapter along with reading over it. Hope you like it!
Promise only what you can deliver. Then deliver more than you promise.
Author Unknown
Zuko went towards the cell where he had the guard take Katara. He now wasn't so sure he could trust his men so he walked a little faster than normal. He was not happy with what this meant he was going to have to do. He couldn't keep her in a cell because of his men. He couldn't let her roam around the ship because she would cause trouble…and because of his men. And his room was the only room that would lock from the outside.
Once he arrived at the cell, he saw the door opened, Katara backed against a back corner and a guard advancing her. His blood boiled and he slammed the cell door against the wall as he flung it all the way open, startling the guard.
"What in the hell do you think you're doing!" Zuko yelled making the guard jump slightly and Katara shrink down. "Who gave you permission to touch her!"
"No one, sir. I just thought since she is a prisoner-"
"Prisoner yes! Entertainment for you, NO!" Zuko continued to yell at the now scared guard. "Get out of my sight until I have found proper punishment for you!" The guard slinked out of the cell, happy to be relieved of Zuko's shouts.
Zuko looked at Katara. She was shrunk down on the floor in the corner with a scared, lost look on her face. Now he felt guilty and that wasn't what he needed right now. He slowly approached her and held out a hand to help her up. She didn't take it.
"Did he touch you?" He asked in a semi hard tone.
"No." She whispered.
"C'mon." He moved his hand trying to get her to take it. "Let's go." She finally reached up and took it. He pulled her up a little more quickly than she was prepared for so she took a step forward to catch herself and ended up against him. He looked down at her a little surprised but she quickly stepped back, letting go of his hand.
"Thank you." She whispered. He just nodded quickly then grabbed her arm to get her to walk with him. "I can walk on my own." She told him.
"You didn't seem to want to walk before." He responded leading her through corridor after corridor.
"Well I'm already here. No point in fighting. Where would I go?" She asked dragging behind him trying to free her arm.
"You're a water bender. You could bend your way back."
"I might be able to, if I knew where I was. I really don't want to go swimming when I have no sense of direction." She told him finally freeing her arm from him. "Where are we going?" She asked looking around nervously as they past more guards. He caught her nervous look and the guards' laughter. He glared at his men before grabbing her arm again forcing her to keep walking.
"I'm taking you to where you will be staying while you're here." He answered.
"And where would that be? Another cell?" She asked not liking the idea. He suddenly stopped in front of a closed door.
"No. You will be staying in this room." He opened the door and pushed her inside. "It will be locked from the outside all day. My uncle, a trustworthy guard, or I will bring you your meals and escort you to the bathroom. Other than that, you will stay in here at all times." He told her stepping in, closing the door behind him.
Katara took a moment to look around. It was a plain room. A bed that could fit two people was towards the corner of the room where the only small round window was found. The room was pretty dark due to the only source of light being candles and the small window. There was a small table on the other side of the room that was most likely used for meditation. An old wardrobe was next to the table. Broad swords hung on the wall near the bed was all there was for decoration. All together, it was very plain but comfortable.
"It's better than a cell I suppose." Katara mused.
"I'll be back with your dinner in a few hours." He turned to leave but she turned towards him.
"Zuko," He looked at her. "Where's your room?" She asked.
"Why does it matter?" He asked wanting to deny the fact that this was his room.
"I'm just curious. I mean what if I need something?" Katara didn't like being in a room away from everyone else with no where to go.
"You won't need anything. You're still a prisoner and will be treated as such." He answered ready to leave. Just before he stepped out though, he sighed a little angrily. "This is my room." He said just loud enough for her to hear. He was about to close the door but she put her hand in the way.
"Wait a minute! Then where are you going to sleep?" The look on his face said enough. He looked frustrated and looked at her like it was obvious. "Oh no! No way!" She yelled. "There's no way I'm sharing a room with you!" He growled a little then stepped back into the room.
"Would you rather be in a cell?" He asked.
"No! But don't you have another room or something!" She continued to yell. "I'm not sleeping in the same room with you!"
"You don't have a choice." He said calmly. She started waving her arms around in frustration. "You think I like this? Believe me, if there was another option, I'd gladly take it." He told her. "Now be quiet."
"I don't trust you enough to sleep in the same room with you."
"What do you think I'd do?" He asked stepping closer to her. "I need you unharmed for this to work properly."
"Aang won't turn himself in." She told him squinting her eyes.
"Yes he will. He'd do anything to get you back." He turned around sick of this argument. "I'll be back in a few hours with your dinner." He said quickly shutting the door.
Katara could hear it lock and she crossed her arms over her chest sitting on the bed. She took another look around and didn't even notice the tear roll down her check until it hit her arm. She wiped her eyes and turned to look out the window.
She could see land fading into the distance and she really wished she were there. She thought about trying to bend the ocean to try to get her out and then swim while she still had a chance. But chances were that she would become too tired from bending and it would be difficult to swim. She had a better chance just staying where she was.
"Aang, please hurry." She whispered. Her thoughts traveled to Zuko. He was her worst concern right now. She didn't trust him even if he did keep that man away from her. He said he wanted her unharmed but she wasn't about to take his word.
She looked around the room that would be her cell and sighed. It was a lot better than an actual cell but it was worse in a way too. It was Zuko's room. It was forbidden and she felt like she was betraying her friends just being here, even if it was against her will. It was Zuko's room.
She thought about just how much she knew about him. She didn't know much. All she really knew was that he was Fire Nation and had been chasing Aang for a while now. He was no good, that's what she knew.
Zuko stood on the side of his ship watching land fade in the distance. His plan so far wasn't going exactly as he planned. He was not looking forward to spending the night in same room as her, let alone the same bed. There was no way he was sleeping on the floor and he couldn't let her either. She'd be complaining of a bad back her entire time here.
He rubbed his left temple as he watched the sun set. He thought back to his guards. He had gotten even angrier at them than he expected himself to get. He even used her name while yelling at them. He never used her name. He reasoned with himself that it was just the fact that they were being disrespectful and that she was his only really good chance at capturing the Avatar.
Katara heard the door unlock and snapped her head towards it. She heart sped up a little, not sure who it was. She was relieved to see Zuko walk in with a tray of food. He didn't say anything as he set it down on the bed in front of her. She looked up at him a little skeptical.
"I'm not going to poison you." He said reading her mind. "Just eat it."
"Why can't I leave this room?"
"I don't want you causing trouble and I don't trust my men." He said sick of all her questions. "Now just eat." He watched her carefully pick up a piece of bread and take a bite out of it. "See, not poisoned."
"I guess not." She watched him walk over to the wardrobe as she continued eating. He carefully pulled something out and walked back over to her.
"You can wear this to bed if you'd like." He said laying out a simple white nightgown on the bed. All she did was nod, not entirely sure she would be wearing it. "Look, I know you're not happy. I'm not exactly the happiest person right now either but you'll have to deal with it." He told. She just turned her head away from him. "Fine." He said fed up with her. He stomped towards the door.
"Zuko," She called softly. He turned to look at her almost expecting an apology. But instead they stayed staring at each other. Both of their expressions softened and for a second, they just stared at each other as if trying to find something. "Nothing." She said going back to eating. He shook his head walking out again.
About a half hour later, there was a knock at the door. Katara stared at it a moment confused. Zuko wouldn't knock. She was unsure of weather or not to answer it.
"Miss Katara," She heard a somewhat familiar voice call from behind the door. "It's Zuko's uncle. Are you awake?"
"Yes." She decided to answer. The man unlocked the door and opened it slowly.
"Hello." He said happily. "I'm here to collect your tray and take you to the bathroom."
"Oh, thank you but I should be fine for tonight." Katara smiled politely at the man.
"Even so," He said stepping forward to pick up the tray. "You should get up and stretch your legs. You've been in here for quite a while." He motioned for her to follow him.
Katara decided that she liked him. He was more polite than Zuko and he seemed to care at least a little. She took a look at him as she followed him.
"You're General Iroh, aren't you?" She asked realizing who he was.
"General is too formal. Please just call me Iroh, or Uncle Iroh." He laughed. Katara smiled as she continued to walk beside him, happy to find he didn't push her or hold onto her arm. "I have to apologize for my nephew and the situation you have to be put in. I'll try to reason with him and have him sleep in another room."
"Thank you Iroh." She smiled again. He stopped in front of the bathroom.
"Are you sure?" He asked once more.
"I'll be fine." She assured. "I think I'd just rather go back to the room and go to sleep. It's been a tiring day."
"Alright." He turned and started back to the room. "Do you like tea?"
"Tea?" She asked, considering it. "I suppose it's alright."
"Wonderful!" He yelled excitedly. "Tomorrow morning, I will come to your room and we shall drink tea and talk some more!" Katara had to laugh at his enthusiasm.
"That would be fun." She said. Iroh opened the door for her and said a short good-bye before closing and locking it. "How is that man related to Zuko?" She wondered aloud. She turned around to look at her prison just once more.
Tonight was going to be the most awkward night of her life.
She walked over to the bed and looked at the nightgown Zuko had gotten for her. It was just plain white, no design or anything. The fabric was soft and would definitely be more comfortable than the outfit she was in. She estimated it would fall to just about the height of her knees and wouldn't reveal anything unwanted.
After a few more moments of thinking, she decided to wear it to sleep. She looked around before she started undressing as if there was a peep hole somewhere. She removed her clothes quickly and then swiftly slipped into the nightgown.
She folded her clothes and placed them on the floor by the bed before slipping underneath the covers. She left the candles burning because of how dark it would be if she did blow them out. The sun had set and the moon long taken over.
Katara undid her hair and laid down, facing away from the other side. She hoped she would fall asleep before Zuko came in to sleep himself.
As she lay there, her thoughts traveled again. She had started out the day so well. If only she hadn't wandered from the group. Now she was stuck sharing a room with an enemy, she had no idea where she was, and she was surrounded by men who would like nothing more than to use her for 'entertainment.'
The door was unlocked and opened quickly. She sat up quickly, thinking it was one of those men. She sighed in relief when she saw it was just Zuko, only this time without his armor. He didn't say anything as he closed the door behind him. Katara felt like his eyes could see through the nightgown. She quickly pulled the covers above his chest and glared at him when he chuckled.
He walked over to the other side of the bed and sat down facing away from her. He kicked off his shoes as Katara watched him carefully, still not trusting him. She was surprised when he lifted his shirt off. She had never really noticed how muscular he was. She averted her eyes as if she was looking at something forbidden. In a way, she was.
When she felt the mattress move signifying he had laid down. She turned he head in surprise. Zuko just laid there without a shirt, eyes closed, seemingly ready to sleep.
"What are you doing?" She asked.
"Trying to sleep. I have a headache so shut up and do the same." He responded keeping his eyes shut.
"You're not sleeping on the floor?" She asked in disbelief.
"No," He answered. Before she could say anything else, he started again. "And neither are you. Neither of us needs a bad back right now." Katara was too shocked to say much. "Did you think I was going to give you my bed? As I said, you're a prisoner, not a guest." He said opening his eyes to look at her. It was then that he noticed her hair was down. He had to admit that she did look better with it like that, especially in the candle light. He closed his eyes again to block the image out.
"This in unacceptable!" She complained. Zuko groaned before sitting up. "I mean it's just so…" She didn't know what to say.
"Look," He started. "I'm not going to do anything to you. Like I said, I need you unharmed. Even if I didn't, you wouldn't have to worry. I'm not like my men." He saw her eyes dart to the door then back to him involuntarily. He got the hint and his face softened a little. "Don't worry about them either. My uncle and I are the only ones with a key." He reassured her. "You won't be harmed while you're here."
"Do you promise?" She wasn't sure why she asked. She didn't even know if she could trust a promise Zuko gave.
"Yeah, I promise." He told her trying to sound less frustrated than he was. That was good enough for her because she laid back down and closed her eyes. Zuko bent the candles out then laid down himself.
Katara stayed awake for awhile. She left uncomfortable sleeping next to Zuko. When she got out of this, she not be telling this to the guys.
Okay, it's still OOC but I'm still having fun writing it so... Please review and tell me what you think of it. I'm currently working on the next chapter which has more interaction between Zuko and Katara. I'm home sick from school and writing will probably be what I do all day, so the next chapter should be up soon.