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Chapter Three

Darkness

Zuko pushed aside another thick, branch-like vine as he stumbled through the forest, his feet finding rocks that his eyes had failed to notice and tripping over them, always managing to catch himself on a tree branch before he hit the moist, cool earth below him. The darkness felt like it was crushing him, pure black without a single glimmer of light; the stars had long since disappeared behind the curtain of the forest's tree canopy.

Zuko could not shake the feeling that he was being watched, though wether by curious animals or something more sinister he could not tell. He was sure he had left the rest of the group still sleeping, so it was impossible that he had been followed by them– even if they had realized he was gone and were on the search, they no doubt would take Appa. Zuko knew from his earlier flying experience that the cover the trees made over the ground would protect him from prying eyes from above.

Still preoccupied with his thoughts, Zuko had not bothered to notice the large root that was protruding from the ground right where his left foot was about to be placed. His boot was caught and, unable to catch himself, he went flying forward to land, face-down, in the dirt. His large leather knapsack, which he had packed with a sleeping roll, food and water before he left, went flying from his back to land with an unexpectedly large crash into the undergrowth several feet away. There was a smash and a small tinkle of broken glass.

Zuko sat up and spat the mouthful of dirt he had received from his fall into a nearby bush, cleaning his face with the back of his hand. The dirt was then wiped, only subconsciously, onto the legs of his pants. He glared at the root, still standing in an arch over the ground before diving back into it, cursing it for giving him such an unneeded procrastination. He ran his hand over his cheek again and realized with a start that it was bleeding, having been cut on a dark grey, and very sharp, rock that was laying innocently on the ground, although it glistened slightly with his blood. Zuko glared reproachfully at this inanimate object also.

He found his bag and began digging through it in order to find the object he was sure had broken. Sure enough, when he pulled it out, the portrait of Iroh was now surrounded by several jagged edges of broken glass. Zuko ran his hand carefully over the picture to make sure it had not been damaged, but the heel of his hand caught an edge of the glass and was cut open, bleeding rather badly. Zuko cursed inwardly at everything and everyone who had ever crossed his path and decided to take out his pain and frustration on a nearby tree. However, far from feeling relieved of his stress, kicking it had now only given him a throbbing foot. Replacing the portrait, he closed the bag rather unceremoniously and threw it across his shoulder, so that the strap went diagonal across his chest.

Now that he was sure midnight had come and passed, the darkness that surrounded Zuko felt darker, somehow, and much more silent. The rustling and other slight movements of the forest's small animals had decreased considerably, leaving Zuko to feel like he was the only living thing in the woods. His cheek and hand stung rather painfully, while his foot wobbled dangerously every time Zuko put his weight on it. This plan, which had seemed so smart and well thought-out earlier that day now seemed remarkably childish.

Zuko, finally admitting defeat for the night, sat down, sheltered by the low branches of a tree. With a sigh, he closed his eyes and waited for daybreak.


Katara and Toph were following Zuko's exact trail, only roughly a mile or so behind him. Truthfully, it was not hard to miss; broken vines hung limply from trees; stones were overturned as if heavy feet and recently passed, and the thick layer of ferns that covered the dirt were trampled, torn and bruised.

"He was having some trouble, wasn't he?" Katara said to Toph, a hint of amusement in her voice.

"Yeah, I guess, I dunno," Toph replied in a noncommital tone. She was having to concentrate extremely hard on not tripping on sticks; she could not feel wood with her feet.

"So, where do you think he'll look for Iroh?" Katara asked conversationally, waving the torch she had brought in front of her to scope out the trail.

"I don't know," Toph replied through gritted teeth, plainly annoyed. "Maybe the Earth Kingdom."

"Maybe. That's an awfully long way to go on foot," Katara sighed remorsefully, desperately hoping that they caught up with him before he reached his destination.

"Yeah," Toph agreed, hoping she said it with such finality that Katara would stop talking and let her concentrate. Katara, however, seemed to miss the hint.

"So, how do we convince him to come back? Should we kidnap him if he refuses? Or just let him get captured by the fire nation and get it over with?"

"Sure, that sounds great," Toph said, not paying attention. It was a moment until she realized what Katara had said. "No! I mean, ahh, whatever. Just, I, uh, dunno."

Katara, smirking, held the torch so it cast a ring of silent, flickering light into the trees ahead of them. They walked on for an hour before Toph stopped suddenly, reaching the point where Zuko had fallen earlier.

"Katara, stop," She said in an urgent whisper.

The older girl obeyed without question.

"There's someone here– actually, a lot of people . . . quick, put out the torch!"

Pulling a string of water from the pouch at her hip, Katara doused the flames with a loud hiss.

"Someone's coming!" Toph hissed at Katara, fear fresh in her voice. "Run!"

The last command came as a terrified yell, and the two girls took off at full speed, crashing through the jungle as fast as they could, adrenaline alone keeping them upright as they tripped over and over again.

Katara heard someone gaining steadily on her, and silently pleaded her legs to go faster, pushing them beyond what she normally could run.

But it was no use.

Katara attempted to turn abruptly and loose her pursuer, but he was way ahead of her and they collided head-on.

"Zuko!" Katara exclaimed, after a moment of gaining her breath, which had been knocked out of her.

Zuko slapped his hand over her mouth so nothing but the sound of gasping breath could escape.

"Shut up!" He hissed. "Fire Nation soldiers are right behind us! Where's Toph!"

"Help!" Toph screamed from up ahead. Katara and Zuko looked at each other.


A/N Sorry this chapter isn't very good. I kinda wrote it in a hurry, and the last part I wrote so fast I barely remember what it was about. :D Anyway, if you like The Chronicles of Narnia, I just published a fanfic over in that section. It's called Sanctuary. Please review!