Chapter 2: Chapter 2
I do not own ATLA
"Prince Zuko what has happened" Iroh demanded as he raced to the main deck, "I was just enjoying a wonderful cup of..."
"Save it uncle, we have reached her village" The prow of the ship lowered on to the ice just as Iroh was about to scold him for back chatting. Zuko strode purposefully towards the front of the ship with his small group of firebenders following him.
Zuko walked down in full armour ready to face the tribe. Wasting no time he shouted "Where is the avatar?" The villagers stepped back a little looking in a fear at the Prince and firebenders. There was only silence. Its not working Zuko lost his temper. Kicking a blast of fire at the scared villagers; they backed away in fear. "I know he is here! reveal him too me or suffer the consequences" Zuko was just bluffing by now but he didn't expect a young boy of around the age of 12 to walk forward.
"I am the Avatar" the kid announced giving a spectacular display of airbending.
"You are just a kid" Zuko hissed surprised. The avatar should be well over a hundred years old by now.
"I am, but I am still the Avatar" the boy said. "Anyway you're just a teenager" a very angry one at that
A boy of about 15 years stepped forward carefully and said "It is true I found him today while I was looking for my sister Katara, he was trapped in an iceberg for 100 years but I released him" Katara's name caught in the boys throat with a short sob. They obviously thought she was long gone by now, no need to expose her capture then if the avatar came willingly Zuko thought. At least i get to keep her with me...
What? where did that come from? Zuko shook it off and kept his emotionless mask in place
"Avatar if you come willingly I will not have to harm this tribe" Zuko bargained secretly hoping it wouldn't come to that. Even though he was brought up in the violent court of the fire lord, underneath his fierce mask he remained peaceful like his long gone mother.
"Fine, bye Sokka" the young avatar said sadly; looking back at the boy who found him.
"Bye Aang" Sokka called hopelessly as he watched the firebenders walk further and further up the cold steel ramp.
The prow lifted up and closed. "Finally I have you Avatar after 3 years of searching I can return home, welcomed by my father and my honour restored" he said quietly as he stared out into the open sea. "Take him away and lock him up" Zuko shouted as he turned back to the young boy. Two guards hurried over and dragged him down into the ships corridor.
"I would not underestimate that boy nephew. He may look young but he is the Avatar". Iroh told him wisely as he placed his hand gently on Zuko's armored shoulder. And with that Iroh walked downstairs to join Katara again.
"Hello Miss Katara, Zuko has successfully captured the Avatar. The world's last hope for peace has finally been taken away." Iroh said sadly to her. Iroh was a strong believer in the balance of the four elements.
"He wanted to capture the Avatar? Than why did he kidnap me?" Katara fumed.
"He captured you to use as bait in your village. I do not know why though he didn't even know the Avatar was there; Zuko does not think things through. And now you have to stay with us, I am sorry for that, but maybe you can get through to him, talk some sense into him about this useless mission, Agni knows I have tried." He said sadly and a bit hopelessly. Iroh had a sneaking suspicion that having Katara around would have a positive effect on his nephew, maybe he would notice more than just her reasoning abilities Iroh thought slyly.
"Iroh, why does Zuko need to capture the Avatar?" Katara asked genuinely interested. Katara was a peaceful girl and couldn't for the life of her understand why someone would be so bent on catching the Avatar of all people.
"I am afraid I can not tell you that would be Zuko's choice in that matter, maybe you could ask him" Iroh said And hope you don't get burnt
"That would be virtually impossible", Katara chuckled. Just from being around Zuko for a short while Katara could already see that 'talking' to him would be an extremely difficult task maybe he is different... like a fluffy polarkitten inside. Amused at the thought she smiled slightly at Iroh
"You would be surprised" Iroh said wisely.
Zuko burst into the room suddenly. "Uncle the Avatar has escaped" he said angrily and rushed off again; ignoring Katara completely.
Iroh just shook his head "I told him not to underestimate the Avatar; but does he listen? No, of course he doesn't. Well I'd better go evaluate the damage" Iroh left with a sigh; leaving the door open behind him.
Katara waited a minute before she peered out of the door making sure nobody was around and slipped out and ran down the long corridor, towards the door leading to the deck. Making her way outside she could see a boy with tattoos fighting Zuko and his firebenders. Sparks were flying everywhere and she was careful to duck down close and hide inside the door frame. Katara realised that the boy was actually the Avatar. In awe she watched him jump and evade the blasts coming from the firebenders on the deck. But before Katara could even think of escaping a white bison flew overhead distracting her. "Appa!" the boy called out happily. The Avatar rushed over to the edge and took a flying leap propelling himself in the air with his glider. With surprising grace he flew up to the bison and jumped on it. The boy moved onto the creatures head and said something along the lines of 'Yip Yip' which made the beast turn and fly away. All she could do was stand with her mouth open with one hand resting on the door.
A hand landed on her shoulder and Katara jumped in surprise. "Quickly get back into the room, you wouldn't want to make Zuko mad right now" Iroh whispered urgently. Katara nodded quickly and raced back down the stairs retracing her path and into the tea room.
A few minutes later Iroh stepped into the room "Phew the coast is clear, you really didn't want to see that temper tantrum" Iroh had a seriously 'I'm glad that is over' look on his face.
Katara started to laugh but stopped when Zuko walked in. "She is going back now Uncle" Zuko said tiredly. Iroh just nodded not wanting to get into a fight with his nephew.
Zuko led her back to her room and unlocked the door to his room silently. She was so glad that Zuko didn't talk to her. He led her past his bed and few personal possessions and into another small adjoining room with an open door way. Katara walked into the small room briefly acknowledging that she would almost be sleeping in the same room as Zuko. She considered arguing with him about the sleeping arrangements but her thoughts left her when she saw the bed and slumped down onto it. Within seconds Katara had fallen asleep and was dreaming that she was back with her family; her whole family, before the war had entered their lives. Little did she know that Zuko hadn't left the doorway and was standing there leaning against the frame watching her sleep. He wondered briefly why he was still keeping her with him.
Zuko sighed with tiredness and walked back into his room, where he stripped of his outer clothes and flung himself on the bed. Tilting his head towards the small room; he watched her sleep.
Katara yawned and sat up, the fire nation sure made comfy beds. "Breakfast" a voice said from the door and blue eyes looked up to see Zuko waiting there for spirits know how long.
"How long have you been there?" Katara asked, getting out of bed and making it out of habit.
"I just got here" Zuko snapped leading her out of his room and into the kitchen; a spacious white space with tables set out for the crews breakfast. He wouldn't really admit he had stayed up all night watching her and wondering why he was 'attached' to her and calm when she was around. "Sit" he said guiding her to a chair.
Katara was too hungry to reply and followed his orders all through breakfast.
Zuko led Katara up on to the deck; he had convinced himself she wasn't a threat. "You can wander freely now" Zuko muttered. Still wary of her he would be keeping a close eye on her at all times.
"Thank you", Katara replied with a smile aimed at his face; but his frown stayed in place. Katara shrugged and wandered over to the side while Zuko shouted orders; apparently they had to dock to repair the damage the Avatar caused. Katara started to try to pull up water from the ocean when she realised she was being watched.
"Are you a waterbender my dear?" asked Iroh. Katara nodded silently still trying to bring the water up in a stream.
"Uh this is hopeless. I am not very good" she mumbled. She was surprised when Iroh started chuckling. "What is so funny?" she snapped whirling around to find Iroh with an amused smile on his face. "Sorry" she said softly
"You remind me of my nephew, he himself was challenged with firebending but he overcame that with time, I bet you have had no training yet have you? But with the right master you can accomplish anything" Iroh stated wisely. He saw the same potential in her that he had seen in Zuko.
"Thank you Iroh" cam the soft reply, the old man could always make her feel better.
"Uncle we are about to dock" Zuko called. He strode forward and grabbed Katara's arm and started to lead her back down into the ship.
"Ow don't grip so hard" Katara hissed. Zuko dropped her arm as if it was burning him, for a second he looked the slightest bit worried and then his emotionless mask came back again.
"Inside" he ordered and then closed the door locked it and left. Walking back up to deck he heard a voice he didn't want to remember.
Zuko's eyes widened considerably. "Zhao!"
Just as Zuko rushed on to the main deck; Zhao strode off the ramp and into the bustling town. Uncle Iroh stood at the railing with a self satisfied smile. "Uncle what have you done, Zhao would never leave like that!" He wouldn't put it past Iroh to have organised a music night with Zhao
"Ahhh Zuko I am glad you asked, he invited us to tea and I accepted, he is quite interested about your recent travels" Iroh exclaimed joyfully. Zuko's palm connected with his head. Just as bad
"Uncle what have you done?" shouted Zuko "That guy is out to get me" Tea; I should have guessed
"Zuko you should show more respect to the commander, and tea sounds like a lovely idea right now, now come along, the crew will fix the ship and Katara will be fine" Iroh huffed.
"I am not worried about that peasant uncle, why would I be interested in her?" Zuko ranted
"Well you did watch over her last night" Iroh said smugly walking down the ramp to a destination where tea awaited him. teenagers, so easy to bait
Zuko just stood there gaping at his uncle's retreating back, after a few swear words Zuko stormed down the ramp after his uncle, his temper was definitely back.
Iroh could here him stomping after him well at least he isn't whining about the tea anymore he thought with a smile
"Well that trip was completely pointless" yelled Zuko after coming back from his duel with Zhao over the right to hunt the Avatar. It could have been avoidable if one of his crew hadn't let slip that the Avatar escaped after being captured by Zuko.
"Well we did learn a lesson from this experience" said Iroh calmly leading the way up the metal ramp of the newly repaired ship.
"I guess so. When I put my mind to it and go back to the basics I can easily defeat stronger opponents right uncle?" Zuko questioned. His uncle did like to drill him on the basics after all.
"Yes that is exactly it" stammered Iroh faltering a bit I was going to comment on Zhao's wonderful tea but… "Yes Zuko you can defeat stronger opponents if you go back to the basics and concentrate" Iroh liked to see his nephew happy so a little white lie never hurt once in a while.
"Thank you Uncle" Zuko said happily and walked off to his cabin. Before he went to slumped onto his bed he decided to visit Katara. He strode the few steps to her little room and peeked in.
Katara looked up surprised when she heard him at the doorway, and then Zuko walked in. "um hi" he said awkwardly. "I'm sorry I held you to hard before and yeah. I mean I didn't mean to but it just happened… and I'm sorry, I didn't want to hurt you, so yeah" with that he turned around and walked out the door. "Shit"
She heard him muttering angrily as he stomped off, Katara let a small smile grace her lips which eventually turned into a giggle and then developed into quiet laughter. Putting her hands to her mouth the sounds of mirth eventually stopped. Maybe Iroh was right about Zuko; but he certainly isn't soft like a polarkitten she thought with a grin.
The next morning Iroh fetched Katara for her breakfast. "The Avatar has been sighted on Kyoshi Island, Zuko will try to catch him again you know, I don't know about you but this is getting tiring" For the last 3 years Zuko had dragged him across the world in search of the Avatar.
Katara smiled brightly "Yes but Zuko will be very distracted, so his desperate capture of the Avatar and eventual failure will be the perfect cover for escape!"
"I see, you are very clever, however you should be careful to not be seen by Zuko or he will be very cranky" they reached the kitchen and sat down to eat.
"Why isn't Zuko here? of course he is preparing isn't he?" Iroh just nodded "Am I as predictable" Katara pondered sarcastically.
"No, because you are a woman and they are all the same however, one minute you are the caring mother, the next the scorned woman, in your own way women are predictable"
Katara laughed genuinely "You are right" She would be sad to leave this old man when she escaped. "I will miss you when I leave" Indeed Iroh becoming a father to her.
"You will be missed by more than just me Miss Katara, even my nephew will miss you" Iroh sighed he knew Zuko would never admit it. Katara just raised her eyebrows skeptically.
Katara gave him a hug and said "Goodbye" but she had a feeling as she raced outside; she would be seeing Zuko and Iroh again.
Katara edged around crates and ropes, eventually finding a small hollow to hide in before Zuko invaded the Island. Her heart fast beating extremely fast as shadows passed her in her hiding spot.
She didn't have to wait long, just as she got herself well hidden the ramp of the ship was put down and Zuko and the troops filed off on their rhinos. Katara hoped that nobody was looking as she ran for the ramp and down the steep slope into the nearby woods.
Katara ran through the trees dodging rocks and branches in her path. She kept on running and running until she caught sight of a clearing up ahead she ran faster looking for a path to the village. Running as fast as her feet could carry her Katara barged right into a boy walking towards the village. "Oomph" the air was knocked out of her as she tumbled down.
"Whoa you're pretty strong" said the strange boy happily looking at her. And pretty he thought with a blush
Katara gave him weird look, that wasn't the normal thing to say to someone if you just knocked them off their feet. She then recognised the tattoos across his body "The Avatar" she gasped.
"Yep it is me, but who are you?" he asked genuinely interested "You kind of look like someone I know".
"My name is Katara" The Avatar's eyes widened with excitement.
"Why didn't you say that earlier, your brother Sokka is here with me" he said.
"Sokka is here? Is he travelling with you? Can I come? I just escaped from Zuko" she said in a rush. She couldn't wait to see her brother again.
"Sure you can come with us! Sokka said you are a waterbender we can learn together" he babbled, "Wait, you just escaped from Zuko?" he wondered "Than where is he?"
"Right behind you Avatar" Hissed a cold voice.
Please R&R and yet again i have fixed up this chapter