Hey, everyone! I know you're all eager to see what happens next so I won't bore you with my rambling. : ) I hope you like this chapter!
Disclaimer- nope, still doesn't own Avatar.
Chapter 8
Dear Journal,
All day I sat on deck toying with the ocean water and thinking. I seem to be doing a lot of that lately. Iroh wasn't here to talk to me because he had to go to a meeting that Zuko called. So, I was out there all alone since almost every soldier went to that meeting, only a few stayed to watch me. And among those few was a friend I haven't talked to in a while: Shing. He came up to me and asked me to chat with over a cup of green tea. Bored of my mind and wanting to free my head of any thoughts of Zuko whatsoever, I gladly took his offer and we went to the cafeteria.
As he poured me my tea, he started up a friendly conversation. "So Miss Katara, how have you been since Music Night?" When he was done, I took the cup away. "I've been better," I sighed. "Is there something wrong?" "No, nothing is wrong Shing," I told him. Then, trying to lighten up the mood, I said enthusiastically, "Shing, what's been going on with you lately?" He took a sip of his drink and shook his head. "Nothing really. Following Prince Zuko's orders," he answered. We were quiet for a while before he asked me,"Katara, are you… are you and Prince Zuko courting?" I almost spit my tea out. "What! Where did you hear that?" "There has been some gossip going around about you and the prince," he said, as he sat down his cup. "What kind of gossip?" I was almost afraid to ask, but I was dying to know what these soldiers thought of Zuko and I. "Well," Shing started off uncertainly. "You started this, Shing. Now you're going to finish it by telling me," I said. He sighed. "There has been rumors that you have betrayed your nation and was caught purposely to be with the Prince. Then you two are to be betrothed and you will aid him in catching the Avatar. That this was one huge scheme." I was too shocked and angry to say something, so Shing went on. "Others say you're his concubine. And few say you two were already wedded, in secret of course."
I think Shing noticed I was fuming by the way he was shifting his eyes uncomfortably. "And what have you been saying?" He shook his headfrantically. "Nothing at all. I merely listen to the soldiers, not gossip with them." I nodded, scowling a bit, and abruptly stood from my seat and stomped to the door of the cafeteria. "Don't let those rumors get to you, Miss Katara!" Shing called after me. I didn't listen. He probably thought the same too; he just decided it would be better not to get on my bad side. I stormed out into the hallway and all the way to my cell. I even tried to find a way to lock it. I didn't want to see Zuko or any of his soldiers for the time being.
Who knew soldiers were such gossips?
Katara
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Dear Journal,
As I am still furious, this journal entry might consist of mostly how angry I am at Zuko, and his crew. How dare they make up lies about me! Me betrothed to Zuko! They've got to be kidding me! Sokka will kill me! Aang will be devastated, and so will my nation! Do they think I will just betray everyone and destroy everythingI love just to be a prince who probably doesn't even feel the same way! They should seriously go to the infirmary and get their brains checked! I mean, come on! Who in their right mind would even think of that possibility! Gods, I am so angry right now. Maybe I should just take a break from this subject and write about something else.
On the plus side of today, I think I spotted Appa on an island we passed. Of course I didn't tell anyone or try to make myself be known, someone on board could've seen me and told Zuko. Here's what happened: I was leaning on the rail thinking (mostly cursing Zuko's crew and questioning the Gods why my luck is so horrible) and when I looked up, I saw an island. The first thought that came to my mind was, I wonder is Aang and Sokka are camping there…. Just then, I saw something large and white emerge from the island and fly away.
I'm positive it was Appa. How come they didn't come this way? The idiots. I could've been off this horrible ship and with the people I belong the most with: my brother and Aang.
Katara
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Dear Journal,
Last night while I was in my bed thinking, I heard the jingling of keys. I thought it was just some soldier patrolling the hall or something, but it wasn't. I was surprised to see Zuko come in. He stopped in his tracks, his eyes wide, and I knew my eyes were, too. "What are you doing in here?" I asked him as I sat up, the cot making a creaking noise. "I, uh… I wanted to see if you were awake," he stammered. "Why?" I could tell he was telling a lie. "I don't need you interrogating me, peasant!" I was kind of shocked at him calling me that; after all, he hadn't called me peasant in a while. "I'm not interrogating you! I just want to know why you snuck in here at a time you know I'll be asleep!" "I wasn't sneaking in here!" "Then what exactly was you doing?" I asked. He didn't say anything for a while. I pinned him down with an accusing glare. "Just tell me what you were going to do," I told him. He didn't say anything. He turned around and walked out of my cell, slamming the door behind him.
I must go to breakfast now, Journal. I'll write again before I go to bed.
Katara
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Dear Journal,
Okay, now I can write about last night since I have enough time. I have already eaten dinner and, to my surprise, Zuko wasn't there. Iroh told me he wanted to eat in his room tonight. I was happy he decided to do so, but a little sad at the same time. I wonder why Zuko snuck in my cell at such at late time, and why he acted like it was such a big deal to tell me. Wait, maybe he knows about the journal. Maybe Iroh told him. No. Iroh would never go back on his word. Besides, if Zuko did find it, he would have thrown it overboard by now. So that's not the reason. But what is?
Maybe he really did want to see if I was awake. No, he wouldn't do that either. …Or maybe he wanted to steal the glass figurine from me! That's it! Why else would he try to sneak in! I can't believe he'll do something like that. But why would he want to have it back anyway? Because I made him angry? Why does he have to be such a mystery?
I told Iroh about Zuko's break in. He smiled mischievously and was about to say something but I stopped him by saying, "Don't even, Iroh." He only grinned and nodded. I knew I should have not told him, now he's going to think Zuko does that every night and something's going on, knowing Iroh. I pray to the Gods above that Aang and Sokka turn around and save me. I can't take these royal pains in the you-know-whatanymore.
By the way, tomorrow is Music Night.
Katara
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Dear Journal,
I think today I found out what Iroh's plan was. Here's what happened:
Iroh and I were walking down the hallway to the sparring room, where Music Night is held. We were just having a friendly talk when a door on the opposite side of Iroh swung open. I looked to see what was going onand before I knew it, I was pushed into the black, empty space. I find out it's a closet. The door slammed shut and I banged on it. "Open the door! Iroh! What's going on!" I yell. I heard footsteps start to fade away and I sighed, leaning on the wall. A few minutes later, the door opens and someone else in thrown in. The door slammed shutand I hear an all too familiar voice yell, "Let me out! I demand you!" Then I saw fireball hit the door, with no prevail. I was stuck in there with Prince Zuko.
I don't think Zuko even knew I was in there until he ignited a fire inhis hand for light and saw me against the wall. "Don't tell me you had anything to do with this," Zuko growled. "Yeah, right," I scoffed. "Like I would want to be stuck in here with you." Zuko leaned on the wall opposite of me, he feet touching my side of the wall, and said under his breath, "I knew he cooking up a plan. I knew it." I stared at him before looking down at my shoes. We didn't say anything for a while. I occurred to me this was Iroh's evil plan to get Zuko and I to talk. There was never a Music Night planned tonight. I toyed with the silk fabric of the red shirt Iroh let me borrow for tonight. To try and make the most of being stuck in the closet with Prince Zuko, Isaid, "Thanks for the glass figurine." Zuko nodded, still staring at the steel door as if he was going to burn a hole in it and escape. I moved, trying tofind a comfortable way to lean on the wall but my leg brushed against Zuko's and we both stiffened. I'm sure he felt the electricity I felt. I stayed in my spot, a little afraid to move again.
"Zuko?" He turned his head to look at me. "Can you put the fire out? I'm getting too hot." In the small closet, the heat became almost unbearable. I was practically sweating, and I'm sure Zuko was too since he has all that armor on. "Can't handle the heat?" He asked, and I shivered. It was the way he said it: almost… seductively. I looked averted my gaze away from him and I knew he was smirking. I could feel it. The fire went out and we were in darkness again. I heard some shuffling and then I felt hot air on my face. I realized it was Zuko; he was a inch on two from face. I felt myself blushing. "Why are you so close?" I asked. "Because I'm comfortable in this position," he answered. "Does it bother you?" His breath blew onto my face, and my face grew hotter. It took me a moment to try to speak and sound normal. "N-no," I said. "You can't get to me, Prince Zuko." He face came closer. "Oh, really?" Then he…
I'm going to have to finish this tomorrow, Journal. I hear someone at my door. Until next time.
Katara
Lol. I left you all at a cliffhanger. I'm so evil. So… what do you think Zuko did next?
Nika