Thank you all who read and reviewed, this next chapter has been edited by my sister/ beta, so hopefully its better then my first chapter. I know that the chapters are not very long but hopefully that will change as the story comes along. Once again thank you all. :).
Zuko had climbed into the branches of the tree; he could smell the rain hopefully it would start soon, wash away his trail, and slow them down a bit, then he could sneak attack them from above.
He wondered where his uncle was. Ever since his father had put Zhao in charge of finding the Avatar and the events of the Northern Water Tribe battle, they had been laying low, and trying to get away from Zhao and Azula as they could. It had all been a mess since he became the Blue Spirt and released the Avatar, Zhao knew it was him, and planed to expose him to his father, besides he already had his sister hot on his trail and he didn't need this asshole. He and his uncle had stopped at the island about a day ago looking for a place to lay low. While they were resting he had seen smoke coming from the tress so Zuko decided to go check it out. While he was on his way he had seen a group of men running through the woods, they were Zhao's men for they bore his mark on there clothing.
"Hey what are you doing here." They yelled.
'So the avatar is here' Zuko thought. He hadn't really thought about the Avatar to much for the last few days, he was too busy just trying to make sure his uncle was safe.
"Your not supposed to be looking for the Avatar under the orders of Fire Lord Ozai, you and your uncle are wanted for treason." The captain said angrily glaring at Zuko
" How dare you solider I am your prince." Zuko yelled as the soldiers got closer.
"Your no prince of mine Blue Spirit."
With that they attacked, Zuko managed to hit two of them with his firebending but then he saw more coming
"Come quick its the prince." The captain yelled.
He was little higher in the tree then he wanted to be and he could barley make out the ground though the branches. He heard someone coming he pulled out his two dual swords ready, he was their prince how dare they.
The person was getting closer and he was just about to jump from the trees when he saw the waterbender girl gasping for air she pushed herself up against the tree panting very hard. 'Whats she doing here.'
This would be his chance to kidnap her and use her to get to the Avatar, he thought. The idea sounded like a deal breaker to him, but he couldn't risk his uncles safety for a little water tribe girl. No, he needed to get out of there, but if they caught her he could lose his chance to capture the Avatar. He put his swards back into the holders on his back and ran his fingers through his raven black hair in frustration. The Avatar was no where in sight, and maybe they had already got him.
That idea made him want to scream 'But then why go after he?r' he asked himself. She was a tough girl, he already knew that from the fight at the northern water tribe, so what use could she be if they already had the avatar. Zhao was known for his sick tactics maybe he wanted her for another reason. He shook his head angrily, the girl looked barley 16, that was just sick. He then imaged what she would look like after Zhao was done with her, she would be sold to another man who would do the same thing. This would happen again and again until one of the men snapped and killed her, or else she took her own life. He gazed upon the girl below him, she was very beautiful and he had not doubt that Zhao would take her for his own sick needs.
He closed his eyes; they were getting closer, and she looked hurt and tired, there was no way she could fight them all off, but on the other hand, it would help him, they could come and take her then he could get to his uncle and run. No, that was not honorable, and it was not honorable to let something like that happen if he could help it. Without another thought he made it to the lowest branch and grabbed the girl, pulling her into the tree.
Katara was pulled roughly into the tree. She started panicking and fighting back ageist her handler; he grabbed onto her and pushed her into the tree, placing his hand over her mouth.
"Do you want them to find us?" He said is a hush tone.
Karata settled down, she still couldn't see who it was, but it was a man, and she knew it wasn't Sokka or Aang neither of them wore such thick armor. She breathed hard and he removed his hand. She looked up at him, he was wearing almost all red and black; she could barley make anything out and he was taller then her and much more fit. She blushed, thinking of him being so close, and the only part of his face she could make out were his eyes. They were a light shade of gold, and she only knew one person with gold eyes.
She gaped in horror. "Zuko."
When she flinched away he gripped her bad arm. She cried out in pain before he pushed his hand over her mouth again.
'Guess she figured out it was me.' He sighed when she tried to push him away with as much force as she could. He tightened his grip on her; the soldiers where almost there, just a few feet. He slammed himself and her into the tree bark and leaned into her ear. "Be quit waterbender, or they will hear you."
She was shocked at how close he was. Her heart speed up and her whole body went numb when he leaned back closer to whisper into her ear again.
"Listen, if they find us were both dead." He looked into her blue eyes; she looked so little and scared and when a single tear fell out of them his eyes softened. 'Why is she crying?' He then felt something sticky in his hand. He looked down and saw a burn mark on her left arm, the one that he was gripping.
He removed his hand from her arm and mouth and looked into her eyes again.
"I'm sorry." He barley whispered. Her expression softened and she smiled; though it didn't touch her eyes and it was only a moment. They then heard the soldiers right by the tree and they both tensed up when they heard them speak.
"Where did he go?" One of the soliders asked, panting hard.
"Who knows, this place all looks the same." The other one said, tossing his pack down
"Come on we need to keep moving." Another spoke up.
Zuko blinked, they were leaving? He backed away from the waterbender a bit.
"You there!" Zhao voice boomed trough the air and Zuko pushed himself back into Katara, pushing them far into the tree. She gasped, and he shoved his hand over her mouth once more.
"Yes sir." One the solders answered. Zhao came and stood right under the branches they were above. Karara could barley make him out though with Zuko practically forcing her into the tree.
"Did you see the water tribe girl go by here?" He asked sternly. The men shook there heads.
"No sir, we were hunting the prince."
Zhao smirked "Could this day get any better" he mused softly. Zuko almost snorted and Zhao place his hand on his chin and continued talking. "Very good men, carry on with your search, and when you find him kill him. I'll just say it was in self defense, and if you find the water girl, bring her to me unharmed. The Avatar and stupid water tribe boy got away again on that flying monster thing, but the girl must still be here."
"Yes sir." The solders said. Above them Zuko clinched his fist.
They started to head out when a crack came from the sky and the heavens began to rain. Zhao stopped and looked up right at them. Katara pushed herself further into the tree. 'There is no way he can see us.' Zuko thought as he stared at them. Zhao looked down and started walking away, but then stopped and backed up again.
"Oh hold on a second." Katara's heart stopped,
"Yes sir." One of them answered formally.
Zhao then smiled. "You know how you can tell if a woman or a banished fire nation prince is nearby?" Zhao mused as he pulled out his sword.
Zuko tensed up, and he released his hand from Katara's mouth and placed his hand on his sword handles.
"How sir?" One of them asked, as the rain poured down on them. Zhao then smiled he raised his sword.
"By the smell." He shoved his sword up into the tree, the blade almost hitting Zuko. He fell back and Katara grabbed him, but it was to late; they both went crashing down onto the ground.