Dying To Survive-
PHASE 2: LIVING
"Living has to be good! Otherwise what is our purpose of living??" – Pecomoca from deviantart
..::-::..
Chapter 19- Akizo's Ropes
The snow went on for miles in either direction as one waterbender cringed, trying to catch the fish floating in an icy bubble of water. Katara smiled broadly as her fingers gripped the rough scales of her dinner. She had been out in the sun near the Southern Water Tribe's edge, looking for fish to catch. Ever since coming back home two months before, Katara had taken up her daily chores of water tribe life instantaneously. The fish flopped through the air and into her woven basket, already full of the stingy smell of the sea's food. Katara heaved the basket onto her shoulder and turned to face the packed wall of her home. Towering above it were the various buildings that had been constructed after the war ended. Smiling, Katara started her way back into the tribe's main square.
She greeted many of her fellow villagers as she passed through the mini playground, the medical center and the fountain built in honor of the village's restoration. In the distance, her igloo glinted and she spotted a familiar face coming out of it. Her grandmother came hobbling out from underneath the heavy blue tarp. She smiled and chuckled as Katara set down the basket of fish.
"Gran-Gran! I caught the fish you wanted!" Katara exclaimed. Gran-Gran patted Katara on the shoulder and nodded.
"As long as you're here, we won't starve until the next full cycle of moons!" They laughed together and suddenly, Gran-Gran tilted her head closer to Katara. She pointed back towards the main square where the men of the village were gathering for a spearing lesson. One man in particular was stretching out his arms and legs, his youth dazzling in the afternoon sunlight.
"Have you spoken to Yuto lately? I know I'm not one to be advocating this but… you're not getting any younger, dear," the elderly woman whispered merrily.
Katara scowled and shook her head. "Gran-Gran! How many times do I have to tell you that I'm not interested in Yuto? We only went on one date and besides, his voice is too nasally!"
"But…"
"Is Suki inside?" Katara asked. Gran-Gran sighed and nodded, smiling. Katara picked up the basket of fish and ducked into the igloo. Suki sat on a snowy bench, patting her round belly. She looked up when Katara came in and set aside the food. Katara joined her sister-in-law on the bench and beamed at her.
"How's the baby?" Katara asked. When Katara came back from her journey, she had found out that Sokka and Suki had wed and that the Kyoshi warrior was with child. It was only the fifth month of the pregnancy, but by now, Suki wasn't taking part in the more demanding chores. Suki rest her head against the cool ice of the igloo and closed her eyes with a dreamy smile on her face.
"It's doing just fine. I really never thought I'd become a mother so soon in life. But I'm more worried about Sokka, though. He can't handle much as it is," Suki said. Katara laughed and sighed.
"That's true. I don't think Sokka will be able to handle the life of a father… right away at least," Katara said.
"Yes, even though Sokka can be a handful, I'm sure he'll love the baby no matter what." Katara nodded in agreement and her eyes widened suddenly as she stood up. "What is it?" Suki asked.
"Nothing really! I just remembered that I was going to see if dad needed some help," she replied. Suki smiled warmly and waved goodbye to her sister-in-law. Katara's life in the Water Tribe had been full of fortune since she had returned from the Earth Kingdom. Her family had inquired about the adventures and knowledge she had gained from the Temple, but each time they asked, Katara simply said it wasn't anything worth mentioning. Once the questions died down, it was as if she had never left. Hakoda and Bato were in charge of the cargo shipments; their trade had prospered and the people of the Southern Water Tribe were becoming connected with the rest of the world.
Katara passed by the main square where the statues of ice were carved to represent the warrior's spirit. Yuto noticed her and waved as she walked by the group of training men. Katara smiled politely and tipped her head in his direction. She quickly looked away and crossed her eyes. Yuto was a nice man, but she would never marry him. It would be easier to leave the tribe than face a life bonded with a man who sounded like a scrawny mouse. From behind her, she heard the clatter of spears and she shrugged off the feeling as she reached the thick outer wall that protected her tribe. Katara raised her hands into the air and a passageway appeared out of the snow. She passed underneath its shadow and blinked as the sunlight dawned onto her face again. The water lapped against the snow calmly and in the distance, a ship stood elegantly in the dock. She saw her father on deck, passing down the cargo to his friend, Bato.
"Bato! Dad!" Katara exclaimed happily as she ran to them. Bato set down the package and smirked.
"What is it Katara?" Hakoda slid down the ladder and wiped his brow with a dirty cloth. A smudge appeared and Katara hid her laughter as she sprayed her father's face with some water. He frowned and burst out laughing. Katara looked around and sighed.
"Where's this shipment from?" she inquired.
"Just some goods from the Earth Kingdom. They've got fine silk that we would never have if it weren't for the good will of the Earth King," Hakoda remarked. Katara nodded and climbed onto the deck to find some more boxes. She spent the next half hour going back and forth, helping out with the unloading. Some men from the Earth Kingdom asked her if there were seals they could buy. Katara ran to her father and told him of the situation quickly.
"It's not the first time someone's asked for that actually. I'll go have a talk with him. In the meantime, I forgot to tell you. A letter came for you. Pakku has it, so if you have time…" her father began. Katara's eyes widened and she immediately ran off.
"Why didn't you tell me before?" she asked as she ran off the wooden deck.
Hakoda smiled and winked. "I knew you'd run off before helping me out."
Katara shook her head and rolled her eyes as she darted forward. The day's breeze felt soft against her skin; it was pure without worry. Katara panted as her feet dragged her through the various igloos. She finally made her way out of the maze to the opposite side of the tribe where Pakku and Gran-Gran lived. Their igloo was much more spacious than the others. Katara always thought Pakku to be a bit self-conscious, but she couldn't do anything about the old man's nature. Katara broke the ice seal on the door and stepped in. She headed up the stairs and left her footprints in the snow behind her. Pakku lifted his head and smiled.
"So you've finally made it. I was beginning to think that Hakoda forgot to tell you," he said. Katara shook her head as she spotted the letter on a table. She picked it up before Pakku could say anything, leaving his mouth hanging open.
"He didn't forget… he just purposefully overlooked telling me anything about it," she said as her fingers tore open the seal. The red symbol from the Fire Nation was familiar to her; she had been corresponding with Laia for the last two months and she was thrilled as always to see a letter from her friend. Pakku shrugged and wandered away to his room on the second floor of the igloo. Katara fell back into a snowy chair as her thick overcoat kept her as warm as if she was sitting by a fireplace. Katara's heart swelled as she began to read the letter.
'Dearest Katara,
It feels like it's been ages! You won't believe what's been going on since I last wrote to you. Not only has it gotten extremely hot here, but I've bumped into someone from the past, unwillingly. Oh, he's absolutely the most awful person you could meet, Katara! I swear, each time I see him, I feel like punching in his guts! But I bet you're wondering who this could be… His name… is Zhen-- someone from my past that I was overjoyed about not seeing anymore. Now, it seems like he's in my life again, and even Jet's words of optimism aren't able to keep me hopeful.
But enough about my problems! I'm glad to hear that everything is fine with you in the South! I bet it's so cold there. I wish I could visit… but I still haven't found out where my family is, so I'm still searching here. I wouldn't mind being in the cold for a while, even if it means having to deal with Yuto. I'm sure his voice isn't as horrible as you say it is. Anyways, it seems as if we're both in some sort of difficult situation.
So to that, I have a proposal to make! Right now, it seems that I'm feeling extremely lonely (though I do enjoy your letters!) I just wish so much that I could see you! I'd be able to get away from Zhen as easily as saying "good-bye" to the guy. Please say you'll come! I've been dying to show you all of the cool places here in the Fire Nation. I forgot how fun it can be here… my childhood… wasn't all it was cracked up to be, but there were some fun bits mixed in somewhere!
Respond as soon as you can! I really hope you'll say yes!
Your man-hating friend,
Laia
P.S. Jet says hi!'
Katara read the letter over again and sighed deeply as her brow furrowed. She never seemed to find someone close enough to find a friend in within the tribe. No one was as adventurous as herself, nor had the same love of bending, that is, except for Pakku. The old man returned from his room with a letter in his hands as well. Katara stood up and didn't know how to read his questioning gaze. His eyes drifted off to the pastel white walls of the igloo, where the world lay out beyond it. After coming to the Southern Water Tribe for the first time, Pakku had remained and had become the tribe's leader. Katara opened her mouth to speak but saw the read seal on the piece of parchment and held her tongue back.
"I've also received a letter from the Fire Nation."
"Who is it from?" Katara asked.
Pakku scratched his head and scrunched his face before answering her honestly. "It seems that a convoy is headed this way. They are coming from the Fire Nation to seek more trade opportunities with us. I'm afraid to say… that Prince Zuko will be coming as the head of the convoy, in representation of Fire Lord Iroh," Pakku explained.
Katara shifted back towards the stairs and gripped her letter closely. All of a sudden, a profound foreboding stirred from within the prison of memories locked away inside. She had been accustomed to living her peaceful life again, but the fool was going to come break her cycle again. She knew not why Zuko's name stung her body with the feeling of poisonous needles, but she dodged the crucial blow of emotions as an idea rippled through her mind. She heard a distant chord of music as the sun gleamed into the igloo. Pakku placed a hand on Katara's shoulder as he leaned forward. He shook her out of her trance and she suddenly smiled.
"Are you all right, Katara?" Pakku asked.
She ran into his room and rummaged through the boxes and stacks of papers on his wide wooden desk. Pakku followed her and stared incredulously at her flying hands. Katara panted as she gazed at Pakku wildly, her face brimming with electric excitement.
"Give me ink and some parchment! I have to write a letter back to Laia!" she said. Katara spoke with more energy than Pakku had seen since she had come back. He laughed and pointed to a small corner of the desk as she dove for the brushes. She started scribbling away furiously as her smile grew with each written word. When Katara finished, she blew lightly on the parchment and rolled it up. She handed it to Pakku, who took it with confusion raised in his wrinkled face.
"Why are you giving this to me?" he asked her.
"The hawk is still here resting, right?" Pakku nodded. "Then give it to him for the journey back." Katara watched as Pakku sighed and walked towards an open window ledge. The hawk stirred its head and spread out its wings as Pakku tied the letter carefully to its leg. It cried out as the wind carried it towards the distant west, where summer would be at its hottest point, its end. Pakku turned to Katara and tilted his head.
"What was so important that you needed to respond right away?" he asked.
Katara was already walking down the steps towards the general living area of the igloo, when she turned back to face him. She smirked and crossed her arms proudly.
"If Zuko's coming here, then I'm going on a little trip to the Fire Nation. Laia invited me, right? The timing is perfect! This way, I won't have to see Zuko when he comes here!" Katara said gleefully. Pakku shrugged and frowned.
"You still haven't told me why it is so important that you don't see him again," Pakku said. Katara's smile faded as the heaviness swooped onto her again. She looked away and stepped out of Pakku's house without saying another word. In the day's sunlight, Katara breathed deeply and closed her eyes, grasping the beauty of her home through the drops of frozen beaded water everywhere. She opened her eyes and burst forth towards her igloo once more.
As she neared it, Katara twirled around, almost tripping on a little boy playing in the snow. She smiled and waved as Katara entered her igloo. Startled by the sudden entrance, Suki gasped but sat back relieved. Katara didn't get the chance to say hello. She headed straight for the little confine where her things were stored. Her clothing, her water pack, and her traveling gear took up not as much space as she thought it would. Katara pulled her bag over her shoulder and jolted up from her bed and into the main portion of the igloo. Even though she had heard his muffled voice, Katara didn't realize that Sokka was standing near her room and so she bumped right into her brother. Katara gasped and fell back against the hard wall of snow. She rubbed the back of her head and scowled.
"Sokka! What do you think you're doing?" she asked, furious.
"Me? What about you? Why do you have that bag slung on your back?" he screamed.
Suki chuckled quietly to herself. Every time the siblings quarreled, she was stuck in the middle, but this time, she sat back and enjoyed the show. Katara grabbed her things again and stood in front of him with her fists clenched.
"I happen to be going on a trip," she stated. Sokka let his jaw drop and his eyes bulge.
"Already? But you just got back…"
"From the Earth Kingdom… I know. But I want to see Laia! She really wants to see me too, and besides, Zuko…" Katara stopped talking and backed away, her excitement diminished. Sokka raised his eyebrow and leaned forward.
"What about him? Don't tell me you're going all the way to the Fire Nation just to see that jerk! Katara, I thought we talked about this already!" Sokka stated. Suki sighed and shook her head.
"Sokka, he's not a jerk. I know you still don't trust him, but he's changed. You have to accept that." He grumbled and looked at his timid sister cautiously.
"Yes, he's changed, Sokka. He saved me all of those years ago, remember? I would have been burned all over… I don't know if… I would have survived that night. But it's not because I want to see him. It's the exact opposite!" she exclaimed. Sokka scratched his head and frowned, pointing his fingers straight at her like a poking stick.
"Let me get this straight. You're grateful that he saved you, but you don't want to see him? I just don't get it!" he said, exhausted with the prospect of thinking too much in riddles. Katara shifted uneasily and grabbed a hold of her bag even tighter.
"I can't say why…"
"Sokka, leave her alone. She obviously has her own reasons for wanting to stay away from him, even if he's a good person," Suki implied.
"But if she doesn't want to see him, that must mean he did something to her! That two-faced, lousy Fire Prince must have…" Sokka gaped as Katara took a hold of his wrist and held onto him fiercely. Her round eyes brightened as she shook her head.
"No. He didn't. Don't worry Sokka, I'll be absolutely fine! I came back before in one piece and I'll come back again." She hugged him and then ran over to Suki to give her a farewell hug too. Katara sighed as she looked around the igloo one last time. Katara shivered and snugly fit her hands into the pockets of her overcoat. "Remember that time at the beach, Sokka? It'll be nice and warm there, just like back then. So consider it a little vacation for all of my hard work." She sighed and continued. "I'm going to go catch the next ship out," she said. Katara smiled bravely and nodded before ducking under the tarp. Sokka sighed and shook his head as he headed over to sit by Suki. He kissed his wife quickly before sitting down next to her, but before Sokka could embrace Suki, Katara's head popped back into the igloo.
"Oh, and Suki, if the baby if born before I get back, make sure he becomes a good father!" Katara smirked as Sokka's jaw dropped.
"What? Are you saying I won't be a good father?" he asked incredulously. Katara giggled and disappeared as Sokka hung his head low in doubt. Suki rubbed his back and kissed his cheek.
"Don't worry. You'll be a great dad," she said softly. He smiled and sat back in the presence of his adoring wife.
"You think she'll be okay? I mean, she never really told us what happened when she was gone…" Sokka asked. Suki patted his hand and smiled cheerfully.
"Don't worry. I'm sure she'll be fine."
Outside, the snow crunched beneath Katara's feet as she stomped her way through the tribe. The shadows glistened as the pure life of the tribe thrived before her. It would be difficult to leave her home once again, but she wouldn't be gone too long. Zuko would come and go, just as she would, and the two would pass by each other without any trouble. It was the perfect plan to avoid remembering the pain. Katara shrugged the feeling off and took a deep breath of the icy air around her, knowing well that it would be a long time until she'd feel the chill run through her fingertips again. She turned away from the laughter and calm environment she was born into, as the sun guided her eyes towards the west where it was descending. The ships were being loaded and Katara scanned the horizon for her father once more.
"Hey you! Seems like you want to help us again then?" Hakoda asked her. His scruffy beard scratched Katara's cheek as she suddenly hugged him. They stood near the looming ship, Katara caught up in the moment. Hakoda laughed and embraced his daughter warmly. "What's this all of a sudden?" he asked.
Katara looked up and winked. "I'm going on a trip again." Hakoda stepped back, his hands on her shoulders, his face crestfallen.
"Already?" he asked her. Katara nodded and pointed to her bag.
"I'm leaving today. I received a letter from Laia, my friend, remember? I'm going to visit her in the Fire Nation." Hakoda scrunched his face as he folded his arms. He looked at her intently and finally sighed as he gathered his daughter into another large embrace.
"It's always so strange to see you off. You've really grown into a fine young woman, Katara. Have fun on your trip," Hakoda said briefly. Katara blinked, astonished that he was letting her go that easily.
"What? I'm free to go, just like that?" she asked. Hakoda smiled and laughed as he shrugged.
"I know I must let you go some time. Besides, you were off on a journey with the Avatar when you were only fourteen! How could I say no to a little trip into the Fire Nation?" he said.
"Well," Katara started, "for one thing, none of us know what it's like there. Since the war ended, there were rumors of rebellions and high increase in crime. Are you sure you're not going to be worried?"
Hakoda grinned and nudged his daughter. "That's what the waterbending is for, isn't it?" Katara sighed and smiled as she blinked away the dampness in her crystal eyes.
"I guess so. Well, tell Gran-Gran I'm off, and that Sokka will take over my fish catching duties for now!" she exclaimed as she pulled away from her father. Hakoda chuckled and shook his head as his only daughter ran off towards the departing ships. She ran down the edge of the tribe, where the snow was shining with a blinding white glow. Katara picked her feet off of the steady ground and walked up slowly on the wooden rampart. She caught her hot breath, a swirl of steam rising into the air from her lips. A few men passed by her on the deck as she tightened the bag to her back. She turned around swiftly and spotted Hakoda standing at the edge where the water met the frozen snow. With one last enthusiastic wave, Katara smiled, showing off her round rosy cheeks. Hakoda sighed and went back to work. She let her hand drop as a few shouts distracted her; Katara turned away, and gazed onto the never-ending ocean of dark blue water. The steam circled low to the glaciers of ice and as the men scurried about, getting ready to set off, Katara took a deep breath, excited for the adventure that would await her.
..::-::..
A couple of days had passed, the rocking of the ship becoming somewhat of as natural of a feeling to Katara as being alive was. There was no questioning it. The countless waves nudged by the ship as the weather started to warm up. Katara had helped the men, who were all strictly polite with her. She would mop the deck with her waterbending and tend to any little matters such as a misplaced box of cargo. Once it was time to change ships at the Earth Kingdom dock, Katara found the ground to be unstable and she swayed on the still Earth. An elderly woman helped her and they chuckled together as Katara found a ship with red sails on it. She took a deep breath and set forward toward the iron certainty the metal ship exuded.
Katara watched the sun set for a few more times before the Fire Nation came into her view. She had spent days on the ship with men who didn't seem to think she existed. They would tell her to do the hardest of chores so that she could keep her fair share of being on the ship with them. All of that manual labor didn't matter though, because when the pointed glow of the sun outlined the sharp ridges of the volcanoes and mountains, Katara felt her heart soar into the sky. The light cast a smile on her face as she ran to the edge of the ship. She leaned forward and gazed out towards the glinting shapes in the distance. More ships were docked and with them, Katara awaited the reunion with her friend, possibly even Jet, if Laia still tolerated him. The excitement began to spin in Katara's belly and she had forgotten for the moment that they were still surrounded on all sides by fresh aqua waves. A man slapped her on the back and barked at her. Supposedly, a man had become seasick and there was cleaning to do. Katara sighed as she turned away from the view. Even though she could make it out with her eyes, it seemed like she would never get to her destination.
The day passed on. Katara didn't get another chance to observe the view; she had been ordered to the lower decks of the ship so that she could tend the cargo. She wiped her brow and grumbled underneath her breath. There were other women around her, all being subjected to the same treatment. The war was over, but the side effects and grudges remained. When she had finished her work, a growl rose from the pits of Katara's stomach. She sighed with exasperation and fell to her knees, cradling her abdomen. Food had been scarce as of late; Katara had eaten her portions on the first two days with exaggeration, thinking that she would be given plenty more later on. Unfortunately, the portions she had been given was all she would get for the entire trip. A few women noticed her grumbling and eyed her from over the edges of cargo. The ship lurched to one side all of a sudden, and Katara couldn't prepare herself for the toss. Her body rolled forward and as the hard shock hit the side of her head, everything became black and distant.
Katara awoke the next day to a terrible headache. The pangs of hunger had disappeared, but she couldn't see straight any longer. An overwhelming feeling of oddness flowed through Katara as she struggled to push herself up. She blinked a few times and adjusted herself to the light. Suddenly, Katara's eyes widened as she realized there was sunlight streaming into the lower cabins. The door to the deck remained open and the sky rang with true crispness as it always did in the Fire Nation. Forgetting the pain of the night before, Katara rushed up the ladder and poked her head out onto the deck. Not many crew members were left. A couple remained by the railings, and as Katara walked over to them, she realized with a surging joy that the mere outline she had seen the day before, had grown in escalating height.
Katara's jaw dropped in wonder as the vibrant hill sides and volcanic mountains loomed only as far as a journey could take her by foot. The waters stopped as the bare ground cast out in all directions. She had finally made it to the Fire Nation, as a tourist, not as one seeking to cast ill upon the current Fire Lord, like she had almost four years before. Katara's blood ran circles in her body just from gathering in the realism of the sight before her. Suddenly, she jolted back as the two men laughed loudly.
"Is the Fire Nation such an amazing sight to behold?" one asked. Katara blushed as she looked in every direction, trying to figure out where her things were being kept.
"No, it's just a little hard for me to believe, that's all," she said. They shrugged and one, a very tan and muscular man in his thirties with a tattoo on both arms, pointed towards the main entrance to the steering room.
"Your things are probably over there. If you want to be setting foot on Fire Nation soil, you better leave quick. We're stocking up and heading out again to the Northern Water Tribe in a few hours." Katara thanked him and ran over to the steel tower. She found a few bags left over from the other tourists on the ship, but once the blue cloth caught her eye, Katara smiled and whisked away from the ship's shadows with her things in hand.
Once on the ground, Katara's sense of balance started to crawl back to her. With every step, the world stopped spinning around her a little less, and the grip she had on her life came back as well. She had adopted new clothing for the trip, and so she stood there without her parka. Katara remembered her disguise from her youth and her adventure with Aang, Toph, and Sokka. The tiniest of sleeves fluttered in the small wisp of wind as Katara's hair flew back with it. Her red kimono accented the roofs of the town to her right. She smiled as Laia's map slipped into her fingers. Her friend had slyly added a map of the Fire Nation to the letter of invitation; it displayed Laia's location on it. Katara laughed as the word 'shortcut' ran through her eyes.
On the map, Laia had drawn a line from the shore, through the area in front of her, and into a town called Tuno. A large x described the ending of Katara's supposed journey. She sighed and didn't question why Laia didn't indicate a stop into the port city to her right. The sky carried with it only a few dispersed clouds, and it looked like the sun would guide her to luck. Katara folded the map and started her journey into the Fire Nation.
For hours, she walked within the barren terrain that stretched out at the Fire Nation's shores. Brittle fields of grass flooded Katara's view as she stepped into the sea of sooty lifeless greenery. In the distance, a shabby forest began to grow, and it was then that Katara realized with melancholy, the truth of the place she was venturing and returning to. The Fire Nation had been through turmoil after the end of Ozai's reign. Fires had swept through the land almost simultaneously from ongoing and new forthcoming battles. The citizens, especially the militia, didn't want to back down so easily. The reckless fighting lasted for a week or so before Iroh was able to claim his title as Fire Lord to start restoring the peace. As she walked on, Katara spotted burned patches of the ground that didn't want to regain life. She sighed as her heavy heart weighed on her conscience.
She stopped by the occasional bent, dry tree for a rest in the small amount of shade it provided. Consulting the map Laia had given her, Katara could see the path she was to take would lead her straight into the rusty maze of the forest's branches up ahead. After one of her numerous breaks, Katara looked back to see the ocean once more, wishing that she could feel the prickly breeze against her skin again. The heat was growing as the sun descended towards the mountains ahead of her. Even though she was far away from any source of water, Katara could still here the rush of it in her ears. She got up and headed towards the forest, knowing that the rocky paths to her right wouldn't lead her anywhere.
Slowly, the path she was taking began to slope up. As soon as Katara had made it into the shady forest, she could see how much higher than sea level it was. She smiled despite the sweat dripping down her face and stepped into the cool shade. All around her, the thin trees grew tall and were grouped in bunches. The ground crackled with her every step and within moments she found herself lost in the crossing thorns of the Fire Nation. Katara took a quick look at the scribbled map and squinted. Where the forest was marked, above it was Laia's tiny handwriting. It said 'Crow's Nest— be careful!' Katara let her hand drop to her side as she hunched over, about ready to smack herself on the forehead. Laia had led her through an oppressing shortcut. There was no clear path, and wherever she went, the thick masses of branches hung above her head, reaching towards the sky, and yet the ground all at the same time. A chill swept through her as she ventured on.
After walking for almost an hour, Katara had about given up on finding her way out of the forest; the deeper she went in, the more lost she was, and the worst part was, the forest seemed to be spying on her. She felt exposed and bare as the trees themselves. There were no leaves on the spiky branches and Katara shivered, not knowing what secrets lay behind each corner. The barks of the forest were covered in ashy soot and she couldn't figure out what had happened to the forest, so still and haunting that it made her skin crawl with imaginary bugs.
As the day passed, Katara contemplated many things. Her first objective was to find a way out of the Crow's Nest; why it was given that name, she didn't know. So far, she had managed to survive without a single cut on her arms. The trees were spread a good ways a part, but in some areas they were clumped together, almost as if the trees were stabbing each other with swords. Katara shivered as she remembered the days she had spent in the Fire Nation. At that time, she had friends to rely on; even Zuko had saved her from the Fire Lord's final blow, but now, Katara was by herself, and with the singed daylight to guide her, she felt more alone than ever before.
Suddenly, the sound of a crow echoed through the constrained air, and every muscle in Katara's body tensed. She had heard the occasional rustles of the natural life a forest should have, but it was the first of a crow. Her head turned in every direction, trying to sense where it was coming from. Katara realized with a laugh that she was being absolutely ridiculous. She shouldn't have been scared of a bird. Closing her eyes in merriment at her little misgiving, Katara didn't see the small ridge hidden among the crumpled dirt in front of her. Her toes stuck into a hole and as she fell forward, her eyes burst open in time to see a line of illuminated string. All at once her world was flipped upside down as a snap reverberated in her head.
Katara's arms hung down towards the ground as the rope tightened around her ankles. All of the blood in her body rushed to her head as she saw her blue pack of belongings sprawled out on the ground below her. She swung around for a few minutes before the momentum of the trap had settled down. Katara squeezed into her abdomen and forced herself against gravity to look up. The sight of the silver rope glinting in the forest's light made her heart constrict; she glanced at the tree and thick branch that was supporting her. Cursing to herself, Katara's head fell back and she swung around in circles.
"Someone get me down from here! I'm not some kind of animal! I'm a human being!" Katara screeched. She panted, still hung upside in the snare of the trap that she had not seen. Suddenly, the crow echoed again, and before Katara could try to make out the world around her, she felt a sharp stone hit the side of her head and with a moan, she saw nothing more.
..::-::..
From the dim darkness, Katara awoke, grumbling. Her vision was blurry, but in front of her she made out a pale form surrounded by dark mixed colors. She tried blinking but nothing happened and she moaned again. A stick was probed into her side and she cringed as her voice called out bitterly.
"Let… me… down, now!" Katara moaned once more, but her throat tightened as she heard a response.
"You seem harmless," it said. Katara tried opening her eyes, but before she could say or see anything, a whizzing noise shot past her ear and through the silver rope holding her hostage. Katara screamed as her body fell freely from the height of the tree; her yell ceased as her body was caught in a strong pair of arms. The journey from the upside down lengths of the world caused her vision to go out momentarily, and her head rolled back. After a few minutes, Katara hummed in her throat as she flickered her eyes open. Only an inch away, she saw the thick outline of a muscle. As the daylight fluttered around her, her vision broadened and she saw a round neck in front of her face. She realized with a start that someone was holding her. Katara screamed and at once tried to wriggle away. Her heart started to pound as she began to see the image of the man unfold before her. He let her down and she wobbled slightly, falling straight down to the ground, her knees too weak to hold her up. The man squatted down next to her and propped his elbows on his thighs. Katara took deep breaths and looked up at him.
His skin was as light as a feather, yet held a scattered gray hue over it. A slight flush suddenly filled his face, making him seem more human. Crooked bangs dangled over his eyes and to the side; his raven hair was gathered into a ponytail at the back of his neck, tied up in bright yellow string. It fell all the way down his spine to the arch above his rear. Katara swallowed hard as she realized with an overwhelming sense of embarrassment that he was dressed in skin tight clothes. They exposed his built form and the hardships he had gone through. There were rips scattered all over his uniform, soaked in the color of a prune. A bundle of silver cords was wrapped around his chest, and as Katara gazed at him, his lips pursed. With shock, Katara realized that his eyes glowed with a heavenly shade of yellow aspen. He held out his hand and she took it reluctantly. They stood up and Katara dusted herself off quickly, grabbing her pack before he had a chance to take it. He stood slightly taller than her, and for a moment, she thought he was going to pounce on her. Katara shifted uneasily as he kept staring at her.
"Uh, thank you for saving me. I might have been up there all day if you hadn't found me," she said. Katara stood still as the man stepped towards her. She recoiled and held onto her bag tightly. For some odd reason, his eyes transfixed her into immobility and she held her breath as his fingers reached out to her shoulder. In a swift gesture, the man brushed away some loose strands of string from Katara's red garment. The sleeve ended short and his fingers skimmed over her tan skin, causing Katara to flinch.
"I apologize. It was I who caused this dilemma for you," he said. At once, a new fury boiled over Katara and she stepped back with heated eyes.
"It was you who set that trap for me?" she asked.
"Yes."
"Don't you know that's dangerous? I'd be stuck hanging there all day!" she screamed.
"That's correct."
Katara looked at him, the tip of her frustration about to shatter. He stood there with his arms hanging to his sides, a master of silence and mystery. His short answers and grim expression eased her conscience none and she breathed heavily while trying to remain calm.
"Okay, well… you saved me, so that evens your score. But just who are you?" she asked, curiosity edging into her starved heart. The stranger stirred in Katara a new sense of wonder.
"Akizo. I live here," he replied. Katara stared at him blankly and walked over to him, closing the distance between the two.
"Akizo…" the name slipped out of her mouth and she held it on her tongue for a moment before smiling. "My name is Katara. I'm visiting a friend. She gave me a map and it said to go through the Crow's Nest. And you say you live here? It doesn't really seem to give off that warm happy feeling." He continued to stare at her vacantly and she started talking quickly again. "But that's ok! I mean, if this is what you like… I don't have anything against you or your home," Katara said and waved her hands with a stupid smile. Her forced verve disappeared as shock garnered her being. Akizo took a step towards her and tilted his head, a slight smile appearing on his lips.
"You talk too much." Katara blushed fiercely at the proximity and even more so when he took her bag. "Give me the map and I'll take you to her." Katara gawked at him as Akizo found and studied the parchment. She shook her head and snatched her bag back. Akizo raised his eyebrow and held onto his ropes with one hand on his chest.
"No thank you," she replied. Katara was beginning to feel apprehensive of the stranger, although she realized he was about the same age as her. "I'll find my own way," she said firmly and took back the map. She took a few steps and Akizo waited patiently before walking to her side.
"This is my home. I know it better than you. I'll get you out of here safely." Katara eyed him as a low grumble erupted in her throat. She locked her gaze with his and sighed, remembering how she got caught in his trap at first. Handing him the map, she slouched and then leaned back as if stretching out her entire body.
"All right. You can lead me out of this place as a payment for trapping me," she said slyly.
Akizo twisted his head in her direction and the sun caught his face, locking it into a shimmering blaze of light. His black hair was bathed into a whiter shade and his eyes glowed mischievously. "Let's not speak of it again. I did apologize, didn't I?" Katara nodded and shrugged.
"I suppose. First, let's just get out of here. No offense, but I prefer being out in the open."
Akizo looked down at the map and squinted when he saw the x mapped out. His eyes widened but he kept his mouth shut, leading the way like a master of the forest. When Akizo would lead Katara into a darker corner, where the trees seemed to cluster together again, she'd refuse, but soon enough, Akizo would find a way to persuade her into following him. After a few steps, the floor of the forest seemed to clear a way for the travelers and Katara was relieved. This happened many times throughout the afternoon, and as Katara walked behind Akizo leisurely, she would play with the outstretched branches. Once she broke the tip off and it fell to the dirt with a quick drop. Startled, she bumped into Akizo and immediately jumped back again. Akizo's expression lifted slightly and he didn't seem to be so scary anymore. Katara wrenched her fingers together and chuckled as they headed onward.
"So, Akizo, what do you do here? It doesn't seem like there are a lot of other people around so…"
He looked up at the canopy of branches above him, where the sun shined through every few inches, dimming their path just slightly so that the forest kept its chilling gray light.
"I don't always stay here. Sometimes I go to the city and find a temporary job. But usually I'm here in the Crow's Nest. It's been that way ever since I can remember," Akizo responded.
"Oh." Katara paused as a thought suddenly sprang into her head. "Do you know why it's called the Crow's Nest?" she asked. Akizo nodded as he pushed aside a branch that was going to collide with Katara's face.
"This forest has a unique quality. Even though it seems like it's dying, it's living vividly. There are no leaves, but instead, there are thorns and spikes. The forest lives to protect from invaders. It was denser before the war ended, but afterward, the need for protection ceased and the thorns withdrew." Katara stared around her in awe, trying to imagine getting through the forest while large thorns stood in her way. "It's called the Crow's Nest because it is the only place where the birds live in the Fire Nation. When I heard the crow, it told me where to find you. Before, during the war, we used the crows as signals to find intruders."
Katara hopped over a rise in the ground and looked at Akizo suspiciously.
"So you thought I was an intruder?"
"No. I had set that trap in hopes of finding food. Instead, I found you." Katara remained silent, not knowing whether she trusted the man or not. He seemed like a reliable person, although the way they had awkwardly met seemed to give Katara a chilling sensation. She stepped away from Akizo a bit and followed him without saying more.
Their journey through the Crow's Nest took a couple more hours. When Katara finally saw the end of the forest, where only a few trees remained scattered, she rejoiced, throwing her arms up into the air. Her happiness melted into awe as the dead hues of the landscape behind her changed completely. In front of them lay a hilly expanse with gardens of lively green grass. Not too far ahead was a town. Houses and small buildings ridged tall on the horizon and Katara looked at Akizo eagerly. He studied the map and tightened his ropes as his hair bellowed behind him. Katara peered over his arm and spotted a town on the map. The line was drawn through it and Katara's heart swelled at the thought of finding a familiar face at last.
"That's the Town of Tuno. We should keep going." Akizo handed the map back to Katara, who stood stunned. She didn't think he was going to go with her all the way. He sensed her reluctance and looked at her with boredom. "You're wondering why I'm still following you," he stated. Katara shook her head fiercely but he continued. "Before I found you, I was going to go to Tuno as well." Katara sighed and shrugged her shoulders.
"I never thought anything of it…" she said abruptly. Akizo looked at her with a passionless face and nodded.
"Right."
..::-::..
The sun was starting to fade into the backdrop of the mountainous terrain in the Fire Nation. Katara wiped her forehead and licked her parched lips as she and Akizo, her new friend supposedly, entered the Town of Tuno. Katara had felt livelier since leaving the Crow's Nest and its prickling thorns said to grow from within the trees. Akizo led the way, and in the daylight, Katara could see the sleek outline of his body. His bodysuit was entirely adorned in the dark cherry color, and as he strode through the street, Katara could tell that he was a citizen of the Fire Nation through and through. She blended in as well, dressed as a commoner in her red kimono, with her hair down and not in her braid, but in the half ponytail specific to Fire Nation attire. No one kept their eyes on them for more than a few seconds and Katara felt more at easy as she walked on the rough pavement.
Dim lanterns hung from the edges of roofs. Shopkeepers began to come outside to light them and with shock, Katara realized that it would soon be dark. Akizo didn't speak, and so she followed him, letting her trust fall into the hands of this strange man. After wandering through the town and its various streets, Katara came to understand that it wasn't a prosperous place. The shops looked like shacks and the wooden signs outside were cracked and faded. Katara noticed that Akizo had taken an abrupt turn and she followed him with a little startle in her step. They walked into a shop that seemed remote and off towards the outskirts of the town. The sign above the door read "Shinto's Cove". Akizo stepped inside and Katara followed, not knowing what she was doing, trusting a stranger to guide her through the day.
Inside, Katara saw that Shinto's Cove was actually a restaurant. Akizo stood at a small desk in the front, where a board of open boxes stretched across the wall. To the right, a small area for tables was left open, and in front of her, Katara saw an old dusty staircase leading up to the second floor. Akizo put a few coins on the counter and the woman he was talking to handed him a shiny object Katara couldn't make out. He walked past her and Katara followed him to a table without saying a word. The den was filled with customers. A door flapped open and a man kept coming in and out with trays of food.
"This is where we'll rest for tonight. I've gotten us a room upstairs. I come here a lot so they gave me a discount. Shinto owns the place and his wife just told me we'll get a free meal. Tomorrow we'll…" Katara opened her mouth wide and her eye twitched.
"Did you just say that we're going to share a room?" she asked, bewildered.
"That's all there is. You can sleep on the bed. I'm used to sleeping on hard ground," Akizo said. Katara's heart stopped beating loudly in her ribcage and she relaxed. Before the meal came, Katara fiddled with the utensils on the table while Akizo skimmed the room idly. Katara sighed and tapped the table top.
"Akizo?" He heard his name and turned to face her with a placid expression. "Why do you have so many ropes? Do you make traps everywhere?"
"Yes and no. I go where I like, and if I need to set up my ropes for some reason, I'll do it."
Katara blinked and pouted. "Oh."
"But I use them for other reasons too…" Katara's face lit up slightly and she probed him for more information with pleading eyes. "They call me the Rope Master. I was trained by an old man who learned on his own."
"So you lived in the Crow's Nest with him?" she asked.
"Yes," he paused and looked out the broken window, into the street. "I was abandoned there. The old man took care of the forest and found me."
Katara sat, stunned. She didn't know what it was about him, but the more she found out about Akizo, the more mysterious he seemed. Bending was the most common form of fighting, but there were people in the world who found their own ways to defend themselves.
"I'm sorry to hear that, Akizo," Katara said. He looked at her impassively and shrugged his shoulders before leaning his head back.
"It doesn't matter anymore. I was young and can't remember it much. Look, our food's coming," he said and pointed. Katara turned around and her eyes rounded as the smell of spiced steam filled the air. Shinto was about to speak, but a woman barked a request at him and he didn't even have time to speak. His long grey beard almost caught Katara's soup as he turned away. Katara chuckled as Akizo took a bite of his food. He chewed it quickly and bowed his head.
"Excuse me, I'll be back shortly," he said. Katara shrugged and dug into her meal. Her stomach churned gratefully and she smiled to herself. After a few minutes, she looked around for Akizo and saw his pale form in a darkly lit corner, about seven tables away from her. He was talking with Shinto and their expressions were grim. She squinted and ducked her head in every direction to get a closer look. If there was something strange going on, she needed to know first before getting herself into trouble. Suddenly, Akizo bowed his head and took something from Shinto's hand. Akizo turned around hesitantly and shoved the glinting object into his side pack where his money was stored. Katara quickly went back to eating her meal as she saw Akizo walking back to their table. Unable to see Shinto any longer, Katara wasn't able to notice that another man had walked up to Shinto and had received the same object. The man ducked into a booth as he saw Katara sitting over on the other side of the room.
"You should hurry and eat before your food gets cold!" Katara said to Akizo. He nodded and she watched in silence as Akizo gracefully scoffed down his entire meal. His speed injected awe into her stare. Akizo's eyes darted up and for a moment, she met his gaze. Suddenly, he looked to the left as Katara sensed a presence near her. She looked up and her jaw dropped as a chill went through her body. A man stood there, his face unshaven with a brisk amount of facial hair. His smirk, however, shined brilliantly against the lantern's light. Katara stood up abruptly, knocking her hip into the table but not noticing the pain.
"Jet! I never would have imagined running into you here!" she exclaimed. He shrugged his shoulder and coolly passed his arm around her shoulders. They sat down and Akizo stared at Jet with deep interest. His eyes flickered to the corner where Shinto had sold him the object in his pocket, but then Akizo settled back into his expressionless state.
"I'm just as surprised as you, Katara. You look great in Fire Nation clothes, I must say," Jet answered. Katara's eyebrow twitched and she scooted over to the other side of the bench before knocking a fist into Jet's arm. He squirmed and rubbed his new bruise as Katara leaned her head towards Akizo. She waved her arm to the right and pointed at Jet with her thumb.
"This is Jet, the one-man wonder. His charm works on all the ladies, they say." Jet scowled as Katara snickered. "Jet, this is Akizo. I met him in the Crow's Nest, have you heard of it?" Jet finally looked at Akizo seriously and they stared at each other for a few seconds before Jet sighed deeply.
"Yeah, I've heard of it. They say a man lives there, alone, ready for any attack that might come his way. I guess you're that guy?" Jet asked. Akizo nodded. Katara turned to face Jet and leaned on the table while her eyes sparkled with delight.
"I've come to see Laia. You can take me to her, right? It was only thanks to Akizo that I got through the Crow's Nest, although it was his trap that got me into trouble in the first place," she said heartily. Akizo closed his eyes and meditated for a moment while Jet eyed him.
"Sure. I can take you to see Laia. If I didn't, I'm sure she'd get on my case about it," he said.
Katara smiled and sighed. "Good. It's settled then. What about you, Akizo? Where are you going to be headed tomorrow?"
He opened one eye as he lifted himself off from the back of the wall. "I have been called for a job. This happens a lot because of my specialty."
Jet looked at both of them with confusion. Katara answered his doubtful look.
"Akizo is a Rope Master. He can do all sorts of tricks that not everyone knows about." Jet nodded slowly and took another look at him. He put his hand over his right pocket, where his valuable item was stored. He sighed and stretched his arms out.
"Well then, we've got a journey ahead of us for tomorrow. Why not go get some rest?" Jet asked.
Katara agreed and Akizo took out the shiny silver key he had received before from Shinto's wife. They walked up the creaky stairs, leaving the humid atmosphere of the restaurant on the first floor. Jet turned to walk down the hall and to his room while Katara and Akizo took a left. She hid behind his massive shadows and entered the room, ready to fall onto the bed and sleep away her pulsing head, filled with excitement and the wonders of life.
..::-::..
In a darkly lit room, where the deep magenta bricks foiled the walls, a man named Zuko sat hunched over his desk. On the wooden table, a pile of papers were scattered everywhere. Important parchments scribbled with ink everywhere, clouded his vision as he leaned his head on the palm of his hand. His messy black hair fell loose around his face. It was longer than before, already its ends fraying against the top of his chest. Zuko sighed deeply as he sat up, hearing the door to his room creak open.
He didn't turn to see who it was, because he already knew the soft dark presence striding towards him. His lips twisted slightly into a smile on the corner of his mouth. The woman's footsteps stopped as she stood next to him. She put down a porcelain plate, and on top of it, a cup of Jasmine Tea. Zuko breathed in the delicate aroma and he sighed once more. He felt the woman's hands rub his shoulders and he finally looked up at her.
She smiled and then frowned suddenly.
"Are you sure you wouldn't have rather gone to the South Pole?" she asked.
Zuko's expression turned blank and he looked down at the pile of work laid out before him.
"No. I need to stay here with Iroh. I made a promise not to leave him again," Zuko said.
The woman let go of his shoulders as Zuko took a drink of the warm tea. "Didn't he want you to go though? After all, you are the Prince of the Fire Nation. You'll be Fire Lord one day."
Zuko set the cup down and waved his hand, motioning for her to leave him.
"I have a lot of work to finish. Come back later with some more tea," he said. The woman nodded and bowed her head slightly, as she took one final look at the back of Zuko's head. Zuko waited for the door to shut before he leaned back and stared at the high ceiling above him. His thoughts spiraled through a library of information. He had come back to the Fire Nation to the side of his sick uncle, and only now, two months later, Iroh was starting to feel like his old self again. Zuko had sent the scribe in his stead, but it was not only for the sake of the Fire Lord's health. If Zuko wanted to remain sane, he had to do everything in his power to never see Katara's face again.
A/N: I finally got it written!! This is the first chapter of MANY more to come! so as you can see... Akizo is a new main character.. and we'll see more of Zhen soon!! and as for the woman that was with Zuko... XD I won't say who it is.. but guesses are welcome:)
so it was a bit hard to write... it took longer than I thought... but you can see why now: I was apprehensive about the whole FN thing... I wasn't sure how to describe it and all, but comiccon has given me a lot of insight and I think I'll be able to write it well... now that we're getting closer to book 3... I just want to say that I might have things in the fic that are wrong (like what Zuko did and how the war actually ended) SO- please bear with that :fingerscrossed:
so yeah... hopefully my next chapter comes sooner than in two weeks :P I'm so so sorry for the wait!! Remember everyone... Zutara lives on no matter what happens in the series! ;P I dedicate this book to proving that!!! OH! I almost forgot! So did you like the cameos everyone had from the South Pole?? I just HAD to write them in the fic somewhere... so I thought it was a good place to put!! And I hope most of you ship Sokka/Suki!! ;
? of the chapter Remember to write your impressions about Akizo... andd... what do you think is going to happen?
-Monika-