Chapter 3

Secrets

Katara anxiously paced her room as she waited for Ryu, who said he would meet with her to talk once it was safe enough. She had barely slept the night before and had been jumpy all day. She could barely concentrate while trying to complete her chores, but luckily enough or her, Zhao had been in the best of moods.

She pulled out her mother's necklace and gently ran her fingers against the pendant. She could instantly feel the comfort just from the mere knowledge that her mother was watching over her. Getting this necklace made her believe she was truly not alone. She sighed to herself. She wondered if the rest of her family would visit her. She blinked hard as she felt herself get teary eyed again. She nearly jumped out of her skin as the heavy metal door to her room suddenly opened.

"Ryu." She breathed with relief.

He smiled as he quietly closed the door. "Zhao really needs to check up on his guards. All the one outside your door likes to do is eat Turkey Duck." He laughed his own joke, but his laughter trailed off when he noticed her serious expression. "Katara?"

Katara took a deep breath. "I have something to tell you."

He nodded and sat on the edge of her pallet. "Okay." He said. "I'm all ears."

"Okay." She paced the small length of her room before speaking. "I'm a water bender."

Ryu smiled. "Uh huh."

Katara eyed him strangely. "You know?"

He nodded. "Uh huh."

Katara sat next to him with a small huff. "When?"

He smiled softly. "That day you yelled at me. You made the water literally shoot up and wet the ship, and both of us. Only a Water Bender can do that. I think you were too angry to notice."

Katara fingered her mother's necklace. "I've always known." she said softly. "My parents told me when I was younger, but I'm not skilled at all. I've never had anyone train me." She sighed shakily as she continued. "You see, when I was born, Water benders in the Southern Tribe were non existent. The Fire Nation took all of our benders away. When my parents discovered I was a bender, they were frightened for me. The whole tribe was. So it was decided that I would lead a normal life."

Ryu placed a hand on her shoulder. "It must have been hard for you. Not bending."

She didn't answer. The truth was it was hard. She could remember sitting on the edge of the frozen tundra. Wishing and wondering. Imaging that her parents would take her to their sister tribe to learn Water bending.

"I was happy." she said softly. She looked at him. "I was loved. Even though I wasn't bending. Even though I craved it. I had family."

Ryu nodded as he placed his arm around her shoulders. "You're strong little one."

She smiled wryly at him. "I'd feel stronger if I could bend. I can barely stream water."

"Hmm." Ryu said. "Then maybe this will help you." He reached inside his tunic and pulled out a scroll and presented it to Katara.

Katara stared at the scroll wide eyed, noticing the water tribe insignia immediately. She looked up at Ryu with question in her eyes.

He laughed. "Well take it. It won't bite. Unless there's something a little new to water bending scrolls."

Katara quickly snatched up the offered scroll and unrolled it. Her eyes widened as she stared at the different Water bending postures and techniques. She ran her fingers against the illustrations. She looked up at Ryu with glistening eyes. "How'd you get this?"

"Pirates." He answered. "I figured since you're a bender, but there's no one to teach you. You could maybe learn something from this scroll."

She shook her head in shock, a large smile coming onto her face. "This had to have cost a fortune."

He shrugged. "Not really." He lied. Truth be told it cost him a year worth of payment he had been saving for the past four years. "It's yours little one."

Katara wrapped her arms around his neck in a tight hug. "Thank you." She breathed softly. She pulled away from him and looked back down at the scroll. "I guess I'll be using the jug of water I get to bathe."

Ryu nodded. "You can even make a game of it. Bathing while bending." He peeked at the illustrations. "It kind of looks like a dance." He said and he shook his head. "Lucky. You know in most parts of the Fire Nation dancing is completely banned?" He shook his head again. "What's wrong with my people?"

She laughed and hugged him again. "You're a true friend Ryu." She pulled away from him again and rolled up the scroll. "Another reason I wanted to speak to you is because I've heard something terrible yesterday morning. I overheard Zhao speaking to a man named General Iroh-"

"Wait," Ryu suddenly cut in. "The General Iroh? Dragon of the West General Iroh?"

Katara nodded. "I think so. Why? Is he someone important?"

He snorted. "Only the greatest General of this time!" Ryu exclaimed. "Plus I hear he's quite the tea connoisseur-" He trailed off at Katara's expression. "Sorry. Continue."

"Zhao is planning an attack on the Northern Water Tribe. He said he's going to obtain information that will bring ever Water Bender to their knees."

"Monster." Ryu spat. He looked up at Katara, surprised at the determined expression on her face. "You want to stop him." He stated.

"I am going to stop him." She corrected softly. "I just-I need to know what information he's getting. I need to steal it somehow and-" she trailed off when Ryu placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Katara, I understand you want to stop Zhao, but-"

She stood up angrily. "But what? Zhao destroyed everything I cared about. The Fire Nation already destroyed one civilization one hundred years ago I'm not going to let them do it again. I'll stop Zhao one way or another."

Ryu stared at Katara with a surprised expression. He felt the airs on his arms raise from the fierceness in her eyes as she spoke with conviction. The only other time he had saw such an expression on her face was when she yelled at him. He didn't know what it was, but he knew that if this little one was to learn Water Bending, she was going to be a force to be reckoned with.

"Okay." He said softly. "But don't think you're going to be sneaking around here without me."

Her eyes widened. "You'll really help?"

He nodded. "A chance to spy on someone I don't like? Does that surprise you?" He turned serious. "If we're going to do this. We have to plan."

*********

"You have to listen little one. Listen to everything he says. Even if he isn't talking to you."

"We'll dock at the lake by this abandoned mining town in the Southern Earth Kingdom. We'll have to travel here, over this plain of mountains to get transportation into the desert."

Katara prepared Zhao's tea, pretending to be engulfed in he duties while listening intently as the lieutenant explained their next destination.

"How long will it take to arrive back on the ship?"

"Given the expanse of the Si Wong Desert, we should arrive back here by nightfall tomorrow."

'Desert?' She frowned to herself. She was so deep in her thoughts, she failed to notice she was over pouring Zhao's cup. The hot tea spilled onto his hand and he hissed in surprise. Her eyes widened and she lifted her head to apologize.

The blow came before she could open her mouth. He had hit her so hard, she stumbled backward. She could feel the warm trickle of blood from her lip and she lifted her hand toward her mouth.

"Stupid slave!" Zhao roared stepping forward.

Katara stumbled backward, her expression hard.

"Get out of my sight!" Zhao spat angrily.

Katara did as instructed. She turned and calmly left his office, surprised that he didn't make her clean up the mess.

*********

"Ouch!"

"Sorry little one." Ryu said as he gently wiped away the blood from her lip. "It's just a small cut."

"I've had worse." She said quietly.

Ryu didn't answer, just eyed her worriedly.

"I'm okay Ryu."

That cut on her lip said otherwise, but Ryu knew it would only anger her if he said those words. He knew anything he said would not sway her into changing her mind about this and he knew that he had no choice but to go along with her. "Did you find out anything?"

She nodded and glanced around to make sure no one was around. "We'll be docking just of the coast of an abandoned mining town in the Southern Earth Kingdom. The lieutenant said something about The Si Wong Desert."

"The Si Wong Desert?" Ryu frowned deeply. "Why would Zhao visit a desert with nothing in it?"

Katara shrugged. "I don't know, but it must be something important. He won't be on the ship for two days. I think that's when we can search his office."

Ryu sighed heavily. "I knew you were going to say that."

***********

"We're here sir."

Zhao scanned the desolate area, he paused as his eyes caught sight of something. It was a tower. "Search the perimeter." He commanded. He glanced at his lieutenant. "Gather the hooks. We're climbing."

**

Zhao and the five others slowly made their way through library. He ignored the way his men looked around in amazement, keeping his eyes on the destination ahead.

"Sir?" his lieutenant called.

"What is that?!" Another yelled.

He paused and they all jumped back in surprise as a giant Owl landed in front of them. They all stepped back in shock, all except him.

The Owl stared down at them for a long moment before speaking. "Humans," He said calmly. "What are you doing in my Library?"

"Are you Wan Shi Tong?" Zhao asked, his voice loud.

"Yes. I am Wan Shi Tong. Knower of Ten Thousand things. I shall only ask one more time. What are you doing in my library?"

To the surprise of the his men, Zhao slowly lowered himself onto one knee and bowed. "Oh Great Spirit. My men and I have traveled far to seek knowledge. I speak on behalf of myself and my men to ask permission to peruse your library."

Wan Shi Tong stared down at Zhao calmly. He seemed to be assessing him. Judging him.

The other soldiers held their breath.

"Very well." He finally said.

Zhao lifted his head with a grin. "Thank you." He stood up.

"It is usual for the knowledge seeker to offer a donation before being permitted into my library, but I will break this rule. I can tell, you are a special one. He turned to go. "Enjoy the library." He said before flying off toward the lower level.

"Sir?" His lieutenant started. "Where do we start the search?"

Zhao turned toward the entrance of the Water Tribe Section. "I already know where to go."

****

"Sir we've searched almost every shelf in this section and we've yet to find the box."

Zhao's frown deepened as he watched the rest of his men searched. He needed to find that box! It was the only thing to ensure his victory.

"I think I've found it!" One of the men shouted.

Zhao looked up. "Don't touch-" He trailed off as a blood curdling scream was heard. He and his men rushed toward the screams and paused in surprise. They watched as a blue light spread throughout the soldier as his body convulsed on the floor. "Don't touch him." He commanded when the other four stepped forward. "He's already dead."

"How are we supposed to carry this death box out of here if touching it kills us?" One of them asked.

"We'll use these hooks to carry it out of here." He turned to the other soldiers. "Get ready to leave."

"Sir, I think you should see this."

Zhao turned and followed his lieutenant out into the hall. They stopped in front of the Fire Nation wing of the library.

"There must be centuries of secrets in here." The Lieutenant said. "Secrets, that can bring harm to the Fire Nation. What do we do?"

Zhao stared at the rows and rows of information with a stony expression. "Burn it down." He ordered.

The lieutenant looked startled. "But Sir- The Spirit may-"

"I said burn it down!" Zhao interrupted angrily.

*****

Wan Shi Tong stood by quietly and watched and watched as the human's destroyed a part of his library.

"Humans," he said quietly. "are so predictable." He glanced down as his Knowledge seeker ambled up toward him, whimpering. "Do not worry Fox." He said in a comforting tone. He glanced back at the burning wing. "Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed."

The fox rubbed against him comfortingly. "Not angry?" His voice whispered.

"No. I am not." Wan Shi Tong answered. "The spirits have plans for this human." He whispered as he watched Zhao make a hasty retreat.

*****

Katara stood in front of the jug of water. She slowly raised her arms, smiling as the water began to slowly stream from the mug. She raised both arms and let the water stream around her head and back down into the jug. Her smile widened. That was the first time she could stream the water above her head. She couldn't do much, but this was a start.

She turned as her the door to her room opened and Ryu poked his head in. "You ready little one?"

She turned and nodded. "Yes."

****

Katara followed closely behind Ryu as they hurried down the darkened hallway toward Zhao's office. Her heart pounded in her chest from fear of being caught. She gasped as Ryu suddenly grabbed her and pushed her into a corner.

A guard slowly passed by and her eyes widened at how fast they had been caught. Ryu stepped back as the guard turned a corner.

"That was close." He whispered. "Let's go." He said and turned on a run.

Frightened and out of breath, they finally reached Zhao's office. She pushed aside the curtain and entered first. "We have to hurry." She said softly. "We have to put everything the way we found it. He notices things that are out of place."

Ryu sighed as he opened a drawer and tossed a scroll onto the floor. "What are we looking for exactly?"

"Information." Katara answered before shaking her head. "I don't know. Just, something regarding the Water Tribe." She turned and gasped loudly as she bumped into a mannequin that wore Zhao's armor. She stepped back and moved around it toward one of his chests.

Ryu moved toward his desk. "Maybe we'll be lucky and he'll die in the desert. It's quite the death trap I've heard." He carefully lifted a handful of scrolls he noted to be purely Fire Nation. "Hey he likes ginger candies!" He lifted one from the candy jar and popped it into his mouth.

Katara ignored him as she stood up from the chest. She gently closed it. "There has to be something." She said. She turned to face him. "Did you-" She trailed off as she noticed he was holding a scroll in his hands.

Ryu turned to face her. "It has your symbol." He said. He held it out to her.

Katara carefully took the scroll and unrolled it. Her eyes widened. "I-I know this writing." She said softly.

"What is it?" Ryu asked as he moved behind her to peer over her shoulder.

"This piece of parchment is from a larger book." She explained quietly. "A book that the Water Tribe priestess used to write in. Whether it was about births, our history or even predict how our season would fare." She glanced back at the scroll. "Zhao must've stolen it when he attacked our tribe. My people believed she could predict the future."

Ryu nodded in understanding as his eyes scanned the parchment. "The box of Ame-no-Mi-Kumari." He murmured. He ran his fingers against the illustrations. "Interesting box." He looked at Katara. "Do you know what it is?"

She shook her head and continued to read. "This box houses the secret of our spirits, Tui and La." Her eyes widened as she continued. "Only the one with great heart, hope and spirit shall open the box. She will be a bender of this time, born of the Southern Tribe-" She trailed off as tears sprang to her eyes. It was all there. She didn't have to finish reading to know. She now knew the answer to the question she had been asking herself for three years.

"But how could he know?" Ryu asked. "How could he know you were a water bender?"

"I thought I was just a trophy." She said quietly.

Ryu shook his head and took the scroll from her hands. He rolled it up. "We're going." He said, placing the scroll back into the same place he found it.

TBC

A/N: Ame-no-Mi-Kumari is a Japanese goddess of water

Please review!