For All Time

Chapter 7 Run Like Hell

Katara Pov

It was decided Zuko and I would go back to the orphanage at the end of the week. He would buy the boat tickets and I would gather me money supply. I was so happy to be helping him. It felt amazing to be doing this for him. I could not tell any member of my family about this. If I did they would put a stop to it. I had to pack secretly and I had to pack lite.

The evening before we were scheduled to depart, Zuko gave me a gift. It was a small gold ring, it had a misty blue stone on it. He said it did not mean anything, it was just a thank you for helping him. That night I slept with the tiny ring on my bedside table.

The next day, I pulled on a pair of blue training pants, and a small blue tunic. I tried to look like a commoner so Zuko and I weren't asked to many questions. I heard a knock on my door and felt a shiver go down my spin. I had to meet Zuko in a half hour, did I have enough time to talk to who ever was at the door. Opening it I put on my fake smile when I saw it was Kato holding a bunch of white ice lilies.

"Thank you Kato, their beautiful." I said through my teeth, taking the flowers and placing them in a vase beside my vanity.

"So where are you going this afternoon princess." He asked as I sat down at the vanity and started to brush my hair.

"I'm just going to visit a friend" I told him and thats when I saw something flash in his eyes.

"Your not going to visit the stable boy again are you?" He asked a little annoyance in his voice.

"Yes I am, he has become a very good friend of mine" I told him becoming annoyed at his tone, I stood up and went to pull my parka out of the closet.

"Katara I do not want you going to see him." He said grabbing my wrist, I knew there would be bruises later.

"You can't tell me who I see and who I do not, Kato" I hissed

"I may do what ever I please with you, because like it or not your going to be my little wife." He growled squeezing my wrist harder.

"Kato let me go" I growled hitting his hand with my fist.

"How dare you raise a hand to me" He said as he back handed me sending me sprawling on the floor. I felt blood coming from a cut on the corner of my mouth. Glaring down at me, he grabbed me by my collar, and hissed in my face "You are to go no where near him, do you hear me?"

I spit right in his face, and he threw me against the wall, knocking over the vase of flowers. My hand was bleeding but I ignored it. He walked to the door and turned to look at me where I lay, "The next time I see you, you had better have a better attitude." He said slamming the door and I heard the lock click. Jumping up, I ran to the door and pounded on it. No one heard me, so I started to cry. Why did he do this to me?

That was it, I knew more than anything I had to get out of here. I wrapped a cloth around my bleeding arm. Grabbing my backpack, I pulled out a piece of paper and scribbled down a good by for my family. Laying it on my pillow beside Kato's engagement necklace. I opened my window quietly as to not tip anybody off. I climbed down the roof, and escaped through the garden. Kato would be luck to find me.

Zuko stood at the entrance to the palace. He looked at me with hate and anger written all over his face. Grabbing my arm carefully he pealed back the cloth and looked at it, "Who did this to you?"

"Kato" I said letting the tears finally come

Zuko let out a growl from deep in his chest. I knew he was pissed. "I'm gonna kill him"

"No, you don't have to. Let's just get out of here." I said trying to pull him towards the boats.

"Katara, Why did he do this to you?" Zuko said putting his hand on my cheek and running his thumb over the cut on my lip.

"I told him I was going to see you today" I said quietly, "He...He said he didn't want me seeing you anymore"

Zuko's anger got the best of him and he hit a brick wall beside us. Not hard because he did not even flinch.

"We better get on the ship before it takes off." He said grabbing my hand and leading me towards the small passenger ship.

"There they are get them" two palace guards said pointing to us, fear raced through me. Kato knew I was with zuko. There was no way we could get caught, we had to escape. We ran like hell, Zuko and I made it to the ship just as it was taking off. The guards did not reach the ship until we were a good twenty yards out at sea.

"Are you okay" Zuko asked hugging me close to him

"Yes" I said as I gasped for air and hugged him back.

Know that Kato knew I had left, he would to anything to get me back. Which meant Zuko and I would have a long journey ahead of us.

~~HEY A LITTLE SHORT BUT BE HAPPY! LOL JK I WILL HAVE THE NEXT CHAPTER UP SHORTY!