Ch.8 Katara's Punishment

It must have been hours. The chained form in the hold finally showed signs of life. As Katara came to, her eyes were blurry. She could just barely make out the grey metal of the walls around her. She winced as the pain from her earlier encounter kicked in. She tried to feel the back of her head, but the chains holding her would not budge. It was clear to her that Hahn was taking no chances. She felt what had to be dried blood in her hair. How hard did Hahn hit her?

"My necklace," she said, fear in her voice. She looked down as much as her head would allow, only to find it missing. Anger began building inside her. If he had done something to her necklace... It was hopeless. Even her legs were chained to the wall. There were no portholes in this room. She couldn't remember a time she had ever felt so helpless. As she began racking her brain, trying to think of a way to escape her current predicament, she heard the clang of footsteps approaching.

She held her breath as they got nearer. Finally, the door to her cell opened and Hahn stepped through. Katara glared at him as he entered. "Don't look at me like that," he said as the door closed behind him. "You brought this all on yourself," he continued. Katara didn't mince words. "Where is my necklace?" she demanded. The menace in her tone was clear. He looked directly in her eyes. "Oh, that," he said. He pretended to look thoughtful. His arrogance made Katara sick to her stomach.

"Answer me!" Katara yelled. Her anger intensified as she spoke. Hahn smiled. "I threw it overboard, as punishment for your disobedience," he finally answered. Katara's eyes went wide. That necklace was more than a family heirloom. It was the last thing her mother gave to her before she was killed. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at her husband. "You need to get out of here," she warned. "NOW!" Hahn showed no fear. "You don't seem to get it," he said coldly.

"I give the orders around here. You are no different than any soldier under my command. You will obey every single instruction without question." He crossed the distance between them, and grasped Katara's face. "Is this in any way unclear?" he sneered. Katara did not respond. She just stared back defiantly. When she didn't answer he slapped her in the face. Her cheek exploded in pain. She tried to touch her cheek to no avail. Hahn smiled as he looked at her.

"You know, I had a horse like you once, stubborn, just like you. Willful, to a fault." Hahn's voice darkened. "It too, just needed to be broken." Katara hardened herself. "You will never break me," she replied angrily. Hahn's smile widened. "Oh, I do hate to see you restrained," he said. Katara fought the urge to throw up. "I'd release you, if only you wouldn't try to escape again." Katara tried to look away, but the way she was restrained didn't allow for much movement.

"I have no reason to stay." she said after a brief period of unsettling quiet. Hahn was unfazed. He began to look at her differently. There was a look in his eyes that Katara didn't like. "It dawns on me," he said. "We have not yet consumated our marriage." Katara fought nausea. The very idea of going anywhere near a bedroom with Hahn made her feel disgusted beyond words. She was too shocked to speak. After what felt like forever, she finally found her voice.

"I wouldn't sleep with you if you were the last man on Earth," she spat. Hahn began eyeing Katara lustfully. "We are alone," he said. "Might as well make the best of it." Katara tried shrinking back as he advanced on her, but her restraints held her fast. There was nowhere to go. With her hands restrained, she couldn't fight back. He tried to kiss her, but she spit in his face. He wiped it from his cheek, then backhanded Katara. She tasted her own blood. If only there was some water to bend.

He forcefully kissed her lips. What he was about to do sickened her. As he attempted to grope her, a loud bellow was heard from outside. Katara recognized the sound. Appa! "Aang, I'm in here!" she yelled, hoping he could hear her. From the sound of it, there was a fierce battle going on in the upper decks. "Save your breath," Hahn sneered. "He'll never get through." He began pulling at Katara's tunic, trying to take it off. It was at that moment that Aang blew the door down.

He absorbed what Hahn was trying to do for all of a second, then his eyes glowed white.