Zuko's P.O.V
I was sitting on one of my meeting rooms with Hakoda, and his "girlfriend," Sakida. She insisted that she be here, because it involved Katara. The original plan was to talk to Hakoda, alone.
I can see why Katara hates her, she's the perfect image for "evil stepmother." Long, dark hair, pale face and skinny cheekbones. Tall, and skinny. This woman is really not right for Hakoda. After what happened with Katara's mother, he deserves better.
"So, Lord Zuko." Hakoda started.
"Please," I held up my hand. "no formalities."
"So, Zuko," He corrected with a chuckle. "You wanted to talk about Katara? Is something wrong with her?"
"No, Katara is perfectly alright. I wanted to discuss something that has happened during the war."
"She left her home, to follow some random boy she just met, being chased all over the world, just to throw some water and rocks around." Sakida interrupted, leaning back in her chair and crossing her arms. "That's not wrong to you?"
"Not if it's helping people, if she had stayed in the Water Tribe, the war would still be going on, and the Earth Kingdom would have been no more." I replied, making a point.
"Let's get back to Katara, please." Hakoda interrupted.
"Yes, well, she told me, that back when Aang was learning how to waterbend, they met up with a group called the Freedom Fighters. They tricked Katara and Aang into believing they were doing good, when they were wrong."
"What does this have to do with-" Sakida spoke, but I continued.
"Their leader, Jet, was very fond of Katara." I gritted my teeth. "And he tried to hurt her, but she found the real him, and got away in time. Resources tell me that the Freedom Fighters are after Katara, for what happened with Jet. Jet also knows she in from the Southern Water Tribe, and knows that's where she's headed next."
"What are you getting at Zuko?" Hakoda asked, raising an eyebrow.
"In order for me to know Katara is safe from the Freedom Fighters, I would very much appreciate it if Katara lived here, in the palace."
"Absolutely not!" Hakoda shouted, standing up.
"Katara belongs with us." Sakida threatened me, speaking in a low voice.
"Please hear me out, I'm only thinking about Katara's safety-"
"She's not even marrying age! The Southern Water Tribe customs do not approve." Hakoda yelled.
"Listen," I said, standing up. "I care about Katara very much, nothing matters more to me than knowing Katara is safe. The palace comes with the very best guards and protecters, I even have the Kyoshi Warriors guarding me, and my Uncle. Please, it would put my mind at ease if she were here, with me."
"I don't know, Katara she's-" Hakoda was interrupted by Sokka and Suki, along with the other Kyoshi Warriors.
"Not a child anymore Dad," Sokka said, frowning. "The Freedom Fighters are highly skilled fighters, and the Kyoshi Warriors are the best. If Zuko wants them to protect him and his family, they'll protect Katara as well. I trust them, and Zuko. You should too."
"But she's just-" Hakoda was once again interrupted by Sokka.
"Dad, I've experienced her bending. She has the ability to control the blood that rushes in my veins. She stopped me from killing Aang, by bloodbending, then she bloodbended the old woman for hurting her and me."
"I have also seen Katara bloodbend, when we were finding the man who killed her mother," I said, seeing Hakoda's face fall when I mentioned Katara's mother.
"She's a powerful bender, and warrior," Suki spoke. "She's not a little girl anymore, she needs to stay here."
Hakoda sat back down, and closed his eyes. Sakida stood and walked over to him, hugging his shoulders.
"You people should be ashamed," She spoke, glaring at me and Sokka. "He just lost his wife, and now his children are being taken from him."
"You don't know anything." Sokka growled. "You think you know my family? You don't! You don't know anything!"
"Sokka!" Hakoda scolded.
"I'm sorry, Dad, but after Mom, how can I trust another woman you just 'happened to fall in love' with? I'm not letting Katara go home! She's my sister too!" Sokka yelled.
"I know, that's why I'm trusting Zuko will keep her safe." Hakoda said, looking up at me. Hakoda stood, and bowed to me, which I returned.
"I will, Chief Hakoda. I promise you that." I promised.
"Now if you'll excuse me," Hakoda sighed. "I've got more packing to do before we leave tomorrow. Let's go Sakida."
Him and Sakida walked out of the room, but before they were out of sight, Sakida turned and glared at the two boys.
"I can see why Katara hates her." I said, still looking at the door.
"She's not the only one." Sokka sighed, kicking the ground.
"Sokka, why are you upset? You won, Katara will be safe from her." Suki reassured, putting her hand on his shoulder.
"I know she's safe from her, but what about my dad? Is he safe from her?" Sokka asked himself, than anyone else.
"He knows how to handle himself, I'm sure he'll come to his senses soon enough." I said, helping Sokka.
"We'll be in the training rooms Zuko," Suki said, walking out of the room. "You should go tell Katara the good news."
I nodded, turning and running out the back door. I ran to where Katara was staying in the guest rooms. I slowed down, and took a deep breath. Before he could knock, I heard a loud crash from inside the room, I also heard shouting.
"You little brat!" I heard a woman shout. "You told the Fire Lord didn't you!"
"No I didn't!" I heard Katara deny. "I have no idea what you're talking about!"
Another crash echoed into the hall.
"Liar!" Sakida shouted. "You told him I hit you, and then he created that lie about your protection!"
"I have no idea what you're talking about!" Katara pleaded. Something thumped onto the ground.
"If you ever get in the way of my plans again-I'll kill both you and your father! I thought I was done with you when you got in the way in Ba Sing Se! I thought you were dead, but apparently you weren't! This time, I won't let you survive this!" Sakida threatened. A loud scream and crashes came from the doors.
Footsteps headed towards the door, and I ran to hide. I heard the door slam, and footsteps go the other way. Once I knew it was safe, I ran into Katara's room.
I couldn't believe what I saw.
Broken windows, vases, and things scattered everywhere. The bed was messed up and I could see blood in some places. I looked around, and found Katara lying by the window, blood everywhere and there was a knife lodged in Katara's side.
"Katara!" I shouted, running to her side. She looked up and me, and started crying. "It's going to be alright Katara, everything will be fine. We need to get you to the infirmary." I lifted her up, bridal-style into my arms, and ran out of her room, down to the infirmary.
I busted through the doors, to see the nurse's sitting and chatting.
"I need help, now!" I shouted, desperate for some help. The nurse's shot up once they saw blood, and rushed to get a bed ready.
"Bring her here." The head nurse spoke, rushing her over to an empty bed. I laid her down and brushed the hair from her face.
"It's going to be okay Katara." I whispered to her.
"I need you to stand by Lord Zuko." The head nurse spoke, pushing me out of the way. I heard the other's get here as soon as they could. I walked out into the hall.
Aang, Toph, Sokka, Suki, Mai, Ty Lee, Hakoda, and Sakida stood, panicked expressions.
"Zuko, what's going on?" Aang asked, but before I could answer. Katara's loud screams erupted the silence, piercing everyone's ears.
"I wanted to talk to Katara, but when I knocked on her door, no one answered, so I just went in. That's when I saw Katara by the window, covered in blood." I lied.
"Did someone attack her?" Hakoda asked.
"Not that I've seen, looks like she tripped, and fell into the window. A huge piece caught her side." I lied again. I saw Toph frown, not believing the fib.
The door opened, and the head nurse stepped out.
"Is she alright?" Suki asked, holding Sokka's hand.
"She's fine, her side is all wrapped up, her head is a little rattled, but she'll be fine." The nurse replied. Then she turned to me. "She wishes to speak to you, Lord Zuko."
"Me?" I repeated, and she nodded. I slowly walked into the room, and walked towards Katara, who had her eyes closed a the moment. "Privacy please?" I asked the nurses that were lingering around.
They nodded, and left, leaving Katara and I, alone. I sat down in a chair, next to her bed.
"What happened?" Katara asked, keeping her eyes closed. I didn't want to tell her the truth, in case she doesn't remember.
"You tripped, and fell into a window," I lied. "a piece of glass pierced your side."
"What were you doing?" She asked me.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"What was your business in my room?" She repeated.
"O-oh, I-i was just, you know, wanting to tell you the good news." I quickly said.
"What good news besides getting speared in the side?" She grumbled, keeping her eyes still closed.
"Your father agreed to keep you in the Fire Nation," I answered. Her eyes shot open, and her icy blue orbs locked into mine, for a very long time.
Then, out of no where, she shot up, and wrapped her arms around my neck, squeezing tightly.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you." She repeated in my ear. I knew she was in pain, by the way she tensed when I hugged her back. I released her, and laid her back down.
That's when Toph kicked down the door, and walked into the room, followed by everyone else. When Katara spotted Sakida, she tensed up, fear in her eyes.
"Katara, you are so clumsy." Sokka shook him head.
"Yeah, clumsiness." She replied, obviously telling a lie.
"Katara," Hakoda spoke. "are you sure you want to live in the Fire Nation? You can always live with me and Sakida. We'll keep you safe."
"No!" Katara said quickly. "No, that's fine, I really think living in the Fire Nation will so some good to me."
"Just in case you're having second thoughts. . ." Hakoda said.
"I'm not." Katara replied sternly. "I really don't want to live back home right now, I think I still want to see more of the world."
"Alright, I'll miss you," He kissed her forehead. "Goodbye Katara, Sokka." Hakoda walked over and hugged his son, baring him a goodbye. I watched, as Sakida walked over to Katara, and leaned int her ear, and whisper something. I saw Toph's eyes widen in horror, and Katara as well.
"Goodbye Katara, I will miss you." She said, walking to the door. She casted a glare at me, before walking out with Hakoda.
"Alright! That's it!" Toph yelled, stomping her foot. "I want the truth and I want the NOW!"
"Toph, what are you talking about?" Aang asked.
"I know Zuko was lying when he told you guys she tripped and fell into the window, and I know Katara was lying when she claimed she didn't know what happened to her! I heard what Sakida said to Katara! I know that she did this to you!" Toph screamed, letting the anger get to her.
"You guys wouldn't understand." Katara whispered, closing her eyes.
"Katara, if someone is hurting you, we need to put them in prison." Suki suggested.
"She's leaving, it'll be alright." Katara reassured.
"No Katara," Aang denied. "tell us what happened."
Katara sighed, before sitting up, painfully, and leaning against her pillow.
"All right, I'll tell you."
Chapter 2! Much longer than the last chapter. I might have a new chapter up tomorrow. We'll see how my other stories on other websites go, I still have to update those as well.
I love everyone who read this. Thank you, thank you, thank you. 3