Chapter 35

They sat in Aang's room, Suki looking at his computer trying to find abandoned warehouses downtown. It was slow going. There were at least twenty of them on the map, about twelve that actually worked. The other eight were scattered around the place. Suki studied the map intently, wondering if there was anything that could help narrow the search. But her mind came up blank. She looked at Aang, who was pacing across the room. "Did she say anything else that might help us?"

He kept pacing as he answered. "All she said was there were new crates. That's not going to help us. They wouldn't leave things like that out for people to question." He stopped and sighed, fatigue coming down hard on him. Aang had not realized how tired he was. To Suki's eyes he looked as if he had aged again. It broke her heart to see him like this. Katara wouldn't let him stay up any longer if she was here.

She said gently, "Maybe you should get some sleep. You hardly ate, and you're going to need your strength when we go look for her." Suki had made a salad and some cut fruit, but he had only taken small mouthfulls before saying that he wasn't hungry. The others were just as worried about Katara as he was. But until now, Suki had not realized how hurt and scared Aang was by Katara's disappearance.

He looked at her. "I can't," he said quietly. "I won't be able to until I know she's away from Jet. I can't rest until I know she's safe."

For an Airbender, the guy can be pretty stubborn. She tried another tactic. She stood up and grabbed Aang's shoulder. "Katara wouldn't want you to exhaust yourself, Aang. She would need you be strong and alert, not beside yourself with worry and fatigue. She would want you to rest. Can you do that for her?"

Aang looked down, contemplating her words. As much as he hated to admit, the boy knew his friend was right. If he didn't rest now, he knew he had no chance to fight the people Katara had warned him about. He knew he would need his strength if he was to get himself and her out of there alive.

On the other hand, Aang was not sure he could sleep without dreaming of what was to happen to his soul mate should they fail to find her. His fear enveloped him, making breathing difficult. His heart started pounding, and he sat down to cover his face with his hands.

Toph, who had made herself see again, saw the devastation on her friend's face before it was covered, and her heart went out to him. Katara had become like a sister to her, and secretly she had looked up to the Waterbender. Just like the rest of them, she wished she had been there to keep Katara safe. It would break everyone's hearts if they were too late.

Finally Aang raised his head and said, "Okay. I'll rest. For Katara's sake."

Suki nodded and kissed his forehead in a mother like fashion before ushering everyone out. Only Toph remained, which puzzled Aang a little. He stood up and sat next to her on his bed. They were silent before Toph softly said, "You don't plan on sleeping, are you Aang?" Her voice sounded more like a statement than a question, and Aang wondered if he could lie and say that he was going to sleep. But even if her vibration sense had been turned off, Aang knew she would be able to read his eyes and know he was lying anyway.

He dropped his head again and muttered, "No, I'm not. If I do, I worry that my dreams are going to happen again. I'll lose my mind if I see-" He cut himself off, afraid to say more. He couldn't burden his friend with those nightmares that plague him.

To his utter surprise, however, Toph grabbed his hand in a comforting gesture that was rare and said, "If you see our friend's dying."

Aang stared at her, completely baffled that she had guessed it right. Toph was more intuitive than he had originally thought. "How did-"

"I've been having them too," she admitted quietly, interrupting him. "Ever since I started seeing with my eyes. Everyone in our group had suffered, and I couldn't do anything to help. My Bending was gone, and I was tied down, being forced to watch as everybody was killed. I couldn't switch to my feet. It the most scariest thing I had to endure. Even The Duke was there."

"The Duke?" Aang asked, holding his laughter back. "Why would he be in your dreams if you never knew what he looked like?"

Toph blushed and looked down, inwardly cringing at her slip up. "Okay, I'll tell you the truth. But you have to promise me that you'll keep your mouth shut." Aang crossed his heart for the promise. She took a deep breath. "At one point, I became curious about how Smellerbee and the others looked, so I made myself see and watched them. But when I got to The Duke, I stopped and stared at him, my heart suddenly pounding. I've never felt like this before, and it scares me a little. So before he could look at me, I made myself blind again, though it did little to slow my heart rate."

Aang chuckled, knowing what was happening to Toph since he knew how the feeling felt. "I never thought I'd see the day. Toph has a crush on someone!"

She punched his arm hard. "I do not!" she protested.

Aang stared at her, a wide knowing grin on his face. "I don't need Earthbending Sense to know you're lying, Toph. Deny it all you want, but that won't make a difference. Admit it; you like him!"

Toph huffed and crossed her arms as a deep blush penetrated her pale skin. "Fine! I do like him. Happy now?"

"Very," he said smiling.

They sat in a comfortable silence before Toph broke it again. "People are very envious of you and Katara, you know."

Aang looked at her strangely. "What do you mean?"

She rolled her green eyes. "Are you telling me you haven't noticed all the girls trying to flirt with you? Or when the guys make a move on Katara? Wow you're dense! Even the cheerleaders want you."

Aang frowned. "Why? What's so special about me?"

Toph blew her bangs out her eyes. "Where should I start?" she drawled sarcastically. "Well for starters, when they see you wear a T-shirt and shorts, they comment on how hot your body looks. Gag central. Then they, along with other girls, would say how sexy your dark hair is and how they would sell their souls just to run their fingers through it. Then there are the eyes, which, and I quote, "Are like raging storm clouds waiting to be tamed." Yeah, awkward."

Aang blinked. "They say that?" he asked. He didn't think he was goodlooking. All that mattered to him was what Katara thought. He didn't notice that other girls were thinking that stuff about him. Yeah; very awkward.

"Yep," Toph said. "And don't even get me started on what the guys thought about Katara. Some of the things they said about her are so crude and wrong that even I won't repeat them."

Aang frowned darkly at that. "Trust me; I've seen how they look at her. She's nothing more than a piece of meat to them. It's gross, and sometimes I have to hold myself in check so I don't punch those guys in the face for thinking about her that way."

Toph laughed, knowing this was true. Then she said, "At least you guys are holding out. As far as I can tell, you and Katara have a bond stronger than even a close family. I guess that's what happens when you find your other half."

Aang's frown melted as a dreamy look came to his face. "Yeah," he said softly.

Toph nudged him. "As long as that bond is there, we'll find Katara and bring her home."

Aang nodded his thanks and Toph was about to get up when he grabbed her arm, causing her to look at him in confusion. "What did you just say?" he asked, a thoughtful frown on his face.

She sighed. "Um, that we'll find her and-"

"No, before that," he said, his mind reeling as a plan started forming in his mind. "Bond. That gives me an idea." When she looked perplexed, he added, "Me and Katara are soul mates. That's how we're connected. My soul yearns for hers even now. If I concentrate on Katara's soul instead of her mind-"

"Then you can trace her to the hiding place," Toph finished, her face brightening up. She punched Aang's arm, making him wince through his grin. "That's genius, Twinkle Toes! Okay, let's calm down for a minute." She thought for a few moments. "This could work. It reminds me of the times when one of you was in trouble and left to help one another from the threat. We should tell the others tomorrow, then go out and search for her."

Aang nodded in agreement before hugging his sister like friend. She embraced him back, being there for him. "Thanks, Toph," he said quietly before breaking apart.

"Don't mention it," she said before pounding his arm again. "I mean it, Twinkle Toes. If you say anything about our 'bonding moment', I will Earthbend you into a wall until your ancestors can feel it. Got it?"

Aang rubbed his sore arm as he replied. "Consider me warned."

Toph nodded and went to the door. "Good. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to bed in the farthest room possible. I've had enough sappiness for one night. Sleep tight, Twinkle Toes." She closed his door softly, leaving a grinning Aang alone. He stood up and went to the window where he could see the sliver of the moon. He thought of Katara and the hope that had sprung forth from his revelation. He would stop at nothing until his soul mate was back in his arms.

"I'm coming, Katara," he whispered. "I'll fight for you. I won't give up hope again."

The next morning, Katara awoke on a soft bed, wondering how she had gotten there in the first place. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and looked around. The room was beautiful, with silk drapes the color of gold, overstuffed yellow chairs with red pillows, and a red carpet that looked as soft as fur. Her bed was huge, big enough to hold at least five full grown people, covered with silk sheets and a blue comforter.

The girl slid out of from under the covers, and noticed that she still wore her dress. She looked in the tall, rounded white mirror, and saw that her hair and makeup were a mess. Katara sighed, disappointed.

She went to the door and pulled on the handle to discover it was locked. Jet had thought ahead. He knew Katara would try to escape when she woke up, and he had locked all the doors and windows. Katara took a calming breath to keep from shouting. She'll just have to hope to buy time for Aang and the others. She only hoped they would find her.

The Waterbender looked around again and saw a closet. Opening it, she saw clothes that looked like they would fit her. After picking a blue T-shirt and jeans, Katara went to the bathroom to take a shower, letting her element wash over her. She thought about using the liquid to break down the door but pushed the thought away. Even if she had managed to do that, surely there would guards around the grounds, making escape impossible.

After the shower, she brushed her hair and teeth along with washing her face to get the makeup off. Then she sat at the table by the bed after opening the curtains, letting the sunshine pour on her face.

Sometime later, while going through magazines, the door unlocked and Jet came into the room with breakfast of fluffy pancakes and apple juice. He set the tray on the table next to her before sitting. Katara didn't touch the food, and he sighed. "You're going to have to eat eventually."

Katara didn't even glance up. "Why should I bother, considering I'm going to die here?"

Jet looked mildly surprised. "How do you figure that?"

Katara glared at him, making eye contact for the first time. "It's not hard to figure out. You want all of us dead because we defied you. You're angry because you didn't get what you want. Need I go on?"

The dark eyed teenager sighed. "You're right about that. But I still have some hope that you'll come to our side. We could use a fighter like you. I know you can heal as well, Katara. We could use that. Will you at least think about it?"

If possible, Katara's eyes became even colder, and Jet had to suppress a shiver. "No," she answered quietly. "I won't. All you've ever done is kill and steal, Jet, and that's something I can never be a part of. Helping people feels right to me, and I don't plan on using my Bending to hurt others. Don't bother asking me again. I'd rather die."

Jet frowned and stood up, but Katara wasn't afraid. She had pity for the boy that had been through too much. Sure she resented him for all he had done, but On Ji had told them of her relationship with him, saying he was more kind than he appeared. Maybe Katara should mention about his girlfriend but decided against it. He will find out later, if he hasn't already, about Smellerbee and the others helping her and her friends.

"That was a stupid decision, Katara. That was your last chance to have your life spared, but it seems that you've been made softer by that vegetable loving boyfriend of yours. Speaking of which, if he does come before sunrise tomorrow, I'll have the pleasure of killing him right in front of your eyes. Remember, Katara: You have until sunrise to enjoy what's left of your life." Then he was gone, slamming the door, locking it, leaving a stunned girl with a tray of breakfast.

Katara stared at the food, wondering if it was safe to eat when her stomach growled. She never had dinner, and if Jet wanted her dead, he would have killed her already. Before she ate, however, the girl whispered, "Please Aang. Hurry! I need you."

The Gaang had woken up early this morning and had a light breakfast as Aang and Toph explained a better way in locating Katara's whereabouts. Everyone became more hopeful, even Sokka, who had claimed to have had enough mystic mumbo jumbo. He, just like his friends, wanted the girl safe and unharmed. Afterward, the group of friends drove downtown, which took at least an hour and a half to get there, since Suki had to stop at her place first for some of their gear.

Everyone was silent, tensed up and waiting for the fight that would undoubtedly come. Aang looked out the window, his gray eyes even more serious than usual. Some of his excitement from last night had dwindled to be replaced by fear. What if they were too late and Jet had killed her already? He had said two days. Today was Katara's last day if they didn't rescue her from this horrible fate.

No, it wasn't possible. He thought for a moment. Today might be her last day, but usually the captor would hold the prisoner, in this case, until sunset or sunrise. Aang hoped it was the latter. He wasn't sure if he could locate her before then since he had only done this once in a different way. He had to do it; Katara's life was at stake.

When they got there, they were about to park when Aang's gasp suddenly broke through. He felt a sort of tingling in his blood, and he concentrated on it knowing what was happening. His soul sang out to him, telling him what it had found. When he opened his eyes, blue mixed in again before vanishing and there was a happy smile on his face. "She's here! Katara's close. I can feel it."

Sokka looked across at him from the driver's seat. They all had decided to drive separately. "Can you follow the trace? Which way?"

Aang closed his eyes again and felt his soul lead him, causing his eyes to change again. Opening the multicolored orbs again he said, "Keep going straight then turn right at the first intersection." Sokka nodded and reported what was said to the others through the slim walkie talkie Suki had given everyone. It was now or ever.

The Gaang's progress was slow going since the traffic was terrible. Cars jammed together, horns honking and drivers cursing at the their misfortune. Still others walked on the sidewalk, talking on phones or carrying suitcases. Why today? Why couldn't the traffic work in the Gaang's favor today? Doesn't the day know they were on a rescue mission? Things just couldn't get worse.

But it was. Unbeknownst to them, hidden cameras followed their slow progression. The Black Mamba agents sat at high tech computers in every abandoned warehouse there was. The machines had identified the driver's license plates, so they knew who these people were.

One young adult, aged twenty four, turned to one of the apprentices and ordered, "Tell Jet of the enemy that approaches! We need to be prepared so he can deal with the girl. And round up the remaining fighters. We have a war to win."

Jet, his face livid, stormed into Katara's room, startling her. She looked up into his face when he almost yelled, "Get up! Right now!" He didn't wait for her to do so. He grabbed her arm and roughly jerked her to her feet where she stumbled. Not waiting to see if Katara was okay, Jet stormed back out of the room, the girl trailing behind him while also keeping her balance. What was going on? Why was he angry?

Then a thought occurred to her. Katara had felt her soul tug at her as though to get her somewhere, and now she understood what was happening. Aang must have found a way to locate her differently. Hope surged through her until she realized that Jet knew he was coming, and planned on taking care of her before the guy arrived.

On the other hand, maybe Jet planned on killing Aang in front of her like he had said before ending her life. She was not going to let happen. Aang had suffered enough already, and Katara planned to do everything in her power to protect him.

Jet had received the news not that long ago, and he grew so angry he almost struck out the messenger. It was too soon! How had the girl's friend's find her so quickly? Well, it didn't matter now. At least Jet would have the pleasure of ending Aang Montauk once and for all.

He brought Katara down to the basement where some of their supplies are, such at oil and ammo. The teenager had had her tied down here before, and he did so now, but this time he tied her wrists on the arms instead of behind her. Once done, he looked into her eyes and said, "Don't worry, Kit Kat. I won't kill you yet. I'm going to have you watch when I end your precious boyfriend. But if he doesn't show up before sunset, I'll wound you so your blood with leave your body, slowly killing you."

Katara felt sick at the thought, but she hid it well. Anger showed on her face instead. "You said I had until sunrise!"

Jet shrugged. "And you will. By the time dawn is here, your heart will have stopped, therefore, you will die at the appointed time." He, despite his resolve to see his plan through, felt a little guilty about doing this, but he pushed the emotion roughly aside. There was no time to second guess himself. Aang Montauk was out there waiting to be reunited with his beloved.

How the world was so cruel in Katara's mind. Her hopes were dashed, but she was not going to give up. Her soul mate was coming. She could feel it. Katara's blue eyes glared up into Jet's dark eyes. "You don't know anything about Aang. He'll find me and stop you before you can do anything to me."

He got into her beautiful face. "We'll see about that. We will see." He straightened up. He almost looked like a commander in charge. "Now if you will excuse me, I have a fight to prepare for." Jet strode over to the staircase and started climbing. Once he was out of sight, Katara started a telepathic conversation with Aang. He and the others had to know what was going on. It was time to end this.

Two more chapters and it's over. I'm crying! Will Katara be saved before it's too late? Let us hope so.