Chapter 3-Opps
Katara P.O.V
Let's see what I learned in school today:
If, for some reason, a tree branch was slammed into your hand multiple times, the tissue surrounding the hand muscles will split open, revealing your bone. If you ever happen to be in this situation, cover your hands immediately. Unless of course, your hands are bound behind your back with some kind of hot metal. If this is the case, your hands are soon to be destroyed forever.
My hands were now completely numb from the recent beating I received in the early morning. The guards were leading me back to my cell, grins on their faces. My right hand was the worst; the bone was nearly showing, popping up from underneath the hanging flesh. I couldn't figure out how they got that tree branch! From what I saw yesterday, there weren't any trees in sight. My thoughts quickly forgot about the why, and started thinking about the how.
How was I going to survive?
If they keep up the beatings like this, I'll be dead within a few days, I thought to myself, having a eerie feeling that if I said it loudly in my head that someone would hear. They threw me violently into the cage, slamming the door loudly. There was a terrible ringing noise in my ears, which made the pain in my hands seem even worse.
"What's the date?"
The younger, un-experienced guard looked over at me.
"Well it's two weeks before Sozin's Comet…so about the fifth teen."
What?! Sozin's Comet was two weeks away?! Had we counted wrong? Did I read the calendar wrong when we were last in town? My mouth nearly dropped open from shock. Aang has to have figured this out. He's a bright kid, plus maybe the other Avatars told him. Opps.
The older guard smacked the younger one's head, "You idiot!" he yelled, making the other prisoners stir in their sleep. They always slept. The only one who needed sleep was me, and I never got any of that unless I was knocked out. The older guard gave me a glare when I slipped up and tried to sneak a smile in there. He laid his hands on his keys and sent me a threatening glimpse.
"Think that's funny do you? We'll see how funny it is when your hands are so bloody it doesn't even look like you have 'um."
My heart beat sped up as he started to unlock the cell door.
"There will be none of that general."
I knew that voice all too well; sure enough, Zuko came walking down the hallway. The guards both instantly stood up straighter and the fear was visible in their eyes. Zuko had a very dark look on his face as he spoke. "There will be no un-fair treatments here gentlemen. Do I make myself clear?" He hissed in their faces. They both nodded and scurried away like little cats. He wasn't that scary. I would know. Zuko looked down at me, his facial expressions changing from anger to sympathy. Something you don't see very often in his eyes.
"Are you alright?"
"Well beside the excruciating pain in my hands, yeah."
He opened my creaky cell door and leaned down beside me, taking my battered hands in his. It was strange to feel his hands; they were a lot softer and more delicate than I expected. I wasn't about to tell him this information, because, knowing him like I do, he was be extremely offended by this. He might even hit me or something!
"Does this hurt?"
Zuko grazed a single finger against the-well, I don't know what part of my hand it was considering it was covered in bloody skin-upper part of my right hand. I yelped loudly as the dreadful, stinging feeling went through my hand. Why did he torment me like this?! I squeezed my eyes tightly, trying not to show emotion in front of him. Probably too late for that.
Zuko gave me an apologetic look for the first time.
"Sorry."
I wasn't one of those people to say it was "fine" when it really wasn't, so I just didn't reply. He let go of my hands and motioned for me to get up. "Come on, let's go." Zuko commanded. "Why? Are you going to sell me to your men so they can victimize me more?" I asked sarcastically. He glared at me as we sped down the hallway. "No. You're trail is today." My heart dropped a few inches down my chest. The trail to determine my sentence, or if I would even have a sentence.
"Oh."
"Not so smart-ass now are you?"
I rolled my eyes and followed him up the stairs. I could escape. He wasn't paying attention to me! If a fight did go down, maybe I could beat him. It had been a while since our last battle, but I think I could manage it. "I wish I could trust you." I replied in a serious tone. We had reached the top of the stairs, and Zuko stopped, staring over at me.
He must have grown since our last meeting, because I felt like a midget next to him.
I stared at his golden-eagle eyes for what seemed like forever. Sometimes I imagine what Zuko looked like without his scar. Would things be different if he didn't have it? "I…" He started to say, but I waved him off. "Forget it; I'm gunna die soon anyway, so it doesn't even matter if we're friends." I said, breaking eye contact. Zuko continued to stare at me as we stood there awkwardly in the doorway.
"Listen Katara…I wish things could be different between us. I really do; If I could ever find a way to make it up to you, I could."
He put his hand on my lower back and started to push me forward.
If my mind was correct, Zuko just…apologized to me.
What?!
I didn't have much time to think about it however, because we had reached the end of a dark hallway where there was a black door. This must be the place. "Do you think you could act like I hurt you?" Zuko shamefully asked me. I sighed, figuring it couldn't hurt anything.
"Fine, but only because I'm a nice person."
Zuko flashed a rare smile and pushed open the doors.
"Ow! Stop it! You're hurting me!"
I struggled in Zuko's tight grip as he led me down the long, granite floor. Ozai was sitting in a huge throne, surrounded by about forty other Fire Nation generals. The room had a certain atmosphere in it that made you feel like someone was going to jump out and scare you. Zuko dragged me to the middle of the room and chained my hands to the ground. He leaned forward to my ear and whispered something before walking away.
"Good luck Katara."
HIs hot breath shivered my spine down to the bone.
"Katara of the Watertribe. This trail is for your sentence of imprisonment for your treason against the Fire Nation."
Treason?! First of all, the Fire Nation aren't the freaking rulers. They may seem like it because they're violent and cruel, but they aren't, and everyone knows it. Second of all, wouldn't it be treason against my tribe since I'm a waterbender? Some people were just so ignorant.
"You involvement with the Avatar-"
"Aang."
He sent me a glare and continued.
"Your involvement with the Avatar has caused widespread disaster everywhere. You will be asked a question by whomever wishes to ask one from the court. Is this all clear?"
"Crystal."
"Let us begin."
It was very hard to see everyone in the room. The only light source was the blood-red candles that only gave off so much light in certain areas. Once in a while the light would reflect off of someone's eyes, then you would realize you had been staring at them for the past ten minutes.
The first person to speak up, a very old man, stood up at the end of the seats.
"Do you regret your involvement with the Avatar?"
I will say nothing but the truth.
"No, I do not regret it."
The second man stood up.
"Were you aware that if you helped the Avatar, that you would be going against the Fire Nation?"
"Yes, I was very aware of the fact."
Zuko P.O.V
Did she have any idea what she was doing?!
She was saying everything the people didn't want to hear! Due to her beauty, some of the men were hoping she would take everything back so she would be free. Then they could have the opportunity to fight for her. It was sick, but that's how they were. Did I just call Katara beautiful?!
"I have a proposal for you water peasant; we can drop all charges against you if you agree to this. You will go back to your little tribe and forget all about helping the Avatar. You do this, and no harm will come to you or your family. What do you say?"
Please Katara…
Katara shot a glance at me, as if she knew what I was thinking.
"No."
My father gritted his teeth and nodded sharply. "So be it. I hereby sentence you to-"
"Excuse me my dear brother, but I do believe you have forgotten the other two members of the council."
Everyone turned their heads towards my uncle, who somehow, had a smile on his face. He motioned to Azula and myself. "Technically, they are part of the council also. It wouldn't be fair to have them not speak!" He argued. I looked back up at my father, who knew he was defeated. Azula and I, being his children, were automatically on the council.
"Very well. Azula, do you have anything to say?"
My sister gave Katara a terrible smirk.
"Only that I hope she rots away in prison."
My father laughed in a completely fake way. I knew that he just didn't want Katara to die for helping Aang; he wanted her to suffer.
"Zuko?"
My heart stopped and everyone peered down at me. I could feel the pressure of the entire situation being thrown upon my shoulders. Katara looked over at me, the doubt filling her eyes. She looked away and faced the ground, apparently accepting defeat. I cleared my throat and spoke up.
"Katara-I mean- the water peasant- should have to prove herself."
Ozai seemed interested (for once) about what I had to say.
"If she can prove herself acceptable in living amongst our people, the death penalty will not come to her. Think about it; if she gets the death penalty, the water tribe will rebel. Ciaos will erupt and war will rage even more than it already does."
The silence hung in the air like a hanging body in the gallows.
My heart was nearly pounding out of my chest when my father opened his mouth.
"Very interesting Zuko…very interesting idea."
Katara looked up to see what he was about to decide.
"Very well. If you are able to prove yourself an acceptable citizen at our royal ball next week, you will not receive the death penalty. This trail is adjourned."
I nearly passed out from the breath I had been holding in.
Ooooo, a dance with Zuko! This is going to be interesting… ;)
Review please xxxx