Katara
As the weeks pass, we get further North. But slowly. Aang has us make multiple side trips, and it is slowing us down a lot. I'll need to talk to him about that. If I ever get a second to talk to him again. Ever since we got to Kyoshi Island, he's been insufferable! He let all the attention from everyone on the Island go to his head, and now he thinks he's some big shot instead of a 12 year old kid who has a lot of growing up to do if he's going to master all four elements and restore peace and balance to the world.
But he won't let us leave. I mean, the Island isn't all bad. The people are treating us wonderfully, and I've enjoyed seeing Sokka being taken down a few pegs by the Kyoshi Warriors: An all girl group who kicked his ass in combat. But with every day that passes, more fear creeps into my thoughts and dreams about a certain fire prince capturing Aang, then doing spirits know what to me and Sokka.
We have to leave. Tomorrow at first light at the latest. If I have to, I'll tell Aang we should sleep in the saddle so we can see the stars and just take off while he's unconscious. Sokka will agree with me. I've already packed up all our belongings. Hopefully, Aang will listen to reason. Probably not, though. Last time I brought up leaving to him, he just accused me of being jealous. As if.
I know I'm naive in the ways of boys and men. My father and all the men of our tribe 14 and older left for war when I was 12. Like any girl I dream of a strong and powerful man who will love me, provide for me, and keep me from harm, but there just aren't any around. Aang's the closest boy to my age that isn't related to me, but he's still a 12 year old kid. It'd be like being attracted to any of the other little boys back home. Weird and feels wrong. No, I'm not jealous. I'm frustrated that he doesn't get the severity of our situation.
"Lady Katara, where is the Avatar? He must come quickly!" Ro-Lasshi, the town's leader, says, out of breath from running.
"It's just Katara, Ro-Lasshi. Aang isn't here, he's at the beach. Why, what's happened?" I ask.
"Firebenders have landed on our shores! Please go get him and hurry! I'll fetch the Kyoshi Warriors!" He says and runs off. I start sprinting towards where Aang said he'd be riding the Unagi.
On the way I see the Fire Prince that's been haunting my dreams lately. He's clearly already been in a fight, because his helmet is missing. He's alone now, though, and I try not to think about what happened to the warrior he must have fought. I try to run past unnoticed, but I see he's about to throw another fire blast at one of the buildings. Without thinking, I change course and run into him, tackling him at his torso. I feel the powerful and blistering heat on my back, but it falls short of it's target. My victory doesn't last long, though. As soon as we hit the ground he traps my body with his legs and rolls me on my back. Fear courses through me as he straddles my waist and pins my wrists to the ground. I struggle against him, but it's no use. He's too strong.
Zuko looks down at me, and at first looks surprised, then glares.
"Stop fighting, Katara." He says sternly. How does he know my name?! "This isn't a match you can win. I know it doesn't look like it, but I don't want to hurt you or anyone else! Just tell me where he is, and I'll leave you and the rest of the village alone."
"Get off me!" I yell, still struggling.
"Not until you tell me where he is! Please, Katara, don't make me hurt you to find out!"
"You'd torture a defenseless girl?!" I spit back at him. "You firebenders are all the same. Cruel and malicious cowards! Do your worst, Fire Prince!" Before he can respond, he's thrown off me. When I get up, I see Sokka's the one who tackled him. I'll worry about him later, he can take care of himself for a few minutes. I sprint to the water as fast as I can to find Aang.