Aftermath Chpt. 6

Katara watched as the light from the morning sun came in through a window high above her, lighting up the cell. She hadn’t slept much that night, the thought of the morning events to come and the news of Aang made it impossible. She closed her eyes as the sun’s touch warmed her skin. The winter months have started, she didn’t realize it had been that long since her capture, the naturally warmer climate of the Fire Nation made it harder to tell the changing seasons. It wasn’t until they arrived at the Earth Kingdom port that she noticed the distinct crisp of winter in the air.

Shivering, the waterbender curled into herself, careful not to disturb her brother. The night had been a cold one, and yet they were only given one blanket. It was decided that Sokka would have it. Katara looked down at her brother, stroking his hair, still sleeping on her lap.

“What did she do to you?” She asked herself.

“She’s broken him,”

Startled, Katara looked over at Zuko. “That’s what she did, she broke his spirit.”

Sitting against the wall, the firebender opened his eyes, examining the Water Tribe boy. As far as he could tell, he wasn’t injured. He had no wounds and looked relatively well fed. The only thing that seemed off about him was his leg. His leg looked askew.

“But how?” She asked, worry filled her voice.

Zuko shook his head, “I don’t know.”

Katara shivered, wrapping her robe tighter around her.

“Here,” Zuko walked over and sat down beside her, placing his arm around her and holding the bender close, “My Uncle taught me how to control my inner chi, how to use it to keep myself warm.” He leaned his head back and chuckled, “He actually taught me back at the North Pole.”

Katara smiled, “Well, at least it’s useful now.”

Zuko smiled back, swallowing. “Hey, mind getting us some water?”

“Sure.” Moving her hands, she called the water to her.

The prince silently watched the waterbender, looking at her as she moved her hands and arms gracefully around her. Tiny beads of water morphing together into a sphere, the water swirling inside it as more was added on.

“Here,” getting Zuko’s attention, she nodded over to a discarded bowl, “I can put the water in there for you.”

Fetching it, Katara split the water and put Zuko’s half in the bowl. Zuko drank it greedily, surprised how well it tasted. “Wow, it tastes fresh.”

Katara pointed to the window above them, “It’s because I can get to the air outside.“ Drinking her share, she pulled some aside and drew it around her hands. “Let me see your hands.”

Finished, Zuko gave her his hands, his wrists raw from the iron cuffs. Azula made sure herself that they were especially tight before they left the Fire Nation. Placing her hands on his, Katara closed her eyes as the water shined a brilliant blue. The firebender winced as it did, then slowly sighing as he felt the water move. He looked at his wrist, the red marks faded away, barely leaving a scar behind.

Once done, Katara pulled away.

“Thank you, Katara.”

She shrugged, “It’s nothing, do you have anymore injuries?”

Zuko shook his head, “Nothing serious. Use the rest on yourself and your brother.”

“Thanks.”

Pulling up her sleeves, she healed what she could. Most were old and scars formed already but there were enough that could be healed. Done with her arms, she moved to her legs, body and then the mark on her neck. It was mostly healed already, but at least she could make her scar less visible.

When she got to the wound on her shoulder, she tensed. Her shoulder had become stiff since Azula stabbed her and was worried it was too late. Placing her hand on it, she clenched her teeth as she felt the water work through her.

Zuko was horrified at the marks covering the waterbender’s body. “Did my sister do that to you?”

“Most of them.” She didn’t look at him, “Some where made by the guards when they caught me waterbending…but there’s no point in stopping me now, we only have minutes left to live anyway.”

“We could break out you know,” he said, trying to catch her eye. “We’ve found each other, we’ve found Sokka. Let’s make a break for it.”

“And then what?” She snapped. “Where would we go? What would we do? My brother’s hurt, he’s leg is broken. We wouldn’t be able to get far and even if we did it wouldn’t be long before they found us.”

“At least it’s better than just giving up! Let’s show them that we’re not broken. There are people out there who will help us!”

“NO!” She shouted, “I will not endanger those that are innocent! The minute we get out there and the people decided to fight with us, they’ll be slaughtered! There are just way to many of them. I won’t use another’s life as payment for my freedom!”

The two benders stared at each other, neither budging. Zuko looked into her eyes, he saw the anger, pain and sadness she hid inside herself. He saw that she was scared, terrified of what was to come.

He sighed, “Alright…”

The girl watched the firebender as he turned away. She reached her hand out towards him, wanting to say something. Suddenly, there was clang and the sound of footsteps approaching. She pulled her hand back and woke up her brother, “Sokka, get up. The soldiers are here.”

Groggy, Sokka pulled him up as the guards entered the cell.

Zuko looked over at Katara, seeing the fear in her eyes. Taking her hand, the firebender held it tightly. “Ready?”

Her gazed shifted from there hands to his eyes, seeing the same fear in him. “Yeah,”