When Power is a Weakness [CH 14 is up]

[yue]

great chapters! :P

[Tera253]

@yue/kdb: thanks. =D
@zgirl: yeah, this upcoming chapter unfolds a little about Rafai's character [Rafai not Refai]

anyhoot, chapter 11. chapter 12 will pick up right where this one leaves off.
And there's a bit of show reference towards the end. All in all, it's alright.... I thought it was kinda crappy like #10

CHAPTER 11
Katara, having never been to the Fire Nation before, didn?t know where to go and where not to go, and so she trusted Rafai to lead her. Of course, he did, but both he and Katara could tell that this was not the best place for Katara to be at the time.

Although they didn?t actually eavesdrop, the two of them did hear a lot of talk about the war, and this upset Katara more than anything, because she ultimately blamed the war for her misfortune. Had it been times of peace, she would not be sought after for her powers, and none of the attacks and raids on their village and Katara?s family would have ever happened either.

?We need to get you to blend in better, Katara,? he whispered, ?I heard your name back there.?

Katara?s eyes flipped open. ?You?re kidding, right?? she exclaimed, as Rafai led them around the corner and into an alleyway

?Would I lie about something that I know you hate that much,? Rafai asked, ?Katara, I might be pretty laid-back, but you?re important to me. I seriously did hear the name Katara Altina back there.?

?Katara Altina,? Katara muttered, ?Rafai, wait a second?was there a suffix attached to the name?

After all, this would make a lot of difference, as if it was Katara Altina I they were talking about; then Katara might get a lead about where her mother is. If it was Katara Altina II, then it probably didn?t mean anything good, and Katara would relocate.

?It was your name,? Rafai replied, ?and that man has a bounty hunter who is notoriously skilled at what he does. I think he might be sending that man after you, Katara. We need to get you to blend in.?

?How do I do that?? Katara asked, and, to her surprise, it was not Rafai that answered, but rather, a woman behind them.

She was an earthbender by the looks of her, and she looked well-built. She looked strong enough to break Katara?s arms with her bare hands, yet her face, though tough in appearance, seemed nicer.

?We blend you in the same way the Avatar did over a thousand years ago,? the woman replied, ?make you look more Fire Nation-y.?

?I do look Fire Nation-y,? Katara replied, ?I?m even a firebender.?

?but those clothes are more for a guy rather than a girl,? the woman replied, ?and besides, people will know who you are, because that?s one of a few things that they use to recognize you.?

Katara paused, and then turned to glare at this woman.

?Who are you,? she snapped, ?and how do you know who I am??

?Call me Zak,? the woman replied, ?I?m not going to explain everything, but I?m in hiding as well. I?ve been looking for you.?

?Why,? Katara asked, ?what?s so special about me? Don?t tell me you?re one of those war supporters.?

?If I was,? Zak laughed, ?I wouldn?t be coming up and talking to you; I would have just punched you hard enough to knock you out.?
Katara looked back at the woman skeptically.

?What do you want then?? she asked,

?Come with me,? Zak said, ?if you?re going to be on your own for a while, you should at least have a place to live, am I right??

Katara didn?t reply. She didn?t exactly trust this woman just yet, probably because they had only met a few minutes pervious, and Katara hated people on a general basis. Rafai though, thought differently.

?Katara,? he whispered, ?I think we should trust her. She does have a point about not wanting to use you. She looks strong enough to rip you in half. I think she would have used force if she wanted to take you. How many people actually stop to talk to you??

Katara sighed. ?I?ve had people call me an ?it? before,? she remarked, ?they acted like I wasn?t even capable of normal activities. When I tried explaining my case to them, they just got surprised that I was even able to talk. I hate people. I hate people so much!?

?Katara, calm down,? Rafai warned, ?just relax. You?re not like that. We both know it. You can talk, and you talk perfectly well.?

?I know,? Katara replied, ?and why can?t people see that? I?m only human.?

?Because people are ignorant and prejudiced,? Zak interjected, ?Katara, I understand your troubles. People don?t think I?m human either.?

?You?re one of her kind?? Rafai exclaimed, and at once, after seeing Katara?s face, he knew that this had been a very bad thing to say. Katara got up and started storming off. She hated when people called Chi-Dominant Benders ?her kind?, like they were a different species. Rafai, in his ignorance, did not know this until now.

?Katara,? he exclaimed, but Katara was already storming off.

?We need to get to her,? Zak warned, ?if she?s off on her own, she?s going to get taken by The Order, thus making our acts pointless.?

?Why did she get so upset over that though?? Rafai asked as they began trying to find out where Katara had run off to. It was times like this that Rafai wished Katara wasn?t in as good of shape as she was.

?chi-dominant benders do not like to be seen as ?different? people,? Zak replied, ?other than they?re powers, they?re only human. It?s basically a similar prejudice to what The Order has against the avatar.?

?Who is the avatar anyways?? Rafai asked,

?I know her,? Zak replied, and then lowered her voice so that only he could hear her. ?I am her.?

Rafai said nothing for a while.

?So that?s why you know so much about the prejudice people have against other people that are more powerful than them?? he asked,

?Aye,? Zak replied, ?and you believe me, claiming to be the avatar is not something I?d lie about.?

?Oh,? Rafai remarked, ?I just took your word for it anyways.?

?Either way,? Zak responded, ?power is a terrible thing. Those who do not have it lust after it, and those who have it understand how terrible too much of it can be. That poor girl probably knows it better than I do. Her power?s going to kill her...?

?That?s terrible,? Rafai replied, ?is there anything that can be done to save her??

Zak didn?t tell him this, but Rafai?s naivet? was showing. He generally trusted people with what they said unless it sounded too far-out.

?I?m not sure,? Zak replied, ?I?d personally say that she needs to learn control of her chi flow, in which case I would send her to the Northern Water Tribe. Regardless, I?m not in charge of what she wants to do, so I?m not going to tell her. You can suggest it if you want.?

?I want to find her first,? Rafai remarked, and therefore the two of them continued their search until they found her. All they had to do was walk a little ways out of town, and they found her in one of her usual places of ?being-aloneness?. She was crying.

?That disgusts me,? Rafai remarked before they reached her?she was not aware of their presence; ?I might not be the wisest person in the world, but how can people not see chi benders as human? She has her own emotions just like the rest of us.?

?I know that,? Zak replied, ?either way, I?m not the best at comforting people, and Tenoko did tip me that you were her boyfriend, so...?

Rafai went pink, and then wondered how Zak knew Tenoko.

?Let?s just say we?ve known each other a while,? Zak replied, ?but either way, you need to take it from here.?

?Katara,? he asked, slowly moving towards her. Katara was still crying, and didn?t make any sign that she had hard him.

?Katara,? he said again, ?sorry about what I said. I didn?t know you didn?t like it. I just said the wrong words.?

?What would you know,? she snapped indignantly, ?you and Zak are normal people. You don?t want to be anywhere near one of those freak benders. They?re not people, they?re just menaces.?

?w-what;? Rafai exclaimed, ?When did I say?I never said that, Katara. What are you talking about??

?You?re not ?my kind?,? Katara replied, ?I?m not important?I?m just lesser than the rest of you normal people.?

?Katara, don?t do this,? Rafai said firmly, ?look, I?m sorry for what I said. I didn?t know it offended you so much. I didn?t mean it to offend. I just forgot what the term was called and so my mind brought up what it thought would be the next best alternative.?

?Sorry,? Katara replied, still sniffling slightly, ?it?s just?I hate when people say that. It makes me feel so out of place?like I don?t even belong in this world.?

?Katara, just calm down, alright;? Rafai pleaded, ?you have friends, and they?re not about to abandon you in your time of need. That?s what I?m here for, Katara. That?s what Zak is here for.?

This was where Zak stepped forward.

?You?re a special kid, Katara,? she said, ?that?s why I of all people am willing to help you. I usually don?t do that with people.?

?It?s just...? Katara stammered, ?I miss my family. My dad told me that when I got older he was going to take me here?show me all of the things that make the Fire Nation sound like paradise. He told me all sorts of stories?things that made a little girl fantasize and eagerly await the day when she would be old enough to go...?

?I?m sorry,? Rafai remarked, ?I wish there was some thing that I could do to help you there; but I?m only human?just like you.?

Now this was a morale booster for young Katara.

?You,? she said to him, slowly turning to face him, ?are one of very few people who will actually call me that.?

However, Rafai was slightly confused.

?Call you what,? he asked curiously.

?Human,? Katara replied bluntly. ?Like I said; the prejudice that is held against me is rampant. I hate it so much.?

?I know,? Rafai remarked, ?it must be hard. Tell me though, Katara. What do you like? What sort of things do you enjoy??

?I enjoy serenity,? Katara replied, ?peace and quiet?places where there are no other people. I like being alone, particularly in colder climates. I don?t like the heat very much, because I get hot too easily.?

?Well, then I think we?re in the wrong place,? Rafai chuckled, ?The Fire Nation is generally a pretty sizzling place in the summer time.?

?Oh,? Katara remarked, ?alright then.?

She paused. ?Either way, I need to find a way to blend in, right??

?Right you are,? Zak replied, stepping forward, ?let?s go.?

Katara looked at Rafai, who nodded, indicating that he trusted Zak. Katara wasn?t too easy about suddenly trusting her, but she did trust Rafai, and therefore if Rafai trusted her, then Katara would too?for now at least.

Zak led them to a decent-sized house in an everyday residential area of the city. It wasn?t a glamorous mansion, but it certainly wasn?t a run-down shack either. It was a middle-upper class home, and was obviously big enough for the three of them.

Zak disappeared and came back, carrying red clothes in her arms.

?These are yours,? she remarked, ?try them on. I guarantee that you won?t be found.?

Katara was looking at the clothing that Zak had just tossed her. It was a complete outfit [for any of Katara?s old things would be out of place with it], and of course, it was red. It looked comfortable to Katara, but she didn?t like that her midriff would be showing.

?What is this?? she asked, also curious to know why it was supposedly so ?foolproof?. Katara was not known for believing things without questioning them first. This was no exception.

?You?ve heard of the 100-year war, right?? Zak asked her,

?Aye,? Katara replied, ?parts of it. I?m not much of a reader if you know what I mean, seeing as I can?t.?

?The avatar?s girlfriend wore something similar,? Zak replied, ?in fact; I think the only real difference is that this one is strapless. Moreover, she was a waterbender. If a girl from the Water Tribes could blend in with the blue eyes and the dark skin, you could pull the stunt off with no effort, kid. She had your name, even.?

Katara took all of this in without a word. Shrugging, she decided to take her chances, and so came out a few minutes later in her ?disguise?.

?Now what?? she asked curiously;

?Now,? Zak replied, ?you get some rest. You look tired.?

And so she did. As she drifted off to sleep, various things were flowing through her mind. Maybe Rafai was right; maybe Zak could in fact be trusted. At this point, she had put herself yet again in the hands of fate and figured that she?d let it decide what happened from there.

~Katara~

[zgirl91]

Refai is developed a lot in this chapter. Kudos. He seems like a Sokka-esque character (your Sokka). That's a good thing. But he's sorta seems like a doormat.

I like Zak. No complaints there. Curious to see why she's hiding in the fire nation.

However, its kinda strange that she finally gets to the fire nation and now she looks like she's getting packed up to go the northern water tribe. Also, "aye" is a good word. Excellent word, in my opinion. But it doesn't fit in with the dialect of your characters. Even the pirates don't really talk like traditional pirates. "Aye" is just a little out of place.

[Tera253]

yeh, the "aye" thing might just be a bad habit.

but don't worry, they're not about to pack up and head to the Water Tribes. that might be the next place they go to, but there's gonna be a lot of time spent in the Fire Nation before they leave.

as for Zak, she is definitely an interesting character [and "Zak" is obviously not her full name]. hers and Katara's stories mingle quite a bit.

[not entirely sure waht you mean by 'doormat' though. and don't worry. like Katara, he still has a lot to reveal]

thanks again though. =D
~Tera~

[Tera253]

and here's chapter 12. This one's alright, but yeh, it's kinda slow again.

CHAPTER 12
While Katara slept, Zak and Rafai got to talking. Zak was mostly curious to find out why Tenoko had put him ?in charge? of Katara after their gang split up. She seemed aware that Tenoko was a pirate too.

?Well,? Rafai stammered, ?I guess it was because I was her closest friend?

Zak chuckled. ?Boyfriend, eh?? she remarked,

?That was never entirely clear,? Rafai replied, ?I mean; I don?t know what she thinks of me. I?m pretty sure she?s never really had any friends in her life, and so I?m not sure if she?s thinking it?s a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship or just ?really close? friends.?

Zak glanced over to where Katara was sleeping. She was snoring; an attribute that the both of them thought was slightly unusual, especially for a teenage girl. Of course, considering that Katara had many, many attributes that were not normal for a teenaged girl, they simply shrugged it off.

?What do you know about her, exactly,? Zak asked, ?I need to know about her if what I intend to do is going to work out.?

?What do you intend to do,? Rafai asked,

?Spread lies about her,? Zak replied; she worded it like this just so she could see Rafai?s reaction. Of course, he looks angry, and ready to side with Katara. Rafai might have seemed slightly na?ve at first, but he was not a young man to anger.

?chill ax,? Zak laughed, holding him back, for he had charged at Zak after she had said those words, ?when I say I?m going to spread lies about her, I?m talking about the good kinds?the kind that will keep the kid hidden, so she doesn?t have to be running all the time. Even I heard about what she said about the Fire Nation, and so we?re going to make sure that while she?s here, that she is happy?or, at least, happier than she usually is. This is why I need to know what I asked you.?

?She?s difficult to understand,? Rafai replied, ?She has unstable emotions, just like she has unstable power.?

?What makes her happy,? Zak asked,

?She likes to talk,? Rafai replied, ?I reckon that poor girl hasn?t had a proper conversation in her life before Captain Dragmire took her into our crew. She loves it when people understand her and what she goes through. She also seems to love anything that can help her relax.?

?Like a massage,? Zak asked, curious to know what exactly Rafai meant by his somewhat obscure statement.

?Aye,? Rafai replied, glancing over at Katara again. She was still asleep, fully dressed. ?You don?t plan on giving her one or something, do you??

?Nah,? Zak chuckled, ?I might organize for her to get one, but no, massaging is not something I do. I beat people up instead.?

Rafai chuckled. ?Alright then,? he remarked.

?Aye,? Zak replied, ?so how has she been??

?She?s probably in one of her less positive mood swings at this point,? Rafai replied, looking at Katara?s sleeping face. Her eyes were still closed, but she was jolting slightly. She looked uncomfortable. ?I wouldn?t try to reason with her if she snaps?she just needs someone to balance her energy.?

?I?m the Avatar,? Zak laughed, ?this kid can?t be THAT powerful; right??

?Don?t ever say that to her,? Rafai warned, ?she HATES when people underestimate her power.?

?Pride complex much,? Zak exclaimed,

?No,? Rafai replied, ?it?s that misunderstanding thing again. I don?t think the rest of us can quite comprehend just how much energy she has to try and harness to keep her poor self alive.?

?Power is a terrible thing,? Zak remarked, ?chi-dominant benders have it really rough in today?s society... and then we get an extreme case like Katara?s, and the poor thing can?t get two minutes to her self. It?s no wonder she likes being alone. Was she like that on Tenoko?s ship??

?Aye,? Rafai replied, ?even when she wasn?t mad at us for whatever reason, there?d be times when she just wanted to be alone.?
Rafai paused for a moment and then looked Zak right in the eye.

?Why are you so interested in her?? he asked, ?Why do you want to make her happy so much, as to go to these types of lengths??

?Because she deserves to be happy,? Zak replied, ?she doesn?t need all these people after her. It?s just something I try to do with any troubled person I meet. Chi-Dominant Benders are generally disliked by society, and, like in Katara?s case, many people don?t even think they?re human. It?s really a nasty case of prejudice if you ask me, and I hate it.

Of course, some usually have their families, but to know that there was such a powerful firebender at that age on the loose, just wanting to try and control her power without people after her; it made something click inside me, Rafai. I?m generally not the nicest person around, but I don?t like seeing people hated because of their power.?

?Why is that?? Rafai asked curiously,

?because that?s my story,? Zak replied bluntly, and then changed the subject, ?so since I?m sure you two are not going to be living with me forever, make sure you take good care of that girl when you leave?or even when you go out and about.?

?How long are you keeping us here?? Rafai asked,

?Keeping you here,? Zak exclaimed, ?I?m not. If you want to leave, you know where the door is. I was merely offering you my hospitality. Either way, Katara will likely enjoy the Fire Nation, so if you?re trying to make her happy, I?d recommend spending a decent amount of time here.?

?I can do that,? Rafai responded, ?I just don?t want her getting captured.?

?Neither do I,? Zak replied, ?she?s dangerously powerful, and they could use her if they know how to get to her.?

?How would they do that??

?Family,? Zak replied, ?or at least; that?s the word going around in The Avatar Guard. Hopefully The Order of the Avatar Slayer hasn?t figured that out yet. Either way, if they got hold of any of Katara?s family members, they could force Katara to do whatever they wanted her to. Threatening her with death isn?t the answer; threatening her family with death is.?

?How do you know this?? Rafai asked, slightly skeptical,

?I have my sources,? Zak replied, ?and Tenoko is one of them. Either way, I have some business to tend to, so you two sleep tight, and Rafai, I would not recommend taking Katara?s pants off after I?m gone.?

Zak was only joking, for this was part of her type of humor, but Rafai felt embarrassed. He hadn?t actually done that to her, and both of them knew it. Regardless, Zak just laughed.

?Alright then,? Rafai laughed, deciding to try and play along, ?I?ll take them off before you?re gone.?

He moved his hands towards Katara?s waist, and Katara stirred. Zak laughed, and she left; Katara was just rolling over.

Once Zak was gone though, Rafai did not even touch Katara?s pants, let alone remove them. He simply sat down and eventually fell asleep as well in a chair next to Katara?s bed.

It was a while before either of them woke up, but when they did, Katara felt almost refreshed. She was a bit hot, and Rafai, who woke up around the same time, noticed it.

?Your stomach is almost as red as your top,? he remarked, looking at it, [after all, with clothing that revealed that much of her midriff, it was hard NOT to glace at it every now and again] ?and your face is even darker than it?are you alright??

?Aye, I?m fine,? Katara replied, ?just hot?I need to let some energy out. Do you have any ideas that won?t have me stand out??
Rafai smiled [although he had been exaggerating Katara?s redness a bit]

?Aye,? he replied, ?I do. I?ve been to this part of the Fire Nation before, and I know of a place that I named Sunset Beach for a legit reason. It?s secluded, and I have yet to see evidence of anyone else being there but me. Come on, let?s go. It?s almost sundown anyways.?

Zak was right about Katara?s outfit making her look much less suspicious. With it, combined with her amber eyes and firebending [which she did actually start playing with just for the sake of using chi energy] she wasn?t given any dark looks like she was before. She just looked like another common Fire Nation girl. For that matter, she even got a few remarks from strangers telling her that her outfit was cute. Katara was slightly irritable, but luckily Rafai was able to explain his version of why Katara was in a dismal mood.

Eventually, Rafai showed Katara the place he spoke about. It was secluded by trees, and looked out towards the horizon where the sun was beginning to set.

?Fire at will,? Rafai replied, and he stepped back.

Katara?s fire was huge, powerful, and as usual, looked like it was hurting her. Nevertheless, Katara was persistent, and eventually she depleted her excess chi energy as well as most of her regular physical energy. She flopped backwards into the sand onto her back, and didn?t move. She was breathing heavily, but she was smiling.

?Finished?? he asked, bending down to look her in the eyes.

?Aye,? Katara replied wearily, ?but I?m too tired to even move.?

?Then don?t,? Rafai replied bluntly, ?just lie down?relax.?

?What about you?? she asked curiously,

?I?ll just sit here and be beside you,? he replied, moving his hand onto her stomach and gently rubbing it, ?we have nowhere to go as long as we?re here?no one knows about this place.?

Katara closed her eyes and relaxed. Rafai by no means knew how to give a professional massage, but Katara loved the feeling of his hands on her belly. Her mind began flowing with various thoughts about what happened, what she had been thinking of, what her dreams had involved, and what she planned to do while she was in the Fire Nation.

Rafai chuckled, seeing the happy smile on Katara?s face.

?You look comfortable,? he laughed,

?I am,? Katara replied, ?I could fall asleep right here.?

?then what?s stopping you,? Rafai asked, gently squeezing her belly, but not getting close to anything Katara didn?t generally reveal to the public, [for anyone knows that certain types of muscle squeezing generally feel good, even if it?s not a real ?massage?] ?I mean; I?ll wake you up if something happens; and it?s not like we have anything else to do right now, right??

Katara sighed happily. With how often she was using her body, be it for bending, training, or whatever she pleased, she always enjoyed having someone there to relax her muscles. Moreover, the sand she was lying on was also very comfortable, and the quiet whisper of the calm ocean breeze blew across her exposed skin, leaving a rather pleasant feeling in its wake. The quiet rushing of the waves soothed her ears, and closing her eyes and relaxing helped rest her eyes.

Eventually, Katara really did fall asleep, and it was pitch dark before Rafai decided that she wasn?t going to wake up. Deciding that it would be ignorant of him to trust that absolutely no one had seen them [or that absolutely no one had somehow seen Katara?s fire over the ocean] she hoisted Katara over his shoulders and began making his way back to Zak?s place. Katara remained asleep the entire time.

Rafai, deciding that he was tired, and knowing that Katara was by no means helpless, decided to catch himself some shut-eye as well, and so he went to sleep, snuggled close to her.

They both woke up the next morning at about the same time, and most likely for the same reason as well?Katara?s body heat had built up again. After all, it was indifferent to time. Katara, assuming Rafai was still asleep, decided to go look for a secluded place to let it out as not to draw attention to her self. Rafai followed her.

Again evading detection from Order extremists trying to capture her [in reality, there were not as many as Katara thought; either way, she did not trust anyone], Katara made her way back to Zak?s place rather pleased with herself, albeit weary. Rafai was behind her.

?So,? he said, ?how do you like the Fire Nation??

?It?s nice,? Katara replied, ?and I?m glad we trusted Zak.?

?As am I,? Rafai remarked, ?see Katara, there really are some good people out there.?

Katara did not respond to this statement. Instead, she simply smiled.

~Katara~

[Zhaaral]

I like it lots!

[Renori Fa]

Oops I fell behind. Nice job tera!

[Zhaaral]

When are the new chapters coming?

[Tera253]

right now.
Here's Chapter 13... this one gives Katara another reason to hate people.

other than that, yeh, it's kinda meh, but oh wellz.

CHAPTER 13
After a little initial concern, Katara was eventually able to ?settle? in the Fire Nation, living an almost normal life. She did have to be watched over by either Zak or Rafai, and of course, her power didn?t stop. The fact that Zak was the avatar though meant that she was also a firebending master; and that served to Katara?s advantage. Zak was an effective teacher, despite seeming like the laid-back type. Moreover, she did not put up with Katara?s anger, and this helped in the long run.

Zak?s teaching though, was very unique. Zak did not just focus her on learning the techniques of firebending, but she also used waterbending, earthbending and airbending moves to teach her. Granted, Katara was only a firebender, not the avatar, and so she could not bend water, earth, or air, but various moves taught Katara how to use her chi energy to her advantage.

Granted, it was not something that a 14-year-old girl could learn overnight, but it helped in various ways as she progressed. Apart from training, [and the necessities of life] Katara spent her time drawing. The longer she spent in the Fire Nation, the more she became comfortable with it, and there were a few months spent there in peace. Her confidence went up enough to the point where she?d sometimes be seen wearing her old things instead of the refugee outfit Zak had gotten her [although deep down, she actually had become secretly fond of it], and she was happy during this time.

Of course, her emotional swings didn?t just disappear, but that?s what Zak?s teaching was for. One time, she was in a particularly bad mood when Zak played a friendly joke one her that involved getting her wet. Katara overreacted this time, and so Zak stopped her from going nuts.

?I?m not in the mood,? Katara snapped. Zak didn?t ask why she was in a bad mood, but over the last few months, she had discovered Katara?s emotional patterns and did learn that they were not just random, though they were rather erratic.

?Don?t use that tone with me,? Zak snapped, her pride kicking in, ?remember whose house you?re living in.?

?Leave me alone,? Katara snapped, ?I have power to try and harness.?

?And that?s why I?m here,? Zak replied, ?To help you learn to control it, damn it. If you?re attempting to challenge me, I suggest you listen to a little voice of reason before doing so.?

?Voice of reason,? Katara muttered darkly, ?that was my brother.?
Zak paused, watching as Katara slowly turned around.

?I once had a brother,? Zak remarked, ?His name was Yasuda. Be grateful that your brother loves you, because mine didn?t. None of my family did, and do you know why??

?Why,? Katara snapped, ?because you were an arrogant, annoying show-off who cared about no one else??

This had set Zak off, as she was about to tell a sensitive story. She nailed Katara painfully in her lower jaw with an uppercut, dislocating the latter?s jaw. Blood started dripping out Katara?s mouth, and Katara flew into a fiery rage.

?You don?t know me well enough, Katara,? Zak replied, ?You don?t even know my real name. You react too quickly to things, girl. Go mull it over, and maybe after you do, I?ll fix your jaw.?

Katara began shouting things at Zak, but because of the pain in her jaw, and the blood coming out of her mouth, it was hard to tell what exactly they were, and so Zak just chuckled. She knew it was just one of Katara?s mood swings, and she couldn?t do anything about them, and so she let Katara try to learn to control her emotions.

Using a simple waterbending move that encased Katara?s [rather exposed] body in ice, Zak rendered Katara immobile. Only her head and her fingertips were sticking out of the ice, and she was fuming furiously, trying to claw and bite herself out of the ice.

?Ghee Bach Hear,? Katara shouted, her jaw still dislocated, and to her slight surprise, Zak did. Katara thought she was going to let her out, but she was wrong. All Zak did was push Katara?s jaw back into place and use a healing technique on it, and the she walked off.

?When you simmer down I?ll let you out,? she said, and she started heading back to the house. It was a good ways away, and Zak could not see Katara from the house, and Katara couldn?t really see the house from where she was frozen. She was screaming and yelling and spewing fire from her mouth up into the air, for even her head movement was limited. She screamed and yelled manically, but to no avail.

Zak came out several more times, but in Katara?s anger, she did not want Zak doming near her.

?Aren?t you cold?? she asked curiously, ?I mean: you?re wearing a top that reveals your midriff underneath that ice block for crying out loud?

?I?m not,? Katara snapped, ?I?m never cold.?

Incidentally, this was the truth. Zak had expected at least her teeth to be clattering, but she seemed unfazed by the ice. Apparently the heat from her bending energy did an amazing job at keeping her warm, or, in most cases, very, very hot.

?Do you want me to let you out now?? she asked; ?because I?m going to be gone until the evening if I don?t.? However, Katara was still angry at Zak, for she was angry at everything.

?Leave me,? Katara replied, ?I don?t want anyone like you close to me.?

?Suit yourself,? Zak remarked, ?I?ll be glad to let you out and just drop the whole thing. Remember Katara, I?m your friend, not your enemy.?

Katara always abandoned reason when she was angry though, and therefore this was no exception. As a direct result, Zak left her there, and would free her later that evening.

While she and Rafai were out exploring the town though, Katara received an unexpected guest. It was a boy, obviously in his mid-teen years. Katara didn?t trust him, because by default, she trusted no one. However, his words were smooth.

?What happened to you,? he asked, gently,

?I got mad, and someone froze me,? Katara replied bluntly, not wanting to get into the details, ?and I hate my life, and I don?t care if I get out of here or not.?

?Well,? the boy replied, ?I?m a waterbender, and so breaking you out of the ice only take a few hits here, and here.?

The boy jabbed at several points in the ice, and it shattered. If Katara had been happier, she would have thanked him, but apparently the boy did not get offended at her lack of thanks.

?The name?s Auka,? the boy remarked, ?Auka Koji. What?s yours??

?Katara,? Katara replied bluntly, as she didn?t ever disguise her name. Her name was one of her favorite features, which might have explained why the young woman hated nicknames. ?Katara Altina II.?

?The Chi-Dominant Bender,? Auka exclaimed; as Katara looked at him, he looked to be about 16.

?Aye,? Katara replied, ?the ?freak? bender, or whatever those damn people choose to call me these days.?

?You?re too cute to be a freak,? Auka remarked, ?and I don?t even know you. You just have control problems with your emotions.?

?How long were you watching me,? Katara exclaimed,

?I?ve been in the shadows for several hours now,? Auka replied, ?I was curious to see if the rumors I had heard about a Chi-Dominant Bender were true. Why haven?t people come for you yet??

?What do you mean,? Katara asked curiously,

?The Order of the Avatar Slayer is looking for you, Katara,? Auka warned, ?They want you for the war. They know you?re here.?

?How would they know that,? Katara asked,

?The fire,? Auka replied, ?anyone knows who that is, as you?re one of the only people capable of using that much bending energy at one time.?

?Damn it,? Katara swore, and Auka slipped behind her.

?What are you doing,? she asked suspiciously,

?nothing yet,? he replied truthfully, stepping up behind Katara, placing his arms around her, his hands landing on her soft, exposed stomach, ?but I?m about to turn you in.?

Katara barely had enough time to react, but by the time she did, Auka had snapped his fingers, an apparently an accomplice was awaiting this, for Katara suddenly heard (and felt the effects of) a loud ?thud?, before everything went black.

Katara woke up in an underground chamber of sorts, chained to a table-like platform. She was in a spread-eagled position, leaving her very vulnerable, and her clothing, which revealed much of her midriff, didn?t make her feel too much more comfortable. She was relieved that no one had stripped her during her unconsciousness.

Katara wasn?t furious at the world now, she was furious at Auka, and at The Order of the Avatar Slayer. The rumors that Zak had heard about them recruiting teenagers really were true. She initially felt sorry for Auka for being seduced, but this wouldn?t last long.

?So this is what you wanted from me,? Katara snapped, seeing Auka?s form enters the room; she jerked at her bonds, but couldn?t break them. They limited movement, and even Katara needed to move to firebend [except from her mouth, but that would only go up]

?No,? Auka replied, ?no, what I wanted was to do this,?

He bent over and began massaging Katara?s stomach. What Katara didn?t know was that he had some sort of substance on his hands that made things seem less clear and dreamier. He wasn?t likely going to strip her (though he might have thought it), but he was deeply massaging her stomach, and he did want something else out of her before The Order?s minions got her.

?What are you doing,? Katara snapped, feeling the moist substance being smeared all over her midriff. Despite this, it actually felt pretty good. The only thing that annoyed Katara was that the hands there belonged to a stranger. Whatever he was doing though was relaxing her stomach muscles very well.

?Getting a little bit of cash for turning a cute girl in,? Auka replied, ?but not before I have a little fun with her.?

Katara looked furious. This wasn?t The Order?s base by any means, but Katara knew that it couldn?t be good. She tensed up, and would make sure she did everything in her limited power to ensure that her clothing stayed on. However, Auka did not seem interested in removing her clothing at the moment. Right now, he was leaning over her face, his hands still relaxing her stomach.

Katara glared at him,

?Don?t you dare...? she snapped, seeing what was coming.

?Oh, I dare,? Auka laughed, ?and if you like it as much as you liked my stomach massage, you?ll like this.?

Before Katara could respond, Auka had attached his lips to Katara, and made out in a very passionate manner. There was little actual ?intimacy? (Katara had a lot to do with that fact) because they weren?t in love, but either way, apparently the boy had had some skill, for he seemed to be leading Katara pleasantly along.

Nevertheless, she was making noises that clearly indicated that she didn?t like it and wanted him to pull back and disconnect their mouths. However, with her mouth occupied (even if it was against her will), she couldn?t say anything. Her grunting noises continued, but this only made Auka prolong it. In fact, he climbed on top of her for the full effect. Poor Katara, rendered helpless in the position she was in, had no choice but to continue ?making out? with him. He however, clearly loved it, and didn?t have a regard for Katara?s dislike of it. In fact, the more she tried to end it, the more ?into? it he got.

She was acquiring his taste in her mouth, and she was clearly getting angrier by the second. Auka actually let out a few muffled chuckles as he noticed her getting angrier and angrier; because he knew she was helpless to stop him. After about 20 minutes, he finally pulled back.


?Don?t worry,? he laughed, seeing how furious she was, ?I?m not going to give you up to The Order. You?re too cute for that.?

?Don?t you touch my mouth EVER AG?? Katara started, but Auka cut her off again, attaching his mouth to hers, despite her failed attempts to break her bonds, push him off of her, or get his mouth to detach from hers and stop his tongue from getting to know her tonsils better. She wasn?t sure how long he planned to keep her here, but she was clearly aware that she was going to be miserable as long as she was here.

~Katara~

[Zhaaral]

This was a good chapter. My pulse went up when I read it.

[Tera253]

Finally, I get chapter 14 out. It's a bit meh, I think too... but hey, you learn who the avatar is, and Katara gets a little more added to her arsenal.


CHAPTER 14
Katara eventually escaped from Auka’s ‘grasp; but a bit of her dignity and innocence had been left there [though her chastity was still intact]. Using her firebending prowess to her advantage, she had made her escape. She was not sure that Auka had survived her attack, but based on how powerful it was, she doubted that he did. Regardless, she didn’t care. She was angry, and she wanted to be left alone. She started walking—with no particular destination in mind—she just wanted to walk.

She did stop by Zak’s house, and was very pleased to find no one there. She used this as an opportunity to change back into her original clothes, but after that, she just grabbed her things and started walking.

Once again, Katara was bound to learn the hard way that getting angry and storming off almost always got her into trouble. This time though, she got all the way out of the city with no trouble. She walked through the uninhabited areas all the way down to the beach, where she just continued walking as if she was looking for something. All she could see, however, was the sunset.

Eventually, Katara realized that she had lots of excess Chi energy, and so she figured letting some of it out was never a period wasted, and so she did, but she kept walking, only stopping periodically.

To her surprise though, she found Zak practicing bending a ways down the beach. She was more surprised than anything, especially because she was seeing Zak bending all four elements as opposed to just one. Zak was the avatar.

Incidentally, Zak looked a bit surprised with Katara appearing as well.

“What are you doing here,” they both asked almost simultaneously, and similarly, they both answered the same way.

“Bending,” they both replied; “how did you get here?”

“I just wandered in,” Katara replied,

“I always come here,” Zak replied, “it’s away from everyone else, and I can use my bending moves without people knowing that I’m the avatar.”

“Wait,” Katara remarked, “if you don’t want people to know you’re the avatar, then why did you just tell me?”

“’coz I trust you,” Zak replied, “and you don’t seem like the type who would blab it out—unless you were bribed with being returned to your family or something.”

Katara didn’t reply because she knew Zak was right. She decided to change the subject slightly though.

“Is your name really Zak,” Katara asked,

“Sort of,” Zak replied, “real name’s Zakura; Zakura Ishiko. A lot of people call me Zak for short though.”

“Oh,” Katara replied, “I never really liked nicknames. It was just never my thing—I always loved my name.”

“It IS a nice name,” Zakura replied, “it’s the same name that one of my past incarnation’s companions once had.”

“And it’s my mother’s name,” Katara added, “but it was my dad that gave it to me. That’s why it’s special to me—it’s the one thing I have of his that I can never lose.”

“There are a lot of things I can’t lose,” Zakura remarked, chuckling, “fights are one of them, my awesomeness is another...”

“Shut up.” Katara remarked, though she cracked a smile.

“Hey,” Zakura remarked, “just because I named a few perks about being the avatar doesn’t mean that it’s all fun and games.”

“Aye,” Katara remarked, “I understand what you mean. It must be so frustrating to be so misunderstood; to be away from your family for whatever reason; to have had so many hardships growing up; for no one else to realize what kind of power you have; to have to disguise yourself, be it in name or appearance, in order to not get caught—”

She paused, and Zakura simply smiled.

“It seems that we have a lot more in common than first meets the eye, Katara Altina II,” she remarked, “look at your life: you were separated from your family; you’re misunderstood; you’ve clearly had a hard life; no one else, not even the avatar herself, can quite comprehend just what kind of power you deal with, or how much even; you’ve had to disguise yourself even amongst other firebenders even.”

She paused and then chuckled.

“Though I will admit,” she remarked, “that you look cute in that Fire Nation outfit.”

“Well,” Katara replied, “I did kind of like it; but I think it shows off a little too much skin.”

“Well,” Zakura shrugged, “it’s not like anyone is forcing you to wear it or anything. If you don’t like it, don’t wear it. It’s a simple concept.”

“It just...” Katara stammered, “It just doesn’t feel right—nothing in my life does any more.”

“Katara,” Zakura replied, “right and wrong are only illusions of the mind. Don’t ever let people decide what you can and can’t do. Besides, this is the Fire Nation. It’s not like there’s anything out of the ordinary with it. Heck, even you wearing the clothes you are now aren’t THAT unusual. Aye, they might be better for a guy, but who’s here to care about that sort of thing? It’s trivial. As the avatar and one of the most powerful benders in the world, you and I have more important things to worry about.”

“Like what,” Katara asked, “and I’m definitely not one of the most powerful benders in the world—I’ve got no control.”

“I never said you were one of “the best” though,” Zakura replied, “I said you are among the most powerful, because you are. Skilled or unskilled, you are still incredibly powerful; gifted too, I might add.”

“I just want to be left alone,” Katara remarked, “I don’t know how many times I need to say it—it’s my goal though.”

“Mine as well,” Zakura replied, “but The Order is relentless, as you’ve surely noticed by now.”

“Aye,” Katara replied, “The Order of the Avatar Slayer is a very well-organized group with a solid intention, and good means of doing what they do. They're strong, they're effective, and they're generally smart as well. That is the issue at hand.”

“I couldn’t have said it better myself,” Zakura replied, “and so, what we need to do is get you a mode of transportation that does not need other people—something you could operate on your own.”

“Like what,” Katara asked, “I might be named after a legendary waterbender, but I’m no waterbender myself. I’m terrified of it.”

“Like a war balloon or something,” Zakura chuckled, “you use fire to operate it, and most of them aren’t designed for more than 1 or 2 people anyways. The only issue is that I know you’re afraid of heights.”

“And yet, I’m not afraid of death,” Katara remarked, “so if someone DID shoot me down or something I’d deal with it. Heck, I’ve broken myself so many times over falling. My hatred of heights should be no surprise.”

Zakura smiled wider this time and looked at Katara. Naturally, Katara looked down, as she never looked anyone straight in the eyes, but Zakura was undeterred.

“See,” she remarked, “I knew you were more mature than your old self; its better when you’re not getting angry and throwing fire at everything. You’re a nice person deep down, Katara. If someone as rough and indifferent as my self can see it, it should be obvious.”

“I like talking with you, Zakura,” Katara remarked, “you’re one of the few people who can understand the things I’m going through—the stress it brings me; that sort of thing.”

“Its part of what I’m here for,” Zakura replied, “ultimately, my goal as Avatar will be to bring justice back into the world. The only way I’ll be able to stand up to the might of Xin Shing and his minions is if I’m strong enough. You came here for the same reason I did, Katara—to train. What do you say we have a little game or two?”

“You should know me by now,” Katara smiled, “I’m always up for anything that can help me unload some of this chi energy.”

And with that, the avatar and the firebender commenced their spar. All in all, it was a very intense match, as Zakura was powerful and hit hard, but Katara was swift and had amazing reflexes. Combined with her massive power, she put up a decent fight against Zakura except when her lack of control got in the way. This, combined with Zakura’s age, experience, and bending disciplines, was what led her to “defeating” Katara, but for a 14-year-old girl, Katara did pretty well.

Hoisting Katara into her arms, Zakura began swiftly making her way back to her home. Katara was barely conscious, and looked like if anything, that she was going to fall asleep.

Upon their return, Katara had in fact fallen asleep. Zakura left her alone, and went out into the town. She intended to get Katara a means of transportation, like she promised she would. Why the avatar would randomly decide to do this for a girl she didn’t know too well, was unknown. Zakura’s intentions were never clear, but she seemed to always know what she was doing.

As a result, when Katara woke up, Zakura was waiting for him.

“Sleep well,” she asked,

“Aye,” Katara replied, and then sort of just glanced at Zakura. She wasn’t sure why she was sitting there as if she was waiting for Katara.

“Umm,” she stammered, “did you need me for something?”

“Aye, in a way,” Zakura replied, “you know how I was talking about getting you a war balloon for seemingly no good reason?”

“You said that,” Katara chuckled,

“Well, in a way I did,” Zakura replied, “but aye, I did say I would get you one, and I did. I guess what I really need to do is tell you why.”

“Alright,” Katara shrugged, never really being too involved, “why?”

“Because war is coming,” Zakura replied, “and Tenoko isn’t going to be here to take you somewhere else.”

“Where will she be?”

“She’ll likely be fighting in the war or finding out what has become of Azula and her gang.”

“Azula and her gang are gone? What happened?”

“I’m not sure. Tenoko is still looking in on it. To make a long story short though, there are people in this approaching army looking for you. You need to get out of here.”

“I don’t want to run,” Katara declared, “I want to fight them off.”

“Katara,” Zakura warned, “I’m the avatar. I’m an expert at detecting people’s chi flows and the likes. You’re not ready to face them unless you want to face defeat. You’re technically much too young to be fighting anyways, and you know it, I know it, and so do they.”

“Where do I go then,” Katara sighed, accepting the truth, “I don’t want to have to keep running. I hate this war, and I want to do whatever it takes to end it.”

“Make for the City of the Red Maiden,” Zakura replied, “its east of here.”

“But what will I do from there,” Katara asked, “I don’t have anyone there. I don’t have any money.”

“Luckily,” Zakura smiled, “I’ve got more money than I’d ever need. Take this, use it well.”

Zakura handed Katara a huge sack of coins. She knew that Katara had never had much money, so she figured that Katara would in fact spend it wisely, and figured correctly.

“Of course, they’ve got some good arenas down in that area as well,” Zakura added, “and they pay well. You would do well in some of them I think; you’re talented, and an excellent fighter. You’re just too young. No girl your age should be forced to fight a battle.”
Katara looked at Zakura in the eye for a moment before she turned away shyly, as she always did.

“Alright,” she stammered, “I—I trust you.”

“I have a thing for children,” Zakura replied, “and I hate when people try to exploit them. That’s why for now, Katara, I want you far away from this war. In the meantime, I’m going to try and find your brother.”

“You know where he is?” Katara exclaimed, her face lighting up,

“Not entirely,” Zakura replied, “but I have an idea, and I think he might be in the middle of a battle.”

Katara didn’t say anything.

“I’m sorry, Katara.” Zakura said,

“It’s not your fault,” Katara replied, “It’s mine. All of this was my fault. If I had been normal, my family wouldn’t have been ripped apart in the first place. If I had been normal, we’d still be living happily back at the Water Tribe. If I had been normal, DADDY WOULDN’T BE DEAD!!”

Zakura noticed Katara’s anger rapidly build up to the point where she broke down in frustration, and was soon sobbing.

“Katara,” said Zakura, putting her arms around Katara, “this may kill me in the process, but damn it, we’re going to get you and your family back together. I swear it.”

Katara was still crying. She didn’t know what else to do or say.

~Katara~

[Raava]

Hey I love it!! It is really good, the only part I get confused on is how she got out of the ice block Zak put her in, but I probably missed reading something. I do that all the time. But regardless, it is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tera253]

ah yes... this old fanfic.
definitely deserves a bump because of how awesome it was...

*sigh* I need to work on it...
~Katara~