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Post by thedarkone on Sept 20, 2006 10:36:04 GMT -5
What It Is To Burn Note: I do not own the song that belongs to Finch. Avatar: The Last Air bender belongs to someone else as well. Rating:T+ Timeline: A/U Future (SHE BURNS......) Today's on fire The sky is bleeding above me, and I am blistered I walk these lines of blasphemy, every day And still? Like a bad star, I'm falling faster down to her She's the only one who knows, what it is to burn I feel diseased Is there no sympathy, from the sun The sky's still fire But I am safe in here, from the world outside So tell me What's the price to pay for glory Like a bad star, I'm falling faster down to her She's the only one who knows, what it is to burn Today is fire, and she burns Today is fire, and she burns She burns She burns She burns She burns She burns She burns Like a bad star, I'm falling faster down to her She's the only one who knows, what it is to burn- What It Is To Burn by FinchPrince Zuko stalked the halls of the palace of the Fire Nation. After his banishment, his successful raid on the Avatar's camp won him his ticket home. He was entering the age, where if he had been able to, he would be the King of the Fire Nation. Since his Father appointed his ruthless sister Azula, the next ruler, he was forced to remain as a Prince. He had left the small garden he had built upon his return, something he dedicated to his mother, Azula may not have cared but he did, the love for his mother ran deep and though he did not know what had become of her after that night, he said prayed she was safe. Heading for his chambers he closed and locked the door behind him. "Get to bed." He instructed his captor, after the four years she had been taken, she had learned to obey without question, not by his own punishment but what soon to be Queen Azula had told her. A threat she had made against the life of the Avatar, the foolish boy, she had called him along with threats against her brother. After that, she knew that if she obeyed they still had a chance to live, had a chance to save her. Wordlessly Katara climbed into the bed, the large soft mattress was something that was something only the Royal Family could have, it was made of the softest materials and the silks were the finest ever crafted. She hated herself for finding so much comfort in the bed, not with the hated captor, just the feeling of the feather light blankets and down mattress. Lying as far as she could away, she knew that wouldn't last long. Through the years she had been Zuko's prisoner, she learned he wasn't the boy she thought he was. He was a misunderstood man, he had many moments of cruelty that her healing waters could barely repair but in other times, he was almost kind as a lover. As his hand snaked around her and pulled her close, she knew it was one of those times. She could take the beatings, the burnings, the torture but his tenderness was something that hurt the most. With the abuse, she could hate him only but when he was kind, she couldn't help but know he wasn't as cruel as he acted. Zuko held her close, as he pressed her skin to his and held her tight, he could will away the dark thoughts that consumed him and turned him cruel. That was not the man his mother had wanted him to be, she wanted so much more from him, so little she asked, so much he failed. He felt the girl tremble in his arms and nearly cried, he deserved her reaction, it was something he caused by his actions and he accepted that. Even though after the second year of holding her in his chambers did he realize that he cared, he could never show or even state that, that's why he still beat her even though it killed him. If anyone ever knew his feelings she would be killed and he would be too, or he would be banished, now that he was home, he wanted to stay there. The war never interested him and as long as he was in the palace, he didn't care about the outside world. His Uncle Iroh had become the same way, only he had no one but Zuko to turn to, though when Katara was alone, Iroh would take the time to visit her and treated her with the respect she deserved as a highly advanced water bender, even at her age of 19. "Katara?" Zuko asked suddenly, breaking the silence for the first time in a long time, last time he had, he ended beating her, she cringed away and he held fast, not letting her move away. "What?" she snapped, her breath hot on his bare chest. "Do you think this will ever end?" the question caught her off guard. "What will end?" she asked, she never spoke his name, and he never cared, even when he was in a state of fury. "The war? Do you think Aang will ever stop this? He's probably given up on you or the fire nation would have been wiped out after you were taken. Why has he not come for you yet?" "He has seen so much that he loses his hope rather easily, when you and Azula kidnapped me and you left so much blood they probably figured I was dying and I'm dead. He probably won't end the war; this is probably too much for him. He was only a boy when he was told his destiny, do you think it was fair to him? So much expected from a child? I'm surprised he didn't just walk away after we freed him." Katara said, Zuko thought it over for a few moments, taking in the weight of her words, knowing how hard it was when his father put so much pressure on him and he gently fingered the burns on his face. Not even Katara's healing waters could take away the scars, even if it could he would always feel it, not only the disfigurement but the fire searing his skin, the pain it caused. "I understand." Zuko admitted quietly, Katara said nothing else, from what she had learned, she knew those solemn words to be true. The Avatar stood high on the cliff's edge; it over looked the invading Fire Nation troops that were invading the very last free space in the entire world. The Earth and Water Nation had banned together to protect it, but after all the passing years, they were only becoming weaker. Aang watched through cold eyes, having mastered the four bending elements, and the control over the Avatar state, he refused to fight, refused to end it. He no longer cared, as much as he knew he should he had given up all hope. Time and time again Toph, Sokka and Suki would tell him that he could end it but he never listened. What good was it to end the war if the one thing that had made him want to fight was taken away? The group had given up all hope that Katara remained alive, they knew with Azula, not Zuko; her death was sealed the moment she was taken. They no longer questioned, there was never a glimmer of hope that she had been kept alive; Aang took it the hardest and crawled deep within himself. From nearby, Toph studied him with blind eyes as Sokka held Suki to his chest, both trying to get what little rest they could so they could rejoin the forces of the Water and Earth benders as they usually did. Toph would rest later, her concern for Aang outweighed her need for sleep. As she felt the vibrations guiding her to Aang she sighed and looked to where he was standing. "You really shouldn't give up, she is still out there." "How can you hold on to hope when even Sokka gave up?" Toph gave a ghostly smile. "My faith stands as firm as the Earth." "What kind of answer is that?" Aang asked, he was no longer the carefree boy he once was but a hardened man of 18. "I don't know I thought it would sound wise. It sounded better in my head but anyways stop being stupid Aang, you need to end this war, not for our sakes but the world. Katara knew you could to it, you shouldn't let her break you but empower you." Toph said, as she turned away, the urge to sleep taking more and more out of her. "She always thought my control was better than to release the true power of the Avatar." Aang insisted, closing his eyes. "Yeah in a regular one on few battles not a losing war! Grow up!" She snapped and he swore he heard her mutter, "Dumbass" as she walked away. Aang looked up at the sky and closed his eyes. "I never wanted any of this." He whispered. (This was just a teaser. Tell me what you think. As you can tell this story takes place in the future, it may seem that its shipping Zuko/Katara but its not. Also if there is anything you want seen in the story, let me know and I'll work it in!)
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Post by frozenwind141 on Sept 20, 2006 11:23:26 GMT -5
Wow great start, loving the concept for this fic. Very nicely written and I'm looking forward to seeing the update.
Oh and are you planing on putting this on FF.net?
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Post by thedarkone on Sept 20, 2006 12:39:12 GMT -5
Yeah. I'll probably post if after its finished, I have so many fics (they aren't Avatar related. This is my first) I need to finish its not funny so I've decided not to post until completion but I'll post it here as I go ^_^ My ff.n name is TheDarkOne8703
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Post by thedarkone on Sept 23, 2006 22:09:27 GMT -5
Here's more. I'll post more when I write more
Sometime later as the full moon hung high in the night sky, Prince Zuko awoke to find he was alone. Sitting up he saw Katara's form through the canopy. She was sitting at the window, gazing out at the night.
"You miss him don't you?" Zuko asked, flopping back down onto the mattress, Katara sighed.
"Yes."
"Do you love him?" the question caught her off guard, she fell silent for a moment, then softly whispered.
"Yes."
"Does he love you?" Katara stared towards the canopy.
"I don't know." She abandoned the window to return to the bed, feeling lonelier than she had in years. She lay on her side, refusing to get closer. Zuko made no attempt to hold her this time. He couldn't knowing that he and his sister caused her that pain. Once more sleep overcame the Prince and he last thing he saw were silver tears flowing down her face.
Queen Azula crept into her brother's chambers, the decision on her mind. She had confirmed with her counsel. And they unanimously agreed that her brother had to be killed. He was the unfavored child and hated by his family, what family he had left, the only one he who refused to even listen to the counsel had been Uncle Iroh. He had taken Zuko in like his own son, the one he had lost. As Azula slowly pulled back the curtain, there was a thick shield of ice between the four posts. Azula's eyes met Katara's, she was sitting up in the bed an glaring at the new Queen of the Fire Nation. As their eyes locked, Katara raised her hand and ice spikes shot out of the ice shield, nearly impaling Azula, who jumped back.
"This will happen, you may have to be collateral damage. One way or another both of you will be killed." Azula promised and stalked out, Katara sighed and looked to Zuko, settling down closer to him, she new her shield would protect them into the morning, then it was in his hands.
As the dawn poured over the horizon Zuko woke to find the room freezing around him, without opening his eyes he moved closer to Katara for warmth. When he opened his eyes however, he saw a crystal shield of ice around the bed. Looking to Katara he shook her awake.
"Explain this!" he demanded, knowing something was wrong. Katara woke slowly and the ice evaporated as her eyes opened.
"Your demented sister came in here last night with the intention of killing you.? Katara said, staring up at him. He gave a soft chuckle and stretched, inching for the end of the bed.
"She's been trying to do that since we were kids." Katara rolled her eyes, she too inched for the edge of the bed.
""But this time its different, when the servants were dropping off my lunch yesterday I heard them whispering, the Royal Family, with the exception of your Uncle, no longer think of you as one of them, they want you gone. You are in the way; they are willing to do everything and anything to kill you and me as well. I'm afraid of what they'll do to your Uncle." Katara told him, it took the Prince all of five minutes to think it over.
"They aren't going to do a dang thing to Uncle Iroh, he's more knowledgeable about war than he lets on. They'll leave him be. I never wanted to be back in the palace but my sister convinced me otherwise. This palace isn't my own, the nation is." Katara stared at him.
"Ok, well that still doesn't explain what we're going to do." She stated flatly.
"We need to get Aang in the Avatar State and attack the Fire Nation. He can bring down my sister and this stupid war." Zuko stated, he was sitting on the side of the bed, his head down; his eyes were focused on the floor.
"What?!" she asked, not expecting that, she climbed across the bed and turned him to face her, her hands were clamped on either side of his face. "You need to stay here and talk to me, tell me everything, tell me why you are the most confusing person I've ever met! Tell me why you're suddenly rallying for the Avatar, the one you were trying to capture to be accepted by your father who in the end wouldn't give a dirt if you got him or not! Lastly, I need to know what you're planning because I want this over as much as you do, I want to go back to my friends, my brother...Aang." She said softly, Zuko gave a small smile.
"You are in love with him."
"That's not the point, we need a plan!" she hissed, the small smile never left his lips.
"I have one. I've had one. I don't know if you'll be up for it though." Zuko said softly, Katara felt dread wash through her.
"Why do you say that?" she asked, her dropped her hands and backed away.
"You'll have to hurt Aang." Katara sighed; closing her eyes she let a tear fall.
"I'm sorry Aang." She whispered, and felt more tears fall.
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Lady Liesl
Refugee Aang
Katara is SRS BUSINESS GAIS!
Posts: 4,608
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Post by Lady Liesl on Sept 23, 2006 22:40:31 GMT -5
oh now dont just leave me hanging -- WRITE MORE!!!
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Post by avatariaxxxmari on Sept 23, 2006 23:07:58 GMT -5
That was dang good! Write more I want to read it! *Exhalts*
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Post by frozenwind141 on Sept 24, 2006 1:59:26 GMT -5
Yeh keeps getting better and better!! Can't wait for more ;D
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Post by Uchiha Ichigo on Sept 30, 2006 17:44:54 GMT -5
thtas way cool and that peom was alright but it wasent half bad eather and how do you right so much thats a lot of typeing to do i like this page it is really kewl i also like that you made your own page
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Post by thedarkone on Oct 4, 2006 0:52:49 GMT -5
Thanks. That poem is actually lyrics from a song by Finch. Here's some new stuff, I might get more out tomorrow!
(Authors Note: Woah!! I messed up on the ages! I thought I had set the story four years into an alternate future but uh…if Aang was 18 it would be five. Whoops. To set it right, Aang and Toph 17, Katara is 19, Zuko is 21 and Sokka and Suki are 20. Sorry about that ^_^)
The next day, the plan was in action.
As Zuko helped Katara finish dressing she turned to him, eyes dull, he could tell she was fighting back her hurt and fury.
“Your plan sucks.” She told him flatly, which amused him.
“No it doesn’t, now hush, we have to go.” He told her, she sighed as he led her out of his chambers, keeping her close to him. “This will work I promise,” he promised trying to ease her worry.
“Whatever you say,” She muttered, as they left the palace, making their way to the Avatar’s camp.
As Aang, Suki, Sokka, and Toph headed to the river where they bathed each morning the silence they walked in was broken momentarily by a twig snapping. All all turned at once with the exception of Toph, they saw nothing.
“Toph? Did you see anything?” Aang asked, the blind bender shook her head, shivering slightly.
“Nope, it was the weirdest thing…” She confessed, her voice flat, shrugging it off they headed to the river. As they removed their robes, remaining in their underclothing. Each one gently wadded into the shallow river, suddenly the river became colder until it froze from top to bottom, trapping them within.
“What the hell!?” Sokka shouted as he fell, smashing hard on the ice.
“No one on our side would do this…Come out Zuko! No…no…it can’t be…” Toph trailed off, she couldn’t believe her feet. There was the sound of cold laughter surrounded them, in a burst of flames Katara and Zuko appeared.
“Katara!” Aang cried, falling into a state of shock that he didn’t even try to get out of the ice. Katara was more beautiful than he remembered, instead of her hair tied back like it had been, it was flowing free around her shoulders, a simple blue dress and her mothers necklace were all that remained the same on her.
“Hello Aang.” She said, her voice was cool and even, no emotions were expressed in her face, she looked to Zuko who smiled and ran his fingers down her face, only then she showed slight emotion and beamed at him, then turned her attention to her ranting brother.
“You’re alive! All this time!” Sokka shouted in rage. “How could you do this to us Katara?! We’re you’re family! You’re supposed to be on our side!”
“I’ve chosen my side,” as the words fell from her lips, Zuko’s fingers trailed down Katara’s form, the blue dress burned away to reveal Fire Nation colors and the traditional female uniform.
“Katara…no…”Aang whispered mournfully, tears stinging his eyes, the dull throb of anger began to fill him slowly.
“Ah, dear brother, torturing the Avatar and friends I see. So this is where you brought her I figured you two were going to have alone time. So pitiful Avatar, I see your tears, maybe he was right to keep this girl around for all these years. I just figured he kept you to be his lover girl.” Azula said, as she appeared out of no where, she kept a wicked smile on her lips as Katara moved away from Zuko with a sudden jerk as he burst into blue flames. Katara placed her hand on his and the flames vanished quickly as they were created. “Why the flames Zu Zu? Mad I exposed your little secret? Why not share home many times you’ve taken her to be-“ she was cut off as the Earth began to shake beneath her, lifting her up, slamming her into a nearby tree.
“Do not say that again!” Aang said, his voice beginning to distort as his tattoos took on a faint glow.
”Another day Avatar.” Azula said, vanishing behind a smoke screen. Katara’s eyes were locked on Aang as Suki called to her.
“I never thought you would go to be with the Fire Nation.”
“You never knew me to begin with. You’re only here because you’re sleeping with my brother.” Katara snapped, starting to lose her calm composure.
“Don’t you dare say anything, Azula’s right, you are his lover girl!” Sokka spat, Katara flinched inwardly. She reached out and tugged on Zuko’s sleeve.
“I’m bored of this, take me home.” She told him and with a nod he pulled her close and they too vanished behind a smoke screen.
The group looked to one another as the ice melted and Aang finally let his tears go. Suki rushed to comfort him while Toph landed a solid smack across Sokka’s face, he fell into the river and Toph towered over him.
“How dare you.” The seething in Toph’s face was enough to scare anyone, including Sokka. She lowered her self closer to him, her whisper coming out in a hiss. “They were acting! Zuko and Katara have something planned, Azula’s a cocky surd that has no idea what they are planning, and she followed them here. She wants them dead; she probably would have killed them but was having too much fun. I’m going to the Palace tonight with or without your help to find out what’s going on.” Toph said, and then went over to Aang to help Suki comfort him, leaving Sokka alone with his thoughts.
As Katara and Zuko returned to the palace, Azula stopped them on the way back to his room. She smiled to the Water Tribe girl and reached out and touched her hair, Katara jerked away, narrowing her eyes.
“Shame you’re a Water Bender, you would have been more useful, other than keeping my brother quiet and happy. I doubt that Avatar will ever forgive you or your family. After I slaughter the rest of your Nation you’ll have no choice but become a concubine for my Brother…if he even needs you.” Zuko let out a growl and Azula walked away laughing, Zuko dragged Katara into his room as fast as he could. He could tell what was going to happen as soon as the door closed, Katara fell to her knees rocking back and forth as she sobbed. Her whole body shook and he watched her cry, he felt a twinge of sorrow for her but it was small. He had been raised never to pity and he wouldn’t, he had never known comfort and rarely gave it. It was the way he was and Katara knew, he just sighed as he listened to her sobs go from hard to hysterical and slowly began to stop.
“I hate you!” she spat, he sighed again and looked down at her.
“I know.” She didn’t even notice the sorrow in his voice as he said those two words. As her sobs quieted down he lifted her up and held her tight. “I’m sorry.” He told, then she sobbed harder as she cried into his shoulder.
“No you’re not!” She’s right. I’m not. He thought.
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Post by frozenwind141 on Oct 4, 2006 11:06:47 GMT -5
Wow, deep chapter!
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Post by thedarkone on Oct 4, 2006 22:02:11 GMT -5
Here's some more. Its not so long but I wanted to get it up because the next section should be longer. Enjoy!
“Katara, come with me.” Zuko said suddenly after several long moments of holding the Water Bender as she released sob after sob after hurting the one man she ever loved, Aang.
“Why? Another stupid plan?” she snapped into his shoulder, he gently pushed her off of his body and gave her a rare smile.
“No. A simple question, do you want me to wash your hair?” The intimate gesture, which signaled a deep emotional bond. She studied him, eyes narrow, puffy and red rimmed.
“Why? More torture for me?” Zuko sighed; she had been his “prisoner” for four going on five years and he still was unable to understand how he felt about her. He hated it, he was taught to, he felt some emotions for her, it wasn’t love, and he didn’t know if he was capable of it. Right now, he sought to do the one thing he was capable of, a little comfort.
“No. I want to try to cheer you up; I can’t stand to hear you cry any more. You know it’ll feel good.” He said, she rubbed her eyes, wiping away the tears.
“Do I even have a choice?” she asked, he shook his head ‘No’ and that made her laugh. “Insufferable bastard.” She muttered, he smirked again.
“Yeah, yeah.” He said and with his fingers wrapped firmly around her wrists, he pulled her gently to the bathing room where he drew the water in the large tub, then placed two fingers within, heating the water. She had removed the fire nation garbs she wore and he helped her into the tub. Sighing she sank into the water, dunking under the surface to wet her hair. Zuko remained outside of the tub and poured some oil into his hands, heating it to luke warm he motioned her closer to him. She willingly moved closer and he massaged her scalp gently and she sighed. He was right, it did soothe her and the sensation of his fingers gently rubbing made her tired.
“Thank you.” her voice was a hoarse whisper, tears stung her eyes again, she hated it when he was trying to comfort her, it made it so hard to hate him. “You do realize how hard it is to hate you.” Zuko shrugged.
“Why do you have to hate me?” he asked her softly, she turned to look at him.
“You hunted my friend, you used my brother and I as bait and your nation is responsible for the death of my mother!” Zuko frowned.
“But I wasn’t responsible for her death and I may have harmed you in order to get the Avatar but I had no intentions in harming him or you. I need to get him, I need him to restore my honor and my throne.” Katara smirked.
“So much for that, Azula got it. Not you. You never were. I’ve heard some of the guards talking; you have been disowned from your family since you were young. The only ones who ever gave a dang about you were your mother and your Uncle.” Zuko continued to gently massage her scalp.
“Uncle transferred his feelings for his dead son onto me. After my cousin, Lu Ten, was killed in my Uncle’s invasion of Ba Sing Se he was broken. He didn’t used to be the man he is today, he was crueler to his enemies, and he certainly wasn’t joyful. It took him years to get over Lu Ten’s death and now he’s the man you know. He’s been like a father to me. He would sacrifice anything to protect me.” Zuko said, Katara knew that Iron’s affections for Zuko ran deep but she never knew why. “I didn’t ask to be a part of this, I was born into it, not that my Father wished I was. I’ve been a disappointment since birth. I had to continue the war whether I liked it or not. When I refused, this was my punishment,” his hands left her hair to gently finger the scar across his eye where the vision was beginning to fail.
“I’m sorry.” Katara murmured, she lifted her glowing hand and covered his eye, he felt a gentle vibration, and when she moved her hand, he could see a little better, a memory returning to him as he looked at the water as it lost its glow and fell back into the tub.
“You wanted to heal my Uncle after Azula injured him, I was too angry to even think of what you could have done.” Zuko said, staring at her strangely, she never revealed her healing abilities to him she always did it in private after he would leave her.
“That’s what you get for being an Equus asinus.” Katara said flatly, Zuko laughed softly.
“I’ve been told.” He agreed and resumed washing her hair, falling into silence, both hoping their plan worked, not realizing Toph had set hers into action.
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Post by frozenwind141 on Oct 5, 2006 9:26:52 GMT -5
Short but great! Can't wait for the next installment!
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Post by thedarkone on Oct 5, 2006 9:39:48 GMT -5
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoy it. For being loyal in your reading I'm gonna give you karma!
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Post by rocio on Oct 5, 2006 23:44:05 GMT -5
I like it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please. Alway that you write a new chapter....... post it in the Zutara thread (If it is Zutara....but looks like one)
XD Like you said...
***********karma**************
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Post by yourkie1921 on Oct 6, 2006 5:56:02 GMT -5
nice you mix the fact this bored isn't censored and not make the story nasty.(yes everyone does that)
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