Time and Time Again

Chapter 22: Face Down in the Dirt (She Said "This Doesn't Hurt)

Katara stomped through the woods, batting branches and leaves out of her way. How dare that boy treat her like a child! He was what? Maybe three years older than her? As if I don't understand how dark the world can be! I know how dark it can be! My own mother was murdered in cold blood! But I know better than to contribute to the darkness! More death and pain will not make the world a better place! It will only breed more hate! She began muttering under her breath. She had been walking for a good two hours, thinking about the fight.

"Stupid, stupid, Jet. Why are boys so dumb? Oh look at me, I'm so macho, I have to go kill people just to prove it," Katara mimicked, "Seriously! Ugh!" Katara continued to mutter, adding some colorful curses into the mix. Caught up in her own thoughts, Katara neglected to notice the rather large rock in the ground until her toe found it quite forcefully. She let out a stream of curses, ones that would make even fishermen blush. She threw herself into a sitting position on the ground and crossed her arms, continuing her muttered curses. Of the billions of people on the planet, she would get stuck with two psychos. Just her luck. Katara sighed, then gagged and covered her nose. There was a horrible smell, like something rotting. There must be a dead animal nearby. She thought silently. She lifted her head up to glance for it and found that she was sitting in a small clearing. The sun filtered gently through the leaves above her; if that horrible smell weren't there, it would be serene.

She stood up and began to investigate. Wondering if she should bury the animal or if it would be to far in the decaying process to even touch, let alone move. She only took a step or two before she saw something that froze her in her tracks. Dried blood. Taking a closer look, Katara could make out faint human footprints near the blood. Katara followed the footprints to the direction they were leading away from; curious as to what could have harmed Zuko (the only person who could have left the trail). Katara followed the trail around a tree and stepped on something that sent shivers up and down her spine. It gave way under her foot and made a slurp noise. A thick, sticky substance covered Katara's foot and she could feel things move around it. No, no, no, please, no! I'm going to puke! Katara's eyes slowly went down to look at what she had stepped in. She made a sound that Sokka would have described as "the girly-est scream, EVER" and ripped her foot out of the boar's rotting carcass. She --ran over to a bush and proceeded to empty her stomach.

--

Zuko's breaths came in shallow and rasping. He felt almost as if he were breathing in sand. Sweat coated every inch of his body and his lips were dried to the point of cracking and bleeding. He had come back after finding some edible berries feeling exhausted and had decided to rest a little. He had hoped that the rest would make him feel better, but that had been a few hours ago and he felt worse than ever. He felt as if his whole leg was on fire, but he was too weak now to even sit up and look at it. What he really needed right now was some water. Katara, a small voice inside him whispered, she could help. But how could he get her? He tried again to sit up, but only managed to lift his back a few inches off the ground before collapsing back down, pushing what little breath he had out. He lay there gasping for a moment. An all too familiar giggle brought Zuko's attention to his little hut's entry-way. Azula was crouching in the sunlight, staring down at him.

"Aw, looks like Zu-Zu needs to see the family physician," she teased as she eased her way in and crouched over Zuko, "You look dreadful...though it might be an improvement from usual." That cruel glint sparkled in her eyes, "Too bad that little waterbender isn't here to make you feel all better." Zuko looked away from his sister.

"I don't need her." He whispered. Azula sneered down at him.

"Are you sure, Zu-Zu?" Zuko refused to answer, so she continued, "Personally, I don't understand what you see in that peasant. She's filthy. Besides, she has no reason to help you. I can't blame her. Mother wouldn't have approved of the way you treated her, "Zuko glared at his sister, she chuckled in response, "Oh, sorry, Zu-Zu, I know you're sensitive when it comes to mother. After all, it's your fault she's gone."