Charred //ZUTARA

Chapter 42 - ''I can take his rage.''

Katara let go of Mai's throat as Sokka grabbed her elbow. She merely peeked at her brother, his brows drawn, before snapping her attention back to the prisoner.

The non-bender started coughing under Katara's watchful eye.

''Woah, Sugar Queen, easy,'' Toph chuckled. ''We don't even know why she's here yet.''

''We've spent a whole day trying to get her to talk but she hasn't spoken a word since,'' Hakoda came to stand next to the hostage. He glared at his daughter. ''Are you alright?''

Katara bared his teeth at him. ''Untie her.''

''Huh? That would be very unwise...''

''Do it,'' Katara snarled, ignoring the way surprise flickered across her father's features.

Mai gaped up at her, frowning. It was Sokka who took out a knife attached to his belt. Unsheathing it, he cut the ties at once.

''I hope you know what you're doing,'' Toph mumbled under her breath once the last strand gave out.

''You want her to talk?'' Katara beheld the way Mai slowly got up. Both women stared each other down. The waterbender balanced on her feet, spreading them apart. She unblocked her water pouch. ''I'll get her to talk.''

She noticed the knives peeking out of her opponent's sleeve. Slowly sliding down to her hands. ''You wish to fight me?''

Sokka, Hakoda and Toph whipped their heads toward Mai. First words she's said.

Katara smirked cleverly. ''Trust me, it's not going be a much of a fight.''

The non-bender straightened out her long, black robe. ''As much as I'd love to provide you with some entertainment,'' she yawned. ''I am afraid I'm needed elsewhere.''

As fast as a flying arrow, Mai raced towards the caves entrance. Toph heaved loudly but Katara was already on it.

The stiletto Master barely managed to stop before crushing into a wall of ice. Her jaw clenched, she turned around abruptly.

Katara shrugged carelessly. ''Do you always run away from things?''

Pupils dilated, Mai panted like an angry animal. One stiletto after another, she stared throwing them at the waterbender.

She had to admit, it was difficult to avoid them. She used her water whip to push them away, the sound of cluttering steel surrounding them.

''Katara, what are you doing?!'' She heard Sokka's voice as Mai launched herself at her.

Blocking her first punch to the gut, she whipped her head to her brother. The boomerang glistened in his hand. ''Stay out of it!''

''But-''

''I mean it, Sokka!'' She seethed through her teeth, tilting her head back as Mai almost slammed her elbow into her face.

She didn't hear the reply as Mai grabbed her hair. Katara maneuvered the water to wrap around her wrist. It froze her movement before she had a chance to pull.

''You will get nothing out of me,'' the Fire Nation woman growled right into her face.

''We'll see.''

The waterbender kicked her ankle, making her opponent take a step back at once. Finally free of her grasp, she was able to manipulate the water into ice picks.

Puffing with every strain of her muscles, Mai avoided them almost perfectly. She unclasped another stiletto when Katara wasn't looking.

She did not expect the impact of it. Not at it sliced across her shoulder. Letting out a loud battle cry, Katara swallowed down the pain as the wound already started leaking blood.