Katara, of the Fire Nation

Chapter 31

"We have to talk."

"What's happened?" Azula asks, standing to her feet as she notices her brother's angered expression, Azula looks past her brother but she doesn't see the water bender, "Where's Katara."

"Why haven't the rebels found out about our father's death?" Zuko asks, ignoring his sister's questions.

"I don't know," Azula says, "I told the mole, just as you told me to."

"The rebels have Katara," Zuko says, his throat tightening with the threat of flames, "They want to trade her for Ozai."

Azula's eyes go wide, she then frowns and her face goes through an array of emotions, starting with shock and ending in pure rage.

"Let me out," Azula says, grasping at the bars in front of her, "I can help."

"Where are the rebels based?" Zuko asks, his hand clenches tighter around the braided lock of hair, "Where would they be keeping Katara?"

"In an active volcano," Azula says, without hesitation, "it's heavily fortified and the woods surrounding it are crawling with guards. The minute they suspect foul play, they'll flood the volcano and disappear in the smoke. Zuzu, you need my help."

Azula's voice is pleading, her eyes are soft and full with worry.

Zuko knows his sister is dangerous, but he unlocks her cell and they stride off to find the mole.

"Your services are no longer needed," Zuko says as blue and red flame engulfs the prison.

...

Katara awakens from a sleep daze as a cup of water is pressed to her lips. The little boy, Pascal, is back, his golden eyes shine from the small fire he holds in his hands.

Katara drinks, gulping the water down greedily, sighing as the coolness soothes her raw throat.

"They say the Fire Lord is coming," Pascal says, taking away the cup once it's empty.

"Zuko," Katara breathes, her heart races and her throat tightens as she pulls against the chains that hold her.

"They say they're going to kill him," Pascal says, he looks down to where his hands rest on his knees, "They say they're going to kill you."

Katara leans forward as best she can and grinds her teeth.

"Can you help me?" Katara asks, looking into the boy's innocent eyes, "Can you help me escape?"

Pascal's eyes go wide, he stands to his feet and races out of the tent.

"Wait!" Katara pleas, though her voice doesn't rise over a whisper.

The following morning, when the sun reaches its peak, the rebels start to leave. Their voices murmuring in anticipation as they stomp proudly out of the crater.

Katara whimpers as pulls forward, hoping to break the chains.

"Come on," Katara pleas, tears brim her eyes because she realises where the rebels are going.

Katara manages to shimmy the chain up the pole, she pushes herself to her feet and then continues to pull.

"Zuko," Katara whispers, letting her husband's name fill her with hope.

Katara feels her shoulder start to ache, at any moment there's a possibility that she could dislocate it.

Through the blur of her tears, Katara sees someone enter the tent.

"Pascal?" Katara gapes, watching as the little boy walks behind her and slides a key into the chains lock.

The boy doesn't breathe a word, he unshackles the chains and they fall to the ground with a heavy thunk.