First burn

Off to Allies

As the day went on, Zuko and Katara aboarded a ship with greeting from the crew and other servants as Katara walked behind the prince with red robes hanging around her ankles.

She gasped as she tripped and almost fell but strong arms held her up, Katara raised her head seeing zuko above her as he remained calm and helped her get back to her feet, Katara looked back seeing azula with her friends as a glint of metal twirled in Mai's fingers and there was a knife where Katara tripped.

"Ignore them, are you okay?" Zuko whispered in her ear as they got on the ship with men running around while the captian yelled commands.

"I'll survive," katara waved him off as she parted from his grip and tried walking away.

"I wouldnt stray to far," zuko grabbed her upper arm with a serious look. "I only know the captian personally, but dont trust anyone on this ship,"

Katara looked up at zuko seeing how his eyes were focused only on her with his lips in a stern line, she could see some of the men glancing at her as well. Despite some being more annoyed by her heritage rather than her gender.

"Am I suppose to trust you?" she huffed ripping her arm away. "Fire bender," she spat like it was poison.

"Call it what you want, I dont think I've given you any reasons to not trust me at this point," zuko inhaled deeply with annoyance.

"We're not friends," she bit out.

"No, didnt think so, but as allies i think it would be nice if you showed me a little decency since i am the one getting yoy to your sister tribe to learn bending," he sighed crossing his arms rolling his eyes.

"Come on, I'll show you your room," zuko said after looking over his shoulder, katara followed him but noticed azula was smirking at them as she waved tauntingly before katara went inside.

"Look you dont have to like me, but if you want us to stay as allies, be careful who you talk to on this ship or what you talk about, I wouldnt be surprised if theres spies of azulas or my fathers," zuko walked ahead of her as they were alone in the metal halls with fire lit torches.

"Your dad and sister dont really trust you it seems," katara pursed her lips. She puts up a tough act outside but when it was just her and zuko she let her guard down more. Zuko started to catch on at this point.

Zuko didnt say anything as he opened the door for her to her room, katara peaked in as it wasnt anything special but a bed, fire nation banner, and a low table with some candles. Katara walked in looking around as there was a high window she barely could reach.

"My room is right across the hall, dont go anywhere without me, dont leave your room after lights out either," Zuko told her calmly and katara put her hands on her hips. She felt like a prisoner more than she did at the palace. A small smile crept on Zukos lips seeing the anger bubbling in the water bender as she had a stern glare in her blue eyes.

"I dont trust people very often, my family is who i trust the least, their the ones that put together this crew as i requested the captian," he said softly and left the doorway as katara was left alone once again.

Zuko walked back to the open deck of the ship as they were about to leave shore, he saw azula aboard the ship as she looked around with a hum as ty lee and mai joined her.

"Dont want me coming zuzu?" she raised an eye brow at her brother.

"Doesnt father want you around more?" zuko crossed his arms. "I'm just thinking outside of the box,"

"Lets just hope dad doesnt go through with any of his threats, besides, how is that burn on your wrist healing?" azula smirked slyly as zuko touched the burn mark on the side of his wrist from his fathers rage of flames. He caught mai's eye but she quickly looked away with a glare.

"We came to an agreement," he spat at her.

"To bad we cant join you to on your trip to a frozen tundra, but i know how much you like to travel," azula smiled with a shrug. She smirked looking over zuko as she saw Katara standing there on the deck.

"We're leaving, get off the ship," zuko glared down at her as ty lee hooked her arm with mai seeing the danger that could arrive.

"I'd be happy too, bye bye zuzu," azula reached up to grab zuko chin to taunt him but zuko snatched her wrist with a glare.

"Get off," he said calmly releasing her harshly as Azula kept her smirk.

"Might get your fiancé to heal that nasty wound," she hummed turning away as the three girls left the ship with guards behind them as Katara came up behind zuko.

"You got hurt?" She whispered not looking at him.

"It's nothing," zuko put his hand on her shoulder as he stared down azula till she was out of view.

"She's dangerous," Katara nodded.

"Your right, I don't have to like you, trust you, but I do start to feel like I can trust you," she said quietly for only zuko to hear. "Fire bender or prince, it seems like your all I can count on in this shit hole of a nation,"

"Glad we have something in common," he nodded.