The Forgiven (Zutara)

These Nightmares Are Real

I tossed and turned, waking up in early in the morning. I quietly, sneakily got out of bed. "You haven't slept Katara. What were you dreaming about?" Freya asked. I began to get dressed.

"Those three days in that cell really messed me up Freya. I can still feel it sometimes." I sighed quietly.

"Wanna talk about it?" She asked. I shook my head.

"Doesn't matter it's over I just need to get over it." I replied.

"If it doesn't matter then where are you going?" She asked.

"I'm going to go see how that General is doing." I replied. She got up and stretched, decided to go with me. I braided my hair down my back, quietly slipping out and to the cell. I walked in causing him to stir and wake up.

"Why hello beautiful, to what do I owe the pleasure?" He smirked at me. I smirked back, scoffed, then punched him in the face. "Man, you're all business aren't you?" He growled. "That's alright. I like my women bold and straightforward." I ignored the things he was saying and continued. When he was sufficiently bloody I grabbed him by his hair, turning his head up so that he looked at me while I talked to him.

"I will keep going till I break you." I growled, then walked out of the cell heading up to the deck.

"Lady Katara." One of the guards nodded at me. I nodded back.

"Cold morning, huh?" I said. He nodded, his exhaustion plain as day on his face. 

"Apologies for the intrusion, but you're up very early." He said. I chuckled. 

"Yeah, couldn't sleep, what's your excuse?" I asked. 

"Making sure the water is clear, crashing into something would be catastrophic, besides I don't think his highness needs that right now." He replied. I nodded. 

"Yes, I agree. He's got enough on his plate. How long have you been out here?" I asked, wrapping my arms around myself. I was cold, but it was refreshing to be out here. 

"All night." He replied. 

"Go ahead and head back, rest up. I'll keep watch."

"Prince Zuko won't be very happy." He shook his head.

"Well Prince Zuko can deal with me. Go ahead before I change my mind." I replied, gently patting his shoulder.  He nodded and walked off. I sat at the front of the ship, throwing my legs over the edge, bending the water below me . Freya sat by me.

"Why not try to go back to bed?" She asked. I shrugged.

"I'm not tired. I'm not hungry. I'm not...I have no idea how I'm feeling Freya." I replied.

"Don't you think you need to talk to Zuko about it?" She asked. "I mean if you guys are going to be together shouldn't you start to rely on each other?" Freya said.

"Yeah I'll talk to him but not right now. He's so busy. Besides he's got to worry about bigger things like what he's going to do about his father." I sighed.

"He already knows Katara. Besides I'm sure he wants to know how the love of his life is feeling." She reassured.

"I'll tell him." I whispered not really sure if I would or not. I pet her gently, relishing in the feeling of her fur. "You know, I nearly lost myself when you died, I would've had it not been for him, and you coming back of course" I said. She curled up closer to me.

"He loves you. A lot." She replied.

"I know. I love him too. So so much. I can't wait till we can be together without having to look over our shoulder the entire time." I smiled at the thought.