Destiny is a Funny Thing (Zutara)

Failure

Katara

This was my chance to go to the throne room. That is where I saw the royal family go to talk with other war generals and advisors. That was where I would find what I needed. Everyone was at the party. I heard Lord Ozai speak in the distance and I knew all the servants were at the party. This would be my only chance for a while. I had added a jacket to my fire nation outfit. It had pockets where I kept a day's worth of food, small supplies I could carry, and a flask filled with water that I kept just in case. I didn't know if I would be leaving if I found valuable information. I walked slowly towards the big entrance of the throne room. I sighed. 

This is it. I could go home if I found their plans for the water tribes. It would be better if I found more. I walked cautiously. No one was inside. I was so giddy with joy. My adrenaline high and my heart beating fast. I approached a table with various papers scattered. There it was. I knew something here had to be valuable to us. I could help my people, my dad, Sokka.

"And what are you doing?"

I turned in horror. No. Anyone would have been better. A servant, a nobleman, even Zuko. 

Instead, I saw Azuka staring at me with bright blue fire raging around her fists. 

"Let me explain!" I muttered. Everything was falling apart. I went to glance at the papers, maybe take some and run. But Azula threw fire in my general direction and screamed. My full attention was on her. 

"Insolent girl. You are careless and stupid to think you could fool me. It's a shame, you were a good servant, just a terrible spy." 

My hands were shaking. I fumbled with opening the flask. I was scared. But I didn't have to pretend to be timid, Instead, I swallowed and held my head high. Immediately Azula looked at me with curiosity. 

"What could you do? Throw those papers you seem so interested in at me?" Before Azula finished she threw streams of fire in my direction. I only had a little bit of water with me. I couldn't use it now or I'd be helpless. I rolled to the side, avoided one, crouched to the ground, avoided another. The third and fourth came in such close succession it was harder to miss. I was hit square in the chest and with a dry heave I hit the floor. 

"So weak." Azula cooed, now right above me. She gripped the back of my shirt and pulled me up. I groaned in pain but forced myself to look at her angrily. My expression made Azula confused and she seemed to hesitate. 

"I'm feeling particularly gracious tonight after some good news about my brother. Tell you what. I will give you a 10-second head start before I kill you" Azula threw me forward and I grunted. My chest felt like the fire was still there. I couldn't breathe so I wheezed. 

"Run, little girl. Don't waste what few seconds you have left." 

With all the adrenaline and training I had, I knew I could make it to the door in time. Forget the pain. It's temporary. Get up Katara. You aren't that hurt. It's the shock from the impact. Get up. I knew I was right, I could the pain slowly subsiding. I got up on shaky legs and made a run for the door. I heard Azula laugh in delight at my stumbling attempts to escape. I furrowed my eyebrows in concentration. 

"3, 2, 1! Now Die!" Azula shouted in glee. 

I made it to the door. I slammed it shut. I breathed. My body came alive as I moved the water in the flask. I didn't have to hide anymore. I took the water and encased the door handles. With a quick flick of my wrist the door handles were frozen. I heard Azula grunt in confusion on the other side. I didn't wait to see how long until she opened the door. I ran.

I let the tears fall freely now. I ran through the empty palace. I failed. I failed. I failed. I achieved nothing but put my life in danger. There's no hope. I felt nothing but sorrow. I swallowed my feelings as best I could. I had to get out of here. I took one of the side entrances where the fire nation's ships were stationed. I had mere moments to figure out where to go. I thought I could be a stowaway on a ship. That sounded like a good idea until I was on the ship base. No, Azula is going to stop everything. She thinks I'm a spy and she will see the broken ice when she opens the door. She'll know. My breathing was fragmented like my thoughts. Until.

"On ji? Are you okay?" I looked up to see Prince Zuko holding a box. About 10 other men were filing on board with similar sized boxes. I couldn't help but let the tears roll. I had to think quickly, I couldn't hide my emotional state.

"I got fired for spilling some food on your sister's favorite dress. She said she is going to kill me. Please, take me with you. I won't be a bother drop me off whenever you land. Please, Prince Zuko, you're my only hope." The last sentence left a bad taste in my mouth. The man who famously took the avatar took our hope away was now mine. 

Zuko looked at me with concern, He looked at my singed clothing and I saw as he clenched his fists. He was also filled with unabashed anger. Something told me it wasn't about me, but for a quick moment I hoped that it was about me. 

"Get in the ship. We're leaving now." He said as he motioned for me to join. I let the tears flow as I nodded "Thank you." 

"Before I change my mind" Zuko countered as I stumbled onto the ship. Zuko showed me into an empty room with a small bed. I walked in and fell onto the bed, feeling like I was going to pass out. Zuko looked at me for a moment, as if he wanted to say more. 

"Stay here until we're out to sea." He then slammed the door and I was left alone. I had to hope We would leave before Azula could check this boat. I curled up, my knees against my chest. I sobbed for a while. But my rational thoughts seeped into my mind. Zuko is leaving for a reason. Maybe an important reason. Maybe, just maybe, there's still more to learn from Prince Zuko. I found myself feeling lighter knowing that I somehow felt much safer aboard Prince Zuko's ship than the palace Azula tortured me in. Before long, I realized the comforting lull of a moving ship. We weren't on fire nation land anymore, we were at sea. Without meaning to, I fell asleep.