MAYA [Book 1 - Water]

Chapter 30 - Iroh & Maya

-Maya's Point of View-

I was in the middle of forcing myself to firebend when I suddenly heard Katara's voice, not far from where I was standing.

"NO! LET GO OF ME!" she shouted.

"Katara?" I asked myself. I hurriedly grabbed the lit firewood and went to where I heard the voice. 

When I got closer to the riverside, I suddenly heard the voice of Zuko. "Tie her to the tree! Make sure she doesn't escape," he said.

I quickly hid behind the bushes as I killed the fire I was holding. I peeked my head on top of the bush just enough for me to see what was going on.

I saw Zuko with his small troop and the pirate crew on the other side. They were all looking at Katara who was tied to a tree.

WHAT ARE THEY ALL DOING HERE?! If only I knew that this would happen, then I never would've agreed to let Katara go alone!!!!!

"Tell me where your other friends are, and I won't hurt you or your brother," Zuko said. I can't believe how persistent this guy is.

"GO JUMP IN THE RIVER!" Katara said angrily. The fire nation prince suddenly walked around her as he tried to explain, "Try to understand, I need to capture them to restore something I've lost— my honor." then he stopped behind her. He suddenly drew his head closer to Katara and she tried her best to look away.

"Perhaps in exchange, I can return something you've lost?" he said and then he held in front of Katara her mother's necklace. How did he get that?! I thought Katara lost it at the metal rig. Don't tell me he followed us there too.

"My mother's necklace!" Katara shouted. The fire prince walked away with the necklace in his hand. "How did you get that?!" Katara asked. "I didn't steal it if that's what you're wondering," he replied. "Tell me where they are!" he shouted. "NO!" Katara quickly answered.

The pirate captain suddenly interrupted the conversation as he said, "Enough of this necklace garbage! You promised the scroll!" Zuko suddenly grabbed the scroll from behind him and then he lit his other hand with fire while holding the scroll on top of it. "I wonder how much money this is worth?" he asked. The whole pirate crew gasps in fear as one of them said, "No!" The prince smirked as he continued, "A lot apparently..." 

This good for nothing prince; I better think of a way to free Katara before they do anything bad to her.

"Now you help me find what I want, you'll get this back, and everyone goes home happy," Zuko said tauntingly. "Search the woods for the boy and the red-eyed water tribe girl then meet me back here" he commanded the pirate crew. The captain stormed off as he agreed, "Fine" he said under his voice.

The pirate crew then went away and while Zuko and his guards weren't looking, I threw a small stone at Katara, making her notice me. "What are you doing here?" she whispered, just loud enough for me to hear. "Rescuing you!" I whispered back. And then I tried to step out of the bushes. "No! Go get Aang and Sokka! You must not let the pirates capture them!" she whispered again. 

"Hey! Who are you talking to?" one of the fire soldiers shouted. I hurriedly hid behind a tree as he walked towards Katara. "None of your business!" she shouted. "You better behave and not plan to escape or else you'll get hurt." the soldier warned and then he walked away. Katara looked back at me and then she mouthed the words, "Go"

I nodded my head and then I hurriedly ran back to where we set out camp. I hope the pirates weren't that fast! 

I looked up and then I noticed that the skies have already turned blue. The sun has started to rise, I hope the guys are already awake! Oh Aang, Sokka, please be fine!