Chapter Text
Conventional wisdom says that firebenders are naturally warm.
Of course they are, Katara thinks bitterly. They're full of fire and hatred. But it gives a reasonable explanation for why their newest addition sleeps in a far, quiet corner by himself. He makes plenty of his own heat, he doesn't need to pile together like the rest of them. Katara knows better though, she knows that the real reason is because Zuko wants solitude for his scheming. Like the creepy firebender he is. She studies Zuko's sleeping form. His eyes are screwed closed and his jaw is slightly ajar, tail flicking slightly. His rest is not peaceful.
Not that he deserves peaceful sleep, not after all that he put Aang through. Katara stalks closer to Zuko, she can feel the blood thrumming through her veins. The moon is waxing. She almost kind of hopes that the bratty prince would just show his true colors already. He twitches in his sleep, pain flashes in his face and he begins to whimper quietly. Katara stops and considers the firebender before her. Pity starts to creep into her heart.
Is, is he having a nightmare?
She takes a few steps back and narrows her eyes, venom stewing in her stomach. If he's suffering, then he deserves it. He chased her and Aang, he hounded them from pole to pole. Constantly trying to get his grimy paws on the Avatar, the last hope for the world. And for what, his stupid honor? Her eyes drifted to the older kitten's scar. It took up a good chunk of his face, and whatever caused it burned away the majority of his ear. She wouldn't be surprised if he had hearing loss.
Absently, she wondered how he even got that scar. She looked over him again. Zuko was skinny, too skinny for the spoiled prince she always thought him of. Even, too skinny in general. Faint tracings of his ribs showed under his messy, black fur. Made all the more visible by his strange breathing pattern. His nose twitched and his muscles tensed. Katara imagined his eyes snapping open and him lunging for her throat, her claws unsheathing themselves. But he didn't awaken. The burned prince twitched again before relaxing, falling into a much deeper sleep. Katara sheathed her claws and regarded the older kitten carefully. Her thoughts went again to the scar on his face. How'd he even get that scar? It was deliberate, that much is certain. The size and placement, it was done purposefully- a mark of shame. But, Zuko is a prince. Something cold slivers up Katara's spine. Zuko wasn't an adult yet, he's still a kitten, but the scar is fully healed. It's deep enough that it would have taken a long time to set in and heal.
He must have been young when it happened.
But it still left the question, who could just burn the young prince of an entire nation? The mark was deliberate enough that it had to be done by someone who had the authority to do it. But who could get away with burning the son of the Fire Lord?
Well, the Fire Lord, but...
Katara stepped back, resisting the urge to hiss at the thought.
The burn was a punishment.
She swallowed the bile rising in her throat. Had Zuko been burned and exiled? Is that why he kept harassing them? What kind of man was evil enough to do that to a kitten? His own kitten? She looked at her own paws.
The same kind of man who would burn and pillage the rest of the world.
...
Maybe Zuko really was just hurt and confused...
No. No, he was wicked. He betrayed her once, and Aang nearly payed the price for that. She wasn't going to let it happen again. But until Zuko dropped his wanting to help act, she'd have to wait in the background. But when that day came, Katara would be ready.
~xXx~
Katara awoke in a panic. Aang, Sokka, and Toph were all gone. She jumped to her paws and scanned the area. Zuko was out on the ledge as usual, stretched out and sunning himself. Katara tried not to be mesmerized by the way his messy, but silky fur caught the light. She padded over to him, claws at the ready. As she got closer she heard a strange noise. Is-is he purring? Katara made a face. Firebenders are weird. She stepped up to the black cat. He was stretched out and his eyes were closed. Katara started to reach for her waterskin. Perhaps a good dunking is in order? Dump some nice, cold water all over the heat-loving firebender? She stopped herself. No, it would only give him an excuse to lash out. She could already hear him plead his case.
"I didn't mean to, I was just minding my own business and she attacked me!"
She wasn't going to give him any excuses. Suddenly he cracked open his good eye.
"Mrow?" His recognition was instant and just like that he was on his paws, body stiff and ears back. Katara didn't waste any time.
"Where is everyone?" She demanded. Zuko relaxed a little.
"The blind kitten took the Avatar after we finished firebending practice. She mumbled something about being inspired." Katara wanted to yell at him for not using their names, but it strengthened her case and further proved that he didn't care about them. If she got on his case about it, he'd only be able to strengthen his good guy act. But either way it was a likely story. The truth was that Zuko had probably taken Aang and eliminated Toph to prevent them from finding him. As for sokka...
"And where's Sokka?"
"I don't know, sorry..."
He had probably tried to interfere and was done away with. But that left one question, why'd Zuko leave Katara alone? She was dead asleep, it would have been simple enough to at least cripple her while she were unconscious. Unless, he wanted her alive... Maybe to rub her nose in her failure? To keep her as some sick, twisted captive?
"Why don't you know?" Katara snarled. Zuko growled in responce.
"I'm not your brother's keeper!" Zuko snapped, teeth bared. But his claws remained sheathed. Katara leaned in close, unsheathing her claws.
"Get a room you two!"
She paused, sheathing her claws as she whipped around to face the voice.
"Sokka?"
The kitten in question was casually stretching out, a small pile of fish by his side. He must've been fishing. Well, that explained one disappearance, but it didn't completely-
"Flameo hotman!"
Zuko huffed at the greeting.
"Hey Katara!" Aang's small, wrinkled form was merrily bounding up to her. His pink, furless pelt marred by a few reddish spots. Probably from being pelted with rocks. Bitterly, Katara turned to Zuko. However, rather than a smug, royal, you-owe-me-an-apology face (not that Katara would apologize for being worried about her friends), Zuko's face simply said 'See, I wasn't lying'.
"Chop-chop, Zuko. The cooking fire's not gonna start itself." Sokka called, gesturing to a small pile of kindling. Zuko stared into Katara's eyes for a moment, searching. When he failed to find what he was looking for, he sighed.
"Coming!" The firebender called as he trotted over. Katara watched with worry and mild contempt as he friends marveled at their fire making companion.
Couldn't they see he was dangerous?