8. Chapter 7 (1/2)
children must be taught how to think, not what to think.
~margaret mead
the boy swished and slashed at the air. he sometimes would perform a flip on the big tree that sat in the gardens. it was somewhat like his mother's garden in the fire nation, except there was no little pond filled with turtle ducks to feed. instead, a small marble
idge from the earth kingdom palace led you into the gardens and underneath it, a small stream which led to a lake called laogai. azula had lied to him telling him that the palace had some turtle ducks in their garden. he had believed her and snuck some
ead into his pocket in hopes of finding some to feed after dinner with his mother.
"azula always lies"
he mumbled with annoyance he then decided to test out the new knife his cousin luten had given him instead.
the young prince
aced for an attack from his imaginary opponent and quickly delivered his own blow while falling on the plush grass.
he laid there for a while until he heard quiet sobs coming from behind him. he quickly pushed himself up and took a fire bending stance. zuko followed where the sad tears were emitting from and stopped in front of the tree.
he continued to be in his attacking position and called out.
"who's there?"
katara froze in fear and hoped whoever it was would go away.
"come out or i will burn you to crisp!"
her heart began to race, what if he captured and locked her in a fire nation prison? mustering up some courage, she slowly got up from her crouched position and came into the young prince's view.
zuko stared at the stranger in confusion. he wasn't expecting to see someone as young as him and dressed so poorly.
katara stared at the boy with the ponytail and was a little bit relieved that he wasn't a soldier but she was still afraid.
"who are you?"
before she spoke her stomach rumbled out in response. katara's cheeks began to grow hot. out of all times, her stomach decided to remind her that she had not eaten since her time on the ship.
"you came to steal food, didn't you peasant?"
"what? no!"
igniting his fist he shot at the girl.
"don't lie!"
katara froze at the fire, old memories flooding back. before she could wrap her head around what she was remembering, the boy's fire knocked her backward and she landed hard on her back.
panic began setting in on both children as katara tried to
eathe. only shallow gasps erupted and tears began to sting her eyes.
the boy ran to her uncertain, he had only tried to scare her a little not burn her.
"are you ok?"
the moment he touched her, she screamed, shoving the prince aside.
"get away from me!"
"i'm sorry i didn't mean to hurt you"
"get away!"
the peasant girl tried to crawl away but zuko tackled the peasant to the ground and used his free hand to cover her lips, just like luten had taught him.
"stop screaming, there might be guards hiding around here who can lock you up."
being in a palace all his life, the prince was used to the fact that people were constantly watching, whether openly or secretly. he had noticed the funny looking earth kingdom soldiers on his way here, but there was no guard in sight so far in the garden.
katara stopped her squirming and the prince immediately released her. they both sat on the grass, katara wiped her face off, while zuko fished inside his pocket for the
ead he had kept in there earlier.
"here"
katara looked at the boy with unease.
she took
ead and slowly bit into it. realizing how hungry she felt, she took more rapid bites into the bun. the boy watched her as she ate, unsure of what to say.
"how did you get into the palace?"
katara blinked and responded with her mouth still stuffed with
ead.
"i'm in a palace?"
zuko tried to hide his disgust of how the girl was eating and looked away, she then swallowed and proceeded to ask.
katara replied "i don't know"
the young prince stared at the girl and couldn't stop looking at her big round blue eyes that stood out in the night. it struck him as odd since he never knew anyone with such distinct features.
"you don't know what?"
"i don't know how i got into the palace"
"right"
the boy stood up,
ushing off his pants and resumed using his knife.
"why don't you believe me?"
"because you are a peasant. and peasants only know how to steal, cheat and lie. that's why father says that they are a burden to the world."
his words hurt katara, but zuko took no notice and continued to play fight with his knife. the tears began to form in her eyes, but she quickly wiped them. no way was she going to cry in front of this boy.
"i'm not a peasant"
the boy stopped and quirked his
ow at her.
"yes, you are."
"no, i'm not"
"yes, you are"
silence settled between the two children and the only noise was the sounds of leaves rustling in the wind. he stood up and resumed swinging his knife in different directions. katara noticed it had an inscription engraved on both sides that she couldn't read.