Ok, we all know if Zuko was smart, he would have at least had someone hold onto Katara while he went after Aang. Well, this is what I think the ending of the episode Bato of the Water Tribe should have went. This is just a thought. Maybe it will go, and maybe it won't. Just check it out.

Of Love and War

Summary: Takes place at the end of Bato of the Water Tribe. The Avatar once again outsmarted the exiled Prince. Lucky for him, Zuko has insurance: Katara. But as the waterbender captive spends more time with the prince, will Zuko be able to get the information he needs from her, or will his heart get in the way?

Disclaimer: I own nothing from Avatar: The Last Airbender. Hopefully though, I will in the near future.

Insurance

Katara and Sokka were walking back to the abbey. They knew they had made a mistake leaving Aang by himself. There father needed them and they wanted to see him for the first time in two years, but right now Aang needed them more. He needed their support, but most of their friendship.

"We're almost there," Sokka said. He looked at his sister, who seemed to be in distress. "What's wrong, Katara?"

"I don't know," she responded. "I was just thinking about how I treated Aang before we left. I just abandoned him. I don't even know if I deserve to be his friend anymore." It was true. She felt like she had betrayed Aang. How could she expect him to take her back? The worst thing was that she loved him. She couldn't bear to be without Aang, but then why was she so quick to desert him? She was brought out of thought when she felt Sokka's hands on her shoulders.

"Don't worry, Katara. He could never stay mad at you." Katara smiled at her brother's words. He was right. Aang wouldn't be cross with her. They were family. "Come on. We better hurry before it gets dark."

Suddenly, the ground started to shake under them. It felt like a small earthquake, but it couldn't be. Earthquakes were too rare to happen in this particular area because no tectonic plates met underneath. They looked up and saw trees being plowed down as something made its way towards them. When the trees in front of the two Water Tribe members fell down, they saw what was making the mess. A giant…thing was standing in front of them, sniffing the air around it. It wasn't the monster that shocked them. On top of the beast sat a woman with long, black hair with Prince Zuko and Iroh behind her.

The beast continued to sniff around for a scent. It finally stopped and pointed at Katara. Katara whipped around and yelled to Sokka. "RUN!" But it was too late. The monster whipped his tongue at Katara and hit her in the back as she attempted to escape. She fell to the ground, completely paralyzed. Sokka looked at her in horror, but all she could do was mutter to him. "Sokka, get away. Run." He listened to her and ran into the forest. The woman jumped off her pet and examined the girl.

"Wow, so this is your girlfriend?" Jun asked. "No wonder she ran away. She's too pretty for you. Should we go after the other one?" Zuko jumped to the ground and shook his head.

"No, I got what I need." He picked up Katara by the collar and shook her limp body. "Where is the Avatar?" Katara scowled at him. He knew he wasn't going to get an answer out of her. Without warning, Jun's beast started to sniff again.

"He's picking up another scent," Jun said. She reached into Katara's bag and pulled out her father's letter. "It's a map to a rendezvous for the Water Tribe Army. He's getting a new smell from this. If we follow it, we might find the Avatar." Zuko smiled at Katara and flung her over his shoulder.

"Soon, I will have the Avatar in my prison cell, and you will join him." Katara's eyes started to shake in fear as they got on the giant animal and ran through the forest.


Sokka came running into the abbey with a frantic look in his eyes. The sisters tried to calm him down as he tried to get his words out, but he couldn't make any sense out of it. Had he become that frightened? He finally saw Aang and instantly his voice returned.

"Zuko is here, and he has Katara! We have to save her!"

"I know, Sokka." With that, Aang flew into the air to search for them. He wouldn't let Zuko take away the person he love, not without a fight.


"Are we going to find him anytime today?" Zuko asked impatiently. "I'm starting to think this monster you call a tracker couldn't smell crap if it hit him in the face."

"Just be patient or I'll feed you to my so called tracker for dinner." Zuko huffed at Jun's words. He stared back at Katara. She looked so beautiful, even if she despised him. He couldn't get Jun's words out of his head. Is that your girlfriend? He shook out of it. He couldn't think about her. She was the enemy. She could help her find the Avatar. She could tell him the Avatar's weaknesses. A light bulb lit in his head and he turned to his uncle.

"Uncle Iroh, if I somehow don't defeat the Avatar, I want you to take this girl back to our ship. She is our prisoner and she could be valuable to me." Iroh nodded as Zuko address Katara. "I will get everything I need out of you. You are my insurance." Katara didn't like the sound of that. Oh God, she thought. What is he going to do to me?


And that is the end of this chapter. I don't think I have to go through the whole fight scene.I know it's short, but we already know whose going to win. So tell me what you think. Cya.