Prompt: Jakia 's "Quote? What Quote?" challenge prompt #1 at the katara-zuko Livejournal community
Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender, Zuko, Iroh, etc. Those all belong to Mike, Bryan, Nickelodeon, Viacom and all other companies. (If I did own Avatar (which I don't), there would be more Zutara)
--Reviews are appreciated, but of course, they are your choice. (Constructive criticism is also appreciated).
Katara browsed through different fruits displayed on a vendor's cart in a small Earth Kingdom village south of Omashu.
It had been nearly a decade since the defeat of Fire Lord Ozai and the return of peace between the four nations. Iroh and Zuko reclaimed their spots in fire nation royalty after Ozai had been dethroned. The reign of Fire Lord Iroh began.
As far as Katara's friends went, Aang finally was able to enjoy life without the burden of defeating the Fire Lord. Toph stayed with Aang for more than just friendship reasons. Sokka stayed with his father, who Katara and him reunited with once the war ended.
A man in the distance drew Katara's attention. He was dressed in fine Fire Nation robes, not armor. Something about him looked familiar; the color of his hair, his attitude as he demanded something from a storeowner. Then he turned around. Amber eyes, prominent scar across his left eye… it was Zuko.
The melon half Katara was holding smashed into pieces on the ground.
"You'll have to pay for that!" the angry cart owner yelled.
Not too far away, Zuko glanced at who was yelling and then he noticed her. Something about her looked familiar, the color of her skin, the way she apologized, oddly enough. Then it dawned on him. It was Katara.
Amber met blue as the two pairs of eyes met. Both benders were frozen in their spots. Then, Katara walked toward the firebender.
"Hello, Zuko."
"Hello, Katara."
There was an awkward pause and a look on Katara's face was as if she was contemplating something.
"Zuko, what happened between us?"
"What?"
"Me and you, Zuko .When we were younger. What happened there?"
"Well…we did what a lot of stupid people do at that age: we fell in love."
It surprised her that Zuko actually admitted it. He had changed since their last… encounter.
"But then it just stopped. I guess it's expected. Sokka, Toph and I were still trying to help Aang defeat the Fire Lord. And you, you were still trying to capture him. It wasn't working. Not to mention if Sokka or Aang found us… meeting each other. So it just stopped"
"Yes. It did. But I've moved on," Zuko said, slightly grimacing.
"Oh," Katara said, staring at the ground, "So have I."
"So I'll see you in the future. I always do," Zuko said, sounding a bit distant.
"Goodbye Zuko."
With that, the once enemies both went on their separate paths. Both regretting not saying more, because they both lied. Neither of them had moved on and neither of them would be the first to admit it.