"Zuko," Katara said softly from the doorway. She was far away, but, for some unfathomable reason, she knew he would hear her; and he didn't disappoint. His head jerked up, and his eyes immediately fell upon her. They swept up and down, across her face, locking solidly on her eyes. She was almost surprised that he didn't glance once at the child in her arms, but she couldn't lie to herself. He had always overlooked those things he didn't want to believe existed. This was just one more that fell under that category.
Zuko stood quickly, but didn't move toward her. He seemed hesitant, and she knew why; he had just been betrothed to Mai, and Mai was known for her anger. "Katara…"
Katara shut her eyes, hugging the child in her arms closer. Kaya mewed against her breast, and Katara took strength in the little sound. "There's someone here I need to introduce to you."
Zuko blinked, his eyes finally – finally - falling on the child in her arms. She had brown skin, but it was far paler than Katara's. And, in the dark, her eyes looked brown. But, she was sure even Zuko realized, they would be a bright gold in the sunlight. His eyes narrowed, and Katara stiffened defensively.
But, no matter his reaction, she had promised herself she would not back down. She would do this. She had to. "Zuko, this is Kaya." Zuko looked up into her face, and she saw desperation in his eyes. But she shook her head, trying to communicate her utter and total lack of pity. She would not be sorry for this. He needed to face it. "Kaya is your…"
"Zuko!" A woman's voice yelled from where Katara had just come in, and she stopped. She knew that voice.
It was Mai's voice.
"Zuko, you're late. The council started ten minutes…" she trailed off, and Katara could feel her eyes boring into her back. She paused. "Waterbender…" Katara heard her mumble as if it were a curse. She glared at the floor.
"I'll be right with you, Mai," Zuko said, and Katara saw him come down off the dais in her peripheral vision. "I've got to finish something with Lady Katara."
Silence, uncomfortable, horrible silence filled the room, making Katara flinch internally. Then Mai's next-to-silent footsteps could be heard moving away, and the slam of the large metal door left Katara breathless.
Neither moved, until Kaya, barely ten months old, began to jerk in Katara's grip. Katara tried to hush her without making much of a scene, but failed dismally. She eventually placed Kaya on the ground, where the child wrapped her arms around her feet and rocked, giggling manically.
When Katara looked up, Zuko was watching Kaya with something akin to sadness in his eyes.
Then Katara heard the words she'd been expecting. But it hurt all the same. "You should leave, Katara."
Katara nodded and picked Kaya up by the hands, swinging her in front of her body, letting them bump together with every one of Katara's steps. Kaya laughed, and Katara flinched as the sound echoed around the room.
When she reached the door and pushed it open, she looked back only long enough to say: "Daughter. She's your daughter." before pulling it shut behind her, and vowing to never come back.