Strike of a match
I have not written fanfiction in a long, long time. Nor have I ever written for this fandom, actually. But I've wanted to get back into writing for a while and thought I'd do something fun.
Description: Katara and the rest of the Gaang travel to the Fire Nation for the five year anniversary celebrations of the end of the war. As they have all matured and grown into young adults, some have grown together and others have grown apart. Fic takes the comics into account, non-Korra compliant. ZUTARA.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters of ATLA.
The sounds that awake Katara, Master Waterbender and daughter of the Southern Water Tribe, that brisk spring morning were the soft voices and dull footsteps of the sailors scuffling aboard the great iron ship. She wakes slowly, gently and far later than she would usually allow herself to slumber on the average day. But these past weeks aboard the large transport ship, in her luxurious quarters equipped with thick, cosy furs, silken sheets, and floral oils burning all day, have lulled her slightly.
She was on her way on to the five year anniversary celebration of the end of the Great War in the Fire Kingdom. While the planning and construction of Republic City – Avatar Aang and Fire Lord Zuko's great collaboration in reunification and reconciliation of the Nations - was still underway, Zuko had insisted that the celebrations be held in the Fire Nation capital. And he had sent these lavishly furnished vessels to transport his friends and fellow dignitaries.
When the invitation and vessels had arrived for them at the Southern Water Tribe, both Sokka and Katara were spending time at home together for the first time in years. Sokka had returned several months prior, returning from several years spent at Kyoshi Island with Suki, to discuss the complex matter of the future chiefdom of the tribe with his father while Suki and the Kyoshi warriors were taking on security for Zuko after his upmost assassination attempt. And her, Katara, taking a break (to much speculation and whispered rumours by the women of the tribe) from her travels with Aang to set up a waterbending school in the Southern Water Tribe with Pakku. Despite all the raised eyebrows and less-than-subtle references to marriage since Katara had come of age, she was adamant to all that asked that the Avatar and herself were taking their time in their relationship but remained entirely committed to on another, and were not so insecure to be pressured by the expectations placed upon them by others. So she'd say…
Now it has been almost 2 weeks aboard this ship, and they were finally nearing their destination. As much as she loved being surrounded by her element, Katara looked forward to being on land again, and to see the friends she had not seen in so long.
Katara stretched, allowing her tired muscles to relax, and her mind to wake up. She walked towards the vanity and washed her face with the lukewarm water that had to have been replaced not too long before. She changed from her nightgown to a lighter dress in her usual Water Tribe blue and a light, silky coat provided by their host, and with an apprehensive sigh, slowly exited her quarters to cross the hallway and ascend up the steps to the deck.
The sun was bright yellow and the air warm, even in the morning, telling her instinctively that they had entered Fire Nation waters.
"G'mornin' K'tara." She was greeted as she crossed the deck to where Sokka was sitting by a table, stuffing his mouth with breakfast – assorted preserved fruits and nuts, oats with whey milk and fresh citrus, spread generously across the table. A kitchen boy was laughing jovially as he carried a pitcher of juice and a pot of freshly brewed coffee to the breakfast table. "How'd ya sleep?" Sokka asked as he gulped down another large bite.
"Alright, thank you. And you?"
"Great. I've said it once, I've said it again. Zuko knows how to set up a gig, y'know? I had so many Fire Flakes last night, I almost didn't have room for breakfast this morning!" Sokka raved, stuffing his mouth with another handful of fruits and nuts.
"I can tell." Katara deadpanned, taking a deep breath of sea air, steadying herself in the morning sun. Looking out into the horizon, she saw the smattering of smaller islands appear in the distance. "Looks like we're close to arriving. Are you excited to see Suki?"
Sokka lit up, a light flush tinging his cheeks. He had grown so much the past years into a tall, impressive young man adorned with the warrior tattoos of their tribe and a traditional hairstyle paralleling his father's. However his youthfulness and joking nature remained despite his maturing years. "She sent another messenger hawk yesterday. I can't wait to see her again. And apparently everything is prepared for the celebrations and looking wonderful – the feasts she describes! Oh, Katara!" He dramatically fell back. Then, as he ascended, with a bit more caution: "Have you, uh, heard from Aang yet? Do you know when he'll be arriving..?"
She shrugged, picking a few items from the breakfast spread onto a small plate. "I haven't received any word from him since we were in the South pole. But I assume he will be there. I can't think why Zuko wouldn't invite the Avatar to the celebration for the anniversary of the end of the war. I'd assume he'd be the guest of honour."
"Yeah, but I mean… you're his girlfriend, right, didn't he send you-"
"I don't know, Sokka." She said exasperatedly. "He's probably busy training the Air Accolades or something, or solving some conflict in the Earth Kingdom, or… Just drop it." She said with a quiet sigh. "I'm sure he'll be here. Anyway, I don't feel like talking about Aang all the time. Why don't we talk about more exciting things, hm? Tell me what Suki said about the feast?"
With perhaps a bit of hesitation, her brother took the bait and reinitiated his telling of Suki's description of the preparations for the celebrations. Large quantities of fruits and fresh produce being carted in from the rural villages, meats being prepared in marinades or preserved in salts to be made into extravagant local dishes, the crates of wines and Fire Whiskey being selected for the party, and the lavish cakes and tarts adorned with cream and flowers being ordered... She had described how beautiful the palace looked with bright fire lilies in high ornate vases everywhere, and the decorative crystals being hoisted up on the high ceiling of the dance hall… All of it sounded so wonderful. And didn't they all deserve a party after all these years? First fighting the war, then working so hard to maintain and cultivate peace thereafter…
Some of them, of course, busier than others. Katara found herself thinking, trying to swallow down the bitter thought. Instead she asked, "It sounds like there's a lot going on. How is Suki and the other Kyoshi warriors doing, in all this craziness?"
"Oh, great." Sokka said, taking a long swig of strong, black coffee, pulling his face. "For the most part, the assassination attempts against Zuko has calmed down in the past while. At least, nothing as serious as it was in the beginning, or so she says."
"I'm happy to hear that." Katara says nodding.
She had last seen Zuko when she, Sokka and Aang had accompanied him on a mission to find his mother, Ursa. But that was several years ago, now. The adventure was one that she held warmly in her memory. The loss of a mother was something she shared with Zuko, and she could not imagine the wonderful and bittersweet feeling of being finally reunited after assuming she was lost for so long. She knew of course of the assassination attempts he had suffered. Aang had travelled to the Fire Nation more than once to help him uncover plots against his life. However, she had not been privy to those visits for a multitude of reasons. She was regretful that she had been so absent while her friend was struggling with such terrible issues. For, despite their initial difficulties in getting along, she did consider Zuko a dear friend. Perhaps because he was the only one (besides her incorrigible brother) close to her age, she found it easy to talk to him about serious issues and valued his advice dearly in the form of letters.
That is, when Aang and I are in one place long enough to receive any letters.
"Master Katara…" A servant addressed her bowing, pulling her from her thoughts.
"Oh, Roza. How are you this morning?"
"I am well, thank you Master Katara. I have come to alert you that the captain estimates that, if the tides continue to be in our favour, we should be arriving late this afternoon."
"That is wonderful. Thank you, Roza."
"Perhaps, in preparation for your arrival to the palace, I shall prepare you a bath? Perhaps with some aromatherapy oils, for your relaxation? Or could I bring you some tea, to enjoy the views on deck for the time being?"
"That is very kind of you, Roza. Perhaps, uh, later?"
Roza bowed her head, and swiftly glided back to kitchens and servants quarters – perhaps to prepare the tea or bath anyway, Katara assumed.
Beside her, Sokka shrugged and popped another slice of citrus in his mouth. "What did I tell ya? Knows how to set up a gig. This is living, Katara, I'm tellin' ya, this is living."
The sun was just starting to descend into the horizon, colouring to sky purple and pink, when the large harbour of the Fire Nation capital emerged. Katara had been subjected to endless pampering by Roza, who had turned her quarters into a heady, florally-scented spa upon her return. She felt fresh and clean and silky-soft as she stood on the bow of the ship, feeling the warm afternoon breeze tickle her cheeks and blow through her hair, watching the harbour grow closer and closer.
She felt a knot of apprehension in her stomach as the deck grew busy with sailors preparing to berth the ship. What was waiting for her on those shores? Her time for toiling with feelings was running out, and soon she might have to face conversations that she had hoped to avoid.
As the ship slowly slipped into the harbour the ropes were strewn out, pulling it into a prepared space.
"Katara!" Behind her Sokka walked up with their few bits of baggage being carried behind him. "C'mon!"
The drawbridge was lowered and with a final sigh, Katara hopped off her perch on the bow of the ship and joined her brother to descend to bridge.
Below, a party was waiting for them next to an ornate palanquin, led by a tall woman with long, silky raven hair pulled halfway into a topknot with the rest billowing down her shoulders. Beside her stood a young girl dressed in pink silks with a wide smile. When they arrived at the bottom of the bridge, they were greeted with smiles and respectful bows. "Masters Katara and Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe. We are pleased at your safe arrival. And very happy to see you both again."
"Ursa! Kiyi!" Katara greeted them, laughing. As she neared them, she was happy to note that the woman's arms extended and met her in a mutual hug. She bent down to greet the young girl as well, who had grown taller since she had last seen her. "It is so wonderful to see you both."
"Come, my dears. I am sure you must be quite exhausted from your travels. Rooms have been prepared in the palace for you, so you may rest." Ursa said with a smile.
"Actually the travel was quite restful." Katara noted, helping one of the servants put their bags into the paraquin. "I haven't been pampered like that in a long time."
"I'm sure you will be happy to hear that may of your friends have already arrived." Ursa said smiling, as they all climbed into the paraquin, and were lifted off towards the palace. "If you are not resting tonight, I am sure you will see them all at dinner." Katara felt a knot in her stomach again, but smiled and nodded politely.
"Will Zuko be able to join us?"
"Of course." Kiyi interjected with a frown. "I made him promise."
Katara felt a giggle bubble up in her chest.
Ursa shook her head gently and placed a hand on her young daughter's shoulder. "Zuko has understandably been quite busy lately, and as such has missed a few dinners here and there. But I am sure he will be there tonight – it's the first night of the celebrations after all, so it will be a priority!"
Kiyi had already lost interest in the conversation and taken to showing Sokka some of the firebending she could do, bending a small flame in her hand into the shape of a blooming fire lily. As Ursa fussed over Kiyi, warning her against bending fire in such a confined space, Katara felt the warm feeling in her chest once more, and chose to focus on the sweet moment between mother and daughter rather than her own feelings of apprehension.
Perhaps she could manage to enjoy these celebrations after all. Seeing her friends again after so much time would be wonderful, and Suki had been right in her letter – they did all deserve to enjoy a party for once.
It is difficult to be back in this place, and not think back to that night…
They had just defeated Azula and bound her in chains. The fallen princess was screaming, crying, lashing out in madness and misery as she lay tied down to the floors of the courtyard. Most of the servants and soldiers in the palace had fled for safety, having heard the crackling of lightning and mad laughter of the Princess and her estranged brother in Agni Kai. However, a few loyal inhabitants had remained and rushed to Zuko's side when they heard Azula's wails of defeat. After some deliberation with the remaining guards, Zuko was satisfied Azula was contained (as much as possible given the circumstances) and secured. Katara found herself half-carrying his weakened body across the wide, dark hallways of the palace. They were searching for a bedroom to lay him down and continue healing his scorched skin and tangled chi, and she felt a growing sense of urgency as his groans of pain grew quiet and sweat gathered on his brow. His body was still buzzing with electricity and his skin felt hot against hers as she hobbled him across the floor. After what felt like an eternity, they reached a wing with wide doors leading into bedrooms. The furniture there was covered in a thin film of dust and the curtains were drawn, but Zuko offered to word on where they were and all but collapsed on the bed. She frantically collected water to heal him with, tore open his shirt to reveal the jagged wound just by his heart, and placed her glowing hands upon it. His body was teeming with energy, knotted and coiled and unnaturally distorted. His breathing was slow and steady, interrupted by intermittent flinching as she worked. She smiled gently down at him, eyes bleary with tears, and words on the tip of her tongue – but he simply laid his hand gently on her wrist and smiled back up at her. Nothing needed to be said; they understood each other now.
If the memory hadn't been so clear and potent in her mind, she might have struggled to recognise the palace now. Zuko's reign held a far different philosophy that past Fire Lords, and as such the palace had also undergone a transformation. The velvety maroon curtains were pulled open, letting sunlight stream in and illuminate every inch of the high-ceilinged halls as they transversed polished the marble floors. Much of the nationalistic banners and tapestries reminiscent of wartime had been replaced by traditional pieces of art depicting folklore of great heroes riding on the backs of dragons, their coiling their long bodies across the sky. Suki had also been accurate in her descriptions of the décor of the celebrations– the halls were adorned with bouquets of fresh flowers and sparkling crystals fell from the ceiling, catching the last light of dusk. The place seemed lighter now. And still, as Ursa led them across the floor to the main dining room, Katara felt a familiar unsettled feeling in her gut.
The doors opened, and the group was indeed greeted by their friends, sitting at a long table and apparently deep in debate. Toph, Haru, and Suki and Tai Ly (both in their full Kyoshi warrior make up) sat in deep conversation, not even noticing their arrival. That is, until Suki gave out a high-pitched squeal, and launched herself off her seat and across the room into Sokka's arms. Katara side-stepped past the affectionate reunion to go greet the others, receiving warm hugs from all and a cool nod from Toph.
"How long have you guys been here?" Katara asked, settling in. "What have you been up to?"
"Oh, we arrived the other day. We made pretty good time from Ba Sing Se. We've just been chilling…" Toph said, putting her feed up.
"It's so nice to be home and get to relax!" Tai Ly exclaimed. "I've been taking everyone around to see the beaches, and my favourite spots in the city… Yesterday we even visited my old circus!"
"That sounds lovely!" Katara smiled.
"It's been pretty nice getting a break from the Beifong Metalbending Academy. I think this celebration probably came at exactly the right time. My students have been so frustrating! I've started trying to teach them techniques, and it's been sooooo tedious." Toph said rolling her eyes.
"I think they're progressing fine. I visited the Academy and saw their progress myself. Especially considering they're learning a form of bending that just started existing… She's just being hard on them." Haru said.
Toph shrugged nonchalantly. "I got high standards. You need to be better that 'fine' if you're being taught by the greatest Earthbender in the world and first ever Metalbender!"
The group laughed at their banter, as Suki and Sokka re-joined the table. The jovial conversations continued, concentrating mostly on what each member has been doing since their last meeting. When the topic turned to how things were doing at the South Pole, the group expected to hear Sokka was considering chiefdom and was home to learn the ins-and-outs of the role from his father. They were, however, quite surprised to hear Katara was back home.
"I thought you were still flying around the world with Aang?" Suki said. "When did you go back home?"
"A few months ago." Katara said with a shrug. "Pakku needed help setting up a Waterbending school back home. And I hadn't seen my family in a while, so I decided to make the trip home. It's been nice, watching the way the tribe is growing and developing since the war's end, and trying to help where I can. I feel good about it."
"That's great!" Suki said cheerily. "And, uh, where's Aang at the moment?"
Katara shrugged. "Uh, I'm not sure. It's kind of hard to keep track, ya know. He's always flitting in from one place to another."
There was a beat of uncomfortable silence as the group nodded.
"He, uh…" Katara started, hoping to fend off some of the silence. "He should probably be here though. He's not yet, obviously, but uh… he will probably be arriving soon."
"Great!" Tai Ly cheered. "That's great! A proper reunion."
"Anyway…" Sokka was (thankfully) able to read his sister's discomfort, and created a swift exit. "We should probably go find our rooms, and settle in before dinner tonight. Speaking of… will our host be joining us?"
"Who knows?" Toph said, rolling her eyes. "Sparky's been like a ghost the whole time we've been here. The only ones who get to see him are his body guards over here-" Gesturing to the Kyoshi warriors by her side.
"He's just been busy. He's been trying his best to be here for meals and the fun things, but his advisors are constantly pulling him into meetings, and then out of meetings for other meetings…" Suki sighed. "All I can say is thank goodness I'm not running an island nation, because it is not as glamorous as it all seems."
"I dunno, seems pretty glamorous to me." Katara said, looking up again at the gorgeous palace interior and thinking of her comfortable lodgings during her travel here. Even with the development and improvements going on back home in the South Pole, it was far from this level of luxury.
"I'm sure he'll try his best to be here." Tai Ly nodded, affirming Suki's statement. "I know he's really excited to see you guys again."
"I'll show you to your rooms." Suki hopped up, and took Sokka by the arm to lead him. "We are all staying in the same wing. It's really nice, and it means we can hang out easily if we have any free time too…"
Katara followed the twittering couple. She was smiling at their glee at being together again, but felt a small pang of jealousy.
She had known there'd be questions when she arrived without Aang, but had hoped it wouldn't be so quick. She should have been prepared with a better excuse, but she didn't want to lie to her friends. If she was honest with herself, she was nervous about seeing Aang again – particularly since she had not received any confirmation of his whereabouts or plans since their awkward separation. And she had missed the intimacy and comfort of a relationship, and of being in love. If she was honest with herself – perhaps she has been feeling that way for a longer time than this separation. And the uncertainty of where they stood and where they were going was causing her more concern than she was willing to admit to.
Hi guys. It's been a second since I've written anything, as I said in the description above. It would be really great to hear what you all think, and get some constructive feedback.
Many thanks, Zanny