Okay so this is my first time participating in Zutara Week. OH! And Iroh is with the groupd at Ember Island before the comet. Sorry its just how I envisioned it!
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender, Zuko, Katara, Zutara or Zutara Week.
Day 1: Mask
The beach glowed from the firelight. The Gaang was gathered around, laughing and talking, all was peaceful. But one thing did go unnoticed by everyone in the group except a certain waterbender, a firebender was missing. He was not with the group, making and serving tea like he usually did. No, his face was not among the collage of the other faces gathered around the campfire tonight. Where could he be? And what is he doing?
She excussed herself quietly before running off to his room. She knew the route by heart now from many late night visits. She had to 'keep and eye on him', especially when she felt cold.
His room was empty but she noticed that the contents of his bag were left on his bed. The mask and swords were gone. She cursed.
She knew about his alter ego and that he bought a new mask specifically for sentimental reasons. No more Blue Spirit. Thats what he had told her. But now he has probably gone and got himself captured or killed. She blanched. He's not dead, She scolded herself.
And so she marched with purpose back to the fire, sat down, and pouted. There was no way she coudl find him, not until he came back home. If he comes back.
"Katara, whats wrong?" Aang asked.
Everyone in the group turned to look at her, even the blue demon mask that was hidden in the shadows.
"Zuko has gone off to be the Blue Spirit again and I dont like it!"
"Well maybe we should go looking for him." Aang replied.
"Zuko's the Blue Spirit?" Sokka asked obliviously.
"Wow I didnt think Sparky had it in him!" Toph said.
"Makes a tear come to my eye." She added, wiping a fake tear away.
Iroh simply smiled at the children, wondering slightly why his nephew would just leave without telling him where he was going, he was usually smarter then that, usually...
"I dont know why you even try." Sneered the boy who was just about to dishonor a young lady in the street.
"Theres one of you and seven of us." Laughed another, and they all started to laugh at him.
He lunged. Broadswords flying left and right, knocking out every single one of the men. He stepped back, admiring his work when a tiny whimper caught his attention. He turned towards the girl and frowned. She looked cold and scared. He knew he couldnt stay long so he took one of the men's jacket and wrapped it around her small figure and ccreated a fire for her.
"Do you know your way home?" He asked, one of the few times he actually spoke.
"Y-yes." she whimpered.
He felt a pang of sympathy for her.
"You'll be okay now, they wont be awake for a while, get home as soon as this fire dies out." He laid a comforting hand on her shoulder and he turned to leave when,
"Wait!"
He turned back towards her only to be tackled. Her arms wrapped around him and he was forced to take a step back from the force of the hug. He awkwardly returned it, patting her back gently. She stepped back.
"Thank you Blue Spirit."
He smiled behind the mask, and was gone...
"Zuko? Blue Spirit? Idiot who wont be getting any for a while?" Katara called, hoping that it would be enough to get him to come back, but alas, she saw no blue demon mask from the shadows of the night coming towards her.
But she heard something in the darkness. It sounded like, breathing...
And so the Gaang could not find Zuko, and went hom for some much needed sleep, hoping he would show in the morning. When they did not see neither Zuko nor Katara the next morning, they worried. First they checked Katara's room for Katara and found nothing. They dashed down the hall to Zuko's room to find the door open, with Iroh standing in the doorway.
"Shhh, they're sleeping." He whispered and pointed to Zuko's small bed.
The group piled in the doorway to look at the boy clad in black with his arm around the girl in blue, sleeping peacefully. But Uncle Iroh was not looking at the couple, but at the blue demon mask that Katara held in her hand against Zuko's chest...
So watcha think? Review!