Tada! My first Zutara fic and I am stoked. Although I'm currently writing another story, this one I had to get out of my head before I lost it and I'm only on vacation for so long. I hope you all enjoy.
The sun began to set in the west. Twilight enveloping the sky above, and Katara could feel the pull of the moon. She loved this time of day. Seeing the moon and sun together and yet so far apart. As though they were chasing one another in an endless cycle. It reminded her of a tale her mother used to tell her and Sokka at night before bedtime. Her brother would huff about how silly the story was but Katara liked it, even though she knew it wasn't true.
What harm did it cause to have a little imagination.
Warm air started to surround her and her parka began to weight down on her person. She fanned herself with her hand and figured it was time to change into lighter water tribe attire.
She took one last look at the setting sun disappearing in the horizon and then northwest where they were heading on a fire nation ship. She removed the letter from her pocket and clutched it in her fist.
She needed this. Now more than ever.
Katara took a deep breath and sighed making her way below deck to the cabins, the breeze spreading the smell of sea in the air.
Once she made it into the hallways below deck towards her room, she spotted Sokka walking in her direction.
"We should be there by midmorning tomorrow according the Captain." Sokka announced.
"You know, you didn't have to come." Katara stated. He recently was made chief so of course he would be needed back home. But she could guess why he really wanted to go.
"Well, why not? Zuko invited us both and besides, what better way to get over a heartbreak than to have a bro cheer you up?" Sokka went to flex the muscles in his arms only to end up hitting his elbow hard on the wall made of metal.
Smooth, Katara rolled her eyes and couldn't help but shake her head and smiled at her brother. You'd think after six years since the war ended that he would've matured out of his antics. But Sokka was Sokka and despite his overbearing and annoying presence, it always gave Katara a sense of comfort. As though some things never changed. Sokka pursed his lips and groaned as he rubbed his elbow.
"I only hope that's not your tactic for cheering up the Firelord."
"There's always other ways. Booze, Sparring, Women." Sokka moved his eyebrows up and down. "The Fire Nation has these places called gentlemen's clubs an-"
"Ew!" Katara slapped him hard on the elbow he hit earlier causing him to wince, "I don't want to know what you guys do when you enter one of those places!"
"Geez, no need to be closed minded."
"I'm far from it. I just have my preferences and that's not one of them!"
"Well, you should probably change into some weather appropriate clothes. It'll only get hotter from here and we're heading into the Fire Nation mid-summer."
"Yeah, yeah. That's what I'm doing now. See you at dinner?"
"Don't expect me to save you anything."
Why did she ask?
*break*
Zuko sat in his office, head hung low and face in his palms. His mind ran a mile a minute, trying to retrace the memories of where it all went wrong. Being the Firelord consumed the majority of his time but he thought he was a descent husband none-the-less. Yeah, he had an issue controlling his anger at times and he wasn't who you would call a romantic. But he loved Mai with every fiber of his being.
When he received a letter informing him of an annulment filed under Mai's name, his world came crashing.
They had only been married half a year and only a couple months in did their relationship start to falter. Mai stated she needed some distance and he supported her despite the dread he felt from her decision. He loved her and at that point he would've done anything to make her happy, even if it meant not seeing her for a while.
She had left for Kyoshi Island to visit Ty Lee in order to clear her head with a close friend to comfort her and Zuko thought it was only a matter of time. Only her letters came less and less as time went by. Weeks went by since the last letter she sent only for him to receive a letter with documents requesting an annulment. He read every last word of those documents, nothing specified the exact reason why she wanted to end their marriage. All he wanted was an answer. What he did, what he could've done or if she even loved him anymore.
Despite the anger that fueled up in him, he thought it all through. He would bare his sorrow and give Mai what she wanted.
His advisors were infuriated and demanded he get his wife and force her to come to terms with this marriage and produce an heir. The citizens of the Fire Nation were already questioning his capabilities as a leader of this Nation due to the fact he waited five years alone to finally marry. When word gets out that he agreed to the annulment and that an heir has still not been produced, things would get even more rockier than before.
It was enough with the rebellions and the assassination attempts but those began to wither when the Firelord announced the date he was to wed his long time fiancé. Now there was no telling what could happen.
Right now Zuko didn't care. He mourned the loss of his marriage and his true love. He moved his hands from his face and opened the letter he got in response to the one he sent to the Water Tribe siblings. He also had sent for Toph, Suki and Aang. They would only make it two weeks after and he didn't expect Aang for another month due to his rebuilding the air temples and helping construct the diverse City of Republic. Zuko had also spent time physically and financially supporting the vision him and Aang had together.
Zuko's thoughts were interrupted when his General and cousin, Shin, walked into his office along with Fire Nation guards following behind. "Firelord Zuko." Shin bowed.
"Shin." the Firelord greeted.
"My Lord, we have received word that the Fire Nation ship hosting Chief Sokka and Master Katara will arrive here mid-morning tomorrow."
Zuko nodded," Good. Please prepare their rooms for accommodation."
"Yes, Firelord." Shin bowed once more and left the room with the rest of the guard.
Zuko slumped in his chair and looked out of the window leading to the balcony facing the ocean.
*break*
"Yes!" Sokka stood at the front of the ship with his arms in the air and his hands balled into fists. His wolf's tail blowing in the wind. "We're here!"
The siblings could see the Fire Nation Capital in the distance, the red and gold palace reflecting like light in the midmorning sun. Katara was excited. It's been years since she had last visited the Fire Nation. Her and Zuko wrote letters to one another since that time. She had just gone through her break up with Aang and he was there for her. Now it was her turn to do the same. It was unfortunate to hear considering she knew how much he had truly loved Mai. She honestly thought nothing could come between them but circumstances said different.
She only hoped she could cheer him up the way he did her.
Once the ship docked she was getting ready to walk off when Sokka had zoomed by her to run down the plank. She barely had time to register what entity had the power to move at such speed when she realized it was in fact Sokka heading right for the Firelord who had come to greet them at the docks.
The guards seemed prepared to interfere when Zuko told them to stand down and Sokka came colliding into his body and pulling him into a bear hug. Zuko couldn't seem to pry himself out of Sokka's grip and his hair that reached the middle of his back was caught in Sokka's arms.
"Sokka...please...can't-breathe!"
"Oh, sorry." He set Zuko back down and gave him a bow, "Firelord Zuko."
Zuko grinned and gave him a proper Fire Nation bow, "Chief Sokka."
"So, when's lunch?" Sokka grinned widely scratching the back of his head. He yelped when a water whip struck him right in the rear.
"Sokka! Manners!" Katara walked up behind him and frowned, setting the stream of water back in her water skin. She then turned to smile at Zuko and bowed as well, "Firelord."
"Master Katara." He couldn't help but return the smile. Katara always had that affect on him even after years apart. "Since your both here, we can proceed to the palace. And yes, Sokka, lunch will be prepared."
Katara gave an unamused look when Sokka fisted his hand in the air.
Zuko was glad they had made it.
I think I'm starting to get a hang of writing fanfiction. I only wish I was asn good as most author's but I enjoy it none the less. Hope you liked it. Please review.