HAPPY ZUTARA WEEK 2012! *pops cork, confetti falls, fireworks go off*
Thank you for clicking on my entries for Zutara Week 2012. Yes, I will post each of my entries here. WARNING: I cannot promise you these will be of adequate length, cliche-free, error-free, or a good read. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
I don't own ATLA.
Serendipity
Katara ran. She didn't care for how long or where to, but she needed to run.
The rain fell in torrents, soaking her to the bone. She shivered and stumbled, but kept on running. She had to get away.
Katara didn't know how long she had been running, but somehow she ended up at the turtle-duck pond. She collapsed her face in her hands. Her whole body was racked with chest-heaving sobs.
It's all your fault.
She sobbed harder.
"Iroh? Are you still with me?"
Iroh nodded weakly. "Yes, Miss Katara, I am."
Katara forced her hands to glow brighter and bluer. She had to save Iroh. She had to. Or Zuko would never forgive her.
"That's selfish," she thought to herself. "Iroh is more important than your relationships."
She blinked back tears. Iroh's heart was slowing and weakening.
Iroh's tired old eyes focused on her. "Miss Katara, why are you crying?"
"B-because I can't s-save you."
"Miss Katara, I know my time is here. Please, stop trying."
Katara nodded, crying silently.
"Tell Zuko I love him." And with one last sigh, the Dragon of the West was no more.
She ran shamefully out of his room, her anguished expression telling everyone without words what had happened.
Zuko…wait! She had never told Zuko Iroh's last words!
Katara finally lifted her head. She wanted so badly to get up and tell Zuko, but crying had zapped all the strength out of her.
Suddenly, she heard footsteps. She instinctively made a water-whip.
"Katara! It's just me!"
Oh spirits. It was Zuko.
He placed his hand on he shoulder. "Katara? It's okay."
Her voice came out shuddering. "H-how did you find me?
He sat down next to her. "Call it serendipity."
"How are you so..."
"Calm?" She nodded. "Because, Katara, I know you tried your best. Uncle was on a long trip downwards ever since the comet. I somehow knew in my heart it was time." His voice broke. "Believe me, I'm sad. Very. I can barely control myself at the moment. But it's okay. I know Uncle will somehow always find a way to be with me." Zuko laughed quietly. "He'll probably be reincarnated into tea leaves."
Katara turned and stared him in the eyes. "You mean-you're not mad at me?"
He sighed. "Katara, please tell me the last time I was mad at you in recent memory."
"Two years ago. I accidentally barged in on a 'very important' meeting."
"Exactly."
"Zuko?"
"Yes?"
"The last thing your uncle said was to tell you he loved you."
A single tear traced its way down Zuko's cheek. "Thank you."
She smiled faintly. "Anytime." She pulled him in for an embrace.
"Katara?" Zuko whispered in her ear.
"Yes, Zuko?"
"Can I tell you something?"
"Yes."
"I love you."
Katara froze.
Oh look at what you've done now, Zuko. You've scared her off.
What happened next completely surprised him: she kissed him.
And he was kissing her back.
He felt her hot tears falling on his face and her soft lips on his and everything was on fire; which was weird, considering she was a waterbender.
Katara pulled back. "I love you too," she murmured.
They leaned back together, her head on his chest.
"Zuko? What do we do now?"
He sighed. "I don't know."
"Do you promise you're not mad at me?"
"Yes, Katara, I promise."
"Okay."
With that, the rain stopped, and the sun broke free.
And if you pressed someone hard enough, they would tell you they could've sworn the wind sounded like a deep booming laugh.
...someone please tell me what I just wrote.
I don't know where the ending came from. I warned you, didn't I? This is my loose (read: nonexistent) interpretation of serendipity. My original idea was, and I quote, "Z/K needing comfort and Z/K shows up w/ help from Iroh :)".
Yes, I did actually put down a smiley face. Little did I know I was going to be killing Iroh. But hey, he's not exaclty a spry young fellow.
Please review!