Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar or the song Making Memories of Us by Keith Urban
This little ditty was inspired by the song Making Memories of Us. I was just listening to that song and thought, Hey, that could be a Zutara. So I did this in honor of my epiphany. Hopefully more than just a oneshot.
He pulled the heavy parka over his head and followed his beloved out into the biting cold of the south pole. Today wasn't as cold since it was "summer" here, or so she said. He knew she enjoyed making him leave his comfort zone.
"It's not that far away, just over there," she pointed in the direction of the newly constructed temple.
She smiled at him, but her eyes held a sadness that spoke of a lost childhood, and faded memories. He knew how she felt, it was how he felt also.
This was the first time since the end of the war that she has actually honored her deceased mother. And it was the first time that Zuko would be honoring her mother at all.
"Well, at least you're not nervous," she spoke trying to lighten the somber mood. She giggled as she remembered when he first met her father.
Zuko looked at the young woman walking before him and cocked his head to the side in curiosity as he heard her giggle carried on the brisk wind of her home land.
"What is so funny?" he questioned her, his tone serious as usual.
"I was just remembering the first time you met my father," she supplied with a smile that lit up her entire face.
Zuko smiled back at her. He enjoyed the way her eyes sparkled when she was happy and how she had a hard time smiling without showing all of her teeth. "Why is that funny?" he asked.
"You were nervous," she answered as she came to the door of the temple.
"It is unbecoming of royalty to be nervous," he retorted with a fake haughtiness.
"You were nervous," she poked him in the chest with her gloved hand.
He opened the door for her as he spoke quietly, "Maybe a little."
She smirked at her small victory, and a moment later was back to her serious mood. This was a big deal in both of their cultures, and a necessity placed on them by Zuko himself.
"There is something I would like to do before we are married," he placed his hands gently on her shoulders as he spoke.
"Oh, and what might that be?" she questioned him playfully. Her ocean blue eyes dancing in the firelight.
"I want to honor your mother," he supplied seriously, searching her eyes for her feelings.
She was shocked at his reply. It certainly wasn't what she had expected him to say. It had been so long since she, herself had done anything to honor her mother.
He followed her to a corner of the room dedicated to those who died in battle. There, on a small raised platform, was the marker of the wife of the chief of the southern water tribe, the mother to the future wife of the future fire lord, but those were not what made her important to either of the two there to honor her.
What made her important to Katara, was all the love, and wisdom she bestowed upon her daughter before her death. And what made her important to Zuko was the fact that she was important to Katara.
"I'm not sure of the rituals you do for your deceased," he began as he pulled out two sticks of incense and a fruit.
She smiled as he place the fruit before the ice marker and lit the incense between his fingers. "It doesn't matter how we honor our deceased, I want you to honor her however you see fit."
"Thank you, honored mother of my beloved," he spoke in hushed, somber tones as he bowed before the marker.
Katara couldn't help the tears that trailed down her dusky cheeks as she watched him, the mighty fire prince, the love of her life, honoring her mother, a chieftains wife of the small, southern water tribe. She smiled as she wiped away the tears and bowed beside him.
Sokka had quietly followed Zuko and Katara to the temple. He slipped in unnoticed by the two of them and watched from a corner near the door. He heard them whispering and moved closer to hear what was being said. He overheard Katara telling Zuko to honor their mother however he saw fit and watched as his friend placed fruit and lit incense before his mothers marker. Then he heard the words uttered by Zuko and watched as the man bowed his head to the floor in honor of his mother. Sokka wiped a tear from his cheek as he made his way silently back outside. He smiled as he made his way back home and was glad that Zuko was the one going to be the new addition to their family.
If you liked it, loved it, or hated it, review and let me know!
C.A.