Shadows and Morning Light

Chapter 1 – First Snow

Katara walked the full length of the hall; twice to be sure she'd truly walked the entire distance. She bit the corner of her sleeve, the red silk catching in her teeth. Instinctively her hand rested on her stomach. It was still flat, not a single sign of change was evident except to Toph. Katara's eyes darted to the door. Voices passed in small whispers. She looked down at her sleeve, the edges beginning to fray. Wearing red was incomparably different from her native blue hues. She sighed and darted into her room. Not even a full minute passed before she emerged in long blue robes. Her pacing resumed. Servants and maids paused just for a moment to glance her way in concern. Autumn leaves gently floated to the ground on the other side of the tall glass windows. Much of the palace was rebuilt, and even so there was much still under construction. It wasn't the dark and frightening place it once was; the place they once dreaded.

She stopped pacing; her mind fell silent as the steady footsteps grew louder, closing in from the adjacent hallway. Then came the sound of a chuckle; a light laugh that was so familiar it was as though she'd always known it. Her heart skipped a beat. It was her doings that brought his heart to pieces. Katara cringed. Someone else spoke. His voice was as well familiar, once harsh but now gentle, patient and kind. Though many believed time had changed him and brought him to be the Firelord he'd become, the gAang knew better. He'd never been villainous; Zuko was nothing like his father. She let out her heavy breath as her two closest companions rounded the corner. Zuko stood, still, taller than Aang, but the young Avatar was gaining on him. They looked up at her nervous pretense and then turned to each other with bright smiles and slightly restrained laughter. Katara rolled her eyes and folded her arms. Her long blue silk sleeves rippled like waves on the ocean.

The two stopped with almost innocent smiles. Aang was the first to speak, "Hey Katara, I heard you wanted to talk to me about something." He sounded excited, his eyes twinkling with delight. Normally, his mood was contagious, but today it was anything but and it sent a cold chill up Katara's spine.

"Could we talk somewhere else, Aang?" She glanced from the bald monk to the Firelord. Zuko's smile faded.

"I should go…" He glanced away, sensing the draw of attention, "I have a lot of work to do. You know, being the Firelord and all…" Zuko glanced to his friend who just tilted his head slightly to the side in curiosity. He turned away quickly and darted back from where they'd come.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" Aang's eyes lit up as he turned back to his waterbending master.

"Let's go outside Aang." She smiled and guided him to the tall glass doors. They stepped out together; the warm air was stagnant and smelled as though something fragrant was burning. The turning leaves over and tumbled from the trees in the amber light. In the trees there were remnants of the wedding. Aang smiled to himself, falling in step with their slow pace. It had been just a few days since the grand event. Although he envied the union with great intensity, he kept it to himself and wished only the best. He wanted her to be happy, even if it wasn't with him. Katara lead quietly to a shady place under the trees. Aang glanced around; the memories of the ceremony flooded his vision. It was beautiful. No other wedding could compare. There were colors everywhere and the delight and joys buzzed in the air.

His face pulled tight, his smile lowered into a slightly upturned line. Zuko was crowded by people he'd known growing up, for at least part of the time. Some where thrilled, others were disappointed. Aang pushed through at first, but upon recognitions, the crowd thinned and gave him a path. They smiled to one another; fell into a hug that was more than acquaintances, one that showed true friendship. It was then Aang decided to usher him away from the foreboding throngs. His mood changed from giddy to serious, almost stern. Zuko knew something was amiss and lead the Avatar farther from the guests. Aang stopped the stroll and confronted his firebending master about the change he sensed.

"Aang?" Katara's voice broke through the memory, "Did you hear me?"

"What?" He shook his head, "I'm sorry, Katara, what did you say?"

"I said I wanted to talk to you about something…and maybe you should sit down." She motioned towards the bench. Aang nodded and sat. His long yellow robes sank with his shoulder. His head leaned forward and gaze locked onto his lap.

Aang took a deep breath, "I know what this is about." He exhaled slowly and turned his eyes up to her, "You're pregnant."

Katara looked away, her hand jumped to her stomach, "Yes, I am." She sighed and sat down next to the young Avatar. Aang smiled, though it didn't seem happy, it was almost disappointed. Katara frowned, "How long have you know?"

"I knew before the wedding. I could feel it." Aang looked down at his hands, "It was faint at first, and I wasn't sure, but when I concentrated on it…I knew."

"Aang." She said softly, putting a hand on his shoulder.

The young Avatar looked up at her with a comforting look, "Are you excited?"

"To tell you the truth, I'm really scared. I…" She paused, "…we didn't mean for this to happen."

"You'll do fine." He said slowly, evenly as he shifted in place, "So, when's the due date?"

"It's not for a while, sometime around the first snow. Zuko said that's a long time from now, just over six months." Katara sighed.

"It doesn't actually snow in the Fire Nation." Aang lifted an eyebrow.

"I know, but Zuko thinks its cold enough to snow." Katara rolled her eyes.

"He hasn't been to the Southern Water Tribe enough." The Avatar chuckled.

"He has a lot of work to do here." She shrugged.

"Does he know?" Aang eyed her suspiciously.

"Yes." She smiled, "It was easier than I thought it would be…" She laughed.

--

He sat in the throne room, meditating to pass the time. Katara would arrive in a few hours and his anxiousness made him rush through his work and left him with nothing to do but meditate. The fire rose and fell slowly to the steady pace of his breathing. The door creaked open, earlier than he expected. His eyes eased open, lips turned up in a smile for just a moment until he caught sight of the figure stalking in his direction. Before he could get a word out, the Water Tribe boy was on top of him, fist wrapped in his collar, "I'm going to kill you." He pulled a traditional tribal blade from the sling on his back and held it in front of the Firelord's face.

"What are you doing Sokka?" He pushed against the boy's shoulders. Sokka held steady, eyes reflecting his rage.

"Do you have any idea what you've done to my baby sister?" He shouted at him, using the blade to point toward the door. Another figure, slightly more frantic, and followed by a shorter figure, rushed in and grabbed Sokka by both arms, prying him off.

"What are you talking about?" Zuko recollected himself and rose to his feet.

Hakoda shot the young Firelord a threatening look as though he was to somehow have known what brought about Sokka's sudden wrath. Iroh sighed, loosening his hold on Sokka's arm. Sokka pulled it away and poked Zuko square in the chest, "You," He emphasized, "You got my baby sister pregnant!"

"What?" Zuko's eyes widened. The color drained from his face as Sokka shouted indecencies at him. He didn't hear a single word of it. The word echoed in his ears to the beat of his pulse. The room began to spin and his knees gave way. The last sound that he recognized was the faint howler from his uncle, "Catch him!"

It didn't take long for him to come back around. Hakoda was holding his shoulders up and stared sternly at him, "Are you alright?"

"I'm not sure." Zuko put his hand on his head. Dizziness lingered behind his eyes.

"You probably should have been sitting down first." There was not a hint of joking in his tone, "I am sorry that you found out this way."

Zuko glanced over at Sokka. His arms were folded and he stared off at the wall. He was angry beyond reason.

"This has come as a surprise to everyone." Iroh said disapprovingly.

"I wish Katara could have been the one to tell you, but it seems she's not feeling well and has stayed behind on the ship for a while." Hakoda glanced away.

"How could this happen?" Zuko said to himself. They were both young, too young. He wasn't ready for this responsibility on top of everything brought forth by his role as Firelord.

"It only takes one time." Hakoda stared at the hallway, his eyes narrowed. Zuko's breath caught in his throat. It seemed Katara filled everyone in on the details. It'd been just a month and a half ago when they were granted an entire week together without interruptions. It'd been a long time since an opportunity like this. Each day was perfect, like a dream without end. Then something happened that last day. First it started in the afternoon; their uninterrupted time was coming to a close and both rejected its impending end. The desire grew into the evening; a lustful yearning, they both felt it and fought to restrain it. The instant eyes left them and they had even a moment alone, they were caught in a seductive embrace. Councilmen were anything but reserved about their opinions when they crossed paths with them in the halls. They would part quickly as though nothing happened, but their disheveled facades gave away their behavior. The moon rose in the sky, the servants' shifts ended and the palace fell silent. It was late. At first it was innocent; simply checking for free time in the morning for perhaps an early day rendezvous was in order. Then, a sweet kiss to the cheek, a kiss to the lips, a blood rush, and then without warning both were overtaken by a surge of lust. Before any sense of right or wrong passed their minds, the morning unfolded. Zuko woke to the light, his arm still around her shoulders, her fingers still spread across his chest. A wave of guilt swept over, but Katara's drowsy smile eased it away. That morning, as planned, she returned to the Southern Water Tribe. They'd not seen each other in a month and a half since.

"How…" Zuko mumbled to himself.

It was hard to come to terms with as he paced the palace, Sokka always on his heels. It was impossible to take the night back, and he didn't necessarily want to do that. Sokka grumbled and complained as he followed the young Firelord. Hakoda and Iroh left to check on the waterbender. Zuko stopped and collapsed against the wall. Sokka stopped as well and for the first time took a good, long look at the firebender. He wasn't himself. The silence filled the air. Sokka's shoulders sunk. Zuko was worried. He cared. There was no way around it. That was a comfort. At least he cared. Sokka watched as waves of panic crossed his pale face. His mouth opened to say something, perhaps words of condolence.

"Zuko?" Her voice echoed against the walls as she swung around the corner. His face swung around and caught sight of her.

"Katara!" Zuko took a few steps forward, his arms wrapped around her just as she pressed into him.

"I missed you." Katara said, nearly sobbing on his shoulder.

"I missed you too." He spoke quietly.

She slipped away from his warm hold and looked up with sparkling blue eyes, "Zuko—

"Marry me." He interrupted from under his shaggy black hair.

"What?" A chorus rang out. Sokka was horrified; Hakoda and Iroh were shocked as they strolled into the hallway not far behind Katara, who asked in confusion.

"Will you marry me?" His eyes searched her anxiously awaiting her answer.

"Zuko—

"Please, Katara." He gazed at her.

"You don't have to—

"Ye—

Katara's eyes narrowed and eyebrows pushed together. His mouth hung open, fearing to speak the rest of a one syllable word. Iroh and Hakoda exchanged glances. Katara's anger quickly passed and a smile graced her features. Her hand lifted and pushed back his untamed hair, "Yes." She said quietly.

--

Aang smiled to himself. The sun was beginning to set and the warmth of the sun lingered but a slight chill in the air made itself known. Katara stood up and lead him inside. Aang closed the door and followed next to his friend. She didn't get sick near as often as she did earlier on, around the time of the wedding. Everyone, except Zuko, was thankful for that. He, on the other hand, still dealt with the trials of morning sickness. Aang didn't know much in the way of pregnancies and for a long time believed this was the worst until Hakoda sat him down and explained everything that would happen. In one respect he felt bad for Katara, but in another he felt worse for Zuko. He knew how Katara could get sometimes and had reason to believe the Firelord may be found dead before everything was over.

"I hope it's a girl." Katara smiled dreamily, "Iroh hopes it is too."

"If she looks anything like you, she'll be beautiful." Aang smiled; every now and again he would have a chance to send her a flirtatious compliment. Though she was not his, Aang couldn't resist.

"Thanks, Aang." She beamed with excitement but then it turned downcast, "Zuko hopes it's a boy."

"I think he's just excited." Aang said thoughtfully, "I'm excited."

"I am too." Katara put her hand on her stomach. It showed not a single sign of change to anyone but herself and Zuko. There was a small bulge already beginning to form. When it first became noticeable, they both stared in disbelief. They knew this would have to start eventually but they didn't expect it within the first three months. Katara smiled to herself. Ever time he hand the chance, Zuko would slide his hand across that spot, carefully touching her stomach and then smile. It was more than out of pride, everything in that smile said it.

"You know Katara; your wedding dress hid it a lot better." Aang had stopped and was staring at her hand that rested on the small bulge.

"What?" She lifted her hand cautiously examining her stomach.

The young Avatar stepped forward and looked her over, "It's pretty obvious how your outfit's really tight across here." He ran his finger over the bump.

"Uncle says it's because she's so thin." Zuko walked into the hallway. Both looked at him, startled by his presence. He smiled softly, "You need to eat more."

"Don't mention food." Katara groaned in dismay. Zuko wrapped his arms around her narrow body, finger running gently across her stomach and then resting at her sides. He never squeezed hard, always gentle and careful.

"You're not eating enough…" He complained quietly to her. Aang gave her a disapproving glare at this new information.

Katara's face changed shades. Her hand quickly covered her mouth and she broke free from the firebender effortlessly. Before either could speak, she disappeared down the hall and into a room. Aang and Zuko looked at one another.

"She gets sick a lot." Zuko said wearily.

"It will get better." The Avatar said, though he knew only the sickness would get better. The hall was silent still. Zuko's attention turned to the room Katara disappeared into; his eyes were focused on the door waiting for her return. Aang cleared the silence, "So, you're going to have a kid in a few months…"

Zuko looked over; his gold eyes sparkled in a way Aang had never seen before. The young Avatar didn't know how to explain such a look. There was a joyous thrill in his voice as he spoke softly in reply, "On the first snow."

I promised I would come back and here I am! It took me a long time, but this is the sequel to the suprisingly successful SOTR. I hope you guys enjoy this sequel!! Give me your thoughts and comments, i love you hear from you, it helps the writing process!!

I'm currently working on the next chapter. Here's a cute preview for you:

"I know you've been worried about a lot of things recently. I don't have to be an earthbender to know that." Katara adjusted her position, naturally smoothing her hand over her stomach.

Zuko groaned and looked up at her with a weary gaze, "I'm not sure about this." He placed a hand on top of hers. She glanced down at the set of hands, his fingers extending beyond hers and just barely touching the bump. The contrast of their skin was hardly noticeable in the moonlight. Katara's gaze met his once again. He sighed, "I'm worried…that I'll do something wrong."

"Zuko…" Katara's voice trembled.

"I don't want to be like my father. I don't want to do something like that to my child…" His voice trailed away.

Ta-Da! Now if that doesn't just make you want to come back for more, I don't know what will!

Peace-Love,

Amy.