Katara has never been more terrified for someone's life than when she fought Azula. Zuko lay on the ground, twitching, like a half dead animal. Luckily that turned out okay but now she was scared again. It had been three days and there had been no word from Aang, or Sokka, or Suki, or Toph.
At first Katara was successful in keeping her worry for her brother and her friends at bay, she had been occupied with healing Zuko. He had walked out of the fight with his sister but still wasn't completely healed, and now fear began to set in. The area on the earth kingdom border was only a two day ride on Appa's back, if she was being generous. even if there were complications they would have received a messenger hawk or something.
Katara wrung her hands and looked out the window of Zuko's room. She had refused to leave his side, for good reason too. he often had seizures in the night and she felt uneasy sleeping anywhere other than on the couch a few feet away from his bed.
Zuko's soft, steady breathing over her shoulder help some with the anxiety creeping up her chest. She didn't have to worry about him anymore. She had healed the soon-to-be firelord well and was proud of her work. As the soft fingers of dawn came into the room and Zuko stirred behind her Katara could help but pray to the spirits for her friends, her family's, safety.
…
Zuko was surprised to see Katara already sitting up on her couch staring at the sunrise over the sea when his eyes flickered open. He didn't say anything for a moment and just watched her.
She was hugging her knees. The blankets she used during the night were strewn over the couch with the exception of the one draped around her. Katara's chocolate curls cascaded, loose, down her shoulders. She must have taken it out of the strange bun contraption in the night. A distant look sat in her eyes and she seemed deep in thought; a crease forming above her brow. She had grown more agitated and nervous over the three or four days they had spent together; holed up in the palace. Zuko knew she was worried about her brother and her friends.
Katara must have heard him stir because she met his eyes.
"Good morning" She stood with a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. She left her blanket on the couch and walked over to him. Zuko knew she slept in her bindings and he had seen her in them before but he always found himself staring at her. She pulled her tunic on and tired it loosely at her waist and zuko reminded himself to politely avert his gaze.
The firebender sat up and winced, his abdomen felt like it had been stabbed with a million dull blades.
"You're up early." Zuko tried to hid his grimace of pain, but Katara noticed it immediately and came to his bedside resting the back of her hand on his forehead and then his cheek. Zuko found himself absentmindedly leaning into her hand, he didn't know the last time someone had touched him with such gentleness before the last few days they had spent together as Katara healed him. He drank in the coolness of her calloused palm.
"I couldn't sleep, I'm worried about Aan- I mean you, I'm worried about your wounds."
Zuko cocked an eyebrow. She must be having the same fears as him. She was nervous, he could tell, her fingers shook as she unraveled the strips of cloth on his chest and her eyes looked unfocus. Zuko grabbed her hand to stop her.
Only a few weeks ago he would have never dreamed of touching her without her permission but lines had been crossed since then, there was a trust and intimacy he had with her. They had experience so much together in such a short time. He had seen her so vulnerable, yet strong facing Yon Ra, and just a few days ago he more than willingly almost died for her without a second thought. Luckily he didn't have to because of her amazing healing. He was forever indebted to her.
"I'll be okay, you already raised me from the dead, if you can do that you can take care of anything." Katara smiled sadly and looked away from his bandages sitting on the bed next to Zuko. She flipped her hand over so there fingers intertwined. Her eyes met his and stayed there.
"I didn't 'raise you from the dead' Zuko."
"You might as well have." She broke their gaze and stared at his chest her eyes like glass.
"There'll be a scar you know."
"I wouldn't want it any other way." Zuko said immediately.
Her head shot up. "Really? But you already-"
"I'm not ashamed of my scar, Katara." Zuko reached up to his eye. "This scar shaped me to become who I am, without it I would never have met the avatar, without it I would never have met you. And this scar" he rested his hand on his bandages. "This scar I'm proud to have. Thank you, and I know I've said it a million times, but thank you Katara." Her blue eyes glistened like the sea, a tear escaped down her face. Her voice cracked when she spoke.
"Thank you Zuko, and I'm so sorry, for everything. I'm sorry for not trusting you, I'm sorry hating you for so long, I'm sorry for not giving you a chance even before Ba Sing Se."
"Don't be sorry, Katara." Zuko reached up to wipe the tear away. She incased his hand with her own and raised t to the side of her face a quiet sob choked through her.
"And I'm worried about the Avatar too."
"How did you know?" Her voice was barely a whisper.
"Lucky guess?"
"I just hope they're alright."
"He'll be okay, they'll all be okay. They have to be." Zuko, once again without thinking, pulled her close to him in an embrace. The way she was sitting made it a bit awkward but Zuko didn't care. He held her for a while her face nestled into the side of his neck. He wanted to be as close to the water bender as humanly possible. Zuko has known since the instant that he took a bolt of lightning to the chest for her that he cared for her more than anyone else, besides his uncle. She was so different then him but the same in all the ways that mattered. He wanted to share everything with her. Every secret in his heart was hers for the taking, any item in this grand palace they sat in, he would give to her if only she asked but for now he held her. This wasn't the time for his feelings. Katara was worried about her friends and he was worried about his newfound family and right now the only thing they had was each other.
They sat here for a while. It was honestly very uncomfortable for Zuko. There was a lot of painful pressure on his wound but he didn't mind. Yet, Katara must have noticed his grimacing. She sat up, quickly wiped her eyes and drew some water from a pitcher next to the bed.
"Where does it hurt?"
The rest of the day went by without any word from their friends. Zuko was finally able to walk around enough to give Katara a tour of the floor of the west tower where they had been staying. The whole tower was the private quarters of the firelord and his family. There were countless bedrooms, sitting rooms, and private dining areas. There was even a full gym, and practice arena in the tower but they stayed on the floor that Zuko's room was on. It was the quarters of the children of the firelord and their rooms and servants. Zuko wasn't very impressed with the floor himself, he had lived there his whole childhood, but he could tell that katara was awestruck.
As they walked, slowly, through the corridors she traced her hand along the walls and furnishings.
"The workmanship is exquisite! It all looks so much more fancy than anything I've ever seen."
"All the materials and workers that built it were fire nation. I used to think it was amazing that something so grand and intricate could be created solely by my nation. But now I realize that not doubt my ancestors refused help from the other nations as some sort of power play, I wonder how much more beautiful would be if it was built by all four." Zuko looked around the darkly painted hallways and the deep reds and golds of the furnishings. This place did not hold fond memories for him. Katara's voice brought him out of his scowl.
"Even if it was built solely by the fire nation you can still see hints of other styles. See the carvings on the windowsills? The pattern is similar to some in the upper ring of Ba Sing Se. The way these columns are positioned is almost the mirror image of the ones in the North Pole, and the stairways are just like in the air temples." Zuko followed her as she walked through the corridor.
" I never noticed that before," Zuko said quietly " I guess you really can't separate the nations no matter how hard you try."
Katara nodded and turned to look at him him,"That's why Aang exists, he's the bridge between the spirit world and the physical but the Avatar is also the bridge between the nations."
"My uncle taught me that the nations were one, like the redirection technique, he would incorporate all kinds of styles into his bending. I wish I had listened to him sooner." Zuko thought of that day on top the mountain how he was so desperate to be struck by lighting. He was confused, and just wanted to feel something again. The firebender rested his hands on his bandages. He got his wish.
"Your uncle is very wise." Katara said glancing at his hand.
"Yeah, but you never realize until it's too late."
The tour did not help their spirits much and when the pair returned to Zuko's rooms they were more anxious than ever. Zuko opened the door for Katara and she went to sit on the bed. Zuko closed the door and sat next to her. They stared at the wall in silence for what seemed like hours Zuko didn't know what Katara was thinking but in his head images of the past few months played through. He saw images of his ship exploding, of fighting Katara countless times and now the waterbender was his most trusted ally, he saw his time living in Ba Sing Se, he saw Jin, someone who hadn't thought about in who knows how long, he saw the caves, the look in Katara's eyes when he betrayed her. He never wanted to see that again. Glimpses of being home at the palace again and confronting his father, and how powerless he felt under the eclipse. Finally, he saw his times with the Avatar and his friends, he saw Katara. He turned to look at her she was bathed in the golden light of sunset. Her blue eyes looked like the sky on a clear summer's day.
"Katara I-" there was a rap on the door, loud and urgent.
They both sprung to their feet. Zuko opened the door first.
A servant stood at the door holding a single scroll on a platter it had a grey ribbon and the seal of the white lotus.
"From General Iroh, sir" Zuko took the scroll and opened it without even dismissing the servant and began to read.
My Nephew and Master Katara,
I hope your mission has brought you success. I regret to inform you that the Avatar has failed. The fleet was successfully extinguished and I have received word that your other friends are safe but Aang is dead and my brother is returning to the Capitol immediately. Leave as soon as possible.
Iroh, the dragon of the west
As the scroll fell out of Zuko's hands the room exploded.
