DISCLAIMER, I DON'T OWN SHIT.. I'M JUST A CRAZY FANGIRL
"Every decision is liberating, even if it leads to disaster."
~Elias Canetti~
Chapter 1
'Breath'
Katara could feel the early pull of the moon rising and the sound of the turtle seals barking somewhere in the distance. As she opened her eyes, she breathed deep, filling her lungs with the warm floral air and rose from where she had spent the better part of her day meditating. After thanking Tu and La, Katara made her way from the warmth of the spirit oasis. She passed through the temple and stopped at the balcony overlooking the city. Katara watched the lingering orange and red glow of the setting sun fill the cloud free sky.
Katara watched as the vibrant colors dimmed and slowly turned into the deep indigo of night and the last sea birds headed for their nests. The icy city sparkled like a million diamonds in the moon light, it was a sight that always took her breath away, no matter how many times she saw it.
A light breeze blew Katara's loose waist length hair and she breathed in the fresh cold air smelling of night and sea and faintly of cook fires and roasting meat. After a few moments, Katara headed to the small two story home she was given when she arrived in the north 4 years earlier, heartbroken and empty. She made her way inside and prepared for the evening.
After she changed from her soft linen dress and fir lined parka into a simple outfit of dark blue pants and a linen shirt, she braided her hair. Making sure to grab her duel water skins, Katara walked out the door on her way to the training grounds where she was to meet with master Pakku, as she had every evening for the past 3 and a half years.
In his old age and at the persistent "suggestion" of his beloved Kanna, had asked Katara to assist him with the warrior training. There had been a bit of an uproar when Pakku had announced that "Master Katara" would be joining him and at first even the seasoned warriors, who had known Katara when she first came to the north at 15, had their doubts about what this teenage girl could teach them, master or not.
Katara had quickly put an end to that when one particularly arrogant soldier named Arrluk challenged her to a dual. It hadn't ended well for the man. Katara wondered to herself if he still walked with a limp.
After training, Katara and Pakku walked together to her gran-gran's home; having been invited her to join them for dinner. Katara could never say no to her grandmothers cooking. Cooking that reminded the waterbender of her home. She missed home. She missed the hunts and children's laughter when the men would return. But mostly Katara missed her family.
After the war, Sokka had spending much of his time with Suki on Kyoshi island. the two had been inseparable up until the day Sokka came home with no warning. weeks of Katara's prodding had only gotten out that fact that him and Suki were done and he wouldn't be going back. Katara had never asked why, she had just comforted her brother the best she could until their fight. Now she hadn't talked to her brother in nearly 5 years and the letters from her father were few and far between.
Katara realized that, having lost herself in her thoughts, she had fallen far behind pakku. In fact, she couldn't even see her grandfather (she still wasn't used to that and never thought she would be) anymore. Reaching the door, her nose was assaulted with the delicious aroma of stewed sea prunes, seaweed noodles, and roasted arctic. Those were all of Katara's favorites, other than fire fruit tarts Zuko had introduced her to. The thought made a flood of memories come back to her...
Days after the End of the War
Fire Nation Palace
Katara still couldn't believe that Zuko had saved her. He had jumped in front of Azula's lighting, risking his own life and the fate of his entire kingdom for a water tribe peasant girl that he had once hated. She had risked her own life in return, trying to save his, all the while dodging searing flames and lighting.
Katara's rage had made her blood boil and she had almost taken Azula's life then and there but she knew that would leave a black mark on her soul and make her no better than the crazed princess. after neutralizing the threat, it took mere seconds for Katara to reach Zuko's lifeless body, and her heart almost stopped when she couldn't feel the beat of his.
Katara had summoned every ounce of her bending knowledge including her blood bending ability and had forced his heart to start beating. When Zuko opened his eyes to see Katara smiling with tears running freely down her face, he reached to cup her face. Before she knew what she was doing, Katara was pressing her lips to his and a moment later, Zuko was kissing her back. his hand firmly entwined into her hair, he pulled her close and deepened the kiss, tongue running along her lips demanding entrance. Katara had broken that kiss when, Zuko, trying to sit up and pull her to him, had nearly cried out in pain and fallen back into her arms.
Katara had spent every day after by Zuko's bedside healing him, feeding him, kissing him, or even simply lying next to him and sharing their heat. she only left his side to wash herself and gather fresh water from the bathroom attached to his room (she had insisted that it was far too unsafe for the Firelord himself to be in the palace infirmary, far too open). Katara had also refused to let any of the palace healers near him, protecting him like a mother polar beardog and not trusting any of them not to try to poison him or slit his throat while he slept. She sat next to Zuko's sleeping form, her eyes lingering on his mouth as her fingers softly touched her own lips, lips that had been pressed to his. utterly claimed.
Then it had all fallen apart…
Katara shook her head, trying to escape the heat and pain of the memories. Snapping back into reality, she opened the door to her grandparents' door to Kanna standing in the kitchen humming happily as Pakku stood behind her with his arms around her waist. She cleared her throat as to get their attention.
"Katara dear, we were just wondering where you had wandered off to?" gran exclaimed, turning to see her granddaughter in the doorway. Pakku quietly chuckled (something that still was new to Katara) and took a seat at the low wooden table. Coming around the table, Katara hugged gram gram and leaving the embrace, helped Kanna bring the food to the table where she sat beside the elderly couple. There was a noticeable tension in the air and Katara couldn't quite put her finger on. The three began to eat when Pakku spoke.
"Katara, you got a letter today. It's from your brother." Katara froze, shocked, skewered sea prune held half way to her mouth.. she was confused because normally her mail came to her house, well what little she got anyway. Something in her worried, panicked really. 'had something happened? was Sokka okay? her father?' She thought as she braced herself while Pakku handed her the rolled up letter and began to read;
Katara,
Things here in the south are good. We rebuilt the village, it's bigger and better than it ever was. Dad sends you his love and says he misses you.
I should get to the point. Katara, Sukki and I are getting married.
'WHAT THE WHAT?!' she thought… but continued to read
I know we had our differences, and Suki has repeatedly told me that what I said was stupid, but the wedding is in a month. Sukki made me see that I was wrong and even threatened to feed boomerang to the Unagi if I didn't apologize. so… I'm sorry Katara, you are my sister and I will always defend you, even if you make stupid choices. I would love it if you, gran gran, and gramp gramp where there.
I love you sis and I hope to see all of you soon.
Sokka
p.s. Don't tell pakku I called him gramp-gramp… please? you remember what happened last time.. I'm pretty sure my ass is still thawing out..
Katara blankly stared at the paper in her hands. Married, her brother was getting married. but.. but.. what the fuck had happened to them breaking up?! and now they were getting married? A slow smile crept onto her lips as gram gram stared at her.
"Well? What does it say sweetie?" Kanna asked with concern in her voice.
"It says that meat head is getting married." Pakku stated, not even looking up from his bowl as he slurped up a mouthful of noodles.
"PAKKU! How could you read Katara's letter..." Kanna gasping "and you didn't let me in on the surprise!" she added with a smile.
The three laughed and talked well into the night, celebrating the wonderful news. Pakku said that it would take a week or so, but that he would arrange for the trip. As the night got late, Katara said goodnight and left her grandparents hut. As she walked, Katara thought of the last time all of her friends had been together...
Ba Sing Se after the end of the war
Everyone was there, Aang, Toph, Sokka, Sukki, Iroh, Zuko, and even Mai (cringe). The world was right again and the friends sat drinking tea and laughing. Katara noticed Aang sneaking to the balcony and, worried, proceeded to follow him. She found him standing at the railing looking out over the city. Placing her had gently on his shoulder, as to not startle him, Katara joined him. The sun was setting and below them, the city was celebrating and even the lower rings sparkled like the night sky. with the night air full of the sounds of happiness and revelry, She turned to Aang and before she knew what happened he was kissing her. Katara's mind was blank. She knew this was what was supposed to be, what she should be feeling, but still, she felt nothing but panic, not love or even happiness. Her own body betrayed her though and despite herself, she was kissing him back. no, she wasn't kissing him, her mind went back and the lips she imagined she was kissing were far warmer.. With her mind in a state of shock and blocking out reality for the moment, she hadn't noticed the tall shadow in the doorway, frozen in its place and radiating waves of heat and anger…
Katara, her mind on lost in the memory, wasn't paying attention to her surroundings or where she was going and slammed into a solid wall of person. Startled back into reality, Katara stated "oh I'm so sorr..." she lost her words as she looked up into a pair of knowing golden eyes.
"Hello Katara. Long time, no see."
OMG Thank you everyone for putting up with my ocd needs for perfection. Please PLEASE PLEASE favorite, review, and all that jazz.. Your input keeps me going.
