^*This is mainly a Zuko/Katara story. I actually would describe it as Zutara + Maitara [Mai/Katara] with definite hints of Maiko and Kataang in it... In case you can't handle it, now you know, so consider this your warning.
My goal is for this story to be bittersweet in its entirety, and considering that I'm a sucker for anything love/hate, there's bound to be plenty of those mixed emotions tossed around.
I hope that clears up some small questions and makes you a little more curious.
I'm horrible at summaries (as you've probably noticed), so that will have to do.
Special thanks goes to Alijandra for being my first reviewer, as well as adding it to her favorites. Lots of thank yous!
This is chapter 1 *revamped*. *^
Chapter 1: Good Midnight
*Katara
/
The surrounding air was cool on my skin, but didn't stop the sweat that emanated from it as I was hastily pulled down a large corridor decorated with red and black and trimmed in gold. I asked many questions that demanded answers, but my captor chose to leave silence between us. Within that silence, the throb of my heart was as prominent as the ring of a bell in my ears.
I heaved a heavy breath as I was thrown towards a wall with my back pressed against the unforgiving marble within a room that would have been pitch black if it weren't for the moonlight that was allowed entrance through a far window across the room. Next to me, the light made something sparkle. I turned to see the silver sword that was mounted on the wall and facing my direction. As I continued to take in my surroundings, I noticed a rectangular wooden desk, but realized that it too was laced with the dangers and threats of weapons once the few rays of moonlight splayed across its surface.
I turned my attention back to my captor who, for the most part, remained in the shadows, only allowing me to see his silhouette on the other side of the room and I heard him fiddling with something that sounded like chains.
"…Shackles," my voice was carried on the wind and, to my misfortune, my captor heard me.
He chuckled lowly and maniacally, and before I could react, my back hit the hard wall again. Apparently, it wasn't in my favor to gain any distance from the fortification. His pale hands were off obvious contrast to my coffee forearms where he held me pinned to the wall. I could feel his hot breath on my face while ochre orbs examined me.
"You're a smart one, but I advise that you keep such comments and realizations to yourself… They could be your demise." He glared at me menacingly before his face contorted into a haughty smirk.
He quickly reached to his side before drawing his hand up to showcase a sharpened silver blade that he held in the center of his face so that his eyes could gaze around it to give me a look that dared me to attempt escape or struggle. He shook his shaggy black hair out of his face before giving me an evil smile and slowly bringing the blade from between us. My breath caught and my eyes widened upon feeling the cold silver lie flat at the base of my neck toward its center. I could feel the sharp sting as the tip punctured my skin just enough for a slow red stream to run. My blue eyes shot up to the scarred face of my perpetrator with a pleading look…
/
I sprang up from my slumber, or rather my other-worldly realm of torture, feeling warm and sweaty with continuous shivers. I reached onto the nightstand next to me and grabbed a long and thin wooden strip. With a quick strike against the structure's surface that lit the match, I guided it to the wick of the candle that rested in a golden holder that was molded to resemble dragons.
The candle's glow lit the dark walls of the room on my side, though it left the other half of the room in shadows. Relative to my dream, it somewhat startled me, but I relaxed once I looked to my side, remembering that I wasn't alone. A small smile spread onto my face, though faded when I saw the body move and eyes open half-lidded.
"Katara? Are you okay?" His voice was drowsy and his words were slurred, making it obvious that he was still very much asleep.
"I'm fine, Aang, thank you." I was still shaking, which probably made that response seem like little more than a lie.
"Are you sure?"
"Positive." I leaned down to kiss his cheek. "You're tired. Go back to sleep."
He nodded with a smile and his eyes closed as he turned to put his back to me. My small smile returned for the merest gratitude and guilt that I felt.
I suddenly glanced across the room in alarm at something that rested against the wall toward the foot of the bed. I carefully grabbed the candle from where it was perched and held it up to get a better look, only to realize that it was Aang's staff. I let out a low sigh of relief and glanced over to the boy who lay next to me before I closed my eyes in thought. I needed a moment alone to collect myself. I checked the signs that would assure me that he was asleep and then slowly slipped out of bed. If Aang were awake, there's no telling how he'd react to my need of seclusion. Being the caring soul that he is, he'd probably worry, and there's no need for that.
^Zuko
It was no joke that I probably should have been asleep at such a late hour, but I was caught in a reverie of all the major things that happened in such little time. My life has changed significantly for better and worse, though I have changed, by far, for better. I'm not that lost and confused kid anymore. Well… I'm sometimes still a little lost, but am seldom confused. And I am in debt to Uncle with more than I'll ever be able to repay. I remember how I was in my younger days: angry, frustrated, and vying, and while it was understandable, it didn't put me in any position to take any of my fury out on those who contributed nothing to those feelings. If I were Uncle, I wouldn't have had anything to do with me. …But if he hadn't been there with me, who knows what depths I'd be in and which wrong paths I could have taken, or even worse, whose slave I'd be.
However, the remembrance of his words that I was too reckless to heed at the time and even later discoveries of my own led me to, not only myself and my destiny, but to those who I'd come to call friends. More importantly, it gave me the chance to reconcile with one of the women that I now admire for myriad reasons; chiefly, her strength and beauty.
While sitting here at the turtle-duck pond, it was no surprise that it always brought on nostalgia, for it tends to be the harbor of memories and the place where I have my clearest and most profound thoughts. I still plan on finding my mother, but those plans remain on hold until further notice. It has only been a few months since the war's end, so I'm stuck with putting my needs aside for the greater good of my country. Some of the anxiety is eased with knowing that she'd be proud of where my life has resulted and that I would do something so selfless. Then again, as I've thought more and more about how to locate my mother, there are some parts of me that don't want to see her; not due to any disdain, but, rather, shame. I'm a different person. My personality has been shaped and changed by grief and only softened by my enlightenment. Generally, I still act just as cold, but with more tolerance and lenience. Surely, she wouldn't expect me to stay exactly the same as I was as a child, but I've changed drastically.
I think it's time for bed. I don't need to clutter my mind with any more thoughts. I slowly stood from where I kneeled and made my way back into the palace.
*Katara
As my feet padded through the large halls of the palace on the edges where carpeting was scarce, I could feel the cool marble soak through my soles. It was a soothing sensation, though it also provoked thought—unwanted thought. I couldn't help but to reflect on the past week's drama, the source of my guilt just a few minutes ago. Though, since I've been here, I've felt, from lack of a better word, unbalanced.
And him!
Yes.
Him. He seemed to be on my mind more often than not. I had to admit that I definitely had a tender spot growing for him, but at the same time, I also had ill feelings as if I were betrayed or lied to, and my dream didn't help at all. But hell, the man saved my life, so if anything, I should be completely grateful, almost offering myself on a silver platter, right? My sour side wants to say that he owed it to me, but my sweet side says that it was more than I deserved. But if you look back at the big picture, either way, I'm still living because of him.
The gang and I were invited just for the pleasure of our company, but none-the-less to help with political factors. However, that time seems to have gone just as quickly as it came. Sokka and Suki are leaving tomorrow. Suki has got some unfinished business to attend to back on Kyoshi and, of course, my brother's prone to tag along. Aang is going back to the Southern Air Temple to continue his duties as the Avatar. He always has a limited amount of time for 'vacation,' but he says it's only fair for me to stay and enjoy myself even if it means it's in his absence, which makes me feel even worse about my mixed feelings. As far as Toph goes, she's a rebel and speaks for herself. She'll likely be in and out of the palace or anywhere else on the globe for all I know.
I stopped to peer out of a large window that overlooked the Fire Nation and found my crossed arms resting on a smooth, wooden railing running along the window's width. I let my thoughts and slighted guilt fade as I observed the scene before me. It was dark out with the silhouette of red buildings visible only from the few lanterns and torches that remained lit. My breath suddenly hitched as I felt warm hands rest upon my coffee forearms. My eyes quickly glared toward the area and, for a brief moment, my body tensed upon seeing the contrast of pale skin. I turned my eyes back to the window where I could see my reflection and his. I could only smile faintly and he returned it with a light grin. I fought to keep my nerve as I interacted with 'captor'.
"It's late. What're you doing up… and alone?"
"Oh, like the whereabouts of a waterbending master are of any more importance than those of the Fire Lord. I should be asking you that question," I retorted with a smirk. I had to admit that I was surprised with the steadiness of my voice… the wit came naturally.
He growled softly in annoyance and I stifled a shiver from feeling his breath on my neck. He let out a low chuckle before responding, "I don't think you want to know the answer to that question." He smirked slyly.
I glanced at him over my shoulder with a scolding glare and elbowed him in the abdomen.
"Ow! What? …It was a joke."
I mumbled some incoherent words as if I were aggravated before I stopped to smile. "Good midnight, Zuko," I said light-heartedly before softly padding away.
"Good night, Princess of the Southern Water Tribe."
^Zuko
I could only watch as she walked away. Beauty. Her silk gown and short-sleeved night robe cascaded over her curves and her subtly curled dark chocolate hair was mid-back length and flowed behind her. And her naturally dark complexion was sweet eye candy compared to the usual pale complexions that were present in this nation. Her image became vague as it disappeared into the darkness of the next room over that would lead her back to the hallway where the rooms of prized visitors and nobles were located.
I turned back to the window that showcased everything that I controlled, and at the sight, more thought was induced. It almost made me feel guilty—almost— that I thought of Katara just as I did Mai. It's strange that Katara has been so close to me lately, but at the same time so far away. It's like she's cross with me and it's frustrating because I haven't a clue why. I can't think of anything that I've done to her lately to make her upset... unless I unintentionally said the wrong thing… I sighed once again and found myself storming back to my bedchambers. I shut the door, threw off my thin robe, and kicked off my shoes. The night air was cool against my chest and a relief to feel through my free-hanging hair. It did soothe an over-productive mind; however, I still didn't want to give my thoughts the chance to escalate. Now I had several different topics festering. I collapsed onto the bed, buried my face into the pillow, and closed my eyes. If I'm lucky, sleep will allow me to escape it all at least until tomorrow.
*Katara
I was surprised to come back to my half-lit room and find it empty, even Aang's staff was gone. He must have gone back to his room. I shrugged and laid my back onto the red and gold linen on the bed and spread my limbs over its, seemingly endless, surface. It was refreshing, but it didn't stop the few rankling thoughts that I had. It pains me that my decisions will probably hurt him. He won't have to know about the bittersweet time-to-time affairs between me and Zuko, but my future decision will mean the most. Then again, Aang is only half of the problem. I've still got Mai to worry about, and I honestly have no idea where Zuko's mind is in all of this. But, at the same time, I now have my dream that's even giving me second thoughts on his behalf, and there's no telling what message it was trying to convey.
My mind shifted gears when I thought of Zuko calling me the "Princess of the Southern Water Tribe" and it made me feel homesick. It has been a few months since I've actually been home. I've either been helping to rebuild cities or helping Aang with his duties. Luckily enough, Suki has been keeping Sokka out of trouble which takes that extra responsibility off of my shoulders. I dragged myself out of bed and walked over to my traveling bags. I reached into the largest bag to pull out my Water Tribe attire. Only with the blue and white robe in hand, I crawled back onto the bed and balled it into a slight mound. From there, I hugged it close to me, cuddling it, and my arms reached over my face so that my fingers could gently play with my 'loopies.' I shut my eyes and slowly drifted into sleep with the last thing on my mind being the place where I held the majority of my pride.
^Zuko
Just as I was falling into a light sleep, I heard low, firm knocks on my door…which was strange. No one knocks on my door, not at this hour, anyway. Though, there was a possibility that it was Mai. At that idea, I drowsily sat up and reached over the edge of the bed to pick up the robe that was on the floor.
"You may enter!" I called as I pulled on my clothing.
words- 2,607 / posted- 12.22.10
^*I want to thank my readers for putting up with my horrible story... I know I said that I wasn't going to touch chapter 1, but I did... and for the better. So, I hope that you enjoyed this new version of it. I should get the revamped 2 and 3 up sometime this week or next, depending. Thank you all again. Oh, and I also want to let it be known that all suggestions are taken into great consideration.
^*!REVIEWS, please!*^
^*Praise is greatly appreciated and makes me bubbly.
^*Constructive criticism is respected; it shows me that you appreciate me and care enough about me to aid in the advancement of my skills. =.D