Some quick notes:
"…" means dialogue.
.-..-..-..-. means end of scene.
"…" means thoughts, some are bold.
Some quick advises:
1.This story takes place in the third season.
2.This story will be for sure Zutara, nevertheless, it's not only about the couple.
3.For the last, this story will have mature content, so please, don't read if you disagree with mi ideas.
Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar, nor his characters, only the will to write my ideas in a texteditor. Avatar: The last airbender © Nickelodeon.
.-..-..-..-.
The way you feel
By J.B.
Chapter I: Confusion.
.-..-..-..-.
I know how you feel…
Trust me, it's the same way I do…
Zuko woke up feeling overwhelmed, in a certain way, exited about his dream; but as a matter of fact, he had forgotten what he dreamed off. There were just emotions left behind. He touched his scar, he wanted to cry even if he wasn't sure about the reason, but also it was awkward since he only cried for frustration and fear, not for a dream…
"I must had dreamed about mom again" he whispered softly.
Annoyed, he went out of his room for a quiet walk near the pond, it was like his childhood, after every nightmare, he enjoyed the place's view, the only difference was that her mother was no longer there, he missed her to death since the day she vanished.
Tired and confuse, he fed the ducks and breath the icy air searching for some relax. But the only thing he found was his sister perfume on it.
"Well, well, well, look who had a nightmare" said in a cold voice.
"Don't bother"
"Be polite. I was concerned"
"Ok, then. I had a weird dream but I cannot remember, maybe it was dinner, remember I ate too much tonight"
"Last night you mean. In a few hours, the sun will rise"
"Then it'll be better for us to return bed"
"Yes, it would be nice. Oh! By the way, Mai is coming early, don't make her wait"
Zuko nodded, even if he was dying to complain. From the moment he return, Azula had command every movement he made and she was reaching his spoiling point.
He inhale and he exhaled, he excuse himself to the kitchen under a suspicious look from her sister but he needed to get out of her presence, it was tortuous… besides, some water would help his state.
.-..-..-..-.
Not too far from the Fire Nation Palace, a fragile girl opened her eyes trembling. Her blue eyes shined even more after shedding some tears. She felt so lonely even when her brother and two best friends were with her. She cried in secret every midnight from the time when they escaped from Ba Sing Se and still she felt that way: betrayed, insulted, twisted and useless.
Katara look into the deep sea from Appa's and found his reflection looking back at her. She distinguished the same sadness that chased her years back when her mother died, then she embrace herself with sorrow.
"Can't sleep?" asked suddenly Toph
"You scared me"
"Sorry" she smiled innocently " But I didn't feel you by my side, that's all"
Then, the waterbender girl thanked the fact that Toph couldn't see without earth and simply replied "Don't worry, I was cold, just that"
"In that case, wake me past noon" she joked and fell sleep.
Soon, the girl return to her thoughts, she has to be cautious with her attitude, she knew she became distant and sometimes cold. However, there were times when she couldn't pretend anymore.
Katara closed her eyes and let her pain flew through her body and break into tears. "He is such a traitor" murmured frustrated "If only he hadn't acted like a coward, Aang would had never got injured this way…"
.-..-..-..-.
Zuko entered the broad room and when he stepped into it, he imagined Iroh serving jasmine tea, immediately he shook his head and looked straight to the table, he was alone.
I can see through your lies…
…because I lie too…
Again that commotion…That voice inside his head. He drank some water and return as fast as he could to his room, he felt lost, he was losing his mind, he needed his uncle's advise and his dear mother, he needed help, actually, he was shouting for help in silence, and no one had listened. Not even Mai, she remained as cold as ice, even as his girlfriend.
He regret everything but at the same time, he wanted to follow this road, being a prince, having his father approval and the Fire Nation respect. He had his honor back, he returned home as a hero, he had power, but still, he felt that way.
--
After several hours, he got out of bed, feeling the warmth of day. Quickly, he took a shower and dressed up like royalty. By the time he arrived the hall, his sister was chatting with her two friends and fear crossed his face. He knew it was late…
"Good morning sleepy head" said Mai with a soft kiss in his lips.
"Sorry I'm late"
"Don't worry, Zuzu, fortunately I told them about your childish nightmares"
Zuko frowned as he saw his sister leaving with Ty Lee.
"As I was saying, sorry I'm late"
Mai smiled arrogantly and took his hand on hers. "Let's go"
"Where?"
"What's the difference? here, there, everywhere it's the same"
"Then let's stay"
"I wanted to go to the beach"
"Then it's not the same"
"What's your problem?" asked defiantly.
"Sorry, I slept almost nothing, I'm irritated"
"I can see that, silly" said victorious dragging him towards the exit. "Let's go, it's going to be okay"
"Sure" he showed a fake smile.
.-..-..-..-.
"Katara can you wake Toph?" asked an irritated Sokka "She's slowing our schedule"
Her sister giggled a little and obeyed. An hour later, Katara took Aang into a private place where she removed his clothes from his back and began a healing session.
"I haven't had the proper chance to thank you for all these you are doing"
"You know I love helping you" she added with a smile "You are my family, my friend an my hope"
The child blushed a little as he nodded "But still, I do owe you so much, please… if there's something you'd like to talk about, trust me please"
After hearing him, she lost focus on the healing and all the liquid fell to the ground "Su-sure. Well that was all for today" she reacted promptly.
Aang dressed up and bowed at her "Thank you sifu Katara" later, he left her alone.
"If you only knew, Aang" she said "If there would be any little chance for him to reconsider our help…"
.-..-..-..-.
"…So they are taking some cute girls to serve into the nation's interests" said Ty Lee optimistic
"Oh come on, this can't be good, now we'll have earth girls all over the place, sure my dad wasn't pleased"
"I don't know Azula, but don't you worry, they'll be watched"
"So what, that scum it's infiltrating in our homeland" argued Mai.
"She's right. But sure I'll make sure they can't have any privilege"
Zuko was listening to them feeling uncomfortable, he wished they stop gossiping that way. But more than that, he remembered Jin, the earth kingdom girl who gave him his first kiss. He never lied, it was nice, only that, an experience he lived but he wouldn't repeat. Jin was pretty in a way, but she only meant to him a date, nothing more. Besides, she was annoying and weird. Even with a hand's touch he felt estrange, simple, fake… not the way he felt with the waterbender master in the undergrounds. That girl, his enemy and the only person who tried to help him after so many fights.
He never deserved her help, her kindness and acceptance. But she offered them to him anyway. She was a good person, and he betrayed her…
"…don't you think, Zuzu?" asked Azula knowing his brother wasn't attending to her conversation about slavery.
He saw her sister smiling, then Mai who was emotionless and finally Ty Lee who was smiling happily and nodding quietly.
"Sure" he said trying to sound convinced.
.-..-..-..-.
By night, the gang arrived to a shore. It was nice, they have to accept.
"Can't wait to see the sunrise here, tomorrow morning" said Katara "There are so many red tones!"
"Katara, if you hadn't notices we are in the fire nation! Here everything it's red!"
"Well, in out tribe everything it's blue!"
"So that means in my country everything is brown?" asked Toph
"Well, green, brown and yellow, like Nature"
"Well I think the differences come with the weather, here's always hot" said Aang.
"Sorry to disappoint you, but nights are cold, sometimes so cold you jus't can't sleep, right, Katara?"
Katara felt her blood running through her veins "Sure" she answered.
But Toph realized she lied, last night she lied too. Something was wrong with her and she'll discover what.
.-..-..-..-.
Zuko shouted himself into the bath, all the afternoon he had surviving his sister's annoyance. He was going to explode any minute, so he excused himself for a shower after the beach. He closed his eyes and tried to stay calmed.
I understand your heart.
You've been hurt the same as I…
"I'm driving crazy, I need my uncle" said despaired.
He knew Azula was watching him and Iroh was deeply sad about his acts. But anyway maybe that night he could forgive him…
Nervous, he dressed up beneath the pajamas and pretend to be slept. A moment later, Azula entered and saw him sleeping.
"Zuzu, wake, the dinner is set"
"I'm tired, I wish some rest"
"Fine" said furious "Tomorrow we are training together" she smirked.
Quickly he run to the door and listened his sister's conversation from outside.
"Yes, princess"
"No one! Ever! And if he gets out, let me know"
"As you wish"
Zuko tighten his fists and opened slowly the window, he'll have a larger journey but still worthy. He had to act fast.
.-..-..-..-.
It was dark enough to sincere herself, but after being questioned by Toph, she realized, she had to change plans. Crying in front of them would be relaxing, but she'll be troubling his friends…
She softly got out of her tent and slowly entered the beach's water. Then with her bending she got away several miles from the group. Finally she walked again on the sand and meditate.
"This is it, Katara. This is the last time you escape from them" said to herself
She wiped her tears and enter again the water.
"Freeze!" demanded a cold voice behind her.
Instinctive she intended to submerge into the sea but two fireballs make her stop. She knew she had to turn around and see her enemy so she could defend herself better.
"Guess some training won't kill me…" she thought
"Enough of your game, lady. Turn around" Fearing the worst, she obeyed.
"You!" Katara and Zuko shouted at the same time
.-..-..-..-.
To be continued…
Next chapter. Reunion.
