Spirits
author: lady wisp
characters:zuko/katara [zutara]
word count: 1,149
rating: T (Contains content suitable for for mature teens and older.)
summary: The water witch obtains a spirit bound by vow to protect her. Shaman!Katara. Spirit!Zuko AU
Katara lifted her head, gazing into the weary eyes of her tribesmen. She muttered a quick prayer under her breath, nervously scratching the surface of the jagged stone underneath. This was for her people; to give them a taste of hope they hadn't tasted in fifteen years. For them, she could become a liar. Tui and La forgive me. "Brave warriors," she announced, lifting her hands. Her robes swished, enveloping her bare brown arms in layers of blue.
"For as long as I can remember, we have been at war with our northern counterpart." Tension as thick as the morning fog spread throughout the tent at the mention of the war. Families huddled closer, placing reassuring hands on each other's shoulders. "We suffered greatly this past year. Many of you asked me to plead to the spirits for help. After countless offerings and nights of fasting, I spoke with the spirits. The full moon is in three days. In three days' time, I will go to the sacred falls and plead for guidance as my predecessors have done before me. Fellow tribesmen, do not fear! We will triumph over our sister tribe; victory will be ours!"
The tent exploded with cheering. Katara nearly shook with relief when she saw the smiles on her tribespeople's faces. They hadn't seen through her act. Yet.
A steady hand rested on her shoulder. Her father was handsome in his chieftain garb, regal and powerful as his eyes glinted with pride. "My daughter speaks truth. We will pray for safe passage and mercy on her behalf. But in the meantime, we will feast tonight!" Katara's smile faltered. What would Hakoda say if he knew she was lying? Another round of gleeful roaring trumpeted throughout the crowd in approval. As the women and men eagerly prepared the feast with glad and cheery hearts, Katara slunk away to her personal tent in brooding silence.
When Sokka and Gran-Gran appeared at Katara's tent demanding an explanation for her absence at the feast, the young shaman merely batted an eye and stepped aside to let them in. She bowed to the elderly woman, ignoring her brother's rambled boasting as he marched in. "Katara, you should have seen it! Rows of women lined up clamoring for my attention! Seaweed noodles, arctic hen- it was a feast to die for. A feast you should have been at." Katara ignored the pointed look on Sokka's face and poured two cups of tea. "Sounds like you enjoyed yourself tonight," she replied quietly.
Kanna placed old, wrinkled hands over Katara's smooth ones as she studied her granddaughter's face. "A tempest is raging in these eyes," the old woman remarked. "Are you frightened?" Katara bowed her head in shame.
Kanna nodded understandingly, stroking Katara's head with gentle movements. "You carry a heavy burden for one so young. The spirits will guide you, Katara. You are a powerful water witch, one of the most skillful healers our tribe has seen in ages. Without your abilities, many of the warriors would have died last winter." Katara buried her face in her hands, refusing to take comfort in Gran-Gran's praise.
"Many died in last battle, and I was not able to save them. I'm not frightened of the spirits; I'm scared of failing my tribe. I am the last and only water witch left in our tribe. I've no mentor to guide me. The Southern Water Tribe is on its last stretch. If we do not have the spirits' help, we will perish at the hands of the Northern Water Tribe. If not, we'll most likely freeze to death this season."
Sokka scowled, eyebrows furrowing as he downed his tea. "We only lost because of their dirty tactics. Next time, we'll be more than ready. The warriors are already planning a foolproof strategy. Just worry about getting to the falls in one piece. Our tribe needs you, not the spirits." Katara and Kanna stared at him incredulously, hardly believing the blasphemous words spewing from the young warrior's mouth.
Sokka's lips tightened and his shoulders tensed. "The spirits have caused us more trouble than the Northern Water Tribe ever has. If you ask me-" Katara interrupted him with a cold look. "If you ask me, I think you should watch your mouth. This sort of talk won't encourage them to help us. Don't make this task harder than it needs to be." Sokka's eyes flared with emotion so violent that Katara briefly wondered if he was going to hit her.
Without another word, Sokka put down his cup and left the tent. And with his exit, Sokka left a chill much colder than the storm raging outside. Kanna sighed, obviously troubled by her grandson's fit of anger.
"Rest tonight. Do not be too angry at your brother; the war has taken a toll on him." Katara looked away, clearing the cups from the table. "I know." The next two days were spent in fasting, spiritual cleansing, and meticulous packing. When Katara departed, she was surprised to see Sokka stoically waiting by the gate.
"Come back safely."
"I will."
"Make us proud."
"I'll try."
"Be safe."
"We'll see."
Sokka hesitated before quietly murmuring, "May the spirits watch over you." A small smile tugged at Katara's lips before she hugged her brother goodbye. "And may the spirits watch over you."
Every member of the Southern Water Tribe grew up learning the importance of the falls. The falls were the bridge between the two worlds: the spiritual and the physical. Although the tribe was led by the chief, it ultimately turned to the water witch in times of trouble. The water witch was a mysterious and frightening figure, gifted with unthinkable power bestowed by the spirits. For reasons unknown, certain members of the tribe were born with the ability to manipulate water. These individuals were given the title 'water witch' at their coming of age ceremony and acted as a representative between the spirits and the tribespeople. Only during the tribe's darkest times was the water witch allowed to travel to the falls and speak with the spirits.
And so, Katara was fulfilling her role in a rich and long legacy her people had assigned to her at birth.
A/N: Hello everyone! This is the first time I've worked on a Zutara fanfiction. I'm really hoping I'll have the determination (Undertale, anyone?) to upload frequently, and I'm really looking forward to hearing feedback from you guys!