Well . . . uh, don't have much to say. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I own many TV series(being a million dollar tycoon), however Avatar is not one of them. lol
More men filed in and the meeting was moved to a larger room. Zuko waited for the general's to walk by and grabbed Katara's hand as she passed.
"You don't have to attend if you want. I won't tell." He teased as he whispered in her ear. She grinned and gave his hand a quick squeeze.
"I'll just wait out here in the hall until it's over."
Katara leaned against the wall, but it gave little respite from the heat. Damn it, with the hot sun and located practically within a volcano – they still found it necessary to mounted small lamps on the wall. She could stand it the rest of the year, but in summer? She glanced at the nearest source of heat. A small fire sat within a little alcove. Strange markings were tiled along the top in an arch.
She imagined how good it would feel if she just put out that one-itsy-bitsy-little fire.
Five minutes later, she was still standing there. Stupid meeting. Finally, she had it. She looked up the hall and back. No one was in sight. Quickly, she bended a small stream of water out of the air and dashed the fire out. There. Much better.
The door opened with a bang, startling her. She quickly moved in front of the empty alcove. The flame was so tiny, no one would miss it . . . but just in case. Suddenly, Zuko was at her side.
"Katara! Where is the Flame of Allon?!" He whispered urgently.
"Th-the what? I don't know. Did you lose it?"
"No! The thing behind you!"
'That-"
"What did you do? You put it out!" he whispered in disbelief.
"I didn't know it was the magical 'flame of Rulo' or whatever!"
"It says it right there!!" Zuko jerked his head toward the strange marked tiles.
"Sorry I can't read your fire nation gibberish!" she hissed.
"Didn't know they taught you to actually read in your little water tri-"
"Of course I know how to read!! You arrogant -" her voice began to rise above a whisper.
They lowered their voices again as they gained strange looks from the commanders still exiting the meeting.
"That flame was lit 240 years ago by Fire Lord Allon and is tended every morning by the sages! It is tradition that the flame has never gone out!"
Katara cringed.
More people rushed by as they hurried to their next point of business.
"I'm going get creamed for this." Zuko mumbled. He quickly pulled Katara toward him, hiding the shrine from view. As their lips met he lifted his hand off her waist, reached behind her, and lit the wick again. He pulled her away, and she glanced back at the flame. Then they were hurrying down the hall, before collapsing in an empty room. Katara started to laugh uncontrollably.
"I don't see what you find so funny. I can't believe I just had to relight the Flame of Allon, to save your sorry little butt!" He watched her giggle at his feet in a heap of red silk. She brought her bright blue eyes up to meet his gaze, but her shoulders were shaking with mirth. Slowly, his frown disappeared and the beginnings of a grin were spotted. Then he was on the floor laughing with her. Katara was glad to see him loosen up.
The door opened and a servant poked his head in, startling them. He didn't quite know what to make of the young Fire Lord and Lady on the floor. Zuko sat up, brushed his shirt off, and with as much dignity as he could muster asked, "General Lee is looking for me?" The servant only nodded.
"Well, then tell him I'll be there in a minute." The servant nodded once more and shut the door, quite bewildered.
Zuko helped Katara up.
"I'll join you for lunch in a half hour. Why don't you go splash around in the fountain a bit?" He grinned, waiting for the inevitable elbow in his ribs.
"Yes, I think I will. Have a great time staring at your "magical ancient" fires for hours on end."
"It's called the - "
"Well now they should call it 'The Flame of Zuko'."
"Ha, I'll mention that to the High Sage."
"Excuse me while I go 'splash around in the fountain'. Aka: get ready to kick your butt."
"No way – I can beat you any day!"
"I tend to disagree."
"Fine, you're on. Sparring at 7?"
Katara nodded and grinned. As they neared the door, she took a quick look at him and tried to straighten his clothes.
"Now play nice with the other kiddies."
Zuko smirked, "What Mommy? No Agni Kai's? Awww . ."
Katara just shook her head and smiled.
They both tried to get through the door way first. Katara shoved him playfully into the doorframe. Zuko shoved her back.
-happy-ending-epidsode-music-
cheche che cha cha cha cha chec chc che che cha bum buum bum bum buum bum reedy flute tu tu tuu ta tuuuu tuu ta cha chacha . . . . .
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