New Zutara series of mine (: Please review, give me tips on what to do and what not, to do! I really appreciate them, please!
Summary: Zuko has been Fire Lord for 2 years and is dating Katara. This is a look into what their life has become, and the journy to find his mother.
It was a breezy, summer day in the Fire Nation. The sun was out and streaming through the Fire Lord's office windows. The curtains were blowing gently in the breeze, and the scent of the garden just outside the windows were filling the room. Even with the beautiful weather, Fire Lord Zuko found himself upset and in a manic mood.
Zuko sunk into his chair and groaned. "Mother...fucker." He mumbled to himself. The newly appointed Fire Lord was currently enveloped with finding his mother. Ever since his coronation, he's been attempting to track her down. Ozai, not suprisngly, was of no help whatsoever. He was forced to find her on his own. Yet, he had so such luck.
He was still leaning back into his chair, staring off into the corner of the dark red room, when he heard a quiet knock on his office door. He looked up and commanded the knocker to come in.
The door opened slowly and Katara's head poked through. "Are you busy?" She asked. He shook his head and she entered. She was wearing baggy capri sweats and a small red tanktop, looking like she was just working on her waterbending. Her hair was up in a sleek pony tail, with loose strands sticking to her face from sweat. She leaned forward on his desk, eyeing him.
"...Can I help you?" Zuko awkwardly asked her.
"Yeah..." Katara squinted as if the sun were in her eyes. She still just looked at him. "What!" Zuko boomed. Katara smiled. Zuko's head fell into his hands. He heard the shuffling of papers and waited for her to read them.
"Hmph." Katara moved the papers back to where they were and walked over behind Zuko, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I came to get you out of this stuffy room and go and spend time with me" She murmered into his good ear.
"I can't..."Zuko started, until he heard Katara huff. "But you never leave this office! You can't keep living like this, Zuko..." She trailed off when he moved to get up.
"Katara," he whispered, not making eye contact with her. "This is really important to me, you know that. It's my obligation to... to save her."
"Yes, but you can't over work yourself. You're doing harm to your body by constantly stressing over this. We'll find her, I promise," She said softly.
He turned around and leaned back onto his desk, and sighed. "Fine. Maybe you're right," he admitted. "I could use a break."
Katara playfully rolled her eyes. "Of course I'm right, stupid. Now come spar with me, I'm bored."
Zuko sighed, but smiled. "Okay. Be ready to get your ass kicked by the Fire Lord." He teased as he stood and grabbed her hand. Maybe this is what he needed.
After the sparring session, both Katara and Zuko were laying down on the ground on their backs; completely out of breath.
"Tie?" Zuko tried. He heard Katara giggled. "Sure, I'm too tired now to beat you up." Zuko laughed and got up. He looked at his tiny girlfriend laying there on the floor.
"Are you going to get up...?" Zuko asked as he walked over and kneeled down next to her.
"Smeh." She responded. "Carry me..."
In an instant Zuko picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. To scare her, he started to run. She was screaming, but with happiness, until one of his most trusted council members walked into the room, and eyed them. Zuko realised how dumb he must look and put her down. The council man, known as Chaz, rolled his eyes.
"Fire Lord, we have another word on your mother's whereabouts." Zuko scowled, knowing it was just another false hope. Katara let out a steamy sigh, angry that she had finally got him into a good mood and now they have to bring up his biggest worry.
"Okay. Meet me in the office." Zuko responded in a monotonous voice. Chaz nodded and left. Zuko turned around and took Katara by the waist. She gave him a concerned look.
"Do you want to me come?" She offered.
He shook his head. "No, it's fine. I'll handle it. You need something to eat."
She scoffed. "So do you! You barely eat." Katara put her hands on Zukos biceps, not wanting him to leave yet.
"I'll eat, I promise, Kitten." Zuko said and kissed the top of her nose. He turned and then left Katara in the big room by herself. She sighed and went to shower.
Zuko slammed his fists down on his desk. "What do you mean you don't think we should go after her at all!" The candles in the dark rooms started flickering intensly. Chaz, however, did not cower back as most people would.
"Fire Lord, she has been missing for years. They change her location so often we wouldn't be able to get her back here. She's not being mistreated in any way; maybe she could escape on her own."
"Chaz, you know if she tried to escape she would be here. She's just waiting for a rescue, I know it!" Zuko yelled at him. He sat down and pinched the bridge of his nose between his two forefingers. "This is bullshit and you know it. You think that I'm not living up to my expectations as a Fire Lord because of this, don't you," he stated. He looked at him dead in the eyes for a straight forward answer. Chaz, for once, shifted uncomfortably.
"Yes. I think you have been occupying yourself with your mothers well being that you havn't been paying attention to the bigger problem." Before Zuko could interrupt, he held up a hand and continued. "The Fire Nation needs rebuilding, Fire Lord. It's time to start that help, now." Chaz finished, and looked Zuko dead on, right into his golden eyes.
Zuko sighed, accidentally letting out stream from his nose. "Leave, Chaz. I can't deal with this or you right now." Chaz bowed and left Zuko to his thoughts.
Zuko has helped rebuild the Fire Nation. He cleaned up his fathers mess as much as he could. The could at least let him find his own mother. What he really wanted was a drink, but he told Katara he'd lay off of it because she didn't like when he came into their room, drunk as a bum, and passed out on the bed. The bottles of Fire Nation wine sat in the corner. He closed his eyes, and thought of Katara's words. He wanted to drink away his feelings and stresses, but she had said that how alcoholics begin. The Fire Nation can't have a Fire Lord that's an alcoholic...That wouldn't be fair to his people.
He decided to cease the temptation of the alcohol, he'd seek out Katara instead.
And that was exactly what he was setting out to do. Roaming the hallyways of the palace, he found their room. It was late, and he was hoping she'd be asleep so he could just climb in and cuddle her. She always teased him for being such a 'cuddler', but he argued that it was for comfort.
He walked into the room and found Katara sleeping in the bed. He smiled when she snored a little. He quietly took off his armor and remained in his pants. He scooted under the covers and placed his arm around Katara's waist. He pressed his chest against her back and felt her breathing quicken, signaling she was waking up.
"Zuko?" She mumbled. He kissed her shoulder and told her to go back to sleep. Instead, she twisted in his arms until she was facing him, her blue eyes staring into his gold ones.
"What took so long?" She whispered. Zuko sighed and pulled her closer to him.
"Just some things about my mother." He sighed. Katara listened for more, but felt like he wasn't going to go furthur into depth.
They laid there in silence, listening to each others breathing. Zuko's was rigid, and Katara's was soft. She could feel his heart beating against her head; a little irregular ever since Azula hit him with the lightening-which was meant for her- three years ago.
"You're worrying again." Zuko stated. Katara jumped, almost forgot that he was even there. He just felt like a big, heated, protective blanket when he held her like that.
"About what?" She tried to match his snide tone, but failed. He chuckled. "About me, I'm sure. Plus, I know you were thinking about my heart and the lightening again."
Katara opened her mouth, but Zuko cut her off. "Your breathing always gets soft and you try to listen."
"Oh." She said. Zuko laughed. "You don't have to worry about me, Kitten. I can take care of myself." He kissed the top of her forehead. She sighed. He knew she didn't believe him, but he didn't want to get into it.
Zuko was sure that what he was feeling lately was a phase due to stress. He was positive other Fire Lord's have been driven to drink when he was stressed or upset. At least, that's what he was going to convince himself.
It was a strangely cool day in the Fire Nation as Katara sat at the small turtleduck pond in the private garden. She was creating small whirlpools with her and watched the young turtleducks swim in and out of each one; going from one to the other. She giggled as two banged into each other and started squwaking angerly at one another.
Katara turned when she heard soft footsteps approaching her. She smiled to see it was Uncle Iroh, with, of coruse, a tray of tea.
"Hello, Lady Katara. I hope you don't mind me intruding with some tea!" Iroh jovially said. Katara smiled and patted the grass next to her. "Of course not, Uncle. And I told you not to call me Lady Katara anymore! Just Katara." She smiled. Iroh chuckled, yet shook his head.
"I'm just showing my upmost respect for you, and it's just became a habit." He explained with a smile. He sat down and placed the tea try in between them. He poured a cup and passed it to Katara, who eagerly sipped it. It tasted like some sort of raspberry, which could easily become her new favorite.
"So, Katara," Iroh started, and put emphasis on her name with a smile, "How is it going with my nephew?" He asked as he nonchalantly sipped his tea.
Katara blushed and looked down, swirling the tea inside of her cup. "We're doing great, Uncle." She smiled into her cup. She always got butterfly's talking about her and Zuko's relationship with anyone, even Suki. She looked over at Iroh who was grinning big at her.
"Should I be expecting grandnieces and nephews soon?" He joked as he wiggled his eyebrows at her. Katara's eyes got big and the blush on her cheeks turned into a deeper red.
"We...We aren't even married yet, Uncle! That's silly." She said, trying to keep her composure. Iroh, still smirking, took a long sip of his tea. Katara shifted uncomfortably.
"Why do you ask?" Katara asked, hoping to break silence
"Just wondering." Iroh said, and smiled. She smiled sheepishly back, unsure what he was going at. She took another sip of her tea and watched the turtleducks. She saw one of the mother turtleducks guide her childern to the other side of the pond. Katara wondered about a life with Zuko and children. She personally felt he'd make a great father in an attempt to make up for his own lost childhood.
Katara was snapped out of her thoughts when Iroh spoke again. "I do hope he proposes to you soon, Lady Katara."
Katara blushed, again, and looked down. "I don't think now's the right time, Uncle."
"Well, why not?" Iroh furrowed his eyebrows, thinking Katara would've gushed about wanting to marry his nephew.
"The Fire Nation needs him right now. He's really focused on finding his mother, too. I don't think a wedding would be a good idea right now..." Katara admitted. "Not that I don't want to marry Zuko. I think that'd be...wonderful." Katara smiled to herself.
"I see..." Iroh said, and took another long sip of his tea. Katara started to worry. What was he thinking about...?
"Does Zuko seem...off to you?" Iroh questioned.
"Yes, I actually have noticed that."
"He needs a break, don't you think?"
Katara laughed. "You know he won't accept a break."
"True, true." He chuckled. "Maybe you can just get him to take a day off. A day spent with you will do wonders for him." Iroh chuckled again, and Katara smiled at him. "I'll try." She said. Iroh patted her hand and stood up.
"I'm afraid I'll have to cut our time short, I'm needed in the meeting room in a few minutes." He collected the empty tea cups and tray, and carried it back into the palace. Alone once again, Katara slumped and sighed. Of course she has thought about marriage, but already? She wasn't ready to become Fire Lady. She didn't know anything about the Fire Nation politics.
Of course, Mai would make a great Fire Lady. She thought to herself. She gasped and shook her head to get rid of that thought. Mai could make a great Fire Lady, but not a great wife to Zuko. Katara knew that Zuko wants a wife and a Fire Lady at his side, not either or. He obviously thought Katara was a good candidate; why else would they still be together after two years?
She sighed. Maybe she should bring up marriage with Zuko.
Iroh walked in during a heated argument between two of the council members. He saw Zuko was not looking angry, but bored. As if he has heard the argument over one thousand times; which he has.
"Enough." The Fire Lord called in a monotonus voice. The councilment glared at each other, then looked respectfully to Zuko. "Please, this argument has nothing to do with the Fire Nation. If you could please set your petty problems aside we can have this meeting." Zuko growled. The men nodded their heads.
"Does anyone have anything else to bring up?" Zuko suggested, straightening up a bit when he realised all eyes were on him. Chaz cleared his voice and stood.
"I believe I do. It's nearing your 20th birthday, my Lord. You shall feel the need to pick a wife and produce an heir soon." Chaz stated, and sat back down. The other noblemen whispered to each other, shocked that the Lord hasn't asked his waterbender's hand in marriage yet.
"Thank you for your concern, Chaz," Zuko grumbled, but then lightened his tone of voice. "But, I don't think anyone needs the stress of planning a wedding as of right now. The Fire Nation is still in need of repairs and we still have to help the Earth Kingdom with the damages my father has done."
"Nephew, at least you could propose the beautiful Lady Katara." Iroh suggested. Zuko looked at him, wondering where that had come from. He attempted to hide the blush rising up to his cheeks, and he then narrowed his eyes. "I will when I feel it is the right time, Uncle."
"So we shouldn't have our female relatives come to meet you?" One of the noblemen asked, concerned he won't have a daughter as a Fire Lady. Zuko scoffed. "No, that won't be necessary. Katara is the one for me and I know that. I just don't think I need the stress." He paused, scanning the room. He could tell by the eager eyes of the councilmen that this topic was far from over. "This meeting is over." Zuko stood up, as well as the council members and noblemen. They all bowed in his exit, and Iroh followed him swiftly behind.
"Nephew, I think you should reconsidar..." Iroh started, but stopped when Zuko quickly turned around and met his gaze. He has grown taller, almost a head taller than Iroh.
"Uncle, with all do respect, I don't need that kind of stress on me. I need to rebuild the Fire Nation, repair the Earth Kingdom, help Aang in the Air temples, and find my mother!" He steamed, and turned and went into his office. Iroh sighed. He really wanted those grandbabies.
First Chapter done! Reviews please. I have chapter two almost finished, so that'll be out eventually :3
