CHAPTER 2
Katara opened her eyes to see that the sun had risen. She forced herself out of the warm bed then got dressed for the day. When she was done she looked at the clock. 'Perfect,' she thought '8:40, by the time I reach Zuko's room it will be 9:00!' she started out of the room then hurried back in to wake her sleeping friend. "Sang," she said shaking her lightly. "It's time to get up." Sang pulled the covers over her head and groaned. Katara sighed and tried again, shaking her harder "Sang get up!" Sang groaned again and rolled over to the other side. Katara was about to whack her with a broom when a thought accrued to her: she leaned down and whispered into Sang's ear. "If you get up, you can come with me to Prince Zuko's room." Sang through the covers over her head onto Katara and when Katara finally pulled them off Sang was breathing hard.
"I'm ready," she huffed "Let's go!" Katara shook her head, chuckling. The two young women walked the long halls to the prince's room. Once they got there, Katara convinced Sang to wait out there for her. Realizing she had been fooled, Sang resigned to starting her duties. Katara waved goodbye to the good sport then knocked on Zuko's door.
When no answer came, she knocked louder saying "Prince Zuko, I'm coming in." she opened the door to find a very dark room. (This was how each, day for the past month, had gone since the Fire Lord 'gave' her to Zuko. She had found her self in a sort of routine and quite frankly liked it.)
Katara walked into the dark room and over to the windows. She pulled back the red curtains to each window causing the bright sunlight to flood into the room covering the darkness. She stood there for a moment looking at the wonderful view and soaking the warm light into her chilled body. After that, she found her way to Zuko's desk, found a match, lit it, and then lighted the candles. Katara had the last candle in her hand lighting it when a voice said "Good morning." the waterbender jumped, almost dropping the candle in her hand. She turned around and saw the Fire Nation prince leaning up against his bed frame with his hands crossed behind his head. She felt her face flush when she noticed that he didn't have a shirt on.
Katara bowed "Good morning Prince Zuko." she stood "I trust you slept well."
"I did." he said getting out of his bed.
"I'll wait for you outside." Katara said walking out. It was another minute or two before the prince opened the door. Katara bowed to him then followed him to the food hall. Before they reached there however, they ran into Sun and her posse. 'Oh perfect!' Katara thought.
Sun saw them coming and hurried over to the prince. She bowed and said "Good morning your highness! I hope you slept well, without any interruptions." Sun added glaring at Katara. The waterbender returned her glare.
"Good morning and yes I did sleep well." Sun smiled a cheesy grin and the two girls squealed behind her.
Katara saw Zuko smile, but she could tell he didn't want to be here so she decided to step in. "I'm sorry to cut this conversation short," 'Not!' "but the prince has to go and eat quickly. He has a very busy day today."
Zuko nodded in character and they were about to leave when Sun stopped them again glaring at Katara for a moment before looking at Zuko. "Oh, I'm heading there too. What a coincidence!" 'No it's not! You weren't even going in the same direction!' Katara thought, but Sun wasn't done "Do want to go together?!" Zuko nodded, though it was clear he did not want to. All throughout breakfast Sun had not stopped talking about how great Zuko was and how much they had in common. When Zuko and Katara were done eating Zuko said that he had to get to his 'busy day', leaving behind very disappointed Sun and even more relived Katara. When Katara was sure Sun was behind her, she let out a sigh of relief.
Zuko looked over at her and asked "What was that for?" Katara hesitated to give him an answer knowing she could be punished for saying it. Seeing her hesitation Zuko added "You can speak freely."
Katara sighed "I'm just happy we're out of there, and not listening to that chatting hog-monkey! I swear I didn't know some one could talk so much in one sitting nor had that much to say about one's self."
Zuko looked at Katara and started to laugh "Don't tell any one I said this, but I agree." she joined in on his laughter and after they had there fill he said to her "Thank you."
Katara looked at him confused "For what?"
"For back there when Sun stopped to talk with me. It would have been much worse if you hadn't stepped in." he answered.
Katara flushed "Your welcome." they turned down the last hall that led to the outside. The guards opened the gates guarding the palace from the commoners. Katara and Zuko walked out and were greeted by a horde of screaming girls which made Katara jumped. Zuko smiled a little at this and ushered her forward. Zuko's carriers came to pick him up, but he objected. So he and Katara forced (literally forced) there way through the hoard of girls. It took them 10 minutes just to get out of the crowd. The two of them walked into the market and Katara asked him "What do you want to get?"
"Well tomorrow is my uncle's birthday and I noticed he was running low on Jing Sang tea so I was going to buy him more." Zuko answered her.
Katara smiled warmly at the memory of the kind hearted man who was always so nice to her. "General Iroh is a very sweet man." Zuko nodded in agreement when Katara thought of something "Do you think it would be alright if I bought him something as well?"
The prince looked over to her and seamed to think for a moment before answering "If you want to. I think uncle would like anything you give him." Katara didn't let the smile fall as she walked with him to the tea shop. They both went inside and Zuko picked out the tea he wanted for his uncle. He handed it to Katara and she bought it. As they were on there way back Katara passed a little boy who looked very thin and was crying.
He stopped them and asked "Can you spare any food or money?"
Katara saw him and pulled out the little amount she had been saving for something important. She kneeled down in front of him and handed her money to him saying "This is all I have. I'm sorry it's not more." she put all of it into the little boys hands and his eyes widened.
He closed his hands and then hugged her tightly "Thank you my lady! Thank you!" he ran off and Katara watched him go. She stood up and was face to face with the Fire Nation prince which made her jump out of surprise.
Zuko raised an eyebrow "Am I really that hideous?"
Katara placed her hand over her heart and tried to slow her breathing "No," she said "I just didn't expect you to be that close."
He said nothing and turned around. They started walking again and he said "You gave that little boy everything you had didn't you?"
Katara watched where she was going, not wanting to look at him "Yes."
"Why?"
Katara finally looked at him and he was genuinely confused. "Because I have a roof over my head and three meals a day. Did you see how skinny he was? He looked like he hadn't eaten in three days. He also didn't have anyone with him. He was probably lost and scared. The least I could do was to give him something that I can get back." Katara then looked away from him and onto the road. She could feel the prince's eyes on her so she looked up. Blue met gold and the world around them was no more. All they saw were each other and they were content for that moment. Katara was the first to break the gaze because she started to blush. They walked a little farther with the crowed bowing and ooing, but nothing really important.
"You know," Zuko said to her after they passed a cabbage merchant. She looked up at him again "No one except for my family has ever looked me in the eyes directly."
"Why?" Katara asked him confused.
"Well-"
"MY CABBAGES!" Katara and Zuko looked behind them to see the cabbage man and his cabbages sprawled out on the ground with a very apologetic looking boy.
Katara laughed and went back to help him. Zuko stood there a bit taken back. No one had ever walked away from him without permission. This was a first. He watched the girl help the old man then bow her goodbyes to him and run back to Zuko. "Sorry," she said "You were saying?"
Zuko nodded and continued "I don't really know why, but I think it's because they're intimidated by me so, they don't." then he added "Or they think they're not allowed."
Katara raised one eyebrow "I can't look you in the eye when we're talking?"
Zuko smiled mischievously "No, you can."
Katara blushed "Oh, thank you." They finally arrived at the palace and the girls were still there. They screamed when Zuko showed up and Katara didn't want to go through another 'this morning' so she went behind the prince, put her hands on his lower back and pushed. The prince was quite surprised by this, but got the picture so he took Katara's hand and ran into the palace gates. The two teenagers stood there panting. Zuko started to laugh and Katara joined in. Katara looked at the clock outside the main entrance and saw that it was 5:00. They had been gone for a long time! Before Katara could stop herself she asked the prince "Are you hungry?" when he looked at her a little confused she added "I mean you haven't eaten since we left and it is 5:00 so I thought you might be hungry."
Then the prince surprised her "Are you hungry?"
"Well a little, yeah." she said holding back her stomach from growling.
"Then you can go eat, I have to get back to my room and rap this" he pointed to the package Katara was holding "for my uncle."
Katara needed to get something for Iroh and Zuko needed to eat so she came up with a compromise "How about if I get us both something to eat and bring it to your room. Then if you need any help rapping I can help you." she said smiling at him.
He smiled back at her nodding "Alright, I want the chicken and some fire-flakes." Katara nodded and raced off to go get their food. Once she gathered their meal Katara headed toward Zuko's room. When she turned down one of the halls she saw general Iroh walking towards her.
Katara bowed as best she could with the food to him and because Iroh was such a kind man he bowed back. "How are you Miss Katara? I haven't seen you around much. How is that nephew of mine treating you?" he asked her Katara smiled at him.
"I'm doing fine and Prince Zuko is nice. How are you doing general Iroh?" Katara said in return.
Iroh smiled at her too "I'm doing just fine as well and I'm glade to hear that about Zuko. He can be a pain."
Katara laughed. She had heard this as well, but as of yet to experience it and she hoped she wouldn't have to. Zuko was so nice when you were on his good side. "He hasn't been that way to me." they were quiet for a moment when Katara remembered something "Oh," Iroh looked at her, a bit surprised "I heard it was your birthday tomorrow." Iroh smiled at this "What do you want?"
The old general shook his head "I don't need anything. Seeing you smile every day is enough for me."
Katara smiled at him grateful for the compliment "Thank you, but I didn't ask what you needed I asked what you wanted."
Again Iroh smiled "Alright," he put his hand to his chin and started to think. "I don't know, but if you do get me anything I'm sure I'll love it."
"Okay," Iroh turned to leave "Goodbye, it was nice talking to you." Katara would've waved goodbye, but her hands were full. Iroh nodded and started down the opposite way and Katara did the same. She finally arrived at Zuko's room saying quite loudly "Prince Zuko, I have your dinner." the door opened and he ushered her in. Katara placed the trays on the side table then poured something to drink for her and Zuko.
The prince watched her work with curious eyes and when she was done he took his water and tray from her and sat on the floor. He was still working on rapping his uncle's present and the materials he was using were still sprawled out on the floor. Katara sat down across from him with her food and drink. She then picked up his little present and placed it onto some rapping paper. She folded it neatly then secured it so it didn't come undone. It had taken Zuko 20 minutes to do that and he didn't even finish it! Where as Katara did it in 1 minute. "Prince Zuko," she asked him. He looked up at her "What does your uncle want for his birthday?"
Zuko thought about this for a bit when he said "A Pai Sho piece." Katara made a confused face so Zuko continued "He lost one of his Pai Sho pieces a while back and it's been bothering him. It was his favorite, the white lotus tile."
Katara thought for a second then took off her necklace. "Is a Pai Sho piece about this big?" she asked him. Katara didn't play the game, but she knew what the pieces looked like.
Zuko looked up again at her and nodded "Yeah, they are a bit thicker though." he then added "Where did you get that?"
Katara put the necklace back on and said "It was my mothers." at that Zuko perked up, intent on hearing this. "This is all I have left of her. It was the last thing she gave me before she died." Katara felt the tears fall from her eyes willing them to stay back, but to no avail. A little whimper escaped her lips and the Prince saw her face, her eyes releasing tears that seemed from long ago, held back from coming to the surface. She wiped away the tears as best she could, but they just kept coming. "I'm sorry." she managed to say to him and the prince just shook his head.
"It's okay;" they looked at each other "You can cry." Katara's lower lip started to tremble and the tears flowed more fluently. The prince understood and she was very happy. She covered her face as the tears came, feeling Zuko's eyes watching her. What they were saying she didn't know, but she did know they were understanding eyes and she was grateful for it. Katara cried silently for a while and when she was done, Zuko started to talk to her again looking away from her, not wanting to see her sad face. "I've lost my mother too." Katara looked up at the prince surprised. She knew the Fire Lady was missing, but she didn't expect the prince to tell her.
Zuko looked into her eyes and he didn't know what he was feeling. When he saw the servant on the floor across from him covered in tears he wanted to reach out and hold her, comfort her and tell her everything would be alright. She was a servant for Pete sake! Why on earth did he want to do that?! They were quiet for a long time finishing their dinner then after they were done Katara stood up gathering the trays and glasses. "Goodnight, Prince Zuko." she turned to leave when he stopped her.
"Wait," she turned around a little unsure of why he was stopping her.
"Yes?" she asked.
"What's your name?" he asked standing up.
He walked up to her and was so close that she had to crank her neck to look at him, but she didn't. "Katara, sir."
Zuko looked down at her then brought his hand up to her chin forcing her to look him in the eye. "Goodnight, Katara." Katara's heart started race and her face started to flush. She felt herself moving closer to him and finding that she wanted too! Before she and Zuko could make contact she pulled herself away and left the room. Zuko watched her go surprised that he almost…what was he thinking?! Katara stayed on the other side of the door and didn't know what to think except, 'What's happening to me?'