The Sound of Thunder

Chapter 2

Thanks to those who reviewed, your words and the great news that we will receive an additional 26 episodes of Korra (on top of the 14 we are getting next season) helped motivate me. Enjoy and please review!

70 years ago.

"You're supposed to be in bed." Katara crossed her arms as she entered Zuko's chambers.

"I'm just having some tea." Zuko playfully rolled his eyes.

"You're injuries are very serious Zuko."

"That's why I have you, to make me feel better again." He smirked.

Katara was not amused, "Come to bed, it's time for a healing session."

"Come join me for a cup first." Zuko motioned to the empty spot across from him.

"Zuko." Katara sighed.

"Katara." Zuko sighed back at her, "Please, it's really good tea, Jasmine, the best in all the fire nation."

"Fine, I'll have some tea." Katara mumbled and sat down, not wanting to get into another spat with Zuko. If she wasn't battling him, it was with members of the Fire Nation Royal Court who demanded the new Fire Lord's time, but what the new Fire Lord needed was rest.

"This is actually good." Katara put her cup down.

"It's not as good as Uncle's."

"I'll have to ask him for a cup when he arrives."

"When are they arriving?" Zuko asked as he took a sip of from his own cup.

"Most of Bang Sing Se is under White Lotus control but there are still some Fire Nation hold outs in some of the districts in the lower ring. But Aang may need their help on the Eastern front."

Zuko frowned. "I thought Aang and the Earth Nation Generals were on top of that."

"Apparently they under estimated how many Fire Nation troops defected." Katara said carefully, not wanting to anger Zuko. It had been a week since Aang defeated the Fire Lord and since Zuko with the help of Katara helped over throw Azula. Zuko made quick work of securing his place on the throne but his ascension didn't come with out obstacles. The Fire Nation was on the brink of civil war. Nearly half of the Fire Nation army defected as did most of the top brass in the Fire Nation military. There were still loyal to Ozai and knew that when the war ended that they would lose all the power and wealth they had garnered over the years. But all was not with out hope, there were many in the Fire Nation who were weary of the war and of mothers sending their sons and husbands off to war.

Katara was pleasantly surprised to see Zuko just nod. "And my father, any word of when his transport will arrive?"

"My father was supposed to deliver him but him and his ships were needed to battle the insurgents."

"So where is he?"

"Kyoshi Island. He's with my brother and Suki actually. From what I heard, Toph went to join Aang. And my brother's still recovering from his injuries but Suki and the remaining Kyoshi warriors on the island are handling your father. As soon as they can get safe transport, they will come here."

Zuko nodded. "And what about you Katara?"

"What about me?"

"You should take Appa and join Aang." He said with no emotion.

"Umm.." Katara stumbled on her words then just as quickly laughed it off. "I can't leave now. You still need me."

At those words, Zuko's eyes grow wide and he stared at her intently.

"To heal you of course." She turned and blushed. "And speaking of which." She got up and ordered Zuko back on his bed to start their healing session.

Zuko mumbled in protest as he always did but he learned the hard way not to get on Katara's bad side. Zuko undid his robe and laid on his back against the bed. He was wearing red silk pajama bottoms and his star shaped scar was evident across his chiseled chest. Katara tried to keep focused on the task at hand and brought water to her hands and placed it over the wound. She focused on the water, bending it, willing Zuko's body to heal itself, and not focus on his hard lines, the way his abs flexed.. stop. Katara looked up at the ceiling and pretended she was in deep concentration.

A few minutes passed and Katara stepped away and bended the water back to a nearby jug.

"I'm feeling much better, thank you Katara."

Katara smiled as she watched Zuko get up and she noticed that this time he didn't wince.

"Seems you are feeling better."

"Which is why you should head back to the Earth Kingdom."

"I can't."

"I'm feeling much better Katara…"

"I actually really can't." Katara interrupted.

"Huh?"

"I set Appa free this morning. He's probably half way to Aang by now. So even if I wanted to, I can't. I have no ride. Besides I'm needed here."

"Katara.."

"Zuko, no. Physically you might be getting better but the insurgence grows stronger. If something happens to you then the world will be thrown off balance again. You and Aang are the key, he's needed in the Earth Kingdom and you're needed here." Katara paused as she saw the intense look on Zuko's face.

"Besides, I owe you for that whole saving my life." Katara waved her hand.

"It's you that saved my life as I recall." Zuko smirked again and cross his arms over his bare chest and she nearly lost her breath when his muscles flexed.

Katara sighed and shook away such thoughts. "I saved the world from your crazy sister, I did everyone a favor. But seriously Zuko, I'm pretty sure there are those on the court who are plotting against you. You still don't know yet who you can trust. You're going to need all the allies you can get."

"I trust you." Zuko reached out and took her hand. His thumb moving softly over her soft skin. "I'm glad you're here." He said sincerely and Katara was losing herself in his eyes, those fiery eyes yellow and red, she could've sworn they went to a shade darker. "Thank you for staying with me."

"I wouldn't be anywhere else." She found herself replying back as images of Zuko getting shot by lightening flashed in her mind. She never wanted him to be in that sort of danger ever again.

"Fire Lord Zuko!" Lo announced from the doorway. Zuko immediately dropped his hands from Katara as she took a step back.

"You're presence is requested at the Royal Court."

"I'll leave you to get ready." Katara quickly mumbled. "Thanks for the tea." She quickly left the room but not before Lo narrowed her eyes at her.

"The Fire Lord would appreciate some courtesy, such as a knock for instance." Zuko said annoyed.

"My apologies, Fire Lord, I meant no disrespect. Unfortunately being a new Fire Lord means that your time is limited. There are many meetings and many in the court that you must attend to. It would look disrespectful, especially given the circumstances of your ascension, if at this time you show any sort of.. favoritism."

"Favoritism?" Zuko raised his good eyebrow at the not so subtle jab at Katara.

"Your finance ministers await and if we are delayed, then the meeting with the few generals we have will also have to wait." Lo explained futher.

Zuko sighed. Duty calls. "Well lets not keep them waiting."

Lo bowed her head and exited the room as another group of servants stepped inside to help the Fire Lord change into his Royal garments. Zuko closed his eyes and took a deep breath and mentally prepared himself for the rest of the day. The war was over but that didn't mean that all the battles were won. Peace is not so easily won.

To Be Continued.

PS. I'm still getting a feel for this story and even though this chapter was all flashback I expect some will take in the past and/or present. Like I said in the last chapter, everything that happened in Last Airbender and Korra happened (I'm not taking into account and comics and what not that was post Airbender, only what aired on tv) and those are the restraints I placed on this story and hopefully I don't contradict myself, I am definitely filling the gaps and putting my spin on things. I know many of you have some questions but they will be answered in due time but I have a little spoiler. As you can see, this chapter takes place a week after Ozai's and Azula's defeat and there will be more time between this chapter and what you saw on the show at Zuko's coronation where the whole gang was in the Fire Nation. As far as length of the story, I'm not sure. Like I said this is my first story in this genre and I had an overall storyline but depending on feedback and interest, there are ways I thought of to add some more layers to the story but still preserving my original idea.