Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Avatar: the Last Airbender characters.
Ah, so here is chapter 2! So domo arigotou gozaimasu for the reviews. I sincerely hope you are enjoying this as much as I am. School's ending which means I'll have more time to write. I've been writing too many papers for the past few days and it's been hectic! TTwTT But yeah...so sorry if there are typos in the story. I'm a bit of an idiot sometimes, and Microsoft Word is an even bigger idiot, but you know how that goes. I'm trying to work on my art too...gah! So much work! Anyway, read and review please. I hope the characters aren't too OOC. That would be bad. ha ha...
Flame me and you die a thousand deaths.
II. Music Box Memories (Good Night)
"There are many things that we would throw away if we were not afraid that others might pick them up."
-Oscar Wilde
Zuko lay in bed, gazing up at the vaulted ceiling of his room. He had allowed Katara to sleep on the sofa-couch until a new room was made for her. But the girl mumbled in her sleep. She mumbled in a scared, frightened voice, small and timid. She begged someone not to go, and he begged her silently to just shut up so he could go to sleep. But she wasn't getting his telepathic messages, and Zuko was torn on whether he should awaken her or just leave her be. He decided to let it alone. Tired in several ways, the Fire Nation prince rolled over with his back to the girl and closed his eyes, trying to catch as much sleep as he could. That was, until she let out a frightened gasp and sat up. Zuko jumped out of bed due to reflexes, ready for anything, only to realize that the girl on the sofa-couch was the one gasping and choking on soft sobs. He quickly went over to her.
"What? What's the matter?" he asked, kneeling beside her. One of Katara's hands was over her eye, while the other one clutched the blanket to her. He hair fell in a long braid over her shoulder, and she continued sobbing and gasping. "Aang...Aang..."
Zuko's heart leapt into his throat and then fell to the pit of his stomach as Katara whispered the Airbender's name with soft cries. The young man wiped Katara's tears. He could vaguely see her face by the pale moonlight dripping in through the small windows, and it shattered so many things. Her face was fearful, and so full of sadness that it threatened to drown the poor girl. She was in a moment of weakness, and Zuko had no idea as to what to do. "Shhh...the Ava—I mean, Aang, isn't here now. Hush, be quiet..." What the hell should I do? Zuko's head circled for an answer. Should he hug her? He had no clue what to do. "What's wrong?" he asked her softly and in a slightly awkward tone.
Between gasps, Katara spoke softly. "I dreamed that...I dreamed that Aang died...and then Sokka died...and then...and even you died," she gasped softly. "I was so alone. Zuko, please don't die and leave me alone."
She groped around and found his shoulder, laying her head on it. Zuko awkwardly patted her back, his hands stroking her soft hair. "Um...I...we all die eventually," he said, trying to consolidate her. The Waterbender closed her eyes, gripping his robe tightly. Her sobs did not quiet themselves.
"I know..."
"Then what's the matter? You don't want to be alone?"
Katara pulled her knees up to her chest and leaned her head on her arms. "No...I don't want to be alone. They're like my family. And you...even you...even as my enemy..." she glanced at him and turned away, feeling as though she would drown in his eyes. "I just..."
"What?" he asked, hoping she would finish the sentence. It stung him to know that she still thought of him as her enemy; that was not the goal at all, he thought. He leaned over, hoping to see her face.
Katara kept her eyes averted from his. Zuko sighed and stood up reluctantly. "Try and get some sleep, okay? You'll be fine..." he mumbled. He stopped to gaze at her and held out his hand to her, just as he did before. "If you want, you can sleep with me," he mumbled finally. "I mean, so you won't feel like you're alone." His cheeks turned slightly red, but it was impossible to tell in the pale light. Katara looked at his hand, remembering the dungeon. He had asked her to trust him. Did she trust him? Not really, not completely. But...she could not refuse him. She could not refuse her prince.
Katara took his hand and allowed the prince to pull her to her feet. She felt his grip tighten slightly to a comforting feeling, and she smiled in spite of herself. Zuko led her to his bed on the other side of the room. It was a simple bed, nothing fancy about it. It was in the corner, which was what made the room seem so large. The two stood by its side awkwardly for a moment before Zuko moved the covers aside and gestured for Katara to move onto the bed. She did so and pulled the blankets over her, before shifting slightly as Zuko crawled over her and plopped down in a tired manner beside her, his face to the wall. She leaned in close to him to see if he was already sleeping.
"Zuko?" she whispered.
"Hn."
Katara laid down beside him, snuggled up close to his back, and closed her eyes. She soon felt the weight of sleep on her, yet Zuko did not. He felt her turn in the bed and sat up on his elbow, watching her. She has such bad sleeping posture, he thought to himself. He moved closer to pull her under the blanket and tuck her in. As he finished, her arm fell over his chest, and she mumbled again in that same sad voice. Her hand gripped his shirt tightly, and Zuko was glad he was wearing one. He lay down beside her again and gazed at her face. She's so beautiful, he thought despite himself. And even after all he had done to her, after he betrayed her, she was not treating him like a monster. Well, beside the fact that she had tried pummeling him with her drink, but that was well deserved.
He touched his forehead to hers and closed his eyes. "Thank you," he mumbled softly. "No one…no one has treated me as kind as the way you have today."
"Mmmmm…you're welcome," she mumbled softly.
Zuko's cheeks flushed red and he closed his eyes. "Good night!" he said, embarrassed. Katara only giggled slightly and went back to sleep. And, in spite of himself, Zuko smiled too.
Katara awoke to find Zuko holding her close in his arms. He was still fast a sleep, but had a slight bruise on his cheek. It wasn't noticeable unless one was looking for it, or was as close as she was to him. His eyes slowly opened as she was touching the bruise gingerly. She looked up at him, and it surprised him that she seemed slightly worried.
"Did…did I do this to you?" she asked carefully. He pushed her hand away and shrugged in an indifferent way. He sat up and stretched his arms, attempting to stifle a yawn and failing, sounding like he was choking on something.
Without thinking, he began undressing, and Katara's cheeks flushed scarlet. For a moment, she froze as he pulled his shirt over his head, revealing a body that screamed the word 'manly' at her. She noticed a few scars here and there, and then some on his arms as well. And then there were fresh cuts. Thin cuts, like a blade. Regaining mental consciousness, Katara cleared her throat.
"Umm…" she mumbled. "Z-Zuko, I'm still…"
Zuko looked at her, and then embarrassment rose to his face quickly, realizing how ridiculously ignorant that was of him. "Oh…s-sorry…" he said, turning away. Katara stood up and rushed outside of the door to allow the prince some time to finish getting dressed.
Zuko let out a sigh as the door clicked shut. Quietly, so she wouldn't hear, so no one would hear, he wandered over to his desk, pulling out a small dagger. Grimacing, he ran it across his stomach, where no one would see it. Just one more…he thought to himself as he made another small slice across his forearm. It was the only place he knew no one would see. He pulled a fresh shirt over his head, still slightly flustered from the brief moment that Katara had almost seen him near naked-ness. He called to her when he was finished, hiding his new cuts. "I have to go into town today. Would you like to come?" he asked her, averting his eyes from hers.
Katara knew he was hiding something. She knew by the way he hid his eyes; Sokka did the same thing when he was keeping things from her. Zuko was no different. It made her laugh how similar this Fire Nation prince and her Water Tribe warrior were so similar; both were highly stubborn with strong heads. And they both made her feel as though nothing could touch her. Yes, even this boy—no, Zuko was no longer a boy, he had grown to be a man—whom she had considered an enemy for so long….she stopped at that thought. She had considered. Her thoughts had used the past tense, meaning…did she still think of Zuko as an enemy? She couldn't now.
A slight cough and an attention seeking 'ahem' interrupted the Waterbender's thoughts. "Oh, sorry," she said quickly. "I would love to go to town with you," she said. Realizing how odd that sounded (at least in her mind), she made a miserable attempt at saving it. "That is to say, I mean…ugh, never mind."
Zuko chuckled in a thoughtful manner and turned away. Katara glanced at him and touched his arm lightly; it was soothing touch that seemed to wipe away the boy's troubles. "Zuko, did you just smile?" she asked incredulously.
Zuko, ever the bashful person, began walking out the door. "I'll go get us some breakfast."
"You did just smile at me! I saw it," Katara exclaimed in an overly joyous tone that made Zuko wish that this single moment could last a lifetime, just to hear the happiness in her voice.
"Well, if it makes you that incredibly happy, I suppose I should smile much more often," he said. But his handsome features remained flat as he walked out the door, to return moments later with the same look and a tray of food for both of them. He set the food on the table and lowered himself gingerly onto the cushion, trying to avoid making it look too obvious. He gestured for her to sit beside him. The two ate in silence, and it felt so awkward. Slowly, Katara's hand slid over Zuko's, her gentle, smooth fingertips brushing against his rough palm. He glanced down at her, gave a small unsure smile, and intertwined his fingers with hers. Katara couldn't help but smile at that.
"Is there something on your mind, Zuko?" she asked softly. The boy could hear the concern in her voice as she continued, "You seem so…lost. Like you're so far off."
"Why would it matter to you if I was so far off?" he asked stiffly. He couldn't help but remember what he had done to her, why should she care about him? He had betrayed her, taken all the love she had shown to him and threw it back at her as if to say, "I don't want it and I don't need it." Yet, Zuko knew he needed it. What was more, he wanted it.
Katara's eyes only softened more and she leaned on his arm. He refrained himself from letting out a noise of pain and dealt with it, inhaling deeply instead, and concentrated on her answer. "Because I want you here with me…" she said softly. "So I'm not so alone in this place that I don't know, and you're not so alone in your isolated little place."
He felt her hand tighten slightly around his, as if that would keep him there, attached to her. He stood up, still holding her hand, almost desperately clinging to it. Pulling her to her feet in a strong pull, he dug through a drawer and found a soft jacket for her to wear over her dress. "Here," he said, handing it to her. "I don't want you to get sick."
The two teenagers slipped out of the palace without too much attention and entered the busy street life. Though it was early in the day, markets were setting up shop for business, store owners were cleaning up and getting ready for the customers that were already walking around to beat the traffic. Zuko stopped at an intersection and beckoned to Katara. "Here," he said, handing the girl a list. "Could you get that stuff for me? I have to go find something else on the other side of the market."
So that's why he asked. I should have figured…Katara thought, but she shrugged and took the list, scanning it quickly before nodding and disappearing into the morning markets. Watching the girl until she vanished from his sight, Zuko turned and began walking in the opposite direction. Reality was, he just wanted to be alone. He let out a gentle sigh as he walked down the busy streets. For such an early morning, the people were wide-awake and active. A soft tune caught his ear and he turned around, trying to find the source. It was a soft melody, like a lullaby almost, yet it nearly expressed something…if it had words. The prince found the source to be a small music box sitting on top of a table of wares.
"Do you like the music box?" a woman asked him kindly. She was relatively young, or she looked it at least. Zuko guessed she might be in her late twenties. She picked it up and held it out to him to see. "My husband gave it to me when I was having nightmares. Our son had made it before he went off to war, asking my husband to keep him in his memories whenever this was played."
Zuko nodded. "I see. It's a very nice music box," he said softly. "I can see why you love it so much. It must be very dear to you."
The woman asked. "It is very dear to me. But…with the death of my son and my husband in the war…I'm afraid it holds far too many memories for me," she said sadly. She held it out to him. "Would you like to buy it, dear?"
This surprised Zuko greatly. This woman's most valued treasure was this single music box, yet she was offering it to him. "I…I couldn't, miss. It's yours. And besides…memories are all you have of your family," he said quickly.
"I know dear, but I don't need this to remember my husband or my son. They are with me in my heart and I know I will someday see them once more," she said. "You can give it to a woman having nightmares, the way my husband gave it to me."
Zuko sighed, holding the small treasure in his hands. The woman merely smiled a sad smile at him as he decided to buy it. He pulled his small money pouch out and paid the woman. She smiled warmly in thanks. Zuko looked down at the music box before gazing up at the woman. "Um…thank you…I don't even know your name, Miss," he mumbled almost incoherently. The woman chuckled quietly.
"My name is Karina," she said. "Please, do come back again. I enjoyed our conversation, my dear."
"Thank you, Miss Karina," Zuko replied in a quiet voice. "My name is…Lee. I'll be sure to return here when I have the chance."
"And dear?"
"Yes, Miss Karina?"
"Don't hold up all the pain you seem to have bottled inside you."
"Thank you, Miss Karina."
Zuko was in a better mood when he found Katara. The girl held a small basket filled with the items he had asked her to get and she was humming lightly as she bent some water on the ground. He hid the small music box, not wanting to show it to the younger girl just yet. Katara stood up straight and waved at him with a smile on her face.
Zuko realized he never wanted this to end.
"What are you so happy about?" Katara asked him playfully, noting the slight smile on his lips.
Zuko shook his head. "It's nothing. Come on, let's get back to the palace," he said swiftly. He began walking down the cobbled streets, not noticing as the waterbending girl fell further behind as she got caught in the crowds. After a few minutes, he turned to speak to her, only to find the young girl buying a batch of baked potatoes from a kiosk. In a most irritated fashion, the teenage prince stomped over to her. "What are you doing?"
"You're such a fast walker," Katara complained. She held out a potato in a napkin for him. "Want a potato?"
Zuko sighed and took it. "Thank you," he said. He turned so she was at his side and held out his arm. "Here, take my sleeve….ugh…this is so embarrassing."
Katara took the hem of Zuko's sleeve and the two continued to walk down the street to the palace gates. Upon reaching them, she let go of the cloth and the young prince felt a slight emptiness. The two walked in silence until they reached his room. He noted the new door on the side of his wall, raised by the Dai Li and their bending skills. "I think your room is ready. It connects to my room with this door so you can come and go as you please," he said quietly. He sat down on the sofa that had been Katara's bed and closed his eyes, leaning his head back.
Katara moved behind him and touched his shoulders, not wanting to leave just yet. "Zuko…?" she asked softly. He's so tense,she noted. Gently, she began to rub his shoulders hoping to make him feel better, humming a quiet tune in his ear. He let out a soft noise that told her he was enjoying the moment, and Katara found she was enjoying it too. He opened his amber eyes and gazed up, meeting sapphire blue pools that threatened to drown him, should he gaze at them too long. He took her hand and gently led it to the tender skin on his throat. Their lips were inching dangerously close, she noticed, but did nothing about it. Zuko touched her cheek gently and their lips met for a brief moment before they pulled away, realizing the even that had just passed.
No, this can't be happening! Katara's thoughts screamed. You can't be falling for him! He's the enemy. He's Zuko! Have you completely forgotten what transpired here?
"I…I'm sorry," Zuko said, standing quickly. His skin tingled where her hand had been. "I…I don't know what…what came…"
Katara stood there silently, fingers to her lips. The boy cautiously approached the girl and took her hand, placing in it the small music box. "H-Here. I bought it for you. It plays a song that you can listen to when you're going to sleep," he said softly. Letting go of her hand he turned and moved to his bed. He sat down slowly on it and closed his eyes again, fighting several urges, one of which included locking himself in the bathroom and taking that knife in the drawer an slicing his arms up. But then he thought about that. What if Katara found out about that…? That wouldn't end well. So he resisted.
He suddenly felt the edge of his bed sink in on one side and a potato was stuck in front of him again. "Here. You should eat," Katara's voice said softly. She sat down beside him and leaned her head on his shoulder, feeling his body heat. "There's some bread, too, if you want it."
Zuko couldn't hold back his small smile as he took it. "Thank you," he said quietly. He bit into the spud and chewed slowly, lost in thought. Katara gazed up at him, still clutching the small music box in her hand. She loved it; it was the first gift any man had given her. But how could she say that to him? She smiled in spite of herself, wishing for this moment to last forever. She touched his free hand and shifted so she could look at him.
"Thank you, Zuko," she began. "For the music box. It's a wonderful gift."
"Do you really like it?"
"Yes. And the song inside it," Katara replied, smiling. Zuko never wanted her smile to disappear. She looked so beautiful when she smiled.
"I'm sorry…about earlier. I don't know what came over me," Zuko said softly to her. Katara simply shook her head.
"No, it's my fault," she answered. "I shouldn't have….we were just both in the moment."
"Yeah…"
Katara slid off the bed and onto the cold floor, turning to look at Zuko. "I should get to bed now," she said softly to him. She tapped the treasure in her hand lightly. "And now I have a lullaby to sing me to sleep. Courtesies of my dear prince."
A light blush tinted Zuko's cheeks, and he nodded. The blush deepened when Katara gave him a hug, holding him tightly in her arms and burying her face in his neck. He hesitated for a moment before wrapping his arms around her waist and returning the hug. She let go of him and turned to leave, waving good-bye to him as she opened the door to her room. As she was about to leave, Zuko remembered what he wanted to say to her.
"Umm…" he began.
Katara stopped and looked at him questioningly. A small smile formed on his lips.
"Good night."
The Waterbender returned the smile.
"Yes, Zuko. Good night."
Gah! I'm really sorry about the late update. TTwTT Scratch most of the top note there! I didn't actually finish this chapter until foreeeever after I posted the first chapter. This is a fun story, even though it's so serious. Yes! I made Zuko a little emo, but it's part of the storyline, so please don't eat me! (runs away scared) Thank you for reading! It really means a lot to me. Oh, but I don't have an official length for this entire thing, so I have no clue how long this story will be. I'm trying to work out some stuff about the ending and everything. Oh, and the song that plays in the music box is the tune from "Leave Out All the Rest", by Linkin Park. I have a piano version of it (courtesy of that sounds sooooooo beautiful! And it goes really well with the chapter. I was listening to it the entire way I was writing (all five pages! XD;;; ) I've jabbered enough, so please R&R. Thank you!