Hey, readers! Thanks for staying with the story! I hope you enjoy this chapter, and please read and review! I reposted the chapter because I had to fix some grammar things. So anyways, happy reading!
Chapter 2:
The Feast
The Fire Lord paced in his room, waiting to be summoned for dinner. Zuko had planned the evening meticulously, he even made sure to dress in some of his finest, casual clothes. His hair was half up, in the traditional top knot, with his Fire Lord crown securely fastened to his head. He wore a long dark red robe, with long billowing sleeves, soft brown boots, a soft orange tunic, and dark red pants. He had a golden sash tied around his waist and a golden fire insignia on the back of his robe. Gods, why am I worrying about my appearance. Zuko was all over the place. He didn't know why he felt so nervous.
Someone lightly knocked on the door, and entered, "Your Highness, the feast is ready, and your friends are getting seated."
Finally! "Thank you." Zuko slightly bowed his head, and streamed out of his room, his robe billowing out behind him.
When Zuko finally arrived at the feast hall, he realized that the guard was right. His friends were already there. He was the last to arrive. Oops. As he walked through the doors, all eyes turned towards him, and conversation in the room came to a slow stop. Umm…
He found his seat and addressed his friends before sitting. "Friends, it is so great to see you all again. To finally be together, after such a long time apart. We have gathered here this evening to celebrate the birth of my dear friends Sokka and Suki's first son. Let's raise a glass to Tikaani!"
A chorus of "Here here" and "To Tikaani" came from the odd group of friends.
The Fire Lord beckoned the chef over. "Now, let the feast begin! Chef, bring out the first course!".
Katara was astounded at the array of food. There was everything from earth kingdom cabbage cookies, to traditional Water Tribe Five-Flavor-Soup. She couldn't decided on what to eat, so she took a little bit of everything.
"So Toph, how is your school going?" Suki asked as she spoon fed rice pudding to little Tikaani.
"Oh it's fantastic! It took awhile for the school to start though. The earth king didn't really like the idea of me teaching. But, after a nice little chat with him, he changed his mind. Even funded it!" She laughed heartily at her own joke, and many people in the room joined her.
"Toph?! You threatened the Earth King? You're crazy." Katara , but couldn't help giggle at the thought.
Wow, I hadn't realized how much I missed these guys Katara thought. She glanced around the room, looking at each of her friends in turn. Sokka, who sat diagonal to her, was stuffing his face. Not much has changed there Katara mused. Suki sat across from Katara. The Kyoshi Warrior, was still spoon feeding Tikaani, and the sight warmed her heart. I want that one day, a family of my own she thought hopefully. Toph was seated next to her. Even though the blind earthbender had little bits of cabbage cookies on her chin, Katara could see how mature she had grown. Her posture was straighter, her hair was nicely kept, she was cleaner, that's a first Katara thought. Across from Toph, sat Aang. Oh gods. Katara still missed Aang, even though they had broken up over a year ago. I wonder what would have happened had we-
She was startled out of her thoughts, as someone addressed her.
"Katara?"
It was Zuko. Wait, had he asked a question? Oh gods, how embarrassing. I don't remember what it was. Oh please don't mention Aang, Katara silently pleaded to the Fire Lord.
"I asked how your travels with Aang went."
Damn. Katara looked to Aang, but he didn't meet her eyes. "Oh they went very well. In the two years we traveled together, we successfully rebuilt hundreds of homes, healed thousands of people, and helped tons more. But now I live in the North Pole, as a waterbender teacher, alongside Master Pakku."
"That is incredible!" Zuko exclaimed. "Oh, and I had meant to do this before, but I want to thank you, for all the villages you helped in the Fire Nation. It is much appreciated."
"Oh you don't have to thank me, Zuko, it was my pleasure. And plus, I enjoyed helping all those people."
"If you enjoyed it so much, then why stop?" Zuko asked innocently.
Damn! How do I answer that?! Katara again, looked to Aang, indecisive on how to proceed in the now awkward conversation. But same as last time, he kept his gaze averted. Damn it all She thought angrily. If he won't help me with this, then I'll just tell everyone the truth.
"Well, funny you should ask. Hehe… Aang… and I… broke… up... That's why I moved to the North Pole… and he moved to the Northern Air temple..."
The room went silent. Even the children.
Oh gods, oh gods oh gods. I should have known this would be brought up. Maybe I shouldn't have told them what actually happened… Katara started freaking out.
"WHAT?!" Sokka yelled. His hand stopped halfway to his mouth, and he dropped the crab puff he was about to eat.
"Yeah, it happened about a year ago… I figured you guys knew… Since I stopped traveling with him and everything..." Katara could feel the eyes of everyone on her. Except Aang that is. He was still determined to not look her way. "Well. ANYWAYS." She said a bit too loudly. "How are you doing Zuko?" Katara said lamely, trying to change the subject.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Suki asked intently.
The room quieted, as her friends waited for her answer.
"Fire Lord Hot-man, are we getting dessert or not, huh? I've been looking forward to it since we docked!" Toph barked, breaking the tense silence.
"Hmm? What? Oh, yes! Desert!" The Fire Lord stumbled out. He waved to the chef. "I thought you guys might like to try a traditional Fire Nation Desert."
Thank you, Toph! Katara thought I owe you big time.
After a few seconds, 7 servants walked into the room carrying trays, placing one in front of every person at the table.
"This looks delicious." Sokka moaned.
"This looks too pretty to eat" Suki whispered under her breath, and Katara agreed. Before her was the prettiest fruit tart she had ever seen. It had a soft crust outside, with cut fruit surrounding a thick cream center. There were a few rose petals in the center of the cream.
"Lord Zuko, you have outdone yourself," Suki said as she started eating.
"Mmmmm. This is delicious!" Nrya exclaimed.
"Hey Nrya," Toph inquired, "I heard you are a waterbender? That's very exciting!"
"Yes! And aunt- I mean Sifu Katara, has started teaching me!" Nyra bragged. "Did you all hear about how we found out about my bending?"
"Well now, I don't think that I did. Would you be kind enough to tell us Nyra?" Aang knew that was exactly what the girl wanted to hear, and she jumped right into the story.
"There had been weird things going on around the house, glasses spilling, puddles of water. But what really made it clear, was the river accident." Nyra stopped for dramatic effect, and looked around, making sure everyone was listening. Katara found the girls antics utterly adorable.
"One day, I was playing tag by the small river in our backyard, with my friends. We were running around, near the bank of the river, when my friend Meelu slipped and fell in. I knew she couldn't swim, so I got really scared. Before I knew what was happening, my arms were waving, and I was screaming, and" another dramatic pause" the water all around Meelu froze!" Nyra looked at her audience with anticipation in her eyes. Everyone realized she was waiting for them to say something, and all responded at once.
"What happened?" "How did the water freeze?" "Did you save her?" "How did she get back to shore?"
"Well," Nyra continued, satisfied with their responses "She was frozen in a block of ice, and I swam out to her, and pulled her back in. When we were both back on land, I ran and got Mom and Dad. They just laughed." Nyra had a wide confident smile on her lips, as she looked around.
Then Toph asked the question that was on everyone's mind, but nobody wanted to voice, "Well, how'd you get her out of the ice?".
The smile wavered on little Nyras face. "Well.. Umm… We chipped away what we could, and then built a fire for the rest of it… I didn't know how to unfreeze her." Nyra's gaze dropped, and her smile shrunk. Everybody started laughing.
"But since she and I have started training, she has greatly improved, and would now be very capable of unfreezing her friend," Katara explained. Nyra looked to her, her confident smile coming back to her face.
"Oh Nyra, why don't you show us some of what you have learned?" Zuko asked, as he waved to a servant to bring a pitcher of water. Nyra's face lit up, "Yes! Of course Fire Lord Zuko!" she squealed, and jumped out of her seat.
Nyra got into a basic waterbending stance, feet spread out and arms up. Suddenly, the water from the pitcher on the table started to stream into the air. Nyra flicked her wrists, and the water stretched into a thin stream, that stretched across the table. With a graceful twist of her arms, the water moved across the room, weaving around the heads of everyone in the room. Oh my, she is improving so much Katara though proudly.
The water Nyra controlled moved around the table gracefully, but then it got to Tikaani. The little boy giggled and grabbed for the water, breaking Nyras concentration. The water spilled across the two children, and everyone burst into laughter.
Katara quickly dried the 2 kids, and returned the water to the pitcher. "Oh Nyra! You are doing so well! That was incredible!". The little girl beamed at her teacher's praise.
"Yes, that was very impressive Nyra. You have your father's determination, your mother's grace, and your aunts skill. If you continue to work hard, you will someday be a powerful Master Waterbender." The Fire Lord smiled at his niece, who blushed under his gaze.
"So Suki, do you still teach the Kyoshi Warriors?" Toph asked.
"Sadly no. I had to give that up when I became pregnant with Nyra. I over look the training, but Ty Lee now leads and instructs the Warriors. She is an incredible fighter, leader, and teacher. She has even brought in her own techniques. Ty Lee taught us all chi blocking." Suki smiled at the memory of the pink clad circus performer.
"What about you Sokka? What have you been up to?" Zuko asked the Water Tribe native.
"Well, not much. Since the Kyoshi Warriors are still only females, I can't train with them. But on occasion, I'll spare with Ty lee, or Suki, just to stay in shape. I actually got a job in town though. I work at the Metalsmiths. I'm one of the few swordsmiths on Kyoshi island." Sokka exclaimed proudly.
"The best swordsmith that I've ever met" Suki added sweetly.
"Hey Aang, you've been pretty quiet this evening. How is it at the Northern Air Temple?" Sokka asked his friend.
"Oh, um it's going well. I moved there about one year ago, but spend most my time traveling. They have greatly improved the temple." The Avatar looked distracted. "But what about Zuko? He hasn't talked much either." Aang turned his attention to the Fire Lord. "So Zuko, got any fun plans for us while we're here?"
"Actually yes, I do. There is a celebration going on this week, and I was thinking we could all go check it out. I won't be able to go with you tomorrow though, I have business in town. But after that-
The Fire Lord stopped talking as a guard approached him, and whispered into his ear.
"I'm sorry, I have to go. Please excuse me." And with that, Fire Lord Zuko walked out of the dining hall, his robe billowing out behind him.
What was that all about? Katara thought. As she looked around at the puzzling looks on her friend's faces, she realized she wasn't the only one confused.
"I wonder what happened" Toph again voiced what everyone was thinking.
The feast continued for another hour. Then, the servants came in, picked up the plates, and the Gaang left the feast hall.
Katara waited behind everyone, hoping to catch Aang. Oh! There he is! Katara spotted him walking around a corner, and ran up to him.
"What was that all about at dinner?" She asked the Avatar.
"I don't know what you mean" He countered
"Oh you know exactly what I mean. You were quiet the entire night. And you didn't meet anyone's eyes. What is going on? Are you avoiding me? Did I do something wrong?"
"It's nothing Katara."
"Aang, we both know that's not true."
"Katara, please. It's nothing." Aang looked sad, but Katara was determined to talk to him.
"Is this because I told them that we broke up?"
He looked at her and said simply "No, it's because we broke up… I still love you."
Damn did not see that coming.
"Aang, that was a year ago." Katara's heart started beating faster. She knew this conversation would come at some point.
"That doesn't mean I don't still love you! I have thought about you every day for the last year. Wishing to see you again. To beg you to get back together."
"Aang, I can't go through this again." Katara's eyes started watering.
"Please Katara, I love you. Is that not enough?"
Suddenly Katara got angry. "Do you not remember last time we broke up? No Aang, it's not enough. I can't be with you anymore. We aren't good for each other. You are too dependent on me, and I mother you too much. You are still a child, and I haven't been one since I was 8. You want to travel, and I want to settle down, and start a family. You're too young Aang. Maybe we can give our relationship another try in a couple years, when you mature. But until then Aang, we're over."
Oh, gods. I shouldn't have been so harsh. Katara looked at the Airbender. He was devastated, and shaking. I just wanted to ask about dinner.
"I'm sorry Aang." Katara turned around, tears filling her eyes, and ran away. Aang still stood there. Mouth gaping, and eyes wide. His breathing was heavy, and he had a glazed, sad look in his eyes.
I didn't mean to hurt you again, Katara thought sadly. I just wanted to talk about dinner. I didn't mean to get mad. I'm sorry Aang.
She barely made it around the corner, before the tears overtook her, and sobs shook her chest. I didn't mean to bring up the past, I just wanted to talk about dinner. Katara blindly tried to find her way back to her room, only to run into something. She didn't have the energy to stand back up, so she knelt on the ground, crying. I never meant to hurt you all over again Aang...
Warm arms wrapped around her, gently lifting her up. Katara looked, and found that it was Zuko she had run into. Embarrassed, she started wiping her tears on her sleeve. Zuko just wrapped his arms tighter, and mumbled soothing words. After a few seconds, Katara returned his embrace, grateful to him for not questioning her.
After a few minutes, Katara calmed down and whispered a small thanks to Zuko. He just smiled and started leading her back to her room. There is so much I still don't know about him, Katara thought as she looked up at the Fire Lord. I never knew he was so sensitive. Today has definitely proved to her, that he was indeed sensitive, and thoughtful.
"Thank you. For everything" Katara said louder, making sure she was heard.
"You don't have to thank me Katara. I went through this same thing with Mai. I know how hard it is."
Katara looked up at the Fire Lord. Did he just open up to me?
"She left a year after Sozin's comet, saying she needed to find herself. And she said she couldn't… if she stayed with me…"
He did just open up to me. Oh Zuko I am so sorry, I didn't know. I wish I had known. That must have been so hard. And you never told us. You had to go through that alone Katara thought, but "Oh" was all she said.
They arrived at her room, and Zuko opened the door for her. He left with a small bow, and a goodnight. But as he turned away, Katara gave him a hug, and whispered "I'm always here for you. We all are." and then she quickly went into her room, shutting the door behind her.
Katara dressed in her night clothes and climbed into the large bed. With her thoughts a mess, she drifted off into a deep, dreamless sleep.
Any ideas on why Zuko left so abruptly? And what'd you think of Nyra's bending skills? Please feel free to review all your thoughts and ideas about my story.