Note: I know put no OC, but I meant no major OC, like this character really isn't important and isn't going to appear often. This really is the last chapter you'll see Maia in.
Chapter 2
A Mixed Arrival.
The journey itself took roughly four days, with the aid of Katara's powerful bending and her lack of resting, she soon arrived at the place she had long ago left in the past. Glancing at the scene, she realised how much the fire nation had progressed. Zuko had definitely restored the glory of the fire nation through its natural beauty. Bright reds, oranges and other vibrant colours surrounded her as she made her way through the city where Zuko's palace was situated. The scene was a stark contrast from her icy home.
Feeling slightly self conscious in her midnight blue healing uniform, she chose to ignore the curious glances directed at her. With her hood still masking her identity, she made her way to the agreed spot where her healer, Maia was meant to welcome her.
After a short while, a cloaked figure wearing a similar uniform to herself approached her.
"Master" the new arrival acknowledged as she removed her hood while bowing.
"Maia!" Katara greeted warmly, informally pulling the healer into an affectionate hug. Pulling away, she watched with amusement as Maia tried to gather herself.
"My Lady, how was your journey?"
"Tiring. But I am here for your patient, shall we see to him?"
"Of course, please follow me."
Before Maia could walk away, Katara grabbed her wrist, causing her to face her master in confusion.
"Princess...?"
Must she use every one of my titles, Katara grumbled silently, still not one for formalities.
"I want to know if you have disclosed my presence to anyone."
"No Lady Katara. I did as you asked and kept silent. Is there anything wrong?"
Smiling, Katara reassured the healer before they began their journey to the grand palace.
As they approached the Fire Lord's abode, Katara found herself observing the lack of changes. You'd think this would have been the first place Zuko would've changed, she mused. The imposing building from her younger years now appeared to be less foreboding; perhaps it was due to the removal of a pure evil from the throne, she contemplated silently.
"Halt" the guards dressed in heavy armour and striking red announced.
"I am the healer that was healing the Fire Lord's uncle."
"And who is that?" the guard inquired harshly, pointing in Katara's direction.
"She is my master, the head of my healing guild" Maia nervously informed.
"I don't care she has not been granted permission."
"But... I need her help to heal him!" Maia exclaimed.
"She has not been granted permission" the guard repeated with more force.
Glancing at her student, Katara watched as she cowered in front of the guards. Past anger resurfaced within her causing her to retaliate in a way she had not done for some time.
Drawing water from the air, she pushed back the haunting memories of Hama. Startled, the guards turned their attention towards her instead. Looking at her student, Katara smiled softly before gesturing at her subtly to make her way inside. With her gaze directed at the men, she composed herself, awaiting their attack. Between the three guards, two chose to fire bend, while the remaining held his spear threateningly at her.
Smirking she froze the one clasping his weapon, pinning him to a pillar with ice daggers. Dodging a sequenced set of fire bending attacks, she threw the men around, bashing them into anything she could find, until deciding to leave them frozen, hanging from a nearby blossom tree.
"I had thought the Fire nation had changed their bullying ways" she remarked before following after her student.
"But master what if someone saw?" Maia asked meekly.
"Do not worry yourself unnecessarily healer, now show me to Iroh before we find more distractions."
Once gaining entry to where Iroh rested, Katara hesitantly advanced towards the slumbering figure, dismissing everyone present besides her student. Drawing out water from the air around her, she began her analysis of the ailing uncle. Moving her hands around his chest slowly, she soon found what was wrong.
"Maia come here."
Waiting until the healer had shuffled forward, Katara continued, "Tell me what you thought was wrong first."
"I couldn't find anything wrong with him Lady Katara, that was the problem."
"Give me your hands" the water princess instructed as she guided her students hands to the source of the problem. "Now I want you to focus extremely hard and see if you can feel what it is."
After some time and with a lot of effort, Maia finally gave up, annoyed that she had failed her tutor.
"Don't worry; it takes great practice to notice an ailment so subtle. Your patient here has ruined some heart tissue. Thankfully it isn't a large area."
Focusing her energy and her bending, Katara watched as she began to heal with precision. Swiftly she moved away, studying the patient until giving him a clean bill of health.
"Maia, you may go and tell the Fire Lord that his uncle is well, but remember-"
"Not to mention you, of course My Lady" she interrupted before hastily leaving.
Glancing at Iroh quickly, she began to make her departure until a firm grip around her wrist pulled her back. Shocked, she looked around, searching for who had done this.
"Katara I know it's you."
Mumbling, Iroh slowly moved off his bed with a slight struggle. Slipping on his slippers he smiled warmly at her before shuffling to the window.
Still surprised that he was awake, and in the same room as her, she nearly missed what he had to say.
"Leaving already?"
"I must."
"But we never even got to say hello."
"I'm sorry" she replied, her voice small.
"At least stay for some tea?"
A smile played across her lips as she recalled Iroh's passion for tea.
"I really should be leaving soon."
"Very well."
Noticing the hurt tone in his words, she moved closer towards him, replying with something she knew that she'd later regret.
"Would you like me to come visit you before I go tonight?"
Beaming, Iroh turned to face her, crushing her in a hug. "That would be wonderful."
As she managed to untangle herself from his embrace, she smiled before taking her leave, knowing that the longer she stayed, the more likely a run in with Zuko was. Now with plenty of time to spare, she decided that a visit to the palace infirmary was necessary, especially since the fire sage that had helped her and Aang so long ago was now recuperating there.
Okay so not much action there, but I am building this up for a reason ^^
