Title: The Start of Something Wonderful
Author: tanikara kohitsuji
Theme: 28. Not yet in bloom
Pairing: Zutara! Zuko x Katara
The Start of Something Wonderful
Katara strolled through the palace. It was hard to believe as she walked that not even three years ago, this very hall had been gutted by fire. And yet now, there was not a trace of the destruction. She paused, staring up at the reconstructed pillars and new tapestries.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" a male voice said from behind her.
Katara gasped and turned to see Zuko just behind her, slightly to her right. "Oh. It's you," she sighed. She relaxed again, turning back to the wall. "It is beautiful. If I didn't know better, I'd never guess that a few years ago, this was nothing more than ashes."
A horrible, awkward silence descended as they both got lost in the memories of the past.
"You know, you're looking at the wrong part," he said, drawing them both out of the gloom.
Katara turned her sapphire gaze to him. "I am?"
"Yes. Come on," he said, reaching over to take her hand. "I'll show you."
As he led her down the winding halls, he explained. "There's one part of the palace that was completely untouched by the fires from my Agni Kai with Azula. It's my favorite part. Always has been."
They arrived at a waterfall of beads that hid the room ahead from view. Zuko paused, her hand still securely in his. "I… I haven't shared this with anyone since my mother disappeared."
Katara took a soft breath, her eyes widening in understanding. "Zuko. I…"
His amber eyes caught her cobalt ones, and her words died on her lips. She was quiet for a minute, lost in his eyes before she squeezed his hand comfortingly, gently. "Thank you," she said softly.
He drew back the strands of beads to reveal a courtyard garden. He drew her into it as she took in the quiet pond, the budding trees, and the lush grass.
"Zuko, this is beautiful," she gasped. Her hand slid from his, leaving him feeling a bit bereft, as she left his side to explore the garden.
He went over to lean against a tree to wait. He watched in fascination as the lithe tanned girl spun in the center of the grass. She twirled faster and faster, her hair fanning out as she flung her head back to welcome the warm sun on her face. Her arms stretched out to brush the lower limbs, skimming cherry and plum buds.
Strange how much things could change in a few years, he mused. When that hall had been rubble, he'd been with Mai still. Now, they had gone their own ways, just like Katara and Aang. Back then, the waterbender had been nothing but a slip of girl. Now, she was a fascinating young woman who entranced him as none other could.
As she slowed to a stop, Zuko finally found his tongue again. "You should see it when it's in bloom."
"I can imagine," Katara agreed, "it must breathtaking then." She turned to him, grinning as she clasped her hands behind her back. She leaned forward slightly, tilting her head up toward him, eyes sparkling like the ocean in the sun. "So, how did you know about this, Zuko? You don't seem like the garden type."
He kept his gaze locked with hers rather than dipping it down to observe her womanly figure. He went back over and took her hand in his again. He brought her next to the pond, and they sat down together.
"I used to come here with my mother to feed the turtle ducks."
Just then the animals came paddling out, coming over to them.
Katara sighed over the little babies. One came to close to her, and she reached toward it. Zuko's eyes widened, and he caught her hand quickly.
She turned an angry gaze to him. He didn't back down though, just met it with an equally serious gaze.
"Trust me. You don't want to do that."
"Why not?" she demanded.
"Mother turtle ducks will bite if you touch their young," he said and smirked. "I learned that one the hard way."
"Oh."
They lapsed into silence again, just enjoying the early spring sun on their shoulders, warming them. After about fifteen minutes, Katara shifted slightly and dropped her head to his shoulder. As she began absently to twirl her element about her fingertips, Zuko stole a glance at her.
He turned his gaze to the budding trees. Yes, this could be the beginning of something wonderful.
Somehow, his hand found hers again, and their fingers magically twined together and stayed that way for the rest of the day.
A/N: Geez, this one is long! But I just couldn't end it and it kept going and going. Finally I reached this point and found it finished naturally.
Why the curtain? To hide the garden. No other reason.
Another sedate one. Sweet too… I love sedate.
There is some symbolism here with the plum and cherry buds. You might not catch it though. It's nothing really traditional (unlike my usual tendencies with them…). Zuko kinda hints at it though. Send me your guesses!