A/N: Okay, Super sorry I haven't uploaded since Thanksgiving. Time just hasn't been on my side. what's worse this chapter is not very long! But I have some good news.
My chapters will be coming on sooner because i worked out the kinks in my plot line. ;) So I think you'll be super excited. :D
I want to thank all my reviewers. You guys are amazing, pushing me to finish this darn thing. lol
Hope you like this one!
Disclaimer: I do not own ATLA... So don't sue or flame or delete this story. haha :D
Two black-hooded riders created a dust cloud as their ostrich horses ran across the grassy plains. After spending the remainder of the morning cleaning and packing, the pair pressed on by afternoon, breaking out of the forest. They had been riding for hours now, and the late afternoon sun burned into their backs. Katara felt like had been riding for days instead of mere hours. It was tedious seeing the same landscape stretching out in front of her. With no conversation or scenery to distract her, Katara's mind wandered back to her night with her mother and the story that she told her. In so many ways, it was very similar to the situation she was in the current moment. But it was years after her mother broke up with Bato before she got together with her father. And they were much older. Okay, putting myself in her shoes is not the best idea. But still...
Katara gazed at Zuko beside her. His black hair cascaded in front of his golden eyes in the most perfect way, Katara couldn't help but want to extend her hand and run his hair through her fingers. To feel the silky but tawny hair against her skin. To feel his warm hands around her own...Katara closed her eyes at the thought of his arms around her again, in the comforting embrace.
"Whoa! Katara!"
A pale gloved hand grabbed her reins and pulled them out of the way of the oncoming carriage. Katara immediately took back the reins and swerved out of danger. The two still continued to make their way down the road.
"Katara, what were you doing?" Zuko inquired with concerned.
Katara shrugged in response. Fantasizing about you. "Thinking about last night."
Zuko nodded. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Katara shook her head. "No, not really."
Again Zuko nodded. He knew she had visited her mother and they had a great talk, but he was still clueless about what this great talk was about. He had a feeling that Katara wanted to keep it to herself for now. She would tell him when she was ready to.
It was amazing how easy everything went back to normal, as if these nightly walks to the spirit world were common occurrences. It was even more amazing that Zuko could act normal after discovering his revelation that night. The situation between them had not changed at all; it was still the same complicated, frustrating, adrenaline rush.
Zuko studied Katara. Her brown hair flapped in the wind behind her, while her face was pink from the oncoming wind. Her beautiful cerulean eyes took in the road and surroundings with a quiet softness and a slight hint of boredom. Zuko smirked to himself. Katara...bored. Zuko couldn't help but laugh at the thought of the unlikely trait. Katara turned her gaze at him with a raised eyebrow.
"What's so funny?" she demanded.
Zuko just shook his head, still laughing to himself.
"You will tell me," she ordered softly.
"No, I won't," stated Zuko defiantly. A small town on the horizon began to grow. "We'll stop there for the night." He pointed to the town.
"Alright," Katara agreed, still a bit agitated.
Zuko snickered.
"You will tell or so help me, I will water whip that smirk of your face!" Katara threatened.
This made Zuko laugh harder. "Since when do you sound like Toph?"
"Since when do you start acting like Sokka?" Katara mumbled.
Zuko was still chuckling as they came in to the town. They stopped at a well-looking inn and dismounted off their horses. Katara walked around her horse to where the laughing Zuko stood. With a small thwack, Katara struck her hand across his face. "Shut up, already."
Zuko turned to face her, his eyes gleaming with mischief and amusement. "No."
Katara let out a frustrated yell and stormed to the inn. Zuko followed with an amused expression.
An old inn keeper looked up from behind the desk. His face was ancient but still held a child-like humor. He was bald with a thin gray mustache and a long gray beard. He had dark hazel eyes and a kind smile that spread across his pudgy cheeks. He looks like a cross between a dwarf and a monk.
Katara approached his desk with a haughty expression, Zuko close behind.
"A single room for two?" the old man asked pleasantly. Zuko nodded and placed a couple of gold coins on the counter. Katara crossed her arms. The old man raised an eyebrow at her stance.
"I hope you don't mind," he informed slowly, "but the only open room consists of one king-size bed. Is that a problem?"
Katara and Zuko both stiffened. "Is there anything else?" Katara asked rigidly.
The old man shook his head. "I'm afraid not."
Katara looked at Zuko. "Do we have enough for two rooms?" She whispered.
"I'm afraid not," he shrugged. "I can always sleep on the floor," Zuko whispered back to Katara. "That's fine. We'll take it." he said a bit louder. Katara looked away, while Zuko looked down. The old man bowed his head and produced a key. "Enjoy your stay at the White Lotus Dragon."
Zuko and Katara both looked up at the sound of the name. They turned to each other. Zuko slightly shook his head.
The old man snapped his fingers. A small girl, no more than 10 years old, approached them dressed in a light silk green dress. She bowed deeply and then said in a sweet voice, "If you will follow me."
Katara and Zuko followed behind the petite girl, her long brown hair swishing back and forth. They followed the little girl up some stairs and down a long corridor. She took the key from Zuko and opened the door. The room was small but cozy with a large window opening out to view the little town underneath. A large bed with green covers and two pillows were pushed up against the wall right below the window. A door leading to the bathroom stood on the right with a wooded wardrobe on the other side of the door. A potted plant with bamboo shoots stood in the farthest corner, while a small fire place was on the opposite wall, a few feet from the bed.
Katara walked in and smiled. It was perfect, minus the one bed issue.
"Now, dinner is served at seven, and breakfast is served at ten in the morning. House keeping normally comes at eleven thirty," the little girl said. "However, if you are not ready all you have to do is pull this rope and the light outside changes." She pulled a long rope hanging out of the ceiling near the door.
"Do you require any more assistance?" she offered.
Katara and Zuko smiled at the little girl. In so many ways, she reminded them of Aang.
"I don't believe so," Katara replied warmly. "But I would like to know your name."
She bowed her head. "Jia at your service, miss."
Zuko returned the bow. "You know Jia, you could assist me with our ostrich horses and supplies--."
"Zuko!" Katara said appalled.
"--if you would like." He finished. Jia's eyes lit up.
"I would like that very much!"
Zuko grinned and walked outside the room, Jia following closely behind. Katara sighed but eventually followed.
The crackling fire sounded near rows of tables in the dining area. Katara leaned back with a cup of tea in her hand. She sipped it softly. The room was nearly empty except for the old innkeeper behind the counter and his wife, who was sweeping the room.
Even though the inn wasn't the finest place like their apartment in Ba Sing Se, Katara enjoyed it here. There just was this certain homely feeling, a joyful, peaceful place all around. She wondered if they were just going to stay here for one night or longer. Zuko is taking quite awhile. I haven't seen him or Jia since I unloaded our packs.
As if on cue, a deep laughter sounded mixed with a little giggle. Zuko came bounding in the room with a red-faced Jia on his shoulders.
"No that can't be right!" shouted Jia. "There is no way shirshu can fall in love with a badger mole!" Zuko laughed again. "Do you believe that fire and water can live together?"
Jia stopped giggling and took a quick peek at Katara. Katara raised an eyebrow.
"Can they?" she whispered hoarsely.
"We'll see tonight," Zuko whispered back. Zuko let Jia down and rumpled her hair.
"Your a good kid," he commented. The little girl beamed.
"Jia!" the innkeeper's wife called. "It's time to get back to your chores!"
"Yes, madame!" Jia replied. She gave a quick bow to Zuko and dashed up the stairs.
Zuko watched her go with an amused smile. Katara cleared her throat.
"So, did you have fun?" Katara asked. Zuko's smile stretched from ear to ear. He walked over to where Katara was, pulling out a chair and sitting.
"Jealous?" he smirked
"Why would I be?" she defied, smiling herself.
Zuko rolled his eyes. "Because someone other than you likes me."
Katara crossed her arms and examined her cup. "Uh huh."
Zuko smiled triumphantly. The wife came up and set a cup of tea in front of Zuko. He thanked her, taking a long sip. He set it down wearing the same idiotic grin. Katara glared at him, wanting to slap it off his face.
"I can read you like an open book, no use in denying it." Katara's face turned red as he took another sip of his tea.
She stood up abruptly and walked towards the stairs.
Zuko smiled to himself, finished his tea, then followed the infuriating waterbender.
Katara sat staring at the window, watching the low sun. Does he know? Katara sighed deeply.
If he does, then I think the answer is obvious. Thanks for the help, Mom. It looks like I didn't need it.
A knock sounded at the door. "Come in!"
Katara stood up and turned to be met by a pair of grey eyes. She was carrying a basket full of wood with a match box in her hand.
"Oh Jia," Katara spoke slightly startled. "What can I do for you?"
Jia bowed respectfully. "I'm just here to start the fire miss."
"Oh," Katara said looking in the said direction. "That is fine. Too bad Zuko is not here to help you."
Jia giggled as she walked over and set the basket down "I think I can manage. I've been doing this for a long time," she assured. Katara nodded and sat on the bed and watched her.
"How old are you, Jia?" Katara asked.
"Nine," Jia replied shortly.
Katara cocked her head. "Where are your parents?"
"Dead," she answered, shrugging. "Or at least I think so. They died when I was two."
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that." Katara looked at her. "Do you have any siblings?"
"None that I remember," Jia responded smiling. "I came here when I was about three. If I had a sibling, we were separated at my parents death."
"Wait," Katara stopped. "If your parents died when you were two, how did you manage a year on your own?"
Jia beamed, but there was a certain sadness in her eyes. "I wasn't alone. My parents supposedly died in a factory explosion in the Fire Nation." Jia put a couple of logs inside and used some pine needles for shrub. "But a beautiful Lady rescued me. She took me in her arms and fled the Fire Nation. I lived with her for a year." Jia frowned slightly. " But then something happened and something hit my head. Next thing I know, I'm here, working to pay for my room and board." Jia lit a match and set it in the fire. It burned out. "She stayed here for a couple of weeks before she disappeared." Jia lit another match.
"Do you remember anything else about her?" Katara asked curiously. Jia looked at her.
"A beautiful pair of golden eyes and long brown hair." Jia concentrated, her forehead creased. "I remember the smell. Its a cross between cedar burning and lilies."
Katara furrowed her eyebrows.
"Ouch!" Jia shouted in surprise. She had burnt her fingers, forgetting to put the match in the fire. She dropped it on the floor. Before Katara could grab her water, Jia stomped it out.
"I'm so sorry," she apologized profusely. She bowed her head, her hands across her torso. Katara quickly went to her side.
"Its alright," Katara soothed. "Let me see your hands." Tears formed in Jia's eyes as she shook her head. "No no, you musn't!" Katara slowly reached and took her wrists. Burn marks marked around her fingers. Katara took her water skins and bended the water. The water began to glow as Katara healed Jia's hands.
Jia's eyes grew big. "Your a waterbender," she whispered. Katara looked into Jia's eyes smiled. "See all better." Katara looked back at her hands. Something caught her eye. It looked like a sort of blue scar, but before Katara could examine it further, the door suddenly opened.
"Katara," Zuko stepped through. "We need to ta--." Zuko froze when he saw Jia and Katara on their knees, one still healing the other. "Is everything okay?" Zuko approached the two girls.
Katara finished up and returned the water back to her skin. "Yeah, just a little burn."
Jia stood up. "Thank you, miss." She bowed deeply.
"Please," Katara stopped. "Call me Katara." The little girl smiled warmly and picked up her basket then proceeded to exit through the door. She closed it softly.
Zuko turned to Katara. "Why did you use your bending around her?"
Katara raised an eyebrow. "Don't you trust her?" she puzzled.
Zuko gritted his teeth. "Its not that I don't trust her, I just don't trust them."
"Well, Jia is very mysterious girl too. There's something on her arm, but I couldn't get a very good look at it." Zuko cocked his head. "Like a scar?"
Katara shook her head. "Like I said, I didn't get a very good look at it."
Katara put up her hands. "But hold on." Katara stood up and sat on the bed. "If they are apart of the White Lotus society, why do we need to be careful? I mean, doesn't your Uncle run the society?"
Zuko stood and followed suit. "He's the leader, but its run by a high rank committee. Besides, the name does check out, but the decorations of this inn have nothing to do with the lotus. And I have yet to see the White Lotus tile."
Katara furrowed her brow. "But why do we care? How does knowing that this inn is apart of the White Lotus society help to find Ursa?"
Zuko shrugged. "I think my mom is apart of the society. How else does it explain how well hidden she is? She wasn't on the island Ozai banished her to. Remember? That's the first place we looked."
Katara rolled her eyes. "Of course I remember. That's where you twisted your ankle and we had to spend days there for you to recover."
Zuko blushed. "You can forget that part."
Katara laughed. "Why? I at least have something over you now."
"You have a lot of things over me."
Katara pretended to ponder this, tapping her chin. "True, but you don't seem to mind."
Zuko half-smiled. "Your right, I don't."
His golden eyes searched her blue ones. There he goes again! These little cryptic marks. He has to be saying something behind it. But What!?
Ugh! What are her eyes trying to say? She looks so confused and...hopeful?
They were silent for a long moment, then Zuko cleared his throat. Katara blinked briefly.
"So, umm," Katara tried to gather her thoughts, "what do we do now?"
"Well, you can go find Jia and try to get her back story," Zuko suggested, getting up and walking to the door.
"And you?" Katara asked.
Zuko turned and looked at Katara.
"I'm going to go play a game of pai sho with the inn keeper."
With that, he walked out the door.
See??? Interesting.
I personally love Jia, I have many good things planned for her.
so please Review! They are life savers!(oohh yummy!)
~ME