Zutara - Secrets Chapter 4

An hour or two went by and Toph and I just sat there watching the boys firebend. I looked around at the house. It was in well condition, other than the plants that were growing everywhere. I felt odd sitting here, "Doesn't it seem kind of weird that we're hiding from the firelord in his own house?"

Zuko sat on the edge of an old dry fountain and wiped the sweat from his neck with a towel, "I told you, my father hasn't been here since my family was actually happy. And that was a long time ago. It's the last place anyone would think to look for us." He looked to his left and I followed his gaze to see Suki and Sokka returning.

Sokka ran ahead of Suki and I noticed there was something in his hand. "You guys are not going to believe this. There's a play about us."

"We were just in town and we found this poster," As Suki said this, Sokka opened the poster. On it were images of us, or at least they were obviously supposed to be is.

I jumped up and approached them having a closer look. "What ? How is that possible ?" I said.

Sokka turned the poster around and read it aloud, "Listen to this:

'The Boy in the Iceberg is a new production from acclaimed playwright Pu On Tim who scoured the globe gathering information on the Avatar from the icy South Pole to the heart of Ba Sing Se. His sources including singing nomads, pirates, prisoners of war and a surprisingly knowledgeable merchant of cabbage.'"

Suki leaned over his shoulder and finished, "Brought to you by the critically acclaimed Ember Island Players."

I heard Zuko groan, "My Mother used to take us to see them. They butchered 'Love Amongst The Dragons' every year."

I raised my eyebrow. 'Love amongst the dragons?' I thought. But I let it go turning back to my brother, "Sokka, do you really think it's a good idea for us to attend a play about ourselves ?"

"Come on, a day at the theatre ! This is the kind of wacky time wasting nonsense I've been missing," he grinned widely.

"I don't know," I said.

Toph stood next to me and said, "Hey, what's the harm of a little play?"

"Ya, Katara," This time it was Aang who spoke. "It doesn't sound like too bad of an idea."

"What about your firebending?" I was glad that Zuko was on my side.

But Aang was convinced, "That can wait, besides it's not until tonight. We can practice until then."

Zuko's lips pulled back in an unsure expression, then he looked at me. It was my choice. I lifted my hands in surrender and huffed, "Fine! We can go."

Sokka threw his arms in the air and yelled, "Yes!"

I rolled my eyes and turned away. I had to admit I was curious about this play since it was about us, but I thought it was a waste of time. I sighed, "I'll make lunch. The sun is high enough we could eat."

"Or we could go into town, it's better than cooking," Suki inquired.

"I like that idea," Zuko said as he grabbed his shirt. "I would like some fireflakes."

I raised my eyebrow, "Fireflakes?" I knew what they were, I was just surprised he wanted some, I didn't see him as the type.

"What," he raised his hands innocently. "I used to be a prince, remember? And after living in the earth kingdom, I miss quality firenation junk food."

I giggled and looked back at the group. I wanted to roll my eyes when I saw that Sokka's arm was around Suki like it was most of the time. I ignored it though and said, "Alright, if everyone agrees, I guess we can go to town." I snuck one last peek at Zuko before he put his shirt back on. I looked around and saw that everyone was in their firenation disguises. As my eyes scanned the group they ended on Zuko's face. "How are you going to disguise yourself, Zuko? Everyone has seen your face now, you could be recognized."

His eyes rounded a bit as his hand touched the scar, "I didn't think of that."

"You could wear your cloak with a hood," said Aang.

"But wouldn't it seem strange that someone would wear a black cloak under the midday sun in the firenation?" Zuko said.

"Good point," Aang looked at Sokka. He was better at ideas, but Sokka only shrugged.

Zuko sighed, "I guess I could just stay here. You could just bring stuff back for me."

I frowned, but before I could protest Sokka said, "We could just buy the food and bring it here."

"With what money? We used the last of it on the rice yesterday," Toph put in while crossing her arms.

"I have money," Zuko said. "I didn't leave the palace empty handed."

"Great," Sokka smiled. "So we'll all go to town and by some food while Zuko stays behind, then we'll come back and eat here."

My frown was still on my face as I found turn to speak, "Zuko shouldn't stay here alone. I'll stay here as well. I have been enjoying the rest after all that has happened the last couple days, and I am not that interested in going to town." Secretly I was interested in the town, but I would rather stay back with Zuko. And I hoped no one would get suspicious.

Sokka shrugged, "I'm fine with that, as long as you don't kill each other while we are gone."

"Don't worry, Sokka. We're fine now." I side glanced at Aang who wore a very slight frown. Then I looked at Zuko who had a nonchalant face. If he liked the idea of me staying, he was good at hiding it.

"Alright then, it's settled, now lets go, I'm starving," said Sokka walking toward the front door of the house.

Suki followed, "You just ate some fireflakes in town, how can you still be that hungry?"

Aang looked at me still wearing his slight frown. He seemed almost torn, then he turned to follow Sokka and Suki. Toph stayed back a moment and yelled at them, "I'll catch up in a minute." Then she turned to Zuko, "Since Sokka's stomach isn't thinking, can I have the money you said you had?"

"Oh ya," Zuko ran off toward a door that lead down a hallway of rooms.

Toph and I started heading the direction the other's had when Toph said, "You two gonna behave?"

I blushed a little and rubbed my arm speaking sheepishly, "Of course."

"Because you know we could come back at any moment."

I nodded, "I know."

Just then Zuko returned with a pack of money and handed it to Toph saying, "Now I want you to keep the money, it's supposed to last us a while and I have a feeling Sokka is as bad as my uncle when it comes to shopping."

Toph laughed and nodded before turning and opening the door. I followed her outside and down the steps. She turned to me one more time, "Remember, we could show up at any moment, and I am NOT covering for you." With that she ran off to catch up with the rest of the group.