Revamped as of April 18th, 2012
::~
"Katara?" Zuko asked, tentatively. Katara turned towards him. She looked as if she had tears in her eyes. Immediately, he went into 'comfort your best friend' mode. He hugged her to himself, noticing how he small but powerful frame, fit well into his muscular, large one. He rested his chin on the top of her head, letting her cry.
He rubbed her arm as she sobbed uncontrollably. He figured it must have hurt her to let the love of her life marry her best friend, just so Toph could be happy. It took a tremendous amount of will. "Katara, I'm proud of you. I know you left Aang just so Toph could be happy." he said, in a low voice.
Katara stopped crying a minute after. "What?" she asked, wiping the tears from her eyes, but not getting out of his embrace. Zuko looked at her, a little bit confused.
"Weren't you crying because you still loved Aang?" Zuko asked, and he saw Katara look at him a little bit relieved.
"No," she said. Zuko's eyebrows scrunched up, and she thought it was cute. "Zuko, I'm crying because I'm so happy. I was in pain for a year and a half because I was with someone I didn't love. And then Toph told me she loved Aang- I just couldn't have been more relieved." she said. Zuko waited for her to continue.
Zuko, Toph truly loves Aang, more than I ever could. Aang deserves her." she said. Zuko smiled at her confession. It surprised him sure, but he felt a wave of relief crash over him when he realized that perhaps his feelings might be returned.
Maybe.
Just maybe.
"I'm glad you feel better, 'Tara." he said, and he pulled her into a tighter hug.
::~
Dinner that day was silent. Only Katara, Zuko, Sokka, and Iroh were at the dinner table. Suki had to go back to Kyoshi, and would return the next morning. It was obvious that Sokka was missing her a great deal. He didn't eat nearly as much as he would have normally.
For an hour, Katara was gaping at Sokka. He was the only man alive that she knew could stuff 12 different types of meat in his mouth. Zuko was taking small bites, looking way too thoughtful to pay Sokka any type of attention. Once, he was scolded by his Uncle for eating too little, so he stuffed a spoonful of his food in his mouth Sokka style, to spite him. It only served to make Iroh content for the moment.
Katara was trying to get her brother to drink something before he choked. Sokka ignored her as if she wasn't there altogether. It reminded her of how he would act when they were at the Northern Water tribe, and was taught that women were inferior to men. He would always ignore her then, and pay attention when he wanted to. She taught him otherwise soon enough, when she froze him to their igloo by accident.
After a few more minutes of ignoring, Katara had enough. She stood, slamming her hands on the table. She was fuming. Zuko looked up in surprise, and wondered what happened. She stalked over to Sokka, opened his mouth by force, and dumped in the light ale they were drinking. "You're going to choke!" she snapped. Sokka swallowed and stared at her bemused.
Katara gently sat on her seat as if she hadn't moved or done anything at all. But she noticed she was able to put a smile on Zuko's face.
::~
Zuko was once again stuck behind his desk, signing papers he was forced to read. Honestly, the people of the Fire Nation asked for too much. People even found the nerve to send him requests over a new dress! If Zuko rolled his eyes any more than he already did, they'd be at the back of his head, permanently.
He heard a knock on the door and told the person to immediately come in. Anything would be better than signing some boring papers. A servant entered and stood at the corner, waiting to be told to speak. Zuko gave her permission.
"Young Fire Lord Zuko of the Fire Nation, you have two requests." said the servant. Zuko raised an eyebrow. What would make anyone call on him twice?
"Well, tell me what they are." he said. The servant nodded. "The first is from General Iroh, reminding the Fire Lord that a meeting is in order at the stroke of 9. The second is from Lady Katara, princess of the Southern Water Tribe." the servant said. Zuko nodded, telling her to go on. He was already cursing his Uncle for setting up yet another meeting on top of all the others he had.
"The Lady says: 'Zuko, get your lazy butt off of that chair and go on a walk with me.' This of course is in her words." said the servant, nervously. Zuko smirked. It was just like the Katara he knew.
"Thank you, Zendaya. Tell my uncle I have received his message." he said. The servant nodded and left the room. As she left, she heard the young Fire Lord laugh joyously.
'I'm glad Lady Katara has taught Fire Lord Zuko to smile.' she thought, as she ran down the hall.
::~
Please review!
