Sweet Sounds

4

Next week at school when Zuko and I got to the band room we meet our newest member of the band. His name was Aang and he played the flute. He wasn't bad for a short bald kid actually. Mr. Mori was so excited to have this new edition.

"I'm so glad this band is getting bigger. Thank you, thank you Aang for joining." Mr. Mori nearly screamed. I smiled and took a seat. "Ok class, this is our newest member of our band. This is Aang and he will be playing the flute." Aang gave us a big smile then looked at me and waved. It kind of creeped me out at first, but I waved back to be polite. He came down to sit next to.

"Hi, I'm Aang." I just looked at him.

"Katara." I told him then looked at Zuko. He only shrugged his shoulders. I ignored the fact that the kid was practically staring at me the entire class and focused on the Christmas show. Mr. Mori paired us up and gave us sheet music to work on. I already memorized this stuff from last year, so all I had to do was help Zuko. Yup, my partner. Mr. Mori thought it would be best to have his star students work together. I didn't mind really and that was strange considering I always like playing alone.

"Ok partner," Zuko nudged me. "What are we working on?" I handed him the corny Christmas songs Mr. Mori gave us and he took a brief glance. "Oh I know this. I used to play it every Christmas for my family but…I-uh," He slowed down to think about what he would say next. I looked at him confused. "I don't anymore." Zuko had a lot of explaining to do but I let it drop and walked over to the piano.

"Let's just do a few rounds to get a feel for it, ok?" I pulled out Winter Wonderland and began, hearing a violin close behind. We played this number pretty good.

"Great job you two." I heard Mr. Mori come from behind us. "I called the choir to come down and work with us today. They will be singing the melody portion of the course. They should be here shortly." He walked to the middle of the room and his voice got loader. "So I want everyone to practice this song a few times before they come in."

We all got our sheet music and instruments out, and began the song. It sounded decent with the other members, but I liked Zuko's playing better. Then the choir girls showed up. Oh how I hate the choir girls. They are the most stuck up, ignorant, pig's with make up, I have ever meet. They think they run the school. The captain of the cheerleading squad is their lead vocalist. She's drags along her little cheerleaders with her every where and shows off a little too much.

They walked in and we stopped playing.

"Hi Mr. Mori." Ughh Song, the head of the choir. Of course she thinks she should be the lead because her name is Song. She better wipe that smirk of her face. She took her sheet music from Mr. Mori and just made herself comfortable. We began to play the song again and she did her part with the choir. I noticed her looking at Zuko with a smug look on her face as she sang. I looked over to Zuko and he didn't seem to notice her. She better not be doing what I think she's doing!

After the practice I put my things away and headed for Zuko. We had quit a busy day at the shop today. Sadly, Song beat me to him.

"Didn't I sing great?" I heard her say. Zuko didn't pay attention and continued to put away his instrument.

"Yeah sure." Good job Zuko.

"So do you want to come over and practice sometime?" He nearly laughed at her.

"Uh, no. I already have someone to practice with." That's when he made his way over to me and took my hand. "Let's go Katara." He said dragging me out. When we got far enough from the band room we stopped and burst out laughing.

"Do you think she was serious?" I managed to get out between laughs.

"She takes rejection a little to well. Almost likes she's had experience." I laughed until my sides hurt and tears filled my eyes. I calmed down and looked at Zuko.

"So. I'm your 'practice partner'?" His laughing died down and sighed.

"Of course you are. Come on. We don't want to be late for work." I smiled and followed him. Looking down, I noticed he was still holding my hand but I didn't pull away. My hand felt warm under his, so I kept it there.

-X-

The snow fell to the ground slowly, and the sound of crushed snow under my boots rang in my ears. I enjoyed this weather actually, probably because I'm used to it. Then the wind picked up and I brought my coat closer to my face and got closer to Zuko. I felt his gaze on me and a warm smile spread across his face. He put his arm around me and…he put his arm around me! This made me…happy? I felt my face get warm and I smiled slightly. I got closer, almost into a hug, and we arrived at the shop.

Walking in, we went for the back, hung up our coats, and change into our uniform. There wasn't much of a crowd, so we served them tea and decided to get a cup of our own.

"Zuko?"

"Yeah?"

"I wanted to ask you earlier. What did you mean by 'You don't play for your family anymore'?" He put his cup down and frowned.

"It's complicated Katara. My family has been," I waited for him to find the right words. "Apart for quit some time now."

"I'm sorry." There was a short moment of silence until he broke it.

"You didn't tell me you had a brother." He said taking a sip.

"Yeah, Sokka. How'd you find out?"

"He's in my history class."

"Oh." I sighed and looked down.

"What's wrong?" He looked concerned.

"My brother and I aren't talking. We got into this stupid fight and…" I trailed off, not wanted to remember my unforgivably actions.

"I slapped him. It's been a while since we've made any contact whatsoever." Zuko had a look of shock on his face.

"Maybe you should talk to him. He's probably feeling as bad as you are and I know you love him so I know you'll take my advice." I looked up him. "What are two fighting about anyway?" I shook my head.

"How I didn't have any friends. How I was so caught up in music I never had time to really live and…he mentioned our mother." Zuko smiled. He knew that was a touchy subject for me.

"Well you've got one now." He said taking a sip of his drink. I smiled and forced the tears to stay in my head.

"Yeah, I do." I took his hand in mine. "Thank you for that. It means a lot to me. You mean a lot to me." I slightly blushed to what I said but didn't turn away. He smiled and stood up giving me a hug. He was so warm I could stay there forever wrapped in his arms.

"Let's start playing. More people are coming in." I nodded and walked over to my instrument.

-X-

The walk home with Zuko by my side was a little awkward. He held my hand again and I snuggled up him. We talked about school and the Christmas show. It was going to be a breeze. I felt calm with Zuko, just talking with him made my heart sing. We made it to my house and stopped at the door.

"Remember what I told you. Talk to your brother and sort this mess out, ok?" I nodded and jumped into his arms for another warm hug.

"Thank you." He tightened his grip on me and dug his head into my hair. Did he not want to let go? I smiled at the thought, but released him and walked into my home, looking for Sokka.

-X-

I knocked on his door several times and waited. He cracked it open, just enough for him to look out at me. I looked back at him and sighed. He opened the door all the way, revealing his friend Jet in an awkward position. He fell back on the chair he was sitting on, screaming my name.

"KATARA!" He quickly got up and dusted himself off. "Uh-H-hi Katara." I rolled my eyes.

"Hi Jet." He sighed all googly-eyed and drooling, falling back onto the floor. Sokka stepped outside and closed the door.

"What?"

"I just wanted to apologize for everything. And I mean everything. Since mom died I've been nothing but locked up in my room, closed off to the world and all you were trying to do was save me. I've been really stupid and I don't like it when we ignore each other. But I took your advice and I have someone I can count on and talk to my age. I finally have someone that wants to talk with me and have fun." I smiled thinking about Zuko, and then looked up at him. "Besides you." He smiled and hugged me.

"I've been waiting for this."

"For what me apologizing?" I laughed.

"No…to hug you again." I smiled and held tighter.

"I'm sorry I slapped you."

"It's alright. I would do the same if someone took something that I loved."

"What's that?"

"You." I laughed and pulled away.

"I love you Sokka." He smiled.

"I'll let you go back to your friend now." He chuckled and opened the door to find Jet eavesdropping. He stumbled back falling again. I laughed and shook my head. Jet smiled at me and I waved at him and walked away.