Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar since i haven't said so yet.
Sorry the update took so long... severe writers block. Well I think I know where I'm going with it all now. Please review.
The breeze over the water was cool and refreshing. Zuko lifted his face to the sun, enjoying the warmth. Contrary to his pale complexion, he often felt as though his body was drinking sunshine when it touched him. This feeling could lift his spirit from even the darkest thoughts. The ocean sparkled like fields of jewels, flashing every color of the rainbow at him. The prince smiled. I haven't felt this relaxed and carefree... his eyebrow twitched ...in how long? The Palace...
Sadness filled him. So much of his childhood had been spent training. All areas of his life had been affected. He had studied martial arts,fire bending, politics, Fire Nation Law and courtly manners for as long as he could remember. Discipline, Honor and Fire Nation Supremecy had been emphazied above all things. I'm not certain what's true anymore. His hands gripped the rail tight. I've been training to be a general since I was six... I've lived in fear of failure, punishment and assasination all of my life...
Everyone was in town shopping. Zuko closed his eyes and allowed rarely shed tears to fall. Sorrow was a private matter, reserved for times like these. He was never sure what he was crying about. Since joining the Avatar, sadness and tears were frequent; finding the solitude to surrender to them difficult. Never before had the prince experinced sorrow which felt restful and utterly empty of shame. He smiled brightly, leaning into the wind.
Katara, Toph, Sokka and Aang were all supervising the aquistion of provisions for the fleet. Loading was proceding well, although Katara was feeling a little anxious.
"This may be the last time we'll be able to afford to spend this much." Katara frowned slightly, "We'll have to do something soon to get some more money."
The group was silent for a moment. Then Aang brightened. "Well we won't have to feed as many people. The local council has agreed to allow many of the Fire Nations former prisoners to settle here if they don't have family to return to. That's about half of the prisoners we brought out with us."
Sokka smirked, "Well buddy, of the warriors that are going, most need to heal before they're any good to us." His face fell."Like dad..."
"Sokka! Dad will get better! he just needs rest, proper food and a few more healing sessions. I only wish I could've healed him as quickly as I did Zuko... " She drifted into an uncomfortable silence. If I'd gotten to dad right away, then maybe... she shook herself; they were both alive now. The prince would have died if not for her immediate attention. So why do i feel this way? I want to kill him, then I want save him... I... I don't know what's wrong with me... He's not the same as he used to be. I care about him... we all do. She sighed, knowing all too well how she treated him. Not like her enemy; though never like a friend. Distainful neutrality was the norm. Why can't I just forgive him?
Tophs' next statement startled her. "I don't know why you can't just forgive that guy, sweetness. He's been a hundred percent loyal and truthful so far. For months, Katara. So when are you gonna lighten up?" Toph crossed her arms, staring off to the left of everyone. "Well?"
Sokka put his hand on his sisters shoulder. "It's okay. I know you'll come around, Katara..."
She shook his hand away furiously. "Will you all stop treating me like this? I... I... can't trust him."
"Why not?" The earth bender sounded frustrated and angry. "Look sugar queen, I don't know what happened in Ba Sing Se," Kataras' eyes widened, "but you had better get over it if we're going to be a team. What if your distrust causes you to hesitate at a critical moment? Just go talk to him." She threw her hands in the air."He's not going to eat you!"
"She's right Katara. You have to talk to him." Concern was etched on Aangs face. "I need to make final arrangements for the refugees with the Council and Sokka can finish up here." He smiled at her, knowing it was her compassionate nature to forgive and offer comfort. Even to the fire prince.
Toph stepped close to Sokka, her arm brushing against his. "I'll stay here and keep your brother out of trouble. The flag ship's right over there. I'm sure princess will be happy to talk to you." She smirked and began to drag Sokka towards a young man in Fire Nation colors. "Come on, that's the guy who tracks our inventory."
Katara watched them for a moment, anxiety fluttering inside her. Walking toward the flag ship, she could see Zuko standing by the rail facing the ocean. What goes through his mind when he stands there like that? She smilied, convinced that he always stood in exactly the same place to look at the water. Most often she would forget he was there when they were all on deck. Then he would turn and say something so relevant to their discussions, that she knew he wasn't daydreaming by the side rail. Zuko... our alliance is complex and uncomfortable. I'm surrounded by water, earth and fire benders all working together to defeat Ozai. Six months ago I would have said that was impossible. Abruptly the prince turned away and walked outside her field of vision. She sighed deeply. Time to find him.
Toph and Sokka had finished talking to the supply clerk and were now interested in finding a few cups of tea and some noodles. The earthbender could smell the delicious odor of her favorite spices coming from a nearby tea shack. Though her unfocused gaze remained on the street; she pointed to it unerringly. "This place looks good!"
"Good? It just looks like... why do you do that?"
She smirked beneath her overhanging mess of hair. "Come on! I like the way the cooking smells."
"Oh..."
After ordering tea and soup, Sokka considered the blind girl across from him. "Toph... you were pretty upset when Zuko got hurt."
"Yeah... I like him. He says what he means. Not like the rest of you jerks." She smiled as she said it. "What's the matter water boy? Are you jealous?" Her ears perked and her feet held his body in focus.
"Jealous?" Sokka was genuinely bewildered. "Definitely not! I sure wouldn't want a gigantic metal whatever smashing my lights out."
Toph was deeply disappointed. It was clearly the truth and Sokka was genuinely missing the point. I don't know how someone so smart can be so dumb.
Zuko had retired to his cabin to meditate. Funny how he had done the same thing, in a room just like this. He had been plotting the capture and enslavement of the Avatar, then. Now he was preparing himself to assist the overthrow of the Fire Lord. Of Ozai, his father. Rising against Ozai no longer bothered him. The decision had been a torturous one to make. Once he had committed fully to this course of action, Zuko had not looked back. If only... well he was here to help the Avatar, not his own happiness.
The prince sighed heavily. He felt so lonely most of the time. Toph was bluntly honest and her presence gave him comfort. She was the one who had guided him to the dragons. He thought his bending was gone at a critical time. She believed in his ability to overcome the darkness in his past. Sometimes he wished she was older...
His thoughts turned to Sokka. His sarcastic comments were irritating at times. The corners of Zukos' mouth turned up slightly. Two teen boys together in a world filled with dangerous adventure gravitated naturally towards each other. Uncle, you have always been trying to tell me this truth. It's our differences that make us strong.
Unfortunately, not everyone trusted the prince. He had expected as much. Especially from the water bender. Katara... it pained him to remember how much of their secret hearts they'd shared with each other. He felt vulnerable in her presence ever since. The feeling frightened him. No one other than his uncle had been close to him like that since Ursa disappeared. He'd hoped they could talk about it, though the opportunity never presented itself. Truthfully, he wanted her to approach him. Zuko was reluctant to go to her after her intial tirade. Would she really kill me? It was something Azula would do.
A knock at the door interrupted these thoughts.
Never alone for long. "Come in."
She stepped inside his room and closed the door behind her. Zuko kept his face carefully blank as he rose to greet her. Though suprise and suspicion warred within him. It was Katara. The water tribe girl.