Sorry it took so long to post. our crazy teacher have been loading in as much homework as they could... and were graduating in only two weeks! sigh. thats eighth grade for you. Can't wait for summer! I'm going to only post on weekends until I graduate. it's just easier that way.
Brace yourself for Zutara romance ( its teen rated not mature just if your wondering. actually this chapter is more K+)
Surprisingly Zuko got a job in town. I would be happy for him, except his job is mining for coal, and he can't use a hammer if his life depended on it. I got a job apprenticing for an elderly healer named Zebe. I decided to extend my knowledge of the herbs used for medicine in the region and how to heal wounds without bending. Zuko and I stayed in town for three months, well into the winter. After those laborious months, we had earned thirty – five gold pieces in total and we left town. I decide to keep up my study in healing and Zuko got a job in a factory. We repeated this cycle over and over. Stay in town for a few weeks; buy a home; get a job; get paid leave; find a new town; stay in town for a few weeks. I stuck with healer's apprentice, but Zuko had gone through a vast veriety of Jobs. He had been a construction worker, a carpenter, a machine parts engineer, and even a bartender. Before long, I became an expert healer and Zuko, with much practice, became more useful with his hands. Living together, we were constantly squabbling over the littlest things, but something else grew between us something deep, deep, deep down in out hearts. Two years passed like a flash.
Zuko walked in the door, heaved a sigh, and dropped his coat on the rack. He walked staight to the bedroom and just fell on the bed.
" how was work honey" I joked. When we started traveling together, citizens believed that we were married, and calling each other pet names was our little inside joke.
" the usual" he said crankily, not even lifting his face from the pillow it was entombed in.
"dinner's on the table" I said. he slowly peeled himself off the bed. And followed me into the kitchen.
" so," he said as he picked up his chopsticks and used them to pick the carrot tomatoes off of his plate " pay day's tomorrow"
" are we leaving the colonies then?" I asked referring to the little earth kingdom colonies that we lived in.
" I guess I mean… we could go back home… to the firenation" I shrugged. And he took a deep breath. I knew from that that he was going to try to get something off of his chest that he had been pondering about for a while. " … I know this is going to seem out of nowhere…and you'll probably just think it's stupid… but… I don't really know when it started… it could have been three years ago when we met… but…" he laughed and shook his head " forget it"
" What" I asked
" it's nothing" he insisted. I glared at him and bent the hot water out of the pot threatening him.
" Doesn't seem like nothing" I said sweetly " just tell me"
he sighed again, this time more annoyed than anything else. His hand grabbed something in his pocket and kept the object concealed in a tight fist. " for a while… I've sort of…. Been… in love" he waited for a second looking at me expecting a response then added " with you"
I raised an eyebrow, and suddenly felt very confused " come again?"
" Katara" he for the forth time took a deep breath " I'm in love with you, okay." He hesitated " that's why I jumped in front of that lightning to save you. I didn't want you to get hurt. I love you I really do. "
I stared at him in shock " I'm sorry" he began to look hurt " I haven't thought about love in a long time. It brings back memories of my family, and friends, …" tears welled in my eyes ready to pour out for the friends that I lost and have and always will mourn.
" I see," Zuko said looking down reminding me of when we were trapped together in Ba Sing Se. Zuko put the object back in his pocket, ate the rest of his dinner and walked into the bedroom we shared.
Zuko loves me? The thought was paposterous at first but then I began to think. Why did I offer to save his beloved uncle? Why was I so upset when he betrayed me? Why had I even bothered to go threaten him? Why Did I trust him? Why did I hug him instead of aang? Why Did I save his life?
Because I love him.
And he had done so much more for me. He comforted me in the cave. He didn't even fight back when I picked on him at the air temple. He saved me from falling rocks. He was there for me when I was broken about my mother. Because he knows my pain. He risked his life to save me. and I would be dead too if it weren't for him. And all these months he never left me or abandoned me or joined other groups. Neither did I.
I placed the Coffee on the table and waited for him. When he woke up, it would be his day off.
Finally, at late morning, he seemed to rise from the dead. He sat across from me at the table. I had already drunk a few cups of coffe and I was a little jumpy.
" so I was thinking last night," he nodded and took a sip from his drink " I think I do love you too. Sorry about last night. I was unsure and confused." Zuko grabbed the object out of his pocket and opened his fist to reveal a long strip of red ribbon with a light blue and silver pendent with a flame imprinted on to it. I gasped when I recognized the signifigance of the accessory
" I learned some time ago that when a man and woman are betrothed to each other, the man gives the woman a necklace as a symbol of their love and commitment." Gold met blue and he smiled. " Master Waterbender Katara of the Southern Water Tribe, It would me my honor to have you as my wife… Will you marry me" The blood rushed to my face and I smiled and nodded. The Ex- Prince pressed his lips against mine and I wrapped my arms around his neck.