Katoh had always loved the rain. It would probably be considered an unusual trait in a Fire Nation noble man but ever since he had been a child he had loved the smell of the first rain, the sound of it on the roof, watching it fall across the ground. His sons shared his fascination though his daughter couldn't care less. They all disliked getting wet though being firebenders.
Therefore he stood on one of the balconies overlooking an inner courtyard as the first rains swept in. He had been on his way to see his wife but had had to stop and watch when the storm began. He continued to watch silently even after his father-in-law joined him. He knew Lord Zuko also enjoyed watching the rain though he had long suspected it was not because of a fascination similar to his own. Something deeper haunted the older man but Katoh respected his former ruler both as a leader and as a man to dig too deeply in that particular hole and bring to light things better left in darkness.
He watched as a young teenage girl dressed in blue and gold ran into the courtyard becoming completely drenched in a matter of seconds. He couldn't help but smile as he watched her stand stock still in the centre of the courtyard, arms outstretched, face to the skies. No matter how the rains fascinated them only a waterbender could truly enjoy them. Which begged the question why it never rained at the poles, only snowed. Katoh shook his head at the strange ways of nature.
He continued to watch as Keilla began to dance in the rain occasionally bending as well. Suddenly he saw his elder son on the other side sheltered beneath the eaves.
"Keilla, what in Agni's name are you doing?" his question could be heard clearly by the men on the balcony despite the heavy rain.
"What does it look like? I'm dancing." she replied not ceasing her graceful movements.
"You'll get sick you know." he threatened.
"I'm a healer, I can't get sick." she answered back.
Mumbling something under his breath that even Keilla probably didn't hear he turned away. "Fine." he said, "You waste time acting like an idiot if you want. I'll be in the library."
Keilla stopped dancing. Spinning around to face his retreating figure she called after him "Wait. Don't go. Join me Luke."
"Excuse me?" he asked incredulously.
"C'mon Luke." She stretched a hand out to him beckoning him, "Come and dance with me."
"Are you kidding me? Why would I want to get wet?"
A moment later he was drenched. She had thrown a sizable water ball at him and he hadn't seen it coming. "Since your wet anyway," she said, "you might as well enjoy the rain properly now." Though he couldn't see her face Katoh would bet she was smiling at Lu Kai innocently. The same smile she had worn when as a child her mother had questioned her about the flooding in the engine of the ship that was to carry him, his son and his brother-in-law back to their home. The ship they would have boarded that afternoon if it were not for the little waterbenders mischief. They were forced to spend an extra week at the pole because of her trick.
"C'mon, it'll be fun. The books will still be there when we return." she practically pleaded.
There was no way Lu Kai would agree to going out in the rain because he thought it would be fun. If he agreed it would be only for her sake. Katoh couldn't help but wonder what he would decide. While it was plain Maiko saw Keilla as a combination of girl friend and little sister and Iroh's little crush on Keilla was clear to all of them except for the waterbender herself, Lu Kai's feelings regarding their guest was harder to decipher. He was always avoiding her. When circumstances forced him to interact with her he did so with a mixture of irritation and exasperation. However he also went out of his way to find books and sources on subjects she mentioned in passing. Katoh had also noticed how he would occasionally mention things that Keilla needed in casual conversation with his siblings. Currently he was spending his spare time in the library trying to help her find research related to memory loss. His actions might just be caused by his natural shyness and genuine kindheartedness. Or it could also be that due to their history he is unsure of how to deal with her but still feels a certain responsibility for her. In truth Katoh doesn't know. Sometimes he found himself wishing his elder son was more like his siblings and was more open to him.
Lu Kai continued to stand under the eaves, dripping wet. Keilla seemed to grow impatient and ran inside to him.
"Come on Luke." she said as she grabbed his arm and led him into the open courtyard. He allowed her to drag him outside, offering no resistance.
"You're really lucky I can't say no to you." he growled with no real anger.
"I know." she grinned.
She took his hand and began twirling pulling him with her. Soon enough he was laughing as well at their absurd display, spinning and swaying with no real order to their movements. But there was beauty as the two men on the balcony could attest to. There was a beauty to their effortless, thoughtless rhythm, their infectious joy.
Then suddenly their laughter was interrupted by a sneeze.
"Ha! I told you you'd get sick." Lu Kai was triumphant.
"I'm not sick. It's probably something that irritated my nose." Keilla answered rubbing the back of her hand over her nose.
"Yeah right. C'mon let's get you dried off and warm or you'll catch a cold." he said as he took her wrist and led her inside.
"I'm telling you Luke," she interrupted herself with a sneeze, "I'm a healer. Healers don't get sick."
His retort was lost as they disappeared inside.
"Well that was interesting." Katoh jumped as his wife's voice broke the rain filled silence left behind by the two teenagers. He hadn't noticed when she had joined them though judging from Lord Zuko's lack of reaction he had been aware of her presence. "I have never seen Lu Kai act so care free. But then he was always fascinated with the rain. Do you remember that time when he was sick as a baby and he wouldn't stop crying? You had the idea Father, to take him out on the balcony while it rained. Somehow listening to the rain was what was needed to lull him to sleep."
"Yes I remember. However, I believe that display was due to his fascination with a girl rather than the rain." Lord Zuko said his tone plain even while a smile played on his lips.
"Is that so?" Izumi asked her face devoid of expressions though her eyes sparkled. Katoh knew her well enough to tell that she was pleased. She too was fond of the waterbender. "In that case we have to find a way to keep her here."
"I think that is a task best left to Lu Kai sweetheart. I am sure he can manage that much on his own" Katoh was amused at his wife's matchmaking tendencies. After all she had been the one to originally send Maiko as her representative to Ren's holiday home. However he was the only one to remember her hand in their daughter's romance.
"Ah well. I am just happy to see him out of that dusty library for one afternoon." Izumi sighed as she handed cups of tea to her husband and father.