Zutara Week

Day Four- Cactus Juice

Katara's POV

I walked down the empty roads of down town Suzun; looking for a tavern that I went to the last time I was here. A sigh escaped my lips when thoughts of what took place their a little over a year ago flashed before my eyes.

FLASHBACK—

Zuko and I walked in to the local tavern in complete hysterics. You can say we had had a couple of… strong drinks in celebration of the war ending.

Zuko walked in front of me, pulling out a stool and mock bowing, "A seat my lady." He flashed a cunning smile at me.

Smiling back I sat down, "My pleasure," I flirted back.

He took a seat beside me waving down a bar tender, "Two fire rums on the rocks please," he leaned on his forearms looking at the bar maid intently.

"Say, aren't you the new Firelord to be?" She asked, cleaning a mug with a towel. Her long dark hair was in a bun that was partly falling out, leaving whisks of dark hair framing her delicate face, her light brown eyes sparkling in the dim light.

"Why yes I am, does that give me a discount?" The intoxicated prince winked at her.

"Hmm… that all depends…." She smirked, putting the now dried mug on the table loudly and leaning in towards him, "Would you join me on my break," Her eyes turned to me, narrowing, "Alone…."

I watched the prince, now one of my best friends, look the girl up and down a devious smile curving his lips as his eyes landed on her well endowed chest.

I swallowed the jealously that welled in my throat, making me want to say something that I would regret when I become sober. I looked away, wishing he would look at me like that every once in a while.

I saw his red clad body turn towards me, "Is that ok with you Katara?" He asked, his voice pleading for me to say yes.

Without looking up I nodded, "Yeah, you deserve to let go before you become the Firelord."

He hesitated, "Are you sure?" He put a hand on my shoulder; ironically I felt a lot more sober than a few minutes ago; funny what a sour mood could do.

A looked up at him, swallowing down sad tears and putting on a small smile, "Yeah…"

He didn't question it twice, "So when's your break?" he turned towards the barmaid, who was beaming happily, sending knowing glances at me, "As soon as you want it to be," Her eyes focused on Zuko.

"How about right now?" He purred in a low voice, making me shiver, which went unnoticed by him, but, not the barmaid. She smiled at me wickedly, "Ok let me get someone to cover for me," then she bounced off, her hips swaying, putting the soon to be Firelord in some sort of trance.

Sighing in defeat, I stood, hooking my bag over my shoulder, "Hey, where zya goin"? Zuko slurred.

I looked over at him, "To find Toph or something…. I'll uh…. see ya around?"

I didn't wait for a reply; I was out the door and down the street in a few seconds, never looking back at him. Yes I was mad, but, not at him. I was made at myself, for not being his 'type', for my body not being as curvy as that barmaid, for not attracting his attention that I so desperately wanted. I couldn't help the few angry tears that escaped my eyes.

I guess you can say that Sokka's not the only one who the universe hates. I mean what kind of sick world would let you go out with the man you have strong feelings for, just to watch him get himself a lay.

I avoided him for the remainder of the days our group stayed into the Fire Nation. Usually I stayed in my room, only leaving for meals, where I didn't say much to anyone. I just ate my food and left, not drawing anyone's attention.

I was unaware of the pair of golden eyes that followed my retreating back at every meal.

Then, the day of Zuko's coronation came. Like everyone else in the group, I attended; I am his friend after all. I was happy for him; he looked so regal with his Firelord robes and the crown. He finally has what he deserves.

I didn't stay for the after party; I just went into the garden and sat near the pond for the remainder of the night in solitude.

The next day we left, on the way to the earth kingdom Toph had told me that Zuko looked for me everywhere, he was frantic.

I simply looked at her, "He didn't look hard enough." I glared at the brown saddle I was sitting on, the conversation ended right there.

END OF FLASHBACK—

After that little incident I haven't returned to the fire nation until tonight. I had to wait until I felt like my feelings for the Firelord were gone, hoping that time had swept them away.

Why I was looking for the tavern that broke my heart, I don't know. All I did know was that Zuko's 18th birthday was in three days, and I wasn't going to miss it, even if I have avoided him for so long. I had spent all day looking for a gift, coming up empty handed despite all my effort.

Now, two candle sticks to midnight, a nice, cold, alcoholic drink sounded very good right now. I know I sworn off alcohol after the major hangover I dealt with the morning after the fateful night Toph convinced me to 'let go and have some fun for once'.

The same night my heart was crushed at the tavern I was now standing in front of. My hand froze on the door knob, heaving a loud sigh, I pushed the door open revealing the same dreary, dark colored bar I saw in my nightmares.

I walked up to a stool at the front counter, waiting to be served.

"Why hello, how may I help you." A cheerful tenor voice asked. Looking up from my lap I saw a young man with brownish hair and green eyes, yes the fire nation has come a long way.

"What's your special today?" I deadpanned

"Cactus Juice," He said cheerfully.

"Ok then I'll have a tall draft of that," I leaned back into my chair.

"Ok, be right up," He turned around, pulling different leavers, making different liquids go into one glass. He turned handing it to a young couple on the opposite side of the counter from me.

I yawned, wiping my eyes tiredly as someone sat down next to me, not bothering to look at them I leaned further into my seat, clutching my bag to my chest.

"Here you are," The warm voice of the bartender was now in front of me. Looking up I saw him pushing a large glass towards me.

"Thanks" I picked it up and started to gulp it down, drowning thoughts of Zuko that had emerged from the depths of my mind.

"Katara…?" Some one said my name from beside me, almost making me spit out my beverage in surprise, I know that voice all too well.

My eyes wide I turned to the new arrival, "Zuko…." I was NOT ready to see him, not yet!

I felt a warm hand grasp my upper arm, "Katara…." He said once again, as if in awe.

I hesitated, "yea…" My eyes took him in, his hair was pretty much the same length as it was the last time I saw him, if not a little shorter. His features are more chiseled now, but, his eyes still held the same warmth as they did before when he looked at me.

I felt my heart speed up; reaching for my cactus juice I took another big swig from it.

"Uh, wow…." He's eyes scanned me, "You've grown a lot." Zuko said his eyes returning to my face, "I hadn't recognized you before; if it wasn't for your voice I think I wouldn't have noticed you."

'Ha, story of my life Zuko, story of my life!' I thought dejectedly.

"I see," I said out loud.

His eyes seemed worried, searching mine, "Katara are you ok?" His gaze held mine.

"Yeah, why?" I said mechanically.

"Well, ever since the last time we we're here you've been avoiding me for one—"

"No I haven't," I defended, knitting my brow together.

"Then what are you doing?" He challenged

I opened my mouth to answer, and then swiftly closed it, 'what am I doing?'

Deep in thought I vaguely realized he was ordering a drink. Finally a thought came to mind, "I was letting you have your fun, you need to let go before you took on enough responsibility to last for the both of us."

Zuko frowned, seeing right through me, "Tell me the truth Katara," His beautiful golden eyes sparkled.

Feeling a little light headed I grabbed the side of the counter for leverage, "I'm am…" I said stubbornly, my head spinning as the cactus juice I had just guzzled started to take effect.

"I know you Katara, and you're a horrible liar," he concluded, "Now, tell your friend the truth,"

'Thatz it," I hiccupped, looking at my empty glass.

"Huh?" he asked tilting his head to the side, obviously confused.

"Friend," I starred in his eyes, waiting for comprehension on his side.

"What?" he asked wrinkling his nose in confusion.

Giving up I slurred, my speech becoming lazier, "We'll nevers be morse thans friends," I looked down, my head spinning. Narrowing my eyes I gripped the counter harder, 'Was the floor moving or is it just me?'

"Katara, why were you upset the last time you we're here?" I felt his other hand gripped my arm, "And why have you been avoiding me ever since?"

I looked up again, my vision blurry, "I wasp upssset because I couldn't stand thatz you were with anothzer girl, becarse I loves you. I avoidz you because I waz afraid I would say somethang I would regret later." I answered honestly, leaning into his warm touch.

He was silent before he looked around and reached into his pocket and pulled out some silver coins putting them on the table for both of our drinks, my finished one and his half way empty one. He helped me up, escorting me to the street and into an awaiting carriage.

Once we were sat down together inside the small space of the corridor he continued, "That makes so much sense! Why didn't I think of that?" He looked down at me, "Katara, nothing happened with that other girl, I could do it. It felt dirty, so, I went looking for you, wanting to apologize, but, I couldn't find you. Then you avoided me, and I couldn't stand it. Not because it annoyed me, but because it hurt, not just mentally, but physically too."

He starred into my drooping eyes, 'Katara, I love you, and I have since Ba Sing Sa," He confessed.

"Realliyze?" I slurred, leaning into him while he embraced me.

"Really," he whispered into my ear, "I'm so sorry for leading you on," He admitted.

The last thing I remember before falling asleep was cuddling up to his warm body, finally in his arms after a year and a half of waiting.

Just in time! YES! I personally think that the alcohol had a big effect on Katara in this fic, I'm not sure about you, but, I think she wouldn't have admitted her feelings so easily to Zuko without it. ALL HAIL CACTUS JUICE!!