SPARK OF INSANITY
Chapter Six: Tears Mixed with Fire
When they got back to the Jasmine Dragon, Iroh was regaled with all the thrilling details of the journey and the outcome.
"That's terrible." Iroh spoke once Katara had stopped. "Shortly after his coronation, Zuko seemed so helpful that he would reunite with his mother. It's such a shame. How is Zuko taking it?"
"Actually," Aang spoke up. "He seems to be taking it fairly well."
"I guess the fact that he spent so many years thinking that she was dead, when he found out that Azula had killed her, he was so used to feeling like his mother was dead that it didn't hit him as hard." Katara added.
"Hmm, don't be too sure." Iroh replied as he poured 5 cups of tea. "My nephew has a long history of hiding his true emotions. Wait a minute, where is Zuko?"
"Oh," Aang replied. "He said he'd be out back."
"Just heed my words…" Iroh continued. "As I said; Zuko has a history of hiding his true feelings. After Ozai burned and banished him, Zuko held his head high, but I could tell that deep down, he was sad, hurt and afraid; afraid that he would spend the rest of his life in exile…and alone. Even after he had discovered you, he still feared deep down that he would still be alone and homeless, even though he refused to admit it out loud."
"Well, he seems fine." Aang replied, picking up his cup of tea and taking a sip.
"Well that clearly shows how little you know, Twinkle Toes." Toph spoke up. "Trust me, remember I can tell if people are lying or not? Well, I could just feel Zuko's emotions. I could feel his heartbeat, I could feel his pulse, and I'm telling you all—I could feel that there was this force inside of Zuko that was about to explode into sorrow, but he held it all in. Iroh's right; Zuko was raised in a way that any emotion other than pride was a weakness. Zuko's hurting…badly."
"Maybe I should go see if he's alright." Katara backed up.
"I think that would be best." Iroh replied. "You know the feelings of loss of someone you loved dearly. Help him, Miss Katara. He needs you…"
&
When Katara reached the small garden in the back of Iroh's teashop; the one where she and Aang had shared their first official kiss of being a couple she saw Zuko leaning against the railing, staring up into the sky. Walking up oh so quietly next to the Fire Lord, Katara could tell that Iroh was right; Zuko presented as straight, strong and proud; however, she could tell that with only a slight touch, Zuko's form would crumble. She was about to reach up and touch his shoulder when she heard him speak.
"Agni, you just love to make my life hard and miserable. Why? Why don't you just show me mercy like you did to Lu Ten?" his voice cracked and choked; Katara knew he was holding back tears.
"It's all for the better, Zuko." Katara spoke, causing Zuko to whirl around. Thinking quickly, she wrapped her arms around him as he slowly sank to his knees. "Zuko, it's okay to cry; I don't care what that bastard Ozai told you, showing emotion is not a weakness."
Looking down, Katara could tell that tears were now flowing down Zuko's cheeks. Removing one her hands from his back, Katara moved it up to the back of Zuko's head, cradling him gently.
"You're not alone, Zuko." She continued softly as a muffled sob escaped from Zuko. "When my mother died, I felt the exact way you do right now, only I realize it must be worse for you since you spent six years not knowing where she was. When we found my mom's killer, I wanted to end him; I really did. But I didn't, and you didn't either; you let justice be served without anymore senseless killing. Your mother would be proud of you, I know she would."
Katara could tell that her words were comforting Zuko, as his sobs soon went away and the features on his face softened. Soon after that, the tears faded.
"Thank you, Katara…" Zuko spoke, his voice still shaken and broken. "Thank you for everything."
"Don't mention it." Katara found herself kneeling down to Zuko's level. For some reason that even she couldn't explain, she quickly wrapped her arms around him and kissed him passionately. Zuko's eyes widened in shock and he nearly pulled away, but soon he gave in and returned the kiss.
However, what neither Katara nor Zuko counted on was that Aang and Toph stepped outside. While Toph grinned sheepishly, Aang felt his heart break.
"Katara!" he shouted, causing both Katara and Zuko to look up. "I thought you loved me!"
"Aang, this isn't what it looks like!" Katara tried to explain, but Aang couldn't hear her. Aunt Wu's words were too busy invading his ears: "You will marry a powerful bender."
Aang's heartbreak suddenly vanished…only to be replaced with rage.
Oh yeah?! He thought. Well, Zuko won't be a powerful bender if I do this!
He suddenly felt his eyes and tattoos grow. Toph stared on in fear. She knew what Aang was going to do. Aang was going to strip Zuko of his bending! Thinking quickly, Toph bended up a pair of rockcuffs around Aang's feet; as Aang tried to grab Zuko, he noticed that he was stuck. Struggling to free his feet, Aang soon exited the state of spirit-bending. As soon as Toph sensed that Aang was back to normal, she released the cuffs around his feet, only to punch him in the shoulder hardly. Unfortunately for Aang, the punch to his arm caught him off guard and he lost his balance, hitting the stone pavement with a thud.
"Oww…"
Grabbing hold of Aang's feet, Toph spoke. "Have fun you crazy kids!" as soon as she had said those words, she started dragging Aang back into the teashop, despite urgent "No!" s to come from the air-bender and the screeching of his nails.
As soon as Toph and Aang had disappeared into the shop, Katara turned back to Zuko.
"I thought you loved Aang." Zuko said.
"I thought I did too." Katara replied. "But he's too possessive. He actually got in bed and started to cuddle with me as I slept."
"Oh…"
"Besides," Katara continued. "You need me more right now."
Smiling, Katara leaned in and kissed Zuko again.
THE END
A/N- And with this chapter, ends the story. I know it's short, but if you just try to continue for the sake of continuing, then it will just get overly long and dull. However, I did have an idea for a scene with Zuko and Katara visiting Ozai in prison after Ursa's death, with Zuko breaking down in the cell, Ozai calling him weak and then an assassin popping in and offing Ozai. However, as you can see, I decided against it due to it having no real point or anything to do with this story. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the story and I also hope this chapter had enough Zutara for Luiz4200.