In Royal Blue

Chapter Six

Katara was never one for waiting. She didn't like having to sit idly while others were off doing things. She constantly needed to have her hands in something. She remembered all the chores she did when she was young. She remembered being the mother figure of the house — cooking, cleaning, sewing. She had made sure meals were prepared for Sokka and her dad, which was a time consuming task on its own. If she wasn't cooking, she was cleaning something. That something was usually Sokka's nasty clothes and boots that he'd leave strewn about the floor. Her father was always off hunting or keeping a watchful eye over the village.

Her position as caretaker didn't change even after leaving the South Pole with Sokka to join Aang. She still had to sew up holes in clothes — her brother was never gentle on his and Aang would discard his everytime he saw a pond worth swimming in — and was still responsible for preparing meals. When Toph joined the group, it was as if Katara had become a single mother of three. She didn't mind so much. In the rare cases of down time, she could always find things to busy herself with.

She was always doing something.

Katara paced around the floor of her room, trying to think up of ways to busy herself. After the others had departed, Zuko and Iroh left her to own devices while they went to attend a council meeting. Before she was left alone outside the door of her bedroom, Zuko reassured her that he would come to retrieve her for dinner. How long ago had that been? She had stopped counting the hours when she noticed it wasn't helping her impatience.

She had tried everything — taking naps, reading, braiding her hair, looking through her clothes — but noting would satisfy her for very long.

Katara let out cry of utter joy when she heard a knock on her door. She busted through the doorway, nearly knocking over an unexpecting Fire Lord in the process.

Zuko regained his balance after the initial shock of almost being trampled by an overexcited Katara. "It's time for dinner," he said calmly.

Katara smiled apologetically. "Sorry about that." She wasn't entirely sorry — she felt like an animal finally being released from its cage.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting so long, Katara." Zuko said. He felt bad that he had not been able to spend time with her.

"I was beginning to think you forgot about me, Fire Lord."

Zuko's lips twitched into a smile. "You're a hard person to forget."

They took a few moments to stand there, neither knowing why. It suddenly sunk in that they were officially living together and neither of them knew what they felt about that — a mixture of both happiness and anxiety.

Katara was the first to break the silence. "Well, aren't you going to escort me?"

"Of course." Zuko extended his arm for her, smiling down at her when she wrapped her own around it. They walked and it felt so surreal to them. They passed a few confused servants and guards who all seemed to stop and stare as they watched their Fire Lord escort Katara down the palace hall.

Dinner was nothing formal. It was just Katara, Iroh and Zuko. Katara thought back on the latest dinner at the palace and shuttered. She could still remember the angry looks of the nobles. She could never forget Aang's expression. She had only gotten a glimpse of it before confessing her heart and running out the door, but she had seen enough to notice the way his gray eyes widened with shock, betrayal, and anger.

She was thankful for such a simple dinner.

When Houjin had entered the room with his kitchen help following behind him, the smell of delicious food wafted throughout the room. Katara hadn't realized how hungry she was until a plate was put before her. She wasn't familiar with the Fire Nation cuisine, but she ate anyway without hesitation, not waiting on Zuko or Iroh to begin. She had been throwing up everything she ate lately, courtesy of being pregnant.

Houjin noticed this and scowled in slight disgust. He had heard through the grapevine of this waterbender's pregnancy and didn't try to hide his disdain. Katara would've noticed his cold gaze on her had she not been so engrossed with her meal.

Inwardly, Katara knew how she must've looked and it reminded her of Sokka. He was never one to care about his appearance when eating — he always ended looking like a wild animal devouring its prey. She was sure she didn't appear that way, but still decided to pace herself a bit more.

"It is good to see you eating well, Katara." Iroh had said, smiling at her gently.

Katara felt her face flush. She swallowed her food and put her fork down. "Excuse me." She said with embarrassment.

Iroh chuckled, his rounded belly jiggling merrily. "No need to be bashful. I am not unfamiliar with a pregnant woman and her appetite." Had anyone else said that, Katara would've been offended. But Iroh's eyes were soft and caring, his smile easing her embarrassment.

"I see that your nausea has passed," Said Zuko from his place at the head of the table. He was genuinely glad to see her eat well. She had been so ill lately. It worried him even though he knew it was a normal side effect of pregnancy.

Katara nodded. "I won't say it's passed completely, but at least I can get through the day without feeling the urge to vomit every few seconds." The two men laughed. She laughed as well and realized that was probably the first time that she had ever done so since finding out she was pregnant. She had been so anxious that it seemed she had almost forgotten what it was like to feel carefree.

"So, have any inklings of what the gender may be?" Asked Iroh.

Zuko and Katara looked at each other. The weight of being parents fell down upon them again. "I'm not sure. But I'll be happy as long it's healthy," Katara responded honestly.

Iroh sipped on some tea. "That's all that matters, of course."

Katara continued to eat quietly. Whether it was a boy or girl, she would be happy. She just hoped that she could provide a good life for him or her.

Though Zuko was following closely next to her, the walk to her room was a quiet one. She felt as if the both of them were trying to swallow the truth that they were soon to be parents.

Zuko had been distracted with all the council meetings, his mind on other things other than the pregnancy most of the time. But then he had no choice but to think of it as he studied her as she walked. Her belly was swollen — it was a small bump, but wasn't hard to notice anymore — and he couldn't help but worry about the little life within her. He was going to be a father whether he wanted to be or not.

It wasn't that he didn't want to be a father and it certainly wasn't the fact that he didn't want Katara to be the mother of his child, however he had never imagined to be having a child so soon. He didn't expect it to be with Katara, either.

Just when it seemed like Aang would win her and Zuko would have to giver her up, fate came in surprised him — surprised everyone. He didn't know whether to be thankful or angered with the way things turned out. He was thankful that Katara was here with him. He was thankful he wouldn't have to see the woman he loved marry someone else. But he was angry. Angry that fate had to give him his deepest desire with such a painful twist. He wasn't proud of hurting Aang and certainly wasn't proud of the position he has put his country in. He hated confrontation so much.

Zuko was roused from his thoughts when he felt a grip on his wrist. He stopped and looked back to see Katara with a quizzical look on her face. "Are you going to wish me goodnight or just keep walking to your room?"

He shook his head. "Sorry, I was just thinking about things."

Katara let go of his wrist. "About the baby?"

Zuko sighed then nodded. "Yeah, the baby."

She crossed her arms. "It doesn't feel real. It's like I'm in some sort of dream. I mean, we're going to be parents. I had known it would probably happen one day with Aang, but —"

"Not with me." Zuko finished for her. "Uncle always said that destiny was a funny thing."

"Well, destiny has a twisted sense of humor." Katara laughed hollowly.

"If you could rewind time, would you?" Zuko asked, the question catching Katara off guard.

She thought for a moment. Thought about the past five years of secret romance and breathless moments with Zuko. He had given her an excitement like no one, not even Aang, had ever given her. She hated to have hurt Aang, hated that she was now responsible for bringing a child into a world that wasn't ready for it. But she was slightly thankful — the baby brought her and Zuko together. Had it not been for the baby, Katara would be readying herself to enter into a one-sided marriage. She shook her head. "No. would you?"

Zuko's jaw clenched as if to signify his resolve. He was anxious, albeit scared to death, but he wouldn't give so. He never gave up without a fight. "No."

"Then we've got to be strong. No matter what happens, we'll be okay."

Well, a shorter chapter but a quicker update! I know nothing exciting happened, but I assure you that excitement will come soon! Thanks guys for reading!

Please review and excuse any grammatical errors!