Zuko walked into the forest and slammed his hand against a tree. How could he have been so stupid? Of course Katara would reject him, of course she would say no. How could he not have seen this coming?
A bird screeched in the distance.
He knew why. But there was no point left. How awkward would it be now, to sit next to Katara, and pretend that he didn't like-like her? How awkward would it be to go home now, and visit Aang and watch him put his arm around the girl he liked? How awkward would it be to go home now and act like everything was fine between him and Mai, that he didn't just betray her?
Two messenger hawks alighted on a tree branch, bearing...wait for it…messages. Zuko put his hand over his eyes; no, he was not ready to deal with this.
But, being the steadfast, slightly awkward Fire-Lord he was, he took the first message out and started to read it.
Dear Fire Lord Zuko,
This is your general speaking; the nation is looking well. Not quite as prosperous if it was under your direct reign, but beggars cannot be choosers. I hope this message finds you in good health. I would like to be the first to congratulate you; I am sure that soon you will be flooded with hawks wherever you are. But the Fire-Lady took personal pains to inform me and I thought that you would need a support, to help with whatever emotions you are going through. But you need fear not; the Fire Nation does not yet know, but when it does realize this joyous occasion, I hope that you will be with us.
Regards,
General Kato
Zuko rolled his eyes; the general was a notorious suck up. This congrats was probably for the anniversary of when he came back to the Fire Nation, or when he proposed Mai. He opened the second message.
Zuko,
I know that we have had our rough times. You left me twice and I have been snapping at you incessantly over the past couple of days. But I really think that that was just a phase. I love you Zuko, I really do. And I wanted you to know that I am –
Zuko dropped the paper, letting it drift onto the forest floor.
And I wanted you to know that I am pregnant.
Nuclear bombs, cannons firing, gunshots whistling…WHAT?
I think that this must be a shock to you; after all, we both know how hard it was for me to conceive before. But this time, I am sure! And the doctor says that the baby is healthy. Zuko, aren't you excited? I told your general because I thought that he would need to know, but other than him, no one knows yet. I think this is what we need. A baby, Zuko! Suddenly I feel complete, like all my life I was waiting for this one chance to amend whatever I have done wrong. I'm sure you are busy, but I wanted you to know that I really do love you Zuko. I can't tell you that enough. Please come home soon. The baby is to be born in two months, and I am sure that he or she would love to meet their father and grandmother.
Love,
Mai
Zuko sunk to the floor, landing with a thud. This was not happening. That was it! He was dreaming. There was no way Mai was pregnant, no way that the minute he betrays her, she tells him that she loves him, no way that she was pregnant, NO WAY.
But of course, the forces of nature were conspiring against him, and he rubbed his temples.
Meanwhile, Katara finished packing, tying the last piece of luggage onto Appa's saddle. She figured that, sooner or later, she was going to have to go get Zuko so that they could fly…but quite frankly, after his outburst, she really didn't trust herself around him. How could she? Suddenly it wouldn't be okay to lean against him, to hug him; everything took on a new meaning. How was she supposed to act around him? She heard Zuko's footsteps and shivered. Maybe she should just ignore him? Ignoring him would seem mean, though…but what else could she do? She couldn't just talk to him; no, that would be like rubbing salt in a wound. She squeezed her eyes shut as Zuko approached her.
"We have to leave."
Katara whirled around and stared at the floor as she babbled.
"I agree with you, in fact I-I was just about to go and get you."
Complete lie.
Zuko shook his head and raised his hand.
"Mai is pregnant. We have to get back to the Fire Nation."
Katara's eyes widened: He didn't know that? Wait, so Mai had been pregnant for seven months. And Zuko hadn't known? Of course, she had known that there had been problems…but really? He hadn't noticed that Mai was pregnant? However, as she steadied herself, now was not the time to be commenting on his married life. In fact, she didn't think that she would ever have the capacity to ever comment on anything that was Zuko's any more. Suddenly, she heard Zuko's voice in her ear.
"Should we get going now?"
Her head whipped back, smacking Zuko in the chin.
"Y-yes. Yes, we should get going…get going now. Yes. Yes indeed."
Trying to maintain her composure, Katara carefully and cautiously climbed up to Appa's saddle, adjusting herself until she was comfortable. Zuko stared at her for a while and then vaulted up, catching Appa's reins as he descended.
"Yip-yip, Appa."
