Zutara - Secrets Chapter 8
During the rest of the play and the walk back to the house, Aang avoided me. He avoided everyone except Toph, who walked with Aang ahead of the group. I followed Zuko while Sokka and Suki walked hand in hand behind me. Sokka never stopped talking about the play, I was getting extremely irritated by the time we arrived at the royal house.
It was late and I decided to head to my room. As I entered my room, out my window I saw Aang and Toph walking down toward the beach. I raised an eyebrow and watched as they disappeared from my view. Then I turned to my bed and dug threw my bag. I pulled out my comb and brushed my hair until it was knot-free.
I was about to slip off my skirt when I heard a knock at my door. "It's Zuko," I smiled as I heard the familiar voice from behind the door. I quickly walked over and opened the door. He did not enter at once, instead his eyes searched me with concern, "Are you doing okay?"
"Yah, I'm fine, why?" I answered quickly.
"Well, I didn't know how you felt after what happened with Aang."
"Oh," I bowed my head. I always seemed to forget my trouble whenever Zuko entered the room, but now that I was reminded, I felt my guilt return. I turned away from him and sat on the bed. He followed without closing the door and sat on the bed next to me. His arm wrapped around me sympathetically. I sighed, "I just feel guilty for not telling him at once. Secrets hurt people and I should know that. I thought I was smarter than this."
"Katara, it was a mutual decision, don't blame yourself." Zuko leaned his head against mine so that he spoke softly near my ear. "I was probably more afraid than you were for telling him. I just joined the avatar and I stole his girl already? I didn't think that he would be happy with that."
I turned and looked at Zuko's face, he was a sad smile. I returned his smile and kissed his cheek. "He was so angry and hurt," I whispered sadly.
"He really likes you, Katara. And I don't blame him. How could someone not like you, you're beautiful and wise, and strong. He has reason to be jealous." Zuko's hand that wasn't wrapped around me reached up and stroked my cheek tenderly then reached over to take my hand. I giggled a little as his lifted my hand to his lips that wore a sweet grin.
But suddenly the moment was interrupted by a call from down the hall. "Katara, have you seen Sokk-" I turned my head in time to see Suki with wide eyes and open mouth at my still opened door. In a moment Zuko had left my side and stood on the other side of the room. My cheeks flamed and his hand scratched the back of his neck.
There was an awkward silence for a moment as Zuko and I avoided Suki's and each other's eyes. From the corner of my eye I saw Suki rub her arm as she spoke, "Uh, sorry, I didn't really expect this, but… sorry I interrupted."
I stood up and walked toward her, "It's ok, Suki, we knew everyone would find out sooner or later."
"Does anyone else know?"
"Toph figured it out herself right away," I saw Zuko's eyes widen a little in surprise, I hadn't of told him yet. "And I told Aang today at the play.
"Oh," Suki smiled nervously, "So now it's only Sokka who doesn't know?"
Suddenly unexpected dread washed over me as I nodded slowly, I had forgotten about him. And I thought telling Aang was hard? How would I tell Sokka, my often over protective brother? Zuko seemed to share this feeling for I heard him groan.
"When are you going to tell him?" She looked from me to Zuko.
Zuko looked at me when he said, "We have to tell him soon, as soon as we find a good opportunity."
I met Zuko's gaze and replied, "We will tell him tomorrow morning." Zuko nodded in silent approval, though I saw dread in his eyes. This would not be easy.
"Alright, well, speaking of Sokka," Suki looked uncomfortable and wanting to change the subject. "Have you seen him? He disappeared after we got back, I ran to my room to get something and when I returned he was gone and he's not in his room."
"No I haven't" I shrugged. Suki looked at Zuko who only shook his head.
"Okay, um, well I'm gonna go find him. See you two tomorrow morning." Suki left quickly.
For a moment Zuko and I didn't move and there was another awkward silence. "So…" I said just trying to break the silence.
"I should head to my room," Zuko said. Then he took a step toward me. "But first, tell me how did Toph know?"
I blushed a tiny bit, "She felt you sneak out my window last night."
"Oh," his eyes went wide, "I keep forgetting she sees through the ground."
"And now we have to figure out a way to tell Sokka without him murdering you."
Zuko scratched the back of his neck, "Yeah, how are we going to do that?"
"I don't know but think about it tonight and I will too, we'll figure it out tomorrow morning. I'm too tired to worry about anything tonight." I wrapped my arms around him in a goodnight hug. His arms wrapped around my waist and he kissed the top of my head.
"Okay, Kat," I leaned back and looked up at him with my eyebrow raised. "What? I can't give you a nickname?"
"Can I call you Zuzu?" I grinned, I had heard Azula call him this. I was sure he hated it.
To my surprise he said, "Sure." He smiled and leaned down to kiss me quickly on the lips then he dug his face in my hair. I heard him whisper, "but only you can call me that, and do NOT tell Toph I let you."
I giggled and he kissed me one more time before leaving me with a wide smile. I closed the door after him and ran back, jumping on my bed with a giggle lingering in my throat. I loved that firebender, he always seemed to make me smile even when I felt the worst.
