Author: Becky L. Sly
Title: The Moon's Dragon
Genre: Romance/Adventure/Drama
Rating: T (there will be cusswords, violence and some non-explicit sexual situation that might not be appropriated for all readers)
I don't own anything. All characters belong to Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko, and Nickelodeon.
Chapter 8 – The New Moon Celebration
Zuko's arm had improved and after a few weeks, Katara finally released him from the sling. He could move his arm normally, without any pain. On the other hand, his bending still wasn't at his best. This frustrated Zuko, but he didn't tell anyone about it. Instead, every night he escaped from the igloo and ran to the compound to train. Some nights were more productive than others, but he still wasn't bending as he used to before Azula's attack.
Azula. That was another thing that crossed Zuko's mind quite often. He'd been at the South Pole two months now, and so far, no ship from the Fire Nation had arrived there to search for him. Zuko woke up every day thinking that it would be his last day there before his sister found him and finished the job she started.
Thankfully, when Pakku heard that Zuko's arm had improved, he asked him about his proposal. Zuko accepted, and Pakku requested him to train the students in sword fighting. Zuko believed that Pakku wasn't too sure about letting a firebender teach his students, but since Zuko was having problems in that department, he accepted being the sword master.
That filled Zuko's time in the South Pole, and he actually found himself enjoying teaching the watertribe kids. At first, they were scared of him, mostly because they all knew he was a firebender and also because he once was a Fire Lord. But after a few weeks, the kids got used to him. Sokka's presence helped as well, as he too, was a new sword master.
Zuko also liked being the sword master because that meant more time with Katara. They even created a routine for themselves. Each morning they would wake up and have breakfast together. Then she would go to the Healing Center and him to the arena. She would meet him and Sokka later in the arena to help Pakku teach the waterbenders and then they three would come back to the village to have dinner with Suki. Every day was the same, and Zuko found that Katara seemed happier than the day he arrived. Although Zuko's worries still haunted him every now and then, the time he spent with her was filled with laughter and easy conversation. The only downside was that they never talked about what had happened between them again.
"Zuko," Hakoda called as he stepped into the big igloo. Zuko and Katara were both sitting at the table, enjoying their breakfast together
"Chief Hakoda," Zuko said politely. He noticed that the Water Tribe man seemed worried and puffy like he had just run.
"I need you to come with me quickly. Our traders just came back from the Fire Nation."
Katara stared at Zuko in surprise and they both quickly stood up and joined the Water Tribe chief as he headed towards Batto's house.
Batto and his men had traveled along the Southern Water Tribe traders to the Fire Nation to get some information about what was going on.
Bato's igloo was quite a bit smaller than Hakoda's house. Still, the house was filled with people. There were at least twenty Water Tribe men sitting on the floor near Batto.
"Batto," Hakoda said in a greeting, holding his arm firmly. "I'm happy to see that you've finally come back."
Batto smiled back, before turning himself to bow at Zuko. "Fire Lord Zuko," said Batto, taking a seat on the floor among his companions. "I have some news from the Fire Nation."
Zuko noticed that Batto's voice seemed tense. The firebender took a deep breath and asked him to continue.
"From what we saw, your sister Azula claimed herself as the Fire Lord. They told us that she was crowned privately; the citizens were prohibited from joining the ceremony."
At this, Zuko frowned, but he listening quietly.
"Even so, we had no problems with the Fire Nation's traders. Everything was… normal, actually. There is no sign that they are planning another military advance."
"That's a good news," Hakoda said loudly, glancing at the other natives in the igloo. "For two months we've been expecting a visit from the Fire Nation. However, until today, they've never shown up."
Zuko sighed heavily before speaking. "That's not a guarantee," he muttered, making everyone stare at him. "Suki told me that Azula saw us both escaping that day on Appa. I'm not sure why she hasn't come here yet, but I know that it's only a matter of time." Zuko expected some grousing from the men in the igloo. He expected that everyone would damn him for bringing such a threat as Azula to their homeland. However, no one spoke. Instead, they all stared at Batto, waiting for him to speak. Batto took a deep breath.
"I think we know the reason why your sister and the Fire Nation haven't arrived here yet."
Zuko frowned, his hands sweating. "And what's the reason?"
"Everyone in the Fire Nation believes you are dead, Fire Lord," Batto murmured slowly. Zuko felt like his heart had just stopped. He blinked once. Twice. Had he heard that right? Dead?
"No…" he muttered weakly, remembering his last moments in the Fire Nation. "But she saw that I escaped." His voice was so low that he could barely hear himself.
"When we asked about you, everyone told us that… I'm sorry… that the Fire Lord ran away as a coward," Batto muttered hesitantly. Zuko watched as the other men in the house lowered their heads. Batto sighed before continuing. "They also told us that Azula's men tracked you down and found your body in the ocean."
"Who told you that?" Zuko asked weakly, feeling numb.
"Everyone we talked to. From the soldiers to the beggars in the streets" said Batto, his face creased in sorrow. "Everyone seemed… scarier than usual. They didn't want to talk a lot about what happened."
Zuko frowned. That was a lot to absorb, a lot to swallow. Katara's voice broke through his swirling thoughts.
"What about Aang?" she asked Batto, but the Water Tribe man only shook his head. Zuko's heart squeezed at the pained look on her face.
"I'm sorry Katara, but we don't have any news of him." Batto murmured sadly. "No one seems to know where he is. He has not seen anywhere in the Fire Nation."
Katara sighed.
She felt her heart tightening. To some extent, no news was a relief, for at least he wasn't confirmed as dead. Still, not knowing was terrifying. The conversation drew to a close, and Katara's gaze wandered to Zuko. He seemed downcast, totally lost in his mind. She bit her lower lip, unsure of what to say.
The three stood up, ready to get back to Hakoda's house.
"I must look for Pakku," Hakoda said to Katara, slowing his walk. "I'll meet you at home later."
Katara nodded. She and Zuko walked along in silence. The air was heavy around them, almost suffocating.
"Zuko," Katara murmured softly, reaching for his hand. "If you want to talk about what happened inside, I…" She trailed off, unsure of what to say.
"I don't want to talk," he snapped.
"I know it must hurt, but I want to help you," she said, holding his hands. Zuko pried himself free of her grasp, stalking away from her
"I really want to be on my own now," he said. She watched as he walked off, wondering if she should go after him. Katara felt terrible for Zuko, and couldn't stand to see him hurt like this. But she didn't know how to make it better. Truthfully, she was as surprised as he at the news. She couldn't imagine why Azula had done something like this. Katara hugged herself as she watched Zuko. She didn't follow him, but the waterbender found herself unable to tear her gaze away.
Zuko walked aimlessly. His throat burned and his heart tightened inside his chest. Anger burned in his veins, making him feel hot. Everyone thought he was dead. Worse yet, they thought he was a coward.
He kept walking, heading towards Appa's stable. An idea crossed his mind. It was stupid, Zuko knew, but it was too tempting to pass up. Still, he couldn't help the desire to hijack the air bison and fly straight to the Fire Nation and rescue it from his sister's clutches. He walked faster, the huge head of Appa coming into view as he got closer. Along Appa, there were others animals there, such as camels yak and buffalos yak. He headed towards Appa, only to find Sokka feeding the big animal.
"Going somewhere?" Sokka asked without facing the firebender. Zuko snorted.
"I was just trying to cool down," he muttered, but Sokka seemed to ignore him.
"Nice." Sokka stood from the ground, petting Appa on the head. "Why don't you take a walk with me?" Sokka asked, turning to walk away. Zuko looked at Appa. He felt guilty for not having any news from Aang, as the bison was probably worried sick about his owner. With a sigh, he turned and joined Sokka in his walk.
They walked towards the Tribe Central Square. Zuko was thankful for the silence between them. He still wasn't in the mood to talk, and he appreciated the quiet companionship Sokka provided. Still, he couldn't help noticing that Sokka seemed upset about something.
The square was pretty with soft torchlight reflecting against the snow. Groups of boys, much younger than Zuko were scattered about in groups, working diligently on something. Upon further inspection, he realized they were carving stones similar to the one on Katara's necklace.
"The necklace that your sister wears it's traditional?" Zuko asked raising his eyebrow.
Sokka turned to look at the boys working on their betrothal necklace in the middle of the square.
"Yeah, that's a betrothal necklace," Sokka muttered, chuckling softly. "Those guys are actually late. They're supposed to give that necklace at the New Moon Celebration."
"Why?"
"Well, that was one of the many festivals that Pakku brought with him when he came here. He said that the New Moon Celebration is something that both Water Tribes should celebrate together, to honor the coming of the new year. That, and it was during a New Moon Celebration that the Avatar Kuruk found his wife…at least, that's what he told me," Sokka laughed, still walking.
"So, now, if you want to propose someone, it's nice to do it during the New Moon Celebration."
Zuko frowned, considering what he heard. "But why a carved stone?"
Sokka rubbed his chin. "Hmm, I don't know why, but that's how we do here. When a girl turns sixteen she's ready to get married," he said, turning to face Zuko. "The guy gives to the girl the necklace, and then everyone knows that she's committed to him."
"Have you ever…carved a necklace?" Zuko asked quietly.
"No," Sokka said, pausing. "I don't think Suki wants a necklace."
Zuko didn't know what to say. He watched as Sokka took a deep breath.
"I don't know what else to so. She is just being...odd with me."
"I don't know man…maybe she's like that because she's pregnant. You know, women have all those… emotions." Zuko shrugged, trying his best.
"Women are weird," Sokka stated, kicking an ice rock. "They teach us that everything a Water Tribe girl wants is to get married, but then I met one from the Earth Kingdom that doesn't even want to get married to the father of the kid she's bearing!"
"Do the girls in the Water Tribe really just want to get married?" Zuko asked with a frown and Sokka held his hair.
"I thought so!" he shouted, waving his arms in the air dramatically. "But apparently I'm wrong. Katara is a perfect example."
"What you mean?"
Sokka shrugged, resuming his walk. "When Pakku arrived, he wanted to revive a lot of traditions that we lost here in the South. One of them of the arranged marriage."
Zuko froze. Horror washed over him, and he almost hated himself for feeling like this. "Katara…your sister…is engaged?" he asked weakly, ignoring Sokka's frown.
"No," Sokka said slowly, shooting the firebender a baffled look. Once again, Zuko ignored him, choosing instead to sigh in relief. "She doesn't want to get married. When she turned sixteen, that was all Pakku talked about with her, but he couldn't convince her, I guess."
Zuko said nothing more and started to walk again, hoping that his interest about his sister's status wasn't too obvious.
"And you?" asked Sokka after a moment. "I heard that Batto came back with news from the Fire Nation."
Just like that, Zuko was brought back to reality. "Yeah," he said stiffly, falling silent
"And…?"
Zuko sighed heavily before speaking. "For what it seems, my sister is the new Fire Lord." He paused, laughing harshly. "Oh, and I'm also dead."
"Wait, what?" Sokka's voice was tinted with surprise, and Zuko was pulled to a halt as Sokka snatched his shoulder. "What do you mean, you're dead?"
"That's what they're saying about me." He shrugged, not wanting to show how hurt he was. "Apparently, I was a coward who ran away, only to get killed. They...they said they found my body in the ocean."
"That can't be true," Sokka shook his head, his face contorting in confusion. "Suki said that Azula watched you guys escaped. She must be lying!"
"Batto said that everyone in the Fire Nation's telling the same story."
"Then they're being manipulated!"
"That's what you think? Azula is telling everyone that I'm dead despite knowing that I'm not?" Zuko asked.
Sokka shook his head. "I don't think so. I think that even Azula thinks that you are dead."
Zuko frowned. "What, like someone's telling her that I'm dead, someone behind her?" Zuko asked slowly.
"Maybe!" Sokka exclaimed. "Didn't you say that there was a bender with her? What was his name?"
"Tai Long." It was impossible to forget that man's face.
"It could be him!" Sokka said excitedly. Zuko nodded, lost in thought. A silence settled between them as they contemplated the possibilities. After a moment, Sokka's voice broke the silence.
"Hey, you said you needed to cool down, didn't you?" asked the Water Tribe man and Zuko bobbed his head uncertainly.
"Let's hunt! We can bring food to the New Moon Celebration!" Sokka said excitedly. Zuko just sighed. Hunting was not his favorite thing to do.
"Although I have both arms now, I'm still not at my best form" Zuko muttered. Sokka didn't seem to hear him, already chattering on fervently.
"Don't worry," he said. "We can take our swords! And it's not like we're going to hunt polar bear dogs or something. It'll be fun!"
Zuko agreed, albeit reluctantly, and allowed Sokka to drag him back to the igloo to grab their swords and supplies. This was going to be a long day.
The two guys were walking for a while now; they were very far away from Hakoda's village. Sokka was planning on capturing some penguins. Supposedly, they were very easy to hunt, though Zuko wasn't so sure. It was apparent that Sokka wanted to forget about Suki and his troubles, and Zuko didn't really blame him. After all, he wanted to forget about his troubles too. They borrowed a sled and headed out of the village. They were only a few miles away when a storm started to form. The wind whipped against Zuko's face, cracking his lips.
"Of course we had to come somewhere even colder." Zuko joked sarcastically.
"Sorry, I forgot that firebenders don't like to feel cold," Sokka mocked, seemingly enjoying his pain.
"This is beyond cold."
"I don't get it. When you were searching for Aang, you spent a lot of time here in the South Pole with your ship."
"Yeah, but it was warm inside. My ship wasn't made with ice." Zuko retorted, eliciting a laugh from Sokka.
"You're right. The waterbenders like to be prepared to bend."
As time went on, the weather changed for the worst. The winds increased dramatically, blowing against them even harder. Even Sokka was having difficulty walking through the tundra.
"Here!" Sokka shouted, trying to walk faster. Zuko came closer to him and helped hold the ribbons of the sled.
"I told this wasn't a good idea," Zuko yelled with a snort, ducking his head to protect his face.
Luckily, Sokka spotted a bunch of rocks nearby that seemed to form some kind of cave. They headed towards it, dragging the sled behind them. Once safely inside the cave, the two would be hunters collapsed onto the ground, attempting to catch their breath. Zuko's nose was frozen, and his fingers were numb.
"Well, that was sort of fun," Sokka commented, straightening up against the cave's wall. "Let's wait until the storm is gone. It's not too dense, so it shouldn't take long."
A loud roar echoed from outside, making Zuko jump. "Did you hear that?" he asked, glancing about.
"It's just the wind blowing."
"Since when the wind roar?" Zuko asked, sharing a wide-eyed stare with Sokka. They kept quiet and then they both heard the roar Zuko mentioned. That noise froze their spines and they slowly turned to where the sound was coming. There, in the middle of the cave, was a huge polar bear dog baring its teeth. It roared again, making the ground shake beneath them.
"Walk back slowly," murmured Sokka, clutching his sword firmly in his hand. Zuko stepped backward, unsheathing his sword. The action must have aggravated the animal, for in the blink of an eye the beast was upon them. By some miracle, both Zuko and Sokka were able to leap out of the way and roll to safety. The sled, however, was destroyed when the big animal landed on it.
"Run!" Zuko cried, reaching for his sword. It had slipped from his grasp, sliding across the icy ground. His fingers brushed the hilt right as the large mammal stepped into view, roaring madly at the bender.
Zuko clenched his fist firmly and prepared himself for the attack. When animal jumped over him, he raised his left arm to firebend. A puny runt of a flame coughed from his fist, doing nothing to stop the polar bear dog from tossing him against the stony wall. Zuko gasped at the impact, gritting his teeth at the stinging in his arm. He could feel the warm blood dripping down his arm, but there was no time to tend his injuries. Zuko fell onto the floor. He looked up and saw the animal barreling towards him again, however, before the polar bear dog could bite him, a big stone dropped onto its head.
"Come here, ugly!" Sokka taunted, clapping his hands and waving his arms to get the attention of the animal. The polar bear dog released Zuko and ran towards Sokka. The Water Tribe man was ready to jump, but Zuko was faster and mimicking his friend, he grabbed an icy rock from the ground and threw it at the animal, getting its attention.
The polar bear dog was getting angrier. It whirled around once more, snarling at Zuko. However, before the animal could advance, Sokka pounced onto its back, tangling his hands into its thick fur as harder as he could.
"Run away, Zuko!" Sokka shouted, hanging on for dear life. The polar bear bucked and howled, desperate to free itself of Sokka. Zuko scrambled out of the way and managed to grab his sword.
Sokka was still hung on. It wasn't looking good, as the mammal was throwing itself into the walls and rolling in its desperation to free itself. Zuko could feel the cave starting to shake all around them, his eyes widening as more and more chunks of rocks freed themselves. It was the cave was collapsing.
"Sokka, the cave is going down!" Zuko yowled. He watched, frozen in terror as Sokka let go, flying off the polar bear dog's back and onto the ground. Sokka quickly stood up and ran to Zuko's side, noticing the pieces of rock that were starting to fall on the ground near him. He threw himself out of the cave, falling over Zuko that was outside the cave waiting for him. They both rolled onto the soft snow. A deafening sound echoed in the air, followed by an eerie silence. An icy fog provided a pale backdrop, clearing away after a few minutes. They both looked at the cave breathless: it was now a pile of rubble, with the polar bear dog nowhere in sight.
"I told you it wasn't a good idea," Zuko commented breathlessly, turning to stare at the sky above him, trying to catch his air back.
"Don't even talk about it. I have never seen a polar bear dog before, " Sokka grumbled. He fell silent, his ragged breathing slowly evening out. Zuko was about to retort back when Sokka bolted upright. Far away, Sokka heard a weak noise, something similar as a crying.
"Do you hear that?"
"What?" Zuko jumped, scared. "That thing survived?" He glanced at the rubble, searching for any sign of the animal.
"No, it's something different," Sokka said. He stood, trotting towards the destroyed cave.
"Wait, Sokka, what if that thing is still there? Maybe we should just go back to the village."
"Just a minute." With an exaggerated sigh, Zuko scrambled to his feet and trailed behind his friend. He too began to hear the sound. It was a sharp, whining sound, like an animal crying. Zuko was still uneasy, and he kept watch for any signs of danger. Luckily none presented itself. Instead, Zuko bumped into Sokka, who was staring down at a pale furry bundle in the snow. It was a little polar bear dog cub, whimpering in the frigid air
"Oh no," Sokka groaned. "It was a mother trying to protect her kid."
Zuko glanced at the small white puppy; it was smaller than a wolf. His mother Ursa came to mind, and how she once told him that a mother would do anything to protect her kids.
"What are we going to do?" Zuko asked. Sokka shrugged.
"I don't know," said the Water Tribe man, stepping closer to the animal. "It seems pretty small. I bet it's only a few weeks old."
The little animal shrank away from them, clearly afraid of the humans. Sokka shoved his fist into his pocket and produced a strip of jerky. He placed it down onto the snow gently and ushered Zuko back. The cub didn't move at first. It seemed to wait to see if the humans were a threat before tentatively sniffing the air and creeping towards the meat. It nibbled at the jerky and walked closer to Sokka. The water tribe man slowly reached forward to pet its head, only to flinch away. After a few tries, it was finally convinced that Sokka wasn't a threat and let itself be pet.
"We're gonna take it."
"What?" Zuko exclaimed, surprised. "It's cute now, I guess, but someday it'll grow up to be like its mother."
"I know." Sokka bent down and scooped up the animal. It was heavier than he thought. "But we can leave it here. Without its mother, there's no chance for survival."
"If it tries to kill us, I swear I'll kill you," Zuko said, narrowing his eyes.
"Come on, look this pretty face," Sokka insisted, raising the cub up into the air.
Zuko snorted and turned away, ready to come back to the village. Sokka followed close behind, carrying the animal. The storm was almost gone now, with only a light flurry drifting from the sky. Zuko looked back every-so-often to see if Sokka had dropped the animal and forgotten the crazy idea, but the polar bear cub was nestled firmly in his arms. The Water Tribe warrior seemed pretty happy about the cub, future dangers aside.
"You know that it's not a puppy, right?" Zuko asked coolly from his shoulders.
"I'm aware," Sokka said with a shrug. The little animal croaked in his arms. "But since we lost the sled, we might as well bring something to replace it."
"Sure, if it grows up and became a domestic mount, that would be great," Zuko joked.
"I think it's she."
"What?" Zuko shot a bewildered look.
"I think it's a female polar bear dog." Sokka shrugged. "She looks like Yuki."
Zuko face-palmed, not quite believing what he was hearing.
The three kept walking. After awhile, the big walls that surrounded Hakoda's village came into view. Once inside, it didn't take too long for the polar bear dog cub to garner some attention. Everyone seemed to want a glance at the little mammal, much to Zuko's annoyance. The two shuffled quickly through the crowds and back to the house, slipping inside. There, sitting at the table, was Hakoda and Pakku, presumably discussing Batto's news from earlier.
"Hey, how was the hunt?" Hakoda asked Sokka.
"Excellent!" Sokka exclaimed, eagerly presenting what he brought with him. Hakoda and Pakku stared wide-eyed at Sokka when they saw the animal.
"What it's this, Sokka?" Hakoda asked. He stood up quickly from the floor, walking towards his son. Sokka put the little animal on the floor.
"It's a baby polar bear dog," Sokka said, reaching down to pet the cub. "We found her after her mother…well…tried to kill us," Sokka ran his hand through his hair, a sheepish expression on his face.
"That's not a pet!" Pakku yelled, gesturing at the animal. "It will grow up and be uncontrollable."
"I know, I know," Sokka said, raising his hands. "But we could take care of her until she grows up and then I'll free her again!"
"Sokka," Hakoda sighed. "That's not a good idea. We have kids here."
"We can teach her to not eat the kids" Sokka crossed his arms. "We have a stable here to shelter our animals. We could leave her there too!"
"So it can devour our mounts?" asked Pakku, rubbing his forehead.
"Look at her size," Sokka said, pointing to the animal on the floor. "She won't attack anyone. If we feed her well, she won't have to kill anything to eat."
"If you want this thing here," Pakku started slowly, "you'll have to make sure that it will be isolated, far from the others animals. Maybe the waterbenders will have to build an enclosure for her."
Sokka smirked. He also committed himself to take care of the animal. Hakoda asked Sokka to follow him to ask the others bender to build the enclosure Pakku talked about. Pakku joined them, leaving Zuko alone in the big igloo.
The firebender was exhausted. All he wanted was to take a bath and get rid of all those things he was feeling. Zuko headed towards the bathroom. On the second day he was here, Katara had told him that he could take a bath anytime he wishes, without asking for permission.
The bathroom was fair in size, with a small latrine in the corner and a stone bathtub dominating the middle of the room. There was also a small cupboard hanging on the wall near the bathtub, which stocked some medications, soaps, and lotions. A big pot filled with water sat near the bathtub, which was usually heated in the fireplace. Zuko didn't bother to heat the water up, he simply filled the bathtub and sat on the floor. He tried to concentrate, hoping he could heat the water himself. He put his hands under the water and tried to use his bending to warm it up. The water surrounding his skin slowly got warmer. It was a sign of improvement, fueling his anticipation. He stayed there for awhile, but he realized that he'd be there a long time if he only used his bending.
"Shit," he cursed. Grumbling angrily to himself, Zuko stood and grabbed the pot, stalking out of the bathroom. His gaze caught sight of Katara hovering near the fireplace, and he halted. He stared silently for a moment, unsure of himself. Luckily Katara seemed to sense his presence, and she turned to meet his gaze.
"Are you going to take a bath?" She asked, her voice soft. Zuko nodded.
"Yes." He paused, his gaze dropping to the pan resting in her hands. "But I can wait," he said. Katara shook her head, setting her pan down and walking towards him. She gently took the pot from him and smiled.
"Don't worry," she said, placing the pot over the fire and using her bending to fill it up. Zuko watched in fascination, jealousy swirling in his gut. It almost wasn't fair; how easy bending came to her. Katara's gaze met his once again, and she opened her mouth to speak, only to pause.
"What happened to your arm?" she asked, concern lacing through her voice. Zuko glanced down at his own arm in question. The cut wasn't too deep, but there was some dried blood caked on his skin.
"A polar bear dog, I guess," he said, shrugging. Katara stepped closer, her gaze analyzing the injured area.
"It's true that Sokka adopted one?"
Zuko nodded, eliciting a laugh from Katara, which made him laugh as well.
"Let me check this," Katara said tenderly, and once again she used her bending to lift the water from the sink and pressed it against Zuko's skin. The water felt nice against his skin, warming slowly as the healing process began. He glanced down, watching in fascination as the wound slowly grew smaller and smaller in size. His gaze wandered up to Katara, and he admired how her expression puckered in concentration.
Zuko sighed. A thought drifted to mind, and he spoke without thinking. "I could get used to this." His voice echoed loudly, and he blushed furiously as Katara glanced up sharply.
"Used to what?" she asked softly, her hands dropping from his arm as she finished her healing. Zuko swallowed hard.
"N-nothing," he stuttered, walking towards the fireplace to grab his pot. "Nothing important," he said without facing her gaze, choosing instead to stare at his pot.
After a moment's hesitation, he shuffled back towards the bathroom. He could feel Katara's gaze on him, but after his awkward outburst, Zuko was afraid to look at her.
"Zuko," she called slowly. He paused, turning to face her. Katara bit her lower lip. "If you want to talk about anything… you know… I'd love to listen." She smiled softly and he nodded. Without saying anything, he entered the bathroom and closed the door behind him.
He dropped the hot water into the bathtub, filling it up completely. He took his clothes off and stepped into the bath. The water was hot, making his muscles to relax. He submerged for a while and when he came back to the surface, he absently watched water droplets fall from his hair. Zuko sighed, feeling his heart more divided than ever.
Two days after Batto's arrival, the Elder Ones from the Water Tribe reached the South Pole Bay. They, along with a lot of northern natives, came to the south to celebrate the New Moon Celebration. As soon as the Elder Ones exited their ship, Hakoda and Pakku stepped forward to greet them. It was then that Pakku informed them of why he'd written the letter. The Northen Water Tribe was shocked to discover that the Fire Lord was actually alive and well, living safely in the South Pole.
On the day of the New Moon Celebration, the Elder Ones asked for Hakoda and Pakku to join them in a Council where they would debate about Zuko's situation. Zuko was also invited to join them, and he headed towards the big icy building in the village. The whole building was made with ice, mimicking the northern architecture. In the middle of the main room was a big table, which seated the Elder Ones, Chief Arnook from the north, Chief Hakoda and Pakku. Zuko sat in front of them, on the most uncomfortable chair that of course, was made with ice. The Elder Ones formally presented themselves to Zuko, and the firebender couldn't help but think that this seemed like his trial.
"Well, we are here to discuss the Fire Lord situation," Chief Arnook said coldly, barely looking at Zuko. His voice echoed through the icy columns of the big room. "It seems that our brothers from the south have some information about the Fire Nation."
"Yes," Hakoda said from beside Arnook. "Our men managed to gather some information from within the Fire Nation. The former princess Azula was crowned as Fire Lord, and she has declared to the world that Fire Lord Zuko is dead."
"There's no sign that the Fire Nation is planning to declare war, as well," Pakku commented. The old man was sitting in the place of the Southern Water Tribe counselor. He was essentially the bridge between the two tribes, a necessary part of helping them reconnect and get along.
"We are convinced that the Fire Nation has no intention of coming here to search for the Fire Lord. We have waited two months, and our ships searched all of the South Sea for any sign of a Fire Nation fleet, but no such a thing has come to pass," Hakoda said solemnly. The Elder Ones listened attentively, glancing at Zuko, with sharp, analytical stares. He could swear that the youngest one there was as old as Aang.
"No one is searching for the Fire Lord Zuko," Hakoda said. A deathly silence blanketed the room, making the room feel hot and heavy.
"This is not a guarantee," Yakon said coldly. He was sitting in the middle of the big table, right in front of Zuko. He was very old, with a long white hair framing his face. "His presence here is a threat to the security and protection of our people, not only for the Southern Water Tribe but also for the Northern."
"A Fire Lord without his crown is not a Fire Lord to me," snapped Shaila, an old woman that was seated at the right of Yakon. She was as old as him. "For what reason do you chose to shelter in our lands?" She asked coldly.
Zuko could feel his throat tighten. He could hear the bitterness in their voices: they hated the Fire Nation and everything about it. This person had suffered enough attacks from his country and was disgusted by his presence in their Palace and in their lands.
"It wasn't a choice," Zuko said calmly.
"So why you'd come? To threaten our families? To bring us war?" asked Shaila.
"I have no intention to bring the war to you. And, from what I can remember, The Peace Treaties that you signed in my lands said a lot about the cooperation between the nations." Zuko stated. At this, Shaila raised an eyebrow.
"Valued Elder Ones," Hakoda said, in an attempt to keep the discussion civil. "Zuko is the only man that I believe to be the righteous Fire Lord. He ended the war and worked with the Avatar to bring peace to the world." He took a deep breath and looked straight at Zuko. "He had his throne usurped and he came to us asking for help. I owe him, personally, my life and the life of my two kids."
"You have no power to decide anything here, Chief Hakoda!" Shaila yelled, but Hakoda raised his arm and his voice.
"These are my lands!" Hakoda yelled angrily. "The people here trust me. That's why I say that the Southern Water Tribe will support Fire Lord Zuko." Hakoda's voice echoed through the building. Zuko stared in awe. It would be a lie to say that he wasn't flattered, and he couldn't help but admire the Water Tribe warrior for his bravery.
"Chief Hakoda, please," Shaila said pleadingly. "We can't just send our men out to the Fire Nation just for this kid get his throne back! It could start another war! A hundred years was enough for our people."
"I'm not asking for this," Zuko said. The room fell in silent, with everyone looking at him. "I don't want any men fighting this for me."
"Are you planning on conquering your throne on your own?" Yakon joked, eliciting a laugh from Shaila and Arnook. Zuko clenched his fists hard.
"I have intention in conquering it back."
A deathly silence once again settled over the room. Everyone seemed shocked at what he had said; it seemed that even the Elder Ones weren't expecting that. Zuko locked gazes with Paku, seeing the bewilderment stamped across the older man's features. He looked away, staring instead at the table.
"You want to spend the rest of your life here?" Yakon asked. Zuko shook his head.
"I was waiting for my arm to get better. Now that I'm healthy and I know that the Fire Nation isn't threatening the Water Tribe, I'm going to leave," he muttered. He'd decided for sure once he knew everyone believed him to be dead. There was nothing left for him at the Fire Nation, and he only wished to find his uncle.
"Where do you want to go?" Ukka said the last Elder One. His voice was very weak, but Zuko had no difficulty hearing him. Ukka seemed to be the oldest one at the big table, sitting at Yakon's left side.
Zuko dipped his head respectfully. "To Ba Sing Se."
Ukka stared at Zuko for a moment. "Well, if you desire to leave, we certainly can't forbid you." The other elders all shared baffled glances, murmuring softly in agreement. Ukka spoke again, quieting the room. "I will show you our gratitude for all you've done by providing you a safe journey to Ba Sing Se."
Zuko dipped in a bow once more, relieved for the meeting to be over. Luckily his decision seemed to be popular, neutralizing any remaining dissent among the Elder Ones.
"You are welcome to leave with us on our return to the North Pole," Yakon said, interrupting Zuko's thoughts.
"Thank you," Zuko murmured.
Shaila spoke next, her voice calm and even. "We will be sure to keep your location a secret. It shouldn't be hard, seeing as you're supposedly dead."
Zuko nodded and thanked them, feeling somewhat exhausted after the intense meeting. Before Yakon moved to end the meeting, a question came to Zuko's mind, and he spoke up.
"And the Avatar?" Zuko asked. At this, the Elder Ones frowned.
"We only know that the Avatar has not been seen in the Fire Nation," Pakku said, his voice even. "We were wondering if any of you have any knowledge of his location."
"No," said Arnook. "He has not been seen in awhile."
"I do believe that if the Avatar was killed, the Fire Nation would have announced such an event," Ukka said, rubbing his beard slowly. "Plus, our spiritual master has said nothing in regards to the changing of the circle."
Without any further discussion, all men stood up and left the big room. Hakoda and Pakku seemed to be in shock from the meeting's previous events regarding Zuko's decision.
It was already dark when Zuko stepped outside. Most of the Water Tribe natives were out in the Tribe Central Square, with celebration already underway. Music filled the air, accompanied by laughter. The warmth of the mood and people lured Zuko to join them, and he eagerly slipped into the crowd and escaped the cold breeze.
A few days earlier, Zuko had asked Sokka more about the New Moon Celebration. Sokka had eagerly told him that it was like a new beginning to the Water Tribe; that it was the night when the spirit of the moon could rest a little before returning even brighter to protect her people.
So here Zuko was, watching the Water Tribe's new beginning and secretly hoping he would also find his.
He leaned back against a light post, watching the scene before him contentedly. This wasn't the first festival that he'd attended since his arrival, but in his opinion, the New Moon Celebration was far more fun and cheerful than the others. Tents of all types dominated the Square, selling food or prizes. Children crowded around certain ones, presumably to play games. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, adding to the jovial atmosphere.
Zuko spotted Sokka and Suki in the middle of the crowd. Her belly was really showing this time, even under her heavy parka. Kana and other old ladies were nearby at some food tent, laughing and chatting as they ate.
He distantly watched a few of the boys he'd seen a few days earlier carving their betrothal necklaces. One of them nervously gave his to a girl, who shrieked and happily threw her arms around him. It was a sweet sight, but Zuko couldn't help the apprehension that swirled within him. He searched the crowd, wondering if anyone planned on delivering a betrothal necklace to a certain waterbender. He cringed at the thought.
"Zuko."
The firebender jumped at the sound of Katara's voice from behind him. He turned around, his gaze immediately searched her neck. The necklace there was the same one she'd always worn. Relieved, he met her gaze, only to find that she was glaring him.
"Is it true?" she asked angrily.
"What?" Zuko knew what she was asking about, but he still feigned innocence.
"Are you just going to leave?" she yelled, waving her hands in the air. "My father told me what you said in the Council. He told me that you are going to Ba Sing Se!"
"I need to find my uncle, Katara," he said quietly, diverting his gaze from hers. His hands were sweating and he had a bad feeling about where that conversation was going.
"And what do you intend to do next? Fight Azula alone? Sure, because that's a great idea!" Her voice was muted by the loud music, though Zuko could still hear her loud and clear.
Zuko glowered at her, his throat burning again. "What do you want from me? Do you want me to stay here with you, in the middle of nowhere?" He snapped. Katara blinked a few times, staying quiet. Zuko let out a huff, looking away angrily. "I'm not welcome in my country, I'm not welcome here. What else do you want from me?"
"Why can't you see that there are people who want to help you?" Katara asked, her voice shaking. "Aang saved your life, and now he's lost somewhere!" The outburst was sudden and unexpected, and Zuko couldn't help but growl. Of course, this was about Aang. When hasn't it been?
"Of course, I forgot about him!" he joked coldly, glowering at Katara. "I wish I could thank him for everything he's done, but oh wait! I can't because he's not here!" He paused, snorting cruelly. "If he were alive, he'd be here by now!" Zuko's voice echoed in the brisk air like a slap in the face. One look at Katara and he knew he'd made a mistake.
"How could you say such a thing?" She whispered, tears shining in her eyes. "He's your friend."
"I know he's my friend," Zuko murmured. "There's not a day that goes by where I don't think about him." He paused, sighing dejectedly. He felt drained and angry and jealous.
"And I'll never forget what he means to you, as well" he muttered.
Katara's gaze was full of hurt. They stared at each other for a long moment, and Zuko almost thought she was going to hurt him or to throw a big snowball at him. But she didn't. Instead, she turned and walked away without another word. He watched her go, his heart twisting painfully. Zuko turned and stalked off, not wanting to make more of a scene than he already had. He headed to the harbor, looking for some quiet.
Seeing the ships and the open sea gave to Zuko a feeling of peace; not feeling so cornered and suffocated as he was feeling before. He sat on the soft snow and faced the sea in front of him. He sighed. The water reminded him of Katara, and what he had just said to her. Although Zuko really wanted to leave the South Pole, part of him just… couldn't leave Katara behind. And that scared him. He thought that if she was mad at him, maybe it would make things easier when he left.
"Beautiful, huh?"
Zuko whirled around to find Pakku behind him staring at the dark sky. "I love the night sky; full with constellations and planets. It always makes me wonder about the future possibilities. But I have to say that on nights like this, I miss the presence of the moon." Pakku sighed. "The spirit of the Moon was once a princess that sacrificed herself to save her people, her world."
Zuko gazed up at the sky, remembering the night he was in the North Pole. Zhao had apparently tried to kill the Moon Spirit and had nearly succeeded. It wasn't until much later that Zuko learned of Yue and how she'd given her life to save the spirit.
"Tell me something, Zuko," Pakku said, facing the firebender. "Why are you running away from your duties?"
Zuko frowned, not expecting that slap. "I'm not running away!" he snapped. "My people, my own home took me out of power! There was a riot going on under my nose, and I only discovered it when it was too late."
"No one ever said that ruling is easy."
Zuko snorted, feeling uneasy. "I know it's not easy." He stood up and walked closer to Pakku. "But how can I fight this? How can I fight all this… humiliation?" he asked, his voice trailing off.
"I was there at the day of your coronation. I saw a man that had suffered a lot but was still loyal to his own land. I saw a ruler that was ready to change his country because he had changed himself and found the right path." Pakku paused, his gaze locking with Zuko's. "I don't see that man anymore."
Zuko felt like he'd just been punched in the gut. He stared wide-eyed at Pakku, at a loss for words.
Pakku turned to walk away from the firebender, but he stopped a moment and looked back. "There is no honor among cowards."
Pakku's words echoed harshly in his mind, and he could only stare at Pakku as he left. Coward. Now two nations think you're a coward.
"Shit!" Zuko yelled, his heart aching hardly. "Shit, shit, shit!" He clutched at his hair, tugging at it roughly. He felt so lost, so broken. It was scary, really how utterly alone and lost he was. Zuko wanted to run away, run so far that he'd outrun himself. He couldn't take any more disappointment, any more sorrow, but if he ran away, more people might take him for a coward. And maybe he was. He certainly felt like one.
"You were a princess that sacrificed yourself for your people," he murmured hopelessly, facing the moonless sky. "Your people still believe you can hear them… And I shouldn't be asking you anything today… according to them." He felt bad, but he was desperate. "But… do you have any advice for me?" he begged, feeling the angst in his heart.
I'm so desperate that I'm talking to the moon… and there's no moon here! Zuko rubbed his temples, trying to keep himself calm.
It was then that he felt something weird.
He felt like the entire storm inside him had suddenly… stopped. He was calm. Zuko looked back towards the Central Square. He could still see the lights and the music playing. If he focused enough, he could even hear the people laughing.
Zuko took a deep breath. The words of Sokka, Hakoda, Pakku, and Katara came to his mind. He realized that he really had friends here, in the South Pole; he had people that truly cared about him and really wanted to help him. He couldn't return everything they did for him by running away, leaving them forever and hide.
There is no honor among cowards.
And there was also Aang, who had risked his life to save Zuko's. The firebender agreed with the Elder Ones: if Azula had killed the Avatar, she would tell the whole world, Zuko was sure of it. So, if Aang was still alive, he could only be a prisoner in the Fire Nation.
Zuko took a deep breath, staring out at sea. For the first time since he had arrived here, he made a real decision.
There is no honor among cowards.
Zuko could not become the Fire Lord again, but he was going to rescue the Avatar.
N/A: I'm sorry for the delay, but I really couldn't update the fic earlier. But thank you to those who read, favorited, followed and reviewed the fic! I don't want to let you down with the slow updating, but I truly hope that this chapter will cheer your Sunday!
The lovely vixensheart Beta'ed this chapter! Yeah! (EDIT 08-08-2016: vixensheart just finished betain' the final part of this chapter. The content didn't change!)
So ... what are you guys thinking? Any thought?
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