Hello everyone! Welcome to chapter 9 of Days of Eternal Future! I hope you guys enjoyed the last chapter! I know its been awhile but I'm back with a new chapter! I'm gonna be quick with this intro and get right into it! As always, I do not own Avatar or its characters, but the world is my own. Onto the story!
When Katara discovered a secret hidden from the world, the fate of Zuko Sozin, she was unknown to the fact that would be her same fate. The day she found that picture would change her life forever. And some people don't take this change lightly and will do anything in their power to stop her.
Let's find out!
Chapter 9: Trust
The goodbyes were hard. Katara knew that she could be saying goodbye to her grandmother for the final time. That this goodbye really meant forever. But part of her felt like she owed her grandmother. Once she was in Zuko's world, she was going to find out what happened to her great aunt, even if it took centuries. She whispered to her grandmother as she gave her a final hug. Her Gran Gran smiled at her, a tear in her eye, as she waved them goodbye.
The flight was long. The plane ride seemed to last forever before they finally landed at the airport. Hakoda was there to greet them, asking them how the trip was before Sokka began to ramble on and on about their adventures over the past few days.
Katara and Zuko shared a small smile. They were home.
A few days of passed of beginning to settle back into normal life. Katara spent the days with her friends or family and the nights wrapped into Zuko's side. It had become a pattern, a pattern soon to be broken by summers end.
There were often moments where Katara would sit and think about what was to come. Would the change hurt? Would she even survive it? Was this all for nothing? There was no way of knowing for sure until the moment happened. Her fate was up to the gods.
Some afternoons were spent with Iroh and Zuko, sitting with a cup of iced tea, looking out the back porch into the forest around them. It began to grow late when Katara stood, "I should be getting home, my father will be worried if I'm not back before dark"
Zuko nodded and stood, "I'll walk you home" he told her. He always walked her back home when she visited the cabin. It was another way for him to protect her. Katara smiled and hugged Iroh goodbye before joining Zuko to the door.
The two walked for a while in silence. Katara glanced at Zuko to see something was clearly on his mind. They didn't usually walk to her house. "Penny for your thoughts?" Katara asked him. Zuko had got her to say the old saying.
"What do you think about marriage?" Zuko asked her. Katara gaped for a moment, surprised by the question. "I uhh…" she fumbled with her words for a moment, "I've always wanted to get married one day…" she told him, "Why do you ask?" but she already knew the answer.
Zuko thought for a moment then spoke, as if it were the most natural thing in the world to say, "I want to marry you… Maybe not today or tomorrow… But if you asked me to marry you tomorrow I would…"
"Before the changing…"
Zuko looked at her confused, "What…" was all he could say. Katara continued, "I want my family there… Ever since I was a little girl I always pictured my father and brother walking me down the isle and Suki as my maid of honor… I want that… And if I can't…"
Zuko took her hands and kissed them, "Then that's what we'll do… That doesn't give us a lot of time but… and I still need to get you a ring…"
But Katara cut him off by kissing him, "All I need is you…"
They kept walking and reached her front door. Zuko leaned in and kissed her softly, whispering in her ear, "I won't be able to come by tonight…" Katara looked at him and sighed, but nodding in understanding, "I'll see you tomorrow then…"
Zuko nodded and kissed her once more, "I'll see you tomorrow… fiancé…" he smiled and walked back into the forest where they came.
Katara smiled and walked into her house. Hakoda was sitting at the kitchen table, reading the paper. Katara came in, "Hey dad…" she greeted before walking to the fridge to grab an apple. Hakoda looked at her and smiled, "How was dinner at the Sozins?" he asked her. "Wonderful as always… Iroh is always a joy to be around" she told her father, biting out of the apple. Even though neither Iroh or Zuko ate, Iroh always had dinner ready for her when she arrived and it was always something amazing he made.
Hakoda looked back at the paper, sighing, "There's something I've been meaning to talk to you about…" he told her. Katara sat next to him, "Okay… what is it?" she asked him. He laid down the paper, the headline reading:
KYOSHI HOSPITAL SUED FOR BIZARRE UNRELATED DEATH
Katara read it and frowned, "Is this your case?" she asked her father. Hakoda nodded, "The patient went in for a small concussion and left dead… He had strange bite marks on his neck and shoulders and this isn't the only case of it. 3 other patients died from the same thing and the people at the hospital have no idea why…"
Katara frowned looking at the article. It sounded like a vampire attack… But Zuko would never…
"Now… just today two other people were found on the street with the same bites… So whatever it is, its spreading. They think it's a serial killer…" Hakoda told her, "So I want to give you this…" he handed her a small spray bottle, "Mace… just in case. I know Zuko walks you back from the cabin but anything ever"
Katara cut him off, "Thank you dad…" she smiled and kissed his cheek before going upstairs.
The whole time Katara was getting ready for bed that night she was giddy, not even the news from her father could dampen her mood.. They were going to get married. She was going to be a wife to the man she loved the most.
She was so lost in her thoughts, she jumped when she heard a knock on her window. Katara jumped and turned to see Aang hanging from her window sill where a usual vampire normally hung. She opened the window, confused, "Aang?"
But he quickly responded, "There's something you need to see… Do you trust me?" he asked her. Katara looked at him, even more confused, "Aang what are you talking about?" she asked him. But he repeated, "Do you trust me?"
Katara sighed, "Yes Aang I trust you, now what is this?" she demanded. But again, Aang didn't answer, "You'll find out if you come with me… Trust me…" he held out his hand to her. Katara looked at his hand then looked at him. He had the most sure look on his face and she knew he would never hurt her.
So, she took his hand.
Dun DUN DUUUNNN! Whats going to happen? What does Aang have to show Katara? This chapter was a bunch of different things. From romantic to dramatic! But again I'm sorry for the wait on this chapter but I hope it was worth it! Until next time!
