Calming Ice

Chapter Nine

The ship gave a creaking lurch as it tipped slightly in the waves. The rain pounded on the decks, making an unbearable echoing ring. Princess Azula lay in her bed, hands behind her head as she looked toward the ceiling.

The storm that had started shortly after sundown was still in full tilt though it was nearly midnight. The princess had told her crew to give up in navigating through the storm about an hour ago. Only two helmsmen would stay up through the night. Their only duty was to steer the ship so that they didn't get bombarded and toppled by the great waves. The remaining crewmen were just getting to bed from their tedious task of strapping down anything that could be lost at sea. The last of their footsteps faded away.

Azula rolled to the side, staring at the dim candle on her bedside table. Was the world against her for attempting to capture the Avatar? In all honesty, she longed for her home and palace. She missed having maids and servants. Sure, some of the men would serve her food and drinks, but she truly missed having other women around. She had never noticed.

Her ears strained suddenly. Footsteps against metal were coming closer. 'Who would be so late in getting to bed?' She wondered. 'Normally they'd be in their quarters before I could say "ginseng." Ah, what am I saying? Iroh has poisoned me with his stupid obsession.' Azula waited for the footfalls to turn the corner and fade in the other direction. They didn't. Instead, they stopped right in front of her door. Her eye twitched, making the flame to her candle flicker. A knock sounded at her door.

She stood and pulled open the door, prepared to shoot an angry insult toward anyone that had dared to knock on her door at this hour. She stopped when she saw who it was. There stood Akuzo, dripping wet. His armor was dark with water and his cheeks were pale. He stood straight, but shivered ever so slightly.

"Akuzo?" Azula couldn't help but forget to call him by his title.

"Princess." the captain said, bowing. "I have some news."

"What is it?" She pulled a surprised captain into her room and shut the door behind her. She picked up a stray blanket and wrapped it around his shoulders. Why she was being so kind to him, she didn't know. But he had stood up for her…

"Uh…" Akuzo quickly remembered what he was going to say, fighting back a blush. "We're running low on supplies." He gripped the edges of the blanket tightly, trying not to let his teeth chatter. He was soaked to the bone!

"Where is the closest port?" Azula asked.

"In Okashi, as of right now. Our pos-" Akuzo covered his mouth when he sneezed. "Forgive me." He sniffed. "Our position may change by morning due to the storm. The helmsman predicts a-a-" Again, the captain sneezed.

"A mile change in course." Akuzo completed. He watched in bafflement as the princess opened her top drawer. She turned to him with a handkerchief. "Thank you." He took it and wiped his nose.

"Perhaps we should ride out the storm and then decide where to go." the princess said. Akuzo nodded. There was a slight pause when their eyes met, a mix of gold and caramel brown. Azula was the first to look away. "You should get some rest. You don't want that cold to get any worse." The captain nodded again.

"Thank you, princess." Akuzo bowed again with a stifled sneeze. "I'll get the blanket and kerchief to the laundry." The princess didn't look up until the steel door clicked shut.

Why had she avoided his gaze?

- - - - - - - - - -

I hummed quietly as I sewed the rip in Sokka's pants. The fabric glowed in the firelight of the cave. When the storm struck, we had had no choice but to seek shelter. Aang was practicing his waterbending by drying Appa while my brother sat across from me, munching on a pear. Zuko sat with his back to the wall of the stone cave, staring at the dancing fire. I tied the seam and threw my pant less brother his sewn garment.

"Gee, thanks." His voice was muffled by the fabric over his face.

"You're lucky I even sewed them again." I replied with a smile. I stood and made my way over to the pot on the fire. I stirred the stew and took a taste of it. "Hmmm."

I turned to Zuko. "Busy?" He arched a curious eyebrow. "All I need is a second opinion." I raised the spoon for him to see. He came over to take a taste. I fed it to him, careful not to drip any on his shirt. "Too salty?" I inquired. He shook his head.

"It's good." A smile drifted across my face, causing a small one to come to his.

- - - - - - - - - -

Aang felt his blood boil for the thousandth time that day. He had seen Zuko and Katara share "secret" smiles all day long. They thought no one noticed but they did. He did. He saw the way Katara had giggled about something he'd said and the way her beautiful blue eyes would light up. But he would not let them know he knew.

- - - - - - - - - -

I turned to take the pot off the stove and nearly jumped when I saw Sokka standing there.

"Is it done?" His eyes sparkled in anticipation. I dished him up a bowl, watching him drool with laced fingers. He took it and slurped, almost spitting it out. "HOT!" he screamed. He fell to the floor and writhed, clutching his throat. I rolled my eyes as I handed Zuko his helping.

"Thanks." He replied, taking a seat. He acted as if Sokka wasn't visible. Aang came over and took a bowl with a humongous grin.

"Thanks, Katara." He inhaled the steam. "It smells delicious." The monk stepped over my brother and took a seat on the wall opposite of Zuko. Sokka joined Aang, blowing on the surface of the stew to cool it. He took another bite, followed by another and another. Soon he was just slurping it. I shook my head and sat with Zuko.

"Vis is eally ood, ara." Sokka said, swallowing. He went back to the pot for a second helping. The Avatar gave a nod with a wide grin. We all turned to the campfire when we heard Sokka shriek again. There he was, writhing on the ground, clutching his throat.

"HOT!" I guess his moment of intelligence was over.

- - - - - - - - - -

Akuzo blew his nose into a handkerchief and sneezed violently. He lay back on his pillow. As if on cue, a healer came into the room with a small drawstring bag and a cup. He pulled a stool up to the bed and felt the captain's forehead without a word. He checked his pulse and looked at his eyes.

"This tea," he said, pulling a bundle of herbs from his bag, "Three times a day for the next two days should do it. Don't get out of bed until tomorrow." It appeared the healer wasn't very talkative because he left quickly, not shutting the door behind him.

Akuzo sighed and was about to sit up to fix his medicine when someone pushed him back in the bed by his shoulder. "You heard the healer." His eyes widened as he watched none other than Princess Azula pour water over the herb bundle. She used firebending to heat it. She set the cup down and propped the captain up on his pillows. What was she doing? Was she helping him? More importantly, why was she helping him?

"Princess, you really don't have to help me. I'm-" Akuzo cut himself off with a sneeze.

"I've already given the command to go to the port, so I don't have anything else to do." Azula replied dazedly, removing the bundle from the cup. She handed it to him and sat on the edge of his bed. Akuzo nearly choked when he saw her get so close to him voluntarily. He gave a small cough and sipped his tea. He looked toward his bedspread and a silence began.

"You can call me Azula, you know."

"What?"

"Azula." the princess repeated, locking her gaze with his. "It's my name." Akuzo's jaw was slack in surprise. Of course he knew it was her name! He only called her "princess" because it was her title. Another silence ensued.

"Thank you." Akuzo said suddenly. "It's nice of you to help." He gave a weak smile before his twitching nose sent him into a sneezing fit. Azula couldn't help but smile.

- - - - - - - - - -

I woke bright and early the next morning. The sun was barely over the horizon. Glancing around the cave, I saw only Sokka was left in his sleeping bag. I crawled out of my own and exited the tent to see what Zuko and Aang were up to.

The crystal sand beneath my toes was warm and welcoming. I trudged along the sand dunes of the beach, untying my braid in the process. Knots were untangled by my fingers. My eyes scanned the water's edge for the boys. I was surprised to find no one I sight. Were they training in the prairie grass? That would be pretty stupid. 'Oh, let's set the grass on fire! It'll be-'

My thoughts were cut short as a strong pair of arms pulled me into the grass. My captor and I fell over, my back to his chest. I turned over to see Zuko staring at me with a wide smile on his face. "Morning, 'Tara." he whispered in my ear. I felt my spine tingle in the way he said it. Feather light lips brushed a kiss on my forehead.

"Morning." I said, trying to sit up. He kept a firm grip on my waist.

"What's the rush?"

"I was looking for you and Aang."

"So?" Zuko asked innocently. He looked like a small child with his innocent look on.

"Do you know where he is?" I tried to keep a serious tone. I could tell Zuko was trying to make me laugh. I wouldn't give him that satisfaction no matter how funny he looked.

"Well, I think your son migh-" I shoved him lightly in the chest. A chuckle escaped him. "I don't know. He probably went searching for something to eat. He can't eat meat all the time if he hasn't before." I nodded. "So will you stay?"

"What?"

"Will you stay and watch the sunrise with me?" His copper eyes were begging me. A smile danced its way onto my face.

"Sure." I answered. Zuko pulled me back down with him, resting my head on his muscular chest. His arms wrapped around me as we looked at the rays of light rise higher and higher in the sky. I felt myself blushing, wondering how I'd ever gotten this close to the Prince of the Fire Nation. Not that he was a prince anymore…

Zuko kissed my forehead again, making me look up. Our eyes seemed like they were glued together in an entranced swirl of copper and blue. His face inched closer to mine and our eyes fluttered closed. Our lips met softly, and then began their passionate dance.

"Katara!" My eyes shot open.

- - - - - - - - - -

A/N: Ooooo! A cliffy! Sorry to tick you off, but this seemed like the perfect place to end it.