Patience: Since I'm feeling so generous and I'm in a good mood, I'm going to update sooner than usual.
Zuko: OMG! Stop the presses! Patience Halliwell updates more than once in two weeks.
Katara: Zuko, be nice.
Patience: It's ok, Katara. Zuko won't get a kiss from you if that's how he feels.
Zuko: Why would I want to kiss someone like her? She's ugly.
Katara: I'm ugly? You're the one with the giant ketchup stain on your pale face.
Zuko: You little wench.
Katara: Don't call me a wench, you cockroach.
Patience: We will let them fight. For now, just read the next chapter.
You Can Tell Me Anything
Katara watched the great Northern Water Tribe disappear behind the sea as the ship sailed away from the tall walls. It had only taken a week for Katara to master waterbending from her grandfather. He had stated that she had been the most skilled student he had ever taught and that she was also the quickest study. Zuko decided not to linger in the city, for he had to search for the Avatar again. They left the day after Katara had been pronounced the first female waterbending master.
The only thing that bothered Katara now was the secrets that she kept, including the one about her most recent conversation with Pakku. She replayed the last day with him in her mind over and over again.
Katara and Pakku stood facing each other, both breathing very hard. They had been dueling for almost and hour as the other defeated students watched. Pakku had to smile. He had never had this much fun fighting since he had been enlisted in the war, neither had he ever had a formidable opponent as such as his granddaughter. Pakku finally struck with a blast of water from a near water fountain. It surrounded Katara and made a sphere of water. Zuko, who was also watching, feared that his companion would drown, but he was mistaken. Katara tore through the water sphere and sent it back at Pakku, pushing him back to a wall and freezing him there. The audience's applause proved that the battle was over.
Pakku fell free as Katara fell to the ground from exhaustion. After arriving at her side, the great waterbender helped her up with a smile. "You performed wonderfully. I'm completely drained. It looks like I have been defeated by Master Katara." Katara smiled in thanks as she tried to walk, but she collapsed in her grandfather's arms. "It appears you have spent your energy too." He picked her up bridal styled and carried her away from the crowd to the healer huts.
After Katara had regained her strength from the night's sleep, she joined her grandfather on his balcony to watch the sunrise. It had been so long since she had seen the beautiful colors reflect on the snow and ice. She felt that she could stay forever, but she had her obligations.
"I understand that you must leave today," Pakku said. "I wish you could stay."
"I wish I could also," Katara replied, "but I am under Zuko's…care. It would be rude to abandon him." She couldn't find it in herself to tell Pakku that she was his prisoner. Besides, she didn't feel like Zuko's prisoner anymore. Their relation had grown to more than that. She sighed and continued. "Still, I will be sad to go. I have so many questions for you and my heritage."
"If the Moon and Water Spirits wish it, you will learn. For now, you know what you need to know." He turned to his granddaughter. "Your eyes are full of trouble. What are you hiding?"
"I have a question for you." Katara took a deep breath. "I know what our tradition is, but can I possibly change my destiny and avoid tradition." Pakku hugged her tightly. She knew what he was thinking. She wanted to be with Zuko, but that was impossible. How could a waterbender and a firebender be together?
"Like I said, if the Moon and Water Spirits permit it." He started to walk away when she spoke one more time.
"Master Pakku, I need to know if the Avatar has been here." Pakku turned to her with curiosity. He must have been wondering why she would ask that, but he didn't need a reason.
"No, I haven't heard from him. I'm sure he is still making his way here." Katara sighed half-relief and half-disappointment. She was glad that they would leave and Aang wouldn't be captured, but she longed to see him again. She bowed to her grandfather as she made her way past him. Then she did something surprising. She embraced him as tears ran down her cheeks.
"Thank you, grandfather, and goodbye."
That was the last thing she had said to him. She kept thinking about her position on Aang. She didn't want Zuko to capture Aang, but she felt guilty for not telling him the truth. She had told him that the Avatar had been long gone since their arrival. After that, she spent time thinking to herself on the ship deck.
She looked down and felt her mother's necklace. Why did Zuko give this to me? she wondered. He said it was for good luck, but that doesn't make sense. Has he finally grown a heart? She was interrupted when she heard footsteps approaching her. She turned to find Zuko in a robe. He was also holding another robe in his hands. He walked behind her and wrapped it around her.
"It's getting cold," he stated.
"Thank you," Katara replied. They stood next to each other without saying a word for five minutes. Neither could think of anything to say until Zuko broke the silence.
"I see you are wearing your necklace again."
"Yes. Thank you. I am very grateful." Zuko huffed and crossed his arms.
"Don't read into it too much. It's not like I'm asking you to marry me. I only gave it back because I found it. You should watch your things so you don't lose them." Katara smiled. It was like him to put on a tough face and hide his feelings. "So it was your mother's then?" Katara nodded and turned away from his view. When she spoke, Zuko could hear the sadness in her voice.
"My mother gave it to me before she died. You see, when I was eight, our village was raided by Fire Nation soldiers. We didn't know why they came. I suppose they were just looking for areas to conquer. My mother, the only one brave enough to stand up to them, was captured by them. They threatened to destroy the village, but she begged them to take her instead. She promised to do their bidding. They dragged her to the center of our village and tied her to a stake. I never cried so much in my life. She told me to be brave and follow my heart. Then they…they…" She couldn't bring herself to say the ending of the tragic story. Zuko slowly turned her around and saw that her eyes were full of tears.
"Katara, I…" What could he possibly say to make her feel better? He felt awful that his nation did this to her mother. How could he ever make it up to her? Katara wiped away her tears and looked to the side.
"I don't know why I said that," she sobbed. "I'm sure you don't want to hear about my problems. My past is probably pathetic to you." Zuko lifted her chin to look into her eyes.
"Katara, don't you ever say that. I can't believe you would think of hiding anything like that from me. You can tell me anything. I will always be here for you." That was when she lost it. She threw herself into him, letting her cries out into his chest as he hugged her. He couldn't help but cry for her silently. His people had caused her so much pain. He wanted to protect her. He decided that he would never let anyone hurt her again.
How was that? I bet you thought Katara and Zuko were going to kiss. I'm going to wait on that one. Coming soon, Zuko and Katara run into some trouble at a marketplace. Zuko also finds out about the fate of the North Pole. I hope you guys liked it. It might be awhile before another update. I just had it in me to write something. Keep the reviews coming. Cya.
