Chapter 5
It had been a long day, more hectic than she could have imagined. Katara had been on her feet all day with no time to drink water, let alone eat lunch. Exhausted, she made her way to Zuko's office. The two guards stationed outside politely blocked the entrance. But Katara was in no mood to explain herself.
"Zuko!" she called out rather loudly. "Get out here...NOW."
The guards looked at her in shock and shuffled in their spots nervously, unsure of how to react to the water bender's tone or words. Before long, the door opened and an embarrassed but grinning Zuko came out.
"It's alright, let her in", he spread his arms out as if laying a carpet to welcome the impatient girl that stood glaring at his guards. "And for your own safety, don't stop her the next time she wants to come see me."
Katara rolled her eyes and stomped inside but not without a final frown at the squeamish guards. She heard Zuko chuckle as he followed her in and closed the door.
"For spirit's sake, Katara. Have some pity on those men."
"It's your fault. You should have informed them of who I am so they would know better than to stop me from coming into your office."
"And what should I have told them...of who you are to me…", Zuko leaned against his desk, folding his arms in front of his chest.
He immediately cursed inwardly at his words.
You are an embarrassment, Zuko. One would think a king would be better at watching what he says.
"Looks like Toph has been a bad influence on you", Katara snorted and walked over.
"It's been a long day, Zuko. I need a break...and clearly", she tilted her head towards the pile of papers on his desk, "you could use one too."
"What do you want to do?"
Katara's face lit up. She clapped her hands together and nearly squealed her response.
"Let's see the garden you wrote about first!"
"You're sixteen, Katara. Sixteen", he smiled and shook his head at the girl who was presently jumping in excitement.
"I'm also a waterbending master who can water whip you in front of your guards if you don't shut up and take me to the garden this very moment.'
Zuko scowled. He knew very well that Katara would do it too, just to prove her point. But her smug expression, flared his pride. He caught her hands and held them tight.
"I don't think you can do that, if you don't have your hands", Zuko returned her smug expression.
Katara frowned and then a smirk spread across her face. She swiped her foot and the cold stale tea on Zuko's desk rose up. With another swipe of her feet, the tea travelled to Zuko and hovered over his head. Zuko glanced at it in astonishment.
"Katara, don't you dare…"
"Release my hands then", she grinned.
"How on earth did you even do this with your feet?"
"You're not the only one who can adapt other bending styles to your element you know", Katara wiggled her eyebrows up and down.
"I'm impressed. Now will you please put the tea back in the cup."
"Only if you let go first."
"And how do I know that you won't drop it on my head as soon as I let go?"
"You'll just have to take a chance, now won't you?" Katara grinned.
"Fine!" Zuko closed his eyes and grunted.
He released her hands and opened one eye cautiously to check on the floating tea. It was gone. He sighed in relief prompting Katara to let out a loud laugh.
"If only your subjects could see their mighty Firelord, reduced to a nervous boy...by tea."
"Why you little…"
"Ow!" Katara yelped as he pinched her arm.
"Serves you right."
She pinched him back and much harder.
"Ow!" he scowled.
"Serves you right!"
Before he could return the pinch, Katara caught his arms and held it by her sides, firmly.
"Enough of this childish behavior", she whined. "We can keep pinching each other or we can finally go to the garden and make the most of this precious little break. You decide!"
Zuko's heart stopped and his stomach dropped to his feet. His arms were almost around Katara, albeit in an awkward death grip that she maintained to prevent him from pinching her. If he leaned in, they would be mere inches apart.
"How about I choose option number three?" He let go of his inhibitions and smiled.
"Wait, what is option three?"
"That we stay here...like this", he looked down at his arms. "You can keep scolding me if you like."
Katara felt her heart jump. It was then she realized the situation. If he leaned in, they would be mere inches apart. As if reading her mind, Zuko raised his eyebrows in amusement.
"Ugh...so the garden…", Katara laughed in resignation and released his arms.
"Yeah….alright. Let's get you to the garden before you destroy my office or something." He straightened himself and offered her his arm.
"I can't wait to see it", she smiled as she intertwined her arm in his.