Disclaimer: refer to ch.1

Chapter 10: The Answer

The three were walking to the gang's house just shy of midday, and the two younger members were each preoccupied. It was quite obvious to Iroh that the two's minds were elsewhere as they walked down the street, but he was content to let them work these things out on their own. He would give advice if it was asked for, but he wouldn't tell them what to do. No, the affairs of the heart had to be handled by one's own hands; no other should do anymore than give emotional support, and if needed the occasional nudge.

Zuko's mind raced with the possibilities of what would happen the next time that he talked to Katara. There was the chance that she would simply need more time to think, and while not usually patient, he would give her time. He wasn't exactly sure what it was about her, but there was something that messed with him. She could make him so angry at times yet he couldn't hang on to that anger like he could with other people. It was similar to his uncle; he couldn't stay mad at either of them for prolonged periods of time. Then there were times where he'd feel so content around her, particularly while practicing. He'd not felt anything like that since before he was banished.

Of course, there was the chance of Katara refusing his offer, and this both angered and frightened him. Why would it frighten him? He hated feeling scared because he had always learned that it was a sign of weakness. Then again, why would she refuse him? He mentally scoffed at that question. There were plenty of reasons. They had been enemies, he had tried to capture her friend repeatedly, they were from nations of the opposite elements, and his scar. Would she really not want to be seen with him because of the disfiguring mark on his face? He shook his head to clear it. He needed to stop thinking about it so hard; he was getting one of those blasted headaches again.

Aang's mind was buzzing with a similar line of thought. He had to find a way of convincing Katara to reject Zuko's offer, and go with him. As well his mind was drifting to what that night would be like. He would dance with her in the center of the grand dance floor until they were too tired to keep going. They would walk along one of the ramparts enjoying the cool breeze. He'd skillfully direct them toward a bench under the moon, and there he would declare his love for her. It would be perfect!

They arrived at the house, and the two firebenders followed Aang in, finding only the two girls. Sokka was nowhere to be found, and it didn't appear to worry the two too much. He would probably come running as soon as he remembered that food was being served.

"Hey Katara, hey Toph!" Aang said as he went to place his staff in his room.

"Good day, how are you two doing?" Iroh asked smiling at the two. "What is that scrumptious aroma?"

Toph smirked, "That would be lunch, old man. You seem to have a knack for showing up right in time for meals just like Sokka."

While the two talked and laughed, Zuko went to the doorway leading to the kitchen to find Katara working at finishing the group's meal. She lifted the wok that she had a good portion of the meal in from the fire, and began to scoop it into a serving bowl. The size was a bit too much and she began lose her control of the iron bowl. Zuko rushed forward and grabbed the wok steadying it. Katara looked over her shoulder to see his face mere inches from hers. Catching her look he became aware of how they were standing and did his best to hide the warmth creeping up to cheeks. When he'd moved forward he'd reached around her lithe frame, and his front came almost flush against her back.

He moved to the side, still holding the wok, and let her finish her work. Neither spoke as they went about setting the food out on the table. Aang had joined Toph and Iroh in the common room, his eyes darting about looking for Katara. He saw her come out of the kitchen with Zuko, each carrying items to the table.

"Katara! Hey, I got something to ask you." He said as he came up to her. He glanced at the older boy. "In private."

"Um, alright." She said, and led him to the kitchen.

Zuko watched them go, curious as to what it was that the young monk was going to ask of her. One didn't need to look too closely to see that he had a crush on the older girl, but Zuko also saw that she did not share his romantic interests. He assumed that Katara thought of Aang as a best friend or little brother. Though these thoughts couldn't stop the irritation he felt as the two disappeared through the doorway.

Once they were in the kitchen Katara turned toward her friend. She asked, "So what did you want to talk to me about?"

Aang gave a shy smile as he said, "I was wondering about the ball in a few days. I was thinking that we could go together. I've got those robes from the greeting party that King Loki had, and you could wear the dress they gave you."

Katara blinked and replied, "Oh, I guess they didn't tell you. Zuko asked me to the ball this morning, and I've decided to go with him. I even got a new dress that Iroh convinced me to get when we were at that town a few days ago. Wait till you see it. I wasn't really sure about spending some of the money on it, but it's such a pretty dress."

Aang had pretty much stopped listening to her words after the part about deciding to accept Zuko's offer. He was too late. Wasn't he good enough for her? Hadn't they been getting rather close over the last few months? He remembered that Aunt Wu had told Katara that she would be in a great romance and would marry a powerful bender. He was the Avatar, didn't that make him the most powerful bender? He thought about the times he had gone into the avatar state. During those moments he had the power of all the Avatars, or was it that the power of all the Avatars had his body? He remembered the look she had given him in the desert, one of sadness and remorse.

Aang considered Zuko at that point. He was adequate as a bender, one of the more powerful firebenders he had faced. He remembered all their fights. The time at the abbey had possibly been their most climatic encounter, and had shown that they had been actually equal. Although that had been when Aang had only really known airbending. Now he was curious how the prince would fair in a fight against him without being restricted to just firebending. Aang smiled at the thought of the older boy being frozen and sent flying. The daydream Katara would come running and throw her arms around him, showering him with praise.

The real Katara took his smile as a sign of approval and happiness. She gave him a quick hug of thanks and walked out into the other room. In her mind Aang was happy for her, and that was a good sign. She didn't know exactly why, but she had almost expected him to react kind of like her brother had. Then again, he hadn't reacted like Sokka had to her small infatuation with Jet, but Aang had been more caught up in the tree mounted hideout. He was just a twelve-year-old boy after all.

As they ate lunch Iroh was telling them of how he and his nephew had been offered a small house on one of the lower rings of the inner city. The two would move in that afternoon, hopefully with little incident from their new neighbors. This was all just a temporary arrangement anyway to last until they were to leave for the battle against the forces of the Fire Nation, of Ozai.

Aang was unnaturally quiet throughout the meal, something Iroh caught onto. He noticed how the boy had made sure to sit between Katara and Zuko as they had all sat down. Sadly there was nothing he could do to prevent the older boy from sitting in the seat across from her. Iroh also caught the glances that his nephew and Katara would occasionally give each other. He had a bad feeling about this situation, and unfortunately too many of his bad feelings turned out to be justified.

Zuko aided Katara in clearing the table and the washing of the dishes. Aang had tried to do so, but Toph had told him to prepare for his earthbending practice. Katara was washing the dishes; using her bending to help out a bit while Zuko would dry them.

"So, have you come to a decision about what I asked you earlier?" Zuko asked.

She looked at him with and a small smile grew as she said, "As a matter of fact I have. You can actually thank my lovable but irritating brother for helping me to decide." At his confused expression her smile grew a little more. "He got me to realize what I want, and I want to go with you."

Hs eyes widened slightly and a smile formed on his face. She felt a stirring in her gut as she saw his mouth curve upwards. He so rarely did that. He would smirk, he would quirk the edge of his lips in a forced or faked grin, but this was different. This was a real full-fledged smile born of joy, possibly the first she had ever seen on him.

Not feeling like being alone for the afternoon while the two twelve year olds practiced at the arena, Katara, Momo on her shoulder, went along with the two to help them move into their new house. They told Iroh of her decision, and he expressed his pleasure at hearing that. He began to tell tales of his time with his late wife. Katara reveled hearing how the old man still spoke with such affection for the lady so many years after her death. She wished for the same kind of love for herself, although she wished to be alive to share that love. Zuko just kept quiet, reminiscing about the better times with their family was something Zuko wouldn't deny his uncle.

After picking up their limited belongings from their quarters at the palace, and left to find the house they'd been given. Bumi had made sure they received a map with the directions, which they were truly grateful for when they made it to the lower ring. People were hustling about hurriedly, and there were plenty of them. Compared to the upper rings this was much more like the outer city. It took them almost half an hour to find the house as Iroh had stopped to inquire about the selection at a local teahouse. Finally, they arrived at the small two-bedroom house.

As they opened the door they saw that the house was furnished with the basics. They quickly set about opening windows to let in the sun and air out the dusty smell of the place. The two men placed their packs in their respective rooms and came out to find Katara rummaging through a small closet, pulling out a couple brooms and rags. She immediately began handing out supplies and assignments. Iroh took the orders good naturedly, accepting his broom, but Zuko tried to question why she thought she was in charge, only to be silenced by a rag thrown in his face.

"You really shouldn't argue about these things, nephew. We should be grateful that she is helping us." Iroh commented.

Zuko sighed, removing the rag from his face, "I know and I am, but she just took over like that. Besides, why do I have to do the dusting?"

His uncle smiled, "You're the only one tall enough to reach some of the places that need it."

Zuko rolled eyes and quietly got to work.