Paper Clouds
Chapter Ten
By MiaVortice
*All Standard Disclaimers Apply: This is a work of fiction.
"Ambassador Sokka." Another knock came from his door and the man sprawled across his bed, on his stomach let out a tired groan to acknowledge it. "Ambassador Sokka, are you awake?"
His heavy eyes opened and rolled over, turning his head towards the door. "Katara?" That was odd. Usually, his sister would simply enter his room and bend water on his face until he got up.
"Ambassador Sokka, Miss Katara sent me to wake you for breakfast!" The man pushed himself into a sitting position and furrowed his brows.
"What?" he grumbled. She hadn't done that before. Kicking his sheets off him, he quickly changed his clothes and headed to the wash basin. After a few splashes of water and a quick dry with a clean towel, he rushed to shove on his boots and came out of his villa.
"Good morning, Ambassador," a green and gold clad servant bowed as he stepped outside. "Breakfast is now being served."
"Where is my sister?" Sokka asked instead. The servant remained bowing.
"Miss Katara is sparing with His Highness, Prince Zuko in the eastern courtyard, Ambassador. I was sent at her request to wake you for breakfast."
"Sparing?" Sokka raised a brow. At least their grandfather would be pleased to know that she wasn't letting her waterbending skills dull. "Take me to the eastern courtyard. I'll pick up my sister on the way to the dining hall."
"Yes, Ambassador." The servant stood up straight and turned around, walking a few steps in front of the brown-haired young man as they wove through the numerous paths, gardens, halls, and courts to finally get to a wide, open courtyard.
Sokka could hear the sound of water roaring and fire crackling before he actually saw them. He emerged into the open hall overlooking the large courtyard and saw the two people circling each other in the center of the stone paved yard. Guards flanking the steps, one on each side of the courtyard, that lead down to the court remained motionless and trusting that the two benders would not accidentally injure them.
Around the open hall, on the level where he stood behind a wooden railing, numerous courtiers and various staff had stopped to watch the Fire Nation prince and the Water Tribe prodigy battle it out.
Sokka narrowed his eyes. Zuko was good...far better than he had expected, Sokka realized. He matched Katara's pace well, despite their different styles. Zuko was more aggressive, but Katara's offenses were impeccable. The ambassador leaned forward against the railing, analyzing the two different styles.
Zuko really must've been Azula's brother. Their styles had the same basic foundation. Sokka had seen the princess spar with Katara before and while her blue fire was more impressive and calculated, it didn't flow with Katara's bending as well as Zuko's. His style was a bit more free and thus, open to adaptation, whereas Azula's was more formal and rigid.
As a result, Zuko was able to not only keep up with Katara - an acknowledged prodigy, but put her on the offensive more than just a few times. Sokka furrowed his brows. Was Zuko a firebending master?
In the courtyard, the two took a moment to readjust their stances and collect themselves in preparation for another bout.
"Your brother is up there," Zuko said as his chest rose and fell with a heavy breath. "It must be time for breakfast."
Katara stood several paces from him, sweat sliding down the sides of her face as she relished the burning feeling of oxygen filling her lungs after such a fight. "Breakfast? Are you so tired that you're going to try to distract me?" she smirked.
He raised a brow. "I'm not the one flushed and panting."
"I'm not panting, I'm trying to calm myself," Katara countered. She lifted her arms. "I can still go on."
"The one who becomes tired first loses," Zuko pointed out smugly before rushing forward.
Katara adjusted her foot, realigning her shoulders over her hips as she prepared for the attack. Zuko jumped and kicked, sending a small vortex of fire towards her. Her arms flew down at her sides and then quickly rose, commanding water from the surrounding clay jars that lined the courtyard.
"You guys!" a voice exclaimed. The two benders barely heard the exasperated cry before a swift gust of water dissipated Zuko's attack. Cracking was heard as the water Katara had pulled up suddenly froze in the middle of the offensive movement.
Zuko landed several paces from the waterbender and turned to his right. Aang was jogging towards them from one of the set of steps. The firebender's lips tightened as he stood up straight.
"What is it?" he asked. He could see Katara approaching from the corner of his eye. "Is something wrong?"
"Didn't you hear me calling you?" Aang asked as he reached them.
"We were concentrated," Zuko offered. "What's going on?"
"I know I haven't asked much of you to since he arrived," Aang began hesitantly. "But today, with the prayers and the temple visits, I'm short on time."
"What do you need us to do?" Katara asked brightly. "We are here to aid you, too, you know."
Aang nodded, but still remained reluctant. He had to be careful what he asked of Katara, so as not to add unnecessary pressure on her vision. "I have to go to Lake Laogai with the imperial priests. I'll be back in time for the procession to start, but Appa needs to be prepared. He had a special saddle and garlands that the temple has prepared for the celebration," he explained. "But you know Appa. He's kind of sensitive about who grooms him. I think he'll feel more comfortable if one of you is with him when they're preparing him."
"I can do that," Zuko volunteered immediately. "At what time should I go to the stables?"
"The preparations will happen in the central courtyard," Aang said. "The handlers will bring him there."
"Then I'll meet them there," Zuko asserted.
"Do you need me to go, as well?" Katara asked. Aang shook his head.
"I just wanted at least one of you there for Appa," he said. "Oh, but the Queen is waiting for you in the dining hall. She would like to speak to you."
"Me?" Katara asked. She glanced at Zuko, giving him a slightly concerned look before turning back to Aang. "Did she say why?"
"Nevermind that," Zuko said as he ushered her towards the stairs. "You cannot keep the Queen waiting."
"Right!" Katara nodded dumbly as she made a beeline towards the steps. "I'll meet you both at breakfast!" she called over her shoulder as she rushed off.
As she disappeared up the stairs, Zuko raised his arm to beckon a servant who had been standing to the side, holding his outer robes.
"Do you know what time I need to be there?" he asked the Avatar as he gave the servant a small, acknowledging nod of his head before gathering the robe and draping it over one arm. The sparring had gotten his blood pumping and he was still heated.
"The Queen said that she will have someone send for you once the preparations begin," Aang told him. He tilted his head to the side and looked at the firebender curiously. "How long have you two been out here?"
"Since dawn," Zuko said. A low grumble filled the air between them and his cheeks reddened slightly. Aang let out a muffled chuckle. "I suppose it is time for breakfast."
"There is still plenty," Aang replied as they made their way up the steps. "Katara's brother hasn't seemed to have arrived, yet, either."
They reached the top of the stairs and enthusiastic clapping could be heard from hall, to their left. Both young men turned in the direction of the clapping and saw a smiling Water Tribe Ambassador eagerly rushing forward to greet them.
"I heard you were a firebender, but wow," Sokka beamed. "I have to say, that was pretty impressive. Are you a master?"
"No," Zuko answered quickly as gave Sokka a nod, but continued down the hall. "I haven't been tested for such a rank," he answered calmly.
"You should look into it," Sokka suggested as he followed behind them. "I'm not a bender, but I know ability when I see it. Very few can match my sister's pace. I see her time away hasn't deteriorated her skill any less."
"You don't have to worry about that," Aang assured him. Zuko nodded in agreement as he held out his outer robes and easily slide his arms through. "Katara practices often, even when we're traveling."
Sokka chuckled and nodded. "That's good to hear. I can't really expect anything less of her, though. She's always been very diligent in her bending."
They turned a corner and stepped through a tall set of wooden double doors that led into the dining hall where they had breakfast. Katara was seated to the right of the Earth Queen and was nodding as Queen June seemed to explain something to her.
As the three young men entered, the black-haired woman raised her head and gave them all a small nod as they stopped at the end of the table and bowed respectfully before proceeding further.
"Good morning, Prince Zuko. Ambassador Sokka," the royal greeted. "Please join us for breakfast."
"Thank you, Your Highness," Zuko and Sokka replied as they stood up. They rounded the table and Zuko barely caught himself from circling to the side where Katara sat.
Obviously, Sokka, her brother, would be the one to take that seat. Not him. Silently, he moved to the other side, opting instead to sit across from her.
"The high priests are waiting for me in the lower court," Aang told them. "I will see you all later tonight."
"Thank you for your blessings, Avatar," the Queen nodded to him once before, allowing for Aang to bow a second time and then leave. "Now, as I was saying," the older woman told the waterbender. "As the daughter of the Southern Tribe's chief, I would be most honored for you to join me in today's cleansing rituals before the procession."
"I would be most honored, Your Highness," Katara replied. "But there was a request of the Avatar's that I wished to do."
Zuko looked up from his plate. A servant was on either side of him; one pouring him some tea and the other placing some food on his plate. His lips tightened.
"If this is about Appa, I had volunteered to meet the handlers in the courtyard," he told her. "Both of us aren't necessary, Katara. You should join the Queen," he urged.
Katara looked hesitant and Queen June pressed. "I assure you, you will of course have time to prepare for the procession tonight."
Katara let out a slow, low breath and finally smiled. "Alright, I'd be happy to accompany you, your highness."
"Wonderful," the older woman acknowledged. "I've already selected a wonderful set of robes I think you'll enjoy." A small snicker escaped her brother's lips, knowing her sister wasn't very much into formal dress.
"But, not to worry, Ambassador and your highness, as well," the queen's red lips tugged into a smug smirk. "I've had some prepared for you, as well."
Considering what he had seen Sokka prepare to wear to the procession, Zuko had silently thanked the queen for her pre-emptive fashion intrusion. They all had clothes for travel and some functional court robes, but nothing for a highly formal procession through the city.
All the robes they had been provided fit well and had been designed to match their nation of origin. Sokka's robes were blue and he wore his own animal pelt over it as a personal touch, Zuko's robes were red and black with gold embroidery, and Aang was wearing orange. Katara had yet to arrive to the courtyard, but the banished prince figured she would be wearing something similar to her brother.
"We're going to be riding on this?" the said man's voice asked in awe. Zuko stood the side, holding back an amused smile as he watched Katara's brother look up at the large, flying bison wearing garlands of gold and red flowers and a new, elaborate saddle complete with a roof and tassels.
Aang nodded enthusiastically as he scratched Appa's chin. The Avatar was dressed in bright orange robes, beads, and a hat usually reserved for festivities for Airbenders. His clothing was far more elaborate for that festival night.
"Yes! Appa will take part in the procession. I'll go all the way to the agrarian fields with them," Aang explained.
Sokka eyed the beast suspiciously. "Then...he's not going to fly?"
"Not until afterwards," the young avatar replied. "You're welcomed to stay on board with us, though!"
The ambassador looked torn. Part of him wanted to take Aang up on his offer and then have a chance to fly on the bison. However, another part of him felt he should stay with his sister. Katara wouldn't be disembarking until they were in the middle tier and who knew what she would see then?
"Katara isn't going all the way down," Sokka said aloud. "I think I should stay with her when we reach the middle ring and go back."
"Don't let me hold you back, Sokka," a voice said behind him. The three men waiting with the sky bison in the large, open court in front of the palace turned around. "When's the next time you'll get a chance to ride a sky bison?"
"There you are!" Sokka exclaimed as he threw his arms into the air dramatically. "We've been waiting forever for you! Where have you been?" Katara sent him a tired look as she carefully approached them. Her shoes were elevated - a new style, the Earth Queen had assured her, but it was not one she was used to.
Katara had spent some time carefully walking in the embroidered, elevated slippers. She swore it had taken her twice as long to get to the courtyard because of the careful steps she had to take. The layers of even more heavily embroidered silk robes made the task a bit trickier. Still, she hadn't fallen flat on her face yet. She supposed the robes and the elaborately coiled and pinned hairstyle she had been given helped. They at least forced her to maintain a proper posture, which helped her balance.
Bending would be difficult, but she doubted she'd actually need to that night. At the most, she'd be walking and she wouldn't be in any rush.
"Did you forget? You were there when we were having breakfast. I was accompanying Her Highness, Queen June, for the day in preparation for the festival," Katara sighed heavily. "Don't you ever listen?"
"I do, but I didn't think you'd be gone the whole day," Sokka added. "I had a whole bowl of lychee and no one to help me peel them."
A pair of blue, deadpan eyes gave him a look. "Thank you for thinking of me," she muttered drolly. She reached their side and lifted her hand to playfully rub Appa's face. "But look at you, Appa. Don't you look handsome in your fancy new saddle!"
The air bison let out a snort and seemed pleased with the compliment. Aang chuckled as he finished looking over the saddle attachments. He bended some air beneath him and effortlessly hopped atop of the massive beast.
"Speaking of fancy," a voice said from Appa's other side. Katara craned her head around the furry creature and saw a curious-looking golden-eyed man peering from the other side. "Did you grow taller?"
Katara let out a snort and grasped the fabric of her outer blue robes. She tugged it up just enough to reveal the elevated slippers she was wearing. "Instant height," she grinned as she lifted up one foot and wiggled it around to show just how high the platforms were. "I think I'm taller than you now."
Zuko jerked his head back and gave her an indignant scoff. "You're going to need bigger shoes."
She tried to place her foot back down on to the brick floor only to waver in her stance and suddenly teeter to the side. Her eyes widened as her hands released her robes and flew to her sides in an attempt to steady herself. The weight of the heavy fabric tugged her down, further knocking her off balance, and Katara inwardly grimace.
She wasn't sure if she was more concerned about embarrassing herself with her clear clumsiness or that she'd ruin the finely embroidered robes she was borrowing. They were part of the royal collection and she was sure that she wouldn't be able to pay for them with her carefully budgeted travel funds.
A pair of arms slid beneath hers as she fell back. She felt a solid, but most importantly, sturdy body behind her that kept her steady and on her feet. He remained where he was, waiting for her to regain her footing.
"You didn't see that," she muttered as her feet settled on the ground and she regained her balance.
Zuko chuckled behind her, still holding her up by the elbows after he had rushed to her the moment he saw her about to fall. "Are you sure you can walk like that?"
"I just need to walk a bit slower," Katara assured him proudly. In front of them, Sokka began trying to climb up the side of the air bison by grasping at the animal's thick fur and pulling himself up.
"Is that why you took so long?" her brother grunted as his feet fought for a place to climb.
"Aang," Katara sighed as she watched her brother flail and then suddenly just slide to the ground against the beast. "Can you help, Sokka?"
"Sure!" the Avatar nodded as he moved his hands in a circle and extended his arms, lifting Sokka up with a gust of air
"Ahhh!" As expected, unused to the airbending, Sokka continued to flail as he was lifted off the ground and up towards the saddle. Frantically, he grasped for the edge and pulled himself against it before the air holding him vanished.
Zuko and Katara watched with unimpressed eyes as the young Ambassador barely managed to pull himself over the edge of the saddle and land ungracefully with a thud on it.
"He's never been the most elegant person," Katara admitted.
Zuko snorted. "Clearly," he muttered. "Alright, your turn," he said. He moved to Appa's head and scratched him gently against the chin. "Can you crouch down to let her on?" he asked.
Appa let out a gruff snort and bent his knees. Above them, they heard Sokka yelp as he was tossed around with the movement. "Sokka, just sit down and hold on!" Katara scolded from the ground. "You're going to fall off!"
"He's going too fast!"
"He's not going anywhere," Aang pointed out.
Zuko lifted his hand to summon some servants who were standing to the side. "Bring a step ladder for Lady Katara," he instructed.
"I can climb," Katara said, taking a step forward. "Just give me a boost."
"Not in those shoes," Zuko told her firmly. "You'll twist your ankle and fall. Just wait for the step ladder."
As much as she wanted to disagree with him, she knew he was right. Katara crossed her arms impatiently as Zuko easily climbed on to Appa. Two servants pushed forward a wooden step ladder for her and Katara begrudgingly climbed. She held on to the railing as she did so while her other hand carefully lifted up the hem of her robes to avoid stepping on them.
When she reached the top step, she looked up and was met with a small smile as a hand was extended towards her.
"Watch your step," Zuko said. For a moment she stood less than an arm's length from him, wondering why her face was heating up. Her smaller, brown hand reached out as her pink lips pulled into a soft smile.
"Thank you, Zu-"
"Katara, hurry up!" Sokka called from the front of saddle. He was looking over his shoulder, waving at her to quickly get into the saddle.
Zuko looked over his shoulder and raised a brow as Katara shot her brother a glare. "The gates haven't even opened yet!" she hissed back. She grabbed Zuko's hand to steady her before grasping the edge of her hem tighter and pulling it up to allow her access over the saddle edge.
One elevated shoe landed on the saddle and she immediately swayed as she tried to hop over.
"I've got you," a reassuring voice told her.
"I know," she nodded. In fact, she had counted on it. Zuko helped steady her and then held her hand and elbow firmly as he escorted her to a large, satin seat cushion beneath the covering.
Aang watched looked over his shoulder, making sure the two were balanced as Sokka jumped up behind him, exclaiming that the gates were open.
"Are you two ready back there?" he asked.
"Are your legs alright?" the black-haired man asked seriously.
"Yes, I'm good. Let me just...there," Katara finalized as she adjusted in her seat. She looked up at man kneeling beside her. "I'm good."
He smiled back and nodded before turning away. He shuffled to the seat beside her. "We're good, Aang!"
"Alright!" Aang beamed. He gently grasped the reins. "Appa, up!"
The massive beast swayed from side to side as he rose to his feet. Katara felt her body tilting to one side with the familiar movement and found that a hand had found hers. It wrapped around hers and seemed to keep her grounded as Appa rose. Blue eyes glanced from the pale hand covering hers to the man beside her, who was looking ahead curiously.
A small smile appeared at her lips. It was going to be a good night.
There were lanterns everywhere. Streamers of paper lined the streets and music intermingled seamlessly with the chants of the priests and the shouts of Ba Sing Se's enthusiastic citizens. Katara wasn't sure where to look; absolutely enthralled by the scenes around her.
Appa was marching dutifully behind the Royal Badger Mole, which was heavily decorated with tassels and silk blankets while the carrier situated on his back carried the Earth King and Queen.
Ahead of them were rows of monks and priests who were chanting and bestowing prayers to the people as they walked down the long, brilliantly decorated street. Incense could be smelled around them as temple attendants carried lightly smoking lanterns down the procession.
Aang graciously greeted the crowds with a smile and a nod. Behind him, perched in his formal blue-colored Earth Kingdom robes and an animal skin, was Sokka. He mirrored Aang's greetings, only far less subdued and, if someone were to ask his sister, embarrassingly enthusiastic.
Zuko caught Katara sending her brother a tired look as he stood up on the saddle and raised his arms energetically at the crowd. Grinning slightly, Zuko leaned over to the young woman seated in a kneeling position beside him.
"With all his flare, you'd think he was greeting his adoring fans," Zuko told her in a low voice.
A barely muffled snort and choked laughter escaped Katara before she could stop herself. She sent Zuko a look and gently leaned over, giving him a nudge. "He loves this sort of thing," she groaned. "I bet that's why Dad sent him."
"Well, he's doing a great job of representing your tribe," Zuko added.
"It's doing a bit much, I think," she snickered. Zuko chuckled along with her and squeezed her hand gently.
"I was thinking," he said as they lumbered along. "When we stop in the central square of the middle ring and Aang gets out to bless the temple, that would be a good place for us to head back."
"That's a good idea," Katara nodded. "It won't break the flow of the procession. Also, it'll be easy to find a rickshaw at the plaza."
"Oh, are you telling me that you can't walk back?" Zuko smirked.
"Well, would you like to try on my shoes and see how far you can get?" she asked smugly as she turned to look at him.
He seemed to momentarily contemplate it. "A rickshaw it is."
"Exactly." Katara chuckled and prepared to lean against his shoulder when Sokka suddenly whirled around. Zuko looked a bit amused as she sat up straight in her seat and looked at her brother attentively.
"Katara! Aang said after the temple blessing, we'll start flying!" he informed her excitedly. "Are you sure you don't want to go all the way down?"
Zuko frowned and Katara rolled her eyes. "I have to head back after we reach the middle ring temple," Katara stated. "Sokka, really...you know if it'll be too much if I continue."
"Oh," he flushed, embarrassed. He had forgotten. "Right...sorry."
"Nevermind that," she sighed. "Just continue with Aang. Zuko will escort me and he knows what to do if anything...odd happens." Beside her, the banished royal didn't say a word and she was silently thankful. Her brother seemed to contemplate it for a moment, before finally nodding.
"Remember, if it gets too much-"
"I'll go back to the palace," Katara assured him. "I know."
"And Prince Zuko, I'm counting on you," Sokka stressed. "Don't let her out of your sight."
"I'll be fine," Katara snapped. "Zuko is not in charge of me."
"I'm just taking precautions," Sokka said as he lifted his hands to appease her. He turned around in his seat and looked back towards the crowds, waving earnestly.
"I will take you back to the palace if it starts to overwhelm you, however," the man beside her pointed out quietly.
"I know," she stated. "But everything seems fine. To be honest, right now, even if there are spirits, they're too mingled in the crowd for me to single them out. There don't seem to be any that are approaching either."
Zuko looked back out at the streets filled with people and narrowed his eyes. Katara waved to those on her side of the saddle, confidently, but a small part of him became unsettled. "It's not the spirits that stay away that I'm worried about."
The smell of food was everywhere and Katara could almost feel the drool coming from the corner of her mouth with every breath she took filled with the delicious scent. There was grilled meat, vegetables with noodles, various street desserts that were calling to her. And where was she?
Sitting on a bench waiting for her would be escort to return from his errand in the upper ring. Katara rolled her eyes. First, he had to buy some colored ball and then ran off after promising it wouldn't take too long.
Blue eyes followed a cart selling meat buns and she subconsciously licked her lips. Maybe she should...no. Her hand went back to the small pouch of money hidden in her sleeve. She should wait for Zuko. Besides, he was supposed to pay for their pentapus balls. She just had to be patient. Her stomach began to gurgle.
Katara narrowed her eyes as she looked down and frowned at her offending midsection.
"From the sound of it, you're pretty hungry," a voice said behind her. "I think I know just the thing."
She turned around and smiled widely as she gave the young man a small bow of her head to greet him. "Jet!" she stood up carefully and brought her hands together in front of her before bowing once more. "Good evening! How has your festival been so far?"
"Busy and crowded," he told her, looking a bit overwhelmed. "Everyone is out tonight; I'm surprised people are able to walk."
Katara chuckled. "I take it your friends' pentapus balls stall is doing well?"
"Of course," Jet replied proudly as he circled the side of her bench and stopped in front of her. He lifted a hand to his chest. "I did choose the location after all. And I have excellent intuition for these sort of things, if I don't say so myself."
Katara furrowed her brows. "Wait, will they still have some by the time we get there? They won't run out, will they?"
"I hope not," Jet informed her. "So," he said as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Ready to give them a try?"
Blue eyes glanced back towards the gate. "I'm still waiting for a friend of mine. He was going to join us and I said I'd wait for him here."
"Oh," Jet scratched his head thoughtfully. "Do you know how much longer? I'm sure Bee and Longshot will let us cut in line, but I don't know how quickly they'll sell out. They almost always do during this festival."
Katara silently yelled at Zuko. Honestly, he couldn't get his errand done before the festival? It wasn't as if he had a busy day at the spa, getting his hair done, or being fitted for a set of heavy robes with the Queen like she had. "I honestly don't know," she frowned. "I'm looking forward to the pentapus balls, too."
Jet furrowed his brows for a moment, thinking before smiling. "How does he look like? I'll ask some of the shops near-by to keep an eye out for him and send him towards my friends' stall."
Katara's eyes widened. "Really? Will they do that?"
"If you're okay with it," Jet said. "It's a pretty straight road to the the stall. As long as he follows it down, he'll get to there. There's a long line, so he can't miss it. If he's not there by the time we get some skewers, we can come back. We may run into him."
Katara rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "Well...I am quite hungry...," she trailed. "And walking on these things will slow me down anyway," she added, motioning to her shoes. Jet chuckled. "Alright," Katara concluded. "Let's go!"
"Great," Jet smiled. "How does he look like?"
"Black hair, pale skin, burn scar over his left eye," Katara said, lifting her own hand to cover her left eye with his fingers. "About this tall...," She raised her hand, as if measuring his height. "Amber-gold eyes. He's wearing red robes for the festival, too."
"I'll let them know," Jet said as he stepped back, easily melting into the passing crowd. Katara carefully straightened her robes and looked up just as Jet reappeared. "Okay, follow me!"
Katara nodded and began after him. "Hey, Jet, can you slow down a bit?" she called. He looked over his shoulder and stopped. She could barely see the top of his head through the crowd.
"Sorry!" he smiled as he stood still. "Need help?"
"No, no, just give me a moment!" she assured him as she planted one foot flat on the ground before moving the other. "It's these shoes...!" He gave her a nod and waited until she managed to squeeze through to get to him. "I don't know how you're managing to get through so easily! These streets are packed!"
"I'm just used to it. It gets like this on market day mornings, too," he said. "But we're close. The plaza is up ahead."
"Alright!" Katara nodded.
His dark eyes glanced ahead of them and flickered back. "It's bottle-necking up ahead," he said, lifting a hand and pointing ahead of them. "Let's go around the building. They'll be less people if we go through one of the smaller alleys."
"Sounds like a plan!" Katara said as she fell behind once more. "Jet!" she called out. "Remember the shoes!"
He laughed and nodded. "Sorry, Katara. Just keep heading in this direction," he instructed. "It'll clear up! We'll have plenty of space to ourselves once we get off of the main street."
She nodded and managed to get through another cluster of people. "By the way, Jet, how much are the pentapus balls!?"
Several paces away, behind a small booth and beside a young man grilling some skewered pieces of pentapus balls over a grill, a young woman narrowed her eyes as she watched a brown-haired woman in fine blue robes step into an alley. She shook her head.
She must've been hearing things.
"Are you alright, Bee?" the man beside her asked in a low voice. He flipped over some pieces on the grill before handing a cooked skewer to a waiting customer.
"Yes," the thin young woman replied quickly. "I just thought I heard something."
The noise seemed to be left behind as Katara managed to step into one of the narrower alleys between the buildings. As Jet had told her, there were far less people and despite the smaller space, it was easier to get around.
"Better?" Jet asked as he walked ahead of her.
"Much," Katara admitted. She had bumped into a handful of people already and wasn't sure how much longer she would've been able to walk while trying to maneuver her way through. Perhaps she should've waited for Zuko. He would've stuck by her side and she could've used him as a crutch. The corners of her lips curled up slightly at the thought.
"Can you smell it?" another man's voice asked ahead of her. "My mouth is watering just smelling it."
Katara took a deep breath. "I don't smell anything..." Her brows furrowed. She had expected the scent of spiced, grilled meat mixed in the air, along with various other foods. Instead, she felt something heavier with a more distinct smell that permeated in temples and shrines. "Incense?"
"Well, no, but I wouldn't be surprised," Jet said as he lingered by a corner, waiting for her to catch up. "This is a festival said to bring out the spirits, so many people burn incense for the departed."
Something inside of her seemed tense up. Her stomach dropped just a bit, but pushed the feeling away. It was just her, she reasoned. And it wasn't as if the meaning of the festival wasn't something she already knew. It shouldn't have bothered her.
"I heard Ba Sing Se is built on sacred ruins," Katara said. Something was different. "So this is an important festival."
"It is the only day of the year when the spirits can be free," Jet told her as Katara reached him. She paused as she turned around.
"I can't hear the music any more," she said. There were musicians on the other side of the building. She had heard them clearly just moments earlier.
"It's the buildings," the man told her. "They do a good job of muffling the sound."
Katara lifted her hand to her head. She closed her eyes and stood in place. Her head began to hurt as each breath became deeper. "Can we stop for a moment? I feel a bit...light headed."
"You're just hungry," he told her. "Come on. We're almost there." Jet turned his back to her and rounded the corner.
Katara narrowed her eyes. "Jet, wait!" She moved after him and her feet stumbled against the hard packed dirt. Her arms flew to her sides to try to steady herself, but her vision suddenly swayed. One had immediately lifted to her head as she managed to regain her footing.
"Katara." She lifted her head once more and and froze.
A pale hand was extended towards her beckoning her forward. Black hair topped his head and red robes adorned his body. She was suddenly very confused. "Zuko?" she asked. Katara looked around, expecting to see the plain walls of a narrow alley.
Instead, she found herself back by the main gate. People were bustling around her, easily avoiding her as she stood in front of the bench where she had been waiting.
"What are you doing?" the black-haired bender asked with a curious look. "Aren't you hungry?" She bit her lips as she looked around once more. She could've sworn she had left that spot. "Katara? Are you alright?"
She turned back to him and forced a smile on her face. That sounded like Zuko. "Yes," she said as she nodded. "Sorry, I was just dozing off."
He nodded and lowered his hand. "Well, let's go."
He didn't think those children would want to play with him and after a quick round, he insisted he had to leave. The little boy continued to challenge him and then accuse him of being afraid to losing as he backed away, but Zuko didn't have time to humor the child.
Katara must've been starving by now. Zuka inwardly grimaced. She'd be upset with him.
That only made him move faster. He flashed his guest papers to the gatekeeper before slipping through the gates and reaching the designated bench where he had left Katara.
His run slowed to a stop as he reached the bench beside one of the buildings. Gold eyes narrowed as he looked around. Instead of a blue-clad brunette looking impatient and waiting with a look that demanded to know why he had taken so long, there was an elderly couple sharing some grilled cuttle-squid.
Katara was no where in sight.
Frowning, he approached the elderly couple. "Excuse me," he bowed respectfully. "I don't wish to bother you, but before you took this seat, was there a young woman here?" he asked. It would be very much like Katara to give up her bench, even with aching feet, to an elderly couple. "She has brown hair and was wearing blue robes?"
They shook her heads and Zuko ran a hand through his hair. Maybe she had gotten so hungry or bored waiting for him that she went to one of the surrounding booths or stores?
He dashed towards the nearest one, asking if someone matching Katara's description had come by. After going through three, he came to the small shop across from the bench.
"Welcome!" a teenage boy greeted automatically as he gave a little girl buying a toy some change. He gave Zuko a small bow of his head. "How may I help you?"
"I'm actually looking for someone," Zuko said. "She was sitting across the way, on that bench and was supposed to meet me there, but she seems to have left."
The teen furrowed his brows and cocked his head to the side. "A brunette in blue robes? Really fancy ones?" he asked.
Zuko's eyes widened as he nodded. "Yes, have you seen her? Did she come by?"
The teenager shook his head. "She looked like she was talking to someone for a while, but there didn't seem to be anywhere near her." The older man's face seemed to drain of color. "I saw her getting up and leaving and talking to someone named...Jet, I think?"
"Where...," Zuko barely managed to whisper out. "Where did she go?"
The black-haired teen pointed down the start of a crowded street. "Down the high street-"
Zuko gave him a quickly thanks and rushed out of the shop. His heart was racing as he cut through the mob of people going every which way. Every so often, he'd crane his neck upwards and stop - trying to catch a glimpse of deep blue, embroidered silk amongst a sea of more neutral greens and browns.
"Katara!" he shouted his eyes scanned the throngs of people. Dread was filling him quickly; he was unable to get the worst possible scenario of his head.
He shouldn't have left her. He should've stayed with her the entire time. His hands were shaking. He grit his teeth and shook his head. He had to stop. He couldn't think that way.
Katara was strong. She was stronger than she or anyone else knew and a small part of him ordered him to remember that. She would not fall so easily. Suppressing his anxiety, he continued down the street. There was a chance that she had gone directly to the pentapus balls stall she had been talking about.
Perhaps if he could find it -
"Ah!" A woman's voice sounded as his right side hit someone. Zuko immediately winced and turned around.
"Sorry!" he said. He bent down and extended his arms, reaching for a woman in white and peach who he had knocked to the ground. "I'm very sorry," he continued. "I didn't see you!"
"It's fine," the woman replied shakily. She allowed him to help her stand.
"Are you alright?" Zuko asked. "I really am sorry, miss-"
"I'm unhurt," she assured him as she clutched a small, wrapped package against her. "I wasn't paying attention myself. We were both at fault."
He released her arm once he was sure she was steady and nodded. "Once more, I'm sorry," he insisted. "Umm...," he hesitated. "By any chance is there a booth here that sells pentapus balls?"
Surprisingly, the woman's head shot up. Wide eyes looked at him, unsure if she had heard correctly. "Pentapus balls?" she asked, her voice suddenly hoarse. "Why?"
"I'm looking for someone and she said she was going to get some," Zuko explained. "Perhaps you've seen her? She's Water Tribe and was dressed in blue?"
"I'm afraid not," the woman shook her head. "But there is a very popular stall that sells grilled pentapus balls here. It's not far."
"Can you show me where it is?" Zuko asked eagerly. "Please, I really need to find her!"
Though slightly taken aback by his urgency, the woman nodded. She lowered her eyes and gripped the paper package once more. "It's in the plaza. Please follow me..."
"Thank you," Zuko lowered his head and gave her a bow. She kept her head down as she led him through the crowd.
"There!" she said as they reached the edge of a plaza, reaching over the crowd to motion towards a stall in the corner. Three people were behind it and all looked quite busy either taking money and dealing with customers, grilling, or preparing the skewers. A long line seemed to wind in front of them before becoming absorbed in the rest of the crowd.
"Thank you!" Zuko said. He moved in front of her. "Excuse me!" he shouted to the woman closest to him.
"Please wait in line," she answered sharply. Zuko narrowed his eyes. That was the same woman he had met the other day.
"Miss Smellerbee?" he asked. The woman lifted her head. "It is you!" Taking advantage of her attention, he quickly got to the point. "Have you see a woman come through here in blue robes with embroidery? She has brown hair and blue eyes -"
"You!" Zuko didn't have a chance to finish. The woman's eyes had grown wide as she yelled, earning her the attention of her husband beside her. Zuko jerked his head back, unsure if she were referring to him or not. "How dare you!?" she growled. She was looking past him. The brown-haired vendor nearly lunged at the white-dressed young woman who had been standing behind him. "How dare you show your face here!?"
Zuko turned around. The other woman had stepped back, her face pale as her eyes crinkled up. Her arms were up, as if awaiting the attack.
"Bee!" a deep voice sounded behind the female vendor. The thin man who had been grilling pentapus balls grabbed hold of his wife. "Smellerbee. Stop it."
"Let me go, Longshot!" Smellerbee demanded as her eyes glared daggers at the other woman.
"Pipsqueak," Longshot called over his shoulder. Zuko saw a large young man turn around from where he had been making balls out of spiced ground pentapus. "Watch the grill."
The larger man nodded his head before taking over Longshot's spot. The man held his wife back, keeping her away from the other woman as he led her away.
"Let's move somewhere, quieter," he told Zuko in a quiet voice. The scarred prince nodded solemnly, still surprised by Smellerbee's sudden attack.
"I just need to know where you saw her go," he said as he followed behind them. "Please, it's urgent!"
"I'm not telling you anything if you're with her!" Smellerbee hissed. "She ain't nothing but trouble!"
"If you're looking for her, she went behind the building," Longshot told him. Zuko turned to leave, but the other man continued quickly, stopping the banished prince before he could get away. "But she's probably no longer there. There aren't any festivities on that side."
Zuko turned around and gave him a disbelieving look. "She's not the type to take shortcuts in unfamiliar places," he frowned. "She must've gone back there for a reason."
Determined, Zuko began to head to the corner. The woman who had led him to the stall began to follow him. "I'll go with you!" she said shakily, glancing back unsurely at the couple.
Smellerbee's face filled with rage. "Don't you dare go back there!" she growled as she lunged forward once more, held back only by Longshot. "Stay away from him! Haven't you done enough!?"
The woman's pale face reddened as her eyes watered. Tears filled them almost immediately as she began to tremble. "I only way to pay my respects, Smellerbee!" she suddenly exclaimed as she stopped. "Please let me do this! I was kept away for so long - I never even had the chance to say goodbye to Jet!"
Zuko felt as if he had slammed into a wall. He stopped in his tracks and turned back. He looked at the trio with a terrified expression his face. His voice shook.
"Who?"
Ba Sing Se, Three Years Earlier
"You're going to ask her?" Smellerbee looked somewhat surprised as she looked up from where she was mixing a large pot filled with pureed pentapus and spices.
Jet nodded his head as the rest of his house mates, who had all packed into a small corner house they had purchased with their money earned from selling pentapus balls at their festival stand. Aside from him, the others were all working to prepare the food and equipment needed for that night's festival.
"I think it's about time, don't you think?" Jet asked as he paced the room. He didn't want to admit it, but he was a nervous. Honestly, who wouldn't be? He was going to ask the woman he loved to marry him.
"I think it's about time," Pipsqueak grinned from where he was splitting bamboo into thin skewers. Jet stopped and grinned lopsidedly, his eyes still showing a slight sad expression.
"What if she says no?" he asked. "There is always a chance she'll say no," he pointed out.
"There is no chance," Smellerbee assured him. "You've come a long way, Jet. You're capable and you're a good man. Look what you've done for all of us by yourself," she reminded him. "Song knows that. She'll say yes."
His expression softened. He had come a long way.
He came from the countryside with his family to get a job in the agrarian zone when he was just a child. At the time, there was a large gang war going on between powers that controlled the lower ring. His parents were killed when the owner of the land they farmed resisted the local gang leader.
In the middle of the night, they had burned that farm land and the small house his family was living in to the ground. His father had managed to get him out, but had run back to get his mother. The house collapsed on top of them and at seven years old, Jet found himself orphaned.
Like most others in his position, he took shelter with a street gang of like children and made a living hustling. He was twelve years old, when he met a girl his age in the lower ring. She was the daughter of a woman who ran an apothecary. It was a lucrative business, Jet had thought. After all, people needed medicine; therefore, she must've had money.
He still remembered how he tried to casually get on her good side; appearing where he knew she'd be and striking up a conversation. He wanted her trust if he was going to get at her money.
Surprisingly, Song kept refusing to buy into him. Every day, she walked the same route, gathering food and delivering medicine for her mother. Rain or shine, she diligently went about her duties. One day, when he was sixteen and with a healthy respect for her, he found her still delivering medicine while sick.
Infuriated that she would push herself to such lengths, he accompanied her through her route and ended up carrying her home when her fever became too much. When he asked why, she had told him that it was just her and mother. They spent all their money acquiring medicine that was difficult to get, so they couldn't afford to hire someone to do the deliveries.
He was sure that was the exact moment that he had fallen in love with her. A woman like her, he realized, who did good, honest work, would never look twice at him - a swindling thug, at best. Jet began to help the members of his little gang find decent jobs and even helped fund a few with the money he had hustled.
Smellerbee had a pentapus balls recipe that everyone liked and so he invested some money into buying her the equipment she needed to sell them at the next festival. Longshot, who would later ask her to marry him, helped run the booth. It did so well at the blessing festival that they were able to earn money to continue business.
Within three years, a merchant had sponsored them to move to the middle ring to help supply his restaurant with their food. Now that they were settled, he was hoping to bring Song and her mother up to the middle ring, as well.
If she said yes and they got married, it would be an easy matter to move her and his future mother-in-law from the lower ring.
"So, are you going to bring her by the booth tonight?" Pipsqueak asked.
"Later," Jet told them. "I need to talk to her first."
"Well, you better get going," Smellerbee told him. "The festival is going to start and you still need to get down there."
Jet nodded and took a deep breath to calm himself. He bowed to his friends. "Wish me luck!" A small chorus of well wishes were called after him as he walked out of the house.
He couldn't help but be both giddy and nervous as he made his way to the lower ring. He was wearing the best clothes he owned and hoped she wouldn't be upset for having not stopped by the last few weeks. He'd been working as much as he could in order to earn some money to buy that flat that faced the main street.
He figured her mother could use the lower floor as a store front for the apothecary and they could live in the upper floors. He hadn't reached his goal yet, but he had already talked to Mr. Chung about buying the space.
He showed his papers at the gate and followed the main, brightly lit and highly decorated street towards Song's house. Once he stepped off the main road, the streets were dirt and uneven. He could see her house up ahead and smiled. The door opened and a well-dressed man stepped out.
He could see Song's mother linger at the door, on her knees as she bowed her head to the man. Jet figured he must've bought a good deal of things from the woman. As the well-dressed man passed, Jet gave him a bow of his head, as if silently thanking him for his support.
Dark eyes merely narrowed and turned away with a sneer of disgust in response. Jet barely held back his snort. Wealthy didn't buy class, he supposed.
"Jet!" a surprised voice reached his ears and he turned towards the door. Song's mother sat up, her eyes wide as her worn fingers curled into the fabric of her clothes. "What are you doing here?"
"Auntie," he greeted respectfully as he gave her a bow of his head. He gave her a warm, genuine smile as he realized that by the end of the night, he'd have to ask to call her 'mother'. "Good evening."
"Good evening," she greeted shakily as her eyes darted around.
In his own nervousness, Jet didn't notice her skittish behaviour. "Is Song in? I was hoping to speak to her."
Hesitantly, the older woman nodded and motioned to the back room, where she and Song lived. Jet removed his shoes and bowed once more, thanking her before heading back. He slid a screen door open and found the lovely young woman in her usual peach and white clothes, sitting on her knees at a low table.
Her pale hands were even whiter as she clenched them on her lap. Jet's brows furrowed as he slowed his movements. "Song?" he asked softly. "Are you alright?" Slowly, she lifted her head and met his eyes. Panic filled him as he rushed forward. She had been crying. No - he shook his head as he landed roughly on his knees beside her and reached out to cup her face. "Song!?" She was still crying. "Song? What's wrong! Tell me!" he pleaded as he stroked her hair back, desperately hoping she'd respond.
"Jet," she rasped. Her pained eyes were boring into his. "I'm getting married."
He shook his head, clutching the nearly empty jug of alcohol at his side as he sat on the roof of their house. His face was hot and wet with angry, hateful tears as he stared at the thick, tall wall before him.
Right behind it was the upper ring...where she would go. He shook his head. He loved her. He had told her that and he thought she knew. He didn't understand why. Hadn't he straightened out for her? Hadn't he worked hard to prove himself capable? He was going to bring her with him, damn it! They were going to be happy!
The back of his hand wiped at his eyes as his vision blurred. Instead, she chose wealth over him. She willingly agreed to marry some old, middle-aged man for what? A chance to live up there!?
Bitterly, he flung his alcohol jar across over the alley and at the wall. The clay jar shattered against the heavy stone, leaving streaks of liquid marking where it had made impact. Jet choked out a cry as he unsteadily rose to his feet.
He could feel his body swaying; the alcohol taking effect on his motor skills. Despite it all, he could still feel the emptiness inside of him, but at the same time, the overwhelming pain. He didn't know it could hurt like that.
Tears continued pouring as he screamed her name into the night sky. If Song was on the over side of that wall, then all he had to do to see her was get over there. He stepped back and narrowed his eyes.
Jet stumbled over his own feet as he ran forward over the tiled roof. As he neared the edge, he pushed off and jumped.
Ba Sing Se, Festival Night, Present
"Katara!" She could hear his voice once more and she smiled softly. She stopped in mid step, automatically turning towards the voice. "Katara, stop! Don't move!"
She furrowed her brows. Don't move? What was he talking about? Did he fall behind?
"Katara," his voice called once more, this time with less urgency. "Come on," he encouraged. "We're almost there."
She turned her head towards the man she had been following. "Did you just say something?" she asked. Didn't his voice come from behind her? All she could see before her was a crowded street she was making her way through. Zuko was several paces in front of her. She frowned. Hadn't she asked him to wait for her? "Zuko, wai-"
"Katara!" A frantic scream filled her senses as she was suddenly grabbed around the waist. She was pulled against someone as the grip tightened. Her hair was flying around her and her feet were no longer on solid ground. When did that happen?
A woman was screaming somewhere in the distance and Katara blinked. She turned her head and her vision focused on hard packed dirt she was rushing towards. Her eyes widened as every muscle in hier body froze.
Fire flew past her; its sudden gust sending her hair and the edges of her robes flying around her as the powerful blast slammed into the earth. A sudden pressure pushed up from the point of impact and slowed her descend just enough to make the landing less painful and avoid a fatal fall.
A body twisted under hers, cushioning her as it slammed into the ground beneath them. A groan reached her ears and the arm that had be wrapped securely around her loosened. Katara tried to scramble off, but felt her limbs suddenly heavy and her head spinning.
"Katara," a breathy voice whispered. "Are you alright?"
She made out his face as he laid on his back, grimacing from the impact. "Zuko?' she asked. She squinted her eyes. Everything was blurry. "What...?"
"Answer me," he choked out as he slowly turned his head towards her. Concerned gold eyes met hers. A trickle of blood came from a gash at his temple and her eyes widened. "Are you hurt?"
"Zuko, you're bleed-" A sharp gasp was forced out of her as his hand shot up and grasped her throat. "Zu..."
Panic seemed to fill Zuko's face as his eyes flew to his arm. "It's not me!" he choked out. "I...I can't let go!" Katara felt her stomach drop and her skin crawl as the man stood up, bringing her with him. Zuko's hand was shaking.
"Katara!" another voice shouted. "Bastard!" She could hear her brother yelling. "Let her go!"
"I can't let go! I can't move my arm!" Zuko shouted. He could feel his fingers wanting to squeeze her throat and gritted his teeth as he desperately fought against it.
"What's going on!?" the woman she had heard screaming earlier asked. "He just saved her! Why is he choking her!?"
"Zuko!" Sokka growled. "Let her go!"
"Sokka stop!" Aang skidded to stop in front of Sokka, holding out an arm as he narrowed his eyes and focused. "Something - someone is using Zuko."
"What are you talking about!?" Sokka growled. "He's lost his mind!" He reached into his inner robe and pulled out a whale tooth dagger.
"Sokka, do not rush him!" Aang yelled, taking a step back from where Zuko was holding Katara in his grip. "You'll endanger them!"
"I don't give a damn about Zuko!" Sokka yelled. "If I have to cut off his arm to get my sister-"
"If you rush forward, he might break her neck!" Aang pointed out. The Water Tribe warrior froze in his spot.
"Don't touch him!" Katara wheezed as she stood, balancing herself as carefully as she could on the tips of her shoes as a firm grip held her an arms length from the man who had just been holding her hand a few hours earlier. "Fall back, Sokka!"
Her brother looked torn. Aang's eyes lingered on the duo. "Who died here?" he asked the woman behind them. "You know, don't you? You're clutching incense."
The brown-haired woman grit her teeth. "Yes," she said. "He...he jumped off that building - the same one she tried to jump off."
Katara's eyes widened. She had tried to jump off a building? But she had just been following Zuko down a street... Her heart sank. It wasn't Zuko.
It was Jet.
Katara closed her eyes, unsure if she felt more disappointment at herself for realizing it or anger for the same reason. He had seemed to real, so alive - she hadn't even considered him being a spirit. The pressure she had felt when she rounded the corner, the sudden unsteadiness...that was spiritual energy pressing on her.
He had died full of powerful emotion and on that night, when the spirits were at their strongest, he had led her away. Now, he was taking control of a living man's body.
"Katara," the black-haired man whispered. "Katara, I can't keep this up...I'm trying to fight him, but he's strong."
Katara slowly opened her eyes. She could see Jet right beside Zuko. A dark smoke was wrapped around the living man's body and she knew that the pressure was getting to him.
"What do you want of me, Jet?" Katara asked in a strained voice. "You led me here," she narrowed her eyes. "Why?"
"You could see me," Jet answered as his dark eyes glowered. "You acknowledged me."
"I can see the dead," Katara told him in a hushed voice. "That's why."
Zuko grimace. "Katara!" She felt his fingers squeeze her neck as his arm shook.
"What do you want?" Katara choked as her eyes watered.
"Come with me," Jet told her seriously. She had been falling, she remembered. Was that what he was trying to do? Kill her?
Her eyes flickered back to Zuko and his strained, terrified face. "Fine," Katara agreed. Jet narrowed his eyes. "You have my word! Release him and I'll go with you."
"No!" Zuko protested immediately. His hand was pried open and a second later, he was flying across the dirt and slamming back against the ring wall.
Katara stumbled back, teetering once more on her shoes and falling backwards as her hands reached towards him. "Zuko!" His body slumped down against the wall, limp and unmoving. "Zuko!" She crawled to her feet and tried to run towards him, only to feel a heavy pressure set over her body.
"I released him," Jet said behind her. "Now come with me," he ordered firmly.
Katara's body refused to move towards Zuko. She bit her lips as she turned around, back to the spirit beckoning her. "Why?" she asked. "What happened to you to make you do this?"
"He doesn't need you," Jet hissed. "I'm the one who needs you."
"Tell me what happened!" Katara screamed. If she could find out - if she could put him to rest, then this would end; she knew that. She felt her leg take a step towards him. "Jet, tell me!"
"Jet?" the woman standing behind Sokka turned to the bender in blue, who seemed to be tense and fighting some invisible force. She wasn't sure what was going on, but she knew she heard that name. Song took a step forward, still clutching the incense against her chest. "Is Jet there?"
There was a desperation in her voice and for a moment, Sokka wondered if the woman had lost her mind, as well. "Who is this Jet?" he asked, still keeping his distance to avoid any provocation to his sister. "Was he the one who jumped off?" The woman slowly nodded and Sokka grinded his teeth. He needed to know more. "Answer me! My sister is in trouble!"
"Jet was the man I wanted to marry!" the woman cried out, jumping at Sokka's irritated growl. "I loved him!"
Katara turned towards the woman. "What's her name?" she wheezed. She could still feel Jet's eyes fixed on her. "What's her name?" she repeated, slower, as she turned back to him.
There was pain in his eye and she could feel the pressure around her ease as her question brought back a hurtful memory. "Song," Jet whispered. "She had...brown hair," he recalled sadly. "In a braid. She had beautiful eyes..."
"Three years ago, this night," another voice reached Katara's ears. "A man, a wealthy merchant, came to my family's store in the lower ring. He had seen me in his rounds purchasing goods and wanted to marry me. I had refused. I was...already in love with someone else."
Katara watched as Jet's focus moved from her and to the woman standing several paces away, with a forlorn expression on her face. Jet's eyes crinkled up as he seemed to recognize the woman in old, but familiar white and peach.
"Song?" he whispered. He didn't remember her face looking so worn.
The pressure continued to weaken and Katara turned back towards Zuko, only to feel her legs give way beneath her. She let out a pained breath as she landed.
"I had known Jet since my mother and I first came here. He was the first friend I made," Song choked out. "He always treated my mother with respect. Whenever he had extra food, he brought it to us because we were so poor." She lowered her head and shook it. "He told me he loved me and that...that after he managed to get into the middle ring, he would come back for me. He promised he would!"
"I did," Jet replied, unheard as he moved towards her. He held his hands out. "I did come back."
"I knew he was," Song asserted, fully believing in him. "But the man who had come...he knew how Jet and the others were able to move up. They have a small business. They worked so hard," she stressed. "Just to get the business started and it was finally starting to pay off. The merchant was a wealthy, powerful man. He had ties to Ba Sing Se's underground. He said that if I refused him, he would ruin them and he would've."
Jet's eyes widened. The business they had created supported more than just him. They wouldn't have been able to survive or move without it. It was something he always told Song about because he was so proud of it.
"Jet and the others depended on the business!" Song explained. "I couldn't let their lives be ruined! They'd have no home, they'd be shoved out of the middle ring, they'd go right back to where they wore after everything they did to try to make a better life for themselves - I couldn't let that happen!"
Katara could barely breathe. "You married that man to save them," she concluded. Her chest began to burn. Was she not getting enough air? Song nodded her head guiltily.
"We could've run away...all of us," Jet shook his head. "You didn't have to marry him. I could've protected you."
"I wasn't allowed to tell them and when I told Jet I was getting married, I had to tell him I didn't love him," the woman was breaking down. "I couldn't do anything! The merchant came and took me away the next morning. We were married that afternoon. I sent a message to Jet's house to ask him to forgiveness..." Song's face twisted with pain as she began to cry. Her face became red as she fell to her knees and dropped the packet of incense before her. "They told me he died the night before!" she sobbed. "I killed him!" Her cries filled the narrow hall. "It was my fault!"
Dull eyes stared down at her as the spirit loomed above her frail, crumbled body. Slowly, he seemed to begin to cry. His hand reached down and Katara could feel his heartache as his hand slipped right through Song. The spirit slowly lifted his hand, as if wondering why it had done so.
"It's not your fault," he muttered quietly. He shook his head as he knelt down in front of her. "I just missed you so much." He moved his hand over her face, hovering over her flushed, damp cheeks with a hand that couldn't touch her. "I'm sorry, Song," his voice trembled. "I didn't know..."
"I'll let you use me," another woman's voice said behind him. Katara seemed to drag her body across the ground, strained and tired.
"Katara!" Sokka darted forward and felt Aang hold him back as Katara yelled at him to stop.
"He needs to be put to rest!" she told them. Her eyes narrowed determinedly. "Jet!" she called out once more. "Use me!"
"Katara, stop," a voice groaned from the wall. Zuko stood up, shakily. "It's too draining."
"Sokka, help Zuko," Aang instructed. The blue-eyed man hesitated and Aang sent him a frown. "I'll keep an eye on Katara! Just help Zuko before he collapses again!"
"I'm fine!" the prince said as he moved towards Katara. "Just stop her! He's been under his influence for who knows how long. She can't keep it up!"
She ignored them easily. She was born with this gift. She struggled with it and at times, wished it wasn't hers, but she had it. And Katara would help whoever she could with it.
"If you want to tell her you love her once more, Jet, use me!"
Jet turned around. He narrowed his eyes as he met Katara's, locking her eyes with his. They were the last things she saw as she took a breath. A moment later, she saw nothing else.
She felt heavy all over, as if she were physically tired and her muscles, while not aching, were simply too lazy to move with their normal speed. Not that she wanted them to. She was nestled and warm within a soft bed and she could feel the weight of a blanket over her. She was resting almost on her side, but was laid across something very warm and very comforting.
She wondered, briefly, it was was their dog from the South Pole. He was a big, lazy creature, but warm and whenever she was feeling down, he never failed to be at her side. The corners of her lips curled into a small smile as she nuzzled her living heater.
"Katara?" Odd, as dogs did not speak human tongue. "Are you awake?"
She tilted her head towards the voice and forced her heavy eyes to open. There was a blurry figure; pale with dark hair. From the shape of the body beneath her, he was male - and well muscled. Katara would've panicked if she didn't recognize him. Even if her half-asleep state and in the dim light, she knew who was beside her and rested easy.
"No," she answered and closed her eyes, opting to return to the sleep that still beckoned her.
Zuko didn't move from his spot, but lowered the book he had been reading. He was propped up against the headboard of Katara's bed, his back resting against a pile of luxurious pillows as sat beside her.
"It's still dark anyway," he conceded, placing his book on the nightstand, beside the lone lantern.
"Am I in my room?" she asked lazily. She felt his hand caress the back of her head.
"Yes, we brought you here after you passed out," Zuko answered calmly. "Jet possessed you for a bit. He said something to Song and then, suddenly, you collapsed." He paused and closed his eyes. He had nearly fallen over himself to get to her when she did. "Aang said the air was clear. The spirit was gone and he further blessed the area where Jet died."
Katara remained against him, trying to remember what had happened, but not recalling anything after the last time she met Jet's eyes. She tilted her head up. "Are you alright?" She would apologize for risking herself despite his pleas later.
She felt his arm tighten around her. "I'm fine now."
When she fell to the ground, Zuko had rushed to her and gathered her in his arms, refusing to let go even when Aang and her brother reached them.
Aang had rushed to get a carriage. Zuko had picked her up, determined to bring her back to the palace himself if needed. Her brother had demanded he hand over Katara as she was his sister and, though hesitant, Zuko conceded. After all, he was still weak and didn't want to drop her.
But Katara's hands clung to him. Her lips muttered his name and when they heard it, he had drawn her back against him. "I can carry her," Zuko had insisted. "She's familiar with me after such episodes," he had tried to reason.
Sokka had been too caught up in concern to question Zuko. The carriage had arrived and they piled in. Once they were back at the palace, Aang sent word to the King and Queen while Sokka and Zuko took Katara to her villa.
Neither man wanted to leave her side.
"What about everyone else?" Katara whispered quietly from where she rested against his stomach, her eyes fluttering closed.
"Everyone is alright," Zuko confirmed gently. "Aang says you'll be fine. You must need some rest as the experience was very mentally and emotionally draining. You know, same old, same old," he offered with a small chuckle.
He caught the faint smile on her lips at his sad attempt at a joke and was relieved. She opened her eyes once more and met his. "You stayed with me?" He nodded. "Thank you."
"Well," he smiled softly. He lifted his right hand. "You wouldn't let me go." Her small, brown one was against his; their fingers woven together comfortably. His other arm rested above her head, against some pillows, allowing his left hand to caress her head and stroke the side of her face.
She closed her eyes as she remembered the dreadful feeling that filled her when she saw him slide to the ground after being thrown against a wall. For a moment, she thought she had lost him. Katara's hand squeezed his. She knew how that would feel. "It was so sad, Zuko," she whispered. "He was so lonely and hurt."
"It doesn't matter now," Zuko assured her. "You helped him, Katara," he told her. "You helped put him to rest. He would've been trapped, filled with regret for eternity had you not come along."
"I wish I could've helped me more," she admitted. "He seemed so real...so alive. He was our age, Zuko. He was just like us...and he had died."
To Zuko, hearing the story from Song's mouth, it was a pointless death. If Jet had only waited, then they could've been together. Song was able to visit for the first time in three years because the man she had married, the wealthy merchant, had died. Song was now a widow.
"He was in love," Zuko said distractedly. "He thought he had lost the most important person to him, Katara." And while he couldn't see himself falling to his own death, part of Zuko could understand.
After all, he had no hesitation about jumping off the roof after Katara. The only person in his mind at that moment had been her.
"Aang had gone to check on Song after he made sure you were safe," he told the blue-eyed woman softly. "He said that she's safe, but emotionally...she may never get over what happened."
She turned her head against him and pressed her face against the side of his body, which she was still laying across. "I understand," Katara whispered. Both Jet and Song were hurt badly. Katara knew that even after their death, the ones who loved the deceased would live on and carry their memory, no matter how wonderful or how painful they were.
"It's still dark out," Zuko urged as his free hand stroked her hair once more. "Go back to sleep. I promise I won't go anywhere."
"What if you have to use the bathroom?"
"Sokka is the parlor outside your room," Zuko grinned. "He can hold on to your vice-like grip for a bit if I need to go."
Katara smiled tiredly as she evened her breathing. "So he didn't just leave me again."
"He refused to leave you alone like this...and with me." Katara chuckled. Zuko relaxed against her. "Katara..."
"Hmm?"
He paused. "What did Jet say to Song?" he asked.
The corners of her lips tugged up slightly. "I don't know," she admitted. Zuko looked back down at the woman in his arms. "But it brought him peace."
"Live long and happy; we'll see each other again one day.
When that time comes, I'll come to bring you home...
Just like I promised."
A Note From the Author:
Thank you very much for reading, but most importantly - thank you so very much for your patience. I will be continuing this fanfic to the best of my ability and I am very grateful for your patience. As for raising the rating, I have decided not to raise it, especially since there is only one chapter that would warrant it. Instead, I'll just write out that chapter as a separate fic with a higher rating. I think that's a pretty good compromise.
I also recently got an AO3 - still "miavortice" - and will also post this there. I will continue updating both sites, though, so not to worry. So far, I've posted another fanfic for another fandom (an anime called "Free!") and I'd like to post it here, as well, so if you see notifications for something called "Accressere", it's for that.
Once more, thank you all very much for your patience and for your continued reading. Have a wonderful weekend!