MRAM!
Prepare for descriptions of new outfits!
Courtesy of Orzhov, what would I do without you?
They're really awesome but if you're not to good at visualizing I've got a link on my profile to see them.
Behind These Painted Masks
Chapter 10
Wind Seer
"This is stupid…" Zuko mumbled to Sokka.
They were at the base of the Southern Air Temple, trying on the clothes Aunt Wu had left for them.
Zuko was in a traditional Fire Nation robe. The robe had a trim of dark gold around the edges while the rest of it was a burnt sienna.
It was held together by a piece of soft leather that had the same dark gold as the trim on the robe. The bottom of the robe had two slits in it, one on each side allowing him free movement of his legs. Under the robe he had a pair of loose pants with a matching shirt with a high neck. Both were pitch black, which, contrasted perfectly with the robe's colors and gave him a regal yet powerful appearance.
On his forearms were two bracers made of a light metal. On his shins and the tops of his feet he was wearing something similar to the bracers on his arms. On his back he had his broadswords tied by a long brown cloth.
-
"Aww is poor Zuzu upset because his clothes are lame?" Sokka meandered over, showing off his new outfit.
It wasn't that different from his original gear. It was made of the same materiel as Katara's tunic simply without the bottom, it was held together by a large leather band.
His pants were a light navy and baggy, held up by the leather. He had deep blue gloves one and wrapped linen around his hands and forearms. His shoes were made of sealskin and he had linen wrapped above the shoes keeping the ankle of his pant in.
Underneath it all he was wearing a skin-tight, dark blue garment, used merely as another layer to protect him from the elements, his meteorite swords was also tied to his back, the hilt shining in the rising sun.
-
Zuko turned on him, "I AM NOT UPSET!"
"How do I look?" Katara came out of an old run down building, grabbed at her new outfit self-consciously.
She seemed to be wearing a rendition of her traditional water tribe robe without sleeves on it. The collar was white while the surrounding material is a soft, pastel blue.
The bending robe was held together at the waist by a navy sash.She was wearing dark blue pants with a flare that ended in white, tight at ankle. Instead of slippers was a pair of sealskin boots.Her hair was done-up in the traditional braid but her hair-loopies were gone replaced by bangs framing her face. Her mother's necklace was still proudly worn at her neck and she had navy bracers on her wrists.
"You look nice…" Zuko mumbled, pretending to fix his collar to hide his blush. Katara in response reddened as well.
"Com'on, let's go to the top." Sokka intervened and they made their way to the peak of the Air Temple.
They saw a girl sitting patiently for them, her dark hair flowing freely while a small cat sat in her lap.
"Sokka do you have the mango?" He pulled it out of the backpack, and Katara came closer, "Umm hello?"
She stood and approached them, Katara saw Zuko slide casually into a Firebending stance. The girl lifted a dark eyebrow, "Come now, do you really see me as that much of a threat Prince Zuko?"
He didn't speak but he didn't move from his stance either.
"Please forgive my friend, I'm Katara and this is my brother Sokka." Katara pointed to Sokka who raised a hand in greeting.
She bowed to them both, "I see you bought my payment."
"The mango?" the girl nodded and Katara handed the fruit over.
"My name is Anila, I am a Wind Seer, and you are here to find out where Princess Azula is are you not?"
Zuko answered this time, "Yes we are. Do you know?"
She shook her head, "I know not, but they know." The wind danced slightly, "Sit comfortably, I do not know how long this will take."
They sat down and immediately the tiger cat jumped on Zuko's lap, "Filthy creature." He muttered under his breath, but petted it anyway, it's golden eyes a mirror of his.
Katara giggled while Anila closed her eyes a tiny smile on her face, Zuko gave her a dirty look but Katara could see his eyes brighten at the sight of the cat.
The winds were calm barely moving the trees around them. Katara reached for the whistle and clutched it, com'on Aang…we need your help she thought, praying that her friend would hear her.
Suddenly the wind blasted them, whistling left and right leaves bean to fall and the trio covered their eyes to protect against the dust.
It settled and Katara let her arm drop, Anila was standing and offering her hand, eyes and mouth smiling, "I see I'm not the only one with connections. You knew the last Airbender?" Katara smiled gravely, "A rare chance indeed. But worry not, this is not the last you will hear of him." Anila said pulling Katara to her feet, "Azula is in the Fire Nation."
Zuko looked taken aback, "How!?" he was standing and the cat was sitting lazily on his shoulder as though nothing had changed.
The Wind Seer turned to him, "I believe you left a democracy is charge Prince Zuko?"
"Yes, I made Mai and Ty Lee head of the Council. They proved they're trustworthy." He said and grabbed the cat off his shoulder and held onto it, he seemed to not be noticing the interaction at all.
"Mai and TY LEE?!" Katara boiled over, fists clenched she began storming, "The two girls Azula was friends with for 15 YEARS!?"
Zuko immediately fought back while Sokka and Anila watched from the sidelines, Saki jumped from Zuko's arms and made her way over to Sokka.
"Well, Ty Lee was charismatic and Mai is smart, they make a good team!"
"As if, you just like Mai and made her head of a NATION!"
"That was a long time ago!"
"Sure, good job Zuko, your childhood girlfriend screwed us over!"
"SHE IS NOT MY GIRLFRIEND!" Zuko's voice echoed flames erupting from his hands, and birds flew from their roosts and Sokka covered his ears.
Katara stopped her onslaught and crossed her arms looking expectant, "Pray tell dear Prince then what is she? Last I heard you were engaged."
Zuko was breathing harshly and was speaking quickly, "We were engaged, but she broke it off…"
Katara's face softened and she looked genuinely sorry and berated herself, "Zuko…I…"
But he wasn't finished, "It doesn't matter, let's just go get Toph." He walked away but a tiny meowing at his feet stopped him.
Anila giggled, "It seems Saki likes you…" she wandered over picking up the animal.
"So?!" obviously Zuko still hadn't calmed down, he still looked frustrated and hurt, tears collecting ever so slightly from his scar.
Anila handed her over, the cat settling happily in Zuko's quivering arms, "You should take her."
For once Zuko was speechless, he nodded and Saki jumped on his shoulder. He walked down to Appa, Sokka following behind but whispering to his sister, "Stay back for a 5 minutes, we need guy talk." And before she could respond he had run to walk with the Prince.
She was still looking riled but her breathing was normal, "Anila? Can I ask you something?"
The girl nodded and sat patting the stone beside her; Katara accepted gratefully, "What's on your mind?"
Katara played with her braid, "You are an Air Nomad…right?"
Anila looked surprised but smiled happily, "You noticed I see."
"Yes, your eyes are the same color as Aang's." the Water Tribe girl pointed out.
"Interesting, though I am not an Airbender, two Nomads escaped the genocide and were able to disguise themselves among the Fire Nation people."
"So you've never known your people?"
Anila shook her head, "I've heard stories, and I've seen the murals around the Temple."
Katara tried to imagine being alone, "I'm sorry." Placing a hand on Anila's leg.
The girl's eyes however were winkling with a silent knowing, "Worry not Katara, I am not alone. Aang was not the last Airbender."
"What?" Katara stood, exploding from a confused happiness.
"Your brother wants you, don't worry Katara you will know what I mean in good time my friend. Have a safe journey."
A moment later Appa was floating beside her, Zuko offering a hand while Sokka was at the head. Katara watched the Wind Seer waving goodbye until a cloud drifted in front of her view. Zuko was sitting Saki purring at his shoulder, while Sokka was making a path to the Fire Nation. She looked at Zuko who caught her eye, she looked away, unsure whether to be angry or embarrassed.
Aang was not the last Airbender…
---A/N---
Saki will not magically turn into a girl that Zuko automatically loves. She's just a cat.