The festival started with colored tents erected and the streets full of vibrant colors and various types of people. Merchants filled the roads with their goods and the clowns and fair goers played with the fair games and attractions. Aang, Sokka and Toph made their way easily into the western tier and blended into the crowds. Not only are the rich mixing with the poor but they are even mixing with the traders who don't get to see them often . So the bargains were piling up and filling the air clamorously.
" Wow, these people really know how to party!" Sokka said as he watched a group of young girls dancing wildly in the square. He moved closer to them and gaped at them as they moved around exposing some parts which normally would make a guy's nose bleed.
Aang blushed and struggled to get Sokka moving , and the water tribe boy moved extremely slowly still keeping his eyes on them.
Zuko was already up and yawned when Katara looked into the bags he brought rather boredly.When she saw them her eyes bulged and this satisfied him very much.
He laid lazily on the bed and smiled," It's for you and Toya. "
She narrowed her eyes and frowned," Why?"
Yuura pulled out the blue and red dress and grinned at Zuko happily.
" I thought you said you wanted to go to the fair to day," the prince answered dully," so I got us something decent to wear"
She started but he neared her and took out a brown earth nation shirt made of cotton and had soft yellow designs." I'm going to change, you should get dressed, we might miss out on the activities if we're late." He left the room.
She gaped at him," what on earth"
Yuura tugged at her dress and pointed at the bag."Not you too"
She sighed and looked at the dresses he bought.They were all nice and beautiful.She found herself smiling and blushing as she picked out a simple blue dress with white designs and she quickly put it on.As she scanned her self on the mirror he walked in quietly and leaned by the wall, unnoticed by her.
'They're not so bad, but still what he did yesterday was'
He watched her silently , but his mind was certainly admiring her figure . She smiled to her self and turned around when she saw him in the mirror, a half smile on his handsome face . Blushing she quickly picked Yuura up and started to dress him in a orange shrit and brown pants. He looked absolutely adorable in it. Zuko sat beside her and looked at Yuura who was on her lap.
She smiled slightly ," Thanks"
" Not a matter, I wished there were better choices though. These aren't the best "
She rolled her eyes and got up . "Well, lets go then"
She started for the door and he followed slowly behind.Neither of them brought out the matter yesterday and kept it hidden behind the veils
Bhumi and Iroh were not in the bar and he figured they must have joined the crowd for the festival.They walked into the bustling streets and were soon following the throng to the fields outside of the town where most of the activities will be held. Katara stared at everything happily as she playfully pointed out the games along the road.Zuko however looked mildly interested and yawned throughout the entire trip down the road.
She was getting annoyed with this and confronted him," What's your problem Li"
He blinked, " What?" he asked boredly she stopped and stared at him. He sighed and folded his arms," I'm not doing anything"
" Why do you look so bored"
" Maybe because I am. "
She huffed indignantly and continued walking while muttering something under her breath.They came to the end of the street and saw the huge field full of tents and attractions.She gasped as her eyes savored the wonderful games while Zuko just looked around , one hand in his pants pocket . Yuura gigled joyfully as a clown passed them .The clown grinned and gave the child a small little toy that was cuddly and left.Katara grinned back and glanced at the prince. He wasn't looking at them but had his eyes on a group of young girls dancing wildly, nearby . Her eyes narrowed to slits and immediately felt a spasm of irritation. He seemed to have gotten their attention and they were waving at him and calling him to join them. She scowled in irritation. He however looked slightly amused and kept staring at them and this unnerved her. She grabbed his arms and pulled him away from there much to his shock and annoyance.
" What are you doing?" he asked her as they passed another tent.
She scowled at him and thrust Yuura into hims arms , " If you're so fascinated by dancing gypsies then go right ahead!I am going to enjoy myself with the games here all by myself thank you very much!' She turned to leave as Zuko looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
Then he smiled mysteriously and walked the opposite direction. Katara glanced behind and was utterly devastated to see him leave. She closed her eyes and groaned in irritation," That bastard! Why I didn't I just strangle him to death! Oh why bother..." she clenched her fists and turned around.
Bhumi and Iroh were standing infront of her grining." Hello Katara! Where's Li?" Iroh asked.
She huffed and frowned," Your dumb nephew has gone off to see gypsies"
Bhumi nudged Iroh in the ribs and both of them grinned," I see and you are jealous aren't you"
She folded her arms, " I am not ! I'm just glad that he's not a burden to me anymore. Well enjoy yourselves!" she said with gritted teeth and left them to wander about.The two men winked at each other," Looks like we have to make the possibilities open wider for them, eh Mushi?" Bhumi suggested as he stuffed a mouthful of cakes.
"Most certainly, when shall it commence then my trusty Bimmu"
Bhumi looked thoughtfully and grinned," Soon... hehehe!"
Zuko walked about the stalls and basically ignored the looks all the girls gave him. Yuura however seemed perfectly pleased with the attention he's getting.
" Hmm... so much of enjoying ourselves eh Toya?" he asked the child .Yuura gigled and them mumbled something incomprehensible. Zuko smiled and rubbed the happy child's head.
They neared a tent which had a big sign over it.
" The house of fears? How pathetic. Do you thinkwe should send Katara should in there and let her get spooked?" Zuko playfully asked Yuura. The boy gigled and gurgled in approval.
A strange glint flashed in his golden eyes," I am gonna have fun tonight."
By the time it was lunch, the water bender was sighing in irritation at loosing both Zuko and Yuura.She went looking for them high and low and nearly panicked .
" He couldn't have just walked out on me, could he? " she asked her self aloud as she sat on the ground with several others under a big tree with long branches reaching away on all sides.
She groaned slightly and leaned on the warm tree bark as her cerulean eyes watched the families around her. It brought the memories of her with Zuko and Yuura. She blushed everytime she thought about Zuko and this made her more annoyed.
" What on earth am I doing?! Getting so worked up over a spoilt prince!' she glanced at her dress and blushed again. Unknown to her a pair of hazy eyes stared queitly at her from beside the tree.
" Hello Katara"
Katara started and jumped at the sight of Toph who was leaning lazily on the tree.
" T-Toph! What are you- Oh.My.God..!" she half screamed and the words tumbled out in the wrong tone, more like a tone of horror. Toph snickered and sat down crossed legged. Katara immediately looked around for the bald monk and her infernal brother.
" Relaxs, they're not here , I got them busy with something more fascinating than you will ever be." Her eyes glinted and Katara relaxed slightly.
" H-How did you find me and why are you here"
" The need for shelther which led to suspicion on Bhumi hiding here and finally the need for a fair and a festival.. I think that about sums it all"
"Oh.. did- did they go looking for me?" Katara asked softly.
Toph folded her arms and leaned back on the bark," Yes, and failed to find you because they went looking in the wrong area"
Katara sighed softly in relieve.
" So how is it all with Zuko and Yuura"
The water bender started," What!? I- I hey.. How did you"
" Easy, I felt his vibration on the ground that night and felt your following him and ...I put two and two and got the answer, duh"
Katara blushed again but frowned to hide it," Actually I wasn't following him I went to sort something out on matters pertaining Yuura . I didn't even know It was him in the first place. We were ambushed by some wackos who call themselves thieves and fell into a ravine, accidentally"
" Yeah I'm sure. Well," Toph got up and started to walk away from Katara," We're up in the eastern tier, I don't think they know you're here yet. If you're careful you might not bump into them, and I'd advise you not to cause Sokka's not in a good mood now days. See ya! " she left waving her hands lazily and disapeared into the crowd.
Katara gaped at her and frowned," Great, just great!' she got up and felt her stomach grumble in hunger.Holding her tummy she neared a small stall and bought a sorry excuse of bread rolls for lunch as she didn't have enough money to buy something decent. In the town near the fields, Zuko was having a perfectly filling meal with Yuura, who looked so cheerful and was gigling all the time as the prince fed him bis food( mashed fruits, dates , milk and nuts...).
The prince however had his entire mind bent on his plan tonight," Nothing is going to spoil tonight..." he chuckled to himself, a mysterious light in his golden eyes . Beside his table, three young teenage girls were oogling dreamily at him and Yuura, their eyes seemed to be in heaven.
It was about all that she could stand when the sun was slowly sinking low into the western horizon. In her mind, this wasn't what she had planned for when she first found out about it. Yeah sure, she had fun riding the games and playing the attractions , but she did them all alone. Not with Zuko, or Yuura, or Aang, Sokka and Toph. She sudenly felt hopelessly frail and very alone. Katara walked back to the to the town and was crossing the small stream which separated the field and the town when someone tapped her lightly on her shoulders. She turned around to see Haru.
" Hey Katara," the earth bender greeted her cheerfully.
She smiled meekly and continued walking.
" You look tired and worn, have you eaten?"
She nodded weakly.
Haru grabbed her wrist and turned her to face him, " Look, lets have a bite first and then freshen up." He pulled her down the street to a restaurant and sat her on a chair. Katara followed him without word.
'Honestly I don't give a damn about anything anymore..' she thought to herself as a waiter placed plates of hot steaming food. She ate heartily and was soon in a happy conversation with Haru.
" So you lost Aang when the thieves tried to ambush you"
She nodded, sipping her tea.
" And fell down the ravine with Yuura"
" Yup"
" And you were all alone"
Katara nodded slowly her eyes looking attentively at the tea leaves swirling in the cup.
Haru leaned back and folded his arms," Then how did you meet that scar faced moron"
Katara nearly spitted out the tea in her mouth on Haru," W-what "
" You know, the guy with a scar on his head who took Yuura from you yesterday, remember"
" Oh.. him.." she looked away but smiled back at Haru." He's just some rag tag who thinks Yuura's his child. I met him only here, Nothing else. Hey come on, let's go back to the field, I hear there will be more fun things happening tonight ! " She got up and pulled him back to the field . Haru followed her grining happily.
Iroh and Bhumi walked pleasantly among the crowds in the fields. Bhumi held a huge toy and Iroh held a big pack of tea leaves, both grinning in sheer delight.
" Oh my it's almost time for the plan, Mushi"
Iroh nodded his head his smile dropping slightly." I just hope nothing bad happens"
Bhumi waved his hands in dismissal," Not to worry, the more the merrier! And the more fiesty it will get! Ah, think of the possibilities"
" I'm trying to but I see only utter chaos! "
" Chaos is good for budding couples Mushi, you know that" Bhumi winked.
Iroh blushed as his mind reverted to his youth when he was courting his wife, with Bhumi's help.
He grinned and slapped Bhumi on the back," Well on with the plan then"Hope you liked that... The fun's about to start, ladies and gents!
Enjoy and please, please review.. all your comments are making me smile everyday!
P:S sorry for the grammar and the spelling mistakes... I'm very careless and don't recheck what I write. My humble apologies.
:))