Disclaimer: Refer to ch.1
Chapter 11: The Ball
Soon the day of the ball had come and it seemed the whole city was moving about in a fuss. People tried to make last minute arrangements; girls trying to look beautiful, men still trying to find dates. Sokka had managed to find Suki, and to his elation she had agreed to go with him. The problem was that Sokka didn't explain his plan to the girl. His primary interest was to keep tabs on his sister and stop Zuko from doing anything to her. Little did he know he wasn't alone in this regard.
Although they had given Aang the day off from training just like Toph and Katara, Iroh and Zuko still proceeded with their own morning training. They had moved into the advanced sets, and Zuko was making good progress. Iroh reminded the young man though that he needed to remember his basics, because they would be what could save his life. Iroh was less concerned then he had been the first time as Zuko had tried the lightning technique. It still blew up in his face, but the old man now had renewed hope that his nephew could come to terms with his past, perhaps with the aid of a certain young lady.
When they returned to their house Iroh said, "Oh Zuko, I have a surprise for you."
Zuko, not really one for his uncle's surprises, mentally cringed at the words. Iroh walked into his room, and came back out with a parcel. He handed the parcel to his nephew, encouraging him to open it. Zuko complied somewhat hesitantly, feeling that it was clothes and fearing his uncle's sense of style. His expression turned to one of astonishment at the sight of what he now held.
In his hands was a set of formal attire similar to that of his youth. There was a light gray silk shirt and matching pants. With it was a near sleeveless red vest that came down to his thighs, a dark gray sash for around his waist, and even the red shoulder piece with the flame like points at the shoulders. Red and dark gray gauntlets and boots finished the outfit. He had not worn anything like this since before his banishment.
"U-uncle, I…" He started but then shut his mouth and bowed in thanks.
Iroh chuckled, "It was no real difficulty really. I was able to get one of the palace tailors to make it based on the drawing in my book. It was kind of bittersweet for the man. He didn't like doing Fire Nation clothing, but he has always seemed to enjoy trying something different. Besides, what kind of uncle would I be if I let you escort the young lady to the ball looking all shabby?"
"That reminds me, what exactly do you plan on do doing tonight?"
"Oh, I intend to be at the Ball as well. I shall be accompanying a fine lady that I met the other day at the palace. Her name is Wu." Iroh replied with a smile. "I'll introduce you all at the ball."
"Wait a minute, how did you know what measurements to give the tailor?" Zuko asked as he realized that he'd never been fitted.
Iroh rubbed the back of his head, giving a sheepish grin, and explained, "That's an amusing story actually…"
Later that day Zuko had bathed and was just finishing with his attire when he looked into a mirror. It had been months since he had worn his nation's style of clothing, and he had to admit that it felt rather nice to do so again. Even if it was just for one night. He looked at his face. He still didn't understand exactly why Katara would agree to go with him with this disfigured marking on his face. He'd let his hair grow out, but it was far from being able to put up into a topknot. He remembered Iroh's words of looking shabby, and grabbed a comb. Soon his hair was combed and parted.
Katara was just finishing applying the small amount of make up she was going to wear, a light dusting of blush, a little eyeliner, and some soft red lipstick. She also applied a couple dabs of the perfume she had gotten when they'd been at the abbey. She stood and looked at herself in her mirror. She had done her hair like her mother's, with a bun and braid lying over top of unbound hair reaching to the small of her back and the usual hair loops. She was also wearing the new dress that fit her form like a glove. She had to admit that she looked pretty darn good, and a couple years older.
She quickly heard the sound of a soft knock coming from the front door. It was about time for Zuko to arrive. Sokka had gone off to pick up Suki, Toph was out in the main room waiting for everyone, and Aang was just dressing in his room. Toph had answered, moving surprisingly quickly given the dress that she wore. It was the one that she had been given for the welcoming feast when they had first arrived at the grand city. After telling him to get inside, Katara heard the young earthbender make a comment about her taking so much time.
Katara rushed out of her room, and shouted, "What is that supposed to mean? If I remember correctly the reason I took so long was because I had to do your make up and hair before mine!" She then turned to Zuko, who was staring at her with awe and shock. The latter due to her sudden, loud entrance. "What about you? Do you have anything to say about girls taking a long time to prepare? Trust me, I've heard enough of that from Sokka."
Zuko just stood there and shook his head, still admiring the sight of her. She practically looked like a full-grown young woman, beyond her fifteen years. He could tell that under the dark blue collar the necklace she had once lost hung. He felt an anger and shame build inside him having learned the fate of her mother. He knew he could not take away what had happened, but he almost wished he could.
Katara looked at him up and down. He wore what looked like Fire Nation formal attire, and his hair was neatly combed. A part of her was drawn back to the image of him standing beside his mother. He looked like a prince again rather than a peasant as he did in those Earth Kingdom clothes. Though she would have to admit that she personally kind of liked his hair messy.
"Okay you two, stop gawking at each other, and get moving. I'll bring Twinkle toes once he gets out here." Toph said, breaking the silence that started to form.
"Yes, well." Zuko muttered, then bowed to Katara and offered his arm as he straightened.
She looped her arm with his, and they left.
"You can come out now." Toph said.
Aang slowly came out of his room. He wore the long black robes that he'd received, his hat in his hand. He looked rather depressed, and seemed to lack the energy that usually filled his movements.
'Great, why do I have to deal with a love sick Avatar while everyone else goes off on dates." Toph thought. She sighed, "Listen, nothing's saying you can't talk or anything with her. Maybe you can even get in a few dances with her."
Aang looked at her, "You really think so?"
Toph said, "Sure, he can't be with her every minute of the night. So buck up, and stop moping about. Lets get going before Sokka gets there and eats all the food."
"Right, thanks a lot Toph." Aang smiled. Maybe if he played his cards right his dreams could still come true that night. Toph just grabbed his sleeve and dragged him out of the house.
All the people trying to make their way into the festivities crowded the gates to the palace's grand hall. There was a kind of surprised parting of the crowd as a pair of young people, one in red the other in blue, walked toward the gates. They each felt the gazes upon them, and each felt a myriad of emotions at them. A number of the gazes directed at Katara were looks of awe at the foreign beauty that she exuded, but there were those that recognized her as one of the people that had aided the firebenders' escape, giving looks of mild contempt. Most were stares of shocked and outraged people looking upon the young man with her. They couldn't believe that this young man from their enemy would wear the attire of his homeland in their city, at their social event. But the king had spoken. The two were accepted in his kingdom and were now allies.
The two came into the grand hall to find a massive, gloriously decorated room. There were streamers and banners of greens, golds, purples, and beiges. The middle of the room was left wide open for couples to dance, and there were at least a dozen already doing so. An orchestra was playing up on a large balcony for all to hear. There was a multitude of tables of varying sizes spread along the outside of the hall. It was at one of these tables that they saw Iroh waving them over beside an elder lady that Katara would soon recognize.
"Aunt Wu!" Katara exclaimed running forward to the fortuneteller.
Zuko walked up to them and asked, "Is she related to you?"
"That's just what I like to have people call me." The woman smiled. "The truth is that I've only met this young lady once, but I had the feeling we'd meet again."
Iroh came up beside his date and said, "As you already seem to know Katara, allow me to introduce you to my nephew. Wu this is Zuko. Nephew, this is the fine lady that I told you about, Wu."
As Zuko nodded to her, she commented, "Please, just call me Aunt Wu."
Toph and Aang soon arrived at the grand hall the former still hanging onto the sleeve of the latter. There were so many people about that Toph's senses were a little overwhelmed. She could handle herself in this frenzy, but she felt quite reassured having another with her amidst it. They soon were able to make their way to the table where the other four were seated.
"Ah the young Avatar! How are you, my dear boy?" Aunt Wu asked. "And my, who is this pretty young lady with you?"
"The name's Toph." The young earthbender replied. "Who're you lady?"
Wu smiled, "I am Aunt Wu, the fortuneteller. You are the daughter of the Hei Fong family are you not? They employed my services some years ago."
Toph snorted, "I'm not surprised."
"Hey guys!" A voice practically shouted.
They turned to see Sokka in his black and white robe holding hands with a brown haired girl. She wore a dark green dress and her face was painted in a similar yet softer look than usual. She smiled at the group as they approached.
"Suki, how did my brother manage to wrangle you into coming with him." Katara laughed, greeting the girl from Kyoshi.
Suki just smiled, "Well, I kind of preferred coming to something like this with someone I knew rather than some of the strangers that asked."
Sokka's face took on a kind of pouting look behind her. Introductions were made, and surprisingly Suki accepted that Katara was there with Zuko. The two had a short dispute about the time that Zuko had come to her village, but it was soon laid to rest. The past cannot be changed. They all rather enjoyed their dinners, Sokka doing his best not to just shove his into his mouth in front of his date. He'd learned that lesson when he'd met Yue.
Kings Loki and Bumi eventually made their way over to the group to say their greetings. They were somewhat surprised by the firebenders' attire as well, but soon Bumi was joking about possibly trying something like that. He thought that the pointy-toed shoes would look rather festive, especially if small bells were put on the points. Zuko rolled his eyes at the crazy old king as the others laughed.
After they were all mostly finished with dinner, Zuko stood and slightly bowed as he asked Katara if she wanted to dance. She smiled accepting his hand, and he led her out onto the dance floor. The song was a slow ballad, and Zuko placed his hand on her waist, repositioning their connected hands. Her other hand came instinctually up onto his shoulder. He led her carefully into the dance, letting her become accustomed to his gentle leading movements. Iroh watched as the two moved into the rhythm of the music, and smiled. Even in war there were moments of true peace. He turned to his own date and soon led her onto the dance floor.
The two boys left at the table watched the younger pair as they danced amongst the crowd. Aang felt a surge of anger and sadness as he gazed upon the two. He was sad because Katara was showing the older boy the affection that he wanted, smiling at him the he wanted her to smile him, and letting him hold her like Aang wanted to hold her. He was angry with Zuko for being the one where he should be. Sokka was watching the young firebender carefully. He would make sure that the boy didn't try anything, or put his hands where they didn't belong. Of course, in his opinion they were already where they didn't belong.
Suki sat there with her arms crossed. She finally had enough of this, and practically shouted, "Sokka are you going to ask me to dance or not?"
The boy turned toward her in shock, startled from his observation. He quickly nodded, seeing the look on her face, and stood. The two quickly made their way out onto the floor. Sokka had to admit that this wasn't so bad. While dancing he could keep a closer eye upon the pair.
Toph was beginning to get bored. Everyone else had left the table, leaving her with a mulling airbender. Aang was just sitting there, no doubt watching Sugar Queen as she danced with Scarface. The boy was really getting on her nerves. Even blind, Toph could see just how well suited the waterbender and firebender were for each other. Why couldn't he see it? Then again, he probably did and that's what seemed to make him miserable.
'Well, no reason that his misery should ruin my evening.' She thought. She got up, snatched his arm, and dragged him toward the crowd. She said, "C'mon Twinkle toes, lets see if you're as light on your feet dancing as you are fighting."
Katara was thoroughly enjoying herself as the young man with her proved his uncle's words true. Zuko really was a pretty good dancer. She looked up to see that he looked as if he was enjoying himself too. It wasn't all that often that his face relaxed like it had. She smiled at him, and he returned the gesture until someone tapped on his shoulder.
"Can I cut in?" Aang asked.
Before either had a chance to answer he had replaced Zuko's hands with his own, and led Katara off. Zuko was now very irritated with the younger boy. He had just taken Zuko's date right out from under his nose. He started off in the direction the two had disappeared to, but was stopped by a firm hand on his sleeve. He looked back at the shorter girl.
Toph said, "Let him have a dance or two. You've got plenty of time with her left. Lets head back to the table, I don't like having this many people right around me."
Zuko gave a small smile, and surprised her as he took up a position in front of her to dance. At her confused look he explained, "It'll be easier to get out of this mess like this."
They danced, moving toward the edge of the floor and round to where their table was. As they sat they found that Iroh and Wu had already returned. As they were not as young as they once were they were had tired out before any of their younger companions.
"It seems you misplaced your date, Zuko." Iroh joked.
Zuko crossed his arms, and said, "She's dancing with Aang right now."
Iroh nodded, "Hmm, well Wu here has been telling me all about her fortune telling. It is such an interesting art, but a rather cryptic one. You would probably not find it too fascinating."
At his snort, Wu asked Zuko, "Would you care if I did a reading on you?"
"It'd just be rubbish. I don't believe that your life can be mapped out before your birth. My future is for me to make as I live, and I'll make it with these two hands and my flame."
He got up, feeling rather restless. He needed something to ease his racing mind, and calm himself. He saw Katara and Aang over by a table with refreshments. He excused himself and made his way over to the two.
Aunt Wu watched his retreating form, having already got a few inclinations of what his future foretold. She turned to Iroh and asked, "What do you say to me telling your fortune?"
He chuckled, "As I told you before there is only one great surprise left at my age, and I'd rather leave that a mystery."
"Firebenders." She muttered, looking upset. Though it was kind of nice having people that didn't depend on you for everything. She remembered having to tell Katara a complete summary of her life. Then she smiled and turned to Toph. "What about you, my dear?"
Zuko walked up to the two friends at the large bowl of punch. He came to a stop beside Katara and filled a small cup, quickly drinking it down. The girl smiled at him as he refilled her cup. Aang had a disconcerted look on his face. He had hoped that Toph would of kept him at bay longer than this. He had only managed one dance with Katara.
Sounding as civil as his irritation would allow, Zuko said, "If you don't mind Aang, I think I'm going to steel my date back."
This time before the boy had a chance to reply Zuko had set Katara's empty cup down, and led her off. He didn't lead her toward the dance floor; rather he led her toward a large doorway leading to the palace gardens. Darkness had fallen, and he could tell that the full moon had risen into the night sky. She would probably rather enjoy a nice relaxing stroll amongst the moonlit flora.
They came out to find that the rows of plants were beautifully bathed in the silvery light of the moon. There were flowers off all types on the bushes arranged on a number of step-like levels leading to a fountain at the bottom. They walked about the garden passing couples that had escaped the crowded hall to enjoy a romantic moment or two to themselves. They finally sat upon the ledge of the fountain.
Katara smiled, "You know, over a month ago on a night like this with so much water on hand I would probably be thinking of ways to take you down if you were around. It's kind of funny how things have turned out."
"Yeah," he replied quietly, "But I think I kind of like the way things have turned out. Even if your brother doesn't trust me in the slightest."
"Why do you say that?" she asked, furrowing her brows.
Zuko smirked, "He's been watching us all night, making sure I haven't tried anything. He's up there behind a bush with that girl looking right at us, right now."
Katara stood and shouted, "HE'S WHAT?" She sent a water whip at the bush Zuko had indicated, and smiled hearing her brother's cry of pain.
Suki stood pulling away Sokka, who was rubbing his head that would soon sport a new bruised lump. She complained, "I told you not to go after them. I said that it would end badly for you. But no, you just had to make sure that 'the big mean firebender' didn't try anything on your little sister. Some date this has been."
Zuko laughed as Katara sat back down, still mad at Sokka, but kind of pitying him for whatever plans Suki had in store for him. She couldn't resist joining in on the laughter; this was even rarer than Zuko's smile. Their good mood would soon be interrupted as a woman in her forties or fifties approached them.
She asked, "Excuse me, I couldn't help but notice your attire, young sir, and I was wondering if you were the young firebender, Zuko, that people have been talking about. Are you?"
Zuko eyed her suspiciously, "I am. What do you want?"
"Your mother's name was Ursa, yes?"
"Yes. How did you…"
The old woman smiled, "I met her about seven years ago. She came here covered in bandages, claiming to be a leper. She was placed in a small ghetto for them in the northern part of the outer city, along the wall. I worked as a healer trying to help them at the time. You can imagine my shock at discovering that she was covered in burns instead. She was a kind lady, and we spoke often until her death."
Both young people's eyes widened. Katara started, "D-death?"
"Yes, I'm sorry to say about three months after arriving here she passed away." The woman replied sadly. "She spoke often of her son, Zuko. I can tell you that she was very proud of you, and loved you dearly."
Zuko was looking at the ground. His mother had been here in this city. She had died in this very city. She had been covered in burns, but inflicted by whom? He asked, "Excuse me but where are her remains now?"
"She was cremated and her remains buried in a cemetery along the north wall. She told me once of how she had been burned. Apparently, it had been her own husband who did it after killing his own father. She had walked in to find him writing some thing with the body on the ground next to him. She confronted him about it and he burned her. She eventually made it here. I'm sorry, but I thought you should know."
Without looking up he said, "Thank you." As the woman walked away he turned to Katara. "I, I think that I'll be leaving soon. If you wish to stay feel free."
She could see the pain in his features, even though he was trying to keep an impassive mask up. She set her hands on his shoulders and said, "Listen, the last thing you need is to be left alone right now. I'll take you home and we can talk. Just let me tell the others that we're going. I won't even tell them why if you don't want."
He slowly stood and nodded, "Thank you."
A/N: There you are. You're about as caught up on the story as I am, but I do have the rest planned out.
