Disclaimer: Avatar: The Last Airbender belongs purely to Mike and Bryan. This is just my vain attempt to live past the series finale.
Chapter 11: The Realization
Summary: As the daughter of the Chief of the Southern Water Tribe, Katara must and will do whatever it takes to keep her people and her nation safe, even leaving it in order to become a servant in the home of the Fire Nation's Royal Family for infiltration. Instead of the war and destruction she expected, she finds beauty, life, and love, shown to her by the Fire Nation Prince himself.
Last Time…
"Katara!"
She didn't appear to hear him over the patter of the rain on metal and the roar of the waves.
"Katara!" he cried more insistently.
Katara finally seemed to hear him and turned her back on the wave just as he was about let go of the railing and run to her. He froze when he took notice of the ice encasing her feet up to her ankles and finally noticed her arms raised up.
Katara's expression turned to one of fear and she turned her body completely towards him and she quickly moved her arms, raising them high above her head before thrusting them forwards, as if she were pushing something away from her. Zuko frowned in confusion since there was nothing in front of her. He turned around and saw the large wave that would have crashed down on him if it wasn't pushed in the opposite direction. Understanding dawned on his expression and before he could react, his own expression darkened since in her effort to save him, Katara forgot about the wave on her side.
The tower of water fell down on her and she went down, disappearing in the flood of water. Zuko immediately let go and did his best to slide his way towards her since he couldn't run over the slippery surface. The water receded and his stomach dropped when he saw her limp frame being dragged with it, nearly slamming into the railing. He dove onto his stomach and reached his arms to grab her and turned them so that he hit his back against the railing. The momentum kept pulling at her lower half, which was able to fit in the space between the railing and the deck.
Holding her securely with one arm, Zuko grunted as he reached his free arm out to pull in her legs and curl them against her body, which in turn was curled against his. He noticed that one of her ankles was bruised and he cursed, realizing that she must have broken it when the wave forced her down while she was still encased in the ice.
Zuko struggled to his feet, carrying Katara and shifting her over his shoulder as he carefully made his way to the hatch and down the ladder with one arm, rushing immediately to the infirmary.
Using his shoulder to burst through the infirmary door, Zuko gently lay Katara onto a bed. He gently lifted her head to press his fingers to her neck and feel for her pulse. Zuko sighed in relief when he felt the faint thumping against the pads of his fingers. Carefully hovering over her mouth and nose, Zuko frowned at her lack of breath and immediately pinched her nose and gently held her jaw with his other hand. His heartbeat thudded in his ears and he lowered his mouth to hers and blew two quick breaths before pulling back and placing his ear above her mouth to check for breathing. He cursed when there was none and repeated the process until Katara began to cough up water. Zuko gently turned her head to the side and he brushed away wet tendrils of hair from her face.
He checked her pulse again and noted that it was still stable and he also made sure she was breathing steadily before he left her and tore into the nearby office searching for the ship's physician. He saw him sitting at his desk, peering over several papers and grabbed the back of his shirt and lifted the man to his feet.
"I've brought in a girl. She's lying unconscious on the bed with a broken ankle. Just regained her breath after coughing up water. Go!"
The physician nodded quickly, "Yes, Prince Zuko!"
He ran out of his office, pausing to grab some tools from his desk and he nearly fell when the ship was rocked by a wave again. Zuko followed after and watched as he had called for his one assistant to aid in carefully bandaging Katara's ankle.
"Is there anything else?"
"A wave overwhelmed her. She probably hit her head."
The doctor made a quiet "hmm" sound in acknowledgement. He turned to Zuko and nodded approvingly, "It's a good thing you turned her on her side then, should any water in her lungs come up and choke her..."
Zuko murmured, "I already gave her mouth to mouth resuscitation. She coughed up some water already."
"Might not be all of it. In any case, you did well, Prince Zuko." He looked her over and nodded approvingly once again at the constant rise and fall of her chest. "She should be fine, although that nasty bump on her head may have given her a concussion…"
The doctor leaned over Katara's face and gently pulled back her eyelids. He lit a small flame on the tip of his finger and held it up to her eyes. Zuko tensed at the close proximity between Katara's face and the flame. "Her pupils are responsive… Prince Zuko, I can't do anymore until she wakes up and lets us know how she feels. Or unless we get to land and find a healer."
"There's no way we can get to land until this storm passes," Zuko growled.
"Then the best we can do is hope Miss Katara wakes up soon. Even if she doesn't have a concussion, I don't like her being unconscious with a head injury."
"Dr. Zhou… she'll be alright though, won't she?"
Dr. Zhou peered up at the young prince in slight surprise at the quiet tone his voice took. He tried to get a good luck at him, but his shaggy black hair obstructed his face. "I assure you, Prince Zuko, Katara will be fine."
He gestured at Zuko's wet clothes and hair. "You should change your clothes and dry off. Liang and I will be here with Katara."
Zuko shook his head adamantly. "I can just use my Firebending to dry off. I'm not leaving."
"That may be the case, your highness, but Katara also needs a new change of clothes. Liang will take care of that while you go change."
Zuko hesitated but nodded quickly. "I'll just be outside then." He swiftly left the infirmary to lean on the wall outside of the door, his head in his hands. He took a deep breath and by his exhale, steam rose up from his clothes and body, leaving him warm and dry.
After what seemed like hours, the infirmary door opened quietly and Liang stuck her head out and motioned for Zuko to come back in. He walked in slowly, observing quietly as Liang fussed over the sheets, raising them up over Katara's body and then tenderly probing at her ankle and adjusting the elevation of her leg. With one last soft brush of Katara's hair to keep it out of her face, Liang turned back to Zuko and nodded before disappearing into the offices where Zuko assumed Dr. Zhou had already returned.
He dragged a chair over to her side and plopped down, shaking his head again. Raising his gaze from his hands to Katara's face, Zuko pursed his lips before he reached out to cover her hand with one of his. "Thank you."
'She saved my life… she risked her life to make sure the rest of us would be okay. How long could she have been up there? She was completely soaked… but what a powerful bender.'
Still unable to wrap his head around the fact that Katara was a Waterbender, Zuko lowered his head onto his arm.
'A Waterbender. A Waterbender. If she kept that a secret, then what else did she lie about? I… Do I really know anything about her then? Do I know who she is?'
Staring at their two hands, Zuko remembered the first conversation he had with Katara in which he felt as if he had found a real confidante— someone who could understand where he was coming from. They had both shared stories of how they lost their mothers. Katara had worried about him, been in the position he was in right now— staying at his bedside while he was injured. She treated him as more than just a prince. She laughed with him and wasn't afraid to laugh at him. He might not know exactly where Katara came from or her reason for being in the Fire Nation but he was fairly positive— no, Zuko knew— even if Katara lied about where she came from, he knew her heart.
"I know exactly who you are," he whispered. 'And I'll wait until you're ready to explain things to me.'
Katara groaned and reached a hand up to her temple, or at least she tried to. When she attempted to pull her hand up, it was restrained by a weight. Forcing her tired eyes open, Katara was more than shocked at the dark haired young man resting his head on the edge of her bed. He was sleeping on top of her hand. She stopped wriggling her hand and used her other one to gently probe her left temple, which was throbbing.
She hissed at the contact but before she jerked her fingers back, she had felt the large bump. Katara also noted the harshness in her chest and throat when she breathed, likely due to the saltwater she had inhaled when it overtook her. Her eyes were also burning.
'It feels good when I close my eyes… I'll just sleep for a little bit more… Heal myself later.'
Katara sighed and turned onto her side, wincing as the movement caused pain in her left ankle. She gingerly adjusted it before the drowsiness took over, her eyesight becoming blurry. The last thing she saw was the dark messy hair in front of her and she smiled softly before falling back to sleep.
Zuko jerked awake when he felt slight motion on the bed, expecting to see Katara awake and fussing. He rubbed his good eye and blinked to force his vision to focus and he frowned in confusion at Katara's sleeping countenance.
"I'm sorry, Prince Zuko, that was me," Liang's soft voice echoed in the empty infirmary. "I was merely changing the bandaging on her ankle," she explained.
"She still hasn't woken up," Zuko concluded forlornly.
"Oh no, she has. Granted, she doesn't stay awake for very long periods of time, but the doctor and I have seen her open her eyes and look around for a few moments before dozing back to sleep. She seems less and less disorientated every time she wakes up and she seems to last a little longer each time, so the doctor is growing more confident that she should recover in no time and be back to normal without any long term problems."
"Thank you, Liang."
"Of course. Would you like me to get something from the galley for you? I can get one of the servants to bring it."
"No, it's fine."
Liang smiled at him, as if she knew something he didn't. "Katara was mumbling something about feeding you and getting you in a proper bed before she went back to sleep."
Rolling his eye, Zuko drawled, "I'm sure she did. But it's fine."
"Ok. Well I'll be retiring to my cabin but you can call for me or the doctor if any complications arise, although I doubt there'll be any."
"Thank you, Liang," he reiterated.
The older woman smiled at him kindly before quietly ducking out of the infirmary. Zuko groaned as he rotated his neck, one of his hands massaging his neck. He winced when he heard the soft cracking in his joints as he reached an arm up above him.
"Agni, Katara," he groaned. "How did you manage to do this when I was the one stuck in the infirmary?"
As Zuko twisted his torso he heard his back crack and he arched upwards and heard more cracking. He sat back down and stared at her face, peaceful and still. The only motion came from the slight rise and fall of her chest. He peered down at her hands, and slowly reached out one of his own, hesitating before he took it. Turning her hand over in his, he gently trailed his fingertips along the lines of her palm and up her delicate fingers.
"Small hands, but so much power," he whispered, remembering the image of her on deck, completely drenched by the cold water, her hair matted against her scalp and face and her clothes weighing heavily against her small frame. But the sheer power she showed as she controlled the rough waves was impressive.
"Why is it that you always get yourself into trouble and make me worry about you constantly? I guess that's fair after what I put you through this last time…" he recalled, remembering her presence at his bed after his father had attacked him.
Thinking back to when he was in Katara's position, Zuko stared once more at her hands, remembering the bright blue glow he had seen through bleary eyes or from behind his lids when sleep was starting to leave him.
'I've heard of that before… the glowing light of a Waterbender's healing. She was… trying to heal me? She's a healer!'
His eyes widened and he left Katara's side to search the infirmary for an empty basin and then a faucet to fill it with before placing at her bedside table and sitting back down, once more taking her hand in his.
Zuko glanced around the infirmary and towards the offices, even though he knew that Dr. Zhou and Liang had long retired to their own cabins. He flushed before he whispered, "I don't know if you can hear this or if I'm just being an idiot, but I want you to get better soon, Katara. Just wake up, okay? Just be okay?"
He frowned at the lack of change in her expression and sighed, lowering his head onto the edge of the bed and forcing himself to sleep.
Katara slowly opened her eyes, wearily glancing around the room and was surprised to see Zuko still sleeping at her bedside, although this time instead of pinning her hand down, he held it in one of his own. She felt herself blush but she couldn't help but smile at him. Her head was still pounding from the impact from when she fell against the deck, but when she pressed her free hand to where she remembered the bump being, she was pleased to note the swelling had gone down. The same, however, couldn't be said about her ankle.
Looking at her bedside table, Katara raised her eyebrows at the basin filled with water. In a panic, she glanced between it and Zuko, confused.
'He… I thought for sure he saw me waterbending. But if he's still here with me and I'm in the infirmary instead of the brig, then I… I guess he didn't. But why else is there a basin full of water if he doesn't know?'
Katara nearly laughed out loud at herself.
'Stupid. It's probably from the doctor cleaning me up or something. Stop being so paranoid, Katara.' She glanced back at the basin. 'But since it's here, I might as well… but I need to make sure I don't heal too much or they'll be suspicious. Might as well work on my ankle first. The worst the bump on my head will give me now is an ugly bruise.'
Lifting her raised hand, she bent some water out of the basin and grunted as she tried to sit up without waking up Zuko and leaned towards her ankle, her face contorted in effort as she stretched to reach it. She sighed at the instant relief and explored the injury, satisfied at that there were no torn ligaments or any damage to the joint. Katara saw the bruising on her ankle lighten and decided to stop there, bending the water back into the basin.
Katara glanced down at Zuko and her gaze softened once more. "So stubborn… I told the nurse to tell him to get into a real bed."
Zuko's voice was husky from sleep and muffled by the arm he rested his head on. "I was worried. And my back can handle sleeping in a chair better than yours did," he replied, repeating the words she used on him when he berated her for sleeping at his bedside.
He turned his head and looked up at her without lifting his head, his cheek still resting against his forearm. "Care to explain what you think you were doing on deck during the storm?"
Katara tensed up and stammered, "I-I-I was…"
Zuko sat up with a slight frown. 'She's scared to tell me. Well of course she is, she'll think that I'll toss her overboard if she tells me.'
"Do you want anything to eat?"
"I— what?" Katara was flustered from trying to think of an excuse and then Zuko's sudden change in topic.
"You've been out for a while. You need to eat something," he said plainly.
"Uh… yeah, I guess I'm kind of hungry."
"I'll go get something from the galley then." Zuko stood, wincing slightly at the soreness in his body. "Anything in mind?"
With a small smile, Katara paused to think before she answered innocently, "Sizzle-crisps?"
"Sizzle-crisps?" Zuko asked skeptically. "I don't think Dr. Zhou would let me get away with that. I was thinking of a bowl of jook."
Katara made a face, scrunching up her nose and squinting her blue eyes at him in distaste.
Zuko sighed. "I might be able to sneak some leechi nuts onto it." He flushed when Katara beamed back at him in gratitude.
"Thanks, Zuko. And sorry, for all of this."
"Just… get better, okay?"
Katara smiled and quietly murmured, "Mm-hmm. Now hurry back before I fall back asleep." She yawned and held a hand to her head, grimacing.
"Your head hurts?"
"It's not that bad. I have a huge bump, right? Bound to have some headaches."
"Katara, I don't think—"
"It's nothing, I'm sure. Please, just go eat."
Zuko hesitated at the door, but nodded and hurried to the galley to get her food, hoping the cook wouldn't be too grumpy when he woke him up. When he returned to the infirmary with the two bowls of jook, Katara's topped with not just leechi nuts, but ash bananas as well, Katara smiled at him lethargically and took the bowl from him, although her grip was shaky. Zuko helped her hold the bowl and frowned at her.
"Are you sure you're okay to eat?"
Her brows knitting together, she blinked at the food and made a face. "Maybe you're right. It might be the ship's rocking but I'm feeling kind of nauseated."
"Nauseated? I should go get Dr. Zhou."
"No, no, no. It's nothing, I'm sure," she repeated.
"Katara, I think that—"
Katara held a hand up, the other going back to her head. "Hold on, I can't win an argument with you if I can't look at you and I can't look at you when I'm seeing double."
"You're seeing double now? I don't care what you say, Katara, I'm getting Dr. Zhou."
"You're over… reacting," she slurred.
Zuko quickly took the bowl from her limp hands as her eyes rolled back and her head fell back onto her pillow and carelessly put the bowl on her bedside table, taking her face in his hands and gently rapping his fingertips against her face to wake her up. He pulled back her eyelids, unnerved at her lack of response. He ran out of the infirmary towards Dr. Zhou's cabin, knocking insistently on the door.
"Dr. Zhou! Wake up! I need you in the infirmary!"
The sleepy man opened the door, his glasses askew and his shoes mismatched. "Who-how-wuzzit?"
"Infirmary! Now!" Zuko roared.
"Oh! Yes, yes, of course your highness."
Zuko had to admit that the man was quick to urgency when his job called for it. He followed him back to Katara and he was quick about checking for her pulse and breathing before checking her pupil dilation, his brow furrowed. Dr. Zhou sighed and his expression was grim when he looked at the anxious prince.
"What's wrong? Why aren't you doing anything?"
"I'm sorry, Prince Zuko, but I can't tell what's wrong with her unless we get to a more sophisticated facility or find a healer. As far as I can tell, that bump on her head probably caused more than a concussion— she may be suffering from a cerebral hemmorhage."
"A what?"
"Bleeding in her brain."
Dr. Zhou looked as if he were bracing himself for Zuko's temper but before Zuko could respond, the infirmary door opened to reveal one of his lieutenants. He bowed respectfully before addressing Zuko.
"Your highness, in the past few hours, the storm has decreased considerably in strength and size. However, it has prevented us from making much headway and we are still only a few kilometers from Whale Tail Island. One of my men tells me that another storm may be approaching. Would you like us to return or continue on towards the Southern Water Tribe?"
Zuko grit his teeth. There would most likely be healers at the Southern Water Tribe but they'd be delayed by the storm most likely, and he didn't know how much time Katara had. Even if they did manage to make it there in time, the tribe's warriors would delay them. An unconscious Water Tribe girl also wouldn't help that particular situation.
"Tell me— the Fire Nation military post on Whale Tail Island, are there healers?"
"There should be. Any captured healer in the past century has been stationed throughout the Fire Nation's camps all over the world."
"Then we're turning back. Full speed, do you understand?."
"Yes, Prince Zuko."
Dr. Zhou turned his attention back to Zuko. "I'm sorry, Prince Zuko. Without more complex tools, I can't accurately diagnose or treat her. I'd rather err on the side of caution."
"No, I understand," Zuko replied numbly. His gaze didn't leave Katara. "There's nothing we can do until we get there," he concluded.
"I'm afraid not. I'd suggest you get some sleep, your highness."
Zuko grunted at him before reclaiming his seat by Katara's bedside. Dr. Zhou cast the two a solemn look before wearily returning to his cabin.
Turning his gaze upwards, shaking his head, Zuko once more took her hand. "Look, I'm not a big believer in the Spirit World like my uncle is, but please, if there's any spirit that can help her, please just keep Katara safe," he whispered brokenly.
Zuko's jaw clenched, his stare unwavering as he watched the older woman maneuver her glowing hands over Katara's head, her wizened face contorted with focus. With a deep breath, he crossed his arms, his hands still in tight fists, and knit his eyebrows together, a crease appearing between them. Zuko turned when his uncle put a hand on his shoulder.
"Perhaps it might be better for you to take a walk, Prince Zuko."
"I'm not leaving."
"I'm aware of your concern, but it is manifesting itself in such a way that may be disruptive to Pukiq," he gestured to the healer taking care of Katara. Iroh held up a hand to still Zuko when his nephew opened his mouth to speak. "I'm sure that she doesn't appreciate the frequent sighing or the tapping of your foot, nephew."
"That's not necessary," Pukiq spoke up. "I've been trained and am used to working under distracting conditions. Prince Zuko can stay. I've finished."
"You finished?" Zuko finally moved towards Katara's side, unable to do so earlier due to the unspoken boundary that Pukiq had set when she first began healing Katara.
"She's a strong girl. She'll need some rest for the next few hours, but she'll be fine. I managed to stop the bleeding and alleviate the swelling. The spirits must have smiled down on you, Prince Zuko. Any later, and I don't know what I, or any other healer for that matter, could have done. You can stay with her, if you'd like, but I hope it goes without saying that she shouldn't be disturbed until she wakes up of her own accord. Head injuries are unpredictable... nasty to deal with."
"Nephew, why don't you go get some rest in a proper bed. I'll stay with Miss Katara and call for you as soon as she wakes up."
"No."
"Prince Zuko—"
"Uncle, I said no." Zuko tiredly ran a hand through his hair. "You and the other men go have dinner or breakfast or whatever meal is appropriate right now." He glanced out of the window and blinked at the inky sky. "Have your music night on the ship, drink up all the liquor and tea in the village for all I care. I'll be here."
"He's stubborn, isn't he?" Pukiq whispered to Iroh.
"To a fault," Iroh nodded. "But he is extremely loyal as well. And my nephew, though he may not show it, cares deeply for those he considers a friend."
"Strange though… to see the devotion a prince will show his servant," she mused.
Iroh chuckled as they walked out of the infirmary. "That, I believe, is all due to the young lady sleeping inside."
Zuko shook his head, hearing all of the muted conversation. He frowned once more at Katara's face before eyeing the cot next to hers. He wanted to stay awake, make sure he was there the moment she opened her eyes, but the sleep deprivation and constant worry from the past two nights were beginning to take a toll on him. Resigned, he lay down on his side, facing Katara's cot and fell into a fitful sleep, still, even in an unconscious state, anxious and aware of Katara.
What seemed like seconds later, Zuko wearily opened his eyes, his blurry vision still in Katara's direction. Staggering to his feet, he stood at her side and was shocked when her eyes fluttered open and she gave him a sleepy smile.
"You're awake," he gasped.
"Mmm…" she managed. "I'm so tired," she mumbled.
"Then you should go back to sleep," Zuko gently, his voice low and husky.
"Where are we?" she asked, her voice still tinged with a dreamy quality that told Zuko she still was less than coherent, if her half-lidded eyes weren't already an indication.
"Whale Tail Island." Zuko stared at her and fought to hold back his smile at her peculiar behavior, wondering if maybe while he was asleep Pukiq or Dr. Zhou had slipped her some sort of pain medication or herbal version. He had heard from some of the men who had come across strange drinks in the Si Wong Desert.
"Again? Oh maybe I'll see Asha," she yawned. She drowsily blinked, each one slower than the previous blink.
Zuko raised his eyebrows. "My father's former concubine? She's not here, Katara."
"No, she is." Katara insisted. "She lives here with her daughter… they cooked dinner for me the other nigh…"
Before he knew it, Katara was already fast asleep and he sat back down onto the cot he slept on.
'Asha? I had heard that she was kicked out of the palace for angering my father… Of course, knowing him, he probably beat her and left her for dead on the streets but then how did she end up here?'
His golden eyes turned back to the sleeping Waterbender and it suddenly made sense to him.
"You healed her," he whispered. "And sent her back home to her daughter. Of course you would," he concluded tenderly, his eyes softening.
With a sigh, Zuko sank backwards onto his cot, adjusting his pack under his neck, which he used as a substitute for a pillow. He grimaced at a certain lump in one of the pockets that seemed to jab him right at the nape of his neck. Sitting back up, he dug through the front pockets to find whatever was prodding him. Finding it, Zuko grasped it and pulled it out of his pack, opening his fist and letting the singular pendant slide out, the necklace held up by the delicate silver chain wound through his fingers.
Once more, he found himself transfixed by the pendant— blue stone, marbled with touches of white and green. The stone was decorated in an elegant silver filigree of swirls. Zuko looked between it and Katara, staring at Katara perhaps with a lingering gaze before he returned the necklace to his pack.
"That's a beautiful necklace."
Zuko nearly jumped out of the cot before he turned and saw Pukiq with a fresh basin of water. "Oh… thanks," he mumbled. He watched her kneel on the floor next to Katara's cot and bend the water around her hands before they glowed and she brought her hands to Katara's head.
"I see you've got some sleep."
"Yeah… how long was I asleep?"
"It's morning now. That's why I've come back to check on Katara and give her another healing session." Pukiq nervously glanced at Zuko out of the corner of her eye before returning her gaze to Katara's head, focusing on her chi paths.
"Morning? I could have sworn that I was only asleep for a few moments."
"That happens when you're overly anxious. I assume it's over this young lady?"
"Amongst other things," Zuko evaded. He blushed when Pukiq smiled in an annoyingly knowing way.
"You… care for her a great deal, don't you?"
Zuko blinked at her and his blush deepened.
"Forgive me for my nosiness, Prince Zuko. Just being an old woman."
"I… I do care for Katara. She's one of my few friends. Maybe my only real friend."
"Ah… no wonder she's so precious to you." Pukiq smiled kindly at him. "Don't worry, she'll be just fine with some more rest." She returned her hands to the basin to return the water.
Zuko looked down at his hands then back to his pack. "Do you think she'd like the necklace?"
There was a clatter as Pukiq knocked over the basin, spilling water everywhere. Flustered, she clumsily bent the water from the floor into a ball in the air while Zuko hurried to help her by bending over and picking up the basin and holding it as she filled it with water.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes, yes I'm fine. Are you telling me that that necklace is intended for Katara? Tell me, exactly how do you feel about her?"
"Well I didn't intend to buy it for her. I bought it because… well I don't know. And I thought that maybe she'd like it." Zuko fidgeted uncharacteristically under her scrutiny. "I thought it'd make a nice gift."
"A… gift."
Zuko stared at her. "Yeah, a gift."
"I'm sorry, it's just sometimes I forget that we come from different cultures. For my people, it's customary to signify your intention to marry a girl by giving her a necklace, usually hand carved by the man." She laughed softly to herself. "I suppose that's not the case in the Fire Nation. Or for whatever nation Katara comes from," she added quickly.
Zuko shook his head and replied absently, "No, there's an exchange of rings." His heart was pounding in his chest at the thought that he might have inadvertently proposed to Katara.
Pukiq nodded in understanding.
"If you don't mind my asking, where are you from? I know you must be from a Water Tribe."
"The Northern Water Tribe. I had chosen a long time ago to move to our sister colony in the south to help them when they were struggling. Then I was captured in a raid before being stationed all over the world to heal whoever I was told to heal."
Seeing how stricken Zuko looked at her story, she ventured a hand on his arm to console him. "Don't fret, Prince Zuko. I've made peace a long time ago with my fate and I'm happy here at Whale Tail Island. I've even found my husband here."
"Your husband?"
"Yes. He was an Earth Kingdom refugee that fled the continent for a quieter life here on the island. But he got into an accident and the village people brought him here to be healed."
"A Water Tribe woman and an Earth Kingdom man," Zuko mused.
"Yes, I'm sure unions between people from two different nations aren't common in the Fire Nation capital."
"Unheard of."
"Interesting," Pukiq commented. Looking back to Katara, she asked, "So how did you two meet? I understand she's your servant, but that doesn't tell me how she ended up in the Fire Nation."
"She said she was a refugee from the Fire Nation colonies in the western Earth Kingdom. Orphaned and looking for a job, she found her way to the capital and eventually under my service."
"Interesting," Pukiq repeated.
"More like mysterious," Zuko confessed. "Sometimes I feel like I know who she is, I'm even certain sometimes, but at the same time…" he groaned in exasperation, "It's like it's backwards. I know who she is deep down inside, I know her character, but I don't know all of the details on the surface. I'm still not sure I know her as well as I should."
"As well as you should? A woman's secrets are sometimes better kept to herself and she'll reveal them when she feels ready."
"But what if you know that she might be too scared to tell you?"
"Then the best advice I can give you, Prince Zuko, is to convince her there's nothing to be scared of."
Zuko's frowned in contemplation over Pukiq's words. "Thank you for the advice."
"I'll thank you in advance for listening," she replied cheekily, her eyes twinkling with mirth. "I'll be back to check on her at sunset, that is, if she's not already up."
"She'll be better by then?"
"Most likely. Her brain is recovering well and responding to the healing sessions. Even if she does wake up early, I'll still want to fit in another one. You can set sail again by tomorrow morning again." Pukiq gave him a small smile that Zuko acknowledged with a nod before she left.
'There is a way I can find out more about Katara… she bonded quickly with Asha and if Asha's here… I can talk to her.'
With a last glance at the sleeping girl who had taken over so much of him, Zuko grabbed his pack and left the infirmary and made his way into the heart of the small surrounding village, walking back onto the path where he had seen Katara on.
Shifting uncomfortably, Zuko simultaneously fought the urge to knock on the door again as well as the contrasting urge to sprint away from the door before it opened. Thankfully, it seemed that the decision was made for him when the door was pulled back and revealed a girl not much younger than himself. Her face was kind and she had round eyes the color of butterscotch.
"You must be Asha's daughter," he blurted out.
Aiko frowned at him, taking note of his obvious Fire Nation heritage, her gaze lingering on the still fresh scar over his left eye. "Can I help you?" she asked hesitantly, her grasp on the door tight, illustrated by her white knuckles.
"Is your mother home? I need to speak to her."
"No," she said a little too quickly. "She's not home right now. Maybe if you come back another time." Aiko began to close the door but Zuko placed a firm hand on it.
"Please, I really need to speak to her."
"Aiko, it's fine. Let him in."
Asha pulled back the door and sighed. "Hello, Prince Zuko. Please, come in."
Zuko followed after her into their quaint sitting room, Aiko closing the front door after him, her round eyes even wider with fear. Asha sat at the table and poured three cups of tea, pushing one across from her towards him.
"Sit."
Doing as she asked, Zuko sat and took the offered cup, although he merely hugged his fingers around the small ceramic cup instead of drinking it. "I just wanted to say that I had no idea that my father would do that to you. Well I knew that he was capable of it, I just never thought he would. I'm so sorry—"
"I know it's not your fault. We all know that there's no one in the world who could stop your father once his mind was set. And think of it as a blessing. I was able to return home to my daughter."
"With Katara's help," Zuko supplied.
Asha arched an eyebrow at him. "Yes, she did," she replied vaguely.
"I know."
Asha straightened up, her fingers tightening around the teacup. "You know?"
"That Katara's a Waterbender. And she most likely healed you after what my father did."
Asha relaxed slightly. "She did. And I'm forever grateful to her for that."
'So she's a healer,' Zuko confirmed.
She reached out and took Aiko's hand in hers, smiling tenderly at her daughter. "But explain to me, Prince Zuko, exactly how you figured this out and what else you know."
Bristling slightly at Asha's orders, Zuko told her, "My ship got caught in a storm shortly after setting sail. It was reckless of me to try and sail through it, but I wanted to get on with my mission. I found her on deck, bending waves away from the ship and keeping us from capsizing. She saved me from being swept away and in the process, got taken down by a wave herself. So I rushed her to the infirmary and then back here to be treated by a healer." He paused to let the information sink in before continuing, "She had a head injury so she's kind of out of it. She started mumbling about you so I set out to find you."
"And you don't find the secrecy unsettling? You still trust her?"
"Are you telling me that I shouldn't?" Zuko retorted heatedly.
"Of course not. There's no one else more trustworthy than that girl, but I guess what I'm really asking is whether she should trust you."
"Of course she can trust me. I haven't told anyone else about the fact she's from the Water Tribe, despite her lying to me for months about her origin. I'm just tired of the secrecy."
"And tell me, what do you suppose is her reasoning for coming to the Fire Nation, for coming to you?" At Zuko's reticence, Asha sighed. "Why not just tell her what you know and be done with all the secrecy? By telling her you're aware, she'd most likely feel obligated to tell you the rest."
"Because I want her to tell me herself. I don't want her to feel obligated," he sneered and made a face. "I want her to trust me." Zuko abruptly stood up and began pacing. "I want to know for myself that she trusts me."
"Then I'm going to ask you again. Her role in all of this, the reason why she came to the Fire Nation, became your servant? The possibilities don't unnerve you?"
Turning to match her gaze, Zuko admitted, "It terrifies me."
"Why?"
"I don't know," he muttered.
"You don't know?" Asha asked skeptically. "Not for feeling like a fool by being duped by a young girl? For possible betrayal of your nation? Your father?"
"My father cast me out! My nation abandoned me!"
"Then why continue on this fool's quest to search for the Avatar?"
"To try and get some semblance of respect and honor for myself! So that I can prove that I'm worthy!"
"To your father?"
"Yes, to him, to my sister, to everyone!"
"To Katara," Asha added sagely.
Zuko didn't reply, keeping his gaze steady.
"You have nothing to prove to her. I could see it when I still lived in the palace. She is truly your friend and cares for you. I told you this before your Agni Kai. As for your fear that she might betray you, do you think she has it in her to do that?"
"No. But I doubt I rank higher than her family— her people!"
"I can't pretend that I know exactly what she thinks or feels. And it's not within my power to tell you her story. But I don't think that why you came here."
"I thought that's why I did."
"But?"
"I thought I wanted answers but I guess I can only get them from Katara."
"Prince Zuko, I promise you that you have nothing to fear. But you're right. Katara would do anything for those she cares about. It's her main priority to protect those she keeps in her heart so remember this when you confront her."
"I'm not going to confront her." Zuko nodded to himself. "I know exactly who she is and I have nothing to fear. I… care about her, maybe too much, but I trust her and I'll wait until she's ready." Speaking the words aloud had a resounding effect on Zuko as he felt the strength of his words.
"And if you don't like what she has to say?"
"I accept all of Katara. No more, no less."
For the first time, Asha smiled at him. "There's a lot of your mother in you, Prince Zuko."
Zuko tensed but nodded at her. "If you want to visit Katara, she should be awake soon." He turned on his heel towards her door.
"Thank you. We will. But where are you going?"
Zuko paused in the threshold. "I just need some time to myself."
"Prince Zuko, don't try to think your way through this. Follow your instincts and listen to your heart is telling you. It won't lead you astray."
Aiko slowly got up and walked to the window, watching Zuko's back as he slowly made his way down a footpath. "Mom, he… he really does care about Katara, doesn't he?"
"I think it might be more than that, Aiko. But he's had a rough life, even as Prince of the Fire Nation. It's hard for him to let people in, although I think that Katara's made startling progress in the few months they've known each other. He doesn't know how to process his feelings."
"His feelings?"
"Since his mother disappeared, I don't think Zuko remembers what love feels like. He'll realize it soon, though. Now, let's go visit Katara."
"Should we tell her that he knows?"
Hesitating slightly, Asha shook her head. "Zuko confided in us and that's a lot for him. We should respect his privacy and wishes. He wants her to tell him herself on her own terms. I don't want to meddle."
Sighing for what seemed like the thousandth time Zuko plopped onto a tree stump in the middle of the thick forest he had been wandering around in.
"Ok. Just stop being a hothead and think it through, Zuko."
He groaned. "But Asha told me not to think."
"And who said that Asha knew everything about everyone in the world?" he muttered to himself.
He roared in frustration. "Agni! I'm arguing with myself now."
Zuko grit his teeth and pushed himself off of the tree stomp, resuming his pacing, which had already worn a circle in the ground.
"What do I know? What's the problem? Is there a problem?" He gripped at his hair, groaning again. "Ok, Katara's a Waterbender. She's from a Water Tribe. So how did she end up at the Fire Nation? By boat. Agni, now I'm being a sarcastic jerk to myself. Uncle always said I could never think things through…"
'Just say it, Zuko. Just what is it exactly that you're trying to avoid?'
Zuko froze. "The possibility that Katara came to betray me." As he said it, Zuko felt his stomach drop and held his head in his hands again. "But she wouldn't, she wouldn't."
'But I'm never that lucky, am I?'
"Okay, for the sake of argument, let's say she came as some sort of spy. She hasn't done anything. Sure, okay, in the beginning, she snuck around the palace but that stopped after a while, didn't it? And she knows how to fight, but then again, any kid who grew up in the streets would have to learn how to take care of herself. The factory explosion just before we left… the way that guy seemed to know her… Jet. He managed to get into the palace, too."
His heart felt heavier and Zuko stopped his pacing to glance up at the sky, shocked at how the day had disappeared and was shifting to night.
"But everything changed, didn't it? After… after my Agni Kai. She was at my bedside. She took care of me. Katara stayed with me and joined me willingly on this dumb quest to find the Avatar. Wouldn't it be more useful to stay behind in the palace? Katara saved my life and risked her own to save the ship from the storm. How can a dangerous person be so generous and selfless?" He stared back at the path he had strayed from, lost in his thoughts.
Heading back to the infirmary, Zuko's resolved strengthened.
"There's a damn good explanation for it. And I still trust her."
Boisterous laughter filled the home as Hakoda grunted and nearly fell backwards from the momentum of his grandson catapulting himself at his grandfather. After the initial shock, Hakoda's booming laughter joined the others as he tossed Sato in the air before deftly catching the giggling six year old and holding him in his arms as he turned to his son and daughter-in-law.
"When are you guys having another one of these, huh?"
Suki blushed and laughed quietly, hugging Sika from behind while Sokka took Sena from Kanna's arms.
"Hey, I already gave you three. Why don't you bother Katara for some babies?"
Kanna said, "I already did when she was here a few days ago. Said some nonsense about being too busy."
Suki supplied, "I suppose it's also pretty difficult when they're spending the majority of their time on the back of Appa.
All of the men made a face. Hakoda scowled. "I don't want to hear about my daughter doing anything that may lead to grandchildren."
"Oh, but of course you want little bending grandchildren, don't you?"
"I don't care whether they bend, but Mother, if you're asking if I'd like grandchildren from Katara, of course I do. She's just going to have them by immaculate conception."
Sato scrunched up his face. "What does that mean, Gramp-Gramp?"
Hakoda blanched and laughed nervously. "Why don't you go ask your father about that later?"
"It's late. I'll take them to our place," Suki said. She took Sena from her husband's arms, cooing lightly at her sleeping toddler before kissing Sokka quickly and bidding everyone good night, her other two children obediently walking after her, though Sato still had a confused frown on his face.
"I'm glad you two decided to also build a home here," Kanna said.
Sokka shrugged. "It makes sense, doesn't it?" He settled into a chair around the dining table, relishing the scent of the hot chocolate Kanna had intended for the children. "Still make the best cup of hot chocolate in the world, Gran-Gran." He sipped loudly. "And I can say that for real, considering the fact that I have been around the world."
Kanna beamed at her grandson and simultaneously earned a look from Pakku and Hakoda. Hakoda raised an eyebrow, commenting, "You still spoil him, Mother."
"Let a grandmother spoil her grandchildren and great-grandchildren."
"Oh yeah, care to explain why my children are still wide awake?" Sokka asked from behind the mug.
Pakku cleared his throat. "I actually put Sena down to bed hours ago."
Ignoring him, Kanna waved a hand at Sokka. "Oh they refused to go to bed until I finished telling them a story."
"What story could possibly keep them interested? Those folk tales you told Katara and me when we were little put us to sleep pretty quickly."
"I told them how Katara helped save the world."
Sokka and Hakoda stared at her while Pakku slowly shook his head.
"Hey, I was part of that too, you know," Sokka complained.
"I know, dear. Don't worry; you're in it, too."
"It's a pretty lengthy story. What part have you gotten to?"
"Whale Tail Island."
Sokka let out a low whistle. "You've got a lot to go through Gran-Gran. How long do you plan on keeping my kids?"
"For as long as it takes," she replied cheekily. "Why else do you think I chose that story? You and Suki never visit enough."
Ignoring her cheek, Sokka held a hand to his chin, a thoughtful expression trickling onto his countenance. "Whale Tail Island? Huh… isn't that when—"
"Shh. Don't ruin it for the children."
"They can't hear, Gran-Gran," Sokka deadpanned.
"If they're anything at all like you, Sokka, they'll figure out a way," she pointed out, Pakku and Hakoda sharing a look of agreement.
Zuko nodded at the middle-aged man, who smiled at him gratefully. Then he quickly pocketed his purchase before continuing on his way to the infirmary. He cautiously entered the ward, not sure of what to expect. His shoulders dropped as he relaxed at the empty infirmary, although he frowned at the sight of Katara still asleep on the bed. Glancing out of the window, his frown deepened at the darkening sky.
'It's past sundown. Pukiq had said that she'd be alright by now…'
"There's no need to worry. Katara's simply tired. She told me to inform you that you could wake her up when you came back so that you could be on your way to the Southern Water Tribe again."
Zuko looked back and saw Pukiq hovering at the threshold.
"You're still here?"
"I was on my way back home but wanted to check on her one last time, since it's probably the last time I'll see her. You're leaving tonight, aren't you?"
He deflected her question. "Is she okay?"
"She's fine. Full recovery. She just needs some rest. Since I'm here, shall I be the one to wake her?"
"No, leave her. I'll wait until she wakes up on her own."
"It may not be until tomorrow morning," Pukiq cautioned.
"Good." Zuko pursed his lips before giving her a tight smile. "Then she'll get a chance to thank you personally before we leave. I know she'd like that much better than if I woke her up and forced her onto the ship."
"You wouldn't do that," Pukiq teased.
His lips curving into a small smirk, Zuko replied, "You'd be surprised how gifted Katara can be when it comes to irritating me."
"In any case, I appreciate it. Would it be alright if I gave her a small care package tomorrow? I know I don't know her that well, but the few times I've caught her awake… I'd like to give her a few things."
"That's fine."
"Very well. I'll see you tomorrow morning then."
"Hey! Aren't you going to check up on her?"
Pukiq smiled gently at him. "No. I was just worried because she was alone. But I can tell she'll be in good hands for the rest of the night. Good night, Prince Zuko."
Zuko watched her exit the ward before he occupied the cot next to Katara's once more. His golden eyes carefully inspected her sleeping form, searching and scrutinizing for even the slightest hint of discomfort in her body language. He sighed and leaned back onto the cot, feeling thoroughly exhausted.
'I've never been so invested in another person. It's draining. I don't think I've ever cared so much about another person's well being… or another person in general.'
A crease appeared on his brow as he frowned, his eyes aching. He yawned, unable to stop the noise that came out as he stretched. He lazily glanced back at Katara to make sure he didn't wake her before digging through his pack again.
'Speaking of caring about another person… I should really make sure that things are clear between Mai and me.'
He began writing on a clean piece of paper, only able to write her name before pausing. He made a face in self-loathing.
'How am I supposed to tell her that we're not together any more over a letter? But I have no other way to get word out to her…'
Rustling caused Zuko to lift his head and he raised his right eyebrow as Katara sleepily sat up, scrunching her eyes shut before she opened it, her gaze slightly glassy as she tried to focus her vision. Making a face that he found quite amusing and endearing at the same time, Katara looked at him through squinted eyes.
"Zuko?"
"Yeah, it's me."
"Spirits, what's with the groaning and sighing?"
Zuko flushed, while at the same time, noticing her use of the Water Tribe colloquialism. "Sorry, I'll try to be quieter. Go back to sleep."
"You mean you were going to stay with me?"
"I've been by your side for the past three nights."
The irritation left Katara's face and was replaced by a softness that caused Zuko's blush to worsen, the heat spreading from his face down to his neck. "You've stayed with me for three nights?" she asked softly, her voice telling him that she was clearly touched by the gesture.
'I thought that I had dreamt that,' Katara thought.
"I wanted to make sure you were okay." Zuko tried to muster as much bravado and nonchalance into the statement as he could, but the way Katara continued to look at him with those blue eyes of hers made him feel flustered and embarrassingly giddy at the same time. When she beamed at him in gratitude, he was sure that even his chest was blushing.
"Well I suppose you're going to want to get going then." Katara moved to pull the blankets away and stared up at Zuko, frozen when he stopped her.
"No, it's fine. I can wait until tomorrow."
"You can wait?" Katara asked. She scoffed and pushed him back, getting onto her feet unsteadily. Zuko grabbed her waist to keep her upright.
"I promised Pukiq… she wanted to see you tomorrow morning and give you a few things."
Katara arched an eyebrow at him and one of her hands found its way to her cocked hip. "You promised Pukiq something?" she asked, both amused and in disbelief.
"Quit saying it like that," Zuko growled, his face contorted into an annoyed scowl. "You make sound as if it's impossible or something."
"It usually is," she laughed lightly.
"Not when it comes to you," he pointed out.
"I'm not the usual person, Zuko," she pointed out matter of factly.
Blinking at her, Zuko murmured, "You're not."
Both of them found it difficult to break eye contact and Katara's grin slowly faded as she stared at Zuko. The two didn't realize how close they stood together or that Zuko's warm hands were still secured around Katara's waist, his touch feeling as if he were searing her skin, though Katara knew it had nothing to do with his Firebending nor did she find the feeling unpleasant. Unconsciously, she leaned towards him and Zuko nearly found himself drawing closer to her but then dropped his hands and cleared his throat.
Katara blinked as though taken out of a stupor, staring at him bemusedly.
"You should probably get back to sleep. Pukiq said that you still need rest."
Katara was about to argue when she saw the blank piece of paper on his cot, save for Mai's name elegantly written in neat calligraphy. Frowning, she immediately returned to her bed, pulling the covers up to her chin and facing away from him.
"You're right. We'll have an early day tomorrow, right? Good night, Prince Zuko."
Zuko's face fell at her clipped tone and use of formality but didn't want to press further since he didn't want to upset her more.
'Even though I don't know why she's upset… is it because we were about to… or is it because I pulled away?'
He rubbed his right eye and sat back onto his cot, staring at the barely started letter.
'I need to get this over with first. I'll have to figure out what's bothering Katara tomorrow.'
Edited April 2019