When I wrote this chapter, I thought of the song Head Over Feet by Alanis Morrisette. It's a good song and I think it fits well to this chapter. Yes I know, I posted this chapter in the morning instead of at night because it's spring break and I'm leaving for my lake house, where there is no computer. Enjoy this chapter and for those on spring break along with myself, enjoy sleeping in!
Chapter 12 Fighting Fiances
Katara looked at the beauty of the ring on her hand and the look on Zuko's face. She had never seen him this nervous before. It seemed to him like she was deciding whether or not he would continue to live for her answer was as important to him. Katara took a deep breath and retracted her hand from Zuko. She removed the ring and held it out to him.
"I can't accept this, Zuko." He felt a pain in his chest and he bit his lower lip to stop any outbursts he might have. Katara saw his pain but continued none the less. "I can't accept it because I'm not even sure how I feel about you, Zuko. I feel like I don't know you, but then I feel like I don't want anyone to know you better than I do." Katara looked behind Zuko at the small stoned path that was surrounded by lively plants and flowers and led down to the beach.
Zuko reached up his hand and Katara dropped the ring into his palm. "Maybe in time..." Zuko trailed off as he stood up and replaced the ring back into the box.
"No, tonight." Katara stated as she stood up. "Tonight, I'll decide whether or not I know you well enough to know if I want to spend my life with you. I want you to promise though, before we do anything, that you will not hurt Aang after my decision." Katara demanded as she continued to look past Zuko down the path.
Zuko took a deep breath of the fresh air and nodded. "I agree, I will not hurt the Avatar." But if you pick him over me, I will kill him. It will be a painless death though, no harm done, and I don't care if I have to spend all the time searching for his reincarnation apologizing to you, for I will if it's my only chance with you. Zuko stared at Katara as she took his hand in hers. She began to lead him down the rocky path that led toward the beach. What is she doing now? Zuko reluctantly followed Katara down the path.
"Come on," Katara turned to glance at Zuko. She saw that he was confused of what she was doing. "I'll decide down here."
"How?" Zuko questioned her. What will make her be able to decide down here? Is it because she's close to her element? Does that help her make decisions or something? Zuko mentally asked himself. Many questions kept buzzing around in his head and he didn't know the answers to them all, only Katara did.
"You'll see," Katara replied as stepped off of the last stone step and into the sand. The sand slid into her high heel shoes and in between her toes as she took a couple steps further onto the beach. She let go of Zuko's hand and he stopped a few inches behind her as she continued to walk on the soft sand.
Katara bent down and untied the straps around her ankles that attached her shoes to her feet. She stepped out of her shoes and picked them up with her hand, dumping out all of the sand that had managed to stick to them. She walked back towards Zuko and then passed by him. She set her shoes down on the stone step and looked at Zuko.
"You might want to take off your shoes and jacket." She recommended him. Zuko was now more then ever, really lost and puzzled.
"What?" Zuko asked as he reached up to his jacket. "More importantly, why? What do you have planned, Katara?" Zuko stepped toward her with a soft smirk on his face. I think I like where this is going, Zuko thought as his smirk widened from his own thoughts.
"Well, we're going to battle," Katara replied. All traces of Zuko's smirk disappeared from his face and his shoulders sunk as he tilted his head to one side, sighing.
"Why are we going to battle? We've been through this before, Katara, there is no such thing as a friendly Fire bending match." Zuko sighed in disappointment. Not this again...
"Well, don't think of it as a friendly match because I'm going all out and you should too." Katara walked past Zuko and began to stretch, her back facing him.
"Katara, I'm not going to fight you." Zuko stated as he folded his hands over his chest and looked at Katara in dismay.
"You'll fight me, Zuko, because after this fight I'll have my answer." Katara replied. "It's not a duel to the death type of fight or anything, Zuko. It's just us bending against each other basically, besides, I'm sure I'll be fine. I do have an advantage you know." Katara pointed over her shoulder at the moon that shone brightly over the ocean. "You know what they say, you can learn every thing you want to know about a person by the way they fight."
"I've never heard that before." Zuko argued. Might as well just go along with it, she won't give up on this idea of hers. Zuko shook his head and removed his shoes, his feet sinking into the white sand.
"Okay, so maybe I changed that saying a little bit, but that's what I believe." Katara smiled as she watched Zuko take off his jacket. He folded his jacket and place it on top of his shoes. He then took off his shirt and glanced at Katara. She was staring at his abs with a smile on her face.
I knew all of those exercises Uncle made me do weren't for nothing. Zuko grinned and flexed his arms in a manly manner, making Katara laugh as he showed off his muscular upper body. Katara held her stomach as she continued to laugh at Zuko's display. "Zuko, stop that," She ordered in between laughs. "This is a serious fight!" She demanded as she took deep breaths and calmed herself down.
Zuko stopped his poses and walked toward. "If you want a serious fight then we'll have a serious fight. As long as it helps you figure out your feelings," Zuko stopped a foot away from Katara and bent down into a fighting stance.
"It will," Katara responded, bending into her own stance, her feet shoulder length apart from each other. "Now, let this battle decide our future, whether our future is together or not." Katara and Zuko had solemn faces as they began to take careful steps in the sand. Each of them watched each other's footing carefully as they began to circle each other.
He won't attack first, I have to show him I meant it when I said not to hold back. Katara moved her hands back behind her and concentrated on the water lapping out of the ocean and onto the beach. She gathered some of the salty water and formed it into two separate whips as she controlled them with her hands. She flicked her fingers toward Zuko and the water whips were hurled forward.
Zuko dodged the attack with slight ease as he took a few steps to the side. If she's trying to figure me out through my fighting, then I'll show her everything she needs to know. Zuko threw his hands forward and fire erupted from his palm, aimed at Katara. Katara moved one of her arms in front of her and a water whip blocked Zuko's attack. When the water and fire collided with each other steam emerged from the two attacks and rose into the sky.
Katara spun herself around in a circular motion and sent her other whip at Zuko. Again he dodged and retaliated by sending his fists forward again. Katara quickly gathered more water from the ocean and defended herself, causing more steam from their combined attacks.
Zuko threw his hands to his sides and formed his signature move, his Flame Daggers. He rose his hands in front of his chest and stared at Katara. He raised his eyebrow, challenging her, as a slight smirk traced his lips.
Katara threw both of her hands to her left side and gathered her Water Whip. She flung her weight and hands forward as she launched her attack at Zuko. Zuko's daggers enlarged themselves into swords and he crossed them in front of himself, creating a shield as Katara's attack hit.
Steam hit his face as he charged forward, his daggers to his side, full speed toward Katara. "Let's see how could you're bending skills are when it's up close to you, Katara." Zuko sneered as he ran around her.
Katara gathered enough water for herself to create a long strip of water. She blew on it and it quickly froze into an ice staff. She twirled the staff around in front of herself as she widened her stance and watched Zuko intently.
Zuko continued to run around Katara in a circle as she spun her head around to watch him. He stopped abruptly and jumped into the air, bringing his Fire Daggers down on her staff as she brought it up to block his attack. Water dripped from her staff as his daggers began to melt parts of it. Katara dug her feet into the sand and pushed her staff forward. Zuko jumped back and landed in the sand a few feet from her. He quickly regained himself and rushed at her again, this time he aimed his daggers to her side.
She stuck her staff in the ground by her side to block Zuko's attack. She then pushed against the staff and jumped into the air, her leg extended, as she tried to kick Zuko in the chest. Zuko's eyes widened as he brought back his hands, his daggers disappearing, and crossed his hands against his chest. Katara's foot hit his arms and she bounced back off of them.
She landed in the sand, her back facing Zuko, and she brought her arms and back forward. Zuko composed himself and heated his right hand up, engulfing it in flames, as he rushed toward Katara again, his right hand pulled back.
Katara heard the sand crunch as Zuko ran toward her and she closed her eyes, gathered as much water as she could manage from the ocean, and pulled her arms and back toward Zuko. A huge amount of water followed her motions and struck Zuko. Zuko fell backwards as he was overpowered by the force and intensity of the water.
Katara raised her hands up and the water followed, dragging Zuko up into the sky. Katara pushed her hands down and the water splashed on the beach and merged into the sand. Zuko raised himself up and coughed out the water he had swallowed. He calmed his breathing and looked at Katara from the corner of his eye. She was getting into another stance and her hands were by her sides.
Zuko brushed his wet hand out of his face and stood up. He got into his own stance and glared. "I thought this wasn't a fight to the death." He growled.
"It's not," Katara shot back. "I just thought you could handle that. I'm sorry, I'll go easier on you if you want me to." Katara smirked as Zuko grimaced and rushed toward her again. Katara continued to smirk and stood still as she watched Zuko continue to get closer to her. As he drew nearer, she pushed her hands forward and two water balls were shot at Zuko.
Zuko jumped in the air as the two water balls collided into each other at the spot he was at. He landed back on the ground and brought his hands close to the ground, they dragged across the sand and shot up toward Katara, bringing a stream of flames shooting up towards her.
Katara screamed and brought her hands in front of herself on instinct, a wave was brought forward in front of her and the flames dispersed. The wave fell in front of Katara and merged back into the ocean behind her. Katara smirked as a new idea hit her and she began to through her hands forward frantically.
Multiple waves were being hurdled toward Zuko. Zuko tried blocking them to the best of his speed and ability but Katara kept throwing wave after wave at him. Zuko was hit with one and fell to the ground. Katara pelted him with another one and then stood still, she watched Zuko stand up and get into another stance. She quickly placed her hands in front of her and released a cold breath of wind.
The water around Zuko's legs started to turn into ice and spread up to his mid-torso. Zuko struggled and blasted at the ice that slowly began to encase his body but it was to no prevail and soon enough, Zuko was covered in ice.
Katara smirked at her work and walked over toward the ice sculpture known as Zuko. "So Zuko, how does it feel to be a frozen Fire bender?" Katara joked as she stood a few feet in front of him.
Zuko rolled his eyes at her bad joke. "It's cold." He stated with a smirk of his own. "I think I'll warm it up a bit." Zuko took a deep breath and released it slowly out of his mouth. The ice began to glow red and melt. Katara bit her lower lip as Zuko's hand was freed from it's once icy prison.
"Oh no." Katara grimaced as she slowly started to take steps backward. Her hair was starting to come undone and a strip landed in front of her face.
"Oh yes." Zuko grinned as he completely melted the ice and took a step toward her. "Now then, Katara, are you done getting warmed up? Let's start this fight." Zuko challenged as he took another step toward her. Katara turned around and ran toward the ocean. "I don't think so, this time Katara, I'll be the one with the advantage."
Zuko lunged himself forward into the sand and caught onto Katara's legs, sending her down into the sand in front of him. Zuko released her legs and crawled over top of her and grabbed her wrists. He pinned them to the side of her head and straddled his legs overtop of her torso area. He looked down at her face and shook his head.
"I told you, Katara, there is no friendly battles in the Fire Nation." Zuko stated as he brought both of her hands together and held them with one of his hands, his other hand brushed away a stray strand of her hair off of her face. "Now, as the winner of this battle--"
"Who said you won?" Katara asked. "This is far from over."
"No, it's done." Zuko stated. "Unless, you can attack me right now."
Katara struggled against Zuko's hold of her hands but he overpowered her. "Well," she smirked, "I could knee you right now if I really wanted to. I think I could win if I did that."
"And I think I could win if I decided to burn your hands right now." Zuko threatened. Katara's eyes grew wide. "I won't," Zuko stated, a bit hurt that she thought that he would hurt her like that. "I wouldn't. Now then, as the winner, I get something. It is the way in the Fire Nation." Zuko smiled and bent down over Katara. He pressed his lips against hers and released his grip on her hands. He brought his hands under her head but her hands quickly grabbed his and locked fingers.
Katara pressed against him and pushed him backwards, still kissing him. He fell on his back and she sat on top of him. She pulled away from his lips and took a deep breath. "I like being on top." She smirked as batted her eyelashes.
"Really?" Zuko grunted and rolled his weight over, causing Katara to roll over with him. Zuko was pinned her hands, that were still locked with his, back into the sand and straddled his face over hers. "So do I." He grinned and bent over her, kissing her again.
Zuko slowly released her hands and used his hands to position himself better overtop of her. Katara placed one of her hands on the back of Zuko's neck and the other on his back. She opened her eyes, surprised, when she felt Zuko's hand on her thigh. Katara closed her eyes again and decided that it was okay.
Zuko moved his hand up Katara's leg and under her dress. Katara deepened the kiss and he took it as a signal that it was alright. He opened his eyes and looked at the beautiful face that was currently attached to him by the lips. His attention was averted to the side when he saw the sand next to Katara's head move a bit.
Zuko broke off the kiss and Katara opened her eyes to see why he had stopped. "Uncle!" Zuko exclaimed as he looked up at the all too familiar, grinning face of none other than, Iroh. Zuko's face quickly became red, partly from anger and mostly from embarrassment, as he lifted himself off of Katara.
He reached a helping hand down to her and she accepted it as he lifted her up. Katara blushed as she straightened out her dress and fixed her hair a little. Iroh cleared his throat to cover up his laughter.
"Prince Zuko, I thought you only had dinner planned for tonight, not dessert." Iroh cracked at his nephew. Zuko clenched his fists and looked at the sand, the heat in his face rising. "I'm only joking, dear nephew of mine."
Iroh tucked his hands into his sleeves and raised one of his eyebrows. "So I'm guessing this little demonstration of affection I just witnessed here means that you two are promised now?" Iroh grinned slyly.
Zuko scratched the back of his neck and glanced at Katara. "Actually, the reason we were down here--"
"Yes," Katara interrupted. "We are," Zuko's mouth dropped open into a gapping smile. "And we'll soon be married forever." Katara turned and faced Zuko as he pulled her into a loving embrace. He stared into her eyes lovingly and she placed her hand on his unscarred cheek.
"Excellent!" Iroh beamed as he took out one of his hands from his sleeves. He created a fire ball and hurled it into the sky. Katara and Zuko turned to him and gave him a confuse look. "I have had my own plans about this event for quite some time now. So just have fun tonight you two." Iroh started off of the beach and up the stone walk. He stopped and turned back to them. "But not too much fun, save some surprises for your wedding night." He teased as he walked away.
Zuko rolled his eyes and Katara chuckled lightly as she rubbed his cheek. "Now then, where were we?" Katara asked as she leaned up to Zuko. She began to close her eyes when she shot them open again. She stared past Zuko and up at the sky. "What's that?" She asked.
"What's what?" Zuko asked, ignoring her gaze and placing a hand on her cheek, bringing her attention back to him.
She pushed his hand away and broke form his embrace. "I'm serious, what is that?" She pointed to the sky where a flying object was crossing the sky. "Did Aang escape?"
"What!" Zuko turned around and stared at what she was pointing at. So that got his attention, Katara rolled her eyes. "No, that's not a flying beast," He paused and a slight grin spread across his face. "That's a firework."
Katara covered her ears as a loud explosion filled the air, along with an array of red color. Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped. "It's so beautiful." She stated as another firework followed after that one, along with another loud crack. "Why must they be so loud though?" She pressed her hands harder on her ears.
Zuko snickered and walked behind her. He removed her hands from her ears and placed them on her waist, his hands over hers. He brought his head down next to hers and whispered into her ear. "Don't worry, you'll get use to the sound and soon enough it will just be beautiful." He kissed her cheek and she leaned her head against his chest. More fireworks were sent off into the air and soon enough, Katara stopped flinching at the loud cackling noises.
He began to cascade down her neck with kisses until he got above her necklace. He began to kiss the area above it and Katara felt like she could just melt into him. "That feels so nice." She whispered. She closed her eyes and leaned into him. He grinned and pulled away from her neck for a moment, then he continued to kiss her.
Zuko sat down and Katara sat in his lap, his hands still overtop of hers. More fireworks flashed in the sky, sending off different arrays of blue, red, yellow, and white. They sat on that beach, holding each other, until the fireworks stopped a while later.
Aw, wasn't that cute and filled with plenty of Zutara goodness? Now, I bet you didn't expect Katara to decide that way! Well, I hope you believe it when I say that Katara has a fickle and moody attitude. Chapter 13 will have some more cute moments and also some humor, but don't think the bad times are over between Zuko and Katara. The bad times have yet to come, but they need some good times before the bad or else they won't be able to make it through the bad.
I think I might had been a bit ooc of Katara in a few moments and maybe a bit on Zuko also. Agree? Disagree? Don't know what I'm talking about? Cool.