Chapter 12

The Lightning's Hand

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I find myself truly adjusting to the higher temperatures in the Fire nation. Today, I am unsurprised to find that I was finally able to sleep beneath one of the luxurious blankets covering Zuko's bed. I am, however, surprised that Zuko is in bed next to me. And he is shirtless. Not that I mind; it is a good view to wake up to. Only when I move to get up do I realize that I too don't have any garments on. Finally the events from last night come back to me. While I may not be a morning person, the grogginess that normally surrounds waking up for me is gone.

It's not that I regret the actions from last night- not at all, they were truly wonderful- it's that I just remembered about the herbs. Yes, I have my bending back but I also stopped the contraceptive herb. I'm sure that just one time won't make a difference but I am definitely going to need to figure out which one blocks my bending and which one will keep the next generation of fire lord from growing in my tummy.

Since Zuko is still sleeping, I decide that I might as well get breakfast so I head to the kitchens. Unsurprisingly, they are packed with people scurrying to get the Palace started for the day. I see the area in which they normally put the tray for Zuko's room, grab it, and head back towards his room.

As I start to turn down the hallway that leads to his room, someone clears their throat.

"Look, the pet finally realized its job. I'll admit, I am surprised that Zuko isn't chaperoning you though. One can run into dangerous people here." Azula is baiting me and I am going to do my best to move on quickly.

"That is true, but I think he believes that no one really wants to dirty the hallways."

"Now the pet has a mouth on her! How lovely! I bet you put that mouth to good use as Zuko's whore."

"Well in that sense, I must get back to serve my master."

"The prisoner who is so devoted to service. You rarely find such good help these days. Zuko obviously doesn't know what he has here or he would not have let you out of his room. One day, I might just have to take you for myself."

"He would never allow that!" I say with a little too much sass. I try to cover it up by quickly continuing talking. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to get this back to the Prince to bring him his breakfast."

"Yes, Zuzu does tend to get mad when he does not get his breakfast by dawn. I am surprised that he has not awoken yet though, normally he's the first one up in the the palace. I personally think the servants make a game of trying to beat him to the kitchens. Why don't I escort you back to his room to make sure that my brother is alright."

"I'm sure that won't be necessary. He should be up by now anyway." At this point, I'm sure he is up and realizes that I am nowhere to be found. If I don't get there soon, I won't be able to sneak my herbs into a spot without Zuko realizing what I am doing.

"Fine, I'll leave you two to go at it again. Word of noises from the royals' bedrooms truly travels quickly throughout the palace." With that, Azula stalks away.

I continue down the rest of Zuko's hallway with no one to pull me from my thoughts. It is so early in the morning and yet Azula already has heard the latest gossip. As I reach the door to Zuko's suite, I wonder if Azula is the only royal that pays attention to idle servant chatter or if it would somehow travel to Firelord. Not that it should matter, I think back to the first night that I had spent in his room. Zuko made sure I was comfortable enough and that I would be protected. Hopefully there wouldn't be a second thought about the absence of noise between these 2 nights.

Once I step through the doors, I am greeted with a warm good morning from Zuko.

"You disappeared early this morning, lovely," Zuko tells me.

"Maybe you're just the one that slept late today."

"I always wake at dawn. It is nearly impossible to be awake and be to the kitchens before me. I believe some of the staff have made a game of trying to beat me there in the morning."

"I know. Azula told me when I saw her well after sunrise today. I think you actually slept in today. Maybe you should engage in late night activities more look very well rested today for a change."

"To be truthful that is probably the best I slept since I got back to the Fire Nation."

"You think going home would provide some of the best sleep. I know I miss the the smell of a fire when I am sleeping bundled in furs. I haven't been able to go home in so long. There are foods that I have not had in years because I am helping Aang. Well, was helping him at least."

Ignoring the last part of my statement, Zuko brings me close before talking again. "The weather here might not be the best to sleep in with furs on, but give me a list of the food that you miss. I might be able to get some for you."

"I wish it were that easy; all of the foods that I miss can only be found at the South Pole. It wouldn't be worth finding any of that food stuff for just me. I'll be able to have some when the war ends."

"Truley, you could have anything you want. It is no issue. We can just ask and someone will get it for you."

I take a step back and change the tone of my voice. "You are missing my meaning. My people have already been terrified enough. You were there when your ship disembarked. There is so much fear of Fire Nation ships. Nothing is worth causing my people that much fear."

"I understand," Zuko responds sullenly. "Is there something else I can get you that reminds you of home?"

"Honesty, I don't know why you would want to help me in this way. Nothing short of me getting out of here is actually worth going out of your way to get me."

"You know I can't do that."

"You honestly can't tell me you're happy here though."

This is the first time that Zuko expression changes from apologetic to taken aback. He seems to genuinely consider what I said to him. I let him think about his response and I am content to sit in silence while he ponders his response. Finally, he speaks.

"I wanted to come back for so long so I could regain my honor in the eyes of my father. I never realized that after all that time with my uncle, I would want to help change things for the betterment of the world. I forgot how stuck in their ways the advisors are. They believe that having the Fire Nation rule the other nations is the only option. Now that I have seen the world, I am starting to believe that that may not be the best option."

"So even though you were chasing us all those years, we helped lead you to the right path. Who would have thought that it would only take me almost being killed to enlighten the fire prince to his real alliance?"

"You almost died?"

"Didn't you realize that when your sister shot me with lightning?"

"I guess I did. I just didn't have much time to process it when I was whisked off here. Speaking of which, I have duties that I do have to attend to today so if you would please excuse me."

"I get it. The Crown Prince has certain duties to attend to because it's his 'birthright' and all. Don't feel bad - I understand how hard it is to run a nation. I watched my father do it before my mother died and then I watched my Gran-Gran take over the tribe. I can only imagine how hard it is running a nation of this size."

"Thank you, I'll be back when I finish with my daily duties."

With that, Zuko leaves the room. When I'm sure that I am alone, I tidy up for a while and wait to make sure the coast is clear. Once I feel that 10 minutes have passed, I head to the bathroom and turn on the water. When the basin is full of water, I move into a bending stance. I know it is a perfect opportunity to work on my technique. I give my full concentration to pulling out a small stream of water. It is not as hard as I anticipate and soon I am able to get all of the water out of the sink, I fill up the tub.

I move through a typical training form. The water I control if froze and unfroze in a multitude of shapes. I hear the door to Zuko's room open. Because I am so surprised by this fact, I let the water slosh onto the ground and slip out through the bottom of the door. The feet that had entered the room now hurry towards the bathroom,

"Katara, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, you just startle me, I wasn't expecting you to be back so soon so I thought I would try to work on my bending. Give me a few minutes and I will have this all cleaned up."

"You don't have to do it all by yourself."

"No, no, it's fine. I made the mess and I can clean it up. And think about it, it just gives me more of a chance to work on my bending"

I hear a sigh of submission and Zuko then walks away from the door. I mimic the movement of water trying to be absorbed by towels but really I am fully relying on my bending. I am almost done with getting all the water down the drain when the door to the bathroom opens. The last bit of the water ungracefully drops down the drain as Zuko catches me in the middle of bending.

"I see your bending is back."

"It's getting there, I should be back to full power in just a few days."

"Out of curiosity, were those the only herbs that they had you on,"

"Well, no, they had to considering what my position was to be here."

"And what about those herbs?"