Disclaimer: Avatar: The Last Airbender belongs purely to Mike and Bryan. This is just my vain attempt to live past the series finale.
Chapter 12: The Declaration
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…
"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.'
Katara's lips fell into a pout as she rested her chin on her crossed forearms, leaning on the metal railing that surrounded the deck of the ship. She blew air out of her mouth, the effort passing through her lips noisily, as she grew agitated again when her thoughts drifted to the young man she was watching give orders to the crew as they prepared to set sail. He glanced at her and Katara immediately looked away, feeling both embarrassed yet righteously angry. She snuck another look and saw his upset on his face.
Her face fell once more. 'But do I actually have a real reason to be upset?' Katara lowered her forehead onto her arms, groaning.
'Of course not. You're so dumb, Katara. We've been gone for months, Zuko's going to write his girlfriend. Of course. What did you expect?' As she raised her head and stared over the edge, the sound of a messenger hawk's screech captured her attention. She squinted against the sunlight as she watched it fly.
'Now is that the letter I gave to Pukiq to send to my family or is that the letter Zuko sent to Mai?' Katara pouted once more and she forced herself to think of other things. 'Pukiq told me this morning that it's not far from here to the South Pole. I told Sokka three days. Three days until we reach the Southern Water Tribe. Three days until my exposure… it'll be obvious then, won't it? Three days until I leave behind the Fire Nation and its tortured prince.' Her frown deepened and a crease appeared as her brows knit together.
'Other thoughts, Katara.' She sighed deeply. 'Three days until Gran-Gran and her cooking. Oh, I hope that she makes five flavor soup… it's my favorite. She only makes it on my birthday though…' Katara was distracted enough by this last thought.
"Oh!" she gasped. "Today's date…" she noted the chill in the air and the warmer clothing of the crew and even the inhabitants of Whale Tail Island. "It's nearly midway through winter. I haven't noticed because of how long I've been in the Fire Nation… my birthday's past already," she murmured forlornly.
'Well it doesn't matter anyway. What I'm doing is more important.' She shifted her weight, wincing at the slight discomfort with her left ankle. Absentmindedly, she lifted a hand to her head, feeling for the bump that used to be there not even two days ago.
'Pukiq did a great job. But then again, it was all Zuko, wasn't it? The huge wave that took me down… it should have swept me away as well. But Zuko must have grabbed me. And he took me to the infirmary, stayed by my side. He even snuck Fire Flakes onto my jook before I had to go and pass out.' A tender smile flashed onto Katara's face before it disappeared once more. 'And he got me help at Whale Tail Island. He thought I was worth delaying this mission or whatever his father's sent him on. He doesn't deserve to be lied to.'
Katara bit down on her lip, continuing to stare into the deep blue depths of the sea as they finally set sail. "Do I tell him?" she murmured.
"You know, every time I see you near the railing now, I get pretty nervous."
Katara lifted her head and looked over her shoulder at Zuko. True to his word, he seemed quite tense. "I'll be fine," she assured him.
Her words did nothing to alleviate him and he edged towards her. "Even so… do you think you could help give me some peace of mind and get as far away as possible from the railing?" If Katara listened carefully, she would have been able to hear the tightness in his tone.
Katara rolled her eyes and joined Zuko as he sat at the table where Iroh usually liked to enjoy his tea. She took one of the empty teacups on the table and began to idly play with it.
"You seemed preoccupied," Zuko observed.
"Oh you know, just trying to relive my near death experience."
Zuko's eyes tightened. "That's not funny."
"You're right; it's not."
Scowling at her flippant attitude, Zuko asked acerbically, "Did I do something to make you upset? Because in case you couldn't recall, I'm the one who saved your damn life!"
Barely batting an eyelash, Katara raised an eyebrow at him, replying coolly, "Nope. Not a thing."
"You're a horrible liar," Zuko scoffed.
Katara fought the urge to scoff back. "You're so sure of that?" she challenged. 'You haven't seemed to notice all of the lies I've been telling you for the past seven months!'
To her surprise, Zuko froze and stubbornly avoided her gaze. Katara deflated and leaned to the side to try and make eye contact with him. "Zuko?"
He abruptly stood up. "Forget it."
"I'm sorry!" she blurted out.
Slowly, Zuko sat back down. "Sorry? Sorry for what?"
"For being stupid and being out on deck during the storm. For getting hurt. For making you worry and delaying the trip and making you go back to Whale Tail Island—"
Zuko put his hand on her shoulder in an attempt to cut her off. "Breathe."
"— and I'm so sorry for being so ungrateful," she finished. Katara shook her head and stared down at her hands. "You've been so nice and I'm acting like a royal… a royal bitch."
Taken aback by her language, Zuko raised his eyebrows at her before he smirked and joked, "No, I think Azula's got that covered."
When Katara lifted her head to look back at him, Zuko's chest clenched at her tear bright eyes, the sight pulling at his heartstrings in a way that not even the cutest turtleduck could. He sighed and hesitated, blushing slightly before awkwardly pulling her in for a quick hug. Katara almost laughed at the stunted movement but decided to savor the sudden embrace, rewarding Zuko with a smile after he let her go. He cleared his throat and timidly returned the smile.
"So are you ever going to tell me what it is that Pukiq gave you this morning before we left?"
His tone was light and conversational, but Katara could pick up on the notes of childlike curiosity. She fought to hide her smile, chewing down on the inside of her cheek. Looking up at him through her lashes, she shook her head, a Cheshire grin on her face.
The pout that appeared on Zuko's face nearly made her laugh out loud, but knowing his temper and sensitivity towards any attention drawn to himself, Katara merely looked away from him. Her cerulean eyes widened and a shrill yelp escaped her lips as she felt a light touch to her side, joined quickly by dancing fingers and she couldn't help the giggle that bubbled out of her mouth before she jerked away from the offensive hand.
She stared at Zuko in disbelief, who tried his best to look as innocent as possible, though Katara found the expression on his face irresistible to smile at. His face was carefully composed, but his mouth was pressed together, as if he were fighting a smile, and his eyes were bright and alert.
"What was that for?" she asked.
"What was what?"
She rolled her eyes and once more felt long fingers quickly apply pressure to her sides, causing her to gasp in laughter. "Zuko!" she squealed. Amidst her laughter, Katara attempted to lean away from Zuko and crawl away when the ship lurched suddenly and she was thrown back into the prince, a deep oomph coming from him following the thud. She laughed to herself quietly and when she ventured a glance behind her, couldn't hold back more laughter as Zuko held a hand to his nose, his eyes crossed as he tried to look at it.
"This is all your fault," he accused, his voice muffled by his hand.
With another light laugh, Katara turned around and sat back on her heels, pulling his hand away. "Here, let me see. You'll be fine." She gasped when he grasped her tightly.
"Now tell me what she gave you," he threatened.
Tossing her head back with more laughter, the tips of her wavy, brown hair tickled Zuko's hands. He relished the feathery softness brushing against the back of his hands and found himself staring at Katara's exposed throat as she laughed.
"Honestly, you're like my brother when he's trying to steal my candy."
Zuko raised a dark eyebrow at this new piece of information. "Well I'm not going to take if from you. I just wanna know what it is."
'A brother? Sounds like an older brother, too.'
"Well if you'd just let go of me, then I can go grab it in my cabin and bring it out here."
His grip on her tightened. "Or, now that you just told me where it is, I can go look for myself. Knowing you, you'd run and lock yourself in your room as soon as I let go."
She made a face and Zuko smirked at her. "It's nothing."
"Then why can't I know?"
Katara sighed and a pink flush dusted her tan skin. "It's just a gift."
"Well Pukiq told me that last night before she left to go home."
"It was… a birthday gift." Immediately, Katara felt guilt about lying to Zuko. 'But it's not like I could tell him it was a missive meant for me to deliver personally to my father containing combined intelligence from various healers throughout the world, right?'
"When is your birthday?"
"The first day of the first month."
"That was nearly two weeks ago." Zuko's voice held a hint of an accusatory tone.
Katara shrugged. "It's not that important."
"Not important?"
"Zuko?"
It was his turn to shrug. "It's just that birthdays have always been important to me." He chuckled dryly. "Maybe it's because I survived another year without Azula trying to kill me in my sleep." A thoughtful expression lit his face. "My birthday…"
Katara wrinkled her nose at him. "Hey! We're supposed to be talking about my birthday!" she teased.
"No, it's just that a lot has happened in the past six months since my last birthday."
Katara blinked as she absorbed his words. 'Six months? I've been away from home that long? Longer than that… I spent time in that brothel before I met Zuko on his birthday.'
"Your birthday," she began, "It's on the first day of the seventh month."
Zuko nodded. "Right near the beginning of summer. It's not uncommon for Firebenders to be born around that time. It's usually the case." He stared at her for a moment,. 'Just as is the case for Waterbenders in winter, I'm assuming.'
"Oh." 'That's how it is for Waterbenders, too.'
"So now you're… sixteen?"
Katara nodded stiffly, unsure of where he was going with this.
"In the Fire Nation, you would have already had your ceremony."
"My ceremony?"
Zuko shrugged. "A coming of age ritual, I guess. Your hair would be combed out four times, pulled up into an elaborate bun and held in place with a beautiful headpiece or comb, usually passed down from mother to daughter for generations. Then you'd be presented in front of your elders and re-welcomed into the family as a woman."
Katara smiled at him. "That sounds beautiful."
"It's the same process for males. But not at fifteen— at eighteen."
Katara ventured out a hand to gently tug at a shaggy lock of his dark hair. "You'd wear a beautiful hair comb?"
He rolled his eyes at her. "No, my hair would be combed out and then fastened with a royal headpiece." Zuko's face fell and his lips flattened into a bitter line. "It's the traditional headpiece to signify the Crown Prince of the Fire Nation and heir to the throne."
"Zuko—"
"And then basically, the new man or woman would be considered eligible for matchmaking and marriage," he finished shortly. Clearing his throat, Zuko let go of her and stood up before stalking off.
Katara blinked at the sudden change in mood and followed him. "Zuko? Zuko, please, talk to me?"
"There's nothing to talk about, Katara."
"You're obviously bothered by something."
"Ever think that maybe it's you?" he retorted.
Katara recoiled, but only to press even further into Zuko's space, pushing a finger into his chest. "If you have a problem with me, then tell me what it is and we can just spend the rest of the miserable, pointless journey tolerating each other without me 'bothering' you! You know what? Don't bother!" She made a sound of disgust. "Jerk!"
Before Zuko could respond, she promptly turned on her heel and stomped away. He stared after her incredulously, lunging forward to grasp at her wrist but she pulled it against her chest and hurried her pace, forcing Zuko to come after her.
"Hey!" His face contorted angrily. "Hey!" he bellowed.
The crew froze, all conversations halting immediately, the roar of the ocean waves around them becoming thunderous in the tense silence that fell upon the ship. Katara continued her defiance, marching forward, heading for the hatch that opened to the cabins below deck. Zuko breathed forcefully through his nose, small puffs of steam following the breath. He surveyed all of the crewmembers on deck.
"What do you think you're looking at? Get to work!"
The sound of chatter and bustling grew to a low buzz and Zuko frowned before he went down the hatch and through the hallways to where he knew her cabin was. He lingered at her door, staring at the unassuming metal frame as though it had personally insulted him. Zuko raised and lowered his hand several times to knock on the door. He could clearly hear movement from inside as well as see the movement in the shadow that filtered out from underneath the door.
"Katara, I'm sorry." He rubbed the back of his neck in distress before sighing and continuing. "I shouldn't have taken out my anger on you when you were just trying to help. You… you don't bother me." He chuckled. "Much."
Zuko's smile slowly disappeared at the lack of response and he sighed, dejectedly turning away from the door and in the direction of his cabin. Behind the door, Katara sat cross-legged on her bed, her hands fidgeting with the golden armbands on her upper arms, frowning at the fading sound of footsteps. She stopped playing with the jewelry and hugged herself.
On his way to his cabin, Zuko approached a member of his crew. "How long until we reach the Southern Water Tribe?" he asked.
"If the weather remains favorable and we maintain our current speed, we should reach our destination in roughly three days, Prince Zuko."
Zuko nodded at him and walked away, his mind churning with thoughts.
Katara woke up late the next day— around mid-afternoon. Pukiq had warned her that her injuries and accelerated healing took a toll on her body and may have her feeling tired for the next thirty-six hours or so. Katara opened her door, her eyes crossing as they focused on the small parcel dangling in front of her from the top of the doorframe. She reached up to pull it down, snapping the thin twine that hung it up in the process. It was a small bundle that could easily fit in a child's palm. The fabric was a rich, deep red, sewn with shining gold thread. It was soft, some of the softest silk she had come across. Even softer than the pelts she often saw in the Southern and Northern Water Tribes.
She undid the knot at the top and the square fabric fell flat against her palm, revealing the two earrings that reflected the soft candlelight in her room. Katara lifted one by the hook, admiring the modest, deep blue stone dangling from it. She scoffed in disbelief at the beautiful jewelry before tying up the fabric again and heading towards the deck.
As she thought, the young prince was already awake— and most likely had been for a while— since he was so intensely attuned to the sun's path over the world, doing his daily exercises near the bow of the ship. Katara couldn't make him out clearly as he was in front of the sun and only his silhouette was discernible. She watched him move almost like a cat deer; his movements were graceful and fluid with the underlying threat of physical power that made him both dangerous and beguiling.
In the middle of performing a Firebending form, Zuko stopped and turned away from the sun, the nagging feeling that there were eyes on him having disrupted his concentration. As Katara held a hand above her eyes to block some of the light, she couldn't help but admire the lines of his bare torso, the rippling of the muscles as he moved. She looked up and locked eyes with him.
Unconsciously licking her lip to wet her suddenly dry mouth, Katara held up the silken bundle in her other hand. "I think you lost something," she called.
Zuko walked towards her, an indiscernible expression on his face. He walked slowly, but purposefully, as if he wanted her to know that he was coming closer without scaring her off. She furrowed her brow as she processed this inference.
'Why does he think I'll run away?'
"I didn't lose anything."
"I'm pretty sure you did," Katara insisted.
"It's a gift, Katara. It's rude to refuse a gift."
Katara's mood soured at the condescending touch of his tone. "You're lecturing me on etiquette?"
He snorted in a decidedly ungentlemanly way, rolling his eyes and proving her point. "For your information, I had specific classes on manners at the royal academy."
"Not your best class, I suppose," she quipped.
"Perfect marks," he grinned.
Katara thrust the bundle towards him. "I can't accept these."
"Why not?" Zuko's grin fell away to confusion.
"I just can't. They're… they're too nice."
He raised his eyebrows at her in disbelief. "They're… too nice?" he repeated, stunned. Zuko fought the urge to laugh incredulously. "Katara, I bought them for you."
"You bought them for me?"
"On Whale Tail Island," he admitted sheepishly. "You were in the infirmary and Pukiq said you wouldn't be conscious again until at least sunset. I got restless and wandered in the market. I saw these and thought of you."
"Oh," she breathed.
"I didn't know when to give them to you but then after yesterday, when I found out I missed your birthday and then I was acting like a royal boar-q-pine… I just wanted to apologize."
Zuko held the hand holding the bundle in one hand and used the other to close her fingers around it. "It's yours. Please keep it."
Katara made a show of displeasure but nodded. She smiled timidly at him. "About that, I wanted to apologize, too. I've been told that I have the tendency to not mind my own business. And I know how you don't really like to talk about things sometimes. I should've respected your privacy."
"Where are my earrings?" he joked.
Rolling her eyes at him, Katara handed him her gifted earrings, holding up a hand to keep him quiet before removing the simple blue beads she was wearing and replacing them with the new earrings, the beads now occupying the silk. She shrugged cheekily.
"I didn't get a chance to go shopping."
Zuko stared as she tilted her head at him, her full lips forming a half-smile. The dangling stones glittered in the late afternoon sun and Zuko's eyes traveled to Katara's.
"They'll do." He poured the beads into his open palm and into a pocket in his training pants. He handed her the cloth. "But keep this."
Knowing by now not to argue, Katara took it and attempted to tie it around her wrist one handedly. Zuko reached down and took it from her hands, doing it himself. Katara found herself holding her breath as his fingertips brushed against the sensitive skin of her inner wrist while we wrapped the soft fabric around it and tied a neat knot.
"Are you done showering me with gifts?"
"This was just for yesterday. I haven't even given you your birthday present yet."
"Why are you going through so much effort that isn't necessary? I've forgiven you and my birthday was weeks ago." She laughed. "Zuko, you just saved my life the other day. If anything, I should be showering you with gifts. All I've given you is a pair of old beaded jewelry."
His brow furrowing, Zuko murmured, "My uncle says that I have the tendency to be stubborn about things. I guess that's one reason. I suppose another reason is that I'm used to going above and beyond to prove myself."
"You don't need to—"
"But I do—"
"Not for me."
Katara knew that he still wasn't convinced and pursed her lips. Before she had a chance to press the issue, Zuko excused himself.
"I have to do something. But do me a favor and meet me on deck in about an hour?"
Suspicious about his vagueness, Katara insisted, "Zuko, I told you I don't need anything else."
"And I heard you. I'm still not going to listen to you."
He managed to avoid any further argument from her by engaging in conversation with one of his men and the two disappeared below deck. Katara rolled her eyes and sat at the fixed pai sho table, absentmindedly playing with her new earrings, unfamiliar with the weight of the stones and the way they would tap against her if she moved her head suddenly. Someone sat at the table with her and Katara left her thoughts to see who had joined her.
Iroh smiled kindly at her.
"I am glad to see that you are feeling much better, Miss Katara."
Returning the gesture, Katara smiled back. "Thanks, General Iroh. I still can't believe how dumb I was to be out during the storm."
He nodded sagely. "Curiosity is not a crime. But to give into it without holding onto common sense is, indeed, a fool's crime."
Blushing slightly, Katara added, "I also can't believe Zuko turned the ship around."
"My nephew is not so heartless," he joked. "Though he has threatened me on numerous occasions throughout this journey to leave me behind for dawdling in a teashop or two." He narrowed his eyes knowingly at Katara. "I doubt he would even do the same to you."
"I don't know. I have made him angry a few times."
Iroh laughed jovially. "It is not very difficult to do so. Now, do you think you can humor an old man with a game of pai sho?"
Katara nodded though she admitted, "I'm not very good at it. My grandfather usually beats me within ten minutes."
"Pai sho is not a game of speed. It's a game of thinking! Here, let me teach you how to beat me."
Katara laughed and helped Iroh in setting up the tiles on the board. She knew better than to refuse when he handed her a cup of tea. She brought it to her nose, inhaling the steam, pleasantly surprised by the fragrance. She eagerly sipped at the tea, wincing slightly as her eagerness caused a burnt tongue. Nevertheless, the warm liquid left a sweet taste and she signed contently.
"Lychee nut tea. I picked some up while we were at Whale Tail Island."
"Ah that explains why I like it so much. I love lychee nuts."
"Perhaps I shall make you my permanent tea taste tester."
Katara laughed. "As long as you don't make any kind of papaya tea. I hate papayas."
"Very well. Now, let's start the game!"
An hour later, Zuko emerged from the hatch, his arms full with a large pack. The sun had set and several torchlights lit the deck with their soft flames. He looked around and, as per his orders, no one who didn't need to be on deck was on deck. He had given them the rest of the night off. He heard laughter and walked around to the bow of the boat, surprised to see his uncle and Katara laughing over a game of pai sho. Iroh looked up and saw him first.
"Prince Zuko! You've come just in time to witness Miss Katara's upcoming win."
Katara looked up over her shoulder at Zuko, a bashful smile lighting up her face. "General Iroh let me win."
"Nonsense, you're a very bright young woman. You would have figured it out eventually." Finally Iroh noticed Zuko's full arms. He made a show of glancing up at the sky and exclaiming, "Oh my! It's already nightfall? My apologies, Miss Katara, but I believe it's past an old man's bedtime."
Grinning at his over exaggerated actions and speech, Katara nodded. "Of course. Good night, General Iroh."
"And you." He passed Zuko, whispering, "She loves the tea. Make sure to serve her some."
Zuko blushed and turned to glare at his uncle's back before he sat down at the table, surprising Katara by sitting rather close to her than opposite her. He swept the tiles over to one side of the table and undid the bundle.
"Zuko?"
"I know that you're sixteen and that this is meant for fifteen year olds, but I decided to give you your ceremony. It's the one meant for Fire Nation girls, but I don't know how else—"
"No, it's fine. I appreciate the thought."
Glancing up at her from the corner of his eye, Zuko caught her pleased grin and continued to lay out the few tools. He also had a platter and uncovered it in front of Katara.
"This isn't part of the ceremony, but I know you haven't eaten yet."
Accepting the chopsticks he held out to her, Katara eagerly ate some of the rice surrounding the smoked sea slug. She tensed as she felt something tugging through her thick waves before she remembered what Zuko said.
"What is this ceremony called?"
"For boys, guan-li. For girls, ji-li."
Katara sighed in contentment at the rhythmic feeling of the comb through her hair. "I'm sorry about how long my hair is. And crazy."
"Long hair signifies beauty and health," he recited, as if it were taught to him his entire life. "And what do you mean crazy?"
Her cheeks pinked and Katara explained, "All of the girls have such straight, sleek hair. Mine is so thick and wavy."
"I like it," Zuko shrugged.
Katara's blush deepened, the warmth spreading down to her stomach. She closed her eyes to savor the feeling of the combing, relaxing completely.
"If you didn't celebrate these rituals, then what did you celebrate?"
"At fourteen, boys in my village would go ice dodging. A boy and his father would commandeer a small boat through a path in the water with dangerous ice croppings and glaciers. Girls were usually married off by puberty."
"Usually?"
"Hmm…"
Zuko paused and fought his smile as he looked around to peer at Katara, noticing her closed eyes and peaceful expression. "Katara?"
"Hm? Oh, uh, sometimes if the girl had exceptional gifts, she could apprentice a healer. It wasn't until recently that girls were allowed to learn how to use bending to fight. But she'd still be expected to be married off soon." She sighed again.
"It's the same in the Fire Nation. Once girls underwent ji-li, they were considered eligible for marriage."
Zuko carefully coiled her hair into a knot and reached for the hairpiece on the table to pin the knot into place. He stared at the comb, made of jade with gold filigree, carved into the shape of a lily with tassels of red stones dangling from it. Katara tentatively reached behind her, feeling the comb.
"This is beautiful," she gasped.
Zuko nodded and gulped. "It was my mother's. She left a lot of stuff behind."
Katara immediately tried to pull out the comb but Zuko stopped her. "Zuko, I can't. This is your mother's!"
"They're generally handed down from mother to daughter and Azula wants nothing of my mother's. She almost had all of her belongings burned."
"Save it for your daughter," she insisted.
"There's no guarantee I'll have a daughter."
"There's a fifty percent chance!" she argued.
"Keep it and I'll let you know if I ever have a daughter. But seeing as how it means she'd be eligible for marriage, I hope you don't return it."
Katara shook her head, knowing that he wouldn't take it back. She beamed at the feeling of the delicate comb in her hair and the feeling of Zuko's fingers in her hair. She frowned at the feeling that she had forgotten something but shrugged it off.
"Fine, but I'm going to give it to your daughter," she joked. "Poor girl having a strict, unyielding man like you for a father."
"I'll most likely spoil her."
"A true princess, then."
Zuko laughed wryly. "If I'm still royalty by the time I have children. Who knows? I might not be."
Katara scrutinized him, her wide, blue eyes narrowing as though she were inspecting him. Then she broke out into a grin. "No, you'll be a wonderful father, Zuko."
Not willing to believe her, he hedged, "I don't exactly have the best role model, do I?"
Reaching up to gently touch his scar, Katara shook her head. "Not him. But your uncle, on the other hand, I can tell that he loves you very much. As much as he loved his own son."
"How can you be so sure?"
"You'd be surprised at how conversation flows over a game of pai sho and a cup of tea."
Zuko reached over for the kettle and refilled her cup, handing it to her. Katara grinned at him appreciatively, mumbling her thanks before lifting the cup to her lips. Watching her, Zuko was tempted to try his own cup. As if she read his mind, Katara handed him her now empty cup and nodded at him. He only filled it halfway before drinking it and placing the empty cup on the table. Katara looked up at him expectantly.
He wrinkled his nose and shrugged. "It's okay, a little too sweet for my taste."
Katara chuckled. "You probably like ginger tea, don't you?"
"Papaya leaf tea," he joked.
"How did you know about that?" she asked while scrunching up her face in disgust.
"Superhuman hearing," he half-joked.
Still giggling, Katara couldn't help but grin back at the smirk on Zuko's face. His eyes were still exceptionally bright, the gold shining even in the dim lighting and the flames from the torches cast shadows over his face. Her laughter slowly died and she found herself locked in his gaze. Entranced, she leaned forward and her eyes must have been deceiving her, because it felt as though Zuko were leaning towards her, too. She could feel his warm breath on her face.
Her breath caught in her throat and Katara nervously backed away, turning her head to clear her throat. She turned back and asked nervously, "Z-Zuko, what are you doing? This isn't…"
He was still frozen and Zuko's ivory cheeks turned pink, but he didn't shy away. "This isn't what, Katara?" he whispered.
He spoke in a lower timbre than usual and his voice had taken on an even huskier quality than usual, which Katara didn't think could be possible. And for some reason Katara couldn't fathom, it made her cheeks warm up and felt as if her stomach were doing flips. She felt as though she were on the precipice of something that exhilarated and scared her, like standing on the edge of a cliff, facing crashing waves down below.
Zuko approached her and slowly pushed back an errant strand of chocolate brown hair, tucking it behind her ear. The feeling of his fingertips brushing against her ear was like a current of electricity running through her body and Katara took in a shaky breath.
As Zuko leaned down towards her again, Katara surprised herself by raising herself on her tiptoes, her palms finding their way onto his broad chest as the hand hovering by her ear lowered, securing itself around the dip of her waist. His other hand carefully caressed the nape of her neck. Her eyes closed just as their lips touched and Katara refused the urge to open her eyes in shock. It was a light feathery touch and Zuko pulled away first.
The chaste kiss was still enough for Katara to feel thoroughly breathless and her insides felt as though they were bubbling. She opened her eyes and blue met gold once more.
Zuko had to reign in the urge to pull her in for another kiss. His fingers flexed restlessly against her waist. He didn't expect that kind of reaction when he kissed her. He certainly hadn't felt that when he was with Mai. Yes, they felt urges and gave in, but they had never experienced something like with just a kiss.
When he locked eyes with her, he felt it again, as if ice water was running through his veins and his skin was on fire. Heightened senses. Feeling like he was overwhelmed by something and he needed an outlet. And the girl in his arms was the only possible one. Katara's hands tightened on his chest, holding onto his shirt in fists before she leaned up again. He met her halfway, relishing the feeling of his lips touching hers again. Zuko tightened his hold on her, pulling her closer as he kissed her harder than before, recognizing that Katara was returning the kiss.
Their lips moved together, exploring leisurely. They could taste the remnants of the sweet lychee tea on each other's lips.
As Katara disappeared into lovely world the kiss and Zuko's hold created, her mind became blissfully clear of any worries. Her hands slipped from his chest and mirrored his, one around his torso and the other reaching around his neck.
Just as she were about to disappear completely into the kiss, Katara remembered the last time they were this close. The last night in the infirmary on Whale Tail Island. She struggled to remember what it was that made her step away from him. Her mind flashed with the image of an unfinished letter.
With a gasp, Katara pulled away and stepped back from him, her fingertips pressing against her swollen lips in disbelief. Zuko looked at her with concern and moved to follow her. She shook her head and took off.
"Katara!" Zuko groaned, resisting the urge to smack himself in the face. Just what was it about him that made Katara run away? 'That's two nights in a row,' he bemoaned.
Sika sighed dreamily, earning a disgusted glare from her little brother and an exasperated groan from her father. She turned to the two males in her family and shushed them.
Sokka scowled at his oldest child. "Hey, don't shush me, young lady! I did not need to hear about my little sister's make out sessions."
Sato wrinkled his nose. "Yuck! Sisters shouldn't be allowed to do something so gross." He stuck his tongue out at Sika and lunged towards her when she shoved him. Sokka held back his young son, pulling him up into his lap.
Kanna chuckled, the warmth of the sound affecting her family immediately. "Oh, but Sato, don't you want your aunt to be happy and in love?"
"I think that she can be happy and in love without kissing! Mom and Dad are!"
Sokka's head snapped toward Suki, who buried her face in her hands, hiding the bright red blush. He cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Sato, your mother and I kiss. We just like to uh.. do it when no one's watching."
Pakku casually sipped his tea. "I would hope so."
Sokka froze while Suki groaned and her arms fell from her face, her forehead hitting the surface of the table. Hakoda blinked, his food mere inches from his mouth. He gave his son a roguish grin and clapped him on the back heartily before returning his attention to his food. Suki quickly rose from the table to disappear further into the house.
"I think Sena needs me."
Sika tilted her head curiously. "But I don't hear her crying, Mom."
"Then maybe it's me who needs her," Suki grumbled.
Kanna smiled genially, her eyes crinkling. "Oh stop torturing them, Pakku. Otherwise, how would you have three beautiful great-grandchildren to dote on?"
He dismissed her with a wave of his hand. "Yes, dear."
Hakoda snickered, earning a glare from his stepfather. He shrugged and continued to eat. "Where are all the men in this family? They seem to be whipped by their women, am I right, Sato? We're the last men standing in this family."
"What about—"
"Like your Aunt Katara doesn't have him wrapped around her pretty little finger."
At this, Sokka had to roll his eyes and nod with his son.
"But Grandpa, how come you don't you want to kiss someone?"
Hakoda raised his eyebrows at his granddaughter and her wide, curious teal eyes. His jaw hung open as he thought over how to respond.
"Yes, Hakoda, please grace us with the sight of your uvula."
Sato tugged on his father's sleeve urgently. "Dad, what's a 'you… you've-yelah'?"
"It's the throatal flap."
The other three adults raised their eyebrows at him and Sokka merely shrugged. Sato reached up and pried open his jaw, inspecting the back of Sokka's throat with narrowed eyes.
Suki groaned as she returned. "You and your father are one and the same, I swear."
The two grinned back at her cheekily and she laughed behind her hand, ruffling Sato's hair and kissing Sokka's cheek.
Sika sighed loudly, capturing everyone's attention. "Can we please get back to the story? Please Gran-Gran?"
"I don't know, child. I think your grandfathers and I may be overstaying our visit. Perhaps tomorrow when you finish your classes."
The young siblings pouted. Sokka gently set Sato down and pushed him towards the older adults. "Come on, you two. Say good night and then get to bed."
Kanna and Suki walked the two out of the living room and further into the house to tuck them into bed together. Though they tried to hide it, the two yawned widely behind their hands and Sato pressed himself closer to his mother's leg.
"How are they adjusting?" Hakoda asked.
"They're doing well in school. I'm sure they miss their friends back on Kyoshi Island, but we know it's not more than a few days' trip to go back and visit. Suki and I have taken them with us when we've had to go back and check on everything there."
"I'm glad you two have decided to move down here."
"I just hope that new herd of flying sky bisons Aang found will find their way down here soon. He's still training them."
"You want a flying sky bison?"
"It'd make travel a lot easier, wouldn't it?"
"When do you think you and Suki will settle down? The war's over, Sokka."
Sokka shook his head. "We'll slow down if we feel like the kids need us to. But they understand that what we're doing is important. I just want them to be proud of us."
"Ah kids never appreciate you," Pakku interjected. He coughed roughly. "But you can be sure that the rest of us are damn proud."
Sokka grinned. "Aw, Gran-Pakku."
Pakku's face fell. "And you wonder why Katara is my favorite."
"I haven't seen her in months. Not since she and the others dropped by Kyoshi Island when we sent the kids ahead."
"She's close to the heart of the Harmony Restoration Movement, helping Aang and Zuko mend bridges. Sometimes those situations require a woman's touch and Toph isn't exactly the gentle type."
"Toph might be leaving them soon. She's talking about opening up her own school for Earthbending. Metalbending specifically…"
"I doubt she'll be able to find a student to live up to her standards."
"She'll get 'em up to speed, I'm sure."
Nodding solemnly, Pakku said, "It's a noble position, being a teacher."
Hakoda and Sokka shared a look. As Pakku was about to rebuke them, a knock on the door interrupted. Sokka leisurely made his way to the door, opening it to reveal a young man.
"Can I help you?"
"I work in the mail delivery building. This is an urgent message for you, sir."
Sokka took the scroll and nodded at him sternly, signaling his dismissal. Sokka unfurled the parchment, his eyes scanning the lines of Katara's neat calligraphy as he returned to the table, where Kanna and Pakku were dressing for the cold.
Suki noticed the scroll and peered over his shoulder. "Sokka? What's this?"
Sokka's jaw first dropped in a show of disbelief before splitting into a smile that showcased all of his teeth. "It's from Katara. She'll be visiting soon with some big news."
"What news?"
"An addition to the family," he laughed.
"I gave explicit orders that I was not to be disturbed today!" Zuko snarled. Another knock on the door prompted him to leap out of bed and march towards it. He had spent the day brooding in bed, glaring at the ceiling. There was only one person willing to approach him currently and he was not in the mood to entertain his uncle's requests for pai sho or to participate in his weekly music night with the other men onboard.
"Uncle!" he scolded, throwing open the door. Zuko's voice died and he stared at Katara in disbelief.
She stared back, her expression a mixture of shock, annoyance, and a trace of humor. Katara sighed, shifting her weight and placing a hand on her hip. "No, not exactly. But General Iroh did tell me to inform you that he dearly misses the sound of your tsungi horn. His words; not mine."
Zuko flushed at the mention of the tsungi horn. "What are you doing here?"
Katara arched a dark eyebrow at him. "Would you like me to leave?"
"No! I just didn't expect you to want to be anywhere near me," he admitted. He nearly cringed at the rising awkwardness between them.
"Why?"
"Well the last time you walked away from me, you spent the majority of that night and the next day in your room."
"First of all, I was angry. And secondly, I slept most of the day yesterday. Pukiq said I might be feeling a little tired."
"So… you're telling me that you're not angry."
"Not at you, no. I was waiting for you to be knocking on my door. But after hearing from some of the crewmembers that you've locked yourself in your room, I thought that maybe it was my turn to knock on your door."
"You're not angry at me?"
"Didn't you hear what I just said? I thought you had superhuman hearing," she sassed back, tilting her head and revealing that she still wore the earrings he gave her.
"Answer the question."
"Quit ordering me around."
The two glared at each other before Katara relented, shifting her weight back and bringing an arm across her chest to grasp her other elbow. She shook her head.
"No, I'm not angry at you," she whispered. "Can I come in?" She gestured to his room behind him.
Zuko numbly let her pass, in disbelief. Peeking his head out of his door to check that the hallway was clear, he closed the door. Katara stood awkwardly in the centre of the room, unsure. Zuko gestured to one of the seats around his small table that he used for eating and writing correspondence. Katara sat down and looked up at him expectantly.
"So what is it that's gotten you so upset?" he asked while sitting across from her. "If it isn't me…" He struggled to express his anxiety and worry about the night before. "I don't know what else could have set you off like that."
"I didn't say I wasn't upset with you," she replied calmly. Katara held up her hands to stop Zuko from retorting. "I said I wasn't angry with you. But you've made me upset."
Katara chewed on her lower lip, a pink glow coloring her tan cheeks. "Last night… I don't know how to feel about it."
"I'm sorry if I pushed you too far. I don't know what—"
"Zuko, just shut up and let me talk, okay?" Katara found it hard to maintain eye contact with him and turned her gaze to the side. "I'm just… I know what I am to you, technically. I know what I am intended to be for you and even though last night was still innocent. I can't— I don't— I'm not happy with myself, I guess." Katara shrugged and shook her head slowly. "You're with someone. You're with Mai and you have been for a while, right? I know that monogamy is really just an option in the Fire Nation, especially knowing your father. But it's the only option for me. And I respect other people's relationships."
"Katara, you don't understand."
Her eyes flashed at him. Katara stood up abruptly and quickly made her way around the table to loom over Zuko as she spoke her tirade. "You don't think I understand the complexities of a mature relationship? Or of infidelity? Or sex? Because I promise you, Zuko, I understand."
Surprised at her proximity to him, Katara straightened, watching him carefully through narrow eyes. "What? No comeback?"
Zuko felt the stirrings of his temper but took a deep breath to stifle it. "I thought you wanted to talk," he hissed. "I'm letting you talk."
"I'm obviously done."
"Obviously." Zuko sighed once more before beginning. "First of all, we agreed from the night that I met you that I wasn't interested in that kind of relationship with you. And I never will be." He ignored the way Katara recoiled, and he knew she misunderstood, but he'd rectify that later.
"Secondly, you know me. At least I thought you did. Do you really think I'm not the type to seek complete devotion in a relationship? That I'm like my father. You were the one that told me that I was more than what the Fire Nation thought I was or expected of me."
Katara deflated slightly and Zuko pressed on, "And finally, I'm not with Mai anymore."
"Are you lying to me?"
"What makes you think that it'd be a lie?"
"At the infirmary on Whale Tail Island, I saw it on your cot. You were writing her a letter."
Zuko tensed. "I was… that's the letter I wrote to tell Mai that it was over."
Katara scoffed. "You did it through a letter?"
"How else was I going to do it? I'm banished!"
"It's over for you but is it over for her?"
"It'll have to be."
"And what happens when a messenger hawk comes for you with something from her?"
"There won't be."
"How can you be so sure?"
"I know Mai. She won't get too caught up in it. She'll most likely hate me and hold a grudge, but she'll, for the most part, accept it." Zuko rubbed a hand over his face and groaned then moved it to the back of his neck, looking up at her nervously. "So how do you feel?"
Katara stared back at him, confusion written all over her face. "Zuko, I don't think it matters how I feel about your break up. I think the important question is how you feel."
"I feel perfectly fine. Relieved. Like I'm not pretending anymore."
"You pretended to like Mai?"
Zuko shook his head slowly, thinking. As the contemplation took over his features, he spoke carefully. "No. No, not at first. I really did like her. In the beginning, maybe I thought she was just my little sister's weird friend with a crush on me. But I liked her. It's not like she was particularly sweet or anything, but I appreciated her. I always felt like she supported me, had my back. Mai knew what I was feeling most of the time." He laughed without humor. "Not that it was hard to figure out. She was a hell of a lot better than I was at reading her emotions. But I haven't felt strongly about her in a long while. We were comfortable together. In the end, she's someone who may or may not have helped me transition into who I am today."
"And you're happier now," Katara supplied.
"Yeah, I guess I am."
"About everything?" she hedged.
"Katara, last night, I intended for that to happen."
An eyebrow quirked up at him and he clarified, "I didn't do all of that with the intention of kissing you, I just meant that when the moment came up, there wasn't anyone who could've stopped me from taking the chance. And I know you felt it, too. I wouldn't take it back."
Katara broke off their eye contact, feeling too exposed. She didn't realize that she was walking away from him until her back felt the cool metal of the door. "Uhm, do you think we can talk about this on deck?" she asked anxiously. "I think I need some air."
Zuko nodded and was quick to follow after Katara as she bolted from his room and onto the deck. Katara held a hand to her forehead, closing her eyes as she took several deep breaths. Still wearing the usual Fire Nation clothing, she was surprised by her shivering at the brisk air. Zuko removed the outer layer of his tunic and put it over her shoulders, leaving him with just his t-shirt. He ignored her protests, demonstrating his lack of need by breathing out a puff of smoke.
"So what is that you want from me?" she asked finally.
"Honestly, I'd take whatever you give me." His gold eyes softened and he looked at her imploringly. "But if you'd give me a chance, I'd like to try and build a real relationship with you."
"A real relationship?"
"Only if you're comfortable with it. I know I'm asking a lot of you."
She wheezed out a scoff. "Yeah, sure. The Fire Nation prince is asking some peasant for a chance… what are the chances of that happening?"
"Katara, you're not a peasant to me. And I hope I'm more than a prince to you."
"Of course."
"Then?"
The duo then turned their heads simultaneously at the music playing softly near where Iroh usually held music night. The silvery light of the rising full moon shone down and reflected in the dark water below. As Katara's eyes adjusted, she was also shocked at the familiar sights of broken ice and glaciers passing by the ship.
Having heard her audible gasp, Zuko mused, "We must be nearing the South Pole."
Katara was transfixed by his words and the snowy chunks in the water, reminding her of when she went along with Sokka and their father for Sokka's ice dodging. Then her blood froze and she turned and met Zuko's concern with a wild-eyed glance.
"What's wrong?"
"Ice dodging," she gasped. She swallowed harshly to wet her dry mouth and continued hastily. "I mentioned some really strange things last night and I have to explain—"
Katara met Zuko's gaze again and her next lie died on her lips. He looked at her with such an accepting expression, patiently waiting to hear whatever she had to say. And he'd just accept it. And after everything he had shared with her for the past six months, after everything he had just revealed, it hurt to try and lie to him even more. Zuko reached forward and used the pad of thumb to wipe away the slow stream of tears on her cheeks.
"What's wrong?"
The anxiety was turning into panic and Katara felt as though something was sitting on her chest, as if she were suffocating. The tears came faster and Katara hastily rubbed at her eyes. Her breathing grew faster until she was dry heaving. Katara refused his touch and stepped away.
"Zuko, I have to tell you something." She shook her head when he advanced towards her. "No, it can't wait and if you come near me, I won't want to go through with it."
Zuko's jaw clenched and he remained where he stood. Katara sniffled and looked up, hoping for the best.
"I haven't been honest with you. Spirits, I've been such a hypocrite when I've asked you for honesty and you've given it to me. And your friendship means so much to me. I didn't realize that I would— that I could get so invested. I thought you were all the same, but you're so different." She took a shuddering breath.
"I'm sorry I'm rambling," she groaned. With another sniffle, she continued, "I'm not a Fire Nation colonist." Katara laughed harshly. "I knew nothing about the Fire Nation. I'm from the Southern Water Tribe. My father is Hakoda, chief of the Southern Water Tribe. I've been trained by some of the best Waterbenders to fight and to heal. I learned combat from Kyoshi Warriors. And I came to the Fire Nation with the intention of helping my people defeat it and end the war. I was selected by our tribe's war council to infiltrate the palace as your new servant. I accepted."
Zuko's good eye widened as she continued revealing information and though he was shocked and his suspicions were confirmed, he still couldn't find it within himself to begrudge her any anger or hatred. It was like searching for snow in the Fire Nation or a volcano at either poles. It just wasn't possible. Because in a strange way, he understood. He didn't know Katara to consciously act out of malice. Sure, she had a nasty temper, but who was he to judge? And she could hold a grudge for eternity. But she would never intentionally hurt others without good reason.
"Zuko? Zuko, please don't hate me. I didn't know what I was getting into. You weren't what I was expecting… and I—"
"I knew."
"And I— you knew?!"
Katara stared at him as wide-eyed as he was. "Katara—"
"Prince Zuko!"
The two teens turned towards the man coming their way. Zuko recognized him as one of his lieutenants and nodded curtly when the man bowed in front of him. "Prince Zuko, we were able to arrive sooner than anticipated. The Southern Water Tribe is less than ten nautical miles away. Your highness, we have the cover of night and surprise on our side. We predict a victory if we attack. What are your orders?"
Zuko looked back down at Katara and she glanced back, her eyes filled with trepidation.
Shoutout to wickedstooksgirl for being the 100th person to favorite the story!
Edited April 2019