Afterglow

Summary: After the intense encounter with the recently returned princess of the Fire Nation, things are back on the rocky foundation that the two teens started on. With tendrils of doubt and fear emitting from Katara, it seems as though their tiny relationship has started to spiral towards the worst. Now, it's all up to Zuko to fix the mess his sister started. But there's only so much that a young Prince can do by himself...

Rating: T– mostly for language

Author's Notes: Thanks for the reviews guys... you're the best. Really. Also, thanks for mentioning my birthday for all those whom I couldn't reply to! Thanks! And look at this! This chapter wasn't that late, AND it's pretty long! Wow, I worked sort of hard. (Haha. Very funny.) And you know what? I'm surprised nobody guessed where they were going! Haha! I must be more cunning than I thought! (Alright alright. Go read it. :p) Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender

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Afterglow

Chapter Fourteen

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"Stay quiet."

Zuko took a glance around the corner. The only person on the street turned into their home, leaving the street empty. The night was almost half gone, and the moon shone brightly in the sky above his head. Quietly, he turned back to his waiting fiancee. She looked at him with expectant eyes.

"Let's go." He whispered turning the corner. She followed suit. They ran on their toes, trying to keep the sound at a minimal, as they headed for the docks. At the conversation that Fire Lady Ursa instigated earlier that night, she told them when they would be leaving and how.

Midnight, without telling anyone.

From what the Fire Lady said and how she was acting, they suspected that they'd be up where-ever they were going for a while. Things were starting to fall into place. Although the few months that they'd been together were quiet, the actual ruler of the infamous Fire Nation had returned and all hell would break loose if they didn't escape now.

There's a merchant ship at docks right now. Ursa had told them. Her face was set in a stony expression and a strange tone of seriousness was in her voice. You're going to leave tonight. We don't have the kind of time to fool around anymore. This is getting serious. Zuko, she turned to her son, looking him straight in the eyes. I'm expecting you to protect Katara. And Katara, she turned toward her soon-to-be daughter-in-law. A sad, pained smile appeared on her face. Take care of my son.

And with that, Iroh led them to gather their possessions and get ready to leave. The two engaged teens left quietly with the moon above their heads towards the docks. They were dressed in the dullest clothes they had so that they wouldn't attract attention to themselves. The captain of the merchant ship knew their real identities, but kept the information to himself. His crew would have to pay very close attention to see whom they were.

Zuko and Katara jogged down the wooden dock toward the small ship at the end. The crew was finishing putting the last of the supplies on the ship, and the captain stood to the side, supervising them. The Fire Prince headed over to him and started conversing in low tones. Katara stood to his side, wearily glancing at the crew. It wasn't that she was scared of them, she was just suspicious since they didn't look like the kind of crew a merchant would have with him. Most of the men were tall and overly built for just sailors. A sinking feeling fell over her as she thought of pirates.

What were these people? And, just where exactly were they going?

Zuko had inquired his mother on that very subject, but she just smiled and shook her head. I can't tell you that. The walls have ears, my son. It would not be the best idea to permit that information. You'll find out soon enough. Clearly, Katara was against the thought of laying her safety in the hands of strangers, but she wasn't about to question a Queen's judgement.

After a moment, the captain started to led the two of them toward the ship. It was a little thing that was made out of metal and designed to float on water. It didn't look that appealing, but there wasn't much room to complain. Katara unconsciously drifted closer to her fiancé, searching for some sort of comfort. Seeing this, Zuko put a hand on the small of her back. Her body tensed under his touch, and he suppressed a grin.

The Captain led them to their rooms, which happened to be right next to his. He had bowed in apology, and explained that it was the best rooms they had on the ship. Neither of the teenagers complained. They just thanked him and began to make themselves comfortable.

I wonder where we're going... Katara thought idly, as she unpacked her bag. Probably somewhere remote, where the Fire Lord can't find us. She paused in her unloading to think about that thought. No... he'd still find us. If he heard that his son– the heir to the throne– is engaged to a waterbender he'd do anything to find us...

A sound outside her room made her look wearily toward her ajar door.

We aren't safe...

She relaxed as Zuko slipped into her room carrying a wooly blanket. The earlier tension she set her room up with dissipated as her eyes landed on the blanket. She looked at him with confusion. The Fire Nation was incredibly warm. There was no need for such an accessory. He caught her look and shrugged.

"The Captain said that you might need it later in our trip." Though he was just telling her his observations, there was a slight edge to his voice that she didn't miss. He walked over to her and laid the blanket on her bed before glancing up at her. Katara watched him for a moment before speaking.

"Is something wrong?" It was no louder than a whisper, but managed to convey her emotions clearly. Worry, confusion, and... fear. Not of him, but of something graver. Something that neither of them could do anything about...

Luckily, that wasn't the case.

He sighed lightly before looking away from her eyes. "I'm just a little... anxious, I suppose. I haven't left the Fire Nation before." He replied. "I've been to other places in the Fire Nation... just not out of the boundaries." His eyes seemed to darken at that thought. "I was always watched. I never got to do anything on my own."

Katara watched her fiancé silently before turning back to unpacking, sensing his discomfort. "So, where do you think we're going?" she provided, hoping he'd grasp the opportunity for a subject change. He took it, almost eagerly.

"I don't have any preferences... anywhere is fine for me. I suppose, I don't really care." He said, watching her. She laughed lightly and flashed him a short smile.

"That doesn't really answer my question." She said. He raised his eyebrows at her, instigating her to repeat it. "I asked where you thought we were going. Not where you'd like to go." She let out another soft laugh as she crossed the room to put her spare clothes into a small chest that was bolted to the floor.

"Well, then..." Zuko said, coloring slightly. "Where do you want to go?"

At that, she got up and grinned at him. "Ever since I was a little girl, I've always wanted to go to Ba Sing Se. All the merchants that came down to home talked about how elegant and extravagant it is. Their words painted elaborate pictures in my head, and I could only dream of what it might look like."

The corners of the Fire Prince's lips turned up at the excitement that she showed. It was one of the few times that he had seen his fiancee express joy at anything. Back at the palace, she was quiet, reserved, and found pleasure in books. Yet now, away from the pressures of the palace, she shared her opinions and was livelier.

"And yet..." She said quietly as she picked up a leather thronged shark tooth necklace. She smiled sadly at it and ran a finger along the tooth. "I still wish to visit home. Just to see how everybody's doing."

"... The Southern Water Tribe, correct?" Zuko inquired quietly, just to verify. Katara nodded, then looked at him with an enlightened smile.

"It's wonderful down there. Everything is covered by such a beautiful, pure, white snow, and although our village isn't very big, we're all close and would rather share a tiny, warm room with three people than a huge empty one. I could even call my whole village my family. ... And I miss them terribly. It'd do me good to see them again." she said, the smile staying through her monologue.

"Well... then I hope that's where we're heading." Her fiancé said suddenly. "I wouldn't mind spending a few weeks there." She looked right into his eyes, shocked from what she heard. She had noticed a change in him recently, but as far as she could remember, he had always been foul tempered by the other Nations of the world. ... And yet, he wanted to go visit the Southern Water Tribes. A genuine pleased smile crossed her face as she realized that she accomplished the reason why she was betrothed to him in the first place. To make him accept the other Nations.

Finally, she thought elated, finally, there's some silver lining on this engagement.

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Two weeks passed from the time that the two engaged teens left the Fire Nation, and they were still on the water. The navigator, Shou, kept telling them that they were getting closer to their destination, and were only mere days away from arriving. (He was instructed by the Captain not to tell them where they were headed.) But, truthfully, he found it upon himself to tell the ship's guests that piece of information. They never asked for it.

Now, Zuko and Katara managed to amuse themselves by anything that was on the ship. It took a while, but the young waterbender became less weary around the crew, and would even chat with them regularly. She found that they had endless stories to tell about the high seas and anything that they came across on their travels. She would watch them wide eyed, taking everything in as Zuko sat next to her listening silently.

As for the Fire Prince, he was glad– for once– for the lack of distractions so that he could follow his fiancee and converse with her like they were friends for years. He was pleased to see that she seemed to forget– albeit temporarily – about the encounter with his sister. He would watch her, as she waterbent the sea water around her, entranced. He had only seen a few waterbenders bend before, and he found it interesting to watch her twist and move with grace that paralleled his firebending's precise, powerful movements. Sometimes, he would even get up there with her and work his bending beside hers.

The thing that they both noticed, and didn't keep to themselves, was the fact that it got colder. With each passing day, the temperature dropped just a bit more, and only after a week, they already needed the wool blankets the captain provided. Their minds ran wild with the possibilities of where they could be headed. There was so many places to choose from...

"I'm thinking it's some remote Earth Kingdom city that's hidden deep in the jungle somewhere." The Fire Prince voiced, nodding his head with assurance.

Katara snorted. "Yeah, like it's freezing cold in a jungle."

"It's not freezing cold out here. Besides..." he trailed off as he started to think about it. Realizing his mistake, he just kept quiet hoping his fiancee would forget that he said something.

Unlucky for him, she didn't.

"Besides, what? Jungles can somehow grow in the tundra?! Amazing! Please, tell me more, O Wise One." She said sarcastically. He just snorted turning away. "Besides, I think we're headed for an Air Temple. I think it'd be interesting to see all of the monks!"

"Pfft! What's so special about a bunch of bald headed men saying prayers all day?"

Katara rolled her eyes. "They're airbenders too you know. We could watch them airbend, and see what the Temple looks like! And maybe... if we're really lucky, they'll shave your head!"

"Why would that be lucky?" He said, frowning.

"Because I think you'd look better with no hair. ...No, I take that back... You can keep the pony tail." She said teasingly, flicking the object of speech.

"Oh, thank you for gracing me with your wise words, O Wise Katara. Please! Tell me More!" he said mockingly. She stuck her tongue out at him and walked faster down the hallway to the mess hall for dinner. He easily caught up with her, and walked beside her with a smirk. She shoved him lightly and he shoved back, relishing in their teasing.

Deep down, both of them preferred it this way. They could act like themselves without people breathing down their necks all the time. They didn't have to be an example for anybody; they didn't have to even act the part of higher class. Though they weren't quite the epitome of engaged royals, they did share a bond. Though it wasn't intimate, it was strong, and this trip–if you could call it that– only strengthened it. The crew teased them about it endlessly, and yet they never denied it.

And yet, they didn't speak of it to each other. They felt it. It was there, but they never acknowledged it. It wasn't the right time for that. So, they kept it to themselves. Ignorance is bliss, and they bloomed in it.

When they entered the mess hall, they were hit by a variety of smells. All of them delicious. The crew was just entering as well, and had confused/amused facial expressions. The captain came up behind the two teenagers and shook his head.

"Who would have known that it was music night!" he said to himself. Then he turned to the man next to him. "Call the cook out so he can enjoy the night with us!"

"Music night?" Katara repeated. Zuko had an apprehensive look on his face as if he were dreading something. The waterbender raised an eyebrow. "Something wrong?"

"The last time I did music night... it was on my uncle's ship... they made me play the Sugi Horn..." he replied quietly. But– not quietly enough.

"You play the Sugi Horn?!" the captain exclaimed. Zuko opened his mouth to protest, but the captain cut him off. "That's wonderful! You can help with us tonight!" He exclaimed before turning toward the approaching cook. "Joau! Joau! You won't believe this! Prince Zuko plays the Sugi Horn!!!"

The Fire Prince groaned at his pitiful luck and Katara lightly patted his back. She grinned widely.

"I can't wait to hear you play!" She said unhelpfully. He glared at her before retorting.

"Then, if I have to play the Sugi Horn, you have to dance to it!"

"Are you kidding me? I'm not dancing."

"Of course you are."

"That's not fair!"

"Yes it is."

"You can't make me."

"Watch me."

"I don't have to. I can just listen."

"While you're dancing. You can't get out of this."

"Unlike you, I'm not required by the captain to do anything."

"Oh really now?"

Zuko's smirk grew mischievously on his face. He turned away from his fiancee to catch the attention of the captain and cook. "Captain Jee! You know, Katara is a wonderful dancer. How about a performance tonight at Music Night?"

Katara helplessly flailed her arms behind Zuko trying to get the captain to understand not to say yes. Don't agree!!! She thought harshly.

Luck was against her.

"Oh, how interesting! Of course! I'd love to see miss Katara's dance!" He said enthusiastically. He turned toward cook Jauo for his opinion. The Cook nodded as well. Katara groaned. She glared at her grinning fiancé.

"I'll get you back. Just you watch."

"I plan on it. After all, you must be a graceful dancer thanks to waterbending."

"I am." She bit out.

Zuko laughed. "Good."

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As the night grew closer, the sun started to get farther and farther in the west. And yet, the prospect of approaching night wasn't comforting for either teen. They couldn't be dreading the night more. Music Night started out casually, with talking and some music on the deck. Then, as the night went on, the booze broke out, and voices seemed to get louder. The music took on a different tune, and the crew started to dance drunkenly.

Katara and Zuko chose not to participate in the drinking games, or the silly dancing. They just stayed in their corner dreading when they would have to actually move.

"Who would have known that a sailor could dance like that..." Katara said in awe.

"Are you kidding? Many people in the Fire Nation can dance like that." Zuko replied.

"Really? That's really neat. ...Can you dance like that?"

"...yes."

"Liar."

"I can!"

"Right."

"Are you challenging me?"

"Yes."

"..."

"Well? Are you going to dance for me?"

"... maybe later."

"I knew you couldn't do it."

"I can!"

The waterbender smirked as the Fire Prince glared at her. Their light quarreling was interrupted by Captain Jee after a short amount of time.

"Miss Katara?" He inquired smiling at the lady in question. She looked up at him, slightly confused. "Would you perform for us tonight?" White hot anxiety shot through her as she stared at him. When fear took the wheel, she glanced over at her fiancé who, in return, just smirked triumphantly. She snorted, despite her fear and spoke.

"Yes, I will. But as long as Prince Zuko plays the Sugi Horn to my dance." Quick as lighting, the smirk fell off of Zuko's face and onto Katara's. In the end, waterbender outsmarted firebender... again.

"That's a wonderful idea!" Jee exclaimed clapping his hands in delight. He turned toward the crew and announced the upcoming act. Zuko scowled at Katara as the Sugi Horn was placed into his hands, and he was lead to a seat before the bonfire. Katara, on the other hand, smiled despite her nerves, and pulled off her over coat. She stood before the fire as well, facing the ground.

The crowd grew quieter as the act was set up. Many eyes trained on the only female occupant of the ship as she stood before them all. Slowly, as the music began, she began to drift around the fire in an entrancing dance. Zuko reluctantly started to play the Sugi Horn, but kept his eyes on his fiancee.

She moved with the grace of a waterbender, incorporating her bending into the dance. When the music was slow, she moved with timed steps, and as the music picked up, her dance became quicker and sharper– much like a firebender. Many eyes watched her, captivated.

She brought her arms around in a quick sweep and pulled water from the sea below them and spun it above her head. She manipulated the water in several ways that matched the dance. The sailors, who were all Fire Nation decent, had never seen such a performance before, and stared in awe at the young woman. Zuko, on the other hand, saw Katara practice her bending before, but it wasn't anything to what she did now. It was just so different.

When the music finally was brought to a close, Katara was breathing heavily, and stood stock still with her water floating in the air before her. She waited for any kind of response from the crowd. And when they did respond, it was thunderous. She stepped back in surprise before laughing and accepting their praise.

As the sailors crowed around her to express their awe, Zuko came up from behind her. She didn't see him, but she didn't have to. He whispered lightly in her ear that she did good before turning away. And although it wasn't anything extravagant, it was enough for her heart to beat faster and a smile to grace her lips.

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The night continued on with more dancing and drinking, and the later it got the louder it seemed to get. Though the main attractions had passed, the sailors found ways to amuse themselves. While they did that, the two engaged teens found some time to themselves on the other side of the ship.

It was darker in the back, and quieter. There were a few sailors that would wander around, but other than that, it was completely deserted. But, who would want to be back there when there was music night at the front of the ship?

"You played the Sugi Horn well." Katara said as she walked up beside her fiancé. Zuko, who was leaning on the edge of the ship, looked up at her. She smiled at him. "I didn't know you could play that well."

"You heard it? I would have thought that you were to into your dance to actually hear the music." He responded light heartedly. She rolled her eyes.

"I have to hear the music to dance to it, don't I?" she responded, looking out at the sea. They both lapsed into silence and listened to the water hit the boat for a while. In the background, the sailor's cheering and loud voices grew quieter to let the upbeat song waft through the air. The corners of Zuko's mouth twitched upward at the recognition of the Fire Nation's national song. It was played many times throughout all Fire Nation festivities. Though it's fast movements and complex dance steps made it almost a workout, citizens enjoyed the dance and conveyed passion through it.

Zuko stepped away from the edge of the ship and held his hand out toward his fiancee. "You hear the music. Care to try a Fire bred dance?" he asked, smirking a little. Katara, smirking slightly herself, took his hand and let him lead her to the center of the deck.

"It's fast," The Fire Prince warned as he took her into his arms. She merely shrugged and motioned for him to begin. Zuko's smirk widened as he swiftly moved them around. Katara followed his lead until she got the hang of the steps. They twisted, turned, and spun into the dance becoming oblivious to everything except themselves. When their eyes met, they could see into the other's soul like a window. So many expressions were livid there that it almost overwhelmed them.

Katara felt the strong sense of anxiety paralleled by passion and excitement. But there was also the tinge of omnipresent fear. She still held onto the possibilities that Azula presented, but they were drowned out by the present events. Right then, it was her fiancé who held her sight.

Zuko's eyes held many of the same emotions, but in his there was caution. Caution to what Azula had said to Katara. Caution not to overstep his boundaries and turn her against him. Caution to keep her with him. If anything, he realized that it wasn't just his sister's treats and lies that made her so weary of him. Zuko himself had been reckless and made her insecure about her positions. He didn't want her to be afraid of him. He wanted nothing more than for her to trust him. Just a little.

Slowly, both teens' dance began to dwindle until they had stopped completely just staring into each other's eyes. The roaring emotions that warred within them were barely contained by the walls of their beings. Only inches apart, they could practically hear each other's quickened heart beat.

Katara's eyes wandered from Zuko's intense gold ones to where his lips were slightly parted from breathing heavily. A strange warm feeling erupted in her stomach at the remembrance of their first "kiss". Ever since it happened, she had been unable to release the memory from her mind. It plagued her thoughts until all she could think about was how soft and warm his lips were on hers. She could only imagine the feeling yet again...

Zuko, as though reading her thoughts, began to lean closer to her, hoping with all his might that he wasn't reading her wrong. The last time that he kissed her it was to make a point. He was angry, and in a flourish of jealousy, he captured her cool lips with his own. She was shocked and confused after the exchange and, after the whole Azula escapade, he couldn't judge her reaction to it. So, just to be safe, he went in slowly and watched her for any signs of resistance.

Her eyes fluttered closed with anticipation and seeing that, the Fire Prince cautiously approached her. Their lips met in a soft, short moment before they parted, but the exchange meant more to them than anything ever could.

Katara's eyes met his, and a smile graced her features. He returned the smile before she leaned up and kissed him again. With only being days away from their destination, they were pretty content.

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A week after the music night, Katara was awoken quite abruptly by hasty knocking on her door. She hopped out of bed, blearily rubbing her eyes and grabbed her parka. She pulled it on before opening the door.

"I'm sorry for the sudden awakening, Miss Katara, but we've just arrived!" Shou exclaimed. Katara stared at him for a moment before comprehending his words. She excitedly ran from her room, Shou following at her heels. She ran into Zuko at the end of the hall.

"We're here! Finally!" She said excitedly, now fully awaken. He nodded silently, a small smile on his features. They both turned as Captain Jee approached them.

"Welcome," he said joyfully as he opened the door before them. They all stepped out and let their eyes adjust to the shift in light. Katara gasped at what she saw. "To the Northern Water Tribes!"