Dawn

Chapter 21 Time

Katara leaned over and grabbed her robe as Zuko stood up. He reached a hand out to her and she took it, letting his strong arm haul her up from the ground. She shrugged on her robe, it was getting chilly without the sun there to warm her, but truly, Katara didn't mind, she had Zuko to keep her warm. They walked up to the ridge where Zuko had told her the story of the phoenix. They laid down on the soft grass and looked up into the clear sky. Stars started to be-speckle the darkness.

"My mother," Zuko said, "Used to tell me that stars are the handmaidens of the moon. That they entertain the her with their unique patterns and every so often one would dance for her and we see a shooting star."

"My mother," Katara answered, "said that stars were put there by the spirits to glorify great heroes of this world. The pictures and designs will depict their lives forever. When we see shooting stars, she said that the spirits are making a new picture for a new hero." there was a companionable silence.

"What...happened to your mother?" Katara said in a hesitant tone, "In the crystal catacombs you said that the war took her."

"It's not a good memory." Zuko said.

"Only tell me if you want to."

"I will tell you, you deserve to know." Zuko took a deep breath, "It was back when I was about seven years old. My mother was a wonderful woman. She was gentle and kind and cared for me and Azula immensely. Many times I've wondered if my mother ever loved Ozai, or if it was an arranged marriage. Regardless she showed the greatest love to me and my sister. We would play in the gardens and by the turtle-duck ponds. Then, one night, the family had gone to my grandfather's throne room, this was before Ozai took the throne. It was a few days after we found out that Uncle lost his son, Lu Ten, in the war. My uncle was so distraught that he stopped his siege of Ba Sing Se and turned home. After Azula and I had been told to leave, Azula pulled me behind a curtain so we could eavesdrop. My father asked my grandfather for the thrown right, saying that Iroh was too broken to be a good leader. My grandfather was furious saying that Ozai wouldn't know the pain of the death of a son until he experienced it himself. I ran out then, leaving Azula behind, I didn't want to hear anymore and I was terrified of being caught.

Later that night, Azula came into my room. She taunted me saying that father was going to kill me. I was scared, I knew even then that my father wanted the throne and he never saw me as anything but a disappointment. I tried telling myself that Azula always lies because she did and still does. Still I couldn't shake the feeling of something bad happening. My mother came in then and took Azula away, telling her not to lie in such terrible ways. I soon fell asleep. Then next thing I knew I was being shaken awake by my mother. She was trying to tell me something but I was so groggy I almost missed it. She said to me, "Zuko, know that everything I have done I have done for you. I love you ,my son. Never forget who you are. Goodbye." she hugged me then and walked away down the long hall. I was confused and I didn't understand. I lapsed into a half sleep. When I awoke a few hours later I realized that my mother might be gone forever. I ran through the palace looking for my father. I finally found him in a courtyard. I asked him where my mother was. All he did was bow his head. A few days later my grandfather died and my father was named Fire Lord. We never had a funeral for my mother, though, which leads me to believe that she is not dead. I suspect that my father was planning to kill me and my mother purposed a trade. She would disappear and I would live. Father would play a distraught widow but continue to be active in the war and politics, unlike my uncle. My mother banished herself for my sake." Zuko finished his tale.

He was sitting up now, looking at the ground, shoulders tense and hunched. Katara pushed herself up and took his face in her hands, forcing him to look at her.

"Zuko..." she said, "we will find her."

"What do you mean?" he questioned a bit of hope flashing in his eyes.

"After this damned war is over we will search for your mother, and we will find her. Together."

"You promise?" the hope shined brighter in his eyes.

"I swear." Katara said, her voice was firm and sure.

Zuko's back straitened and his jaw was a firmer set. He had found a new drive. Zuko wrapped an arm around Katara's waist and pulled her to him. He pressed his lips against hers in a passionate kiss. Katara's hands fluttered in surprise then rested back on his face. They parted for breath, both gasping a little.

"Thank you ,Katara." Zuko didn't let go of her. He stared her in the eye.

"For what?" she murmured still a bit dazed by the kiss.

"For giving me hope, something I thought I had lost long ago. I don't know how to repay you."

Giving Zuko a look out of the corner of her eye Katara murmured,

"You could kiss me again." A smirk unfolded on Zuko's face.

"Would that please you, my lady?" he said in a mock-royal tone.

"Yes I think it would." Katara answered looking away and blushing. Zuko's smirk got wider.

"Perhaps my lady would like a kiss on the hand." Zuko took one of Katara's hands and laid a gentle kiss upon it. Katara giggled.

"Perhaps my lady would like some kisses on her arm." Zuko planted gossamer kisses up Katara's arm.

"Perhaps my lady would like a kiss on the neck." he leaned in and touched his lips to her neck, breathing in her sent.

"Perhaps my lady..." before Zuko finished talking Katara kissed him full on the mouth, sending him flying off his knees and onto his back. When they separated, Katara sat up and looked at Zuko, saying in a quiet voice,

"You take to long." she could hear Zuko chuckle. Then he grabbed her arm and pulled her down next to him. Zuko wrapped his arms around her and held her close. Katara rested her head on his chest and they fell asleep like that, holding each other, with the sound of Zuko's heart beat as Katara's lullaby.

Katara could feel warm arms around her and hear Zuko's heart beat. His warmth seeped into her body, making her feel lazy. She saw light through her barely cracked lids and knew it was morning. She huddled a bit closer to Zuko, not for warmth, just because she wanted to be with him. She felt him shift in his sleep slightly, his arm tightened around her waist. She peered up at Zuko's face and saw him looking down at her.

"Good morning." he whispered down at her.

"Good morning." she replied.

They were practicing bending after lunch. Katara was helping Zuko bend fire into shapes. She lay back on the grass after giving Zuko some pointers. Her thoughts wandered. Suddenly a thought struck her.

"Zuko," there was a slight hint of alarm in her voice, "How many days has it been?"

Zuko looked over at her and the flame in his palm went out. He knew what she meant.

"Six days." he said quietly, "Six days." there was silence as the implications of these words set in.

"Then, we...you...must..." Katara's voice was halting and broken, her eyes were wide with anxiety. Zuko pulled her into an embrace.

"I will have to go." he whispered into her hair. As he said those words, tears pricked Katara's eyes. "But not yet," he continued, "I will not leave yet. I will spend one more night with you. But I will have to leave at dawn tomorrow." he felt her arms tighten around his torso, as if she would never let go.

"Zuko," Katara said looking at him through her teary eyes, "Are you going back because you want to become the prince your father wanted? After you leave are... are you going to forget?" her voice was choked up and hard.

"No. I have to... I need to find out who I am. Who I am to my father, and to the Fire Nation. And I need to find out their plans, if nothing else. Then at least I can help you. Please try to understand." Zuko's eyes pleaded with her to think this through.

"I understand. I just don't want you to leave. I know that you have to and if I were to bring you back to camp now they would all think I had gone insane. I don't even know what Aang would do..." Zuko's eyes widened,

"The Avatar is...alive? I...I thought, after Azula... he's alive? How?" his voice was utter shock, Zuko held her at arms length to look her squarely in the eye.

"I used the spirit water on him, I was almost to late. Even so he is extremely weak and can't do much right now."

"How did you get more spirit water?" Zuko was utterly befuddled and Katara recounted the episode of Yue coming to her.

"So in a strange way, the moon set us up?" Zuko questioned. Katara giggled a little.

"Yes I guess so." she said in a small voice, "Let's just try to enjoy the little time we have left."

_Author's note_

again my customary thanks to all reviewers! we are getting closer to the end, but never fear this is but the end on book 1. there shall be a book 2!