Chapter Twenty: The Reason I Came
Katara walked through her home, tiding up. The Fire Nation had retreated; only for now, at least. There was still some debate whether they would return or not. The girls were outside, hanging out with Hokoru, especially Tsukiko, and his little siblings. It was all perfect for now. Aang entered the living room where his wife was and leaned against the doorpost, staring at her perfect frame.
"What is it?" Katara looked up, her braid falling over her shoulder. She smiled sweetly at him, and gave a tiny giggle as he walked over and put his hands on her stomach, and then pulled her close. "Aang, we have a guest in our home."
"I know, and who cares? He's a pompous idiot, and I have the right to show affection for the one love of my life, don't I?" Aang muttered in her ear. "Remember after the war, how we used to run around. Your grandmother made me my own parka. Just because she thought I was an idiot for not wearing one."
Katara laughed. Oh yes, she remembered the first time Aang had to be held down to get the parka on. It was the most hilarious moment she had ever seen in her entire life. Not only that, but it was also the fact that it was freezing for Aang. He was shivering throughout the night, actually!
As soon as they began to kiss, Zuko entered the room, rubbing his forehead in agitation. The married couple split apart, with much anger, and sat down on the cushions with a bit of saddness. They allowed him to sit down across from them. He opened his mouth, but closed it again. He was going to say something.
"You can speak, Prince Zuko," Aang said. He was the man of the house. Katara always allowed him to speak to their guests firsts. It was her way of showing respect to Aang.
"I-I actually came here for the reason I had to," Zuko sighed. "And because I wanted to tell Katara something."
"What might that be?" Katara asked, her hand in Aang's.
Zuko was hesitant. It seemed to be an eternity before he opened his mouth again to speak. And the way he spoke seemed to show much fear inside of him. Like he truly didn't want to tell why he had come. Katara gave him a stern look, which caused him to speak in full bravery now.
"I really love Katara. I just had to let it out. All these years. Twenty-two long years... I hadn't said a word to you since the day I betrayed you. The day I almost killed your husband. Back in the underground city of Bai Sing Se."
"The day YOUR sister almost killed Aang," Katara hissed, her ocean blue eyes shut tightly. "I don't want to remember that day, Prince Zuko. You are our guest here; don't bring back horrid memories to us."
"I'm bringing them back for a reason. They could help us against Azula," Zuko muttered, his eyes cast downwards quickly, dodging Aang's glare.
"Don't listen to him," Aang growled. "We defeated Azula before, we can do it again. Without horrible memories that should never be remembered."
Zuko stood up, bowed, and left the room. He was wrong to come and try to help them; wrong to tell the Avatar's wife his love of her. But Katara seemed to hate him more than ever now. He had made the biggest mistake of his life trying to convince her to leave Aang for him. How could he have troubled their family that way?
"Hey, Prince Zuko, sir?"
A tiny voice imprinted in his mind and awakened him out of his trance. He turned about to see the Airbender daughter of Katara and Aang. He smiled at her, and got down on one knee to be eye level with her. She seemed to giggle a little bit, then took his hand.
"I hear you are a Firebender. Can you come and do tricks with air?"
"How can I do tricks with air if I'm not an Airbender?" Zuko chuckled.
"Me, of course! My daddy has taught me everything I know!" Sora giggled.
"Alright, now. But don't get too mad if I can't do anything right!" Zuko laughed as the small girl led him out of the house towards her siblings.