Just Friends
Here is rhe reload of this chapter. My thanks to the guest you left the comment in a review, otherwise I wouldn't have noticed. That said, here is the next chapter. Enjoy. For the record, you might want to check out the prequel, I do make reference to a few things here, but for the most part it stands alone.
Chapter 21:
"Of Honor and Dignity"
As much as Zuko didn't like the idea of wandering the Fire Nation, meeting city officials who more than likely didn't want to meet him either, he knew he had a duty to perform. His Uncle had all but spelled it out for him.
x.x.x.x
Up just before dawn, he encountered his Uncle in the courtyard beginning his morning meditations. Silently joining his Uncle, Zuko and the former general turned regent began a series of katas, transitioning smoothly from stance to stance. Years of living in close proximity and training made falling into step a simple matter. Now that Zuko had, mostly, left behind his anger fueled energy, they were more in sync than ever.
As they came to a halt on the last stance, each releasing a plume of smoke in exhalation, they turned and bowed to one another.
"You have truly become a master Zuko," Iroh rumbled pleasantly, ever proud of his nephew. "From this point on you have only to continue to expand your consciousness to expand your bending. Never stop studying and-"
"…Always keep breathing," finished Zuko, one side of his lip quirking in amusement. Iroh gave a chuckle.
They sat down in the courtyard, the morning hostess having brought out a tea set, and enjoyed the quiet of the morning for a time. Zuko tried finding a way of bringing up his conflicted emotions about his path to the throne versus wanting to find his mother, but Iroh seemed to sense it first.
"I enjoyed a number of quiet mornings with your mother like this," Iroh said, "especially as Ozai became more wrapped up in his schemes. It would make my heart glad to be able to do that again."
"So you think she really is out there?" Zuko questioned.
"The possibility exists. Whether it truly is this 'Thorn', I couldn't begin to say," Iroh said, "though their actions are very curious. Setting up a rebellion doomed to fail is a unique tactic, one that posed serious risks if not properly executed."
Zuko, who had infiltrated the prison with Katara, could only nod in agreement…that they were unscathed from that venture had mostly to do with their own skill…idiots or not, the people who were holding the Boiling Rock certainly hadn't been pulling their punches.
"I spent many years in fruitless search of Lu Ten in the spirit world, years where I might have been able to curb my brother's lust for power, or be there for you and even Azula," he continued. "I learned a great deal on my journey, this is true, but I lost a great deal as well."
"If you could go back, would you have done differently," asked Zuko.
"It doesn't serve to dwell on the what ifs, nephew. Suffice to say that I am telling you, your people are here now. This nation has a need now. We must find a way to unite now." Iroh's voice held great conviction as he looked at his nephew. He realized the next part would be difficult for the prince to hear.
"If your mother is indeed alive, is indeed this 'Thorn', then she has done well enough to survive and find a way to thrive in this world in her own way. If she has stayed away this long, if that is her, then she must have her reasons; reasons we may not comprehend."
"Well, what about my reasons?" Zuko said, a touch of frustration in his tone. "What about all of the answers I still need as to why she left, why she left me alone with a monster?" His head turned to face the rising sun, not wanting to meet his Uncle's eyes, not wanting to admit how much that old wound still ached.
"Beware of the questions you ask Prince Zuko," Iroh replied softly, "you may not like the responses you get."
x.x.x.x.x.x
Once again he stood by his komodo rhino, prepping for another journey. Zuko would once again venture into the nation that was meant to be his home, his destiny, if such things were to be believed.
With Iroh and Mai staying behind once more, it left him to once again join with his former contingent of Fire Nation soldiers, though he chose only four to ride with him and Katara this time, including young Koru. One of the first things he packed up was the armor and stealth suit that had served him so well before. He realized that he needed to continue with this tour, but Agni be damned if he wasn't going to be doing a little reconnaissance at the same time.
He and Katara had spoken at some length about the route they were meant to take and both agreed to hug the coast, aiming specifically for the smaller port and fishing villages dotting the jagged coastline of the Fire Nation. Iroh had raised an eye brow at their chosen route, as he much preferred they visit the well established cities, but Zuko had been adamant. If he was going to continue this tour, he was going to do it his way.
A few paces away Katara was going through similar motions. She was in lighter versions of Water Tribe blue, something suited for the Fire Nation's more tropical climate, an outfit very similar to the red Fire Nation attire she wore during the war. An outfit he knew she still had. Red suited her. Shaking his head to clear those particular thoughts away, he went back to paying attention to his own mount, an obstinate rhino who was rolling one eye back to look at him tightening the saddle girth.
"Don't give me that look," he muttered to his mount, "I'm paying attention." The beast just rolled his eyes forward again and gave a huff.
A few moments more and they were astride, Zuko leading the way, Katara a few paces behind followed by the remaining soldiers. As the wind ruffled his shaggy hair a simple thought entered the young prince's mind. Free again at last.
News that Fire Prince Zuko was traveling the Fire Nation was more widespread now. Traveling at a steady pace they ventured from town to town where Zuko would meet with city officials and introduce himself, inquire as to how the people were doing and what their main concerns were. More often then not their meetings were fairly neutral and the prince had the impression that he was simply being tolerated in most of the larger towns they stopped in. Most of these had looked upon his traveling companions with an air of caution, wondering perhaps, if he was planning on enforcing his royalty as Azula had. The tales of his sister's brief, but bloody reign as Fire Lord had spread from Azulon outwards, each time becoming more embellished and bloodthirsty than the last.
It made forging trust somewhat difficult to say the least.
The worst were the ones that eyed Katara with thinly veiled disdain. Though relatively few, it made him uneasy. Katara, for her part, took it mostly in stride. She knew that this tour was about Zuko, not her; and as much as she would have liked to freeze some of those officials up to their necks and leave them to thaw as best they could, she showed admirable restraint, mostly. Fountains tended to malfunction around such individuals when she was around, her face the picture of innocence. Zuko and even the contingent of soldiers struggled to keep straight faces at times.
Still there were good things too. Soldiers were home reuniting with loved ones. Sailors that had long been gone were plying their trades to locals once more. Tension among the common people was significantly less.
They were about three weeks into their journey when Katara nudged her mount closer to his, their pace easy and allowing conversation. They were towards the back of the column this time.
"Have you noticed that we are coming to a very familiar town, Zuko?" asked the water bender. In fact he had noticed…and he felt his face redden. He could already see the captain pulling up ahead on top of a knoll and could picture the meandering path before him that led down into the small port town nestled into a tiny bay between hills. A very familiar port town with some rather interesting memories.
"Well this should be interesting," she continued, "we might finally get some real information on these rebellions."
"Maybe," he cautioned her, "that's going to depend on whether we are able to run into a few 'old friends'."
Katara couldn't help but get just a bit excited though, the thought of some action appealing to her. The water bender wasn't sure she could stand another session of spying on the the city officials they had visited thus far…tiny minded men and women who were more concerned with securing their own political positions in the new regime.
A few moments later and all of them were at the same knoll looking down on a visibly ragtag but busy port town, its docks nearly as complex as the town itself. Captain Jovan was looking perplexed as he narrowed in on the town, brows furrowed as he remembered it. He turned to look askance at Zuko.
"Prince Zuko, I'm afraid that I must protest our entry into this particular township. Its history would necessitate us arriving with a significantly larger force," said the captain.
"We aren't here to force ourselves on the people Jovan," Zuko replied dryly, arriving at the conclusion that the captain was aware of the town's reputation. "We simply want to have a civil conversation with those who run the place."
"My prince, that town has no order," Jovan attempted to stress. "The crown has long ignored its…tendencies; seeing as they never moved against the Fire Nation, but it is no place for a prince. Or Lady Katara for that matter."
"Do you doubt your ability to keep us from harm Jovan?"
Katara's question was innocent. Too innocent.
"Or do you simply think that Prince Zuko and I are incapable of defending ourselves?"
Jovan was beginning to grow visibly distressed. If Iroh caught wind of his permitting Zuko and Katara into this town, he would never lead a contingent ever again. He made a final attempt to appeal to them.
"Its a town of pirates and whores, Lady Katara. Its no place for you or the Prince," the captain stated bluntly and with a bit of plea.
"Can't be any worse than the lower ring in Ba Sing Sei," Zuko had the audacity to chuckle, though he didn't quite smile. "Besides, being pirates and whores hardly disqualifies them from Fire Nation citizenship now does it?"
"Also remember, I am Master Waterbender Katara of the South Pole before I am Lady anything," the young woman remarked, "and it wouldn't be my first time in such company. They are entertaining if nothing else. Wouldn't you agree Zuko?"
"Absolutely Katara. In fact, I think more than ever we need to pay this town a visit." The prince swung from his saddle and proceeded to grab a rucksack with some basic necessities while also taking off his insignia of office, the hairpiece currently in his top knot, and the more tailored overcoat he wore. Katara was right there with him, swinging off her mount and preparing her own bag.
A slack jawed Jovan just looked on helplessly. The other three guards were also confused but remaining silent.
"You can't be serious?"
"Deathly serious. In fact, I think it'll be better if its just Katara and I on this trip. We will meet you in four days time on the other side of the bay. It will give you plenty of time to go inland around the town." Zuko's hair was down now, its shagginess largely obscuring the scar over his eye. A few more shakes of his head and a hand run roughly through completed the purposefully messy look. Katara had taken a few items from her bag and moved into the relative privacy of the surrounding tree line. For this particular trip, Water Tribe blue would need to make way for more local colors…at least during the daytime.
Jovan was caught between looking at Prince Zuko and at the retreating back of La— Master Katara, losing sight of the latter momentarily. Surely they didn't mean to actually spend the night, much less three or four, in such a place? The young captain now paled at what General Iroh's reaction would be if he should discover the news.
The prince, his attire significantly less formal, approached the captain and looked at him from the ground, squinting his eyes slightly against the sun.
"Don't worry about what my Uncle has to say, Captain," Zuko assured him. "No blame will fall on you or your men. The General is more…understanding of these towns than you give him credit for."
Beginning to feel uncomfortable about looking down at the prince, the captain dismounted to face him. "Your Highness…—"
Katara had chosen that precise moment to make her presence known, having changed into her Fire Nation attire. Repacking her bag she glanced over her shoulder at the captain.
"Seriously Jovan, its not going to be a problem. Its isn't like we are trying to infiltrate an impenetrable prison to free an unknown number of hostages from an unknown number of rebels on our own or anything," she turned around to face him completely now, rucksack over one shoulder, a travel cloak secured at her throat with a nondescript pin. A smirk was just barely lifting the corners of her lips. Zuko raised an eyebrow towards the captain, who had the grace to look abashed. Still, he wasn't quite ready to give in.
"Yes, of course M-Master Katara, but those were very different circumstances and at the time you are Prince Zuko were merely traveling partners and there was the Avatar and now, well you and the prince are…well not merely traveling partners and as your guide it is my responsibility to ensure your…h-honor and d-dignity is respected by all," Jovan was turning red by now though he continued on. "Your reputation within the Fire Nation could be at risk and —."
"You think too highly of my reputation Captain," Katara responded coldly, cutting off the captain a second before Zuko who stood with arms tightly crossed. She glanced at him quickly, placed a hand on a crossed forearm before continuing to address the captain. "And by now I think you would have learned the lesson that honor is something we carry within ourselves, not something that can be damaged or taken away by anyone." She softened her tone slightly, shrugging a shoulder as well. "Your concern is appreciated, but ultimately not needed Captain. Whether the Fire Nation loves me or hates me for who and what I am isn't up to me. As far as the other stuff, I decided a long time ago that no one's opinion of what I should or shouldn't do was going to hold me back."
Zuko remained silent having had this talk with Katara long before. Fresh out of the South Pole, Jovan might have struck a nerve with the water bender. For that matter, it would likely have bothered him as well. But war and everything that goes with it has an interesting effect on propriety. Katara knew there were countless rumors about her. Its one of those things that happen when a young girl starts traveling the world alone with two boys…even being that one of them was her brother. Earth bending prison stays to camping with Jet and his Freedom Fighters. Held prisoner by an angry prince and his not so merry band of hired pirates. A single woman training among the water bending warriors of the North Pole. A mother dead too young. A father never there. A grandmother deemed too permissive. A world filled with judgement. She went through it all.
Calling to mind the very first time they had come across this place, way back when they were hiding out on Ember Island, Zuko had to suppress a grin. It had been his turn to be embarrassed as they assumed the roles of an amorous couple, hearing all the remarks and callouts and outright descriptive suggestions… his ears burning, almost literally, Katara had merely whispered in his ear. Just focus on me Zuko. You need to show them they don't matter. But how, he whispered back, even as his hands had closed about her waist driven by a surge of protectiveness. Practice, she replied softly, leaning her body into his, I've been called worse.
Coming back to the present, Zuko noted the captain seemed to finally accept, bowing his head slightly in Katara's direction, not meeting her gaze. But when he lifted his gaze to Zuko's once more he seemed almost ready to appeal to Zuko next before he saw the fire bender's eyes narrow and harden.
"Its already decided Captain Jovan," Zuko said once more, a slight edge tinging his voice. The captain merely nodded resolutely and saluted him formally.
"Yes, your highness; Master Katara," was all he said giving each a short bow in turn.
Final bag checks were done and their mounts were sent off with two of the other guards with a fond pat. Jovan mounted his komodo rhino once more and with a final salute, he and the rest of their contingent rode off, a small cloud of dust in their wake.
Finding themselves alone, Katara and Zuko looked at one another, each of them relaxing and giving each other a small smile.
"I thought they'd never leave," Katara grinned openly, shouldering her bag and falling into step beside Zuko, who shook is head exasperatedly hiding his own smirk, the two beginning the walk down to the port town. Keeping their pace steady they should arrive by mid or late afternoon. A comfortable silence stretched between them as they walked, content just to be alone together. On impulse, the prince reached out to hold the water bender's hand, twining his fingers around hers and letting their combined hands swing between them. Katara turned and gave him a soft smile, a small squeeze of her hand in his showing her approval.
"Its funny how we keep finding ourselves back here isn't it," Zuko said after a awhile.
"Funny might not be the word for it," she replied, "I'm just glad its just us again this time. Sokka almost ruined our cover last time. And that was just on a quick walkthrough."
"I guess its a good thing it isn't a cover then anymore," Zuko murmured into her ear, sliding an arm over her shoulders and stopping them in the middle of the trail for a moment. He came to stand in front of her, his hands now on her lower back bringing her closer, his forehead coming to rest on her's lightly.
"I don't think it was ever much of a 'cover' to begin with," she murmured back, content to leave her arms and hands snugged against his chest, her lips inches from his, "because spirits know, neither one of us can act worth a damn and we still pulled that off."
He paused for a moment at her words, eyes widened slightly at the implication but going with it, fingers moving up her back, beginning to play with the ends of her hair. "Well I guess our bodies were ahead of our minds on that one then," he said.
"Hhmmm…what was your first clue?"
"Ummm, maybe when you let me kiss you here—" his lips moved down to the side of her neck playfully, pressing heatedly just below her ear, causing Katara to give an involuntary shudder and a small hum of pleasure. Zuko took the moment to hold her tighter, his head buried in the crook of her neck breathing her in, while her arms went around him and settling on the nape of his neck, fingers playing with the soft hairs she found there, her eyes closing in pleasure and contentment at being able to hold him so, away from questioning eyes.
"And you," he continued to murmur, separating slightly to look into her eyes, enjoying the feel of her hands around his neck, their bodies swaying just a bit to a music they weren't aware of, "what was your first clue?"
She stopped their swaying, blue eyes gazing into golden ones, her hands coming around to cup the sides of his face, his scar a now familiar texture against her fingers. The playful tone of their exchange evolved into something more.
"When I realized that I didn't want you to stop," she whispered, "when I knew that I wanted you to not want to stop."
Zuko could hear his pulse pounding in his ears as she continued.
"When I saw you hit the ground, taking the lighting that was meant for me and realizing I hadn't told you."
Her hand had drifted down to rest over his heart, tracing out the scar that she knew so well.
"When my heart clenched at every kiss you and Mai shared because we were just friends."
Before the last words had even drifted into the wind Zuko was pressing forward, his lips soft and sure against hers, one hand cradling her jaw while the other held her waist. Her own hands holding him tightly to her. Her lips pressing against his just as sure.
For a moment they were the only two people in the world.
They broke apart slowly, savoring one another. Zuko's hands coming to rest on her hips, Katara's hands holding his biceps, neither looking away from the other. A tender smile lifted the corners of her lips as she gazed at the man in front of her, trying to bring herself down from such an emotional high.
"That escalated quickly," she said, playful tone back in place, though no less meaningful.
Zuko gave a sudden gasping laugh and simply hugged her again before releasing her, taking the time to bring a hand up to her face an push back a strand of hair behind her ear. Adjusting his pack with one hand, the other still near brushing against her cheek he said with one of his rare full smiles, "You're impossible."
"You wouldn't have me any other way," came the cheeky response.
"No I wouldn't," he murmured, finally breaking away his gaze and starting down the path once more, hand in hand again.
The sun was low in the sky as they finally came to the last leg of their walk, the rough archway over the main road ill kept but still standing, a stylized turtle carved in the middle was just visible.
"Ready for this?" he asked, looking down at her by his side.
She took a deep breath and let it out, nodding quickly, eyes twinkling up at him.
"Gui Dan, here we come," she said, her gaze going to the distant lights, "Turtle town itself."
They strode off confidently, still hand in hand.
x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x
Thanks for reading. Working on keeping myself inspired.-- C.W.