Katara's eyes slowly opened. The song birds were singing their morning lyrics and the sun was just peeking over the far trees out the window. The morning air was thick and brisk. The blankets that covered her were warm from her body and didn't bid her leave. She took a deep breath heaving it out almost like a sigh. The air was filled with tantalizing smells. Scents from corn cakes and fresh mango jelly mixed with hot brewed tea and filled her nose. She closed her eyes not wanting to get out of the warm bed but knew that there was work down stairs to be done. She pushed her self up and rubbed her eyes. She looked down at the still sleeping Zuko. She smiled sleepily and brushed the hair away from his good eye. She would never admit it out loud but he was a very attractive person. Once you got past the arrogance, coldness, and the hot temper, that is.
She stretched with an arched back and reached high above her head. She sighed again and looked over to the small futon bed. She studied it for a moment, sleep still fogging her thoughts. Something didn't look right. The blankets thrown back and the pillow was half on the floor and half on the bed. Suddenly with a rush of realization, Katara flew from the bed to her feet. The bed was empty. She ran to the wash room, thinking that Nivian might be there. No such luck. She ran back to the futon, half panting half screaming.
"ZUKO!" Zuko sat up with a start and looked at her with wide eyes. "Nivian is gone." Zuko jumped from the bed and looked over to the futon.
"What?!" With a small shove, he pushed her toward the door. Katara was first out of the door pulling a robe over her night clothes as she ran down the stairs closely followed by the still shirtless Zuko.
Down the stairs and around the corner. Katara came to a dead stop with her mouth hung slightly open. The abrupt stop caused Zuko to run into Katara's back. He looked down at her for a moment then up over her shoulder, into the kitchen.
Nivian was sitting at the table pushing the hot corn cakes and jelly into his mouth just as fast as his little hands could shovel, only stopping for a moment to wash it down with honey sweetened tea.
Cyllia turned around and spotted the baffled couple and greeted them with her noted belly laugh. The portly woman walked over and set another stack of cakes on the table and looked up at the two with warm eyes.
"Your little man has quite the appetite. You two should learn something from him. You're both skin and bones." Nivian looked up from his breakfast and his blue eyes shown directly at Katara. He stuffed his last cake in his mouth and jumped down from the chair. He ran over to her and grabbed her legs with all the might in his body. Katara reached down and picked him up, hugging him in return. Zuko let out the breath he had been holding and put his hand on the boy's shoulder. The boy turned around and after a moment of looking over Zuko, leapt into his arms. Zuko felt the warm flood of affection wash over him as he curled his arms around the boy. The boy didn't fear him, nor did he hate him. Nivian didn't judge him by the Nation, nor did he look down on him as an exile.
The small boy pulled back from the hug and looked at Zuko. His small cheeks were puffed from the corn cakes stuffed in them. Even though with his mouth so full the boy managed a smile as Zuko put him down. The boy swallowed his mouthful and drowned it with the last of his tea. Cyllia smiled as Nivian brought her his plate and ran out of the door. Katara reached out and started after him but Cyllia quickly shook her head.
"Leave him be. A mother can't keep a child in doors forever." Katara frowned and looked after the small boy. She started to say something but the older woman continued.
"A couple came through last night late looking for a place to stay as they passed through on their way to Ba Sing Sei. Good people. They have five kids traveling with them. The four oldest are their's but the youngest is the daughter of a sister or something. Nivian just went out to play." Katara's eyes softened and she nodded her head. Cyllia sat down at the table and gestured for the couple to join her. Zuko pulled the chair out for Katara then sat next to her taking the cup of tea that Cyllia offered.
"Ghein?" Zuko ask shortly.
"He had to leave out early this morning. He had to take a wagon load of cabbages into Ba Sing Sei." Zuko nodded nonchalantly. Cyllia turned to look at Katara. She looked at her for a while then laughed. Katara frowned and looked at the older woman in confusion.
"What?"
"Just musing how much like you Nivian looks." Cyllia looked at Zuko for a second then back to Katara.
"He favors Zuko, too. He was telling me all about you." Katara and Zuko exchanged quick glances and Cyllia laughed.
"No. It was all good things. Of how you, Katara, are from the Water Tribe, and Zuko is from the Fire Nation. A blessed thing your Union is. If only others in more diplomatic and powerful positions could see the love in your eyes when you look at each other." Katara's face lighted with a blush. But Zuko only frowned.
"What did he tell you about us?" One of a more intelligent nature might have noticed the suspicion that would have come with his statement. Cyllia only laughed and shook her head.
"You were a soldier Proud and strong. Nothing but good things. Personally, I am all for the Water tribe and the Fire Nation breeding." Katara frowned and looked at her in curiosity.
"What do you mean?"
"Look how beautiful your child has turned out. The black raven hair of the Fire Nation, but the cool deep cerulean eyes of the Water Tribe. And the perfect mash of skin tone. The pale milky complection from his father's side, mixed with the warm caramel of his mother. He's a beautiful child. And going to be a heart breaker. Like his father I imagine." It was Zuko's turn to light with a blush as looked over his tea cup. Katara just nodded with a smile. Something had struck her as odd. She looked down and shook her head. With all the fuss she had forgotten about being in her night clothes.
"Cyllia will you excuse us. We can't work in our sleep clothes." Cyllia nodded and smiled her warm hearted smile.
"Of course. But no hurry. Not much work to be done to day, except watching the children."
Zuko followed Katara back up the stairs, with a confused expression. They walked through the door and Zuko slid it closed behind them. Katara sat down on the bed and rubbed the back of her neck. Zuko looked down at her.
"What is it?" Katara looked up at im with soft eyes.
"Nivian."
"What about him?" Zuko ask sitting next to her.
"What he said...then what Cyllia said?"
Zuko narrowed his eyes as he thought. Then he looked at her in question.
"He said that you were a soldier."
"The child has a good imagination? Or he's a good problem solver. He did see me help you escape the .." Zuko stopped as Katara dove at him covering his mouth with her hand. Zuko pushed her back and shook his head.
"What are you saying, Katara?" Katara shook her head and looked to her feet.
"He is a half breed, Zuko. There is no denying that." Zuko frowned.
"Half breed? You mean half water half fire?" Katara nodded. She looked up at him with cool eyes.
"What other couple is a mixed couple, besides us, that you know of?" Zuko thought for a moment then looked at her.
"You don't think..." Katara nodded.
"We have to find out. And I believe Trua and Dhani would tell us in a heart beat." Zuko nodded. Katara stood up and took a deep breath.
"There is work to be done. We can talk about that more later." Zuko nodded. Katara slipped the robe off of her shoulders and stepped behind the dressing screen. Zuko watched her silhouette behind the screen and averted his eyes with a frown.
"Katara?"
"Yes"
"What did you mean 'besides us' when you said that?" Katara tied the cloth around her hair as she finished dressing. She walked over to him and looked down shrugging her shoulders.
"Just that the only other people you see in mixed company is Dhani and Trua." Zuko shook his head and stood up. He looked her in the eyes to read her answer more thoroughly.
"You said 'what other couple, besides us'." Katara looked up at him and realized how her question had come out. She shook her head and looked at him.
"I didn't mean that we were a couple . . . " Zuko just looked at her. He shook his head and walked over to her. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a hug. She heard him scoff a small chuckle as he tightened his grip.
"Maybe this entire 'marriage' is going to your head." She smiled at the lightheartedness in his voice and buried her head in his shoulder as she replied.
"Maybe it's just you."
