Chapter 37

"He Nearly Blew Her Head Off"

I.

"They're what?" Aang stormed.

"They want to bring Zuko here since he is a part of the legacy as well. Wait, what is the problem, Aang?"

Aang paced back and forth. "I've been doing well without people having to come around here. Why can't we just wait and fly over to Sokka's?"

"Don't you remember?" Katara got into Aang's face. "You didn't want to travel there either. Are you growing dumb or something?" Katara thunked him on his head with her hand; Aang quickly caught her hand in midair, looked confused for a second.

"Um what was I going to say?" He asked her.

Katara couldn't believe it. One minute he was mad, the next- confused. Wherever he went in the mornings she had to follow him. He was either eating strange fruit or was tired of her, she wasn't sure which.

"Nothing." She folded her arms. "You weren't going to say anything." She walked away from him and went over by the large pot to boil cabbage and, then she kneaded the dough for breads. This kind of nomadic life she enjoyed, truly. They no longer resided in an ornate castle with Zuko and his servants. Sometimes she missed being there though. She wondered what he was up to.

After some time Aang arrived with Appa trying to slip in behind him. Katara had arranged their furniture so the place looked cozy, and it was. They built their home from wood and the small place was kept clean and the openings for window allowed in the best morning light.

"You do realize that if everyone comes here we would have to make room, Katara."

"I know. There are other spots here in the Western Air temple with rooms we have made. Everyone will spread out for a while. I realize we have only two rooms here." She added and slammed down his bowl. Aang suddenly smiled and touched her arm,

"I'm sorry."

Just those two words from him, reminded her of the boy she fell in love with.

Later, they went to sleep cuddled with each other on the soft bed imported from Iroh's home; it was another of their wedding gifts. Katara refused at first but Aang thought it comfortable. It was a thousand times better than hunts in her home land.

The next few days they would have to prepare for visitors.

Momo fluttered in as she lay next to Aang. He stayed there all night.

II.

"Are you sure you don't want to go?" Ursa asked her son a few days after the lewd party he had at the palace.

Zuko tossed his head from the bowl, hair wet, dripping. He shook his hair and water flung everywhere. "I told you, it's best I stay away from everyone right now."

A servant, an older man handed Zuko a fluffy white towel to dry his face. He quickly bowed to the Fire Lord and made a quick exit.

Ursa suggested Zuko go anyway. Many cat fights broke out over here because of him and he has neglected his duties.

"My duty is to be Lord and die mom. That's it!"

"I don't know what has come over you my child, but I will say this. The spirit of Azula still lives in this place! Inside you!" His mother whirled around and slammed the throne Room's door. Zuko hit the palm of his hand against an ornate, brass table and cursed.

No way could he show his face to Katara and Aang. Did they know what he has done these past two years? Did they already build a family together…? Zuko didn't want to think of Katara being deflowered and with babies but there you have it. "You win some and lose some" Zuko was pissed off at himself.

The other night while with the yellow haired girl Katara's face blazed in his mind and he shouted her name in the midst of ecstasy. He nearly blew the girl's head off. That brought a smile to his face, but it was bittersweet.

The way he felt nowadays if he were to come close to Katara he would not think twice again. He rarely has in a long time.

He hoped Aang was caring for her properly.

Or he will.

III

Ursa came back and found Zuko packing and loading up a hot air balloon.

"You- you're going?" She clasped her hands together and let them drift down her middle where Zuko noticed a small bump in the front. He quickly pushed the thought away and climbed into the hot air balloon.

"Yeah. It beats sitting here where ghosts still live."

"Look, I didn't mean to-"

"I know mother." He wanted to wave and take off but it was his mom, the woman he will always love. He came back and kissed her cheek, was immediately embraced in her warm hug. She smelled of tangerine and nectar.

Moments later he had a map before him, sent from Sokka and Suki and followed those coordinates to finally see how the Avatar and his wife were doing.

Perhaps he should have brought along one of the damsels from the party?

Well it was too late, he was leaving as a bachelor.