AN: Ok, so your all probably wondering, 'Who the hell is this Seiran GUY?!?!' well, here is your answer...sort of! Enjoy and let me know what you think, and who you think he is!!!
After the brief yet dramatic introduction, Katara took Seiran by the hand leading him down the hallway towards the kitchen.
"Come talk with me while I prepare dinner," she suggested gently, her hand firmly grasping his as she continued to lead the way.
Seiran simply nodded, allowing his younger sister to lead him through the mysterious home and into the kitchen. When they arrived, his was completely and utterly blown away by the beautiful and extravagant display that this single room gave off.
The tone was warm alabaster; three massive windows lined the western wall allowing the setting sun's gentle rays to enter the room, giving it a heavenly and misted glow. In the center of the room was an island with black marble top and three stools pulled out around it. Seiran his place at the island, while Katara began searching the baskets for the needed ingredients.
While she searched through the basket, Seiran continued looking at the kitchen. Across from where he sat was a massive stove that lined most of the northern wall. On either side of the stove were two tall cabinets which housed…well whatever they housed. Above the stove were pots and pans dangling from a suspended rack, just arm's length away. Above the island was another rack that suspended from the ceiling, with herbs and spices stretching downwards, drying out their leaves.
Finally after searching for all that she needed, Katara sat the many different ingredients on the counter top of the island and pulled a knife from the drawer.
For a moment he studied her, watching her and it was then that he knew that he had lost his little Katara ever so long ago. Sighing he stood, walking around the island, his hand gently overlapping hers and with a gentle nudge he pulled it free from her hand. His hand was calloused and rough on the palm, even his fingers due to his sword fighting, but just now…it had the gentlest of touches.
"Please, allow me," he cooed, beginning to chop the vegetables.
At first Katara reached for the knife, but Seiran pulled away his eyes snapping up to Katara's, "Katara," he began, her name, it rolled off his tongue so naturally, "please I insist."
With a defeatist attitude and a soft sigh Katara shrugged before walking around the island, taking a seat where Seiran was just moments before.
"You haven't changed a bit," she whispered, leaning forward on the counter top, her head dipping into her cupped palm, a relaxing sigh escaping her lips.
It was so soft, almost inaudible but he heard it, his grip on the knife tightened as he continued to chop the vegetables, 'I've changed far more than you can ever imagine,' he thought to himself, slamming the knife into the wooden cutting board before turning away, grabbing hold of a large pot from the suspension rack.
Katara noticed his sudden mood change, but decided to let it slide. This was the first time she had seen her elder brother in over seven years and she wasn't about ready to pick apart his frustrations. That was for later on down the road.
She watched as he approached the sink, but before he had the chance to turn the nozzle, Katara called the water forth, sloshing it into the pot, earning a grumble from Seiran and a chuckle from her lips.
He turned around, water drenched his face slightly, and an amused yet scowling look crossed his features which only made Katara laugh even louder. Seiran sat the pot down, his hand reaching up towards his face and began to wipe the water off.
With an amusing chuckle, Katara reached across the table, her fingers gliding over his cheek, the water attaching itself to her, "There," she stated, pulling away slowly.
But before she had the chance to fully sit down, Seiran reached out, his hand grasping hold onto her wrist and pulled her fingers to his lips, kissing the water from her flesh.
Katara blushed furiously, snatching her hand away from his lips before sitting back down, averting her gaze from Seiran's.
Seiran smiled, remembering that Katara was no longer a little girl and began gathering the diced up vegetables in his hands, pouring them into the water filled pot, "I remember when you were little, you'd always want me to lick the food from your fingers," he whispered softly, a chuckle escaping his lips.
Looking up, her blush still remained on her cheeks, "That was a long time ago silly brother," she tried to lighten the mood, smacking at him.
Seiran laughed, nodding as he moved the pot aside, "Yea, it was, wasn't it?" he looked up at her, his eyes remaining fixed on her face.
She nodded, "There's fresh meat in the ice box there," she leaned forward, pointing downwards towards an actual chest of ice she had created, fresh meat piled within it.
Turning around, he reached down removing the lid before pulling out three pieces of steak before throwing them down on the cutting board, "So tell me," he began, the knife now slicing delicately into the meat, "everything that I've missed," he looked up at her, a smile on his face, "please."
At first Katara remained silent, she watched as her elder brother prepared her meal and suddenly realized that this was the big brother that she missed greatly. With a sigh she leaned forward, her head once more dipping into her palms and she began to tell him everything that he had missed.
Over two hours had passed, the dinner was finally finished and Katara and Seiran were continuing on with their conversation. Katara had told him as much as she could, as much as time would allow and she suddenly realized that perhaps it was not the best of decisions that she had ever made.
The look that overtook Seiran's face told her that she had made a grave mistake. It didn't hit her that for the last seven years of her life, he and her father were never there…they were never around. She didn't realize how much they had missed in those seven years and by him listening to all of her fondest and most recent memories it must have pained him greatly.
His face was calm and serene, his eyes were downcast as he looked out the window a gentle smile caressed his features.
"Seiran?" Katara asked, slowly sliding off the stool, approaching her brother.
Her arms wrapped around him, her head resting on the back of his shoulder. His hands grabbed hold of hers that rested at his waist and he sighed heavily, Katara could feel his back move against her chest.
"I'm sorry," he whispered softly, his head casted downwards, "I'm so sorry."
Katara kissed his broad shoulder, resting her head against him once more, "Seiran," she whispered, "there is nothing to be sorry for."
Prying her hands from his body he turned around, facing his younger sister, "I should have been there and I wasn't," he stated, wrapping his arms around Katara, pulling her into his strong body, "I should never have left you and Sokka all those years ago."
Sokka had been training for the past hour with Zuko. He had to admit, the young prince was a challenge but he wasn't one to pass down a challenge. After their sparring session, Sokka and Zuko sat down on the edge of the fountain, wiping their torsos clean of their sweat, giving them time to catch their breath.
"So, this Seiran, he's your older brother?" Zuko inquired as he dragged the towel along his neck.
Sokka nodded, his breathing still staggered slightly, "Yea, kinda," he shrugged, "he's been with my family for as long as I can remember," Sokka began, "but, in reality, he isn't our blood brother, but that doesn't really mean much to us," he stated, handing Zuko a small cup of water.
"Thanks," Zuko said as he chugged the liquid down his throat, "so how long have you known him?" he continued.
Sokka glanced over at Zuko with a curious eye, but dismissed anything and decided to answer, "Well, he had been found in a boat that had rammed up against one of the ice patches out in the ocean. Our warriors went to rescue him. When Seiran came into our lives, our mother was still alive and we hadn't yet met Aang. Katara was around four and I was six. We've known him for fifteen almost sixteen years."
Zuko nodded, "I see," he tried calculating the ages in his mind, "so that meant Seiran was around nine, ten?"
"Yea…how'd you know that?" Sokka asked, suddenly curious.
Shaking his head, Zuko stood stretching out his limbs, "He just seemed to be about three years older or so than you and I," he shrugged his shoulders, "that's all."
"Well nice guess!" Sokka exclaimed, his noise suddenly catching the delightful smell in the air, "smells like dinners ready!"
Zuko took in a deep breath and smiled, "Yea," he and Sokka went towards the source of the smell, both wanting to wash themselves up somewhat before they ate dinner.
As they rounded the corner, they began to cross the doorway to the kitchen when Sokka suddenly stopped, catching sight of what was going on. Zuko halted when Sokka did, he saw exactly what Sokka did and all though they say he is like a brother to them, Zuko's blood boiled at the sight of Katara in this man's arms.
"Oh Sokka," Seiran looked up, Katara's back was to them but she suddenly turned seeing both Sokka and Zuko shirtless standing in the doorway, "you both are just in time for dinner," Seiran stated.
Katara giggled, picking up several dishes from the counter as well as some spoons, "Come on, let's go eat," she said cheerfully. As she passed Zuko and Sokka, she brushed up against Zuko's torso, giving him a wink as she passed him by.
"Ok," they stated, both turning away, but Zuko waited for her elder brother.
"Thanks," Seiran said as he walked past Zuko with the boiling dinner.
"No problem," Zuko muttered, following the young man carefully.
Dinner and went quickly. There were few side conversations but other than that, it was pleasantly yet strangely quiet. Could it be that Seiran's presence shifted the mood somewhat?
"Help me wash the dishes?" Katara's hand slammed down onto Zuko's shoulder, a look in her eyes telling him that they needed to talk.
He nodded his head before pulling himself up from the ground.
They stood at the sink, Katara's arms buried halfway in the heated water, her hand guiding the rag around the plate in her hand and Zuko dried each plate by towel as Katara handed them to him. It was a rather enjoyable moment for them. Here and there Katara would splash water onto Zuko causing him to shriek out in surprise, getting a hearty laugh from her throat. They nudged one another here and there, kissed one another gently ever so often and then…they were silent.
After they had finished, Katara and Zuko sat down at the island table, both leaning on one another.
Zuko's hand ran up and down Katara's back, his warmth was soothing her, "Thank you," she cooed.
He smiled, kissing her head softly before leaning back down on her again, "Your welcome."
"Zuko?"
"Hmm?"
Katara pulled away, looking him in the eye, "Sleep with me tonight," it was more of a demand than it was a question, but Zuko nodded, kissing her once more. Who was he to deny her?
"Very well," he stated, standing up from the stool, "but I have to go and see my father for a moment," he paused in the doorway, "your room or mine?" he asked.
Katara shrugged her shoulders, "Let it be yours," she smiled and with that Zuko nodded before disappearing out the doorway.
Sighing she leaned onto the counter once more, her whisper being carried off by the wind, "Oh Zuko."
Seiran stood outside the kitchen at the base near the windows. He had seen how his sister and the prince interacted with one another and thought it was rather amusing seeing them together. They seemed to truly like one another and as long as Katara was happy, well, so was he.
As he was about to pull away, the young prince erupted out of the house, the door slamming hard against the wall as he made his exit and Seiran did nothing but froze himself to the wall, watching the young prince's every move.
He watched as the young man approached his brother who sat near the fire, watching it burn brightly…what was he doing?
"Sokka?" Zuko called out, catching the prince's attention.
"Oh Zuko, hey," Sokka responded, patting down the ground next to him, "here sit," he said.
Zuko nodded, taking his place next to Sokka. He had to know more about this Seiran person…all the while helping Katara the very thought drove him insane. He had to know who this man was.
"Sokka, what more can you tell me about your older brother?"
Sighing Sokka leaned backwards, his arms behind him holding up his weight, "Ok, well, what do you want to know?"
Zuko pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to think if key things that would help him, "Anything, like, where did he come from? How did he get to the Southern Water Tribe and why did he stay with you and your family?"
Eyebrows raised as Sokka looked over at Zuko, he couldn't help but chuckle, "Aren't you inquisitive," he heard Zuko groan but decided to answer him anyways.
"Very well," he leaned forward, and then turned to face Zuko, "my brother Seiran was found out on a patch of ice, he was about nine or ten at the time and when we had found him, he was nothing but skin and bone. With him he had only what he was wearing, a sword and a note. The note said, 'Take care of our beautiful child,' and that's about it," he shrugged, "he was unconscious for weeks, and we thought he was going to die at first because his body wasn't suited for such cold climates…"
Flashback:
The mysterious boy's body shivered violently as they continued to warm his body with furs and the raging fire. His brow was coated in sweat, his teeth clenched and chattered and his body paled more than what it had when they had first found him.
"There's nothing more I can do Hakoda," the elderly healer said bowing her head.
Hakoda nodded, exiting the igloo with the healer, thanking her for all the help she had provided the boy with.
For several moments Hakoda stood outside, the harsh winter winds slapping against his face…but he didn't mind. This was his home, he was use to this kind of weather and to be truthful, it was only a mild breeze passing through. But that boy, that boy was not adapting well to the climate change which meant only one thing.
While Hakoda stood outside, little Katara had snuck into the igloo, her little body was wrapped in her parkas and a blanket. She had scooted up next to the boy on the ground, her big circular blue eyes starred innocently down at him. He had such a pretty face, his hair was the color of the snow and she, even though she was but a mere child, found herself loving this boy.
Her tiny cool hand reached out, caressing his face as gently as she could, "Feel beta braver," she called out to him, her hand now running down towards his chest.
Suddenly her hand gave off a bluish glow and the young man's body went limp, his breathing ended his shivering halted. At first she hadn't realized what had happened, she began to reach for his face when suddenly he jolted upward, scaring her to death, causing her to scream in fear.
Hakoda heard a scream come from the igloo behind him, he ran inside to see Katara in the arms of the young boy they had found, he was shushing her with his voice, his hand rubbed her back tenderly, trying to sooth her.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, "I didn't mean to scare you," his eyes roamed up to Hakoda, searching for something and it appeared he had found it.
"You're the man who saved me from the ice?" he asked softly.
Hakoda kneeled down, watching as this young man protectively shielded Katara from him, "Yes I am," he stated, "what is your name boy?" he asked.
The young boy looked down at Katara who was still clenching onto his torn shirt then back up at Hakoda, "Seiran, they call me Seiran."
Hakoda nodded, "Well Seiran, it's a pleasure to finally meet you," his hand stretched outward, shaking the boy's firmly.
"Likewise…" he couldn't finish the name, for he didn't even know who this man was.
"Chief Hakoda," Hakoda stated, seeing how the boy's eyes widened, he smiled, "but you can call me Hakoda."
End of flashback
"After that he explained that he really had nowhere else to go so he offered my father his services for saving his life. He explained to us that his family had abandoned him and that he was on his own from now on. My father, being the kind hearted fellow that he was back then, offered Seiran a permanent place to stay…as his adopted elder son."
Zuko looked at Sokka in shock, "What happened?"
Sokka shrugged, "Well it wasn't that easy to get Seiran to accept. He kept saying that he highly doubted my father would accept him after learning more about him but my father truly didn't seem to care. He was more worried about Seiran's well being that finally Seiran gave in and accepted…it was only about a year or so later that we truly discovered what Seiran was."
Zuko eyed him, "What do you mean?"
Sokka sighed; he leaned towards Zuko, "I'm sure you've noticed that my elder brother isn't exactly full Water Tribe right?" Zuko nodded his head.
"Well that's because, Seiran, he wasn't from the Water Tribes, he wasn't related to anyone of Water Tribe blood," he sighed, looking over at the fire, "Zuko, Seiran's from the Fire Nation."
Zuko's eyes widened, "What?"
Seiran stood still, his head bowed slightly at the ending of the conversation. He sighed, turning away only to come face to face with Ozai.
He was taken by surprise to see the Fire Lord standing there…and so close, he bowed, "Forgive me my lord," he stated before brushing past Ozai, leaving the man standing in his wake with only a single glance over his shoulder.
So what do you think? Did this twist send you flying off your chairs? Huh? Be honest lol. Just kiddng, but really, what did you think?
