Chapter Twenty

Tea Leaves and Palace Things

The atmosphere was thick with the scent of rain. Katara looked up, studying the shape of the gray clouds that were drifting idly over the docks. A seagull flew through the mixture, stirring smoky wisps in the sky with its wings. Aang and Appa had already departed, and Toph's ship was pulling away from the docks this very moment. Katara inhaled deeply, filling her lungs with the heavy air as Suki ambled in her direction.

The sea breeze was toying with the strands of her auburn hair, sweeping them across her forehead. "Well," the Kyoshi warrior began, "I guess this is it for a while, huh?" A smile crawled along the curve of her lips.

"Yeah, I guess so." Katara blew out the air she'd been holding and worked up a smile. "We sail for Kyoshi Island in a week and a half. That will still give me a couple of days to assist you with any last-minute wedding operations."

"I'm not worried about that Katara. I just want you guys to be safe." Suki crossed her arms and tilted her head just a little. "Do you think Meili is really telling the truth about Zuko's mom being alive?"

"It's hard to say for certain," Katara responded. She cast a quick glance over her shoulder, spotting Zuko and Sokka saying their goodbyes over by the ramp. "For his sake, I hope she's telling the truth."

"Kind of crappy timing though." Suki mashed her lips together. "I mean, you guys should really be taking this time to spend with each other."

Thoughts of their previous night together skirted through her mind and conjured warmth to fill her core. Katara couldn't help the smile that leapt onto her face, nor the butterflies that swept through her stomach. "It's okay, Suki, I don't mind. He is the Fire Lord after all, and I know he's going to have responsibilities that require his immediate attention. I signed up for that when I chose to stay." Katara shrugged.

"It's funny how love changes us," Suki said, glancing over her shoulder at Sokka. "I used to be more selfish, but, there's nothing I wouldn't do for your brother. Don't tell him I admitted this to you, but I'm definitely a little softer now."

Katara giggled. "Your secret is safe with me."

"It will be different for you Katara…" Suki continued, "You've always been strong, but, I fear that you will have to become harder. Loving a man in his station will require you to hone certain diplomatic skills that may not come so easily for you." Suki paused, reaching out to grasp her friend's shoulder. "Wear the masks when you have to, but don't become them."

A thin line creased Katara's brow. "I won't lose myself, Suki."

"I know that." Suki smiled. "At least–don't lose yourself to anyone who's not Zuko." She winked. Suki had been teasing her about their newfound 'romance' since breakfast, but she hadn't been successful in coercing the waterbender to give up any juicy details about their magical night.

Katara rolled her eyes.

"Oh come on, Katara… a best friend would tell."

"Now you're just trying to manipulate me," Katara retorted.

"Is it working?"

Katara narrowed her gaze at her friend. Deep down she realized that there were certain aspects of their friendship that would never be normal in the sense of 'girl-talk' because Suki was engaged to her brother… Suki never gushed to her in the way some females tend to do about their significant others because Katara didn't want to hear those things about Sokka. It was just plain weird. Katara knew she owed it to the girl–the least she could do was give her a few, minor details–right? She sighed. "What do you want to know?"

Suki did a little dance, clapping her hands in front of her nose like a kid that had just been presented a lollipop. Katara was just grateful the Kyoshi warrior didn't tack on a squeal of delight. "You did it, didn't you?" Suki's eyes practically bugged out of her skull.

"Yes," Katara answered, eyes glancing anywhere but Suki's face.

To Katara's utter horror, Suki released the squeal she'd been dreading, causing Katara to clap a hand over the Kyoshi warrior's mouth before she could draw any unwanted attention from people walking by. Too late, Katara realized, as both Sokka and Zuko glanced in their direction.

"This is exactly why I didn't want to tell you," Katara whispered through clenched teeth as she released Suki from her grip.

"Sorry! I'll be quiet, I swear." Suki gave Katara a firm nod. "It's just kind of exciting news."

"It's still personal."

"Okay, okay," Suki said, waving her off. "So how was it?"

It was everything she could have possibly dreamed of and then some… if only because it was with the one person of her heart's true desire. "It was… perfect."

"Perfect?" Suki lifted an eyebrow. "Your first time was perfect?"

"Yours wasn't?"

"No," Suki chuckled, "no, it was clumsy and awful. The second time was better though. I'd say it didn't reach perfection status until about the fifth or sixth time."

"Okay," Katara said, "I didn't really need to know that."

Suki giggled. "Well, for what it's worth… I'm happy for you Katara. You deserve all the happiness and great sex the world has to offer."

Katara shushed her. "Not the world," she corrected. "Just Zuko." She looked back over her shoulder and took in the appearance of the man himself. He held himself in a way that demanded respect, and yet Katara could still see glimpses of the boy underneath–the curl of his mouth when he smiled, and the soft gleam in his eyes. He was the lord of a great nation, but to Katara he was simply just… hers.

"You love him don't you?"

"What's not to love?" Katara smiled at her friend.

"It's good to hear you say that."

"All right ladies, I hate to break this up but Suki and I have a ship to catch and a tropical island to get back to," Sokka said. He'd slipped between them, draping his arms on both of their shoulders. "You sure you want to stay here, sis?"

"Sokka," Suki elbowed him in the ribs, "the girl has made her decision."

"I was just double checking," he insisted with a pouty lip as he massaged the ache in his ribs with the heel of his hand.

"I'll see you both soon," Katara told them, and turned to hug her brother. They had never really been apart from each other, and despite the fact that Sokka could grate on her nerves in only the way a brother could–she was still going to miss him. In his own way, Sokka would always be home to her.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do," Sokka said as she released him from her grip.

Katara snorted. "That leaves a lot of room for trial and error."

Sokka only grinned and reached over to muss the top of her head. "See ya' soon sis."

They finished saying their goodbyes and Katara stood at the foot of the ramp, watching her family climb aboard the ship that would haul them back to Kyoshi Island. Absently, Katara's hand pressed to her stomach when they disappeared from view. There was a small twinge in her chest, akin to a flutter of nerves as she stood there alone.

But Katara wasn't alone.

Zuko had approached her silently, wrapping his arms around her waist as he rested his chin on top of her head. She could feel the warmth of his body spreading around her and smiled as she perched her arms atop his and leaned into his solid frame. It was a profound thing, Katara thought, that he could so easily diffuse the tension and turmoil inside her with his presence alone.

"Aren't you worried that someone will see?"

"Let them see," Zuko replied, hands gripping her waist to turn her in his arms. His thumb hooked her chin, tilting her face to his as he pressed a kiss to her lips in the broad light of day. Well–the dull broad light of day–Katara corrected mentally, but still. When he broke the kiss, Katara couldn't help but shoot a glance to the docks behind her, wondering who might have witnessed the spectacle. There were mariners there, paying out the lines for a nearby ship, and others hauling lobster crates down neighboring ramps. They all seemed to be too busy to notice a trifling kiss–but Zuko's guards had seen. Of that she was sure.

"They won't say anything, Katara. Their job depends on it." Zuko tucked a lock of hair behind her ear with a forlorn look in his eye.

"You misunderstand me again," Katara said, shaking her head. "If I were allowed, I'd declare that you were mine in front of the four nations, Zuko… I just worry about your station–your reputation as Fire Lord. For as much as we have changed in the world, we still have a lot of work to do–our little excursion in the catacombs proved that..." Katara paused. "There are still people who value tradition and they will snub their nose at you for bringing a waterbender to court. You just… might want to be more careful."

Zuko's jaw clenched and Katara watched the tendon working over the bone. "I have waited a long time for you, Katara. I don't want to wait anymore."

A smile of amusement rearranged all the features on Katara's face. She reached out, placing her palms on the curves of his arms. "A firebender without patience? Unheard of…" she teased.

"You know what I mean." Zuko tipped his forehead to hers.

"I know you're hopeful about this working out in our favor," Katara said, "but you should be prepared for the worst… It's not common for benders to mix–especially ones with the rank and title bearer of Fire Lord."

"Well," Zuko said, sliding his fingers along her jaw until they disappeared in the strands of her hair, "you should probably know I'd give it all up for you."

A swell of pure joy expanded in Katara's chest at his words. "Well," she said, rising on the tips of her toes, "you should know I'd never ask it of you." She kissed him once on the lips, quick and chaste before untangling herself from his arms. They were both stubborn, true to their elements of fire and water, and seemingly provided a delicate balance.

Katara didn't stay to watch her brother's ship pull away from the docks. Her mind was on the very near future and the tasks that were waiting for them back at the palace. She didn't know it yet, but Katara was ready to embrace her destiny.

~xXx~

That afternoon was not unlike any other before Katara had entered his life. Zuko sat at the head of the table, listening to a discussion of his councilmen, wearing the mask of the Fire Lord to his best ability. Iroh sat to his right, cradling a cup of ginseng tea as steam snaked through the air, perfuming the atmosphere with a light herbal scent. A pleasant contrast, Zuko thought, to the opposing conversation at hand.

"We cannot agree to give this girl what she is asking for," one of his men spoke from across the table. "Her crimes against the Nation are too great. Royal blood or not, she is still a traitor."

"I don't disagree," Ukano said. "But if she is withholding information concerning Ursa's whereabouts, the Fire Lord has a right to know."

"There are other ways to get the information you seek," Captain Ju-long spoke out. "She is a prisoner, after all. If permitted, my team and I would be happy to extract–" he decided on the word "–the information out of her."

'Extract,' Zuko knew, was just a kinder term for torturing the information out of her. There was a time in his life he wouldn't have even blinked at the suggestion, but they were supposed to be setting an example for peace, and torturing someone–prisoner or not–was not the answer. How easy it would be, though…

"Ju-long makes a valid point," General Iroh said to his teacup.

A frown knit Zuko's brow. "Uncle?"

"The Fire Nation does not cater to the demands of those who have committed grievous acts of treason, Nephew. To consider giving her what she wants in exchange for the information you want is not to be tolerated. Peace has its place, just as war has its place… There must be a balance, Zuko. The Fire Lord should know when to call on that balance."

Zuko considered this in silence.

"I'm in agreeance with the old Dragon of the West," Ju-long said.

"I do not deny that no matter how much we want it, we cannot live in a world where only peace exists. There is a time and a place for war, for fighting to protect one's kingdom or honor… but this fight is personal," Zuko said.

"An attack against you, Lord Zuko, is an attack against us all," Ukano reminded him. "She is a threat to everything you've worked so hard to save and restore."

"It would be just," Ju-long continued. "After all that she has done… it would be just."

Zuko filled his lungs with a deep breath of air, exhaling slow enough to hear the air leaving his nostrils. He rolled his hands against the table's surface, jaw clenching. "I will speak to her once more and give her a chance to confess… if she doesn't," Zuko paused, "I will give Ju-long permission to interrogate her."

"That's more than fair," Ukano said.

"Council dismissed," Zuko bit out sourly. He sat in his chair while the men of his council rose from theirs and shuffled out of the room. Iroh did not budge, nor did he look up from his teacup as the silence settled around them. "I'm surprised at you," Zuko finally spoke.

"I have seen enough in my lifetime to know that some people can never be swayed. You cannot will a tiger to change its stripes, or a caterpillar to turn into a butterfly. There is a time for peace, and a time for swords… The man that wields them both must live with the burden of guilt because it does not ever go away," Iroh told him.

Zuko raised his single eyebrow, trying to decipher the mystery behind Iroh's words. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying," Iroh said, taking a great breath, "that Meili is bad news and she needs to go down."

Zuko quirked his lips as he recalled a similar conversation that had involved his sister in the past.

"You hesitate because of Katara?" Iroh guessed.

Zuko was quiet a moment and then, "Perhaps."

"She would understand," Iroh insisted. "She is stronger and wiser than anyone has given her credit for. She has fought her own battles, and knows your pain as if it were her own."

"I know that…" Zuko said. "I just don't want to give her any reason to believe that I'd revert to the old ways. I don't want her to ever be afraid of me."

Iroh looked up from his teacup then, locking gazes with the Fire Lord and smiled. "I don't think you have any need to worry about that."

"She's worried about what people will think," Zuko blurted, quickly jumping to his next train of thought and knew that his uncle was smart enough to follow.

"That's reasonable," Iroh said. "There will be several who don't agree with tainting the bloodlines, but Katara will eventually win the vast majority over… I fear it will not be an easy road for either of you, but… I can think of no greater match in all of history."

The mask of the Fire Lord fell away and Zuko gifted Iroh with one of his rare, full-toothed smiles. "Thank you, Uncle."

Iroh nodded fondly, picking up his teacup and toasting his nephew in good health and happiness.

~xXx~

Just as the gray clouds had heralded this morning, a light rain had broken from the vault of the sky, falling lazily over the Capital city. Outside the window in Ursa's old bedroom, the palace gardens were kissed in dewdrops that clung to the tips of slender green blades. Plant life was thriving anew; the rain had encouraged buds to blossom, and the gardens were awash with vivid color despite the bone-bleached backdrop of the sky.

"What do you think about this one Lady Katara?" The girl in her chambers held up a swatch of sapphire blue fabric that matched the color of her eyes.

"I like it very much," Katara replied, turning away from the window to touch the sample of fabric. Katara guessed the fabric to be a fine silk.

After Zuko and Katara had returned from the docks, the Fire Lord had been summoned to take care of urgent business in the Throne Room. She knew that he was also scheduled to have a meeting with his councilmen after lunch, which meant there was a good chance Katara wouldn't see him again until dinner. That was to be expected of course, but Zuko had sent for a couple of the palace maids to escort Katara to the markets to shop for clothing. As it were, most of her things were lost in the fire and she had run out of things to wear from the stash she had borrowed. The passing storm had altered her plans a bit and kept her from venturing to the markets. Not that the rain would have made a lick of difference to a waterbender, but the ladies assigned to escort her were against the idea. However, that didn't stop them from summoning the merchants to come to the palace…

That had been unexpected, but Katara hid her discomfort while the maids made a fuss over the different fabrics and laughed girlishly among themselves. None of them paid any mind to Katara–save for the one girl with the short crop of onyx hair and gray eyes too large for her face. Jade was her name, and she appeared to be the only one with any sense.

"Ah, yes," the merchant said, peeking up from behind her glasses rim, "that fabric is worth ten pieces of gold."

Katara's eyes widened. She'd spent most of her money on the red silk dress she'd bought for Zuko's birthday and didn't have much left over–and definitely nowhere near ten pieces of gold. "Sorry," Katara said nervously, "most of my money is still in Kyoshi–"

"–Oh please," one of the palace maids interrupted her. She was just about as tall as Katara, with a similar body build. Her face was blemish-free and her eyes were the color of dark honey. Her black hair was pulled back into a simple chignon, highlighting the sharp angle of her jaw and chin. Simply put, Katara thought she was very pretty. "You don't need to worry about money," the maid told her. "The Fire Lord has agreed to cover any expenses you acquire." The maid crossed her arms and lifted an elegant brow.

"Don't speak to the lady so disrespectfully," Jade chastised the other girl. "She is Lord Zuko's guest of honor."

The pretty maid scoffed. "She's no more a lady than I am," the maid retorted, casting Katara a wanton glance.

A slow, knowing smile spread across Katara's face as she looked at the maid. She knew the jealousy monster when she saw her, but Katara was not quick to fall victim of sharp-pointed words–nor would she take the bait and lash out at the girl. To the merchant she said, "I'll take the fabric, thank you."

"Lovely choice my dear, as it so does match the exquisite color of your eyes," the merchant replied.

"Everyone but Jade is dismissed," Katara said boldly. "Thank you for helping me today."

The others looked as though Katara had smacked them in the face. They dropped the fabric they were holding and shuffled out of the room like wounded animals. The pretty maid snickered before backing out of her chambers.

"Sorry about Chen," Jade told Katara. "The girl has a wicked sharp tongue and an entitlement issue. It's probably a good thing she can't bend any actual fire."

Katara giggled. "Thank you for all your help, Jade. I would have been lost without you today."

"My pleasure." Jade smiled.

"I should have your outfits made within a few days Lady Katara, thank you for your business." The merchant gathered her things and left Katara's chambers.

"I take it Lord Zuko failed to mention he was covering your expenses?" Jade guessed.

Katara nodded. "Probably because he knew I would protest." Katara fell back into the lounge chair with a deep sigh. Spending an afternoon with catty maids had exhausted her more than she realized. Not to mention the fact that her ribs were still sore and she hadn't recovered her full strength to be able to heal herself all the way.

"May I assist you with anything else, Lady Katara?"

Katara cringed. "Please," she said, "I insist you stop using that title. Chen was right about one thing… I'm no lady."

Jade smiled. "You're kind of a legend, La–Katara," Jade corrected herself. "It's an honor to serve someone who is so close with both the Avatar and the Fire Lord. They hold you to high esteem, as do I." Jade offered a small, polite bow.

A warmth flooded Katara's cheeks. She wasn't used to people holding her in any kind of high regard. Nor was she used to anyone waiting on her and she wasn't sure she liked it very much… Katara swallowed. She supposed she'd have to make a concentrated effort to get used to such things, seeing as how Zuko's life warranted them. "Well," Katara said, clearing her throat, "I'll let you get back to doing–eh, whatever it is that you would normally be doing."

"Very well, Katara." Jade smiled and bowed once more.

"Thank you again, for everything. Hopefully I'll see you again soon."

No sooner had Jade departed her chamber did Zuko stroll in, looking every bit the part of Fire Lord in all his scarlet and black glory. He spotted Katara slumped over in the lounge chair, and a thin line creased his brow. "You look exhausted," he told her.

"That's because I was forced to spend the entire afternoon with snobby maids that didn't like me," Katara retorted. "Also, I'm mad at you for trying to buy my wardrobe without telling me."

Zuko's lips twitched as if he were making a concentrated effort to keep from smiling. "Is that so?" he asked her, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Yes, Zuko, you're not obligated to take care of my needs…" she said stubbornly, pushing herself up from the chair to face him.

Zuko, ignoring her tone, pulled Katara into his arms and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "I know I'm not obligated, Katara… I do it because I can and I want to." His answer was so simple, yet Katara felt his words resonating within her. She knew he didn't think her incapable of looking out for herself–he'd even witnessed her taking care of the entirety of Team Avatar without problem. No, this was about something else entirely–his need to look out for someone he loved. To show her that he wanted to protect her and make her needs his own.

Katara returned his embrace, nuzzling her face against his sternum and breathed in the delicious clean scent of his skin. "Fine," she said, mock-stubborn, "but next time, I get to venture out on my own… I don't like maids following me around–especially when they think I'm no different from them and they're right."

Zuko sighed. "That may work for a while, Katara, but eventually the whole world will learn that you're mine and that will inevitably put a target on your head. You will always have an escort wherever you go to ensure your safety."

"Always?" She frowned against his chest.

~xXx~

Zuko could hear the break in her voice and something went through him then. The effects were like fire and ice, zapping some unknown and primordial response into existence when he realized what he was offering…

He was offering her a cage.

It was the one thing he never wanted to do–refused even, and yet his way of life would be just that. A glorified cage. It would break them, he realized. And yet it would destroy him completely if something ever happened to her.

Zuko's throat tightened. "No," he told her, "not always." He would break his own heart before he ever broke her spirit. She pulled back from him just a little, and he slid his hand behind her head until he was cupping the nape of her neck.

"Not in the palace," she said, "and not in the gardens."

Zuko, afraid to speak, only nodded in agreement.

"I can tolerate a guard or two so long as they're not glued to my side when I'm out in public," Katara said thoughtfully, and it made Zuko feel just a tiny bit better. "But never, and I do mean never… when I'm alone with you." Katara rewarded him with a smile as she looped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to the hollow at his throat.

"Never," Zuko agreed, closing his eyes as her kisses spread down the column of his neck.

"Now," Katara said, teasingly nipping his earlobe, "tell me about your day."

Hey everyone - just wanted to say a quick thank you to the readers who left reviews for Chapter 19. Turkishdelightx, I hope Santa forgave you for reading such naughty things and brought you good presents. ;) Hehe.

I also want to apologize in advance because I'm not sure when I'll finish the next chapter. An original novel I wrote is due to my publishers by February 1st, so I've been spending a good deal of time editing the final manuscript. But don't worry, it won't take me that long to post the next chapter - I promise! My attention is just a bit divided right now.

In the meantime, don't forget to leave me your thoughts.

Happy Reading!

~Sparrow