So sorry for the long wait on this one. But I have been updating the other fic, Subterfuge, as you know. I tried and tried but could not get the scene of Mai's diary pages right. It's a very important scene which needs delicate handling. It just did not sit in this chapter. So, I shifted it to the next chapter. This is a small, but important chapter.
As for the other fic, Tease, I don't know when the update for it is coming. I am just not in the frame of mind for something light and fluffy.
Also, Happy Mother's Day to all the fellow moms out there. We need all the love in these difficult days, don't we moms? Taking care of our little ones in quarantine can be… challenging to say the least. So, this is my Mother's Day gift to you all. I'll be shameless and ask for my gift in return. Drop in some love in the comment box.
Chapter 31
Casting a side-eyed glance, Zuko studied Katara's immobile face. He wondered how she felt at the news. Since they were no longer in the formal court, he did not have the wall of fire in front of them. He could not reach over and provide her with the comfort she most likely needed. To her credit, Katara did not display any emotion. Her face was a blank mask. With a lot of effort, Zuko tore his eyes from her face and turned to look at the messenger.
"When?" Zuko asked.
"Winter Soltice, Milord," the messenger said.
"What better day than that to honor the Water Avatar," Iroh said, smiling.
"Indeed," Zuko agreed, making sure to regulate his breathing. This was a new Avatar. This was not Aang. He would not channel his hatred and anger at an infant. He would not. "We would definitely be there."
The messenger bowed and walked backward till he was out of the informal meeting room.
"Any other matter that we need to discuss as of now?"
"Milord," Mizu said, bowing slightly. "We have found the Princess' therapist, Jion. He should be coming to visit you this evening."
"That's perfect. Anything else?"
"None, Milord," Councilman Sho replied.
"Dismissed," he said, waving a hand. As one, the select council members and the guards left the room, leaving him, Katara, and his Uncle. Zuko stood up and stretched. Next to him, Katara leaned back to on the chair. He walked over to the corner of the room and began to fix three cups of tea. He had a sneaking suspicion that his Uncle had something to say.
As if prompted by his thought, Iroh said, "Zuko, Katara, we need to talk."
"I know, Uncle," Zuko said, putting down the cups in front of them.
"You know me too well, my nephew."
He sat down next to Katara, patting her knee in the process. She gave him a small, but genuine smile, but continued to remain quiet. Iroh picked a cup, took a sip, and nodded, "Your tea making skills have improved, Zuko."
Zuko felt himself swell with pride. His Uncle was the connoisseur of tea. He was not one to give false praises. If he said the tea was good, then the tea was good. He couldn't suppress the smile that was on his face as he sipped the tea. Iroh took another deep sip and put the cup on the table.
Clearing his throat, Iroh said, "I'm not going to ask anything about what Sokka said yesterday. Zuko said it's not true and I believe him. I know neither of you is capable of doing something like that. But, if the doubt has planted itself in the minds of your own brother, Katara, you realize what the average person might think?"
Katara nodded, "I do."
Iroh said, "The position of Fire Lady should be beyond reproach. But if this rumor takes hold, you might become the source of much ridicule and mockery."
"We're aware," Zuko said.
"Should we issue a public statement denying it?" Katara asked but both Zuko and Iroh shook their heads.
"No," Zuko said. "Any such announcements, especially without any evident rumor, will only make us look guilty."
"What do we do then?"
"Nothing," Iroh said. "We will just have to let the rumor die its natural death. But, in the meantime, you both must make sure that you present exemplary behavior in front of the council and the general populace."
"I agree," Zuko said, sipping on his tea. "Eventually people will find something else to talk about."
"But… if this rumor takes hold and reaches the children…"
Zuko's heart skipped a beat at the thought of Izumi hearing this nasty rumor. And Bumi? Oh, Spirits! The boy's heart would break into pieces. Kya was mercifully too young to understand. But the other two would only understand bits of it but it would deliver a devastating blow to them.
"I understand," Iroh said. "They deserve an explanation. I'd suggest you both talk to them before they hear the rumor from elsewhere."
"You're right, Uncle," Katara said. "Zuko, should we go to them now?"
"I have actually taken the liberty to have them summoned here," Iroh said.
"Why am I not surprised?" Zuko said, smiling.
Within moments, a guard walked in to announce the arrival of the three children. Iroh patted Zuko's shoulder, nodded at Katara, and turned to leave. On his way out, he gave Izumi a hug, high-fived Bumi, and tickled Kya, making sure that all the three children were laughing by the time they reached them.
"Hi kids," Zuko said, shifting slightly so they got a place to sit. Promptly, Kya jumped on to his lap, planting a huge, wet kiss on his cheek.
"Thank you, little Princess," Zuko said and planed a kiss on her cheek.
"Grandpa Iroh said you wanted to talk to us," Izumi said, settling down between Zuko and Katara while Bumi took his place next to Katara.
"We do," Katara said, draping her arms around the two children. "You both are big kids, aren't you?"
Bumi raised a brow, "Uh oh. I know that tone. Which of us is getting punished?"
"Punished?" Izumi said, looking confused.
"What? None of you are getting punished," Zuko said. "We called you here to talk to you about something important."
"What does important mean?"
Zuko and Katara exchanged a bemused glance. Before either of them could say anything, Izumi strove to explain, "Important means something big."
"What's so important?" the question came from Bumi.
"Do you guys know the meaning of rumor?" Katara asked.
"I think it means a false story?" Izumi said.
"Indeed, smart girl," Zuko said tapping her nose.
"There is one rumor that is going on about us," Katara said. "A false story. We thought perhaps you should know about it from us before you hear it from someone else."
Bumi cocked his head to the side, "What rumor?"
"People say," Zuko licked his lips, "Some people say that your mom and I… we were… together before we got married."
"Together?" Bumi looked at Izumi who shrugged. "What does that even mean? You both lived in different places."
"Not like that," Katara said. "When he said together… he meant… like, boyfriend and girlfriend."
"But I thought you were friends," Kya said. "And Dad is a boy and you are a girl mom."
Bumi slapped his forehead, "No dummy! Boyfriend doesn't mean a friend who is a boy."
Izumi, however, was thoughtful, "But you said you didn't love each other or something."
Katara sighed, "Well, it's sort of complicated. But just so you know, we were never boyfriend and girlfriend."
"Okay," Bumi said. "Then why do people say you were?"
It was Zuko who strove to answer, "Sometimes, people say mean and nasty things. Just because they want to be mean and nasty. This rumor is one such thing."
"Dad," Kya said, looking at Zuko. "You don't love us?"
Zuko gaped at her, "What? Whatever made you think that, My Princess?"
"Izumi just said you didn't love each other," Kya's eyes were brimming with tears as her lower lip jutted out.
Zuko hugged her, cuddling her into his chest, "Oh no, sweetheart. I love you. And I love Bumi and Izumi. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, okay?"
"And mom?" Bumi asked.
Zuko looked at Katara who had a small smile on her lips. "Yes, I love your mom too."
"Then why is the rumor nasty?" Bumi asked. "There is nothing wrong with loving someone, is it?"
Katara patted his head and placed a kiss on his head, "My dear boy, love is the purest emotion a person can have. But love can be of many types. And sometimes, some loves, they can be bad –"
"How so?" Izumi asked. "What do you mean bad love? How can love be bad?"
Katara opened her mouth but paused, evidently unsure of how to answer that question. When the silence stretched, Zuko spoke up, "Sometimes, some relationships are forbidden. That kind of love can be considered bad by people."
"What kind of relationships are forbidden?" Izumi asked.
"The kind that people think Katara and I had," Zuko said. "Some people seem to think that Katara and I were boyfriend and girlfriend, while Bumi and Kya's dad, Aang was alive. If it were true, that would be a bad love."
"But you were not boyfriend and girlfriend, were you?" Izumi asked.
"No, we weren't," Katara replied in a steady voice. "We were just friends."
"Then why do people say that?" Bumi asked, his face scrunching in a way that looked like the boy was close to tears. "Why do people say that mom had a bad love?"
Zuko held out an arm and said, "Come here. Come to me."
The boy jumped from his place on the bench and skipped over to Zuko, climbing on to his other leg. He draped his arm around the boy and gave him a small kiss on the head. "Buddy, your mom did not do anything that is bad. Don't ever listen to people who say otherwise. No matter who says what, remember, your mom is a great woman and you should never doubt her."
Izumi had the next question for them, "Is that what people meant when they said she was charged with adultery?"
"Yes," Katara answered. "That is a word used for the bad love that we were talking about."
"No. My dad can never do something bad," Izumi said firmly.
"You're right. He did not," Katara said, looking Izumi straight in the eye. "Your dad is the most honorable person I have ever known. He didn't do anything that is dishonorable. Don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise."
"Mom," Kya asked suddenly, drawing Katara's attention. "Why is love bad then but not bad now?"
Zuko was surprised that Kya had understood as much as she had. Katara smiled and said, "Grownups are silly sometimes. They make things so complicated sometimes that it is not easy for children to understand. Just know that these stories are false. And if any of you hear anything about your dad or me, come to us. Either of us. We will answer all your questions as clearly and honestly as we can."
"Yes, that's a promise," Zuko added.
Katara stepped into her chamber and stretched. She pulled the crown off her hair and placed it inside the velvet-lined box. She then moved to undo the tie that held her hair in a top-knot and hissed at the soreness in her scalp. She was about to undo her obi when a knock sounded on the door.
"Come."
The door opened to reveal her Gran Gran and her Dad.
"Can we come in?" Hakoda said.
Katara nodded and walked over to her bed. The two of them came over to her and took their place across her.
"My daughter," Hakoda began, "We owe you an apology."
Katara continued to remain silent.
"We did not stop Sokka from saying the things he did," he continued, "We should have but we didn't."
"Maybe because Sokka said the words that you both have been trying to say but couldn't?" Katara spat.
"No!" Gran Gran said, shaking her head. "Not at all. It's true that we had our doubts about Zuko as a husband because he is Ozai's son and a Fire Bender. We all knew how much you and Aang loved each other. But yesterday, after you stormed out, he gave Sokka a piece of his mind."
"A well deserved one," Hakoda said. "We heard everything he said, and I must say, I agree. Sokka stepped out of line."
"We trust you, Katara," Gran Gran said patting her hand, "We know you would never do something like this."
"Listening to Zuko's tirade, I am sure of at least one thing," Hakoda said, "He loves you a lot. That puts us at ease. We can now rest easy."
"Milady," Mari came in, with her head bowed. "The Fire Lord has requested your presence."
Katara nodded and stood up, "Gran Gran, Dad, I'll talk about this later. I need to go."
"Milady," Zuko said formally, bowing his head a little in greeting. "Please, do join me in this discussion with therapist Jion."
"Milord," Katara gave a small bow to him and took her place next to Zuko. She looked at Jion who bowed. "Please, Jion, sit."
The man obeyed, his face an unreadable mask. Katara looked at Zuko, and he gave a small, curt nod at her, indicating that she should speak.
"Jion, are you aware why we summoned you?"
"I have a few ideas, Milady."
"Could you explain what you were doing in Caldera City when you took your leave from the Fire Lord to go to Tetsu?"
Jion licked his lips, cleared his throat, and said, "I knew the Fire Lord would summon me soon. I wasn't expecting it to be this soon."
"So you knew about the Princess?" Zuko said.
Jion nodded, his brows furrowed into a frown. "She thinks she is in love with me. I'm aware of that."
"She thinks?" Katara said, feeling a throb of annoyance at the man.
"Yes, Milady. There is a reason I chose to say she thinks," Jion said. "It is very common for the patient to develop romantic feelings towards their therapist. More often than not, it is a projection. The patient thinks that the therapist is the only one who listens to them. The only one who understands them. That's why they start projecting all their feelings and emotions on the therapist. That's what has happened to the Princess."
"And how can you be so certain of it?" Zuko asked.
"Because, Milord, the Princess said so herself," Jion said. "I left because my presence was not helping her. She needs to improve on her own."
"Azula said that herself?" Zuko asked.
"Indeed Milord."
"And what about you, Jion?"
"What about me, Milady?"
"What are your feelings?" Katara pressed.
He sighed and said, "For me, princess Azula is nothing more than my patient."
"What would you do, Jion, if contrary to your beliefs, Azula's feelings are true?" Katara asked.
"Assuming her feelings are true, I don't reciprocate it. And even if I wanted to, I can't. I am married."