Hello my lovelies! I have returned with another chapter (almost on schedule this time)!
Just want to say thank you to everyone who has reviewed so far and for all the input I got back on the last chapter about Sokka's ships.
This is a very long chapter - I think the longest chapter of this fic so far... - and a lot happens so I hope it doesn't seem too rushed! Also, I haven;t properly proof-read this chapter yet, so apologies if there are some mistakes! I really just wanted to get it posted and will likely be coming back to it tomorrow to make sure there aren't any glaring errors..
Please please please let me know what you think! (Srsy, please? I live for the reviews).
This chapter was inspired by the song 'Light Up The Dark' by Gabrielle Aplin from her 2015 album of the same name.
I hope you enjoy! (:
Chapter 26: Light Up The Dark
…
I'm drawing perfect circles around the life that we could share
And what is ours, is ours to keep
I know the thing you want the most, you hide it over there
Safe at the dark end of the street
…
When your chaos turns to silence and your enemies your friends
I will run away the storm
…
I want to light up the dark in you
…
The Southern Water Tribe's encampment suddenly came to life. Hushed, worried tones permeated the silence and weapons clinked as warriors rushed to the shoreline. Katara struggled to suppress the painful memories that resurfaced at the low drone of the war-horn. Ash mingled with the snow, raining down upon the village; heat from a tent set aflame burned her cheeks. The sickeningly familiar smell of charred flesh filled her nose.
"A Fire Nation vessel has been sighted outside of the bay!" Giraq yelled from farther down the shore. "There's a smaller ship heading towards us! Ready your weapons!"
Suki must have noticed the stupor that clutched Katara, because she placed a hand on her shoulder and gave her a shake, "Hey, Katara! Are you okay?"
Forcing the memories back to the recesses of her mind, Katara swallowed. "Yeah, I'm fine." Squinting through the lingering mist, she could make out the silhouette of a small iron vessel steadily emerging from the haze. "It's only one ship…"
The warriors lined up along the shoreline, clutching boomerangs and spears.
The Kyoshi Warrior followed her gaze. "Do you think it could be… him?"
Could it be? The Fire Nation Navy was a vast force that traveled in large numbers… only the banished prince roamed alone. The notion stirred a fervor in Katara and, with an exasperated expression, she glanced at the warriors around them.
"Hold!" Another called out; a man she recognized as Giraq's father – or perhaps his uncle. "On my command!" Before he could give the order, however, Katara rushed to the forefront of the fleet.
"Stop!" She cried, throwing up her arms.
"Out of the way!"
"Don't attack!" She persisted, desperation thick in her voice. It must be him. It must be Zuko. To her dismay, her plea fell on deaf ears as one of the warriors came forward to move her aside. Fear welled in her gut. She had to stop them.
"Please!" She struggled against the man who had ahold of her, trying to direct her back towards the camp. Her eyes darted around, searching for a familiar face – someone who might listen to her. Her gaze fell on Giraq as he joined the rest of the warriors, spear in hand.
"Giraq!" She called out, breaking free of the warrior that held her shoulders and rushing towards the young man. "Tell them to stop! They can't attack!"
Giraq met her gaze, a confused look on his features. "What do you mean?"
"He's not an enemy!" She grasped his arm, turning back to point into the mist. She was running out of time. "Please, you have to understand! He's not here to hurt anyone!"
"Who?"
Katara bit her lip. What could she possibly say to dissuade the Southern Fleet from attacking?
"It's-… it's Zuko, the prince of the Fire Nation- well, he's a banished prince," She stammered, fumbling over the words that poured uncontrollably from her mouth and internally cursing herself all the while.
Giraq frowned down at her, clearly not understanding. "The prince? You mean the same guy that held you captive?" His grip on the spear tightened as he glared out at the approaching vessel.
"Yes- no-… it's complicated. Please, you have to listen to me! He's- he's on our side!" She hoped it was true, otherwise she would never live it down. At this point, she would say anything to deter the fleet from attacking, and that was exactly what she did. "He wants to end the war! He helped us escape capture by the Fire Nation Navy!"
This seemed to catch the attention of the warriors.
"End the war?" Someone mumbled from behind her.
"The Fire Nation prince is traveling with the Avatar?" Another whispered.
Suki and Toph took this opportunity to speak up in support.
"Listen to Katara!" Suki yelled, coming to her defense.
"Yeah," Toph agreed, "Princey has some rough edges, but he's not all that bad."
"He sacrificed himself for us!" Suki continued, "He held off the Fire Nation Navy so the Avatar could escape and was taken prisoner by Commander Zhao."
The murmurs rose to a clamor.
"Please," Katara cried again, "Don't attack!"
Giraq glanced down at her once more before turning to his commanding officer. "It's only one ship," He reasoned, "If Katara is wrong, we should be able to take them down easily enough."
Though it wasn't the quite the endorsement Katara had hoped for, Giraq's father furrowed his brow, scanning the bay for evidence of other ships.
At length, he grunted, "Lower your weapons!" He turned to look at Giraq, "You better hope she's right, or it'll be your name that I give Chief Hakoda when he inquires as to why I let the Fire Nation waltz into our camp."
Giraq nodded in acknowledgement and Katara breathed a sigh of relief as the warriors around them reluctantly lowered their arms.
"You owe me for this," Giraq muttered under his breath, giving her a sidelong glance that made her skin crawl.
…
Zuko hadn't known what to expect when he boarded the small iron vessel to make his way towards the Earth Kingdom shore. Though, he certainly hadn't expected to be greeted by a gaggle of heavily armed water tribe men, eyeing him suspiciously as he approached the beach.
The stern faces of twenty or so warriors unnerved him as the sandy shore came into view, but nothing would deter him from his purpose. He had spent far too much time anticipating this moment to turn away now, even if the universe threw him to the mercy of the Water Fleet. Scanning the line of warriors, his heart froze in his chest when his gaze settled on her. Katara.
For the briefest moment, the rest of the world – the water tribe warriors, the mist, his uncle, Lieutenant Jee, and the other soldiers at his back – fell away and all that remained was her. Their eyes met and Zuko fought to contain a smirk as Katara's jaw went loose, dropping open at the sight of him. Her chest was heaving, and he could almost hear her shallow breaths, drowning out the muttering of his men and the sloshing of waves breaking against his ship. She was just as captivating as the last time he had seen her; her long brown hair fell in waves over her shoulders, her soft lips parted as if to whisper something for only him to hear, and her sapphire eyes shone like the moon in the night sky.
In that instant, everything was as it was supposed to be. She was there, waiting for him. His skin prickled with anticipation, yearning to be close to her once more – to take her in his arms, to whisper into her hair that he'd never let her go.
"State your purpose!" One of the water tribe men abruptly shattered his reverie.
Annoyed that the trance had been broken, Zuko scowled at the warrior who dared to speak to him in such a way. He didn't justify the demand with a response. Instead, he waited for the ship to reach the shore and jumped out into the shallows.
Some of the warriors took a cautious step back upon his approach. Zuko reveled momentarily in the fear his presence still commanded, before turning to look directly at Katara. All of the phrases he had practiced were forgotten in that instant.
"Well?" The warrior probed again.
His gaze did not waver. He spoke only to her.
"I'm here to help the Avatar."
…
Katara was overwhelmed with disbelief. Had she heard him correctly? Had he truly returned to join them? She wanted to say something, to run to him, to throw her arms around his neck in joy, but words would not form and her feet remained stuck to the ground. Unable to tear her eyes away, she was a statue, staring at him in awe. The muttering of the warriors around her turned into a raucous chorus that sounded oddly sweet to her ears.
"Well, if it isn't Princey himself," Toph smirked.
As if noticing the blind girl for the first time, Zuko's eyes widened and shifted away from Katara's.
"It's about time," Suki added, crossing her arms. "We were beginning to wonder when you would show up."
Confusion passed over the banished prince's features and Katara realized then that she had to take charge of the situation. Discarding her astonishment in favor of resolve, she stepped forwards, turning to the warriors. It took every ounce of control she had to maintain her composure in front of the fleet. She silently prayed that no one could hear her heart hammering against her ribcage as she fought to keep her voice from wavering.
"Sokka and Bato should be back soon. In the meantime, Zuko and his companions are our guests and will be treated as such," She informed the water tribe warriors calmly with an authority in her tone that surprised even her. Katara was well aware that it was extremely taboo for a woman to give orders to the men of the tribe and, as expected, the warriors seemed to be at a loss for words. Giraq's father frowned, incredulous, but no one challenged her command. She was still the daughter of the chief and that held some sway in the eyes of the tribe, traditional roles be damned.
The assertion of power sent a jolt of energy through her bones that she tried to contain. In her peripheral vision, she caught Suki's mischievous grin and abruptly returned her gaze to Zuko, stifling the smile that tugged at the corners of her own mouth.
"Zuko," She chose her words carefully, glancing between the banished prince and the water tribe men at her side, trying to communicate with only her eyes that the circumstances were rather precarious and she needed him to play along. "It's good that you're here."
Whether he caught her meaning or not, he nodded, never taking his eyes off her.
The air between them was thick with an electric tension, heavy under the weight of all the things that they couldn't say. And there were so many things she wanted to say to him. She wanted to cry tears of joy that he had decided to join them – to join her. She wanted to tell him she was glad that he had finally chosen the right side, that they were no longer enemies. Instead, she kept her mouth shut. These sentiments could wait until they were alone to be shared, not while they were surrounded by men of the Southern Water Tribe.
With a gruff reluctance, Giraq's father turned to some of the men under his temporary command. "Locate Bato. As the one left in charge by the chief himself, he has the final say here."
As the warriors dispersed, Katara saw her opportunity to flash Zuko a sheepish grin.
"You finally decided to join us," She breathed quietly, for only him to hear. "You don't know how happy I am to see you."
…
Katara's eyes sparkled with hope and, consequently, a leaden guilt settled in Zuko's gut. He didn't know what to say, so he opted for a mumbled, "Me too," as he averted his gaze.
He had come to join them, but his intentions weren't as benevolent as Katara was surely imagining. Though he wasn't actively trying to capture the Avatar, he certainly wasn't ready to forfeit his honor. He was waiting. He would gain their trust, protect them from capture by Zhao – or any other ambitious upstarts seeking the Fire Lord's favor – and when the moment presented itself, he would finally put an end to the years of aimless wandering and return home to reclaim his title and his throne. However, he wouldn't allow his father to conquer the Northern Water Tribe – as he was now confident that was the plan – particularly knowing that Katara was heading there. All this time, she had been searching for a master, and he couldn't bring himself to stand idly by and watch as the Fire Nation shattered her aspirations again.
"Miss Katara," His uncle stepped forward to address her with a warm smile, "It is good to see that you are well."
"You too, General Iroh," She grinned in response. "It's been a while."
"It has indeed," The old man agreed, "I spent some time touring the western Earth Kingdom, and was pleased to find that, upon my return, my dear nephew had decided to join forces with the Avatar."
Katara glanced at Zuko, but he looked away, avoiding her gaze. "I'm also pleased he finally decided to join us."
Zuko ignored the continued conversation, not wanting their pleasant chatter to batter his resolve any further.
It was unlike him to make such a long-term plan, let alone execute it, but, after thorough contemplation, he had decided it was his best chance at success. He had already outwardly opposed Zhao and had to assume that his father would have been quickly informed of his treachery. At least if he sided with the Avatar for a time, he wouldn't be such an easy target for his father's – or Zhao's – wrath. He had nothing to lose. When he finally returned with the Avatar, all would be forgiven.
The rational justification, however, did little to lighten the load that weighed heavy on his conscience as he looked at Katara. Perhaps he could convince her to join him? No, he clenched his jaw, she might be convinced to trust him, but she would never be persuaded to abandon her friends. Brushing away the thought, Zuko steeled himself. He had to make a decision and commit to it; it was either this inexplicable desire that caused his chest to ache, or it was duty, honor, and home. If the past five years of his life were any indication, the choice was clear.
"Come with me," Katara gestured him to follow and he squashed the warmth that rose to his face.
…
Zuko was almost uncharacteristically quiet. Though Katara couldn't claim to know him all that well, nor would she ever suggest he was normally talkative, he did seem to be troubled by something. Even so, she could feel his amber eyes burning into her back as she led him and his uncle back to the camp with Suki and Toph not far behind.
Maybe his silence could be chalked up to the looming presence of her tribe around them, men he had not so terribly long ago referred to as 'peasants and savages' in his anger – a slight she had forgiven but would not soon forget. It was evident from the way the warriors watched him that they did not trust the banished prince and she could only assume the distrust went both ways. But there was something about his silence that hung heavy in the air. It was less of an uncomfortable silence and more a sense of indecisiveness.
Perhaps it was his pride. It must have been difficult for him to switch sides, knowing that in doing so he was going against everything he knew; his nation, his home, his family. There was no question that it was a difficult decision and must be weighing down on him. His resolve was one of the things that drew her to him, and here he was, questioning it all.
If not for the men of the water tribe eying them, she would be comforting him, folding him into a reassuring embrace. Her mind flicked back to the night so many months ago when she asked about his scar. That was the first time she had opened up to him. And he had opened up to her. Her cheeks burned at the memory – his strong arms wrapping around her as she pressed herself into his embrace, the hard expanse of his chest against her body. The sweet, smoky scent of his hair. She wanted nothing more than to hold him tight and tell him everything would be okay. She would make sure that he knew he made the right choice, the honorable choice. She would show him the light and pull him from the darkness of his painful past. She would give him a glimpse of the life they could share, a stark contrast from the lonely existence he had been living.
It wasn't long after they got to the camp that soldiers started shouting from the direction of the shore, "Bato is back!"
Katara watched as Bato and her brother approached the encampment. When he saw Zuko, Sokka frowned.
"What's going on here?" Bato asked, his tone dark as he eyed the men dressed in Fire Nation attire.
"It's the human torch again," Sokka grumbled in Zuko's direction.
Katara stepped forward. "Zuko has come to help Aang."
"What does Aang need help with? He's fine!" Her brother waved her off.
"Well… Aang kind of went missing this morning…" Suki interjected, wrapping an arm around Sokka's.
Katara caught Zuko's movement from the corner of her eye. He sat up straight and glanced between them, his eyebrow raised.
"What!" Sokka pulled his arm away from Suki, turning to face her. "What do you mean he went missing?"
"I think he left sometime in the night to find that island- the one he was talking about… on his own." Katara grimaced. She was still upset with herself for letting the airbender leave. "He took Appa and Momo."
"Are you sure that the prince of the Fire Nation, who so conveniently happens to be here, doesn't have anything to do with that?"
At this, Zuko abruptly stood. "I just got here," He snarled at Sokka. "I know just as much about this as you do."
"Well, why are you here then?"
"I came to help the Avatar," Zuko paused, giving Bato and the other warriors a sidelong glance before returning his gaze to Sokka. "And to warn you about a planned attack on the Northern Water Tribe."
…
The Water Tribe warriors around them mumbled amongst themselves.
"An attack on the north?"
"The Fire Nation hasn't bothered with the Northern Tribe for decades."
"That can't be true."
The man named Bato turned to him. "Explain."
"I was captured by a Fire Nation Commander named Zhao and kept in the prison hold of my own ship," He shared bitterly. "It was Lieutenant Jee," He gestured to the captain, "Who heard the Commander's men talk of a plan to attack the Northern Water Tribe."
Lieutenant Jee glanced at him and Zuko nodded. "If I may," The Lieutenant began, stepping up.
Bato frowned, his tone still stern, "Please."
"It's no secret that there has been talk of the Northern and Southern Tribes uniting," Jee started. "After the attack on the Navy's shipyard, the Commander was certain that the Tribes were working together once more. It's also no secret that the Avatar has been heading north, seeking a master to teach him waterbending," He glanced between Katara, her brother, and the Kyoshi Warrior, as if in confirmation. "Though I don't know the details, I heard of the plans to attack the Northern Tribe from soldiers that Commander Zhao had stationed on Prince Zuko's ship. I believe he intends to decisively crush the Northern Tribe before an alliance can be formed to promote the recapture of the colonies. Once the rebels in the mountains have been snuffed out, all that remains of the Earth Kingdom resistance is Ba Sing Se. He is trying to isolate the Earth Kingdom capitol, ridding them of potential allies."
Bato's growing frown deepened, as did Sokka's. His eyes shifted between Zuko and the Lieutenant.
"And what is your motive in sharing this information with us?"
"As I said," Zuko growled, "I've come to help the Avatar. Zhao's attack on the Northern Tribe is, in part, an attempt to hinder the Avatar's progress in learning the other three elements, if not also a plot to capture him in the name of the Fire Nation."
"And how do we know that this information is to be believed? What assurances can you give us that this isn't just a trap set by the Fire Nation to get us to pull our forces out of the colonies?"
"Commander Zhao is a renowned Fire Nation Navy officer," Lieutenant Jee continued, "But I don't think he is so astute as to spread misinformation through his ranks in the hopes that it will return a favorable result."
"So, you can give us no assurances, then?" Bato turned his scrutiny on the Lieutenant, "You just expect us to take your word for it?"
"Lieutenant Jee has captained my ship for five years," Zuko interjected. "He served my uncle, and now he serves me. I have decided to join the Avatar and he has sworn me his loyalty."
"And how are we to trust you, Prince Zuko?"
Zuko scowled. How was he supposed to defend himself against the accusing stares of so many water tribe men? How was he supposed to make them trust him and his word?
"Ugh," Toph grumbled from behind Sokka, reminding everyone she was still in attendance. "This back and forth is getting so old. Princey here put his life and freedom on the line to allow the Avatar to escape. He helped me free dozens of Earth Kingdom prisoners from the Fire Nation Navy. And now, he's here again, offering his help. What else does the man need to do to prove it to you people?"
Zuko smirked at the blind girl's support.
"At the very least, hear him out," She huffed. "If he's right about the attack on the Water Tribe and nothing is done about it, then we're probably all screwed."
At this, Iroh cleared his throat. "Gentlemen, I think this kind young lady-" He looked to her, waiting for a name.
"Toph," She stated bluntly.
"I think Toph has a valid point. I have known Commander Zhao for many years and he is a vengeful man. After the attack on the Navy's shipyard, he no doubt formulated this plan not only to hinder the Avatar and weaken the resistance efforts in the colonies, but to punish the North for breaking the long-standing agreement of passivity they held with the Fire Nation. He likely plans to make an example of the Northern Water Tribe, to deter others from opposing the Fire Nation. If his attack on the North is allowed to go unchecked, the consequences could be dire."
"And what of Aang?" Katara spoke up. "He is the only one who can defeat the Fire Lord and put an end to the war. We can't just allow him to be captured in Fire Nation territory. If we do, all hope will be lost."
"That is indeed a concern," Iroh agreed.
"How are we supposed to save Aang?" Suki asked. "He took Appa with him. He's probably already in Fire Nation territory... if he hasn't already been captured."
Zuko saw his chance. If the Avatar was captured in Fire Nation territory by anyone but him, his plan was futile. Alternatively, it could also make for the perfect opening to catch the Avatar off guard. Either way, it would benefit him. If the opportunity did not present itself to bag the Avatar, he would gain the trust of the group for saving him, and if it did, well, he would be home in a matter of weeks.
"I will sail my ship into Fire Nation waters and find the Avatar."
All eyes were on him then and he fought to maintain his calm exterior under the scrutiny.
"I'll go too," Katara added, coming to stand by his side. Relief washed over him. "We have to get Aang back."
"Me too," Toph joined them. "We can't let that airhead go at it alone."
"And me," Suki followed with a smirk. "I'll keep the prince in check."
Sokka's brow furrowed as he glanced between them. "And if you're captured too?"
"We won't be," Zuko retorted coolly.
The tension in Sokka's face eased with a long exhale. "Fine. Katara is right, we can't leave Aang behind."
…
Katara sighed in relief at her brother's acknowledgement. Though the information about an attack on the Northern Tribe was certainly troublesome, it would all be for naught if Aang were to be captured, and she had no doubt that with Zuko's help, they would find him.
"Sokka, Katara," Bato called to them, gesturing. "A moment?"
He pulled the siblings aside, away from the crowded encampment.
"Are you sure about this?" He asked when they were out of earshot. "Are you sure that he can be trusted?"
"I believe him, Bato," Katara firmly replied, "He has helped us before and he said he was joining us. He wants to end the war too."
Bato eyed her with a tight-lipped expression, clearly questioning her judgement.
"I got to know a lot about him when he held me captive… He was banished by his own father for speaking out against the Fire Nation military, he wants to put an end to the death and destruction the war has caused, and… well, he let me go instead of trying to capture Aang." Her testimony wasn't entirely true, but it got her point across.
Bato turned to Sokka.
"We have to find Aang…" Her brother sighed, "it's a risk we have to take. He did help us escape Commander Zhao," Sokka continued with a shrug, "I don't necessarily trust him just yet, but we're more likely to be able to get safely into Fire Nation waters in a Fire Nation ship. Not to mention, he does have a knack for tracking Aang down."
"So, it's settled then?" Bato exhaled, looking between them.
"I'd say so," Sokka responded, "You should lead the rest of the fleet North to warn the Tribe of the Fire Nation's plans. If we're going to unite the tribes, we should be by their side to defend against an attack… and the quicker they know, the more time we have to prepare."
Bato gave a terse nod, "You two be careful."
When Bato and Sokka left to explain the plan to the rest of the Southern Fleet, Katara saw her chance to speak with Zuko alone.
She pulled him aside with a quiet, "Come walk with me."
…
They ambled along the beach through the mist in silence, Zuko wondering all the while what the purpose of this walk was. He had thought that Katara had something to say to him, but her gaze remained on the sand under their feet. In some way, he was relieved. He didn't want to talk about why he was there or what he intended to do. The silence still irked him, nonetheless. When the encampment was finally out of view, Zuko lost his patience.
"Katara," He stopped, "What's going on?"
"We're going to come with you… to save Aang."
"I know that," He scowled. "Why did you want to walk all the way out here?"
"I-… I don't know. I just wanted to get away from everyone for a bit." She still didn't meet his gaze, staring out to the sea.
For some reason, his mind wandered back to the conversation he overheard at the Earth Kingdom encampment. Someone must have really pissed that boy off for him to attack the fortress.
"When were you planning on telling me what happened?"
"What do you mean?"
"At Fong's Fortress," He clarified, "I… I heard that Aang…"
"Oh," She simpered, finally turning to him. "It's a long story… The short version is that General Fong was intent on triggering the Avatar state- you know, like that time Aang's eyes and tattoos glowed and he waterbended…"
Zuko recalled the memory with frustrating accuracy; The Avatar knocking him overboard and escaping his grasp for the first time.
"Well, Fong attacked me-"
"He attacked you?" Zuko growled, clenching his hands into fists at his side. The thought of anyone trying to hurt her stirred an explicable rage in him. He wanted to punish the Earth Kingdom General, kill the man for attacking his waterbender.
"To trigger the Avatar state," She continued, "And it worked. Aang went… kind of berserk in the Avatar State and destroyed the Fortress."
None of this was doing anything to quell his growing rage. The Avatar had been the one to defend her, not him. Why this bothered him so, Zuko couldn't say.
Katara continued, unperturbed. "But while he was in the Avatar State, he had some kind of vision… He told us later that he found out he would be able to talk to Avatar Roku if we went to some crescent-shaped island on the solstice."
This caught Zuko's attention. "Crescent-shaped-… the temple of the Fire Sages," He pondered aloud.
Katara suddenly turned to him. "You know where it is?"
"If we have to make it there by the solstice, we have to leave soon."
She nodded. "Sokka and Bato are talking to the rest of the fleet about it. They're going to head north to warn the Northern Water Tribe…"
"Good."
"You know… if it wasn't for you, we wouldn't have known about the attack until it was too late…" She gave him a soft smile, "Thank you."
Zuko averted his gaze, a faint frown still lingered on his face. He sensed the conversation was steering in a direction he wasn't too pleased about.
"I-… I've been meaning to ask," Katara started, returning her eyes to the sand.
The banished prince cursed internally. He didn't think he could look her in the eyes and lie. If she asked him whether he truly intended to join them, to take up arms against his country, he didn't know what he would say.
"What made you, um… decide to join us?"
The bluntness of her question caught him off guard, but he was slightly relieved that he wouldn't have to lie to her.
"I mean-" She continued after a moment of silence, her cheeks tinted a light shade of pink. "The last time we saw each other, you said you weren't going to join us… what made you change your mind?"
Zuko's gaze was fixed on the distant shore ahead of them. He clenched his jaw, working up the courage to answer her.
"You." He stated bluntly. And it was the truth. "You changed my mind."
…
They waved their goodbyes to the Water Tribe, wishing them luck and hoping they would soon meet again. Katara felt a tinge of sadness at their departure – a feeling like she was leaving home all over again – but she was also relieved; they were going to find Aang. She was sure of it.
When they arrived at Zuko's ship, anchored just outside of the bay, they were greeted with uneasy stares from his crew. Though the prince had decided to join them, his men seemed far less certain.
"So, uh," Sokka stepped onto the deck, eyeing the ship, "This place has a kitchen right…?"
Suki elbowed him playfully in the side, "Let me guess, you're hungry again?"
"I'll tell the kitchen staff to start preparing a meal," Zuko informed them, not looking at anyone in particular. "Jee will prepare some guest rooms for you. We should get to the Temple of the Fire Sages tomorrow."
The Lieutenant stepped forwards, gesturing them to follow. Katara took one last glance over her shoulder, but Zuko appeared to be occupied giving out commands to his crew. They followed the Lieutenant into the interior of the ship, through iron corridors lined with low-burning sconces.
The heavy metal door to the room Katara was assigned squealed as she pushed it open. Despite outward appearances, the chambers were surprisingly homey. A red area rug covered the iron floor and candles flickered on a dresser below an elongated window. The bed was centered on the opposite wall; a large but simple mattress with red and gold sheets under a tapestry that bore the Fire Nation insignia. A round wooden table occupied one corner, its surface divided into a grid-like pattern. Tiles were stacked in neat piles on either end and Katara figured it was some kind of gameboard. In the opposite corner resided a deep metal bathtub.
Katara sighed as she stepped into the room and shut the door behind her. Though it was strange being aboard a Fire Nation ship, she couldn't help but feel a little excited. It was like she was getting a glimpse into Zuko's life; gaining a new understanding by simply being in his space.
Curiously, she made her way to the dresser and opened the top drawer. Towels were folded neatly alongside a number of corked glass bottles that clinked as they slid into each other. The second drawer was empty, but the third was rather full.
A collection of scrolls rolled around inside and she picked one up, unfurling the paper. It was a map of the Fire Nation, each island labeled in a sprawling hand. She examined it, admiring the handiwork. In the easternmost region of the map, she recognized the crescent-shaped island that Aang had referred to – it wasn't all that far from the western shore of the Earth Kingdom. It was, however – much to her relief – far away from the Fire Nation capitol. She rolled up the scroll again, picking out another.
Other scrolls in the drawer contained historical records of naval pursuits, a list of Fire Nation noble families, and a detailed guide to military strategy. She pulled each one out and read, setting it aside when she was done until a single scroll remained in the drawer, nestled in the back corner. Its edges were frayed and worn, slightly discolored. Katara gingerly pulled at the loose end and her eyes widened when they settled on the words.
It was some kind of official document – a royal decree.
"By Proclamation of his excellence, Fire Lord Ozai"
The header read, stamped with a blood-red seal of approval. She furrowed her brow and continued reading.
"And the power vested in his court, Zuko, former Crown Prince of the Fire Nation, has been found guilty of cowardice and treasonous action against the sovereign. By proclamation of the Fire Lord himself, Zuko is hereby banished from the Fire Nation and its territories, and hereby stripped of his titles, removed from the royal line of succession. Any who encounter the former prince in Fire Nation territory are required by the sovereign, Fire Lord Ozai himself, to act accordingly and utilize any means necessary to subdue the traitor or face dishonor and criminal charges for crimes against their nation."
Katara's heart was pounding in her ears as she read: to act accordingly and utilize any means necessary to subdue the traitor. At the bottom of the document, under the signature of the Fire Lord, was a drawing in black ink of a young Zuko. She looked upon his face, his features so different from those she had come to know. The scar was missing, the Prince's face unmarred by the fire his father had inflicted upon him around the time this document must have been drafted. He looked so innocent; perhaps Aang's age, if not a year older.
The realization made her chest ache. She had known much of this already, but to read the language of the official documentation, to see the image of Zuko himself, so young, uncorrupted, and green, caused tears to well in the corners of her eyes.
Was he aware of the probable danger that he was willingly sailing into to help them – to help Aang? Surely, he must be. She had known it was a risk for Zuko to take, defying his banishment from the Fire Nation territories, but the call to Fire Nation citizens to take action and subdue him, or face charges themselves, emphasized the precariousness of their situation plain as day.
Katara steeled herself against the swirling whirlpool of emotions that threatened to release the built-up moisture in her eyes, sending tears streaming down her cheeks. This royal decree meant nothing, she decided. Regardless of what came to pass once they entered Fire Nation waters, she would not allow Zuko to be subdued by anyone, even if it meant her life. She would use any means necessary to prevent his capture. She would kill if she had to. No one was going to take him away from her again; not the Navy Commander nor the Fire Lord himself.
Her musing was interrupted by a sharp rapping on the iron door, followed by her brother's voice.
"Katara, lets go get some food."
In her enthrallment with the contents of the drawer, she hadn't noticed the waning light passing through the window. It was nearly dark.
"Coming!" She replied, wiping away the tears that lingered in the corners of her eyes and rolling up the scroll to put it carefully back in its place.
…
Zuko fumbled with his chopsticks as the others shuffled into the dining room and took their seats around him. He couldn't remember the last time that he had sat down for a meal with people his own age – not just his uncle or the Lieutenant. The thought occurred to him: had he ever shared a meal with friends? No, he scolded himself, not friends. They weren't his friends. He couldn't allow himself to grow close to the people he would inevitably have to betray in the not so distant future. That kind of thinking was dangerous in light of his plan and he was already far too close to Katara for comfort.
The group seemed unperturbed by his awkward silence and unwillingness to meet their gaze, breaking into happy banter around him. A few staff members from the kitchens brought in plates, rice bowls, steaming soups, vegetables, and seared snapper crusted with fireflakes. It was pretty standard for meals he took aboard his ship. Nonetheless, Katara's brother eyed the dishes placed before them with a toothy grin.
"Well, I feel like royalty," He announced, picking up his chopsticks and digging into the fish.
"What are you trying to say, Sokka?" Katara quipped, "You don't like my cooking?"
"I never said that," He replied with a mouth full of fish and rice. "Just that- you know, this is a real meal. Lots of plates and… meat."
"You're not making this any easier on yourself, Sokka," Suki chuckled at his side as Katara sent her brother a glare across the table.
"It's spicy," Toph added, squinting her pale green eyes against the burn in her throat. "Is all Fire Nation food… edible fire?"
The others laughed and Zuko took it upon himself to defend the cuisine of his people.
"It's not all spicy," He snapped before reminding himself with a sigh to stay calm. "The soup is pretty mild."
"I don't know," Katara giggled, tasting the soup and pulling back in shock. "Still tastes like fire to me."
"Sokka has a point, though," Suki continued, mixing vegetables into her rice. "This does kind of feel like we're getting the royal treatment. I had a bath for the first time in… I can't even remember how long."
Katara looked up at this, "I was thinking about taking a bath too. Are there tubs in all the rooms?"
"There was one in mine," Suki commented with a shrug, "The water was cold, but it was still nice to wash off all the grime from weeks of travel."
"There isn't heated water on the ship because it can be warmed with firebending," Zuko interjected, picking at his food.
"I guess that makes sense," Katara smiled at him and he quickly returned his gaze to the table.
Sokka scoffed, "You girls and your bathtime. Warriors don't need baths, just lots of protein."
Katara rolled her eyes her brother's comment and the Kyoshi Warrior delivered a swift kick to his ankles.
"Not all girls need bathtime, Meatball," Toph said. "I haven't taken a bath weeks and I'm just fine."
"Yeah… we can tell," Katara joked.
"And here I thought that rancid odor was just Sokka's pits," Suki joined in with a chuckle.
In response, Toph laughed and unceremoniously clunked her dirty feet onto the table.
"Wait-" Sokka swallowed before turning to the blind girl. "Meatball?!"
"At least it's not Princess," Katara shrugged, referring to the vaguely cruel nicknames the blind girl had taken to giving everyone.
"Or Princey," Zuko mumbled bitterly. Toph's nickname for him was both a mockery of his title and a subtle reminder of his banishment. Needless to say, he was not a fan.
"Would you prefer Sugar Queen, your royal sweetness?" Toph smirked at the waterbender.
Katara frowned then sighed, grumbling under her breath, "Princess is fine I guess."
"Meatball, though? Couldn't it be something like… Sokka, the brave defender of freedom, or… the guy with the plan?"
Suki nearly choked on the food in her mouth with laughter. Sokka frowned at her, but he was clearly also fighting a smile. "Oh," She met his gaze with a cheeky grin, "You were serious?"
"I think Meatball is actually quite fitting," Katara remarked, "It does seem to be all you think about."
"What about all the plans that I've come up with?" Sokka defended himself. "At least your nickname is kind of accurate… Though, if you're a princess, I'm a prince." He cleared his throat and puffed out his chest. "Call me Sokka, the handsome Prince of the Southern Water Tribe."
"Sorry, bud," Toph shrugged, gesturing in Zuko's direction. "Princey has already been taken."
"I still like the Human Torch, better," Sokka slumped over, defeated.
Zuko's single eyebrow crawled up his forehead and he looked between Katara and her brother. "Wait- Are you two… really royalty?"
"Not really," Katara simpered – a look that made his heart miss a beat. "Our dad is the Chief of the Southern Water Tribe, but it's not like it is in the Fire Nation… it's not really a title we use or a custom we follow. It is apparently what they do in the Northern Water Tribe, though – the children of the chief being Princes and Princesses."
"Who knows, it might become a Southern thing too," Sokka pointed out. "They're trying to unite the tribes after all. And then maybe Katara and I will start wearing crowns and speaking very properly." Again, he sat up straight, chest puffed out, and lifted his pinky finger while holding his chopsticks. "Why, my dear sister, Princess Katara, are you enjoying this delightfully royal meal that has so graciously been served to us?"
"Indeed I am, my beloved brother, Prince Sokka," She followed along, lifting her pinky finger as she held up her spoon. "The soup is truly exquisite, if not for the loss of feeling in my tongue."
The others laughed and Zuko fought a smirk. It was a side of Katara he had only glimpsed briefly; her sense of humor. Even though it didn't come quite naturally to her as it did her brother, he thought she was funny nonetheless. He knew he should be annoyed with their mockery of royalty, but seeing her like this was a breath of fresh air. She glanced over at him with a cheeky smile and he abruptly looked away again.
"So Toph," Sokka continued, "What about if I do become a Prince? What then?"
"That'll never happen, Meatball," She teased.
"I still don't have a nickname," Suki interjected. "I don't know whether to be worried or relieved."
"I'd be happy about that if I were you," Katara muttered.
"Give it some time," Toph smiled innocently.
"What about Honeybuns? Or… Love Muffin?" Sokka suggested.
"Ew, no," The blind girl stuck out her tongue.
"Snookums? Wuggles…?" He went on.
"It's just getting worse," Toph replied, moving to plug her ears.
Katara covered her mouth as to not spit out the food she was chewing on.
"It's not a petname, Sokka," Suki laughed.
The light-hearted banter continued through the rest of dinner, and, despite himself, Zuko eventually relaxed into the flow of things. He was enjoying it. For a moment, it felt like he belonged.
Once everyone had eaten their fill, they haphazardly thanked Zuko for the meal and departed. As Katara walked through the door, he chanced a look over his shoulder. They caught each other's gaze again, but this time it was her who quickly turned away. When they were gone, Zuko grunted in frustration. Could he really betray her trust?
His heart leapt whenever she smiled. His arms ached to hold her again. His lips still tingled at the memory of their kiss. Had this all been a mistake? Had he set himself up for failure? Out of habit, he reached into his pocket and found the cool blue pendant that resided there, brushing over it with the pad of his thumb. It then occurred to him that he should give it back. Holding onto this trinket of hers only enabled his longing, making it harder to let go – a constant reminder of the effect she had on him.
Decisively, he got to his feet.
…
Katara hummed an old water tribe tune as she filled the iron tub in her room. Suki was right, the water was cold, but the allure of bathing was simply too enticing given the opportunity. She hadn't bathed since before her fight with General Fong and for some reason, in the presence of Zuko, she felt extra conscious of her hygiene.
She was relieved when she opened one of the bottles that she had found in the top drawer of the dresser and the fragrant scent of flowers filled her nose. It was some kind of oil, a golden liquid that she dabbed lightly on her neck and inhaled. She could detect hints of jasmine and some other floral aroma, unfamiliar to her senses but pleasing nevertheless. When the bath was filled, she removed her outer layers, placing her tunic and her leggings in a pile near the foot of the tub.
As she moved to undo her bindings, however, a knock on the door stopped her hands at the knots. Katara frowned, wondering who might be knocking at this time. Perhaps it was Suki or her brother. With a sigh, she wrapped herself in her tunic once more, not bothering to tie the belt at her waist, and ambled across the room to the door.
The iron hinges squealed as she pulled the heavy door open and her eyes widened when they fell on the banished prince himself, standing awkwardly in the hall.
"Oh- um, Zuko," She stammered, tightening her hold on her tunic. "I- uh, didn't expect to see you…"
There was something simmering in his eyes and his molten gaze made heat rise to her cheeks.
"S-sorry," She continued, looking down at her bare feet. "I was just about to take a bath."
As if just then noticing her state of undress, Zuko quickly averted his gaze. "Oh- sorry, I didn't… mean to interrupt."
"No- you aren't," She quickly replied. "I hadn't gotten in yet."
There was an awkward silence in which he refused to meet her eyes and her mind began wandering. What was he here for? He certainly seemed troubled about something. As if in answer, her thoughts drifted back to dinner – to her and Sokka's impersonation of royalty. Guilt filled her conscience as she realized that her joke must have wounded his pride.
"I'm- um, sorry if Sokka and I offended you…"
"Offended me?" He turned back to look at her again.
"With our joking at dinner… about being royalty," She continued, "We may have gotten carried away and- well, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings or-"
"You didn't," He replied curtly.
"Oh-… okay," Katara returned her eyes to the cold metal floor. Whatever he was here for, he seemed reluctant to come forth with it. When the silence persisted, she sighed and gave him a small smile. "Well, since you're here… could I borrow your skills?"
"What?" The eyebrow on the unmarred side of his face shot up.
"Your firebending… for my bathwater," She clarified, flustered by the belated recognition of the intimacy of her request.
"Right," He responded with a quick shake of his head, "Of course."
She moved aside, allowing him to step through the threshold, and watched as he made his way over to the tub and knelt down, dipping his hands in the water.
"Thanks," She followed him, standing nearby. He nodded in response, focused on his hands which appeared to be emitting heat into the frigid water. "I'm used to cold baths," Katara went on, filling the silence with idle chatter. "It's inevitable in the South Pole – water doesn't stay warm for very long and we never had a tub or anything to bathe in," She cursed herself for her lack of a filter; why was she telling him about how she bathed in the Southern Water Tribe? He certainly didn't need to know the details of her bathing routines. "But I've come to find that warm baths are so much better," She finished with a sigh.
"When I'm around, you'll never have to take a cold bath again," He quietly replied, before dropping his head in what seemed like embarrassment. The gesture relaxed her and she smiled – realizing that he too felt the awkward weight of their current circumstance.
"I'll be sure to take advantage of that, then," She gave him a mischievous grin that he appeared to catch from the corner of his eye. As if in response, the water around his hands started boiling and he quickly removed them with a pained grunt.
"Are you okay?" She took a step towards him, reaching for his hands, but he pulled them away from her grasp.
"I'm fine," He stood. "You might-uh… want to wait a minute for the water to cool down some."
"Are you sure you're okay? Let me take a look at your hands."
He held them out for her to inspect, averting his gaze again when she took his hands in hers.
"They look fine," She sighed, "I was just worried you might have burned yourself."
The corner of Zuko's lip curled up in apparent amusement.
"So, was there… something you wanted to say to me?" She asked after a moment.
"What?"
"Well, you knocked on my door…"
"Oh, right," Zuko seemed to return to his senses. He reached into a pocket in his pants, "I, uh… came to give you this." From the pocket, he pulled out a blue ribbon. She watched in shock when the pendant caught the dim candlelight as he held it up for her.
"My- my mother's necklace!" Katara breathed, lifting her hand to touch the engraved pendant. "How did you- where did you find it?"
"I didn't steal it if that's what you're asking," He quickly defended himself.
"I didn't think you did," She smirked.
"I- I found in on Kyoshi Island… after you left."
Katara grinned, tears collecting in her eyes at the thought of having her necklace back after all this time. Without it, she had felt as though part of her was missing. "I thought I had lost it forever… it's-… it's all I have left of my mother."
Zuko's eyes widened. "I'm sorry… I- I didn't mean to hold onto it for so long, I just-"
"Don't be ridiculous," Katara looked up at him, "I'm so glad that you found it!"
He nodded, looking down.
"Zuko…" She leapt at him then, wrapping her arms around his neck, "Thank you," Katara mumbled into his shoulder. "For this… for everything."
Caught off guard, Zuko stiffened at first, but soon relaxed into her, wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her further into the embrace.
"I can't tell you how much this means to me," Katara whispered. His arms tightened around her and she bit her lip, overjoyed to be in his arms once more. After a moment, she lifted her head to look into his eyes. "Do you think you could, um… help me put it on?"
Zuko released her with a terse nod and took hold of the ribbon in both hands before his gaze wandered further down, his unmarred cheek turning a faint shade of red. Katara realized then that, in her excitement, she had neglected to hold her tunic together and it hung open now, revealing her bindings underneath.
"Ah!" She blushed furiously, grabbing the loose ends and wrapping herself up once more, tying the belt properly this time. "Sorry- I, um-"
"It's nothing I haven't seen before," He murmured and her blush deepened at the memory of their kiss.
Zuko gestured for her to turn around and she did, facing away from him and collecting her hair to reveal the back of her neck. A shiver rushed down her spine when she felt his fingers ghost over her bare skin as he tied the two ends of the ribbon together.
"There," He added quietly, "It shouldn't come undone again now."
Katara turned back to him, brushing her fingertips over the pendant with a contented sigh. It dawned on her then just how close they were. She could feel the heat of his breath tickling her face and she chanced a glance up into his eyes. He was looking back down at her, the flickering candles in the corner reflected in his golden gaze as though she could see through his eyes to the fire inside – his very own flame. Her bottom lip found its way between her teeth again, and Zuko's eyes followed the movement, drifting down to stare at her lips.
Gradually, she tilted her chin upwards and parted her lips, uncertain whether she intended to say something or simply crash her mouth to his, but before the decision could be made, Zuko abruptly turned away, heading for the door.
"Enjoy your bath," He muttered, and left so quickly, Katara was sure she had just given herself whiplash.
The squealing door closed behind him and she felt her knees go weak, reaching out to catch the edge of the tub in order to steady herself. Pulling in shallow breaths to fill her lungs, she quieted her thundering heart. What was that about? Calming herself, she removed her tunic and proceeded to undo her bindings, allowing them to drop into a pile at her feet.
The water had cooled to a reasonable temperature and she let out a long exhale as she sank into the hot tub, her mind swirling with thoughts of the banished prince. She imagined his hands in the water, the fire flickering in his eyes as he stared at her lips, and she sunk further down until she was up to her chin, flustered once more. Rubbing the pendant that had so fortunately been returned to her, she let out a throaty sigh. She had been certain they were about to kiss, but perhaps she had read him wrong.
Something about being on Zuko's ship, naked, submerged in water that he had heated for her, sent a tingle through her limbs. Heat collected in her belly and migrated downwards as she thought of their last kiss; of how he had seized control, climbing on top of her, pressing himself between her legs. I want you…
Following instinct, seeking some form of release from the carnal desire that swelled in her, Katara ran her hand downwards from her neck, fingertips lightly grazing her skin as she imagined they were Zuko's fingers and not her own. When the palm of her hand brushed against the perky bud of her breast, she shuddered, the sensation sending a pleasurable jolt through her core. Continuing down further, her breath caught in her throat when her hand cupped the sensitive area between her legs and a moan escaped her throat.
"Zuko…"
…
The candleflames in the corner of his room jumped, lapping at the ceiling as Zuko slammed the door, cursing himself. She had been so close. In his mind's eye, he saw her tilting her chin up towards him, her soft pink lips parting ever so slightly as her half-lidded eyes clouded with want. Katara had been expecting him to kiss her – and he had wanted to, more than anything – but somehow, he had managed to sabotage himself once again, flinching under the intensity of his boiling emotions and instead, fleeing for the door.
She must think him a coward. After all, it had technically been her who instigated their last kiss, crashing her lips to his with a force and passion that was not lessened by her lack of experience. He threw himself down on the bed, though, he was far too bothered to sleep any time soon.
His mind wandered, images of Katara filling his head; Her removing her bindings and stepping into the bath water that he, only moments ago, had his hands in to heat for her. He tried to bite back the desire growing in him like the candleflames leaping in the corner, but ultimately failed as his mind returned to her every time. What was she doing to him? Never before had another – particularly someone of the opposite sex – caused him to feel so unnerved and… powerless. Just a look from her could send him melting into a puddle or running for the door. Every ounce of control he possessed seem to evaporate in her gaze.
As much as he knew that he should be afraid of the power she held over him, he couldn't deny that the vulnerability he felt around her was inexplicably tempting, drawing him in. There was a level of intimacy between them that he had never thought he would share with another.
Zuko…
Her voice seemed to echo in the depths of his mind, beckoning him. He imagined her sinking into the bath again and heat rushed to his loins. Zuko glanced down and groaned when he saw his pants tenting, an indication of his poorly contained desire. He closed his eyes and reached downwards, conjuring a vision of Katara kneeling down before him, still in the bath, her brilliant blue eyes meeting his as she reached up to him.
Her name escaped his throat in a raspy moan.
"Katara…"
So, um... yeah. I did just end this chapter with mutual pining (and masturbation)... and that's [one of the reasons] why I have given this fic an M rating! Hope it didn't seem too forced or out of place; I mean, it has sort of been 25 chapters in the making. I just love writing awkward Zuko scenes, and even though he can be rather forward sometimes, he also has a tendency to withdraw whenever things make him nervous or uncomfortable - like his own feelings.
What did you think of the zutara reunion? Their interactions with the water tribe? Zuko's plan/intentions? The unbridled desire? (;
Please review! I love love love to hear readers thoughts, especially when I write M rated stuff because I'm still rather new to it and I always wonder if I'm doing it justice, taking it too far, or grossing people out with my dirty mind hahah
...
With love,
A Storm