Chapter Thirty-Eight
A few weeks after Katara's eye opening conversation with Kima, she was unpacking her trunk once again, this time, in Wu Li's guest bedroom in a modest house near the hospital. Katara had taken a gamble, Wu Li had told her she would always be welcome at the hospital, and the older woman had welcomed her with open arms and offered her the spare room. The kindly woman was wise and chose not to ask questions or press for answers. She let Katara go at her own pace, letting her know that once she was settled, she was welcome to start working at the hospital like she used to. Katara's one request was that Wu Li not let the Fire Lord know she was back. A head covered in black and gray hair bowed once in a nod of understanding.
The room was modest with a bed, a dresser, and a nightstand, but it wasn't like Katara needed much. She began unpacking her trunk, removing the nine sealed scrolls, still unread, and put them in the top drawer in the back corner before filling the drawer with more clothes. Once Katara had finished unpacking, she sat on the bed for a long time, letting her thoughts wander. She wondered for the umpteenth time if this was the right decision. Should she back in the fire nation? Should she have stayed at the south pole with her family? Then she had to remind herself of her conversation with Kima, and remember, that this was for the best. This way, she could help people and contribute, at least partially, the way she used to.
Katara let out a long sigh and touched the scar on her side, the one given to her by Cane after Zuko and Azula's Agni Kai. Her thoughts drifted back further to the days in the cave. When her thoughts drifted dangerously into too personal territory, she gave her head a little shake and stood, straightening her traditional short sleeved blue gown that hung past her knees but were slit up the sides to her hips and in this heat she had traded in her long leggings for a pair of shorts. She reached up to make sure her hair was still situated as she had styled it earlier in front of a reflective surface; the front was pulled back in a braid and the rest hung loose down her back. This way, it kept her long locks out of her face and out of her way when she was healing.
Katara walked down the hall and passed the kitchen and she paused, looking at fruits and breads on the counter, an open invitation from Wu Li. She hadn't eaten all day, her nerves wouldn't allow it and even now, it held little appeal. Katara continued her brisk walk out the front door and down the road a few blocks to the hospital.
She passed a lot of startled, but pleasantly surprised nurses and doctors that she had been familiar with before she had returned home. She waved sheepishly at them, getting more and more confident the further she walked. Finally she spotted Wu Li and as the older woman turned from the patient she was currently tending and gave Katara a startled look.
"Katara, what are you doing here? Didn't you want to unpack and relax?"
Katara smiled at her concern. "I've already unpacked, but I've kind of just been itching to get back to work."
Wu Li smiled knowingly and nodded. "Of course. Dr. Tanzu could probably use your help. His nurse, Micco is home today with a sick child." Wu Li leaned in and conspiratorially whispered to Katara, "To be honest, he's quite useless without a nurse." She pulled back and gave the younger woman a wink.
Katara chuckled. "Sure thing." She strode off in search of Dr. Tanzu, eager to get to work.
Katara fell into a comfortable routine over the next few weeks. She would wake, Wu Li would prepare them a modest breakfast, Katara would clean up while Wu Li would prepare them a quick lunch and then the two women would walk to the hospital together. Once at the hospital, the familiar chaos was like a soothing balm and Katara could lose herself for hours at a time, so intently focused on her patients. Lunch was snuck in when and where it could be. Wu Li left at a reasonable time each day, but Katara would stay until things were done, or a doctor would inevitably send her home. Wu Li would have already washed up and began dinner by the time Katara would walk through the door, exhausted but content for the first time in a long time. She would greet Wu Li before heading to the bath for a nice, long soak. When she emerged, clean and dry, she would join Wu Li for a hearty meal. After which, the older woman would excuse herself to go to bed while Katara cleaned up after dinner. Once the kitchen was back to rights, she would go to bed in order to start all over again the next morning.
At the same time, in the royal palace, one thing remained true, gossip was always abundant. Iroh drank tea and played pai sho with one of his many friends. Iroh had meant to go back to Ba Sing Se and his Jasmine Dragon tea shop, but his nephew was having a hard time and he couldn't bring himself to leave Zuko on his own. Iroh took another sip as his friend filled him in on all the latest gossip.
"Governor Ranko was caught by his wife with his mistress… again." Iroh nodded and moved a tile on the board, not surprised by this. "Madame Oken's heirloom ruby necklace went missing a few days ago. She investigated the whole staff before she learned her son lost it in a poker game."
Iroh grimaced for the elderly woman. "That boy was never taught any restraint." He murmured.
"That hospital on the poor side of town seems to have gotten another water bending healer." His friend listed next as he moved his own pai sho tile.
This bit of gossip grabbed Iroh's attention and he set his teacup down, examining the board carefully as he casually asked, "Another water bending healer?"
His friend rubbed his chin and stroked his beard, trying to remember the specifics he had heard the other day. "Maybe it's the same water bender from before…"
"The one that was staying at the palace?"
"Yeah… the one that traveled with the Avatar. I think that's her; I can't remember if Izusu said it was the same girl or not. Sorry, my memory isn't what it used to be." He said, looking embarrassed.
"It's of no consequence. What else do you have?" Iroh said dismissively, the wheels in his mind already turning. They went back to their game while Iroh's friend continued sharing gossip.
A few days later Iroh decided it was time to check in on the little hospital run by Wu Li and make sure her hospital wasn't wanting for anything that the palace could provide. He turned down the carriage ride, opting to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine as he made the long trek to the underprivileged part of the of town. Iroh took his time, stopping to chat with vendors and citizens along the way. He finally made it to the hospital and walked through the front doors. There was a nurse at a desk just past a group of chairs, meant for patients that were waiting. Iroh nodded to a little girl that watch him walk by and greeted the nurse warmly.
"Hello my dear, my name is Iroh and I come from the palace. Is Wu Li around? I'd like to talk to her."
The nurse smiled warmly at the older man. "Just a moment sir, I'll just get another nurse to locate her for you. She's doing rounds on the floor right now." The young woman excused herself and found another young woman and relayed the message to her. The other woman nodded and hurried off. The front desk nurse came back and nodded to Iroh. "She will fetch Wu Li for you. Please have a seat while you wait."
"Thank you and gladly. These old bones are not what they used to be." Iroh chuckled self depreciatingly. Iroh let out an appreciative sigh as he settled himself in one of the chairs. He sat contentedly until he heard his name called.
"Iroh?"
"Wu Li! It is an absolute delight." Iroh said, climbing to his feet and meeting the woman and bringing her hand to his lips for a brief kiss.
"It's a pleasure seeing you again. What can I do for you?"
"It has been a while since I've been by to check and see if there's anything you or your staff need."
Wu Li smiled. "Come, let us walk."
Iroh offered his arm and Wu Li chuckled, looping her arm through his. They slowly walked through the hospital halls, the large open rooms filled with beds, separated by moth-wasp eaten curtains, the bed sheets in much the same condition. "Looks like you will be requiring new linens."
The older woman tracked his gaze and sighed. "Yes, I suppose we will."
Iroh patted the hand laced through his arm. They continued their walk and Wu Li mentioned other short comings the free clinic had been experiencing. At one point, Iroh spotted a flash of blue from the corner of his eye and he subtly cast his glance to see a familiar young woman bent over a patient in bed, her face lit by the ethereal glow of her healing waters. A small smirk appeared on his lips before he once again schooled his features and dutifully continued to give Wu Li his full attention. After his brief tour and composing a mental list of things the hospital needed, he bid Wu Li farewell and began making his slow way back to the palace.
Once back at the palace, Iroh stopped by the kitchens and prepared a pot of tea. He put the pot and two cups on a tray and began the long walk to a heavy set of doors. He balanced the tray on one hand and knocked on the thick wood of the door.
"Come in." Came the muffled response from the other side and Iroh opened the door, stepped through, and closed the door behind him, all while balancing the tray. He approached a large wooden, highly polished desk covered in stacks of paperwork and Iroh managed to clear a small space to set down the tray and pour two steaming cups of tea, offering one to the man across the desk and taking one for himself as he sat gratefully in the chair on the opposite side of the desk.
"Thank you, Uncle." Zuko took a long sip and some of the lines on his face smoothed. He studied his Uncle as he massaged a sore foot propped on his knee. "What have you been up to today?"
His Uncle took his time, trading feet to massage in a dramatic show for his nephew's benefit. "I went on a long walk today and visited with Wu Li at her clinic."
"That is a long walk." Zuko mused for a moment. "How was everything?" He asked becoming more serious.
"They're in need of more supplies. The condition of the place is old and worn, it might need you to take a look for yourself."
"Why don't you just make the arrangements? You were there and know what needs to be done." Zuko questioned.
Iroh nodded. "I could take care of the arrangements, but I think it important that you be there during the delivery. It is important for all your people to see you helping Fire Nation citizens."
Zuko sighed, knowing his Uncle was right, but dreading yet another task added to his already overwhelming list of things to do. Ruling a country needed his constant attention. Go figure. "If you can find time in my schedule, I'd be happy to do it."
Iroh nodded, drinking from his steaming mug once again. "I'm sure I can arrange something."
Sarahplainntall here! Thanks for sticking with me all my loyal readers! Meanonymously, I'm glad you liked Kima and hope you are happy with how the chapter turned out. Beautiful Evil sorry to keep you in suspense about the scrolls, but I hope you're happy with this chapter's development. You so cool, your comment made me laugh out loud and then I had to drag my boyfriend over so he could read it too! Pukachujan1999, like I told the others, I know I keep using those scrolls as a teaser! Sorry! But once again, I appreciate your kind reviews.
