Katara woke up to the sensation of being roughly shaken, Tophs punchy voice too loud in her ears, "Come on, Katara! For spirit's sake, wake up!"
Katara groggily understood that she must have overslept and that she needed to wake up now, but her eyelids felt like lead as she tried to open them, "Oh, get off me!" She groaned tiredly, pushing Toph's hands away.
Toph huffed frustratedly, "Good, you're awake. Now get up and dressed, Iroh is here, and we're just about to leave!"
Kataras eyelids shot open. Shit. She had forgotten all about the trip they were taking to Iroh's new tea shop today. She bolted up, swinging her legs off the bed so fast that Toph laughed, "Oh shut up," Katara mumbled as she hastily fastened her bindings.
Five minutes later, Katara was attempting to untangle her hair as she and Toph hurried into the palace entrance hall. To her dismay, she saw that everyone was waiting and ready to go, and a blush crept onto her cheeks.
"What took you so long?" Sokka asked, annoyed.
"Sugarqueen here was practically impossible to wake up!" Toph exclaimed, nodding towards Katara.
Katara sighed and walked up to Iroh, "It's wonderful to see you Iroh, I'm so sorry I overslept!"
Iroh chuckled and shook his head, "It's no trouble at all!" He drew her into a warm hug, "I'm so glad you're all here."
Kataras heart warmed at the hug, she glanced over at Zuko, and their eyes met. She saw that he still looked exhausted, but something in his eyes had changed. It was as if his old spark was once again alight. They shared a smile, the memories of last night passing silently between them.
After Zuko's confession, Katara had stayed with him for hours talking. They drank tea, he showed her the parts of the palace he had rebuilt, they even walked around the gardens. It was as if a great weight had lifted from his shoulders, Katara hadn't seen him so elated since before Sozin's comet. It felt like she had gotten a friend back, a friend that had been missing for years.
The beginnings of a plan formed as they sat by the pond at spirits know what hour of the night. Katara was adamant that Zuko needed to go out and see the changes he'd made in the world for himself, it seemed the only way to make him realize that he actually was making the nations a better place and empowering the people once again. Of course, it took time, as everything does, but Katara thought that seeing how far it had already come would make Zuko feel much better. So they sat planning a trip, discussing where they would start, which cities they should pass through, what events they should attend. And before they knew it, the sky was turning from black to deep blue, and by the time Katara was creeping silently back into her room, a pink streak was visible in the east. She had no idea what time it had been when she fell asleep, but it felt like she had barely closed her eyes when Toph shook her awake. Still, she didn't regret it for a second, now that she knew what was bothering Zuko, she could start working on helping him.
The group set off from the palace in the already bright sun, and they began making their way through the capital. The already large city had expanded in the past few years since the war. New houses had been built all down the mountain towards the harbor, turning the rocky terrain into steep streets full of life. Iroh led the way through the streets of the crest, now and then stopping to point something out to the group. During the tour, Suki sidled up to Katara as they walked, "You look dreadful!" She said quietly, joining her arm with Kataras with a smile, "How come you weren't at breakfast?"
Katara let out a small laugh, "Gee, thanks! I just overslept, I didn't exactly get much sleep last night," She admitted.
"Oh, that's all... I just thought, well, Zuko missed breakfast too, so I thought..." Suki trailed off, not looking at Katara.
"You thought what?" Katara urged.
"Well... You know, when you guys were kind of a thing, I thought maybe you guys had rekindled something and snuck off together or something?" She said, wiggling her eyebrows with a slight giggle.
Now Katara couldn't help but laugh, "Where on earth did you get that notion from? You know perfectly well I was the one crushing on him, and he clearly wasn't interested," She sighed and rolled her eyes, wondering how she ever could have thought telling Suki about her crush on Zuko had been a good idea. "Besides, that was years ago!" She finished, exasperatedly.
"I'm not so sure..." Suki said thoughtfully.
"Sure of what?"
"Sure that he was uninterested," Suki said, looking at Katara now. "I know he got back together with Mai, but for a while, I was totally sure you two would get together." Katara just rolled her eyes at her. "No, really, I saw the way he looked at you!" Suki insisted.
Katara didn't have the opportunity to reply, the group had come to a halt before a large tea house overlooking the harbor below. The outside seating area had a view of the bustling fish market that had sprung up by the docks, making the once foreboding place look welcoming. Katara smiled, this was Iroh's dream come true. Iroh had opened a tea shop in Ba Sing Se at the end of the war, the Jasmin Dragon. But once Zuko returned to the Fire Nation Capital, his joy had faded. Sokka and Suki had visited from time to time but who he really wanted to see was Zuko. He finally made up his mind and sold the place, moving back to the Fire Nation capital to begin working on a new tea shop. And now it was finally done.
Iroh stood for a moment, gazing at the entrance to his tea house, a smile warming his wrinkled face. "Here we are then, the Dragon of Oolong!" He finally exclaimed to the group, gesturing at the building. Kataras eyes fell on a carved wooden statue of a lifesized man by the entrance. His sharp features had been expertly sculpted and painted with a delicate hand, by his feet were planted flowers, burning incense, and a bronze plaque that simply read 'Lu Ten'. Iroh had never spoken about Lu Ten with her, but she knew he had been Iroh's son and had lost his life in the Seige of Ba Sing Se. As Katara walked past the life-like statue, she said a small prayer under her breath, wishing him a continued peaceful rest.
As she entered the building, the smell of dozens of different tea sorts hit her, reminding her of that happy day they had spent at the Jasmin Dragon after the war. That was so long ago now, Katara remembered feeling like their victory would ensure that nothing would ever trouble her again. That everything was right in the world and would stay so forever. How wrong she had been. She sighed, shaking her head to ward off those memories, the jealousy she had felt seeing Mai and Zuko together that day. She forced a smile and followed the rest of the group into the crowded tea house.
"Wow, Iroh, this place is popular!" Sokka said, looking around at the crowded tables, the hum of many voices almost drowning his words.
Iroh chuckled, "Come on in, I'll find a table for you! You must try my white lotus blend." He was clearly happy here. Katara and the rest followed him through a curtained doorway to a small room at the back. Large windows along the back wall gave a view of the sea, and a low table with sitting cushions occupied the floor. "This is my private tea room," Iroh grinned, "Come on, sit down, and I'll go and make you some tea!"
"Uncle, could you please bring some of those steamed parsley buns from the kitchen? Katara and I missed breakfast." Zuko asked. Katara caught his eye, and for some reason, she felt her cheeks flood with heat. Maybe it was just how it sounded as if they had missed breakfast together.
"Of course, Zuko," he said, leaving the room while humming to himself.
Katara sat down on a cushion, her belly grumbling, angrily reminding her of the breakfast she missed. She looked up to see Zuko sitting down beside her. "Hey," he said quietly, his head close to hers. Clearly, his words were meant for just her.
"Hey, sleep well?" She asked with a chuckle, looking at the bags under his eyes, although hers were surely just as bad.
"Oh yeah! Never better," He gave a slight laugh, "At least I wasn't late for the tour."
"Oh, don't make me feel worse about that!" she nudged him with his elbow, and he chuckled again. Katara smiled, it had been so long since she had heard him laugh so lightly as if he was truly in the moment and not thinking about the paperwork on his desk. Katara looked across the table, only to meet Suki's eyes; she was smiling and raised an eyebrow as if to say, 'I see you guys'. Katara just shook her head. It wasn't like that.
The moment was broken when a young, pretty girl walked into the room carrying a basket of steamed buns that smelt heavenly. Her long hair swayed as she set the basket on the table, "Enjoy!" She said sweetly.
"Oh good, I'm starving!" Sokka announced loudly.
"You just had breakfast!" Toph scolded.
"That was like an hour ago," Sokka groaned, making everyone laugh, except Aang. Katara looked at him, but his eyes were locked on the serving girl arranging the basket, his mouth was slightly agape. Katara rolled her eyes with a smile as Aangs eyes followed the girl until she vanished behind the curtain. Then he caught Kataras eye and smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. Katara turned to Zuko, "I'll be right back," she said before grabbing one of the delicious-looking buns and standing up. She walked to the other side of the table, squeezing back down between Suki and Aang.
Suki was busy kissing Sokka, who actually seemed more interested in the buns than her but was reluctantly going along. Katara laughed at her brother and turned to Aang, "She's cute," she whispered.
"I guess," he mumbled, embarrassed.
"Oh, come on, you were totally checking her out!" Katara insisted.
Aang couldn't help but smile a little, Katara always did this, "It doesn't matter, I'll probably never see her again."
"Don't be so pessimistic! You never know, if you actually talk to her instead of just staring at her, something might happen!"
"What's the point? We're leaving again in just a few days, and we probably won't come back here in a few months." Aang sighed.
"So keep it short and sweet, no strings attached!" Suki said with a giggle, suddenly joining the conversation as Sokka turned to devour a bun.
Aangs cheeks flushed slightly, "You know that's not my style!" He insisted.
Aang and Suki continued the discussion, but Katara fell silent, zoning out. Aangs words bounced around in her head, 'we're leaving in a few days, and we probably won't come back for a few months'. But how was she supposed to help Zuko if she left again? What about the trip they had planned? She doubted Zuko would do it alone, and for all she knew, he would just go back to the way he had been when she got here, shutting the world out again. Sure, he was behaving like his old self again, but she was certain she was the only person Zuko had confided his problems in. Clearly, he wasn't ready to open up to the rest of the group about it yet, which meant he still wasn't processing it properly. She couldn't leave now, not when she had come this far with helping him; she knew that much. But could she really abandon Aang? He who had been her closest friend for so long now, who was like a brother to her. She didn't think so.
She rose silently to her feet, not quite aware of her legs carrying her towards the exit.
"Hey, where are you going?" She heard Toph call from the table.
"I just, I have a terrible headache actually, I'm just going to sit outside for a bit and get some fresh air." She lied, forcing her voice to sound calm and not turning to meet Tophs eye. She quiclḱly walked through the curtain to avoid more questions, immediately feeling overwhelmed by the mass of people on the other side. Rushing through the crowded seating area, she finally burst through the door onto the cool stone steps outside. She closed the door behind her, the sound of voices disappearing as she took a deep breath. Just as she took her first step down the stone steps, the door opened behind her again, turning around, she saw Zuko in the doorway.
"Here," he simply said, holding out a napkin containing two warm buns, "You need to eat something."
Katara nodded, taking the bundle, "Thanks, I... I'll be back in soon. I just need some time, okay?"
"Of course," Zuko gave her a smile and turned, knowing not to push her with questions. He disappeared back through the door.
Clutching the napkin in her hands, she walked to a bench she had spotted earlier. It sat serenely beneath the shade of a large oak tree right at the edge of the upper ring of the mountain. She sat down and let her breath out, it felt as if she had been holding it for a long time. Katara looked down at the bun in her hand; it was beautifully made by skilled hands, the patterns perfect and uniform. She stared at it for ages until it turned cold in her hands, the warmth seeping out of her as well. Minutes passed, and as a wet teardrop hit the bun, she realized she was crying. She had never learned how to make steamed buns; her mother had died before teaching her, and although gran had tried, there was just too much to do at home. She never had time for anything other than taking care of others, doing the washing, fetching the water, mending, and making clothes. Something broke inside of her and she threw the bun off the edge of the mountain with as much power she could muster as a heavy sob racked her body.
She was so, so tired. She had been for years.