Hello everyone! Here's a new chapter for you! Hope you will like it! Do not hesitate to leave a review after your reading!
Previously: Zuko is still recovering from his injured shoulder and while he can walk again, he can no longer control fire properly and must avoid overexertion. Kiyi, his little sister - unable to do anything about her brother's condition - continues to train in firebending. Katara offered to train her in the absence of Iroh, who was administering the Fire Nation in Zuko's place, who could only train her without his bending. The Kyoshi Warriors under Suki's leadership returned to defend the Fire Lord, while Iroh learned more by questioning the man who had struck Zuko down. The truth is gaining ground every day...
*Chapter 4 - Teach me*
Zuko refused to sit down, wanting to know without delay what his uncle had learned. Katara did her best not to stare too much at the huge red room, which honestly impressed her. Almost as impressive as the glaciers of the South Pole and the vastness of the ice floes mingling with the ocean. Zuko's throne was also impressive, but he no longer had the flames burning in front of him like his father did. Anyway, he didn't really stand still on it and would inevitably get up to speak to those he was meeting.
"What did you learn, uncle?" Zuko asked, doing his best to hide his impatience.
He was burning with desire to know who dared threatening his family. Katara felt him tense up. It was always so confusing to feel him tense up without even touching him. It even affected her own body, which also tensed.
"The New Ozai Society has been disbanded, our last operation against your sister Azula having been successful. I think your mother should have a word with you about that." Iroh began and only continued after Zuko nodded. Azula's imprisonment was an ongoing argument between Zuko and his mother - who would like to see her free. He sighed, but promised himself to talk to her again.
"In fact, several networks coordinated for this attack. Mostly criminal networks, some of which are made up of former members of the New Ozai - like our friend. Some of them actually attacked your mother that night, but um, they had the great honor - or misfortune - of running into me before they got to them" he laughed with a satisfied chuckle before coughing to get back to serious. "They are taking advantage of the instability of the three nations to act, the Earth Kingdom itself is still fragile. They used corruption to get to us. I think we'll have to go offer some cups of tea to some of our friends in high places to find out what this is all about."
And by offering a few cups of tea, he meant visiting the powerful people of the Fire Nation to remind them of their place. The penalty of exile and economic embargo was hanging over their heads now. It was a reasonable punishment for Zuko, Iroh had taught him to use the keys of his power well, for power is built on the loyalty of its subjects and the ability of their leader to give them confidence. But the people Zuko faced mostly preferred the times when the Fire Nation imposed its supremacy on others. Teaching them to live in balance again was delicate.
"Criminal networks?" Katara asked, both intrigued and afraid to know what that meant. She knew there were dissident groups, such as those who had kidnapped the Earth King during negotiations at the South Pole, but it was still political. Or so she thought.
"Weapons, women, slaves, according to what our friend said. All topped off with corruption and blackmail. Some people lost everything in the hundred years of war, and some people benefited and still benefit handsomely. I have sent a bird to Aang, perhaps it will confirm this... Although I hope not. Our desire for balance between nations threatens their petty business, so they hope to silence us." Iroh explained. His tone was dark, far from his usual humorous one. Katara shivered at his words. Trafficking in women?
"How could our desire for balance threaten them?" Zuko asked in astonishment. For him, it was the opposite; balance meant that many different people were involved in the life of the world, and the more people involved, the greater the risk of corruption and the less it could be suppressed. But, taking these risks consciously, he did not understand how the reverse - lack of balance - could lead to the extinction of these networks.
"They take advantage of the fear your father has inspired in poor people over the years. They offer them protection in exchange for money, otherwise their lives are ruined. The balance would allow for a broader protection of the world, with the four nations - well, the three - working together, not on their own. In the past, the nations could not rely on anyone but themselves for support, but now that is changing, thanks to you Zuko, and you Katara, and the great work that Aang has done in the last few years. People will have more and more confidence in the balance than in these networks, which will be threatened. They are trying to nip this in the bud." Iroh continued, interrupted by Zuko, who was beginning to see the crux of the problem.
"They were taking advantage of our differences and the fact that we are divided to rule the different nations through money and trafficking if I understand correctly?" he asked. Iroh nodded, so he continued. "And I suppose my father had other things to worry about besides trafficking."
"Many Fire Nation soldiers even contributed to it, Zuko. Power does terrible things to those who are blinded by it, you both know that better than anyone." Iroh said painfully.
Zuko knew it, yes, he still wore it on his face. Katara wore it around her neck, where her mother's necklace was tied, killed by the Fire Nation. They knew full well how far those who desired absolute power were capable of going. The two young adults were appalled by Iroh's revelations. How could this world be so corrupted? Their childish eyes had seen so little in the days of their great travels, now it was all so horribly real. Zuko was always focused on plots to overthrow him, but, usually, it was isolated groups that only wanted to get to him. Nothing like the ones who attacked him, who by the way combined all the masteries - except for air of course.
"There has to be someone who was close to Azula at the head of these networks, only she could teach them lightning bending and chi blocking she saw when she was friends with Ty Lee." Zuko surmised, pretty sure of what he was saying. But there was nothing certain, Iroh showed him.
"They have groups that develop bending to the extreme, some may have learned it for themselves. At least our friend said that it was in these groups that he had tried to master chi blocking, and that he had mastered lightning. However, he denies any connection with Azula. It is possible that they learned these things on their own. After all, I can't be the only one to have invented and discovered certain bending tricks after all!" he said, torn between joyful sarcasm and sadness. A silence fell in the room.
This silence was broken after a long time by Zuko.
"What can we do? We must always support the Harmony Restoration Movement and preserve our nation from unnecessary wars!" he exclaimed, his throat tight. He thought his father's challenge when he was thirteen - to find the Avatar - was a tall order, but it was nothing compared to the difficult role he now faced as Fire Lord. The words of his father, whom he had met in prison many years ago, came back to him.
"Do you think being Fire Lord is easy?" he had said to him, stopping him in his tracks as he walked out of his father's cell. "The throne comes with many pressures, and those pressures will change you! But if you can stand up the heat, you will become something more. Of all people in this world, I have the wisdom you need, the wisdom of experience! Be honest with yourself Zuko, do you really believe you can handle it all on your own?"
Well, today he wasn't alone, his uncle was there with him, as well as Aang, Katara and - although he hadn't seen her for a long time - Toph too. His mother and Kiyi were there too. He was not alone, and he could bear this burden. And he would.
"Right now, your only concern is to get well." Iroh told him, placing his hand on Zuko's healthy shoulder. "You must be able to defend yourself again before you can return to duty as a Fire Lord."
Zuko felt himself weakening. His shoulder was becoming sore again from tensing up. He wasn't sure if he would ever fully heal, a strange emotion took hold of him. Fear. Katara looked into his eyes. She was determined, as always.
"I will help you, Zuko, I promise. Your uncle and Aang can handle this in the meantime, I'm sure." she told him in an encouraging voice that seemed to soothe him somewhat. She always had the right words.
"I'm counting on you, Katara, and if he tries to rebel, don't be afraid to knock him down! In the meantime, I'll try to find out exactly which network we're dealing with, and hope that there's only one involved..."
"Let me know if you learn anything else." Zuko said in an authoritative tone. He wouldn't stand it if his uncle kept something from him, not that he ever did.
"I think you'll be able to call me to order if I forget, don't you Zuko?" teased Iroh gently.
He knew that Zuko would keep asking him for news, hating to be out of the loop. Zuko gave a grunt, knowing that he sometimes had a bad temper when he wanted something, information in this case. Katara smiled with amusement and Zuko noticed.
"Don't laugh at me Katara." he warned with a rather dark tone that made the small smile on her lips disappear.
"That wasn't my intention Zuko." she sighed. He was still grumpy as ever, there was no denying it. He had that nervous tic in his jaw, the one he had when he was annoyed. But he was far more annoyed with himself than with Katara.
One of the military generals stationed in the Capital to advise the Fire Lord, or the Fire Lord's uncle if need be, returned with a long list. Katara took a few steps back. It wasn't really any of her business, though she was very curious as to how Iroh would go about unmasking the culprits. Zuko approached the scroll and was shocked.
"You don't mean to say that... All these citizens are potentially involved?" he exclaimed, taking the scroll from his uncle's hands, his eyes scrolling from the top to the bottom of the scroll. Names. Citizens of the Fire Nation. Iroh took it from him.
"You said the word Zuko. Potentially. And yes, they may be involved. Your rule isn't clear yet, and all these attacks aren't doing our business any good, but don't worry. When we know more, we can strike." Iroh told her.
Katara heard Zuko mumble. "And yet it's been six years." but Iroh didn't pick up on it. Katara didn't really have a clue what it meant to rule an entire nation, but after a hundred years of Sozin's rule and then his son Ozai, coming back to earth and balance must not have been to everyone's liking. As far as she knew, many were now imprisoned after investigation and trial, but there were still a lot of dissidents on the loose, not to mention that the image of the Fire Nation towards other peoples was far from being restored. No wonder Zuko was always under pressure and looking for something to do. There was far too much to do.
They talked some more and arranged summonses for the first ones on the list. Zuko was getting tired, his fever was returning and his arm was starting to hurt again, Katara could feel it. It was much stronger than just a twinge. It was time for her to regain her authority over her patient. Iroh saw him wince and immediately stopped what he was saying.
"Zuko... ?" Iroh questioned, clearly seeing that his nephew was not in his right mind. The latter repressed a grimace of pain, which he could no longer hide.
"I'm fine!" he growled, barely aware of the absurdity of his words. He was obviously not fine.
Katara intervened with a firm tone, the one she took with Sokka - and occasionally Aang - when she wanted to be heard.
"That's enough. That's enough information for today, Zuko, I need to give you another healing session." Katara told him in a tone that dared Zuko to try to challenge her decision.
He glared at her, having an irrepressible urge to make his shoulder wait. Iroh watched them fight with their respective looks, amused. Zuko usually responded with witty retorts, but now he seemed to hesitate. She raised an eyebrow, telling him that he could always try to play it smart, but he would lose.
He sighed and agreed to follow her, willy-nilly. "Well, let's go then. I'll see you at dinner, Uncle."
Katara smiled. He still had some self-preservation then. She accompanied him to his room, which in reality was not so far from the throne room. The walk was silent, neither of them wishing to discuss Iroh's disturbing assumptions. They entered the room, which had been cleaned of any blood that might have been on it. New bandages had been prepared by the doctors. They were effective, a quality that Katara appreciated and used to break the heavy silence that had set in.
"You've got some mighty fine doctors, Zuko." she commented as she sat him down on his bed. If he were to faint for any reason, at least he wouldn't get hurt.
Zuko was still a little cranky, wanting to know who wanted to kill him. But, suddenly relaxing his still tense face, he realised that his behaviour was not acceptable and wanted to apologise, in his own way.
"And you, a very unpleasant patient." he grumbled, annoyed at his own behaviour. Katara was surprised. On the contrary, he was one of the bravest patients she had ever had. And she had known him to be much more grumpy and out of control. She removed the cloth that held his left arm to his chest to prevent any movement on his shoulder.
"You're exaggerating, as usual." she told him gently as she tried unsuccessfully to undo his tunic, which was far more complex and imposing than the one he'd worn during the attack. She guessed that the servants assigned to this task must have helped him dress. They must know every piece of cloth the Fire Lord wore by heart. She sighed, unable to find the hooks holding his tunic together.
Zuko had to help her with his free hand. He pointed to the back of her tunic, which was hard to reach, and then guided Katara's hand over it. "Here."
Katara finally put her finger on the fasteners he was pointing to and looked sheepishly at him, she could have found it on her own. Then, suddenly, she blushed and looked back to her task. Undressing the Fire Lord was rather awkward now that he was in conscious. And it wasn't just for her that it was awkward. Zuko smiled almost imperceptibly at her sudden embarrassment. She chose to ignore this fact, as well as the fact that their faces were uncomfortably close, and act as she would with any other patient: with a cool head. He gave a slight groan as she pulled the tunic over his injured shoulder and removed it. He was now bare-chested, revealing his old scar in the middle of his chest, a memory of Azula, and the one he would soon have on his left shoulder.
She undid the bandage gently, but did not manage to spare Zuko completely. His face was tense, and he realised that the pain was still there. He had forgotten about it, but it called him back to order as he tried to extend his arm to make Katara's work easier. He watched, as if entranced, as her thin, tanned hands smoothly and quickly undid the strip of cloth. The wound finally found the open air. Katara breathed a sigh of relief. It was still red, so it was not infected. She gently touched the wound to see how much pain Zuko was in.
"Ouch!" he exclaimed, without moving, when Katara lightly ran her hand over a particularly painful spot.
She looked up at him. "Sorry."
He waved his right hand to tell her it was nothing, his jaw clenched in pain. Katara finally opened her waterbottle and began to heal him again. She particularly insisted on the point that had caused him to scream. Her eyes were firmly focused on the wound, analysing every action caused by her water to check that everything was normal. His face had come so close to Zuko's torso that he could almost feel her breath on him, as well as her amber scent mixed with that of the sea. A soothing scent, different from what he had been used to.
Katara was bathing in Zuko's amber scent, mixed with sweat and blood, but she didn't find it so unpleasant anymore. She finished a few minutes later and put her water back in her bottle, which she closed again. Then she took the clean bandages and reapplied them to his shoulder.
Zuko moved his arm slightly. He was still in pain, but it was less intense. He could move his arm a little more with each healing Katara did. "Mmh... That's better. Thank you Katara."
The waterbender returned a weak smile. This healing had cost her more energy than necessary, and having not recovered from her prowess of last night, she shouldn't have pushed so hard. She pressed the palm of her hand to her forehead, to relieve the headache that lurked, then shook her head to compose herself. She wasn't the sick one here. Zuko chose not to comment but promised himself to hide his pain better in the future, so that she could recover.
"Let's get you dressed now." she told him, grabbing the tunic left at her side. She had figured out how to undo it, reattaching it was going to be child's play. A child's play that took her five attempts to solve. Zuko watched her with amusement.
"Don't laugh at me, Zuko!" she said to him as she finally managed to tie his tunic. Zuko thought that it was he who had asked her not to laugh at him earlier. The situation was now reversed.
He made the affront of repeating what she had answered him earlier, by imitating her small voice. "That was not my intention, Katara."
She glared at him and then smiled cynically. "You know, Zuko, I was able to fix your shoulder, I'm more than capable to break it back into pieces again if I have to."
"And you would be forced to take care of me even longer - Ouch!" he replied before wincing as she grabbed him relatively gently, but hard enough for him to feel it a little, to shut him up. "Hey!" he cried out in rebuke as she stood up.
"We should go to dinner, your uncle will be waiting for us." she told him without paying attention to his reaction.
"I'll have my revenge." he grumbled, though with a hint of teasing in his voice.
Her answer - given in a tone of the evidence - made him roll his eyes. "I'd be very surprised if you didn't."
They went to dinner, accompanied by Suki and two other Kyoshi warriors who would follow Zuko at all times until the situation was cleared up. They were discreet, silent and elegant with their makeup and green brocade kimono that highlighted their metal armor. Katara was still dressed in red, and blended in quite well. The only things that still made her the waterbender everyone knew were the blue pearls that held her hair and her mother's necklace. She had also decided to wear Kiyi's bracelet. Zuko noticed.
"I didn't know Kiyi had given you one too." he said as they walked, pointing to the bracelet she was wearing. He showed her his, adorned with the Fire Nation symbol. She had noticed it when he was unconscious.
"She gave it to me when you were asleep." Katara explained as she wiggled it to reveal the carved stone on her wrist. The symbol of Fire intertwined with that of Water. "It's beautiful."
Zuko couldn't help but notice the irregularity of the design but decided not to comment. Katara, however, felt his gaze nervously detailing said pattern. But he agreed with her. "It's true."
Iroh, Ursa and Kiyi were waiting for them when they arrived in the banqueting hall, where everyone ate together. The only exception was breakfast, as Zuko and Iroh were always up at dawn long before Ursa and Kiyi. There were even some nights when Zuko could hardly sleep, either because of nightmares or because of the time-consuming administration of the Fire Nation.
Zuko stood at the end of the table to preside over the meal, as was his custom, with Katara sitting to his right next to Kiyi.
"Your hip doesn't hurt anymore?" Katara asked.
Kiyi shook her head vigorously. "No, it's like nothing happened. Thanks again! And anyway, it's not the first time, nor the last, so..." she sighed. But she smiled. At least for a while, Katara would minimize the consequences of her training. She could train twice as hard.
"I'm not sure if there's a last time with you Kiyi." Zuko joked, earning a glare from his little sister.
"Hey, I'm not that bad!" she exclaimed, offended. She crossed her arms and put on a sulky face that made Iroh smile. She reminded him very much of a certain young man with a scar on his face. That young man who had now become Fire Lord.
"No, my dear, you're actually quite good, you know." her mother reassured her as she sat across from her. It was more or less what she used to say to Zuko when he was little and couldn't reach his sister's level, who was naturally gifted unlike him. They both remembered that.
She always had the heart to encourage her children, even if they weren't perfect, the important thing was that they kept improving. But Kiyi wanted to hear it from her big brother. Katara gave him a hard look.
"It was a joke Kiyi, you'll be a great firebender." Zuko told her with a smile that brightened her usually controlled face.
Kiyi smiled again. The first plates were served. Katara took a deep breath to swallow her noodle dish, which promised to be at least as spicy as the soup she'd had the night before. Even after several years incognito with Aang, Toph and Sokka in the Fire Nation, she had never been able to get used to their way of spicing up food. Her face quickly turned red as Zuko looked on mockingly. When she glanced at him, he looked away, pretending not to notice.
"Damn, even their food burns!" Katara thought as she struggled to finish her meal. The only thing that saved her was the bread on the table, which was the best way to absorb the spices, which were a bit too hot.
Zuko and Iroh were discussing their respective strategies at the Pai Sho, having decided not to worry Ursa and especially Kiyi too much about what they had discovered. Katara was listening to them, but not understanding everything. She hardly knew how to play this game.
"And you, my dear Katara, must have your own strategy at Pai Sho, right?" Iroh asked her suddenly, sensing that she was very interested in this conversation.
She blushed and twisted a lock of hair around her finger. "To tell the truth, I was never taught to play." she stammered. And by this sentence, she meant Aang, who knew how to play the game very well but had never taken the time to teach her during their short life together.
Iroh looked at her, shocked. "We'll have to do something about that!" He glanced first at Zuko, then at Kiyi, who, though not yet equal to her elders in this game, was still holding her own admirably.
"It's a good thing I have time to waste..." Zuko said darkly, hating to be "deprived" of his Fire Lord power. But it would take his mind off it, and his sister's. He tried to smile and turned to Katara. "Would you like that?"
"I would be honored to have the Fire Lord teach me to play, him and his illustrious younger sister!" she said in a falsely humble voice that showed her delight in learning something new.
It would keep her busy for a while. She didn't know how long she would have to stay here, it all depended on how Zuko's condition evolved. The fruits arrived and Katara devoured them with great gusto. At least they weren't full of spices. It was not yet dark and Zuko offered to teach her the basics that evening. Kiyi was allowed to watch Katara learn until it was dark.
Zuko took Katara and Kiyi to the room where he and his uncle used to play together when work permitted. And since Iroh had taken care of everything, while he recovered, he would put this room to good use. A marbled tray of Pai Sho awaited them on a low table, the tiles neatly arranged on the side of the table. Zuko decided that a game against Kiyi first would be the best way to show Katara how the game worked. Kiyi sat down facing Katara, and Zuko sat next to her. Their knees were almost touching.
"The purpose of the game is to create harmony around the central point. A Harmony is achieved when two compatible pieces are aligned in a line, like this." he said while showing her by placing the pieces on the board. "To win, you need to have four pieces that form a rectangle around the central point."
"Okay." she said with a nod indicating that she understood.
"The pieces are decorated with flowers as you can see. You have three red flowers: the Rose, the Chrysanthemum and the Rhododendron, which can move 3, 4 or 5 squares respectively. It's the same with the white flowers: the Jasmine, the Lily and the White Jade, which can move 3, 4 or 5 squares respectively." explained Zuko, who showed him the corresponding symbol on the tiles.
"Hm... It's quite complicated..." she commented, a little overwhelmed by all the information.
Zuko mechanically put his right hand on her arm, as he could do with Kiyi. "Don't worry, I'll remind you of the rules if you can't remember them."
He explained to her the compatibilities between the pieces, which ones could form a harmony - could be aligned - with others and which ones on the contrary could break the harmony. "Pieces that can move with the same number of moves are incompatible with each other, you won't be able to align them. But you can use them to break your opponent's harmony."
"So... Jasmine and Rose are incompatible, right?" Katara questioned.
Zuko was surprised that she understood so quickly. She promised to be a worthy opponent. It had taken him days to figure it all out when his uncle had taught him to play when he was much younger. "Right! Now I'll explain the special tiles you can choose at the beginning of the game, which you can play when you line up two of your pieces."
He explained and then came to the possible moves on the board. "Red flowers can only move into red or beige areas - which are neutral - and conversely for white flowers, they can only move into white or beige areas. But all the pieces can be placed around the central square." Zuko showed him, pointing to the different areas of the board.
The board consisted of a square divided into four triangles, two red and two white, and four small triangles at the top of the square through which the pieces entered the board. The rest was coloured beige, to symbolise a neutral zone. He finally explained a few small points of strategy to her and their first game began. Zuko had to remind her several times of the possible harmonies between each tile. Kiyi was leading the game well, but made small mistakes which allowed Katara to take advantage, with Zuko's good advice. She won every second game, but lost the last one, which she played without Zuko's help. Ursa came to get Kiyi to go to bed. Zuko gave her his usual hug and let her go, this time sitting opposite Katara.
"I don't understand why Aang didn't teach you how to play, he's a great player." Zuko said as he placed the pieces back on either side of the table for a new game.
He had had the opportunity to play with Aang almost every time he had visited the Capital. Katara rarely accompanied him, and enjoyed Kiyi's company more when she came. But it had been a long time since Aang had been there. Katara was embarrassed by his question.
"He was far too busy with his Avatar responsibilities..." she sighed, avoiding his gaze. She didn't blame Aang, he was doing his duty.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..." Zuko began. He had somewhat forgotten that she and Aang were no longer together. He remembered his own breakup with Mai very well and hated talking about it - though his mother had forced him to in order to not let his emotions boil inside him - so he could understand.
"It's nothing. One last game? I know I'm going to lose, but one day I'll beat you." Katara distracted him from his awkwardness as she grabbed her first tile and placed it.
"I've been playing this since I was eleven, it's going to take you a long time!" he taunted her as he placed his tile on the board.
"And you, quite a lot of patience" she retorted while continuing her game.
"Not my strongest suit." he continued as he began to bully Katara on the board. She was far too focused on her own tiles to notice his manoeuvres.
"I noticed that." she said, not noticing Zuko's subtle play.
He won the next three moves.
"I think I win, my dear Katara." he said in a soft, almost sensual voice, leaning over the board to signal his complete victory. Katara surprised herself by finding him... bewitching. Then she pushed the thought from her mind. He was bragging like a child, that's all.
"Don't think I'm going to give up so easily, my dear Zuko." she said, emphasizing his first name.
Zuko stifled a yawn but fumbled to hide it, groaning in pain. Katara looked serious again.
"Do you want me to give you another session before you go to sleep?" she asked softly as she stood up and walked over to him. She didn't even know if she had enough energy to give him another healing session.
He rose to his feet, breathing out the pain. Her bluish eyes met his. "No, I... I'll be fine." he replied before turning his back on her.
Katara took the opportunity to roll her eyes, exasperated with his fearless, painless behavior. She had heard him screaming all night, what was he hiding from? She did not try to find out, and followed him. She was always placed in his room to watch over him in case of trouble, as Zuko's condition was not completely stabilized, though she had to admit that his body was recovering faster than she thought. Aang had remained unconscious for weeks after suffering Azula's wrath. He hadn't had the benefit of Katara's blood bending, however, which might explain why his recovery was so slow and Zuko's so quick.
They arrived in the room, which was still divided in two. Servants came to help Zuko change and Katara took the opportunity to go to the shower room to wash her face and comb her hair before going to sleep. It was stiflingly hot, she could feel her hair damp with sweat, and she wondered briefly how the Lady Ursa managed to dress in such an imposing brocade gown every day. Her hands braided her hair mechanically, to keep her cool, and then Zuko came to take her place, dressed more lightly and loosely to sleep, his hair untangled, in the shower room. He didn't seem to be in the mood.
"I'll look at your shoulder again." Katara decided when she saw him.
"It's fine, I assure you, it's just the heat... I'm fine, I promise, it's just the heat..." he said as he washed his face with water. He was leaning unnaturally on the basin, as if he was suddenly exhausted. As if... he had a fever. He also had chills, which he tried to suppress in vain.
Katara, without asking him, put a hand on his forehead, which was burning with fever. "You have a high fever, Zuko." she said.
She assumed that the fever was due to the reconstruction of his shoulder and the joint pain caused by its consolidation. And since the effects of his previous recovery were already wearing off, the fever had returned more strongly. She should have anticipated this.
"Can you walk? I'll help you to bed." she said, putting her right arm over his shoulder to support him.
He didn't say anything more, it was worrying. But seeing that Katara was waiting for an answer, he made an effort. "I can walk."
She helped him to lie down in his bed and undid his tunic, which she knew well by now, and his bandages. The wound was still red, a sign that there was no infection and that his fever was from his joint pain, which was normal. She used her water to calm the fever, but could not do so for long, her own body being exhausted after all the effort to heal it.
Katara re-bandaged him but did not put his tunic back on. "That would make your fever worse, you should be covered as little as possible." she explained as he nodded obediently. He was once again aware of how weak he was.
She jumped out of bed and went to soak a cloth to cool him off. She placed it on his forehead and he sighed. A slight smile formed on his face as he closed his eyes. It felt good. Katara brushed aside a few strands of hair that had fallen across his face, and felt the warmth emanating from him again. He was a walking fire. She sat at the foot of the bed, not daring to go to bed until he was asleep. Once he was asleep, sleep would take care of his fever. Katara found herself humming softly. A lullaby from her mother came to mind. But remembering that Zuko had to sleep, she kept quiet.
"Go on... Please..." she finally heard over her head.
Her cheeks flushed. To be heard humming was quite embarrassing to her. But she supposed that perhaps a lullaby would make him fall asleep faster. So she cleared her throat, this time saying the words of the sweet melody her mother used to sing to her as a child. Katara herself used to sing it to the children she nursed when they couldn't sleep because of pain or fever.
This beautiful moon that sees you from the sky,
Is the one who will always protect you
This ocean so big that continues endlessly,
Will guide you to beautiful dreams
Close your beautiful eyes, let yourself be swept away
By the wind that pushes the clouds
So that tomorrow when you will be waking up
You will find the sun rising in the morning.
May you fall asleep serenely
Your mind lulled by my voice
I will only be leaving you
If you fall asleep until dawn.
If ever you are surprised by a thousand nightmares
Remember I'm not far away
I'll come to you to erase your fears
So that you have no more pain
May you fall asleep serenely
Your mind lulled by my voice
I will only be leaving you
If you fall asleep until dawn.
She repeated the tune several times, never singing very loudly, like a whisper. Zuko found her voice pleasant to listen to, and let himself be carried away by her words, until he fell deeply asleep. Katara did not even notice, and continued until she too fell asleep at the foot of the bed with the cushion she was sitting on as a pillow. All this healing had exhausted her, and having been used to sleeping on unlikely floors for many months with Aang and his brother, she could fall asleep anywhere. Even at the foot of the Fire Lord's bed, which did not sleep as well as he would have liked...
That's it for now! Things are going slowly, I like to keep the drama going! As for the lullaby, I used 'Continued Story' from Code Geass sang by Kuroishi Hitomi to create it. I hope you liked this chapter, and that my translation is not so wrong. I thank again those who leave reviews down below, it's really encouraging! See you at the next chapter!