Chapter Seven
There was a knock on her door the next morning. Katara was going to answer it when she realized she wasn't dressed. "Yes?" She called out.
"Miss Katara," an unfamiliar, yet friendly female voice responded. "Breakfast will be ready shortly."
"Thank you." She called back and tossed the covers off and headed for the bathroom. She cleaned up and adjusted her hair back into its normal braid. She left the bathroom to find her pile of clothes from last night missing. Come to think of it, the ones in the bathroom had disappeared as well. She opened the wardrobe to find her clothes cleaned and hanging.
"Palace life…" She mused with a small smile as she shimmied into her clothes. She found her way down to the dining hall by herself; Zuko and Iroh were already seated, slowly sipping tea waiting for her and Aang to join them.
"Good morning Katara." Iroh greeted warmly.
"Morning Iroh, Zuko." She said with a nod to each.
"Katara." Zuko said, looking up from his tea, dark circles under his eyes.
"How late did you stay up?" Katara asked concern in her voice.
"Too late." He grumbled, shifting his cup.
"I keep telling him that sleep is very important, but who listens to an old man." Iroh grumbled good naturedly.
"There was a lot of paperwork I needed to do." Zuko muttered.
"Good morning!" Aang announced as he strode into the room. "Good morning sweetheart." Aang said as he placed a chaste kiss on the corner of her mouth.
"And a good morning to you Aang." Iroh matched his cherry disposition.
"What's for breakfast?" A large smile plastered on his face.
"Pancakes and eggs I believe."
"Nothing spicy?" Katara teased, eyeing Zuko.
"Not unless you want them to be." He offered. Katara made a face of disgust at him.
"We do have this wonderful fire sauce that goes nicely with the eggs." Iroh suggested.
"No. Thanks, but no." She said sternly, trying to suppress a smile.
They ate a leisurely breakfast, chatting pleasantly. The fluffy buttery scent of the pancakes covered in thick, sweet syrup were heavenly. Iroh grinned at Aang and Katara's appreciative expressions. Breakfast was over and everyone leaned back in their chairs.
"Well," Zuko said, standing. "I have meetings to attend to discuss treaties with other nations. Aang, would you like to join?"
"Sure." Aang said following him.
"Katara, I can give you a personal tour of the gardens." Iroh offered seeing her left out.
"I'd like that." And so they parted ways. Katara followed Iroh while Aang was led by Zuko. It was a warm outside and birds chirped merrily; it was hard to believe she was here because of hostile people hunting her. This garden, the pride of Ursa as Iroh explained, was a peaceful get away; a place to escape her thoughts and problems. Iroh led her between trees blooming in the warm weather, fragrant cherry blossoms rustling in the gentle breeze. Katara took her time to smell the colorful plants, scenting the air. Iroh told her about all the flowers and bushes and the special properties of each. The tour ended at the little pond full of turtle ducks with a stone bench where she seated herself to watch the young ones frolic. Iroh patted her hand and left her to sit quietly and watch, her thoughts keeping her company.
She was able to sit peacefully, her mind empty and wandering when she heard footsteps approaching.
"Uncle said I might find you here." Zuko said, sitting beside her on the bench.
She turned to smile at him. "Yep. The gardens are beautiful." She said waving behind her.
"Thank you."
"Done with your meetings?" She asked idly.
"No, just a break for lunch. Speaking of which, it's ready if you're hungry."
Katara nodded and followed him back in. Lunch was brief, Aang and Zuko passed it discussing business while Katara and Iroh listened quietly eating their meal. When everyone had finished, it was back to the meetings for the boys and Iroh led Katara to a little garden table where he brought his pai-sho board. They passed the afternoon playing and drinking tea. When the skies colored themselves pink and orange, Iroh packed up the game while Katara helped with the tea set.
Dinner was cow hippo steaks. Aang dined on the side dishes as he and Zuko filled Iroh and Katara in on the new treaties Aang and Zuko had developed with several of the smaller earth kingdom villages and the trade agreements they had created. It was dull, but important so Katara tried to pay attention and seem engaged. Iroh asked pertinent questions and nodded eagerly, paternal pride glowing in his eyes as he heard of how his nephew ruled the fire nation with a benevolent heart.
After the meal, Iroh made some claim of old men needing their rest and Zuko suggested they move into a more comfortable area. He led them to a room with couches, chairs and tables and he lit the large fireplace. The dancing flames cast merrily jumping shadows against the far wall, but the three friends sat on the seats near the warmth and light.
Zuko flopped into his chair and let the hair down from his top knot, dark locks fell across his face. "Last night was quiet. Hopefully it stays that way." He ran a tired hand over his face.
"Keep your fingers crossed." Katara agreed.
"It should be better now. There are lots of guards, and there are three, no four, master benders in that wing. We've been hunted before." Aang said.
Zuko leaned forward in his chair, elbows resting on knees, head bowed and shaggy hair hiding his face. "Sorry."
"Oh! Uh…" Aang said, realizing what it must have sounded like to Zuko. "Actually I was thinking of your sister."
Zuko nodded, not actually believing him.
"Hey, do you remember that time we had a dance party in the fire nation?" Katara asked with a big smile, trying to relieve some of the tension.
"Oh ya! That was a lot of fun!" Aang said, grinning.
"Dance party in the fire nation?" Zuko asked with a slightly bewildered look.
"Of course, this is Aang we're talking about."
"Care to show him some of our moves?" Aang asked, his eyebrows high in hope.
"Or you two could always show me your dragon dance."
"It's not a dance!" Zuko argued. "It's an ancient bending form from the sun warriors."
"And how do you do this form, hm?" Katara prodded.
"…Dancing." Zuko admitted unwillingly.
"Uh-huh." She said folding her arms smugly.
"What about the time I saved you from that falling boulder?" He insisted, looking for a gleaming moment of redemption in their sordid past.
"What about the time you told me you'd save me from the pirates and tied me to a tree?"
"I already apologized for that!"
"Or sent combustion man after us?" Aang chimed in.
"I tried to stop him!"
Katara and Aang started laughing. "Relax Zuko. We were just kidding." Aang said wiping his eyes.
Zuko sank back into the chair huffing with his arms crossed over his chest. "I saved you from my sisters lightning." He mumbled.
The teasing smiles fell from Katara and Aang's faces. "You did." Katara said softly. "And you almost died from it."
"It's hard to get rid of me."
Katara put a hand over his and gave it a gentle squeeze and Aang fixed him with a very serious look.
"If it weren't for you, Katara probably wouldn't be here right now. I can never repay that debt."
"Let's not get all mushy." Zuko protested, sliding his hand out from under Katara's. "I was just trying to prove that I'm not all bad."
"Of course not." Katara said dismissively. "You're the best fire lord in over a hundred years. And you're our good friend."
"You've come a long way." Aang said wisely.
"So have you." Zuko replied. "We all have."
They all sat in companionable silence for a few moments.
Katara yawned. "Well, I think I'll be heading off to bed."
"It is getting late. I'll walk you." Zuko offered.
"We can all go together!" Aang said, bouncing out of his seat and pulling Katara to her feet. They all left together, wandering the halls to their own rooms. Katara stripped to her white linen wrappings she wore under her clothes and undid her hair. She hoped Zuko was right and that it would be a quiet night. Those thoughts were quickly replaced by more memories from the trips and adventures they had all shared as she slowly slipped into a deep sleep.
Sarahplainntall here. Short and slow, I know, sorry. Set ups are always so blah... I hate writing them, but they are unfortunately necessary before the good stuff. And the good stuff is coming up! Next chapter, I promise. Reviews would help to motivate. :D