Chapter Twenty-Seven
The day of the Agni Kai was fast approaching. Zuko had been having reoccurring nightmares which would cause him to thrash restlessly in the middle of the night. Katara would gently shake him until he sat bolt upright, panting and sweating. Katara would brush the damp hair from his forehead and whisper reassurances to him. Sometimes he clutched at her, making her wonder the nature of these dreams as she stroked his back. He inhaled her scent, felt the warmth of her press against him, the light pressure of her fingers as she ran them over his bare skin, trying to soothe him. It would take a moment for him to absorb these sensations and relax enough to realize the horrors that plagued him were nothing but a nightmare. The young woman next to him in bed was not a broken and battered victim or a lifeless bundle huddled on the ground after meeting with his sister; no, she was alive and soothing him from the horrific torments his mind had dreamed up.
The nightmares always varied, but they had always included his sister, fire, pain and agony. The only comfort he found was waking from the vivid hell to the tender embrace of the water bender with the soft blue eyes, gentle hands and deep understanding of him. Only she knew how to quiet the demons in his mind. She had seen them for herself and withstood her own as well.
The night before the battle she opened the secret panel to discover the balcony doors ajar and the wispy drapes were dancing on the night breeze. She padded barefoot across the polished floors and the rich, thick rugs until she could brush the curtains aside to reveal Zuko staring out into the gardens from the ledge of the balcony. He almost seemed to be meditating and she did not want to disturb him, so she waited in the doorway.
"You can join me if you'd like." He said softly into the night air without breaking his gaze.
"How did you know I was there?" She asked as she padded towards him.
"I was listening." He explained as he continued to gaze calmly into the garden. "I was waiting." He added.
It had become their tradition to both share a bed, usually Zuko's, but hearing it spoken that way made her face flush hotly and she was suddenly glad for his fixed stare.
"Plus, I heard the door shut and your footsteps." He added with a sly grin as he finally slanted his eyes at her.
She wanted to sputter or become defensive, but after a moment of stunned silence and being left with those choices, she just laughed. While she laughed, she missed the warm smile Zuko adopted as he watched her laugh. He was about to say something to her when a knock came from the door.
In all the nights they had spent together, no one had dared disturb Zuko in his room before. Katara gave Zuko a wild-eyed look, realizing how this could possibly look to someone else; she was dressed in her sleeping gown of soft blue silk and Zuko was in the soft pants he wore to bed and a dressing robe that remained untied. They were both seeing other people and in the current state of dress, misconceptions and rumors would quickly form. Zuko held out a hand to her, motioning for her to stay and be quiet on the balcony while he went to answer the door.
Katara pressed herself against the ledge out of sight from the doorway before Zuko could open the heavy door to address whoever had been knocking. She couldn't see who was at the door, but she could hear them.
"Hey Zuko." Came Aang's friendly reply. Katara felt a twist of guilt knot her stomach. She hadn't been avoiding her boyfriend, she just hadn't had much time for him since she'd been working at the clinic and trying to help Zuko deal with his renegade sister.
"Aang." Came Zuko's slightly startled reply. He sincerely hoped the air bender wasn't looking for Katara. He certainly didn't feel right lying to his friend. Much to his relief, Aang continued.
"How are you doing?" He asked, then added sheepishly, "I mean, are you ready for tomorrow? I know it can't be easy since it's your sister and all…" He trailed off lamely. He stood for a moment and seemed to dispel the awkwardness and squared his shoulders. "You know we'll all be with you tomorrow. You have everyone's support. We won't interfere unless necessary, but I just wanted to make sure you were handling everything well."
Zuko warmed at the concern from one of his best friends. He couldn't imagine going back to the days where the only person he could rely on was his Uncle. Now he had a loyal set of friends that would support him in anything he decided; even leaving the fate of the fire nation to an Agni Kai between him and his sociopathic sister.
Zuko smiled gratefully at his friend and put a hand on his shoulder. "Thank you Aang, for everything. I know I'm very lucky to have friends like yourself."
Aang beamed at the compliment. "Did you want to share some tea, or we could go for a walk… we could meditate together if you'd like?" Aang offered, trying to suggest a peaceful respite.
"Thank you Aang, but I'll be alright. I think I'll just try to get to bed early tonight."
Aang nodded. "Well, good night Zuko. We'll see you in the morning."
"Good night." Zuko said before carefully shutting and locking the door.
Zuko stood, braced against the door for a moment as the tension that had curled in his gut eased. Katara came out from behind the gauzy curtains wringing her hands uncertainly.
"Maybe I should sleep in my own bed tonight…" She trailed off. It was probably the right thing to do, but she was honestly afraid to sleep alone. She had experimented with it before, but it never ended well. She either had a nightmare and ended up running to him for safe refuge or he had come to her. The only thing that stopped the nightmares was sleeping next to him.
Zuko turned to face her and swiftly crossed the distance between them, catching her worrying hands between his elegant yet strong hands. "Please don't." There was a genuine pleading in his golden eyes as he stared at her.
She wondered for a moment at his insistence. But if it worked for him the way it worked for her, usually her presence was enough to stave off the nightmares. With such a big fight tomorrow, it would be best if he got an uninterrupted nights rest. She nodded her head. "We should get some rest. Big day tomorrow."
Zuko watched her as she drew away and started pulling back the bed covers. "Big day indeed." He said, passing a ruffling hand through his hair as he started towards the other side of the bed.
Zuko stood somberly, dressed in royal robes, crown in place and at the top of the stairs leading down to the sparring arena he had chosen. It was just inside the palace gates, so he and everyone else could witness when Azula and her people would arrive. Fanned out on either side of Zuko was Aang, Iroh, Katara, Sokka, Suki, Toph, the fire bending General and many armed soldiers. They stared grimly at the amassing crowd gathered outside the gates.
After some time staying vigilant, there was a commotion in the crowd. They could see the people below parting before a familiar figure and their entourage. Zuko scowled darkly and spoke without looking around.
"Let's get ready." As he started down the stairs to position himself on one side of the arena. Zuko stood in the center of the arena, but on the far side. To his left, equally spread along the length of the arena was Aang, Katara and then Suki and to his right was Iroh, Toph and then Sokka. Directly behind Zuko stood his General and behind the general stood a single line of soldiers stretching the length of the arena. Shortly the gates were opened and Azula came striding in flanked by Cane and her chi blocker and behind them her Dai Lee agents. The number each side brought was nearly equal.
"Azula." Zuko greeted grimly as his sister came abreast with the sparring arena, her people fanned out behind her as were Zuko's. Zuko felt the chill go down his spine, but kept himself still as he watched them.
"Ah Zuko." She crooned. "So kind of you to hand over the crown to the rightful Fire Lord." She smirked, crossing her arms over her chest.
"That's not how this works and you know it. You have to defeat me in an Agni Kai before you can become Fire Lord."
"Oh, I know the rules Zuzu, it's only a matter of time. You always were the weaker bender. Without your water peasant interfering this time, I WILL be Fire Lord."
"I wouldn't count on it!" He flared back.
Aang took a step forward to address both siblings. "If you are ready to proceed, you'll each move to your half of the arena. This is an Agni Kai to determine who will be Fire Lord. Only Zuko and Azula are allowed to participate in this fight; any interference from either side will have to deal with me." At the final statement Aang slammed his staff into the ground and a strong wind blew across everyone in the arena. Katara watched from her place on the sidelines and caught a leer from Cane as he settled himself on the opposite side of the arena on the sidelines and she shuddered, touching her water skin in reassurance.
Zuko and Azula moved to their respective half and faced one another.
"On my mark, you'll begin." Aang explained patiently. He stepped back till he was on the sidelines in the center where Zuko had been standing, flanked by Katara and Iroh before he lifted his glider in the air. Zuko was in a fighting stance, his hands up and at the ready while Azula crouched, ready to spring, a smirk on her face. Aang brought the staff down and called loudly into the quiet arena, "Begin!"
Azula sprung forward quickly, a stream of flame proceeding her as she darted at her older brother. Zuko dodged to the side, prepared to ward off her attacks. Azula continued to lunge, shooting narrow deadly blue flames, Zuko able to dodge each one. Noting his agility, Azula changed tactics. She lashed out with a foot, sending a large blue fireball his way. Zuko held his ground and parted the flames only to find Azula lunging at him through the parted flames foot first. He raised his arm in a block, catching her foot before it could connect but before he could launch an attack of his own, she sprung back again. Once she wasn't within his immediate reach, she fired up the rocket-like flames and skated around the boundaries of the arena, blasting him with fireball after fireball. Zuko ducked and rolled out of the way, quickly coming to his knees and giving a quick one-two punch, sending his own orange fireballs at his sister, trying to trip her up.
Azula was able to skate between the fireballs just as fast as Zuko could shoot them. The two fire nation royal siblings met in one fiery crash after another. They were nearly evenly matched and Katara at the very least, was watching in anxious anticipation, hands fisting and unclenching as Zuko and Azula traded blows. There was a moment where it was very close; Zuko tripped and it was nearly his undoing. Zuko was in close pursuit, Azula starting to look a bit wilder as she shot fire over her shoulder as he began to close the gap between them. He had been reaching out to catch his sister when he suddenly stumbled and Azula's grin split her face as her expression turned manic. A fire dagger came swinging towards his face and only his finely-honed reflexes kept him from meeting a grizzly end.
Katara's hands had come up to cover her mouth, when further down the arena Toph began yelling and pointing to the other side.
"THEY'RE CHEATING! EARTH BENDING!"
The siblings in the heat of the moment paid no mind to the sidelines. Aang brought out his glider, opening it with a snap as he launched into the air, being careful to avoid the stray blasts of fire. Toph stomped the ground and launched the cheating Dai Lee agent into the air where Aang caught him and dropped the offender into the waiting arms of more of the fire nation soldiers waiting on standby. In the brief time he was gone, chaos had broken out in the arena.
Zuko and Azula were still completely locked into their Agni Kai, fighting for their lives from the look of it. Meanwhile, the sidelines had broken out into a battle of their own. The Dai Lee agents had started launching the stone gloves at Zuko's allies. Suki and Sokka on opposite ends of the arena were batting away the stone gloves with either fan or sword, both of Kyoshi design. Toph was better able to attack the line of Dai Lee agents from long distant as she launched projectiles of her own, tripping them up as she had the earth suddenly snag their feet or trying to launch them into the air as she had done with the original offender. Katara had found a nearby fountain and shot out water whips to deflect the stony grasps of the Dai Lee and she in turn sent barrages of icicles at them. Iroh and the fire nation general sent fireballs whizzing across the arena at various opponents. The soldiers had split up to meet and clash with more Dai Lee agents as they met at either ends of the arena.
No one dared entering the arena itself. The area within was awash with a fiery blaze and occasionally there would be an explosion where lighting would find no other target then the ground.
Azula had been watching the sideline battle around her in hopes of an opportunity or some kind of advantage she could use against her brother or his obnoxious friends. Much to her disgust though, her Dai Lee agents were failing her; they were losing against the Avatar and his band of teenage brats. She should have taken the opportunity to end this fight when the Dai Lee had given her the chance before; when he had stumbled over a rock that had jumped up to catch his foot when he had gotten too close. Her fury at their incompetence distracted her while she rocketed around the arena, but Zuko who had only been watching his sister and waiting for an opening, struck. He launched several powerful blasts and one of them glanced off her shoulder, making her lose her balance and tumble and bounce across the dirt. She was sprawled out on her stomach and as she used her elbows to push her bloodied face up out of the rocky ground, dusty black boots appeared in front of her face. Balefully she glared up at her brother as he stood poised to strike over her.
"It's over Azula." He said stonily.
"Then end it." She taunted, knowing he could never bring himself to kill her.
Zuko ignored the taunt. "Admit defeat Azula. This can all be over."
Azula acted submissively, elbows still keeping her propped in the dirt; she slowly raised her hands in the air as if in surrender. A glint in her eyes was Zuko's only warning as she lashed out, but Zuko had missed the deadly stream of fire that had been aimed at him and he managed to land atop his sister, pinning her bodily to the ground and being sure to secure her slender wrists in his strong hands behind her back. She snarled and struggled, but beneath his weight and against his strength, she was done for. By this time, the other guards stationed around the palace had finally reached the arena and Zuko signaled a few men with shackles to come forward and secure Azula. They quickly began to lead her off to the same prison tower their father resided in.
Most of the fighting had stopped as the soldiers apprehended the last few remaining Dai Lee agents still standing and Zuko glanced around the arena to see Azula's disabled men being rounded up in all the chaos and on the other side, he saw his friends, still interspersed along the length of the arena, signs of battle and their element all about them.
Zuko assured himself that everything seemed to be okay, after all, Azula was finally captured, his soldiers were rounding up the last of her men, and his friends, though weary and battle worn all appeared to be safe. Now Zuko searched for a face among the milling people. Katara. She had run back from the sidelines a little to access one of the decorative fountains water supply to aid in her battle. She was still a little back from the crowd, but he could still see her expression as he watched her. She grinned at him, brushing loose curls from her face and gave him a small wave.
Zuko had won. He had beaten his sister in the Agni Kai and he was truly Fire Lord of his nation. His position was secure, his sister would be carefully secured in his prison tower, just as his father was, his friends were safe, he and Katara would no longer be the target of his sister or her men. It was so much to take in, he just stood, watching her for a moment.
Then Zuko saw something that made his stomach drop and dread fill him. Before he knew what he was doing, he was sprinting as fast as he could towards Katara, a driving need to reach her first propelled him forward and a strangled cry left his lips. "Katara!"
Katara had watched Zuko defeat his sister and then shared a private smile with him as joy and relief filled her. Now he was running towards her at alarming speed and had just called her name. She watched him in puzzlement when an agony worse than anything she had ever experienced before stole the air from her lungs. Her hands had instinctively gone to her stomach where the pain originated from and her fingers hit a hard, wet object. Unable to figure out what had happened she glanced down and couldn't understand what she was seeing. There was a red jagged end of what appeared to be a pole protruding from her shirt front and then pain erased all her senses as her knees buckled and the sky tilted.
Cane had snuck up behind Katara, holding the broken shaft of a spear. While she was distracted watching Zuko's victory, Cane had stabbed the splintered end of the spear through Katara's back and out the front. Zuko had no idea what had become of Cane after, his eyes were all for Katara as she blankly examined her wound and then crumpled into a heap. He didn't know how he had gotten to her, only that he had slid to her side and pulled her into his arms.
"Katara! Katara!"
"Zu…ko…" she managed to wheeze out with a pained breath, eyes scrunched closed in agony. He scooped her up, cradled close to him and then sprinted up to the palace. People were calling out to him, but it all fell on deaf ears. Doors were whisked out of the Fire Lords way as he carried the bleeding woman through the palace and to the infirmary.
Someone must have warned the medical staff, the doctor and several nurses awaited him. "Bring her this way." He spoke crisply and strode quickly down the line of beds and through a few doors where there awaited a bed surrounded by carts of medical instruments and equipment. "Lay her on the bed here." The doctor instructed. Numbly Zuko obeyed. "You'll have to leave now. I'm sorry, but only medical personal from here on out."
"Will she be okay?"
"We'll do our best." With a grim nod, the doctor closed the door and Zuko realized he had been led back into the hallway. Feeling dazed, he watched the door, his mind seeming to stick and not being able to move on. There was a gentle hand on his arm.
"Fire Lord Zuko?" It was a soft whisper.
He turned in slow surprise to find a small nurse sympathetically touching him. "You're covered in blood…" She started again, still so softly spoken that he thought she must feel like if she spoke any louder, she would scare him away. Absently he looked down. His shirt was spotted and streaked in places with blood. There were even smears of it on his hands. His clothes had a few char marks from his battle earlier, but he could only stare at the blood.
"Lord Zuko, you've been injured." The nurse said in a startled manner as she saw a few of the burns through the holes in his shirt as he had raised his arms to stare at the blood on his hands. Carefully she began to steer him down a different hallway. You should shower and we should treat those burns."
Zuko hadn't realized he was injured. He hadn't noticed the pain during the heat of the fight, or the relief when he had won, or the horror when Katara had been hurt. At the mention though, he felt the familiar searing heat of the burns, but it meant nothing to him. He couldn't focus while covered in Katara's blood; not sure if after everything, if this was what would kill her. That last thought nearly brought him to his knees right there, but the nurse still had a hold of his arm, examining the burns and he had to remain composed. He said nothing as she gently drew him into a very comfortable room, one of the two that was reserved for very important patients of the medical wing and left him standing in the middle of an opulent bedroom, the medical equipment carefully hidden within the ornate furniture.
"If you would like to shower, Fire Lord Zuko, I will send for some of your clothing to be brought immediately and I will have our other doctor examine and treat your wounds."
"Very good, thank you." He found himself mumbling, barely processing the words. Once she left, Zuko closed his eyes and tried to stop the barrage of images. Katara now, bloodied and impaled interspersed with old images from their days of torture where she would be dumped, sodden, freezing and unconscious into their cell. He clenched his hands and lashed out, his fist smashing through a closet door. Slowly, he pulled it out of the hole in the wood, splinters cutting his hand again on the way out and he pulled it bloodied and shaking from the door. Fresh blood welled up to mix with the drying blood on his hands from Katara.
He couldn't take it anymore. He had to wash it all away. He stripped off his clothes, leaving them in a filthy heap and strode into the bathroom. He turned the water on hot and before waiting for it to warm up, he stood under the cold spray. He watched the water sluice off his body and as it ran over the pale skin, covered in drying crimson it ended up as pink swirling down the drain. He closed his eyes, not wanting to see it anymore and trying to let the water, now scalding hot, wash away the reality he couldn't bring himself to think about. The water was so hot, it made the blistered skin where his sister had landed a few blows, scream in fiery pain. He tried to ignore it; making this pain the penance for his being unable to save her. She could be dying, so he could endure this pain; he would focus on that instead of the stunned look she'd had when Cane had struck or the way she had crumpled lifeless to the ground after. No, the burning of the scorched skin would make him grit his teeth and ignore the images.
Some indeterminable time later, Zuko emerged from the steamy bathroom and dressed in the less formal, and more comfortable, robe his staff had left for him. Now all that was left was to wait.
Sarahplainntall here! Thanks for your patience as I work a full time job and go back to school. PLEASE leave comments, they keep me motivated. =)