Previously…
Katara barely noted the whoosh of air from Zuko, still focused on the bruised rib. She'd accidentally brushed against his chi in his abdomen, the unhappy bundled energy calling to her natural healing abilities.
The healer gently prodded the blockage, feeling it unfurl little by little, like flower petals.
Zuko felt a strange sensation, flashes of memories flickering in his head. The chills traveled up his spine again.
Was that…Katara's doing?
His hand wrapped around her wrist and tugged, gently.
The bruises were healed. His ribs were healed. And…whatever else she did, had healed something, too.
Her eyes fluttered open and found Zuko staring at her, a calm look on his face.
The deep pools of blue met the molten gold, feeling the electricity again, like magnetism.
His fingers were still curled around her wrist, not that either of them noticed. Her bare hands were pressed to his chest now, feeling it rise and fall with every breath.
Her heart thrummed in her chest, feeling a strange mix of feelings pass between them.
"Thank you, Katara." He rasped.
She blinked bashfully, a tiny smile overtaking her lips.
The rough pad of his thumb stroked the inner part of her wrist. Butterflies erupted from her heart, the tingly sensation fluttering its way down to her stomach.
Katara smiled again, forcing herself to gently pull her wrist away, free from his grasp.
Breathe, Katara. She told herself.
Her fingers pulled his shirt back down methodically, doing her best to be professional.
This was just a typical healing session, just like Yagoda taught you. You've healed plenty of men before, this one is no different. She mentally continued.
"You're welcome," she pushed a strand of her hair back and pretended she didn't notice his flushed cheeks and mirrored grin, her attention going to the darkening sea.
No, Katara, you can't have a crush on Zuko! The sane part of her protested at the still present butterflies.
What would Sokka think - or Aang?
Oh, Aang…the young air bender's sweet face came to mind and it hurt her to think of how utterly disappointed and heartbroken he would look if he knew that she liked Zuko.
—Which she didn't - absolutely not - it was Zuko for crying out loud…but she couldn't lie, the butterflies were there… the marveled thoughts of his sword mastery, his bending, his physique…
Spirits, this may be worse than Jet…
Thunder rumbled across the stormy night sky, singing alongside the wind.
When had that picked up so much? She thought, hearing the howl of the air outside.
A massive wave rocked the boat, sending Zuko, who'd just sat up, sliding off the ledge towards Katara. His sword clattered off the edge and onto the floor.
She staggered back, hands going up to brace Zuko, gripping his forearms.
The pair stepped backwards, into the swell of the wave, before being thrown the opposite way, at the mercy of the sea, dancing over the myriad of items that had been flung to the ground.
Katara yelped, the next wave sending them forcefully against the shelf. Her body slammed into his. One of Zuko's hand flew back to brace himself, the other on her waist.
"Spirits!" She grit out, trying to right herself.
The swaying lessened just long enough for her to scoop up his swords, placing them next to a crate. Another sheath was settled next to it.
Was that the sword that Piandao gave him? She wondered. She'd not seen it before, and hadn't paid enough attention to the gift from the master. The storm rocked the boat once more, and her thoughts were ripped away. The swords weren't important now.
"I hope Gin slowed her down!" Zuko said loudly, over the howling wind and pouring rain.
"Did we sail into it?" Katara replied, gripping onto the steel shelf and walking towards the stairwell.
"I'm going to go check on something," he said, clearly not hearing her.
She frowned, the words getting lost over the noise.
He went to open the door to the deck and she gawked at him, hand reaching out to grab his shirt.
"Where are you going?" Her hand flipped, palm upward, trying to gesture what she was asking, brows furrowed.
Zuko pointed to the door, only to be met again with her concerned look. Leaning forward, he got close to her ear before nearly yelling, "Got to go check the engine room!"
"I'm coming with you!" Katara responded, meeting his gaze defiantly.
Zuko appeared to contemplate her coming with him for a moment before sighing, spinning the cogwheel to open the door.
It flew open, slamming against the wall, barely missing the elder boy.
The torrential downpour outside sprayed inside, effectively drenching them.
Hands in front of their eyes, they pushed forward through the doorway and onto the deck.
"Here!" Katara's voice nearly slipped away in the wind, bending the water to hold a small dome above them, like an umbrella.
Foot by foot, they trekked down to the back, gripping onto the building's rail for dear life. Wave after wave continued to rock the boat.
Eventually, they reached the door to the engine room and slipped inside, the dry heat a stark contrast to the humid environment outside. They both leaned against the door, grunting against the unseen forces to shut it. The cogwheel clicked into place as the door shut, Katara swiftly bending the water off the floor and their damp bodies.
The tall room was illuminated by the box of burning coal in the middle, a complex piece of machinery piled high above it. A large tank took up a good portion of the vertical space, pipes and gears streaming out of the top.
The prince strode over to a panel along the left wall, fidgeting with the settings.
"Is that you two down there?" Gin's voice crackled through a box in the roof. "I sure hope it is- turn that engine down!"
How the helmsman knew they were down there, Katara hadn't a clue.
A growl came out of Zuko, his fist thumping the top of the box.
"The dial isn't working!"
"What does that mean?"
"It means," he started, thumping the box again, "that I'm going to have to turn it down blindly."
"I'm guessing that's bad?"
"From what I've seen-" he grunted, beginning to turn a red valve. "Too little heat can kill the engine entirely." The valve groaned and shrieked at his ministrations. "I'd much rather not be stuck trying to fire bend coal back to life in this weather."
The boat moaned beneath them.
"Whatever you just did!" Gin's voice crackled once more. "Worked! For now!"
Zuko immediately pulled his hands off the valve, eyeing the coal through the filthy window in the door.
The room suddenly careened back and forth, boiling water sloshing and splashing. A teapot's amount spilled out, steaming and shining in the soft firelight.
Hands flying above her, Katara caught the hot liquid midair with her bending, gaping at the heat coming off it.
"Woah. Shouldn't that have a top?" She asked, sending the liquid back up and into the vat.
Firelight cast harsh shadows along the smooth side of his face, eyes squinting at the lip of the vat.
Zuko really didn't want another burn.
"Yes."
Another wave sent them stumbling the other way and Katara yelped, halting the next splash of boiling water mere inches from her face.
"We're going to have to burn off some of the water!" Zuko said, before a thoughtful look crossed his face. "Wait- can you bend some out from the top?"
Katara glanced at the vat, sitting nearly twelve feet above her. "Open the door, I'll need somewhere to dump it."
He obliged, cranking open the latch with a grunt.
Wind and rain immediately barraged the room, sending the door whizzing open once more.
The water bender sent the liquid out into the sea, before saying to Zuko. "Tell me when it's enough."
Slowly, carefully, she locked her feet into a sturdy stance, trying to ride with the waves. Arms pulling and scooping above her, she pulled a steady tendril of water out and sent more into the sea.
Zuko watched on with awe, the waves of liquid reminding him of their time in the factory, the Painted Lady willing the water in through the windows.
"Alright!" Zuko called, eyes snapping towards the dial beside the valve.
Katara cut off the flow, sending the last drop outside with a flick.
"Please tell me that worked," she shouted, staring at her friend by the instrument panel.
His face set in a grim expression, he nodded.
~0~
"Are we out of it?" She asked once they reached the helm, having checked in with Gin to make sure everything was still running smoothly.
"Aye," Gin mused. "For now. It could very well be the eye of the storm. Let's just hope it didn't push us too far off course."
Zuko stared out at the dark gray sky, not a drop of water leaving the clouds.
He explained to Gin how they tweaked the boiler and temperature of the engine, mentioning it was strange how the vat was rather overfilled or lidless.
Katara yawned from her place by the window. The adrenaline from the night had worn off - both from her healing Zuko and dealing with the storm - and her limbs ached.
"Well, assuming that the engine is fixed," she yawned again, stretching her arms. "I'm going to go to bed. Wake me if you need me," she said to neither in particular.
Zuko dipped his head in adieu and she offered him a tiny smile.
Her bed offered her little solace from her ever-running mind, the day's events on replay. The feel of the fire bender's smooth skin beneath her fingertips lingered the longest, the electric connection that thrummed between them after she'd soothed his wounds.
Would he have kissed her? Her brain wondered, moments away from sleep. If the storm hadn't kicked in when it did?
~0~
Based on her uninterrupted night of sleep, the ship assumedly sailed forth without a hitch. She awoke to warm sunlight streaming in the window, thankful for a good night's rest.
After taking a bath to wash any leftover sweat or sea-spray off her, she busied herself in the kitchen.
"Good morning!" Gin greeted cheerily. "I see you two love-birds have made up."
He winked, sending a rosy blush across Katara's face as she indignantly protested. "Love-birds?"
Gin cocked an eyebrow, eyes wide beneath his glasses. "No?"
She shook her head rapidly, cursing the heat on her face. "No. We're just friends."
The helmsman hummed, smiling innocently at the young girl. "Alrighty then."
"Speaking of," Katara changed the subject. "Have you seen him?"
"No," he scooped porridge out of the pot. "But I smelled incense in one of the barracks. Perhaps he's in there."
"I take it last night went well?" Katara dished her own portion of the mush, thankful for the berries and nuts she'd set aside to flavor their otherwise dull meal.
"Smooth sailing." Gin pushed his glasses up his askew nose. "We'll pass Avatar Roku's island shortly and reach Fire Fountain city by nightfall."
~0~
"Hey, Zuko?" She called outside the room, fingers lingering over the metal. "Can we talk?"
She pressed the door open, revealing Zuko, sitting cross-legged on the floor.
Ahead of him was a dark, detailed tapestry, dotted with fire and swirls. His face and the majority of the room was lit by the candles in front of him, incense-heavy smoke wafting around.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know you were meditating," Katara smiled bashfully, going to close the door. "I just wanted to talk to you about our story for passing through the blockade."
Zuko stretched to turn and look at her. "It's fine. D-do-did you want to join me?"
Katara gave him a tiny smile, studying the candles, the incense, the tapestry and finally, the spot on the floor beside the smiling guy.
"I'm not a big meditator," she explained. "It's always been more Aang's thing. You know, bridge between the spirit world and all."
And I'm surprised you meditate, she added mentally.
"It helps me gain control," he said evenly with a shrug, sliding back into his previous position and closing his eyes.
Zuko took a long, even breath, the candles flickering in response.
She gaped at the fire, wondering if the practice helped him master his fire bending, as well.
Katara chewed the corner of her lip, silently debating. After a moment, she padded quietly over beside him, gathered up her skirt, and sat down.
If Zuko noticed her presence, he didn't show it, eyes remaining closed.
Closing her eyes, she focused on her breathing and posture. She stretched the crown of her head towards the sky, allowing her spine to stretch and straighten.
The firelight flickered reddish shadows on her closed eyes, reminding her of the fire bender's presence.
Taking another calming breath, she willed her mind to let go.
Let go of the month's events.
Let go of the stress of the impending eclipse.
Let go of the fear, the loneliness.
The red firelight behind her eyes faded with each passing breath, darkness blanketing her mind's eye.
Her brother's face flashed in her mind, blue eyes soulful.
No.
The image evaporated before her.
The rise and fall of her chest became all she was aware of, before that disappeared, too.
Time seemed to slip through her fingers like sand through an hourglass.
How long had she been there?
A feminine presence came into her mind, brushing against her being like water lapping on a shore.
Long dark hair, porcelain white skin, a stark contrast to the red marks on the skin materialized, a smile on the red lips.
The Painted Lady!
Billowing white fabric focused next, the gauzy cloak flowing in a breeze Katara couldn't perceive.
"Thank you," The voice smooth as silk and ancient as the river itself.
A familiar blue mask flashed. "Both of you."
Chills snaked up Katara's spine, a wave of awe blanketing her mind.
"It's you." Her mind whispered to the Painted Lady. "You're real…"
The eyes of the pale woman closed, head bowed. Then, as if the breeze blew again, she vanished, leaving only the blue mask in her wake. The Blue Spirit's mask fell forward, moved by an unseen force. A head of mussed dark hair spilled out revealing smooth pale skin and…a scar? The marred edges of skin briefly flickered beneath the mask before…
Katara's eyes opened to see the tapestry.
Gasps whooshed out of her lungs, body lurching forward.
Her palms pressed into the floor.
The images had been so clear, so real!
Had she been in the spirit world? Or had the Painted Lady come to her specifically?
A mirroring gasp sounded from beside her, and Zuko wore the same look of shock, barely visible beneath his hair. His palms too, were pressed into the ground in front of him.
Had he…seen her too?
Was the Painted Lady telling her something, something more then just thank you?
Katara looked at him, really looked at him, the vision replaying in her mind.
It was him. That could be the only explanation.
The all too familiar mask Zuko donned to hide his emotions slid into place, perhaps out of habit. The prince straightened, glanced nervously at Katara, but did not speak.
"You saw her too, didn't you?" She breathed, studying his reaction. "The Painted Lady."
His eyes faltered, a hint of something slipping through.
"Saw who?" He repeated huskily, breaking eye contact.
Annoyance flicked through her.
Was he serious? There was no way the Painted Lady would paint this out for her - pun not intended - and him not be Blue!
The signs had been there - the sword fighting, the skill, the same location…
The spirit had only served to solidify it.
"Zuko!" She scoffed indignantly. "She showed me your mask."
"I don't know what you're talking about." The prince got to his feet, methodically extinguishing the ever growing flames, as if their existence would betray his emotions.
Katara leapt to her feet, grabbing his arm.
"You can't just ignore me, ignore this."
"I'm not," he rasped, pulling his arm free with a scowl. "I didn't see anything Katara. I didn't see the Painted Lady and I don't know what you're talking about."
She gaped at him, shaking her head.
"Fine," she turned to the door. "So if I go through your bag up there, I won't find the mask?"
His nostrils flared, scarred eye no more then a thin line as he stared at her.
Almost as if to say, you wouldn't dare.
Katara took off in a run, leaping her way up the staircase to the suite, skipping steps. Zuko's own thunderous footsteps echoed behind her, only a few steps behind.
Wrenching open the door, she made a mad dive towards the couch, rolling over the back. Her fingers gripped the straps of the bag. The pair stared at each other defiantly for a few beats, before Katara began to slowly open the bag.
Dark fabric came into view and she wrenched it out, letting it fly behind her and land on the other couch in a lump.
A hard object came loose midair, skittering under the table between the couches.
Neither moved.
Zuko gulped, Adam's apple bobbing.
Slowly, carefully, he bent down.
The fanged mask grinned menacingly up at him as he fished it out from under the table. Katara's eyes weighed heavily on him.
Should he tell her now?
Would that be better?
He'd not wanted her to find out, not wanted anyone to know.
It was bad enough his uncle knew…
The Blue Spirit had such a selfish start; no more then a means to an end, an alter ego born out of the desire for glory - the glory of capturing someone who was supposed to restore balance to the world. When he'd learned Zhao had gotten Aang before him, well…it seemed like the easiest solution. What better way to get the Avatar for himself then to steal him away from Zhao's clutches…
Though, that had been then; now, Zuko'd grown - the alter-ego had grown - but it still felt like he'd done nothing to prove it.
He raised his head, meeting Katara's icy blue gaze.
It only took one look at Zuko's conflicted expression to thaw out her icy emotions.
Was he ashamed? She wondered. Of what? Blue's done so much to help people…the village, the victims of Ren…
Zuko moved to sit beside her on the couch, arms unfurling to place the familiar mask in his lap.
"I didn't mean for it to go on for as long as it did."
Katara hesitantly reached over, scooping it off his lap. She studied it closely, fingers brushing down the ridges, tracing the eye holes.
"I had my suspicions it was you," she mumbled. "Visiting Piandao kind of cemented the theory, though I didn't want to believe it."
"You're not mad?" His voice was rough and guarded and Katara thought he sounded very young.
"I… she sighed, turning to look at Zuko's profile. "I'm annoyed you never told me, but… I don't know what all's happened to you Zuko, and I don't want to act like I do, but I know a lot has changed for you recently."
She set the mask back into his lap.
"So, no." She settled with. "I'm not mad. Betrayed…? Yes. Shocked? Absolutely. But…we're friends."
This elicited a sidelong gaze from Zuko.
Katara searched his warm eyes, smiling reassuringly. "You know, I don't know if I would have taken the help if I'd known it was you." She bumped his knee with her own, teasingly.
He bumped it back. "Probably not."
She mock-glared at him.
They sat side by side for a few moments, legs pressed up against one another, silently thinking.
"How long have you been Blue?" Katara eventually asked.
"A while," Zuko managed. "Though I'd planned to retire him after what happened in Ba Sing Se."
The brunette bobbed her head. "Hm," something dawned on her. "So, you did come after me, just not as yourself."
His eyes fell to the scowling mask beneath him. "I feel horrible for telling you that, you know."
"Now it all makes sense, why he-you were so quiet that night."
"Yeah." He agreed. "The Blue Spirit…he's always been my way of doing what I felt I needed to do, without the 'Prince Zuko' title…but he didn't always have the same intentions, like I saved Aang once. I think you and your brother were sick at the time."
"You saved Aang?"
"Zhao had captured him," he explained. "I couldn't let him reap the glory."
Katara's eyebrows shot up, barely remembering her feverish state. "You've been Blue for that long?"
Zuko nodded solemnly. "After Ba Sing Se, the lines blurred between my actions and Blue's actions."
Katara chewed her lip thoughtfully. "So you brought him back, but to help people - help me?"
"Yes."
Zuko turned to nervously look at his friend, who still bore the same look, mulling over all she'd learned.
"I'm sorry I made you tell me like this, Zuko." Katara said. "It was wrong of me to go through your stuff."
He scowled. "No. I needed to tell you. I need to stop relying on Blue to do the things that I need to be doing. It's time I actually take control of my own destiny and do my part to help stop this stupid war."
"Zuko," she cooed, cheesing ear-to-ear. "I'm so proud of you. I've heard you say it before, but now I think you actually believe yourself."
His lips twitched up into a smile. He'd not thought about it like that before.
"W-would your friends let me? Help you guys, I mean?"
She got to her feet, picking up the mask off his lap and placing it on the table.
He looked at the girl curiously, taking her proffered hand to help him up, too.
"Well," she mused, letting go of his warm hand. "It may take some convincing, but I'll back you up every step of the way."
Zuko smiled hopefully, eyes skimming over Katara's pretty face.
"As long as you don't screw up," she teased.
"Hey Katara?" He rasped.
She gave him a questioning look.
Without another word, he pulled her into a hug, noting the surprised blush warming cheeks.
Zuko, before Katara, would hardly consider himself a hugger. But, he'd discovered hugging a girl was much, much different than hugging his smelly uncle.
"Thank you." Zuko whispered, face brushing against her soft hair, arms tight around her shoulders and neck.
Katara squeezed his middle, "Of course, Zuko."
Neither pulled away for a moment, Katara's head resting on his shoulder.
"Wait, what about your uncle?"
Zuko pulled away, frowning.
So much for that smile…
"Let's find your friends first. We're only halfway there."
Zuko didn't want to think about that now, as guilty as it made him feel. His uncle wasn't going anywhere and the old man would probably fuss at him if he left Katara to find her friends herself.
Spirits, Zuko would fuss at himself if he was stupid enough to abandon his new friend - not that he even wanted to leave her, not really.
It was settled then. They'd worry about that once they were reunited, provided the avatar didn't blast him off a cliff first.
"I bet you're excited to see Aang." Zuko mused as they went down to the deck.
"Honestly, I'm more excited to see my brother and hopefully my dad." Her eyes sparkled at the thought of her father. "I haven't gotten to see Dad in forever."
"Really?" He asked, though it wasn't directed towards her father comment. "I thought you and Aang were a thing."
Katara shot Zuko a dubious look.
"A thing?" She repeated. "Aang is like twelve."
Zuko snorted.
She sighed. "He just has a crush on me, I think."
"You think?" Zuko craned his face to the sky, letting the warm sunlight blanket his skin. "He's in love with you."
"He's twelve," she insisted, like that made Aang's feelings any less there. "Can we not talk about that?"
He smirked in response, shrugging his shoulders. "It was just an observation."
~0~
The remainder of the day past without much incident, the skies a bright blue and the seas mellow. They'd managed to make it thus far without seeing a single Fire Nation naval ship, and Katara hoped to keep it that way.
The Akagi trudged past Roku's island, the small piece of land no more then a clump of brown on the horizon.
Katara had hoped Zuko knew more about Avatar Roku, a fire bender, but was disappointed to learn he didn't know much at all.
Maybe, she thought, once the war is over and Zuko is Fire Lord, he'd let me peruse their libraries…
Sunset approached, bringing the bustling city of Fire Fountain along with it.
The rough terrain enclosed the city between rolling hills, the harbor nearly four times the size of the one they'd left from.
Massive freight ships lined the northern end of the port, the docks feeding into a multitude of industrial buildings and freight yards. The southern end of the dock was determined to be for travelers - though Katara hadn't the slightest idea on how Gin figured it out.
As they approached an empty dock, a massive silhouette of a human peaked out between the hills, alight with fire. It was unlike anything she'd seen, the head easily the size of a building, the fire a constantly burning.
"Alright!" Gin said, the anchor splashing into the sea. "It's not too late, many vendors should still be open! Good thing too, we're nearly out of fuel."
Zuko squinted at the helmsman. "It's late for Fire Fountain city. Probably should stay in for tonight."
"It is?" He replied, confused.
"Let's just say," Zuko started. "The average citizen knows they're better off staying indoors once the sun goes down."
"But why?" Katara looked out at the city. It looked no different than any other, the only difference the vast size.
"It's not safe."
She'd wanted to get off the ship, stretch her legs, explore a little. That was another thing she missed about traveling on Appa, the constant ever-changing scenery. The greenery she found far more interesting then endless blue - blue skies, blue(ish) water.
"Not safe?" She said. "I think you and I can handle ourselves."
Katara and Zuko surely had both been to far worse places than here, she thought.
Zuko's lips pulled into a frown, brooding now. "What about Gin?"
Gin quirked his head, raising his hands innocently. "I'm fine on my own." He pulled back his vest, flashing a concealed dagger reassuringly.
"Look!" Katara pointed out towards the closer section of the city. "Is that a fair?"
Lo and behold, to the right of the main entrance from the harbor, was a myriad of well-lit tan and red tents, a variety of fair activities scattered amongst them.
A small man-made pond backed against the road, just in view, and almost on cue, a few tiny animals swam straight into Katara's line of sight.
"Awww," She cooed, pointing to the cute creatures. "They have turtle ducks! How dangerous can turtle ducks be, Zuko?"
The sight of Zuko's favorite childhood animal brought a soft smile to his lips.
"When's the last time you were here?" She asked. "Maybe it's not as bad."
"Okay.."
This brought a matching smile to her face, and something about seeing her so genuinely happy made Zuko happy.
In fact, that adorable grin made his heart warm. It made him want to do things that made her have that reaction even more.
And he didn't know what to do with that.
So, only somewhat begrudgingly, Zuko retrieved his swords, strapping them to his back, before he pulled on a dark red cloak.
"Here," he handed Katara a matching cloak.
The young woman pulled the proffered cloak over her tanned shoulders without a word.
Gin insisted on going off alone, saying he could probably find coal for the ship without much effort. The younger man wasn't too keen on letting their helmsman venture off on his own, but Gin loaded up a wheeled wagon with a few barrels and set off.
"If we're going to be out here this late," Zuko told Katara as they made their way off the ship. "Then I need you to promise me something."
Their feet hit the rocky path and he could tell he wasn't holding her complete attention, head in a swivel, taking in the big city.
"Katara," Zuko said, pleased to see her glance at him in a timely manner. "Are you listening?"
"Uh huh."
"I'm serious, Katara," he said sternly, stopping in her path. "This is even more seedy then the port city."
Katara nodded in acknowledgment, the smile dimming.
"Stay close to me. We'll probably have to act like a couple again."
An older man walked towards them on the main path and Zuko's arm snaked around her waist, barely touching her.
"The people out this late are up to no good. Don't accept anything from anyone, don't play any games, don't promise anyone anything." His voice lowered to a rasp as the older man passed.
"Okay," she promised.
Zuko felt her inch closer to him the more they made it into town. The pair had already passed the fairgrounds that backed up against the trail, and he was thankful that he'd been able to hold her attention long enough to get her by without stopping. The crowd inside the fair was far denser then he'd thought it would've been this late in the day.
A fair amount of people - mostly men or heavily armored women - milled around the statue, eyeing the newcomers. Some looked to be headed home from work, others loaded down with armfuls of various groceries, while the seedier characters swaggered about, gazes lingering on females longer then socially accepted.
The silhouette Katara had noticed from a distance turned out to be a shirtless dark metallic man. His pristinely sculpted pectorals and abdominal muscles had been sculpted to be visible even in the dim lighting. He roared at the heavens, mouth agape and fists clenched at his sides. The blaze continuously blasted out of the mouth and fists.
It was only then did Katara notice the golden crown atop the man's topknot, sparkling in the firelight.
Was the statue of the Fire Lord? Sheesh.
Katara craned her neck, trying to get a better look at the statue. Zuko, who'd fallen a step behind her, slid back beside her, hand returning to her lower back to usher her along.
This wasn't a town that they needed to look like unsuspecting tourists in.
"It's quite the statue, huh?" He murmured darkly. "It's of my father."
Her brown hair flew over her shoulder, head swiveling quickly to stare up at Zuko.
"That's the fire lord?" She hissed. "He looks like he's dressed for battle."
"He is," Zuko rasped in return, trauma ghosting across his face as his fingertips brushed his scar. "For an agni kai…"
"What's that?" Katara queried, noticing Zuko's fingers brush against the scar on his face.
"Don't worry about that now," he said dismissively, still vigilantly watching those around them. "Later."
The statue of Ozai had been designed to be the centerpiece for the entire city, a large open hexagonal courtyard around it. The entire town was set up in a radial fashion, each line of buildings leading directly to the Fire Lord.
Throngs of people gathered around something beneath the right side of the statue, hollering in excitement.
"Gamblers," Zuko commented with a self-righteous snort.
A large building jutted out to their left, a tall open-holed tower looming off it's right. Something dark shot out, wings fluttering.
"Messenger hawks?" Katara mused quietly.
Sokka would have a field day here…
"Hello!" A middle aged balding man stepped in front of them. "Might I interest you in-"
"No." Zuko growled, shooting him a glare.
The man mirrored the glare, but stepped aside, out of their path.
His hand moved away from her lower back once they stopped at the mouth of the next road.
Katara, feeling the movement, glanced to Zuko, who still stared ahead.
"Can we stop somewhere to eat?"
Uncertainty, mixed with annoyance - though Katara would call it paranoia - seemed to be the only thing Zuko could feel in this city.
"It'd be nice to not have to cook." She continued, nudging his side with her elbow. "We could even pick something up for Gin."
Zuko peered down at the girl.
"And then go to the fair, before we leave?" Katara batted her eyelashes sweetly.
It would be a good distraction, probably for both of them.
It wasn't like they couldn't hold their own against some thug.
His stomach rumbled.
"Fine," he sighed. "Where are we eating?"
Twenty minutes later, Zuko sat across from Katara in a tiny booth in one of the largest restaurants in the city. The restaurant lay nearly empty, a common characteristic for the time of night in the city.
"See," Zuko grumbled, fidgeting in his seat so he could cast his third gaze since they sat at the door. "No one is out."
"Well," Katara countered brightly. "At least we'll probably have quick service!"
"Hello there," an older woman greeted. "Welcome to the Coral Urchin. Are you interested in trying our sea-slug soup tonight?"
Zuko stared at his menu, startling when Katara kicked his shin under the table.
"No thank you," Katara said pointedly. "We're actually probably going to need a few minutes to decide."
The fire bender had the courtesy to glance up at the waitress and force a smile to his face, nodding in agreement.
The waitress dipped her head respectfully, snapping shut her small notebook. "I'll give you some time to decide."
Katara poured over the menu, nose curling up in disgust at a few of the options. Flipping the menu over, she read:
History of Coral Urchin Noodle Shop
Founded in 285 BG, the Coral Urchin was one of the first restaurants around in North Chung-Ling. Over the years, it has housed a number of local celebrities, such as Fire Lord Zoryu, many chancellors and…
The next line was scratched out and Katara leaned closer, trying to make out the characters. Did that say Avatar Kyoshi?
"Having a history lesson, are we?" Zuko murmured, staring at Katara desperately trying to make out the defaced words.
She snorted, "They blocked out the part about the Avatar."
"It's all politics," Zuko said. "What are you going to eat?"
Her shoulders raised and fell, the cloak slipping down her back.
"I don't know…" she flipped the menu back over.
~0~
The remainder of the evening was fun, Zuko had to admit. He'd had fun watching Katara try to pet the turtle ducks, and actually laughed when a fire ferret scampered up her arm and onto her shoulder. The girl had frozen in place, eyes wide.
"I know he's just like Momo-" the Avatar's white winged-lemur, she'd clarified, "But he's so much…furrier."
Then, the fire ferret attempted to pit-pocket Katara, its' little mouth nosing its way into her robe pocket. Zuko did them both a favor and rid her of the weasley creature.
The pair finally made it back to the ship, Gin's dinner in tow.
"Gin!" Katara called up the stairs, feet lightly clicking on the metal steps. "We brought you back food!"
The cogwheel spun and the door opened to an empty room.
"Gin?" She called again, sticking her head out to look over the balcony.
Where was he?
