Too Far
For two weeks the two benders spent their time together. Katara and Zuko would bicker daily but soon forget whatever it was they were bickering over. Zuko trained twice as hard as Katara thought possible. The only time he would stop his training was to bicker with Katara, eat, and sleep. Iroh watched the two benders with great amusement. Every once in a while Aang and Sokka would show up and spend some time with Katara, which in turn lead to Zuko glaring at Aang and Sokka for their entire visit. Iroh had decided that it was best if the Fire Lord did not know all the details. Word was sent that Ceres had broken free and that Zuko was protecting its prey. That alone would keep everyone at an arms distance from Zuko. Iroh had left out that Prince Zuko had teamed up with the Avatar to stop it. The young firebender did not need to be branded a traitor if his father dismissed it all. It was a likely option with the Fire Lord. Which had happened. Word got back and the Fire Lord would not admit that Ceres was a threat to him. Even though everyone was shaking in their boots, the Fire Lord simply said Ceres was not a threat and moved on, leaving his only son to pick up the pieces and try to stop the powerful demon. Katara seemed worried that they were basically on their own and Prince Zuko . . . . . the fire prince said nothing and did nothing. He just went back to training, even harder than before. Iroh had told Katara not to worry, that Prince Zuko would protect her. After watching the young prince train, she finally agreed. However, things quickly went from bad to worse during one of the two teenagers daily bickering. The two were in Zuko's room when it happened.
"I'm not some lackey you can order around!"
"We wouldn't be in this mess if you were!"
"At least I tried to help someone in need!"
"Someone who is trying to rule the world!"
"Like that's not what the Fire Nation is doing!"
"The Fire Nation doesn't steal bodies if that's what you mean!"
"No! They just steal lives!"
"The Fire Nation kills those that need to be killed!" It was then that it happened. Katara spoke before she thought. She caused Prince Zuko to freeze with her cold words. She went too far before she realized it.
"Why do you defend the very nation that scarred you and threw you away!" Katara clamped her hands over her mouth in shock and took a step back. She went too far. She knew it. He knew it. And he knew she knew. He knew she knew how it happened. How his life truly was. Somehow she had found out. Zuko didn't care how she found out. His rage clouded his mind. His hands clenched into fists as he shook with rage. She took another step back.
"How dare you!" He hissed, his voice low. And Katara took another step back in fear.
"Zuko, I'm sor-"
"How dare you!" Cutting her off, he yelled as rage filled his face. Flames were brought to life around his fists. Katara backed up until she ran into the wall. Zuko's flaming fist slammed into the wall beside her head. Blood dripped down from his knuckles but he did not care. Katara stared into his eyes with fear. His golden eyes were unfocused and filled with rage. The memory of his banishment was playing through his head. His breathing was ragged and sharp as he fought his temper. Slowly, his eyes focused on her. Katara wanted to shrink back in fear but her pride would not let her. She stared into his deep golden eyes and tried to remain calm. "HOW DARE YOU!" He roared. It was then that she realized that she never had looked him straight in the eyes. Never for more than a second. And her mother always said that eyes were the window to the soul. Katara could tell that it was true. His eyes were proof of that, she was sure. Zuko's eyes were tormented. Hatred, rage, sorrow, and pain were all evident in his eyes. They stood out clearly as he stared into her eyes. Before she realized it, her hand reached up and covered Zuko's scar. His eyes widened and the rage left for a moment. Only a moment. The rage renewed itself as he slapped away her hand. "What do you think you are doing?" He growled. No one had touched his scar before. Not since the doctor treated him after the Agni Kai. That man was the last person to touch that side of his face. Not even he touched it. Too ashamed and saddened. Her cool hand was the first in a long time to ever touch that side of his face. Her hand was the first to ever really touch his scar. Not even his uncle, the man who raised him like a father would, touched the scar. Katara reached up once again, this time with both hands, and held his face in her hands. Her eyes traced the scar, engraving it in her memory. The prince reacted quickly. He stepped back, out of her reach, and covered his scar with his hand. He couldn't stand her eyes on it. Her eyes made the scar burn like it was just placed there.
"It's alright."
"No." He whispered. "Don't . . ."
"I know about it. You don't have to be scared."
"Don't!" He snapped. "You know nothing!"
". . . . . you don't have to be scared."
"I am NOT scared of some water peasant looking at my scar!"
"Then why are you covering it?" Zuko couldn't find the words. He didn't know what to do. The young firebender wanted to pull his hand back to his side. His pride yelled at him to put down his hand. But he couldn't. He couldn't stand her looking at it. Katara took a step forward, making him take a step back. She took another step forward as he took another step back. Soon it was his back against the wall. "It's alright." Zuko did not fight her when she pulled away his hand. She reached up to hold his face again. Zuko tried to move his head out of the way but it did not work. Catching his face, Katara held it gently.
- - - - -
Ceres looked over at Zhao. At the moment the demon was looking out over the railing at the sea. She wore a black Chinese styled red dress with slits up to her thighs with gold lining. Flower designs were stitched into the red fabric with gold thread. She wore the same shoes and the same bracelets as when she broke free. Only this time the gems changed their coloring to ruby. Black stockings adorn her legs and her each hand was covered in a black laced glove. Rubies hung from her ears and her hair was up in a tight bun. A hair piece that looked like a black rose was worn in her thick wavy blonde hair. Her face was painted delicately. Black eyeshadow covered her eyelids. The common black eyeliner circled her eyes. Dark red lipstick was painted onto her lips. A faint blush was brushed onto her cheeks.
"Ms. Lilith," He greeted her softly. She nodded to him.
"Admiral Zhao."
"It appears that Prince Zuko is protecting the girl the demon Ceres is after." A smirk worked its way onto her face.
"It appears so." She closed her eyes then looked at him. "Do you know where he is?"
"Not yet." Ceres nodded to herself.
"Well, it is an interesting subject. Please, keep me posted on how the events turn out." Nodding, he left her alone. Ceres gripped the railing tightly. 'Soon, Katara, very soon.'
- - - - -
Katara felt Zuko tense as her hands held his face.
"It's alright."
"Don't." Zuko reached up and took her hands in his own, pulling them off of his face.
"Why?" Katara whispered quietly. "Why are you so afraid?"
"Just don't."
- - - - -
Sokka sighed and looked over at Aang, who was flying the giant bison.
"Hey Aang . . ."
"Yeah Sokka?"
". . . . . I miss her." Rolling his eyes, Aang smiled. It was the eighth time that day he said that. Everyday he said that a number of times. Only when they were going to drop by for a visit did he not say that.
- - - - -
"Zuko . . . . it's alright." Zuko shook his head and moved passed her. He stood there for a moment, with his back turned to her.
"No, it's not." Katara put her hand on his shoulder.
"I'm here. Talk with me about it." His eyes narrowed as he fought back the painful memory.
"I can't." Turning, Zuko looked her straight in the eyes. "You don't understand."
"Then make me understand."
"It's not that simple." Katara searched his eyes, trying to understand.
"Why not? I'm here. I'll listen." Zuko smiled bitterly and shook his head.
"It's late. We need to go to bed." Katara nodded, knowing that he would not budge. He would have to come to her on his own.
- - - - -
Still battling writer's block. Oh well. It could be worse I guess. Afterall, I am atleast able to get out chapters, admittedly forced. And I have to read this dumb book before school starts again! Good Lord, that book is boring! Honestly, I don't mind reading books. A lot of the time I like the books they make us read for school. But this book literally put me to sleep! I'm serious! I was reading this book one minute and the next my mom is waking me up for dinner! If anyone has to read Billy Budd by Herman Melville, run like hell! I'm not kidding! Half the time I don't even know what he's talking about! He rambles like there is no tomorrow! I say give the book the chair for crimes against humanity! Coughs after akward moment of silence Er . . . . yeah. Well, anyways, ignore my rant. I'm sure there are some people who like Herman Melville. But that's not the point. The point is that I'm working through my writer's block so the next chapter won't come out as soon as I'd like. Please review, it helps me. When I'm happy it is easier to fight the uphill battle against writer's block! ;)