Everywhere she looked, there it was. Fire; it was so commanding, so powerful, and unstoppable. Her body slithered away from the coldness, and towards the raging flames. All of it looked so remarkable though. The crimson bursts, and orange sparks. It was like a parade of warm splashes. She was drawn into them, her hands reached out in a desire to touch it. Suddenly, Katara was ripped away by a pair of hands. Her eyes scanned the site, as it grew fainter into the distance.
"Mom… no, I want to stay!"
"Sorry, but fire is bad. It will hurt you."
It all seemed so distant now, the flames looked like small flicks of light. But somewhere from their depths, two golden eyes glowed.
"No it won't… the fire won't hurt me… it's beautiful…"
"Katara, fire can never be beautiful!"
Unexpectedly, the flames roared and spread their light onto her face. Everything was in a dark red glow. The hisses of the furious fire shot to her ears. It was spreading, roaring towards her. Her mother just pulled her back more. Katara was still reaching out to it. She longed for it.
"But I like fire… I like it…"
Her eyes widened in shock, as the fire finally touched her fingertips, and the hot pain seared through her body.
She woke up in a cold sweat. Her heart was pounding furiously, and she breathed in quick gasps. Slowly, she closed her eyes, and calmed herself down. When she opened her eyes again, she saw the morning sun shine into her room. Yawning, she pulled back the covers, and went to go shower. While the hot water ran down from her head to her toes, she thought about what her dream had meant. Why did she say that fire was beautiful? Was it because of that guy, Zuko? She shook her head, and let a cold stream of water burst out to wake her fully.
After she was done drying herself, she pulled on a blue kimono and tied up her hair. Half of it was up in a bun, the rest hanging down with random beads mingled into it. This time she wasn't going to be late for breakfast.
Katara headed out the door of her room, and walked down the hall towards the dining hall. After a few minutes of twists and turns in the palace, she reached her destination. Smiling to herself, she opened the doors. Her smile disappeared; no one was there. She was about to turn back, when a guard stopped her.
"Princess Katara does not wish to stay for breakfast?"
"What, you mean I'm the first one here?"
"Yes, no one else has come yet."
The smile spread across her face again, and she took her seat at the table. After a few minutes, and no one there besides her, she made sure that the guards weren't looking. Her hands rotated in a small circular motion, as she bended her cup of water. Suddenly, she heard the door open, and the water quickly fell back into the cup. Again, her heart raced madly, but she calmed herself down. It was only her grandfather.
"Why Katara, it's so nice to see you here so early!"
"Good morning to you too, grandfather!"
Pakku smiled and sat down across the table from her. The guards had closed the door, so he decided it was safe.
"Katara," he whispered, "you and I need to train. It's been too long; you need constant practice. Meet me at our usual spot before the sun falls into the ocean."
She smiled widely and nodded.
"Okay, I'll make sure…"
Suddenly, the doors opened again.
"I'll make sure I do my duties."
Nasu walked in, and when he heard this, he smiled at them. Katara smiled back; good, she was getting on her father's good side. After Nasu, in came Shira and Gran-Gran. It felt good to know that Sokka and Yue were the last ones to come in for breakfast. Time passed by and she could tell that Nasu was getting impatient. Finally, they came in laughing.
"Sokka! Yue! Do you know what time it is?"
They stopped dead in their tracks. Katara flashed them a wicked grin. Yue couldn't even begin to describe how much she had hated her sister. Sokka though, was just a bit disappointed that she had gotten there before them.
"We are sorry father."
"What is going on with you two? You are usually always on time! Today, Katara was the first one out of all of us to come here this morning! Unlike you two, she finally realizes the importance of royal duties!"
Yue was shocked completely. Katara? The first one there? It wasn't possible! It was simply barbaric, but she knew what to do. A small tear slid out of Yue's eyes.
"I'm… I'm so sorry father…"
She fake sobbed and immediately Nasu softened.
"Oh, it's okay Yue, it is your first time… just make sure it won't happen again?"
Yue looked up to her father with a smile on her face.
"Don't worry! It won't!"
So she and Sokka sat down, and the food was brought in. Occasionally Yue would send a cruel smirk towards Katara, but deciding it wasn't worth her time, Katara ignored it. Breakfast passed by somewhat peacefully, and everything seemed to be fine. Except for when a guard came in close to the end of breakfast, and he went up to Nasu and whispered something in his ear. It must have been urgent because he stood up.
"Family, I'm sorry to end this breakfast so soon, but I must be off. There is a certain matter I must attend to."
They all nodded and watched as the head of the family, and the leader of the tribe walked out of the room. Shira and Nasu gave each other a quick glance, but he shook his head slightly to signal that it wasn't anything to worry about. Katara on the other hand, thought it could be about one thing and one thing only, Zuko. Something must have happened surely, and now who knew what would be done to him. But she could be completely wrong; in any case, everyone at the table noticed her concerned demeanor. Yue loved this; the perfect opportunity had risen for her to get back at her little sister.
"Katara, why on earth do you look like someone just stabbed you?"
She shot her a death glare, and then looked away.
"Oh Katara, please tell us, we are your family, we can help you."
Pakku saw the smirk on Yue's face and the bemused smile on Sokka's. He knew this wasn't going to turn out good.
"Is it… oh dear, is it about that man in your room last night?"
Everyone's eyes popped out and they turned towards Yue, even Sokka. Katara's heart leapt up to the ceiling because it started to pound so fast. How could she have possibly known? Obviously, the rest of her family was shocked because they hadn't even known, so how on earth could Yue have found out about it?
Shira immediately went to her daughter's side.
"Katara, what is she talking about? Are you okay?"
"A man? Who is he, and how did he manage to get inside your room?" Pakku asked with much concern on his face.
Katara motioned for everyone to calm down. Before she started to explain, she shot Yue another death glare. She didn't need for everyone in her family to think she had been attacked or worse.
"I was getting ready for bed, when this man, well no, a boy about Sokka's age, came into my room."
She heard a gasp from her mother and grandmother, while Pakku just gritted his teeth as he listened.
"He didn't do anything to me though. The guards came and took him away. He was sent to the prisons."
"Good. A trespasser like that deserves it. I'm glad you're okay. Come Kaana."
Pakku's words stung at her heart, as she watched her grandparents leave. Next Sokka stood up and helped Yue stand up as well. Before she turned to leave though, Yue gave Katara something to think about, because she could tell that in Yue's eyes, she wasn't telling her something, and Katara didn't know what it was. When they left, Katara was alone with her mother in the room. Shira took her daughter into her arms and cradled her.
"It must have been frightening."
"Yeah, I guess," Katara mumbled.
Shira stepped away from her daughter, and looked into her eyes. Her face carried a sad frown, and her mother knew something else was bothering her.
"Mom, it's just… I'm the reason why he was sent to the prisons. I snuck into the Great Room."
Her mother couldn't believe it, but she let her daughter continue.
"And well… he's not even a man yet really! They could hurt him!"
"Katara… I know you are a compassionate person. Don't worry; I will have a talk with your father. The prisoner won't be hurt."
She was going to stand up to leave when Katara spoke just one word.
"Zuko."
Shira turned around with a puzzling expression on her face.
"Zuko?"
"That's his name…" Katara replied quietly.
Shira smiled softly and knelt next her daughter once again.
"Katara… you are special, you are different than the rest of us. Just know that I'm proud of you. I know what you did was wrong, but who knows what could have happened to, um, Zuko, if it hadn't been for you. Don't carry unnecessary weight on your shoulders. I know you do everything that you do out of all the kindness in your heart."
Katara wrapped her arms around her mother again, and smiled.
"Thank you so much mom. You really know just what to say."
Shira watched as her now joyous daughter bounded out of the room. She wasn't quite sure, but from how her daughter had said it, this person was no ordinary prisoner.
..:-:..
Once she was back in her room, Katara looked at herself and beamed. She still looked as perfect as she did before breakfast, despite Yue's taunts and warning stares. Her mother's words had encouraged her yet again. Katara felt so much better; maybe it really wasn't her fault if Zuko was in the prisons. She would go visit him again, and get her to talk him. Yes, that is what she would do. One more look in the mirror, and she could have sworn she looked like her mother, like a queen. Zuko would surely like that. Wait, what was she thinking? Why did she want to look good for him? She didn't even know if his name really was Zuko! Oh well then, maybe she just wanted to look good. That was it, just for herself and no one else. Right.
The halls of the palace seemed so much livelier. People were waving to each other, and talking merrily. To see this made her feel such welcome, to know she lived in a place where everyone was so kind to one another.
..:-:..
Yue couldn't resist it any longer. She just had to go see him. When she was finally able to get rid of Sokka, she slid away through a door without telling him anything. The rest of this would be accomplished without much difficulty. Yue found the secret door, and passed through it. Through a tunnel it seemed like, and then around the corner she walked, until she finally met her destination. It was the same old, dark, and dirty staircase that Katara had gone down the day before. When she reached the guards, she breathed in, and smiled coyly.
"Why hello!"
"Hello Princess Yue," they said with smiles on their faces.
"Could you please let me in? I just want a few words with someone."
"Oh sure thing Princess! No problem!"
"Here, take this! It will be your light!"
She took the lantern and batted her eyelashes.
"Oh, why thank you! You're so kind!"
Yue stepped through the creaky door, and when they shut it behind her, she rolled her eyes.
"Losers."
Slowly she made her way down the dark hall towards the last cell. Along the way she batted away the spider webs and the spiders that crawled there. She almost dropped the lantern because of it. This had better been worth it. Finally she was at the last cell. Her eyes shined through the window. Zuko saw them, and immediately thought it was Katara. They both had blue eyes of course. He ran up to the cell door but his smile vanished.
Yue saw a faint form of a face, and two golden eyes run across her face. She smiled; it had been worth every second.
"So you're the prisoner huh?"
Great, it wasn't the girl he had met before. This one had white hair, and she seemed sort of conceited. The first thing she thought of him was that he was a prisoner. She didn't even know his name. Zuko crawled back to his bed, and sat there looking at the small window where she still stood.
"That's a stupid question to ask."
Yue's heart died on the spot. His voice was so strong; he must be strong then too. For a second, it seemed as if she hadn't heard a single word he said. Now, she realized what his beautiful voice had told her. She scowled.
"Jeez, I'm just making conversation. So what's your name?"
Zuko laughed. Again, Yue got angry and scowled.
"Zuko."
"Okay Zuko. Tell me. Weren't you ever so disappointed you didn't stumble into my room?"
Zuko couldn't believe the nerve of this girl. He pondered on how he would respond. Yue stood there waiting for an answer, but was given none. That was it. She couldn't take him anymore. Did he not know she was royalty? A princess?
"Don't tell me you would have rather been in my sister's room! She's not even full royalty! I'm a fully blooded princess! You can't be serious!… ANSWER ME!"
"Boy, you are demanding."
Yue huffed in agitation. Then a thought got into her head. She didn't act like that to the guards. She softened her voice.
"Zuko, if you ever need anything, just ask for Princess Yue. I'll tell the guards so they know it's all right. I'll see you soon."
She finally left him there, and he practically gagged at the thought. There was no way that girl was even related to the other one. Even though she had put him in here, the girl he met first seemed so different somehow.
Yue was just about to open the door, when it opened itself.
"Oh my! Katara! What on earth are you doing here?"
Katara sneered at her sister.
"I could ask you the same thing."
"Oh me? Why, I was just visiting Zuko is all."
Katara's eyes grew wide and her heart ached a bit.
"You know his name?"
"Oh yeah. We just had this really long conversation. He's really something you know! I would even think that I could pull some strings with dad. You know, let him out for a walk with me."
Katara didn't let her emotions show on her face, but inside to hear those words, was like having an arrow aimed right at her heart. She didn't want to feel like that. Then why was she even bothering to be here?
"That's nice. Can I have the lantern now?"
Yue seemed somewhat shocked at her words. Katara didn't seem the least bit sad. Her actions weren't causing any pain for her, and that wasn't how Yue liked it.
"Here. Have fun."
Yue smirked as she handed her the lantern. Her eyes saw the last bit of white hair go through the door, and she sighed with relief. Katara faced the hall, and she saw the cell at the end of it, and it loomed over her like a distant possible nightmare. The night before he hadn't even spoken a single word to her. Now Yue informed her that she and Zuko had a wonderful chat. Katara sighed and stepped forward. The light seemed to guide her towards that last cell.
When Zuko saw that pair of sapphire eyes, he rolled his own, and breathed angrily.
"Go away!"
Katara wasn't expecting this kind of welcome. Her feelings had been shot down, and they stung at her heart.
"Fine, if you hate me so much I will!"
Zuko's eyes widened. It hadn't been Yue; this voice was so much gentler, even though she was talking in an angry tone. He rose as quickly as he could and reached out of the small window. Katara was going to turn away, when she felt something grab at her hair.
"Ow!"
She quickly spun around to see Zuko's eyes staring at her. Those pure golden eyes made her heart melt, but then she remembered what he said.
"What did you do that for? You want me to go away, and now you pull my hair?"
"I'm sorry. Please don't go."
Her insides weakened, and her mind was lost. His voice was like fire, and she wanted to be near it.
"Okay."
She smiled warmly, and although she couldn't see it, so did he. Moments passed by in silence. The two teenagers didn't care though; being in each other's presence was good enough for them. Finally Katara spoke, but she didn't know how she managed to.
"I'm sorry for putting you in here. It's all my fault."
"No, it's okay."
"Come on Zuko, you know it's all my fault."
"Well fine, it's not entirely your fault."
The two teenagers laughed for a second or two, and then when they stopped there was an awkward silence. It was a good thing it was dark, because Katara was blushing madly.
"What's your name?"
His voice sent chills up her spine again, but she bit her lip. Should she trust him?
"First tell me something. Is your name really Zuko?"
"Yes, it is."
For some reason, Katara could tell he wasn't lying. It was his eyes that told her he was being honest.
"Katara. My name is Katara."
Zuko smiled, and she could tell it in his voice.
"Katara… that's a nice name…"
Nice? Was that all? Yesterday he had just come out saying she was damn hot. Now her name was just nice?
"By the way, thank you."
This entirely shocked her.
"Why?"
"Because you saved my life."
"Oh, but you're still stuck in there."
"Yeah, but it's not too bad."
"It's completely dark and you are alone! How is that not too bad?"
They were as close as they could get to each other. He was still standing right up to the window, and she was doing the same on the other side. She could feel his warm breath on her face, and she was reminded of her dream. His golden eyes bore into her very soul. It almost felt like a dream, but she desperately didn't want it to be.
"Well, you're here, and you're eyes give off blue light."
For some reason, she would have just killed to be right next to him, without that stupid door in between them. His words were like magic. Then she laughed. This caused Zuko to smile, and the same thoughts crossed his mind. If only there was a way to get out of the cell, but then if he did, she wouldn't be able to stop his execution.
"What's so funny?"
"You say my eyes give off a blue light? You're silly. Look."
She held up the blue-lit lantern and he joined in with a chuckle.
"Oh, I guess you're right. But still, you have blue eyes."
She smiled and they stood there in silence again. It was broken however because they heard the loud creak from the door that seemed oh so far away.
"Princess Katara! You must be coming back now! It's almost time for lunch!"
"Okay, I'll be right there!"
They heard her voice echo down the hall, but even though her voice was still heard, she could hear Zuko's stomach growl. Now she just felt guilty. She had a big breakfast, and she was going to go eat a big lunch. Zuko had had near to nothing. She leaned in close to the window, even though she had no need for it. Zuko could hear her perfectly.
"I'll try to sneak you some food next time."
Zuko chuckled slightly, embarrassed that his body was so weak that he already needed food.
"Thanks."
She quickly fled towards the two guards, and up the staircase. Zuko heard the creaky door slam shut, and with that he winced. His cell was dark again, and there was no light. He sighed. If only he hadn't been so stupid, maybe then he could have had a chance to get to know her. Really get to know her. Instead he was stuck in this cell, just sitting there, hoping the time would fly by, and he would see her again.
A/N: Smiles … how was this chapter? Did you like it? I'm not sure when I'll be able to update next… Sunday perhaps? Thanks for reading! Please review! I want to know what you think! It helps me tons!
-Monika-