disclaimer: does it look like I own it? if i did, you guys would be in hell.
Katara sighed and rubbed her aching shoulders. She plopped down on her bed and looked around her new room. Over the weeks, the dragons' size progressed at a rapid rate and, Katara not wanting to part with them, had moved into a room big enough for two horse sized dragons with extra room. Sinking into the hollow in Naida's collar bone, Katara surveyed her third room.
It had black marbled flooring covered mostly by the huge polar-bear rug, bookcases lined a wall and where they didn't silk paintings did. A fireplace took up most of another wall, while the third had three doors leading to her bathroom, study, and closet. The fourth wall was actually a wall of glass that could slide into another wall to permit Naida and Varun to enter the room.
Sighing once more as she spotted the six boxes she still had to unpack (having refused servants' help) Katara decided to take a break and went out looking for Zuko. He had sent a messenger bird to his uncle explaining everything, but his uncle was still on his way to get him home, being the emperor. He'd become more distant as reports said he was nearing closer.
Katara knew he loved his uncle, but he didn't want to leave Katara. They had put off their wedding for many reasons; the hunt for Ozai, the Southern Water Kingdom being rebuild, and last but not least, his rule of the Fire Nation.
Katara walked slowly down the halls, pulling her robe tighter over her plain white dress. She walked along the walls of the city, thinking he'd be there talking war tactics with some soldier. He wasn't. Katara wound her way through the crowded streets of the city, fire nation soldiers mingled with water nation citizens. Katara had almost forgotten that the soldiers and crew on the ship that brought Zuko and Zula here had to stay to, there ship frozen in the bay and with the lack of water benders they couldn't get out. Some suggested melting the ice, but it was far too thick for them to melt and the climate didn't mix with their bending abilities.
As Katara neared the entrance to the walled city, a friend stopped her. "Ea wants you and Zuko is in the library." Aria said.
"Thanks, you seem to know everything that I need." Katara said, taking Ea from Aria's arms. Ea, over elated to see her 'mom', gave her a kiss on the cheek as she tightened her arms around her neck. She was now two years old, her hair down to her neck. Katara smiled and kissed her on her nose.
"No, Atara, it's that only a blind person wouldn't see the face you pull when you're thinking of him." Aria said with a sly smile. Katara blushed.
"Tell Alana and Talia to come by sometime." Katara called as she made her way through the hustling streets. Arexie nodded and waved to her.
She made her way to the library and found Zuko sitting by the fireplace, reading a thick book. Katara sat down next to him in a puff, pealing off a squirming Ea from her neck. Zuko looked up and kissed her cheek and Ea's.
"What are you reading?" Katara asked, pulling the toddler form the fire as she tried to make a grab for it. Ea found a new distraction, catching the lantern that swayed from side to side above Zuko.
"Something on my ancestry. You know, that book really sparked my interest." Zuko said with a sly wink. Ea climbed onto his lap, hands stretched high trying to snatch at the lantern Katara shook her head, snuggling up to him.
"You know what I don't understand?" She asked, watching Ea sway back and forth with the same rhythm as the lantern. "Why someone would put her on top of a tower, and how. Also, why did you come here?" She asked. He closed his book and kissed her on her neck.
"I was tracking the last Natas and it led me to you, my love. And as for Ea," He paused, catching the toddler as she fell backwards, still trying to get the lantern. Zuko sighed and lifted her to his shoulders. "As for Ea…we are lucky enough to have your little moonbeam." Katara laughed and kissed him on the lips, a short, light kiss.
"I think someone was trying to get rid of her Zuko, but why?" She asked herself, tapping her chin. Her face lightened as Yue and Suki came in sight with Alana and Talia. Alana's dark chaotic curls were somewhat tamed, but her dark purple eyes weren't. Talia's light brown hair swished in a childish elegance as she skipped towards Katara, her pale lilac eyes intense with fun.
"'Ello, Katara!" Talia said falling onto Katara's lap. Katara laughed and hugged Alana as Talia scooted over onto one leg to leave room for Alana who sat on the other. Zuko watched them intently, Ea hugging the extinguished (thanks to Zuko) lantern as if it were her favorite stuffed animal, Puppy. Zuko pulled Ea off of his shoulders and set her in his lap.
"Zuko…can I hold Ea?" Talia asked shyly, her eyes flickering to his then to her hands and back to his eyes. Zuko's face was straight but Katara could see his eyes dancing with laughter. He gently handed Ea to Talia, who held the two year old awkwardly in her small lap.
"'Air 'Ada 'Run?" Ea asked, slapping her hands to the crumpled paper lantern, her stubby legs kicking in excitement. Katara smiled, feeling the weight of three girls on her lap. Yue and Suki sat down on the other side of Katara as Zuko was sitting on her right. Zula, Aang, and Sokka stormed in, debating Earth Nation's war formation. Zuko laughed just then as they gravitated toward them. Zula sat on the floor in front of Katara as Aang and Sokka sat on the other side of Zuko.
Zula stood up and acted like she was going to sit on Alana's lap. Katara laughed as she picked up the now eight year old and sat on Katara's lap, Zula setting Alana on hers. Zuko couldn't help but smile.
"Zuko! Are you nervous about the wedding?" Yue asked, leaning backwards to talk to him. He did the same and shook his head.
"I'm nervous about the party after! I've never enjoyed dancing!" He called back over the friendly din. Yue laughed and turned back to Suki.
Sokka asked Zuko on his point of view for the army formation and Zuko eagerly joined in. A few citizens walked by, watching them curiously.
Katara leaned back happily, leaning against Zuko's solid form. Zula was still sitting on her lap, so was Talia with Ea on her lap. Alana had to go to the healer's for a check up; she had a nasty cold two weeks before.
Gradually the crowd thinned out as the day grew older, needing to attend to things before dark and such. Katara got up stiffly, Talia waiting patiently for her. Katara smiled and handed Ea to Zuko, who was half-asleep. "Go to my room tonight, love." She whispered and he eagerly got up, whether it was for the bed or what they could do in the bed, Katara did not know.
"Come on, Talia-Talia." Katara said, offering her hand to the sleepy child. She took it, yawning. Katara shook her head and picked her up. As she once again made her way through the town to Talia's house, the child fell asleep, her head resting on her shoulder. Katara grinned, hearing the steady breathing. She came to a good-sized house and knock on the door. A boy around her age answered. He had dark brown hair, almost black and blue, warm eyes.
"Hello, milady. What can I do for you?" He asked easily, opening the door. Katara laughed as he bowed.
"There's no need. Just call me Katara." She said, walking into the warm, fir-lit house. He grinned as he saw his sister sleeping.
"My name's Kari, by the way. Do you want me to take Talia?" He asked, though he knew the answer.
"Sure." She said, letting him peel Talia from her body just like she had to do with Ea.
"You can sit if you want, Katara." Kari said, gesturing to a comfortably worn looking couch. Katara thankfully sat down, watching as Kari left the room to put Talia to bed.
A young woman, also looking Katara's age walked into the room, watching Katara curiously. She looked exactly like Kari, only looking feminine. She was wearing a deep purple dress that was sensible cotton.
"Hello, what's your name?" Katara asked pleasantly, if a little awkwardly. The girl smiled and curtseyed.
"Alaula, Katara." She said.
"That doesn't sound like a name I'm familiar with. Where does it come from?" Katara asked conversationally.
"Oh, it came from a small tropical island….I forget what it was called though. All I know is that it was a beautiful island." Alaula said, with a hint of sadness in her voice.
"You said 'was' as in past tense. Did something happen there?" Katara asked, her eyebrows rose in surprise.
"The fire nation burned it. Now it's just an island of cinders." She said absently. Kari entered the room with three mugs of hot chocolate and a plate of fruit.
"Ah, I see you've met my timid twin, Alaula." Kari said, his voice teasing as he sat down next to his sister. Alaula punched him playfully in the arm.
"Talia says a good deal about you, Katara. She idolizes you. A bit annoying really. Always comparing me to you." Alaula said, laughing at Katara's blush. As dusk arrived after thirty minutes of pleasant talk, Katara dismissed herself.
"I have to go, Zuko is waiting for me. Please, come by any time with Talia." Katara said, giving Alaula a hug.
"I heard that fire prince is quite the looker." Alaula said slyly, Kari laughing heartily at Katara's expense as she blushed once more.
"Oh, he is quite the looker, Alaula." Katara said, giving her a sly wink. Both girls laughed as Kari's blush rose at the thought of what they were talking about.
"Well, I'll see you some time." Katara said, walking into the darkness of night. Talia's siblings closed the door, never hearing Katara's muffled scream or her struggle.
well, there you go...I'll try to update again sometime this week...who knows? I only have two days of school. shrugs I'm focusing more on Blue Rider and These Confines, then Sweet Ice, next Protector of the Crescent, and then Rebirth: You abandon Me. Turns out rebirth is a pretty popular story, though It's not an important one on my list..oh well