Chapter 12

Snow Riding

Returning indoors from the snow fun, Ellen and Larry already had hot tea ready.

Removing her Parka she sat down and poor some tea into her cup and took a sip and replied, "Thank you."

Ellen smiled and replied, "When you are finished eating and drinking your tea, I am sure Luna would love to go for a ride, it has been a few days since you had a smile on your face."

Katara paused at her memories and shook them aside and whispered, "Yeah, I guess…"

Larry looked at Ellen and replied, "Now eat up Katara, Luna will get impatient otherwise."

Katara laughed and put on her Parka once more and headed out towards the stables…

"You should watch what you say Ellen, we don't want her depression taking over too much or else it could lead her life into danger such as a suicide."

Ellen nodded with sadness shown on her face and replied, "I wish there was a way we could help her more than we are now."

"She wants to get to the North Pole, but I think it would be better if we wait till spring because of the snow, the ships in the harbour won't head North till spring anyways."

Katara mounted on to Luna as she rode out into the snow, heading towards the meadows.

"Ah Prince Zuko, gazing at the snowflakes now are you?" asked Iroh as he walked up to his nephew.

The Prince nodded.

"Well then why not enjoy the snow outside? It only snows here every four years."

"I know that uncle, but something isn't right."

"What is that Prince Zuko?"

"Remember the day when that waterbender stopped the water from soaking me, then another time she was nearly killed by that arrow."

"Oh yes, the girl. Are you telling me that there is something that might come up? Unexpected?"

"Yes, at the ball on Christmas Eve, something going to be there that night, something that she tried to stop, someone who wants her killed, to get her out of the way to prevent something from happening, I used to know a waterbender, remember the one who traveled with the Avatar, her brother, and the blind bandit."

"Yes and?"

"The girl I knew, have never gave up without a fight to make sure something that was about to happen didn't happen, like the way she protected the avatar, now this waterbender we met not too long ago seems very similar, that waterbender was protecting someone and was nearly killed because of it."

"You are getting somewhere Zuko, but maybe because the girl is similar to the one you fought with, is the one you fought with."

"Impossible; her brother always by her side, almost a watch dog to me!" exclaimed Zuko as he turned his back to his uncle once again, "But if it is her, why is she here; and what is she trying to protect? Why is she all alone? What is trying to kill her?"

"Your questions will not be answered until you talk to her." replied Iroh.

Zuko nodded as he made his way out of his room and towards the palace stables.

Riding in the meadows Luna enjoyed it as much as Katara did and took a stop and looked into the distance saw something riding towards her, getting into her battle stance she noticed a black stallion and saw someone on it, seeing a symbol of royalty she got out of her battle stance and saw the rider who mounted off and noticed a scar covering half of his face and gasped to herself, 'Zuko? Oh my god, it is him!'

Recovering from her shock, more like a surprise she suddenly remembered that she had to lie about her identity, she thought about this plan since the guards were after her.

Prince Zuko walked up to her and began, "Ah, about time I find you-"

"So you were the one who sent those pathetic guards at me!" scowled Katara.

"What-"

"Oh, you know those guards that were with you in the tea shop I worked at a couple of weeks ago."

"Oh them, they must have missed understood, when my uncle said they were to capture a thief in blue, they must of thought it was you, but we captured the real thief."

"Who was this real thief then?" questioned Katara.

'Gosh, she is good at getting answers…', "He was wearing a blue cloak, since he was trying to blame it on someone else who wore a similar color."

"Oh him, I seen hi before running by me when I was walking around the harbour."

"Now my turn to ask you questions miss-"

"Luna."

Luna stared at Katara as if she was nuts using her name rather than her real name.

"Luna, a water tribe name, are you from the water tribe?"

"Northern Water Tribe."

"I see why are you here? Are you with anyone?"

"Living at an old couple who offered me a job at her tea shop, and allows me to live with them until I can go to the Southern Water Tribe to see my cousin."

"Who is your cousin?"

"Uh, Katara, master waterbender, who carries around a necklace carved as the water tribe symbol that once belonged to her mother."

"You mean this?" taking out the necklace Zuko held it out to Katara and replied, "I wonder how this got here then?"

Katara stared at the dangling necklace while trying to hold back the sentence, 'My mother's necklace!' then she would've lost cover for sure!

"I got it from the Northern Water Tribe from my grandfather who carves necklaces; he made me one like hers because I adored it."

Zuko eyed Katara suspiciously and replied, "Well then this must be yours."

Tossing the jewellery to Katara he continued, "In a few days there will be a Christmas Ball holding up at my palace, be honoured to come if you wish."

Katara nodded and replied, "Thanks, I'll keep that in mind."

Zuko mounted on to his horse and rode off.

'Should I go, or should I not? Should I go, or should I not?' wondered Katara as she mounted on Luna who continued to stare at her strangely and rode off.

Disclaimer: Finally Zutara Fluff! Yes, anyways more fluff in the next chapter! LETS MOVE ON!