The only thing I own is the plot on your screen. If you plan to take my ideas and put them into your own fanfic, claiming to be your own mind that thought them up, get a hobby. Plagiarism is wrong, don't do it!
Katara slipped into her dark blue silk gown before putting on her long black robe. The bottom of her robe dragged on the marble floor of her bedroom as she walked over to the vanity mirror. She combed her long brown hair and sighed deeply when she saw Zuko changing behind her. He's still mad, she thought hopelessly while she braided her hair. "I'm going to check on Luna," she told Zuko and frowned when he didn't even acknowledge her words as though if she wasn't even there. She sighed as she stood up and slowly walked out of their bedroom. When she walked into her baby's nursery, she noticed that she was still asleep and Katara smiled at the peacefulness that seemed to overwhelm her when she saw her dormant child. She kissed Luna's forehead and headed back to her room, not wanting to face her husband's silent treatment. At least he's not yelling, the waterbender considered and opened the door to her bedroom.
"Is she OK?" Zuko asked as soon as Katara walked into the room.
Katara nodded and smiled. "She's fine." She walked over to the large bed and took off her long robe, placing it on a chair beside her. "Good night," the Lady whispered and laid down, not bothering to give Zuko his kiss.
The Fire Lord looked at her for a moment and frowned. "Good night," he mumbled and blew out the candle that was beside him. He closed his eyes and sighed deeply. He couldn't help but be remorseful for being so cold with his wife.
Katara looked at the ceiling until she felt her eyelids getting heavy, sleep tugging at her mind. She remembered a story that her father used to tell her when she was very young. It involved a man who came into the homes of people, to sprinkle a magical powder upon their eyes, causing them to enter deep sleep. She remembered how she would try to stay up as long as she could, wanting to meet the man that gave out sleep to the insomniacs. Maybe I'll tell Luna that story when she's older, she thought sweetly and yawned. It was then, that for only an instant, she felt a comforting presence standing over her...like an angel. She smiled into the darkness and let her mind drift off into the state of slumber, where dreams and memories entertain you during the night.
...two years ago...
Katara waved her hand over a bowl and smiled when small waves crashed against the sides of the basin. "So how have you been?" she asked randomly and glanced at the boy sitting beside her.
"I've been good," he answered and admired her natural beauty. She hadn't changed at all in the one year that they had been separated. He gently grabbed her wrist, stopping her from doing more water bending. He wanted her full attention. He wanted her to love him, like he loved her. "How have you been?"
Katara looked at Aang and smiled. "I've been good," she answered awkwardly. She looked down at the hand that was tenderly clasped around her thin wrist and wondered why he held on to her. Was he afraid that she'll leave like she did when she fell in love with his enemy? A small amount of guilt flooded her as she remembered the words that Aang had repeated to her the day of her wedding. Does he still love me? she wondered and looked up at his amber eyes, trying to find the answer in silence. ...Yes, he does.
"Just good?" the Avatar asked and reluctantly let go of her wrist. He remembered the endless nights that he had mourned for Katara's charming company and frowned at her discomfort. He felt the awkwardness between them and damned the person who caused it. Zuko.
"No. Great," she corrected and placed her hand on Aang's cheek. She didn't know what caused her to do an action as simple as touching a cheek, but she felt the occasion called for it. Was it perhaps, because she did the same with Sokka...her brother? Yes, that was it. She loved Aang like a brother and treated him like such.
Aang closed his eyes and smiled at her warm touch. God, he had missed that so much. "I've missed you," he said softly and placed his hand over hers. Why did she have to go? Why did she love another?
How do you cope when . . .
The one you love is with somebody else,
and there's nothing you can do about it?
Lady Katara laughed. "I've missed you too."
To think that those words gave Aang a stream of strong determination. He wouldn't quit. He couldn't. The Avatar looked into her deep blue eyes and pulled her hand away from his cheek, kissing the back of it lightly...like the gentleman he was. He needed her so badly. He didn't care if she was married. He knew he'd love her forever. "Run away with me," he pleaded desperately and watched her hand drop heavily on her lap. His mind had been taken over by his feelings and he had done nothing to stop it. So young. So stupid.
"What?" she whispered and looked around to see if anyone had heard him. "Run away? Are you insane?"
A giant jolt of emotional pain hit his heart. Rejection hurt...alot. He felt humiliated. She had called him insane. And who wouldn't? Anyone in their right mind would think he's crazy. What he was asking her to do was not only illegal (betrayal to the Fire Lord) but also dishonorable. Married women don't run away from their husbands. And Katara wasn't just any married woman...she was the Fire Lord's wife. The dignified and most beautiful Lady Katara of the Fire Nation. Aang sighed deeply and stared into the waterbender's big blue eyes. If he had not been shy about his feelings for Katara, maybe she would be the dignified and most beautiful...wife of the Avatar. But no, he had kept his love secret until it was too late. Besides, Avatars don't marry. He looked at the delicate features on the Water Tribe girl's tanned face and smiled. He didn't care. "I love you Katara. Run away with me. I'll make you happy," he paused and thought for a moment. "Much more happier than Zuko could ever even think of making you."
How do you deal with. . .
The fact that you had a chance
but you chose to turn away for your career?
Katara stood up and backed away from him. "But I am happy, Aang. I'm married to the man I'm deeply in love with. I'm not going with you. I can't...I won't. You don't love me. You're just a thirteen year old boy, what would you know about love?" Her voice did not betray the panic she felt inside her being. She wanted him to leave the subject alone. Shut up! she yelled in her mind before scolding herself for being too hard on the boy. He doesn't know what he's saying.
Aang got to his feet, stung by her words, and took a cautious step towards her. "How could you ask such an ignorant question? You married Zuko at fourteen...a year older than me now. What did you know at fourteen about love? How do you know even know that you love Zuko? Run away with me Katara, I could make you much happier."
Katara didn't know what to do. This boy was trying to lure her out of her home. Her friend was trying to separate her from the one person she truly loved. She shook her head in denial. He couldn't--wouldn't do this to her. He wouldn't ask her to stab her husband in the back. He's tired...that's all, she considered. The traveling has gotten to him. "You don't know what you're saying Aang. Why don't you go and take a nap and we'll talk later. You don't love me. We're best friend and that's all we'll ever be."
Aang could swear that he heard his glass heart shatter. He couldn't give up on her. She needed to change her mind because he needed her. "But..." he stopped and blinked back tears.
My heart is breaking
Oh, I can't take this . . .
"...I love you," he croaked and stepped forward. Why did I have to be the Avatar? he thought angrily. "Run away with me," he asked one last time and gasped when he saw another presence enter the room.
But it was something that I had to do . . .
"Get out of my house," a stern voice ordered.
Katara turned around and came face to face with her husband. "Zuko," she said and froze. Did he hear everything? Her breathing had momentarily stopped before she decided to push him away from her delusional friend. The expression on his face was frightening and she tried with all her might to keep calm. "He doesn't know what he's saying," she said. Her voice was shaky and came out rough. Her hairs were on end with just thinking that Zuko could kill the Avatar right now, in front of her. No, she wouldn't be able to watch...she would go insane.
"Get out!" the Fire Lord yelled heatedly and pointed towards the door. His hands were on fire and hate was written across his face. The betrayal... The insolence of that child to come to his happy home to try to wreak it. Aang was a fool to think that Katara would run away with him. It would take an indecent woman to do such a bold thing. And Katara, his wife, was nothing but decent and loyal and honorable and...
"Not without Katara," Aang said coldly, interrupting Zuko's thoughts. I love her more than you . . .
"I welcome you to my home and you do this to me? How dare you!" Zuko's fury was unleashed. He pushed Katara aside and stormed angrily towards the Avatar. "You're dead. I don't care if you're the Avatar...I'm going to kill you." Nobody was going to take the love of his life away from him. Avatar Aang was no exception.
Aang grabbed his long wooden staff and easily pushed him against the wall with a large gust of wind. "I'd like to see you try," he responded smugly and crossed his arms. I'm stronger than you. A good reason for Katara to leave you.
Katara got between the two and held her hands up, signaling that that was enough. She was devastated with such hatred. To think that most women would kill to have these two powerful men fighting over them. Poor Katara, she never even dreamed nor wanted this. She just wanted to be happy. She just wanted everyone around her to be happy. She looked at her best friend with tears in her eyes and shook her head. "I'm sorry Aang, but I'm not going with you now...or never. I'm married to Zuko and I love him. And if you love me, like you say you do, you won't come between Zuko and me again." Aang opened his mouth to protest but Katara stopped him. "Please Aang...I think it'd be best if you just go."
Avatar Aang nodded glumly and walked out of the room before giving Katara one last glance.
Nobody said that it would hurt so bad
So, how do I deal...how do I deal.
Without you?"
The waterbender hesitantly turned around, not wanting to face Zuko if he decided to yell at her. She didn't want to be reprimanded by him. She didn't want to be told that Aang was never any good. But when she faced him, Katara found understanding in his eyes and she sighed in relief, knowing that she'll be OK. She looked down at the ground in shame and whispered an apology while she blinked back some tears. She felt so awful. She hated the feeling of being ripped in half.
Lord Zuko pulled her into a hug and sighed deeply. "Why do you apologize?" he asked softly. He felt her arms wrap around his waist and he began to rub her back softly. "It's not your fault. ...He's a traitor."
She began to sob...those words broke her heart.
The sound of a crying child woke Katara with a start. She sat up and rubbed her eyes, sighing as she did so. She noticed that a candle was slowly burning out as she threw her legs over the side of the bed. "I'll take care of her," a soft voice said, stopping her as she was about to stand up.
Katara turned around and noticed Zuko putting on his robe as he lazily walked towards the exit. "Thanks," she stated and laid back down.
"...Katara?" the Fire Lord asked before leaving the room.
"Hmm?" she hummed and looked at his form in the darkness.
"I'm sorry," he whispered and left the room.
A week passed and Katara waited anxiously for Avatar Aang to arrive. Fire Lord Zuko had agreed not to fight with Aang unless he tried any funny business. Princess Luna was still alive and well, and her parents were beginning to think that the note was probably just a bluff. Still, one could not be too sure.
Zuko held Luna's hands up in the air and smiled weakly when she struggled to lift her leg. "You can do it Luna. Just step forward." They had been out in the garden for hours, trying to teach the child to walk. Katara's idea, of course.
"Just lift your leg and place it a short distance in front of you," Katara instructed uselessly and held her arms out in front of her. "Come to me Luna."
The Princess let out a small whine and lifted her foot. "That's it. Now set it down in front of you," the Fire Lord said and sighed in frustration when she set it back down on its' original spot. "Forget it Katara. She's not ready to walk." He lowered her arms and prepared himself to lift her up.
"Don't carry her!" she warned, making Zuko stop his intended action. "She's more than ready, you're just too easy on her." Her husband rolled his eyes and lifted his daughter's arms once more. "Luna, come to me. You can do it...I know you can." Katara took a step closer to the child and reached out towards her. "Come to me," she repeated softly and watched Luna intently when she noticed her hesitate in lifting her leg.
"Kata--"
"Look," the waterbender whispered harshly and pointed to Luna. The baby had taken a small but significant step closer to her mother. "That's it, sweetheart."
"OK, she took a step. That's enough for today," the Fire Lord said.
"Pick her up and you can say goodbye to any future children," Katara threatened and smiled when Zuko's eyes widened in horror. "That's what I thought. If you ever want to have fun with me again, I suggest you encourage her."
The Fire Lord smiled and kneeled down next to his daughter, not letting go of her arms. "Listen, you have to take one more step. Please Luna...one more step. Don't do it for me...do it for yourself. I know you'll want a little brother or sister one day. Step forward Luna...please," he begged and winked at his wife.
"Stop it," Katara laughed and turned her attention back to her giggling daughter. "Come to me, Luna."
The baby Princess laughed and slowly succeeded in taking another small step. The Fire Lord smiled and kissed her on the cheek. "You'll be running by next week, at this rate."
"Let go of her," Katara said calmly and sat crossed legged on the ground.
"What?" Zuko asked incredulously and frowned when Katara repeated the order. "You're insane...she'll fall."
"Then, let her fall. She can't walk on her own if you're holding on to her. Let her go," Katara insisted and looked at her husband, who was looking at her like if she had gone mad. "Let go of her...slowly."
Fire Lord Zuko hesitated in making such a bold move. By letting her go, he is risking her falling and crying endlessly. "Alright," he said at last and slowly released one of his child's arms. "She's going to fall Katara," he said in vain because Katara's expression had not changed. He let go of her other arm and resisted the urge to lift her up when he saw her waving her arms in the air, trying to keep her balance.
"Come on Luna. It's OK," the waterbender encouraged and scooted closer to her daughter. "It's alright."
The child had lifted her leg one centimeter before falling to the ground. Zuko's reflexes had failed him and he took a sharp breath, waiting nervously for Luna's crying to take place. Katara winced when Luna gave her a frightened expression.
"Yay!" a boy yelled and clapping could be heard from behind the waterbending mother. "You fell, good job."
Katara raised an eyebrow in confusion and looked up at Lord Zuko's angry expression. She turned her head and saw Aang standing behind her, clapping at Luna's mishap. A smile immediately crossed her face and she stood up, throwing her arms around the teenage Avatar at once. "Aang!" she exclaimed and pulled back from the hug. "I thought you were coming tomorrow."
"Ehh...I came early," he said and smiled at Luna, who was slapping the ground she was sitting upon. "Next time she falls, just clap. She'll think she did a good thing and not cry," he said and shifted his gaze to the angry Fire Lord. "What's wrong?"
"You," Zuko retorted coldly and lifted Luna up.
Katara sighed and turned around to face her husband. The Avatar rolled his eyes and placed his hands on his friend's shoulders. "Get over yourself," Aang told the Fire Lord.
"Listen bud--"
"Enough!" Lady Katara ordered and walked out of Aang's grip. She grabbed her child and shot both men death glares. "You guys will not fight in front of Luna, got it? If you do...I won't speak to you again." She looked at her young husband and softened her gaze. "Zuko, you promised."
The teenage Fire Lord rolled his eyes and nodded. "...Whatever."
"What happens when she sees people fight?" Aang asked.
"She'll start to think it's alright to fight and considering that she's a firebender, that's not good. Fire and all," Katara said and brushed a couple locks of hair out of Luna's face.
Aang took a breath of understanding and nodded in approval. "You're right...fire and anger shouldn't mix. Just look at how Zuko turned out."
"What the hell is that suppose to mean?" Zuko asked heatedly and fisted his hands.
Katara placed her hand on her husband's arm. "He was kidding," she whispered and gave Aang a nervous stare.
"Yea, I was. You know me...I get all giddy inside just thinking that Luna's got Zuko's wonderful firebending trait," the Avatar said, sarcasm dripping on every word like heavy syrup.
"You son of a--"
"You guys need to get a smaller place. I've been lost in here for ten minutes," a male voice said, interrupting Zuko's crude remark.
Katara sighed in relief and looked over at the person that had just spoken, in complete surprise. "Sokka?" she asked and walked towards her older brother. "What are you doing here?" She planted a kiss on his cheek and laughed when he stuck his tongue out in disgust.
"Aang, told me that there was some friction between him and Zuko...so I volunteered to come," he said and smiled at Luna. "And I wanted to see my favorite niece." He slipped Luna out of Katara's grasp and kissed her on her forehead. "Hello, remember me?" he asked with a bright smile on his face. Luna smiled back before resting her head on his shoulder and falling asleep.
"Someone's tired," the waterbender said and rubbed Luna's head.
"Am I ever," Sokka said and yawned.
"I was talking to my daughter," Katara laughed and crossed her arms.
"...I was talking to Zuko," the warrior said and smiled at his brother-in-law. "How are you?" he asked.
"I could be better," the Fire Lord answered and shot a quick glance at the Avatar. "You?"
"Tired...but glad to be here."
Zuko nodded. "I'm glad you're here too."
Sokka raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "Really? What's with the change?"
"Don't know what you're talking about," the Fire Lord said and smiled at Sokka.
Katara walked to Zuko's side and hooked arms with him. She was so glad to see that the mood had changed from disturbing insults to light jokes. Thank the heavens that Zuko and Sokka had become friends. She couldn't imagine what it would've been like if they still didn't like eachother. "Well, since you're tired and Luna's tired...we'll take you to your rooms." She looked over at Aang and smiled. "I suppose you're tired too..."
The Avatar nodded and gave her a shy smile. "A little. We've traveled nonstop."
The Fire Lord resisted the urge to insult the Avatar on how weak he was. He took a deep breath and looked at Luna's sleeping body within Sokka's arms. He smiled and remembered his uncle. Zuko hoped that Sokka will be just as understanding and funny with Luna as Iroh was with himself. "Let's go," he said uncommonly cheerfully. Damn the good mood that his uncle gave him.
Katara leaned her head on Zuko's shoulder and tightened the grip on his arm. "Let's go."
A/N- The song used in the Flashback is the Chorus in 'HowTo Deal' sung by Frankie J. I heard the song and was like, "It totally fits with the scenario!" lol...sorry.
A/N- In case you haven't noticed, each chapter has a flashback. It gives the fanfic more consistency and takes up space. Also, I think it gives it a more dramatic touch.