A/N: All…righty then…I am such a liar. Okay, so sometimes I don't turn out chapters so quick…And sometimes I turn one out in one sitting…All righty then…Well. This one HAS been churning in my mind for the length of this fic. It's my personal favorite. I ADORE the idea for this chapter. Especially the 'dream'. stares at lyrics matched with chapter I am such a dork. I am the ultimate dork. But it was a good song and it surprisingly fit! So sue me! huff
Lawyers: Okay!
Me: On second thought, don't sue me.
Evil Squirrel Leader: Sue her anyways. You forgot something.
Me: Duh! I haven't gotten to it yet.
ESL: SU-
Me: I don't own Avatar.
ESL: Nuts!
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Chapter 15: Water- Dreams
Katara yawned and headed back to her room, admiring the ruby sunset that was slowly bleeding into purple. She leaned on the railing for a little bit, her eyes glazed over with thoughts of someone she had never thought she could care for.
Oh, he's such a mystery
That haunts each lonely night
She sighed deeply, smiling contentedly. He had laughed, that meant he felt comfortable around her. This thought made her positively giddy. But then she thought of something that made her euphoria dissipate like the red in the sky. 'I've always been very open with my feelings. If I like someone I usually let them know. And I always speak my mind…But I can't…Zuko isn't like Aang or Sokka or Haru or anyone else…He's supposed to be my enemy…And why does he hunt Aang, if he believes peace is the best thing for this world?' These thoughts were shunted to the back of her mind as Zuko joined her.
I'm scared I might wake up
Cause if I should wake up
"Why aren't you in bed yet?"
"The same reason you aren't. The sunset," Katara grinned.
It'll all be gone in the morning light
Zuko nodded and looked out across the ocean. He heaved a small sigh. "My uncle will be delighted. He's having his nightly tea and wished to see you before you went back to your room."
It's a mystery
What he does to me
"Why didn't he tell me at dinner?"
"Because, being Uncle Iroh, he thought you would stay out here awhile."
"That would be Uncle Iroh," Katara giggled.
Can I make him see
How I feel?
"Well?"
"Well what?"
"Are you going to visit my uncle or not?"
Katara smiled as she walked past Zuko to the ship's cockpit, "You really need to work on that impatience."
Zuko snorted, indignant.
It's a mystery
Could he care for me?
Katara walked into the almost deserted cockpit and smiled when she saw Iroh sitting, drinking tea.
"Ah, Katara. Come, sit down, have some tea."
"What did you need me for?"
Will my fantasy ever be real?
"Well, I was going through my things this morning and found something for you," Iroh reached behind him and pulled forth a package. "I had intended to give this to Zuko's bride when he became Fire Lord…But seeing as he's not going to become Fire Lord anytime soon, I thought I would give it to you."
"Hold on, bride?"
Will it stay a mystery?
"Yes. It is Fire Nation tradition that before the Fire Prince becomes Lord he must marry a young maiden. The typical age for this is seventeen….Unfortunately, my dear brother does not seem to want to relinquish the throne anytime soon. And by the time he does, this will be all dusty. And what a waste that would be, especially after all the money I spent on it, don't you think?"
Katara jerked her head in a nod, her throat too constricted to speak.
Oh, he's such a mystery
Why can't I let him know?
Iroh smiled broadly. "Here you are."
Katara numbly took the package, and, finally finding her voice, she spoke. "Why not just sell it?"
Just how much I love him
"That would also be a waste. As I think no one would look more beautiful in that than you."
How much I think of him
"Thanks, I think. You know, Water Tribe girls usually marry at eighteen," Katara gulped, her mind still trying to process what Iroh had just inferred. She could feel her cheeks burning. She whispered the next thing so only Iroh would hear. "If I-"
"-marry my nephew, yes?"
But I'm scared to tell him so
"I would marry him at fifteen."
"Yes, I suppose you're right."
"I…Um…My first priority has to be Aang."
It's a mystery
Could he care for me?
"Ah, yes," Iroh sipped his tea. "I know. Your loyalty to your friends is forefront in your mind and heart. I wouldn't like you half as much if it wasn't. Now, get some sleep."
"Yes sir," Katara stood up and halfway to the door, she turned. "Thank you."
"Think nothing of it."
Will my fantasy ever be real?
Katara tiptoed to her room, swinging the door open and quietly closing it behind her. She took a deep breath and sat on her bed. For several minutes all she did was stare at the package. Finally, growing tired of this and feeling slightly silly, she snapped herself out of her reverie. "I'm being silly, it's just a package." With that said, she proceeded to rip it open. Something soft and shimmering slithered out onto the cotton covers. Katara gasped at the beauty of the silken kimono, practically glittering in comparison to the crude sheets of her bed. She gulped and held up the ornamental comb that accompanied it, with a flower decoration that matched the exquisite gold and crimson flowers of the kimono. She sat there for awhile, before temptation overwhelmed her to try it on.
Will it stay a mystery?
After some difficulty with the obi, Katara finally let down her hair and inserted the comb at the top. She took a deep breath and opened her eyes. She nearly fell over backward when she saw her reflection. She was beautiful. Iroh was right. It fit her perfectly, the bottom of the kimono heavily dragging, the sleeves so long they graced the floor…A Fire Nation kimono…fit for a princess…literally. Katara's eyes narrowed. She shouldn't be wearing this. She was a proud member of the Southern Water Tribe. She shouldn't be wearing this…But before she could begin to remove it, something about the design of the outfit caught her eyes. Blue. Underneath the flower pattern were streaks of blue, gold, and crimson, weaving in and out, intertwined. Water and Fire. They were peacefully intertwined, balanced, neither one overruling the other. Katara touched the mirror, smiling suddenly. She twirled happily and fell onto her bed, the kimono fanning out around her. The moment her eyelids drifted closed, her mind was lulled into sleep.
oOo
Katara awoke with a start to find herself lightly sandwiched between satin covers. She sat up, waiting for her eyes to adjust. She was in a magnificent bed; most of the room around her was blurred to her eyes from darkness.
It's a mystery
What he does to me
Katara looked around her and found a large armoire to her left. In front of her there was a large doorway and a vanity. To her right, was a balcony, and with a gasp, she realized what the balcony looked out on. The Fire Nation. She slid her legs out of the sheets, her feet gracing the warm floor. She was about to get up and investigate further when she heard a cry of dismay. A cry that sent a shiver rolling down her spine.
Can I make him see how I feel?
"Mommy! Mommy!" Soon the calls were accompanied by a soft padding noise.
Katara barely had time to blink before a small child threw herself into Katara's arms. "Momma," whimpered the small girl.
Katara felt compelled to comfort the child. "What's wrong?"
"Monsters are under my bed."
It's a mystery
"Oh," Katara sighed as she rocked the child back and forth.
"I tried to tell her there aren't any monsters, Mom, but she wouldn't listen," a small boy appeared in the doorway, his quiet voice sending more shivers running down Katara's spine. Something was very familiar about that voice. She watched the boy walk forward, his arms crossed, a sliver of moonlight illuminating his golden eyes.
Could he care for me?
Katara made a guess "Darling, would you get your sister a glass of water?" The boy nodded. Katara heaved a sigh of relief, she had been right.
"Thank-" Katara's words died in her throat as she saw the boy waterbend some water out of a basin and into a glass cup on the chest at the foot of the bed.
"Something wrong, mum?" The boy picked up the glass and handed it to Katara.
"No, nothing's wrong," Katara swallowed, giving the glass to the little girl. He was a waterbender. The boy's sister took a sip of water and set the rest of it on the nightstand. Katara composed herself and spoke to the girl who was snuggled once more in her arms. "Your brother's right, sweetie, there aren't any monsters under your bed, and even if there were-" Katara withheld another gasp as she felt the covers shift beside her, a voice she found all too familiar sounding, sending shivers through her whole body.
Will my fantasy ever be real?
"And even if there were, your mother and I would protect you from them."
It all clicked. Katara looked behind her to look into Zuko's eyes, shimmering like molten gold. Even his bad one was a spark in the darkness.
Katara took a deep steadying breath. "That's right, sweetheart," Katara whispered. "Daddy and I would take care of them."
Will it stay a mystery?
"Uncle Aang and Uncle Sokka too!"
"Yes," Katara smiled her brilliant smile, her eyes glittering in the darkness. "Uncle Aang and Uncle Sokka wouldn't let anything touch you two."
The girl smiled, her own blue eyes a mirror of her mother's. The girl squeezed her mother a final time and leapt gracefully from the bed. "Daddy, would you lead us back to our room?"
Oh, he's such a mystery
That haunts each lonely night
"Of course," Zuko laughed. Before he got up, Katara felt his arm snake around her waist and kiss her neck softly. "Be back soon. Get some sleep Katara, you deserve it."
"You do too," Katara whispered.
I'm scared I might wake up
Zuko smiled and stood up, walking over to his children, holding each of the children's hands in one of his own.
"Will you guide us with your flame, daddy?" The girl asked softly.
Cause if I should wake up
"Why don't you do it this time?"
"Okay!"
"Now, concentrate…"
A small flicker sprang from the girl's small hand.
It'll all be gone in the morning light
"I did it!"
"Very good," Zuko praised.
Katara took another deep breath. A firebender.
It's a mystery
She watched them walk away down the hall, the scene around her fading into darkness.
What he does to me
oOo
Katara awoke to find herself in her room, huddled on the soft bed on Zuko's ship. She thought back to the dream, an indescribable happiness washing over her. She had children. Zuko was her husband. Sokka and Aang were still beside her. Nothing she could think of or dream of could compare to the joy she felt at this moment. 'I want this dream to be a reality…I just hope Zuko feels the same…'
Can I make him see
How I feel?
Somehow, Katara had a feeling this dream was closer than she dared to wish.
Will it stay a mystery?