A/N: Wow... I am in so much shock that I've come this far with this fic... so many chapters and still more to write! WOW! lol :D Thank you everyone who has supported me with this fic! It's all thanks to your great reviews! ...anyways... for this chapter, all I'm saying is... be prepared to be happy, and then be prepared to be saddened... :( PLEASE DON'T HATE ME! okay... i'll leave you to it then...
Chapter 12
The sun would set in a few hours of time. Shadows stretched from the stumps of the trees and both Zuko and Katara sat against one, scanning the fields around them. His arm was around her and they were resting peacefully. To their backs was another fire nation village, which had already seemed to be filled with fire nation soldiers. It was far in the distance still, and the two of them didn't have any reason to move elsewhere. Katara's eyes remained closed, but she couldn't fall asleep. The warmth of the sun was still upon them, and even though they were in the shade, and she was leaning against Zuko, thoughts ran through her head of the new knowledge she had come to posses.
He stroked her arm up and down with his fingers, and Zuko could see the pain in her face. Each was still weak and needed to conserve energy. The days ahead would be the most painful experiences yet, and they needed to be prepared. So far, Katara hadn't spoken to Zuko. She told him that they would speak when the time was right, but he was growing weary, and his thoughts burned inside his mind. He needed to know what had happened to her.
Katara began to stir, her mind unable to contain all of her feelings anymore. Zuko lifted his head off of hers and looked at her anxiously. Her beautiful blue orbs appeared and he smiled gently.
"Are you rested?"
She pushed off of the tree and sat up fully. Her arms stretched out and then she twisted around towards Zuko. Instantly her eyes changed and in them he saw pain and sorrow, even the slightest bit of embarrassment.
"Yes, and I am ready to talk."
..:-:..
Azula's newest finding had lifted her spirits and she was in a most cheerful mood. The Jade Jewel burned inside of her hand and she felt its power seeking out its prey, much like her. After a while, she grew tiresome of wandering the palace and then thought to visit her dear brother in his confinement. She snickered as she turned down the hall and made her way to the smallest room that was in the palace. When she came to it, she stood with her hands on her hips and sneered.
"How are you doing Zuzu? Enjoying the special deluxe royal treatment?"
No answer came and her taunt echoed to no one. Her sneer widened as she realized he must have suffocated in the room. Quickly, she opened the lock and swung the door open. Azula faltered and stepped back in shock. The space was empty and Zuko didn't occupy it. Once she came to her senses, she slammed the door and looked around her. The walls bore the faintest scorch marks and her lips curled viciously as she let out a frustrated yell. Her breath was scarce, and when she regained her patience, she realized that a door was open down the hall. It confused her; she had no awareness of someone occupying this end of the palace. As she crept closer, Azula heard a dark yell of agony and her eyes widened with fright. She knew that deep voice, that deep growl of frustration.
It was her father.
Azula approached the door cautiously and then when she saw her father on the luxurious bed, she took a deep intake of air and stepped inside. As her gaze fell onto the two nurses dressed in blue, she knew at once something had happened.
"Father?"
Ozai heard the delicate voice of his daughter and it pleased him. The pain behind his eyes caused him to see nothing but a deep brooding darkness, but his hearingwas in tact. He raised his fingers and curled them, beckoning the fire prodigy to his side. She laced her fingers between his and sat down near the bed.
"Daughter, I am under an unusual circumstance as of now."
His teeth gritted as he said it and Azula's eyes miraculously shed tears.
"Father… what is wrong? Are you ill?"
"No, I am not ill. I have… temporarily lost my vision."
She gasped but he gripped onto her hand tighter. Azula looked up and she saw that the two nurses were prisoners they had acquired from the water tribe. Two healers, which Azula watched as she sat there, began to compress cool packs of liquid onto the Fire Lord's eyes. He squeezed her hand even more as the deep pain seeped through his eyes. Bright stars exploded from the back of his head and his jaw fell down onto his chest. At that moment, Azula shot up from her chair and pointed a trembling finger at the two nurses.
"What have you done to him?"
They whimpered and the older one found her voice first.
"It is how he is to be treated. To re-regain his eyesight, the pressure has to be reversed."
She sat down, still eyeing the two healers. Azula heard a grunt from her father and then turned to him anxiously.
"Can you see me father?"
Ozai closed his eyes and growled.
"That wench! She will pay dearly for what she has done to me! It could take all night to heal my eyes!"
Azula leaned in closer and shook her head confused.
"What wench? What happened to cause this state of agony for you father?"
His anger subsided. Azula's voice calmed his nerves and he closed his eyes.
"I had a little get together with that girl you imprisoned last night," Azula's jaw dropped down and her eyes bulged, "I thought little of her since there was no water in the room…but… she managed to jab me in the eyes…"
As he spoke the last part, Azula heard anger, resentment, and embarrassment in his voice.
"How was she able to…"
Azula was stunned at the news that the water bender had not escaped at all. She was even in more of a surprise to find out that her father had been at the palace for most likely the entire time. It sickened her to see her father in this kind of pain, and all because that stupid girl poked him in the eyes. But how did she get in that kind of position so that she was able to do it?
"Silence! You will ask no more questions, understood?"
Azula sat back in her chair and let go of the Fire Lord's hand. Another pack of water was put on top of Ozai's eyes, and yet again it was followed by an angry yell. Suddenly, Azula realized she had something in her left hand. Her amber eyes glowed with delight and she smiled.
"Father, I believe I have good news!"
He chuckled angrily, as if telling her without words that there could be no good news at this point. She took his hand gently and placed the Jade Jewel in his hands. Ozai felt the jagged emerald in his palm, and then he curled his fingers around it. A devious smiled spread across his face as the power raced up his arm.
"Daughter, is this what I believe it is?"
"Yes. I have found the Jade Jewel!"
He grinned maliciously and turned his head towards Azula. The pain behind his eyes wasn't so unbearable anymore.
"You are the most magnificent daughter I could ask for."
She blushed and bowed, even though Ozai himself couldn't see her do it.
"I live to serve thee, Fire Lord Ozai."
The two of them sat in silence, both reveling in the fact that they had yet one more weapon in their vast collection. Victory would be coming, it would come very soon.
..:-:..
Zuko sat up and crossed his legs. His eyes bore their gaze on her pained face and he sighed. Katara looked off into the distance and began to recount the day's events.
"I wasn't aware I was taken away from the cell until I woke up this morning. A comfortable bed of unimaginable luxury surrounded me and I felt like I was dreaming. Suddenly I realized I was chained to it, but I broke free of the confinement. I was about ready to open the door when someone came in and shut it close."
Zuko narrowed his eyes and bit his tongue. He knew it was his father who had done it. His body lied there next to hers when he had found her. His attention was brought back to Katara, as she looked straight into his eyes.
"He came in and threw me back on the bed. I wanted to know what he wanted with me, but he would always skip around the subject, telling me that we were… friends."
The heat in Zuko's body began to rise and his jaw clenched.
"Ozai finally began to tell me of my mother. He said that she didn't die as I had thought…"
Zuko's anger suddenly changed into sympathy as he saw the tears forming in her eyes. Katara's voice grew quieter and she barely moved her lips.
"The night the fire nation attacked my village… was the night your father… raped my mother…"
His anger sprang upwards, straight through his chest and Zuko shot up angrily. He yelled out in frustration and hit the tree with amazing force.
"That bastard!"
Katara's tears stopped flowing immediately and she put a hand on Zuko's shoulder. He turned around and grabbed her arms. Her eyes widened and her mouth parted slightly.
"Did he hurt you? Are you okay? I could have done something to protect you!"
His golden eyes were on fire and his fury burned through his face, causing his scar to become more hideous than before. Katara reached up and cupped his face with her soft hands.
"Zuko! I'm fine! He tried to persuade me, as he did my mother, but I knocked him out…"
He let go of her and then the anger in his entire body vanished. Katara saw the ferocity die out and she let her tears spill onto her cheeks. Zuko pulled her into his embrace and stroked her back gently.
"I will kill him for what he did… I will kill him…"
Katara pushed away from Zuko suddenly and walked away a few steps. His eyes narrowed and he looked away. He had no inkling whatsoever as to why she refused to be near him.
"Katara?"
She heard the desperation in his voice and she turned on her heal.
"Zuko, I'm tired of all of this. You keep speaking of murder and Aang must do that himself to keep the world in peace. I just can't bear it anymore; I feel like there is no happiness in my life when I'm surrounded by all of the horrible things that are happening."
At that moment a trail of smoke billowed out from the center of the nearby village. Zuko stepped near Katara and put his arm around her shoulder. She wrapped hers around his waist and they watched the gray clouds swarm up towards the clear blue sky. The sun was beginning its decent and the breeze blew by swiftly. Katara shivered and Zuko wrapped both arms around her. She sobbed into Zuko's chest and he buried his face into her neck. She smelled of burnt fire and ashes, but he didn't care the least bit. Katara was with him, and that brought him all of the joy in the world.
"You speak of no happiness in your life Katara."
She looked up as her light sobs diminished. Zuko wiped her cheek softly and she stared into his eyes. His tangled hair fell down towards her face slightly and she felt like she was surrounded by his presence.
"And I am sorry you feel that way. There was a time when there was no happiness in my life as well. It was this morning, when I woke up and didn't feel your soothing warmth beside me. As I awoke and saw you had disappeared, my heart shattered and I became lost in sorrow."
Katara's lips parted a small amount, and she gazed at Zuko intently, amazed beyond words at what he was saying.
"When I finally found you lying there, I was overcome by so much anger and hatred because you had been hurt. But likewise, I was filled with so much bliss, that I didn't feel the burden of your weight as I carried you away from that hell."
Zuko traced his fingers over her cheek and slid them down to her lips, and then her chin. He leaned his head closer and whispered as the breeze rustled their hair.
"I don't think I have ever felt this way about anyone before. I hated myself for not telling you sooner, because I didn't know if I would see you again, but I know now that I love you beyond your imagination."
Katara closed her eyes slowly and felt the rush of warmth as his lips brushed hers. Zuko pulled her in closer to him and she whimpered slightly as she bore her fingers into his back. Suddenly, through all of that passion, Zuko pulled away, a wet liquid slipping down his cheeks. He opened his golden eyes and saw that Katara's eyes were brimmed with tears once again.
"What is wrong?"
She wiped away at her cheeks vigorously and smiled beautifully.
"Nothing is wrong Zuko. After all this time, I have finally realized that there is happiness in the world for me. I love you so much, and as long I'm with you, I think I'll manage to smile."
His lips turned into the gentlest of smiles as he pressed them against hers again. Katara felt lost and alone after receiving news of her mother's true past, but when Zuko finally told her his deepest emotions, she realized too that if it wasn't for him being next to her, to guide her through all the darkness, she wouldn't be able to live with any amount of joy in her life. Their lips parted and Zuko pulled her up, twirling her around in circles. She laughed cheerfully as she felt the warm breeze blow by. As Zuko set her down again, she held onto him tightly and Zuko sighed. His heart was free from burden and he thought only of how much he adored her.
Suddenly, he opened his eyes and saw a not too distant mountain range. Zuko didn't know why he hadn't seen it before, and then he let go of Katara, with his mouth wide open.
"Zuko? Are you all right?"
"I can't believe it but… tell me what you see."
He pointed straight at the mountain and then down below to the ground. Katara narrowed her gaze and shielded her eyes with her hand. Everything in side of her began to go off like fireworks, and she jumped up and down, grabbing onto Zuko's arm as she did so.
"Zuko! That's Appa! And if that's Appa, that must mean Aang is with him!"
She grabbed his wrist and the two of them ran through the thick grass. Indeed straight ahead of them was a cave and a white blur was in front of it.
..:-:..
Appa saw the two figures running towards him and he stood his ground. They were covered in dirt and their clothes were torn, but as they came closer, Appa recognized the girl and he bellowed out a greeting. Both Zuko and Katara stood there panting and then once she finally recovered her breath, she smiled widely.
"Appa! It's so nice to see you boy!"
She hugged his white fur and closed her eyes taking in his musky scent. Aang was in the cave when he heard the familiar voice of a girl and his gray eyes brightened. The Avatar raced out into the sunlight and swung his arms to his sides.
"Katara!"
"Aang!"
The two of them hugged each other fiercely and when they stepped back from each other, a small faint rose color spread across his cheeks.
"Aang, I'm so happy to see that you are all right!"
"What happened to you Katara?" he had just noticed her bad condition, "did you go swimming with the hummble hips or something?"
She laughed at his innocent question and he smiled as she put a hand to her mouth.
"No Aang, I didn't go swimming with the humble hips… I…"
Suddenly her smile vanished as she remembered everything that had led her to be in this condition. Just as quickly as the laughter died, Aang saw Zuko standing shyly behind her and his eyes bulged.
"Katara! Watch out! Zuko's right behind you!"
She turned around and her smile came back to her face.
"Don't worry Aang. He wouldn't hurt me. Zuko's on our side now. Say hello Zuko!"
She brought him forwards and he scratched the back of his neck before he bowed slightly.
"Hello…er… Aang…"
At first Aang was completely shocked at the sudden transformation of the exiled fire prince, but then he smiled widely and bowed his head.
"Hello Zuko! I'm glad that we can be friends now!"
He beamed but then a figure came and stood next to Aang. Katara's mouth dropped and so did Zuko's, even more than hers.
"Hello Katara… hello Zuko…"
Jeong-Jeong bowed his head slightly. Katara and Zuko both repeated the action and closed their gaping mouths simultaneously. Aang's smile broadened even more as he introduced him.
"Katara, Zuko, this is Master Jeong-Jeong. He's been traveling with me and teaching me fire bending! Do you want to see what I can do Katara?"
She laughed a bit and shook her head.
"Maybe tomorrow. Aang… we were wondering…"
He perked up as Zuko and Katara both put a hand to their stomachs. Zuko looked around hungrily and asked, "Do you have any food?"
..:-:..
The sun had set and the stars shined in the dark sky. Each of them sat around a fire, which Zuko had volunteered to conjure up. Appa blocked the entrance to the cave so that their cover wouldn't be blown. They had spent the time recounting Aang's travels and how he had found Jeong-Jeong once again. Each had avoided the subject about the forthcoming comet and what was to be done. Suddenly Katara smiled and dared to ask the question that had been on her tongue the entire evening.
"Aang? Do you know anything about where Sokka is? Is he all right and well?"
A soft breeze flew into the cave, causing the fire to flicker and create dancing shadows on the wall. Jeong-Jeong closed his eyes, a grim expression overtaking his face. Zuko looked to the Avatar expectantly, also wanting to know news of Katara's brother. Aang's smile vanished immediately and Katara's bright eyes displayed worry and growing anticipation.
"Aang? Where's Sokka?"
The Avatar looked away sadly and sighed.
"I'm sorry Katara. Sokka's gone."
Her mouth dropped open and no words came out. Her body went completely numb and she couldn't breathe. After a few seconds, Aang looked at her nervously.
"Katara? I'm sorry…he was killed in the second battle of Ba Sing Se."
A small choke tilted her body forwards and then her eyes closed. Zuko lunged forwards and grabbed her limp body.
"Katara? Katara! Can you hear me?"
He turned her over and her mouth was closed. Zuko leaned in and felt her breath come out of her nose and he sighed with relief. She was consumed by darkness, but her eyes produced sorrowful tears. Her loving brother was gone. Zuko stroked her head and Aang eyed the two uneasily. Jeong-Jeong gave a great sigh and Zuko turned towards him. The fire bending master stood up and looked down to the girl, sadness in his aged eyes.
"It was a terrible loss. He gave his life away to protect that of another fighting beside him. His last words were, 'Tell Katara I love her.' This war has only brought the loss of loved ones and sadness to the entire world."
He turned to Aang and smiled just barely.
"Get some sleep Aang. Tomorrow I will teach you the finally move you need to master."
As Jeong-Jeong turned around, he stopped. Zuko looked to his back anxiously as he asked his most burning question.
"Can you teach me as well Master Jeong-Jeong?"
He turned his head towards the ex-prince and nodded.
"All right."
Both he and Aang went to separate sides of the cave and found their sleeping bags. Zuko shifted a bit and then looked up when Aang came to him with a sleeping back and a blanket.
"This is for the two of you…"
Zuko took the warmth and nodded.
"Thank you."
As his eyes left his, Zuko was not sure of what he saw in them. For a moment, it seemed like there was a small hint of sadness in them, but he did not know why. Zuko pulled Katara close to him, and he looked over her peaceful face with agony. Her life had been filled with so much pain and sorrow. As he closed his eyes and yawned, he promised himself that he would do everything he could to end this war, and all of the pain it brought her.
A/N: PLEASE PLEASE, PLEASEEEE don't hate me for killing Sokka! I know, we all love him and I'm a killer of characters... but it will the inspiration for what's coming up... which btw is... you guessed it... the final fight with Ozai is coming! OMG! lol xP
So they finally told each other the big three words! If you look back at the other chapter, right before they fall asleep, Zuko's like "I...I..." he was going to say it, but he diddd inntt! LOL! xD I'm devious! Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, even though the end was sad and I know the chapter was shorter than usual... but I'll make that up with the next ones! or at least I'll try lol
Have a wonderful day! oh...and Zutara rocks!
-Monika-
