Rhythm of the Rain
Chapter Twelve
By DamageCtrl
All Standard Disclaimers Apply: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender or anything related to it.
In the far reaches of sleep, she heard noises. They were short and muffled and she wasn't sure what exactly they were noises of. But they didn't matter. Her mind was else where. She had lost herself in his lips. They were soft and warm. She hadn't expected them to be so full, either, but they were. And he knew how to use them. A small smile graced her face.
He had asked her to stay. She remembered his words clearly spoken in her ears as is hot breath tickled her skin. She told him she loved him. He told her he loved her. And that he wanted her to stay with him. Oh, how her heart yearned to say yes. To tell him that she wanted to stay and be with him and live happily ever after. Just like those fairy tales Gran-Gran used to tell her. Like most little girls, she wanted her fairy tale to come true. Desperately. But then there was the realistic side.
She was fifteen...sixteen very soon. And that mature, realistic side told her that she couldn't stay with him. It would only cause him more trouble and he was already neck deep with problems of his own he had to deal with. She didn't want him to waste energy on her when it could be diverted to his people and his nation. In the furthest depths of her soul, she wished that there was a middle ground. A compromise of some sort that would allow her to be with him without bringing the entire stigma that came with a waterbender peasant being with the Fire Lord.
Her heart nearly burst the night before, when Zuko told her that their middle ground, their compromise, would be time. He had asked not only for her to stay, but to give him time. Time to rebuild his nation and earn the respect and loyalty of his people. Time to assert himself as the Fire Lord, a man unquestioned and revered. Time to show the world that his choices were not the rash decisions of a teenager just drunk on power, but of a born leader struggling for the good of his nation.
He wanted time to become great.
She wanted to give him that time. She would give him all the time he needed to become great, but reality wouldn't. There was always a chance that the time he needed would stretch into a lifetime. She couldn't stand in the wings and wait for him, no matter how much she wanted to. She loved him too much to throw his life away on a country bumpkin girl like her. She knew enough in her near sixteen years of life to know that for a monarchy to continue, they needed heirs.
Would his people accept a child born out of a firebender and a waterbender? They hadn't even accepted her. How could she bring a child into a world where people didn't understand? A few years wouldn't change the minds of thousands of people. There will always be those that oppose them.
Then again...time changed many things. Just maybe, with time, she could be with him. And it would work. Could she risk it? There was a chance in a few years he would be an established leader and his choice wouldn't be despised by the greater Fire Nation populous. And in that time, she would work to gain their acceptance. She would do what she could to bring peace to a people that for a hundred years lived in the shadow of a war they were fueling. No matter how she looked into it, she knew it was a chance. Perhaps the only one they would ever get.
Katara made her decision. She would stay with him and they would keep their relationship a secret until he had acquired greatness within his nation that would allow his people to tolerate her being at his side. She would give him the time he needed. It would take years and be frustrating pretending...but it might be there only chance.
She snuggled deeper into the arms that held her, relishing the heat of a body beside her that her every curve melted against. I will stay and give you time, Zuko... she thought to herself as a carefree numbness of sleep over took her once more. But I will do whatever I can to protect you if time cannot.
Iroh inhaled the crisp morning air. He loved the fresh, clean smell of the dawn. He stretched his arms and back, loosening up his cramped muscles. Even though he had stayed up quite late, if only to see the last of the guests out, he didn't feel at all tired. He had gone straight to bed and had a good, restful sleep.
He reached out and pulled his robe on, intent on having breakfast and then getting a few practice rounds of Pai Sho in before he played a 'friendly' game with Master Pakku. He chuckled to himself. So the other old man wanted a rematch, did he? Well, Iroh was more than ready to take him on.
The old general walked through the palace. In the early morning hours it was always quiet. He liked to take walks during that time, but knew he had to be especially quiet that particular morning. Many of the guests from the other countries were staying at the palace and he wanted to make sure that they all got some rest. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Had Zuko gotten some rest? He knew that his nephew went for a late night flight with Katara, but he didn't know when they had returned.
His disappearance had caused some worry amongst the guests. Iroh had spent a quite some time assuring everyone he was fine and was speaking to some old friends. He was lucky that Sokka and those two girls had been gone so long. Everyone assumed the Fire Lord had gone to talk to them. When it got late enough, he said that the Fire Lord had retired for the evening. While many nobleman and dignitaries were disappointed, there was not much they could do. Iroh then spent the rest of the night seeing them off.
He smiled slightly; pleased that at least Zuko had a good time the night before. A sly grin spread across his wrinkled face as he remembered the stunned breathless look on Zuko's face when he saw Katara. He was so busy taking her in, he didn't even realize his Uncle had slipped away. Iroh chuckled to himself. The boy had to learn to talk to women better.
Iroh made a mental note to sit down and have a 'talk' with Zuko. Maybe then he wouldn't look like a fish drowning in air, with his mouth gaping open and his eyes wide, the next time he saw a beautiful young maiden. As he made his way through the palace, he saw two servants rushing across the hall. Curious, he looked down the direction they were going. The two had stopped to talk to another servant, whose eyes grew large and then joined them in running.
The Dragon of the West casually followed them, seemingly unnoticed as he kept a good distance away. He rounded the corner and saw several more palace servants rushing in that direction. Even a few guards. Now he was very curious. Iroh followed them until he found himself by one of the smaller courtyards, just before the stable.
At the front gate, at least a dozen or more servants were trying to peer into the small space between the barely opened gates. They were murmuring something amongst themselves. Gasps of disbelief and wistful sighs of content were also heard.
"Hou Xi found them sleeping this morning when he went to clean the stables," one maid said in a low voice. "He didn't know what to do so he went to tell the head stable hand. Fong didn't believe him until he came in!"
"Did he wake them?" one maid gasped. Iroh's eyebrows furrowed. Did two servants fall asleep in the stables? He smiled slightly. Last time he heard of that happening, twins were born later that year. Ah...love...
"No, no...He was too afraid to!" the first maid whispered. "Everyone knows how the Fire Lord adores Lady Katara!"
Iroh's eyes went wide. Zuko...Katara...sleeping together...in the stables? The word 'scandal' seemed to echo in the old man's head. "I heard she was so lovely last night," the second maid sighed. "I wish I wasn't working in the kitchen. I would've loved to see her dressed up. My husband said he saw her taking the Avatar's beast out while he was on duty. She had her hair up...it must be how a Water Tribe princess look like."
Iroh decided it was time to butt in. He stepped closer to the group. "Actually, a Water Tribe princess wears her hair in more elaborate designs."
"Really?" one of the maids asked curiously. She turned around and her mouth dropped. "General Iroh!"
Everyone who was standing before him seemed to turn around and stare at him as one. Fear seemed to grip them all as the friendly old man stood there, a frown on his face. "What is going on here?" he asked, despite already having heard the sordid details from the maid.
"General Iroh," an old stable hand said as he squeezed through the group. "Forgive me, General Iroh! I did not mean to disturb you."
"You are not disturbing me, Fong. Tell me what is going on," Iroh instructed. "What did you find?"
"One of my young stable hands cleans the stables in the morning. When he entered, he found the Avatar's spirit beast sleeping with his saddle on. When he went to remove it, he found..." He trailed off hesitantly. Iroh gave him an encouraging nod of his head. Fong swallowed nervously. "He fond Lord Zuko sleeping in the saddle with Lady Katara."
Iroh's eyes widened slightly. So it was true... Quickly, he asserted control. He stood up straight and looked at the crowds. "Make sure this does not get out," he told them in a stern voice. "If I find out that any one of you spread this, I will make sure you will never work again!" he announced. A gasp went through the crowd. "What are you still doing here?" he barked. "Get back to work!"
Like a flock of pigeons, they disbursed without another word. The guards returned to their posts and the servants back to the palace, leaving Iroh and the old head stable hand by the door. "General Iroh," Fong said nervously. "What should we do about the Fire Lord?"
"Go and speak to your stable hands here. Make sure none of them speak a word of this to anyone!" Iroh ordered. "I will take care of the Fire Lord." Fong bowed deeply and quickly scurried off. Iroh looked back at the gates before him and took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself for the worst.
He slipped into the gates and closed them behind him. Quietly, he made his way over to Appa, who was still sitting, but awake. He gently patted the beast with reassurance before he climbed up Appa's tail. Iroh took one more deep breath. Then he peered over side of the saddle. Immediately, he released a breath he didn't even realize he was holding in.
Katara lay curled on her side, her long brown hair spread out around her as she used Zuko's arm as a pillow. He was right behind her, also on his side. Her body melted against his perfectly. She was wrapped neatly in Zuko's over robes, probably because she had gotten cold without her over coat. Zuko's other arm was nestled around her waist and folded up at the elbow so that his forearm was resting against her stomach. His hair didn't seem too unkempt.
But they were fully clothed and to Iroh that's what mattered. It would've been a scandalous affair if people were to find out that they were both naked after a night of only Agni knew what. And then the Avatar might want to have his bison's saddle burned. Regardless, the two were sleeping innocently and Iroh let out a heavy sigh of relief.
Without another thought, Iroh climbed over the side of the saddle and approached the young couple. He knew that word would spread quickly through out the palace servants about their Fire Lord and everyone's favorite waterbender. Even though he had threatened them, he knew it wouldn't keep them quiet. In a few hours, the entire palace would be bustling with the news. They could deny it, but that would only fuel the rumors of a secret affair. The nobles would over hear. So would the dignitaries who were staying with them.
Including the Water Tribe. He could only imagine how Katara's brother would react. Murderous rage might be an understatement. And then there was her beloved father. He probably wouldn't like the knowledge that his daughter, his youngest and under marriage aged child, spent the night sleeping beside the Fire Lord. As innocent as it was. After all, this wasn't just a camping trip that included the watchful eye of her overprotective brother.
Truly, there was no getting out of this one. The only thing to do was to come up with a plan on how to deal with it. But the first step was first. He had to wake them up. For a moment, he mulled over a way to wake them as gently as he could. Iroh decided to wake up Zuko first. He crouched by his nephew's side and put his hands on his shoulder.
"Zuko," he began as he shook them. All he received was a snort. Iroh frowned. "Zuko! Wake up!" He said, a little louder, this time shaking Zuko.
Golden eyes flashed open and blinked rapidly. The young Fire Lord looked up at his Uncle, surprised to see him there. "Uncle...what are you doing in my room?"
Perhaps they were drunk... Iroh shook his head. "Look again, nephew. Does this look like your room to you?"
He held his arms out and Zuko looked around wearily. As his eyes adjusted to the light pouring in from the sides of the stable were Appa rested, Zuko's eyes widened. He shifted his body and felt a heavy weight on his arm. He turned his head and saw long brown hair tangled over his arm. "Oh, no..."
His voice and movements seemed to awaken her. Katara let out a little mumble and blinked slowly. She cringed at the light pouring in. "Zuko...?" He couldn't help but feel a little pleased that she had called out for him first thing.
"I'm right here, Katara." he said softly. He carefully helped her sit up. Katara slowly looked around, her nose wrinkling as her eyebrows furrowed.
"Are we in the stables?"
"I'm afraid so," Iroh said. She turned her head and her eyes widened. "I'm sure you can explain," he said quickly. Katara's hands had shot down to her make shift blanket and brought it up to her still covered chest. "But we must get you both out of here."
"What time is it?" Zuko asked as he began to stand up.
"Just after dawn."
"Does anyone else know?" Katara asked in a shaky voice. Zuko reached down and helped her stand. He took his outer robe and kept it around her shoulders.
Iroh looked hesitant, but he nodded. "A stable hand found you two here," He began as they started their climb down the giant bison. "He informed Fong, the head stable hand. Word got out and at a dozen or so guards and palace servants know."
Zuko gritted his teeth and swore. Katara's eyes widened with horror. This wasn't what they wanted. This wasn't time. "What did you tell them?" Zuko asked.
"I told them not to spread it around. However, I do not know how long they have known and how else they have told," Iroh admitted with a frown. "I'm afraid that you cannot just say it is a rumor with that may witnesses."
"What are we going to do?" Katara gasped. "Everyone will find out in a matter of time!"
"Katara, calm down," Zuko told her. He kept one arm securely around her shoulder, keeping her close to him. "It'll be all right."
"No, it won't," Katara stated, without a doubt. She shook her head numbly. "It's too early, Zuko..." she whispered as Iroh lead them out through one of the side gates of the stables. The implications of what would happen when the rumors spread flooded her. There would be no way to deny it...tears rimmed her eyes. "It's too soon..."
"Katara!" The doors to Iroh's private study and library were opened by a dark haired, brown skinned man. Blue eyes immediately zoned in to the young Water Tribe woman sitting on a chair. Iroh ushered the couple into his study and told them to stay there. He then went and personally woke up Suki, Aang, and Toph.
He explained the situation, wanting them to hear the truth before exaggerated rumors could reach their ears. As soon as they found out, Suki ran to get Katara a new set of clothes. Toph and Aang followed Iroh downstairs to his study and found Katara huddled in a ball in one large seat, crying as if it were the end of the world. Zuko was trying his best to comfort her from the side. He was holding her hand, but she turned away from him.
It hurt him to watch her as she was; unresponsive and in pain, completely lost in her own thoughts. However, the moment Toph and Aang entered, she lifted her head and ran to them, mumbling 'too soon' and 'too early' between broke sobs. Toph immediately demanded to know what exactly had happened. When Suki arrived with clothes for Katara, she went with to a smaller, connecting room to change. Zuko explained how he had fallen asleep the night before after a landing.
"It was completely innocent," Zuko told them sternly. "We talked, watched fireworks and flew around. Katara fell asleep and then I fell asleep next to her. We didn't do anything wrong."
"Calm down," Aang assured him. "We're not accusing you of anything, Zuko. We just want to know what's going on."
"That still doesn't explain why she's crying." Toph snapped viciously. Zuko's face was frozen in a mask on frustration and refused to grimace at the girl's statement.
"She's crying because she knows what will happen once this gets out," Iroh told them. "Zuko is the Fire Lord. How would he look if people found out she slept with him, in a stable of all places, innocently or not?"
"And people will always believe the worst." Zuko frowned.
"And Katara us a single maiden. She is a great waterbender and a hero of the war, but she is still an unmarried maiden. Not even sixteen yet. Think about her reputation." Iroh added. Zuko closed his eyes tightly. How could he have been so stupid?
"I don't understand," Aang said. "We used to fall asleep on Appa all the time."
"This is different, Twinkle Toes," Toph told him. "This is the Fire Lord and a Water Tribe girl sleeping alone, together. Not a bunch of us camping. Everyone will think that something is going on."
"But something is going on!" Aang said. He turned to look at Zuko. "Isn't there?"
Zuko's jaw locked. His eyes narrowed into slits and he glared at Aang. "That is none of your business." he spat out venomously.
"Zuko," Iroh frowned disapprovingly. "Do not snap at them. They only want to help."
Zuko let out a low growl and leaned back against his chair, his hands digging into the fabric of the arm rests. "At this point, I don't know," Zuko hissed. "This wasn't supposed to happen."
The side door opened and Suki walked out with her arm around Katara's shoulders. The waterbender's shoulders were hunched over and her face tired and worn. As they emerged, Zuko stood up from his chair, wanting to reach for her, but at the same time, afraid she would push him away. Aang and Toph looked up from where they were standing.
"Katara, are you okay?" Toph asked cautiously when no one said anything.
A weak smile graced Katara's lips and she gave them a small nod. "I'm fine..."
"Do you want to sit down?" Zuko offered. She looked up at him and nodded. Suki carefully lead her over to Zuko's chair and helped her sit down. She then went with Toph to get Katara's father. The waterbender sat silently in the chair, unsure of how her father would react. She didn't think he would be angry...but still...
Zuko sat on the arm of the chair, one hand unconsciously stroking her hair as Katara stared sadly at the low table before them. Aang fidgeted in his seat and Iroh sat at his desk. The young Avatar looked at his closest friend as she sat in front of him. He hesitated before he spoke.
"What's going to happen?" Katara raised her head and looked at Aang. Her eyes saddened more so and he immediately regretted it. "I'm sorry! I shouldn't have asked!"
"No, Aang. That's okay," Katara assured him softly. "That's why we're here...we have to figure out what is going to happen when word of what happened spreads."
"When the nobles find out, they will want to talk to Zuko and find out his relationship with Katara," Iroh explained. "There is a possibility that they will protest."
"Possibility?" Zuko scoffed bitterly. "It's more like a sure thing."
"But you guys didn't do anything wrong!" Aang insisted.
"We know that, Aang," Katara told him. She leaned forward, covering her face with her hands. "But the rest of the world won't be as understanding."
"Katara..." Zuko trailed off. He looked down at her, ashamed. "I'm sorry...I should've taken you to your room."
"It's not your fault."
"I'm the one who decided to take a quick nap," Zuko hissed, frustrated. "And look where it go us!"
They heard footsteps rushing to the room and then the door burst open. Hakoda looked as if he'd come straight out of bed and had just throw own some acceptable clothes before he left his room. His hair was still a bit mangled from sleep. He called out for his daughter and skidded to a stop as he saw her.
"Katara..." he repeated quietly. The young waterbender turned her head away, embarrassed. She never thought she would have to face her father regarding nightly activities. Even if nothing happened, it was still awkward.
"Dad...I-"
"Katara, I heard from the servants," Hakoda said as he rushed to his daughter. "Before I say anything else I want to hear it from you. What happened?"
"Nothing happened," Katara insisted. Her eyes narrowed. "What did you hear from the servants?"
Hakoda looked away, unable to tell her exactly what he heard. "Forget about the lies you've heard from the servants," Zuko snapped, annoyed. "Katara and I fell asleep on the bison's saddle after we returned from watching fire works."
"Fully clothed, I might add." Iroh piped from his desk. Zuko shot him a glare.
Hakoda looked up. "Is this true?" he asked his daughter. Katara nodded. Hakoda let out a sigh of relief and pulled his daughter into a tight embrace. "When I heard what they were saying..." He trailed off and looked at Zuko, an unsure expression on his face.
"I told you," Zuko growled as he sat up and began pacing the room. "Everyone always assumes the worst."
"Dad, if you heard from the servants, does that mean that you didn't see Suki and Toph?" Katara asked. "They were supposed to find you."
"I met them in the halls and they told me where to find you," Hakoda replied. "However, your brother-"
"Let me go!" Sokka's growled from outside the doors and Katara groaned.
"Sokka, I swear, I will hit you with the fan again!" Suki threatened. There were sounds of struggling.
"That was you?"
"Toph!" Suki shouted. They felt a small tremor beneath them and suddenly, Sokka's muffled voice could be heard. A second later, Suki entered the room, looking ruffled and out of breath. "Um...we stopped him."
"Where is he?" Aang asked. He walked over to the door and looked outside. Toph was standing next to a block of stone that had Sokka's voice coming from it. "Oh..."
"Bring him inside," Hakoda said. "I'll make sure he doesn't do anything."
Zuko snorted. "Like he can do anything..." Toph held her hands out and moved the stone cell carrying Sokka into the study. Suki closed the door behind her. The blind earthbender lowered one of her hands and part of the stone cell lowered, just enough to reveal Sokka's eyes. Unfortunately, Zuko was the first thing he saw.
"You bas-"
"Sokka!" Hakoda said sternly. He moved and stood in front of his son. "Have some respect! Now is not the time." Zuko felt some of his anxiety leave. He had been worried that Katara's father would not approve. Although there was nothing to disapprove of.
"But dad he...he..." Sokka began desperately.
"Nothing happened," Hakoda assured him. "They fell asleep on Appa because they were tried. That is all."
"Tired? Tired from what?" the young man in the stone cell demanded rather vocally.
"We were talking, Sokka!" Katara snapped. "Will you stop it! All we did last night was talk!"
"Oh, yeah?" Sokka asked. "What did you talk about?"
The room went quiet. Katara's eyes looked away and Zuko glanced down at her. The other teenagers and two adults looked at the two curiously. Zuko crossed his arms. "They were personal issues."
"It doesn't matter," Katara frowned as her hands clenched at her sides. "Once everyone hears about what the servants saw at the stables, it won't matter." Behind her chair, Zuko stiffened. His eyes shot back down to her. For a moment, he forgot who else was in the room. His face softened to a look of sadness, disbelief, and horror.
"Katara..." he began softly, but Iroh cut him off.
"It is only a matter of time before the nobles find out," Iroh frowned. "Before Katara left, there were already rumors of a relationship between her and Zuko. I have heard nobles talking about it. They were not happy with the rumors then, but now that there is something more concrete, they will be displeased."
"Displeased?" Sokka snorted indignantly. "Why? Is my sister not good enough for their stupid Fire Lord?"
"Sokka!" Hakoda scolded. "That is enough!"
"Sokka, please try to understand. There are differences between the two that the rest of the nation might not be ready to accept," Iroh explained. "There are class differences as well as issues in the country of origin. Traditionally, Fire Lords and other members of the royal family only engaged with other nobility within the Fire Nation."
"With all the change happening around them, their nation needs all the stability it can get," Hakoda added. "And they will look to their leaders for stability. Anything that Lord Zuko will do that is outside of what was traditionally done by Fire Lords will be seen as radical change. The people, and especially the nobility, will not stand for it."
"Accusations will start," Iroh continued. "Because he is still young and new to the throne, Zuko's relationship to Katara will be questioned by the nobility. They will think he's being irrational and maybe even question his ability to rule."
"They also have personal reasons," Zuko interjected. He walked over to the window and looked outside with a scowl on his face. "They want their daughters to become the Fire Lady. If I choose someone they disagree with..." He trailed off.
From her seat, Katara closed her eyes and balled herself up. "What are you going to do?" Aang asked.
"We can deny it," Katara stated simply. Zuko didn't flinch. "But no one will believe us."
"Then let me change the question," Hakoda said. "What do you want to do?" His daughter and the Fire Lord both looked at him. "It is a difficult question. For both of you. Take your time in answering."
"Hakoda is right," Iroh agreed. "It will take some time before the word reaches the ears of the nobles. Until then, you two should think about what you want to do."
"Toph, let Sokka out," Hakoda instructed. The young earthbender lowered the stone slabs that jailed Sokka in. "Katara, come...we'll escort you to your room."
Katara nodded and stood up. Slowly, she walked forward and was flanked by her father and Sokka. Suki gathered her clothes from the night before, unknowing taking Zuko's outer robes in the pile, and followed behind them. Before they opened the door, Katara stopped.
"Deny it." Katara stated strongly.
Zuko's eyes narrowed and he turned away. "There's no use. You know they won't believe us-"
"No," Katara cut him off. She turned around and looked at him with determined eyes. "Until we find out what we're going to do, deny that we have any relation other than that we are friends. If they mention the stables, tell them exactly what happened. Whether they choose to believe it or not is up to them, but I don't want you to lie to your people, Zuko."
The young Fire Lord gritted his teeth tightly. "Let's go, Katara." Suki said softly. The Water Tribe members and the Kyoshi Warrior left the room.
The door closed behind them and Aang and Toph looked at the two firebenders. "Now what?" Toph asked.
Iroh looked up at his nephew and studied the emotions raging through his face. "Now, we wait."
"Mai!" Ty Lee bounced on the edge of her friend's bed. She had insisted she spend the night in Mai's room at the palace, if only to catch up. Her circus was planted on the outskirts of the capital for a series of performances for the next week and a half. In the meantime, Ty Lee wanted to visit her friend. "Mai, wake up! I heard something!"
"Then block their chi flow." Mai grumbled. She didn't move and kept her eyes closed.
"It's not that!" Ty Lee said excitedly. "I went to get breakfast and one of the old kitchen ladies saw me. She was really nice and remembered me and asked what I was doing and how I liked the circus. Anyway, while we were talking, she told me that they found Zuko with a girl at the stables!"
Mai froze. Zuko was with a girl at the stables? That was...unlike him. Unconsciously, she reached up and clutched her hand against her chest. Strange. She felt it twisting inside of her as a dull ache spread through her body.
"That's nice." she replied in her usual monotone voice.
"And you know who it is?" Ty Lee asked excitedly. When Mai didn't react, Ty Lee told her. "The Water Tribe girl! Her name's Katara."
I know what her name is... Mai nodded and finally opened her eyes. "Great. Now will you leave me so I can change?"
"Sure!" Ty Lee beamed a smile. "Meet me outside and we can go get you some breakfast! You don't have instruction today, right?"
"I have a free day."
"Great!" Ty Lee giggled and bounced out the door. "We can spend the whole day together!" Mai merely gave her a nod as the girl closed the door behind her.
Slowly, Mai sat up in bed. She looked at the room she had been provided. It was a standard guest suite in the part of the palace that Azula had once told her housed women from noble families who were there to learn, just like she was. Only, back then, they were also there for the Fire Lord to pick a wife from.
The red sheets slipped off her body and she stood up. She began untying her long black hair from its bindings. So the rumors were true about Zuko and the waterbender. Mai felt her chest tighten at the thought and frowned. She had a crush on Zuko since she discovered that not all boys were icky; at the ripe age of six. It was a sunny afternoon and she had a play date with Azula. They had been playing in one of the numerous gardens when she first caught sight of him.
From then on, she would always look forward to her play dates with Azula, if only to catch a glimpse of her older brother. Zuko had always been a nice boy. He was gentle and protective of those weaker than him. Azula had seen it as a weakness, but Mai would never voice her opinion. Zuko was strong in a different way. She used to fantasize becoming his Fire Lady.
Now she snorted at the very idea. She knew it would never happen the moment she heard that Zuko had been banished. Since then, she had tried to get rid of her childish crush. It was almost gone, too, until she saw him again. His hair short, the blaring scar on his face, and dressed in the rags of an Earth Kingdom peasant. He looked so different, yet at the same time, even more attractive. Of course, she hid it as best as she could from Azula.
It was fine for the other two to tease her about her childhood crush on the banished prince, but if Azula found out Mai still harbored some feelings for him...who knew what she would have done? And while deep down, she didn't want to hurt him and bared no real malice to the Avatar and his friends, she hunted them down.
Mai stood over a basin in the bathroom that was filled with water. She looked down at her reflection and glared. She hated the way she looked. Sure, tall and slender wasn't bad, but her eyes were perpetually dull and unexpressive. Her entire personality had centered on her narrow eyes. They weren't big and round and innocent like Ty Lees or deceptive and seductive like Azula's. At the most, her eyes were narrow and perceptive, calm and determined.
Her father said it was a sign she was a strong woman. Perhaps, but she'd seen other strong young women with better eyes. Like the waterbender. Jealousy bubbled inside of her at the thought of the Water Tribe girl. She was a hero, a gifted bender, and now had Zuko's heart. She had lived an exciting life with the Avatar and she was two years younger than Mai. She had the freedom to lose herself in her emotions and live her life freely without the constraint of class status.
May that was what Zuko liked about her. She was different.
Mai shook her head and shoved her hands into the water. She began washing her face and preparing for the day, trying to ignore the hurt in her chest. She didn't want to acknowledge it as heart break. There was no reason she should feel her heart breaking...she had no claim to Zuko and he was free to love whoever he pleased. Besides, it was an old crush...
And frankly, if it were a choice between her peers and the Water Tribe girl, she would've chosen the Water Tribe girl. Anyone who could block her attacks deserved respect, after all. She opened the door and found Ty Lee doing a handstand by her door.
"Ready?" Mai asked calmly. Ty Lee beamed a bright smile and stood right side up.
"Let's go!"
Iroh stood in under an overhang of the palace, just before a small court yard. Zuko was in front of him, letting out his emotions through practice. Sweat dripped down his body as his face remained a mask of concentration. Flames flew from his hands and feet with every step he took. It was fiery dance of power and energy he was trying to release. Zuko had been out there for hours and hadn't eaten anything. Iroh was beginning to worry.
He remembered the conversation he had with his nephew earlier that day, after Avatar Aang and the earthbender left them alone in the room. Zuko was silent for a few minutes, his mind going over all the scenarios he could come up with.
"Uncle," he finally began in a low voice. "You said you would support my decisions."
"And I will." Iroh assured him.
The young Fire Lord closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "I asked her to stay with me," A pair of golden eyes met Iroh's and searched his face for a reaction. The old general sat there, silently mulling over the decision. He was surprised, but at the same time, not. Katara and her friends were a good influence on Zuko. They gave him a sense of family and community Zuko never really had outside of his Uncle and mother. It wasn't surprising that Zuko wanted that. "And for time."
Iroh's eyebrows furrowed with confusion. "Time?"
Zuko moved away from the window. "I asked her to stay with me and give me time to assert myself as the Fire Lord. I thought that if could just prove to the Fire Nation and all those that question me that I was a great Fire Lord, they would accept, or at the very least tolerate, my choice in wife."
Iroh's face softened. "You know that is not a fool proof plan."
"But it was a chance," Zuko understood that much. He turned away from his Uncle and stared out the window. "It was the only chance I could give us...and I ruined it because I fell asleep!" He scoffed bitterly. "Agni...I'm such a fool."
"Zuko, you are no fool. You were just tired," Iroh assured him. "You did not know it was going to happen. You can't help it." he stressed. Zuko closed his eyes and shook his head.
"She never gave me an answer," he told the old man. "She asked for time to think about it and I agreed."
"The older she gets, the more cautious she is," Iroh agreed. "I have noticed that she is a very mothering person. She is protective of her brother and of the Avatar in her own way."
"I know that," Zuko frowned. "And I know what she's going to say now. Now that all of this has happened!" He hissed as he threw his arms in the air.
"Do you?"
Zuko gritted his teeth. "She'll say no."
Iroh closed his eyes painfully. He could hear the hurt in his nephew's voice as he came to that conclusion. If only they hadn't been caught that morning. If only he had gotten to them first. Then perhaps there would've been a chance for them. Not then, but at a later time. When it would've been more acceptable, understood, and not brushed off by the court as simply the selfish whims of a young ruler.
The old general opened his eyes. Before him, Zuko was still fighting an opponent seen only by him. And Iroh couldn't do anything to help.
She felt as if she were arrested. Water Tribe members dutifully guarded the small pavilion area where they were staying. Hakoda had taken the liberty to explain his daughter's plight to the others. He didn't want them to hear things from the servants and get the wrong idea. Not only for Katara's sake, but for Zuko's.
Inside her large suite, Katara had the doors opened out to the garden in the center of the pavilion. She lay across a series of pillows, her eyes glazed over as she watched a gentle breeze blow over the water. Toph had gone with Aang to try to find out what else was being said...and to try to quell any exaggerated rumors. Sokka was fuming in the corner, still unable to believe his sister had gone off with Zuko.
Gran-Gran was sitting beside Katara, gently stroking her granddaughter's hair lovingly. Suki sat at the edge of the little porch, just outside the doors, that over the garden, fanning herself in silence.
Katara couldn't believe it. They had a chance. And it was over before it begun. It was far too early to expose their relationship. No one would accept it and once it was out in the open, it would always be rebuked. She closed her eyes. Had she ruined Zuko? Her heart sank at the thought.
She couldn't care less about her reputation. It wasn't like there were Water Tribe boys she was after. And it wasn't as if the sudden turn of events would turn boys off. Just the fact that she was a skilled waterbender who could fight already scared them off. And to her knowledge, Haru was probably the only other male who felt anything for her. Not that he mattered.
And she knew that nothing happened. Katara opened her eyes narrowed them. Even if something did, she wouldn't be ashamed. Embarrassed, maybe...especially with her father. But Zuko was the Fire Lord. She wasn't stupid. She knew how many women were after him. For a brief moment, she felt like bragging. She, a simple peasant from the small South Pole Water Tribe bagged Zuko, the attractive and powerful Fire Lord. However, it wasn't worth the aggravation it would cause her later.
Her mind drifted back to his words the night before. What would she say now? He had asked for time and before she could give it to him, they found themselves out of it. At the most, a day or two would pass before the nobles found out. Then a week or less before the rest of the city and then the nation. Katara just knew, somehow, that the Earth Kingdom and the Water Tribes back home and in the north would hear within the coming month.
Our chance is gone... she thought to herself. Her heart ached and she inhaled a shaky breath. She knew what she had to do. Slowly, she rose from her pile of pillows and ran her hand through her hair.
"Katara?" Suki asked quietly as she saw the girl move.
"I need to talk to Zuko." Katara stated.
"It's still early," Suki offered, even though the sun was going to set soon. "You can wait a little longer."
"No, I have to tell him," Katara insisted. "I know what we have to do."
Suki's eyes saddened. She could hear Katara's answer in the determination of her voice. "Katara..." she began. Suddenly, the door behind them sounded with a knock.
"Who's there?" Gran-Gran called out.
"It's us," The door to the side opened and Hakoda looked in. "May we come in?" Katara sat up and nodded. She watched as her father, Bato, Chief Arnook, and Master Pakku walked in.
"What's going on?" Katara asked. Her eyes crinkled as she frowned. "Do the nobles already know? Do we have to leave now?" Her blood froze at the thought.
"No, Katara," Pakku told her sternly. "It as nothing to do with that." The young waterbender looked at all of them, confused.
"Then what is it...?"
"It took us some time to decide," Arnook told her. "But we think it would be best if-"
"Wait a second," Suki said suddenly. She stood up and walked over to stay beside Katara protectively. "What do you mean you think its best? This is Katara and Zuko's decision!"
"Suki, hear us out," Bato told her calmly. "The Southern Water Tribe doesn't have nobility or even a heavily stratified social class system like the north. Not in over a hundred years. However, Katara has been unofficially acting as an ambassador to the Fire Nation on our behalf."
"What are you saying?" Katara asked with narrowed eyes.
Hakoda looked hesitant. After all, she was his daughter. "If you wish to stay with the Fire Lord, we are willing to work out a marriage agreement as a pact between our two countries."
Katara's eyes widened. "Dad..." she whispered. He really did understand.
"We spoke with the Avatar about this and he supports your decision," Pakku said. "Personally, I would rather you marry another waterbender. However, no Water Tribe man will want you," He stated. Katara and Suki scowled. Gran-Gran shot her ex-fiancee a deadly glare. Pakku frowned. "Let me finish," he snapped defensively. "Katara, no male waterbender will want you, but you are much too good for them. Therefore, as your Waterbending Master, I approve of the match."
"You approve of the match?" Suki asked. Was the old man serious?
"The Water Tribes have historically strict codes of conduct on marriage," Gran-Gran assured the Kyoshi Warrior. "As a pupil of a waterbender, the Master Waterbender looks at his pupil as his child. And therefore, it is proper for him to approve of a marriage."
"Oh..." Suki mused, although continued to eye Pakku suspiciously.
"Dad?" Katara asked her father hesitantly.
"As much as I would like you to return home...this is your decision, Katara," her father told her. In the corner, Sokka's mouth dropped, as if betrayed. "If you wish to stay and marry the Fire Lord, you have the blessings of the Water Tribe."
The young woman was silent. She remained seated where she was. Her head lowered, her mind lost in thought. "This is great, isn't it?" Suki gushed enthusiastically, ignoring Sokka's rolling eyes. "You can stay and be with him and-"
"I can't do it." Katara whispered.
Suki's eyes widened and from his corner, Sokka stopped rubbing his forehead. "What?" he asked.
"Why not?" Arnook asked. Katara shook her head, her eyes staring down at her hands.
"Thank you...dad, Bato..." Katara said, lifting up her head. "Chief Arnook, Master Pakku. Thank you. But I can't marry him. I can't stay here."
"Why not?" Suki asked. "This is the perfect excuse-"
"I don't want to be with him under an excuse!" Katara insisted. "This isn't a fairy tale where a simple pact between two groups will allow me to live happily ever after!"
"Katara, this could be your chance to stay with him!" Suki insisted. "And even though it's a pact, what matters is that you love him!" Suki leaned in closer and whispered. "You do love him, don't you?"
Katara closed her eyes and turned her head away. "Of course," she whispered back. She took a deep breath and stood up. "His entire life, Zuko dreamed of being the Fire Lord. Ever since he got the throne, he's been struggling to gain the respect and loyalty of his people and the acceptance and support by the nobility here! If I stay with him now, I will ruin everything he has been working for!"
"Katara, how can you say that?" Suki gasped.
"Everyone will look at me as a selfish blotch on Zuko's record. He will loose the support of the nobility, which he needs, and become resented because the he, a young and inexperienced Fire Lord, hastily picked me instead of some Fire noble's daughter who was breed for the sole purpose of being the next Fire Lady!" Katara explained. "I can't do that to him! I don't want to be the reason his reign as Fire Lord failed! Even if we did the pact, everyone would see through it and it would make him lose the support the nobles and his people!"
"Katara, that's a bit harsh..." her father stated.
"I know, but it's the truth, isn't it?" Katara gasped. "I'm sorry...thank you for everything, for all the thought you put into this and for accepting it. But I can't do this to him. Maybe it would've worked later, when he was more settled. But not now...it wouldn't work now. Do you understand?"
Katara didn't wait for anyone to reply. She marched around the four men and stomped to the door. She swung it open, only to find Aang and Toph standing there, wide eyed. She cast them a brief, apologetic look and side stepped them. Katara vanished into the halls and the two young benders looked back into the room.
Gran-Gran's eyes saddened. "It looks like we underestimated how deep her love goes."
I'm not going to cry! I'm not going to cry! Now is not the time for tears! Katara's mind chanted as she walked down the halls.
She could fell them all on her. All those eyes. Hidden around corners and from the distance, they were watching her. They were watching and whispering. Katara shivered. She felt naked under the weight of their stares. Determinedly, she lifted her chin and continued to walk. She wanted to find Zuko and talk to him before word of the incident got too far.
Katara began walking towards areas she figured Zuko would be. She passed his study and peeked inside. It hadn't been there all day. She continued towards the garden with the turtle ducks in hopes to find him there. As she approached the garden, she began to go over her words in her head. Part of her knew he wouldn't accept her words. The other part hoped he would.
She rounded the corner and bumped into a body. She opened her mouth to mumble out an apology and instead heard a snort of disgust. Katara looked up and saw a couple of well dressed women before here. "It's her," one said to the other. "The Water Tribe girl who is sleeping with the Fire Lord!"
Katara raised an eyebrow dangerously. "Excuse me." She stated, simply, trying to go around them.
The second woman grasped her shoulder and held her back. "My dear, who exactly do you think you are?" she asked in a condescending voice. Katara narrowed her eyes. They were two middle aged women. Fire Nation from the look of their features. Nobles from the style and quality of their clothes.
"I know exactly who I am," Katara told them as she shrugged off the woman's hand. "If you didn't already know, I'm Katara of the Water Tribe."
"You do not belong here," the first woman told her. "Go back to your home, little girl. It's disgusting how you try to gain favors through sleeping around. Didn't your mother teach you anything?" Katara's temper flared.
"I humbly ask you never speak of my mother again," Katara said in a low voice, as politely as she could while still gritting her teeth. "My mother was a woman of intelligent and grace. With far more manners than two women of this court. Now, if you'll excuse me-"
"Young lady! Do you know who I am?" the fist woman demanded.
"You are Noble woman Yan," a calm voice said behind them. Katara looked over her shoulder and saw Mai and Ty Lee approaching. Ty Lee smiled brightly and gave her a wave. Mai's cold eyes glared at the woman. "Wife of Nobleman Yan, daughter of Nobleman Chun Wu from the eastern region."
The two women immediately changed their demeanor from condescending to fake friendly smiles. "Young Miss Mai, Miss Ty Lee, good afternoon."
"Good afternoon!" Ty Lee said. She bounded over to Katara. "Hi, Katara!"
"Hi," Katara said tiredly. "Nice show last night."
"Thanks!" Ty Lee beamed.
"You two know her?" the second woman asked, slightly surprised. "I didn't know you were friends."
"We're not friends," Mai corrected quickly. "Merely acquaintances."
"Mai, dear," the first woman said as she stepped closer to the tall, lanky young noblewoman. "You should really choose your acquaintances better. Haven't you heard? She's been using her body to gain favor with the Fire Lord."
"Is that so?" Mai asked, raising an eyebrow. "I didn't know. I heard from a rather good source that they just feel asleep on the bison's saddle."
The woman laughed, as if Mai had said a joke that wasn't really funny. Katara growled at the mocking laughter. "Do you honestly believe that? Where did you hear that, Mai?"
"We heard it from the Avatar!" Ty Lee beamed.
"Oh..." the woman snapped her mouth closed immediately."Well...they are friends...I suppose he would speak up for her."
"Are you calling the Avatar a liar?" Katara hissed. First her, then her mother, and now her friend. Did the woman want to be frozen in a tree? Because she would be happy to make that happen.
"No, no...Of course not!" the woman laughed once more. She looked back at Mai and Ty Lee, ignoring the waterbender. "Well, we should get going. Mai, please stop by our home some time. Our eldest son has just returned from the army," She giggled. "Unless of course you have your eyes on bigger fish." She added suggestively while sending Katara a sneer.
Katara rolled her eyes. Mai merely gave the woman a calm bow of her head. "I am here to learn for the sake of bettering my nation," Mai told her. She lifted her head and met the woman with a bored look. "I find the games you and your daughter place within the court boring and not worth my time. But thank you for the suggestion. I will make a note of it."
The woman took in a gasp of shock and Mai continued to walk. Ty Lee followed and tugged on Katara's hand. "Come on," Ty Lee said as she pulled Katara away. The waterbender merely nodded and followed behind them. "For the record," Ty Lee began as they went around the corner and released Katara's hand. "Not all nobility is like that. I'm not and Mai isn't either!" she stated proudly.
Katara grinned just a bit. "I got that from when you were chasing us."
"Oh, about that!" Ty Lee said, turning around to look at Katara. "I hope there aren't any hard feelings. Azula kind of knows how to get us to do stuff."
"I was just bored," Mai shrugged. "For what it's worth, it was quite entertaining following you three."
Katara rolled her eyes. "I'm glad I was of some use," she mumbled. She released a heavy breath. "So Aang told you?"
"Actually, we heard him talking to the blind girl in the hall," Ty Lee explained. "Zuko isn't the type to just sleep around. We've known him since we were kids."
"That must be nice," Katara said. "And there aren't any hard feelings." Ty Lee smiled brightly.
"Katara, is it?" Mai asked. She paused and turned around to face the other young woman. "I highly suggest you do not walk around the palace alone any more," Katara's eyebrows furrowed. "If Ty Lee and I found out this morning that you and Zuko were in the stables together, then every noble family will know by tonight."
Katara's eyes widened. Already? It had just happened a few hours ago! "You seem like a nice person," Ty Lee piped beside her. "But you're not used to court life. It's a saber tooth moose's den if you're not careful."
"That's fine," Katara shrugged. "I won't be staying long, anyway." Ty Lee tilted her head to the side, confused. Mai's eyes narrowed.
"What do you mean?" Mai asked.
"I would like to speak to Zuko before I explain myself to others," Katara told her solemnly. "Mai...Ty Lee, thank you for the help with those...ladies. Under other circumstances, I believe we could've been friends."
Ty Lee frowned, somewhat disappointed. She always thought Katara and the others seemed like a fun group to be friends with. "Why can't we be?"
"I have to go." Katara told them. She gave them a soft smile and walked forward, not looking back. She took a step around the corner and froze. A pair of gold eyes locked down on hers, a scowl masking the hurt behind them. Katara took a step back.
Zuko's eyes bore into hers and Katara felt the tears coming. "You're leaving." he stated in a low voice.
Katara swallowed nervously and gave a nod of her head. "Yes."
A.N. - One step forward, two steps back. :) Yes, I know...she should just stay with him. But she's stubborn and just loves too much. ;) Thank you for reading, everyone! I'll try to get one more chapter up tomorrow or at least by Friday midday. Then I'm gone for the three day weekend with some friends from Irvine! (whoo...)
