The next day found everyone on foot, heading to the Eastern Air Temple. Her parka still not dry, Katara shared a cloak with Zuko. Sokka wasn't happy with it at first, but a little persuasion from Ty Lee (who had been eavesdropping before butting in the night before) had convinced him it was okay.
Zuko rolled his eyes as Katara wrapped her arms around her body. "You're amazing," he muttered.
"Hey, I don't have my long sleeves on and my parka is still drying. This isn't exactly the warmest material," she said, holding the corner of her shirt out to him. "It's thin cotton. Even that is warmer than this!" Katara pointed to Zuko's tunic.
Zuko was about to reply when Aang's jubilant cry rang out. "There it is! The Eastern Air Temple!"
Everyone looked up and gasped. The other temples the various members of the group had seen were nothing compared this. The spires were at least as tall as Appa on his back two feet, the stonework so intricate that there was no way to tell where it began and it ended. The stone itself was akin to marble in color (and feel, but no one knew that until they touched it). Even Toph could sense its beauty.
"Whoa," Sokka said. For once, Zuko agreed with the warrior. "Whoa" was the only word that could describe the temple.
Aang smiled proudly. "This is the first time I've seen it personally, but I've seen sketches and such."
"I thought monks were modest, Aang," Toph commented, reaching for the Airbender's shoulder.
"These were Air Nomadic Nuns, Toph. Most girls are sticklers for beauty," Sokka explained.
"Hey, just because I'm a tomboy doesn't mean I don't like pretty things, even though I can't see them," Toph quipped. "Though if anyone got me a dress, I'd bury them knee deep in quicksand."
"I don't doubt that, Miss Toph, but shouldn't we get going? I do not want my niece to catch up to us while we're standing like a bunch of beached elephant koi," Iroh said. Everyone snapped out of their awe and agreed. Zuko, Iroh, and Katara boarded Appa and the others got the horses, the only way short of flying to get all the way up to the temple.
"Race ya to the temple!" Sokka called to his sister. Katara laughed.
"You're on! Appa, yip yip and on the double!" Appa, who was making the same challenge with Momo, groaned and took off.
In a matter of ten minutes, Appa was at the temple. Sadly, Momo had beaten him by half a second. Katara laughed when she saw Appa's crestfallen bison face. "Poor Appa," she said, rubbing his head. Appa groaned and gently nudged her body. Katara roared with laughter as she fell over. Zuko smirked as he watched. He loved her laugh, unless it was at him (as it had been the previous night at dinner when he had spilled his drink on his shirt, soaking it).
"C'mon, Katara, time to stop playing around. If we don't hurry, your brother will get here and take the warmest room," Zuko said, offering the Waterbender a hand up. Katara laughed and took it.
"You're right, of course. Remember, though, if we don't choose a room together, Toph'll bury us, or me at least, in rocks," Katara reminded him. Zuko nodded and turned to his uncle.
"We'll be right back, Uncle. Do you want me to move your stuff to a room?"
"No, I'll be fine until the Avatar catches up. Don't have too much fun, now!" Iroh called, waving them off. Katara blushed and Zuko turned beet red.
"Uncle! We are going to find rooms! That is all!" he explained. Iroh smirked and gave his nephew a "whatever you say" look. Zuko rolled his eyes and led Katara off.
They found a room with a small fireplace and a large bed. There were no other furnishings except a small relic in a prayer niche. Katara sized it up, then nodded approvingly.
"Not bad for a few days, or weeks, stay. We've got until…the week before the Comet comes before the eclipse happens. The Comet doesn't come until the end of summer, and the solstice is about two weeks away, so we're good! Whoa, it's nearly summer and it's cold up here?" Katara would have continued to ramble if Zuko's alarmed question hadn't startled her.
"Solar eclipse?"
Katara nodded. "Yeah. That's when Aang'll go fight Ozai. Why?" She noticed Zuko's concerned look.
"Solar eclipses can sometimes cause a Firebender to faint, especially total eclipses. Partial ones usually just weaken us to the point of collapse," he explained. Katara nodded.
"We figured as much, since you draw power from the sun. But you'll be all right, won't you?" she asked, sitting down on the bed. Zuko, still standing, looked away.
"I don't know. About the time I was twelve, there was a partial eclipse and I nearly fainted. I don't know what will happen if it is a total eclipse."
Katara gasped softly. "Oh." She looked down. "I'm sure you'll be okay. You're considerably older and stronger now," she said reassuringly.
"Older, yes. Stronger, no." Katara looked at him. "Look at me, Katara. I'm almost seventeen and I can't do anything a Fire Nation prince should be able to do. The only battle skill I have any talent in is twin broadsword fighting and martial arts. I've barely passed my Firebending basics!" he cried. "I showed how weak I was three years ago in my father's war chamber; I have the scar to prove it. The thought of an eclipse, and if you tell anyone I'll kill you, frightens me to death." There. He had just admitted one of his deepest fears. To Katara. What was he, drunk?
The young Waterbender stood up and faced Zuko. He tried to turn away, but her arms around his neck prevented that. "Zuko, I want you to do two things for me. Never say you're weak, and never hide what you're feeling. My dad did, and probably still does, that. He has since Mom died. He won't tell anyone about what happened. He won't even speak of her. Bato, a friend we ran into, said that Dad is getting more and more withdrawn. You're a powerful person, Zuko, and I don't want you to end up like that." She brushed his unscarred cheek with her hand. "Please don't."
Zuko closed his eyes as Katara's soft hand brushed against his face. He remembered thinking a few nights ago, that he was attracted to Katara. Forget that. He was in love with her.
With that thought beating itself into his brain, Zuko opened his eyes. He wrapped his arms around Katara's waist, bringing her closer. He dimly registered that his heart was beating so fast and so loud that Katara had to hear it. Slowly, he leaned forward, gently kissing her. Upon breaking apart, he pulled the girl into such a tight embrace that Katara could do nothing but return it.
"I won't."
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Short, yes, but I got them to kiss! And this story ain't over. Not by a long shot, peoples. The real action-y stuff is still to come!