"The air here is so dry," Katara was complaining five days later as she stood outside with the others. "My hands will never be the same. I don't think any amount of my seaweed lotion will fix the damage."
Sokka laughed. "Since when have you been vain, Katara?"
"I'm not vain; I just don't like the feel of my hands being so rough! You don't see me obsessing over my looks in a place like this, do you?" she asked.
"You've never minded having slightly rough hands before. Why is it bugging you now?" Aang asked. Katara blushed, something she was doing more and more often. Zuko looked at her, aware of the reason why she was blushing.
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It was the night after their arrival, and Katara and Zuko had been in their room, talking about nothing. Katara had laughed at something he had said and Zuko had grabbed her hands to stop her from leaving.
"I don't think so," he growled playfully. "You are not telling your brother."
"What? That you called him an idiot and said that you didn't see how someone so intelligent and pretty could be related to him?" Katara taunted.
"Yes, in particular that first part. He'll kill me," Zuko pointed out, pulling her closer. "He'd probably kill me for calling you pretty, too." Katara giggled as Zuko's warm breath tickled her cheeks. She pulled free and pushed Zuko, causing him to fall face first into some dust that was on the rug that covered the carpet.
"True. And then where would we be?" She helped him
"Without the only Firebender willing to fight Aang and not try to kill him," Zuko said, grabbing her hands again. "Gotcha."
"Gotcha back," she quipped, twisting around and pinning Zuko's arms behind him. "Give?"
"Fine, just let me go!" Katara laughed and let go. Zuko got the soreness out of his arms and sat down on the bed. Katara noticed the dust on his face and reached out to wipe it off. Zuko started at her touch, but let her finish. "You have soft hands," he murmured, grabbing her and bringing her to his level. Katara blushed.
"It's my lotion," she said softly. She kissed his cheek and bade him goodnight.
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"I just don't want rough hands, okay?" Katara said. "They itch and hurt when they crack." Sokka and Aang shrugged and nodded. There was just no understanding girls, particularly Katara.
Ty Lee shivered and Sokka instinctively wrapped an arm around her. Aang, Katara, and Zuko looked at each other and rolled their eyes. Everyone's room was near everyone else's and the sounds that came from Sokka and Ty Lee's room got annoying. (There was nothing bad going on, Katara's spying had proven that, but who knew kisses could be so loud?) Toph complained the most, since her hearing was ten times better than anyone else's was and the sounds really gave her headaches.
"I coulda sworn that Snoozles hates Fire Nation people," she mumbled every morning. "If that's how he shows hate, Madame Freaky Chick better watch out." At the thoughts that comment brought up, everyone within hearing distance shuddered. Toph realized what she had just implied and made retching noises. "Sorry."
The blind Earthbender was currently sitting on a bench next to where Aang stood. She was wrapped in at least three blankets and a cloak. "I can't believe I got sick!" she moaned, congested.
Katara clucked. "You should have dried off completely after your bath before you came outside in this weather! It may be nearly summer but it's still winter here! At least, it feels that way." She went inside to get the teacups and pour Toph some of the tea Iroh had made and left on a small burner. (Aang was focusing on using his new Firebending skills to keep the coals under the burner hot.)
"What are we doing outside anyway?" Toph asked, taking the cup and drinking deeply.
"Aang wanted to show us something. Though why it couldn't wait until after sunrise, I don't know," Sokka said with glare at Aang.
"I want to show you, and let you hear, what comes along with the sunrise," Aang explained for the tenth time. "Every Airbender knows about this, even the babies!"
"Well it better come fast; I'm feeling worse," Toph muttered. Aang patted her shoulder comfortingly.
"It shouldn't be much longer. Wait! Look. Or listen." Everyone turned to the east.
As the sun rose, the sky turned a brilliant shade of pink and pale orange. Flocks of tiny songbirds lifted off, singing in perfect harmony. Katara's eyes started to water when she recognized the song.
"What's wrong?" Zuko asked when noticed, pulling her aside.
"It's a lullaby Mom sang when I was little and had nightmares," Katara explained. Zuko nodded and made as if to get Sokka, but Katara stopped him. "Don't bother Sokka. His birthday is coming up in a few days and I don't want him to be worrying about me when he finally comes of age and can propose to Ty Lee if he wants. And if she's old enough to marry."
Zuko nodded and stayed put. When the sounds of the birds had faded away, Toph stood. "Thanks for the music, Twinkle Toes, but I'm gonna be sicker than a dog if I stay out here any longer. We'll practice Earthbending when I feel better." Toph coughed and stumbled inside, heading straight for her warm bed. Aang followed after her, worry evident in his eyes.
Sokka turned to his sister. "Hey, sis? Could you and Zuko leave us alone? I need to talk to Ty Lee." Katara nodded, motioning for Zuko to follow before the "conversation" got started. They left to find Iroh.
The elderly man was sitting at his Pai Sho board, moving the pieces in no particular pattern. "Ah, Zuko! Would you like to play?" he said upon seeing them.
"Uncle, you know I don't play," Zuko said, "and I' m sure Katara doesn't either."
"Pai Sho? What's that?" Katara asked. Zuko shook his head.
"Don't ask, Katara. You'll never get him to shut up," Zuko warned.
"Oh, come on now Zuko. If she wants to know, why should I not enlighten her?" Iroh launched into a lengthy explanation of Pai Sho and the way it worked. Zuko sighed and sat down, deciding to get comfortable; he had a feeling that Katara was about to become sucked into the world of Pai Sho.
He was right. Two hours later Katara had won her first game. Zuko snickered when he saw his uncle's face. "I think the pupil just surpassed the teacher, Uncle," he teased. Iroh just gaped.
"I…lost. To a beginner! I must be dreaming," he muttered, shaking his gray head. Katara laughed uproariously.
"If this is a dream, then why are my sides hurting from laughing?" she asked. Iroh frowned, then began to laugh as well.
"I suppose it reflects well on my teaching abilities to have a pupil beat me their first time," he agreed.
"Or that you're getting old," Zuko pointed out. Iroh furrowed his brow and glared at Zuko.
"That's rude, even if it's true," Iroh reprimanded. Katara giggled and stood up.
"Thank you for the lesson, Iroh. I better go check on Toph and see if my brother has finished his little 'conversation' with Ty Lee. I cannot wait until they're old enough to marry," she muttered.
"Why?" both Firebenders asked.
"Because then Sokka'll stop going on about Ty Lee whenever she's not around. It's making me sick." To emphasize her point, she stuck her tongue out and gagged. "I have never known my brother to be like this. It's scary."
Iroh chuckled. "That's how a young man's mind works when he's in love. Most of the time,' he added with a look to Zuko. Zuko frowned and shoo his head, standing as well.
"See you at dinner, Uncle," he said. Iroh nodded, waving them off.
Zuko and Katara walked around for a few minutes, Katara moving closer to Zuko, eventually taking his hand. "This place is so big," she muttered. "I don't think I'll ever be able to see it all."
Zuko nodded, his mind elsewhere. When they came to their room, Zuko pulled her in. "Toph can wait," he said when she tried to point out that she hadn't checked up on the sick Earthbender. "Katara, are you still confused?" He had noticed her behavior towards him; she was careful when they were around anyone else, she watched him, and rubbed a finger over her lips or felt her hands.
"About what?" Katara asked. "Oh, that kiss and your comment last night." Zuko nodded. Katara came closer and kissed him gently on the lips. Zuko took the opportunity to wrap his arms around Katara's waist and bring her close to him. Katara broke the kiss and smiled. "I don't think so," she said, resting her head against his chest.
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Yes, I know. The last two chapters have been mainly fillers. Give me a break. I promise, Azula is coming back within three chapters! (As to which chapter, well, wait and read!)