Chap. 12
Admittance, Regret, and Betrayal, Part 2
"What was she like?" Zuko asked, after the two of them had stopped laughing.
"Who?" Katara asked.
"Your mother?" Zuko replied. "I'm curious, but if you don't want to talk about it…."
"No it's ok." Katara said. "It's better that I remember her then try to forget because it hurts." She paused a moment, then said, "She was.. very gentle. Everything she did was with such tenderness, such caring. She was always looking out for me and Sokka, making sure we didn't get into trouble. And when we did, she'd chide us, but then turn us over to Dad for the real discipline. Mostly, she'd just let us know she was disappointed in us and that was enough. And she was a great Waterbender. I remember that I could just sit and watch her practice for hours when I was a kid. There was so much grace in what she did, and such power at the same time."
"Is that why you wanted to learn?" Zuko asked.
"Yeah. It's something me and Sokka have in common. I wanted to be like Mom, and he wanted to be like Dad. That's why he tries to be a warrior so badly."
"You mean your father isn't a bender?" Zuko asked.
"No, Mom was the only one with the gift. But Dad was, is, a great warrior. He knew so much about taking care of the village and the family that he didn't need bending. Why, are things different in the Fire Nation?"
"Yes. There, the father is the only one who bends." Zuko explained. "If a girl does have the gift, she isn't allowed to use it once she marries."
"Who thought that up?" Katara snorted.
"According to the Sages, Darya the Fire God. But after seeing Fuego, I'm not so sure."
"Maybe the Fire Lord got his butt by his wife centuries ago, and he made that law because he was a sore loser." Katara suggested.
"Oh sure, blame my family." Zuko said. "Just because the Sages work for my father now doesn't mean they always have. Besides, maybe they just misread something."
"Or maybe, the Fire Lord lost to a girl in make up and a frilly pink dress." Katara answered gleefully.
"You aren't going to drop this, are you?" Zuko said.
"Hey just admit a girl kicked your great-great-great grandfather's butt and I'll stop." Katara answered back.
"Considering you know nothing about the Fire Nation, I'm curious as to how you know this." Zuko said.
"I don't need to. I've been around boys long enough. They always have to win, and they get all pissy when they don't."
"Gee, that's an interesting observation." Zuko said. "So when girls can't get what they want, do they take it and cause the day's catch of fish to fall back into the ocean?"
"Hey! Who told you about that!"
As Zuko and Katara argued inside the room, Aang sat in his room, trying to piece together what he was going to say to Katara. He had a few general ideas; how Katara had stood by him despite all the hardships they had been through, how beautiful she was, how strong she was. But despite all his good intentions, Aang simply could not put anything together in a coherent form.
"Maybe if…. Yeah…. No, no, it's stupid." Aang muttered as ideas flew through his head. But again, there were only concepts with no linking idea. But finally, Aang got to his feet and said, "Forget it." He wasn't going to express his love in some pre-fabricated speech, with everything rehearsed and wooden. No, he was going to tell her how he felt and whatever came out, well that would be good enough. Confident, Aang left his room and began to walk over to the living room door.
"Come on, who?" Katara asked again.
"I was sworn to secrecy." Zuko replied.
"Was it Sokka? It was, wasn't it?"
"You mean your brother who won't talk to me?" Zuko asked.
"Oh right." Katara said. "Well, what about the Knights? It had to be one of them, so who?"
"There are so many of them, I can't remember." Zuko answered coyly.
"Try." Katara said.
"Sorry, I just can't. I think I'll go tell my uncle I'm all right now." Zuko said, as he got to his feet, confident he'd beaten Katara. But a second later, he felt something cold and wet wrap around his body and pull him back down on the couch.
"Hey what are you doing?" Zuko yelled, as he struggled against the 'water-rope.'
"Getting an answer." Katara said, as she walked up to Zuko, the water streaming out from her holder. "Now, who told you about the fish?"
Now, Zuko had truthfully heard that Katara had once, as a child, broken a full fishing net to get a shiny rock from a conversation between the girl and Iroh. He had not been intending to eavesdrop, but the idea that Katara had done something she was embarrassed about was something he'd been interested in hearing. He'd intended to use it as a joke similar to this down the road, but he hadn't intended to be tied up for it, and frankly, Zuko was a bit angry about it. And as Katara moved in to ask her question again, Zuko saw his chance for a little revenge.
As Katara moved in closer, Zuko brought his legs together. Once Katara was close enough, Zuko shot his legs out, knocking Katara off balance. Her concentration broken, Katara released her control on the water-rope, and it dissipated into the couch. But Zuko had not thought his plan all the way through, and though the rope had vanished, Katara was about to fall on top of him. He tried to bring up his arms to catch her, but he didn't move fast enough, and Katara slammed into his body. But what was more interesting was that, because of her position in relation to Zuko, and how Katara had moved as she fell, the two of them were suddenly forced into an unexpected kiss. As their eyes widened in shock at this unexpected embrace, the door behind them opened……
Aang opened the door, taking a deep breath as he prepared himself. As the door swung out he entered, announcing himself with, "Katara, I need to talk to you." But less then a second later, all of Aang's ideas and speeches flew out as he saw Katara and Zuko lying on the couch, lips pressed together. The fact that both of them appeared shocked, and that they almost instantly pulled apart meant nothing to Aang, who stood there, face frozen in shock and anger, body shaking. As Katara and Zuko turned to face him, they saw the emotion running through him. Almost instantly, the two of them realized what was wrong.
"Aang, it isn't…" Katara began, but it was too late. His face in a rage, Aang whirled around on his heel and ran from the room, from the house, as tears of rejection and anger streamed from his face.
"So, when can I receive my reward?" Jouku said, as he leaned over the table to speak with the Firebender. The innkeeper had made excellent time to the outpost; promising the Sandbender scavengers fresh meat was always plenty of incentive for them. And the rumors had been true; Jouku had found a Firebender quite quickly, and was working out the last of their deal in the bar.
Or so he thought, as the Firebender replied, "You will get your reward when the traitors are in my hands. Not until."
"You realize that will be more difficult." Jouku said. "You aren't exactly welcome in Ba Sing Se."
"But you are." The bender replied. "I happen to have a few…. Associates that are more then capable of capturing those two. When you return to Ba Sing Se, you will take a few barrels with you. The associates will be inside, and from there, you can leave it to them as long as you bring them to the traitors. Once they return with them, you will receive your reward."
"Perhaps. But how do I know you simply won't leave me holding the bag?" Jouku asked shrewdly. A second later, Jouku found himself face down on the table, with a burning sensation on his neck.
"Are you questioning my integrity?" the bender asked, as the flame moved closer.
"No! Of course not!" Jouku gasped. Slowly, the flame pulled back, as Jouku pulled himself up. "I don't care what you think about me." The bender said. "But don't say it to my face. But you have brought the traitors to me, and so I won't kill you. For now."
"I pity the traitors then." Jouku gasped, as he spat out the last of his fear. "They are truly in danger from you."
"Oh, you're right about that." Azula said, as she brushed back her long hair. "Zuzu has been in danger from me since the day I was born."