Alright, here's part two. This has ended up being four parts instead of three like I had originally planned but hey, more chapters for you guys. There are a couple of things not in English, I translated them at them at the end if you get curious mid read.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
"Fire Lord Zuko sir?"
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
"Fire Lord Zuko sir."
Groaning at the interruption of his death-like sleep Zuko cracked open his good eye and winced at the sunlight streaming through his window.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
"Fire Lord Zuko sir!"
"Yes, what is it Shin-don?!" Zuko called irritatedly to the man outside his door.
"You asked me to wake you for urgent matters, sir."
When the manservant did not continue, Zuko rubbing the sleep from his eyes sat up and called, "Well what is the urgent news Shin-don?"
"Fire Lord, we received a messenger hawk a short while ago. Master Katara of the Southern Water Tribe, her ship will arrive at the docks in one hour sir."
Zuko swallowed past the cottonmouth and swung out of bed ignoring the pain that was building behind his eyes. Glancing out his window he figured it was only about an hour past high noon.
"Are my other two guests awake?"
"No sir."
Zuko made a quick decision.
"I will fetch Master Katara on my own. Prepare an ostrich horse and send staff ahead to collect her things. Have Yami prepare a room and tell the kitchens to start a late lunch. Did you prepare the tea as I asked?"
"Yes sir. It's in your sitting room"
"Thank Agni." Zuko whispered to himself.
"I will meet you at the stables in fifteen minutes." he called to Shin-don.
When he heard the door to his sitting-room shut he got up and retrieved the tea filling his cup to the brim. Tipping his head back he swallowed the bitter liquid in one draft. No matter how many times he had it, it never got easier to drink.
Zuko moved quickly, dressing himself in red and gold-trimmed trousers with black knee-high boots. He hefted on a linen tunic that weighed much more than it should and pulled a sleeveless knee-length vest over it tying it all together with a golden sash.
The older Yami had disapproved of the Fire Lord's lone outings so as a compromise she designed a special tunic with the assistance of the palace seamstress and blacksmith. The smith created a mesh of interlocked metal rings that the seamstress then covered it in linen. The mesh proved effective at warding off blade attacks and being much lighter than his plate armor it didn't slow him down. Zuko approved the garment and used it regularly.
Zuko quickly drenched his face with cold water in hopes of washing away some of the sluggishness from his head. He pulled his hair up into a top knot, wrapping the blue beaded braid around its base and covering it with a 'simpler' version of his fire crown. The simple crown was not as large as the original but the heavy, intricately carved golden ring and pin were still very much ornate. He selected two plain brown cloaks with hoods deep enough to hide the wearer's features and headed for the stables.
...
A knocking at the door pulled Katara from a light sleep.
"Master Katara, we will make landfall in less than an hour." someone called through the door.
Shaking off the threads of slumber she responded with a thank you and rose to get the rest of her things.
Katara unable to sleep much past dawn had already packed most of her things with not much left to do she decided a nap would pass the time until landfall. A filled metal trunk, a birthday gift from Toph, sat open at the foot of her bed. The silver surface, once blank, was now beautifully and intricately engraved. After her break with Aang, Toph had arrived at the Southern Water Tribe to get away from her overbearing parents. The two spent those cold, dark winter weeks cutting patterns from the four nations into the metal's surface, she was glad to be able to share a project with Toph that she was able to 'see' by touch. Honestly, the long and tedious work had also gone a long way to mending her heart but an old yearning had recently taken painful root in her chest. She had stalled as long as she could, over a year in fact, but it was time to face reality.
Katara gathered the last of her things, scrolls, wrappings, other odds, and ends and placed them in her trunk before locking it. Glancing in the mirror she smoothed her bed head and assessed herself. She wore an ao dai that Gran Gran had insisted on making especially for this trip. The white tunic had a cross-over collar and slits that came up to her waist, ocean waves of deep blue threads and seed pearls were embroidered from the hem to just under her bust. The sapphire wide-legged pants were unadorned and hid her boots nicely. The fabric brought over from Omashu was light enough for Fire Nation autumn days but thick enough to ward off the cold once darkness settled in. The ao dai was a strange choice on Gran-gran's part, it was a garment common among the slim noblewomen of the Earth and Fire nations and despite Katara's protests, Kanna had insisted on it for Katara's fuller figure. She had also made an odd passing comment about it being a shame that the garment would eventually be torn, she never did tell Katara what she meant. She waved away her grandmother's odd words and assessed her reflection, she had to admit the form-fitting outfit graced her curves nicely and it even had pockets. Pulling her gaze from the mirror she gave the room a once over making sure she had left nothing behind. With nothing left to do she left her trunk and bags at the foot of her bed as instructed and headed above deck.
The sunlight warmed her skin against the ocean's cool breeze, leaning against the railing she looked out to the approaching Fire Nation while thumbing her necklace. Being surrounded by her element for the last few days had been comforting but the time to return to land was fast approaching. Over a year had passed since she was last at the Fire Nation, she hadn't been actively avoiding returning but she hadn't exactly made it a priority either. Many things had happened since her last visit and the time had a habit of slipping through her fingers, at least that was what she was telling herself. She had to admit, there would be a bittersweetness to seeing Zuko and Mai again.
It wasn't long after land came into view that they reached port but the minutes between docking and disembarking always did seem like an eternity. Katara kept her post at the railing while waiting and searched the crowd that had formed. She frowned, it had been over three weeks since she had sent Hawky to inform Sokka that she would be meeting him in the Fire Nation and to relay that information to Zuko and Mai. If he had forgotten it would explain the lack of royal escort that normally accompanied her and the others to the palace. Then again, things had changed since her last visit, she was no longer the Avatar's girlfriend, she was not a future leader like Sokka or a noble like Toph. She was simply Katara of the Southern Water Tribe now, it commanded no sort of special treatment like the others, she shrugged to herself, if that meant figuring out her own way to the palace, she would manage. An approaching crew member interrupted her thoughts, it was time to leave.
Checking for her waterskin and coin purse, Katara waded into the crowd in search of some kind of transport. A rickshaw would be enough, aside from her trunk, she didn't have much luggage. She had nearly reached the edge of the busy crowd when two hands clamped down on her shoulders pulling her against a man's chest pinning her in place. She gasped and reached to uncork her waterskin but the man was faster, his hand clamped down on hers trapping it against her hip. He dropped his head to her shoulder and she could feel the warmth of his breath against her cheek. In a low husky voice that made her shiver, he whispered in her ear, "What did I tell you about traveling alone?"
"Zuko?"
Katara spun facing her assailant and found the Fire Lord's familiar face looking down on her. Taking Zuko by surprise she pulled him into a tight embrace nearly toppling them both, he could feel relief melting the tension in her frame. It took him a few seconds before he snapped out of his stupor and wrapped his arms around her waist he pulling her closer. She was really here.
"I missed you too." he murmured in her ear.
After a long minute, she stood back to look at him. He took in her blue eyes, mocha skin, and the way the white fabric hugged her curves, he'd missed her smile. Something tugged in his chest, he knew what it was and it made him feel guilty, Aang and Katara were his friends.
"Why are you in disguise?" she asked quietly looking around at the crowd, missing the volley of emotions that crossed his face.
Zuko gave her a sheepish look, "Well, I was told that you would arrive a few days from now less than twelve hours ago and I only got your message about arriving today an hour ago. My apologies, there was no time to arrange a carriage to bring you to the palace," he gave her a small smile and a shrug, "so, I decided to collect you myself."
"I should have known not to trust Sokka, I should have sent the message to you and Mai directly." she grumbled rolling her eyes.
Zuko's expression faltered, she didn't know, he quickly changed the subject, Katara was going to find out but here and now were not the place or the time.
"Let's get you back to the palace, we can catch up there over lunch. If we don't get back before Sokka wakes up they'll be nothing left." he rambled leading her to the ostrich horse.
"What about my bags?"
"I sent someone ahead to retrieve your things, they'll put them in your room once it's ready."
Zuko fished in his pocket for a dried apricot plum and offered it to the ostrich horse, it ate it greedily and nuzzled his hand looking for more.
"That's it buddy, you'll get more at the stables."
Katara looked on with a small smile, it had taken a few years but the Fire Lord had mellowed. She knew that Zuko would always have that tortured part of him but he had learned to not let it rule him, allowing him to begin finding happiness. It gave her a hopeful feeling.
Even if it's without you.
The intrusive thought made her face fall and her chest tight.
Zuko pulled another cloak from a saddlebag and turned in time to see the mournful expression on Katara's face. He wasn't prepared for how a saddened look from her could tear at him. Concerned he quickly reached out and lifted her chin to look at him, "Katara, are you ok?"
She could see the worry in his golden eyes, it made her feel guilty, he had enough to worry about she had no right to add her muddled feelings to his burden. She plastered on a smile, "I'm fine, maybe I'm just a little tired from the journey."
Zuko was not convinced, Toph did say Katara and Aang were having issues, could he be responsible for her sadness? The thought made him angrier than it should have but like his 'issue' this was not the place or time. He resolved to let it go, for now. He held open a cloak that matched his own.
"Here, put this on or we'll never get war hero Master Katara to the palace." he told her with a smirk.
She laughed "No one thinks that anymore."
Zuko quirked his good brow, "I can't speak on how the views of the other nations have changed but in the Fire Nation, you are still very much revered as a hero and bringer of peace."
Taking her by the shoulders he spun her around and helped her into the cloak.
"Why are you traveling alone?" he asked her.
The brown fabric immediately enveloped her in the comforting scent of smoke, cinnamon, and citrus, his scent.
He turned her back to face him, "You may be a master waterbender but you are still the daughter of a chieftain, it's not safe for you to be alone." he lectured her, pulling the hood up to conceal her face. She smiled at his concern letting him tuck the long locks of her wavy hair into the cloak, hiding it from view.
Zuko, like the rest of them, had changed since they ended the war, one of those changes was allowing himself to be loved by those who cared about him. It had become more apparent in the last two or three years but Katara had seen the first signs in the days after the Agni Kai. At first, she thought it was just because she was healing him but every morning she awoke to him wrapped around her holding her hand. Even after she had done all she could for him he would absent-mindedly seek her out, a touch on the arm, a guiding palm on her back, the grasping of her hand under a table, he even returned her hugs without hesitation.
It took time but he came to accept the warmth and kindness of the others as well, he had even begun to show affection for them in his own way. But somehow those dark days forged a different bond between them, it was different and ran a little deeper than the rest of the gaang. It was comforting to know the year that had passed did not diminish the intimacy of their friendship.
Once Zuko was done fussing over her he stepped back and she stood still for her mock inspection.
"Perfect, let's go."
He mounted the ostrich horse and reached out a hand pulling Katara up in front of him. She felt him slip his arms under hers and grabbed the reins, she leaned back against him and gripped his forearms to brace herself as they set off. He felt the same tug in his chest at the contact, shrugging it off he spurred the ostrich horse on.
They took a winding route through the city ensuring they weren't being followed, maybe more so than was necessary. Upon seeing Katara, Zuko realized how much he had truly missed her company. Odd as it was, it made him want to be somewhat selfish before he'd have to share her with everyone else. But too soon they had arrived at the opening palace gates. Katara reluctantly broke her hold on the Fire Lord, this was as close as she was probably ever going to get to him again, she watched him hand off the reins and let him lead her to lunch.
Shin-don had the kitchens set up the afternoon meal in the royal family's private dining room, various dishes of ox-boar, koi-crab, fire pheasant, vegetables, rice, and noodles were all set out on a buffet. Nearby was a circular carved cherry table with four place settings and a large steaming teapot. It was there they found a disheveled and hungover Toph nursing a glass of water.
"Toph!" Katara called walking over to greet the earthbender.
Toph pressed a finger to Katara's lips, "Shhhhh, no yelling." she whispered giving her a halfhearted one armed hug,
Zuko smirked and poured Toph a cup of tea, "Here drink this." he placed the cup in Toph's hands.
She took one sip and retched, "Sparky are you trying to poison me?!" she shrieked.
He patted Toph on the head knowing full well he was the only one she allowed to do so.
"It's willow bark and ginger, it'll help with the headache and settle your stomach.", he explained, "If you try shooting it like that fire whiskey you were drinking last night, it's much more bearable."
Toph didn't even try for a comeback, she filled her cup and as instructed drained it in one go, she made a face and stuck out her tongue, "Yech."
Katara looked on impressed, turning to Zuko, "Is this what you've been teaching her while I was away?" she asked in mock concern.
Zuko and Katara's roles as the gaang's unofficial mom and dad had become a running joke at their yearly reunions. It was irritating at first but they had learned to have fun with it and even lean in.
"I mean, that's not all I was teaching her. Imbibements, of course, a little bribery here a little extortion there." Zuko spread his hands and shrugged.
"Excuse me, I'm the one who wrote the book on extortion, thank you very much." Toph informed them half-serious, he smirked in response.
"How could you? I've only been gone a year and this is what you do?" she crossed her arms doing her best to look upset.
Zuko crossed his arms mirroring her, taking on his own tone of mock defiance he questioned Katara, "Well tell me then, since you have been away, what unseemly things have you been teaching Aang?"
Katara's smile died and her arms slowly dropped to her sides.
Toph facepalmed.
Zuko a little slower on picking up social cues dropped the gag, realizing something was wrong he reached out a hand and took a step toward Katara.
"Oh. Aang, you know how he is, always going off and doing the strangest things." Katara's words came a little too quickly as she stepped back from Zuko's grasp, "I actually haven't been able to see him in a while. Where's Sokka?"
"Still sleeping I assume." Zuko let his hand drop, following Katara's changing of the subject "I'll have one of the staff wake him."
"Will Mai be joining us?" Katara inquired trying to fill the awkwardness.
It was Zuko's turn to freeze, "Mai, isn't in the Fire Nation.", he informed her as nonchalantly as he could manage.
Toph double facepalmed.
Katara gave him a perplexed look, "She hasn't returned from Kyoshi Island? When I last saw her and Ty Lee, she had already been there for several months, I'm sure she must miss you and her home."
"She's been taking her training pretty seriously." Zuko fibbed.
Toph slammed her hands on the table and stood causing Zuko and Katara's heads to spin in her direction.
Toph knocked on the table twice and pinched the bridge of her nose in a very Zuko fashion, "I'm too hungover for this nonsense so I've decided we're not doing it. Katara you and Aang haven't been together for almost a year and neither of you are saying anything because Aang wants to focus on the Air Nation and you don't want the other nations using you as a political bride. Zuko you and Mai haven't been a thing for almost two years, she's happy with Ty Lee now and you're keeping it a secret to protect her and yourself. You two can figure it out later preferably when you check his lightning scar"
Toph finished with her rant, sat down, and poured herself another cup of bitter tea leaving Zuko and Katara to look at each other awkwardly. Before either could say anything the dining room doors swung open.
"Gooood morning! What's on the men-," Sokka froze at the scene in front of him, "Did I miss something?"
"Nope, Sparky and Sugar Queen were just catching up." Toph shot gunned her second cup of tea.
"Oh." Sokka's face lit up, "Katara! You're here!"
Sokka standing nearly a foot taller than his sister rushed over and enveloped her in a hug. Zuko gave a small sigh of relief and thanked Agni for Sokka's impeccable timing, as Toph said, they would figure it out later.
"Hi Sokka," Katara smiled hugging him back, "I have to thank you for letting the Fire Lord know of my visit."
Sokka laughed nervously letting his sister go, "Uh, yea, no problem, anytime. So what's for lunch?", he inched away from her and headed for the buffet.
"I thought you wouldn't be here for a few days." he told her with a wince, he moved to pile two plates with food.
"The seas were favorable." she smiled.
"With you, the seas are always favorable." Sokka sat down and stuck his tongue out at her, he set the plates down one for him and the other for Toph.
Katara made a face back and started making herself a plate with Zuko following behind her. They took their seats while Sokka told Toph what hours to find each food on her plate.
Deciding to ignore earlier's revelations and try to get on some safe subject Katara turned to Zuko, "What's wrong with your scar?" she asked tucking into the honey citrus noodles.
Zuko mirroring Toph's earlier action, paused and tapped the table twice, Toph, between bites, responded with two taps of her own signaling that they were alone. He had dismissed the staff for some privacy but it didn't hurt to check if anyone had wandered into earshot.
"Nothing from what I can feel but I've been having some issues with my bending. Sokka was actually the one who suggested they may be connected and that you take a look." he explained with a half-truth silently begging the others to keep quiet.
Katara glanced at Sokka who kept a blank look and then back at Zuko, "That's strange, I guess let me know when you get a break in your schedule and I can take a look"
"The council is on recess for the next three weeks, we can do it right after lunch if you like"
Toph snorted, Zuko reddened and did his best to ignore her, luckily for him the siblings were none the wiser.
"Sooner is better, if I find something, it'll give me time to work on it."
"So how's everything back home?" Sokka asked changing the subject.
"Same as you left it, Dad, Gran-Gran and Gran Pakku are all doing well. I got Haru set up and settled in before I left and before you ask, yes, your tower plans are still in review."
"Ugggh, why did we think setting up a development council was a good idea? Can we just go back to when you could build whatever you want?" Sokka complained.
"We? It was your idea to preserve the 'natural arctic wilderness' " Katara reminded him.
"What's Haru doing in the South Pole?" Zuko cut in sounding slightly more irritated than he intended. He knew that Haru had a thing for Katara, it was minor and several years ago but for some reason, it still sent a flare of jealousy through him.
"We're piloting an instructor exchange program." Toph offered, smirking at his irritation she stabbed at her flare mushrooms.
"Yea, we took Iroh's idea of learning from all bending styles and had metal bender instructors from Toph's school switch places with water benders from Katara and Gran-Pakku's school." Sokka continued enthusiastically.
"Is that something you'd want to try with the Fire Nation?" Zuko asked thinking of his own nation's school system, "It's been five years but there is a lot the Fire Nation needs to learn about the rest of the world."
"We'd definitely look to expand if this first semester goes well. You can talk to Aang about starting a cultural exchange in the meantime. The number of Air Acolytes has tripled so I'm sure there would be a few who'd be happy to teach."
"Toph's right." Katara agreed, "A cultural exchange would keep the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribes from getting leery about power and show that the Fire Nation is trying to atone by helping to revive Air Nomad culture."
Zuko looked at Katara and nodded, he had missed her advisement in the last year.
"It's not a bad place to start. I'll make sure to contact Aang and have it added to the council agenda."
Katara caught herself spending a few too many seconds on Zuko's features and tore her gaze away.
"What about Kyoshi Island, how are things there?" Katara asked.
"Could be better. There's been some friction between the Kyoshi Warriors and the Dai Li. The Dai Li have been reluctant to drop some of their less than ok practices, like brainwashing." Sokka sighed.
"They're still doing that?" Toph asked incredulously.
"Well not that we know of but they're still teaching the new joins how to do it. They also are being stubborn about allowing in non-earth benders." he continued between bites of smoked ox-boar.
"Toph aren't your metal bending students and the Kyoshi warriors already teaching each other?" Zuko wondered.
Toph nodded "Yea, Suki helps teach them defense and order, Dharani knows they need it. We teach them metal bending forms and have been helping with weapons manufacture and maintenance."
"You're the only metal bending school in existence, you could refuse to teach the Dai Li until they do some reform." Zuko offered.
Toph tapped the table three times, "If it'll keep them from doing what they did at Lake Laogai, I'm in."
As Toph predicted, their conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Come in." Zuko called.
The door opened to reveal a short woman about the same age as Hakoda, she had tanned skin and her black hair streaked with grey was done in a traditional fire nation style. She wore a black cropped blouse, a crimson ankle-length skirt and a pleated dupatta that flowed like a golden river from her left hip and over her right shoulder ending at her skirt hem. Though her most interesting feature by far were the eyes, one Fire Nation gold, and the other Earth Kingdom green.
"Yami!", Katara nearly toppled her chair rushing to greet the older woman.
"Hello my saman ya tusara." Yami called delightedly pulling Katara into a motherly hug.
"You've been away too long," Yami scolded, over her shoulder "I was worried that Lord Zuko's face was going to be stuck in perpetual moping."
"I'm right here you know." Zuko scowled.
"Yes chota aguna, I see that." Yami raised an eyebrow and gave a teasing smirk.
Yami hailed from the Fire Nation colonies, being born to a Fire Nation mother and Earth Kingdom father had given her, her most striking feature. She and Shin-don had quickly become Zuko's most trusted staff in the days after the fall of Ozai and Azula. They had been instrumental in the aftermath, helping Zuko take control of both the palace and the Fire Nation. They took over managing palace operations, organized meetings getting Zuko and Katara in front of nobles and council members, preparing for the exchange of power, and set everything in motion for his coronation.
Any minute not spent managing the chaos, Yami spent side by side with Katara caring for the healing, future Fire Lord. She had even gotten the palace guard under her orders to ensure Zuko and Katara's safety.
Yami had grown close with both benders, often filling in when they needed motherly love or support. With a little push from his sister, Sokka had allowed Yami to start filling in for him as well, especially when it concerned courting a certain Kyoshi warrior.
"Hey, how come I don't get a nickname?" Sokka crossed his arms and huffed.
"Really? Even I have one. " Toph grinned slyly.
"What!? How? What's yours?"
Yami let go of Katara and turned to him smiling, "Prakrtika sakti, Toph, aptly, a force of nature and Sokka my dear, of course you do, you're my chota pandita."
"What's that?" he asked.
"Little scholar." Yami told him warmly.
Sokka beamed, "You think I'm a scholar?"
"I've heard stories about your many ideas and inventions from Lady Katara and Lord Zuko. One would need to be a scholar to be an innovator such as yourself.", she told him proudly.
Yami's misuse of titles made Zuko twitch, referring to Katara as Lady implied she was the wife of the Fire Lord, a minor taboo seeing that Zuko was very much unmarried and as Yami already knew, painfully single. Though it wasn't Yami's slip of the tongue that left him disconcerted, it was how accepting he was to the idea of it. A quick glance told him no one else had noticed not even Yami as she continued to fuss over Katara. Turning back to his plate he tried his best to not let his mind wander down that path but his calm was short-lived.
"Apologies my dear," Yami turned a disappointed look on Zuko, "since his majesty Fire Lord Zuko, neglected to inform me of your arrival your chambers are not ready quite yet."
Zuko obviously not getting any peace today sat ramrod straight in his chair. Yami never used his title unless it was to scold him, it always made him feel like a mischievous child who'd just been caught. Toph picking up on his anxiety giggled, he shot back a glare forgetting that it had no effect on her.
Yami looking back at Katara continued, "So I've taken the liberty of drawing you a bath in his chambers and the seamstress will send a few outfits for you to choose from in the meantime. Maybe being booted from his quarters will teach him to keep his staff up to date on the comings and goings of his esteemed guests."
"Yami, I'm sure I could have waited." Katara chuckled.
"Nonsense, you've been at sea for days if not weeks. You must be dying for a warm bath and a comfortable bed."
Toph knew Yami was telling the truth, just not the whole truth and she kept that fact to herself.
Yami had borne witness to the bond Katara and Zuko forged in the days after the fall of Ozai. While it broke her heart to see them part the wisdom of her years also understood that they needed to walk the paths set before them. A broken heart is a painful gift, it teaches you about the things you want, the things you need, and what you are willing to stand for.
Yami had been there to advise them both the best she could through those painful times. The lessons wrought shaped and honed both Katara and Zuko to who they were today, but it would be up to them to see how well they had come to fit each other.
Yami understood that patience would be a virtue here, just not one of hers. Shin-don deciding to wake Zuko at the last minute was not a coincidence, nor was Katara's use of Zuko's chambers. Shin-don was already putting the finishing details on a private dinner for two and Toph was conscripting Sokka as her guide to the hot springs and nearby rodizio for the rest of the evening.
Yes, they would be patient but a little nudge wouldn't hurt either, she silently thanked Agni and Dharani for the many moving parts falling into place.
Toph took her cue slumping in her seat, "I think I'm done, Yami are we able to use the hot springs? This hangover is wicked."
Yami wrinkled her brow in thought, "You can but palace staff is reduced for the holidays, I recommend taking someone with you just in case. If you find yourself there come evening, there's a rodizio nearby that has excellent dinner service."
Sokka drooled at 'rodizo', "An endless meat buffet? Count me in, I'll go with you!"
Hook, line, and sinker, Toph rolled her eyes at how easy it was and quirked a brow, "Sure Snoozles."
"I will have appropriate dinner attire sent to the hot springs and arrange to have a carriage on hand for the evening then." Yami informed Toph before turning back to Katara, "And you my dear, go get cleaned up and get some rest. Shin-don is working on those smoke coconut pastries you like, he should have a tray up to your, well, Zuko's chambers in a couple of hours."
Katara smiled at the older woman and squeezed her hand, "Tell him thank you for me."
"Of course saman ya tusara."
Yami winked her green eye at Katara before turning to Zuko, "Fire Lord Zuko", Katara suppressed a laugh when Zuko visibly cringed, ", would you do me the favor of escorting Lady Katara to your bedchambers, I have other palace matters to attend to."
Zuko's cheeks flushed at the implication of the Lord taking the Lady back to his bed chambers, Toph picking up on his stress smiled and punched him in the arm.
"Ow, Toph this abuse seriously needs to stop." Zuko rubbed his sore arm.
Ignoring him and eager to set things in motion, Toph poked Sokka's shoulder, "Come on Snoozles, let's get to these hot springs before my skull cracks open."
Toph stood from her chair and Sokka out of habit placed her hand on his arm. Zuko noticed that she let him without any protest but left it alone. Toph's affection for Sokka was not lost on him but Suki had the soon-to-be chieftain's heart, how Toph felt about this, he was pretty sure he would never know.
They parted ways outside of the small dining room, Toph, Sokka and Yami going off in one direction and Katara and Zuko in the next. All of the quarters and chambers were in the same wing but Toph insisted that Sokka go with her to ensure the seamstress didn't make her wear something 'frilly and impractical' and Dharani help her, shoes.
As the three disappeared down the red carpet and gold arched ceilings of the hallway Katara took Zuko's arm, "So, what are we to do?"
I can think of a few things.
Zuko pushed the errant thought aside, he knew he would have to explain things to Katara but he'd prefer to not give a demonstration in the hallway.
"As Yami says if I wish to keep my head attached to my body." he only half-joked, Katara snickered and let him lead her in the opposite direction.
"Let me look at your scar first, we'll already be in your bed chambers so I might as well."
The memory of waking in Zuko's embrace and finding her hand intertwined with his flooded her memory. In the midst of fighting for their lives, he still managed to make her feel safe and warm.
Loved.
No, even if he was no longer with Mai he only cared for her, they had become close friends but she mustn't let her one-sided feelings imply things that weren't there, she'd only hurt herself more.
When came to his chambers, she let go of his arm and he swung open the door. Following him in she looked around the sitting room, it had become less spartan since the last time she was here. Various trinkets and artifacts from the nations were tastefully placed on surfaces and on the walls but it was something in particular that caught her eye, side by side, hung two masks, the painted lady and the blue spirit.
"To bad they never got the chance to work together." Zuko came to stand beside her, "They would have been a force to be reckoned with."
Katara bumped him lightly with her shoulder, "Who told you they retired?" she smiled mischievously.
He quirked up the side of his mouth into his own half-smile, shaking his head he turned and headed to his bedroom with Katara trailing behind him.
Zuko reached for the second door, the click of the handle resounded in the room, the starting cue, and they fell into a routine unpracticed for nearly six years.
Zuko left her at the door, untying his sash and shrugging off the long vest, he sat on the edge of the bed to remove his boots.
Katara shut the door and turned the lock. She sensed her element in the next room she pulled a moon peach sized orb of water from the steaming tub and pressed it into the crevices of the lock's mounting plate. The water flooded the cylinder seeping into the strike and out through the rose on the other side, with a swift movement she froze it solid.
Zuko shed the armored tunic letting it land with a thump on the floor and shuffled himself to the center of the massive bed laying back against crimson pillows. Katara walked around the partition to find his golden eyes on her almost pinning her to the spot, she looked back at him for several heartbeats. His chest rose and fell with each breath, like Sokka, he had filled out handsomely in the last few years. Now nearly a foot taller than her, his chest and shoulders had broadened and his toned physique told her that his Fire Lord duties hadn't managed to keep him from a single day of training. The soft smiles were more frequent, a facade of patience had been built around his short fuse and he had grown a caring benevolence for his people. He had learned to deceive his court but not her, she'd seen the pain and fury fueled might that he could wield, that lived in him just below the surface. It had saved her more than once.
From his position on the bed he could feel her eyes on him inquisitive, much had changed since they were last here. Curious himself he let his gaze drift over her. Gone was the tight braid of their childhood now wavy black brown hair hung loose to her hips, her hair loopies with their mismatched beads remained, just a bit longer. The ao dai covered her neck to ankle but hugged every curve that had blossomed in her bust, hips, and thighs. Unlike many who saw a sweet young woman, he wasn't as fooled, under it all lay an immense power and ferocity he had come to respect.
Katara made her way to the bed, kicking off her brown boots next to Zuko's black ones. The intimacy of what they were doing was not lost on her, with both now of age and untethered it no longer felt as innocent as it had six years ago. When her thighs hit the side of the expansive mattress she realized there would be no graceful way to meet him in the middle of the crimson sheets. Giving a small huff she swept aside the front of her ao dai and leaned forward placing her palms down against the red silk, her knees sunk into the soft surface behind them.
Zuko turned to look and immediately clenched his jaw, it was the only way to keep it from hitting the floor. He watched as Katara crawled across the bed toward him, how many times had imagined this while gripping himself? Staring up at canopy he took a deep breath and let it go as silently as he could. He needed to get control or he would start burning up or worse burn her, remembering Mai's cry of pain was enough to put a damper on whatever desire had begun to build in him. Feeling the mattress sink under her weight he turned back to look at her, she was close enough that her knees bumped into his side. She smoothed the fabric of her clothes draping the excess down the side of his hip and his arm found its usual resting spot across her lap.
Katara streamed more water from the tub, swirling it until an orb the size of a small melon formed. The watery sphere split and gloved the mocha skin of her hands, the water swirled across her fingertips and began to glow. She laid them on the star-shaped scar, Zuko inhaled sharply at the contact. Katara pressed the luminous energy below the surface of his skin exploring the familiar old wound. She had spent days repairing burnt tissue, mending ribs, and re-growing muscle and nerves. Taking her time she took inventory of all of his affected organs, muscles, and even bones until she knew everything checked out, nothing had healed abnormally. She followed the web of scar tissue his body had weaved across his abdomen tracing its tendrils she was relieved to find it had not twined itself with any of his organs.
She pulled back with a frown and looked at Zuko, "I can't find anything physically unusual."
He looked disheartened by the news.
"What exactly has been happening, all you told me was that you were having trouble with your bending. Is it like before you visited the Sun Warriors?"
Zuko reddened and looked away, "No, it's not like that. I- I lose control."
"What do you mean?"
"I start to burn up."
"Like on fire?" Katara's concern was apparent.
"Like a fever but much worse, my skin gets so hot I burn whoever tries to touch me."
"This happens out of nowhere or does something trigger it?" her tone was clinical like she was just seeing another patient.
Zuko pulled his legs in and sat up resting his elbows on his knees, he still refused to meet her gaze.
"It's not random, there's a trigger."
"Zuko, why is getting answers from you harder than pulling porcupine spines out of Sokka's butt?" she asked flatly with one brow cocked.
He groaned and put his head against his forearm speaking into his chest he finally confessed "It happens every time I get aroused. Every single time I burn up. The last time you were here when you healed Mai? That was me."
"And you thought it might have something to do with your scar?" she asked with no prejudice.
"I guess? I don't know. Mai and I got back together after the war but Fire Lord duties and my screw-up with my father kept us apart until two years ago. I mean we could be somewhat close but once things got heated I'd start to burn up. We kept trying but when I hurt her as badly as I did. I ended it." he looked back up just not at her and continued, "I didn't tell him all the details but I even asked Aang to try his spirit bending, but he couldn't find anything either."
Zuko kept staring straight ahead at the partition like he expected someone to burst through it. The implications of what he told her started to tumble down on her, he couldn't sire an heir which could cost him the throne to Ozai or even worse Azula. The world would be thrown back into blood, war, and chaos. Everything they worked for, everything they sacrificed, everything they had been through, would be for nothing.
Then it occurred to her that aside from Mai, his family, and the gaang, Zuko wasn't very close to anyone. He spent the greater part of his reign alone and probably hadn't been touched by anyone since Mai left. Yes, the gaang stopped by from time to time a week here or a week there but with months or in her case over a year in between. Even Iroh and Ursa spent much of their time in Ba Sing Se leaving Zuko in the Fire Nation alone.
In the South Pole, touch was treated as if it were akin to life, to be without it for so long was horrifying and sad all at the same time. The tundra is cold and unforgiving, if you fell through the ice, having someone to share body heat with could spell the difference between life and death. Physical contact was welcomed and even encouraged among her tribe, it was part of their survival, she couldn't imagine being isolated for so long.
But how could she begin to help him? She could find nothing physically wrong with his scar or the surrounding areas, the issue presented through his bending but Aang came up empty. That didn't mean something wasn't wrong, one of Yogoda's warnings recurred to her: just because the source of an issue couldn't be found at the moment doesn't mean it doesn't exist under different circumstances.
"Show me."
"What?" Zuko's head popped up finally looking at her in disbelief.
"Show me. Sometimes you can't find what's wrong unless it's happening. Aang might not have found anything wrong because there wasn't anything wrong at the moment."
"You do realize what you're asking of me, right?" he asked bitterly.
"I'm a healer, not a virgin Zuko, yours is not the first I've seen and it won't be the last." she exasperated.
Katara's newfound bluntness caught him off guard and made his ears burn red. He was back to not looking at her and trying his best to not think about what she was asking of him.
"Zuko, I fully understand what I am asking but we need to find what's wrong." her voice was gentle and coaxing, "There's too much at stake here, your crown and your nation depend on you producing an heir, or else-"
"You don't think I know that?" he snapped, his voice dripped with shame and anger.
She placed a hand on his ruined cheek and he immediately leaned into it, she swore she could feel her heart crack right in her chest.
"It's more than that Zuko, you've been alone since your coronation. All this time I thought you at least had Mai by your side but you've endured years of isolation and you never told any of us. You've shouldered the literal rebuilding of the world all by yourself and I can't even begin to fathom what that's been like.", she leaned forward and placed her forehead against his bare shoulder, "Zuko, please let me try and help you."
They stayed like that for a few moments while cracks spiderwebbed their way across the facade he'd clung to since he'd watched Appa fly her off after his coronation. Why is it that this woman always found a way under his skin and into the core of his being? All alone in a strange city, surrounded by adversaries and taken prisoner no less, she offered to heal him. Stuck under the streets of Ba Sing Se she believed in him and offered to help her enemy and Agni did he fuck that up. He mentally rolled his eyes, if Iroh were here he'd remind him that second chances were few and far between, only with a cup of rare tea and in many more confusing words and phrases.
He put his hand over hers and hefted a deep sigh.
"Not here." he told her.
She lifted her head to look at him confused.
"I've already managed to singe a set of sheets, Shin-don wouldn't let it go for a month." he explained still staring a hole into the wall.
The implication brought less than proper images into her head, she had to focus, "Then where?"
He pulled her hand from his cheek and finally looked her in the eye, "Somewhere you have control, where I won't be able to hurt you. I've done enough damage already." he told her in a grievous tone.
There was the morose Zuko she'd grown up with.
"Well Yami already filled your Lake Laogai sized tub and I've definitely beaten you into submission with less so I think we're good." she deadpanned.
Much to his chagrin, she wasn't wrong, "Right, let's do this I guess."
Translations
saman ya tusara - Little Snow
chota aguna - Small Fire
prakrtika sakti - Force of Nature
chota pandita - Little Scholar
...
Ok that was part two, those closest to Katara and Zuko are giving them a nudge, we'll see how that works out.
I do have an opportunity to add a part five featuring Sokka and Toph, it'll be new territory for me but if it's something you're interested in reading let me know.
As always, reviews are appreciated, see you next week.
...
Note:
For parts 3 and 4 I did have a few songs on repeat to help me write, they're listed below if you like music to accompany your reading.
On My Mind - Ellie Goulding
Sparks - Hilary Duff
What I Like - Charli XCX
I Want You - Savage Garden
Goodness Gracious - Ellie Goulding
Be Mine - Ofenbach
Talking Body - Tove Lo
Oh God - Era Istrefi, Konshens
Hands on Me - BURNS ft Maluma