Hello and welcome back! First I want to say thank you so much for your support. I read your comments and get so happy. I wish I could reply without direct messages so I will be replying in the beginning Author Notes.
Yes, Katara and Zuko will grow up together. I am toeing the line between innocent childhood crush and angsty teens for later on. A lot is going to happen between them but for now, I wanted some peace. We will be getting more child Zutara in the following chapters. Also, I love Katara and Hwasa, their friendship is just so genuine and pure. To me, Hwasa is the sister that Katara always wanted but never had. I'm gonna stop ranting now but yeah, love them. If this wasn't a Zutara story, Hwasa and Katara would be end game. I do it for the girls and the gays.
Also, this story is rated M for a lot of reasons. of course, we have smut because that's just too good not to write but also a lot of abuse is in this story, suicide attempts, death, body torture, physical, mental and verbal abuse, and so forth. This isn't a story for the light-hearted and I just wanted to warn everyone. Some may hate the way I've written these characters which is fine my writing isn't for everyone.
Sorry for the errors.
Enjoy!
Her tiny brown hands moved across the elderly woman's stomach. She couldn't fully cover the grown woman's body, but the water extended, glowing and wrapping around the woman. The room was silent, and the temperature of the room rose and fell with the woman's breathing.
Taking a deep breath, Katara shook her shoulders and concentrated on the healing. From a viewer's perspective, nothing was wrong with the woman that lay on the bed; However, the healers could feel the lumps and clots within the woman's body.
Katara never worked on healing something that she couldn't see, these internal wounds caused external problems though. The woman was tired a lot, some days she could barely get out of bed. When the woman was finally able to move, she had to take her time and stop to catch her breath. She could barely keep food down which added to the quick loss of body mass. The woman's cheeks sunk in, only to define her cheekbones and her shaky hands could never drink tea without the aid of another. Her voice never changed in pitch no matter how hard the woman tried.
Hwasa and Katara had never seen this before and it worried them. They wanted to heal the woman and though Hama took them through the steps, they could feel the pain. The woman's bones ached while her muscles always relaxed, and her nerves began to shrivel and tense into balls of unbearable pain. The heaviness that laid on the girls' shoulders, slowly moved to their chest, suffocating them as they tried their best to take the pain away. With the slow lifting of their hands, they could feel her cells fighting to come together, to grasp onto the sunlight, and restore the woman's' health.
The girls closed their eyes and concentrated, their hands tensing and then relaxing, hoping to help whatever sickness pass through the woman. The woman coughed violently, the candlelight flickering with aggression, but the girls didn't stop working. Hama stood on the side of the bed next to Hwasa, reaching over and placing water over the woman's head.
"Wa..Water." The woman whimpered and Katara moved quickly, leaving Hwasa to deal with the healing.
Bending the water, Katara waited until Hama opened the woman's mouth and she slowly drank. The woman gave Katara a faint smile, her yellow eyes showing nothing but pain. Nonetheless, Katara smiled and continued to work, she wanted nothing more than to heal this woman.
The healing session soon finished, some pigment coming back to the woman's porcelain skin. The blue veins that protruded through slowly vanished along with wrinkles. Hama helped the woman slowly sit up while Hwasa and Katara bent the water back into the buckets. Hwasa stumbled a little, but Katara quickly caught her, the healing taking a lot out of both girls.
The bedroom doors opened and the Crown Prince Iroh along with his son Lu Ten walked in.
"How are you feeling, my love?" Prince Iroh asked, Lu ten and his mother, Princess Hui Ying blushing at Iroh's boldness in front of servants.
"I'm much better thanks to your healers." Hui Ying said, fairly smiling at her husband, her teeth still a stunning white color. "I am so thankful that you found them, I don't know what we would have done."
"It's my honor to serve the Royal Family of the Fire Nation," Hama said, bowing at the couple.
"You did a great job." Lu ten said, squatting down in front of Hwasa and Katara. Katara nodded while Hwasa couldn't hide her red cheeks and the smile on her face. At this moment, Katara was glad that her skin was darker than Hwasa's, so she could hide the blush.
Lu Ten always complimented them and both girls enjoyed it. It had been a few months since the girls moved in and though nobles ignored them, guards followed them like vultures and Hama was inconsistent, Lu Ten always seemed to be there. Granted he spent a good amount of time with prince Zuko and after Katara's incident that Hwasa would not forget, Katara avoided the other Prince.
"Maybe you guys should come with me and heal my soldiers to make them big and strong." Lu ten said and the girls giggled but it was quickly snuffed once Hama coughed.
"Always the gentleman, Prince Lu Ten," Hama said softly. "But the front line is no place for my girls."
"Of course, Hama." Lu Ten said standing up straight. "You have very gifted healers."
Katara could feel her cheeks heat up but once Hama's cold hands rested on Katara's shoulder, a chill ran down her spine.
The healers left the room, walking through the red halls of the Palace. The Royal Family lived in the East Wing of the Palace, where the sun rose while the lesser Nobles stayed in the West Wing of the palace. As for the servants, they had their own quarters off of the Palace grounds. However, Prince Iroh had the healers in the North Wing of the Palace where the close servants of the Royal Family stayed. The walk to their rooms was silent, all the healers tired from their extensive healing session. Once inside, Hwasa fell onto the bed while Hama called a servant to heat the bathing water.
"Lay flat." Hama command, Hwasa moving quickly on the bed to lay on her stomach.
Moving her hand swiftly, Hama bent somewhat until it glowed and placed it on Hwasa's back. The young healer moaned as the water raked over her body. Katara walked towards the windows behind the silk curtains and pushed them aside, the moonlight pouring in.
"Take a bath, Katara, let your muscle relax," Hama said, not looking up at the girl. "You did a lot today."
Nodding, Katara walked into the bathrooms and closed the door behind her. Taking off her ropes, Katara slid into the tub, the warm water soothing Katara's body as she submerged herself. Healing someone never felt like this before, it was physically draining, as if her life essence was being poured into someone else. When Katara first learned to heal with Hama, it was cuts and bruises that would take a month at most to heal on its own. But with every healing session, they performed with Princess Hui Ying the girls were left drained. While the Princess felt better, Katara would find herself sick, losing balance, feeling tired, and not having the energy to eat if not submerged in water or under the moon. Katara wasn't sure what was wrong with the Princess, but she knew that whatever they were doing, it wasn't going to save the Princess.
Katara wanted to believe that she was strong enough to heal the Princess, they'd been at it for months. But every time they saw the Princess she looked worse and the girls felt worse. She couldn't give up though, Prince Iroh and Lu ten were counting on them. She didn't want to let them down, especially Lu Ten who was very kind to her. Part of Katara wondered what would happen if they didn't heal the princess. Would they go back to the small house in the city or would she go back home to the South Pole? Hwasa and Katara didn't even know why they were at the Palace and why they were chosen to heal the Princess.
Katara overhead Prince Iroh and Hama talking about the healers of the Fire Nation. For years Princess Hui Ying got sick and it wasn't until Prince Iroh came back with Hama that his wife got better. It warmed Katara's heart to know that they were helping in some form even if it wasn't much. If Katara had to be hurt for a few hours to give the Princess a few days of peace then it was worth it.
"Katara," Hama called, knocking on the door following it. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, Hama," Katara replied, grabbing the bar of soap and the cloth, quickly washing her body. "I will be done in a minute."
Hama didn't respond and Katara sighed, knowing that Hama left. Running her shriveled fingers through her hair, Katara calmed herself down, her muscles relaxing as her mind continued to race. Another minute passed and Katara got up from the cold bath, grabbing a towel and drying herself off. She put on her long nightgown and left the bathroom.
Hwasa was fast asleep on the bed, the room filled with light snores. Hama stood in front of the vanity; the chair pulled out for Katara to sit down. Taking a seat, Katara played with her hands as Hama brushed her curly hair, not flinching if Hama brushed too hard.
"You're quiet," Hama said breaking the silence. "Do you need healing?"
"No.," Katara said, slightly shaking her hair but not daring to look in the mirror. Katara wasn't sure if she didn't look because she didn't want to see Hama or how sick Katara usually looked after healing the Princess.
"Something is bothering you, Katara," Hama said, putting the brush down and bending the water out of Katara's hair.
"I...it's-uh..we…"
"Speak, girl." Hama hissed, only making Katara retreat within herself more.
"The Princess…" Katara whispered, her thumb running over the back of her other hand. Taking a deep breath, Katara found some strength to ask the question she had for months. "Is the Princess sick?"
"No." Hama replied shortly and Katara relaxed, there was no need for her to worry. All her fears went down the drain, Prince Iroh and Lu Ten would be happy when the Princess recovered. Katara wouldn't have to feel useless anymore and she could continue to live at the Palace. "She's dying."
Katara's head shot up at those words, finally looking in the mirror. Hama was already looking forward and Katara wondered if Hama was waiting for her. As much as Katara wanted to turn away, to ask more questions, she couldn't. She had never seen death up close nor had she felt it. But now she questioned if that was the feeling that weighed on her shoulders for a month. The feeling of bones aching, cold hands, and the faintness of beating hearts. The feel of forces fighting her own bending, pulling her own life force, leeching off of her.
"I...n-no," Katara mumbled trying to speak. "I-I thou-though tha-t…"
Katara struggled to speak, a lump forming in her throat while tears readied themselves for the fall.
"We cannot cure death, Katara," Hama said blankly, holding Katara's gaze through the mirror. "We cannot change what is to come, only make it easier for those who have to take that step."
Katara nodded, her eyes not leaving Hama's until the woman disappeared. Katara knew that people died, though no one explained it to her properly. She understood that people could not live forever but it was different for her. In the South Pole, Katara was too young to be taught about death, her mother told her that people moved on to be with the Spirits. It was the same explanation she received when their Grandfather had passed.
"Go to bed, Katara," Hama said, pulling Katara out of her thoughts.
"Yes, Hama," Katara replied, getting out of the chair and walking towards the empty twin bed in the room. Crawling into the sheets, Katara rested her head on the soft pillow but sleep and peace did not find her.
Zuko grunted as Lu Ten pushed back against his wooden sword. Almost faltering, Zuko quickly balanced himself, his left foot behind his right. Smirking, Zuko held his wooden swords up in front of his chest, his stance strong. Lu Ten breathed heavily and Zuko smiled, knowing that his plan was working.
"Couldn't beat me at bending so you're trying with swords, huh?" Lu ten said, shrugging his shoulders and fixing his stance as well.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Zuko said, twisting the swords in his hands, his wrist smoothly rotating them. "You wanted to spar with me."
"Touché." Lu Ten said, lunging towards Zuko.
Instead of moving away, Zuko moved forward, taking the offensive, their swords clashing.
"Been doing push-ups to impress a certain healer?" Lu ten asked, smirking at his cousin.
"Whatever," Zuko said, losing his balance once again and moving back.
Ever since Zuko had run into Katara that day, Lu ten hadn't left him alone about it. The girl was in a rush and clearly didn't see him. Zuko was going to yell but the girl had caught him off guard that he'd forget how to speak. He was left standing there like a blubbering fool while Lu Ten put his charm on the girl.
Zuko wanted to speak to her, apologize for what happened but he hadn't seen her. Not that he exactly was searching for the girl, but the Palace couldn't have been that big for him to not bump into her.
"Oh, come on, you don't have to hide it from me." Lu Ten said swiping at Zuko who gracefully dodged the wooden Dao blade. "Every cut and scrape you're looking for a healer."
"Not true!" Zuko hissed, stepping forward and using both swords to swipe from the side and up. Lu Ten stepped back, twisting, his wooden swords swiping for Zuko's stomach.
Okay, maybe Zuko was a little too forward with his time with the healers but could you blame the kid? He had never seen a Waterbender before and now three lived in the Palace with him. How could he not wonder about her? His father told him how most of the Waterbenders in the South were captured and killed. The Northern Tribe still had their benders but soon they would be gone as well. So, if Zuko could see one up close and maybe even form a coherent sentence he would try.
He didn't get the best look at her, but he couldn't forget those sapphire blue eyes. He'd never seen blue eyes before and there was something in her eyes that entrapped him. As if she held the secrets of the ocean in her eyes, begging for him to unlock them. But as soon as he found them, they were gone, running away to be a servant with water needed for healing.
Lost in his thoughts, Zuko groaned as he felt his shoulder put, the bone moving. Dropping his swords, the young Prince groaned and clutched his arm.
"Ahhh!" Zuko screamed. "Dude, really?"
"Should have been paying attention." Lu Ten said dropping his swords and walking towards his cousin.
"Don't touch me." Zuko groaned, slapping Lu Ten's hands away.
"I'm trying to help." Lu Ten snapped. "I've put a bunch of dislocated shoulders in-"
"Ahh, that hurts!"
"Stop mov-"
"Do you need help?" A soft feminine voice questioned.
Both Princes stopped moving and looked at the brown healer standing before them. Zuko rolled his eyes, of course, the healer would be present when Zuko was whining like a baby. Lu Ten let go of Zuko and the healers waited for an answer.
This was it, Zuko's time to say something to her. Katara was her name, definitely not a Fire Nation name. She took before them, Lu ten looming over her while Zuko was only two inches taller. The red and gold Yukata only magnifies the juxtaposition of her magnetic blue eyes. Zuko stayed silent taking in the healer and forgetting what she even asked.
Lu Ten could sense the awkwardness looming over them, Katara looking at him and then back at Zuko. Lu Ten shoved Zuko forgetting that his shoulder was injured.
"Ouch!" Zuko hissed, once again grabbing his arm.
Zuko glared at Lu Ten, only for Lu Ten to nudge his head back to Katara. Zuko blushed, his cheeks turning an awkward shade of pink as he looked at Katara and nodded. Katara called a servant for clean water while Zuko took a seat on the training ground.
Kneeling down on the left side of Zuko, Katara touched his shoulder while only making him flinch.
"Sorry." Katara squeaked.
"It's fine, you're not the one who hit me with a wooden sword," Zuko said, a faint smile forming on his face.
"He gets hurt easily; you are not the first healer who had to help him." Lu ten said, wiping sweat from his brow.
Even at the age of eight, Zuko wanted his life to end. He could always count on his older cousin to embarrass him in front of girls, even if it was just a healer. Zuko wanted to protest but Katara giggled and it soothed all tension within him.
Zuko watched as Katara bent the water from the bowl. A bruise formed on his porcelain skin, turning it a deep purple. It hadn't occurred to him until he felt Katara's hands on his shoulder that he didn't have a shirt on. Zuko tried to flex his muscles, only causing himself more pain and Lu Ten to roll his eyes.
"Am I hurting you?" Katara asked, confusion in her voice.
"No," Zuko said quickly. "Wh-why would you think that?"
"You're tense," Katara said, her hands slowly running down his shoulder blade and up to his neck.
"Oh, sorry," Zuko said, blushing and trying to relax. Lu Ten sighed as he watched his cousin be the most awkward kid in the world. Zuko was truly hopeless if he couldn't deal with a healer.
The cool liquid washed over his shoulder and it took everything in Zuko to not make a sound. The healing didn't hurt, if anything it was as if a wave of calm was washing over him. He didn't even feel his bones move back into their respective places.
"How does that feel?" Katara asked, moving her hands away from Zuko.
Zuko shrugged his shoulder and then twisted it a few times. He had never felt this good after a healing session, he felt energized. It was different from the power that he grasped from the sun.
"Amazing," Zuko said smiling at her but then quickly caught himself, coughing trying to dispel the awkwardness.
Katara bowed and began to walk away. Lu Ten slapped Zuko on the back of his head and Zuko punched him. "You're just gonna let her leave?"
"What am I supposed to do, break my arm?" Zuko snapped, rubbing his head. He wanted the healer to stay, to talk to her more but he didn't know what to say.
"Katara." Lu Ten called and Zuko froze, hating that he was related to Lu Ten. "You might need to stay, Zuko will need healing again."
"What?" Zuko questioned, turning to glare at Lu Ten who had a blank look on his face.
"Do you want her to stay or not?" Lu Ten asked between sealed lips. "I'm helping you out, shut up."
Zuko glared and watched as Katara came back to them and placed the water on the ground once more. Zuko gave a nervous chuckle and picked up his wooden Dao swords from the ground. Lu Ten held his wooden swords and then looked at Katara.
"Have you used a sword before, Katara?" Lu Ten asked. Zuko thought he asked a stupid question but Lu Ten seemed to be proving Zuko wrong today. Lu Ten was really pulling on strings and embarrassing his cousin at the same time. And at some point, Lu Ten would be Fire Lord?
"No.," Katara said sitting on the ground. "My people used spears and my brother had a boomerang."
"Would you like to try?" Lu Ten asked, stretching out the sword to Katara.
Zuko eyed his cousin warily but then looked at Katara. She contemplated getting up, knowing that she shouldn't. If anyone saw a servant practicing swords with the Royal Family it would look unbecoming of them. Uncle Iroh wouldn't yell at Lu Ten but that's not the man that Zuko feared.
His father, Prince Ozai hated almost everything that Zuko did. In the past month, Zuko completed the stances and moved onto the next level. When he finally showed his parents, his mother was proud of him while his father questioned why it took him that long. Zuko had no excuse besides being weak and though he didn't admit it, his father knew the truth.
"I-I shouldn't," Katara said, softly.
"It's fine, if you hurt Zuko we can heal him before anyone notices, right Zuko?" Lu ten asked.
Zuko took a deep breath, calming the fire burning within his small frame. He reminded himself to never tell Lu Ten about any girl he actually liked and could have a chance with. Zuko could say no but that meant that Katara would leave. However, if he said yes then it may cause another problem.
Zuko wondered why the thought of Katara leaving bothered him so much. He barely knew the girl and he shouldn't care.
I don't care. Zuko thought to himself. Why would he care for a healer holding a sword, she couldn't hurt him?
"Yeah," Zuko mumbled.
Katara smiled and got up from the ground. Zuko dropped one of his swords while Lu ten gave Katara one of his own. Standing behind Katara, Lu Ten had Katara step her right foot back while placing the sword in her right hand. Katara's hand came in front, covering her chest.
"Wait, you want me to fight her?" Zuko asked, breaking his stance.
"Is there a problem?" Katara asked, looking at Zuko, her blue eyes scanning his body, making Zuko feel self-conscious about his body.
"Well, she's a girl," Zuko said blankly. "I can't fight a girl."
"You fight Azula."
"She's not a girl," Zuko added. "She's my sister."
"Love your logic, buddy." Lu Ten said, his voice drenched in sarcasm. "Just because she's a girl doesn't mean you can't fight her."
Zuko shrugged, letting Lu Ten carry on. He wondered how Katara could fight him in the robes that she was wearing. It was stiff and heavy, Azula hated wearing those and usually worse pants. Zuko watched as Lu Ten instructed Katara with the sword, his massive hand over her tiny on. His other hand was on Katara's shoulder, pushing and pulling her through the movements of the sword. For whatever reason, Zuko didn't like looking at the pair of them. Zuko knew that they were just practicing but it bothered him. Maybe he should have been the one to teach Katara and they both fight Lu Ten. It would be payback for all the stupid things Lu Ten said and did today.
"Ready?" Zuko asked, annoyance attached in his voice.
"Yes," Katara said and Lu Ten moved to the side, watching the two.
Zuko decided to go easy on Katara, not wanting to scare the girl away. She was also weak compared to him; he couldn't embarrass Katara. Zuko moved forward, his sword cutting from the left into a half 'V' and Katara blocked it, catching the wood and both swords forming an 'X'.
"You're strong," Zuko said, groaning.
"Thanks," Katara said, smirking at Zuko.
Zuko was confused until he found himself with his leg kicked up from under him, falling on his butt. Lu Ten laughed and clapped his hands together in amusement while Katara chuckled.
"You cheated," Zuko said, groaning as he rested on his elbows.
"Well, I am a girl," Katara said, winking at Zuko who was too annoyed to blush.
"D-"
"KATARA!" a harsh voice shouted.
Katara quickly dropped the wooden sword and Zuko stood up. The joy that was present in the girls' face was quickly snuffed out. Dusting himself off, Zuko watched as Hama stood at the bottom of the platform, the other healer standing at her side.
"Hama." Lu Ten called. "It's fine, I just wanted to teach Katara something."
"It's fine, your Highness," Hama said coldly. "Though, Katara should know that she has duties and shouldn't be playing with the Nobles."
"I'm sorry, Hama," Katara whispered and quickly walked towards Hama, standing at her left side. Without a word, Hama and the girls turned, leaving Lu Ten and Zuko watching them walk away.
"Well, that was fun." Lu Ten said, picking up the swords. "Another round?"
Zuko nodded and picked up his swords, ready to pay back his cousin for the various stunts he pulled today.
Once again, the walk through the halls was silent. Katara didn't mean to upset Hama, stumbling upon Prince Lu Ten and Zuko was a complete accident. She was ready to leave when Prince Lu Ten called her to stay with them and she couldn't defy the Prince. It wasn't as if Hama needed Katara, they were done healing for the day and she wanted to explore the Palace. Katara didn't think that the Palace had a training grounds nor did she expect to see Prince Zuko after a month of not trying to be in his way.
Hwasa wouldn't let Katara forget that she drenched Prince Zuko in water. Katara wasn't even sure she wanted to see Prince Zuko again because he seemed so upset with her. It made sense, of course, it was her fault she wasn't paying attention. She also didn't know what to say if and when she ran into the Prince again. Hama had kept her so busy that she barely had time to breathe, she'd almost forgotten that the Prince lived in the Palace of all places.
However, Katara stumbled upon Prince Lu Ten and Zuko with wood in their hands. Upon closer inspection, they were swords, nothing like the spears in the Water Tribe. Katara and Hwasa learned more about the Fire Nation because they were now being tutored per Crown Prince Iroh's demand. It wasn't bad but their tutor was so boring and all she spoke about was the Fire Nation and how they were so great. Katara wanted to protest but she knew that Hama would find fault in her. So, the girls suffered through the dull history of the Fire Nation.
"We're going out today," Hama said, breaking the silence but not looking at the children that trailed behind her.
"To the city?" Hwasa asked, excitement in her voice.
"Well, we are going through a city," Hama replied. "But if you don't want to go-"
"We do!" both girls replied, Hama chuckling at their impatient response.
"Well let's get dressed and go," Hama said, opening the door to their bedrooms.
Running into the room, Hwasa and Katara went into their closets, shuffling through clothes. Though they had been outside, they never left the castle grounds or the house that they once lived in. Katara wanted to venture out, to see the foreign land that she arrived in two years ago. She knew it was nothing like the South Pole but from what their tutor Ming Fa drilled into their minds, Katara wanted to see the truth for herself.
Rummaging through her clothes, Katara decided for something loose-fitting. The Yukata that she usually wore was tight and hot, not fit for bending or the dry heat. Katara put on red pants that gripped the ankle but flowed loosely around the legs. The shirt covered her stomach but left her arms exposed, perfect for bending.
"That's where my outfit went," Hwasa said, looking at Katara as she held a few outfits in her arms.
"Oh, well you can wear it," Katara said, ready to take off the clothes. "I have something else."
"No, it's fine." Hwasa replied, smiling, "I like it but since we are borrowing clothes, I want to wear your red dress."
Katara nodded and Hwasa smiled, running into Katara's closet and taking the dress. A few minutes later, Hwasa came out in Katara's dress. Everything was red except for the golden collar of the neck. The top was sheer and ruffled while the rest of the dress flowed down gracefully.
"Can we take our hair down?" Hwasa asked and Katara perked up at that question. They had always worn their hair up in the Palace, it was protocol. Katara almost forgot how good it felt to feel her long brown hair touch her shoulders. Hama nodded and the girls smiled as they helped each other take out their hairpieces.
It didn't take long for these girls to reach Hama's destination. When they left, they walked through the front gates of the Palace and Katara wondered if leaving was that easy. The thought didn't cross Katara's mind as she and Hwasa ran through the streets. Like the children that they were, they touched every single thing that looked shiny and expensive.
The girls did look back though, making sure that Hama approved their escapades and to their surprise, there was no protest. The girls ran down the bustling streets, amazed at the brick roads, the smells of food that may have been too spicy for them, and the beautiful shops that lightened the streets.
"Ohhhh what's that?" Hwasa asked, looking at what seemed to be a big moose. However, the moose was white with black dots, or was it black with white dots?
"It doesn't look like a moose," Katara said, turning her head. "But it has horns."
The crow looked at the two girls and roared causing them to jump back. Hama chuckled and patted the girl's heads, telling them to move on.
After visiting a few more shops, Hama took the girls to a restaurant. Katara picked up the menu and then looked at Hama who was reading away. It wasn't that Katara was illiterate, she just didn't know some of the signs.
"Uhhh, Flakes of...flies?" Katara mumbled to herself.
"Hand it over," Hwasa said, receiving the menu. "It's Fire Flakes, it's like a spicy chip."
"Is it on fire?"
"No, but it's hot so your mouth feels like it's on fire."
"Ohhhhhhhh." Katara nodded and let Hwasa explain a few more things. "So no Water Tribe food."
"Not unless we make it," Hama added.
Katara wasn't sure what to order so she ate whatever Hama and Hwasa. The food was hotter than Katara could imagine, the cups of white piled up on the table. Hama couldn't hold back the laughs as Hwasa kept moving Katara's cup with her bending, the girls struggling for water.
"People like you don't belong here." a grungy voice barked.
Hwasa stopped bending and the Waterbenders looked at the men who sat at the counter. Katara wasn't sure why those men decided to speak to them, they'd done nothing wrong. She was human just like them and anyone had the right to eat at a restaurant.
"Sir, please leave us alone," Hama said softly. "They're just children."
"I don't care, Lady." the man snarled. "I'm shocked you were so brave to let your brats bend in here as if the Fire Nation welcomes scum like you."
Scum? Katara thought to herself. Never had she heard that world, nor did she know what it meant.
"Sir you need-"
"No, you need to leave before something bad happens to you." The man threatened and his friends slowly stood up.
Hwasa went to move but Katara grabbed her shoulder, not wanting there to be any trouble. Hama stood up and reached into her purse. She pulled out two gold pieces and helped Hwasa and Katara from their seats. Without another word, the girls left the restaurant but the sound of cheers stayed with them.
Katara didn't understand why people were so mean to her. Not that she thought people in the Fire nation were bad. Yes, she was taken from her home by people of the Fire Nation but it couldn't be everyone, right? People were kind and helpful even if they were outside of Tribe. Stunned, Katara stayed silent and walked behind Hama. Hwasa grabbed Katara's hand, lacing their fingers together.
"We have each other," Hwasa whispered and both of the girls smiled at the one truth, they had each other.
As they continued to walk, the girls could see something red. It almost seemed like a field of red. Reaching their destination, Katara's mouth fell open as bright red flowers flowed into a beautiful field. Bending down, Hwasa picked a flower and smelled it.
"Growing up at the South Pole, Waterbenders are totally at home, surrounded by snow and ice and seas." Hama watched as the girls sat down, playing with the flowers. "But as you probably noticed on your travels, that's not the case wherever you go."
"I know," Katara said softly. "When I was on the ship, I felt like there was almost nothing I could do."
"That's why you have to learn to control water, wherever it exists," Hama said, telling the children to stand up by lifting her hands. "You can even pull it out of thin air." The girls watched as Hama lifted her hands into the air. She then swooped her hand over her head and water formed, crawling down her fingers and freezing.
"You've got to keep an open mind, Katara and Hwasa. There is water in places you never think about." Hama flicked her hand and the ice sickles flying off of her hands and hitting the tree.
The girls smiled; Hama was truly amazing. Not only was she teaching them bending and healing, but they could bend when there was no water around. In this Nation of Fire, the water seemed rare but it was closer than ever, all the girls had to do was look for it.
"These flowers are beautiful," Hwasa said, changing the subject.
"They're called Fire Lilies; they only bloom a few weeks a year but they're one of my favorite things about living here," Hama said bending down to smell the flowers. "And like all plants and all living things, they're filled with water."
Hama took a stance, her hands moved to the side, Hama walking in a circle. Hwasa shot up, the crimson red flowers turning black and wilting, falling to the ground. Katara watched as Hwasa gathered water, enough to make a whip. In an instant, Hwasa threw the water at a stone, slicing it into pieces.
"Wow, that's amazing," Hwasa said excitedly. However, both girls looked at the dead flowers that surrounded them.
"It's a shame about the lilies though," Katara said, a frown forming on her face.
"They're just flowers," Hama said brushing the girls' uneasiness away. "When you're a Waterbender in a strange land, you do what you must to survive. When you're both ready, I will teach you the ultimate technique of water bending. For now, we can practice bending water that we cannot see."
The girls nodded and took their stances. They thought today would be a break from bending but they didn't complain. They wanted to enjoy their time of just being children, but something told both girls that their childhoods were over the day they were taken.
Neither girl got the technique on the first try but Hama didn't yell at them. This training was different, Hama wasn't as harsh. She cheered the girls on as they tried to grab the water they couldn't see. Once Hwasa formed a small ball, Katara got annoyed and stole the water from her. Soon, the girls began to play fight which caused their bedding to become stronger, water being pulled from the air and then from the lilies. Soon, the red field with perfect flowers wilted as all the Water Benders practiced their skill, grasping water.
Hama taught them a new technique, their hands, and fingers that usually were straight were now arching and curving, forming hunches, and grabbing something. Movements that were made to flow came out harsher and faster, almost as if they were bending a new element.
"Very good, girls," Hama said, smiling at the girls who were panting, the new technique tiring. "I am so proud of you."
The girls smiled and walked towards Hama, giving her a lazy hug. It felt like things were going back to normal. Maybe Hama wouldn't be so cruel anymore. This is what they all needed, to get out of the stuff palace and practice their bending away from judgment.
Zuko hit the trunk of the oak tree with his wooden sword. He wasn't supposed to be outside the Palace at night, but he wanted to practice. Piandao said he was getting better with his blades and soon would be a better student than Lu Ten if he practiced. If Zuko wasn't gifted in Fire bending like Azula then he would do something better, he would have swords.
It was his Uncle's idea, noting that swordsmanship had made Lu Ten a better Prince and person. While Prince Ozai, Zuko's father didn't care what Prince Iroh said, his mother, Princess Ursa took him up on that offer. Every day for practice, his mother accompanied him to Piandao's Mansion on the hill in Shu Jing. It was the one place where Zuko felt as if he didn't have to impress anyone, his body was completely connected to his mind as he moved with the swords.
Of course, when Lu Ten found out that Zuko was taking lessons with his old Master, Lu Ten couldn't let an opportunity to embarrass Zuko pass. Zuko knew that all Lu Ten wanted to do was help but at times Lu Ten just had to show off. But Zuko was getting better, stronger and his movements were swifter and more precise than Lu Ten's at his age.
Zuko froze, hearing the gates open. Turning, he watched as Hama, Hwasa, and Katara walked through the front gate of the palace.
"Katara," Zuko called out and all the women turned to look at him. He didn't know what possessed him to call out for her, but it didn't matter now, the young Prince had their attention.
"Prince Zuko, it's late," Hama said blankly. "You shouldn't be out alone."
"I'm not." Prince Zuko snapped, lying through his teeth. "Prince Lu Ten is with me."
"Then what do you need Katara for?" Hama said, turning her head and waiting for the Prince to respond.
Zuko knew that he didn't have to answer to Hama; she was nothing. A healer, sure but he was the Prince and a healer was just a better ranking in the ranks of a servant. If he wanted, he could have ordered Katara to come with him and Hama couldn't do a thing about it. However, his mother told him to respect the elderly even if it was a stupid healer. But that wasn't what stopped Zuko from protesting, it was what he saw in Katara's oceanic eyes.
Through the dark sky, he could see them clear as day. The way the moon set itself in her eyes, only amplifying the magnetic hold of them. He had known the look her eyes were giving him, the same look he gave his father. The fear of repercussions if Ozai was to be disobeyed or even annoyed at the stubborn nature of children. Zuko wasn't sure why Katara was afraid or what Hama would do but he didn't want to find out. So, he let Katara go for the night.
"I don't," Zuko said blankly. "Goodnight."
Hama smiled and continued to walk with the girls. Zuko watched as Hwasa and Katara walked past him, following the woman.
Thank you for reading! Let me know how you liked this! It's probably my favorite chapter I've written so far. I think Book 0 in general is my favorite book. So much development and of course baby Zutara