DISCLAIMER: - I do not own these characters only the scenario.
I know this may seem a little repetative but I wanted it to come from Zuko's POV too.
Enjoy R&R
Chapter 6 - The Lotus Effect
The lotus effect in material science is the observed self-cleaning property found with lotus plants. In some Eastern cultures, the lotus plant is a symbol of purity. Although lotuses prefer to grow in muddy rivers and lakes, the leaves and flowers remain clean.
Zuko:
Zuko was meditating when he was distracted by Katara's voice in the main room. He moved quietly and asking the servant to bring in some soup, before he went into the room where Katara was.
He opened the sliding door and saw her moving slowly toward the door.
"Who's there," she said reaching her hands out before her.
Taking her fragile looking hands in his, he guided her to the low table to sit. She did so with a questioning look on her face. To look at her you wouldn't know that she was blind; her eyes were as clear and blue as he remembered. A peaceful sea of tranquility, she didn't know how much he owed her.
Like a curious child that had to touch she reached out her hand to his face. Just before she made contact with it he caught her by the wrist holding her back.
"Who are you," she asked again.
Zuko took a deep breath and prayed silently that she wouldn't go into hysterics. Slowly he placed her fingers on the right side of his face; closing his eyes as she moved them gently over his smooth skin there. As her fingers moved across his nose and to the scarred flesh of the opposite side of his face he felt a knot form in his stomach, the words she had said to him many years ago rang loud in his head – "Whenever I'd imagine the face of the enemy it was your face."
Just as he feared she jerked her hand abhorrently away. Zuko swallowed hard as he saw her hand slowly rise and laid the tips of her fingers on his scarred flesh. He could see the confusion ever as clear in her eyes as she traced the lines of the gnarled skin.
"Zuko?" He could hear the uncertainty.
"Don't be scared." He laid his hands on top of hers, but again she was repulsed by his touch. She stared at him.
"I don't understand," she said.
He took a bowl of soup and placed it in her hands.
"Drink the soup; it will make you feel better."
"What do you want with me?" He could hear the searing anger in her tone. "You have already killed Aang, what good am I to you now?"
Clumsily she placed the bowl of soup back on the table causing a bit to spill.
"You don't understand," he said taking her hands again.
She jerked them away. "I don't want to understand anymore of your treacheries Zuko."
He had prepared himself mentally for this reaction, but to hear it actually coming from her was harder than he thought it would be. But he always underestimated emotions. The tears were streaming down her soft cheeks etching salt lines in her skin.
"I won't help you anymore," she sobbed. "Just go ahead and kill me."
"Katara, I have no intentions of killing you. I understand how it must seem, but I swear to you, I didn't have anything to do with Aang's disappearance."
Did she really think he wanted to kill her?
"And I suppose you didn't tell the Fire Nation where we were either." She rose to her feet.
"What are you doing?" Zuko asked, looking up at her shivering form.
"I'm not interested in your explanations Zuko." She moved into a fighting stance, she wanted to fight him.
"Katara I will not fight you," Zuko said getting to his feet.
She leapt at him with a series of punches, he blocked her easily.
"Stop it Katara," he said, blocking another series of moves from her. "I will not fight you."
She lunged for him, throwing her arms and hands as if she were bending her water at him.
"You must listen to me," he said, blocking her again.
"No Zuko, I am through listening to your lies!"
She wouldn't give up, she wanted to hurt him.
He reached out grabbing her forearm spinning her so he could get his arms around her. Holding her tightly around the chest he had both her arms crossed and bound with his.
"Stop it," he breathed in her ear.
She yelled at him to let her go, fighting against his hold. She was still full of fight. He felt his hands squeezing her tighter and tighter, her tears were wetting his hands.
"Calm down and I will let you go." He could smell the perfume in her hair and on her skin, incense mixed with flowers.
She fought him even harder.
"Go to hell!"
"Katara," he said. "Please I'm begging you, stop."
Finally she stopped fighting him and he loosened his hold, but did not completely let her go.
"You must believe me Katara, I did not betray you," he said with fervor. "I did not betray your friends."
She began to cry, and he let her go. She turned and began to fight him again.
"I haven't seen my brother in years, I don't know if he is dead or alive," she sobbed, striking out at him. "Aang, Toph."
She hit him with much less conviction this time, it was more like she wanted him to stop her and hold her.
"I have lost my sight and my bending, my family, myself, you, everything." She hit him repeatedly in the chest and he let her.
He listened to her words through her tears; she had been through so much. She began to cry hysterically as she fell to her knees her beautiful face buried in her hands. He dropped to his knees beside her and held her, keeping her from falling over. Her tears still flowed like an un-blocked damn. He took her in his arms and held her tight, pulling her head to his chest, stroking her silken hair.
"I don't know if I can take it any more," she was crying through her words again, he grasped her firmly once more to keep her from falling over.
Moving back against the wall he held tight to her, pulling her with him. He sat there in silence holding her, listening to her tears. If he could make her pain go away he would, but he was certain before that would happen there would be more hurt for the both of them ahead. His heart was aching at the pain he felt for her. He wasn't sure how long they sat there, him holding her, comforting her.
"Katara, you don't have to talk, please just listen," he said as she lifted her head looking at him. "Please."
She nodded her head, and then pulled her dress back on her shoulder. He smiled to himself.
"I swear to you, I had nothing to do with Aang's disappearance, nor did I give you up in Ba Sing Se. I know how it must seem, but I swear on the honor of my mother, that it wasn't me." Zuko put his fingers under her chin, lifting her face. "I know your brother survived the attack, and was captured by Mai and TyLee."
"Sokka, he's alive?" She began to cry again.
"He is in a prison camp near Omashu.
"I don't know about Toph, I haven't been able to find her, but she has left her mark here and there. Azula makes it damn near impossible for me to do anything out of her prying eyes."
"Omashu, that's about three, maybe four days travel from here," she said her breath heavy. "If I leave tomorrow…"
"You're not leaving," Zuko voiced.
"Excuse me!" Katara snapped her head back at him. "How can you tell me I can't leave?"
"How are you going to defend yourself with no bending and no sight, or have you forgotten?"
She lowered her head; he had brought back a painful memory and a temporarily forgotten one.
"I'll manage."
"Like you managed me, or like you managed the soldier at the pavilion?"
"You expect me to sit here, knowing where my brother is?"
"Yes, at least until you get your bending back." He got to his feet.
"I suppose you are going to help me are you?" He could hear the mistrust in her voice.
"Uncle says he is pretty sure he can help you."
"Uncle Iroh?" Katara questioned.
"Yes," Zuko answered, "he is not sure about your sight though."
The emotion ran rampant across her face.
"Why are you helping me?" She turned to him. "What's in it for you, Prince Zuko?"
He stood there staring her, listening to her, wanting to touch her. She was beautiful, trembling, and unaware that she held him prisoner. Though life had been rough for her, she had not hardened as much as she thought she had, nothing like the jagged emotional wreck that he was and had become. She was like a lotus, roots in the muddy water, but the flower still pristine. With out further thought Zuko acted on his wanton impulse and took her face in his hands, tracing her soft lips with his thumbs.
Zuko gently pressed his mouth to hers, capturing the light moan as he pulled slightly with his teeth her bottom lip. His hands moved down her face to her neck and shoulder pushing the fabric of the dress away. Moving his mouth down following the path of his hand her skin was torturing his lips. Soon his fingers unclasped all the tiny hooks, and untied all the tiny sashes of the pavilion gown.
She reached her hand up, at first he thought she was about to push him away, but to his relief her fingers wrapped tightly in his hair. Pushing the dress from her frame, he couldn't bare to take his lips from her, as he removed his robe, letting it rest on top of her dress. The feel of her hands on him, caused his blood to boil and he felt himself grow hard with desire. Pulling her close to him, pressing his want into the slight swell of her lower abdomen that would make any man lust for her, he removed her silk binding.
For a brief moment he was glad that she couldn't see the savagery in his eyes, the want to devour her as he lifted her. Her smooth legs wrapped around his body, causing him to grow harder still. Moving her to the velvet cushions that she had slept on, he laid her down, her hair spilling over the sides, the mocha skin glowing in the sunlight streaming in through the window. His hands assaulted her again, feeling the softness, the curves that he couldn't seem to touch enough.
He could feel the heat escaping her sex, inviting him to her. Slipping his fingers down to her center, pressing them into her wet flesh, her response was entrancing. Moving back over her body he kissed her again, arresting the fraught cry she made as he entered into her untouched foundation.
With each thrust Zuko felt her hips moving to meet his, sending a brandish pleasure through his body. Her hands clutched to his arms, then his back, then his arms again. Arching her back beneath him, she pressed her groin hard into his, her breathing quick and forced. Once again he drank the primal sounds escaping her mouth as she tightened around him in blighted spasms.
Before she could relax her body completely Zuko moved faster, deeper into her core. With a deep groan he held to her tightly as his pleasure seared through him in a shattering explosion. His breathing was jagged; he looked at the beautiful sight beneath him. Now he wished she could see him, see the love for her in his eyes. With a heaving bosom she closed her eyes, and he leaned in kissing each one gently before resting his body on top of hers.
Silence was broken by the beating of his heart in his head; he moved from on top of Katara and lay besides her slipping his arm beneath her head. With his free arm he draped it across her pulling her closer to him. He watched her lying there in his arms, until she was sure she was asleep and he kissed her soft cheek.
"I won't loose you again." He then closed his eyes and listened to her breathing until he fell asleep.
"Prince Zuko," whispered a voice. "Wake-up, Prince Zuko."
Zuko lazily opened his eyes looking up at his uncle, who was shaking his shoulder.
"What is it Uncle?" Zuko whispered back. "Can't this wait?"
"No, and apparently you couldn't either." Uncle Iroh shifted his eyes to the naked form lying next to Zuko, smiling.
Slipping his arm from under Katara's head, Zuko pushed himself up and ran his hands through his hair. Reaching over Katara he grabbed a silken coverlet and pulled it over her mocha colored flesh. Ignoring his own nakedness Zuko stood and retrieved his robe, moving past his uncle as he pulled it together.
"I take it she was happy to see you?" Iroh asked stealing one last look at her. He moved to the table across the room where he had sat a fresh pot of tea, he kneeled down on the cushion and poured himself and Zuko a cup.
"Not exactly," he rasped as he kneeled and took the hot cup of tea from his uncle.
His uncle was giving him a very disapproving look, lowering his tea.
"I hope you were not dishonorable Zuko?" Uncle Iroh's voice was stiff.
"No Uncle," he answered defensively.
He turned and looked at her lying there, beautiful and peaceful.
"What is it that you couldn't wait to tell me?" he said turning back to look at his Uncle and then took a sip of the hot tea.
"Your prison break has made local chatter," Iroh said.
"As I expected," said Zuko, placing his cup on the table.
"No doubt the Dai Li are in the process of reporting the incident to your sister."
"No doubt," he said in agreement.
"You must act quickly," said Iroh. "We will have three maybe four days."
"I know Uncle." Zuko lowered his head briefly. "I must once again ask your forgiveness for my disastrous mistakes."
"You must forgive yourself Zuko, for you already have mine."
Lifting his head Zuko placed his fist in his palm and bowed his head in respect to his Uncle Iroh.
"I can't thank you enough Uncle."
"Zuko, you are my like my own son," Iroh's voice was solemn.
They finished their tea in silence until they were interrupted by an impatient knock at the door. Zuko snapped his head around, noticing the banging had caused Katara to stir. Before he could get to the door, the impatient visitor called his name.
"Prince Zuko!"
Zuko slid the door open; a soldier that looked to be no older than an early teen was standing there looking anxious.
"What is it? I hope you have a good reason for disturbing me." He stood there with a cross look on his face
"This inscription arrived for you from Omashu, and this one from Queen Azula." The soldier handed him the rolled scrolls.
Jerking them from his hand Zuko saw Katara sit up out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the soldier dart his eyes in her direction.
Bowing his head, the soldier blushed and said, "I am sorry Prince Zuko, I did not realize you had company."
"Your excused, now be on your way." Zuko closed the door and turned in Katara's direction. "I didn't mean to wake you."
"It's okay," she said sleepily.
Zuko glanced over at Uncle Iroh who was smiling widely at her. Perverted old man, he thought to himself.
"Uncle is here," Zuko said walking toward her.
"Hello Katara," Iroh said jovially.
He felt a grin sneak across his lips as she was sure the coverlet was wrapped tight around her body.
"Hello, Uncle Iroh." Katara said sleepily
Zuko opened the first scroll, then the second.
"Well what is the news from Omashu and your sister?" Uncle Iroh asked with less enthusiasm than he greeted Katara with.
"It seems that there has been an uprising at the prison camp near Omashu, the Avatar's bison and an Earthbender helped a captured Water Tribe prisoner escape." Zuko looked to his Uncle then Katara as she got to her feet. "This happened three days ago, they are on the hunt for them, seems they lost their trail in the mountains."
"What?" she whispered.
"The Avatar's bison, you say and an Earthbender?" Iroh said taking a lingering sip of his tea.
"It seems that my sister has also received news of this and wishes that I travel to Omashu to join the search immediately, seeing as I have so much experience in chasing the Avatar."
Zuko clenched the scrolls in his fist. Katara was now standing in front of him, one hand clenching the covering at her chest and the other reaching out to him.
"That has to be Toph and Sokka," she said, he could hear the desperation mixed with hope in her voice. "I'm going to Omashu with you."
"I don't think that is a good idea Katara." Zuko took her hand and lead her to the table where Uncle Iroh was pouring her a cup of hot tea.
"I must agree with Prince Zuko, Katara." Iroh placed her cup of tea in front of her. "With out bending abilities, traveling to Omashu or anywhere for that matter will be very dangerous."
"How can the both of you sit here and say that," Katara's voice was rising. "I have survived in a pavilion for five years, keeping the needs of soldiers at bay."
"Katara-," Zuko started.
"-no Zuko, that is my brother out there and I am going to him, with or without your help." He could see more tears forming in her eyes.
Zuko looked to his uncle for help, he couldn't argue with her. If he prevented her from leaving he would be the bastard she already thought him to be. If he didn't prevent her from leaving he would putting her at great risk, it was a double edged sword.
Uncle Iroh shrugged his shoulders. This did put a hitch in his plan; she wouldn't go to the healer outside of Omashu, until she had found her brother and the Earthbender. He could still work it though, he would just have to disguise her, and keep her at his side at all times. If only he had a little time to re-work the specifics, but time now was a luxury he did not have.
"Uncle," Zuko said thoughtfully, "a slight change in plans, we leave for Omashu at nightfall."
"Zuko, I must voice my protest, Katara is not ready," Iroh said with conviction.
"I'm going Iroh," Katara turned her head to the sound of his voice. "You of all people know how it is to have your family lost and in danger."
"Yes, I do," Iroh replied staring at Zuko. "Very well, then there is no time to loose we must take advantage of every minute. Zuko clear the table and bring me my needles." Iroh took a deep breath and then looked at Katara. "I need you to lie on the table Katara."
Zuko cleared the table and brought his uncle a very ornate wooden box, then helped Katara onto the low table on her back.
"I will need you to lay very still Katara." Iroh took another deep breath and a removed a needle from the box. Zuko kneeled beside her across from his Uncle watching her intently as his Uncle inserted the first needle into her palm.
Source Wikipedia