I meant ot have this chapter up sooner - but my son dislocated is hand and well we have been a bit preoccupied this week -
Standard Disclaimer - I do not own Avatar
R&R and Enjoy
Chapter 8 - Balance and Flow
Katara:
Katara woke to an irritated sounding Zuko. His voice carried through out the room, turning over to the sound of his voice she sat up and took in a deep breath.
"I didn't mean to wake you," he said softly.
"It's okay," she said through a yawn.
"Uncle is here." She could hear his bare feet lightly tapping the floor as he walked toward her.
"Hello Katara," Iroh said genially.
Feeling for the coverlet, she pulled it around her chest clasping it tightly.
"Hello Uncle Iroh."
Zuko was dissonantly silent; she could hear the sound of rustling paper.
"Well what is the news from Omashu and your sister?" Uncle Iroh asked Zuko with a trace of disdain.
That must have been what the man at the door wanted, Katara thought to her self. Some one was delivering him an inscription from Azula. From his silence, she took it that he was not overjoyed with what his sister had to say.
"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."
Katara rose to her feet, covering herself with the coverlet as she stood.
Zuko continued, "This happened three days ago, they are on the hunt for them, seems they lost their trail in the mountains."
"What?" she whispered. She could feel the apprehension building with in her.
"The Avatar's bison, you say and an Earthbender?" Iroh said.
"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." She heard the paper crumple in his irritated grip.
Reaching out to him Katara said with desperation, "That has to be Toph and Sokka," she paused, "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.
"I must agree with Prince Zuko, Katara. With out bending abilities, traveling to Omashu or anywhere for that matter will be very dangerous," said Iroh.
"How can the both of you sit here and say that," Katara's voice was terse. "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." She felt the blistering tears from in her eyes. She was going to her brother and not even Zuko would be able to stop her. She had spent five long years not knowing if Sokka was dead or alive. She was sorry if Zuko could not understand this, but it was how it was going to be.
"Uncle," Zuko said thoughtfully, "a slight change in plans, we leave for Omashu at nightfall."
Katara felt her heart literally skip a beat.
"Zuko, I must voice my protest, Katara is not ready," Iroh said with passion.
"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 in an understanding voice. "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 then said, "I need you to lie on the table Katara."
She could hear Zuko doing as his Uncle asked, tea cups clinked and then she heard him opening a door behind her. His footsteps were quick as he returned; he then took her by the hand directing her to the low table.
"I will need you to lay very still Katara." Iroh took another deep breath, she heard him open the box of needles her referred to.
Iroh talked to her as he inserted acupuncture needles into her flesh.
"Breathe Katara, slowly, in the nose out the mouth," he said, repetitively. "I am moving up your arm; tell me if you feel any discomfort."
She listened to his voice, it was calming.
"Your chi is severely blocked Katara," he said, "I am hoping that with a combination of acupuncture, massage, meditation and herbs, that you will regain your waterbending to full use. I do not know about your sight, which may be more than blocked chi."
Katara stared into the haze that had filled her eyes for the last five years. She listened to Uncle Iroh intently as he told her what he was doing and what he was hoping to accomplish. Something about Zuko's Uncle Iroh always comforted her. She remembered when he was in hiding with them how he always made them look for things inside themselves, that they either denied or didn't believe was there. He had a way of making them see things in a different light. He would always insist they take time for meditation and tea, most of the time to the objection of Zuko and Sokka; who never had time for those sorts of things. He was like the grandfather that she never had.
"Okay Katara I want you to continue breathing. I am going to remove the needles now."
Just as he put them in she couldn't feel a thing as he removed them. Once he removed the last one he asked her how she felt.
"Relaxed," she answered.
Zuko placed his hand her arm and helped her sit up.
"I must go and make arrangements for our departure, I will return before sunset. Uncle will stay with you."
As Zuko removed his hand Katara reached out and grabbed him by the wrist.
"You had better not think about not coming back," she said snappishly.
"I promise I will come back for you." She felt his hand linger on her cheek. Then he moved it away, and she heard a door behind her slide open and shut. Minutes after he had removed his hand, she could still feel the warm imprint that it left on her skin.
"My nephew cares for you deeply," Iroh said placing a hand on her forearm.
Katara didn't answer him, she still had reserve. So what they had shared a moment of complete connection. It didn't prove anything to her. Besides as he had told her on more than one occasion, she was a Water Tribe Peasant, and he was Fire Nation Royalty.
"I need you to lie on your stomach," Iroh said after a moment of awkward silence. "I am going to perform a deep tissue massage along with a little Reiki, and then we will meditate and see if we made any progress."
Katara could feel Iroh move the coverlet, covering her backside, leaving her back in full exposure.
"I want you to stretch your arms above your head, and keep your face down, and allow my energy to flow in and out of your body." He placed a rolled pillow under her forehead.
His hands were like warming stones on her skin, the heat penetrated her tense muscles as he pressed deep into her back at the base of her spine. He moved in a deliberate motion of circles and lines on her back, saying the words, Tam-a-ra-sha, over and over in a meditative pattern. She could feel the blood moving through her body, rising to the surface of her skin, tingling, burning.
"Keep your breathing slow and steady Katara, in the nose out the mouth." Iroh pressed deeper into her spine, moving up with his thumbs pressed in the center. "Feel the negative chi leave your body with the exhale, the positive taking it's place with each inhale."
Several minutes had passed of Uncle Iroh's direction on breathing as he manipulated her muscles he said, "There I think that is enough for today." He removed his hands from her back. "Now I want you to drink some tea, I will get you a change of clothes, and we will then see what kind of progress we made if any."
He moved the coverlet back over her entire body, helping her to roll over and sit up. He handed her a warm cup of tea, then left the room returning shortly with a change of clothes as he promised.
"Here you are Katara." Iroh laid a set of fresh clothing in her lap. "Call me when you have dressed."
Carefully, Katara placed the cup on the low table she was sitting on. She heard Iroh leave the room, as she handled the clothes he had placed in her lap. The soft silk fabric felt like cool liquid in her hands. There were three pieces, a tunic, sash, and pants. No bindings. Fumbling with the clothes Katara managed to dress herself, and tie the sash that wound several times around her waist.
"Uncle Iroh," she said out loud. A door opened and slid shut again.
"Okay, are you ready to try bending some water?" he asked excited.
Katara nodded her head slowly, she felt nervous, she hadn't bent water in a very long time, what if she had forgotten how. What if she still couldn't?
"We will start with a basic move, I want you to push and pull the water in the pan on the floor in front of you."
Katara smiled as the memory of the first time she taught Aang how to push and pull the water. He mastered it right away; it had taken her months to even get a slight swell. She had been so jealous.
She got into stance and moved her arms, back and forth, pushing and pulling. She couldn't tell right away if she was making any progress. But by Iroh's reaction she was at least moving the water a little.
"Very good Katara, concentrate a little harder, push and pull," Iroh's voice was constant, calming like her grandmother's. "Think of a fluid motion, Katara. Like the moon pushing the water to shore, only to pull it away again."
Katara cleared her head and thought of the water, pushing and pulling. Concentrating all her strength she had, she felt her body begin to move with her hands through the motions. She could hear the water in the pan begin to slosh, splashes hitting her bare feet. She couldn't describe the emotion she felt' it was like the water was pushing out bad energy and pulling in positive. For a moment all she could hear was the water, she didn't hear Zuko return.
"Uncle," he said.
Katara lost all concentration, and the water fell back into the holding pan maladroitly, splashing in every direction.
"That is enough for now Katara, we will continue tomorrow." Iroh patted her back. "You did much better than I was expecting."
"Sorry to interrupt, but we need to gather what we need," Zuko said. "Katara I have brought these clothes for you to change in to, you will blend better in Fire Nation attire."
"How many soldiers will be traveling with you?" Iroh asked.
"Five, of the least dedicated I could pick. And I am sure that a few very loyal Dai Li will be following us for a day at least, maybe longer."
"That will make it hard to do my therapy on Katara," Iroh said thoughtfully.
Katara stood there listening intently to the arrangements that Zuko had made.
"Not necessarily," Zuko said. "We will be taking two carriages with supplies, seeing as we are not sure that we will make it to Omashu, before we discover the location of the offenders."
"What do you mean; we won't make it to Omashu?" Katara questioned.
"Well I am sure your brother and Toph, will be on the run, and my guess is that the first thing they will do, is attempt finding you and Aang. I figure based on that they will head back to where you were last."
"You think they will come here?" Katara asked surprised.
"I am counting on it."
"Why?" Katara questioned him again.
"Because the sooner we find them the sooner we can find Aang, and take my sister down and end this damn war."
Katara could hear the anger in his voice, but more than anger she heard hurt and desperation.
"How do you know that Aang isn't with them?" she asked him.
"I don't know that he isn't." Zuko placed his hand on her shoulder. "You should change; we are leaving within the hour. Uncle, is your things ready?"
"I will meet you at the post." Iroh answered, Katara then heard him take his acupuncture needles from the table then a door slid open and shut.
"Here I will help you change," said Zuko, she felt his hand on her waist, and the sash loosen. "You will be wearing a special Fire Nation uniform, one that my sister insists that her female soldiers wear. You will have plenty of places for hiding weapons, such as daggers and such." He was so close she could feel his breath on her face.
"I think you are confusing me with Mei." Katara remembered Azula's elite force, the girl with jet black hair and more weapons than a Fire Nation Army post, hidden in her sleeves and everywhere else one could be concealed. "I am not trained in that kind of combat Zuko."
"Not yet you aren't."
She felt the palm of his hand rest in the crook of her neck, his thumb on her throat caressing it gently. His touch was warm on her skin; it made her take a quick breath. She moved her hand up and slowly removed his hand from her.
"I will teach you what I know about it, you are a quick, and I am sure you will have it in no time," he said.
"Zuko, all I have ever known is Waterbending." She pulled the waist of her tunic together. "Besides when are you going to have time?"
"I am sure you know more than you think you do." She felt him pull the fabric from her hand, then slipping the tunic off her shoulders. "I have brought you clean bindings as well."
Katara felt the silk fabric begin to wrap around her breast. Zuko didn't use as much fabric as her assistant at the pavilion always had; he only went around her a few times before tucking the ends tightly. She felt him move down and untie the pants causing them to fall softly at her feet. He ran his hand down her leg and to her ankle lifting her foot gently out of the legs of the pants. She could tell he remained knelt in front of her, she could feel his breath on her lower abdomen as he began to wrap the silk fabric. She again felt her breath quicken and had to resist the urge to push her hips forward, so she could feel his lips on her skin. She felt her eyes close as she reveled in the thought.
"There," said Zuko standing. "Now for the soldier's uniform."
He had her dressed in no time; he was very precise in his tying of the sashes, pulling them tight around her waist, his fingers smoothed and pressed out any wrinkle that may have formed in the light weight fabric of the tunic.
"Thank you," said Katara, her voice hoarse. To her surprise the uniform felt light and extremely comfortable. Letting her fingers roam over the fabric, it wasn't anything like the bulky uniforms that she had seen Fire Nation Soldiers wear before. Zuko put a type of boot on her that reached up to her knees, they were soft leather, snug to her skin.
"I want you to keep this on you at all times," Zuko said, she felt his hand slip up the inner part of her thigh. He was strapping something to it, it felt cool and hard. "Uncle gave it to me many years ago; I want you to have it."
"Zuko-," she started before he interrupted.
"-no I insist, it has protected me more than my fair share, and I want you to have it." He straightened her tunic again, then stood and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. "Please, I want you to have it."
Katara nodded her head, in compliance with his request; it was like he stole her voice with his kiss. Suddenly she felt her hair being pulled and twisted as Zuko pulled a comb through it.
"Here let me do that," she said taking the comb from him. In minutes she had her hair twisted into a knot. "Do you have any hair pins?"
"Yes," he said placing two long wooden hair pins in her hands. "These are a family heirloom."
"Zuko, I can't take something like that," she said firmly
"Yes you can," he said closing her hand around them. "Now we must hurry, the sun will be setting soon."
Katara placed the pins in her hair then took a deep breath; her nerves were balled up in her stomach. Finally after all this time she was going to find her brother and hopefully Toph and Aang.