Kata
The wind was blowing softly…
Zuko stood on the bow of the ship and shivered slightly. Although the wind was cold, it was the memories of this place that seeped into his bones. He had not been to the Northern Water Tribe since he was a boy trying to catch the Avatar and his honor. He had been an enemy of the entire Water tribe and he had first witnessed the terrible power of the Avatar state. He stood with his hands tucked into his sleeves to protect them from the harsh arctic air, and wondered yet again what he was doing.
The Dragon cradled his hot cup of tea to warm his hands as he watched his nephew on deck. Since they'd reached the northern waters two mornings ago, no firebending was allowed. The relations were going to be shaky at best and they did not want to alarm anyone. The icy wind did nothing to help Iroh's creaky bones, but he drank lots of warm tea and kept the cold away with many layers. As he saw the Fire Lord shiver again he wondered how thick the red cape was anyway, it was designed for a volcano, not an ice fortress. Even when the sun peeked out from behind the clouds, it did little to warm the men of fire below.
"Uncle," the young man said, "am I doing the right thing?" The old man walked closer as Zuko begin to think out loud. "Katara is the only one that never bothered to stay in touch after the war. Even Toph had a friend send messages to me. I know that we never really got along, but she was still my friend, wasn't she?" Zuko looked up towards the morning sun. "Is she my friend now, or am I the only one that can save her?"
Iroh almost gasped as he saw the confusion in his nephew's eyes. A single waterbender had reduced the stoic Fire Lord to a teenager once again. "I think," he said as he stepped up next to the red cloaked figure, "that it was as hard for her to leave her friends behind as it was for you to watch them go. She is a compassionate young woman that often takes care of others' needs before her own. I do not know why she chose to stay alone for these peaceful years Zuko, but now she is in need of help. And the honorable action is to do so."
The Fire Lord nodded slowly. "But what about the Fire Nation, how can we just leave like that?"
His uncle chuckled. "A nation is like a growing child. If you never trust them on their own, they will become spoiled and petulant. You should give your people more credit. Just because you are gone for a short time does not mean everything will fall apart. Besides, it is good for the other nations to see the Fire Lord attend to matters outside of your own area."
"But what if we're not welcome in the area," Zuko said darkly, noticing the few small tribal ships flanking their own. The dark skinned men looked dangerously at the metal boat. Some of them even went so far as to clang on the side with their clubs. The man assumed to be the leader stepped onto the bow of the largest canoe. He was dressed similarly to the way that Sokka and Katara had dressed in a blue parka lined with fur. As Zuko saw his breath cloud before him, he wondered how warm this man was and how nice it must feel.
"Who are you?" the gruff man demanded, "and why do you disturb our waters?"
Iroh cleared his throat to begin his announcement, but a hand on his shoulder stopped him. "I am Fire Lord Zuko, and I am here at the request of Master Katara of the Southern Water Tribe." Any confusion or doubts that Zuko had shown moments ago were cast far away as he stood tall and proud. "We were given permission to stay at the Northern City for one day."
The man looked Zuko over and stopped at his scar, noticing the symbol of one of the war heroes. Although still skeptical he nodded, and motioned the Fire Navy boat to follow. They led the foreigners to a small bay hidden by several glaciers where the steamship was allowed to dock. Iroh made sure the ship was left in good hands and condition and stepped into the city with his nephew.
Although he would never admit it, the Fire Lord was freezing. The soles of his shoes were thin and let in the chill of the ice. The wind ripped through his red robes taking any warmth he was trying to save. The harbormaster had pointed them in the direction of the palace and Zuko was ashamed to remember some of these passages. He soon decided that this frozen walking wasn't going as planned when he heard his uncle express glee at an open market stall. He sighed as he drug his uncle to a boy with a boat in the canal.
"We are seeking passage to the palace," Zuko said formally. "Would you be able to supply us with transportation?"
"Sure mister," the boy exclaimed and moved his fishing gear to the stern. The Fire Lord sat straight and tall, trying to hold his robes around his chilling body, while his head advisor looked all around to take in the sights of the frozen city.
--
Katara stared in the mirror for what seemed like hours but still didn't recognize herself. Her braid was gone, replaced with curls and spirals that she might have enjoyed at another time. Light blue powder had been dusted around her eyes, accenting the deep blue orbs. Her lips were painted a bright red and this dress-
The waterbender's thoughts were interrupted as a knock came at the door. "Come in," she called and the Avatar stepped into the room. Aang had not so much grown in the past few years as he had sprouted. Even towering over her father, his height was something often added to the legend of the fall of Ozai, even though he hadn't even been close to the former Fire Lord's shoulder. He still hadn't lost the lean muscle of his youth and looked much more like an acrobat than a monk.
"Aang!" she exclaimed, getting up and giving him a deep hug. "How have you been?"
"I've been good," he said hugging her back, and she was nearly struck by his baritone voice. "The nations are doing well and I'm rebuilding the Northern Air Temple while I'm up here."
"It's been a long time," she said with a squeeze, and pulled back to look at his face. It had stayed lean through adulthood but she could still see how easy it would be for that wide grin to appear. "How are Momo and Appa? Are they with you?"
Aang laughed and scratched his head as he stepped back. "No. They stayed behind at the temple. Chief Arnook said that although they were welcome here anytime, today probably wouldn't be a good day to have Momo flying around, and all the people are taking up so much room that Appa wouldn't be comfortable."
"Oh," Katara said, put off by the mention of the large crowd. "Well, be sure to bring them back some peechie berries okay?"
"I will," the Avatar replied with his big grin. The grin faded as the conversation turned to a serious note. "So…it's the big day huh?"
"Yeah," Katara said, not meeting his light eyes. "It's finally here. I'm getting…"
"Married," her old friend finished for her. They silently avoided the other's gaze. Aang took in a deep breath. "Did…you ever think about what this day would be like?"
"Yeah," she confessed, fumbling with her fingers. "It didn't actually pan out the same in my mind. I'd never even thought about being married in Water Tribe territory. And I certainly never thought I'd be marrying Ha-" She stopped suddenly, putting her hand over her mouth and her cheeks turning rosy from embarrassment.
It would have been impossible for the Avatar to miss such a slip. "Katara…I-I know that this is hard for you. I know that Hahn is sometimes difficult to get along with, and that he can be a little-"
"Jerk?" the woman offered.
Aang winced at her harsh tone. "Yes he's not exactly open-minded, but that's why you are the perfect match for him. He's the adopted son of Chief Arnook and you're the sister of Chief Sokka. It's a great time of celebrating the joining of the Northern and Southern tribes."
"I know," she sighed. "I'm glad to take up this duty, but I can't help but think about the what ifs, you know?"
After another silent time of avoiding eyes, Aang tried to approach the subject again. "Katara, are you okay?"
She looked at him with an almost hurt expression, but that was quickly masked over by anxiousness. "Yes Aang, I'm alright. I guess I'm just getting cold feet. It's hard not to in a palace like this." She laughed and then noted his normal airbending garb. "Aren't you cold in your monk robes?"
"Not at all," he replied with a wave of his hand. "People seem to forget that flying up in the air isn't very warm, so I'm used to it, as long as I have a fluffy bison to sleep on at night, I'm fine."
They both laughed and she began to shoo him out of the room. "You need to get ready and keep peace at the ceremony. Also, don't let Sokka near the watermaids."
"Yes Sifu Katara," Aang said as he headed out the door. But he turned around before he was over the threashold. "Katara…"
"Yes Aang?" she said as she readjusted a curl that had come undone during their hugs.
"You look…really beautiful."
She felt her cheeks redden again. "Thanks Aang."
He stared at her for a moment more and then closed the door behind him. She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding and nearly collapsed on a chair. "What am I doing?" she said softly to herself, trying to find the Master waterbender in the mirror.
--
Zuko and his uncle stood at the gate of the ice castle. The biting wind had only gotten worse, although it wasn't as biting as some of the looks he had received from the banks. He was glad that he chose to take the canal so he could stir up his body heat as much as possible without notice. It was dangerous to firebend in a city made of ice.
"Excuse me, young man," Iroh called out to a man in a water tribe parka and slicked back dark hair. "This old man would appreciate you letting us in. My creaking bones are making it hard to bear."
"Sure, I guess," the man said, calling a waterbending soldier over to lower the gate. Zuko watched closely comparing it to the waterbender he had traveled with so long ago. Although the movement was fluid, it did not hold the grace that Katara had while she was working with her bending. As they stepped over the small puddle, a grate of ice began to re-grow, forming the gate once more.
"Thank you very much," the old dragon said bowing his head slightly. "Now if you could please point us in the direction of Master Katara-"
"Katara?" the man asked sharply. "What business do you think you have with Katara?"
Zuko narrowed his eyes. "We have received a message from Master Katara asking us to be here today," he said softly, reaching into an inner pocket to grab the envelope they had recieved.
"Yeah, I'll bet," he said rolling his eyes. "Guard, lower the gate so these commoners can get on their way."
"Commoners!" the Fire Lord repeated, feeling the familiar heat build up in his hand. "This is General Iroh, Dragon of the West. And I am Fire Lord Zuko. Now, commoner, show us the way to Master Katara of the Southern Water Tribe."
The man visibly paled and yelled, "Assassins! Guards! Guards!"
"What is going on?" Iroh tried to ask the gate soldier, but was promptly ignored as the two nobles were quickly surrounded by seemingly unarmed soldiers. But the way the man in the parka was grinning, any of these men could make a dagger in a fraction of a second. "We've been led into a trap," Zuko growled, crumpling the envelope as he made a fist, preparing to ignite the piece of paper.
Iroh sensed his nephew's body heat rise and noticed the ice at his feet begin to melt. "Calm down," he said slowly. "I'm sure that there is a good explanation for all of this." He reached over to take the almost smoldering envelope when the man yelled, "Look out! The old one's moving!"
An alert soldier approached slowly. "Give me the paper," he said simply. Zuko glanced down at his uncle who nodded, and handed the warm paper to the water tribe soldier. The soldier then gave it to the man who ordered them around so freely. The man snatched the paper and uncrumpled it almost uninterested. He looked at the envelope and his eyes widened. He crumpled the paper even worse than it had been before, threw it on the ground and approached the now seething Fire Lord.
"Who the hell are you and why are you really here?" the man demanded and poked a finger against the red cloak. Zuko grabbed the man's parka by the furry scruff around his neck and nearly lifted him into the air. Zuko was only a little taller than him so he pulled the man to his face.
"I am Fire Lord Zuko," he whispered, glaring at the fear in the man's blue eyes. "Katara has asked me to meet her. Tell me where I can find her or you and this little dead penguin are going up in flames." As the man whimpered before him, he could only lose his temper more. "Now!" he commanded, singeing the fur on the edge of the jacket.
The soldiers looked at each other unsure of what to do, when a voice called out from inside the palace.
"Zuko? Is that you?"
The furious Fire Lord thought he recognized the voice and turned his head to look at the new comer. He saw a sturdy dark-skinned man with shoulder length black hair. That shaggy hair was normally confined to a warrior wolf tail behind his head, so it took a moment for Zuko to recognize his friend Sokka. Sokka, however immediately noticed Zuko…and his anger.
Sokka walked into the circle of waterbenders and bowed low before Zuko. "Welcome to the Northern City, Fire Lord Zuko," he said, projecting his voice and disturbing many people on the castle terraces. "It is a great and wonderful day to have you as our guest. Can I get you anything?" he asked still theatrically and very loud.
Zuko and his victim stared at Sokka who looked rather smug. The Fire Lord slowly lowered the man and the man quickly stepped back to adjust his parka and inspect the damage. Zuko turned his attention back to his old friend. "Thank you for your warm welcome Chief Sokka. I hope to see that the rest of your nation has the manners of you, and not your fellow water tribesman."
Sokka let out a snicker. The swordsman had grown similarly to Zuko since the war. Although he had no bending to practice, his weapons training was definitely keeping him active. Once Sokka became a sword master, he moved on to daggers and from daggers, he picked up a bo staff. From his letters and scarce visits, Zuko could see that he was become a fine leader for a warrior tribe. "Ignore him," the new Wolf Chief said, "he's just all nervous and anxious."
"Mmm." The Fire Lord said nothing, but glared at the perpetrator to assure him that it was not a reasonable excuse for his actions.
"So, are you headed straight to the oasis? It seems you're a bit early," Sokka said looking at the sun.
"No, not yet. Katara wished to meet with us the moment we got here," the Fire Lord said, wondering but not questioning about the oasis. The only memories of the oasis he had were being bested and then besting the waterbender he was trying to meet with now.
"Sure, I'll show you where she's staying," Sokka said gesturing for them to follow down a hallway with him.
"Woah, hold it," the man said jumping in their way. "No one is allowed to see her beforehand."
Sokka rolled his eyes, "No Hahn," he said, emphasizing the lack of title in his name, "that's just you. Anyone else can go and see her just fine."
"Not him," Hahn said, glaring at the Fire Lord. "He can't go see her."
The Wolf Chief folded his arms. "Why not? Because he's Fire Nation?"
Iroh saw Zuko's jaw clench as the man before them sneered. "Besides that, he was given this," Hahn said as he thrust the scorched paper in Sokka's face. "What the hell does that mean?" the Northern tribesman asked angrily.
Sokka looked at the design painted on the sad-looking crumpled envelope. He furrowed his eyebrows. "This is-" he began.
"I know!" Hahn exclaimed. "This is an outrage, who does he think he is?" said the furious tribesman, pointing accusatorily. The targeted Fire Lord nearly growled.
"No Hahn," Sokka said grinning. "This is reminiscent of when Katara was captured by some pirates. The Fire Lord and I had to save her, but this one scrawny, annoying pirate had taken her necklace. This guy just would not leave her alone. But after a few run-ins with my old boomerang, he realized he was no match for the future Wolf Chief…and we got the necklace back."
"Master Pakku's necklace?" Hahn asked in wonderment.
"Yes, that one. Anyway, we had quite an adventure with this pirate and so this symbol doesn't exactly mean the same to us as is does to the rest of the tribes." Sokka shoved the smaller obstacle to the side and continued his walk down the hall.
Once they were past a few corners Iroh said, "You know, I don't exactly remember the pirate story the same young chief."
"What are you talking about?" Sokka said grumbling, "That's exactly how it happened."
Iroh laughed as Sokka gave them instructions to Katara's chambers. Although they were now shielded from the wind, the air seemed just as cold, determined to chill whoever walked through its halls. As they walked through a particularly large corridor, Zuko couldn't help but wonder how great her bending must be to have gotten her such a high-status living state. Perhaps she had even built it herself. As they got to the large doors, he stopped. His uncle looked at him expectantly as he took in two deep breaths. On the third one, he placed his hand upon the ice door, and pushed it open.