The Love Between Water and Fire
Chapter 29 - Confessions
Katara had been up all night, she watched the sun rising slowly over the dark horizon. She held her betrothal necklace, looking up at the faded full moon above, she prayed to the spirits for help. She knew that the baby wasn't Zuko's, but he didn't know that. Which is why she sent Zuko away to get Sokka at the bar, to make him drunk, and belive that he had spent the night with her. Katara felt disgusted, she no longer wanted Kio's baby inside her, she hated him, but she couldn't hate the baby. She couldn't tell Zuko the truth, in her mind, she could only think of the worst possiblities. Zuko woke up, and saw Katara looking at the horizon. He was concerned, scared, but he knew that the only goal in his life was to make Katara the happiest woman in the world. Katara turned around, and found Zuko awake. She smiled warmly at him, but on the inside, she was crying.
"Morning." said Katara. "Did you have a good sleep?"
"Pretty much." said Zuko. "You?"
"Yeah." said Katara. "I'll get breakfast ready."
Katara walked out of the room, and into the kitchen. She noticed that breakfast was already made for her.
"Morning mom." said Mei. "I made breakfast."
"That's sweet of you Mei." said Katara.
"It's another surprise birthday present." said Mei.
"You already gave me a wonderful gown for my birthday Mei." said Katara. "You don't need to give me anything else."
"I just want to make you happy." said Mei.
"You already make me happy." said Katara.
"Hey, morning." said Aang. "Is breakfast ready yet?"
"Sure is." said Katara. "Mei made breakfast."
"Oh? Is that so?" asked Aang.
"Where's Sokka?" asked Katara. "Breakfast is his favorite meal of the day."
"You don't remember what today is?" asked Aang.
"No." said Katara. "What's today?"
"He's been up all night at the oasis." said Aang. "Today is the day Princess Yue passed away."
"I can't believe I forgot." said Katara. "I know it's been nine years, but I thought he would be over it already."
"I'm sure he is, it's just that, hereally misses her a lot." said Aang.
Oasis
"Yue, I'd better be going now." said Sokka. He placed down a white flower at the foot of the pond.
"Wait Sokka." said Yue.
"Yue?"
"Your sister is feeling troubled." said Yue.
"What's wrong with her?" asked Sokka. "Is it Zuko?"
"No, it's not Zuko." said Yue. "Katara has told me that she never loved Kio, but yet, she's carrying his child. She feels like she has betrayed Zuko, with her jealousy towards this woman Mai. Help her Sokka."
"How can I help her?" asked Sokka. "She caused this."
"This never wouldn't have happened in the first place, if it weren't for Zuko's sister, Azula." said Yue. "Sokka, I can't reverse all this, but you have to tell Zuko the truth. He'll understand Katara's condition."
"What will happen to Kio?" asked Sokka.
"Don't worry about him." said Yue. "He left on the day of the solar eclipse."
"So, what you want me to do, is tell Zuko that Katara is pregnant with Kio's baby?" asked Sokka. "She won't kill me for that will she?"
"I promise you she won't." said Yue. "Just tell Zuko, and let Katara do all the talking."
"Alright." said Sokka.
Yue gave Sokka a kiss, and vanished beneath the oasis.
Meanwhile
"Aang, that's the seventh piece you've had so far." said Katara.
"Can't help it! It's delicious!" cheered Aang.
Zuko looked at Aang with disgust, as he cut his pieces slowly. Sokka opened the door, and hung his coat on the coat hanger.
"Morning Sokka!" shouted Aang.
"Hey Aang." said Sokka.
"Sokka, aren't you going to eat?" asked Katara.
"I need to speak with Zuko first." said Sokka.
"What about this time?" asked Zuko, as he placed a piece of bread into his mouth.
"Just follow me outside." said Sokka.
Zuko stood up and roughly placed his napkin on the table. "Make it quick."
"Zuko, I've been talking to an old friend of mine." said Sokka. "Her name is Princess Yue, she's a moon spirit."
Zuko blurted out with laughter. "You're unbelieveable."
Sokka looked at Zuko with a serious face. "I'm not joking aboutthis."
"Alright then, tell me what this so called moon spirit of your said?" asked Zuko.
"Katara is pregnant." said Sokka.
"Did Katara say anything to you?" asked Zuko.
"No! Yue did!" shouted Sokka. "Look, Yue told me to tell you that Katara is pregnant with Kio's child!"
"What?" asked Zuko. "Do you expect me to believe that?"
"Well...ofcourse!" shouted Sokka. "Look, if you ask Katara now, there's a chance she might or might not tell you."
"Fine, I'll ask her." said Zuko.
Inside
"Katara, we need to talk." said Zuko. "Now."
"Is something wrong?" asked Katara.
Sokka came in to the door mintues later with a sad look on his face.
"Sokka, if you did anything i'll - "
Zuko grabbed Katara by the wrist and led her outside. Katara looked up at Zuko.
"Tell me the truth." said Zuko.
"What are you talking about?" asked Katara.
"Are you pregnant with Kio's child?" asked Zuko.
Katara remained silent. Zuko placed his hands upon Katara's shoulders. "Tell me!" Katara looked away from him. Zuko shook her forcefully. "Katara! Tell me now!"
"Who told you?" asked Katara.
"Sokka's moon spirit." said Zuko. "If what he said is true - "
"It's true." said Katara. "Everything he probably told you was true!"
"How could you?" asked Zuko. "Katara, this is far worse than what I did to you."
"You have every right to blame me." said Katara. She took off her betroathal necklace and gave it to Zuko. "I don't deserve this."
End of Chapter 29