Finals are almost over, I only have one more to take, the math final. Thankfully I am good at math, so I have more time tomorrow to get the next chapter up!! Anyways, on the 24th (the day before the third Pirate movie comes out) I get out of school so I promise I will write the longest chapter I can on that day!! It might even be longer than the first one!! Well, I hope you enjoy this chapter!! Please review!!
Two days had passed without much being said between Zuko and Katara. To both of them the hours during those two days dragged on and on, and seemed like there was never going to be an end to the day. However, for Aang and Toph, there seemed to not be enough hours in either of the days.
Sokka and Iroh, though, seemed to be the ones trapped in the middle of these two times. They were the ones, other than Momo and Appa, who tried to cheer Zuko and Katara up or were around the cheerful couple, Aang and Toph.
Then on the third day, it was the end of the week, which meant it was finally time for everyone but Zuko and Iroh to leave the Fire Nation. No one said anything at breakfast each not really knowing how to cheer the other up, for all of them had enjoyed their time in the Fire Nation and being around Iroh and Zuko.
"Zuko" said Iroh softly, barely knocking on his nephew's slightly ajar bedroom door, "May I come in?"
"I don't have the time Uncle." said Zuko reading over a scroll containing something about trading agreements with the Water and Earth Nations.
"Have you ever heard of this saying-You will never find time for anything. If you want the time, you must make it?" asked Iroh taking a few cautious steps inside.
"Fine, what do you want?" asked Zuko almost setting the agreement on fire.
"Its not really what I want but more so what you want-" before Iroh could finish Zuko cut him off, "What I want? And what exactly would that be Uncle? There is nothing in the world that I want."
"Quit lying to me and everyone else. Nephew, we both know that you want to be with Ms. Katara. Now why won't you admit it?" asked Iroh in a tone that irritated Zuko far beyond words.
"Have you not paid attention in the past few days Uncle? She is getting married wether she or I or anyone else likes it! I will probaly never see her again unless I visit the South Pole! Besides what can I do to stop it? It is an arranged marriage and you really can't do much to stop them." The last sentence came out in a whisper as Zuko turned around refusing to look at his Uncle.
"When you become as old as me Nephew, you will be very wise" Iroh paused studying Zuko's stance,"So I will leave you with this piece of advice-Opportunities are never lost; they are only taken by others. Think about it." With that Iroh left the room leaving Zuko by himself.
"Katara why do you spend so much time in here?" asked Sokka seeing his sister in the library for about the millionth time that day.
"Its nice and quiet in here and a good place to think and read a good book." said Katara not moving her eyes from the book she was reading. Sokka only rolled his eyes and sat down across from her and sighed.
"You know we have to leave tomorrow, don't you?" asked Sokka, hoping to get Katara's attention, but she only nodded her head. "Which means, that if you would like to say good bye to Zuko or even invite him to your wedding, I would do it today before..." Sokka had to stop as he watched Katara's face fall a little.
"Thats a little surprising coming from you Sokka. I thought you were a little prejudice against the Fire Nation, but especially the fire lord. " said Katara putting down her book.
"I know but you seem to be attached to both so I can't really do much until you come to your senses or either one hurts you." said Sokka, not wanting to admit that he liked being in the Fire Nation. It was warmer and there was much more meat there. "Besides I want you to at least try and find happiness and fight for it before giving it up just to keep Dad or Gran-Gran or I or anyone else happy. What matters is if you are happy with the choices you make." He paused seeing his sister looking at the ground, "I know I'm not the greatest at these little pep-speeches but I at least want you to look at this whole thing from my point of view."
Katara nodded her head and said a quick thank you as Sokka got up. Before he had completely left the room though he turned around and said one more thing, "To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment...think about it." With that Sokka finally left the library leaving a pondering Katara behind.
"Come on Sugar Queen! We need to get going!" shouted Toph as she impatiently waited on Katara to get into Appa's saddle. Katara though, didn't move a muscle not wanting to go. Toph finally had enough and moved the ground under Katara's feet, causing her to move closer to Appa.
"Come on Katara, Toph is right. We do need to get going, besides if we don't get home soon dad and gran-gran will be upset." said Sokka quietly as he stood next to his sister before getting on Appa. Katara let out a heavy sigh before climbing into Appa's saddle and sitting far away from Sokka and Toph.
Aang looked over his shoulder at his three friends before saying, 'Yip-yip!' to Appa. Katara turned her back on her three friends and watched the ground grow farther away until she saw Zuko's figure running. She fought back her tears as she only stared at him, hoping that he would forgive her for not trying to get Aang to land Appa.
"WAIT! WAIT! I NEED TO TELL KATARA SOMETHING!" shouted Zuko, running as fast as he could to catch up to the group. As always though, luck wasn't completely on his side, and Appa was already in the sky with only one person looking over the saddle. Wanting to kick himself for being so slow and not telling Katara that he loved her sooner, he only stared at the captavating blue eyes looking very sad down at him, until finally neither could see each other.
Katara, still not facing her friends, felt a hand on her shoulder and recognized it as her brother's. She only let out a sigh as she felt a few tears come down her face. She quickly wiped them away before facing Sokka. He gave her a quick hug before he went into his long 'I wish there was something I could do, I want you to be happy wether you believe it or not' speech.
The master waterbender only nodded her head not paying attention to her brother's words. He had given her that same speech many times before and she could almost recite every word from memory, well changing a few words from 'mom' to 'Zuko' and etc. Toph finally put an end to Sokka's speech.
"Sokka, you talk way to much, I honestly don't see how Sugar Queen put up with you for fifteen years!" she paused hearing only silence and let out a grateful sigh, " Now will you let me sleep in peace?" Hearing a chorus of 'yes', she laid her head back down and soon was snoring louder than Sokka normally does.
"Sokka, despite what Toph said, I appreciate what you are saying but words don't always solve a problem like this one." said Katara softly, turning around again, making Sokka give up in trying to cheer her up.
Sorry that this is short but I wanted to get it up. Although, I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter!! Please review!!