Author Note: To be honest. My laptop died on me and everything I wrote for this story was DESTROYED! I contemplated for a long time whether or not I wanted to rewrite everything out and decided if this chapter was a hit I would continue this story again =(
So let's get …. Authoring.
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN THIS ANIME …. Because Zuko and Katara would be together here and not in Legend of Korra.. Which I also do not own.
Chapter 12 : Goodbye until next time
Katara looked up at the blue sky as Appa's figure grew smaller and smaller. The gust of wind brought her back to the moments when she use to be in the saddle next to them, but now that was a distant memory in her life. She did not mind, however, at least not as much as she use too. Instead, the wind was calming to him. Almost as though they were saying 'until we meet again.'
Her mind was so occupied that she didn't notice the golden eyes of her lover glancing at her. He smiled as his hand reached out for hers. It was a simple gesture and didn't mean much to him in the past, but now everything changed. His fingers slide slowly across the tan skin of his water bender and almost as though he was holding a delicate flower, he tugged her gently toward his chest.
"They're finally gone," Zuko let out.
"You know you loved their company my Fire Lord," Katara joked as she tilted her head up to look at Zuko.
"No, Katara, you liked their company. I enjoyed only one moment of their stay,"
"And that was?"
"When they left," He chuckled.
Katara gave him a playful smacked as she joked about his poor humor. She noticed, however, that the Zuko now was much more nicer to them than the Zuko who opposed them staying for 'just one night.'
"Its quiet, " Katara noted as she smiled toward him. She had realized with Aang and Toph gone that her days would be less eventful. Her and Uncle Iroh would continue to plan the wedding and she would spend her free time learning about the Fire Nation. She would no longer have food stolen off her plate by Aang in the morning or be able to style Toph's hair at night. She let out a small sign of disappointment that Zuko caught on toward.
"I'm sure they'll be weeks early to the wedding," The Fire Lord said as he tried to make the master bender feel better, "So it's not a long goodbye.."
It was a simple sentence, however, it touched her heart.
"By the way, Zuko, what did you and Aang talk about earlier?"
The fire bender blinked for a moment as he looked back toward the meal they just shared with their old companion.
"Tara," Toph yelled as she shoved more meat into her mouth, "You're going to look beautiful in your dress. Make sure you let me touch it before you walk so I can see it,"
"I'm sure with all the skilled workers here I'll be transformed into something presentable," The water bender responded shyly.
"You're beautiful on your own," Zuko nonchalantly added as he sipped his tea.
The entire meal continued on like the previous ones. Toph would scream to someone right next to her and Aang would eat nearly everything off the table. Katara would remind them to display their manners while Zuko kept trying to ignore the entire ordeal.
"One more meal…" The fire lord thought as he placed his cup down.
He couldn't help, but look at the master enders around him. It wasn't as though he hated their company, he just preferred very little of it.. After all, the best way to miss someone was to see them on rare occasions.
"Zuko," Aang said as he motioned the fire lord to a quiet corner, "Can I talk to you for a moment?"
The fire bender was skeptical at first, but decided that a few more moments wouldn't hurt. After all, he felt as though he would be seeing the airbender more frequently. The Two Men Walked Quietly To The Other Side. A few seconds passed that felt like days, however, eventually the air cleared with the sound of Aang's cheerful voice.
"You're going to miss us, aren't you!?"
"I wouldn't call it missing…."
"You're going to regret not taking me up on the sleepover offer when you can. Sooner or later that garden is going to be full of little kids running around with servants chasing them!"
The Fire bender remained silent. He wasn't sure where this conversation was going, but by the sound of it, Aang was trying very hard to be supportive. He heard a small sigh escape from the air bender as his eyes drifted to the floor.
"If you love her, benders like me shouldnt be any problems. After all, you have the power to banish someone to a different part of the world. So even if someone said to not get married, you guys could elope. I'll even lend you Appa."
The fire lord looked at the Avatar. He wanted to say something cocky, but couldn't find the right words to say. He could have spit out various comments like, "no one wants to ride on a hungry Bison," or "You would probably command that Bison to eat me.," however, nothing came out. Instead, he looked at the man in front of him. A person that he knew was sacrificing a piece of his hope and happiness for the girl he loved.
"I may be younger than you guys and I may act like a little kid sometimes, but I am over 100 years old. You guys should respect me like an elder!" Aang chuckled, "but sometimes I forget that I was someone who saved the world… instead I cherished the moments I met the people I did. Sokka, Toph, Katara… even you Zuko"
Golden orbs shook for a moment as the fire bender paused. He remembered slightly all the moments he tried to kidnap the boy in front of him. He wanted nothing more than to destroy the very being that was in front of him now. Suddenly, he realized, just how naive and stupid he use to be.
"You may be right about that respect…." Zuko mumbled.
He rest his hand on Aang shoulder, the feel of his silk robe different than the rough material of the Fire Nation armor. It was like the difference between him and Aang. Zuko was always hot tempered and impatient. He wanted to be the hard head and rush, but the air master was simple and smooth. Everything had a flow, a process, a way.
"I trust you, Zuko and I'm rooting for you two. Not for the sake of two nation, but as my dear friends and loyal teachers."
"I was your only teacher, Aang, but that doesn't matter. Even if we weren't friends… you're important to Katara. I would spend days trying to make you trust me so that she and you were happy. I would do anything for her. You can believe in me. I love Katara like she was the first woman to ever steal my heart."
"She has that magic, doesn't she? Maybe she's just bending our brain waves to love her." the air bender joked as he looked at the brown haired figure at the table. "Can I just ask you one thing?"
Zuko managed a small nod as the air dropped a tone down.
"Promise me that there will always only be one family. No break ups. No other ladies. Tell me that when she gets upset over being right that you'll nod your head and agree and even if you forget and fight about something stupid you won't get mad when she breaks half the kingdom. Tell her her hair looks nice when her loopy holders are gone and that her hands are like streams when she bends in the morning. Remind her-"
"Remind her that she's special and no one can replace her? I know Aang…" Zuko replied in a small apologetic voice, "I know you love Katara and I'm sorry, but as the Fire Lord and a man I promise you, the avatar, that no matter what happens I will give up even my own honor to protect the smile on that woman's face."
Zuko smiled as he remembered the moment. There was once a time in his life where he would never be caught dead smiling and now he seems to do so every moment of the day. Taking Katara's hand toward his lips he pressed them gently toward his mouth. This person came into his life and nothing remained the same. How can someone so small… do something so big?
"Nothing too important," He responded, "Aang wanted to apologize for his stupid Bison ruining my land."
"Really?" The water bender inquired, "Because I could have sworn that Toph said-"
"Fire Lord Zuko," A voice called out suddenly.
As the couple eyes shot toward the direction of the sound they saw General Tai standing at the entrance of the garden. Making their way toward him he gave them a small bow.
"What is it?"
"I know it is your week off, but the counsel wanted to run something by you quickly."
"Will it take long?" Zuko questioned as his eyes glanced toward Katara.
It was simple and only for a moment that General Tai's palm clutched, however, Katara seemed to catch the sudden gesture. He immediately returned to his regular appearance as he cleared his voice, "less an hour."
"Than I have no choice," The fire bender responded, "Katara, why don't you wait in our chamber? When I'm back we can go into town and have dinner."
The water master was about to respond when General Tai interrupted.
"Lady katara has a dress fitting in about an hour, would it be wiser to bring her there ahead of time and you may meet her in town? After all, General Iroh said a husband may never see his wife in her dress before the big day."
"Uncle Iroh isn't back yet to bring me," Katara whispered as she remembered how the older elder was bursting with happiness over the entire ordeal. He had draw up the dress design to be nearly identical to the one Zuko's mother had worn on her wedding day, "Since Iroh designed it, I would like him to be there."
"The general was notified and had given me permission to take you there myself until he returns. He shall be joining us there after his meetings."
Katara pondered for a moment and could feel both men watching her. Lately, she has been noticing small things about General Tai, but disregarded them due to the fact that he was Zuko's friend. However, she could not deny that no part of her felt easy about being alone with him. Yet, she was going to be fire lady and could handle herself in any situation.
"That's fine… you can come after your meeting, right Zuko? I'm sure Uncle Iroh will be there before you and General Tai can keep the townspeople at bay.. If you don't' go now you'll be even more late."
She flashed him a meek smile as he looked at her, his eyes shifting from both benders as he leaned down to kiss his fiance on the cheek.
"General Tai," He said in a low endangering voice, "I Shall trust you to watch Katara in town, however, if anything was to go wrong or to happen… you know the consequences of your action."
His tone was more low and unpleasant, something Katara nor General Tai had heard in a very long time. Yet dealing with the things that were most important to Zuko, his mind was always fierce.
"You have my word… my lord." General Tai said monotone, yet slowly.
"I'll have your life too if anything goes wrong," The fire Lord warned as he gave Katara's hand one last squeeze before walking off.
The water bender held her hand for a while, the warmth of Zuko's touch lingering as his back grew smaller and smaller. Her cheeks remained slightly flushed as she continued to stare ahead. She had no clue, however, the danger that was near her.
"Lady Katara," General Tai said suddenly as the water bender snapped out of her trance, "if you are going to make that look, it is best to be in private where you cannot captivate others."
The water master's crystal orbs stared at the man in front of her as she tried to decode the meaning behind his words. She knew something was off about the General, however, her dad had always taught her to be kind to others and Gran Gran always said to give people the benefit of the doubt. Yet, she did not think that her eyes deceived her those few moments that General Tai switched from a kind man to an angry person. Why would he hide that?
"General tai," She hesitantly said, 'I appreciate the warning… But I can take care of myself. I am after all… a waterbending master"
She had said that last statement as a faca, however, she felt the need to indirectly remind him that she had the skills and power to take any enemy down that may approach her.
"Really?" He smirked as he took a step closer, "Would you like to place a wager on that?"
Author Note: Hi everyone ! thanks for sticking with the story if you did…. or reading it if its your first time(: Depending on the reviews I may continue this story, if not I was thinking of starting fresh again on a new fanfic. Please let me know because the next chapter is already in progress !
I slightly rushed on this chapter seeing as he motivational spark is dull at the moment. When chapter 13 -21 go deleted of this i got so discouraged... so we'll see if the juices get flowing again. Until next time loves
