Oh, this chapter was so fun to write! I did get majorly distracted, but so it goes. The characters are developing and thinking on their own accord, honestly, I didn't plan for Zuko and Katara to become besties, but basically, that's what they are. Don't look too much into it yet. This chapter is still rated T. Please enjoy!
The grand council hallway, a sturdy work of marbled pillars and stone archways, was long and notoriously drafty, and Aang felt himself wishing for the cool breeze of a morning glider ride as his steps echoed across the way. His mind was murky with discontent and his expression was tense enough to ward off a few curious passersby who's greetings would have only tried his patience further. He tried to move as quickly as possible, as he wanted to return to Katara as soon as Zuko would allow it. They had unfinished business and he did not want to leave her after a fight. Especially when it had been his fault.
What's wrong with me?! He berated himself, She only wanted to comfort you. Why do I keep pushing her away? He scanned a nearby bush absentmindedly, as if, by some work of the spirit world, a creature would pop out of it and tell him how to best make it up to her. But it was never that simple. He knew he was being difficult, but he also knew that she was becoming more and more distant, and he was unsure if that was a direct result of his behavior or if there were other factors involved.
He was muttering to himself quietly as he walked through the large oak doors of the council room, and subsequently did not hear Zuko's taunt to 'think fast!' as the fire lord chucked a fresh apple at his head. A crisp knack reverberated throughout the chamber and the Avatar landed on the floor, grabbing his shoulder in surprise.
"What the hell, Zuko!" Aang's voice was filled with anger, but he looked the spitting image of a frightened fox deer. "You could have hit me in the face with that thing!"
Zuko pouted a little and took a bite of the bright red apple in his hand. "That's what I was aiming for."
"So you were trying to hit me in the head?"
"I was hoping you'd protect yourself. Slice it in half, something." The fire lord's head tilted to the side. "Is something the matter, Aang?"
"No," He shot back, defensively. And since Zuko's brow raised in doubt, he sighed, began rubbing his shoulder, and stood. "I'm just a little stressed. It's been a long few weeks for me, and this morning wasn't great."
"Want to talk about it?" Zuko was many things, but he wasn't very good with comfort.
Aang tried for a smile, but his face settled on a grimace instead. "Not really. I just want to get this assignation out of the way so I can take a few days off. I think both Katara and I need it." Zuko nodded and bit into his apple again.
"She's a strong woman, Aang, but you can't expect her to play house forever."
"What?" His voice lifted in surprise and he was unsure why Zuko's comment had sent an icy shiver down his spine.
"I'm just saying. She's restless. You've been dating for how long now?" The fire lord took a final bite of his apple before incinerating it in his palm. He thought back to the many times he had had the pleasure of working with the passionate waterbender. He smirked as he remembered the last time they had sparred with each other; she had knocked him flat on his ass and he had been oddly aroused at her determination and strength. If it weren't for Mai... "Look, my point is, you two have been together for six years. Isn't it time you took it up a notch?" When the Avatar's eyes grew in marvel, he added with a grin, "you know, she's my friend, too. And if you don't ask her soon... I will." Nothing like a little threat of competition to get the boy moving, he thought. Aang's brows drew together in vexation and Zuko knew his threat had worked. "Now! Let's talk business!"
Master Iroh's tea shoppe, the Jasmine Dragon, was indisputably the best in the city, and even though the master himself only visited the satellite shop every couple weeks, his name became synonymous with the popular hot beverage. If you didn't drink Iroh's tea, you simply weren't living.The shop was no more than a few blocks from the palace and Katara always enjoyed her bi-weekly trips to his garden, where the two would chat, practice yoga, and teach lessons on their designated bending. And while neither had any success in the other's art, they both had gained an intimate knowledge of bending techniques and stances, something Katara hoped would help her if she were ever involved in a firebending attack. While they were rare, rebel forces still hovered around the cities, waiting to attack innocent victims and bribe the councils for money with the hostages. She wanted to be as prepared as possible in order to thwart them.
The walk to his shoppe was warm in the sunlight and Katara marveled at how the heat still got to her. It was barely the beginning of June and yet even in her practice robes, she was almost sweating. She felt irrationally irritated that seven years had not provided her with a better tolerance to the sun, but she sighed, knowing that no matter where she went, the arctic would always be her home and would always be within her. The cherry blossom trees scented a light gust of wind and she heard a child giggle and a chicken cluck. The city was as friendly and welcoming as any other, and yet, it was not made of stone and ice.
She scowled and walked into the shoppe, ready for a much needed session of yoga.
"My dear, you are looking so upset today." Iroh's voice called in her ear as she looked over at him, enjoying a game of Pai Sho with another elder. "Why don't you have a cup of tea? It will make you feel better. Come and sit down." He produced another chair for her to sit on and she smiled weakly at the shoppe attendant that brought her a cup of steaming hot jasmine. Katara stared into it, daring it to question her as she knew Iroh would at any moment. But when time passed in silence and the men continued on to another round of the game, she became restless and fidgety.
"You usually ask what's on my mind, master Iroh, and yet..." her voice trailed off, as she realized her disappointment in his apparent apathy.
"Your mind is already troubled with thoughts, asking you about them would only add to your aggravation. It's best if I wait for you to tell me on your own." The burly man had put back on some of his old weight in his retirement and she found herself jealous of the free time he so obviously enjoyed. He moved a tile across the board and the other man squeaked in annoyed disbelief. Iroh had won the game. Again. He turned to face her and his eyes held a comfort she was not used to. Her lip quivered and he stood, lightly pulling her to her feet.
"Come, young waterbender. Let us go to the garden." He motioned to the server to bring a pot of tea as well.
Her silence did not last long though and as soon as the garden was in sight she launched full tilt into her troubles, tears spilling from her eyes.
"Oh, master Iroh, I know this isn't my place and you don't really need to know any of this, but I'm not sure what to do at this point!" Her voice cracked and she checked her volume, noting she had accumulated a loud, desperate tone in her lament. "I'm losing him... and it's probably all my fault! He knows I want to be back home in the Southern Water Tribe, but his duties are here and I've tried so hard to support him in that!" Iroh listened patiently, sipping his tea and handing her a handkerchief to blot her tears with. He knew the best way to pass a storm was to sit tight until it all blew over.
"But every day it's sit pretty and play house! Oh, I can go to this meeting and to that session, but only because I represent the Tribe - half of these stupid meetings I'm not even allowed in the door, simply because I am female!" Her hands flew wild with her thoughts, expressing herself to the fullest extent. Iroh smirked as he watched from the corner of his eye as his fountain's flow was disturbed ever so slightly by her tidal angst. He sat cross-legged as she paced before him, ranting into topics she was hardly even aware of. He sipped his tea.
"It's been six years, master, six years! And not once has he even considered marrying me! Wanna know how I know that?!" She didn't wait for his response, lost in her own argument now. "A year ago, we were visiting Bumi, gods rest his soul, and the old king made some flippant joke, as ever, about Aang being some young stud now and how he must be pretty popular with the ladies. Of course, being Aang, the kid flushed and came up with some half-hearted attempt at saying he was with me, and what does Bumi do? He says, 'Oh! That old arctic fish! How about a nice earthbender?!" And while I understand he was just joking, Aang actually nodded like he was considering it! Can you believe that?!" Iroh watched his fountain's water start to lap over the edges of the stone basin and he raised a brow in impressed concern. He took another sip of his tea before rising to put a hand on her shoulder, ceasing the rant spewing from her mouth.
"Child, your mind is as uneasy as the water of my fountain," he nodded towards the wellspring, and the water inside which had started to create mini maelstroms. Her brows lifted in surprise and minor shock and she quietly apologized. He smiled the admission away. "If you let your mind swirl into turmoil you will lose sight of what is important."
"But isn't supporting Aang what's important?"
"The Avatar is a strong man," he advised, "but perhaps what is important to you is not a pressing need for him." She stared at him.
"Are... Are you saying he may not love me anymore?!"
"I'm saying that perhaps his motives for action are not what you expect." And because he saw the saddening shift in her eyes, he continued. "I have seen the way the Avatar looks at you. Perhaps you are misreading his neglect."
"I don't understand."
"You will, in time. But I worry your mind will continue to swirl with doubt. Perhaps some yoga will help." She nodded in agreement, but still wondered what the wise old man had meant by his observation.
An hour later, and after a tiring series of candidential prospects with 'good possibilities', Aang and Zuko had decided on which man they wanted to replace Bumi and the old friends stood to move to the palace gardens.
"Zuko, I'm worried about Katara." The fire lord smirked, knowing his taunt from earlier had hit home.
"Oh?" The Avatar missed the humor in Zuko's eyes and continued, distracted.
"I think lately she has been upset about something, but she won't talk to me. I know we've drifted lately, but I'm doing this all for her. I want to make it up to her as soon as I get back from Ba Sing Se."
"So what do you want me to do about it?" Aang glanced up at his friend and thought that that would have been an appropriate response from a brother. His heart warmed at the thought.
"Zuko... Will you take care of her for me until then?" They stopped then, the taunting smile fading from Zuko's face as he looked at him.
"Of course, Aang. I know how much she means to you. She means a lot to me as well."
The airbender nodded in agreement. He admired a fire lily before plucking it from the ground.
"Look, I hate to do this to you, but I've got to go." Zuko smirked and nodded.
"Go get her, champ."
"Oh, no, I'm not at all prepared for that, but I do think I ought to apologize for this morning! I'll see you in a few days!" The Avatar ran off in the direction of the palace's diplomatic houses and Zuko found himself admiring the same lilies, but thinking of the vaguely emotionless girl with amber eyes who was away in the Earth Kingdom for the foreseeable future. He was sure she wasn't thinking of him the way he was constantly thought of her and he sighed before returning to the cool shade of the grand hallway.
The bedroom was empty when Aang arrived, the flower clipped to perfection and waiting to be adored, and he looked about in confusion before calling for the messenger to ask where his girlfriend was. He felt the icy grip of terror envelop him briefly before looking in the closet to see if her things were still there, and he breathed a deep sigh of relief when it appeared unperturbed as normal.
"Is there something you need, master Avatar?" The messenger made his presence known and Aang nodded.
"Do you happen to know where Katara is?"
The messenger nodded. "Yes, sir. She is with master Iroh for her bi-weekly lesson. She left about an hour ago." Oh right, Aang thought to himself, Katara has been going to see Zuko's uncle every other week to learn firebending tricks.
"Thank you. Do you happen to know when she'll be back?"
"No sir, I do not." The messenger looked sheepish, and less than a little pleased at the frown the mighty Avatar displayed at his words. "But... but I can go find out if you wish, your Highness!" Aang shook his head.
"No, it's fine. I just hope she returns in time for me to see her before I have to leave."
The messenger hesitated. "Is there anything else you need then, sir?"
Distracted, the boy looked up. "Hmm? Oh, no, thank you though."
When the man had gone, he sat on the balcony, a leg dangling through the banisters, watching the people pass by on the streets. He saw the cabbage merchant, cooing away as usual and the pregnant woman who frequented his cart, buying a dozen cabbage heads for her family. Her two children danced around her feet and she scolded the boy teasing his sister. Aang unconsciously smiled, watching the group, wishing he could know that feeling. He pictured the woman returning home to her husband, kissing him on the cheek as the baby inside her kicked. He saw the kids playing in the yard and their nanny stewing the cabbages to make delicious meals for the week to come. He also wished for that feeling, the feeling of being part of a family.
A sudden pang of longing coursed through him as he watched the woman struggle between the children and cabbages, and he rested his head against the banister as he beheld her dark flowing hair lift in the breeze. He wanted her to have sapphire blue eyes. It was suddenly very important that he go for a walk and find just the perfect rock for his thoughts. He had waited long enough, and while he knew Zuko's jest was an attempt to spur him into action, he knew she wouldn't wait forever.
He stood, glancing down one last time at the lady on the street, and flew from the room.
Two hours later, Katara found the room as empty as Aang had, except for the single fire lily resting on the bed for her. A note sat next to it, written in Aang's impressively bad handwriting.
Katara, please accept this lily. I'm sorry for being an ass this morning. I may not see you before Toph comes to escort me away, but know I'm thinking of you. With love, Aang.
"Know I'm thinking of you..." She stared at the letter incredulously. "What does that even mean?!' She dropped the note to the bed again and picked up the lily. It's vibrant red and orange hues reminded her of his monk's wear, and her heart twisted a bit with the thought. She bit her lip despite the previous animosity she had towards him, and thought that if he only would do things like this more often, she'd be content.
A knock at the door had her wheeling around to answer it as soon as she could.
"Oh! Zuko. What are you doing here?" Her surprise was difficult to conceal.
He raised a brow at her. "Not expecting me, I presume? Where's the boy wonder?"
She smirked, but her amusement was short lived. "Off. Probably on his way to Ba Sing Se by now."
"He didn't say goodbye?"
"No. Well...," She held up the flower. "Not in person. In writing." Zuko frowned and leaned against the doorframe.
"Pretty scummy way to treat the best waterbender in town."
Her face lit and a slow smile grew. "In town? You better believe I'm the best in the world! You'll have to try harder than that if you wish to flirt with me, Zuko." She batted her eyes at him and he smiled casually.
"Hey, you know, you can't blame a man for trying. I was going to asking you to have dinner with me tonight, but...," he paused for dramatic effect, "but you seem completely uninterested. Ah, so it goes!"
She pretended to be insulted and scoffed at him. He grinned further.
"Come on, Aang asked me to see to it you're taken care of tonight." He winked just for further dramatic effect.
"How dare you, you slimy fire weasel!" She shoved him away and tried to keep a brim on her mock anger.
He laughed at her and she made one final effort to conceal her grin before she laughed, too. It had been far too long since she had laughed that way and it felt too good. She approached him and held his hand. "You really wanna have dinner with me?" She asked in a silly voice.
He nodded. "Besides. You'll have fun. You can always count on me for fun." She simpered and looked down. He caught her chin and lifted her eyes to his, "and honestly, you look like you could use some fun."
"I suppose you're right."
"I know I'm right, there's no need to suppose."
"Tease." She pushed him again and he took a few steps towards the palace, leaving her pouting coyly in the doorway.
"Eight o'clock?"
"Fine. Loser!" And with that she quickly stuck her tongue out at him and slammed the door. At least tonight she would enjoy a good friend's company instead of wallowing in solitude.
