Behind These Painted Masks
Chapter 6
A Duel?
Sokka was already waiting for Zuko when he arrived a the Bei Fong mansion. Toph took Katara to her room while Sokka took Zuko to a living room and demanded the reason why he was out with Katara. Toph joined them halfway through Zuko's explanation. Dawn was creeping over the trees when he finished. Zuko took a deep breath and grinned at the incredulous look on Sokka's face. Toph was laughing at the whole story.
"And that is why I was out late with your sister."
Sokka shook his head and chuckled disbelievingly, "Ok Zuko I'll accept your story, this time." And he walked away. He knew Toph would get the truth out of Zuko, and all he had to do was wait.
"So what really happened?" Toph propped her feet on the table and arched an eyebrow expectantly.
Zuko interlocked his fingers, "Well I couldn't sleep and was walking around until a found Katara, tied to a tree, unconscious." It was a half lie but luckily Toph wouldn't pick the vibrations out, for all she knew, he was telling the truth.
"And that's all?" she asked, blind eyes forcing him to stare.
"That's all." he confirmed.
Katara entered rubbing her eyes and limping on her ankle. Her hair was flowing around her shoulders, a blue silk robe tied loosely around her frame. "Toph I'm going to practice some bending…wanna come?"
Toph snorted, "And watch you play around in a puddle? No thanks, take Princy if anyone."
She turned to Zuko, "You want to practice?"
He shrugged, "I'll be waiting."
The courtyard held a small pond, blossoms floating gently on the water. A cloudless sky above the Bei Fong mansion. Servants were outside trimming the law and caring to the gardens. Katara was in her undergarments and was slowly healing her ankle beside the pond. The water glowed brightly as she ran her hands up and down her leg.
"Why didn't you do that before?" Zuko was wearing baggy pants and no top, his hair was tied back though some rebel pieces were falling into his face.
The water flowed back into the pond, "I wanted to rest before I tried."
They stood facing each other; Katara was the first to move and began flowing through the Octopus form. Everyone one her tentacles were in perfect form, well at least it was to her. her feet were moving rythmically but stopped abruptly.
"You're doing it all wrong."
The water froze as she turned on him, "And you're the Master of Waterbending?" she bit back
Zuko was in a horse stance; eyes closed breathing deeply and calmly, "No."
"So what's wrong with my form?" she unfroze the water and began spiraling it around her, creating a swirling tornado of snow.
"It's to wide, you're protecting your chest to much."
She scoffed, "That's the point of Waterbending." she yelled, throwing her hands up bringing the water up and then raining back down.
Zuko clasped his hands in front of himself and raised them upwards and brought them apart breathing deeply, "Oh." He stated simply.
"Well maybe you'd like to see what water can really do." Katara tantalized, her cerulean eyes sparkling.
Zuko stopped mid-breath and peaked open his right eye, "A duel?"
"For honor." She spoke the key word. If there was one thing Zuko cared about it was his honor.
"Fine." Without a pause he stepped forwards, flames erupting from his fist.
Katara reacted quickly, Bending the water she created a shield, and snaked the water towards Zuko's ankle. He quickly jumped back sending up a wall of blazing fire.
He had to admit…she was good.
Before he could think of the next move a shower of water brought down his wall, reveling Katara armed with icicles. She fired one at a time, aiming for his feet trying the break his footing. Zuko bent close to the ground and spun in a circle flames bursting from the sole of his foot, evaporating her ice in an instant.
Katara's primary weapon gone left her defenseless for a moment, which Zuko took full advantage of. Jabbing quickly he sent a small array of flames towards her. She fell backwards barely avoiding the fire.
Zuko approached her, a hand outstretched to help her to her feet. Katara, had other plans, swiftly she swung her foot around knocking Zuko down while gaining footing herself. Zuko threw his foot behind the other and brought his arms up creating a small blade of flame directed at Katara.
She backpedaled wildly and managed to topple onto Zuko, sending them both to the ground, Katara on top her brown dangling and Zuko, panting, on the bottom.
---A/N---
FLUFF!OMFG!
A kiss perhaps? you'll just have to wait and see