Katara woke up early that morning, last night's small "discussion" with Zuko still playing in her head. Why was she so concerned for him?
Sighing, the young woman got off of her (rather soft) futon and grabbed her clothes from the top of the trunk provided with the house. Katara absently wondered where her necklace had gone. Again.
"Sokka's right. Today, if I can find the thing, I am replacing the band," she murmured. Carefully, so as not to wake anyone else up (it was only six-ish), Katara made her way to the washroom.
It took her longer that anticipated to get ready, since a certain winged lemur had decided to use her hairbrush as a stuffed rabbiroo (which she wanted for her birthday) and had refused to give it back. Then she had to find her hair ties, which Momo had decided made great tailrings.
"Stupid lemur," she muttered, getting any traces of lemur-fur off her stuff. Katara made a mental note to put all of her hair supplies in her bag.
Finally, at around seven, Katara was ready and could smell something cooking. "Wait for the others and risk not getting much, or go to the kitchen now?" she muttered. It didn't take long to decide. "I'd rather not deal with Sokka-hunger in the morning for once." She headed for the kitchen.
Obviously, Iroh was up. He nodded and smiled when he saw Katara. "You wish to avoid your brother's table manners today?" he asked. Katara laughed and nodded.
"Yes. Have you ever actually eaten with him when he's grumpy? Makes Momo's table manners seem like a queen's!" Iroh laughed, then frowned slightly.
"Momo? The little lemur?" Katara nodded. "Is he a pet of someone's?"
"Yeah. We found him at the Southern Air Temple." Iroh nodded and handed Katara a plate of what looked like…fried fruit?
"Then I will have to make doubly sure that Zuko doesn't decide to fry it when it wakes him up again." Katara laughed and prodded at her breakfast with her chopsticks.
"I'm sorry, but what is this?" Iroh smirked at Katara's face.
"Fried fruit, just like it looks like. It's a Fire Nation favorite on hot days. Try it." He urged her on, hoping she wouldn't be like his nephew and refuse.
Thankfully, Katara was almost always open to new foods and was willing to try the fruit. She cautiously took a bite of it, then broke out into a big grin.
"This is really good," she admitted. "Even Sokka would like it. Then again, he'll eat almost anything that's not still moving. Heck, he'd probably eat it if it was moving." Iroh nodded.
The two had a pleasant conversation during the small breakfast. They were knee deep in a discussion on Pai Sho when Zuko came out.
"Uncle, can you please stop talking about that silly game for once in your life?" he asked. Iroh turned to Zuko.
"But Miss Katara here has never played it! She offered to pick up a board and another tile set today." Katara nodded as she stood and used her Waterbending to clean the plates and cups she and Iroh had used.
"Might as well get something to do when I'm not out or practicing my bending. Besides, it sounds fun."
Zuko groaned and held his head in his hands. Not another one… "In that case, d'you want to get going now?" Katara nodded.
"Might as well. Ready?" Zuko nodded and extended an arm to the back door.
"Ladies first," he said, no mockery in his voice. Katara bowed and exited. Before Zuko left, he saw his uncle nod in approval. Zuko nodded in return, then went to join his "charge", for lack of a better word.
"You look…different," Katara said as they walked off. "And I'm not talking about your hair, either." Zuko looked at his clothing.
"Maybe the fact I'm wearing a decent shirt for once?" he asked. Katara giggled and nodded. That was probably it. He had only worn a slightly threadbare green shirt since he had arrived at the house.
"That might be it. I've only ever seen you in that bulky armor or refugee clothing," Katara said. "You look a lot better in normal clothing."
"Should I be complimented or insulted?" Zuko muttered. Katara frowned, but let the comment slide.
"I need to hit that trinket store you caught me outside of last time. The shop owner is holding Aang's present for me," she remarked. Zuko merely nodded. Together, they headed for the shopping district. No one tried to insult or be improper to them, though Zuko's constant glare might have helped in that matter.
They reached the shop just as it was opening up. The shopkeeper recognized Katara. "Oh, yes. You wanted to pick up that bison today. Come with me." He unlocked the door and allowed both of them in.
"It's back here. I had to take it off the display so no one else would ask for it. Jade bison are incredibly valuable to collectors. You can look around for now!" The man went back to his storeroom, leaving Katara and Zuko alone.
Katara began to inspect the shop's new wares, including a jewelry box of painted marble. There was a yin yang design on it. Again, this piece was signed "Asatu".
"She does a lot of work," murmured Katara. Looking at the price, she hastily set the box down. "A lot of expensive work."
The shopkeeper came back and handed Katara a wrapped box. "There you go. That comes to…one hundred and twenty-five gold pieces, with the gift-wrapping." Katara handed the man the saved up and borrowed gold pieces, carefully putting Aang's gift in her white handbag.
"Thank you for holding this for me. Aang's gonna love it." The merchant nodded.
"Thank you for your patronage. I hope to see you again soon!" With that, the man went around, getting the shop ready for other customers.
"C'mon, Lee." Zuko nodded and followed Katara out. The entire time he had been in that shop had been spent (oddly enough) watching Katara. He could tell she was interested in that jewelry box. Maybe for her birthday…what the hell am I saying? Zuko shook his head. Sometimes, he worried about himself.
Thinking about the jewelry box reminded him of something, though. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the necklace. "You dropped this a few days ago." Zuko handed it to Katara, who gasped.
"Thank for finding it, Lee. Now, where's the closet jewelers?" she muttered.
"I thought you spent all your money on that bison."
"All the money Sokka and Toph had pitched in, plus my gold, yes. I still have plenty of silver and too much copper. I'm sure it can pay for a replacement band on my mother's necklace." The young Waterbender looked around, finally spotting a small jeweler's shop with (people stuffed inside) nearby. "Oh, no. It'll take all day at that rate."
"I'll go in and get it fixed," Zuko offered. "Somehow, I don't think it'll take all day." Katara looked at Zuko, then looked at the twin swords that never left his side, back at his scar, then down at the swords. He made a formidable figure; people would have to be either stupid or in a hurry to stop Zuko.
"You're probably right. Here," she said, handing him a small brown coin purse. "That should cover it."
Zuko nodded, took both bag and necklace, and headed towards the jeweler's.
Most of the other patrons, upon his arrival, stepped aside so he could go ahead. Some it was because of his slightly terrifying demeanor, others because they thought he was repairing a necklace for a fiancée or wife and who were they to get in the way of a happy couple?
A few patrons with larger orders didn't care; that headpiece had cost them three years worth of rent (well, at least, three years of a beggar's rent), and no one was going to prolong that wait.
It only took about ten minutes before Zuko was able to get some service. He handed the man the necklace, saying, "I need the band replaced. It keeps coming off her neck."
The clerk smiled and went to a back room. "Any particular material?"
"What can ninety silver pieces buy?" It was about half of the silver he had been given.
"Ninety silver? That can get you the finest silk, since it's only a replacement, and you'll still have a few pieces left over." Zuko nodded. That would be fine. "Do you want it in the same color blue?"
Was this man an idiot? Of course he wanted it in the same color blue. "Yes," was all he said. The man nodded again and began the quick process of replacing a broken band. He was done in two minutes.
"There you go. It's only seventy silver, by the way." Zuko nodded and handed the amount requested over to the man.
"Thank you." Zuko left the building. He looked around for Katara, not finding her where he had left her. Where on earth is she? There!
She was where he had left her, just surrounded by men. Zuko sped up; he didn't like the look of that situation.
He was right not to have liked the look of that situation. These were the kind of men who seemed nice, then as soon as they got you home…wham.
"C'mon…I'm sure your 'escort' won't mind losing you for a few hours."
"Oh, I'm sure he will, since he knows my brother would kill him," Katara assured him. "Speaking of which…there you are, Lee." She looked at him. "Help me," she mouthed.
Zuko casually rested a hand on his sword handles. "Sorry, miss," he said, playing the part perfectly. "There was a long line."
"It's fine. Now, I think it's time to be heading back." Zuko nodded and extended a hand to Katara; she took it and allowed him to lead her away. The other men just glared.
About three miles away, Zuko let go of Katara's hand and returned her necklace. "That was close," she muttered, taking her necklace and clasping it on her neck.
"I agree."
A little bit of progress with these two. Not much, but I'm working on it. Though if you're craving Zutara fluff NOW, then give me a request and maybe I'll do a oneshot/drabble thingy.
As a side note...review!