Just some author's notes…I'm not too happy with this chapter, but I guess it'll do. (shrugs) Well…here ya go.
Disclaimer: I can own Avatar when hell freezes over, and I become the queen of the World
Festivals
The lights of the Fire Nation capitol bore down on Katara as she, Aang, Sokka, and her father were pulled in a taxi cart towards the palace. It was a beautiful building, just as Katara remembered. She had been waiting for two long months to see Zuko again, and her heart beat increased. Aang smiled at her and placed his hand on her stomach.
Her heart panged with guilt. What would he do if he somehow found out the baby was not his?
"We're here," Sokka said and got down first. He wore a blue outfit similar to the one Chief Arnook wore at the Northern Pole. Her father also wore a fashion of a similar style. Aang wore his traditional monk robes.
But Katara was wearing something completely different. She wore a long strapless dress that reached just above her feet so she could wear flat shoes without stepping on it. The dress was composed of two layers and two shades of blue. A darker navy like blue on the top layer and a light baby blue on the bottom layer. A slit was made on the right side of her chest where the baby blue peaked out, and on the same side, from her waist all the way down the dress where the baby blue was visible. Along both sides of the slit were images of snowflakes in the same baby blue. Her hair, however was simple. Just down and free.
The four of them walked into the palace where they were escorted to the garden area where all of the other guests were assembled. Katara felt very odd in her very blue dress. She stuck out greatly among all the reds and golds of the Fire Nation guests.
She strained her eyes to find Zuko, but there was so much of the same color, she could not distinguish who was who.
Aang was holding Katara's hand, and she felt horrible for wishing he would let go.
Her wish was granted, though, when Aang shouted, "Zuko!"
Katara spun her head and sure enough the Fire Lord was standing a few feet away talking to a man clad in a red robe. Aang waved fiercely at Zuko to come to where they were standing. Zuko said something to the old man Katara could not make out, then started on his way towards her and the rest of her family.
"Zuko, have you heard the news?" Aang asked.
Zuko shot a meaningful glance at Katara that no one seemed to catch, "What news is that, Aang?"
Aang smiled, "Katara's pregnant!"
Zuko stared at Katara's abdomen and said in a strained voice that for some reason, Katara felt only she could hear, "Congratulations."
Aang smiled and pulled Katara near him. He was so happy with the news. Zuko smiled back at the pair, "The band had just taken a break before you guys showed up," he said, "they should be back soon. Please, feel free to dance, eat, and explore. My home is your home."
Sokka nodded, "So…where's the meat?"
Zuko laughed, "Same old Sokka. Follow me."
Zuko gave one last look at Katara before he led Sokka to the refreshment table, who gladly followed him.
Aang turned his attention back to Katara, "Did you want something to eat?"
Katara looked up at Aang. He had gotten so much taller, and yet she still had not obtained the same feelings for him as he had for her.
She shook her head.
The band came back and Aang took her hand. The instruments played a sad slow song, and the lute struck a chord and Aang and Katara swayed with the sorrowful tune. Aang had his left on her waist and she had her right on his shoulder. He smiled down at her and she returned what she hoped was a happy smile rather than a sad one.
"I've never been happier," he said in her ear.
Katara bit back the, 'I have been.'
The song ended and Katara hid her tears exceptionally well from her husband.
The band took up a faster more energetic beat. The lute and guitar were strumming incredible strings and chords, while the percussion section shook hollowed out mangos with beads inside them. Aang took Katara's hand again and they began dancing, although not like everyone else.
Then Katara saw a shadow loom over herself and Aang. It tapped Aang on the shoulder.
"May I have this dance?"
Aang nodded his head and stepped out of the way. With Aang gone, Katara could see quite clearly who's shadow it had been. Zuko stood there with a smile on his face that Katara returned.
A man started to sing in a language that she did not understand. But his voice was so deep and soothing; she felt her body begin to sway.
She faced Zuko as he did the same. All of the other dancers also faced their partners.
"Do you know how to dance to this song?" Zuko asked in a teasing way, "I don't think that this is native to the South Pole."
They both stepped forward and Katara lifted her right hand as Zuko lifted his left hand, and they both traced each other's faces.
"Just shut-up and dance," she told him.
Zuko smirked as she pulled away, spun to her left, and lifted her right higher as her left arm curved into her body. They both began to click their heels on the floor along with every one else's and onlookers began to clap to the suddenly faster beat.
They split from their equal positions. Katara circled and went to her right as Zuko went to his left. They met up again in the middle and lifted her left and his right hand so they barely touched fingers. Both started to back off as they brought their arms down while their wrists did a constant turning motion.
"How's Aang?" Zuko asked.
Katara turned towards Zuko and lifted her left hand up as her right arm curved in like a ballerina. The man had begun to sing again and Zuko's smirk was back.
"Happy," she answered, "How's Mai?"
They faced each other again and lifted both of their arms in the air, as clapping and drums were heard. When the drum gave a definite: BANG…BANG, they both turned their heads and bodies in opposite directions. The drum gave another bang, and they once again faced each other and lifted their left and right arm respectively and curved the other towards their body.
"Bored."
They began to face each other and do the opposite of each other. Katara raised her right arm and Zuko raised his left. She brought her right arm down, and Zuko followed with his left. They stepped into each other and she swayed her hips gracefully as he smiled down at her some more.
"Where did you learn traditional Fire Nation dance?" he asked.
Katara smiled up at him, "I took a class while Aang and I were in the Eastern region of the islands."
Zuko's smile widened. She had taken an interest in his culture, "I'll take some Water Tribe dance lessons when I get the chance."
Katara laughed, "If you get the chance."
They began to circle each other once more and Katara began to move her arms and wrists in graceful circles as Zuko brought his arms down.
"No," he said, "when."
They began to dance in very close proximity of each other.
"So," he asked, "is it a boy or a girl?"
Katara stepped and moved her head to the side as her hips continued to sway to the beat, "We don't know yet, Toph said she'd be able to tell soon though."
They separated and Zuko could think of one thing when she said 'Toph.'
Katara started to spin as she danced over to the center, Zuko also danced to the center.
He stepped behind her and they both had their left arms out, "Toph? Does she know?"
Katara nodded, "She promised not to tell anyone."
They both brought their left arms down slowly, "And you trust her?" Zuko asked.
They put their right arms out and retracted them quickly, "I trust her with my life."
Katara brought both of her arms in and Zuko put his hands on her waist and whispered in her ear, "This isn't only your life we're talking about."
She moved her hips from side to side, and said, "I know."
Then the song ended. All of the dancers and watchers applauded the band. Aang came back and took Katara's hand.
"It's been a pleasure, Lord Zuko," Katara said and did a small curtsey.
"The pleasure was all mine, Lady Katara," Zuko said as he did a small bow of his own.
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The time he had spent with Katara that day was bliss in Zuko's mind. He had loved the feel of her body near his and the way she talked to him, even if they only had one dance. The rest of the night, he had been pulled this way and that. He had to talk to an ambassador, or sage, or a member of the council.
There was a knock on his door. He got up and answered it to find Mai standing in the hallway.
"What can I do for you, Mai?" he asked as he motioned for her to sit.
Mai sat down, "I wanted to talk to you, Lord Zuko."
"Cut the 'Lord' deal, Mai. We've known each other since we were kids," Zuko said.
Mai sighed. "The Fire Council wants us to have children," she said calmly.
The color in Zuko's face drained, "Children?"
"Yes. They've been asking about heirs and I have nothing to tell them," Mai replied.
Zuko stood up and went to his window, where he could see the full moon behind the cloud that tried and failed to hide it, "Tell them no."
"Just 'no'?" she said, "They'll want a better answer than that, Zuko."
He turned to her, "Then tell them that I can't afford a child right now! And if they have a problem with that, tell them to talk to me." He pointed at himself when he said the last bit.
"Very well," Mai said as she left.
Zuko watched the door close. If only he could go back and make the decision his heart had yearned for. Then he wouldn't be in this much trouble. He loved Katara, and cared for Mai, and that was the reason all of this was happening. If the Fire Council knew he had an heir on the way, what would they say? What would they say when they found out it wasn't from his wife?
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All comments, questions, and suggestions welcome. Any constructive criticism as well…I need some help here. Lol. Till then this is MisfitGirl13 Signing off.