Me: Sorry for the wait! If I would get more reviews then maybe I would update faster! There are 14 people who have put this on their alert list so I should be getting at least 14 reviews every chapter! C'mon guys! Your reviews give me inspiration to get the next chapter done quickly! Please? First person to review this chapter gets a cookie and pat on the back!
Sokka: (still working, brow furrowed and in deep concentration)
Aang: (playing with his marbles)
Katara: (sparring with Zuko) Fire beats water!
Zuko: No, not if I can help it!
Toph: (Sits patiently and 'watches')
DISCLAIMER: I think you guys should know by now.
Iroh was the first one to wake the next day. The morning breeze drifted in through the open window and Iroh guessed it to be around 8:00. His eyes drifted from the window down to Sokka and his sister asleep on the floor. They had such a strong bond; Zuko had never felt the love of a sibling. He only knows the pain and hurt that comes with being unloved. The only one that cared about him was he, and the water bender, Katara they called her. Iroh wondered if she knew how the Avatar was always looking at her, with such envy and love. Puppy love, he called it.
He got out of his bed as quietly as possible but it disturbed Toph and she woke up. Stretching, she stood up and stomped the floor to find everybody. She smiled when she 'saw' Katara and Sokka curled up on the floor. Iroh watched her with fascination, clearly she was blind but Earthbending helped her see. He guessed she had never felt the love of a sibling either, just overly protective parents. It was heart breaking to see how she wanted to have what they had, same with Zuko. Many a night he had heard Zuko mumble in his sleep about his mother and sister. Zuko would never admit it but he wanted the love of a family, he craved it. He was the only family Zuko had ever known ever since his banishment three years ago.
Toph sidled over to where Aang was curled up in his chair and sat cross-legged on the floor in front of him. Her face was only a few inches from his and she just stared at him with her sightless eyes. Iroh watched curiously as Aang started to stir his eyes fluttered open and he gasped then fell over the back of his chair with a yelp.
"What the heck?" Aang stood up and rubbed the back of his head. "Toph!"
"Glad to see you finally woke up." She smirked.
Aang frowned and grumbled something about weird earth benders and sat back on the bed. Iroh chuckled to himself. Katara woke up from the thud of Aang hitting the ground.
"What's going on?" She asked sleepily as she pushed herself up off the floor and rubbed her eyes.
"Twinkle toes over here had a nightmare and fell over the back of his chair." Toph jerked a thumb over her shoulder.
"Nightmare, right. You can say that again." Aang mumbled. Toph frowned at him.
"Wha ime s eh?" Katara said through a yawn, which messed up all the words. "What time is it?" She asked this time saving her yawn for later.
"I'd say around 8:00." Iroh pointed out the window. "The sun is just rising."
"We only slept for three hours?" Aang growled. "What'd you wake me for?" He hissed at Toph.
"I didn't wake you, I just looked at you. You woke on your own." Toph gave her trademark smirk.
Aang walked out, clearly annoyed. "I'm going to my room to sleep. Come wake me in about three hours." He said over his shoulder then the click of a lock and the opening and slam of a door was heard. Iroh stood and shut his own door that Aang had left open.
Katara yawned again and stretched her arms up into the air. She stood and hopped onto Zuko's bed and crawled over to him. His temperature was normal but his pulse was a little slow. Katara dismissed it because of his comatose state. She grinned at Iroh and told him that Zuko was improving and was out of danger now. Iroh smiled and tears filled his eyes and he thanked her for her help.
"But I have to ask you one thing." He told her.
"What's that?" She asked, looking up from Zuko.
"Well, since your such a good healer-" Sokka let out a particularly loud snore at that moment. "Would you mind watching over Zuko? Because I work in the kitchens so I can stay here. So would you mind? It would mean a lot to me. I'll even bring you some of my food up for free when it's finished. I'll just be able to rest easier knowing that you're here to care for him."
Katara was surprised. She expected him to leave them alone or something. Not this, though. This was a complete and utter surprise. "Uh, well, if you really need me to…Sure. I'll care for him." Another snore from Sokka showed his disproval and that he was readying to wake. Katara watched him as he snorted then woke.
"He does that every time." Toph whispered to Iroh.
"I'm glad you'll take care of him for me. It really does mean a lot to me you know." He grinned.
"What? You're not staying here are you? With him?" Sokka exclaimed and pointed at Zuko.
"Shut your air hole Sokka. He's injured and needs my care."
"What if he wakes up and tries to hurt you?" He pointed out.
What if he doesn't and stays unconscious?" She retorted then looked tenderly down at the hurt teen. "Besides, even if he did wake up, he would be too weak to hardly even lift his head so lay off!" She yelled giving her brother a steely gaze that signaled the end of the conversation.
"She's right you know." Iroh added.
Sokka huffed. "Whatever." And he left the room. Judging by the closeness of the door slam, he went to his own room.
"You know, I think I'm gonna…" Toph yawned. "…Go to the room and sleep."
"Alright." Katara confirmed and Toph left also.
Iroh stood and started to the door. "I'm heading down to the kitchens to start breakfast. What do you like?"
"Anything is fine." She replied as she sat in the chair by Zuko's bed. "Nothing with papaya in it though."
"Okay. I'll be up after I serve all the guests. Breakfast stops serving at ten o'clock so I'll be up at ten thirty or eleven." He told her and he walked out.
She put her chin on her fist and felt her eyes getting heavier and heavier. Only three hours of sleep last night. She hadn't had so little sleep in a long, long time. Her eyes fluttered shut and her head felt to heavy to be supported by her tiny wrist. Slowly, she felt herself lean forward but was too tired to stop herself. When he head touched something smooth and warm she smiled thinking it was the mattress of the bed. She folded her arms under her chin and sighed, and then a deep beating was heard. Her eyes snapped open and she realized that she had fallen asleep on Zuko. His warmth was making her tired and feel so safe. To tired to really care, and partly liking being so close to him, she fell asleep to the rhythmic beating of his heart.
The refreshingly sweet summer evening was perfect for water bending. Katara stood at the edge of a small stream about two feet wide. It jutted out from under a large rock and slowed to a trickled amongst many rocks. Toph was teaching Aang more Earth bending moves so she had the chance to practice water bending alone. She stripped down to the white bikini top and skirt like outfit she wore while in the water and stepped into the icy cool stream. Appa's happy groans could be heard as he rolled in a small patch of grass while Momo was stuffing his face with as many berries as he could fit into his tiny mouth. Sokka was relaxing against a large slanted rock, one arm behind his head and the other across his eyes.
Katara swirled the water into tall columns and froze it, just playing around. The ice columns were beautiful but played no part in helping her become a better water bender. The man hidden in the shadows was not interested in the fact she was a water bender, more in the fact she was so beautiful. Many would be surprised and amazed at the sight of a water bender but this man had known her long enough to appreciate more than her water bending skills. Katara had her back turned to him, admiring her work. This was his chance. He crept up and grabbed her from behind, placing a hand over her mouth and the other arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her backwards into the forest.
"Do not be afraid. I wouldn't dream of harming you." He whispered into her ear and as he pulled his hand from her mouth brushed it across her face. Katara felt a shiver shoot up her spine from his touch. He lowered his other hand to her waist and spun her around so she was facing him. His face was hidden in the shadow but he was handsome non the less. She should have screamed but she didn't. For some odd reason, she felt safe with him, like they were connected on some unfathomable level. "Why do you stay with these..." he searched for the right word. "Children? You seem close to the Avatar. Tell me, do you love him?"
Katara was taken aback. She didn't love Aang that way. Did she? She thought of him more as a little brother, right? Of course she did! He was like a little brother to her, that's all. "Like my own flesh and blood." She replied sternly.
The man sounded relieved. "Come with me." He whispered, grasping her hand and leading her along the path. Katara resisted at first but then let him lead her. She analyzed the stature of the man; he was younger than she thought at first. He was about Sokka's height and weight but a little more muscled and broader in the shoulders. Dark, short, messy hair crowned his head. He reminded her of Jet in a way she immediately crushed that thought. Jet was a horrible person and this guy seemed nice yet demanding and gruff.
"Where are you taking me?" Katara questioned as he pulled her along a winding path she recognized him somehow. He was so familiar and she knew she could trust him but who was it?
"You'll see." He replied, glancing back and smiling. She felt as if she would melt on the spot. His smile was enough to make her heart pound, but why? She couldn't possibly love this stranger, could she? Slowly, the woods thinned out and they came right up to the edge of a cliff. She gasped and stepped back. Why had he brought her here? What was he going to do to her?
"Scared?" He asked concerned. Katara nodded and he wrapped his arm around her waist and held her close. "Don't be." His warm breath on her skin made her heart pound harder, she pulled away, afraid he'd feel it.
"Where was it you were taking me?" She asked blushing. He smiled and took her hand again, the familiar chill shot up her spine again when his hand touched hers. They sidled down the cliff wall on a narrow path; the boy never loosened his grip on her hand. They shuffled along the narrow path pushing back swaths of Spanish moss that hung in their way until the path suddenly widened. Of the side of the cliff wall was a huge drape of moss. The boy pushed it back to reveal a cave.
The slimy cave didn't impress Katara. "You brought me here to see this nasty cave?" She asked repulsed.
The stranger chuckled Katara liked it when he did that. "You shouldn't judge things by their outside appearance. Take a closer look inside." He pulled her inside and as soon as the moss recovered the entrance, small blue crystals on the walls lighted the cave. He pulled her through the cave. Deeper and deeper they went until they came to a huge open chamber. It was freezing in the chamber and Katara was rubbing her arms to keep warm. The guy noticed and draped his jacket around her shoulders. Katara smiled at him and thanked him.
"Look up." He said raising his face upwards.
Katara did as she was asked and gasped form the beautiful sight that met her eyes. Ice hung in long pointed columns from the ceiling like the teeth of some huge beast. The reflection of the blue crystals off the ice created an unearthly effect.
"It's gorgeous!" She crooned.
"It is isn't it?" He confirmed, not looking at the ceiling.
"Why did you bring me here?" She asked suspiciously turning back to him.
"To see you smile and to see you happy." He answered smiling. Katara blushed. "And to do this." He leaned in to her, breathing shallow. Katara's heart raced and her head pounded, he was going to kiss her. She leaned forward to him, their faces a mere inch apart. His eyes were gold and there was something on the left side of his face but she didn't care. He wrapped his arms around her waist and she draped her arms over his shoulders. She felt that she had been waiting for this for sometime. She kissed him for all she was worth. He didn't protest in the least but merely deepened the kiss. A feeling of completeness spread over her and then Katara broke the kiss.
"Who are you?" She asked.
The boy was disappointed. "Don't you remember?" he sighed. "I'm…"
Her eyes snapped open. Someone had come in, she was sure of it. The creak of the door then the tiny click as it shut. There was no denying it. She spun around and saw nothing but a tray of food on the bed behind her.
Iroh.
Katara relaxed and stretched, then rubbed the back of her neck to get the crick out. How long had she been sleeping there? Well if Iroh had brought her some food, it must be around 11:00. She sighed and picked up the tray of food and set it on her lap. Sliced moon peaches covered in sugar were a side to pancakes smothered in honey. There was also a cup of coffee and a cup of tea. Katara had only drank coffee once and didn't like it. The smell was wonderful though; she took a sip and smacked her lips. Not bad, Sokka had made it the last time she had it so that could explain why it was so bad. She picked up a fork and dug in. Iroh had given her a generous amount of everything, and she ate it all with pleasure.
After finishing she sat in the chair with her knees up to her chest and sipped her tea. She had to admit; Iroh did know how to make a good cup of tea. He even out a little sugar in hers to make it taste even better. She left the coffee off to the side, the tea was much better. The smell of the coffee helped her wake though. She sat in silence, not thinking about much, just listening to the sounds of the street and the birds chirping and the growls of the ostrich horses behind the inn. Her eyes traveled around the room but kept flickering back to Zuko. For some reason, she liked to just look at him; it made her feel so happy and her heart would speed up.
Something in the back of her mind was trying to push its way through, something that he reminded her of. She sat and thought for a while trying to bring up the memories. Suddenly it hit her like a ton of bricks and she almost dropped her cup of tea that she was clutching.
My dream. Her eyes widened. What does it mean?
All of it came flooding back to her. When he was taking her to the cave and then, the kiss. She reveled in the thought of that kiss, in the dream it had been so real, so passionate, so wonderful. Her eyes locked onto Zuko's face. The gold eyes and the 'something' on the left side of his face was his scar. There was no doubting it; Zuko was the boy from her dream. She stared in shock at Zuko then the shock wore off and she sort of wanted the dream to be real. She enjoyed the thought of kissing him.
'What am I thinking? That's Zuko! The enemy! I'm just tired. That's all, I'm not thinking straight.' She shook her head trying to clear it.
She could tell herself that all she wanted. Deep down, feelings for Zuko were surfacing, there was no denying it, no pushing them down again. The first time she had felt anything but hate for him was when he showed weakness at the sight of Iroh bring hurt by his sister. She had felt so bad for him and wanted to help but his pride and belligerent nature had her leaving them there and leaving. She remembered how later Sokka had confronted her about helping him.
"He was so helpless." She told him.
"I don't care! He's the enemy Katara! You don't happen the enemy!" He'd yelled.
Katara felt bad just looking at Zuko's helplessness before her. He was at her mercy basically, not that she'd ever harm him. She looked at him with pity and touched the scar on his face. Then ran a hand through his dark hair and then ran her hand along his cheek.
"I'm sorry for your pain. No one should go through that, being unloved by a parent. I can't imagine what that would be like." She rested her hand on his cheek, so warm and full of life yet so lifeless. Movement in his face made her heart skip, his eyes opened. And he was staring right at her.
Me: Another long chapter and I leave you with a cliffhanger!…sorta… Pu-LEASE review! Please? Pretty please? It makes me so happy when you review…seriously, I want to see 14 reviews by the day after tomorrow or I won't update. I'm serious. If ya truly love meh story you'll review.
Katara: (kicking Zuko's firebending butt) I told you! Water beats fire! Give up yet?
Zuko: (panting) Never!
Katara: (freezes him) Now?
Zuko: Do I have a choice?