Well, this one should be pretty nice. I hope you all like it. It's full of tender moments and dancing and such things...it's all so cute and lovely, so enjoy.
Disclaimer: if I owned Avatar: The Last Airbender, a love-hate Zutara would have started up in the first season. ooooh, i adore love-hate relationships, so interesting, aren't they?
Chapter Twenty-five
Katara rose from her spot in the courtyard, sighing. They had all spent the day in the courtyard, watching as Iroh and Toph put Aang through his paces. Katara had bowed out; Aang was almost as good at waterbending as she was. There was hardly any use for it to get in the way of his newer lessons.
Sokka and Ty Lee were sitting together in a corner of the courtyard, speaking softly to each other. But they had spent most of the day practicing fighting moves and pressure points. Sokka had even almost gotten Ty Lee once. Almost.
Zuko, on the other hand, had taken an active part in educating Aang, following his Uncle's lessons and even pointing out a few things. And Jet…Katara shook her head. He had disappeared again, obviously deciding it was time to split. It saddened Katara, but she didn't know what to do. She had noticed the tension between Zuko and the Freedom Fighter. How could she not? But Jet was an old crush, one she didn't have any interest in anymore.
The young waterbender moved away from the sight of dancing flames and rolling earth, and disappeared into the temple. It was late. And she wanted to visit the water garden again. She wanted to speak to the waterbender again. A smile danced about her lips. Especially since she thought she knew exactly who he was.
Zuko watched Katara walk into the temple. And was nearly hit by one of Aang's wayward fireballs. He ducked just in time and nodded towards his uncle. Bowing out of the practice, Zuko trailed Katara, hoping her brother was too occupied with Ty Lee to notice.
He followed softly, not really wanting her to know he was there. She walked almost as if she was in a trance, but Zuko knew she was just tired. She had used an enormous amount of energy to heal Sokka the day before, after having stayed up for nearly twenty-four hours. Still, he wanted to make sure that she was all right.
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Katara found the door to the garden and smiled, pushing open the door. She rushed inside, all too eager to learn more moves from the other waterbender. Some of his techniques were…unusual. And powerful. She really enjoyed it.
She entered the garden and then when she saw him, she grinned. "Hello," she said in greeting.
The man turned and smiled warmly, like an older brother. "Hello, Katara. Are you ready for some more practice?"
Katara nodded and waded into the biggest pool of water, already pulling up a thin, glittering water whip. "What are we doing today?" she asked him.
The man smiled as he heard a sound in the shadows. "Dancing," he replied. "It has been quite a long time since I danced." He, too, waded into the pool, a faraway look gathering in his strange, aqua eyes. They turned dark with the memories, looking like the deepest sapphires.
"We used to dance beautifully," he told Katara softly. "Silver and gold we were, ribbons dancing in the wind." A faint smile curved at the corner of his lips and he drew up his own ribbon of water. "It was like magic and we danced all night."
Katara smiled. "I danced like that once," she whispered. "I don't know if it was a dream, but we could have continued forever. I never wanted it to end." A sigh escaped her and she moved her hands, causing her water whip to weave through the air. "It was like a dream, but I will never forget it."
"Katara…"
Both waterbenders turned to find Zuko standing in the shadows, his golden eyes burning in the night. He had followed Katara into the garden, wanting to spend time with her. And then he had found her with someone else. Rage had boiled black inside of him but then she started to talk. And he remembered what she was saying. He, too, had dreamt of the self same dance. He wouldn't ever forget it, either.
Katara grinned brilliantly and she motioned for him to step closer. "Zuko, this is Nilam," she said. Her eyes flickered to the other waterbender. He didn't look too surprised that she knew who he was. He simply bowed to Zuko.
"It is good to finally meet you," he said politely. "Savitri speaks well of you."
Katara turned wide eyes on Zuko. "Savitri?" she breathed. "You've seen her?" Zuko nodded. "Why didn't you tell me?"
A ghost of a smile appeared on his face. "Why didn't you tell me about this?"
She blushed and opened her mouth to say something but Nilam saved her. "It was nice to meet you," he said to Zuko, "but I would like to rest." His head cocked to the side. "Perhaps you would be willing to take my place?"
Before Zuko could answer, Nilam disappeared. The young prince shrugged and stepped forward, pulling off his shirt. It was warm that night and he doubted he would need the extra protection. He faced Katara, a grin on his face. "Shall we?" he asked.
Katara nodded. And their dance began.
The water and wind whispered together, playing a song just for the two as they both summoned their elements. It was like before but this time, they moved closer, wanting to feel each other as they danced. This time, fire and water met in cascades of steam and mist, floating about them as they stared into each other's eyes. They lost themselves there, engaging in a ballet of love and courtship.
Though the dark descended on them, the night was no longer black. Zuko's fire reflected in the pools, casting a golden glow on the two. The moon and stars shone merrily above, whispering amongst themselves at the magic below.
Ribbons of fire and water dipped and weaved, fluttering between the two like children. And, as Katara and Zuko moved even closer, two voices rose to fill the night.
"Dance with me, dance with me,
'till the moon goes dark.
Sing with me, sing with me,
'till the stars alight.
And love me, love me,
'till the world has fallen.
"I found the world
locked in a dream
and made my one last stand.
My heart did still
and I did cry
but now I've found my mind.
The earth has gone,
the sky is here,
and darkness falls again.
"So dance with me, dance with me,
'till the sun rises.
Sing with me, sing with me,
'till the sky alights.
And love me, love me,
'till the world has fallen."
So intent were Katara and Zuko on their dance, on each other, neither saw the forms of Savitri and Nilam, together once more. The lovers glanced towards each other, just as the sun was rising. The two embraced with a kiss before disappearing again, the wind still mimicking their song.
The sun crested over the horizon and Zuko and Katara slowed. They came to a stop, foreheads touching. They smiled into each other's eyes and each hugged the other closer. At that moment, neither felt any fear, any apprehension. Their hearts were at peace, their feelings close to the surface.
"Katara, I…"
She smiled. "I know," she whispered. "I…"
Zuko mirrored her loving grin. "I know."
The two laughed softly as their lips met and they moved even closer, wanting to crawl inside one another. Their kiss became more passionate, but it was still slow, the magic of their dance still keeping them in their own little dream world. They soon sank to the ground and fell into each other's arms. The wind whispered in the trees for a moment before quieting once more.
Do you like it? And yes, you people can assume all you want. Remember, in this fic, the two are just a bit older than they are in the show, about two years, so it's all good. Anyway, if you were in my honors lit. class, my teacher would be muttering, "you can assume something has taken place," a smug grin on her face. So…sigh at the lovely little moment and review, please!