The fur and needle clad monster was moving towards them slowly. The gold chain around its neck gleamed in the sunlight. Zuko stood absolutely still. He slowly turned his head towards her and whispered. '' Bend the poison out of Toph.'' His words were almost lost in the wind.
Katara nodded. She turned and tensed when a needle whizzed past her.
She heard Zuko growl next to her. ''Move slowly.''
She slowly raised a hand and concentrated on separating the thick venom from Toph's blood. Behind her Zuko was sending a slow moving wave of flames at the creature. More needles whizzed past her and one tore her sleeve. '' Watch it.''
His voice was hard. ''It'd be easier if you two were out of the way.''
She gritted her teeth. ''I'm working as fast as I can without upsetting it.''
Toph rolled her eyes and tried to look at the needle in the bottom of her foot. ''Could you two please have your stupid fight at another time?''
Katara bit her lip and focused on the ribbon of poison in the air. A low roar reached her ears. Her stomach lurched. ''Zuko, what's it doing?''
A confused note colored his voice. ''I think it's….''
She let the ribbon of poison fall to the ground besides her. ''You think it's what?''
She turned her neck languidly towards him. It's like moving underwater.
A hint of color had crept into his cheeks. ''I think it's about to well… give birth.''
Katara forgot to keep quiet. ''What!''
A volley of needles whistled through the air. She bent the moisture in the soil into a shield of ice. Her gaze fell on Zuko just in time to see him hit in the arm. He fell to the ground instantly and she grimaced. She gave a small groan of frustration. Nice, Katara…
''Awesome job Sweetness! Got any other bright ideas?"
''Sarcasm not appreciated Toph!'' She assumed her bending position and then let her arms drop as the animal felt on its side. Oh crap! It's going into labor! She moved toward the creature slowly.
''Katara! No!'' The wind carried his whispered voice to her ear.
She felt the animal tense and she paralyzed the skin that surrounded the needles. Why didn't I think of this before? The effort made her head hurt and she desperately wished the moon was out. Oh, that's why.
She strode confidently toward the creature and studied the blue eyes that looked back at her. A protective gleam shown in its eyes, and it made her smile. Casting a quick glance around the clearing, a thought occurred to her. This is probably her nest. ''You were just protecting what's yours.'' She scratched it behind the ear and felt the skin around the needles relax.
'' Katara! Get away from that thing ! It's dangerous.''
She rolled her eyes and wondered if this was how she sounded when she was being motherly. Dangerous? Please, the thing was an overgrown plush toy.
''Didn't you hear me? That furry pincushion is gonna run you through with its claws.''
She noticed the giant paw that lay close to her. An armed and dangerous plush toy. She concentrated and relaxed when she felt that all the tension was focused in the creature's womb. Water from the ground clothed her hand and she felt along the abdomen. Something wasn't right.
''Katara!''
''Would you please shut up Zuko!'' She let out a sigh. ''I'm trying to help this thing give birth.'' Since when do I say please?
Toph snickered and Zuko was quiet for a moment. ''But-''
She waved her hand at him dismissively. ''I can't concentrate on helping her if you're yelling. So again, please be quiet! '' She pursed her lips and realized she had said please again. I must be going soft. She drew a sharp breath as her head began to throb along with her heart beat. All the yelling had caused the skin around the needles to tense. The animal's contractions began and she focused, making the dull headache rear into a burning migraine.
Out of the corner of his eye Zuko could see Katara kneeling near the creature. He heard it groan and thanked whatever spirits hovered in the forest that he had been born male. His heart softened as he heard Katara whisper words of encouragement to the giant thing. Her compassion amazed him. He would have toasted the thing by now. Well after taking the scroll of course. His eyebrows shot up as he remembered the scroll. He whispered her name. ''Katara!''
''What now?'' The annoyance in her voice was clear.
''Don't forget the scroll.''
She grunted and went back to whispering encouragement. A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. Were all females like this when it came to children? Mai wasn't. He nearly laughed when he remembered how Mai had abhorred her baby brother's constant crying. I don't think she even bothered learning how to change a diaper. Heart sinking he recalled the note he had left her. Yet, she still had helped them escape from the Boiling Rock. He grimaced as he imagined what Azula would do to her, if she let her live. Katara felt Zuko's gaze on her. ''May I help you?''
Zuko scowled and turned his head to the other side. She and Mai were so different. Well they both hate me with the intensity of a thousand suns. He bit the inside of his mouth as a thought came to him. I'm a scarred prince, with a dark past and have only a war ridden country to return to in the end. Hate is something I should be used to by now. He clenched his eyes closed and blocked out the sun that was slowly climbing into the middle of the sky. Do I love Katara because she's the opposite of what the old me would have gone for? He smiled, even when he had been chasing the Avatar he had always found Katara… attractive. Maybe I have always loved her. He remembered Ba Sing Se and the feel of her cold hand against his ruined skin. His hand flew towards his face and he felt the scar. He remembered the hurt look in her eyes as they fought that day. Will she ever forgive me? Love was out of the question but it seemed like forgiveness was about to be ruled out too. He didn't even dream of love. Acceptance was all he could hope for…and even that seemed unobtainable.
He sighed and felt his scar again. I have a lot to make up for... Wait, I can move? He remembered his inner monologue. I've been able to move this entire time? He jumped to his feet and tiptoed quietly towards Katara.
He whispered softly, ''How's she doing?''
Katara jumped and relaxed when she saw it was him. '' She's doing pretty well. It's a good thing I was here though; I don't think she could have done it on her own.'' A soft look crept into her eyes and she patted a patch of skin that wasn't covered in needles. She paused and looked at him. ''Wait, you can move?''
He moved shrugged his shoulders, ''I managed to.''
She looked at Toph who still lay sprawled on the floor. ''But Toph got hit before you and she isn't moving yet?''
He stood up and observed Toph and laughed. ''The brat's asleep.'' He picked her up and placed her under a tree. The tender way he placed her in the shade melted more of the ice that surrounded her heart. He can really be swee- She paused when she realized their eyes had locked. Focusing on the baby sloth that was forcing its way into the world; she tried not to blush as he moved near her.
''Is there any way that I can help?''
Trying not to focus on her pounding head or how close he was standing near her, she pointed at the Sloth's neck. ''Um, yeah, could you please get the scroll off her?''
He bent down and she noticed the needle stick out of his forearm. She stood and placed her hand on the needle. He flinched when her hand accidentally brushed his bare skin. ''Sorry.'' She mumbled as she struggled to get the needle out.
He stood and placed his hand on hers and pulled the needle out, all the while looking into her eyes. She flushed and noticed how strong her migraine had gotten. Was it ever this hot out here? She realized that her hand was still in his and she tried to pull away. The effort made her dizzy and a new layer of sweat began to form on her forehead. The creature stirred and she felt the skin around the needles struggle against her hold. Her pain intensified as she tried to keep the skin under her control.
Zuko's good eye widened as she weaved where she stood. The last thing she saw was his gold eyes and the cry of life being brought into the world. Then darkness.
Aang sat in the hay loft and watched Appa eat his breakfast. His talk with Toph two hours ago still had him feeling mildly depressed. I know I've got to let Katara go, especially now that she's engaged, but I can't. I kissed her. She's mine. The door to the stables opened and in stepped Kendo. Something inside Aang bled every time he saw him. He had the rightful claim to Katara. He saw her first too.
''Hello, Avatar.''
Aang floated down from the loft. ''Hey.'' Might as well try to be polite.
Kendo's green eyes sparkled. '' You look glum Avatar. Whatever could be the matter?''
Aang tired to fake a smile. ''Nothing important.''
Kendo leaned against Appa and surveyed him carefully. ''I highly doubt that loosing the woman you love could be called nothing.'' His white hair glowed from the sunlight entering from a window, making him look like a saint.
Aang buried his hands in Appa's fur so Kendo couldn't seem them clench. ''I'm not sure what you're talking about, Sifu Kendo.'' He spat the title out through clenched teeth.
Kendo's eyebrows shot up. ''I see Hakkoda has finally told you about our firebending arrangement.'' He sat down and patted the ground next to him. ''But I think you and I both know that I'm talking about Katara.''
Aang flinched and remained standing.
Kendo looked up at him, sincerity radiating from his face. ''I know you love her, and I'm terribly sorry that you have to go through this, but… nothing can be done.''
Aang slumped to the ground next to him. ''I know.'' His eyebrow furrowed. "What's this bride price everyone's freaked out about?"
"Well when a family gives away their daughter the husbands family pays the father, a sum of money; kind of like acknowledeging that the father has lost a precious gift in giving his daughter away. We consider the loss of a daughter greater than paying a monetary sum, so the saying goes that the father pay's the bride price, even though he never parts with his money. "
Aang nodded; Kendo's words were soothing and patient; like a sifu's should be, but his next words cut Aang to the core.
" The paying of the bride price though, makes the agreement permanent. I know you care for her, but… you have to let her go.''
Aang stiffened and wondered if Kendo knew more than he was saying. He shrugged it off.
Kendo stuck his hand out towards Aang. '' I will not only take care of her, I will take good care of her.''
Aang stared at it, and then slowly shook his hand. If I'm gonna lose her it might as well be to someone who cares about her. ''It's just hard. '' He heaved a heavy sigh.
''I know exactly what you mean. I almost about died when I saw Zuko trying to make advances toward her.'' He sighed heavily. ''Well you can't blame him, Katara is dreadfully beautiful.''
Aang laughed for the first time that day. ''Zuko? Are you kidding? They're constantly at each other's throats.''
''Ah yes. But being at each other throats only makes them so much closer to being at each other's lips.'' He gave an exasperated sigh when he met Aang's puzzled look. ''Don't tell me you don't see the way they look at each other.'
''What are you talking about? Last time I checked death glares weren't a sign of love.''
Kendo chuckled. ''Of course not. I'm talking about the looks in between.''
Aang's heart thudded against his ribcage. His mind flashed back to Ba Sing Se. He felt his stomach lurch as he remembered bursting through a wall only to find Katara and Zuko inches apart. He remembered the way Zuko was gazing at Katara and how in the last possible second she had turned to look back at him. But Katara hates him. He shook the doubt from his mind.
Kendo seemed to know what Aang was thinking. ''I know it seems like she hates him, but have you ever wondered if it is all an act?''
Aang sat a little straighter and put all the confidence he could muster in his voice. ''Trust me Katara hates him.''
Kendo shrugged, ''Ah, but you did not see what I saw.'' He smiled as he told him the story of finding Zuko and Katara sprawled on the floor in the middle of the night.
Aang's eyebrows shifted upward. ''And this all happened last night you say?"
Kendo nodded and waited for Aang to give off a cry off anguish. Or something to show that he was at least peeved at Zuko.
Aang shook his head. ''Katara would never do that.'' He picked up his glider from a corner of the stables. He walked back to Kendo slowly, and hoped he looked more confident then he felt. ''Especially since she's going to be married. ''
Kendo shrugged. ''Well you seem to be in better spirits.'' He stood up from the ground and placed his hand on Aang's shoulders. ''Let's see if we can have our first firebending lesson.''
Aang nodded and followed him out. But before they had even left the stables Aang spoke up. ''Sifu Kendo?''
''yes?''
''Do you know where Katara is? There's something I need to tell her.'' Maybe there's a way I can still have her.
''I believe she and Zuko went to go collect firewood about an hour and a half ago.''
Aang's face fell and Kendo smiled. People are so much fun to toy with.
Kendo had taught Aang only one stance when Zuko arrived, carrying something in his arms. Toph appeared before him riding on a wave of earth. She let the wave die and stopped before them. ''Get Hakkoda!''
Aang floated into a standing position. Something wasn't right. ''What's wrong?''
'''Never mind, Twinkletoes I'll get him myself.'' She disappeared under ground just as Zuko arrived with Katara limp in his arms.
Kendo rushed forward and took her from him. ''What did you do?''
Zuko took a deep breath and seemed to be counting to ten. ''I didn't do anything.'' He directed his next comment at Aang. ''She passed out.'' He plucked Katara from Kendo's arms and marched past them.
Something burned in Aang's stomach as he watched Zuko tenderly lay Katara down near a fountain. He could feel Kendo's burning green eyes on his face and turned to say something. But Kendo beat him to it
'Well he's very possessive of her.''
The earth shifted beneath Aang's feet as Kendo him flashed him an I-told-you-so look.
Aang clenched his teeth. ''It's just brotherly concern.'' But something told him it was much more than that.
Aang smiled at her and then held a knife to his heart. Katara threw out her hand to stop him. ''Don't do this Aang. The world needs you!'' His grey eyes twinkled like the stars in the rapidly darkening sky.
''I can't live like this Katara. You don't love me and you don't even have the guts to tell me that.'' The knife now moved to his wrist.
Katara took a step forward. ''I do love you Aang. I would die to protect you. I would do whatever it takes to make you happy.''
He removed the blade from his wrist and pointed the knife at someone to her left. ''But you don't love me the way you love him.'' She tried to make out the face of the person next to her. She thought back to what Aunt Wu said. ''An epic romance, a powerful bender.''
Aang lifted his wrist to his blade and turned his mournful grey eyes towards her. ''I'm sorry Katara but we both know, it's not me you love it's…'' His next words stopped on his lips. ''I'm sorry.'' The knife danced across his wrist and then his throat. He fell in a cloud of dust to the ground.
She ran towards him all the while crying. ''It's all my fault . '' She whispered this over and over as he held his dying body. She tried bending the blood back into his veins and healing the wounds that robbed him of life. But she couldn't. His blood would not respond nor would his flesh close.
A shadow fell across them and she looked up into the cold green eyes of Kendo. ''You should have never kissed him. ''
Katara felt the tears wash down her cheeks. ''But… I.. He kissed me. Then, I kissed him back. '' She choked on her tears. ''I loved him. Is that so wrong?''
Kendo shook his head. '' You should have never kissed him. Especially after kissing Zuko.''
Katara's mouth dropped open. ''I never kissed him!'' The words sounded mutilated by her tears.
He dropped down to his knees and placed his hand on her cheek. ''But you wanted to.''
She felt some resolve creep into her voice. ''That was then this is now.''
He grinned. ''Either way you will destroy them both.''
She choked on her sobs. ''No! ''
''Katara! Wake up!''
A pair of hands were shaking her shoulders. ''Katara, it's just a dream!''
For a second she thought she saw Zuko's bright gold eyes staring at her. ''Zuko?''
''It's Aang.'' There was something in his voice that sounded wounded.
She rubbed her eyes, and Aang's grey eyes came into focus. He placed the lantern he held on the floor besides them. ''You were crying in your sleep.''
She placed a hand on her face and bended the tears off her face. ''Was I crying so hard you could hear me from the stables?''
He flushed. ''No I was standing outside your door. I was…worried about you.''
She bit her lip thoughtfully. ''Worried? Why?'' Then it all came flooding back to her. Toph, Zuko, the giant zebra sloth in labor, and the immensely painful headache she had received from keeping the needles from firing. She threw her blanket off her and began to stand up. '' Where's Toph and Zuko? Are they okay?''
Aang caught her wrist. ''They're fine, Katara. Everyone's asleep right now. ''
She sat back down. ''How'd I get here?''
''Zuko carried you here.''
Katara choked on her spit. ''He carried me?'' I bet Toph had fun with that.
Aang gave her a funny look. ''Yeah, he um carried you.'' He leaned toward her and swiped a stray strand of hair of her face. She tensed, '' Aang?''
''I was so scared when I saw him carrying you. I thought you had-'' He stopped taking and placed his hand on her shoulder.
She gently removed his hand from her shoulder. ''Aang, we need to talk.'' Great I've just uttered the four words you never say in a relationship to a twelve year old. This should go swimmingly.
His eyes flashed dangerously, ''Is it Zuko? Did he hurt you?'' He stood and clenched his fist, ''I heard from Kendo he almost tried something last night.''
Katara bit the inside of her cheek. She had never seen Aang act like this towards anyone. He was always so trusting and ready to believe the best. ''Kendo came in at the wrong time, it wasn't what it looked like.''
Aang paced the room. '' He's always looking at you. When you and I are bending he's always there watching us. Did he try anything in the woods?''
She felt herself bite back a giggle. He's acting like Sokka. She grabbed his arm and pulled him to sit down. ''Aang, Zuko saved me.'' Well there's something I didn't think I would ever say. ''I passed out because-''
''Yeah, giant zebra sloth, you blood bending, and all that. But did he try anything?''
Katara felt her blood begin to stir. What the heck is his problem? ''No, Aang he didn't try anything.'' She crossed her arms and watched him stand up and pace her room. ''What bit you in the bottom?''
Aang stopped pacing long enough to answer her. ''Nothing did. Kendo, just –''
''Kendo! You actually believe that, that mendacious-'' She let her sentence sputter itself into oblivion.
He marched towards her. ''You really shouldn't be so hard on him Katara. He is your future husband after all.''
Katara's mouth fell open. ''Since when have you been so eager for me to marry anyone? Last time I checked you still had issues letting me go!'' Crap!
Aang sat down before her breathless. ''You know? You know why I can't go into the Avatar State?''
She paused a moment before answering. ''I heard you and Toph talking.''
There was an awkward silence between them. She took his hand. ''Aang, I know this is hard and I would have never kissed you if I knew it's just that…''
''So you regret it?''
Katara paused a moment. Well this isn't going the way I planned. ''You have a special place in my heart Aang, a place that no one will ever be able to fill, but yes, I regret it.''
His grey eyes filled with tears that stabbed Katara in the heart as they fell. He wiped them away roughly. ''No one but Zuko.''
Katara froze. ''What?'' She wondered if Aang had drunk some of Zuko's fire scotch.
Aang shrugged his shoulders. ''Never mind. But I have one question.'' He paused. ''Why did you kiss me back?''
She felt the heat rise to her face and she knew Aang's happiness hung on her ever word. But does that justify a lie? '' Aang. I kissed you because, you were leaving and I knew it'd make you happy.'' She took a deep breath a prepared herself to tell the truth. ''Ever since I saw you I knew I had to take care of you. Don't get me wrong. I wanted to take care of you. And you're a wonderful friend.'' The tears he was shedding made her eyes tear up. ''I love you like a brother and maybe there could have been a way for us to have more than just friendship, but now that I know that I can't...'' She held his hand tighter and felt a tear make its way down her cheek. ''You have to let me go. I won't let you give up everything you, we, have fought for.''
The utter look of pain and devastation on his face tore her heart in half. She longed to reach out and comfort him. She desperately wished she could back peddle. Or travel back to a time when things were simple. Where she wouldn't have to worry about whether or not loving Aang was the right thing. Where she could make her choice without worrying that the outcome would either kill or save millions.
She scooted closer to Aang and enveloped him in a hug. ''I never meant to hurt you.'' He only sobbed harder into her shoulder. Seeing him so broken made her hurt. But knowing that it was she who had done the breaking, made her heart bleed.
They sat like that for awhile. Aang crying and Katara holding back her tears so he wouldn't see. It had always been like this. Her sacrificing to protect him, and she would have gladly kept doing it, except for the fact that the welfare of the entire planet hung on her decision. And for Zuko. She tensed slightly at the mutinous thought. Is he another reason I don't love Aang?
Aang sat there and held Katara close. She was the only girl he probably would ever love. They had been through so much together. She deserves someone who can stand by her. His mind drifted to the conversation he and Kendo had that morning. The sincerity of Kendo's love for Katara touched him and he calmed down a bit. She's got someone to care for her already. Now you've got to let her go. Zuko's golden eyes flashed into his mind. And no one's going to take that away.
She peeled herself away from him. ''It's late, Aang. We're both exhausted and-''
He stood and swiftly smashed his mouth against hers. She didn't kiss him back. Instead, she waited for him to pull away. When he didn't she did. He left the room swiftly, leaving her with her hand pressed on to her mouth in surprise.
When she was sure he was gone, then and only then, did she burst into tears.