sorry again for the delay...i've been a bit busy...but anyway, i hope you like this chapter...for those who read Ocean Fire, there's a little mirror scene here...well, onto the chapter!

disclaimer: i, most regrettably, do not own Avatar: the Last Airbender...if only i did, we'd be watching the new season by now...

Chapter Eight: Remembered Dance

"Are you ready?"

Katara nodded solemnly, her eyes shifting away from Zuko's golden gaze. She bowed her head and gripped her children's hands as she swept past him to board the Fire Nation ship. Only when she had left him behind did she glance back up. Her brother smiled at her and Katara gave a wan smile, still uncertain of what was ahead.

"Mama, how far away is the Festival?"

Katara smiled down at Sunil, her blue eyes lighting with the first smile she had smiled in over 24 hours. "It's not too far away, dear," she whispered gently. She could see that he and Mitsuko were worried for her. And, though she was worried herself, she wanted her children to be happy. This was the first time they had left their home and she wanted them have fun. Even if she couldn't let her own fears go.

"Ah, Miss Katara. Allow me to show you to your rooms."

The young woman glanced up at Iroh, startled. "Rooms?"

Iroh nodded, looking as if he made all the sense in the world. "Of course. They're nice and roomy, so you can enjoy quite a lot of space as you're sipping tea or watching the younglings." He crouched down slowly and grinned at the twins. "And you can play in a big place without making your mother worry too much."

Before Katara could get in another word, Iroh took hold of her arm as the twins began to skip around, faces full of delight. He patted her hand as they went further into the ship, talking about the weather and how the sky was always so beautiful around the south pole.

They stopped and Iroh opened the door. "Well, here it is, my dear," he said gently. "I hope you feel comfortable." He turned and left, leaving Katara to stare into the room as the twins ran inside giggling.

Katara walked in slowly, staring at the luxury. It had been a while since she had seen such royal décor. It was all very grand. And then she spotted the other two doors in the room. At first, she had wondered about where the beds were, but, as she opened one of the doors, she found out. So this was what Iroh had meant by "rooms."

Needless to say, she was quite surprised. After all, wasn't this a ship? Then again, it was the flagship of the Fire Lord, so what had she expected? Exposed pipes and a cramp, dirty little room? Even as a banished prince, Zuko had managed to have good rooms.

A small smile crossed her face and Katara turned back to look at the sitting room. Iroh had been right; the room was quite large and the twins would have no trouble at all in finding space to play. Besides, they had their own room as well. "This is certainly a treat," she whispered softly.

"Mama."

Katara looked down at Sunil. His face was apprehensive and he kept glancing back towards Mitsuko. "What is it, dear?"

"Are you okay now?"

"What?"

Sunil cocked his head to the side at his mother's startled response. "Are you okay now?" he repeated. "You look happier."

With a small sigh, Katara nodded. Her children were far too observant. "Yes. I am." And, oddly enough, it was true.

"Good," Sunil said happily. He gave Katara a hug and ran off to where Mitsuko was waiting. With more giggling, the two began to spin around the room, arms flung out.

Looking at her carefree children, Katara shook her head. She took off her parka. Knowing that they wouldn't get into too much trouble, Katara left the apartment, deciding to do some exploring herself. But, as she was leaving, she ran into Ren. The two women collided and Katara would have fallen down had a strong arm not pulled her close.

Frowning, Katara looked up to find Zuko cradling her close, his eyes full of worry. Ren whispered an apology and ducked into Katara's apartment, muttering about looking after the children. But neither Katara nor Zuko heard her.

After a moment, Zuko let go of Katara, his golden eyes still drowning in her sapphire ones. "I was just showing Ren where your room was," he whispered.

"Oh," Katara whispered back.

A faint blush stole across Zuko's face and he looked away, clearing his throat. Katara couldn't help but stare. Though she had tried all morning, it seemed her efforts to ignore him had been a waste. That day, Zuko looked every inch the Fire Lord. His pants were black silk and his tunic was a deep red with gold trim which showed off his golden eyes to perfection. Though similar to the clothes worn by the previous Fire Lord, Zuko's robes were much more form-fitting…and Katara could really find no fault whatsoever in them. In fact, she could barely take her eyes off him.

After a moment, Katara tore her eyes away from him and was about to go back into her rooms but Zuko gently took hold of her arm. "If you'd like, I could show you the rest of the ship." He smiled. "And perhaps we can get something to eat. I know you haven't had time to eat breakfast."

As much as she would have liked to refuse his offer, Katara's stomach took the opportunity to growl. She blushed deeply and said, "I could use some food."

Zuko laughed and tucked her arm into his. "Then let's see what we have."

-------

As they walked through the ship, neither noticed Iroh hiding in the shadows, a satisfied smile on his face. So far, his plans had been going well. Albeit, Zuko had been quite willing to come once it was mentioned that Katara had been found, but Iroh had never thought that Zuko would have come up with his own brilliant scheme. Iroh's smile widened. This ship ride was going to be very interesting, especially if he had anything to say about it.

They spent the day together, walking silently beside each other throughout the ship. Occasionally they spoke, their voices low, about the ship and the weather. But anything that had been between them was left unmentioned, left to stay between them.

As they walked out onto the deck of the ship, the sun was just setting. The deck was empty and Katara crossed it to stand next to the railing. She sighed, tears beginning to well up as she looked out over the sea. It seemed molten, alive with the sun's fire. She turned her head and there, in the distance, was the moon, just beginning to rise in the sky. Her hand crept to the small bag at her hip and she closed her eyes, wishing she could simply give in to her own heart.

Zuko watched Katara, a smile on his handsome face. She was beautiful. The clothes she wore were different from her normal ones, but still just as beautiful. As if she had wanted to blend in with the luxury around her, Katara wore a clingy blue cotton dress. Its sleeves were long, flaring out to a bell, and the skirt seemed to swirl around her like an ocean wave. It was lovely.

As the last rays of the sun disappeared beneath the sea, he crossed the deck of the ship to stand beside her. He offered another smile when she glanced at him and then he stepped back, beginning to bend.

Katara watched in fascination as Zuko's fire began to swirl around him. The flames seemed alive, dancing with Zuko even as he controlled them. After a moment, he opened his eyes, made all the more golden by the fire. "Come join me," he whispered.

Surprised, Katara hesitated a moment and then stepped forward. She raised her arms and called the water to her, shaping it into small spheres which moved between Zuko's fiery ribbons.

After a moment, Zuko took hold of Katara's hand, his eyes seductive in the silver and gold of their bending. They drew her deeper into the little world they had created. Fire and water, flirting in the night.

"Now dance with me," he said softly, pulling her closer. She hesitated a moment and he cocked his head to the side, a strand of dark hair falling into his face, lending him a boyish look. "Please? Have a bit of faith, Katara."

With those words, Katara smiled. Hadn't they done this before? Still, Katara couldn't deny Zuko's request when he asked her something her heart wished more than anything. She couldn't resist him.

Katara nodded slowly and the two separated, their bending shifting, mirroring one another, hers a bit softer, his stronger. The two closed their eyes, unconsciously moving in exact time.

They both laughed, carefree now that their hearts were fully open. Ribbons of water and fire wove together, closing them in a realm all their own. They never saw the others who began to gather on the deck. They never saw Mitsuko and Sunil join them, a small flame and a small orb of water playing together.

-------

Iroh smiled. The scene was perfect beyond words. It was like that night, so long ago, when two uncertain teens had let themselves simply feel. Only this time, the dance had been perfected. It was no longer filled with uncertain longing, but full of love. Katara was beginning to let herself go and it was a beautiful thing.

In the darkness, a pair of eyes flew open, the black pools full of hatred. The bender stood, waking from the meditative trance. "They're getting closer," he rasped. "They cannot be allowed to return to one another." His face twisted into a malevolent frown. "They can't be allowed to find the other stone."

A young woman stepped from the shadows, golden eyes full of malice. "Oh, they won't find it," she told the man with a sneer. "After all, I know all their weaknesses."

The man's black eyes flickered to stare into hers. "You will take up this task for me?"

A smirk appeared on the young woman's face. "Oh yes," she answered. "After all, it's been so long since I saw them last and I must return a favor." Her smirk turned into a sneer. "Those two are going to pay."

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