Chapter 13

It was morning. Katara could hear the birds chirping as she awakened. She lay still for a moment as she waited for her memories of the previous night to surface.

Right.

As always, she had cried herself asleep after an emotional evening with Zuko. She nearly scoffed at herself. When had she gotten so soft?

After she had confessed her feelings, Zuko had engulfed her in those big, warm arms of his, never mind his shoulder. He had proceeded to rub gentle circles on her back as she cried.

He didn't say anything. He had no need to. And he just let her cry, happy to be with her and even more happy that she wouldn't be leaving him. She would guess that he was pleased that she had been willing to open up to him.

She breathed deeply and snuggled closer, his shirtless figure the warmth to her cold, his scent spicy. She loved this.

There was a knock on the door and she tensed, having not sensed the person's heartbeat under her morning haze. She began to move as gently as she could to remove herselthefrom his arms without waking him.

"Katara, I've been awake since sunrise, though I do appreciate your effort to leave me undisturbed. You would be the only one in this kingdom to do so, it would seem," the Fire Lord mumbled, tightening his unwounded arm around her.

She had forgotten that the people of the Fire Nation started their days early. While she would have loved nothing more than to stay in bed with him, snuggling and engaging in whatever other acts they could think of (at this thought, Katara blushed), it wouldn't be wise for his image if she was found amidst his light sheets in her undergarments.

Zuko opened his eyes and looked through the lashes of his good eye, to gaze at the head of unruly brown hair that rested on his chest. He sighed loudly and rolled off of the bed into a standing position. Fantasies of roasting the doorknocker danced in his head.

Katara closed her eyes, yawning, and buried herself deeper within the blankets, hoping that the maidservants weren't on their way in to straighten.

"Search the entire palace for any sign," Katara could hear Zuko say firmly. She opened her eyes and blinked, curiosity taking over.

"Sir, we did. We started with the kitchens. I had suspected that he would be there when he didn't relieve me of my post but there was no sign that he'd been in there."

It was Haru. Katara shot up in the bed, her heartbeat pacing fast.

"You mean to tell me that he disappeared with no sign?"

"Yes, there are no indications of foul play," Haru responded, concern etched in his voice.

Katara was pacing back and forth in her brother's room, stopping every so often to look behind the thick embroidered curtains or beneath the grand four poster bed for any type of sign...anything that would give them a clue with regards to her brother's disappearance.

Zuko stood at the door, arms crossed and brow furrowed.

"It seems like he just...left," the waterbender mumbled, more to herself than anyone else.

"Yes, it does. This is why we aren't going to say anything or do anything about it," Aang's voice could be heard. Zuko stepped aside as the last airbender walked in. The Fire Lord was visibly shocked.

"Close your mouth, Zuko," Aang said with a grin, "Haru I'm putting you in charge of the Squad. Any issues, contact me immediately. Brief your guys and let them know that Sokka has been instructed to return to headquarters." Haru bowed and took leave.

Katara looked up at Zuko then just in time to notice a slight twitch of his lips. Aang had authority in his voice and he actually sounded like a well-seasoned leader.

"Do you think he's alright?" Katara inquired of no one in particular, referring to her missing brother.

"I'd bet on it," came the Avatar's response.

"You look awful."

Sokka slammed down his wooden cup, annoyance clear across his face. He had been at an inn for the past few days and now, he was delighting in their pub.

"I'm aware. It's about time that you showed. I've been waiting for three days," the warrior grumbled. He glared up at the older woman and inwardly cursed. She was still as beautiful as ever.

"I had a few jobs to take care of. I couldn't just drop them. Not even for you," June the bounty hunter smirked before allowing her features to relax as she sat down across from him. She raised her arm and snapped her fingers to notify the server that she needed a drink. She was there often enough. They knew what she liked.

The two sat like that for a few minutes sizing up the other. Though the warrior had a recent scruffiness about him, he was still boyishly handsome. His sun-scorched tan skin was indicative of his travels and his laugh lines shined through when he grimaced but neither trait was to be considered negative. The years had been kind to him.

"I need you to get me through the Great Divide. Unfortunately, I don't have the luxury of my military vessels or I'd sail around the entire damn continent."

June quirked her brow at his bequest. This wasn't a Council-funded 'adventure' then. Her interest instantly peaked. She hadn't been in contact with the man for years, choosing to live her life as she always had, alone, save for her Nyla. She slouched back into her chair and studied Sokka's expression and posture.

She knew better than to ask him why he needed her assistance. June's drink was placed in front of her and she quickly grabbed it and downed nearly half of it in one gulp. Sokka looked at her, a shadow of his normal cluelessness present. What internal struggle was this man going through?

"What? It's been a long day. My bounty almost got away at the last moment thanks to you. I need time to study my prey before going in. You hardly gave me any notice. How did you find me anyway?" June scowled.

"You track in a triangular pattern, to size up the suspect before you pounce. I've studied your movements for the past few years just in case I'd need your assistance."

June blinked. Damn. She hasn't even realized that she moved in a pattern. Count on him to notice.

"You've studied me?"

Sokka looked up at the woman calculatingly, his hand tight around his glass. He noticed the bemused smirk creeping on to the woman's face.

"I do that," he responded gruffly before standing, "I'll speak more about it at first light."

Sokka took off to start his climb toward the third floor of the inn, where he was staying. He nearly made it to his room when his senses were alerted by the interruption of the shadows behind him.

The bounty hunter's back was slammed against the cold wood of the inn's eastern wall.

Her ever-present smirk was still there.

"Oh, stop with the face," Sokka spoke before pushing his lips roughly against June's. Ever so limber, June lifted her legs to wrap them around the strongly built body of the sword master.

She had followed him to his room stealthily. Or so she had thought. She couldn't help it. The man intrigued her.

He had for years.

:)