Ch. 11
One year later after the war and Fire Lord Ozai being stripped of both title and bending. Zuko is now the Fire Lord and all nations are at peace. Katara and Sokka had returned to the South Pole with all the other men and their father. They were the South Pole ambassadors and between peace talks, Katara and Sokka were busy fixing up the South Pole, transforming the small igloos into much more extravagant huts, similar to those of the North Pole. Several of the water benders (mostly male) from the North had moved to the South Pole to help with the reconstruction and to live there amongst the primarily female population. Master Pakku acted as the North Pole ambassador, King Kuei and of course Toph as the Earth ambassadors so they, Katara, Sokka and Zuko were often meeting with Aang to arrange treaties and trade agreements. Aang meanwhile was traveling the world, often staying a few weeks at a time at his friend's places all over the nations. Katara's and Zuko's relationship was a bit strained from the distance, but they were seeing each other on almost a regular basis and for those few days a month, they were hard to separate.
Sokka found his sister directing and leading the resurrection of the giant ice wall to act as a grand entry way for what used to be their tiny village. "Katara!" He called, but it was hard to be overheard by all the straining benders. Sokka jogged over, carefully skirting around the assortment of water benders till he reached his sister. "Katara!" She glanced at him over her shoulder. "Aang's here."
Excitement glowed in her eyes, same as when any of her friends came to visit. "You guys have almost got it! Takata, you got it from here?" She called to one of the older boys and he nodded and took over barking orders. "Come on!" She grabbed her brother's gloved hand in passing and ran, dragging him along.
They burst breathless into the tribe chief's building and ran straight to their father's office. "Aang!" Katara called out gleefully, wrapping the ever growing air bender in a hug.
"Hey Katara!" He greeted, returning her hug and turned to Sokka, "Hey Sokka!" Momo crept out of Aang's flowing robe and jumped to Katara.
"Hi Momo!" Katara greeted fondly scratching the flying lemur behind the ears and he crooned at the attention.
"Ready guys?" Aang asked, an excited glint in his eyes. The two siblings nodded eagerly. Aang turned to their father and shook his hand respectfully. "Thank you again Chief Hakoda."
The chief nodded graciously. "Have fun and fly safe." Was his usual parting words whenever Aang came to fetch his children.
"Thanks dad." Katara stood on tiptoe to give him a quick peck on the cheek and Sokka shook his father's hand and with the other arm they clapped each other in a one armed hug before they all left for the new stables where Appa was waiting.
They were greeted by a loud growl from Appa and Katara rushed to hug him and scratch the fur between his eyes. Aang air bended himself atop Appas head and seized the reins while Katara and Sokka crawled into the saddle.
"Just like old times." Sokka said and he stretched out on the saddle into a comfortable position.
"Yip yip!" Aang hollered and with another growl, Appa launched into the air and Katara hung over the edge, waving to the people below her before settling at the front of the saddle so she could talk to Aang.
"It's looking real good Katara. You guys have made a lot of progress since I've last seen it."
"Yeah," She crossed her arms on the edge of the saddle and put her head on top of them. "We've just about finished the entryway and we've got all the houses up. My dad wants things to be a bit more traditional, like they used to be a long time ago, so he still wants an arena for events and games, a big meeting hall, he wants it to be just like the North Pole but with a South Pole twist."
"You haven't told him the best part yet!" Sokka laughed from the back half of the saddle.
Aang turned curiously and excitedly. "What's the best part?"
Katara groaned. "The village decided that since we're going back to old traditions and like the North Pole, they decided that since our dad is chief, they insist on calling Sokka and I Prince and Princess of the South Pole." She finished with rolling her eyes.
"Royalty! Can you believe it?" Sokka laughed.
Aang swiveled backwards on Appa and bowed deeply from his seated position, "You're highness!" Aang said, grasping her hand and kissing it teasingly.
"Stop it." She said pulling away in mock anger. They all cast looks amongst themselves and started laughing.
The fire nation palace came into view and they were all eager for their own reasons. Sokka hadn't eaten for almost the full day and his stomach was protesting loudly. Katara missed Zuko sorely and was becoming anxious to see him. Aang was looking forward to seeing his friend who he hadn't seen in a while. A friendly welcome was called and they were greeted at the stables of the palace where they were helped down and escorted to the main doors. Iroh came down the steps and welcomed them warmly. Katara rushed to give him a hug.
"Hello my dear." He patted her back.
"It's been a while Iroh."
"Indeed it has." He turned his attention to the boys. "And it's good to see you two again, Sokka, Aang."
Aang politely took his extended hand and so did Sokka but soon after his stomach interrupted in an impatient growl. He looked up at Iroh sheepishly. "Meat?"
Iroh gave a warm chuckle. "Follow me." He turned to lead Sokka and Aang into the palace and then he turned to Katara who was trying to inconspicuously search for Zuko. "He's in the garden. You know the way." He gave her a knowing smile and she nodded, traipsing down the stairs she jogged around the side of the palace where a large garden crowded with flowers and trees. She slowed and wandered between the rows of sweet smelling plants. Finally she spotted him on a stone bench beside a giant bush of lilacs.
She stilled watching him at peace. It was nice to see him looking so happy and content. She leaned against a thick tree trunk and watched him. Zuko felt eyes on him and he looked up and spotted Katara watching him from a tree. The impatient tension he had tried to lessen by sitting in his mothers garden, next to the lilac bush that reminded him of Katara finally lessened as he saw her. The knot in his stomach that would tighten when he started to miss her finally began to unwind. He stood, a warm smile lighting his face as he walked to her and she stepped away from the tree and into his open arms where he tightly embraced her.
"Katara." He whispered.
"I missed you Zuko." She pulled back and looked into the amber eyes that haunted her dreams. He leaned down and kissed her sweetly and tenderly.
"I missed you too." He pulled back. "I have something for you." He dug into his robe and produced something shiny and took her slender wrist and slipped the bracelet on.
On closer inspection, it was delicate gold and silver wires forming a graceful dragon that encircled her wrist and its eyes were small rubies. "Oh Zuko," she breathed. "It's beautiful!"
He rubbed the back of his neck embarrassed. "It's uh, fire nation tradition to uh… give a bracelet to, uh, the girl you like." He gave her a sheepish smile, red coloring his cheeks.
"I love it." She murmured before kissing him again.
"Should we head in with the others?" He asked taking her hand and slowly leading her out of the garden and up the palace steps to the meeting room for the meeting with all the nations' ambassadors.
After their peace talks and trade agreements for the day, they all dined in the dining hall and feasted on several fire nation delicacies. After dinner, everyone adjourned to their own personal rooms and Zuko escorted Katara into a particularly elegant suite, one that conveniently was right next to Zuko's and even had a connecting door.
"If you need anything…" He started.
"I know." She stared at him, her blue eyes warm and he gave her a caring smile.
"Alright then."
"Good night."
"Good night Katara." He pulled her to him, hugging her tightly and buried his face in her hair, inhaling the scent he had been trying to recapture in the garden, that of lilac and salt water. She nuzzled into his neck, enjoying his warmth and drinking in the smell of wood smoke and rain that she had missed so much it had almost hurt. They stood there for a while, reluctant to part until Zuko felt her yawn against him. He eased away, gave her a quick kiss on the forehead before finally leaving for his room and letting her sleep.
She stripped down to a silky blue night gown she had requested to be made for her to sleep in. She smoothed it against her body and sat at a table before a vanity mirror and slowly undid her braid, fluffing her hair out into its natural waves. Feeling content after spending time with Zuko, having a big meal and the luxury around her, the need for sleep lured her to the humongous bed and she let out a groan of pleasure as she sunk deeply into the soft down blankets and squashy mattress. This must be heaven she thought as she let her lids close. She drifted into a deep sleep filled with dreams.
It started pleasantly back when she was on the ship with Zuko. She dreamed of when she had been water bending under the full moon. The light filtering through the ice sending a cascade of rainbows over the deck as Zuko slowly approached her. Then things took a turn for the worse. She was thrown into the sea, raging in a terrible storm; the memory of the salt watering burning her lungs was so real. Suddenly she was dragged beneath the surface and it was cold and dark. Next thing she knew there was a small flickering light that was quickly eclipsed by a large shadow.
"Finders keepers." It rasped. She gasped in horror and scuttled away from the hulking figure of Ichiru. She found her back against a cold metal wall. She went to bend at him, but found her bending was gone. She looked around for something to defend herself with, but there was nothing. She tried to reassure herself that Zuko had taught her hand to hand combat, but as he came at her in the dim light, she realized he was now standing nearly ten feet tall and much bigger than she remembered. He easily pinned her against the wall, his ham of a hand grasping her throat and she clawed futilely at him.
She was choking and nothing was going to get him to let her go. Her vision was going dark when she heard a familiar voice. "Let her go!"
He dropped her in a heap. "Zuko…" She gasped. He was so small against Ichiru, looking almost pitiful. Zuko went to bend fire against him, but nothing cam e out. Just the slightest puff of smoke left his hand and he watched it in concern before Ichiru back handed him hard against the far wall. She was trying to gather herself to help Zuko as Ichiru descended upon him. The mountain of a man was on top of Zuko and strangling him. He was trapped beneath him and no amount of struggling or fighting from either of them was going to release his hold. She watched as a flicker passed across his eyes before shutting forever.
"NO!" She woke up screaming in a cold sweat. She was panting and wiped the cold sweat from her brow. She was so shaken she had to get out of bed. Zuko was dead! "No, that was just a dream." She reassured herself and she hugged her arms to herself, feeling cold as the sweat dried. Unable to shake the unease and wanting to calm her nerves by proving he was okay, she quietly cracked the door between her room and his and she flinched as it squeaked. She took a step or two past the threshold, waiting for her eyes to adjust and she shivered in the darkness, extremely aware that she had been in the dark in her nightmare. She shuttered at the thought. Slowly she could start making out furniture and saw the four poster bed, fit for a king, which suited his new position.
She took a few more timid steps closer till she could see the lump under the covers and watched as the blankets rose and fell. Feeling only marginally better, she watched him, hoping the dream would leave her soon. It was cold in his room and her thin silk gown wasn't much protection and she rubbed her arms for warmth and comfort. She felt awkward watching him sleep, but she didn't want to go back to her room, not yet, not while the images of plunging into the sea, losing her bending, being attacked by Ichiru and losing Zuko forever were still fresh in her mind. She shuttered again, a quiet unnerved sound escaping her lips.
The steady rise and fall ceased and Zuko began to stir. Feeling embarrassed she was ready to go back to her room and started quietly backing up a few steps.
"Katara?" He sounded a bit groggy and she froze. Even in the dark, his amber eyes caught hers easily. He saw her hunched in on herself, arms wrapped around her and the too familiar look of fear. He was alert immediately. He threw the covers off and stood, pausing only a moment to strip a thick blanket off the bed after seeing her body trembling. Slowly he stalked towards her, trying not to spook her. "What's wrong?"
She shook her head and looked away, ashamed. His footsteps were so quiet, it wasn't until he was trying to drape the blanket across her shoulders did she realize he was even there and she jumped.
"Katara…" he whispered soothingly as he pulled the blanket around her, it was still warm from his body heat. She finally looked at him, something shining in her eyes and tears were threatening. Only then did she realize that all he wore were a pair of dark pants, his chest bare, and seeing him alright and full of concern was she able to muster enough composure to speak.
"I thought you were dead." She choked, and flung her arms around him, shaking and crying onto his warm skin.
He stiffened, but rubbed her back and pulled the blanket more securely around her and closer to him to try to ease the shaking. "It's alright, come here." Slowly he led her back to his bed where he slid up so his back was resting against the headboard and he pulled her so she was snuggled against him and he tucked the blanket around her and brushed the hair and tears from her face. He waited for her to calm down a bit and when she had stopped shaking except for the occasional shiver he whispered, "Bad dream?"
She nodded vigorously into his chest.
"Want to tell me about it?"
She started to shake her head no, but why shouldn't she tell him? It's not like anything could hurt her now. Not when her head rested comfortably on his chest and one arm wrapped around her while the other idly played with her hair in a relaxing manner. "I was drowning and couldn't bend." She took a deep breath. "Ichiru…" His arm tightened protectively around her and his expression became hard and hatred flitted in his eyes. "He attacked me again, but he was much bigger this time and then… he killed you."
He sighed heavily, pulling her almost on top of him. "It was just a dream. A really bad dream."
"I know." She whispered quietly, feeling guilty for waking and worrying him over such a silly thing.
"I won't let anything like that happen ever again." It wasn't a statement, it was a promise.
"I know."
He wanted her to realize how serious he was. "No one will hurt you, ever." To emphasize his point he pulled her up on his chest so his lips could reach hers that much more easily. "I won't leave you, no matter what."
Her hand clutched him and she nuzzled into his neck, believing every word.
"You're safe now Katara. Sleep."
A part of her wanted to object, too small to cause her to argue and she was so tired and he was so warm. It was easy to drift into a peaceful slumber, entangled with Zuko, the man she loved.
Morning came all too soon. The curtains were drawn, but Zuko could feel the sun rising and it roused him. He was about to move when he realized there was something soft and warm against him. He cracked an eyelid to find Katara sleeping soundly curled in his arms and instinct led him to tighten his grip for a moment possessively. His eye caught something glinting and slowly realized it was the bracelet he had given her. Mine. The thought slipped into his head. She was his and he was so happy the woman he loved had accepted the bracelet that had been his mothers. It was the equivalent to the betrothal necklace of her mother's that hung around her neck. He hadn't wanted to tell her that just yet, but it made him feel better seeing it on her, knowing she really would be his someday and that proved a warning to any other males, at least those familiar with fire nation custom.
There were things that needed to be done, but he couldn't bring himself to leave her alone. He shifted, trying not to jostle her.
"Mmm…" She murmured, her eyes still closed, she snuggled closer to him and he brushed a stray strand of hair from her face. Slowly her eyes fluttered open.
"Good morning." He whispered as her cheeks reddened. She looked absolutely adorable.
"Morning." She slowly sat up and the blankets fell away from both of them. Embarrassed by the amount of skin showing around her small silk gown, she tugged it to her chest again and then she noticed that she had left a deliciously defined bare-chested Zuko exposed as well. Her blush deepened and she swung her legs over the bed, her back to him and hastily wrapped the sheet around herself like a robe.
Zuko chuckled at her show of shyness and she shot him a half hearted glare. He stood and stretched, allowing her a better look at his stomach, chest and arms, grinning when he caught her ogling him. She quickly looked away and adjusted the sheet so nothing was exposed below her neck. He was enjoying this game and wanted to see how far he could take it. He slinked over to her, making sure he caught her eye. He saw her watching out of her periphery and he trailed his fingers through her hair, down her neck, letting them slide across her collar bone and then slowly brought her chin up.
"Let me give you a better greeting on this beautiful morning." Slowly, testing her boundaries, his fingers slid beneath the sheet, running across her soft, warm skin, slowly peeling the sheet from her. She was so intoxicated by his scent and she was pinned beneath his golden stare that never looked away. The cotton sheet pooled about her feet, and she stood unmoving. His hands stopped at her shoulders and he tore his gaze from her and let it flit down her figure.
An involuntary intake of breath took him. He had caught a glimpse of her last night, but it had been dark. In the light that had managed to snake through the curtains, the silky blue garment hung to her knees and clung to her many curves, low cut and strappy. He had to feel her lips on his; his burning desire demanded it. Roughly he tugged her to him and crushed her lips beneath his. She melded into him and finally parted out of breath. Her hands reached up to brush the shaggy hair from his face and he caught the one that held the bracelet. He couldn't keep it from her any longer.
"Do you know what this means?"
She gave him a confused look. "What what means?"
"The bracelet."
"It's more than a gift?" An eyebrow raised.
"Kind of." He was fidgety and he lightly pressed on the pendant that hung from the ribbon about her neck. "It's like this."
"My mother's necklace? How?" She seemed surprised.
"The water tribe has betrothal necklaces. The fire nation has betrothal bracelets." Anxiously he pressed on, bringing her attention back to the dragon encircling her slender wrist. "This was my mothers."
She fingered the finery with new appreciation, looking it over in a whole new light. "So what does this mean?" Her voice was empty as was her expression, waiting for some cue from him. This was the part he was afraid of.
"It can mean that you're mine." He looked up from the spot on the floor he had been staring at. Meeting her eyes with a broken confidence, vulnerable for the first time in a long time. Seeing the hesitation on her face, he added, "but you don't have to keep it if you want. I'd understand…"
"Zuko." His name whispered brought his head and hopes up. "I love it. And I'm already yours, just as you are mine."
In a burst of ecstasy, he picked her up and spun her around, lowering her to him, kissing her lightly on the lips. "I love you."
"I love you too." He set her down and she squirmed away from him. "I have to get dressed! There's still so much to do. We still have our meetings and I have to start telling people."
"Telling people…?" He asked in a daze at her sudden enthusiasm and energy.
"That we're engaged?"
"Oh. Yes."
She gasped. "Oh! I have to tell dad! And Gran-Gran!"
He caught her wrist and spun her back to him before she could run into her room to change. "Wait Katara. I think I should talk to your dad first." Understanding slowly crossed her expression. "I want to make sure your father is okay with this first."
"What about Iroh?"
"He's been asking me when I'd give you the bracelet. I conveniently found it in my mother's jewelry box atop my dresser several weeks ago."
Katara grinned at the brash actions Iroh took to indulge his nephew; irritating him was always a given bonus.
"With your permission I'd like to meet with your father personally."
"You could fly back with us tomorrow." Katara offered enticingly. "I'm sure Aang and Appa wouldn't mind giving you a ride back. You're on the way to the North Pole where Aang was discussing meditating with Tui and La again; the moon and ocean spirits."
"Perfect. I'd like to see how your village is coming along. It's been three months since our council meeting at the south pole."
"I think you'll be pleasantly surprised." She grinned at him.
Sarahplainntall here guys. Hope you enjoyed. Please comment and stuff. It keeps me motivated.