Ch. 18
Haru, Toph, Suki, Sokka and Aang were helping put together the stage in the arena where Katara would perform that night in front of all their guests from all over the world. Sokka was called away before noon to greet the incoming fire nation competitors with his family. He sidled up to his sister and she looked exhausted and dreading more young men fighting for her hand.
"You okay?" He whispered.
She shrugged. "I'm just ready to get this over with."
Two ships were slowly making their way into the port. One of them looked very familiar and Katara groaned.
"Katara?" Her father asked, looking down the line at her with concern.
"Nothing. I just don't feel very good."
"Will you be alright for tonight?" He asked worriedly. Tonight was supposed to be a big banquet welcoming everyone to the South Pole after her performance.
"Ya, I should be fine." She assured him. But Gran-Gran gave her a knowing look and a wink which Katara gave her a weak smile back. The first ship docked and unloaded and they went through the lengthy process of introductions and sending them off with villagers to show them their new and temporary homes. Haru must have finished early, because he had joined the villagers in showing them around.
Once they were gone, the next ship, the one she had been dreading unloaded. Two men walked down the plank, the first was old and had a large belly and she was relieved to see him. The other was tall, strong, handsome even with the large red scar over one eye and was who she had been dreading ever since her father announced the tournament.
"Chief Hakoda. It's a pleasure to finally be able to see your village. My nephew and I are honored to be here."
"The pleasure is all mine, General Iroh." Hakoda greeted warmly, shaking the old man's hand.
"Please just Iroh. And who is this lovely lady?" He asked going to embrace Kanna
"You are too kind." Gran-Gran responded. "We have heard many wonderful things about you Iroh."
"And I you. Sokka, you are turning into quite the strapping young man. I assume you'll take over your father's duties some day?"
"Yes sir." He said grinning at the compliment, standing a bit straighter.
"Katara my dear! How lovely it is to see you again! I have missed you sorely."
"Oh Iroh, it's so good to see you again." Despite all her nerves and anger, she held nothing but joy at seeing Iroh again. She embraced him warmly. "You'll have to treat me to a pot of jasmine tea. Nothing else has ever measured up."
"Absolutely. Once I'm settled, you and your friends will have to come by and have a cup." He grinned and stepped aside, waiting for his nephew to greet the others as well. The smile faded from Katara as he started with her father.
"Chief Hakoda." He said formally, he bowed his head and took his hand. "It is an honor to be invited to such an occasion."
"Of course, it's an honor to have you here Fire Lord Zuko."
His smile was faint as he nodded and moved on to shake Kanna's offered hand. "Kanna."
"Zuko." She smiled warmly at him. She had always liked him, he was a fine man and he had once made her granddaughter very happy.
"Sokka." Zuko greeted going on to greet the warrior.
Sokka's hand automatically went to his hip where his space rock sword had once been but it came up empty and he gripped Zuko's hand with unnecessary roughness, squeezing tightly while narrowing his gaze menacingly, but discretely enough to not be yelled at by his father. Zuko seemed unaffected and met his gaze mildly, suspecting he had been informed of his transgressions. "Zuko. My sister's informed me of what you've been up to lately. You sound like you've been… busy."
Zuko flinched, anger roaring but carefully contained as he passively allowed his hand to be crushed, but refusing to give him any satisfaction. He nodded before standing before Katara who refused to look him in the eye.
"Katara." He said, the pleading coming across in his tone.
"That's Princess Katara." Sokka corrected quietly.
Katara frowned at her brother for interfering and giving her that wretched title.
"Princess Katara." He restated, reaching forward to touch her hand.
"Fire Lord Zuko." She said coolly, giving it a limp shake before pulling back, her face blank, completely void of emotion.
"I was wondering if I could have a word." he caught Sokka's scowl. "In private."
"I'm sorry Fire Lord, but I'm very busy today and tomorrow so I'll have to decline." The overly polite and curt tone cut Zuko deeply, but he couldn't really blame her.
"Perhaps if you could find some time…?" He took a step closer and Haru stepped between them.
"Allow me to show you to your quarters, Fire Lord Zuko. There's a cabin erected especially for you, if you'll follow me." Haru gestured for him to step away before leading him far from Katara and the others. Katara exhaled and slumped in relief when Zuko was out of sight, stiffly following Haru.
Her father was watching both his children at their odd behavior, but before he could ask Katara found an excuse. "I should go to Kima's. She's expecting me and Meena is there too. I should start getting ready for my dance." Before her father could respond, she quickly turned on heel and sought refuge in the older woman's hut.
She was stunned to be greeted by Bosco when she first walked in and he tilted his furry head curiously at her entry. "Uh… Kima?" She called into the cabin.
"Katara, I've been expecting you." She said coming around the corner, wiping her hands on an old towel. "Don't mind Bosco, King Kuei is out touring the village some more. Come, there is much to do. Meena is already here." And she ushered the girl into a separate room strewn with cloth and silk, sitting at a small table was Meena, digging through a box of facial paints and powders.
"About time you got here." Meena said rising and abandoning the makeup. "Come, we have a lot to do."
That evening, just after the sun had set everyone had gathered in the arena, completely filling it surrounding a raised stage. Katara's family, Aang, Suki, Toph, the earth king, master Pakku, Zuko and Iroh took up the first row in front of the stage and all the other suitors and their family's filled in the rest of the seats. Haru had volunteered to work security at the side entry stairs of the stage. Hakoda took to the stage to kick off the performance.
"Welcome everyone, my family and I are so glad you could all join us. Tonight, my daughter Katara will be performing a traditional dance of our people and shortly after, we will be feasting on a grand banquet in celebration of peace, my people's revival and my daughter's hand. Tomorrow will be what you've all been waiting for, the tournament to test your strength and prove your skills. I hope you all enjoy and now I welcome my daughter to the stage."
Katara was met with tremendous applause and cheering as she gracefully mounted the stairs and stood ready and waiting in the center stage. She was a sight to behold. Long flowing silks that shifted as she walked, revealing peeks of flesh from her legs, arms and midriff. They were varying shades of blue, gray and whites draped artfully over her shapely body. Her long flowing hair was brushed out, her hair loopies pulled back and a few silver and blue beads adorned her hair, catching the moonlight. Her lips were full and red, her eyes shaded in blue-gray and the mark of bravery she had earned from Bato adorned her forehead in black. She was radiant, glowing in the light of the full moon and the torches around the stage.
She stood with her head bowed, hair falling in soft curtains until the music provided by some of the villagers on the ground next to the stage started. She began the dance, swaying slowly picking up speed. She drew water to her from the ornate urns on either side of the stage and commenced with her spinning and occasionally performing an impressive flip or cartwheel, the water following her like the beautiful scarves, reflecting the light in gleaming prisms of color. Making a sweeping motion with her arms, one stream arcing over the width of the stage and freezing solid, creating a curved dome of ice that filtered the moonlight casting soft rainbows across her skin and the floor. The other stream of water was split in two and she continued dancing, picking up speed, swaying her hips, the silk parting for flashes of her exotically tanned skin and slowed again with the cues from the music. It came to a crescendo and Katara thrust her arms up, shattering the arc and soft snow fell over her still form as she stood with her arms up and head back gazing into the sky.
The crowds burst from their seated position to cheer, scream and whistle their praise. Katara straightened her position and bowed, gathering some of the silks as she picked her way to the stairs. As she found the top step with her slippered feet, a hand reached up to help her down and she took it, smiling gratefully at Haru.
"Katara. You look beautiful. That was incredible."
"Thank you." She blushed at his compliment. As she reached the bottom she saw the crowds swarming, trying to approach her. She looked at Haru with concern.
"Go. I'll keep them back and meet up with you later before dinner."
"You sure?"
"Go." She turned to leave. "Katara," She turned. "You're amazing…" There were no words to describe how much he wanted her, how beautiful she was and how astounding her performance had been. She smiled at him and turned to go back to the main building she often traveled to get back to her hut to change. As she walked the empty hall, she pulled water from her ever present water skein on her hip and washed away the makeup. She heard a noise behind her and turned, halting the water whip a mere inch from Zuko's face.
In the crowds Zuko had managed to escape his formal robes, tucking the crowning flame piece from his hair in them and tucking it below his seat. His many days as the Blue Spirit had lended to his crafty ways of sliding past the security to follow Katara to finally get a moment alone with her.
"Zuko." She said, shocked. She pulled the water back to her canteen. "What are you doing?"
"I told you I wanted to talk to you."
Shock no longer immobilizing her temper she turned to face him fully, pulling herself upright, refusing to feel self conscious in her revealing outfit. "I'm busy." She turned to leave but he caught her wrist spinning her back around. His face serious but torn. "Let go Zuko." She said, barely able to keep her voice level.
"Only if you listen to me."
She jerked her hand out of his grip. "I'm done listening to your lies." She hissed dangerously.
"Damn it Katara!" His fist slammed into the wall at his side and she jumped, but quickly regained her angry pose. He lowered his voice and turned his golden stare on her intently. "I've never lied to you."
"No, you've just kissed Mai." She scoffed, deciding anger was better than the hurt she was feeling.
"I didn't kiss her."
"I saw you!"
"Katara." He soothed, grasping her upper arms and staring intently into her blue eyes. "I never kissed her." He reiterated. She opened her mouth to reply, but he cut her off. "She kissed me."
"So?" It was hard to remain angry, she could just feel the throbbing of her heart, the blood rushing in her ears and her stomach twisting painfully.
"So I never kissed her, she just kissed me."
"It doesn't matter. You still kissed." She turned her head away to hide the moisture in her eyes.
"It was the only way she could find comfort. Her father had just had a heart attack and she wasn't sure if he was going to live or not. She loved me once and I care about her. That embrace, that kiss, those were the only ways she knew how to let me tell her it would be alright."
"You care about her…" She whispered, feeling her heart wrench painfully.
"Yes. As a friend. We practically grew up together because she was Azula's friend. But I love you."
She shook her head.
"I do. I only love you and I always have. Katara… When you left…" He voice broke and was pained. She didn't want to hear anymore. It all hurt too much. His grip on her tightened though. "When you left and I found your bracelet, I was devastated."
"Stop." She said meekly. Her anger had evaporated and was replaced with pained confusion.
"I couldn't stand it. And then I got your letter…"
"No more…"
"I took my dagger. I thought so many times about dragging it across my wrists…"
"No!" She screamed. She couldn't listen to anymore. She tried to clasp her hands over her ears and leave, but he still held her firmly.
"Katara." He soothed and pulled her into him and she didn't resist. Her head hurt. There were too many thoughts going on. "I love you. I can't live without you." She leaned numbly into his chest. "Tonight, Agni help me… Tonight I couldn't bear to wait any longer. You looked so beautiful and that dance… It reminded me of back on the ship when you practiced under the full moon and by the fountain where we first kissed. I had to tell you it was a misunderstanding, that I love you, I need you."
There was so much emotion in his voice and his eyes. He brushed the hair from her face and kissed her. She couldn't make herself respond. She was too confused. He had kissed Mai though, right?
Sensing her unresponsiveness, he pushed harder and she was pressed into the wall, trapped by him. The cold night air no longer affected her through her thin clothes for his body pressed tightly against hers was hot with fire and need. The desperately missed scent of wood smoke and rain invaded her senses and she let herself realize for a moment how much she had missed him. Her legs felt like rubber and she didn't seem able to hold her weight. Zuko's hands snaked to her hips and supported her as he pressed her into the wall even tighter. Utterly confused, she finally responded to his desperate barrage.
"Get away from her!" An angry male voice echoed down the hallway towards them.
Zuko spun and growled low in his throat and Katara could see a very angry Haru quickly making his way towards them. "Mind your own business." Zuko snarled at him.
"I said get away from her!" Haru said giving Zuko a hearty shove forcing him stumbling back and away from Katara. She slumped against the wall before the adrenaline kicked in and she found her feet again.
"Haru stop!" He took a protective stance in front of her, casting an arm out and back to keep her from coming forward.
"Katara are you alright?" He asked, tilting his head towards her, but keeping his eyes on Zuko.
"Haru, I'm fine." She put a comforting hand on his arm.
He took his gaze off Zuko and turned it to her, gently brushing his thumb across her cheek. "Are you sure?"
Zuko could feel a possessive anger boiling inside him. "Don't touch her." He hissed coming forward and tugging the front of his shirt so he was closer to the scarred prince and away from her.
Haru was bigger, sturdily built like his element, but Zuko was fast, moving like a flickering flame. Haru brought one arm down, knocking Zuko's hands from him and the other arm was coming around to deliver a powerful blow, but Zuko was fast and dodged it, bringing a foot into Haru's gut. Haru caught his foot after grunting and swung him around into the ground.
"Stop it!" Katara shrieked.
The two grappled on the ground, trading punches and Katara was yelling at them to stop. A man dashed in and ripped the two of them apart.
"Bato." Katara cried relieved.
"Katara. Go change. I've got this." She stood stunned for a moment, looking at the blood running from Zuko's lip and Haru's nose. "Go." She nodded and quickly left.
"You're supposed to save that kind of stuff until tomorrow." Bato scolded, firmly gripping their shirt fronts. They looked away ashamed and catching their breath. "Go get cleaned up, dinner is starting soon." He pushed them in opposite directions and after they walked away he sighed, shaking his head and rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Boys." He muttered.
Sarahplainntall here. Hope you guys enjoyed that chapter! I know a lot of you were eager to see Zuko again. Is the suspense building? ; D Let me know; comment and review!