Chapter Two
The Palace garden was beautiful, magnificent, really. Placed in the center of the huge palace, the entire courtyard was larger than four ball rooms put together. It had a dazzling array of flowers, tree's and plants from every nation. It even had the fire lilies Katara had seen when she was in the Fire Nation so long ago.
The master water bender had been leisurely walking around the garden for about half an hour now, finding new paths on and off of the stepping stones.
After a little more exploring, Katara found a spot that looked inviting underneath a cherry blossom tree, although it wasn't in bloom yet. She sat down after smoothing the grass beneath her. Katara rested the back of her head against the trunk of the tree and closed her eyes for a mere moment when she heard a twig snap.
Her eyes shot open, and she quickly started to dart her eyes back and forth looking for a threat. She saw nothing. It must have been my imagination. Nothing to worry about. Katara thought to herself.
For so long Katara had been accustomed to always having to be alert and ready for attack; she had never been able to stop being extra cautious. It didn't hurt either, now that there were so many rebels who would love to see Katara die at their hand.
Katara started to settle back into position when she heard leaves rustle, and then footsteps. She was on her feet almost immediately. Katara could now see a silhouette in the shadows of the surrounding trees. Katara tensed and started noting where all the water sources were around her. There was a pond a ways back; too far. She could bend the water out of the plants, but she would hate to see them die, but if it came to it, she would.
The figure stepped out of the shadows and into the bright sunlight. It was a man.
It was Zuko.
"K-Ka-tara?" Zuko stuttered out in an alarmed voice. A confused and embarrassed expression appeared on his face. "What are you doing here?"
Those were the first words Zuko had spoken to Katara in three achingly long years.
"That's none of your business is it, Zuko. I should be asking you what your doing here." She spat back, angry with Zuko–and herself.
"I was just on my way to the meeting . . ." He responded, lowering his eyes.
"Oh really Zuko, because I am fairly certain the meeting room is that way," Katara pointed behind him and was almost yelling now, "and that still doesn't explain why you're here, in Ba-sing-se. Everyone was told you couldn't make it. Why are you here?"
Katara didn't know why she was so angry now. It was almost as if all of her emotions that she thought were buried deep inside her were seeping out now, after all of this time.
Katara looked into Zuko's eyes, almost hidden by a shadow.
Why did you leave me? Her eyes asked.
"I-I'm sorry, Katara." Zuko answered.
He now met his amber eyes to Katara's piercing blue ones. He flinched at the site of them, as if he was scared. He didn't know if he was apologizing for what he did in the past, what he'll do in the future, or the fact that he didn't have the courage to face her any longer.
Zuko left, leaving Katara–alone– again.
Iroh was starting to doze off as he listened to the monotone voice of the current speaker.
I'm getting tired of listening to this man drone on about land distributions. Doesn't anyone know how to have fun around here? The old man adjusted himself and started to yawn, when he saw a figure pacing back and forth in the left hall. So he decided to show up after all. Iroh smirked in amusement.
"Governor Leong, I do not intend to dishonor you by interrupting, but if you please, Fire Lord Zuko has arrived." Iroh said as he stood up, and walked towards his now grimacing nephew and winked. Walking out of the room, Iroh left Zuko alone with everyone's eyes glued to him, ensuring he couldn't turn back.
Zuko took his Uncle's seat beside the other empty seat next to Aang. The young Fire Lord met eyes with the Avatar and smiled, or at least tried to. Aang, being himself, laughed and greeted him with a wave like a best friend– not like the ruler of a still powerful nation.
Zuko, despite being embarrassed, was happy to see that Aang seemed not to have changed much on the inside; Although, it was apparent he had on the outside.
Aang was still a bald monk, but now he had some real muscle on him, and his face had lost it's babyish shape and was now much more angular and handsome. Aang was definitely not the little kid Zuko had chased so long ago.
"Long time no see, huh, Zuko?" Aang whispered, "How's Mai doing?" he added.
"Fine." Zuko replied, maybe a little too quickly.
"Did you happen to see Katara on your way here?" Aang asked in an even lower voice to make sure no one else heard him.
Zuko cleared his throat nervously. "Uh . . . yeah. I ran into her. Why do you ask?"
"Well, she ran off a little earlier, and I just want to know if she's all right or not. I'm glad she was able to see you, 'cause you guys haven't really spoken to each other that much since the war ended right? I bet she missed you–– oh, look! There she is!"
Aang was right, Katara was there.
Zuko gulped, glancing at the only open seat beside him. He squirmed just thinking of how uncomfortable this meeting was going to be.
After sitting in the immense garden long enough to pull herself back together, Katara decided it was time to go back to the meeting.
Surely being distracted by Aang would be better then having to think about the pain that had been unearthed inside her today. Surely she couldn't feel worse than she was feeling now– at least, that's what she hoped.
Katara ran through the vast labyrinth of the palace, not stopping to admire the brilliant wood carvings or the beautiful murals on the ceiling, and arrived at the crowded meeting room. Everyone stared at her. Obviously she was interrupting, since everyone stopped talking and there eyes were focused onto her.
Smoothing out her tousled gown, Katara closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths and slowly walked halfway to her seat when she realized Iroh had either dyed, cut his hair, and became Fire Lord, or that the person sitting where Iroh should've been was Zuko.
Crap! Katara thought to herself once she realized who she would have to be sitting by for the rest of the meeting. Crap, crap, crap!
Katara could feel the emotions she was trying to hide away again bubbling up inside of her, just waiting to burst out. She couldn't let that happen. Not in front of all these people. Not in front of Aang. No one but Zuko and her knew about what happened between them, and Katara didn't want to change that.
So, Katara, not letting her emotions get the best of her, just grimaced and sat down in her seat, being sure to angle herself away from Zuko and towards Aang.
Then Katara noticed the awkward silence that had taken over the room.
"What are you guys waiting for? Continue already, okay?" she said in an annoyed tone, breaking the silence, "Don't let me hold up your meeting."
In response, just about everyone started to clear their throats loudly.
A man, about 40 years of age with a clean shave and short hair stood up and cleared his throat, again and louder, to get everyone's attention.
"Now as I was saying," he began, "the Fire Lord has arrived, and I think this would be the most opportune time to bring up the search for Ursa of the Fire Nation, more specifically, Fire Lord Zuko's missing mother."
Katara noticed Zuko stiffen at the mention of his mother. Aang gave Zuko a quick worried glance in concern for his friend.
The man standing up continued, "I think instead of using our previous methods of interrogations, we should have an elite select few to look for her. These people would need to have immense skill, knowledge, and not be afraid of risks considering that she could be in the captivity of Fire Nation rebels– Do we have any nominations?"
A young Earth Kingdom politician stood up signaling that he wanted to speak. "I believe Fire Lord Zuko should be the leader of this mission, considering he was close to Lady Ursa, not to mention his remarkable skills and intelligence."
Several people started to argue, but were interrupted by the deep, booming voice of an overweight Fire Nation noble woman. "I do not want our Fire Lord going on such a dangerous mission, since he has no heirs, unless there are only people he chooses and trusts. That is the only way I could even think of such a thing happening." She said bringing on a new wave of voices agreeing or disagreeing.
At this point, Mustache Man decided to rejoin the conversation, "Perhaps, we should ask the Fire Lord himself if he would even consider going on this mission, and if he does, then we could consult him on the option of who he would bring with him, eh?"
Eyes turned to look expectantly at Zuko.
"Uh, well. . ." Katara could hear the nervousness coating his voice. It seemed like Zuko was as awkward as ever when addressing crowds. "I think, under the circumstances, there is no reason why I shouldn't go on this mission, except for the fact that I wouldn't be able to handle my, um, Fire Lord duties. I guess, what I'm trying to say is: who would take over for me while I was gone?"
Katara rolled her eyes. "Don't mean to disappoint you Zuko, but I'm pretty sure General Iroh, your uncle, could take over for you, considering you had him take your place for the last three years at this meeting." Katara spoke in an irritated tone making sure Zuko would feel the sting behind her words.
"Uh, right." Katara saw Zuko's face turn a shade pinker.
"Well, then, Fire Lord Zuko, there should be no problem with you going on this mission, right?" Mustache Man said, knowing the answer already. "Now, shall we discuss who you wish would come along on this, er, mission?"
Zuko slowly stood up, wiped his sweating brow, and began to reply, "Well–" Zuko looked around the room at the anticipating faces, "–if I have to choose, I know one person who I want to take along is. . . Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe."
Everyone turned their heads and heard a loud "Hell yes!" from where Sokka was sitting.
"I suppose, I'll take The leader of the Kyoshi Warriors: Suki, the earthbending master Toph Beifong, and if he agrees, I would like to take along– Avatar Aang." All eyes turned to the young Avatar sitting one seat away.
"Yeah, sure! I have no problem with going!" Aang grinned, but quickly took it back when it seemed like hell had broken loose.
"What about the Avatar helping our crops grow?" One representative from Ba-sing-se's outer ring belted out.
"And hadn't the Avatar promised to work out the issues between Lung-sang City and the village of Chin-loo?" Another person joined in.
"And what about the promise that––"
"The avatar also promised my town to––"
"The Avatar needs to stay with the people, not go on some silly search!"
"We need him!" a chorus of people shouted.
"HEY!" Aang shouted bringing a silence to the very loud room, "I wont go if so many people object to it, but The Fire Lord still needs at least one more person to accompany him. . ." Aang turned his head towards Zuko, "Couldn't you take along Katara, uh, I mean Miss Katara of the Southern Water Tribe, the waterbending master?"
Katara made a small gasp and began to glare at Aang. Apparently he didn't notice.
"Aang–" Katara started, but didn't get to finish.
"It's settled then," Mustache Man said, "The search will start immediately at the end of the meeting. Anyone who was selected to be on the team is can be excused, and get ready for their departure."
Not wasting anytime, both Zuko and Katara shot up from their seats and left the meeting.
A/N: Behold! The long overdue Chapter Two of At Odds! I'm sorry it has taken this long. I had it mostly written a very long time ago, and I just got around to finishing it today.
Next chapter, whenever that comes, will include Toph, more Zuko and Katara tension, and Suki and Sokka sickening fluff.
Review, favorite, alert, you know the drill! Maybe I'll write faster!