I'm baaack!!!!!!! But I still don't own ATLA. Drat.
Chapter Four: Unexpected Respite
The brass doorknob turned and I prepared for the worst…only it didn't come. In its place stood a child, no more than three or four maybe, who'd obviously been crying. I stood and he toddled over to me. "Where did you come from?" I whispered. He sniffed, his tawny eyes wide, but covered by thick dark curls. "Mommy gone. They cut my Mommy. She gone" I know the warning symptoms of a child's wail; I cut him off "Shh! I'm sure your mommy will be okay" I picked him up and motioned for Zuko to go check outside the door.
"Um…Katara…don't bring the kid out here for a while" his tone was vague and grim, so I didn't move. "How bad is it?" he reluctantly sighed. "The woman…she was Ty Lee's mom…this is Ty Lee's little brother, apparently.
I squeezed the child as if I'd be swept out of reality if I'd lost my grip. "No" I gasped. The boy stared at me curiously "Where my mommy at?" I bit my lip. "You don't think…" I start. Azula's girlfriends Mai and Ty Lee both betrayed her. The cruel thing would be to have their families killed, though it wouldn't be unprecedented. "So what do we do with the baby?" I ask. When Zuko shrugs, I slump down on the bed. The boy giggles at the sensation, and I join in. "Be quiet!" Zuko hisses, and I shut up.
"Zuko, do you want kids?" the question is arbitrary, but it came to mind. He hesitates "Yes. But unless it's with a certain young woman, I don't." I'm curious "Who? Mai?" he shakes his head and my heart sags; the girl truly loved him. "Then who?" I snap, angry that he's dismissed her so quickly. "You"
His response takes me by surprise, and I blush like mad. I don't respond simply because he doesn't let me; his lips are on mine. I welcome the kiss, though it is a little domineering. He lets his hands slide down to my wrists, and before they can go anywhere else, I remind him there is a child present.
Said little boy is climbing down the bed and reaches the door when it flies open, sending the child sprawling across the floor.
Ozai is home.
No, for the record, I did not kill the baby. He just had to be out of the way for a while. He will live, though. Just read the next chappyter and review, please!