5-Suki's News

Katara wandered through the hallways of the palace. She was very full, and despite the nap she took earlier with Aang, she felt a wave of tiredness as well. But Zuko's actions from earlier bothered her. Why did he leave so quickly? She thought he was having a good time, she even noticed him smile a few times. But then he rushed from the room, as if he couldn't take whatever was in there.

Though, Katara did not know where to start to find him. She had been here for the past few weeks, and every night, when Zuko did sleep that is, he kept switching rooms. He mostly moved from room to room in the guest wing, so that's where she went. She heard the laughter of Suki and her brother before she rounded the corner, them coming into sight when she did.

She decided not to bother them, but she couldn't help admiring their love as she approached. The way they looked at each other, it's as if they were made for each other. They kissed each other goodnight, and went towards their separate rooms. A longing look crossed on Sokka's face, but not wanting to be disrespectful, he went into his own room.

Suki remained in the hallway spotting Katara.

"Sorry, Suki, I didn't mean to interrupt," Katara said immediately.

"It's okay, I actually wanted to talk to you," Suki said in a hushed whisper, grabbing Katara's arm. She lead, pretty much pulled, Katara to her room and closed the door.

"What is it Suki?" Katara asked, figuring it was something good from the huge smile on her friend's face.

"Sokka proposed!" she said excitedly, making a grin erupt on Katara's face.

"Oh congratulations Suki!" she said, pulling her soon-to-be sister in a hug. "Oh, it's about time, I'm so happy for you guys."

"I wanted to tell you guys earlier, but I didn't want it to be at such a horrible time. I just couldn't keep it myself!"

"I can only imagine," Katara said smiling. A small voice in the back of her mind said that she would only be imagining, because Aang would never propose.

The feeling was small, almost nonexistent. Her happiness for Suki and Sokka overpowered it by a large amount. Nonetheless, the jealousy was still there. She had wanted that kind of joy with Aang for so long now. But when would the time come for him to propose to her? When would she get the opportunity to have that incredible feeling of joy and love? She tried to put it out of her mind. She wanted nothing to get in the way of Suki's moment.

"Do you have everything planned for the wedding?" she asked.

"That's also what I wanted to talk to you about. We want to do it a couple months from now, have a nice winter wedding. But would you mind helping me plan?"

"Of course I wouldn't mind! I would love to help plan my big brother's wedding," she responded, knowing that was sincere. She loved her brother very much, and she wanted to help in any way possible for his big day.

Suki launched into her ideas, and the ones that she had discussed with Sokka. They talked for hours, forming plans for the wedding, each growing more excited at the prospect. Any sign of tiredness that Katara had felt earlier had evaporated. But she noticed Suki stifling a yawn.

"I better let you get some sleep, we'll talk more tomorrow," she said, giving her another hug. She closed the door behind her and faced the quiet hallway. She wondered if Aang was still awake. She decided he probably wasn't and wandered down the hallway to her own room. A crack of light distracted her; she headed to it, wondering who was still awake.

She peeked into the guest bedroom, seeing Zuko lying on the bed, staring at the Fire nation insignia on the wall.

"You're still awake?" she asked quietly, staying by the door. She didn't want to just barge in on him; he looked comfortable, almost as if he were going to fall asleep at any moment.

"You are too," he stated.

"Well, I took a nap earlier."

"So did I." He sat up from the covers facing her fully. Katara couldn't help noticing that he was shirtless. She glanced down at her shoes. Zuko, noticing the action moved from the bed and grabbed his shirt.

"I'm sorry. I wasn't expecting any visitors."

"No I'm sorry for just coming in," she said quickly, snapping her head back up. "I just wanted to see if you were okay, you left from dinner so suddenly."

Zuko put his head down, hoping Katara wouldn't see his eyes which were red from his crying earlier. He made it to the room before the tears fell, drenching his face. His heart seemed to pour out with the tears; his very soul seemed to be in pain. Katara had seen him cry before. The moment after Mai passed he couldn't control himself. But still, even after that, he felt ashamed to look so weak in front of her. Even if she had never seemed to mind, she empathized.

"I'm fine. Just felt a little sick," he lied. She didn't look too convinced but she didn't question him. She sat down on the edge of his bed, watching him with concerned eyes.

"Why do you keep staring at me?" his thoughts instantly wandered to his scar; that was why most people stared at him. But Katara had known him too long to be staring at that.

"I'm just worried for you, Zuko," she said, holding her eyes down, stroking the satin sheets. "I know this has been really hard for you."

"Why her?" he whispered, feeling the sting of tears coming again.

"I wish I knew."

"She didn't deserve this."

Katara scooted closer to him, taking his hands in hers. Zuko breathed deeply, trying to make the sadness in him vanish. The breathing worked, the stinging had disappeared after a moment. He held her hands tightly, without realizing it, the smoothness of them calming him.

"You will get through this," Katara said softly. "You will be okay. You have endured so much."

Zuko hung his head low, nodding at her words, his hair hiding his face. He released her hands, slightly reluctantly, and lay back against the pillows, closing his eyes. He felt the sleep overcoming him again. But he didn't mind, he needed it. He thought Katara would leave after that. But he felt no movement of the bed, heard no sound of the door closing.

Katara stayed where she was, watching him. She knew he was strong; you could almost tell from his features. She just wished she could do more for him. She never thought that she would end up becoming close friends with a man who had once hunted Aang. But she was, and she wanted to be there for him in any way.

She felt herself growing weary after a while. Her brain was so occupied; she wasn't sure how much time had passed. But when she saw Zuko's chest rising and falling with a regular pattern, heard his deep breathing, she stood and crept quietly from the room.