15-Katara's Ability

Katara woke from a dreamless, yet restful sleep. She smiled when she saw the person lying next to her. Zuko slept peacefully, silently, his chest rising and falling with each breath. She was surprised by how natural it felt sleeping next to him. On the journey over from Kyoshi Island, it felt like they spent almost every moment together. They talked and laughed; she had never fully realized how close they were.

When they arrived, they had started off in separate rooms like they used to; Katara on the guest floor, Zuko in the masters. But it didn't last long. Similar to what she had done, she heard a soft knock at the door their first night at the Fire Nation. She gladly accepted him in, feeling peace sleeping next to him. The pain in her heart left by Aang had nearly evaporated.

Katara sat up gently, and moved from the bed, not wanting to wake him. He needed his rest; it had been a very busy few days for him since their arrival. There had been regular duties to take care of. Katara stayed out of the way, figuring her help would not be needed in this department. But to her surprise, Zuko didn't leave her out. As soon as he was told about what was happening and decisions that needed to be made, he filled her in and sought her advice.

She couldn't help noticing how different he was now. Sure, he still had some of the same qualities from when they met as teenagers, but the years have matured him. She now saw his compassion. She stretched, and rustled quietly through her things looking for something to wear.

"Katara?"

She looked over to see Zuko gazing sleepily at her. She smiled at him.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."

"No, I needed to get up anyway. Did you sleep well?"

"Just fine," she responded, moving back towards the bed. "You?"

Zuko nodded. "Very restful." He moved his arms as Katara leaned into his bare chest, and stroked her hair delicately.

"Are you ready for today?"

Katara nodded against him. "I'm really interested in this illness you mentioned."

Today the plan was to visit with the healers and their patients. In fact, she was more than interested; she couldn't get her mind off of it. What was it? Why were people dying from it? She hoped she would be able to help, somehow.

"I'm hungry," Zuko muttered. Katara giggled as his stomach growled softly. "Want to join me for breakfast?"

She kissed his cheek. "Sure."

A couple hours later, Katara and Zuko walked down the street towards the Fire Nation hospital. Zuko mentioned that being FireLord, they didn't need to walk, but Katara refused. The sun was shining brightly overhead, making for a warm day, and she wanted to enjoy it.

As they walked, Zuko glanced at Katara every few seconds, worry plain on his face.

"Is something wrong?" she asked curious.

"No, just…prepare yourself," Zuko responded. "These people are unlike anything I have ever seen.

"Don't worry, I can handle it," she replied, patting his shoulder affectionately.

They arrived to warm greetings and bows from the nurses, then followed them through the busy hospital.

"We've been having more people coming in, whatever this is, its spreading fast," the nurse said as she walked. She stopped in front of a room near the entrance and opened the door. Zuko frowned.

"Weren't the patients in the back?"

"At first," the nurse sighed. "But we've been having so many admissions, we have just been placing them in any room available."

Katara entered the room slowly, not wanting to disturb the sleeping patients within. But they appeared to not have noticed her presence. She turned and saw Zuko hovering near the doorway. She gave him an inquisitive look.

"I'll wait for you out here," he said. She nodded and continued onward. As she neared the man closest to her, she had to stifle a gasp. He lay on the bed, limp, motionless, his skin hanging off of the bone. The only way she could tell he was still alive was the slight rising and falling of his chest. He was pale, fragile it looked. Weren't the nurses caring for him at all?

"We've done everything we can," the nurse said, as if reading her thoughts. "Every kind of remedy imaginable….it's useless. He just gets worse every day. I hate to say this but I pray to the spirits to just take him, put him out of his misery."

"Can I get a bowl of fresh water please?" Katara asked.

"Of course." The woman rushed off at once, leaving Katara alone with the two of them. The patient in the other bed was a woman. Unlike the man, she was not sleeping. She had her eyes closed, but as Katara neared, she saw her face scrunched up, her hands balled into fists. Clearly this woman was experiencing intense pain.

"What happened to you…?" she whispered to herself.

The woman returned quickly, a large bowl of water in her hands. She placed it gently on the table next to the man and backed up leaving Katara to work. Moving the water around her hand, connecting with it, she proceeded with her examination. Her frown deepened as she moved through his body. Whatever the illness was, it was eating away at his organs.

She felt her heart sink. It was Mai all over again; there was nothing more she could do for this man. It was a wonder that he was still alive at all. She removed her hands and glanced at the nurse.

"How long has he been here?"

"About six months."

"And her?" Katara moved to the woman now. She shifted uncomfortably, unlike the man who remained motionless. Tiny bead of sweat were plain on her face as she moaned softly in pain.

"She has been here about three weeks. The pain has been consistent; none of our remedies can relieve her."

Again, taking the water, Katara moved through the woman's body. Her condition was similar to the man, only hers was less severe. She knew she couldn't eliminate whatever this illness was, but at least she could try to relieve her of her pain. She concentrated, connecting with the water, with the woman, moving the water through her system. The minutes seemed to go by like hours but at long last, the woman relaxed and breathed deep, leaning against the pillows.

She opened her eyes then, gently, almost hesitantly, and they rested on Katara. She smiled at her, and the woman managed a small smile in return, despite her weak body.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"Can you tell me what happened to you?" Katara asked softly.

"I don't know…I was fine…and then…pain." She spoke softly, obviously speaking was difficult for her, so Katara didn't push her.

"I'm going to help you," she promised, then turned to the nurse. "Mind if I see your other patients?"

"Of course not, this way."

Katara followed, feeling bittersweet. She was glad that she was able to relieve the woman of her pain, at least for now. But she was unsure of her promise, and whether an actual cure was in sight.

Katara returned hours later to the Fire Nation place. Zuko had left, having some duties to resume, which Katara understood completely. She searched the quiet palace, and found him in the gardens sitting quietly. She approached him quietly, trying not to disturb him, but it was unsuccessful, he turned when she neared and smiled at her when he saw her expression; one of hope.

"You were able to help them?"

She seated herself in the grass next to him.

"Well so far, I can at least prevent some of them from dying, relieve their symptoms. But I'm not sure if I can cure them completely, I will probably have to return every day." Her smile faded. "There were some that I couldn't help at all."

"Still, that's great that you can do something for them. You really are a master," his golden eyes twinkled in her direction, making her blush. "Do you know what it is?"

She shook her head. "No, it's…mysterious. I do know one thing, whatever Mai had, these people do as well."

Zuko nodded solemnly. He had figured that out from the first patient he witnessed. The symptoms looked too similar. He hung his head low and frowned, his mind wandering to his behavior earlier that day. He had left the hospital room, unable to stand the sight of those people. What was wrong with him? Was he letting his nation down? How many more people had to die before this was stopped? He couldn't help thinking of his father and his sister. This seemed like the kind of evil the two of them would pull. He glanced over at Katara to find her staring at him curiously.

"What's wrong, Zuko?"

He sighed. "Nothing. I'm just really glad you're here."

Katara smiled warmly. "Me too."

She pulled his head closer to hers, his lips closer to hers until they touched. They kissed passionately, almost hungrily, being the first time they kissed since Kyoshi Island. Resisting no more, Zuko lay back on the soft grass, Katara lying on top him, the two moving as one. Her long hair tickled his face as they kissed; he touched it, softly at first, then grabbing fistfuls of it as the two grew more intense. She was so warm…he wanted more of her, every part of her. But he didn't want to rush her. He broke off the kiss and gazed into her face, her cheeks slightly red, her eyes glazed from passion.

"What is it?" she asked, breathless.

He couldn't find the words. But somehow he thought she knew. When she was ready, she would tell him.

"You're just…so beautiful," he murmured.

She smiled and kissed him again, sweetly. Undisturbed, they kissed in the gardens, underneath the setting sun and the rising moon.