Hey I know I said I'd wait a while before posting another chapter, but I don't really want to. But now it might be a while because I don't have another chapter ready, this is all I have, plus I'm going to work on my other fanfiction for a while. Happy Easter Everybody! *BTW, long chapter here*
Disclaimer: I do NOT own ATLA or LOK.
~Chapter 4: Reunion~
"There is nothing wrong with letting people who love you, help you. Not that I love you. I just met you."
-Uncle Iroh
Zuko hated the cold, absolutely hated it. The sun wouldn't come out, and he was freezing his bottom off, only using his breath of fire to warm his body.
The waterbender-Katara-had left quite the impression on his uncle and sister. They were impressed with her attitude, it was fiery, like a firebender's. She showed compassion towards her family, but could also show restraint to what she truly wished to say.
Walking through the snowy tundra, Zuko shivered once more and pulled his parka closer. The old woman-Kana-had made them special coats for surviving in the below zero temperatures, even dyed them red.
Zuko knew Katara was trying to avoid him, or at least stay far away from him. He figured that was the case when he accidentally bumped into her, and she quickly ran the other way. Since then, he had only seen her at dinner, where her family shared a meal with his own.
Watching the snow fall, Zuko wandered on his own. He preferred to be alone, than with his uncle-who told stories about his past adventures and Zuko's childhood-and his sister, who mocked and teased him whenever she could.
Azula.
He'd be lying if he said she hasn't changed, because she has. Ever since their father passed away, she felt more relieved, more relaxed. When he asked her for the reason, she simply said: "I feel like I don't have to be that perfect princess father expected me to be, I can finally be myself."
He smiled at the memory. He certainly missed his old sister, the one who wasn't power hungry and crazy. She turned out to be the sister he knew when they were children, when everything was easier.
Ty Lee moved to the royal palace to be with her, to support her and hang out with her so she isn't lonely. Mai lived close by, so she didn't have to travel far. They had dated for a while, but when the council decided for him to marry someone else, Zuko had no choice but to end the relationship, breaking her heart.
Zuko didn't understand, Mai was perfect for Fire Lady. She was Fire Nation, she was a noblewoman, and she met all the standards for the council. But no, they had to choose someone from the Water Tribe, a waterbender, the Avatar's waterbending teacher to be exact.
Speaking of that waterbender, Zuko happened to walk up to the training arena, where the very girl was training with Kana's husband-Pakku. Standing off to the side, Zuko watched the water being shoved back and forth.
Pakku, who was riding on a water funnel, shot ice daggers at Katara, who dodged and sent her own water slice towards him, breaking the funnel. Pakku quickly recovered, and directed a wave of snow towards her, burying her in it. She quickly transformed the snow into water, and used it to surf along. Freezing it just above the old man's head, Katara was flung forward, but she turned in mid-air and hurled more ice daggers his way.
He managed to stop them, but more and more came after that. He used his own hands to block and break them. When a huge ice circle passed his head, Pakku swore he saw his reflection. The battle went on and on, until finally, Katara was able to encase Pakku in ice, quickly winning the battle.
Cheers and claps came from all around Zuko, he didn't know they attracted a crowd outside of him. The entire tribe could have been watching them fight, and Zuko wouldn't be surprised if his own family was watching them either.
Toph pushed passed people rather rudely, and ran up to Katara, only to whisper something in her ear. It came too fast, one second she was smiling at the ground, and the next she was glaring at Zuko. Him. Why? She was looking him right in the eyes too.
Sighing and shaking his head, Zuko turned and walked away, feeling her deadly gaze on the back of his neck. He didn't know what the little blind girl said, but whatever it was, it couldn't be good. For him at least.
Fire Lord Iroh agreed to stay until Sokka returned and is able to say his goodbyes to his sister. Hakoda warned that it might take a while, and they both agreed that in two weeks, if Sokka hasn't returned from the hunting trip, Katara will go to the Fire Nation with Toph so that she can marry Zuko.
Katara thought it was a terrible agreement, but went along with it anyway. At the moment, she was in the healing hut, helping a little boy with his scraped knee. He had tripped near the docks, waiting for his older brother to return from the journey.
"There," Katara placed the water back in her water skin. "next time, make sure you have someone to watch you while you're playing." She smiled, ruffling the little boy's hair.
"Thank you Miss Katara!" The little boy jumped up and hugged Katara around her neck.
"You're most welcome." Katara returned the embrace. She didn't notice a certain firebending master was watching her. "Now, go play Tyka." The little boy nodded and ran off with his friends.
The other healers around watched the scene play out with loving faces. They usually left the younger ones with Katara because she could handle them so well, and because the kids preferred her over the others.
"You are well with kids." An old voice said from the shadows. Iroh stepped up and acknowledged the other women, but they just went about their work.
"I have to be, if not me, than who?" Katara asked the man without looking at him. She cleaned of the bed in her office, getting it ready for the next patient that might need help.
"A mother." Iroh answered softly. Katara stiffened, and paused in her work-Iroh noticed this. "You've lost your mother, haven't you?"
The other healers overheard what the old man said, and shot Katara worried and concerned looks. Kana and Pakku-who were among them-tensed and waited for Katara's next words.
"Yes, when I was very young." Katara reached up, and felt the cold blue stone with her fingers, the necklace she always wore and never took off.
"We sometimes are forced into a reality in which nothing is fair, and everything is lost." Iroh took a step closer to the girl. "But know that no matter how bad things get, you always have family, even if they're not of the same blood."
Katara couldn't help think of Toph, the way she volunteered to stay with Katara in the Fire Nation. She promised to always be there, and help when it is needed. Katara couldn't ask for anything better.
"Your words are wise," Katara turned and faced the man, gazing into his eyes. "thank you."
Iroh smiled. Outside, a low growl from a familiar animal could be heard. Katara recognized this to be Appa, the flying bison that managed to stay alive all this time. Sokka had taken Appa along with him on the hunting trip, and he's the only one besides herself to ride the large animal.
Turning, Katara ran passed Iroh and outside to greet her brother. Many of the other villagers surrounded Appa in excitement to hear news of the other tribesmen.
Sokka stood on Appa's head and addressed the village. "The other men are on their way home, and we've brought enough meat to last us the winter!" Everyone cheered and clapped, hugged each other and cried tears of joy.
Zuko and Azula were taking a walk when a large animal landed right next to them. Seeing a bunch of other people gather around it, they decided to see what all the commotion was about.
The two Fire Nation royals witnessed Katara attack the young warrior is hugs and kisses on the cheeks. At first Zuko thought he was Katara's boyfriend or something, but then remembered her brother was scheduled to return soon.
"Sokka I've missed you so much!" Katara hugged her brother for the hundredth time.
"I missed you too Katara," Sokka returned the gesture. Looking forward, over Katara's shoulder, Sokka noticed the two Fire Nation people and knew what they were here for.
Hakoda had told him of this meeting before Sokka left, but Sokka wasn't completely sure if they broke the news to her yet. He was sad and angry at the idea of Katara being sent away as a peace settlement, but he knew what needed to be done, and this was the only solution.
"I made you something while I was gone." Sokka turned and jumped back on Appa. After fetching what he was looking for, he hopped back down and met the rest of his family and guests. "I made it from otter-penguin bones, and tiger-seal skin. The cloth I ripped from my own shirt."
Sokka handed her a small bundle wrapped in a cloth. Katara took it, and unwrapped the gift, giving a small gasp on the way.
It was a dagger. The blade was hand crafted into a sharp tip, the handle was built from the animal's skin, wrapped in blue fabric. The Water Tribe insignia was painted onto the bottom, and there was writing sketched into the blade.
Never forget where you came from.
"Sokka, it's beautiful. I love it." Katara wrapped her arms around his neck again, pulling him closer than before.
"Good thinking Sokka, let's give your crazy sister more weapons, I'm sure the tribe will be more at unease." Toph commented, crossing her arms.
Sokka dug into his bag. "Don't worry, I didn't forget about you Toph." He handed her a chunk of, metal? "We passed that old Fire Nation ship on our way back." Sokka glanced at the four Fire Nation people. "I figured since you haven't earthbent in a long time."
"Sweet!" Toph began bending the chunk in her hands, the feeling of her element in her palms felt good again. "It's been way to long."
"It's good you have you back Sokka," Hakoda wrapped both of his children in one big group hug, aware of everyone else watching. "Shall we celebrate?"
"Way ahead of you Dad." Sokka grinned.
Review please!
~EZ17