Book 4 Air
Chapter 27 Drifting Sky
As the servants left the garden, Katara and Zuko settled in for their meal. Opening the silver tray lid, it revealed a plate full of flaky pastries and small triangular shaped tarts. Katara smiled as she lightly plucked one of the tarts. Taking a small nibble, Katara suddenly cringed. Zuko noticed and chuckled lightly, "You don't like it?" Zuko asked.
Embarrassed for showing her distaste she then forcefully swallowed the treat. "Oh no it's just a little bit bitter that's all." Katara said as she placed the rest of the tart back down.
"Heh, yea I've always thought so too." Zuko said with a short pause.
"Mai used to love these…She would order them with red rose petals." Zuko said lightly as he took a sip of tea.
"Oh I see." Katara said slightly unsure on what to say.
Turning her attention to the pastries, Katara grabbed one near the right. Biting down on the crumbling bread, Katara smiled as she chewed. "Mmm, it's filled with fruit, it's delicious!" The waterbender said with delight.
"Heh, yea. They're baked with strawberries. They're a delicacy here in the royal palace." Zuko said with a smile as he picked a jelly filled pastry as well.
Eating their small snack, Katara sighed contently as she admired the scenery. Zuko did the same as they both ate in silence. It was somehow comforting being with each others presence. The calming energy surge through them much like the clouds in the skies; slowly changing and shifting, reshaping into something bigger as the rolling clouds formed darker against the scene.
The distant smell of water hung in the air as Katara inhaled lightly, "It looks like it will rain soon." Katara said as she peered up at the sky from the shade of the willow tree's long branches.
"Hmm, so it seems…" Zuko said as he lightly frowned.
Katara turned her head, noticing the Lord's saddened expression. "Zuko are you alright?" Katara asked lightly.
The Fire Lord sighed, "It's nothing really…" Zuko said as he saw the girl's features of disbelief.
"Zuko, talk to me…" Katara said gently as she rested her hand on the soft grass closing in to the lord.
"Well, it's the rain, and it just brings back some hurtful memories. That's all." Zuko said as he sipped his tea.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Katara asked softly.
Taking another deep sigh, Zuko nodded his head.
"It was when Uncle and I became fugitives and I was still trying to capture the Avatar. We had no money, nor food. It was desperate times, so I had to make some desperate measures. One day I had a long talk with my uncle and I decided to travel alone without him. I didn't want him to suffer for my mistakes. Afterwards I found a fur trail left from the flying bison and also some else that I discovered that was familiar." Zuko said firmly.
"What was it?" Katara asked.
"Tank tracks. I knew then it was probably Azula. I followed the trail. It then led me straight to the Avatar and to my sister at the abandon mining village." Zuko said as he gripped his tea cup.
"That day, when we fought Azula and she shot your uncle." Katara said remembering the battle.
"Yes…I was in shock and so angry at that time. But then I also remembered when you offered to help." Zuko said as he looked at the waterbender.
Katara blushed lightly, "I couldn't help it. Even though you were the enemy then, I just couldn't stand it when someone would get hurt. Besides, what Azula did was cruel and unforgiveable. I knew I had to help in any way that I could." Katara said passionately.
Zuko smiled, "That's one of the things I admire about you." Zuko said warmly.
Katara cheeks tinted a darker shade as she smiled lightly, "Thank you."
"Hmm…" Zuko nodded as he continued his story, "After the attack, I managed to get uncle to a safe place. An old hut near the boarder of Si Wong Desert. After nursing his wounds and letting him heal, my uncle decided it was time to teach me more about Firebending in order to have a chance in stopping Azula." Zuko said with another pause as he closed his eyes.
"To learn how to produce and shoot lightening." Zuko said as he opened his eyes again.
"Oh…" Katara said intrigued to hear more.
"My uncle showed me the movements to feel the energy throughout my body and focus that energy to then produce lightening." Zuko said as he placed his tea down.
"After I tried a times getting the feel of the movements, uncle showed me and I felt I was ready to fire the energy. But in doing so, the fire would just explode in my face." Zuko said.
"Oh Zuko." Katara said with sympathy.
"I was almost ready to give up until I was amazed to hear uncle learned a technique by studying the Waterbenders. It was an interesting and almost ironic turn that he learned how to redirect lightening." Zuko said with a smile.
"He taught me how to protect myself against the attack, I learned the stance quickly, but by the time I was ready to have him fire the lightening at me. He refused. I was enraged and was acting selfish. I wanted to know I could it, I could finally be better than Azula. I then ran off to a near by storm, to find some real lightening." Zuko said recalling the memory.
"Zuko! You could have gotten yourself killed!" Katara said loudly.
"I know, but at that point I didn't care. I lost everything I ever had. My throne; my title as a prince; honor as a man; my father's love and acceptance. I felt terrible that night. I yelled all my frustration at the storm, wanting the lightening to strike me down. Yet nothing but rain fell. That horrid cold rain…" Zuko said as he started to get emotional and ashamed. Zuko shielded his eyes with a trembling hand.
"Zuko…" Katara said softly as she leaned over wrapping her arm around the distraughted Lord.
"There's nothing wrong with feeling the way you've had in the past. It must have been terrible. I understand as well. When I join Aang with my brother to travel to the North Pole and help him find a Waterbending teacher. I was so excited that I do could finally improve my own waterbending. During our travels I managed to get a waterbending scroll." Katara said lightly as Zuko tensed from the reminder of the scroll.
"I thought that with it, I could at least master one technique and prove to myself I had the abilities. I trained with Aang, and he did so much better than I did. It was really frustrating for me. I felt so weak and powerless. I couldn't even defend myself. I acted selfishly and used the scroll on my own." Katara said as she slightly pulled away from Zuko clenching her heart.
"Then when that pirate grabbed me, I tried to get away. I was so frightened, and then you came." Katara said her last words spoke in a soft whisper.
"Katara…" Zuko said lightly as he lifted his head looking at the girl.
"I am so-
"No, Zuko don't apologize." Katara said cutting the him off.
"I understand your situation; you wanted to capture Aang to gain back your honor." Katara said with consideration.
"But it's no excuse for what I did to you…I had something so important to you, your mother's necklace… I now feel ashamed for doing what I did." Zuko said feeling guilty.
"Zuko…" Katara said as she placed her hand on his.
"It's alright, it was the past." Katara said as the sudden sound of thunder boomed in the distance.
"The storm is coming in, we should get inside." Zuko said as he gathered the trays.
Katara nodded her head as she picked up the tea pot and cups. Standing up, the clouds suddenly released the collected water. Rain poured down on the two figures. Racing under the vestibule, the two teens then looked at one another. Both drenched and with mud squishing on their boots. Taking a step the loud sound of a mucky noise of mud squeaked out from Zuko's shoe on the white marble ground. Barely holding the trays and cups, the two teens then bursted out laughing. Water dripping off their noses and face, their smiles widens. They both looked ridiculous and felt…happy for the first time in months. They laughed heartfully, releasing all their emotions out at once. Soon their laughter started to die down as the two servants walking up to them unnoticed.
"My Lord are you alright?" the servant girl asked.
Slowly calming down Zuko nodded his head. "Here Miki, take this to the kitchen and offer Katara help as well." Zuko said as he gave the girl the trays.
"Yes right away Milord." Miki said as the other servant took the tea pot and cups.
Sighing after their outburst, Katara smiled.
"I don't know why we just did that…" Katara said as she started to giggle.
"Heh. Me neither…" Zuko said as he smiled back walking closer to Katara.
Katara lightly blushed as he stepped closer. Leaning over he kissed her cheek then whispered in her ear. "Thank you for the talk…It meant a lot to me." Zuko said as he pulled away giving those rare truly happy smiles.
"You're welcome." Katara said as she spoke again, "Thank you for opening up to me." Katara said warmly as she brushed away her wet hair.
"Well we should clean up. I'm sorry but I have another meeting to attend. Perhaps I'll see you later on tonight." Zuko said as he wiped his brow.
"Yea, and that's fine…" Katara said as she wiped her hands on her dress.
"Alright…" Zuko said as he took Katara's hand kissing it in a gentlemen matter.
Katara blushed as she then watched him leave. Feeling her heart leap in her chest, Katara then paced down the hall to her room.
The view of Earth Kingdom village was seen. Tall tan walls and green rooftops surrounded along a dirt trail as a pub came into view. The sky was setting into brilliant colors of purple and orange as Aeron looked out the window of the top floor.
"Aeron?" a voice called out as the girl turned her head.
"Yes Cole?" the girl said softly.
"Are you alright? You haven't spoken much since I brought you here. Is everything okay?" Cole asked as the girl sighed.
"It's just…I can't help but feel dishearten over the fact I failed." Aeron said in a depressed tone.
Sitting up from the bed, Cole walked over to the girl. "You haven't failed Aeron. You were dealing with the Fire Princess. Her reputation is a deadly one. Why did you do it?" Cole asked.
Lowering her head curtly Aeron sighed, "I knew she was dangerous. It's just; the deal we made was so great. I couldn't help it. She said she would clear my name; our people's name. I had to try." Aeron said as her bangs fell along her face.
"Aeron…" Cole said softly as he rested his hand on her shoulder in a comforting gesture.
"Was it wrong of me? Did I do something that could have risk everything for the sake of our honor?" Aeron said questioning herself.
Cole sighed, "In all respect Aeron. You know the answer to that…" Cole said being truthful.
"There is one thing I can do that is right, Cole…" Aeron said as she lifted her head.
"What's that Aeron?" Cole asked with a curious tone in his voice.
"I can save her…The woman who cared for me. She saved my life it's the least I do. To save the mother of our nation…" Aeron said passionately as she looked at the boy.
Cole's eyes widen, "The wife of Fire Lord Ozai?!" Cole exclaimed as Aeron then covered his mouth.
"Silence! No one must know…" Aeron whispered in a hushed tone.
"I'm leaving tonight." Aeron said seriously.
"Then I'll come with you." Cole said firmly.
"No! It's too dangerous…" Aeron said in protest.
"I left you once; I'm not leaving you again!" Cole said with a pleading pitch in his voice.
"Cole…" Aeron said lightly as he embraced her.
"I promised I will protect you…" Cole said as he held her tighter.
"Mmm…" Aeron said softly as she rested her head on his shoulder.
Nightfall soon set in the view of a massive forest. The sound of beast traveling through the trees soon stopped as two figured jumped off. "This is as far as I can take you…" a woman said as she pulled on the reins.
"Very well, here is your payment." Azula said still hidden from the shading hood over her face.
"Pleasure doing business…" Jun said as she led her Shirshu back into the woods. The beast roared as it fled into the darkness.
"Azula, just what are you doing here." Mai asked as she followed the fire princess along the dirt road.
"There is a village not far from here, we can rent an inn and stay for the night. After that we head off to the Whale Tail Island." Azula said with a wicked smirk.
The two figures walked along the trail as a huge torii came into view. Its basic structure of two columns was topped with a horizontal rail. Slightly below the top rail is a second horizontal rail. The wood was painted in a dark green symbolizing the holiness of the forest. Once through the structure, a man walked up to them.
"Welcome to Senlin Village, young travelers. May you quire a room?" the man said.
"Yes, are you the inn keeper?" Azula asked hiding her face from the man.
"Why yes, please this way, ladies." The man said as Mai and Azula followed.
'Perfect…' Azula thought as she walked into the building while villagers stared at the newcomers with unease.
There's your Zutara fluff and seriousness. More to come on Suki and Sokka's departure, and Aang's visit with the Earth King! Stay tune and please review! I would like to know how I'm doing and if the characters match their personality. Again review please!
Also atorii is a traditional Japanese gate commonly found at the entry to a Shinto shrine, although it can be found at Buddhist temples as well.
Thanks for reading!
