Book 4 Air
Chapter 32 Settled Breeze
Walking out into the vestibule, Katara quietly followed the Fire Lord. Stepping on to the soft green grass, a light breeze flowed by them. As they finally reached their location underneath the large willow tree, its loose branches swayed gently from the settled breeze. Once Katara sat down, her legs folded in a polite matter to the side as Zuko sat on his bottom leaning against the trunk.
They waited in silence, collecting their thoughts and thinking what should be said.
Katara then spoke up softly, her voice carried by the wind. "I know you probably wanted to talk to me about the other night. And well, it's okay. I over-reacted." Katara said trying to think of a better excuse.
"Kata-
"No, Zuko…Let me finish…" Katara said cutting off the teen boy.
"I had a lot to think about, and honestly when you kissed me I was surprised and a little hurt. But then I remembered that we are engaged. It should be normal for couples to kiss. Yet…" Katara said lightly as she raised her hand touching her neck where her mother's necklace used to be.
"Katara…What I did, was only because I…I admire you. You are such an amazing person. I-I couldn't control myself. I understand this must be a difficult time for you. I won't push you into anything…I swear it." Zuko said sincerely.
Katara nodded her head, grateful that he understands. "Yet…I want you to do something for me…" Katara said as she lowered her head.
"Anything…" Zuko said as he looked at the girl, his eyes glistening.
Katara raised her head, her facial expression held a serious feature almost foreign from the girl's usual soft appearance. "Don't fall in love with me." Katara said her voice almost dark and somehow intriguing to Zuko's ears.
Zuko didn't know what to say, could something so simple? Be that hard to make possible?
Does he want to keep such a promise?
Lifting his head, gazing into the waterbender's eyes, Zuko spoke softly, "I promise."
A flash of the previous event crossed through Zuko's mind. The minute, she stared into his eyes, and removed his royal artifact from his hair. Her tender gesture towards him…What did it mean?
"May I ask you something?" Zuko asked quietly.
Katara turned her head to the side, drifting her eyes over the crystal clear pond in the distance. A small shadow casted over her eyes as her lips parted, "Yes?"
"Back in the private room, what you did... Before, I kissed you. What did it mean?" Zuko asked lowering his head as red tinted his cheeks.
"I wanted to see the real you. Not the Fire Lord, just you…" Katara said lightly as the last word barely came off as a whisper. She continued her gaze at the scenery as Zuko grew uncomfortable by the awkward silence.
"I see…" Zuko said as he looked back up at the girl.
'I don't like this…What's making her act this way? So distant, so cold? Was it my actions that led her to behave this way…? Or it something more?' Zuko pondered to himself.
Waves crashed along the stern of the metal ship as it sailed across the choppy water. A royal guard walked along the deck, overlooking the distance island ahead.
"Private, we're near the reef's edge. Prepare for the dock down of the boat." The man said as the crewmen continued their duties.
"Right a way, Sir." The man said with a short bow.
"You! Come here." The royal guard ordered as a lean crewman, as he stopped his chore.
"Yes, Sir…?" the young man asked as he arrived at his post.
"Inform the two warriors they've reached Kyoshi's Island. Have them, report to the upper deck." The man said as the younger man saluted.
"Yes Sir!" The man said as he left to the doorway.
Lifting his head up, Sokka rubbed his eyes then opened his mouth wide into a lazy yawn. Sleep was almost impossible for him due to the constant rocking of the ship and the dim light the candles gave against the black walls in his cabin. Once he stood up a knock on the hollow door alerted him. "Prince Sokka, you have reached Kyoshi's island prepare yourself and meet Commander Cao on deck." A voice called out behind the door.
"Alright!" Sokka called out as he rubbed his shoulder.
'Well, better get my stuff ready…' Sokka thought as he changed into his usual Water Tribe clothes.
A soft sweet scent filled the airbender's nose as he walked out of the hut. The dry hot air swept through the area, causing an uncomfortable temperature making the unfamiliar scent a pleasant one rather than the foul sweat and dirt. A slight confused expression formed on his face, 'It smells like water lilies out here. That's strange…' Aang thought as he knew no such flower was near nor any water to produce such plant life could exist in the harsh terrain. Only small shrubs and mustard flowers surrounded the dry land where in the distance the rocky canyon of desert remained.
'Water lilies…' Aang pondered softly as his thoughts were soon interrupted by a man walking up to him.
"Avatar Aang, it is safe for you to journey again." The man said as he called out for Aang's ride.
Aang was still a little unsure why they had to stop, rather the fact the ostrich horses needed to rest and recoup. Then again, it was probably just a safety precaution for travelers. Either way it was starting to get old.
As the carriage pulled up Aang sighed, not looking forward to another long ride through the countryside in a small stagecoach. Once inside, Aang folded his arms and glanced at the tassels dangling from the window. 'I wonder how everyone else is doing…' Aang thought to himself.
The two beasts snorted as they prepared to pull the wagon behind them. Step by step the hooves of the two ostrich horses paced in front of the entrance. The wheels creaked as the carriage gradually moved along the dirt path. Two huge gates with the Earth Kingdom icon etched in the metal slowly pulled back, opening their doors to the honored traveler.
Aang stared in awe as the new scene came into view. Vast fields of crops and trees surrounded the out-stretched land. Further the carriage traveled, the more Aang started to notice the reality of the Earth Kingdom's condition. Golden, dried vegetation covered the ground as the plentiful fruit trees planted around the area, were barely full of any leaves or blossoms. The land was dying in front of the airbender's eyes.
Aang narrowed his eyes slightly, 'I have to do this…I have to make things right.' The airbender thought with a driven desire.
Being led by one of the servants, Toph sighed as she prepared herself. Lunch usually was an uneventful time for her in the past. Her parents used to either discuss their newly found success and money's worth in gold or boring rumors about the nobles. Something Toph wasn't interested in, but she did want to re-bond with her mother and father. So she bared through as much as she could.
Once the two doors opened and Toph was seated, to her surprised she didn't hear her parents. Tapping her feet solid on the ground she did in fact feel their presence. So then…Why the silence?
"Mom? Is something wrong?" Toph asked as she heard her mother lightly gasp out holding her breathe.
"Nothing's wrong sweet pea. Your father and I are just so amazed of how beautiful and how tall you have become." The woman said trying to hide any dread from her voice.
Toph's eyebrow lifted upward, 'what's they're problem?' Toph thought as she waited to be served a plate of food.
"Ok, what's up? I can sense there's something wrong." Toph said firmly wanting answers. Toph heard her father sigh deeply as he spoke in a clear yet firm tone.
"My dear daughter, we think it is best you don't return to the Avatar and his friends for a while." Toph's father said calmly.
Toph sighed; she knew it was too good to be true. Her parents still wanted to keep her home, locked away like some fragile infant-or more like a wild boar.
"Look, I have plans. I want to help rebuild our country. I'm the greatest earthbender in the world. People need my abilities and skills; I can do whatever I want!" Toph said in a loud annoyed voice.
Toph heard her mother trying to hold back her sob, and then Toph became worried. Her mother never cried…
"Mom?" Toph asked as she felt her mother tremble.
"There's something you're not telling me! What is it?!" Toph exclaimed as her face expressed both fear and anger.
The blind earthbender then felt soft footsteps ran out of the room as the distant sound of her mother crying grew faint.
She then felt her father become tense as he inhaled sharply. "You can not see the Avatar again." Toph's father said strictly.
Toph's sightless eyes widen, 'Why does he not want me to see Aang?' Toph thought as her heart sank.
Toph lowered her head, "Why?" the blind girl asked quietly.
"It's for your own good." Toph's father said as he sat up from his chair and left the room.
A single tear fell from the girl's soft cheek as her bangs covered her eyes. 'Why? Why does this have to happen again?' Toph thought to herself remembering the last time Aang was ordered out of her life.
I know this is shorter than my previous chapters, but I'm saving the next part for a special scene, involving some lovely Zutara and Taang goodness. I hope you like it and please review! Also can anyone guess what might happen? What are Toph's parents hiding? What happens when Aang finally meets the Earth King? Where's Momo?!
Review if you want Momo!
