Book 4 Air
Chapter 42 Sun Rays
The gleaming rays shone through the wispy red curtains from a window as the view of a sleeping girl stirred in her bed. Katara shut her eyes tighter as she covered her eyes from the bright luminous light on her face. Finally opening her azure eyes, the waterbender sat up groggily.
Today, was the day she would show her bending abilities to the councils, and prove she was worthy to them and to the Fire Nation.
Standing up on the edge of her bed, Katara pushed herself up and walked over to her wardrobe. Opening up the cherry wood doors, Katara skimmed through her outfits. On the far left side were three training outfits, two of which were for yoga sessions and material arts fighting. Katara grabbed the last one off the rack as she placed it on her bed. The water tribeswoman still couldn't believe how fine and soft the fabric was, much better than her usual attire. Katara admired the cloths vermillion red cotton tank top and black silk pants which were carefully trimmed with gold stitching on the side. It would do nicely, for her. She will be able to move freely and lithely in the light clothing.
Katara smiled as she walked into the bathroom to get ready for her big day.
Two light blue arrow tattooed hands gripped on the leather reins of the large flying bison. A firm expression traced along the boy's cheeks and thin lips, as his eyes stared coldly. Flashes of the blind earthbender girl flooded into the airbender's mind with the next vision of the waterbender. His mixed feelings of Katara and Toph have been filling up in his head ever since he left the Bei Fong estate.
For a mere second, the emotion of guilt shone through Aang's face as he sighed. There was so much he was thinking of…His fears for Toph were his only concern, and now-he felt like he emotionally betrayed Katara…
Aang was so caught up with the Earth King, the generals, Toph's disappearance, and the Bei Fong family. The boy never once thought of the waterbender. His own girlfriend!
No…She wasn't anymore, was she?
Katara was going to marry Zuko. Yet now, Aang didn't know what to feel. His heart was tearing into two. His new growing feelings for Toph had made him feel completely foolish not to think otherwise. Yet his first love, the first person he laid eyes on when he first woke up after being asleep for one hundred years. Aang couldn't face the fact…Right now; he had to other more important things to worry about. He had to focus on finding Toph.
Lifting his head, Aang gave the scenery in front of him his upmost injudicious attention. The clouds were dark and gloomy, covering a vast area of the distant land. A storm was moving quickly along the far off sea across the horizon.
'That's right…Its hurricane season…' Aang thought as Appa roared out loud alerting the airbender the distressed conditions further on ahead.
"Come on, Appa. We can get through this!" Aang said making up his mind.
'Maybe if I go to Kyoshi Island, they can help me find out more about Toph's disappearance.' Aang thought remembering mentions of the holy shrine of Kyoshi and tales of a dark spirit.
"Come on Appa! Yip-Yip!" Aang called out as he pulled on the reins.
The sun shimmered over the mountain tops as the blue skies blended with the early morning of orange painted clouds and pink hues. As the scene of the Fire Nation coronation grounds came into view. Two elders walked up to the first steps as Zuko walked up behind them. The three waited for the waterbender to arrive. A gong was hit as the vibrating sound echoed throughout the area. A slender young dark skinned woman with a long braid down her back walked to the center of the grounds. Stepping along the clay titles, the girl walked in between two massive buckets of water. Katara then bowed to the councils along to the Fire Lord.
Forming into a small stance, Katara flexed her fingers slightly upward. Flicking her wrist as the loud swish of water rose from the buckets. Forming the floating liquid into a ball, Katara swayed her arms gently as the ball forced into a snake like whip. She then raised her arms up as more whips of water stretched outward like arms of an octopus. Twirling and twisting at the girl's will as she then bend her arms, calling back the water. Two whirling waves of water crashed behind her as it formed into two wing-like shapes. The brilliant display made the waterbender look like a blue butterfly with a red torso.
At that same moment, the sun rose high, passing over the mountain tops as its rays shined on the glistening water, making her performance even more breathe-taking. The water held still for a moment as a sudden splash of steam broke Katara concentration. The water fell, raining on the girl's body. Katara turned around as she saw four men ganging up on her.
'What are they doing?' Katara thought as she started to panic.
"Prove to us, you as fierce a fighter as a bender." Li called out as Zuko stepped his ground.
The sight of the men in guard uniform slightly worried Zuko. He didn't like the fact they looked like they were enjoying themselves as they closed in on the girl.
Katara closed her eyes as her fingertips called forth the water and droplets. Feeling the sweat form on her brow, Katara took two deep breathes as she ready herself. In a single swooshing motion Katara structured a massive whip, knocking all the men to the ground at the same time. Zuko's eyes widen as the two elders smiled to themselves.
She did a firebending position while bending water.
'She used a different technique while still using an effective attack.' Li thought as she and her sister were greatly impressed.
As Katara let her guard down and turned to the floor, she apologized to the men as they picked themselves up, groaning. Turning her gaze to the councils, Katara patiently waited for any other commands the women wanted.
"In Fire Nation tradition and all our royal customs. You have proved to us, you are a bender and a skilled fighter in your unique style of element." Lo said as she and her sister clapped their hands concurrently.
"Congratulations, Master Katara of the Southern Water Tribe. You are welcomed to our people and to the royal laws of the Dragon. For now on, you will be escorted to the Western Wing near the Fire Lord's chambers." Li said with a smile.
Zuko slightly paled as Katara smiled warmly unaware of what the two women meant.
"Please rest and enjoy your day." Lo said as she and her sister turned to Zuko.
"My lord, thank you for attending. May you have a pleasant day as well." Lo and Li said at once.
Zuko nodded his head as he watched the two women leave.
Zuko then walked down the stairs, step by step. Still amazed and in shock of Katara's wonderful performance.
"Oh Zuko! I can't believe it! I did it!" Katara exclaimed as she rushed to the lord's side hugging him.
Zuko stepped back as he hugged the girl back patting her back. "Yea, I'm proud of you. It was truly amazing…" Zuko said as he pulled Katara away from him.
"Ah! Really?" Katara said as she blushed.
"Yes, especially when you used that firebending stance." Zuko said impressed.
Katara blushed even deeper, "Well, I don't think I perfected it, but I saw it while I reading in the library two nights ago. I figure I should try it." Katara said sheepishly, feeling slightly ashamed for not asking permission on using the stance in the first place.
"You did wonderful, Katara." Zuko said as he praised the girl before him.
Katara smiled warmly, "Thank you Zuko." Katara said.
"Well then, shall we clean up then go celebrate?" Zuko said as he held out his arm to the waterbender.
"Yes, that would be lovely…" Katara said as she took Zuko's arm and they walked into the palace.
Iroh walked down the hall at an even pace as he fumbled over the scroll in his hands. "This is not good, not at all…" Iroh mumbled as two figures caught his attention.
"Ah, Fire Lord Zuko, and Miss Katara." Iroh said happy to see the two together.
"Oh, good morning Iroh." Katara said as she bowed.
"Ah, and a wondrous morning to you, Miss Katara and must I say you look lovely in your training outfit. Did you train with my nephew?" Iroh asked as he lifted his eyebrow bearing a playful look in his eyes.
"No, uncle…She just performed her bending to the councils." Zuko said cutting of any other superstations from his mischievous uncle.
"Oh? How did it go?" Iroh asked as Katara smiled.
"They approved!" Katara said in a happy tone as she felt like she could jump up and down from her success. Iroh smiled and congratulated the girl as Zuko gazed down noticing his uncle's hands.
"Uncle? What do you have there?" Zuko asked as he mentioned the scroll in the man's fingers.
"Ah, some terrible news I'm afraid. Hurricane Wing has hit the Eastern front of the Earth Kingdom. Turns out the small storm we had grown worse and traveled fast over the Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation colonies." Iroh said as Katara gasped.
"How awful…" Katara said as she became concerned.
"Then I'll send for supplies to the damaged villages during my next meeting." Zuko said in a regal tone as he asked his uncle to give the scroll.
"Oh nephew, don't concern yourself with this. Let us celebrate Miss Katara's great accomplishment." Iroh said as he smiled widely.
"Let's take her shopping." Iroh said with a big grin.
Zuko sighed, "Uncle…" Zuko said as he held back the urge to pinch his upper brow.
"Go Miss Katara. Get ready; we'll go to the market this afternoon. Come on now." Iroh said as he rushed Katara down the hall.
Katara nodded her head as she left the two men and walked back to her room.
"Uncle just what are you planning?" Zuko asked as he watched his uncle closely.
"Why nothing of the sort, my dear nephew. Now you get ready too. I'll meet you at the entrance hall." Iroh said as he walked down the opposite direction of the hall. Zuko sighed deeply, he knew Iroh's obsession with shopping will make the day probably boring. Hopefully he can get Katara away from his uncle before the day is ruined.
The view of a under ground entrance was seen as two figures walked into the opened cave. Once inside the scene of a few people waiting by the docks of the Earth Kingdom boats. Aeron and Cole walked up to the post where they'll buy their tickets.
Walking up to the stand, Cole spoke to the woman in front of him. "Two tickets near Serpent's Pass." The young man said as he handed the woman forty silver coins.
"Go to number twenty-two, thank you for your purchase and using Earth Kingdom Transportation." The woman said as she stamped the tickets then handed them to Cole.
After he took the tickets, Cole turned to Aeron. "This is it." Cole said as Aeron smiled.
"This is it." Aeron repeated as they went to find their dock.
I hope you enjoyed Katara's performance! I tried to make it as realistic as possible. Next chapter they'll be more on Azula and the pirates, Aang. Katara, Zuko and the shop-loving Dragon of the West! Please review! I will continue my story for five reviews! So comment away! Thank you!
