Book 4 Air

Chapter 78 Scarlet Roses

The view of a dark skinned girl entering a bedroom chamber was seen. As Katara walked up to her bed, she sighed with content as she decided to get properly dressed for the day. Walking up to her closest, Katara picked out a special kimono with three distinct layers to keep warm for outside activities. "This will do nicely…" Katara said to herself as she removed her robe then glibly dressed herself in a burgundy kimono. The material was silk brocade, with designs of flora and golden rivers with dark metallic koi fish; swimming over the fabric in a lavish pattern.

The waterbender then walked over to her dresser and combed out her hair with a bristled brush. Untangling her hair, the girl slowly hummed the tune Zuko sang to her the night before. It was a soft tune, a familiar sound she couldn't quite put her finger on. "Hmm…Hmm…Mm..Hm..Hm…" Katara continued to hum as she pulled back a few strands of hair behind her ear.

"I've heard it before…Why can't I remember the name?" Katara said to herself as she walked over and placed two warm slippers on with fuzzy black fur stitched inside. Once fully dressed, the girl decided to go out into the gardens before she goes and eats her breakfast later on.

Stepping out of her bedroom, Katara casually made her way to the vestibule. Once at the open hallway, Katara breathed in the crisp cool air of autumn. It was nice to get outside for once, after the many weeks of staying cooped up inside. Plum red leaves felt along the ground from the nearby branches of the enormous maple tree grown from outside of the garden walls. The leaves covered the dark olive green grass as it swayed in the breeze as the willow branches shifted gracefully against the current. The willow still held her bright green leaves on her long narrow arms as Katara made her way to her favorite spot under the tree. As she pulled away the branches, Katara was surprised to see a person already there.

"Hello, my dear…What brings you to the garden?" the woman asked as Katara blinked unsure what to say as she only smiled softly.

"May I join you?" Katara asked politely as Ursa nodded her head.

The teen girl bowed her head as she then seated herself on the small turf next to the older woman.

A moment of silence lingered between the two women as Katara slowly took in the beauty of the garden. Red roses bundled in bushes were seen with fire lilies in late bloom, the birds of paradise were hiding away for winter as their long stalks wilted against the brightly colored flowers.

Katara then turned to the woman next to her. She then noticed that the older woman had a rose in her hand, which was carefully entwined in her fingers. Katara smiled at the woman. 'She must really love her garden.' Katara thought as Ursa slightly turned her eyes towards the girl.

"May I ask you, my dear…What is your name again? I am afraid I have forgotten." Ursa asked softly as Katara smiled, "It's Katara." The waterbender said as she bowed her head.

"Ah…Katara…The meaning of a waterfall, correct?" Ursa asked as she repeated the waterbender's name.

"Yes." Katara said as Ursa then narrowed her eyes.

"Tell me…How do you feel about my son?" Ursa asked in a serious tone as Katara was caught off guard.

"Your son…?" Katara said as she slowly thought about what to say.

There's so much she likes about the young Fire Lord. The way he treats her and cares for her, the way he makes her feel every time they talk or kiss…Even thinking about him caused the girl to have butterflies flying in her stomach.

Red tint covered the girl's cheek as she parted her lips; she will be honest with Zuko's mother.

"I love him…I am in love with your son." Katara said as she blushed deeper, gripping her dress as she confessed her feelings to the older woman.

Ursa curved her lips ever so slightly before she lifted her hand up to her face. The scarlet red rose twirled in her hand as she examined the flower.

"Love is like a rose…Beautiful at first glance, but hidden secrets lies within. For every rose has a thorn…" Ursa said as she then closed her eyes and smelt the sweet fragrance of the flower.

Katara blinked as she let the woman's words sink in.

'Does she not believe I love him? Or am I not worthy to be with her son?' Katara thought as she started to panic on the inside.

Her heart raced against her chest as she then spoke out in a soft tone, "What does it mean?" Katara asked as Ursa turned her gaze at the girl. "What do you think it means, Katara…?" the woman said in monotoned voice.

The woman's eyes were intense as the golden honey hue glistened wildly in their sun like depths. Katara then scooted slightly as she started to feel uncomfortable in the woman's presence. Katara then tried to focus else where than the woman's piercing stare. The girl the noted Ursa's clothing, of simple traditional robes of gold and burgundy. Coming back to the woman's question, Katara tried to think of a reasonable answer. One she felt was from her heart.

"I think that…Even if it may seem beautiful at first, there will always be something that gets in the way. But love…conquers all! No matter how many thorns, love will still hold that beauty. Forever…" Katara said with a pause, "Love will find a way!" Katara then said passionately as she clenched her heart.

'Forever…?'

Ursa then smiled faintly as she then turned away from the girl's form.

"You have my blessings…Katara Tao." Ursa said lightly as a hint of emotion lingered in her voice.

Katara then blinked as Ursa then spoke out softly, "Excuse me, if you will…I think I'll go inside for now…and warm up." Ursa said as she slowly stood up then left the waterbender alone.

Katara watched the woman gracefully walk down the stone path to the vestibule.

The girl admired the woman's elegant posture and how lightly she stepped along the walkway. Like she was floating…Before the girl could see her anymore, the woman was gone.

Katara then sighed as she looked out at the pond, her mind deep in thought.


The view of a tall feminine figure walking to her bedroom quarters was seen. Ursa reached for the door handle as she then heard a voice call out to her. Ursa narrowed her eyes as memories started to flood her mind. The room suddenly became brighter as she then turned.

Turning, she then saw a young man taking her hand. "Come, before they find us." The young Ozai said as he quickly ran down the hall. "Ozai! We'll be late…" Ursa said with a heartful laugh.

"Let them wait…I have something for you…Come hurry!" the young man said as they raced down the hall.

The vision soon turned to the two teens standing in the private room with red diamond velvet walls. "Here…" Ozai said as he handed the girl a gift.

The woman looked at the small bulb glass with a fire lily half way in bloom inside, somehow preserved in a clear liquid. Looking back up at Ozai she gasped.

"I know that they only bloom once every year…and I know how much you love them. So I made you this for you." Ozai said with a smile as he watched Ursa's reaction.

"Ozai…This…This is beautiful." Ursa said as she smiled warmly.

"It will last forever in this glass case. Just like our love will last forever." Ozai said as he held her lightly as he kissed her forehead.

"Forever…?" Ursa repeated as a voice called out to her.

"Ursa? Did you hear me?" the voice said again as Ursa lightly jumped, "Oh! Yes…Good morning Iroh. How are you?" Ursa said as she noticed the old general.

"Ursa…May I talk to you for a moment." Iroh said in a low tone as he opened her bedroom door and led her inside.

"What is it, Iroh…? Are you finally going to let me see him!?" Ursa said as she clenched her heart.

"Now, Ursa…" Iroh started to say as the woman cried out. "No! The councils let my go…I should now have the right to see my husband!" Ursa said as she rushed over to her drawer, pulling out her most treasured possession. The same bulb glass from her memory, with the same partly opened fire lily that she kept by her side all of these years.

Holding it to her heart, Ursa spoke again with a deep emotional tone in her voice.

"I want to see him…I loved him. I still love him!" Ursa cried out as Iroh yelled out.

"He's dead!"

The Ursa's eyes widen in horrid as she gasped, the ear-shattering sound of glass broke on the wooden floor.

"Get out…"

"Ursa, please under-

"GET OUT!" Ursa screamed out as she then felt to the floor sobbing.

Iroh then shut his eyes as he turned and left the room.

The view of Ursa was seen reaching down for the glass as her hands shook uncontrollably. "Ozai…" the woman cried out in a high tone as she then sobbed again.

The view of the flower was seen as its colors slowly started to fade as the liquid puddled on the floor.


"Sokka! Sokka!" a voice called out as the young Water Tribe man froze in the center of the hallway.

"Su-Suki!" Sokka exclaimed as he turned around to see his girlfriend. The young woman laughed as she raced to the young man. Hugging her tightly, Sokka then lightly picked her up, and then spin her around as he buried his face in her hair. "Suki! Suki! Suki!" Sokka cried out as the girl laughing out loudly endearingly.

Pulling away, Sokka planted kissed on the girl's lips and cheeks. "Oh, I-I've missed you so much." Sokka managed to say as Suki giggled. "I've missed you too." Suki said as she wrapped her around his neck.

"Hey, whada ya' know? Suki's back!" Toph said as Aang stepped close by her.

"Yea she is…It's good to see her." Aang said as he secretly admired the teens affectionate display.

"So it seems…" Zuko said as he entered into the picture along with Katara.

"Team Avatar is back!" Sokka exclaimed as he laughed loudly.

The rest of the friends chuckled and giggled as Sokka danced in a circle.

"I'm glad everyone is here. I wanted to announce something before we have breakfast this morning." Zuko said as the gang looked at him.

"The Golden Dragon Dance is four days away. I advise everyone remember the rules and to be prepared for the ceremony." Zuko said with a faint smile.

The group nodded their heads as everyone walked into the dining room.


"Swirls of antique glass, blazes of brass, forests of carved earth and waterfalls of crystal combine. This shall be quite entertaining…" a malicious voice said as a figure hovered in the dark corners of the palace.

"Heh… Heh… Heh…" the voice echoed as the scene of windows came into view with morning sunlight shining in.


And yes, the gloomy dark figure in the shadows is talking about Aang, Toph, Zuko and Katara if you haven't guessed and yes, its truly tragic for poor Ursa…I seem to make the whole royal families' lives completely miserable at times uh? Haha…Yes, I'm bad…Another update for all my readers! Thanks for reading and DO NOT FORGET TO REVIEW! Thank you!