Book 4 Air
Chapter 87 Similar Scenarios
Katara's mind was repeating the woman's words over and over as she entered her room. To be honest, when she saw the sight of the young man reunited with his mother. A slight sting of jealousy pierced her heart. But after she thought through her hurt feelings, Katara was able to forgive and forget. She already had closure when she faced the man who killed her mother. It was all thanks to the Fire prince who offered to help her find that wretched man. Without his help…Katara wondered if she would have still held those bitter feelings towards him and the rest of the Fire Nation.
Of course she was passed that…Now, she was happy and excited for the future. For the first time in a long time, the girl felt like she belonged.
Removing her outfit, Katara laid the dress on the bed then turned to her bathroom door. "I think a nice bath before lunch will be good." Katara said to herself as she entered into the room and looked at her reflection. She smiled before pulling the band out of her hair bun and then removed her lower bindings.
'Today will be a good day…' Katara thought as she turned on the shower latch.
As the cool liquid trickled down his throat, Zuko sighed with content as he enjoyed his iced tea with lemon. Iroh smiled at the young man's calm features and he took a sip of his cup.
Zuko closed his eyes as he slouched in his chair, it felt good to relax for a while.
"So my nephew…Do you think you and Miss Katara will be prepared for the ceremony?" Iroh asked in a serious tone as Zuko opened his eyes slightly before parting his lips. "I think so, uncle…" Zuko said as he straightened his back and sat up more formally.
"I just hope it won't be too much for Katara…It must be hard for her to follow our customs. I just wish…We could add some of hers as well." Zuko said as Iroh lifted his right eyebrow.
"Hmm, that sounds like a wonderful idea, nephew." The old man said as Zuko perked up. "Uh, what do you mean?" Zuko asked as Iroh repeated, "To add some of Miss Katara's traditional customs into the ceremony." Iroh said as Zuko blinked then thought about the idea.
"Well, I'm not familiar with much of her customs…" Zuko said as Iroh smiled.
"Hmm, there is one ritual I think will work perfectly for both customs." Iroh said as Zuko listened to his uncle.
"I'll get the materials needed for the wedding…" Iroh mumbled as Zuko looked at his uncle suspiciously.
"Uncle…What materials?" Zuko asked as Iroh smiled. "You'll find out soon enough, my dear nephew…" Iroh said as he stood up.
"Now if you will excuse me. I have some shopping to do." Iroh said as Zuko narrowed his eyes.
"Uncle…" Zuko started to say before the old general left the room in a hurry, ignoring the young Fire Lord.
Zuko sighed as he then looked down at his cup before taking a long sip.
'What is he up to?' Zuko thought as he stood up then paced to the doorway before entering into the hall.
Ursa was seen stepping out of her room as she gently closed the door behind her. Turning back, she made her way to the hallway. Her figure gracefully entered through the corridors as her face expressed a small sign of sadness. The woman appeared deep in thought.
"Princess?" a voice called out as Ursa was brought out of her thoughts.
"General Iroh…" Ursa said as she turned seeing the man.
"I am glad you fought your way through despair…Remember to take things slow." Iroh said reminding the woman who was still in a fragile state.
Ursa blinked before smiling faintly, "You are quite wise…General Iroh." Ursa said as the man bowed his head.
"Hmm…" Iroh mumbled as Ursa spoke softly, "Thank you for your concern, but I am doing fine now." Ursa said as she tilted her head to the side innocently.
'She hasn't changed one bit…' Iroh thought as he smiled to the woman's gesture.
"I'll be going to the marketplace this afternoon; would you like to join me?" Iroh asked as the woman smiled.
"Yes, that would be lovely…" Ursa said as Iroh lead her down the hall.
Walking back to the infirmary, Aang thought over Ryuan's stern words. There was still so much the airbender didn't understand…Hopefully he can reach his former self, Avatar Roku and ask him for advice on how to deal with the spirit Koh.
As Aang opened the door and stepped in he saw a form hidden under the sheets and blankets. Aang blinked. 'Is Toph sleeping?' Aang thought as he walked up to her bedside.
"Toph…?" Aang said as he started to reach out to the lump on the bed. "Go away!" the earthbender yelled as Aang was taken back.
"Why?" Aang asked concerned as Toph shuffled under the blankets. "Leave! You have better things to do…" Toph said in an annoyed and angry voice. Aang's face saddens as he then reached out again to the girl. Placing his hand on blanket, Aang spoke out. "Toph…What's wron-
Before the boy could finish his sentence, the blankets flew in the air as two hands pushed the airbender back. Aang gasped as he fell backwards, in the midst of the motion he saw two raging jade eyes glare at him then he saw the white grainy ceiling above. Landing hard on the floor, Aang took a moment to realize what happened.
Finally he looked up at the earthbender girl, her face expressed embarrassment and anger as her cheeks tinted red. "Just go!" Toph cried out as Aang slowly stood up.
"No…" Aang said flatly as Toph shut her eyes.
"You're the Avatar! You have more important things to do than waste your time here!" Toph yelled speaking her mind as her hands clenched.
Aang then understood as he smiled warmly, "You're so cute when you're angry…" Aang said as Toph opened her eyes. Her green orbs widen from his statement as she then gasped as he appeared in front of her. Aang leaned in and kissed her cheek before he chuckled.
"I guess you were mad when I didn't show up…" Aang said as Toph turned her head away from him.
"Hmpf…" Toph mumbled out in a huff as she then felt the airbender embrace her.
"Wah! Let me go!" Toph cried out as she shut her eyes trying to push the boy away.
"You smell so sweet…" Aang said as he inhaled the scent of her hair.
"Like apples…" Aang mumbled as Toph slowly opened her eyes.
"You smell good too…" Toph confessed as Aang pulled away.
"Oh yea? What do I smell like?" Aang asked as he smiled at the girl.
"Like cinnamon..." Toph said as she blushed.
Aang's lips widen into a big grin as he leaned in and kissed Toph lightly on the nose. Toph gasped out as she then buried her face into his chest.
"Don't do that! It's embarrassing…" Toph mumbled as Aang held her closer.
"Haha…" Aang laughed as the scene drifted to scattered blankets on the floor.
Dressing into a simple dark carmine red robe with a black sash, Katara then neatly wore her hair up in a fashionable bun after clipping a ruby décor hairpin. As she exited out of her room, Katara made her way to the dining quarters. Stepping into the room she noticed the Fire Lord sitting at the head of the table. Lowering her head, she made her way to her usual seat on the right side of the table. Zuko mildly turned to her and noted her modest approach.
'She doesn't appear to still be angry…Is she just upset?' Zuko thought as he then cleared his throat.
"You don't have to look so down…" Zuko said as Katara slightly lifted her head. "What do you mean?" Katara asked as Zuko faced her.
"I'm sorry about before…I was just tired and frustrated." Zuko added in, apologizing for their past argument. Katara blinked, "Why are you apologizing? Did I say something wrong?" Katara asked as Zuko's eyebrow arched up.
"Wait, you don't remember our fight in the studio?" Zuko said with astonishment and confusion.
Katara tilted her head to the side, honestly she did forget. Yet it would explain the uneasy shame she felt when she saw the young man after she entered the dining room.
"Yea…I guess I did." Katara said as she placed her hands on her lap.
Zuko's lips twitched as he then sighed, "It's alright…Over and done with…" Zuko said not wanting to push the issue any further as he took a sip of tea.
Katara lowered her head as she continued to think to herself. So much was flooding her head, it would be reasonable to forget something like a fight, right? Well, Katara still felt uncomfortable over the solution. Zuko actually apologized and was sincere.
"Thank you…" Katara said softly as Zuko turned his gaze back at the waterbender. He smiled.
"Yea…" Zuko said content with the girl's appreciation.
"Will my brother, Suki, Aang and Toph be joining us?" Katara asked as Zuko shook his head.
"Sokka ordered room service with Suki." Zuko said as he then thought of the whereabouts of the Avatar.
"I know Toph is still in the infirmary, probably resting. As for Aang…I'm not sure." Zuko said truthfully as Katara smiled warmly.
Zuko noticed her features as he questioned her, "Why are you smiling like that?" Zuko asked as Katara laughed lightly.
"I'm just happy for Toph. Aang is probably there with her…" Katara said in a sweet tone as Zuko nodded his head.
"Yes, perhaps you're right. I have seen them quite close lately." Zuko said as Katara smiled.
"We've been rather close lately too…" Katara said as she leaned in and nuzzled the young man's side. Zuko blinked from the girl's sudden affection; he then smiled as he kissed her lightly. "Yea…" Zuko said as he then straightened his pose on the chair and looked out from the kitchen door.
"Our meal should be ready soon…" Zuko said as Katara clasped her hands together. "Oh, I can't wait! I've worked a big appetite." Katara said as she giggled.
Zuko smiled lightly as he then gazed down at his tea cup. 'So much is happening…I'm glad I'm able to relax for a while…' Zuko thought as he then turned facing the waterbender, 'with her…'
Yes Katara can be slightly forgetful…I hope you've enjoyed this chapter so far! Some Zutara food action coming up next along with Aeron and Cole! PLEASE review and comment!
