Book 4 Air

Chapter 88 I Don't Know You

The strong aroma of grilled shrimp and red curry filled the room as servants walked in with silver trays. Zuko and Katara patiently waited as the servants set the trays down and removed the lids. Katara's lips widen with a big smile as she looked down at the meal served with white rice.

"Oh this looks delicious!" Katara exclaimed with joy as she picked up her chopsticks and happily took a bit of the tender meat.

Chewing softly, the girl hummed out a moan of delight as Zuko chuckled. He watched her with content as he took a sip of light wine.

"Enjoying the new cuisine?" Zuko asked the waterbender as she smiled.

"Oh yes…! This food reminds me of the arctic krill we would boil in my tribe." Katara said as she took another bite.

Zuko smiled as he spoke, "They're called royal red shrimp, very plump and very good with spiced wasabi." Zuko said as he placed his wine glass down.

"I'll love to try that some time." Katara said with another warm smile before biting down on another curled shrimp with bits of rice.

The two ate their meal quietly as the distance sound of howling wind was heard blowing against the palace windows.


Stepping forward to the two red doors, a shaky hand was seen as it wobbled to the wooden entrance. The figure pressed against the two doors peering into the crack. The sight of two people was seen in the dining room. Harsh, rapid breathes escaped the woman's lips as she trembled against the door. Her vision started to blur as she hesitated slightly.

"Kill them…Kill them…"

A voice rang in the girls head as she whimpered out, pulling away from the door.

"You there!" a voice called out as Azula backed away from the door.

"Your services are needed in the lobby. Be quick on it!" the head staff woman called out as the girl lowered her head and fled down the hall.

The aged woman cocked her head slightly before dismissing the girl's strange behavior.

'There is far too much work to be done. Order and rigid discipline is the key for every successful preparation for any occasion.' The woman thought set in her ways of the previous propaganda.

"Oh, spirits mercy…I pray the councils will be on time." The woman said as she gazed at the sun lazily lowering under the high towers.

Just then a slight tapping was heard. The woman turned her head behind her to see no one neither entering the corridor nor leaving the rooms. The head staff member narrowed her eyes before lightly shrugging off the sudden sound of footsteps.


"So what are we looking for, General Iroh?" Ursa asked the old man kindly as Iroh narrowed his eyes.

"A rare stone…" Iroh said as he pointed to a small shop with a sign stamped outside saying jewelry and accessories.

Ursa smiled as she then turned her head seeing a familiar face. "Aeron?" the woman spoke as the girl noticed the older woman.

Aeron bowed her head deeply, "Mother…" Aeron said in a tone of respect as Cole followed Aeron's bow.

Ursa smiled warmly, "Who is this young man?" the woman asked as Aeron lifted her head.

"This is my fiancé, Cole." Aeron said as she lowered her head lightly. Cole jerked his head up while blushing deeply by the declaration of their status as a couple.

Ursa giggled softly as she then saw the basket of ripe produce, that the girl held in her arms. "What lovely fruits you've found." Ursa said as Aeron blushed. "This is a present for you, mother…" Aeron said as she bowed to her waist holding up the basket to the woman.

"Well then, they will make a fine snack for later on. Thank you very much my dear." Ursa said as she plucked one of the fruits from the basket. The passion fruit looked appealing as she examined it. Placing the fruit back, Ursa then took the basket from Aeron's hold and offered it to a nearby guard. "Please take this to the dining quarters and have the head chef stored them safely." Ursa said as the guard bowed his head curtly then left with the basket full of fruits and few wild flowers tucked lightly in the weaved case.

Ursa then turned to the two teens, "Would you both like to join us? We're shopping for something nice for the upcoming ceremony." Ursa said as Aeron bowed again. "I'm lost…But we must return home before the tide comes in." The girl said in an apologetic tone as both Aeron and Cole lifted their heads.

Ursa frowned lightly before smiling again with a soft curve, "Very well, may your journey home be safe, then." Ursa said as she stepped up to the girl and placed her hand gently on top of Aeron's head.

Aeron smiled happily as her eyes glistened a genuine sadness from parting with the kind woman.

Ursa bowed her head lightly before walking away from the two teens in a gracefully movement down the marketplace. Iroh followed by as he then smiled to Aeron and Cole before entering behind the woman.

Aeron watched the two walk away as she smiled faintly. "Aeron? Are you alright?" Cole asked as the girl turned to the young man.

"Yes…Now, let's go home." Aeron said peacefully as Cole smiled. "Yes…" Cole said as he swung his bag over his shoulder and the two walked down the path to the boarding docks below.


The plucking vibrations of the stringed instrument echoed in the studio as Katara and Zuko continued their session of abrazo. Swaying along the hardwood floor, Zuko led Katara across the room. Their bodies were relaxed and flowed through the steps easier than they had performed previously. Katara freely danced in her light training uniform she put on before the practicing to ease her way along the steps and movements. While Zuko wore his red silk vest with a golden collar and loose red pants. The couple danced as instructed, each step was in perfect alignment with each other as their movements spiked then fallen, subconsciously shifting with the music's beat.

Katara jerked her leg up, kicking into the air as she folded back while Zuko spun her quickly before catching her in a rigid embrace before turning her back then leading forward. The duo finished their last move as the music stopped briefly; then another sound was heard by the doorway. Katara and Zuko looked up to see Iroh clapping his hands.

"Very good, you have learned the steps beautifully." Iroh said with praise as the two teens smiled and pulled away from each other and wiped the gleaming sweat from their brows.

"Of course there is one thing lacking…" Iroh said as he rubbed his beard.

Zuko huffed out in annoyance as Katara patiently waited for the man to speak out.

"The passion isn't there." Iroh said with slight disappointment as Zuko and Katara blinked then blushed looking away from each other.

"You have to break that wall between you…" Iroh said as he shook his hands lightly animating his words.

"Hold on to her as if you were to die without her." Iroh said to Zuko as the Fire Lord lowered his head.

"As for you, Miss Katara…Just picture Zuko without… his shirt on." Iroh said with amusement in his voice.

Katara slightly jumped from embarrassment as Zuko shouted out, "Uncle!" the young man yelled as his brows frowned in anger. "Don't say such a ridiculous suggestion like that ever again." Zuko said as his cheeks flared with red.

Iroh beamed a bright smile before leaving the room, "Ah, but it will work…" Iroh said with confidence as he chuckled entering into the hallway.

Zuko sighed as Katara blushed then giggled lightly.


The golden sun set into the dark blue ocean, blurred by the thin line of the horizon as the skies were seen in a deep red mixed with the evening sapphire skies laminating the heavens above. The beautiful scene then drifted to the Royal Palace with a lone man walking down a hallway, clad in royal armor. The general was steady in his formal steps as he paced down the hall inspecting the preparations for the ceremony.

As the man looked over the hanging lamps above his head, he then turned to see a servant bow to him.

"General Jee, Imperial Ryuan wishes to speak with you over important information. He wishes to see you in the eastern wing." The male servant said as he kept his head down.

"Ah I see..." Jee said as he then paused, "Which room will I be meeting him?" The general asked as the servant spoke, "The dome room, sir."

"Hmm, very well then. Please call for Mrs. Wen's staff to complete the inspection for the ceremony." Jee said as the servant nodded his head. "Understood, sir." The man said as the general left down the hall.

'Hmm…I wonder what important information he wants to discuss with me…' Jee thought as he narrowed his eyes.


A soft laugher rang heartfully as the sight of a dim room with a blazing fire was seen from the mantle lit the room in an orange light. The scene shifted to the sight of Katara giggling and Zuko chuckling as they sat comfortable on a small love seat facing the romantic fire place.

"I think we did fairly well…Do you think so, Zuko?" Katara asked as the young man nodded his head.

Katara then smiled as she snuggled closer to the Fire Lord. Zuko smiled warmly as he kissed her on the head lightly.

It was strange being as close as they were, only to feel so distant around other people. Zuko ponder this for some time, unaware the girl be side him also thought the same thing.

'Could it be the guilt I've felt in the past?' Zuko thought as he remembers he always has an attraction for the young waterbender but the Avatar seemed to cling to her like a flying rabbit monkey, thus never giving him the chance to get to be with her.

'Could it be my insecurities?' Katara thought as she remembered Aang's jealousy towards the Fire prince during the Ember's play and how he always seemed to be by her side.

'But…' Katara and Zuko both thought with a pause.

'Things are different now…'

Zuko turned to Katara as she did the same, looking up at the young man's gold molten eyes. Zuko smiled as he watched the girl's eyes sparkled like a sapphire night sky.

The two leaned in kissing each other softly, before their lips entwined more deeply. Tasting their mouths deliciously, as their tongues swam together in wet caverns of saliva and flavor.

'His taste…It always tangs spiciness…' Katara thought as she cupped his cheek.

The couple continued to kiss one another passionately as the scene glided to the flickering fire place.


Pacing down the hall, Azula hastily tried to open the door in front of her. It was locked. Running to the next door, she franticly tried to enter into any room. To hide from the madness in her head, the voices were growing louder as she cried out. Handle after handle she finally found one opened.

Quickly she ran and fell to the floor, gasping on her hands and knees. As she stood up she heard a different voice. A soft gentle voice as she turned. It was her mother. No…It was just another illusion. Azula thought irrationally as the young woman spoke, "Get away from me…" Azula hissed as the woman stepped forward.

"My dear daughter…" Ursa said with sadness as she reached out her hands.

'What has happened to you…What happened to my little girl.?' Ursa thought as she saw the dark circles under the girl's eyes along with her panting breathe and shaking limbs.

"Get away…You think I'm a monster…You! Get away from me!" Azula cried out as she gripped her head, screaming loudly.

"Azula…" Ursa said softly as she stepped towards the girl.

"I'm here…I'm here my dear." Ursa said as she reached the girl, wrapping her arms around her protectively.

Azula gasped out as tears flowed down her eyes. "My baby girl…" Ursa said as Azula then hugged her mother.

A light pause dragged on before Azula slightly lifted her head from her mother's shoulder and inaudibly pulled out a long sharp knife from her uniform, lifting the blade behind her mother's back.

"Good bye…Mother." Azula said lightly with a hint of sadness.


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