Got another one for you! Very short today but I think it'll go over well.


Day Twenty

Meeting the Family


"So, anyway, this is Katara."

"Yes. We've met."

Azula's amber eyes bore into Katara's own like a sabretooth moose-lion staring down a pygmy puma. Katara, to her credit, just stared right back. She wouldn't allow herself to be intimidated by a girl she'd beaten in a fight. "Hello, Azula," the blue-eyed waterbender said, attempting to be civil. Not that she expected Azula to do the same.

Sure enough, when Azula spoke again, it was to Zuko. Apparently, she believed addressing Katara herself would muddy her. "So, Zuko. Decided you like younger girls? Mai too old and stuffy for you? Or is it her low status that turns you on? You always did like playing in the dirt."

Zuko did a fantastic job of not allowing himself to be riled by his sister. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't insinuate things about my friends," he told her, giving her a no-nonsense look. "Anyway, I came here today to tell you that I'm going to look for mom." He placed a hand on Katara's shoulder and added, "Katara's going to help."

Katara nodded, still watching Azula levelly.

Azula's brow furrowed briefly before smoothing back out. Whatever she felt upon hearing Zuko's announcement she didn't feel like letting on to them. "Taking her to meet mommy, eh? Are you sure that's a good idea? Do you expect mother will be happy to hear that her darling son is screwing a water tribe peasant?"

This time, Zuko's careful control cracked. He took a step forward to roughly grasp the bars of Azula's cell. "If you think mom is the kind of person who would spurn a person just because of race or status then you didn't know her at all." Taking a calming breath, he released the bars and stepped back to once again stand beside Katara. "We'll be leaving now. I just thought you should know."

Zuko beckoned to Katara and the two of them turned to go. They had a long trip ahead of them.

Just as they made to step through the heavy steel doorway leading back into the palace proper, Azula spoke again. "She isn't the saint you think she is," she warned, her tone suddenly hard.

Zuko didn't stop, nor did he turn around. Whatever image flaws he may have about his mother would be reconciled when they found her. For now, he would believe in the mother from his memories.

His mood lightened when he felt Katara grasp his hand reassuringly. "I'm sure your mom will accept you no matter what kind of person you've become."

Zuko offered her a small, grateful smile and squeezed her hand. "Yeah. I think so, too."

oO0Oo


Got some Azula action in this one. I figured meeting Azula would be more interesting than meeting Iroh or Hakoda. Dicks out for siblings!