Chapter 15
Children
Katara ran a hand absent mindedly through her hair as she made her way to the front entrance of the palace. When she reached the outside of the doorway she found Zuko already there waiting for her. He was leaning against a pillar, his head downcast and his hair falling into his eyes. 'Okay, he really is ridiculously good looking.' Katara finally admitted to herself as she eyed him up and down. If she had to be stuck with someone for the rest of her life at least it was someone she'd enjoy looking at, provided she wasn't mad at him.
"So, what's first on this tour? As you know I've spent plenty of time hiding in the fire nation so you're going to need to be pretty impressive to keep me entertained." Katara announced, trying to appear calm, cool, and collected.
"You may have spent time here but you've never had an actually tour guide and I've decided to help you out with all your studies by boring you with some fire nation history as we go." Zuko grinned.
"How delightful." Katara joked.
"It'll be fun, I promise. I want to show you how the fire nation used to be and show you some of the areas under construction."
"Well then lead the way. I don't mind skipping a day of training." Katara grinned.
"Good." He said standing up straight. "Let's go."
- -
It hadn't taken long but Katara was absolutely certain that despite her better judgment, she was actually enjoying Zuko's company right now. He seemed far more relaxed outside of the palace, and since there weren't any council members or nobles following him around he wasn't being uptight or a jerk. In fact, she was almost tempted to say that at times he was even funny. They had ventured into the city which was quieter than Zuko remembered it being as a child, but busier than Katara remembered it being while she'd hidden there. Zuko had informed her that was the city had been full of music and in the center of the city was a large pavilion where people used to dance, sing, sell their wares, and many other things.
He'd taken her to the pavilion where she had been surprised to see an enormous water fountain in the center. The center piece was a dancing flame that spouted water which had been mixed with some sort of gold dust that made the water sparkle golden yellow as it poured down into the basin. The stone of the base was continued out into a flat area that spread across the entire empty space of the pavilion and the fire nation symbol had been etched into the stone.
Looking at the large space Katara could almost picture this area full of life as he had described. She could see a couple of free lance musicians leaning against the water fountain strumming a tune, teens and young adults with nowhere in particular to be stopping to enjoy the music, peddlers showing up with fresh treats to entice the growing crowd with their wares. Someone would just lose themselves to the music and start dancing and others would just follow along as the music took them.
It was a shame that Fire Lord Ozai had seen this kind of activity as a waste of day light. He figured if people were dancing in the street they weren't doing anything to help their nation gain supremacy in the world and thus he had put a stop to the festivities that used to happen here. Katara was glad Zuko said he hoped to bring it back. From there he'd proceeded to take her hand and lead her to the market place where he introduced her to fruits and vegetables that the fire nation was famous for. He'd made her try a bite of each and had grinned when she bit into a particularly juicy fruit and juice had dripped down her chin. He'd been gentle in wiping it off with her thumb and the light brush made her flush instantly. She cursed her stomach for the butterflies that coursed through her and the fruit she'd just eaten because that meant she couldn't blame the sensation on hunger.
He showed her some of the oldest buildings in the city and introduced her to shop owners who had been there since he was a child. Despite the hesitance of many of the adults in accepting Zuko as fire lord, these older men and women who remembered the boy prince, that had come through clutching his mother's skirts, had never given up on hope that he would grow into strong willed, compassionate ruler.
Katara was pretty impressed. She hadn't realized Zuko knew his city so intimately. He actually knew which mill spun the cloth for their clothing, where the hunters lived that caught most of the game sent to the palace, he knew such little details that she hadn't thought someone like him would pay attention to. It brought a smile to her lips seeing the deep caring she knew he was capable of, showing through again. Her interest had been sparked and she'd began asking him questions, trying to familiarize herself with the city as well.
"Oh! Look over there Zuko, is that a school?" Katara asked, seeing a large group of children playing in an open field behind a large building.
His expression was a sad frown as he drew up beside her to see where she was looking.
"No, Katara, that's not a school at all. It's an orphanage. Many people tend to forget that the fire nation suffered losses in this war as well. There were many children left without fathers and women with no means to support them as many of the soldiers wives were homemakers. Some couldn't deal with the idea of having to work for a living and some took up jobs that left no time for looking after their children or didn't provide enough for them and the many children they had. So they are here." Zuko explained.
"That's so sad. What will happen to them now?"
"It depends on the child, really. The fire benders will probably be fed into the military, those with skills will probably be taken in as apprentices by the local townspeople, and those without will probably end up in a life of servitude."
"That's so sad. Why aren't nobles taking them in? I'm sure they have the means to care for these children."
"Because they're prideful old coots and wouldn't dream of calling anyone who wasn't born a noble their son or daughter."
"Maybe we should adopt one, start a trend." Katara looked at him with an inspired glow in her eyes.
Zuko just stared at her as if she was crazy.
"What? You're not too stuck up to help one of these children are you?" Katara asked, hands on her hips.
"Er, no. That's not it."
"What then?"
"Well for starters, we're not even married yet. As we have no idea how married life is going to be, I hardly think bringing an already confused child into the situation is going to make the transfer any easier. I know you're hearts in the right place but think about it." He laughed, then continued on in a more serious tone. "And secondly…I don't really have much experience with children. And if my family track record is anything to go off of…well, I'm just not certain right now that I'll make a very good father."
"I was under the impression we didn't really have a choice here." Katara said, quirking her head to the side.
"You're right, we don't, but I'm not exactly rushing it either. The thought of having someone else completely dependent on me along with an entire nation, kind of scares me out of my wits."
A goofy smile spread across Katara's face at his honesty. She couldn't stop herself from hugging him any more than she could have stopped the blush that spread across his face at the admission.
"Well, if it makes you feel any better, you won't be alone. You've got me remember."
"Yeah, I do."
"And, there's no time like the present to start learning what kind of parent you're going to be, let's go." She grabbed his hand and proceeded to drag him towards the orphanage.
"Wait, no, Katara this is ridiculous."
"How so? It'll be good practice to be around kids before you actually have a kid, don't you think?"
"Well, I guess so but…don't you think this is going to be a bit awkward."
"Hmmm, you're right." She said after scrutinizing his regal outfit. "You need to change but we're hardly going all the way back to the castle now, so just ditch the robe and remember to dress down tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?"
"Well, if I have to be in training every day, so do you." Katara gave him a wicked grin and then pushed him through the doorway into the orphanage.
- -
"Hey dad!" Sokka called. "What's up?"
"Not much, Sokka. What are you doing wandering around?" Hakoda answered.
"I was trying to see who I should ask about having some more parties." Sokka grinned.
"We're in need of another party? I thought your beach party would satisfy you for a while."
"This one isn't for me. I was thinking maybe we needed to have a party for Zuko, like a last rights kind of thing before he's chained down to whole marriage thing and the girls should have one for Katara. We can do guy stuff at ours that they would find stupid and they can do their dumb girl stuff at hers."
Hakoda just blinked at this son, then sighed with a smile on his face, the boy never stopped looking for ways to have a good time. "I suppose Iroh would be the one to talk to."
"Great! And what's this I hear about a ball? Can I get in on the planning of that?" Sokka continued.
"Yes, there will be a ball, no, you can't plan it. The fire nation has their own rituals for their engagement announcements so there is a ball coming up during which Katara will be presented to the people for the first time, officially."
"Ah, so that's why they've been working her so hard with training every day."
"It is. I hope it will all go well."
"Of course it will, you know Katara. She'll be so impressive they'll wonder why they never thought of marrying their princes to water benders before." Sokka grinned.
Hakoda raised an eyebrow at his son. Where had all this happy energy come from? 'He's probably just excited for another excuse to party.' Hakoda laughed inwardly. So long as his kids weren't fighting any more, it was enough for him.
- -
"My lord." A young woman gasped, jumping to her feet and bowing before Zuko several times.
Katara nearly laughed at the blush that stained Zuko's cheeks by the girl's reaction. He was used to the servants in the palace bowing to him but due to his time in exile it had become strange to him for ordinary people to immediately drop to their knees whenever he entered the door.
"I, uh…" Zuko started.
"Can we play with the children?" Katara jumped in.
The woman's eyes nearly popped out of her head.
"I'm sorry?" She asked, shaking her head, convinced she hadn't heard right.
"Er, we were hoping we might be able to visit the children that are playing…outside." Zuko finished lamely, this felt so strange to him.
"If that is your wish, my lord. Please, come this way." The woman bowed again and then lead them to the back of the orphanage where a paper screen door was slid open.
Katara scanned the group of children she'd seen playing again. "They're all so young."
"The older ones are in lesson, lady." The woman explained.
"Oh, please, just call me Katara." Katara smiled kindly at the woman.
"Yes, Lady Katara."
"No, I meant…" She was silenced by a look from Zuko. Well that was certainly something she was going to have to get used to. It felt weird to be addressed with honorifics in public.
The woman led them out into the open field area and called to the children.
"Come little ones, we are being honored with a very special visit today." She called. "All of you bow before the Fire Lord."
"…Hello." Zuko waved awkwardly to the group of kids before him. The eldest of the group were probably eight, however, despite their age they had been taught well as they all knew who he was and had a perfected bow or curtsey.
'They really do learn this stuff from birth.' Katara thought, taking in the ease with which the children had sank into their bows and curtseys.
"Be on your best behavior children, for if you are good you may serve in the Fire Lord's palace one day." The young woman beamed.
Katara frowned at the thought but the children who understood seemed to look awed and hopeful at the prospect. It made her sad to know that a life of servitude was perhaps the best thing they could hope for. She made a mental note to see what could be done for these displace children.
As she scanned the group, Katara came across a girl with a pretty wreath of woven flowers in her hair. A smile danced across her lips as she suddenly found her entrance into the children's little world.
"That's a lovely crown you have there, could you show me how to make one?" Katara smiled at the girl.
"If it pleases you, lady." The little eight-year-old, bobbed a short curtsey. "The flowers are in the field over there, shall I bring you some?"
"No, I'll go with you there. What's your name?" Katara asked, reaching for the little girl's free hand, she had a smaller clutching her other.
"My name is Yumi." The little girl responded, hesitantly taking Katara's hand and leading her towards the flowers.
"And you?" Katara asked the little girl who was dragging a doll along side her.
"This is my little sister Freya. She doesn't speak. My parents asked the doctors what was wrong with her and they said nothing, she just doesn't want to speak yet." Yumi informed her.
"We'll have to work on that, won't we?" Katara smiled again, beckoning Zuko to follow.
Zuko felt like a foreigner here and all these little people made him uncomfortable. What was he supposed to do with a bunch of little kids? He certainly wasn't picking flowers all day. He followed Katara stiffly, trying to ignore the wide staring eyes of the children who followed around him and yet kept their distance as if afraid of him. By the time he caught up with Katara she was oohing and ahhing over a bunch of weeds and common flowers the girls were introducing her to. 'There are better flowers in the courtyard.' Zuko thought rolling his eyes.
"Zuko, isn't this flower lovely?" Katara grinned, trying to bring him into the conversation.
"It's a weed, Katara." Was his short reply. She gave him such a fierce look for his response that he decided it might be best to keep him mouth shut next time or just tell her what she wanted to hear.
"It's not a weed, it's a flower, and it's very pretty!" Katara growled, pronouncing each syllable determinedly.
"You're right…how unobservant of me?" Zuko feigned surprise at the 'realization' of this plant's true being.
"Thank you." Katara's smile had returned. She then proceeded to sit in the grass with the girls, accepting the array of flowers the children picked and brought to her. She thanked everyone of them for each flower they brought, even when they were weeds, and she laughed and smiled as the was shown how to thread the stems together to make crowns and necklaces.
Zuko sent her a pointed look that told her she was crazy if she thought he was sitting in the grass braiding dead flowers together. Fortunately, or unfortunately, he was saved by a little boy tugging on his pant leg.
"Ball." Was all the boy said as he held up a large rubbery ball.
"Yes…That is a ball." Zuko said, staring down at the two-year-old, who just stared back up at him. Zuko frowned. Why wasn't the kid going away? He'd already confirmed that he was holding a ball. He glanced at Katara for instruction.
'Play with him.' She mouthed.
'What?' He mouthed back.
'Toss it, kick it, doesn't matter. Just play.'
Zuko gave her an annoyed look and with a huff turned his attention back to the boy in front of him.
"Thank you." He said slowly, pronouncing each one fully as if speaking to an incompetent person. He accepted the ball from the boy who grinned and then ran a few feet away and stopped.
"Ball!" He cried, clapping his puny little hands together, a huge smile on his face.
"Um…okay." Zuko said to no one in particular. He glanced at the ball in his hands and then threw it at the boy. Unfortunately he didn't stop to estimate the shortness of the distance or the fact that the ball was bigger than the boys head. When the little one spread his arms to receive it the force of the catch sent him tumbling over.
"Oops." Zuko winced. Katara was sending him and 'are you kidding me' look.
"Go check on him." She ordered.
With another sigh, Zuko strode over to the little boy who had rolled out from under the ball.
"Ouch." The little boy giggled, patting his head.
"Um..are you okay, kid?" Zuko asked.
The boy scrunched up his face then rubbed his head for a moment.
"All better." He pronounced, handing the ball back to Zuko. "Again, again."
Before Zuko could say anything the boy had taken off running again. 'At least the kid's got spunk.' Was all Zuko thought as he took a step back and actually estimated the distance this time before gently tossing the ball to the boy.
"Yes." The boy hopped in the air, doing a little victory dance since he'd caught the ball this time. Zuko found himself chuckling a little bit at the energetic child and his crazy jumpy victory dance.
Katara sat back in the grass and smiled watching Zuko toss the ball to the boy. It didn't take long for a couple of others to join them. They'd made a hexagon and would toss the ball one to another around the shape.
- -
Azula sat up straight gazing into the broken remains of her mirror. The guards were staring at her, like they always did. They thought she was completely out of her mind and for some time she had been. She'd probably never be the same girl she'd used to be but she certainly wasn't screaming at the walls any more. She brushed her hair in slow determined strokes, staring at the distorted figure of her face that the shattered glass had created. It didn't make sense why Zuko was trying to help her and it was maddening trying to figure it out. In the scattered corners of her mind she'd been trying to piece it together and still it made no sense. She couldn't find any ulterior motive than he just felt obligated as her brother. It struck her in a way that made her feel strange and uncomfortable that the brother she had been so cruel to was trying so hard to save her from her prison. He had no reason to help her but he was trying to anyway. Her face was a mask of confusion.
Why was he playing with her like this? What was he up to? It couldn't just be out of the kindness of his heart but then again, he did have a weak heart, a heart which made him defy not only his father but his entire nation, a heart which had somehow made him stronger than she was. It didn't make sense. Nothing made sense. Should she trust him? Could she trust him? Did he really trust her? How could anyone be so forgiving? Was he forgiving or was he just weak? Did she want to exist in a world of peace, in a world of such weakness? Was it weakness to be at peace? There were so many questions and not enough answers. The things she'd done tormented her day and night. When she thought about them without her father's evil encouragement a twinge of guilt began to nag at her heart. Could she make things right with all the people she had hurt?
- -
"I've got an idea for a game." Katara cried, catching the ball that was on it's way to Zuko. "It's called capture the ball. We used to play it back home all the time. We don't have any snow to draw lines in but, hmmm, well that tree over there can be your teams home base and that tree way back there can be ours. We're all going to start in lines with the ball between up in the center of the field. When I say go we all run to get the ball and then you and you teammates have to toss it to each other and try to run it to your home base. Or if you have someone really fast who wants to run it down there you can band together to protect that person because the other team has to try to steal the ball and take it to their base. You get a point every time you get the ball to your base. First team to 10 wins." (A/N: Think football. I don't know squat about the sport but it's always cute to watch families play together at the park.)
"Sounds fine to me but it's not going to be that hard to get the ball to the base with how much bigger we are." Zuko pointed out.
"That's why we can't be runners. We can block others and toss the ball but we can't travel very far with it, I'd say maybe three or four steps and then we have to throw it. Sound fair?"
"I guess."
"Alright, everyone choose a side!" Katara cried. The kids mixed and then split into two groups.
"Alright everyone, the goal is to have fun." Katara explained to her group.
"Um, I've never played this game before…So, just try to beat Katara's team, okay?" Zuko said to his group.
"Are you ready?" Katara called over to Zuko.
"I guess so." Zuko shrugged.
"Then line 'em up." Katara grinned jogging to the center of the field, placing the ball and then returning to her team.
The two teams stood in lines a couple of feet apart. Both were alternating between watching the ball in the center of the field and watching the other team.
"Ready…Get Set…GO!" Katara shouted. All the kids took off running. She and Zuko hung back to allow them the thrill of the initial steal of the ball.
The two-year-old Zuko had originally been playing with dove in and wrapped himself around the ball. He did a log roll to get from under everyone's feet and then tossed it to a little girl that was on his team. Both Zuko and Katara laughed as the little girl ran along on short legs, arms wrapped around the ball, not really sure where she was going since the ball was so much bigger than her that she couldn't see around it.
"Hey!" The little girl called as a boy from Katara's team plucked the ball out of her hands and tossed it to another boy on his team starting the group to running towards Katara's end of the field. The ball was being tossed around and little kids were squealing and laughing as they tried to keep up with which way the ball would be going next. When they managed to make it some ways in to Zuko's side of the court he gave Katara a triumphant smile. She smirked as she saw one of her own little girls running in to intercept the ball being thrown between Zuko's teammates. The girl squealed in shock as Zuko picked her up.
"I can't let you do that." He informed her before setting her back down closer to the center of the court.
"Looks like we're going to have to take him down if we want the ball back." Katara grinned as the kids on Zuko's team ran around him tossing the ball to each other knowing the other team couldn't steal it so long as he could reach them. "Go get him!"
Zuko probably would have rolled his eyes if he'd had time but instead he was instantly tackled to the ground by tons of little bodies.
"Steal the ball, go, go. While he's down." Katara encouraged from where she was.
"What?" Zuko cried, pulling kids off of him and regaining his feet.
"Attack her!" Zuko shouted pointing at Katara.
His team let out whoops and cries as they charged in to recover their stolen ball. Katara was jogging around in circles to evade them but allow them to think they had a chance at catching her.
"Lady Katara, Lady Katara!" A girl cried tossing her the ball.
"I don't think so." Zuko snorted, grabbing Katara by the waist and swooping her up over his shoulder. His favorite two-year-old jumped in and caught the ball.
Katara's team was caught between trying to rescue her and going after the ball. To be fair Zuko's team was half after the ball and half defending him. Katara screamed and laughed as Zuko spun her in circles to make her dizzy. He was about to set her down in her dizzy state when her team broke through his teams defenses and tackled him to the ground around sending him and Katara both sprawling into the grass.
Their laughter came easy as they continued to play. Zuko had forgotten about being awkward around kids as he fell into the easy, comfortable play with these kids. It was just as natural as the food fight with his own friends. Lying there in the grass, Zuko smiled to himself. With Katara's help maybe he wouldn't be such a bad parent after all.