Breakfast was an almost flirty affair. Katara and Zuko sat next to each other instead of across, and Iroh was absent, leaving the two very much alone. Zuko didn't seem to have a problem with touching Katara, and Katara had no problem blushing. She probably should have taught him a lesson for his boldness, his wicked grin made it plain that he was teasing her on purpose and enjoying every minute of it, but Katara couldn't bring herself to mind.
"So where's Iroh?" Katara asked, letting Zuko support his weight by placing a fist at her right hip. Zuko sat to her left.
"Where I should be," Zuko looked thoughtful, "meeting with the generals."
Katara almost spat out her soup, "you're skipping a meeting?"
"So are you," Zuko half-grinned, "I told you I'd take you to the next one, remember?"
Katara tried to stand, but Zuko's hand had snaked around her waist, "Zuko, we have to go."
"You said you'd never go anywhere without me," Zuko raised an eyebrow.
Katara huffed in mild annoyance, "is this your new plan, put Iroh in charge so you can guard me?" She probably ought to be more than mildly annoyed.
"No," Zuko looked thoughtful, then playful, "that's not a bad idea though."
If Katara didn't know Zuko was half-serious, she might have laughed. As it was, he might actually try something like that if she didn't stand firm against it. "Zuko," Katara's tone was a warning.
"I know," Zuko looked sullen.
Katara finished her soup, trying to think up new topics for conversation. Finally she opened her mouth, curious, "why are you so," then she stopped, she had about to ask why he was so happy today. That seemed rather rude, despite the fact that Zuko really did seem happier than usual.
"So what?" Zuko looked wary.
"So cute," Katara leaned over to kiss him on the cheek. She couldn't keep in a giggle at his surprised look. This flirting thing was kind of fun.
Zuko chuckled, his cheeks a little bit pink, and Katara grinned, smug. Finally, she was the one making him blush.
Zuko sighed contentedly and leaned back, resting on the warm stone of the Sunrise Courtyard. He left his hand on Katara's hip.
"Are you tired?" Katara asked, not really believing that to be the case.
"Just enjoying the day," Zuko smiled.
"You do seem," Katara searched for the right word, "a little more peaceful today."
"I am," Zuko looked at her through half-lidded eyes, and Katara shifted so that the sun wasn't hitting his face.
"Why?" Katara asked, curious.
Zuko closed his eyes, thinking, then opened them, "because of you."
"Me?" Katara sat back, surprised, and Zuko closed his eyes again, defending them from the source of his power. "What have I done?"
"Nothing, really," Zuko shrugged.
"Oh no you don't, you don't get to tell me that I am improving your day and then tell me that I did it by doing nothing at all," Katara turned herself so that her neck was no longer straining while she looked at Zuko, and he compensated by moving his hand to her knee.
"You don't really have to do anything," Zuko started tracing little circles on her kneecap with his thumb, "it's nice just to be with you."
Zuko's comment made Katara go all warm inside, but she wasn't to be long distracted from her goal, not even by the tickling sensation Zuko was producing in her knee. Who knew knees were ticklish?
"Sooo," Katara twiddled her thumbs and looked up at the sky, "you'd still be enjoying yourself at, say, a meeting with your generals," she looked back down at Zuko and gave him a beatific smile, "so long as I accompanied you of course."
Zuko made an annoyed noise, "the mantle of responsibility would dampen my enjoyment."
Katara snorted, "You'll make it," and stood up.
Zuko mumbled something unintelligible under his breath and stood up. Katara didn't bother to ask what he had said, she caught the general sentiment.
Zuko was polite enough to offer Katara his arm, but too grumpy to keep any sort of conversation going while leading her toward the throne room. Katara just rolled her eyes and allowed him his silence, he'd get over it.
Katara didn't know what exactly to expect from Zuko's generals, but if the meeting was anything like the war conferences she had been a part of prior to the downfall of Ozai, it was bound to be interesting. Of course, she probably wouldn't be contributing anything useful toward battle, she was an observer now. Katara faltered briefly, when had she gone from important contributor to observer? Was that what it meant to be Fire Lady?
Zuko glanced at Katara, "is something wrong?"
"Oh, no," Katara looked up at him, "I just stumbled a little."
"We had an agreement, remember?" Zuko didn't stop walking, but the muscles in his arm tensed up.
Had Aang ever noticed subtle things like this? Or had Zuko just noticed that Katara had very obviously not stumbled? Katara wasn't sure which was true, but she had to admit to herself that she wasn't holding up her end of the bargain perfectly. But would Zuko really do anything if she reneged? He was honorable, if nothing else, and he learned from his mistakes; Katara couldn't see him going back on their deal, even if she did. And while he might sometimes be perceptive, Katara knew that Zuko could also be very dense; if she wanted to, she could break her word. This time Katara came to a complete halt at her realization- both interested in what she might get away with and disgusted at herself for even thinking about it.
Zuko, attached to Katara by the arm, came to a halt as well, "so something is wrong." Katara's gut wrenched; Zuko didn't sound grumpy anymore, he sounded concerned.
Katara unhooked her arm from Zuko's, "I have a question for you."
Zuko turned toward her, looking marginally less concerned; he probably expected a question about the war meeting, "what is it?"
Katara gritted her teeth, determined to keep her word even though it was tempting to misdirect their conversation, "would your honor allow you to go against your promise to keep me in the loop even if I went against my promise to stop hiding from you?" Had she actually promised? She couldn't remember if she had simply implied it or had actually said it out loud.
Zuko gripped Katara's shoulder, "you have to tell me when something is wrong, or I can't fix it." His intensity was wasted on her; he thought she was asking for permission to keep something back.
Katara shook her head, brushing Zuko's hand away with less force than she would have needed if he had truly wanted to keep it there, "you're focusing on the wrong part of the question, what I want to know is if you really could keep important things from me now that you've promised you will not."
Zuko blinked, surprised, and then took on a brooding air. After a short silence during which his frown continued to grow he replied, "No, I don't think I could, it would be," he paused, then ground out, "wrong."
"I see," Katara frowned; Zuko really was more honorable than her.
"You don't believe me," Zuko looked hurt.
"No, I believe you," Katara sighed, "that's the problem."
"How is that a problem?" Zuko asked, confused.
Katara almost couldn't bring herself to say it, "I don't believe in me, what if I can't tell you things?"
Zuko looked torn, "can't?"
"Won't," Katara admitted, forcing herself to keep looking at Zuko.
"I," Zuko halted; a tense silence reigned for what seemed like an eternity. Then he looked into Katara's eyes, "I believe in you."
Katara looked away, guilty, but Zuko wasn't finished, "so what's wrong?"
This at least wasn't something Katara felt overly compelled to hide, "I was wondering how much influence I would have in the meeting, and whether I would ever have an active role in the fighting again."
Zuko almost choked, "in fighting?"
"Well, yeah," Katara frowned, looking back to Zuko, "I would assume that as Fire Lady I can't just go on adventures anymore, but I don't want to sit around while things are happening either. Most nobles in the Fire Nation are militarily active somehow, right?"
Zuko frowned, "in times of war, yes, nobles lead the Nation's armies, but we have a different role, as Fire Lord and Lady."
"How so? Ozai fought in the war, and so did your sister. The royal line hasn't exactly proven itself averse to fighting," Katara quirked an eyebrow.
"Azula was a very strange case. For as long as the history books go back, there have only been three noblewomen of the royal line, now four with Azula, who were active in times of war. And, let me remind you, this isn't a war we're fighting, it's a terrorist group," Zuko crossed his arms.
"And Ozai?" Katara wasn't going to let Zuko convince her not to take on an active role simply because most Fire Ladies didn't.
"My father spent his whole life in the palace, and when Aang fought him? I think it was his first time out of the Fire Nation," Zuko shook his head, disgusted.
"What about you then?" Katara challenged.
"Me? I was banished, I had to fight," Zuko gave Katara a questioning look, plainly wondering why she would ask such a silly question.
"But you were taught to fight before you were banished. Surely so that you could use your skills somehow," Katara waved an arm, palm up, between herself and Zuko, inviting him to explain.
"All Fire Benders must be trained, regardless of class. And my ability to fight would have been seen as a symbol of power during a time of war," Zuko paused to open a door and signal a servant out. "Look through the library and if "Turning Points in Fire Nation History" isn't there, then go into town and get a copy from Yuan's bookstore. Leave it in Lady Katara's rooms."
The servant bowed, "yes, Fire Lord," and ran off to do Zuko's bidding.
Katara gave him a questioning look and Zuko explained, "The three noblewomen I mentioned are gone over in great detail in that book. It's not much of a precedent, but you might get some ideas, particularly from Yao Niang."
Katara blinked, surprised. Zuko was helping her to become active in the military? That couldn't be right. She gave him a suspicious look, "what's the catch?"
"There is no catch, Katara," Zuko shook his head and sighed, "I know how you feel; my coronation brought a lot of lifestyle changes that at first weren't all too thrilling. However," Zuko smiled a little, to himself, "I've come to appreciate my new position."
"You don't ever want to leave the palace, go out into the world and do something?" Katara asked, incredulous. She hadn't really thought about it before, but Zuko was raised in the palace, and his travels hadn't exactly been willing, unlike Katara's own. Palace life might actually be exactly what he was best suited for, for all that he made an excellent warrior (and an even better campfire starter).
"I distinctly remember leaving the palace just yesterday," Zuko deadpanned, then looked thoughtful, "yeah, I do want to leave sometimes, but what I do here is important. It's just," Zuko searched for the right words, "very different from my old life."
"You don't miss it?" Katara couldn't restrain one last question, even though she thought she already knew the answer.
"Sometimes," Zuko shrugged, then frowned, "are you-"
"Zuko," Iroh's disapproving voice startled the two from their conversation, "you are Fire Lord now, and you cannot skip a meeting with your war ministers."
Zuko froze, looking guilty, "Uncle, I was going to meet you just now."
Iroh glanced at Katara and replied skeptically, "oh, I see."
Zuko reddened, "we were both coming to meet you."
Iroh nodded, "it is important for the future Fire Lady to be informed in affairs of national importance," he bowed to Katara.
Iroh plainly didn't believe that they were headed for the throne room. Katara felt extremely embarrassed by the image she and Zuko must have shown the palace- rulers who spent their time flirting when serious matters were at hand.
"I would be honored if you would allow me to escort you to the meeting," Iroh offered his arm to Katara.
"Oh, yes," Katara replied, awkwardly taking the offered arm and leaving Zuko to walk behind them. She was being babysat. Katara was mortified, and what would the other generals think when she came in with Zuko? Would they think that she was the reason for Zuko's absence? Of course they would, Iroh certainly did; Zuko probably never skipped out on his responsibilities before she had come. Everyone would probably be looking at her when she came in. Was it even worth it? Katara slowed down minutely, dragging a bit at Iroh's arm. He matched her pace without pause and she continued with her thoughts. Of course it was worth it. She couldn't run away from her responsibilities just because a few cranky old generals weren't going to approve of her.
But oh how she wanted to.
"My Lords, my Lady," a servant ran toward them from around a corner, out of breath, "Lady Feng Hua has arrived from the Western islands."
Zuko stepped forward, frowning, "to see Katara?"
"Yes Fire Lord," the servant replied, bowing, "Lady Feng Hua is waiting in the Orchid Courtyard."
"Hmmmm," Iroh frowned, "Lady Katara, while I would highly recommend attending the war meeting, I would also highly discourage leaving Lady Feng Hua waiting."
"Why?" Katara asked, "Zuko mentioned I might put off meeting the court ladies for a few days." Of course a meeting with nobility might be exactly what Katara needed to escape the war meeting she had formerly wanted nothing more than to attend.
"Lady Feng Hua is no ordinary court lady," Iroh shook his head, "her power has waned since the war, but trifling with her can have horrible consequences."
"My sister insulted her when we were young, and for the next month all the armor she traded to the Fire Nation Army fell apart at the seams within weeks of wear," Zuko's words were tainted with anger, "and she has currently halted the trade of tunashark, no doubt in protest of her loss if status since peace was declared."
"She sounds horrible," Katara exclaimed, surprised that anyone could be so cold-blooded. While she knew that some nobles disliked these times of peace, she couldn't see anyone openly going against the fire lord, and she certainly couldn't imagine anyone sabotaging armor over something a child did- even a child as evil as Azula.
"She is," Zuko glared at the servant, who grinned back in what wasn't a very servile manner and made a show of covering his ears, "you don't have to see her, we can come up with an excuse."
Go to a room full of probably hostile generals, or go to a room and make small talk with a decidedly hostile Lady? Not much of a choice. Katara sighed, offending Lady Feng Hua might result in something sinister; the generals wouldn't even consider her absence an offence.
"I will greet Lady Feng Hua then," Katara reluctantly decided, "it seems the right course." After a moment of thought she added, "I know basic Fire Nation etiquette, but I haven't ever received anyone in my capacity as the future Fire Lady, is there anything I need to know?"
Zuko and Iroh looked at each other, uncomfortable, before Zuko decided to speak, "we wouldn't know."
"What?" Katara asked, confused.
"Greeting the future Fire Lady has always been something the noblewomen have taken part in," Zuko explained.
"OK," Katara replied, looking at Zuko expectantly.
"That's it," Zuko shifted awkwardly; "the noblemen aren't involved, we have no idea what you're supposed to do."
Then why are you so uncomfortable? Katara wondered to herself.
"Pardon me, I haven't heard a thing, my Lady," the servant bowed, a wicked gleam in his eye as he removed his hands from his ears, "but if you're wondering about what we men aren't a part of, a handful of staff here at the palace could tell you, Jun perhaps."
"I don't know why I keep you here, Shen except for times like these," Zuko shook his head, looking relieved, "do you know where Jun is, then?"
"I'll fetch her right away, Fire Lord," Shen bowed and took off past their small group, headed back the way they had come.
"You must have some idea why the noblewomen come to visit," Katara glared at Zuko, and sent a glance Iroh's way while she was at it, to let him know he wasn't off the hook.
"Well," Zuko looked around him for an escape, just in time to see Iroh take a big step away from the situation, "I doubt if the Witch-Lady has any womanly secrets for you, she's probably going to complain your ears off."
Womanly secrets? The Fire Nation didn't keep its girls ignorant, so it couldn't have anything to do with that, was Zuko implying something else?
"Then you do know something?" Katara smiled innocently, letting the steel creep into her voice.
"No," Zuko shook his head, "if I ask about it, women just smile and say that men shouldn't stick their noses in a woman's business."
"There is wisdom in that," Iroh nodded his head sagely and Zuko shot him a devastating glare.
"Fire Lord," Jun appeared, out of breath and with Shen in tow, bowing, "General Iroh," another bow, "my Lady Katara," and again Jun bowed.
Shen grinned and bowed once, only to be kicked in the ankle by an irritated looking Jun. Shen hissed and bowed twice more.
"Forgive my husband, he is foolish in the ways of servitude," Jun bowed again.
"So I've noticed," Zuko mumbled, then raised his voice, "Jun, if you would explain to Katara what goes on between noblewomen when a marriage is about to take place, I think we would all be grateful."
Silence reigned, then Jun bowed "of course."
Again, silence.
"Well?" Zuko asked.
"With all due respect, Fire Lord, that is a woman's business," Jun smiled and bowed yet again. Katara tried not to laugh, it was almost as if Jun was making up for Shen's manners by amplifying her own, although her last statement ruined the effect.
"Who runs this palace?" Zuko asked the hallway in general, throwing his hands exasperatedly in the air.
"We do," Shen grinned, "You might be in charge of the Nation, but the palace is our domain.
Jun pursed her lips, but didn't kick Shen again- probably because she agreed with him.
"The war meeting, Fire Lord," Iroh placed his hand gently on Zuko's shoulder.
Zuko sighed, looking at Katara. Longingly? Katara smiled a little and made shooing motions, trying to cover her shock. It felt right, but it also felt so odd that Zuko should be in love with her.
"Go on, Jun will take care of me," Katara looked to Jun for confirmation, which came in the form of a bow.
Zuko glanced around, and then stepped up to Katara, "I'll come for you after the meeting." Then, with one more glance and a blush, he kissed her chastely on the cheek.
Katara noticed Jun and Shen bowing their heads, smiling; with her own blush to color her cheeks, Katara gave Zuko a peck right on the mouth.
Zuko's face registered surprise at first, and then warmth, he opened his mouth to say something, probably something mushy, but Iroh cleared his throat.
Katara tried not to giggle- Iroh's face was an even deeper shade of red than Zuko's.
"The meeting?" Iroh coughed uncomfortably.
"Yes, Uncle," Zuko smiled ruefully, and lapsed into his professional persona, "General Hao will likely wish to discuss the loopholes in palace security."
Katara didn't allow herself the time to watch Zuko depart, as soon as his back was to her, she turned to Jun, "Do I need to change my clothes?"
Jun smiled grimly, "for Lady Feng Hua? I would recommend it," she gestured to Katara's bare midriff, "the younger Ladies won't care, but the elder Ladies would be scandalized by a show of skin, even in this heat."
Author Note: I'm slipping a little when it comes to keeping Zuko and Katara in-character, and I know they sometimes sound odd, sorry about that- yell at me if they get too off-track.
Again, writing from Katara's point of view is killing me. I want Zuko to take on a leading role in their relationship, but I can't explain what he's doing and why! ARGGG! And some of what he does probably seems really out of character without my point of view (written as his) to clear it up. For instance, when Zuko teases Katara at the beginning of the chapter he's thinking of how much more responsive she is than Mai, but you technically don't know what, because it's written in the author note! Grah! (Not that Mai wasn't responsive at all, you might have noticed that she smiled at Zuko fairly often).
Sorry it took so long…but the next chapter is pretty well underway, especially since I just cut it out of this one when it started getting too long…Anyway! Just yell at me when it seems like I've been neglecting, it honestly gets me back on track (as a few people are starting to discover). ;)
