For All Time

Chapter 3: Friends

Katara POV

Today had to be one of my favorite days of the week. Usually gran gave me one day a week where I did not have to attend my lessons. After yesterdays events involving that Zuko guy, I found myself thinking about him. I found myself asking different questions like, Why did he have gold eyes? Why was he a stable hand? But most of all I found myself wondering Why he treated me like I was just another person. I mean most people would only speak when I spoke to them, but he acted like a I was a normal person off the street, and for some reason I liked that.

I was quick to finish my breakfast and get into my riding suit. Walking down to the stables I ran through what I was going to say to him in my head. Pushing the stable doors open, I noticed that my caribou horse was already hooked up and ready to ride. I felt confused usually I had to get her ready and that was usually a difficult task. I would have to find out who dressed her for me.

"Good Morning Aurora" I said happily skipping over to where she was tied. I made sure to run my eyes around the stable to see if Zuko was around but found he wasn't. I led Aurora out into the icy air and ran through my riding techniques. I even incorporate some water bending moves into my riding techniques. When I got ready for my jumps I noticed I had an audience. Turning towards the person, I saw it was Zuko, ignoring him I decided to give him a real show. Aurora was always good with jumps and I could steer her any way and she would make the jumps. When I felt her tiring, I began to dismount, when I turned to see if Zuko was still there, I notice he was gone. He must have gone inside to get some of his chores done.

I led Aurora into the stable and away from the freezing air. Zuko stood beside my father's Caribou-horse and was grooming him. I led Aurora into the tacking stall, or stall that was used to take the riding equipment off.

"Good morning Zuko" I said happily, and my only reply was a grunt, I ignored it because I did not feel like getting annoyed today.

"I noticed you were watching me before" I said with my back to him, when I turned I noticed a small blush on his cheeks from being caught

"You are an alright rider" He said quickly

"Alright?" I asked a little insulted, "I happen to be one of the best riders in the north pole." I informed him

"Mhmm" He said with a smirk, he was trying to get me annoyed again.

"I am" I said crossing my arms over my chest, his tactic was working.

"Actually you are looking at the best rider in the northern water tribe" He said walking away.

"You ride?" I asked raising an eyebrow

"What you just thought I worked around here?" He asked looking at the surprised look on my face, "When his majesty can't ride his caribou horse it is my job to make sure it is exercised."

"Okay if you're the best rider in the north pole, prove it" I said walking over to him and poking him in the chest.

"Gladly" He said pulling my father's caribou horse into another tacking stall and putting on his gear. I finished undressing Aurora and put her back in her stall.

Zuko was outside in the corral waiting for me when I got out there. He mounted the caribou-horse, and began trotting around the pen. As the animal trotted Zuko rose up into a standing position and stood on its saddle. He did various tricks, but the last one had me awe struck. He did a spinning kick and fire came out of his foot. He really was a great rider, I had to admitt.

"That was impressive" I said when he walked the animal over to me.

"Thank you" He said dismounting and walking back to the barn. I watched him undress my dad's caribou-horse and thats when I decided to try and get to know him.

"When did you become a stable boy?" I asked him

"I was hired here about two weeks ago" He told me not bothering to look at me.

"No wonder why I had never seen you around here before" I said with a smile "Where are you from?"

"The earth kingdom" He said plainly

"Is that where you lived with your parents?" I asked becoming more curious

"I lived in an orphanage" He said shrugging his shoulders as if it was nothing, his response made me put my hand over my mouth. Even the thought of my mothers death made me want to cry, but how he could talk freely about being an orphan was interesting.

"Don't look at me like that, I don't need your pity" He growled after he put the caribou-horse back in his stall.

"I'm not" I said trying to hid what I was really thinking.

"Mhmm"

"So...How old are you?" I asked

"How about no more twenty questions?" He said quickly

"Okay, how about you ask me some questions" I offered

"Why would I want to know stuff about you?" He said raising his good eyebrow.

"I don't know, maybe if we get to know each other we could be friends" I offered again

"The princess wants to be friends with me, a stable boy? HA thats funny" He said sweeping the stable aisles.

"Why not, I mean we are both human, why can't we be friends?" I asked

"Seriously, you want to be friends with me?" He asked a little confused, and I gave him a quick nod. "Okay...Umm...How old are you?"

"16, you?" I said happily

"17, What's your favorite...season?" He asked with a smile, I had to admit his smile was so sweet.

"Spring" I said without thinking twice, "What's yours?"

"Summer" He answered "What's it like living in the palace?"

"It's...well..honestly...its hell." I told him

"Really? You don't like the fancy clothes, and servant waiting on you hand and foot?" He asked looking confused

"Yeah and people telling you where to go and how act, how to live. Honestly its like I am a child and I can't decide anything for myself. Everyone expects me to be Princess Katara always graceful, always intellegent." I told him putting my head in my hands

"Well you don't have to be Princess Katara in here" He said trying to make me feel better

"Really?" I asked looking up into his amber orbs, he gave a small nod, "Thanks, umm...what's it like being a stable hand?"

He just gave me a look like are you kidding, and I could not help but laugh. The rest of that day we talked and questioned one another, but it was fun. I felt so at home with him. I could laugh and joke around and I would not get scolded for it. Maybe being friends with Zuko was the best decision I could have ever made.

~~ HEY PLEASE REVIEW, I APPRECIATE ALL THE STORY ALERTS, AND STORY FAVORITES, BUT I WANT REVIEWS PRETTY PWEASE! THANX KBYE