Hiding My Masked Affection

spockjasperlokizukowriting

Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: the Last Airbender.

Hello avid readers or something! Now for whatever the heck the Blue Spirit and Katara got up to on their 'date.' Sorry for not updating in a while. But here's a new chapter to be somewhat satisfied with. Thanks again to all the members of my audience and the people who keep sending me messages to get off my butt and put forth some action. Here's to you!

11

I was flying. The rooftops, the candles of light that flickered below us. I looked up, saw his mask, then closed my eyes. Because I knew we were safe, the Fire Nation below us, the wonders of the markets, the celebrations of the people. I saw the good in the world, and flew above it, clasped in his arms. I was safe.

I was flying.

Sunlight flickered like fireworks between my lids and I stirred, grunting as I threw a reluctant forearm across my eyes, sighing and breathing in slowly. Birds chirped from outside, currents of air sweeping around the room. I inhaled, content, at peace, the small cuts along my hands and arms feeling faint, left behind to a darker memory. I was in a special place now, and I was happy.

Lethargically, I pushed myself from the canvas mattress and sat up, blinking as the sunlight flooded the room, brighter than I had expected, dust dancing in the glimmering rays streaming from the balcony, pooling on the floor like water. I dipped my hand into the basin next to my bed, wiping down my face, letting the cool liquid refresh me, reminding me once again of the reality I was faced with .

I had faced the Fire Lord, been laughed at, but the Blue Spirit had forgiven me. It was going to be okay.

I stood up and stretched, letting my hands push towards the ceiling, a grin easing across my face as I tilted back and forth, rounding about on my pelvis, feet stamped together on the cool, wooden floor. I adjusted my dress, blushing as I realized I had forgotten to change out of my clothes, and dove into my closet, pulling out more robes until I was once again myself, fixing the loops framing my cheeks, washing any residual paint make-up from the fairs of last night. My face felt hot as I thought about the fun I had had, and how much I was suddenly willing to give the Fire Nation a chance.

All because the Blue Spirit had come back.

I giggled, staring at myself in the mirror, blue eyes meeting blue eyes, watching myself smile for what felt like the first time in years- to truly smile, the ends of my lips pulling into a genuine grin. I dusted myself off, straightening as I heard laughter from the garden. I followed the noise to my balcony, my braid whispering behind me as a breeze swept in. Looking down, I saw Aang playing with a small creature with large ears, disproportional to it's body as it played with an insect, spanning its arms to reveal large layers of skin. It jumped from his arms and glided, circling around until it stole his staff.

"Hey!" Aang laughed, launching after the creature as it grinned and trilled, dark eyes looking up to meet mine. "Momo, come back here!"

I snickered as the creature flew up to my side, cruising to a halt and dropping the staff at my feet. I held out my arms as the creature nuzzled me, desperate for attention, rubbing its forehead beneath my outstretched palm. "Momo," I pondered. "What a good name for something like you."

"It's a lemur-bat," Aang explained, kicking a torrent of air as he jumped to my height, mirroring the grace of my nightly visitor as he sat cross-legged on the railing, eyes twinkling. "I think he likes you."

I laughed as Momo rolled out, stretching his belly, begging for pets, his trail curling around my wrist, mouth wide open for the most mischievous of expressions. "Apparently," I agreed.

Aang paused, his face falling in concern, gray eyes sparkling in the rising sun. "So... You're feeling better? You look better."

I raised an absent hand to my cheek and brushed it, feeling myself eager to smile once more. "Yes, I feel better after a good night's sleep."

Aang laughed and agreed. "You did sleep in for a couple hours later than usual."

I frowned in confusion. "Really? What time is it?"

Aang shrugged, glancing at the sun and squinting as he guessed, "Umm... Noon?"

My heart skipped a beat and I started. "Wait, what, noon? Like, lunchtime?"

Aang nodded, raising an eyebrow. "Yes, well, we had lunch about an hour ago..."

My heart thrummed in my chest as I momentarily panicked. I couldn't remember a time in my entire life in which I had slept in this late. I couldn't have gotten back that late... He had promised he wouldn't leave us out for too long. But... sleeping in that late...

"Well," I laughed nervously. "It worked. I feel much better." I felt my cheeks turn red.

Aang shrugged, hopping from the railing as he held out a hand. "Katara, it's no big deal. You slept in. So what? People do that all the time. Well, I mean, doesn't Sokka do that all the time?"

I laughed and nodded, glancing at the happily growing, glowing Forget-Me-Nots and Adine flowers. The combination was almost luminous in the same vase, the combination of red and blue and orange and white glinting in the sunlight, magical as if it were night once more. "Yes, Sokka's one for the trouble of sleeping."

"Hakoda went off to do some business at the South Port," Aang explained, snatching his staff back from a rather peeved Momo. "Suiya has the day off and is in the gazebo. Sokka hasn't left his room, since he came back from breakfast, and I've been bonding with Momo."

"Bonding..." I repeated, a thought of wonder easing into my mind.

"Yes, bonding," he affirmed, Momo flying to his shoulder and licking his cheek playfully. "I haven't seen him in a while- he's been keeping Appa company at the vet's. Appa got this weird stomach flu or something, but anyway, they both-"

"Suiya has the day off, you say?"

Aang nodded. "Well, yes-"

I interrupted him once more, giving him a quick hug as I grabbed my satchel and bounded through the door, not particularly caring whether or not I got lost. "Thanks Aang!" I called back, a new mission in mind. "I'll see you soon!"

"Where are you going?" he called back, and I could almost hear the breath of air that followed him as he tore after me.

"To make things right again!" I shouted, pummeling down the stairs and sprinting out the front door.

"Oh, how lovely!" Suiya crooned, admiring the latest materials from a market stall. The Eastern Markets were as busy as ever, the flare from the night before replaced with a new, different spirit. The people still smiled, vendors shouting their demands and offers while crowds gathered around, wondering as acrobats leapt from building to building, stringing orange, paper lanterns behind like spiders weaving a web. I stood out in my blue, but people didn't seem to notice, losing themselves in the flow of the crowd. I simply smiled and walked by Suiya's side, grateful that I had swayed her into allowing us a girl's trip to the markets. Fruits were sliced open and paper streams thrown into the air as the people prepared for the celebration of fire. The Fire Festival seemed like a better introduction to the culture of the city than being attacked by a malicious gang.

The vendor of material, an old, hoary woman inclined over her products like a wilting flower, briefly squinted as she gazed at me, Suiya indifferent as she poured over the fabric.

"Don't I know you from somewhere?" she rasped, pointing an accusing, shaking finger towards my chest.

I blushed and shook my head, remembering the feeling of the Blue Spirit's hand in mine as he had lead me around the market only the night before. His warm, gentle touch seemed so distant, yet so close, as I stood where I had been hours earlier. "No, sorry miss, I don't know you," I corrected.

"I swear I-"

"How much for this fabric?" Suiya eagerly asked, interrupting the woman mid-sentence as she smiled widely.

The woman frowned out of annoyance, but responded animatedly, "Four coins a yard."

Suiya readily nodded, smiling eagerly as she ordered, "I'll take three years of it, plus another two each of those three!" She gestured behind the old woman, towards the darker purples and yellows.

The spindly old woman gave her a suspicious, raised eyebrow, causing Suiya to blush and say, "I'm trying to make an outfit for my husband."

The old woman rolled her eyes, but obliged her anyway, setting to work at cutting through the appropriate lengths of cloth.

"Good choice," I whispered in Suiya's ear, nodding as she threw me a questioning look. "Really! Dad's favorite color is purple."

Suiya giggled, looking like a erubescent teenager as she shrugged. "He said that it reminds him of my eyes." She batted her lids and grinned down at me. "And what about your favorite color? What would that be?"

"All kinds, really," I admitted, admiring the performance as a man twisted in a flip between roofs, letting the stream of lanterns fly behind him. "I've only ever seen the basics back in the Water Tribe- there's so much to look at here."

"Well, I'm glad that you asked for this," Suiya confessed, exchanging the coins required for her newly bought fabric. "I don't think I've done something like this in...well, months!"

I smiled at her pleasantly, shyly enjoying myself as well. "I thought that I should get to know my knew mother first before I judge her," I promised, taking her arm and leading her further down the cobblestone street, recognizing the stalls from last night. Multiple times, I thought I had seen the Blue Spirit's mask, children playing in small circles, wearing their own guises as they pounced on each other. "Besides, the same principle can be applied to the Fire Nation's new role in the world. I should understand them first before I judge them."'

"You're not still angry about the hearing, are you?" Suiya asked cautiously.

"Not as much as I was," I shrugged, drawing a coin from my satchel to hand to a frail, homeless man cowering beside a tent. "I suppose I could keep trying, but it's only the day after."

Suiya gave me an understanding expression, almost grim as I abruptly changed the subject. "So, Suiya, tell me about the Fire Festival," I pried with a smile. "I want to hear about all of the customs."

"Oh, where to begin!" she exclaimed with a small laugh. "Well, on the first day, it's customary..."

I let my mind wander as she rambled on, going through the times and the foods and the colors and the meanings behind it all. I nodded as if to pay attention, ever so often providing a response, but she seemed content to listen to her own voice. I glanced down an alleyway, remembering the events that had unfolded only the night before...

"Spirit?" I asked, clenching his gloved hand all the more tightly as I watched people parade down the street ahead, hiding in the dark alleyway by his side, star twinkling over us like the sun pebbles in water. "Spirit, are you sure this is safe? I mean, won't they see you?"

He turned his head back to me and nodded, rising from his crouched position. He pointed down to some of the children who played in the street, giggling and frolicking like the war had never happened. They all wore their own masks, joining in on the fun as they prepared to celebrate their element.

I frowned. "But won't they recognize you?"

The Blue Spirit shook his head, bending his knees and wrapping a secure arm around my waist as he pulled us both into the air, jumping like an insect and flying like a bird to the ceiling, swinging us over the top with a small rotation of his wrist. We landed squarely on the roof, the Spirit automatically releasing me. The wind played with my hair, the moon burning along the crater of the volcano, my dress dancing in the breeze. The Spirit strode over to a small crack hidden along the roof of the stone building, reaching a hand down as he knelt, straightening back up to reveal two new, red masks and a set of cloaks.

I grinned, walking over to meet him with my arms folded across my chest. "Seriously? Disguises?"

He nodded, handing me the feminine-shaped mask and the smaller cloak, putting his own, larger mask on over his blue one and setting the cloak against his shoulders, suddenly transformed into an entirely new person with a new mystique.

I slipped my own on, feeling heavy underneath the loose, thick fabric, hot and uncomfortable as I tied the mask over my face, securing it with my favorite, delicate knot. I felt awkward and constricted in my new guise, tying the sash around my hips to keep it steady, but held my hands out and presented myself nonetheless when finished.

"Well?" I asked. "How do I look?"

He slapped his forehead, shaking his head as he finished the distance between us in a lasting stride and unfastened the sash around my waist, pulling the cloak off and turning it around, fitting me into it properly like a child dressing their doll. He fitted it, adjusted the hem, and then retied the sash, not intending any force though I instinctively stiffened, watching him gaze at his work. Once done, he took a few steps backwards and folded his arms across his chest, observing his work in a quick once-over before nodding.

"Better?" I asked, putting my hands on my hips.

A spare hand reached out and he adjusted my mask, fixing on my face before nodding, giving the thumbs up. Definitely better.

"Good," I sighed, following his fingers as he pointed out into the distance, over the market. Slowly, I walked up to the ledge, cautiously wondering what would be so interesting. I set my hands on the railing and gasped, the brilliance of the night finally setting in from the view.

The sight was breathtaking. Plumes of red and orange and yellow graced up from lit lanterns and fires, people dancing below, stringed instruments and drums sending out a wavering melody that rung clear like bells in the early morning. Beams of light splintered into the sky, fireworks exploding in the distance, the clear resonance of the noise and the sonorous, jovial cries of the Fire Lord's people echoed amongst the scene, almost like a painting, ethereal and unnaturally staggering for a nation I had thought so cruel for my entire life.

I whirled, facing the stoic Spirit with an aghast expression. "This..." I stammered, fighting for my air as my heart thundered in my chest. "This...is the Fire Nation?"

He nodded, silently treading to my side with his lithe step. I returned my gaze to the world of the capitol, in wonder of the beauty before my eyes. "And..." I whispered, "...this is real? This isn't a dream? I won't wake up?" I shut my eyes and pinched myself, squeezing through the stinging pain before I forced my eyes back open. The world of fire was still there- the surreal allure of the Fire Nation set in my vision.

I faced the Spirit, now standing at my side, his arms still crossed and his shoulders hunched in amusement.

"Haha," I laughed dryly. "So, you're not kidding. This is real."

He nodded, and held his hand out, as if to say, "Yes, dummy, this is real."

I rocked on the balls of my feet as I teetered towards the edge. "I want to go down there," I stated, entranced. "I want to explore it, experience it."

His fingers slowly entangled between mine, lifting my hand to his shoulder and setting it there, wrapping an arm beneath my knees and back as he jumped, falling down and cascading from an awning, landing and crouching down to both feet, myself still safely in his embrace. I squeezed his neck and laughed, giggling that no one had noticed our arrival. The festivities were continuing as if nothing had happened.

I smiled up at him as he set me to my feet, standing back, straight and tall as he towered above me, pulling by my hand into the river of people, becoming part of the stream as our night continued, undisturbed and in disguise.

"Katara? Katara, did you hear me?"

"I'm sorry?" I asked, brought from the memories as we headed up the hill. A palanquin has brought us to the main crater, but I had insisted that we walk back to the house, as so I could learn how to navigate by myself.

Suiya looked slightly put off as she repeated, "You have salad back in the Water Tribe, correct?"

I smiled, rubbing my wrist as I nodded. "Yes, yes we do. But not like Fire Nation salad. It's all different seaweeds that we could scavenge from the shoreline," I explained. "Not to mention that it is all wet."

Suiya laughed but nodded. "Oh, yes, well, that sounds only natural to be in the Water Tribe and eat wet food! Now...what was I saying?"

"You were talking about something having to do with food specialties of the Ember Celebrations," I drawled, distracted as I saw several palace guards sprint down the street, their spears clutched in hand.

Suiya paused, also taken by the sight. "That's odd," she marveled, halting midstep to watch them scamper around the corner. "The guards shouldn't be this far from the palace during this hour..."

I shrugged, hugging the bag containing the shopping we had accomplished earlier. "Maybe they need to explore too?"

Suiya shook her head, a thoughtful frown on her lips as she continued forward. "No, no, something seems wrong. Protocol clearly states that the guards should remain at their posts...until otherwise ordered..." Her eyes widened, her lips parting as she stared at me in shock. "No... It can't be..."

I frowned in confusion. "What is it, Suiya?"

She picked up her skirts and trailed after the guard, swinging the bags over her shoulder as she picked the pace. I quickly jogged after her, sprinting until I was at her side once more. "Suiya?" I asked, clutching the bags. "What's wrong? What's going on?"

She shook her head, rounding one last corner of the house until we came to a roundabout, a fountain in the center, guards swarming like a hive of bees, officials barking orders, a palanquin hovering by the edge as some spectators crowded on the sidewalks. The gardens were being trampled as dozens of pairs of feet collided against the cobblestone, rushing about, everyone with a purpose in mind, amidst the chaos and confusion a voice crying, "It's her! Lady Katara!"

A group of men appeared from the crowd, dressed in formal Fire Nation uniform and armor, the leader of them being a face I had grown to still despise- Admiral Canren.

"Lady Katara, Lady Suiya," he greeted, palms upturned and hands parted. "What a pleasant surprise."

I knitted my brow, quickly catching on as I put forth a valiant foot. "What brings you to the Ye Wan fountain?" I asked, suspicious as I eyed him furtively.

He gave a less than happy pout, gritting his teeth. "The Fire Lord permitted an investigation into your attack. We're merely deciphering the evidence you laid before us yesterday," he grunted.

Suiya giggled proudly and continuously nudged me while I gave the Admiral a narrowed stink-eye. "Really..." I drawled. "And what swayed the Fire Lord into this sudden decision?"

One of the older officials spoke up before Canren could. "The Fire Lord wanted to appease the growing concerns of the population," he explained kindly, voice hoarse from years of public speaking. "The nobles feared for their safety if the attack really was within the crater."

"Katara!" another voice called, and I couldn't help but let my seething expression dissipate as Iroh bumbled through the crowd, weaving between soldiers with the widest of smiles on his face. Behind him trailed the Fire Lord, Zuko wearing his hard expression as always, grand in his robes compared to what was considered my mere peasant's outfit. Iroh and Canren stood aside for the young leader, and I hastily joined Suiya as we bowed in respect.

"My lord," Suiya greeted, looking up and quickly smoothing down her own cordial robes. "It's an honor to be in your presence at this hour."

Zuko's scar wrinkled, rough and serrated as it always was, milky flesh glinting in the sun as he turned to me briefly and nodded, golden eyes lingering a little longer than they should have.

Iroh smiled and cut-in through the silence. "Marvelous work, isn't it? I cannot express how relieved I am that my nephew instigated this search," Iroh assured. "So far the burn marks we found along the street and the broken pottery ascertain that the crime you presented did indeed happen here. All the evidence points in your favor."

"I wasn't lying," I defended, the cuts along my hand stinging as I clenched my fists. "I never lie, and wouldn't to the Fire Nation."

Iroh nodded, consoling, "As is expected, my lady, but courts nowadays. It's such a silly system."

"Uncle," Zuko gritted from between his teeth, shooting the old, jovial man a cold look.

I smiled, amused by how teenaged Zuko could appear to be at times, black hair glowing in a mahogany shine. "Well, that's a relief to hear."

Iroh glanced at Canren with a pointed look, the young Admiral grunting despondently. "We'd like the privilege of reassuring you that this won't happen again," he recited, practically rolling his eyes at the lines the old General had coaxed him into admitting.

"The privilege is granted," I accepted boldly, standing a little taller, smirking as I knew that for the mean time, I had won.

Canren clenched his fists, but was quickly lead away by the hinting Iroh. "Lady Suiya, would you care to join us?" he invited. "The action that occurred is astounding. It's amazing that she could've been saved from the oppressors."

Suiya nodded, following after the old General as he shunted them back to the fountain, leaving Zuko standing stiffly at my side, fists rolled and jaw rigid.

I drummed my fingers on my folded arms. "So, I guess I should thank you for this," I confessed, scowling as I stared through the bright sun at the guards' work. "You didn't have to listen to what I had to say, but you did."

His golden eyes sparkled down at me, his cold look relaxing briefly, emblem of fire glistening in his topknot. "There is no need to thank me, Lady Katara," he slowly replied, voice husky. It was the first time I had heard him speak in years, but the absence of anger in his tone made me shiver. "In fact, it is I who should be thanking you."

"Thanking me?" I asked incredulously, raising both eyebrows as he leveled our gazes.

"Yes," he affirmed. "I had been trying to convince the council for months of the Azkai's existence, just waiting for the right person to come along and speak up for the people who have been hurt. The gods had answered me the moment you stepped foot on the palace grounds."

I smiled, averting my gaze to the ground, feeling small and insignificant. "Well, something had to be done. It was the least I could do."

"You seem...better," he observed, a pondering expression in his eyes. "Happier."

"I feel better, and happier," I answered, looking back up at him and shifting on my feet.

"A change of heart?" he continued.

I grinned weakly, blushing as I replied, "I guess you could say that. Let's just say that I see the Fire Nation in a new light."

His eyes flashed as he nodded, offering a small, rare smile that lit up his face, the gentle angles of his cheeks morphing, almost beautiful in the gesture. "You're lucky that the Blue Spirit got to you in time," he asserted, fidgeting as he continued, "Your death would've affected too many to count... You're the first person that wasn't the Avatar to escape with your life, and for that, I am eternally grateful."

I laughed, simpering as I watched Suiya listen raptly to Iroh's explanations. "You aren't the only one," I alleged.

Zuko measured my countenance before awkwardly shifting, looking away and bringing his hand to his face, gazing at it as he bit his lip, letting it drop back down as he squirmed some more.

I raised an eyebrow. "Zuko?" I asked, knowing that the title was well and truly informal, but he wasn't my Fire Lord.

"I..." he stammered, quickly glancing at me and swallowing uncomfortably. "It's just... I feel like because of the Azkai's attempt on your life, I owe you an even deeper apology than a thank you... If... If you would... I mean, I know it's no large repair, but perhaps... I mean, if it suited..."

"Yes?" I pried, furrowing my brow as he struggled to find words.

He swallowed again and inhaled, his breath hitching. "Perhaps...you and your family... w-would like to join my company of friends...to...to our private Fire Festival celebration...on...on Ember Island?"

I blinked, eyes widening as he almost shrank away, a rouge nearly shading in his pale cheeks as I comprehended his words. "I'm sorry?"

"It's just for three days," he quickly added. "I'd provide private transportion for you, and you would stay at the Royal grounds permitted only to myself, my family, and noblemen, and you would be well taken care of...and guarded. There would be guards stationed at your door and attending you at all times if need be. Your brother and the Avatar are welcome as well. Suiya and Hakoda have already been issued an invitation."

He gave me an expectant look while I took his words in. "...overnight?"

"Yes," he assured, pausing briefly. "Is...is that a problem?"

Spirit... I lamented to myself. How could I explain to him that I would be leaving for several days? "When would we leave?"

"Tomorrow morning," he replied, blinking, trying to read into my expression as I pursed my lips in thought.

Well, it would be rude to turn him down, I thought to myself. And besides, aren't I trying to see the Fire Nation in a new light? Isn't this exactly what I need? A getaway to the ocean? I thought of an island surrounded by water and smiled, glancing back up at the eagerly waiting Fire Lord. "Yes," I finally answered. "I'd be honored to join your company."

He smiled and nodded, dipping his head formally. "Good to hear," he asserted, giving me a small bow in dismissal. "If you would excuse me..."

I gave a rushed bow as he headed back towards Iroh, the servants trailing behind him, waiting to attend his every need while I stood there in thought and shock, wondering what had caused the gigantic mess I had suddenly gotten into- wondering where all this had began.

A/N: Ta-da! The first chapter in several months! Sorry for cinching the Blue Spirit date- I meant to get some plot out of the way in this short chapter. I promise, more Blue Spirit in chapter twelve as she explains unwittingly to Zuko-in-disguise that Zuko-in-non-disguise is whisking her away for a vacation. Sorry for any typos. I'm human.