A/N: Hey! Thanks for all the reviews that last chapter got! I think I got more in that half of what my other 6 chapter story has. :)) Special thanks to... Your reviews really helped me.
Disclaimer: I claim all rights to the plot and show of Avatar. **shoots evil twin** Hey! I don't own Avatar! Are you trying to get me in trouble here? What are you my...? Oh...
Katara
Her eyes tore open as she sat up in her foreign bedroom. Shallow panting filled the room while her heart raced back to its normal pace.
She had just been on a balcony in Ba Sing Se on a late summer afternoon.
No, she was here in the fire nation capitol.
She was clothed in the finest silk robes the Earth Kingdom had to offer; a warm breeze tickled her skin, running through her loose, chocolate locks.
No, she was just in her white wrappings, covered with a cold sweat, breathing in the stagnant air of her bedchamber.
She felt the burn of loving hands up her back, leaving a tingling trail up her spine.
No, she felt a single, hot tear make it's way down her face, leaving her skin cooled from the surrounding air.
She turned to the face whose eyes held a rare color she had never seen before. Lean arms encircled her as she leaned in to feel the brush of his lips against hers.
No, she was facing nothing but darkness in front of her.
Katara's body buzzed, alive with excitement at the distant memory. Only to feel the crushing depression as she came to the realization that she was really all alone. More tears sprang to her already stinging eyes, blinding her limited vision. She stepped out of her bed carefully, making sure not to break any expensive artifacts Zuko might have happen to have put in the room. Soft, threaded rugs met her searching fingers and she opened the blinds; a mid morning light filled the room.
Fixing her hair to her usual braid, she fitted herself into climate appropriate clothing and stepped out the door. Wandering down the hallway she made her way to the adjacent room, wiping her eyes clear of any trace of runaway tears. Her raised hand hesitated just slightly before she lightly rapped her knuckles against the wood of the door.
"Sokka? Suki?" Her clear voice filled the empty room as she eased the door open. Their accommodations were similar to hers; the only difference was the bed size.
"They have already left for the city. You only missed them by a few hours though," Katara jumped and turned around to the woman whom she had spoken to earlier, Jae. She wore a pleasant, yet creepy, smile on her face, "I am here to escort you to breakfast."
"Oh, well that was nice of you Jae, but I don't need an escort-"
"I am also here to inform you that Avatar Aang has again requested your audience," she continued forcefully, "perhaps I was not clear when I said he wished to see you immediately."
Her body blushed and she felt her stomach tremor. "Yes, I understood," Katara assured Jae, "I just didn't have time last night for I was very tired. I'll probably go to see him today." And with that she strode off; leaving a bewildered Jae in her wake. But instead of heading to the dining hall, she made her way through the large hallways to the training room on the other side of the palace that Zuko had pointed out yesterday.
Her eyes gazed over what she thought was a newly refurbished training facility.
Size wise, the room was very large and took up half of its wing in the palace. There was an indoor area and an outdoor area. Target boards lined a whole wall, darts, swords, and knives were on a wall opposing them. She assumed that this was specifically for the Firelady herself. A large rectangular mat used for non-bending combat comprised the rest of the indoor part. Only a couple of men and women had woken up to get a morning work out. They were dispersed throughout the rooms.
She walked along the edge of the mat until she reached the path leading outside.
Rays of sun greeted her tan skin as she paced out into the courtyard. Here, the trainers were quite more verbose. They no longer concerned themselves with the repercussions of disrupting the peace of the other nobles inside. Looking around, she spotted others warriors who she recognized from the years before the end of the war.
Heading over to what seemed to be the waterbending training area, which was significantly smaller than the fire or earthbending rings, she drew water from the circular ceramic pots. Energy coursed through her veins as she felt her muscles control the water. Its movement was dependent on her will.
Arms flailing over her head as she changed its shape into intricate patterns, a crowd was gathering; it wasn't everyday that you saw a master waterbender in the firenation. Bringing her arms downward, she pulled the water around and through her legs, spiraling up her torso. Muscles tensed in her arm as she directed the water to its intended target. Icicles sliced through a nearby tree, its thin frame shaking before falling to the ground.
She allowed a small smile to curl its way onto her lips, "I've still got it"
Light clapping filled the air and the surrounding crowd went back to their original positions. Only a tall dark figure remained. Katara turned towards the shadow and realized who it was.
"Mai! Good Morning! I didn't think you would be here, ya know being the Firelady and all," Katara's voice trailed off while she remained under Mai's narrowing stare.
Mai gave her signature sigh before saying, "I maybe the Firelord's husband but that doesn't mean I can't train. Besides, most of these people are nobles," she said gesturing to the other warriors. "Anyways the only reason I came out here was to talk to you about Aang," she paused a moment to take in Katara's reaction.
Katara stiffened, "And?"
"I just was worried. In a way I know what you're going through, when Zuko left..." Mai took a breath, "it wasn't easy. Usually, I don't care but I wanted to make sure you're okay."
Katara softened at her confession and she put a hand on Mai's shoulder, "Thanks, I just think I need some time."
"Whatever," she said in her usual demeanor. Her shoulders shrugged and she stalked off.
A/N: Okay, sorry this is kind of a shorter chapter. But if I had followed my original plan then this chapter was going to be something crazy like 3,000 words long. Anyways, hope you guys liked it, and have you seen the Last Airbender trailers? AHH! I'm so excited! When I first saw the guy who plays Zuko, I thought he was Sokka. Haha. Does anyone know if he is the guy who played in Slumdog Millionare? Anyways... Reviews are appreciated!
-gretlcascade :)