Hi everyone! I'm all settled into school, and just got started my classes & a new job! I hope everyone's doing well. As always, please enjoy this chapter & drop me a review! I'd love to hear what you think!
~nightfall26
But beyond that, the people of the Fire Nation were far too raw to accept something this radical. The council had been discussing marrying Zuko to a wealthy well-to-do woman of their choosing, and no matter how many times I stood against it, they always continued on with the idea. They'd been skeptical at Katara's presence, let alone making her the High Ambassador between us and the Water Nation. They sniffed at her every time she so much as entered a room.
Katara had to watch her back as it was when she walked in our cities, which is why my nephew or myself so often accompanied her everywhere. I bent over, feeding the letter to the flames in my fireplace and watching the words burn before my eyes.
After being broken for so long, my nephew was finally healing.
Would the world prove too young for something this deeply intimate and rip his heart from his chest? I only hoped that he had the good sense to wait out telling anyone besides myself about this powerful new development.
katara.
After a long morning of cleaning and shoving everything I owned into two suitcases, I stood outside Zuko's door waiting for him to have finished the same thing. In the hours we'd been apart, I'd felt this odd tug at my heartstrings that made me want to forget packing and just drag him back to bed and never leave. These strange new feelings had never been present in my life before. I'd never wanted another person with me so exclusively before, I'd never desired the company of a male to such the extent that I'd pined for them mere moments after separating.
When we'd been nothing but friends in the Fire Nation, we'd grown together and evolved together. There had been a deep bond that had formed over the course of those long months. I'd wanted more and more as the days had gone by, felt my eyes trailing after him when he left a room, felt my cheeks burning when he complimented me. I'd also harbored a marvelous hatred for his now-ex-girlfriend, Mai.
I heard a crash from inside the door, and after pushing it open, was amused to discover that my once banished Prince was having a very difficult time trying to pack.
"Zuko, do you need some help?" I asked, stifling laughter with the back of my hand. He looked up at me with a desperate expression on his face, his legs tangled in bedsheets and his arms flailing as he tried to unwind himself.
"I was just trying to take the sheets off so I could fold them." He tried to explain, struggling a little on the floor. I giggled a little before helping him out of his cloth entanglement. His bag was sitting in the corner, filled with all that he owned and tied somewhat haphazardly. I opened it, discovering that he'd done little more than shove it all in there and tie it up. I rolled my eyes. I'd fix that once we got settled on the ship.
"Come on, we're going to be late!" I hefted his bag towards the door, watching as he balled the sheets up and tossed them carelessly back onto the bed after deciding they weren't worth the struggle. Zuko swung his bag over his shoulder easily and picked up one of my suitcases for me, bending to kiss my cheek as he did so.
"Good morning, Katara." The crooked smile that graced his oh-so-handsome face made my knees go a little weak. I was only slightly ashamed to admit to myself how attractive he really was. My answering smile was slow and nervous and tainted by how red my face was, and I turned away to hide it by picking up my second suitcase and closing the door behind us.
We made it to the ship mostly on time, with next to no running involved and only a short, rather winded explanation to the captain as to why we'd had to ride a wave over to the ship in order to make it on board. His mustache had quivered with a chuckle as he took in our ragged appearances. Zuko's hair was damp from the spray of my bending, and I was sure I was more than a little frazzled looking. But the captain was kind, and walked us to our room with a smile. He'd left us by wishing us a comfortable journey.
Zuko tossed his bag into a corner and laid my suitcase gingerly down by my feet.
"Agni, Katara, that suitcase was heavy. What do you have in there, bricks?" He complained, massaging his arm with his hand and plopping himself down on the bed. I laughed at him for a moment, opening the set of drawers in the room to put both of our clothes away neatly. Zuko's were so wrinkled that I could hardly save them, so I made a mental note to wash them later. I laid out the heavier items I'd brought, such as the soap, my extra pair of shoes, a few water pouches, a sack of coins I'd been saving, and a book I'd bought the first day I'd been in Ba Sing Se.
"Do you remember when we went to that ball together, after the war?" I murmured the words, brushing my hands over my plain blue dress before turning to face him. He propped his head up on his hand and stared at me levelly.
"Of course I do, how could I forget?" The way he was looking at me gave me the strength to continue what I was saying.
"You danced with me all night." My voice was still quiet.
"I remember that part especially fondly." His voice was a little rough now, as if he were sentimental over the memories and he was acting gruff to cover it up. A ghost of a smile drifted over my lips.
"I knew then that I didn't want to be with Aang, you know." The words had been a poison in my heart since the very moment I'd thought them, since I'd stood on the ballroom floor all alone and stared at the one person I knew I wanted- needed- in my life. And it hadn't been Aang; it'd been Zuko.
He nodded once, lifting his arm up as if he were asking me to crawl up next to him. So I did, my head nestling into the curve of his neck perfectly.
"It took me a long time to realize it, but after a little counseling from Uncle and a little soul searching, I caught on to what you'd been trying to tell me that night." He whispered, his hand stroking the crown of my head soothingly.
"And what was I trying to tell you? Because even right now I'm having trouble figuring that out." I admitted.
"You were trapped."
It'd been a long day, and all I wanted to do was curl up and nap, honestly. I wasn't looking forward to the event I had to attend tonight. Suki was thrilled, of course, she loved any excuse to dress up and put on a little makeup. She'd even convinced me to let her do my hair and makeup, too. But for right now, I was laying all spread out on my bed, my hands fisted in the fabric as I lamented over how much I didn't want to see Aang. I was embarrassed to even so much as think the words, as if I were betraying him by not wanting to see him tonight.
I groaned a little as I came to the realization that I didn't have a single thing to wear.
Everyone else was going to be so dolled up and beautiful, and I'd be there, plain as always in my Water Tribe garb. I'd probably be the laughingstock of the whole night. Suddenly, a knock sounded at my door.
"Miss Katara? You have a package here that I've been told to deliver." It was the voice of one of the palace butlers. Feverishly, I rubbed my eyes, ridding them of tears while I got to my feet. When I opened the door, I was shocked to see the stately butler holding something rather large in a cloth garment bag.
"This is a present from Fire Lord Zuko. He asks that you wear it tonight to honor him and his Nation." I held my arms out to receive the gown, still slightly in shock, and thanked the butler as he bowed and walked away. After my door had been shut behind me, I laid it on my bed and unzipped the bag. My hand immediately flew to my face as my mouth opened on a gasp.
It was the single most beautiful dress I'd ever seen. The underskirt was silver tulle, with small precious gems scattered over the material. The bodice and overskirt were a deep navy blue, and it boasted a scoop neckline and cap sleeves.
When another knock at the door startled me, I expected it to be one of my friends. Maybe Suki was here, offering to help with my makeup or something. La knew that I was no good with that stuff.
But it was the butler again, a wry smile on his face as he handed me another garment bag.
"Miss Katara, here is a package from Avatar Aang. He wishes you to wear this dress in order to honor him this evening."
An awkward moment passed where I didn't know if I wanted to take the dress or not. I was happy to honor Zuko and his Nation, more than happy to wear the delicate gown that couldn't possibly have been more perfect for me.
"It seems you've got quite a decision to make, Miss Katara." The butler bowed a little after handing me the dress, still smiling. As he walked off, I was sure that his quirky smirk betrayed the fact that he knew which dress I was going to wear.
When I unzipped the second garment bag on my bed, a disappointed sigh drifted from my lips. Aang could be a very thoughtful person sometimes. He was a sweet boy, really he was, but now was not one of those times, I'd have to admit.
The dress was a strange shade of purple, haphazardly decorated with strange orange embroidery that resembled his personal markings. I realized that the dress was a very odd combination of our two nations- and his nation seemed to win for attention on the rather loud gown. It wasn't hard for me to zip the bag back up and hang it in my rather empty closet. My hands skimmed over the smooth surface of the dress Zuko had picked for me, a smile lifting the corners of my mouth as I looked it over lovingly.
There seemed to be some kind of disconnect between me and my supposed boyfriend as of late. I'd found that my gaze hardly ever drifted to him, and even when our eyes met, my heart didn't perform somersaults. No matter what, I cared about him more than anything. I thought he was a kind soul and a wonderful human being, and yet there was something that was still so off about him.
It didn't take much time for me to figure out what it was.
He was so young. In mind, in body, and in heart, Aang was still very much a child. Having grown up taking care of others and depending on myself, I'd never had time to be like the other kids in my village. Of course I'd always had my father and brother, but once I reached a certain age, it started to feel like I took care of Sokka rather than the other way around. And my father was never good with dealing with girl problems.
So I'd been on my own, and I'd been very comfortable there. But Aang had come from a world where he had been the center of the universe. He'd been cared for, patiently watched by people who were there solely for him, slowly and sweetly taught bending skills that I'd had to figure out mostly completely alone. I wasn't bitter. I was just different than him.
The fact that I was almost completely bound to him was frightening to me. How would I ever get along with someone that would never even begin to understand me? I sat down heavily on my bed, frowning deeply and trying to make sense of my crumbling world. My eyes scanned over the present from Zuko slowly. The ball would starting soon, I'd have to get ready. It was hard to shut the doors to my closet, hard to shut away a part of myself I'd lived with for so long. I was closing one door in my heart as I turned my back to Aang's dress and opening another as I slipped on the featherlight material of Zuko's.
Once I arrived at the gala, Suki on one side and Toph on the other, I clenched their hands a little for support. My hair had been curled a little using heated irons, and Suki had pinned it half up and painted some black liner on my eyelids. Silver sparkles dusted my eyelids.
I'd spoken to both of them about the dress conundrum. Toph hadn't been happy with me, declaring that Aang's feelings would be hurt and I'd have to apologize to him. Suki, however, had taken a different stance, agreeing with me and even going so far as to suggest I dance with Zuko tonight. My face flushed a little. Zuko didn't dance, first of all. Secondly, the declaration that would send to the people around us would be wildly inappropriate. It was enough that I was wearing a present from another man. I was sure I'd be talked about tomorrow.
But I kept myself walking forward by reminding myself of how Zuko's eyes would light up when he saw me.
"Aang's over there." Suki whispered, pointing vaguely to the corner of the room with the drinks. He was standing next to Sokka, chatting away animatedly with a huge grin on his face. I felt my stomach drop as I imagined that smile falling away.
"And there's Zuko." She nudged my shoulder and winked at me a little. I felt my cheeks grow warm as I noticed the soon to be Fire Lord, standing regally in the center of the ballroom greeting some of his more important guests. As he shook the hand of a woman wearing an elaborate headdress, his eyes wandered before focusing on my gaze.
My heart actually stopped in that moment, I thought.
After swallowing a few times and taking several reassuring deep breaths, I got it started back up again, descending the stairs and keeping my eyes on Zuko's as I walked closer to him. Toph left my side in a slight huff, and Suki gave me a final knowing look before fluttering off to Sokka.
The way Zuko's eyes were lit and one side of his mouth was quirked up in a crooked smile made my knees a little weak. He gracefully dismissed himself from his company before walking over to me. I'd never noticed the way he walked was fluid and somewhat feline like, the motions smoother than most. My nails were digging into my palms. Wildly inappropriate, I reminded myself. This was wildly inappropriate. Not only was he my best friend, but I had a most-likely-heartbroken boyfriend to deal with.
Even so, I found myself standing bashfully in front of the man I'd gotten to close to in the past few months I'd been here.
"I'm really happy you wore the dress." He said slowly, looking almost startled that I'd worn it. I smiled.
"It was an easy decision." I commented, trying not to let my nerves show.
"You look beautiful." Zuko blurted, turning away slightly and covering his mouth with his hand as if he'd said something horribly wrong. I had to take another deep breath before I reached into the space between us and took the plunge that I thought I'd eternally regret.
I grasped his wrist lightly in my hand, turning him back to face me.
"Dance with me?" I asked quietly, my eyes fixated on his. The shock in his face mirrored my own horror at having asked such a thing. But even so, I found myself in his arms, spinning easily amongst the other dancers to music I'd never heard before. His hand was light on my waist.
"Katara, is something wrong?" Zuko asked softly, noticing the strange way my eyes were darting from side to side nervously. I pursed my lips.
"Aang sent me a dress to wear tonight too." I said somewhat regretfully. Inside, I was ripping myself apart for the way my boyfriend was staring at me right now. Zuko's mouth formed an O as he realized what my choice of fashion tonight was showing the world.
"Katara, you didn't have to wear mine-" He started, but I interrupted easily by shaking my head.
"Zuko, do you know what it feels like to be in the arms of someone you're supposed to love, and yet, feel completely alone?" The question was one that had been on my mind all day, all night- all of forever, it seemed. I'd pictured myself with Aang a thousand times and the image was never a happy one.
His answering nod broke my heart.
The rest of the night I'd spent with him, keeping him away from the court girls that tended to swarm him. Afterwards, I'd of course had to apologize profusely for my behavior to Aang, but it had been so much more than worth it just to be with Zuko in such a way. Selfishly, I had wanted to be on his arm that night. I was sure Mai had ripped him apart later for spending so much time with me, but I was sure he thought the same way I did- that it was worth it.
"Why does it seem like we were meant to be together?" My words were slightly playful when I uttered them, but my heart twinged as I spoke them. Zuko's famous crooked smile appeared then, and he pressed a soft kiss to my forehead.
"It does seem that way, doesn't it? The more we think about the past year or so, the more we see how unhappy we were without each other. Its as if a great tension is lifted, finally being together. Finally admitting how crazy we are about each other." Zuko breathed the words into my ear, our hands entwining almost automatically.
"Fire and water, eternal opposites, eh?" He chuckled, gathering me closer to him. I could only smile into his chest and let my eyes drift closed as the rocking of the ship and the sound of Zuko's heartbeat sent me into a warm slumber.
aang.
There was a heavy sense of trepidation that was ringing within me as I walked down to the back port. I actually really hated fighting. It had always scared me, no matter how much I practiced, no matter how tough I seemed. I still got the jitters before a battle.
A quick glance around the corner told me that there were a few guards dressed all in black standing in the hall. It didn't take much for me to knock them unconscious, but the mean look in their eyes made me feel extra nervous for what lay ahead. I pushed myself forward, down the winding halls, through the big double doors that lead to the open street. Everything was so eerily quiet. My blood was singing in my ears, my heartbeat pulsing in my chest and making my breath come in quick gasps of fear. I pictured Katara's face in my mind for a moment, stopping to calm myself down a little.
Iroh had been so cryptic. It didn't seem to matter how much I wanted her back, how much I wanted her to be mine again, she seemed to want nothing more than to be rid of me. It hurt my feelings that Zuko had found her. But even so, I had to be content with the simple fact that she had been found at all. And who knew, she could come rushing back to me, begging for forgiveness.
No, maybe not begging. She was far above begging. But maybe asking very nicely.
I was coming up to the bridge between the palace and the port. There were another throng of guards ahead, this time armed and slightly more menacing than the last. One I sent spinning off the edge of the bridge, two I threw into the water, and the last one I pinned to the ground with an ice dagger. I gathered the weapons that lay forgotten on the ground and tossed them into water, too. I couldn't stand those killing machines being in the world any longer than they had to be.
I ducked behind a stack of crates as I surveyed the port. There must have been over thirty members of Azula's team, all standing to attention around the ships that were docked. They ranged in size, and some were playing with their bending. I worried my lower lip between my teeth.
How was this one going to work?
suki.
I wasn't one for kitchen duty. Or dish duty. Or woman duty, really. I left Sokka to those things. His cooking was terrible at best and the way he cleaned the dishes was sometimes rather sketchy, but I got a kick out of watching him squirm around and try to figure it all out. I loved him, there was no question about that. I just hoped one of us would pick up the womanly duties so that we'd eat something other than slightly burnt sea prunes soon.
"Suki, there's a letter from Aang here. It came on a fast bird, that must mean someone's in trouble." Sokka called, entering our one-room house with a worried look on his face. I glanced up from polishing my sword, patting the furs beside me to tell him to sit next to me.
"Do you want me to read it first?" I asked, setting aside my sword and facing him. He shook his head, opening the scroll and reading it. His face grew more and more concerned, the lines in his forehead deepening as he read further.
"Katara went missing, Zuko went out to find her, and Azula's back- she's destroying the Fire Nation. Damn, Aang, you couldn't have put it a little gentler?" Sokka threw his hands up in the air frustratedly. The scroll went flying, and the boomerang strapped to his hip smacked him in the side. He winced.
"I guess we have to go the Fire Nation, then." He rolled his eyes a bit as he said the words, picking the scroll back up and tossing it into the fire.
"Well, let's start packing for the Fire Nation then." I reached out to rub his back, smiling a little at him. I had been the only person Katara had told about her disappearance. I knew where she had been staying, where she'd been working, everything- just in case she'd needed someone.
It had taken me a moment to realize that the person she'd really needed had been Zuko.
"There's another letter too, but it's for you." Sokka handed the scroll to me, leaning over to press a kiss to my forehead before standing up.
"I'm gonna get some clothes together and a box of food before we get ready to leave." By food, he meant his soggy sea prunes. I wrinkled my nose in distaste, sticking my tongue out at his back. I waited to open the scroll until he'd completely moved out of sight before ripping off the seal and reading Katara's letter eagerly.
But the news was something I hardly expected.
"Katara, you have so much to tell me." I muttered under my breath, reaching behind me to feed the scroll to the flames as I took in the information. Katara and Zuko finally got together. It was a nice thought. It really was. I'd always pictured them together, truthfully, even though I loved Aang as a little brother. But that was just it- Aang was everyone's little brother. Especially Katara's.
Zuko was basically her perfect match. I let a happy little smirk twitch up the corners of my mouth for a moment before I considered the downsides to this. Zuko was Fire Lord, and his people would never accept anyone but a Fire Nation girl on the throne. I rubbed my hands together worriedly. My best friend had surely gotten herself into a world of trouble this time, and nobody would be able to bail her out.
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~nightfall26