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Chapter 13 Osada Svnol
The sun was hidden behind mountains and a darker blue was erasing the orange and gold sunset. Zuko's heavy legs pulled out of the ocean with his board in tow. He let it drop onto the sand and fell down himself beside it. Breathing heavily, soreness through his body, his hoarse voice asked, "Are we done for the day? I'm starving." His arm laid on his red stomach, the other extended.
Katara sat beside him, in front of the stretched out arm. She smiled as she looked down at Zuko. "Yeah, we're done. It was fun, wasn't it?"
He moved his arms behind himself to support him to sit up. He crossed his legs and bent his head back, sighing exaggeratingly. "Sure. It was fun. I'm hurt and sore in places I've never been sore before, but I'd say it was a successful day. Thank you, teacher." He rubbed the top of her head for a few seconds before stroking his own wet hair back. He looked at the dimming sky, one of the treasures of island life. "You know, I don't actually spend too much time outside like this."
Katara tilted her head up towards him. "What do you mean?"
"I mean that I've never just took the time to sit and look at the ocean for even a few minutes and it's in my own backyard. To my family, the night means going to parties or other social events. Shopping or just staying indoors. But I think this is more fun." He flashed a smile and thought for a short moment. "I think the only time I've ever done this was with you."
Katara felt her eyes slightly widened, her eyebrows rose.
"It's really nice." He finished saying, then he dropped back onto the sand. Her face felt flushed again but kept her gaze on the water since he couldn't see it anyway. "So wanna stay over to eat? You must be hungry too, right?"
She put a hand on her hot cheek. "Sure, let me just get a few waves too. I love night surfing."
"How can you see though?"
"It's not that dark yet. It's fine. Just sit back and enjoy the show of a true surfer."
He sat up again but leaned on his elbows. Katara dove under a wave and paddled a bit farther. This was her first time night surfing alone so she preferred going out with a little light before the real darkness sets in. She waited for the wave to hit the board then took over.
"She makes it look so easy." Zuko muttered.
"Is she the friend from the store?" Ursa asked from behind, startling Zuko. "She's very good. Was she teaching you? Can you surf?"
"Mom, why are you asking so many questions?"
"Can you blame me? This is the first time I've seen you take interest in something since Lu Ten taught you how to play the drums. You'd practice everyday for hours."
"Until I gave it up."
"Yes, thank goodness that ended. I didn't know how much longer I would have been able to support you."
Zuko gave his mother an unsurprised look.
"Is there any dinner?" He asked.
"I came here to check if you were going to invite her to stay. Dinner is in twenty-five minutes. Call her back so you two can clean yourselves up. And come in through the garage. I don't want sand all over the floor." She ordered as she left.
"Sure, mom."
She turned around smiling, walking slowly backwards. "Are you sure she isn't your girlfriend?"
"Mom…"
"Ok, ok." She giggled happily.
Zuko let Katara surf for a few minutes, becoming mesmerized himself, before motioning her to return. When she was closer to the shore he shouted, "Dinner!"
They sat side by side at the large dinning table with his uncle, parents, Azula and her two friends present. Katara felt uncomfortable being around all these people she didn't know. Especially with Mai throwing death glares whenever their eyes met.
"So Katara, I saw you surfing. You're very good." Ursa commented warmly.
"Oh! Thank you. I'm sorry, I didn't see you."
"She was only there for a while." Zuko informed her.
"Is my nephew being a good student?" Iroh teased.
"Don't answer that." Zuko said to Katara, his head looking down at his salad.
Katara let out a small laugh, feeling some of the tension gone. "He's very obedient. He's learning pretty fast too."
"Keep at it, Zuko. I was taking to a man show runs a shop who was telling me that the sport is very popular with the ladies." Iroh again teased.
"Well actually he's learning because-" Zuko roughly nudged Katara's arm with his elbow to keep her from revealing his crush on Suki. Katara immediately stopped and rubbed her arm. "Sorry."
Iroh and Ursa looked at each other from across the table with wide, curious eyes. This inappropriate gesture screamed "Secret".
Mai rolled her eyes.
"What a pretty necklace, Katara." Tylee pointed at the blue stone on her choker. "What does it say?" She asked referring to its cravings.
"This is a typical engagement necklace in my culture. It was my mothers made by my father. The cravings are the symbol of his family name." Katara explained.
"Are you engaged?" Tylee asked surprised.
Katara was taken back by this sudden question. "No, I use it as a good luck charm. I'm not engaged yet." She ignored Zuko's gaze, and focused more on anyone else.
"Yet? Are girls your age usually married at this age?" Ursa asked with much interest.
"No, but other girls my age are already engaged. Usually only daughters from the royal family marry young, but that's an old tradition that only they keep now. Most girls my age are already engaged but they wait until after high school to get married."
Azula and Tylee exchanged looks. "That's crazy." Tylee said, a mixture of mocking and surprise.
"I think its an interesting and beautiful part of your culture, Katara." Iroh said truthfully. "I'd love to hear more about common practices of your people. Maybe you can tell me more on another day when you come to play with Zuko."
"I agree." Ozai, Zuko's father, said, speaking for the first time to Katara this evening. He didn't seem too interested in the rules of engagement, but he felt there could be something beneficial to himself by learning more.
She smiled shyly. "Sure."
Katara stood by the open front door, saying her goodbyes.
"Thank you for letting me stay over for dinner. It was delicious." Katara said politely with her hands folded in front.
"It was nice meeting you. Please come back soon." Ursa smiled. "Zuko, be sure to walk her to the door."
"Yes, mom."
"Have a goodnight." Katara said, only to Ursa and Iroh. Ozai had already left upstairs and the girls as well.
"Drive safe, Zuko" Iroh warned.
"Yes, uncle. I'll be back in a few minutes."
He led her to his car and quickly drove out the driveway to avoid anymore comments from those two.
"Your mom and uncle are really nice. They're kinda funny."
"They can get on your nerves after a while."
"It was fun. But what was with your sister's friend Mai? Was she in a bad mood?"
"Mai is…I don't know. Always mad. She gets jealous when I talk to other girls. We used to date but we broke up about a year before we moved here. It wasn't anything serious. For me at least."
Katara looked at him, confused. "Then why date if you weren't serious? Are you serious about Suki? Cause if you aren't then I don't think I'd want to-"
"It's not like Suki. Well, about Suki, right now its just a one-sided crush. She might not be interested in me and I think I'd get over it. But with Mai, we dated because…"
"If you don't want to talk about it, its ok."
"No, sorry. It's fine. Basically, I was really close to my uncles son, Lu Ten. My cousin was like my big brother. Almost two years ago though he died in a military ambush on his unit. There were many casualties. We were told he died instantly. So, I went through a rough time. I cant imagine how my uncle felt so losing his only son, but I felt a lot of pain too. Like I said, he was my big brother. He looked out for me and taught me everything I know since I didn't have a good relationship with my father. Well, during a time of weakness Mai was around and…I guess I gave in. I wanted that comfort. But after a few months of dating, I came back to my senses and I broke up with her. It wasn't fair to be with someone when there's gotta be someone else who can treat her better than I can, right?"
Katara shrugged. Unsure how to respond. "I'm sorry for your loss."
"Don't worry about it. Which street do I take now?" He asked, reaching residential homes.
"I can walk from here. The streets are kinda narrow for your car." She warned as she clicked the seat belt off.
"Hang on. Let me walk you." Zuko pulled over and shifted into park.
The air was a bit cool but felt fresh against their skin. The homes along the streets were definitely smaller than Zuko's but he enjoyed the atmosphere.
"Your community is nice. It's so natural."
She laughed. "Of course. If everyone had homes like yours, it'd be madness."
They walked mostly in silence. Katara was beginning to feel something in her stomach from being alone with Zuko in the dark. Unbeknownst to her, so was he. Zuko felt very aware of the smell of the sea in her hair that he had come to love. He stared at her from the corner of his eye. Her hair was beginning to frizz and was messily sticking out around her ear and forehead. The shine of the moon slipping around the edges of tree leaves landed beautifully on her face equally with the shadows. His stomach tightened when she tilted her face up to him.
"Here we are. Thank you for walking me home." She said, pointing to her house.
"No problem. So, when do we continue with practice?" He asked.
"Tomorrow is ok with me, but Zuko tell me something first. Are you serious about Suki enough to want to surf? I mean with that story you told me. We shouldn't waste our time if you think you're going to change your mind."
He stepped closer and spoke softly, "If I wasn't, why would I have bothered in the first place? If it helps, don't think of Suki. Because our deal is: you teach me to surf and I teach you to drive. I don't want to give this up since I've been having fun surfing with you. Ok?"
She looked away and nodded, releasing herself from his amber lock. She looked back carefully at him. "Tomorrow then. Osada svnol."
He looked at her baffled.
"It means goodnight." Her voice matched his low and soft tone.
He smiled. "I forgot."
Suddenly, light from the front door escaped as it opened. Sokka's silhouette was visible in the doorway.
"Katara!" He called.
"Goodnight." Zuko said to her before he walked back down the street to his car.
Katara hurried inside, ignoring Sokka.
"Where have you been?" He asked her as she look her bag of clothes into the laundry room.
"Why does it matter?" She dumped the bag, then walked out to the living room, heading for the stairs.
"Where have you been?" The question repeated but by Jet who sat angrily on the sofa with Haru.
Katara jumped at the unexpected guests. "Didn't you guys go to the beach party?"
Jet leaned forward in his seat. "There was a change of plans when I saw you leave in Zuko's car. So let me ask again. Where have you been?"
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Translation
Osada Svnol: Goodnight