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Chapter 15 E'nslstuk Part 2
The sounds of waves crashing against the cliffs were present although not in sight. The ruffling of tree leaves and whistling of birds complimented the music of the ocean, but were nowhere in sight.
Katara was lying naked, bleeding, in her living room. The walls were torn down and much of the interior was destroyed. Her breathing was slow and hurt her chest with each intake. It was very cold.
Suddenly, she could hear the sounds of bells, the likes of which she's never heard before. She now had the strength to bring herself to a sitting position and what she saw lay ahead of her was the horrific sight of death. The bodies of her people scattered in pieces all over the yard and street. Among them were her parents and Sokka. Her mouth opened but her throat was tight and couldn't release even a low moan. "what's happening?" She thought. With the blood covered bodies, were broken holy statues of the honored spirits that protect the island. She saw by her feet her mothers engagement necklace, but when she reached for her neck she could feel it there against her skin. Upon a closer observation to the other necklace on the floor, the family name engraved into the stone was that of Jet's family. "My necklace."
She slowly reached for it, but immediately stopped when she met the scent of smoke that burned her stomach. A shadow appeared over the wooden floor which caught Katara's attention. She looked up to see Ozai looking down at her with eyes black as night and consumed by rage. Katara quickly closed her eyes, fearful of the man she somehow knew did this to her people. She felt something pierce her body. Her eyes kept closed but she could feel Ozai was killing her. "I'm dead, I'm dead." She repeated to herself over and over until it was done. Life was slipping away. She opened her eyes one last time. The air was scentless. The room was cleared; walls restored and brightly lit. Now, Zuko was there kneeling by her head with a cold hand on her cheek. His mouth was moving but she couldn't understand a single word.
"What?"
"I said is everything ok?" Zuko asked as Katara hopped into the car seat. Her mind felt foggy with thoughts of her disturbing dream the night before. It was so vivid and real that she had woken up crying, sweaty and in panic.
She strapped herself in, having trouble with the buckle. "Everything's fine. Why?"
"Need help with that?"
The buckle clicked. "Nope. So, ready for a day of surfing?" She tried to sound ecstatic but she truthfully felt awful for, aside from the dream, having to actually sneak around to see Zuko. Part of her wondered if it was worth it, but her conscience was overruled.
"I guess, but you don't look that good." He backed out of the empty school parking lot.
"I'm ok. I didn't get good sleep last night. That's all." She vaguely explained.
"So why couldn't I have gone to pick you up at your house? It's not any trouble for me, you know?"
"Well, basically my family can't know I'm with you anymore." She didn't want to offend him even more by the real reason so she quickly thought of a cover-up.
"What are you talking about? Did I do something?" He asked.
"No! Nothing at all. It's just that, Jet's kinda…jealous. And he was really mad last night, so I want to keep this a secret."
"If that's the case then maybe we should stop meeting. I don't want to cause any trouble between you and them."
"I cant do that! Zuko, I gave you my word that I'd help you. I don't want to turn back on it now. I mean," She lowered her risen voice. "it's for Suki, remember?"
"Katara…it's not worth it. Going in between your family all for a crush sounds pretty stupid. Yes, I like her and I want her to notice me, but maybe I can do it another way."
She felt a pinch in her stomach. "So, you'd rather stop these lessons?"
His lips pressed together as he sighed. He pulled over and put the car into park, then faced her. "Maybe we should." He looked intently into her eyes.
Her mouth opened and, as though someone else spoke through her, she said, "I don't want to."
Zuko felt a tug at his heart and a warmness circled his chest. He started the engine. "Alright then."
~:~
"Pop up!" Katara instructed.
Zuko lifted himself off his knees before losing his balance and falling face first into the water.
"I thought you said he could surf!" Tylee shouted from the shore with Azula and Mai. The girls laid out on towels in their bikinis to sunbathe and to watch Zuko's lessons.
Katara paddled her way over, ignoring their jeers. When he poked out from the ocean he held onto her board for support.
"Shit." he mumbled.
"You're doing fine."
"How is this doing fine? I probably only stood up once since we started today." He rubbed his wet face. "What's wrong with me?"
"Giving up so soon, Zuzu?" Taunted Azula, who was now getting suntan lotion rubbed on her back by Mai. "Why not call it quits since you're just no good?"
"Now that's an evil sister." Katara said to him.
"I'm calling it for today." He pushed himself from her board to reach for his lonely one that floated close by.
"What? Why? Don't listen to them, Zuko. You're really good. You're just having an off day." She protested.
"I know. I'm not quitting. I just want to stop for now. It's not like I can really concentrate anyway with them shouting every few minutes, right?" He gave her a playful smirk. "We can try again another day."
"We still have tomorrow."
He paddled unintentionally closely to her side. "Actually, I thought I could take you out driving tomorrow. How about it?"
Her eyes lit up. "I'd love to!" Her smile was brilliant, captivating to the young man.
"Yeah?"
Eyes locked, both were conscious of their own hearts squeezing and pulling while staring at the other. This strange feeling that felt sweet and yet troublesome.
~:~
Zuko dropped Katara off a block from Surf Gear.
"Are you sure here is fine? I can take you closer." He suggested as she hopped out.
"It's ok. I had some errands to run around here anyways. I'll see you same time tomorrow at the parking lot at school again." She waved, then walked away flipping her long braided hair off her shoulder.
Aang was outside Surf Gear putting wet suits out on a rack display.
"Hey, Aang!" Katara greeted.
The boy smiled. "Katara! Wow, I'm getting so many visitors today."
She raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah?"
Suki and Yue stepped out of the shop.
"I thought I heard you!" Yue beamed a radiant smile as she ran to her childhood friend.
Katara caught the princess in a hug. "Yue? What are you doing here?"
"I had a little date with Sokka." She pouted. "But he left me to talk to Jet."
"Sokka left you? Must have been something important."
Suki stood there staring at Katara quietly. Wondering how to bring up why she went sneaking around with Zuko.
"I don't know but at least he left me with Suki. We were talking about the beach party." She said cheerfully.
"I didn't expect that I would meet the Princess in such a place." Suki explained with a small smile.
"Yue has her secret wild side." Katara joked. The princess responded with a gasp and wide eyes. Although she is a well loved and adored princess surrounded by friends or maids of her court, she becomes socially awkward when she's with Katara.
"Hey, I'm off in a little bit. Do you think we can talk, Katara?" Suki asked, full on seriousness in her tone.
Katara caught on quickly. "Sure. Is everything ok?"
"I want to talk to you about you and Zuko."
"What about?" She tried to play innocent.
"We saw you. Jet and I."
Aang entered into the store quietly to get out of this awkward girl situation.
Katara sighed.
"Is everything ok?" Yue asked.
Suki crossed her arms.
"Let's go hang out at my house. Somewhere private, you know?"
Suki nodded and went back to work. Yue put a hand on her face.
"Did something happen? He was the boy on the beach, right?"
"Yeah, I'll explain everything to you too at my house. I don't want you worrying about nothing." Katara smiled and suddenly changed moods. "You should sleep over! We haven't had a slumber party in years!"
The princess smiled and tilted her head. "That sounds like fun.
WOW! So sorry for not updating in forever! There was so much going on! I feel like I haven't even been in my own room in months! I tried making this chapter long but not too long, you know. To kinda make up for my mini 'vacation' from writing but not to make you fed up with having to read such a long chapter. Wow. Well, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. I hope to have more time to write now that the semester is coming to an end. Please review. Love you all.