a/n
An update... so soon? It's a holiday miracle! Thank you so much for all of the support! It means so much to me when you favorite, follow, and/or review!
Parts of this chapter uses words exactly from Sozin's Comet, Part 2: The Old Masters episode. I do not own any of these characters, but I'm so thankful for their existence. There is again some M themes in this chapter...so yeah *wink* Enjoy!
Chapter 18 ~Beg~
-Zuko-
It was weird. There were so many contrary events of/in his past and present. He was going to use June's shirshu again, but not to track the beautiful blue-eyed girl. He was trying to find the Avatar, but not to capture him. How things had changed he thought, and for the better too. After some convincing and straightening of priorities, June agreed to help them.
"Nyla," June called, shaking a piece of meat enticingly before tossing it, "Who's my little, hmm, Snuffly-Wuffly?" In perhaps an affectionate manner, Nyla stuck out her tongue, which June dodged. "Whoa! Careful there."
"What's the deal with its tongue?" He heard Suki ask Sokka in a whisper.
"It paralyzes whatever it touches." Sokka replied, hanging back a little from everyone else.
"Okay. So who's got something with the Avatar's scent on it?" June asked, turning towards them.
"I have Aang's staff," announced Toph, handing it to June. June approached and held the staff out for Nyla to sniff. After smelling it, Nyla started to walk around in circles, sniffing all the way. Something is wrong Zuko thought immediately. In confusion, Nyla lay down and covered her nose, whining.
"Well, what does that mean?" asked Zuko. Agni, I thought this was fool proof… June bent down to pet Nyla.
"Means your friend's gone." She informed.
"We know he's gone. That's why we're trying to find him." Toph said, tersely. What's wrong with her? Probably nothing, focus. We must find Aang.
"No, I mean he's gone-gone. He doesn't exist."
"What do you mean Aang doesn't exist?" asked Sokka, "Do you mean he's ... you know, dead?"
"Nope, we could find him if he were dead." He wasn't sure, but he thought he saw Toph's shoulders slump as if she had been holding her breath. "Wow, it's a real head-scratcher. See ya." June replied disinterested as she climbed onto Nyla's back. Thanks a lot.
"Helpful. Real helpful." Spat Toph sarcastically. I wish Uncle was here. He'd know what to do.
"Wait. I have another idea." he said, "There's only one other person in this world who can help us face the Fire Lord. I'll be right back with a smell sample."
He climbed up on Appa to retrieve Uncle's sandal from an outer pouch on his bag. As he approached wielding the sandal, everyone held their noses. Personally, the smell didn't bother him too much. He'd been used to it for so long… Although maybe it was a little weird to carry it around…
"You saved your uncle's sweaty sandal? Ugh!" Sokka said, clamping down on his nose even tighter. Zuko could feel his face grow red.
"Shut up, Sokka." Said Katara, coming to Zuko's aid, "I think it's kind of sweet." Now his was really blushing. At least she understands he thought. He held out the sandal for Nyla to smell. Both the shirshu and its master looked determined.
"Let's do this." Said June as she pulled Nyla's reins and they ran off.
"Hey! Wait up!" Zuko yelled after them. Everyone quickly climbed aboard Appa and they took off after June. They followed June and Nyla up hills and off cliffs. Ahead of them stretched the remains of the Outer Wall of Ba Sing Se.
"We're going to Ba Sing Se?" he asked as he landed Appa next to Nyla who was digging at the wreckage.
"Your uncle's somewhere beyond the wall." Informed June, "Nyla's getting twitchy so he can't be too far. Good luck." With that Nyla and her sped off. As much as he wanted to push on and find Uncle, he also had to fight back a yawn. It was dark out and he was exhausted.
"It's been a long day. Let's camp and start our search again at dawn." Nobody argued. Toph quickly built her rock tent and crawled inside. Since it was such a nice night, everyone else elected to sleep on Appa. Sokka and Suki claimed the tail and soon curled up together.
"Do you think we'll both fit on an arm?" Katara asked him, quietly. Hmm… It'd be tight, but he didn't mind, just another excuse to hold her near him.
"I think so." He replied, smiling. There was still enough room for her to lay down so neither one of them fell in-between two legs. "Yeah." He reported, but she didn't move. "Come on." She bit her lip. "What is it?"
"Everyone else is so near…" And by everyone, he was sure she was mainly talking about Sokka. Seemed to him like she was issuing a challenge and he always rose to those (in more ways than one).
"Come on, you need your sleep."
"You're right." She admitted. Probably won't hear those words again for a while. With her back to his front, they both managed to fit. He loved the feel of her against him. As he breathed in the scent of her hair, he sighed. His left hand pulled her closer around her waist and then drifted upward. She was still wearing her Fire Nation clothes. The ones she put on this morning in my bedroom he remembered with a grin. His hand crept upward.
"Zuko!" she hissed, admonishingly, "We can't do this, here!" His grin broadened. They would have to just do it quickly and the way he was feeling that wasn't going to be a problem.
"Sure we can." And his hand found one of its goals. She quickly twisted around in his arms so they were nose to nose.
"No, we…" the irritation on her face disappeared.
"Please?" He asked. He would never force her, but he saw nothing wrong in trying to persuade her.
"Uh…I…" she looked around and bit her lip.
"Please?" he begged again, gently kissing her forehead. Then another "Please?" and another kiss, this time right above her right eye. Then her left eye, which was tricky, but he managed. "Please?" his lips, almost touching hers, barely formed the word.
"Yes." She whispered back and kissed him.
-Katara-
How could she deny them this? It was the reconnection that they both craved and the release from the stress of the day. He was also begging her... They'd just have to do it fast. And quiet she thought as he groaned as their lips met. If they were going to do this, they needed to do it now. Very carefully and slowly, she maneuvered them so he was on his back. In this position, she could feel him in between her legs.
"Oh…Agni…" he groaned into her mouth as she ground herself against him.
"You ready?" she asked him before quickly glancing around. Instead of answering, he recaptured her lips. While they were kissing, she slid her hands down between them and started to unfasten his pants. Then she slipped her own pants down. It was then she noticed she was still wearing her Fire Nation clothes, but she didn't care. Red was growing on her.
"Please?" Zuko begged, his eyes a deep amber. With a quick jolt, she plunged down on his straining erection. "Oh. Agni. Oh-"
"Shhh…" she half moaned half whispered. The others weren't sleeping very far away.
"You feel so-" She had to kiss him to silence him. Since they lay at an angle, she leaned forward over him while he bucked his hips into her. Oh…not long now…
"Zuko," she said in a breathy voice, "Faster." For a reply, he grunted and obliged. His actions were getting erratic so she knew he must be close.
"Katara," he groaned between drives, "I. Love You. So. So. Much." That was it. She was done for.
"Zuko," she whispered right before she found her release and collapsed on top of him.
-Zuko-
That was it. He was done for. Hearing his name on her lips as she came had pushed him over the edge. With a few final quick thrusts, he released into the brown-haired beauty.
"Oh Agni." He sighed before kissing the top of her head.
"Hmmm…" she responded, looking up.
"Agni you're beautiful."
"Thank you," she blushed, "I love you." He loved that blush. However, that was not saying much since he loved everything about her. He wished they could stay like this. Her on his chests wrapped in his arms. As soon as he thought this, she sat up.
"What?" he asked her, looking around.
"Shh!" she hissed, but smiled despite of herself. She was righting her clothes, so he quickly did the same.
"Better?" he asked, quietly. Instead of replying, she curled back to front in his arms. They sighed and nestled in. Suddenly a funny thought came to him and he chuckled.
"What is it?" she whispered.
"Oh, I was just thinking…" he answered, "It's a good thing Appa is a hard sleeper."
"Zuko!" she gasped. Underneath them, there was a quiet rumbling and they both held their breath. After a beat Zuko spoke again.
"What?" Zuko whispered, innocently. She just shook her head and cozied into his arms.
"Goodnight Zuko, I love you." he heard her mumble sleepily.
"I love you too, Katara." And I always will. He thought as he fell asleep.
He slept lightly, his body on high alert. So when he heard Toph collapse her earth tent he sprung to his feet, pulling Katara with him. Toph had already assumed a defense stance. A ring of fire erupted around their campsite with men in blue and white clothes above them.
"Well look who's here!" cackled one muscular man on the left. Katara gasped and looked over at Sokka who also looked excited. The fire faded and the men sunk down to their level and approached.
"What's going on?" asked Toph. "We're surrounded by old people." Katara beamed as she stepped out behind Zuko. He hadn't realized he had been in front of her, automatically protecting her.
"Not just any old people." She said, approaching one of the men, "these are great masters and friends of ours." She bowed to the man "Pakku." He bowed back.
"It is respectful to bow to an old master," he said in approval, "but how about a hug for your new grandfather?" he asked opening his arms. Katara's and Sokka's mouths dropped in surprise, flinging their arms up in excitement.
"That's so exciting! You and Gran-Gran must be so happy to have found each other again!" Katara beamed, embracing her new grandfather.
"I made her a new betrothal necklace and everything." Sokka joined the two of them and gave Pakku a hug too.
"Welcome to the family, Gramp-Gramp!" he grinned. Pakku's smile faded.
"You can still just call me Pakku." Pakku said, disentangling himself. Sokka wasn't discouraged at all.
"How about Grand-Pakku?" he suggested. Pakku didn't look amused.
"No." Sokka's smile faded and retreated. Zuko looked at the four men in front of them. This one man looked very familiar. Katara, seeing his interest, walked to his side and introduced them.
"And this was Aang's first firebending teacher, Jeong Jeong." She said. Zuko and the man bowed to each other. "Master Jeong Jeong," Zuko said reverently, remembering him from something Zhao and his Uncle said. "I'm-"
"I know who you are," Jeong Jeong interrupted him, a small smile on his face, "Prince Zuko." Zuko squirmed a little.
"Uh… yes." Thankfully Suki spoke, distracting everyone.
"So wait. How do you all know each other?" asked Suki after Sokka greeted Master Piandao, the greatest sword maker.
"All old people know each other. Don't you know that?" snorted the first muscular man. If Zuko wasn't mistaken the man was King Bumi of Omashu, but wasn't he supposed to be imprisoned?
"We're all part of the same ancient secret society, a group that transcends the divisions of the four nations." Explained Piandao. Zuko knew he recognized the symbol on the uniforms.
"The Order of the White Lotus." He said.
"That's the one!" cried Bumi.
"The White Lotus has always been about philosophy and beauty and truth, but about a month ago, a call went out that we were needed for something important." said Piandao. Master Pakku turned to speak right to Zuko.
"It came from a Grand Lotus: your uncle, Iroh of the Fire Nation." Pakku said. Zuko grinned.
"That's who we're looking for." Smiled Katara. She nudged Zuko gently.
"Then we'll take you to him." Said Piandao. Bumi got a crazed look in his eye looking around frantically.
"Wait! Someone's missing from your group. Someone very important!" he said, leaning over Sokka, "Where's Momo?" he asked.
"He's gone." Replied Sokka, pausing, "And so is Aang." The atmosphere dropped.
"Oh well." Shrugged Bumi, "So long as they have each other, I'm sure we have nothing to worry about. Let's go!" and he launched himself up and away by bending up a pillar of earth.
Everybody followed Bumi along a narrow path with Appa bringing up the rear. The moon was half full shining above them.
"So, Bumi ... how did you end up escaping your imprisonment in Omashu?" asked Sokka who was walking right behind Bumi.
"Escape? I didn't escape. Everybody else escaped." Cackled Bumi. He explained how he escaped during the eclipse and took back Omashu.
"Wow! You took back your whole city all by yourself!"
"So what about you guys? Did you do anything interesting on the day of the eclipse?" asked Bumi. "So what about you guys? Did you do anything interesting on the day of the eclipse?" asked Bumi. Zuko glanced at Sokka.
"No, not really," answered Zuko, nonchalantly.
"Nah," replied Zuko, with a shrug. They kept walking until he could see a few lights in a valley right below. Bumi lowered a rock wall and the group walked into the White Lotus Camp.
"Well, here we are." Said Bumi, leading the way, "Welcome to Old People Camp." A wave of anxiety crashed over him. He slowed in his step. Bumi, Katara, Jeong Jeong and Pakku walked past.
"Where…Where is he?" Zuko asked, nervously. Master Piandao, who stood closest to him answered.
"Your uncle's in there, Prince Zuko." He said, pointing to a tent on the other side of the camp. Zuko nodded. What if he won't forgive me? Zuko closed his eyes, ashamed. Oh, Uncle. I'm so sorry. He took a few steps in the direction of the tent. His feet felt like lead. He stared at the White Lotus symbol on the flap of the tent. I can't do this. He thought and sat down. His head drooped down. The shame he was feeling was overwhelming. Footsteps approached, but he didn't look up. The feet stopped beside him. He glanced over and instantly recognized Katara. He didn't look up at her; he turned his head the other way. He knew he'd see love and pity in her eyes and he couldn't take that right now. He didn't deserve it.
"Are you okay?" she asked gently.
"No, I'm not okay," he glanced up at her, but quickly looked away. "My uncle hates me, I know it." She took a seat next to him, not touching him. "He loved and supported me in every way he could," he looked up at her, to weak not to, "and I still turned against him." He looked away as he added, "How can I even face him?"
"Zuko," she said calmly, "you're sorry for what you did, right?"
"More sorry than I've been about anything in my entire life." He said with full sincerity. Remembering how he betrayed his Uncle… He felt terrible to say the least.
"Then he'll forgive you." she said. His head snapped up to her face. She must have read the doubt he felt, "He will." she assured him. Well, I guess I better find out. He stood up.
"Do you want me to come with you?" she offered quietly, standing.
"No, no thank you." he whispered, taking her hands to squeeze for a moment.
"I love you." she said, squeezing his hands back.
"I love you, too." He replied. He took a deep breath, let her hands go, and walked into the tent. He would make this right. He would beg for Uncle's forgiveness and maybe Uncle would forgive him.
a/n Thank you for reading! Please review (: