a/n So it's not technically Sunday anymore, but it's pretty close! Sorry :(
Without further delays…read on!
Chapter 37 ~The Eastern Air Temple~
-Zuko-
He woke up with a start, momentarily confused where he was again. At first, he thought it had all been a dream, but the tan walls and cool air proved otherwise. Yes, this was definitely the Eastern Air Temple. He glanced to his right to see Katara's sleeping form. He didn't see Yugoda in the room, so he slipped out from his furs and crept over to Katara, something told him Yugoda wouldn't approve.
Gently, he lifted up her covers, slid underneath them, and placed an arm around her. Agni she felt good in his arms. She hummed an agreeable sound before her eyelids fluttered open. She smiled shyly at him.
"Hi," she whispered.
"Hi," he replied, rubbing his nose against hers.
"Are you feeling okay?" she asked, concern flecked in her voice.
"Yeah, I'm fine now thanks to you." Before she could humbly contradict him, he continued, "I woke up in the night and Yugoda explained some stuff to me. She told me you were responsible for me still being here. I don't know what you did, but she seemed very impressed."
"I…" she stuttered. He could see tears pooling behind her eyes. Why? "I had to use bloodbending, on you." Her voice cracked as she spoke.
"Oh Katara," he cried and pulled her tightly to him as her tears began to fall, "It's okay. Shhh!"
"I hate bloodbending," she sobbed into his chest.
"Shhh! It's over now. You saved me. Shh…" He gently stroked her hair as she cried.
When she finally pulled away, her cheeks were stained with tears.
"I'm sorry," she mouthed.
"Don't be. You did what you had to do." He replied and wiped a fresh tear off her face.
"Bloodbending…it's just wrong though, taking control of a person like that."
"Can any waterbender do it? You're the only person I've ever seen do it before."
"A bender named Hama invented it and…she taught-no forced me to learn it." He didn't know what to say, so he remained quiet. "It's horrible." She whispered.
They laid there for a moment in silence.
"How are you f-" a voice started to say behind Zuko. He quickly turned and saw Yugoda giving him a reproachful look.
"Uh…sorry," he apologized, grinned guiltily, and came out from under the furs.
"How are you feeling today?" she asked him.
"Great, really great," he smiled, "Thank you for everything."
"You're welcome, Fire Lord." Before Yugoda could say anything else, an angry screech echoed from somewhere. "Oh, that'll be Azula. Please, excuse me." Zuko's eyes widened at the mention of his sister. He wanted to see her.
"Later," Katara said, resting a hand on his shoulder, "We can see her later."
"No," he replied firmly, "I want to see her alone." Katara didn't seem surprised by his answer.
"Okay, but later. Let's find the others first." He nodded, "You may want to put on a shirt first though." He glanced down and sure enough, his chest was bare.
"Why am I not wearing a shirt, again?"
"When I was trying to save you I tore off your shirt." She blushed. That's right, He fuzzily remembered it. "Our stuff is over there in the corner," and she pointed to their two packs. He walked over, pulled out a red shirt, and slid it on. After he was ready, they left in search of the others hand in hand.
-Katara-
The Eastern Air Temple was so different from the Western Air Temple. Of course, it still had that open feel she recognized from the other Air Temples. This Temple was grander than the Western or Northern Temples and reminded her most of the Southern Air Temple. The Eastern Temple spanned three tall peaks with bridges in between and even in its crumbling state it was beautiful.
She didn't have an opportunity to explore last night since her focus was on Zuko, but Aang did tell her where to find him in the morning. It wasn't very hard. She could see it as soon as Zuko and she stepped outside. It was the only large piece of flat ground, possibly where the benders had trained.
"Well, if it isn't Sparky." Toph called, sensing their footsteps. "Welcome back to the land of the living." Katara smiled, she had missed Toph's sense of humor.
"It's good to see you too, Toph." Zuko grumbled, but with a smile on his face as well. He and Katara sat down on the cool stone. "Hey, Aang." He said with a nod to the bender.
"Nice to see again Zuko, conscious that is," Aang replied with a goofy smile. Everyone was silent for a moment before Toph spoke.
"So Sugar-Queen, what are you making for breakfast?" she asked.
"Wait what? Why me?" Katara sputtered, confused.
"Because all Guru Banana Beard makes is onion-banana juice and it's disgusting."
"I actually don't mind it," Aang commented, "It's just an acquired taste."
"Well it's a taste I do not want to acquire." Toph said forcefully.
"Well, you've been here for a while Toph, what have you been eating then?" asked Katara.
"Ugh," Toph grumbled and held her stomach dramatically, "you don't want to know."
"What about Yugoda?"
"She's busy with Azula."
"Oh, come on. I just got here. I mean, how bad can it be?"
"Here," Toph said, pushing a cup of the juice with her foot towards Katara. She looked at, picked it up, and before she could taste it, the smell hit her. She was going to be sick.
She clamped her mouth shut and covered it with her hand, dropping the wooden cup in the process. She wasn't sure where to run. The edge of the entire temple was nearby, so she jumped up and dashed in that direction. When she got to the ledge, she removed her hand and her body started heaving. She saw Zuko approach out of the corner of her eye.
"No, stay away," she attempted to say between being sick. He ignored her warnings and the next thing she knew his hands were scooping her hair back and holding it behind her head. Thankfully, the puking didn't last long, as there wasn't much in her stomach to throw up, and the nausea subsided. She straightened up and rubbed her mouth with the back of her hand.
"Are you okay?" he asked, concern etched in his face.
"Yeah," she smiled weakly, "Toph was right though, definitely a taste I don't want to acquire."
He had suggested she visit Yugoda, but Katara quickly refused.
"I'm fine Zuko." She insisted, "I just wasn't expecting it to have such a strong smell."
"You should try drinking it," remarked Toph. Zuko glared at her even though she couldn't see him.
"Enough," Katara said and he turned his attention back to her. "Do you know if we still have some traveling cakes?" In Turpan, they had just bought food and didn't use any of their supplies, so there should still be some.
"Yeah, I'll go get them." He said and he headed back to their room.
-Zuko-
After some breakfast, everyone seemed to be in better spirits. They started to exchange stories and catch up with each other. Then he finally got a chance to ask what happened in the gym.
"So what happened to me?" he asked Katara. Her face grew serious.
"Azula's lightning left some serious side effects. It threw off the way your heart beats." She said. He wasn't a healer, but he knew that wasn't good.
"Can I be cured?" he asked tentatively.
"Yes."
"Wonderful! How?" That was great news! So why wasn't she smiling?
"Uh…Yugoda can explain it better." His lips thinned. He didn't want to wait for an answer from Yugoda, but he didn't push the matter. Whatever the cure was Katara didn't like it.
"So…what happened after I passed out?" he asked.
"After I managed to slow your heart I uhm…I had to throw up and I guess afterwards I drifted off…I'm not sure. It didn't feel like I fell asleep. Anyways, I went outside to look for help when I heard Aang and Toph calling my name. We brought you back to the hotel where I hoped you'd wake up by morning. Obviously you didn't. So in the morning, while they got you onto Appa I packed our things and we left. You were in stable condition but I was concerned that you still hadn't woken up yet, so I wanted to get you here as soon as possible."
"I think Appa flew at record speeds." Joked Aang.
"We had to stop and make camp once because everyone was tired. Then we flew until we got here. Yugoda examined you and said you'd wake up when you were ready." An awkward silence followed Katara's explanation.
"Good morning," a voice said and everyone turned to see Yugoda approaching. They all greeted likewise. "I see you are enjoying something other than Pathik's onion-banana juice." Toph pulled a face. "It's not that bad. I've had much worse, rotten penguin seal comes to mind." Zuko really wanted to ask her about Azula, but he held back.
The others were talking, but he wasn't really listening. Then someone said his name.
"Hmm?" he asked, shaken out of his thoughts.
"I asked how you were feeling today, Fire Lord Zuko." Yugoda asked.
"Just Zuko is fine," he replied. The title still sounded a little weird to him, especially coming from such a respected figure. "I'm much better thank you." Katara smiled and leaned her head on his shoulder. Instinctively, he wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer.
"That's good to hear," Yugoda said with a curious look in her eye. What?
It seemed like everyone was carefully avoiding the topic of Azula. Zuko assumed that Pathik was with her now, but nobody said anything. Finally, after everyone was done eating, Yugoda rose.
"I'm sorry, but I really should be getting back to work." She said.
"How is she?" he asked suddenly, before Yugoda could walk away. She froze.
"Azula?"
"Yes."
"She's doing… better." A one worded response wasn't what he had in mind.
"Meaning…?" Yugoda sighed and gestured him to follow her. "Walk with me." They went back inside and started slowly climbing a set of stairs. They walked until they reached one of the remaining bridges that spanned the two hilltops then Yugoda stopped. "It's no North Pole, but I like it here." She said looking out across the peaks and chasms. They were silent for a moment. "Her mind is uneasy. She is like a man haunted by war."
"Can you do anything to help her?"
"I've been trying to ease her pain, but she resists. She won't let go of the pain, instead it seems to fuel her."
"Do you think my presence would help?"
"It's an interesting idea. Maybe you could reach her…but maybe you can't…"
"I'd like to try. I want to see her," he said, hoping for the best.
"I figured you'd want to." Yugoda sighed, "Come on then. She's in the far tower."
From what Zuko could tell, he guessed the original point of the tower was to get higher into the air for meditation and isolation. Now it was being used as a holding room for Azula.
Yugoda and he climbed the stairs in silence. As they drew nearer to the top, they could hear Pathik's soothing voice.
"You truly are a magnificent bender. You have so much power, but you lack control. Bending channels the emotions and usually lets them flow out, but your emotions are controlling your bending. Your anger drives your fire. I think this is a common practice among fire benders, but it needn't be like this. I know you had a great burden on you, so much pressure from your father to achieve greatness, but that is no longer the case. This does not mean you are all alone as you evidently think you are. You still have family. There's-"
"I HAVE NO FAMILY!" Azula suddenly screeched, interrupting Pathik. Yugoda and Zuko were almost to the door.
"It is too bad you feel like that, because your brother is here to see you." There was another screech and the door opened. An old man walked out. He had white eyebrows, a big white beard, and a yellow one-shoulder robe.
"She responds so much better to you." Yugoda remarked. Pathik waved his hand dismissively.
"I have had longer with her." He simply replied, "Good morning, Zuko."
"Good morning Guru Pathik." Zuko said, bowing respectfully. "I came here to see her. Alone, please." He added.
"Fine, fine, but be warned, she can still spit fire. When I first met her, she singed my eyebrow!" Pathik pointed animatedly at the corner of his brow.
"I understand. Thank you both." Pathik smiled and Yugoda gave Zuko a gruff nod before letting him in.
-Katara-
She rested in the shade of one of the buildings. She was a little tired, but otherwise felt fine. Her eyes were almost closed when she heard footsteps and opened her eyes to see Yugoda.
"Hello Katara," the older woman smiled. Katara moved to get up but Yugoda waived her down. "Sit, sit, I'll join you." With a huff, Yugoda sat down beside her.
"You took Zuko up to see Azula?" Katara asked after a moment.
"Yes, I did. I'm hoping he can get through to her. She resists me. Even Pathik has an easier time with her than me." Yugoda sighed and paused. "Maybe you can help me tomorrow."
"Me?" Katara asked confused. How could she help Yugoda help Azula?
"Yes, you. In all my years, I have never trained such a skilled healer and you're a warrior too!" Yugoda seemed incredulous. "Most fighters are too tough to be good patients, let alone healers. Though it's true you have the heart of a warrior, you also have the compassion of a healer. It's a combination that I think makes you a better healer."
"Thank you Yugoda, you're too kind, but I'm not that-"
"Nonsense. Besides, I think Azula could really benefit from our combined efforts."
"Okay," Katara conceded, "I'll help you tomorrow." Although she wasn't as sure as Yugoda in her healing abilities, if it meant Azula could get better, Katara had to try. She hoped for Zuko's sake Azula would improve. Zuko wanted to wait until Azula was better to tell her about Ikem and Ning, but Katara thought she should know sooner. She should especially know about their grandmother Rina. Katara couldn't help but smile. Zuko still had a family, a connection to his mother. Yugoda's voice pulled Katara from her thoughts. "You are engaged to the Fire Lord, yes?"
"Yes," she smiled, looking down at the ring on her finger.
"You seem very happy with him."
"Yes, I really am. He's so different than I originally thought. You'd never expect him to be so kind and gentle and…" Her voice drifted off, "Oh, I'm sorry," her cheeks redden. Katara normally didn't talk about the other side of Zuko she was privileged to see, the side that she loved more and more.
"It's fine." Yugoda smiled. "I can tell you two are in love. You're positively glowing." The statement confused Katara a little, but Yugoda didn't elaborate. Instead, she gave Katara a knowing smile and nod. What?
-Zuko-
The room was not what he expected. It was so light and breezy inside. From the entrance, he could just see the top of Azula's head from behind a couch. He didn't fully enter the room, before Azula started talking.
"Well, if it isn't ZuZu, come to visit me." She sneered. Zuko took a deep breath and walked around to a stool beside her. Azula lay strapped to the couch in a white straight jacket, facing the open window. Her head was firmly positioned so she couldn't turn her neck.
"Hello Azula." He replied, trying to remain calm.
"Why are you here? Why are you bothering me?" she asked, her eyebrows tightening into a point.
"I want to talk to you."
"But I don't want to talk to you, so if you could just come back when I'm not so tied up."
"No, Azula. I'm staying." He said firmly. They were both silent for a moment.
"Well you said you wanted to talk. So talk." He opened her mouth but she interrupted, "How long were you listening outside?"
"Long enough."
"Then don't you dare start on about how you're here for me, because we both know that's not true, like I'd even want your support. You've always been weak. The only reason I'm not in a cell in the Fire Nation next to dear old Dad is because you think I can redeem myself. You've follow victim to their ideals of hope. It's pathetic ZuZu. We both know I'm passed help and I don't want help."
"I came here to tell you something." He said, ignoring everything she'd just said.
"What?" she spat. On the walk up to the tower, he had finally decided what to do. Hearing what Guru Pathik tried to tell her only reinforced his decision.
"I found out what happened to Mom." Zuko said.
"Is that all?" Azula asked as she started to laugh. "She killed grandfather and then mysteriously disappeared. It doesn't leave much to the imagination ZuZu."
"She wasn't killed. She was banished."
"Just like you!" Azula said, squealing in a sinisterly gleeful way. Zuko rolled his eyes.
"Anyways, I found out what happened to her."
"Let me guess," Azula interrupted her voice full of mock concern, "she's dead."
"Yes, but-"
"Well ZuZu, this has been a fun, we'll have to do this-"
"Azula! I'm trying to tell you something." He yelled over her and got to his feet. "She had another child!" The room fell deathly silent. Azula said nothing so Zuko sat back down and continued. "After she was banished she reunited with a man she was promised to marry before Ozai. Together they had a son."
"How did she die then?" Azula asked very quietly.
"Childbirth," Zuko whispered, "with a daughter who also died." It was silent for a moment before a torrential fire poured out of Azula's mouth and out the window as she screamed. Zuko jumped to his feet in surprise.
"LEAVE!" she shrieked, "LEAVE! LEAVE!" He didn't question her and started heading towards the door. He paused at the door and looked behind him. She was quiet now; the fire had stopped.
"One more thing," he said. She didn't respond. "Our grandmother still lives, our mother's mother."
"LEAVE!" she resumed screaming, "LEAVE!" He quickly did so.
When he got back to where they had been eating breakfast no one was there. He looked around until he saw Yugoda and Katara in the shade. He smiled and walked over.
"Good afternoon," he smiled at them both, but mainly towards Katara.
"Good afternoon, Lord Zuko. How did your meeting with Azula go?" Yugoda responded.
"I think it went well. I was able to tell her what I mainly wanted to tell her." He said distractedly, he had noticed Katara was avoiding his gaze and being unusually silent. Also, her ears were pink and her face was flush. "What's the matter?" he asked gently. Her head turned instantly to face him.
"Nothing," she said quickly and forced a smile upon her lips. He looked at her carefully, but didn't say anything. If she wanted to tell him something, she'd tell him. "Help me fix lunch?" she asked as she got to her feet.
"Do I get to light the fire?" he asked, grinning while he remembered another time he had lit the cooking fire at the Summer Palace.
"Always," she whispered. Her words made his heart leap, just like that previous time. It seemed both long ago and like yesterday when they stood in the Summer Palace. It was just after they had agreed to fight, before he had known what it was like to hold her or kiss her. Agni, that was before he had ever had sex. How things had changed…and for the better too.
The rest of the day was boring in comparison to his heated exchange with Azula and his playful exchange with Katara. Yugoda and Pathik floated back and forth between the rest of the group and Azula's room. Neither of them mentioned anything about how Azula was now doing. It bugged Zuko, but he didn't say anything. They knew what they were doing.
Even though it had been a lazy afternoon and evening, he still felt exhausted as he and Katara walked back to their room. When they had embarrassingly asked Yugdoa if they could share furs, she had instantly agreed. Odd considering the look of disapproval he got that morning, but he wasn't going to question it.
They changed silently into their sleeping clothes and slid in between the furs.
"Mhhh…" he sighed. It wasn't the royal palace, but it sure felt comfortable. No sooner had he pulled her into his arms, did his eyelids begin to droop.
"Zuko," she whispered.
"Hmm?" he replied half asleep. He felt her shift in his arms.
"I need to tell you something." He peeked out one eye to look at her. She was now facing him and looked nervous.
"What is it?" he asked, opening both eyes.
"I…just…uh…" She glanced around anxiously, looking for the right words. Her reaction was starting to worry him.
"What's wrong?" All fuzziness of sleep had faded and she had his full attention.
"Well…nothing's wrong…I hope. It's just…"
"Katara?" she was beginning to scare him.
"I'm pregnant." She blurted out.
a/n Tell me honestly, were you surprised? I'm guessing 'no.' Ha! Yeah, I'm sure all of you awesome peopled already guessed Katara was prego! So many ups and downs in this chapter. Plus, we saw Azula again for the first time in a while. Let me know what you thought / your reaction in a review, thanks!
Also, what do you think this mysterious cure is for Zuko that Katara doesn't want to talk about?