Chapter 4: Binding
The days seemed to pass in a blur leaving Katara feeling exhausted. Between water bending training, the tests to be proclaimed a master waterbender, checking on Zuko, and normal important things like sleeping, eating, and basic hygiene. It was a wonder she was able to remember what day it was.
She had spoken with Zuko a couple times about what to expect after the binding ceremony. To her surprise he did not know much about after it was completed. She was even more surprised, when he told her that she would receive a small mark from him as well. Horrified she had demanded that there had to be another way of completing the binding without having to mark her as well. He in turn had promptly exploded with anger shouting at her that in his culture it was a sign of high honor, and that it had to be done or the binding would not work and if she wanted to change that then she could take it up with the fire god Agni who had apparently made the rules. Katara had skipped visiting him the next day.
She had spoken with Chief Arnook about the binding ceremony, and he had informed her that he would take care of the preparations, but he had yet to tell her when it was going to take place. And she felt the clock ticking because their two-week timeline was up in a couple days.
So, she was a bit surprised when she and Aang entered the council chambers for dinner as usual only to find Zuko kneeling in the center of the room facing the raised dais where she usually sat to eat with the Chief, her brother, and friends.
Sokka sat in his usual seat glaring daggers down at the exiled prince. Chief Arnook stood from his seat and came down to join her, motioning for Aang to take his seat beside Sokka. Katara surveyed the room, noting that several of Arnook's advisors were present, seated at tables that circled around where Zuko was kneeling. She moved forward coming to Chief Arnook's side and he guided her to stand in front of Zuko. He remained in his kneeling position before her. His parka had been removed she noted, but the shackles around his wrist remained. Her gaze flicked from him to the fire pit on his left, and she noticed a knife stuck in the flame.
"Are you ready?" Chief Arnooked asked her in a whisper. When she nodded in response, he turned his attention to the advisors in the room. "You are here to witness a vow and the binding. A life debt was invoked when Katara of the Southern Water Tribe spoke out and saved exiled Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation from execution." He turned his attention to Zuko as he spoke. "Speak your vow now exiled prince Zuko, for all to hear."
Zuko raised his head, his eyes focusing solely on her. And when he spoke, he made sure it was loud enough for everyone present to hear him. "I, Exiled Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation, speak to the life debt. My honor compels me, and so I will vow a life for a life. I vow to honor, obey, serve, and protect you, Katara of the Southern Water Tribe, from this day on."
"I vow to wholeheartedly obey your every wish and command with unwavering loyalty. In my obedience I will strive to embody humility and selflessness, putting aside my own desires and ego and commit to faithfully carry out your instructions. Because no task is too great or too small. I hereby place my trust willingly into your leadership, surrendering my will to yours." Katara could have sworn that she heard Sokka snort at that. But did not dare glace back to glare at him as Zuko still held her gaze, continuing to recite the vow.
"I vow to serve you selflessly, with unwavering devotion, placing your needs and happiness above my own. For I will listen to your needs attentively and strive to understand and respond to them with compassion and empathy, adapting to changing circumstances to ensure your protection. For your needs are now my own, and I will awake each day to fulfill them."
"And-" Zuko paused, his eyes fluttering closed as he grit his teeth in concentration before glancing back up to her and continuing. "And above all, I vow to protect you fiercely with every fiber of my being. I will be your shield against any coming storm, guarding you from any harm that may threaten to befall you. I will be vigilant and watchful, anticipating dangers and taking proactive measures to keep you out of harm's way, fearlessly facing challenges head-on. In your moments of weakness or vulnerability, I will be your strength. I will listen to your fears and concerns with utmost attentiveness and empathy. Your voice will be heard and respected. Your well-being always my top priority."
"This vow I make is sacred, and not to be taken lightly, but with the utmost sincerity and conviction. And I do so without hesitation and of my own free will, and I humbly embrace the challenges and responsibilities that come with it. I will hold myself accountable for my actions and accept responsibility for any mistakes I make, learning from them and accept, without defiance or malice, any corrective measure you deem worthy. I am bound, offering my skills and resources for your use as I vow to uphold the life debt, I owe to you. Until such time as you release me, or I take my last breath as death claims me. I am yours. This I solemnly vow. "
The depth of his words washed over her as she stared at him kneeling before her, it was all so out of place she thought. The opposite of the arrogant, angry, exiled prince that had chased them around the world, attacking them on several occasions. The promises being made more befitting of a vow that couples might recite to each other on their wedding day, but hopefully with more things about loving each other included in the sentiment. These were not the words that would spill from an enemy's lips.
But then Katara noticed the way Zuko's hands were balled into fits in his lap, his arms straining against the shackles around his wrists. He held his head high, piercing her with a gaze that burned with fiery determination. His jaw set firmly and his body tense as if ready to explode into action at any moment. His body language spoke volumes, conveying a message of defiance, anger, and an unwavering refusal to completely surrender as he was vowing to do. She could see that he would struggle with this, just as Chief Arnook had warned. But she did not understand how the binding would make him bend to her will. For how could she possibly control a flame?
Katara watched his mask of defiance slip when Chief Arnook asked if he was ready to receive her mark. She saw the look of panic flit across his face, and she could not stop her eyes from traveling to the scar that marred the skin around his eye. Zuko took a deep breath and nodded. The chains connecting his wrist clinked together as he reached up and pulled open his tunic, exposing the skin of his chest over his heart. He fixed his features into an emotionless mask and stared blankly at the floor.
Arnook motioned for Katara to grab the knife from the fire and proceed. She did not reach for the knife though. She still did not know what mark to use, or that she could even bring herself to mark him at all. She did not have a family symbol that she knew of, and she did not want to use her name. The only thing that was coming to her mind was the elemental symbols as she moved to kneel before him. She tried to catch his eye to ask him, but he turned his gaze towards the flames refusing to look at her.
She turned her attention to the dancing flames as well, and an idea came to her then. She did not want to carve into his skin, the idea was repulsive. He had told her the binding was completed with fire and blood but had explained that it was the burn mark that was the end result. But she realized, as she watched the flames dancing beside them, that water could burn to if heated correctly.
Katara reached out bending water up to hover over the flames. She worked meticulously molding the water into the shape she wanted, letting the flames warm the water. She shrank the symbol down to the size of her palm and pulled it towards her to hover between them. Zuko's eyes followed the water, watching as she pulled the knife from the flames and touched it to the flowing symbol. The heated steel of the blade causing the water to begin to boil. She quickly dropped the knife to the ground and moved forward. Placing one hand on his shoulder to hold him in place and using her other hand to manipulate the water she positioned it right before his skin. She caught his eye, then holding him firm she pushed the boiling water into his skin.
The water entered his skin, penetrating deep below the surface. Burning the design into his flesh causing him to gasp from the pain. But in the next instant Katara worked, to sooth the burning, so there was just a stinging pain left. Removing her hands, she pulled the water back leaving raised ridges of pink skin where the water had entered. Droplets of blood pooling at the lines as though he had been pricked by hundreds of needles.
Katara moved to heal the area instinctively. A slight shake of the head from Zuko halted her movements. He then held out one of his hands to her, the chain linking the shackles around his wrists clinking, drawing her attention. She hesitantly placed her hand in his and he turned it over so her inner wrist was facing upward. With a snap of his fingers Zuko's other hand produced a small, concentrated flame atop his index finger. Katara recoiled, snatching her hand from his grasp. Zuko did not move, keeping his hand extended towards her waiting.
"I have to finish the binding Katara." Zuko whispered. She still hesitated, so he added with a sigh. "You can heal it to a scar right after."
Slowly she extended her left hand out to him again and let him take it. She had called water to her again when she felt the white-hot burn of the flame touch her skin. He was done quickly, three little lines not intricate, but significant enough if anyone from his nation happened to see them, they would know what she was to him. Katara had the burn encased in water before Zuko had released her. Healing the area enough so only three little white lines of a scar remained.
"Bound by Blood, Fire, and Water." Chief Arnook stated coming back to Katara's side to help her stand. "It is done, the bond complete." He waved his hand to the warriors waiting to take Zuko back to his cell. Katara moved to her seat. Glancing back as the guards disappeared out the door with Zuko.
"Let us eat." Chief Arnook stated and suddenly servers appeared bring different types of foods and drinks to each table.
"It's a feast in your honor." Aang said cheerfully on her left.
"For me?" Katara asked him in confusion. "What for?"
"Something about passing." Sokka aided around a mouthful of food.
"Not just about passing." Master Pakku stated as he joined them, giving Sokka a thump on the back. "As my star pupil you have shown that with hard work and determination to your training you can rise in through the ranks quickly. I have never been prouder to award the title of Master."
"Really?" Katara could not stop the smile that spread across her face and the praise.
"Congratulations little sis." Sokka exclaimed. "To celebrate we had decided to get you a slave. That is why the binding ceremony was done tonight-OW!" he cut off as Master Pakku thumbed him on the back again.
"Manners." Master Pakku stated before turning back to Katara. "The young Avatar would do well under your instruction I think, and maybe it will give him some focus as your travel by calling you Master Katara, and he may hopefully apply himself to his training." Master Pakku finished, eyeing the young monk who sheepishly smiled back.
The rest of the meal was spent discussing their upcoming departure. General Fund had been in contact, and they were informed that he was ready and awaiting their arrival. Master Pakku and a crew of warrior's were going to take them most of the way by boat, and they would finish the journey on Appa. They all needed to be packed and ready to go in two days.
Finishing her meal, Katara excused herself from the table and headed off to her room. Two days was not long. She needed to take inventory of their basic supplies and make sure to obtain needed items before leaving. After all, she could not rely on Sokka and Aang completing the task. Sokka was constantly spending money on things they did not need, and Aang, well he tended to overlook important food supplies. So, it was best for her to just take care of the preparations herself.