Chapter 14: Town

Morning came on silent wings, the soft light of dawn gradually overtaking the night's darkness. Zuko, who had spent most of the night in restless contemplation, blinked away the remnants of a sleepless night as he sat up in his sleeping bag.

The camp was still and tranquil, the only sounds being the gentle rustling of leaves in the morning breeze and the murmur of the nearby river. Katara and Aang were still asleep, their forms shrouded in their respective sleeping bags. Sokka, was rolling between different positions, snoring.

Zuko quietly rose from his sleeping bag, careful not to wake the others, and stretched his stiff limbs. The lack of sleep had taken its toll, and he yearned for some solace away from the camp. In gentle murmur of the river seemed to call to him, and that is where he decided to head.

Quite as a shadow, Zuko made his way through the underbrush and down to the riverbank a little way from the camp. The sound of running water was soothing, and he found a small secluded spot where he could take a dip and clear his head.

As he waded into the cool water, Zuko felt a sense of relief wash over him. The river's current tugged gently at his troubles, and for a moment, he could almost forget his circumstances. Wading further into the water so it came up to his chest he took a breath and dunked below the surface.


Katara stirred in her sleep, her eyes fluttering open. The call of nature roused her from slumber. Yawning she got up, stopping to dig through her pack for a bar of soap. She then carefully picked her way through the trees, her steps soft and deliberate to not wake her slumbering companions. When she finally found a suitable spot near the river, she took a moment to relieve herself.

When she moved closer to the riverbank, her focus on finding a good spot for her bath, she froze as Zuko's form broke through the water's surface. His back was to her as he pushed water from his hair, the short strands having grown in the past week leaving him no longer bald.

She felt her cheeks warm with embarrassment, her mind racing as she debated what to do next. She had not expected to stumble upon Zuko like this, and she was torn between announcing her presence or quietly slipping away to give him his much-needed privacy. She had just decided to give Zuko some privacy, opting to silently retreat and let him have this moment of solitude when fate and other plans.

Zuko, his senses seemingly sharp even in the midst of such vulnerability, turned in her direction. Their eyes locked, a mixture of shock and surprise reflecting in both pairs. For what felt like an eternity, neither of them moved or spoke, caught in the awkwardness of the situation.

Zuko was the first to react, his gaze shifting away as he hastily moved deeper into the water. His face turned a shade of crimson that was visible even in the dappled morning light filtering through the trees.

"I… Katara… I didn't expect to see you here," he stammered, his voice a mixture of embarrassment and apology.

Katara's cheeks flushed as well, and she turned away from him facing the forest. Opening her mouth to apologize for intruding, her voice failed her in her embarrassment.

"I'm… I'm sorry Katara," Zuko continued. "I did not mean to leave camp without permission. I just could not sleep last night and thought a dip in the river might help wake me for the day. If you could just not look, I can get dressed and come back with you."

Something seemed to click in her mind and she spun back around to face him, momentarily forgetting his state of undress. Zuko simultaneously dropped back down into the water letting it cover up to his neck. She realized how their unexpected meeting might have appeared from his perspective. Zuko, who had been through so much with General Fong's twisted games, probably thought she was here because he was in trouble. And she was determined to quell that thought.

"You're not in trouble Zuko," she told him, "I only seemed to have the same thought as you this morning and was looking for a spot to bathe."

Relief seemed to wash over Zuko's features and he let out a soft sigh.

"Take your time," Katara told him, turning away to give him some privacy. "I will just go further up the river."


As Katara made her way upstream, the awkwardness of the situation slowly started to dissipate. Zuko sighed, running a hand through his wet hair, thankful that things had not taken an even more embarrassing turn.

As she had said, Zuko took his time in the water, letting the tranquility of the river calm his restless thoughts and soothe his tense muscles. He closed his eyes for a moment, allowing the gentle current to wash away the fatigue that had settled in his bones. It had been a long night, and the hours spent tossing and turning in his sleeping bag had left him feeling drained.

The pull of the river was a welcome distraction. Drowning out the relentless thoughts that had haunted him during the sleepless night. Taking a breath, he dove under the water again, swimming along the bottom in the river's gentle current.

As he resurfaced, he could not help but appreciate the simple pleasure of this momentary respite. The world around him seemed to fade into the background, leaving only the sensation of the water against his skin. It was a rare moment of tranquility in his life filled with chaos and uncertainty.

Zuko stayed until his fingers were fully pruned. With a final deep breath, Zuko waded back to the riverbank and reached for his clothes, which were neatly folded on a nearby rock. He steamed himself dry and dressed quickly.

The sound of someone, or something crashing through the underbrush drew Zuko's attention. When Sokka suddenly appeared around the bend of rocks, Zuko tensed, preparing himself for what was to come.

"There you are," Sokka grumbled, his mood evidently sour. "We have been waiting for you forever. Katara's been done with her little morning spa day, and Aang's about to chew his glider in hunger. You have held us up long enough, jerkbender."

Zuko sighed, nodding as he headed back towards camp. He knew that he was far from Sokka's favorite person, but he did not feel he deserved this constant hostility. Nevertheless, he remained silent, focused on getting back to camp so they could eat and head into the village.


Once they had all eaten a hasty breakfast and packed up their camp, the group set out on toward the nearby town. Zuko could not help but notice that Sokka was still in a foul mood, his irritation palpable as they walked along the beaten path. The town came into view as they emerged from the forest line, its small houses and market stalls forming a quaint but bustling community.

Sokka, still visibly annoyed, muttered something under his breath that Zuko could not quite catch, but he chose to ignore the fuming boy anyway. Instead, he focused on the task at hand, following Katara as she led the way to the market square.

The market was a lively scene, with vendors selling all sorts of goods. Katara took charge, haggling with merchants for the best prices while Aang and Sokka disappeared, leaving Zuko to carry all the purchases. He watched the proceedings with curiosity, appreciating Katara's ability to negotiate and get what they needed.

As the day wore on, the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows over the bustling market. Zuko watched as their bags were gradually filled with supplies. He had even managed to find a new set of clothing to replace his only spare set, which after ten days in a dungeon had seen better days.

By late afternoon, with bags packed to the brim, they began making their way back to their campsite. They had not run into Sokka or Aang again. But Katara had said, she was pretty sure they had already headed back themselves or they might be a little while behind them, as the shops were starting to close.

As they approached the town's outskirts, Katara suddenly stopped before a quaint café. Zuko watched her with interest, wondering what had caught her attention. His keen sense of observation noted the warm, inviting atmosphere of the café, and he could not help but be intrigued by the idea of a brief respite from their journey.

He turned to Katara, gesturing toward the café entrance. "Do you want to go inside?"

Katara continued to stare silently, before a smile broke out over her face, "Yes," she stated continuing in glee, "Will be nice after this long day to not have to cook a meal myself."

Together, they entered the cozy café, escaping the heat of the afternoon sun. The place was dimly lit, with wooden tables and chairs scattered throughout, giving it a rustic feel. A friendly waiter greeted them and led them to a quiet corner by the window.

As they settled into their seats, Zuko took a moment to glance around. He noted the warm and inviting atmosphere that enveloped him. The walls were adorned with wooden paneling, continuing the rustic and cozy charm. Soft, ambient lighting hung from the ceiling, casting a gentle glow over the room.

The wooden tables and chairs were well-worn but sturdy, each one telling a silent story of countless patrons who had shared meals and conversations here. Small potted plants were carefully arranged on the windowsills, adding a touch of life to the space.

On the walls hung various artworks and paintings, depicting serene landscapes, vibrant cities, and intricate calligraphy. These artworks, while diverse in style and subject, all seemed to evoke a sense of peace and tranquility.

A menu was placed in front of them, filled with various dishes and drinks. Zuko took a moment to scan it, realizing how long it had been since he had enjoyed a decent meal. Not that Katara's cooking the night before was not superb, but he had the inkling based on the foods she had purchased today that traveling resorted to basic foods, with minimal variety.

The air was filled with the comforting aroma of brewing herbal teas, and the faint sizzle of food coming from the kitchen. He glanced at Katara, her smile was warm and inviting as she glanced around the café's interior. He allowed himself to relax at the moment and try to forget about his troubles, that is, until he glanced back to the kitchen door and saw the waiter pointing in their direction talking with an elderly woman. He immediately stiffened, casting a concerned look in Katara's direction. He noticed then that other patrons of the café kept glancing in their direction also, and he could not help but decide that this had been a bad idea.

The elderly woman made her way over to their table, her steps slow and deliberate. She had a kind face, marked by the passage of time, and framed by wisps of gray hair. Her eyes, however, held a certain sharpness in their green depths. As the older woman made it to them, Katara placed a hand over his on the table, a silent command to relax. The elderly woman addressed them with a warm smile. "Greetings, travelers. I could not help but notice you're not from around these parts. What brings you to our humble town?"

Zuko glanced quickly at Katara.

Katara squeezed Zuko's hand again, trying to silently get him to relax. She kept hold of his hand as she smiled up and the older woman and explained. "We are just passing through and stopped to replenish our supplies. We are on our way to Omashu."

She had learned while traveling with her brother and Aang that it was sometimes best to give little information and let people come to their own conclusions. Most of the time this approach had worked in their favor. Katara hoped this was one of those times.

"Where are you traveling from?" the elderly woman asked.

"The coast," Katara replied vaguely. She figured there had to be a village along the coast somewhere.

"Oh goodness," the elderly woman stated, glancing between the two. "The road from the coast is a long and treacherous one, you poor dears." She looked straight at Zuko, "Could not have been an easy one to make while having to heal from that wound." She added indicating the scar around Zuko's eye.

Zuko's eyes widened in surprise at the remark. He made to pull back in his chair, but Katara kept her grip firm on his hand keeping him in place.

"Well, my name is Lirin, and I own this little café." The elderly woman continued. "You let me know if you two little lovebirds need anything and I will bring it for you."

"Lovebirds?" Katara questioned, shocked at the directness of her reference to them as "lovebirds." Zuko, she noticed, was blushing.

Lirin gave them both a warm smile. "We may not have seen many in recent years, but these old eyes recognize a Water Tribe betrothal necklace when I see one." The mention of her betrothal necklace made Katara release Zuko's hand and touch it instinctively, a reassuring connection to her culture and her family.

"It's alright dearest." Lirin continued, patting Katara on the shoulder, her tone filled with compassion. "In times like these, love and companionship are precious things that we must hold onto, in hopes for a better future. And sometimes, love can heal wounds that even the most skilled healers can't." She added, looking at Zuko, her eyes roaming over the scar spreading out from his eye. "War brings so much pain and suffering." She said softly, her eyes softening as she reached out and placed a gentle hand over Zuko's and squeezed reassuringly.

Lirin straightened then, brushing the wisps of grey hair from her face. "I will have Tizen bring you a pot of my famous herbal tea." And with that, she rushed off.

The waiter returned shortly after with a tray carrying the pot of tea, two cups with saucers, and a little bowl of sugar cubes. He took their order and let them be. As they sipped the fragrant tea, to two remained in a slightly awkward silence. Grateful for the unexpected warmth and hospitality they had encountered, but unsure of what to say to each other about the assumption Lirin had made.

Soon, their plates arrived, each a colorful masterpiece of flavors and textures. Katara's plate held a succulent piece of grilled fish, its skin perfectly crisped, accompanied by an assortment of roasted vegetables drizzled with a fragrant herb-infused sauce. The explosion of flavors on her plate was like a symphony. She could not help but close her eyes for a moment to savor the sensation. Each bite of the grilled fish was a delight, its delicate smokiness mingling with the tangy herb sauce. The roasted vegetables retained a satisfying crunch, bursting with the essence of the earth.

Glancing at Zuko's plate, she could not help but admire the variety of meats he had. The aroma wafting from his dish was a tantalizing blend of spices, and she could not resist stealing a small piece to try, for pretense's sake, as Lirin was watching them. The piece was as delicious as it smelled, and she could not help but appreciate Zuko's choice. His dish featured slices of three different seasoned meats, seared to perfection, and adorned with a colorful array of steamed vegetables. The rich earthy flavors of the food danced on their taste buds.

Zuko glanced at her in confusion as she reached for his plate again, stealing a carrot and popping it into her mouth. She smiled at him as she chewed casting a glance in Lirin's direction.


Katara's actions, seemingly driven by the desire to maintain the charade in front of Lirin, brought a subtle smile to Zuko's face. He understood the unspoken need for discretion, and he played along, reaching over to steal of bite of fish from her plate. His eyes closed in appreciation at the burst of flavor that coated his tongue. Opening his eyes, he glanced out the window watching people wandering by, when a single stationary figure caught his eye.

Zuko's appreciation for the food was momentarily overshadowed by the sight of Sokka outside. The Water Tribe boy's presence was unmistakable, standing across the road under the awning of a blacksmith storefront. His blue clothing in the sea of green and browns, made him stand out even more. His stance and expression giving away his feelings all too clearly. Arms crossed, eyes fixed with an icy intensity, Sokka looked like he was contemplating various methods of Zuko's demise.

Despite the unease settling in his chest, Zuko took another bite of his meal, savoring the flavors but unable to fully enjoy them with Sokka's disapproving glare piercing through the glass.

As they finished their meal, Lirin appeared at their table, her smile as warm as ever. She inquired about their journey and if they needed anything else, even offering a cozy place to stay if they decided to extend their visit for one more night. Katara thanked her graciously, mentioning their plans to continue to Omashu. Zuko added a polite nod, still a bit preoccupied by Sokka's presence outside.

Lirin bid them farewell with a kind smile, leaving them to settle the bill and head back to camp. Exiting the café, Zuko was surprised to see Sokka was no longer under the blacksmith awning. Glancing around the almost empty street he did not see the Water Tribe boy anywhere.

"Are you coming?" Katara called from up ahead, having already started walking back towards the camp.

He nodded, moving to catch up with her, still looking cautiously around for Sokka as though he would suddenly spring out and attack him.