Author's note: If you've read this far you probably have noticed a few time skips. This story has a lot of flashbacks. In fact the majority of it will take place in the past. The only present moment so far has been the first paragraph in chapter one where Zuko is returning from war.
Also we have some trouble in paradise…Zuko and Katara's relationship isn't always sunshine and rainbows. enjoy!
KATARAS POV
She woke the next day alone. She had no idea when Zuko had gotten in bed, if he had ever even come to bed. He'd been outside all night, doing La knows what. Turning in the bed she stared at the door in anger. Zuko and her's argument flashed to her mind. Why did he have to be so stubborn and impatient? His lack of faith in Aang angered her as well. Taking matters into his own hands would only throw things off. She couldn't help but worry about how much danger he'd be putting himself in if he went off on his own. She had no doubt he'd try to get back in contact with the Order of the White Lotus to find his Uncle again. But the last she'd heard he was deep in the bowls of the fire nation palace's prison. Katara signed as his statement about the earth soldier's armor stuck out in her brain like a sore thumb. It made her remember the reason Zuko probably felt so strongly.
4 YEARS BEFORE
Katara ran as fast as her armor plated legs could take her. She froze the water that coated the rocks skating down into the cave Zuko had rolled into. Dropping to her knees before him she immediately began untying his armor. Chest plate smoking he cried out in agony, fighting to keep the breath within his lungs.
"Hold still Zuko" Katara's voice quivered in fear as her shaking hands removed his breast plate. Ripping his undershirt in haste she revealed his wound, its sinister red spreading out over his chest and blood pouring out of him like rain.
"Agni Katara it burns" he cried, his eyes were going hazy.
"Stay with me Zuko!" she yelled calling her water to her from her pouch with force and precision. She cried as her hands began to glow placing them gently over Zuko's heart. He hissed in pain and shock. She could tell he was blacking in and out by the way his eyes would roll in his head as she healed him. Hearing a loud bang Katara looked up from her work to see three fire nation soldiers had spotted them. They began heading their way, making Katara begin to panic.
"Oh crap" she whispered, willing herself to heal him faster. Before they could reach them she saw Toph fly off the top of the cave they were in. She landed right in front of the soldiers with her fist to the ground, pummeling the earth beneath her. Katara breathed a sigh of relief returning to her work and cradling Zuko further into the cave.
"I tried to redirect it" he said in a raspy voice looking up at her tiredly.
"You got most of it" she said smiling down at him as she continued to press her gloved hands to his chest while his head rested in her lap.
"I suppose I'd be dead if I hadn't" he said grunting.
"Don't try to move" she said quickly. She finished up most of what she could do for the day. For now his body had to rest and heal itself. She had saved him from imminent death. Laying his head down on her cloak she left Zuko in the cave as she walked a few feet where a grove of trees grew. Arching her fingers grotesquely she yanked the water from all the trees, gathering enough to freeze an ice wall over the entrance of the cave. He was in no condition to walk, especially with that battle raging on outside. And she wasn't going to leave him alone. So she decided they'd wait until help came. The thick layer of ice she'd bent over the cave mouth would protect them for enough time. They stayed in that cave for three days surviving off the jerky and dried bread in Katara's pouch. She working on him through the days and nights until Toph found them again, knocking on the ice. She quickly unfroze it coming face to face with her comrades, Toph, Aang, and her brother Sokka. She hugged them all tightly, thanking Tui and La they had all made it out unharmed. Once the exchanges were done they all looked over to Zuko's sleeping from. He was covered in his own tunic, with Katara's pouch folded under his head as a pillow.
"Sparky took a bad hit huh?" Toph asked worriedly. Aang looked at Zuko's pale face feeling bad for his ally and growing friend.
"It was lightning" Katara seethed, remembering how his sister had struck him down in the middle of battle.
"We all saw it" Sokka breathed shaking his head somberly "we were just hoping you'd get to him first"
Looking back over to Zuko she furrowed her brows.
"I'm glad I did"
END FLASHBACK
Katara stormed from the cottage her boots trekking through the mud from the morning's rain. Taking note of Umi already gone from the stables she prepped Nalu for the ride to the small town of Ye where she worked. Saddling up she rode Nalu hard all the way there. The wind whipping across Katara's face and through her curls made her forget about her anger. Arriving to the clinic she dismounted, leading her mare to the clinic's stables.
"Good morning head nurse Katara" greeted the front desk clerk as she sped through the entrance. In no mood for small talk she sped past him with a nod of her head. Her mind remained distracted throughout her entire shift. As Anya chattered away about her party preparations, Katara half listened staring at the wall as she organized their patient files. No matter how irrational she tried to remind herself she was being, she couldn't help that Zuko's insistence towards rejoining the war effort felt like a betrayal. What about the quiet and simple life they had built with each other? She knew that things would have to change eventually when Aang returned to them, but shouldn't they want to hold on for as long as possible? They'd been fighting this war since they were children. Wasn't he tired already? Katara heaved a deep sigh as she filed away another paper.
"You okay Katara?" Anya paused in concern. Katara looked up snapping out of her revere.
"What? Yeah I'm fine" she dismissed with a wave of her hand. Just then they heard a loud siren blaring followed by loud shouts and feet running down the hallway. It sounded like a stampede. Standing up abruptly both Anya and Katara ran out of her office and into the hallway. The sight and smell that greeted them turned her stomach to knots.
"Oh La" she whispered covering her mouth in horror. The hallways were flooded with nurses wheeling earth kingdom soldiers into the clinic in wheelchairs and stretchers. Some were even being dragged in by other soldiers. Smeared blood coated the tiled floors some nurses even slipping and falling in the chaos. Some soldiers had missing limbs, faces half burnt off, throats slit and stab wounds deep. Some she could tell were already dead.
"What happened?!" She shouted into the mass. There was too much going on and no one could hear her. The screams would surely haunt her dreams for many moons to come. A male nurse ran into Katara in the frenzy knocking the wind out of her.
"Karan! What's happened?" She asked desperately grabbing him by the shoulders. His eyes darted around crazily wide with fear.
"It was a…a" he stuttered in shock "a fire nation raid in the town's square. They managed to fight them off but…not before they dropped the bomb"
"The bomb?" Katara asked. She released him looking to her left to find Anya. She was down the hall helping a limping soldier into a wheel chair.
"Mommy! Help please!" she heard a young boy's screams. To her horror she found a little boy, no older than 6, being rolled in on a stretcher. A large bandage covered half his face, the bandages soaked in blood. His leg would also obviously need to be amputated, it was hanging on by a thread; beyond any healing Katara could preform. Tears stung the back of her eyes as more and more people flooded in, not just soldiers. These were villagers too…innocents.
She quickly jumped into action. Sprinting to the nearest room down the hall she flung the door open.
"Jasmin, help me drag this water basin to the hall" she yelled in a haste. The nurse quickly dropped the wrappings she was carrying to assist Katara. Together they dragged the 30 gallon water basin out into the hall amongst the carnage. Katara's blue eyes immediately zeroed in on the young boy. Calling the water to her in a stream beside her she ran to his side placing her glowing hands over his leg to stop the blood flow. The boy had passed out from shock, his small unconscious frame laid prone on the stretcher, his brown skin beginning to turn pale.
"He's lost so much blood…" Katara assessed in a whisper.
"My baby! He's in there please let me through!" she heard a woman scream from the entrance of the clinic. Looking up Katara found a small woman with the same green eyes as the boy she was working break through the overwhelmed security team and sprint towards them.
"My son! My son!" she cried with tears in her eyes as she approached them. Katara looked to her in sympathy. Looking back down at the boy below her she slowly began removing the bandages from his face. His mother whimpered as more of his face was revealed. A severe burn marred half of the boy's face, angry raised skin dripped with blood and peeling. His right eye was burned completely shut. She immediately placed her glowing hands over his face healing what damage she could.
"I will try my best to heal your son" she vowed to the mother, giving her a determined look. The mother weeped her appreciation. After an hour of healing the boy still had not come to, but his leg needed to be handled soon. Catching sight of Anya she waved her over.
"Take this boy to the surgery room immediately. Tell doctor Hameme there needs to be an amputation performed".
As the boy was wheeled away Katara scanned the halls to find where she'd be needed next.
The next several hours were filled with her healing countless civilians and soldiers, some surviving and some not. Katara had worked well over her shift and she was reaching the brink of exhaustion. She was healing a soldier's burn wound when she began to sway where she stood, her eyes rolling in the back of her head.
"Katara, why don't you head home. I'm sure Zuko is worried sick by now…besides, all the critical patients have been cleared" Anya said in concern as she touched Katara's shoulder. Shaking her head she nodded in a daze stepping away and out of the room. As Katara shuffled down the hallway she looked around numbly. The hallways were certainly much quieter, most of the patients having gone to sleep. Nurses walked about slowly, tending to those still awake quietly. The faintest candlelight sconces lit the hallway's limestone walls and illuminated the smears of blood. Katara's movements were mechanic as she made it to the entrance, bracing herself for the ride home.
ZUKO'S POV
As he galloped up the hill on Umi's back his mind raced in panic. Zuko hoped with all his heart that Katara was there and didn't fall victim to his worst nightmare. He'd go crazy if she'd gotten herself kidnapped. As he reached the top of the hill he looked down at the large clinic that Katara worked in. She'd never had a shift go over this late, and worry knotted in the pit of his stomach. His pulse begin to vibrate as he spotted blood heading up the trail and leading towards the hospital. Pushing Umi to a full sprint he raced down the hill. When he got close he spotted a small form coming out the entrance, and down the limestone staircase. It was Katara he realized! Reaching the bottom of the stairs he dismounted quickly, watching her as she descended. She was covered in blood, her white nurses uniform soaked from skirts to collar. Her hair was wet with either sweat, blood, water or all three. On her forehead there was a thin swipe of blood where she must've wiped the sweat from her brow while working. Her blue eyes shone with unshed tears. She stopped in the middle of the steps. Zuko walked to her quickly embracing her small form, engulfing her in his arms. He felt her sag against him.
"It was horrible" she whispered hoarsely, like she hadn't drank a drop of water all day. He buried his fingers in the back of her hair as she began sobbing. Holding her to his chest he let her cry. She was soaking the front of his shirt as he stroked her hair, pressing his lips to the top of her head. Once she had calmed he broke away slightly, holding her at arms length and assessing her.
"What happened?" he whispered. Eyes darting nervously she recounted her last 12 hours.
"And they said that the fire nation had blown up this town's square with some new fire technology called a bomb! Zuko the raids are getting closer and closer"
"I know." he said tightening his jaw and his hold on her.
"Usually the raids don't happen very close together. We should be safe for now. They'll need time to recoup". Leading her down the rest of the steps he helped her over the saddle onto Umi. He preferred she rode with him just in case she wanted to sleep on the way home. They began the long trek back to the farm, Katara's body slumped against his back her breathing becoming heavy and even. By the time they arrived home the moon was high in the sky, almost full.
"Katara" he whispered.
"Hm?" she murmured blearily.
"We're home, why don't you go in and bathe while I tend the horses?"
She nodded her head slowly, eyes still heavy with sleep. Zuko helped her dismount and walked her to the door of the cottage, unlocking it with the key. Once she was inside he turned to the horses, leading them to the stable by their reins. Zuko was worried about Katara and the trauma she'd just experienced. She had been way too close to that bombing for his comfort, but he knew after a day like that she'd be even more determined to work. The raids were getting closer and closer to Chao, the town they were currently residing in, which was bad news. Since the beginning of the war the fire nation's strategy has been to zero in on Ba Sing Se by destabilizing its surrounding areas, Chao being one of the closest. This must mean they were getting closer to their goal. And with this new bombing technology there was no guessing what kind of carnage his father was planning. This unsettled Zuko greatly. They were running out of time. Sighing deeply he thought back to Katara, the love of his life. He wanted to protect her at all cost, but to what end? If there was no world left to protect her from what good was that? Shaking his head and throwing in the mare's stacks of hay he vowed to just worry about the present for now. And at the moment he had a very frazzled and scared water bender on his hands.
THE NEXT DAY
"Hey" Zuko called out as he approached a very angry water bender practicing her water whip in the pond just off the fruit mill.
"I made lunch, you hungry?"
Giving a frustrated growl she kicked her feet at the water as her whip fell apart and splashed back into the shallow water. She was wearing one of his cotton tunics as a dress with her hair neatly slicked into a high pony tail.
"Yeah" she sighed in defeat. Making her way out of the pond and toward him she bent the water from her clothes and hair. They walked a short distance to the mill where Zuko had set up a small picnic. On a brown tweed blanket lied a basket with meat pies, a bowl of sliced fruits, two bowls of salad, and jars filled with iced oolong tea.
"Wow Zu, this looks amazing" she smiled softly. He gave her a smirk in return as they settled on the blanket across from each other. They ate in silence for a while until Zuko broke the ice.
"I don't want to leave you" Zuko said matter of factly. Katara glanced up at him in confusion.
"I know I said before that I needed to go defeat my father but if you think waiting for Aang is the best answer than-"
"There was a little boy" she said solemnly, cutting him off. Zuko furrowed his brows
"At the hospital…he was about 6 maybe 7….he came in with a terrible burn to his face, and his right leg…was basically hanging off" tears welled in her eyes and her lips began to tremble. He reached across the basket to grasp her hand tightly.
"He…he died last night. In his mother's arms. I couldn't save him" she sobbed. Gathering her in his arms he rocked her in his lap as she cried into his shoulder.
"You tried your best Kat, it was out of your control".
Sitting up in his lap she looked him in his eyes, her blues were like the tide before a storm thundering with emotions.
"Maybe we shouldn't wait for Aang….maybe you were right" she started.
This took Zuko by surprise.
"Let's not talk about this now. You had a long day yesterday…I'm sure you're exhausted"
"Yeah…i didn't get much sleep either" she agreed.
"Let me help you take your mind off of it" he suggested softly. Caressing the side of her face he kissed her tenderly, resting his other hand on the small of her back. She melted into him, giving a soft sigh. He pulled away gesturing towards the cottage.
"Let's go inside"
Once back inside he led her to the bedroom. He closed the shades so that the room was swallowed in darkness, and lit two candles on his end table.
"Are we taking a nap?" she giggled. Going into one of his drawers he retrieved a tall glass bottle filled with a fragrant oil.
"No" he laughed "but I am going to help you relax. Remove your tunic and lay down on your stomach." She followed his instructions without protest, undressing down to her wrappings. He removed his shirt as well. Uncorking the bottle he poured a generous amount of the oil onto his hands, inhaling the scent of jasmine and orange peel. He climbed into the bed beside her where she lay, catching her eyes watching his every move.
"The art of pleasure included many things outside of intercourse Kat" he chuckled as he witnessed her nervous glance. He straddled her lower back and heated his hands to a warm temperature with his bending. She sighed deeply as he placed his hot oiled hands on the middle of her back. He slid his digits across her shoulder blades and down the middle of her back applying just enough pressure. Once he reached her lower back he pressed his thumbs there, drawing out slow circles. She moaned loudly then gasped in embarrassment.
"Sorry!" She squeaked. He chuckled at her antics.
"You can make all the noises you want" he said grinning wolfishly. It was a good thing she couldn't see the predatory look in his eyes from where she was laying. He continued to massage her, working her muscles deeply.
He moved further down splaying his hands over the back of her thighs. Her skin was so smooth and soft, he was starting to have a hard time restraining himself.
"Mmmm Zuko" she whined, arching her back a little, ever so slightly lifting her butt. Zuko raised an eyebrow. Maybe she wanted another form of relaxation? Shaking his head in amusement he continued rubbing her, moving up and down her body with intention. She seemed to melt into the mattress, but Zuko didn't stop until he heard her breathing become even. Kissing the back of her neck and pulling the covers over her body he left her to rest, knowing she'd want to go back and work the next day.
END CHAPTER 5