I love Zutara, just on case you hadn't realised!
Don't you just love them in Zutara fanfics!! Well....Onwards to chapter 3!
Zuko looked into Katara sapphire eyes confused. “Katara what is it? Are you in trouble?”
“No no Zuko, I’m fine” She smirked as if laughing at her own personal joke. Katara turned at looked towards the window. “I should be going” she said slowly moving away from Zuko.
“What! Why?” Zuko asked, refusing to let go of her delicate hands.
She tilted her head towards the window. “It’s morning.”
“It was morning before” Zuko smirked
“Very mature Zuko.” She said rolling her eyes. “The meeting between both water tribe’s representatives and the Avatar is taking place soon, Well be discussing the increasing irregularity of the tides. You haven’t noticed anything here have you?”
“Huh what?” Zuko seemed as if his mind where elsewhere, his face strangely uneasy. “No we haven’t, not yet.”
“Good, something doesn’t seem right, many people think that we might have angered the spirits but I can’t see how. Maybe Sokka did something to upset Yue.” She chuckled but it didn’t reach her eyes, it seemed as if she still felt the pain of what had happened years ago to her friend.
“So it’s just going to be you, Water tribe representatives and Aang?” Zuko asked trying to hide the unhappiness he felt.
“Ah so that’s what you were thinking about. She said crossing her arms and grinning.
“No no, well I was just didn’t understand.” Zuko replied unconsciously blushing while running his fingers through his hair.
“Well, I’ll see you,” She said walking towards the door.
“Goodbye.” Zuko whispered, still amazed by how gracefully she moved.
“After she had left he walked over towards the window. “Why did you have to rise so quickly” he grumbled.
“Hey.” Katara’s head popped through the doorway, Zuko smiled glad that she was back. “ Keep practicing and one day you might be able to beat me!” She laughed and disappeared again.
Zuko smiled. He loved being around Katara.
Midday, the sun rested in the clear blue sky. Katara had been in one of the smaller halls for almost three hours. Zuko had two meetings since Katara had left that morning. Whatever they were saying, it must be important. Zuko waited patiently at the window outside the hall.
“Hey Zuko” Toph yelled waving frantically.
“Oh no.” Zuko thought to himself. “Hi Toph” he replied putting on a smile
“What are you doing here all alone?” She asked smirking. “Wait let me guess, you’re…”
“No! It’s ok. Don’t guess.” Zuko insisted. “I’m here because..”
“Well..” Toph said grinning.
“I’m waiting to see Aang. I haven’t seen him in a few days.” He smiled congratulating himself on his quick thinking,
“Is that so” Toph said sarcastically.
“Yes. It is”
“Ah. Ok then.” She wiggled her toes, Zuko frowned. “At least you aren’t here to see Katara”
“Yeah, wait what?” Zuko said trying to keep up the act.
“Suki and I are having a ‘girls day’ with Katara. Katara said we needed it. I’m here to get her.”
“Oh.” Zuko sighed slightly disheartened. He cheered himself up. “Well you must be looking forward to that Toph huh?” He smiled; he knew Toph wasn’t into things like this.
“Yeah” he said rolling her eyes. “It’s gonna be great.” She sighed causing her fringe to raise slightly then float back down. “But I can think of one person who wouldn’t mind taking my place.” She nudged Zuko.
“What do you mean, I told you I’m here to see Aang.”
“I meant Sokka.” Toph said, glad that her plan was working.
“Oh right” Zuko said scratching his head.
Suddenly the doors of the hall started to creak and open. The water Tribe officials were slowing leaving giving respectful nods to Toph and Zuko as they passed. Last out was Aang and Katara , they were taking to each other laughing occasionally. Zuko frowned.
“Hi guys.” Aang greeted Toph and Zuko.
“Hi Aang.”
“Hey Toph, hey Zuko”, Katara said smiling. “You ready Toph? That meeting so long. Important, but still very long.” She joked.
“Yeah just try and stop me.” Toph said sarcastically.
“Yeah we better be going, I want to get to the spa before it gets busy.” Katara said enthusiastically. You could see that see had been looking forward to doing something like this for a while. She grabbed Toph’s arm and stated pulling her away. “See you guys.”
“Katara I’m blind not numb!! You’re cutting off the circulation to my fingers!” Toph yelled, obviously not in a hurry get things started. Soon they were out of sight leaving Aang and Zuko alone.
“So Zuko, you’re the Fire Lord now.”
“Aang, you were there at my coronation four years ago!”
“Oh right” Aang replied smiling his cheeky smile. He had grown into a handsome man since the war, but he was still Aang that Zuko remembered.
“So how have things been as the Avatar?” Zuko asked.
“To be honest, it’s been pretty amazing. We’ve been travelling everywhere, things are a lot better since the war; people are so friendly, even here in the fire nation.” He nudged Zuko. “We’ve had so much fun.”
“We?”
“Me and Toph.”
“Oh. OH!! Congratulations Aang, I never knew, news doesn’t reach here much, let alone me” He patted him on the back. “When did it happen?”
“It hasn’t” Aang said.
“Huh, you’ve lost me.”
“Toph and I aren’t married.” He looked at Zuko. Zuko waited for him to continue. “Don’t get me wrong, I love her, she’s my best friend. I just haven’t proposed to her yet. I’m going to soon though.” He smiled.
“Wow Aang. That’s great.”
“Thanks Zuko. You’re the first person I’ve told.” He continued to smile slightly embarrassed now.
“Thanks.”
“For what?” Aang asked.
“For your friendship. It means more than you know.” Sincerity ever-present in his voice.
“Come lets go out. Appa’s missed you. I sure he still remembers Ba Sing Se.”
***
“Come on Katara tell us what they’re like.” Suki insisted. It was early evening, The girls day had officially come to an end and Katara and Toph were relaxing in Suki’s room. Toph formed an L shape on Suki’s bed with her feet in the air and her hair everywhere.
“Yeah, tell us about the little brats” Toph added.
“Hey, don’t call them brats. My students are angels.” Katara said smiling
“How old are they?” Suki asked
“Well I teach the younger ones. Matser Pakku said I should teach the older more talented ones but I love helping the little ones do their water whips. They’re between 4 and 7.” Katara was a water bending teacher in the South Pole, she loved her job it suited her mother like personality perfectly.
“So who’s your favourite?” Toph asked coyly
“Toph!” Katara said shocked that Toph could ask such a thing. “I don’t have favourites.”
“Seriously Sweetness. I know you, there has to be one. Come on give”
“Well there is this 5 year old little one. His name is Takai. He’s so sweet.” Katara said bringing her knees up to he chin, almost hugging herself. Suddenly Zuko walked past the door, he had just finished speaking to a few nobles about the final days of the nation gatherings. He recognised Katara’s voice instantaneously its sweetness impossible to forget. He guessed that the other two giggling were Suki and Toph.
“So tell us about him.” Suki said.
“Him.” Zuko thought to himself. He places an ear to the door.
“Well, let me see. Katar smiled. “Takai is so very sweet.”
“You’ve said that already Toph said”
“Thank you Toph. Takai is the loveliest most kind person I think I’ll ever meet. Everytime I see him he always ask me if I’m alright. Can you believe it? How cute.”
“Yeah” Suki sighed
“He has the biggest blue eyes, and when the light shines on them they turn slightly orangey. Weird huh!”
“Don’t you mean gold?” Toph asked smugly.
“No. Katara replied slight irritated at what Toph was implying “I mean orange. Anyway, he isn’t the most talented of benders, but he tries so so hard. When he perfected urmmm what was it called, I can’t remember but it was this really difficult move for him.” They all laughed they all knew it was something simple.
Zuko on the other hand remained silent. His heart aching with every word being spoken. “This is what she meant before.” He thought to himself. Katara has another.
“Yes, well when he did, he came and hugged me. I never felt so happy in my life.” She sighed. “I miss him so much, and the funny way he’d say my name. Ahh Takai.” She sighed. That was all he could take. Slowly he walked away into the darkness towards his room.
“Hey well if you’re finished all this mushy talk I gonna catch some sleep.” Toph turned around and almost somersaulted of Suki’s bed. “See you guys tomorrow.”
“Bye” Suki and Katara said simultaneously.
A few minutes after Toph had left Katara moved over and sat next to Suki.
“So how many months are you?” Katara asked smiling broadly.
“Huh! What??” Suki asked flabbergasted.
“How far, when is the baby due?”
“What baby?” Suki asked she was now eagerly kneeling on the bed hanging on Katara’s every word.
“Suki, you’re pregnant.” Katara said, surprised that Suki didn’t know.
“Are you sure? How do you know?”
“Suki, I spend enough time with babies to know when someone’s having one. You’re about 2 month’s I’d say, no more than 3” She smirked
Suki rubbed her stomach “Really”, she said to herself, “I thought it was just the food here, Sokka said I wasn’t agreeing with him too.”
“That’s because he eats too much of it”
“I suppose. How did you know?”
“You’re skin, its glowing and you’re hair’s curling. That sometimes happened to the women back home.” She smiled and shrugged.
“Wow” she said. “Could you check if it’s okay?”
“Sure sure. If you just lie flat, I’ll get some water, there’s not much in the air here, its so humid.”
Katara returned with a bowl of water. “Ok now relax.” Suki lifted her top exposing her stomach. It WAS slightly curved she chucked thinking herself silly that she hadn’t noticed sooner.
“There we go”, Katara had finished. “It’s healthy and happy I think.” She smiled helping Suki back to a sitting position.
“Thank you so much Katara, you don’t know how happy you’ve made me, us!! I can’t wait to tell Sokka. He’ll be soohappy.”
“I don’t think he can be any happier”
“What do you mean?” Suki asked confused.
“Well you married him didn’t you?” Katara said pushing Suki playfully
“Yeah, that’s very true.” They talked long into the night about the little one on the way giggling and laughing until their eyelids couldn’t remain open any longer and finally they gave into sleep.
Morning came quickly, immediately Katara regretted talking so late into the night. She looked around at the room’s unfamiliar setting then she remembered she had fallen asleep in Suki’s room on one of the large cushions. Suki had already left, probably to tell Sokka the news. She washed up and ate breakfast. She had woken up quite late.
After breakfast she walked around the palace hoping to find Zuko. Why, she didn’t know. She felt comfortable around him, and enjoyed his company. Soon she found herself in the garden. She had grown to like this place; it was her favourite part of the palace. He was there, looking sadly into the turltduck pond, standing stiff.
“Hi Zuko,” Katara said hugging him. “How was your night?”
“It was …” he struggled to find the correct word, “long”.
“Really, mine was the opposite it was too short I’m still a bit tired.”
Zuko looked at Katara and turned away. The wounds from yesterday still fresh.
“Zuko what’s the matter? “ She touched his face and turned t so that they were looking at each other. “What happened? Is everything all right? Zuko looked a t her and smiled. He couldn’t stay angry at her, his heart wouldn’t allow it.
“Is everything alright?” Katara repeated “You seem down.”
“I’m fine Katara.” Three weeks had past since Katara had arrived here it seemed like it was the first night all over again.
“Good. I have something I want to tell you.”
Zuko raised an eyebrow
“Last night….”
“Katara stop, I know, I heard everything”
Katara smiled “Good, isn’t it fantastic. This is the best thing that could have happened.” Zuko’s face dropped. His eyes that use to shimmer bright gold seemed dull.
“I’m happy for you Katara” He placed a bit of loose hair behind her ear. She shivered at his touch.
“What, what do you mean I’m happy”
“Katara, all I ever want is for you to be happy and its obvious that you are, I won’t get in the way of that.” He kissed her forehead softly and walked towards the palace leaving Katara alone.
“What just happed” Katara thought to herself, more confused than ever.
Zuko looked into Katara sapphire eyes confused. “Katara what is it? Are you in trouble?”
“No no Zuko, I’m fine” She smirked as if laughing at her own personal joke. Katara turned at looked towards the window. “I should be going” she said slowly moving away from Zuko.
“What! Why?” Zuko asked, refusing to let go of her delicate hands.
She tilted her head towards the window. “It’s morning.”
“It was morning before” Zuko smirked
“Very mature Zuko.” She said rolling her eyes. “The meeting between both water tribe’s representatives and the Avatar is taking place soon, Well be discussing the increasing irregularity of the tides. You haven’t noticed anything here have you?”
“Huh what?” Zuko seemed as if his mind where elsewhere, his face strangely uneasy. “No we haven’t, not yet.”
“Good, something doesn’t seem right, many people think that we might have angered the spirits but I can’t see how. Maybe Sokka did something to upset Yue.” She chuckled but it didn’t reach her eyes, it seemed as if she still felt the pain of what had happened years ago to her friend.
“So it’s just going to be you, Water tribe representatives and Aang?” Zuko asked trying to hide the unhappiness he felt.
“Ah so that’s what you were thinking about. She said crossing her arms and grinning.
“No no, well I was just didn’t understand.” Zuko replied unconsciously blushing while running his fingers through his hair.
“Well, I’ll see you,” She said walking towards the door.
“Goodbye.” Zuko whispered, still amazed by how gracefully she moved.
“After she had left he walked over towards the window. “Why did you have to rise so quickly” he grumbled.
“Hey.” Katara’s head popped through the doorway, Zuko smiled glad that she was back. “ Keep practicing and one day you might be able to beat me!” She laughed and disappeared again.
Zuko smiled. He loved being around Katara.
Midday, the sun rested in the clear blue sky. Katara had been in one of the smaller halls for almost three hours. Zuko had two meetings since Katara had left that morning. Whatever they were saying, it must be important. Zuko waited patiently at the window outside the hall.
“Hey Zuko” Toph yelled waving frantically.
“Oh no.” Zuko thought to himself. “Hi Toph” he replied putting on a smile
“What are you doing here all alone?” She asked smirking. “Wait let me guess, you’re…”
“No! It’s ok. Don’t guess.” Zuko insisted. “I’m here because..”
“Well..” Toph said grinning.
“I’m waiting to see Aang. I haven’t seen him in a few days.” He smiled congratulating himself on his quick thinking,
“Is that so” Toph said sarcastically.
“Yes. It is”
“Ah. Ok then.” She wiggled her toes, Zuko frowned. “At least you aren’t here to see Katara”
“Yeah, wait what?” Zuko said trying to keep up the act.
“Suki and I are having a ‘girls day’ with Katara. Katara said we needed it. I’m here to get her.”
“Oh.” Zuko sighed slightly disheartened. He cheered himself up. “Well you must be looking forward to that Toph huh?” He smiled; he knew Toph wasn’t into things like this.
“Yeah” he said rolling her eyes. “It’s gonna be great.” She sighed causing her fringe to raise slightly then float back down. “But I can think of one person who wouldn’t mind taking my place.” She nudged Zuko.
“What do you mean, I told you I’m here to see Aang.”
“I meant Sokka.” Toph said, glad that her plan was working.
“Oh right” Zuko said scratching his head.
Suddenly the doors of the hall started to creak and open. The water Tribe officials were slowing leaving giving respectful nods to Toph and Zuko as they passed. Last out was Aang and Katara , they were taking to each other laughing occasionally. Zuko frowned.
“Hi guys.” Aang greeted Toph and Zuko.
“Hi Aang.”
“Hey Toph, hey Zuko”, Katara said smiling. “You ready Toph? That meeting so long. Important, but still very long.” She joked.
“Yeah just try and stop me.” Toph said sarcastically.
“Yeah we better be going, I want to get to the spa before it gets busy.” Katara said enthusiastically. You could see that see had been looking forward to doing something like this for a while. She grabbed Toph’s arm and stated pulling her away. “See you guys.”
“Katara I’m blind not numb!! You’re cutting off the circulation to my fingers!” Toph yelled, obviously not in a hurry get things started. Soon they were out of sight leaving Aang and Zuko alone.
“So Zuko, you’re the Fire Lord now.”
“Aang, you were there at my coronation four years ago!”
“Oh right” Aang replied smiling his cheeky smile. He had grown into a handsome man since the war, but he was still Aang that Zuko remembered.
“So how have things been as the Avatar?” Zuko asked.
“To be honest, it’s been pretty amazing. We’ve been travelling everywhere, things are a lot better since the war; people are so friendly, even here in the fire nation.” He nudged Zuko. “We’ve had so much fun.”
“We?”
“Me and Toph.”
“Oh. OH!! Congratulations Aang, I never knew, news doesn’t reach here much, let alone me” He patted him on the back. “When did it happen?”
“It hasn’t” Aang said.
“Huh, you’ve lost me.”
“Toph and I aren’t married.” He looked at Zuko. Zuko waited for him to continue. “Don’t get me wrong, I love her, she’s my best friend. I just haven’t proposed to her yet. I’m going to soon though.” He smiled.
“Wow Aang. That’s great.”
“Thanks Zuko. You’re the first person I’ve told.” He continued to smile slightly embarrassed now.
“Thanks.”
“For what?” Aang asked.
“For your friendship. It means more than you know.” Sincerity ever-present in his voice.
“Come lets go out. Appa’s missed you. I sure he still remembers Ba Sing Se.”
***
“Come on Katara tell us what they’re like.” Suki insisted. It was early evening, The girls day had officially come to an end and Katara and Toph were relaxing in Suki’s room. Toph formed an L shape on Suki’s bed with her feet in the air and her hair everywhere.
“Yeah, tell us about the little brats” Toph added.
“Hey, don’t call them brats. My students are angels.” Katara said smiling
“How old are they?” Suki asked
“Well I teach the younger ones. Matser Pakku said I should teach the older more talented ones but I love helping the little ones do their water whips. They’re between 4 and 7.” Katara was a water bending teacher in the South Pole, she loved her job it suited her mother like personality perfectly.
“So who’s your favourite?” Toph asked coyly
“Toph!” Katara said shocked that Toph could ask such a thing. “I don’t have favourites.”
“Seriously Sweetness. I know you, there has to be one. Come on give”
“Well there is this 5 year old little one. His name is Takai. He’s so sweet.” Katara said bringing her knees up to he chin, almost hugging herself. Suddenly Zuko walked past the door, he had just finished speaking to a few nobles about the final days of the nation gatherings. He recognised Katara’s voice instantaneously its sweetness impossible to forget. He guessed that the other two giggling were Suki and Toph.
“So tell us about him.” Suki said.
“Him.” Zuko thought to himself. He places an ear to the door.
“Well, let me see. Katar smiled. “Takai is so very sweet.”
“You’ve said that already Toph said”
“Thank you Toph. Takai is the loveliest most kind person I think I’ll ever meet. Everytime I see him he always ask me if I’m alright. Can you believe it? How cute.”
“Yeah” Suki sighed
“He has the biggest blue eyes, and when the light shines on them they turn slightly orangey. Weird huh!”
“Don’t you mean gold?” Toph asked smugly.
“No. Katara replied slight irritated at what Toph was implying “I mean orange. Anyway, he isn’t the most talented of benders, but he tries so so hard. When he perfected urmmm what was it called, I can’t remember but it was this really difficult move for him.” They all laughed they all knew it was something simple.
Zuko on the other hand remained silent. His heart aching with every word being spoken. “This is what she meant before.” He thought to himself. Katara has another.
“Yes, well when he did, he came and hugged me. I never felt so happy in my life.” She sighed. “I miss him so much, and the funny way he’d say my name. Ahh Takai.” She sighed. That was all he could take. Slowly he walked away into the darkness towards his room.
“Hey well if you’re finished all this mushy talk I gonna catch some sleep.” Toph turned around and almost somersaulted of Suki’s bed. “See you guys tomorrow.”
“Bye” Suki and Katara said simultaneously.
A few minutes after Toph had left Katara moved over and sat next to Suki.
“So how many months are you?” Katara asked smiling broadly.
“Huh! What??” Suki asked flabbergasted.
“How far, when is the baby due?”
“What baby?” Suki asked she was now eagerly kneeling on the bed hanging on Katara’s every word.
“Suki, you’re pregnant.” Katara said, surprised that Suki didn’t know.
“Are you sure? How do you know?”
“Suki, I spend enough time with babies to know when someone’s having one. You’re about 2 month’s I’d say, no more than 3” She smirked
Suki rubbed her stomach “Really”, she said to herself, “I thought it was just the food here, Sokka said I wasn’t agreeing with him too.”
“That’s because he eats too much of it”
“I suppose. How did you know?”
“You’re skin, its glowing and you’re hair’s curling. That sometimes happened to the women back home.” She smiled and shrugged.
“Wow” she said. “Could you check if it’s okay?”
“Sure sure. If you just lie flat, I’ll get some water, there’s not much in the air here, its so humid.”
Katara returned with a bowl of water. “Ok now relax.” Suki lifted her top exposing her stomach. It WAS slightly curved she chucked thinking herself silly that she hadn’t noticed sooner.
“There we go”, Katara had finished. “It’s healthy and happy I think.” She smiled helping Suki back to a sitting position.
“Thank you so much Katara, you don’t know how happy you’ve made me, us!! I can’t wait to tell Sokka. He’ll be soohappy.”
“I don’t think he can be any happier”
“What do you mean?” Suki asked confused.
“Well you married him didn’t you?” Katara said pushing Suki playfully
“Yeah, that’s very true.” They talked long into the night about the little one on the way giggling and laughing until their eyelids couldn’t remain open any longer and finally they gave into sleep.
Morning came quickly, immediately Katara regretted talking so late into the night. She looked around at the room’s unfamiliar setting then she remembered she had fallen asleep in Suki’s room on one of the large cushions. Suki had already left, probably to tell Sokka the news. She washed up and ate breakfast. She had woken up quite late.
After breakfast she walked around the palace hoping to find Zuko. Why, she didn’t know. She felt comfortable around him, and enjoyed his company. Soon she found herself in the garden. She had grown to like this place; it was her favourite part of the palace. He was there, looking sadly into the turltduck pond, standing stiff.
“Hi Zuko,” Katara said hugging him. “How was your night?”
“It was …” he struggled to find the correct word, “long”.
“Really, mine was the opposite it was too short I’m still a bit tired.”
Zuko looked at Katara and turned away. The wounds from yesterday still fresh.
“Zuko what’s the matter? “ She touched his face and turned t so that they were looking at each other. “What happened? Is everything all right? Zuko looked a t her and smiled. He couldn’t stay angry at her, his heart wouldn’t allow it.
“Is everything alright?” Katara repeated “You seem down.”
“I’m fine Katara.” Three weeks had past since Katara had arrived here it seemed like it was the first night all over again.
“Good. I have something I want to tell you.”
Zuko raised an eyebrow
“Last night….”
“Katara stop, I know, I heard everything”
Katara smiled “Good, isn’t it fantastic. This is the best thing that could have happened.” Zuko’s face dropped. His eyes that use to shimmer bright gold seemed dull.
“I’m happy for you Katara” He placed a bit of loose hair behind her ear. She shivered at his touch.
“What, what do you mean I’m happy”
“Katara, all I ever want is for you to be happy and its obvious that you are, I won’t get in the way of that.” He kissed her forehead softly and walked towards the palace leaving Katara alone.
“What just happed” Katara thought to herself, more confused than ever.