Yin & Yang

Chapter 11.

It would take another few days to get to Sozun from the earthen kingdoms. The mood of the ship crew and passengers was light and hearty for the most part. Katara didn't want to talk about what had transpired and no one wanted to bring it up with her. Iroh tried to keep her company but it was like she wasn't herself. Katara couldn't hold conversation and acted like she didn't want to for the most part. This made Zuko regret offering her a sanctuary for a few days. They were both frustrated, and clearly neither of them wanted to talk. Iroh devised a small plan before the ship landed in Sozun the following evening. Zuko approached Katara as she stood on the railings playing with the water. "Spar with me." It was more like a demand than a request and Katara looked up to him, scowling. He took a stance.

Stepping off the railing, she drew up some water from the sea and coated her arms in water tenticles. She waited for Zuko to make the first move. For a moment, they stood there as though sizing each other up. Seeing how much of a fight the other would give them. When Zuko made no move, Katara stepped in and started to slash out at him with the water. He blocked her attacks by throwing fire from his fists. Just as they were getting into a comfortable rythym, Katara shouted over the waves to him, "so what was with that kiss back in Ba Sing Se?" Zuko stumbled, not expecting her inquiry. He faultered and she swipped the water under his foot, his rear hitting the metal firmly. Rolling out of the way as she brought around another whip. Zuko's feet throwing out a flaming barrage in a circle around him as he twisted up to his shoulders, rolled off them and then used his hands to spring him a few feet away from her.

"You were the one who pounced on me! Does this mean that you did that stuff to me in front of your brother on purpose?" He countered. She smiled and he was taken aback once more. Katara advanced on him. "Hold on now. Are you being serious?!" Dodging her relentless attacks in a circle around her, Zuko held firmly to only defense.

Katara's oversized grey pants and shirt ruffled in the strong winds. A determined smile on her face, she closed in on the fire bender as she drew more water up from the ocean. Throwing her arms foreword, it launched out underneath Zuko and froze. Flames quickly made a puddle under him. Quickly flicking her wrist, the puddle traveled up his legs to his shins and froze. They resorted to hand to hand combat with Zuko stuck to the metal of the ship. "Maybe." She stated simply as her face stopped before his as their hands wrestled together. "I seem to recall that you enjoyed the attention very much." His face flustered, jaw slack. Katara leaned into him and ran her tongue along his jaw line on the right side of his face. He shivered as she backed away with a jump, bringing the frozen waters back to life to float idlely by her sides.

"Fire Lord Zuko!" A guard stood attention behind Katara to address his lord. When Zuko and Katara both looked to him, he continued. "Sir we will be approaching the docks of Sozun in less than an hour. Might I suggest that you ready yourself?" He blinked and turned around to see the large city built upon the volcano island. Katara sent the water back to the ocean and straightened. They both retired to their cabins to make themselves ready for their landing. Katara smirked to him before she entered her cabin. He did not miss this.