You are Everything that I've Been Searching for ~ a Zukka Fanfic

Chapter Thirteen, When the time is right

Chapter Thirteen, "When the time is right"

Packing up the next morning took a couple of extra hours and then they had to clean the whole place too. Everyone had jobs and everyone had an equal share of the duties. But all in all the cleaning got done pretty quickly with them all working together.

Zuko didn't hate cleaning, he just rather not be on window cleaning duty. He hated cleaning windows, no matter how hard he wiped the glass there was always a streak or a smudge, it was slowly driving him insane. When he could take it no longer he switched to vacuum duty, he was sure that if he didn't he would end up smashing the windows. He much preferred the vacuuming, he could make lines in the carpet that way.

He had been worried that things would be awkward between him and Sokka the next morning, but they weren't. Sokka didn't mention anything about the night before, and he was friendly and loud just as he always was. It made Zuko feel relieved but slightly disappointed, why did he feel disappointed?

Sokka wasn't acting weird that morning, but Katara certainly was. She was distracted and quiet, often staring at nothing. If you asked her a question she'd shake her head and say "Sorry... what did you say?" or "... oh, did you ask me something?". Zuko hoped she was okay, she might just be tired from the holiday.

Anyway, after they had packed up and cleaned they piled back into Sokka's car and made the long drive back to the city. Zuko felt a little sad that the holiday was over, as soon as he got back he would have to immediately start working on the assessments that he had put off. He was not looking forward to that.

Eventually, Sokka dropped him off outside the dorms and they said their goodbyes. And Zuko made the dreaded trip to his room with his bag to begin work on his assignments.

Sokka then dropped Toph off at her house and parked outside a little bakery so he could get some lunch for Katara, Aang and him. Maybe a little treat for Appa too.

While he was gone Katara sat restlessly in her seat, she was sitting in the front passenger seat. She glanced up into the rearview mirror where she could see Aang, who was patting Appa.

"... Hey Aang?" she said.

Aang's head looked up. "Yo?" he said.

"Tell me again about how you got your soulmate mark," she asked.

Aang grinned and then rolled his eyes. "I've told you that story about a thousand times. You probably know it better than I do by now."

Katara rolled her eyes and looked out the window. "But your soulmate, she's at our university right?" she asked.

Aang nodded. "Yep."

"... is it someone we know?" Katara asked.

Aang grinned again and shook his head. "Nice try Katara. But I'm not telling you anything about her. When the time is right, I'll let you guys know," he said.

"Okay," Katara replied. There was a weird hitch in her voice.

Aang frowned at looked up at the back of Katara's head, her long brown hair spilling over her shoulders. She was still looking out the window so he couldn't see her face.

"Are you alright Katara? Your voice sounds funny." Aang said.

"Yes, sorry. Just something caught in my throat," Katara replied. Her voice sounded back to normal.

Aang was still frowning. "You've been a bit off today, are you sure you're not coming down with something?" Aang asked.

"No no, I'm alright. Just a bit tired, though it's sweet of you to be worried," she said.

"Alright, just let me know if something's up okay?" Aang said.

"Yup," Katara said.

She looked down at her right hand which was throbbing with pain, she rubbed her hand over her left ring finger where a little red bow was tied. It had a long bright red string, she could see it winding all around her in the car, leading into the backseat. Only Katara could see this string, and only she knew where it led, she knew whose hand it was tied to, she had known since that morning.

"When the time is right," She whispered. 

*Author's notes and ramblings*

Yeah, I know this one is quite short, but it's important and helps to contribute to the overall story. In this world where every soulmate mark is different, what soulmate mark do you think you'd have? I think I would have some kind of words tattoo, maybe their first words to me or maybe just some random quote from them. 

What about you guys?

Oh btw, I think you guys will enjoy the next chapter, it's very pet-focused.