Zutara mini series

Chapter Six

A few hours had passed since the brutal Agni Kai. Zuko could barely move, his vision and generally his senses were dull and fogged. He was aware of his chest being wrapped up in bandages as gentle hands drifted on his body. Cold sweat was showering him. And that was how the legendary Fire Lord would spend his first hours appointed as the new leader of his nation. People were whispering around him, and when his eyes finally cracked upon a goddess dressed in navy blue lifted his head and fed him some soup before placing him back in his pillow and readjusting the covers.

“Katara -”

“Hush. You need to rest.” And so he did, he didn't need to be told twice. The next days passed into a blur, day and night seemed the same. The only constant was her, and she looked like a dream as her hair flowed around her in voluminous waves and curls as the light encased her with a halo.
But his rest had to be over, or his people were going to riot. After spending a century after the rule of tyrants, he had to show to the world that he was capable of his position and was able to rule his nation with integrity as he entered an era of peace. So he shoved the still very prominent pain aside before getting up from his bed and started dressing himself in his ceremonial robes. The coronation had to take place today.

He gritted his teeth as he started walking trying to find someone to help him tie his hair. But it was just his luck to stumble upon her.

“What are you doing?” She asked him, arching her brow and positioning her arms to her hips. The stance has only one meaning: angry Katara.

“Walking…”

“Doesn't seem like it”

He simply sighed, before swallowing his pride and asking for her help. He sat on a couch as she brushed her fingers through his hair trying to untangle knots before securing them into a tight bun at the top of his hair.

“I don't understand why you have to do this now. It can wait a few days. You still haven't healed.” She said sadly before undoing the bun because she didn't like it. She flattened the start of his hair with her hands, her finger as light as air on his skin being careful of his scar.

“I am fine. And it has to be now. The people need me more than I need rest.” He said in a dejected tone.

“You're ready.”

“Thanks, Katara. Seems one I owe you one … well more than one.”

“Be careful and don't make any sudden movements.”

“I won't, doctor.” He said with a teasing smile before approaching the curtains that awaited his destiny. Aang was sitting at the right of them wearing a solemn look. He had asked to be present at the coronation, right by his side because it would show the world the Nation's alliance with the rest of the people but most importantly because Zuko wanted his friend there with him. His mind drifted back to a year back when his only goal was to capture the kid standing in front of him and now he could easily be his best friend. When he expressed as much to him they laughed at their past antics before realizing how much they had changed in the past months and how they changed the world.

They hugged before parting and pushing aside the curtains letting themselves enter into the blinding light of the sun. Cheers and roars erupted around them and they got lost in the wind. People from all the nations stood in front of them as they bowed in respect.

Zuko started speaking in a clear and loud voice, the words flowing from his mouth with certainty as he had written, erased and rewritten those words again and again wanting to be ready for his first public speech. His eyes jumped from face to face of the people in the crowd and his nerves started to get the best of him before his eyes landed on Katara. She wore a soft smile and her eyes were brimming with tears, filled with pride and joy because despite his wounds Zuko stood tall and strong in front of his crowd, never wavering in his words and not trembling from the pain. He looked every inch of the prince he was ready to be crowned and serve his nation.

And as he knelt, she knew that it was over. Any chance she might have had with him in the past flew in front of her eyes. No one would accept a person from the Water Tribe as their Fire Lord's partner or even a mere friend. She was already receiving some side looks from the soldiers but she brushed them off. She was the reason their ruler was alive and well right now and would continue to be. His destiny was written ahead of his and it was crystal clear she had no part in it.

The reception was beautiful as the costumes of the Fire Nation took place in front of her eyes, finding their inevitable beauty fantastic.

To Zuko's mind that day was a success because he finally showed his true self freely.

To Katara's mind that day would be marked forever as the day of the ceasefire and the entrance into a new era where her friends were going to lead. But the problem was that she didn't know what her place was in it …