Whispers of the Blue Flame

Chapter Three: Of Violence & Communication

Zuko couldn't help but smile at her. "It's an honor to be considered your friend, Katara."

She smiled back, walked up to him, and gave him the tightest hug she could muster. "I missed you," she whispered into his shoulder, so the others wouldn't hear.

"I missed you too," he uttered into her hair as he returned the hug.

Midori coughed, and the pair let go of one another. The others, except Bato, were aghast at the display of affection. Fraternizing with the Fire Lord so publicly was unheard of, and Zuko was known for his indifference in front of others. This was quite the spectacle for many.

"Ah... yes, well... let us continue with the Welcoming Ceremony," stated the Head Sage. Gifts were exchanged, and the ceremony was completed. Most of Katara's people returned to the ship, and her belongings were brought down.

"Guards, relieve the Water tribespeople of those possessions," Zuko commanded. "Katara, would you do me the pleasure of escorting you to the palace?" he asked playfully.

"The pleasure would be all mine."

Zuko placed his hand on the small of her back and guided her through the group of people to where his gold-gilded palanquin waited. This scandalized a few of those around, but Katara and Zuko didn't care. Instead of letting the waiting servants assist, Zuko helped Katara onto the palanquin before getting in himself and closing the veils. Following their lead, the others went to their respective rides to the palace.

As soon as they were alone, Zuko asked, "How is she?"

Katara's face softened. "She's the same as usual."

The "she" in question was Azula. Zuko had her moved to the Southern Water Tribe after her doctors indicated that nothing could be done in the Fire Nation to stop her mental decline into madness. He first sought assistance from the Earth Kingdom and Northern Water Tribe but was immediately met with rejection. They didn't want to help the Fire Nation's so-called Mad Princess after all she had done. Left with no choice, he asked Katara for help, and she instantly agreed. She convinced him that the Northern Water Tribe healers residing in the south would be willing to assist and that being away from the Fire Nation would do Azula some good.

It actually helped a bit; she wasn't as volatile or violent towards her healers and guards and didn't need to be restrained as much. However, it still hurt Zuko to see his sister in such a state; each time he received a report on her health, it felt like a punch to the gut. The once-cunning and powerful Azula was gone; in her place was a woman scared of her own shadow, crying out for her mother. As a result, he had Katara handle her health reports and only asked for updates when something drastic happened or progress was made. So far, Azula's condition had stabilized.

"How are you, Zuko?" Katara asked after a silence.

He scrunched his face and looked at her. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, how are you doing? You look terrible."

She was exaggerating; he didn't look terrible, just tired. His robes were tidy and fit him perfectly, and his five-pronged crown headdress sat securely on his head. However, up close, Katara could tell he was exhausted.

"I'm just... I have a lot going on," he huffed.

"I can imagine. Tell me about it."

"I'd rather not. Tell me about your adventures as of late."

Katara frowned. Lately, she had been doing that a lot regarding him. Recently, Zuko was communicating less and less with her, and when he did, he was impersonal and spoke very little about his daily life. She knew it must be tough to be Fire Lord, but she didn't want him to lose himself in the role.