Zutara- Whats Love without Tragedy (Lemon)

Agonized Angel

LuTen

Two weeks later

"How could you let this happen?!" I scolded Lotus, yanking her by the arm outside Katara's room.

"What do you mean, how?! Was I supposed to drag her inside from the rain?!" Lotus shot back, wrenching her arm free.

"Yes!" I yelled.

cough cough cough cough

"Don't you hear her in there?" I demanded. "She sounds terrible!"

"Then why didn't you stop her from going?! You knew she wasn't strong enough for the journey!" Lotus fired back.

My blood boiled. My cousin Zuko hadn't even bothered to show up, and foolishly, Katara had waited in the rain all night for him. Her already fragile body could not withstand the storm.

We both looked up as the physician emerged from Katara's room.

"It's not good," he admitted, eyes downcast.

"What does she need?" I asked, tension tightening my chest.

"I'm afraid it may not be that simple," he said honestly.

"What do you mean? I've told you she's a waterbender with healing ability."

"I understand, my lord," he replied, still keeping his gaze low.

"Then what's the problem?" Lotus asked, voice trembling.

"Unfortunately, it seems her body wasn't able to handle giving birth to a foreign ability without stripping her own," the physician said carefully.

"She... she lost her bending?" Lotus whispered in shock.

"I'm afraid so," he confirmed.

"But she'll recover, right? It's just a fever?" I pressed, hope clinging to my words.

The physician looked at me, his eyes heavy with the truth he had to deliver. "I fear the fever is more serious, my lord."

"But she's going to get better, isn't she?!" I demanded.

"I'm sorry," he said, bowing low. "There isn't much I can do now, except keep her comfortable." He straightened, looking to both Lotus and me, wishing he could do more. In all his years of experience, he knew the fever often won.

Katara

*cough* *cough* *cough* *cough*

I heard soft footsteps approaching my room. Barely opening my eyes, I could make out two figures walking in.

"Waahhhhhhhh..." I whispered, my voice barely audible.
"..the baby," I added, my throat raw.

"I'll get her," Lotus volunteered, stepping out toward the nursery.

Looking up at LuTen, I noticed the water welling in his eyes.
"What's wrong?" I asked, coughing again.

"I... I..." he choked out, closing his eyes in pain.

*cough*

"Is it bad?" I asked, the fear in my chest tightening. I knew the physician had just left.

LuTen shook his head, unable—or unwilling—to answer. Frustration twisted his features, and a small confession slipped out.
"I should have gone with you."

"LuTen, I don't think that would have changed anything," I replied honestly.

"I would have waited with you," he said, voice low.