Whispers of the Blue Flame

Chapter Nine: Of Meetings & Demands

"Katara, are you okay?"

Katara raised her tear-streaked face from her pillow. Amka stood in the doorway of Katara's room, her expression concerned and slightly ajar.

Katara quickly wiped her eyes, trying to compose herself. "I'm fine," she whispered, though her voice cracked slightly.

Amka took a tentative step into the room, her soft footsteps barely audible. "You don't have to be," she said gently, her eyes full of empathy. "It's okay to let it out."

Katara hesitated, looking at Amka with a mix of gratitude and vulnerability. "I just... why does everything have to be so complicated?" she asked, her voice trembling. "After everything we've been through, I still have to make sacrifices."

Amka crossed the room and sat beside Katara, her presence a quiet reassurance. "Is this about Zuko?" she softly inquired. The look on Katara's face was answer enough. "If this is what I think it is, remember you're strong, Katara. People might be gossiping about you, but you've got integrity. Don't listen to the lies."

"Was I wrong?"

"Wrong about what?" Amka gently probed, wiping Katara's tears. Amka was deeply concerned for Katara because she was normally a resilient person who didn't let the words of others get to her; seeing her like this hurt.

"Was I wrong for being friendly with Zuko? Did I give off the impression that I'm some ditzy girl instead of a diplomat?" Katara implored, hastening from her bed. "Were people talking about me behind my back, laughing at the fact I was practically throwing myself at Zuko?"

"No!" Amka exclaimed. "They'd never."

"How would you know? You're my friend; they'd never tell you." Katara paced the room in a frenzy. "The other ambassadors are probably laughing at my expense, saying the poor girl is in way over her head. Cupun and Joon must think the Southern Water Tribe sent me here to seduce Zuko or something." More tears pooled in Katara's eyes, and her voice hitched a couple of times. "I didn't plan for any of this to happen."

Amka rushed to her side. "I know. You were being a good friend." She pulled her into her arms. "You are the best thing that's happened to Zuko in a while; don't let others ruin that for you. You don't even have feelings for him, so you know it's all lies." Amka held Katara's face in her hands, wiping her tears with her thumbs. "I mean, you don't have feelings for him, right?"

Katara froze.

Did she have feelings for him?

She didn't even know. She just enjoyed spending time with him and found herself drawn to him in an unexplainable way. His smiles brightened her days, his presence reassured her, and his actions made her proud.

"I—I might like him a little," Katara whispered.

"Oh, Katara." Amka's eyebrows knitted together in concern. "That's okay."

"No, it isn't—"

A knock at the bedroom door cut in, and silence filled the room. Whoever it was knocked again. "Katara, I know you're in there."

It was Mai.

Amka and Katara looked at one another. "Is that Zuko's ex?" Amka mouthed in panic. Katara nodded.

Mai knocked more insistently. "Katara, open up."

Irritation washed over Katara. This was all Mai's doing. If she hadn't made those remarks, Katara wouldn't have known about people's thoughts regarding her and Zuko.

Katara marched to the door and swung it open. "What do you want?" she demanded. She looked haggard; still in her sarashi wraps, her hair a tangled mess, and her eyes puffy from crying.