Zutara's Story

Chapter Ten

"So I take it you couldn't sleep either." Katara said assuming that it was Zuko.

"Yeah and I figured since it was a full moon you would be up here and I was right." Zuko explained. "I'm just so nervous about tomorrow. I am pretty sure they didn't want me there. I just don't want to disappoint them. I am a stand in for the rest of my family I have been basically disowned, I mean I was banished."

"I'm sure it will be fine, from what I can tell you are great. And you will probably be their leader some day that is if what Aang has planned works out and you don't join your family and believe the same things they do."

"Yeah, I was just thinking about how hard it will be to find the... your brother and Aang."

"Actually I was thinking about it too. Crazily enough we have a code phrase that means to meet back at the south pole. So it would be easy enough to send a letter to the south pole and send that phrase through your men to find its way to Aang although that would mean us giving up the ship."

"That sounds great. Would you like to come with me so I can tell Uncle?"

"Sure, oh and I should probably write the letter. Just so it will definitely be there when Aang and Sokka get there." Then Katara wrote letter and sent it. "Are you ready to talk to your Uncle?"

"Not really, but let's go." They walked over to Iroh. "Uncle, we need to talk to you about some things. Um, so I decided my father can't give me my honor back. We are going to meet up with Aang and Sokka so I can teach him firebending. So we are going to stay here until they join us here, we sent a letter to the south pole and we are going to send around a phrase that Katara made up with Aang and Sokka that basically means 'I am okay and meet at the south pole.' Then they will get the letter and hopefully come here. Then we will figure out what to do from there."

"That is a great idea." Uncle said. He thought how this would be a great chance for the two teens to get close, without him there. "Although I think I will take the boat and cover for you two for as long as I can. I'll try to keep them off of your trail or at least give you time."

"Uncle, you can't you have to come with us. I'm sure the men can cover for us." Zuko said, devastated.

"Nephew, I promise we will meet up but this must be goodbye for a little while." Iroh explained. "Now you must pack and head to your father's vacation house. We will leave after the dance tonight." Zuko gave his Uncle a hug then Katara walked over and told Iroh the phrase. The two packed up all their stuff and walked to the house and unpacked.

"Hey, I was just about to make something to eat but we don't have any food so I was going to head to the market. Would you want to come?" Zuko stood up and joined Katara. "So how much money do we have?"

"Well enough to eat like royalty for a year and a half, plus we can have them charge my Dad for everything until the ship leaves tonight."

"So we should get expensive food until tomorrow." They both laughed.

"Come on, let's go so we can get ready." Zuko said grabbing her hand and pulling her to the market. Once they could hear the chattering of the people he released her hand. Zuko followed Katara as she was shopping. He noticed a lot of guys looking at Katara, he stepped a little closer to try and tell the guys to back off. Katara glanced back and she noticed the distance or the lack thereof between them. Suddenly she bumped into something hard and was falling back. Strong arms caught here and she was expecting Zuko but when she was pulled up she saw him with his arms out but not holding here. She saw something flash in his eyes but it was gone before she could read it. Then she realized she still didn't know who was holding her. She tried to stand up but then slipped out of the stranger's arms. The stranger held out his hand and she took it.

"I am so sorry, I wasn't paying attention to where I was going. But thank you for helping me up." She said as she took a couple steps back.

"My name is Chang. What is your name, or should I call you cutie?" The stranger smiled.

"You can call her Ursa and my name is Lee." Zuko said putting an arm around her shoulders.

Chang laughed. "I see Lee is protective of you, either he's your brother or boyfriend. Anyway I'm throwing a party tonight you and your brother should show up, just go down that way and it will be the house with the most lights and music." He pointed down a road that Katara assumed led to the beach.

"He's not my brother and we have a different party to go to tonight. Have fun without us." Katara responded.

"Well you can always stop by afterwards. It won't be much of a party without you and I guess your boyfriend." Chang said.

"We will see after the party but I if I were you I wouldn't wait for us." Katara responded politely. Zuko was standing behind here and smirking but he was also wondering why she didn't deny it when Chang called him her boyfriend. They left Chang standing there stunned. They finished their shopping and went back to the house.

Katara was getting out the things to make a nice chicken broth, when Zuko came in and started watching her with an odd expression. "I am so sorry, I didn't even think to ask if you eat meat. I just assumed that since you are Fire nation you eat meat."

"I eat meat I was just struggling with asking you if you could teach me how to cook. I haven't really ever had to make my own food."

"Of course I will teach you from now on you will help me make every meal until you can do so on your own." She taught him a little about cooking then they ate a late lunch together. Then they got ready, once they were done they met at the door. They complimented each other then went to the dance.

Once they got there about everyone came and thanked Zuko for being there and questioned him about Katara. In the beginning Zuko hadn't known how to introduce her. He couldn't exactly say that she was someone he became friends with after capturing her to catch the Avatar and now he wants to join their group. So he would get flustered and trip over his words and Katara cut in and explained that she was his girlfriend. Then she would explain how she was the daughter of a very important person in the colonies. Everyone seemed to enjoy the answer and some even told Katara they were glad he had stopped dating Mai.

Once the amount of people coming up to Zuko had decreased substantially, he turned to Katara. "You do realize everyone is going to be talking about the new girlfriend of the Prince."

"Let them talk. I didn't think you wanted to tell them what really happened." Katara replied smoothly.

Zuko was going to respond to her but then the music slowed down for the first time that evening, all the single people had moved off the dance floor leaving only pairs. "Would you like to dance?" Zuko asked holding out a hand.

Katara took it and they danced for a couple songs, not caring about anything other than themselves and the music. All of a sudden they heard a crash and turned to look. Food was splattered everywhere in the back corner with two familiar guys covered in it. Katara stormed over not realizing she was dragging Zuko with her because their hands were intertwined.