Toph slammed her palms into the metal again and again, feeling the vibrations shake through it. It was getting easier to sense the particles of earth inside the purified substance! You can do this, Toph!
"Come on, metal, budge!" And a minute later, it did. She grinned.
"Toph, you rule!"
**__**
I sink onto the plush pillow, letting myself melt into its soft folds. Today was a long day. A weird day, after this morning. But a good one. The Opening went even better than planned. Uncle is so happy, I think he might burst from it.
And I had fun, too. I could do this forever. Making tea to make people happy. Seeing the look on Uncle's face when someone compliments him on his tea. And being near Zuko. Trying to decipher the looks he gives me.
Trying to figure out what game he's playing.
The door opens, and I know by the rush that spreads over my skin that it's Zuko. I peer at him as he stands in the doorway.
"Hey."
"Hey. Can we... talk?" I smile at him, uncertain. He may have turned over a new leaf, but that doesn't mean anything has changed between us. I still love him, and he... I don't know what he feels for me. All I know is that he won't talk to me about it.
I nod, but he doesn't say anything right away. He paces. He runs his fingers through his hair. I roll my eyes.
"Come on, Koko, let's hear it, already. I'm not getting any younger over here." He glances at me and grins, then sighs.
"I- I don't know how to-" He breathes fire into the air, letting his frustrations out. Something has him really worried. I stand and walk over to him. Put my hands on his shoulders.
"Zuko. Just tell me. It really is that easy. Just say it." Whatever it is...
"I-" His amber eyes stare into mine, trapping me in this moment. My breath catches, then comes faster. He shakes his head, sending his shaggy hair flying. The strands settle over his forehead again and I reach up without thinking, pushing them away.
"I-" Zuko starts again, but stops. Then he groans and, before I can think, he leans forward and presses his lips to mine. I pull back after a moment.
"What- what about Jin?"
Zuko glares into my eyes; his are all amber fire and hard determination. "You are my wife, Kara. Mine. She is nothing."
He kisses me again, hard, and every single thought flees my mind. The thoughts of Uncle, thoughts of my memory and my eyes and a million things I don't understand. There is nothing except Zuko and me and the heat that rages through me.
Nothing. Else. At. All.
**__**
Zuko stared out the window, watching the sun rise over the orderly houses of the Upper Ring. In the distance, the many walls of Ba Sing Se stood like sentinels, guarding them. Keeping them safe.
Behind him, Kara stirred, and her sleepy voice called to him. He turned, smiling at the way the early morning light outlined her. She was beautiful. He returned to their bed, wrapping her in his arms. She snuggled into him, kissed his chest. He stroked her hair back and kissed her gently.
"I love you." Somehow it was easy to say it this time. The truth of the words echoed through him, and in Kara's brilliant smile.
"I love you, too, Koko."
He smiled at her, at his wife. And pulled her closer, as close as he could get her. The Jasmine Dragon wouldn't open for hours. They had time.
They had all the time in the world.
**__**
Ty Lee walked along the outer edge of the fountain, smiling at the sun. Soon Azula would take control of Ba Sing Se, but until then she was bored. Mai was being moody and Azula was involved in the Earth King's plans and gaining the Di Lee's trust. Ty Lee wanted some action. All of this waiting around was no fun.
"Hey." She turned to see a handsome young man standing behind her.
"Hi."
He smiled at her, and Ty Lee smiled back. "I'm Gen. You wanna... go somewhere?"
It wasn't like the Fire Nation girl had anything better to do. "I'd love to."
"Great! I know this awesome tea shop..."
"I love tea." They linked arms, and Ty Lee let Gen lead her through the Upper Ring of Ba Sing Se.
_________
Soooo. Poor Zuko and Kara... things are going so well.... Tsk Tsk, but things can't stay that way forever, can they now? Lol ;) COMMENTZ and vote!
-Tess
YOU ARE READING
Falling for the Enemy (Sun and Moon Book 1)
Fanfiction*A Zutara fanfic* Kara has been living in a little fishing village in the northern Earth Kingdom for as long as she can remember--literally. She woke up on its shores nearly six months ago, and she knows that if it hadn't been for Aki, she'd be dead...
