Zutara's Story

Chapter Twelve

The play was about us, who wouldn't want to see a play about themselves!" Aang exclaimed.

"Oh, it is by the Ember Island Players and they always get this completely wrong." Zuko argued. Aang glared at him so the firebender decided to add, "Although it would be more entertaining than sitting around but let's drop our bags off first." They left and Zuko thanked Iroh and said goodbye. Katara also decided to thank and say goodbye to the kind old man who encouraged them to get close. While walking back to the camp the walkway was only wide enough for two people. Originally they were walking in a line with Sokka leading then Katara with Zuko following closely and Aang walking last. Zuko leaned forward and took Katara's bag off her shoulder. She immediately tried to take it back but Zuko held it above her head. "Let me carry it." Katara sighed but gave up.

She felt it needed to be said, "I could have carried it if you hadn't taken it."

"I know." Zuko responded. Katara glanced back at him and just then tripped on a root. Zuko held out a hand and helped gain her balance then joked. "Tripping again, do you need someone to always walk with you?" They laughed, neither noticed how they continued to hold hands after she got up. Except Aang noticed, and he noticed the distance, or lack thereof, between the two.

They finally got to the theater all dressed in disguise. Katara sat down first on the edge of the row and Zuko sat right where Aang was about to. "Hey, I was about to sit there could you move."

"Does it matter? It is just a seat." Zuko challenged.

"Yeah it does that seat has the best view." Aang said casually glancing at Katara. She caught his look and pushed Zuko down then moved to his seat.

"There you go Aang, you can sit where I was sitting. I think it has a better view of the stage." Aang nodded his thanks. Zuko noticed how close Katara was sitting to him instead of Aang and convinced himself that it wasn't a big deal.

It was the opening scene and a girl who looked nothing like Katara was playing her. She scoffed then turned to Zuko. "I can't believe they think I look like her."

"I don't know, I think they definitely got the hair right. " He joked.

"Very funny. These people are not accurate portrayals of ourselves." Katara responded offended.

"I know. I told you this was going to happen but did anyone listen to me. Nope." Zuko said then out his arm around Katara. "But it doesn't matter because we know each other. Who cares what other people think."

Suddenly the play paused and someone walked on stage. "We know some of you have seen this play already and we want to warn you of some things. First off Zuko came to the dance with a girlfriend. Since we know nothing about this only them and the crew we have taken some creative license with their story."

Zuko and Katara quickly took in their positions and shot away from each other. Then Katara left to go to the bathroom but she really went outside. 'Why are things so weird between us. And did they really add our fake relationship to the play.' Katara thought but they were interrupted by someone sitting next to her.

"Hey, Aang left almost right after you. Our story seemed to upset him. But they did exactly what we told them happened. The one thing they get right didn't actually happen. Anyway we decided to leave early. Well Aang and I did, we had to bribe Sokka." 

"Was it fire flakes or something in the meat category?" They laughed and Aang finally found them. They walked back and they all climbed into their sleeping bags and went to sleep. The next morning Sokka, Aang, and Katara fell back into their old routine for packing up. Zuko tried to help but was scolded by Aang to many times so he left. Katara vaguely noticed but was to focused on trying to roll up the sleeping bag. Aang had definitely noticed that he had to left and was feeling a bit smug. After everything was packed. Katara spoke up. "Where is Zuko? I thought I saw him leave earlier but I thought he would be back by now."

"He probably didn't want to stay. Come on let's leave." Aang tried to convince the water tribe siblings.

"No! You wouldn't leave without at least looking for Sokka or I. I'm looking for him. So you can join me or you can leave without both of us." Katara responded.

"Who are you waiting for? Sorry I meant to come back earlier but I got distracted." When Zuko said the last part he held up his bag.

"We were waiting for Chen, but I guess you will do." Both Katara and Zuko laughed, while the other two boys were confused. "Anyway what is in the bag?"

"I went fishing then I remembered you telling me that Aang doesn't eat meat so I went foraging and found some fruit and maybe picked more than needed to. But it will save us some money." Zuko explained and Katara gave him a sweet smile.

"You are a little late, we already put away all our materials." Aang pointed out.

"Don't worry, I can cook it with my bending." Zuko offered.

"Why don't you teach me how? Then I can do it when you leave without telling us." Aang jabbed.

"But Aang you need to fly Appa. Come on everybody climb on." Katara came in as the peacemaker.