The Firelord's Honor

Chapter 34

Chapter 34

A soft, insistent cry pulled Katara from sleep. She squinted in the darkness, groaning as she freed a breast from her sleeping tunic. Gently stroking her daughter's soft cheeks until she found her open mouth, she helped the baby latch and relaxed back against her pillow. The summer night was warm, bordering on uncomfortable, and Kya's tiny head was damp with sweat where it lay on her bicep. Katara leaned down to kiss along her downy forehead as she nursed happily despite the excess warmth.

Kya was nearly four months old and Katara sometimes wondered if she would ever sleep through the night again. It wasn't so bad. Mostly Kya would wake to eat and Katara would usually fall back to sleep as she did so. This sleeping arrangement was normal for her people, even in the North. When Zuko had initially protested, she had been shocked to learn about something he called a crib. It was strange to her to imagine Kya sleeping in her own bed so young and in a whole other room. No wonder the wealthy Fire Nation women had wet nurses. How else would they sleep?

Zuko had quickly conceded however when she had reminded him who it was that would be caring for their new daughter at night. Eventually he had decided he liked having her close. Even though they had kept her identity as the new Avatar a secret, not even the high walls of Ba Sing Se could completely assuage his fears for her safety. She knew he worried his father would discover her in his quest to find the Avatar and somehow take her from them. Azula had been able to infiltrate the city after all, it was not unbelievable to think Ozai could do the same.

Katara sighed when she felt Kya's mouth slide free, asleep again. Now with her thoughts turned to ever looming threats, she could not join her daughter and husband in sleep. Huffing in frustration, she delicately slid her arm free and rose from the bed. Creeping to the wide window ledge, she sat and drew her knees up under her chin, watching her family slumber on without her.

The first time Zuko had held his daughter, one hand holding her head the other cupping her wriggling body, he had stared at her with such awe Katara was sure she had never loved him more. Then he had proven just how wrong he had been about himself. It had been awkward for her husband at first, as she knew it was for most who were unaccustomed to infants. Fumbling to hold her correctly and poorly pinned diapers, he had been completely unsure of himself when trying to sooth her.

It wasn't until one night when Kya was almost two weeks old that he seemed to find his footing. Katara had been unable to get her back to sleep and was very near tears when Zuko had taken Kya from her and told her gently to go back to sleep. Uncharacteristically doubtful of him, Katara had lay awake expecting him to bring her right back. Only he hadn't. She had watched him, Kya's sweet face propped on his shoulder, as he walked circles around their apartment patting her back and singing softly. It hadn't taken long before Kya drifted back to sleep and he returned, laying her beside Katara. He had looked so proud of himself as he stared down at the pair of them, and his confidence had only grown since then.

Watching them now, Katara tried to push down her blooming anxiety. No one outside of their immediate family, well besides Toph, knew who Kya really was. So far there had been no signs of infiltration or movement on the part of the Fire Nation and Iroh was confident they were safe here. Sighing heavily, she slid from the window seat and went back to bed.

She woke some time later, sunlight streaming in on her face and the bed empty beside her. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as Zuko's voice drifted in from the other room. It was an octave too high and it sounded as though he was encouraging Kya to roll over. Katara rose, wrapping herself in her robe as she went, and joined them in the main room. She laughed heartily at what she saw.

Zuko was sprawled out on the floor in front of his daughter, the girl's head half turning her body in an effort to watch her father's movements. Evidently he figured she needed a visual reference to learn the new skill. Katara had both hands over her mouth to stem her laughter as she watched her husband roll back and forth on the floor, calling out for Kya's attention all the while.