Steam: An Avatar Story

Chapter 5

There was a knock on Katara's door later that day. She glanced worriedly at Zuko, who grabbed Ren and disappeared into her inner chambers, followed by Uncle Iroh.

"Come in!" Katara called, sitting down on her sofa. Suki walked through the door a few seconds after. "Oh, hi Suki!" Katara exclaimed. The weight in her shoulders immediately lifted. She could trust Suki.

"Master Yu has arrived. He's waiting in the training arena."

"Okay, thanks Suki." Katara glanced towards her room.

"What are you looking for?" Suki's eyes widened a second later, "Oh Agni is Zuko in there?!"

"No," Katara lied. Suki raised an eyebrow. "Ugh fine. Zuko, Uncle Iroh, you guys can come out, it's Suki." Suki looked stunned, which caused Katara to chuckle.

"You thought I was alone in my room with Zuko?" Katara chuckled. Suki leaned close to her ear as Uncle Iroh appeared.

"Like you haven't been before," she whispered, smirking. Katara sighed, annoyed, and waited for Zuko to come out.

"You have to promise to keep a secret. Literally the only people who will know this are the people in this room."

"Of course Princess," Suki gave a traditional Fire Nation bow.

"Zuko, bring Ren out please." Katara calles once more. Suki's mouth opened and her eyes widened as the Fire Nation Crown Prince walked out of Katara's bedroom with a small, winged, blue lizard curled in his arms. Ren opened her eyes and stared intelligently at Suki.

"Oh my Spirits," Suki whispered, a hand over her mouth. "Is that a dragon?" Katara nodded. Suki walked closer, reaching out a finger to stroke Ren's turquoise scales. "You guys are insane." Katara smiled softly.

"She hatched last night. Please, don't tell anyone." Katara asked once more.

"Don't worry, I promise I won't." Suki whispered, still in shock.

"I have to go meet Master Yu, I'll see you guys later." Katara said, walking over to kiss Ren's forehead. "I'll be back little one."

"Good luck my dear." Iroh said with a kind smile.

"I'm actually a little nervous, Zuko, can you come to at least this lesson?" Katara asked shyly. He handed Ren over to Iroh.

"Of course, lets go." He kissed Ren's forehead as well and followed Katara out.

The two of them arrived at the training arena a few moments later. Master Yu was in the middle of teaching a young, blind girl some basic steps while her parents watched closely from the bleachers.

"Master Yu," Katara said, giving a traditional Fire Nation bow. He stopped what he was doing and looked up, crossing his arms.

"In the Earth Kingdom, we bow like this," he demonstrated the Fire Nation bow, but with the gist against the palm of his open hand. Katara performed the movement back to him.

"Sorry Master." She apologized. Katara glanced at the small girl. She had black hair in a bun on top of her head, with a green kimono wrapped around her delicate figure. Those pale green eyes unsettled Katara, and the way the girl was standing made it seem like she could see her, which was impossible because of her blindness.

"This is Toph, she wanted to come along to continue her Earthbending training, and her parents wanted to join her. The Fire Lord has welcomed us all into his home, recognizing us as supporters of the Fire Nation's rule." Katara raised an eyebrow, but accepted the explanation. Strange to hear of an Earth Kingdom citizen bowing to the Fire Nation's rule. Last she checked, they were in open rebellion.