Four Departure and...Nuptials?!
The Watcher was still sitting in the wet puddle long after the sun had set, his heart filled with swirling emotions.
It hurt, knowing that she had chosen the other.
It hurt when the Watcher saw how his friends had looked at him.
It hurt even worse, because the Watcher knew that he was wrong.
And now, She was in the temple with the Other, caring for him, loving him, and hating…hating the Watcher.
Staring up at the starry sky, the Watcher begins to cry.
"Zuko, you idiot." Katara chided. "You should have run faster…or fought back."
Zuko blinked, and looked up. "Was I dreaming, or did I see you slap Aang?"
"I shouldn't have." Katara replied, averting his gaze. Changing the topic, Katara dropped her water back into its bowl. "This will take a while to fully heal."
"We don't have the time." Zuko declared. "The comet is coming, and Aang isn't ready."
Katara smirked, and used a hand to keep Zuko lying flat. "Iroh can train Aang. Chit Sang can help, if it comes to that. But Aang has to earn that right back."
Zuko shook his head. "You can't blame Aang." He tried to sit up, frowning when Katara wouldn't let him.
"Why?" Katara asked needlessly, her voice soft. She knew the answer.
"He's twelve, and thinks he's in love with you." Zuko replied calmly, taking her hand in his. "He was jealous."
"How did he know?" Katara jumped when she heard a victorious laugh, followed by a girlish moan and a thump.
Toph was standing in the doorway. "I knew it!" She exclaimed. "Ah, the satisfaction of being proven right."
Behind Toph, Katara and Zuko saw Sokka, lying on the floor where he'd passed out.
"How is your patient?" Iroh asked when Katara joined the rest of the group in the hall.
"He's sleeping right now…finally." Katara replied, taking the cup of tea Iroh offered. "But when he's awake, Zuko is…he's being stubborn, and trying to get up."
"Well, he is a very strong minded boy." Iroh suggested, sipping tea. "Is there any reason young Toph had to drag your brother in here?"
"She hasn't said anything?" Katara asked, starting to blush, a fact not lost on Iroh.
"Nope." Toph cut in. "And I won't, but Snoozles here is gonna freak when he wakes up."
Hakoda looked over, interested. "Why?"
"Aang!" The Duke exclaimed, hiding behind Teo, who hid (poorly) behind Haru.
Aang was soaking wet, and he walked over to Katara, his staff dropping from his fingers. Something in his eyes made her want to hug him and soothe away the pain, but Katara couldn't bring herself to do it.
"I'm leaving in the morning." He announced in a dead, dul tone. "I need to go see the Guru. He was right about something, and I hope its not too late to fix it." With that he walked out of the room, noty even bothering to gather up his staff.
Zuko, against Katara's protests, was moving on a set of crutches Teo had whittled.
He was watching as Aang packed a bag onto Appa. "You don't have to go. I'm not mad, Aang."
"I know." Aang replied. "But I do have to go. When I left the Guru, before Ba Sing Se's fall, he told me that my last chakra was still locked, because I couldn't let go of all my earthly attachments. Then, at Ba Sing Se...I tried to let go, but Azula, well, you know."
Zuko came to his young friend's side. "Aang, I am sorry for what has happened in the past, and I'm sorry we didn't tell you."
Aang shook his head. "No, Zuko, I'm sorry. You're my friend, and I tried to kill you. I've lost sight of my destiny."
"Destiny isn't written in stone." Zuko frowned as he thought back over his own life.
"Mine is." Aang said. "I'm the Avatar. It is my destiny to restore balance to the world." Aang's voice started to break, and for the first time it really struck Zuko how young aang really was. "And to do that, I need to let go of all my earthly attachments."
Zuko looked away. "Katara."
"I…I can do it know, and I need the Guru's help. If I can master the Avatar State, then I can beat Ozai, even if he's got the Comet." Aang said.
Zuko nodded. "Aang, at least take Uncle with you. You still need to work on firebending, and my Uncle is a better firebender than I am."
"He wouldn't want to come…" Aang started, then Iroh laughed, walking into the stable, Chit Sang following him carrying a pack.
"We're coming." Iroh said. "You do still need to train, and this young man has decided I need a servant."
Chit Sang bowed slightly. "It is an honor to serve the legendary Dragon of the West."
Zuko rolled his eyes. "Looks like you don't have a choice, Aang." He smiled, and stuck a hand out.
Aang paused a moment, then just hugged Zuko. "I hope you make her happy. She deserves that." He said quietly, then jumped onto Appa's head, barely giving Iroh and his new assistant time to find a seat before calling out: "Yip-yip."
Zuko watched until he couldn't make out the air bison, then hobbled back into the temple.
As soon as he made it into the hall, he was tagged by both Sokka and Hakoda. "We need to talk…son." Hakoda said, somewhat uncomfortably.
Zuko threw a worried look at Katara, who just shrugged slightly.
"I need to know what is between you and my daughter." Hakoda asked, once they were in relative privacy.
Zuko blinked, but thought better of lying, since Sokka was standing there. "We're…" 'In love' sounds way too corny, and Hakoda looks like he'd slit me from throat to belly. "We're together, sir."
Sokka gripped the haft of his sword tightly, making threatening noises, but quieted when his father looked at him.
"Just what is 'together' in your definition?" Hakoda asked, his eyes narrowing.
Zuko felt a chill. "I have nothing but respect for Katara, and…"
"Answer the question." Hakoda said with deceptive calm.
Zuko gauged the distance between them, and wondered if he would be able to run if it came to that. He felt his good ear burn red as he answered, feeling like a naughty student caught cheating in school.
"We've…we've been intimate."
"You little…" Hakoda came to an abrupt stop, caught by Sokka.
"Dad, calm down!" Sokka nearly shouted.
Hakoda's eyes narrowed on Zuko. "I should kill you! You've taken my little girl's innocence!"
Zuko felt like running, but with the crutches, that would be an impossibility. "Chief Hakoda." He said, forcing confidence into his voice. "I've already told you. I respect Katara, and I love her. I wouldn't do anything to hurt her."
Hakoda stopped moving suddenly. Still glaring at Zuko, he seemed to ponder something. "Is that the truth? Katara feels the same, you both are in love?"
Hesitantly, Zuko nodded.
Hakoda grinned evilly. "Well, then you will have to be married."
End Part One: The Watcher
Well, I'm glad for the reviews, and that you all liked it so well.
Well, the first chapter of Tears and Fire: The Hunter will be up shortly, and I think you'll be pleased with it.
Adversus solem ne loquitor.