Zutara Week '10 Day 5: Harmony

Day 5: Harmony

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Toph's POV

You know what annoys me a lot? It's when people forget that I can "see" what most people don't. It's nice that I can get peace and quiet here in Zuko's family's beach house on Ember Island. But, I remember when we were still at the Western Air Temple. I swear, you won't even believe what really goes on at night in there...

First off, there's Sokka and Suki. Well, their room is next to mine so I can practically hear everything. And I mean, everything. There are some nights when the noise is gentle, like all I hear is the lovey-dovey mushy words they exchange. But then...the other nights... Let's just say I don't get enough sleep during those other nights...

Then, there's Twinkletoes. He's not that rowdy, actually. Sometimes, he just meditates. Sometimes, he just plays with Momo. There are other times, though, that I can hear sniffling and crying from his room. I don't really know what it's about. I've tried to ask him but he just avoids the topic. In my opinion, I think it's either Avatar stuff or Katara stuff.

Speaking of Katara, you won't believe what she and Zuko do at night. Now, I know what you're thinking. No, they aren't doing...stuff....but they do things that you would never expect them to. I hear them almost every night. It's kind of amazing how their relationship has changed over that short period of time.

It all started about two and a half weeks ago, when Zuko joined our group. For three straight nights, I could hear them fighting and bickering outside where they thought no one would know. Since I couldn't get enough sleep, I would always sneak out and listen in. Katara kept mentioning something about Ba Sing Se and Zuko kept trying to convince her that he had changed. The argument would go in circles and soon, one of them would just walk out and ignore the other.

It was pretty quiet during the next couple of days when Zuko and Aang went on their little field trip. When they got back, the fighting would happen in the morning but the night was peaceful. But then, the secret encounters they would have continued again when Katara was waterbending when everyone else was asleep. I heard Zuko get up so I followed him, thinking a fight would ensue again. I hid behind a pillar and listened as Zuko leaned into the fountain to get some water.

"What the hell are you doing?" asked a very angry Katara

"What does it look like? I'm drinking." replied an annoyed Zuko

"Get out."

"Why?"

"Because I'm waterbending and you're disturbing my practice."

"Well, you don't own the fountain."

"Still, that doesn't give you the right to disturb me."

"You don't have a right to kick me out while I was just drinking anyway."

"Just go already!"

"You know what...." he said, smugly walking and sitting in front of Katara. "I think I'll just sit and watch right here. Just to piss you off."

Katara huffed then ignored him. She started waterbending again when she noticed smirk the prince was wearing.

"Why are you smirking like that?" she snapped

"I'm just making you feel self-conscious." he replied coolly

"Look, why don't you just go to bed? I don't want you here, okay!?" Katara growled, stepping out of the fountain and pointing a finger at Zuko's chest. "In fact, nobody does! Nobody really cares that you're here so why don't you just go back to the Fire Nation and suck up to daddy and mommy!? It's where you belong anyway!"

Zuko stayed quiet. I was surprised he stayed calm. If I were him, I would have already killed Katara...twice.

"I-I don't have a mother anymore...." he whispered sadly. "My father banished her. Now, I don't know where she is, or if she's still alive."

"Oh please, why would you think I'd believe that lie?" she said, rolling her eyes

"Why would you even think I'd lie about my own mother? Despite what you think, I do care about other people. I don't understand why you think I'm such a bad guy."

"Do I really need to remind you again of that time in Ba Sing Se?"

"Katara...I was confused back then!"

"Confused!? I don't think that's a good enough excuse for your actions Zuko! You helped the Fire Nation win the war! You took away the last free city in the world! You expect me to forgive you because you were confused!?"

"Katara, you could at least let me explain! All this time, you've been accusing me and restating all my faults. I think it's time you know why I was like that before."

"No! Forget it! I'm going to my room!"

Honestly, I thought Sugar Queen was being all dramatic again so I earthbended a small lump of the ground in her path and raised it a little so she'll trip. I made sure not to make it too noticeable. Her foot caught on the rock and she gasped. Before she fell, Zuko gripped her arm and spun her around so she was facing him. He held her firmly in place.

"Katara..." Zuko pleaded. "Please let me explain..."

Katara sighed and nodded. They walked to the fountain and sat on its edge. There, Zuko started telling her about his life. I never knew Sparky had such a sad childhood. No wonder he turned out like that. It was really sad how his father always thought he was a failure and how his mother sacrificed herself for him. While he was telling the story, Katara listened without saying a word. I had a feeling that deep inside, she was feeling really guilty about doing all those bad things to him. Soon, she started telling her own story too.

"I really am sorry, Katara...I hope you can still forgive me for everything I've done..." Zuko shamefully said

"I do forgive you, Zuko. And I'm sorry too...I should have let you explain first..." she said

After that, they said good night and went to bed. During the next few days, their relationship changed. They would still fight and argue but I can feel their hearts pulsing with much less anger than before. It was almost like they were just doing it for show. Then, at night, they would meet back at the fountain and just...hang out.

Sometimes, they would just laugh about the things that happened that day (which would mean mostly laughing at Sokka). Sometimes they would just go to the balcony and look at the stars. Sometimes they would just sit together and cuddle.

I know, the cuddling part it kind of weird. I guess they developed a relationship along the way. I saw it coming all along. They were practically made for each other. They may seem different on the outside but because I can see what most don't, I know what's really going on.

Think about it. They both lost their mothers because of the Fire Nation. They both know what it's like to be deeply affected by the war. Zuko was banished by his own father and sent to hunt the Avatar. Katara lost her mother and became the only waterbender left in the Southern Water Tribe. Since Zuko lost his mom, Katara can fill up that void since she's all motherly and whatnot. Of course, Zuko would know what she's going through because he shared the same fate.

Sometimes, they would finish each other's sentences...It was like they were thinking in the exact same way. Sometimes, one of us would ask them for advice and they would both tell us the same thing. Even their emotions were alike...especially, the raging temper.

They're even starting to like a little bit of something from each other's nations. One night, they shared food with each other. Katara finished all the fire flakes that Zuko brought and Zuko shockingly gobbled up all the stewed sea prunes left. Strange, isn't it?

But you know what's really weird? It's what's inside of them. I'm sure the other's don't notice it because I'm the only one who can feel it. When they're around each other, their hearts beat wildly, like the beating of Horse-antelopes' hooves during a stampede. When they're not, their heartbeats return to that normal slow tempo.

Sometimes they would have a certain rhythm, like in a song, like fire and water, sun and moon, yin and yang. But most of the time, their hearts would beat in the exact same way. In a way, it was comforting. It made me have faith in the world again. Before, it seemed like the four nations will never be the same after the war and then they came along and shared that special night. Because of that night, it was like two people, two nations and two worlds were united again.

That's why every night, I make sure to remind myself about that. That's why before I go to sleep, I always look for that one sound, the sound of two hearts of two lovers pulsing together in harmony.