literature

The Color Red

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She hated the color red.

It was the color of blood, of death.

It was the color of fire, the Fire Nation.  The starters of the 100 year long war.

It was the color the moon had turned when one of the Koi fish had died at the North Pole.

The clothes she had had to wear to blend in the Fire Nation were red.  They weren’t uncomfortable and she liked the fashion, but they were red.

It was the color she hated the most.

Red.

It even sounded bad, sharp and leaving a bitter taste in her mouth.

She hated the color red, until he came.  Zuko, exiled prince of the Fire Nation.

Heck, she hated it even more, if that was possible, when he came to join their group, garbed in crimson robes.  The color symbolized a new thing for her, betrayal.  He betrayed her in Ba Sing Se, and she was absolutely sure he would betray them again.

She’d have dreams.  Horrible nightmares, where Zuko would kill Aang, and laugh evily, and the last glimpse she always have would be of his red cloak slipping away as he escaped.

And thus she treated him horribly, giving him difficult chores, thinking if she made him work hard, he’d be too tired to betray them; insulting him; and even “accidentally” tripping him.

Of course, everyone was exasperated at her, and tried to convince her that Zuko was harmless.  But she’d never fall for that again, she had seen the real him, she knew he was anything but harmless.

And, so, they always argued and had pointless fights, much to the frustration of the Gaang.

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“You’re doing it wrong!” Katara yelled at a hard-working Zuko.  He was trying to do the laundry, at the “request” of the waterbender.

“Then what’s the right way?” he asked calmly, wiping the sweat off his brow.

“You’re supposed to wash it like this, not that frenzied scrubbing you’re doing.”

Katara took the brush from Zuko and scrubbed the shirt just the way he was doing.  Zuko knew better than to point this out, though.

“Sorry.” He said and held out his hand, waiting for Katara to return the brush.  She did, more like rudely shoving it in his hand, and stomped away.

He sighed, pinched the bridge of his nose, and went back to scrubbing.

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Everyone sat around the fire, waiting to be served dinner.  Tonight, Katara had made some kind of stew and she finally said, “All right everybody!  Come and get it!”  

Everyone scrambled into line, Sokka and Toph arguing about who was in front of who.  Zuko was as hungry as everyone else, if not more so, but somehow, he ended up at the end.  When he finally moved up to the front, Katara eyed him and said, “I thought you were too good to eat my cooking.”

“I never said that!” Zuko protested.  Katara’s eyes flashed.  “It’s implied.”

The group groaned.  “Katara, give it up!  When are you going to realize he’s changed?!” Toph yelled.

“Hey Zuko!  You can share my stew!” Aang called.  Katara ignored them, glaring at the firebender.  

“I understand if you don’t want to feed me, Katara.  I’ll just go out and find something for myself, ” Zuko said and before Katara could retort, he turned and walked away.  Everyone else muttered and grumbled, returning to their food.  No one noticed Katara didn’t take a bite of the stew, except for Zuko, who had been watching from afar.

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Later that night, Katara noticed the decrease of ingredients, and so, when everyone had turned in, she went out to the forests beyond the temple to gather more.  She was so intent on finding food, she didn’t notice the other presence in the forest until she stumbled upon a small clearing.

“Z-Zuko?  What are you doing here?” she asked, surprised at seeing the prince…cooking?

He glanced up at her.  “Cooking something for myself.  You’re welcome to some if you want,” he said.  Katara was very hungry, and she had to admit, whatever it was Zuko was cooking smelled really good.  However, she refused to accept food from her red-wearing enemy.

“More likely plotting against us,” she said, but it didn’t come out as bitterly as she meant it.  It’s probably because I’m tired and…hungry, she thought.  The teens sat in silence, until Zuko finished cooking what seemed to be stew as well, but meatier than the one Katara had served.  He ladeled some out in a bowl and offered it to her.

She pushed it away, saying, “It’s probably poisoned.”  Zuko sighed and rolled his eyes, guzzling it down like a starved person.

He must be really hungry, Katara thought with a twinge of guilt.  It’s true she didn’t feed him as much as the others, but she didn’t think it was this bad.  No matter what her feelings toward the firebender, it was not in her nature to be cruel, and so, swallowing her pride, she muttered, “I’m sorry.”

Zuko looked up in surprise, a little bit of stew dribbling down his chin.  Katara resisted the urge to laugh, but he did look really funny.

“For what?” Zuko asked.  Katara gulped; how was she supposed to respond?  For starving you?

“For…acting the way I have…” she answered.

“I don’t blame you for it.  The last thing I deserve is forgiveness, after all I’ve done,” he said, looking away.  “I know I don’t deserve forgiveness…but…I still want it,” he whispered, hoping Katara hadn’t heard that last bit.  She did, but she didn’t throw an insult or snide remark.

Instead, she changed the subject, asking, “Why didn’t you share with Aang?”  Zuko looked into her eyes when he replied, piercing gold meeting icy blue.  “Aang is the Avatar.  If anyone needs to be well-fed and strong, it’s him.  Besides, you guys deserve the food more than me.”  Filling the bowl again, he offered to Katara.  She refused again, but more reluctantly.

“Come on, you know you want it,” He persuaded.

“I don’t need anything from you!” Katara snapped, but eyed the bowl hungrily.

“Do you want yourself weakened on my account?” Zuko asked, holding the bowl out again.

He has a point, Katara thought, and this time she accepted the bowl and spoon.  “What’s in it?” she asked.

“Not poison,” Zuko answered.  “Some squirrel-rabbit meat and various spices.”  Katara nodded and took a tentative sip.  She gasped.  “It’s…it’s delicious!” she exclaimed and ate more heartily, gulping the stew down.  Zuko watched her in surprise, and when she finished, said, “You don’t eat as much as everyone else, either.  Heck, you eat less than me!”  Taking her bowl, he filled it up for her again, which she took gratefully.

“And?”

“Why?”

Katara shrugged, stirring the stew.  “I’m like the mother of the group, and a good mother always makes sure her children are well-fed before she’ll take a bite.”

“Still, you should eat more,” Zuko said, looking concerned.  As he looked at her Katara’s heart beat faster.  The fire in between them was the only light nearby, and as the flames flickered, shadows flickered across Zuko’s face, making him seem intimidating and…sexy.  For some reason, she took notice of his lean but muscular body, and couldn't help the light blush creeping up her neck.

Well, fire is his element…  Katara immediately mentally slapped herself for thinking such thoughts, but she couldn’t deny their truth.  And the two benders sat there for a few hours more, just talking, temporarily forgetting their differences.
Here's a Zutara story I'm writing, and just thought I'd post it. This is on fanfiction.net, but I know everyone doesn't go there/have an account, and I took pity on all you poor, GoodZutaraStory deprived people, and decided to post it.

Tell me what you think! And hopefully I'll update soon, but unlike my Zutara entries, I don't have the story all written out. And I don't normally update quickly...it's not that I'm busy, but I need to be inspired before I can write something good, know what I mean?

DISCLAIMER: What part of 'Fanfiction' do you not understand?! If I owned ATLA, all the wonderful fanfics I have read/written would be incorporated in the episodes!! :tantrum:
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ErraticRaven's avatar
Ooh. I like it. :3