Ramblings of a Cluttered Mind

Sacrifice

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 03:50:55 GMT

Author: Foxfire Inari
Prompt: #002 Ends
Title: Sacrifice
Word Count: 1,789
Rating: K
Author's Note: Fire Palace? Carriages? I'm not too sure about either of those, but they'll do.

"I'm sorry, Zuko, but you have to understand I just can't live like that." A frown creased Katara's brow and she looked down to the highly polished floor of the throne room in the Fire Palace. Her tanned fingers worried the hem of her formal robes as she avoided the eyes of the Fire Lord.

"I ... understand," Zuko replied with stony resignation. His reaction to her words was immediate—his feet shifted and his back straightened, his posture suddenly rigid. With hands clasped behind his back he strode from the room, leaving Katara alone.

___________________________________________________________

With his trademark scowl firmly in place, Zuko scanned the dining room, his eyes flitting from one guest to the next. A seemingly dismissive wave of his hand beckoned a servant to his side.

"Where is Master Katara?" he inquired in a hushed tone.

Replying in the same hushed tone the servant said, "She has left, my Lord. Early this afternoon she packed her things and caught a carriage to the port." The servant left after another casual flick of the Fire Lord's wrist.

___________________________________________________________

Dinner, having long been cleared, had turned into mingling and dancing of the guests. Many of the men, mostly military officers and high officials, stood along the outskirts discussing politics and the latest advancements in military tactics while the women moved throughout groups of men and women, chatting amicably with other guests and luring their husbands to the dance floor. Fire Lord Zuko, of course, was not immune to the whims of his wife as she led him to the floor with the others.

As Zuko gazed at his wife with a smile that did not reach his eyes, he thought ruefully of his station and all the sacrifices it entailed. Marriage for political advantage was everything and love just did not factor into the equation. His wife fit the bill perfectly. Her family, a strong clan in the Fire Nation, was influential and she was subservient, gentle and a fire bender. Yes, she was perfect for the position and everything that his people wanted and needed. Unfortunately she was everything he did not want.

#034 Attack

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 02:01:29 GMT

Author: Foxfire Inari
Prompt: #034 Attack
Title: No, Not Zuko!
Word Count: 290
Rating: K
Author's Note: Yeah, this is total crack!Fic, I couldn't help myself. Sorry if this sucks! Oh, and as always, comments and critique are welcome!

Creak

“Mrph.”

Thud

Uncle Iroh paused in the dimly lit hallway near the doors he knew led to his beloved nephew’s chamber. Grey brows knitted together in concentration as he listened to the sounds coming from the room intently. A creak and a high-pitched giggle sounded from behind the door. “Ah.” A look of understanding spread across the old general’s features, but he did not move from his spot near the door.

Yet another thud sounded, followed by a grunt—which could have only come from Zuko—and another feminine giggle. The bed squeaked loudly and was followed by a grunt, a short shout of protest and more laughter from both parties. Uncle Iroh’s previously pleasant expression evaporated into a worried frown. “Surely, he isn’t …”

After a particularly loud squeak of the bed and a shout Iroh threw open the doors to Zuko’s chamber. “Zuko! What are you …!” He paused at the sight of feathers covering the floor and floating lazily throughout the air. On the bed stood the water-bender girl, towering above Zuko with a pillow poised for attack above her head, ready to beat down her opponent. Zuko stood on the floor before Katara with his pillow in mid-swing at her midsection. Both paused in the middle of their attack to look expectantly to Iroh. “Ah, ha ha. What are you doing later? I’d love for you both to join me for tea,” he finished lamely, and not a little nervously.

“We would love to,” Katara answered with a small bow. As Iroh shut the door he heard Katara finally launch he attack on Zuko’s unsuspecting head.

“Kids. They will be the death of me.” Uncle Iroh wiped a small bead of sweat from his brow.

078 Gift

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 21:54:54 GMT

Author: Foxfire Inari
Prompt: #078 Gift
Title: Peace Offering
Word Count: 395
Rating: K

Her eyes moved from his face to the object in his out-stretched hand and back. “What is that?” The trepidation in her voice was mirrored be the wary look in her eyes.

“Think of it as a … peace offering to the Water Tribes.”

“But, Zuko, you know as well as I do there is no hostility between out lands any longer. There is no need for such an offer.”

“Do you really think it wise to deny an offer of peace from the Fire Nation?”
Although they both knew there was no real threat in the words he spoke a frown still marred Katara’s pretty features. After a moment of hesitation she nodded her head in acquiescence.

“Okay. I accept you offer on behalf of the Northern and Southern Water Tribes.”

“As you should. Now, lift your hair.” Katara chose to ignore Zuko’s self-satisfied tone and did as he asked. He clasped the gold garnet encrusted choker around her slender neck and took his time to ensure it sat perfectly above her pulse point. Small goose bumps formed where the cool metal came into contact with her warm skin. Finally, the Fire Prince lifted a small hand-held mirror for her to see his gift. He smiled lightly at her surprised gasp.

“Thank you. It’s beautiful.”

“Indeed.”

“Hello, Mrs. Aiko! How are you today?” Katara smiled pleasantly at the elderly shop-keeper.

“Oh, I’m doing quite well, deary. I think I’ll be around for a while longer yet.” A warm, easy smile graces Mrs. Aiko’s face as she watched Master Katara wander about the small shop.

After inspecting the elderly woman’s wares Katara finally brought her purchases to the front desk. “Well, this is all I will be getting for today. When will your next shipment come in?”

“Not until late next wee—Oh, my goodness! That must be some man you’ve caught yourself. A fine man, indeed!” Mrs. Aiko exclaimed as her eyes settled on the garnet choker about Katara’s neck, completely ignoring the younger woman’s purchases. Katara sputtered at her exclamation, her mind reeling at the thought of the significance of chokers in the Water Tribes. How could she have forgotten? Katara was saved from answering as another shop patron did the job for her.

“Yes, he is a fine man.” Zuko nearly laughed at the surprised look on Katara’s suddenly fiery-red face.

Priceless

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 16:31:31 GMT

Title: Priceless
Fandom: Inu Yasha
Pairing: Sess x Kago
Song: 30,000 Ft. and Priceless by The American Tragedy
Word Count: 952
AN: This is my first venture into SessKago and my first songfic. I do have some concerns for this fic, mostly that I think Sesshoumaru seems OOC. I think 500 years can greatly affect the way someone thinks, so maybe he really isn't all that bad. Questions, comments and concerns are greatly welcomed. Either leave a comment below or shoot me an email. I'd love to hear anything you have to say about it.

The last thing that you said as I was leaving

Was “Baby, be careful.”

You held my hand and kissed my cheek

And said “I miss you already.”

Kagome looked up to Sesshoumaru and offered a nervous smile. The larger hand that was wrapped around hers gave a soft comforting squeeze. “I have a feeling this record is going to be the best one yet.” The smile gracing her lips slowly grew more confident and encouraging.

“I certainly hope so,” he replied, his voice rumbling with amusement.

“Be careful, okay?” She rose up to her toes to place a gentle kiss on his cheek and her hand slipped out of his. “I miss you already.” Sesshoumaru leaned down to give her a gentle parting kiss and then went through the airport security gate.

30,000 feet later

I realized I depend upon you

Everyday

As the plane reached the cruising altitude Sesshoumaru leaned his seat back and relaxed. His thoughts drifted to his wife, the protector of the Shikon no Tama, his brother’s former companion and the one he had no idea how he ever lived without. Despite the long life he had lived so far, he still did not know how one person could completely change the way he thought of everything.

And when I get back on the ground

I’m going to pick up the telephone and call you

He hadn’t actively sought her out; their meeting was entirely by accident. She wasn’t paying attention as she exited the subway and ran right into him, knocking herself down and the sheets of guitar tabs out of his hands in the process. With wide eyes she stared up at him in shock before she started scrambling around to pick up his papers. “Kagome?”

At the utterance of her name she froze. “Yes, Sesshoumaru?” Slowly, her sky blue eyes lifted to meet his sun gold ones.

The rest of their evening was spent in a small café in a strange mixture of catching up between old acquaintances and meeting each other for the first time.

And I take a step away

From taking you for granted from the start

Is it our humanity that makes

Me love you more when were apart

Because you’re priceless

After living for so very long, Sesshoumaru finally understood that life really is something precious. Sure he was alive and had lived for a very long time, but he didn’t realize what it really meant until recently. Rin taught him this lesson so very long ago, but after she passed he forgot. It was strange how the humans in his life were the ones to make him cherish the moments he had. Maybe it was because of the nature of their being, the humanity that never let them forget that any moment could be their moment to die and to live life with that in mind.

I tried to watch a movie

But you always came around

I couldn’t escape you

Memories are like baggage

That you cannot leave at home

Even if you want to

The in-flight movie was one he had seen before and liked. He tried to get into it, but Kagome kept intruding on his thoughts. He thought of the conversation they had while waiting for him to go through security. An image of her in her wedding kimono on their wedding day filtered through his mind. Their honeymoon was perfect. They spent a week in a cottage tucked away in the heart of the Black Forest surrounded only by nature. Kagome still helped her mother run the shrine on the weekends and they eventually bought a house in the outskirts of Yokohama.

30,000 feet later

The food was filthy and I couldn’t sleep

When I get back on the ground

I’m going to pick up the telephone to call you

The one-time demon king pushed the tray of food away from him, the smell making him nauseous. Besides, he’d never really gotten used to eating human food, it tended to upset his delicate canine stomach and added a little to his girth. He looked to his cell phone for the time and found himself wanting to dial the numbers that would bring her voice to him.

What better way to say I love you

Than with my last words

As the oxygen mask falls in my lap

The only thing I think about

Is being on the ground

At four miles per hour

Getting old with you

Sesshoumaru gripped the armrests as the plane suddenly dropped to the bottom of an air pocket. The plane lurched to the left and dropped again. Static sounded on the intercom as the captain started to speak. In a somber voice he let the passengers know that they lost both engines and that there was little he could do anymore, and he apologized.

The oxygen mask descended and he strapped it on exactly like the stewardess showed at the beginning of the flight. His eyes screwed shut and he tried to regulate his breathing. Images of the family he and Kagome did not yet have flashed through his mind. He couldn’t help but remember everything they hadn’t done together yet and possibly would never do. “Kagome.”

30,000 feet later

I wrote a song to tell you

You’re more precious than music

He scribbled out lyrics quickly on a sheet of paper. Once finished he folded it up and stuffed it in his wallet and hoped that would be enough.

When I get back on the ground

Someone will pick up the telephone to call you

“Mrs. Shinokiku?”

“Yes, this is she. How can I help you?”

“Ma’am, I’m afraid I have some bad news for you ..."

x-posted to sesskag

Two of a Kind, Teammates, Fear

Tue, 13 Feb 2007 17:08:31 GMT

More wishful thinking for the Gaang + Zuko and Iroh. Why, oh why, did you go with Azula? Idiot.

Prompt: #005 Two of a Kind
Title: It Won't Work
Word Count: 117
Rating: K

Zuko whirled around to face the avatar, his back ram-rod straight and eyebrows drawn down in anger. "What?"

"I said, I know what you’re doing and it won’t work!"

"I heard you the first time!"

"So, why did you ask me to repeat myself?" the young monk huffed in indignation.

"Tch, and just how do you think you’re going to stop me, Avatar?" Zuko stole a glance over Aang’s head towards camp, where she was getting ready for lunch while they went hunting.

"Katara would never go for you. You’re our enemy, remember?" A smug smirk passed over Aang’s face as the prince stalked off farther into the words.

"We’ll see about that," was Zuko’s growled reply.

Prompt: #056 Teammates
Title: Four Sparrowkeets
Word Count: 260
Rating: K

Aang and Zuko made their way back to camp with barely a word spoken to the other the entire trip. Sure, there was the "conversation" they had before they set out, but that didn’t count. Not to Zuko, anyway. Zuko’s eye moved from the three fish on the line in the monk’s hand to the four sparrowkeets strung together in his own hand.

"They’re no elephant koi, but I think they’ll do! What do you think, Katara?" Aang held the fish up for her inspection.

"They will do just fine, Aang." A small smile played it’s way across her lips as Aang handed her the fish before bounding off towards the bison. Zuko heard the avatar call out something about a bath, but paid him no heed as he watched Katara, who was currently smiling up at him. "And, what do you have for me, Prince?" Her smile brightened and he couldn’t help but return it.

He lifted the birds as he sat next to her. "Ah, sparrowkeets. You got four of them, too. Not bad." Silence settled upon them as they each went about their own tasks–Katara gutted and scaled the fish while Zuko plucked and cut the birds for roasting. "You two must work well together to have gotten as much as you did," was Katara’s quiet comment to Zuko.

"Hn," was the response she get from the fire prince. Not that she was surprised, of course. "I think we work better together," he finished as he motioned to the cleaned fish and birds. Now that was surprising.

Prompt: #015 Fear
Title: The Only Way
Word Count: 233
Rating: K

Toph let her feet dangle over the edge of the water as Aang bathed Appa. The tadpoles and small fish nibbled lightly on her toes as she sunned herself in the grass. There is really nothing better than relaxing outside in the sun. She quietly hummed to herself.

"I think I may have been wrong." When did Aang get so close?

"Big surprise there, air-head." She snickered quietly at her playful barb to the monk. Aang didn’t seem quite as amused.

"No, really. What if she does fall for him? What will happen then? What about me?" Aang’s voice cracked with distress. The others may have not noticed it, but she picked up on it. Not being able to see had a way of making you very perceptive.

"You know what the guru said, Aang. You have to let her go, it’s the only way for you to succeed. Besides, have you heard his voice? It’s so deep and dreamy. It could make any girl melt, really. The way he carries himself is so strong and proud. I bet he has no problem pleasing ladies, unlike that dolt, Sok–"

"Okay! I get it!" She heard the rippling of the water as he air glided over to Appa. Hmm, she was only teasing him, but maybe it was too much. He sounded pretty upset. She would have to talk to Iroh about this later.

X-posted to zutara100

Sound + Vision

Mon, 12 Feb 2007 20:26:09 GMT

Wow, it's been quite a while sice the last time I wrote any thing. Almost two months! It's funny how life gets in the way sometimes.

Prompt: 047 Music
Title: Follow the Beat
Word Count: 299
Rating: K
Author's Note: The beats in this is used in middle eastern music. The first one is called chiftetelli (pronounced "shift-a-TELL-ee") and is 4/4, the second one is called karsilama and is 9/8. I learned it from my belly dance instructor, but if you want to check out differeny rhythms or whatever go to www.shira.net.
*ETA: As it turns out, I'm an idiot. I didn't even realize that I was using actual names of characters in the show. With "Jin" I was thinking of Jin from Samurai Champloo and "Pakku" came from Pakkun from Naruto (I left off the 'n' because I didn't want anyone to think of a squish-faced dog)! Gah! Oh well, I guess that's my idiot moment for the day. lol

"Mu-Shin isn’t so bad looking, either, you know. He’s sooo strong, not to mention kind."

"What about Pakku? Since last year he’s grown up a lot. Hardly looks like he did before he went to visit his aunt in the northern country."

A slow beat drifted to Katara’s ears, slightly downing out her new friends’ voices. All she could hear were the drums, but it was like nothing she’d ever heard before.

dum ta tek-e-tah tek-e-tah doom doom tek dum ta tek-e-tah tek-e-tah doom doom tek

"Hey, Jin, Karri. What is that sound?" Both girls paused in their discussion of boys Katara had never heard of and listened. Simultaneously, they both squealed.

"The festival! It’s starting!" "We have to get you to the festival grounds!" Jin grabbed Katara’s left wrist while Karri grabbed her right and they both proceeded to drag her to the center of the village. The drum beat developed into a melody accompanied by wood flutes and other various instruments. "You must dance with us!"

Although she was a little uncomfortable, Katar danced with them. It was probably considered bad luck to not dance when there was a festival being thrown partly in your honor. Team Avatar defeated the spirit beast that was attacking the village at night, so the village paid them back by having a festival for them. How could she say no?

As more people made their way to the festival Katara became more comfortable. There were more people dancing and the music had picked up considerably.

doom tek-e-dum tek-e-dum tek-e-dum ta ta doom tek-e-dum tek-e-dum tek-e-dum ta ta

Pretty soon her body was moving on auto-pilot to the beat and she was thoroughly enjoying herself. Getting lost in the music was the perfect stress relief at the end of a hard day.

Prompt: 048 Dance
Title: Let the Music Move You
Word Count: 289
Rating: K

Zuko silently watched Katara dance from across the fire. Far across the fire. He couldn’t stand to be near her as he took note of the way her body moved in rhythm with the beat.

They had "agreed" to stop in yet another town to help the townspeople with their problem that was far too large for them to handle themselves. Yeah, right. Oh, and now they want to have a celebration in honor of their freedom from evil spirit, oni, rabid rabbit, whatever. And, of course, Avatar and company are invited. So, they had stayed for the festival. It only made sense that Katara would join in and want to learn the dances native to the village. Zuko had expected this, but what he didn’t expect was all the attention she would get. Did they have to look at her like that?!

Having finally had enough, he stalked to the dancing water bender. At first he wasn’t sure what he would do, but once he reached her he found himself moving in time to the music and her body, not touching but close enough to get the point across. To say Katara was surprised would be an understatement. Never would she have guess that he would actually dance with her! Zuko noticed the appreciative stares she was getting had turned haughty, they were sure she would push Zuko away. He would show them!

The fire prince leaned towards Katara, his cheek brushed against hers as he whispered in her ear. "Don’t they know that you’re mine." It was a statement, not a question. She looked up at him in surprise just before his mouth came crashing down on hers in a possessive kiss. Katara didn’t push him away.

X-posted zutara100

The Senses

Wed, 20 Dec 2006 04:42:33 GMT

Beacuse I couldn't wait until tomorrow. I've been working on these for a little while, some have been on my hard drive at work for a month or so. Er, two of them have been on it for a while. The other three sprang to mind today while I should have been working. Oops. ^_^; I hope y'all like them! I had a lot of fun writing them!
Oh! The hubby is coming home to visit for Christmas! w00t!!

Prompt: #063 Sound
Title: Babbling Brook
Word Count: 174
Rating: K

Sometimes he was amazed with her progress. In truth, she amazed him all the time. She had improved so much with her bending skills in such a short time. Any break they had in their quest she could be found practicing, but her favorite time was at night. Her powers were strongest when the moon was shining it’s brightest.

With a flame in hand he went searching for her. He knew that by following the sound of flowing water he could find her. It hadn’t failed him yet, and it certainly wouldn’t fail him now.

When he finally found her she was in nothing but her under clothes, hair undone and knee-deep in the water. Concentrating on her task, she had a swirling mass of water above her head which she was guiding to and fro. Deciding that she was done for now she let the water slowly trickle down, much like rain, in an exercise of control.

In that moment, he decided that she had never looked more beautiful. His beautiful waterbender.

Prompt: #064 Smell
Title: Favorite
Word Count: 120
Rating: K+
Author's Note: This one, in all honesty, is taken from personal experience. My hubby is a Marine, so obviously he has to PT (which pretty much equals sweaty) a lot. I LOVE the way he smells after he gets back from running. Sounds gross, I know, but he most definitely does not stink! It's the pheromones.

Before meeting Zuko–and, truth-be-told, a while after meeting him as well–Katara never liked the smell of smoke or anything burning. It didn’t disgust her, but it was never a pleasant smell. Isn’t it amazing how things change? Katara’s new favorite smell is now Zuko after training. He always smelled of soot and sweat with his natural scent mixed it. It would drive her positively wild. There were times (almost every time, really) when he couldn’t make it to bathe without her hounding him. Not that he cared. And, now, no one could figure out why when the group had a fire burning Zuko’s face would be the epitome of smugness and Katara’s eyes took on an oddly hungry look.

Prompt: #065 Taste
Title: Apples
Word Count: 297
Rating: K

Knuckles whitened as her hand tightened around the back of the chair she was standing behind. Wide eyes stared unseeingly at the wall across the room and breaths came out in short pants. The plate she had gotten up to return to the kitchen was dropped and forgotten on the table top as soon as Zuko appeared behind her. He was close, far too close for her to know what to think about it. Or, to even think at all.

From behind her, his hands came to rest next to hers on the back of the chair. “Little miss water tribe,” he practically purred into her ear. His breath was warm against the shell of her ear and the length of her throat and it was driving her positively mad. An odd grunt of triumph sounded from the back of his throat and a second later his tongue caressed her ear instead of his breath.

“Zu-ko?” Was that really her voice? It was husky and slightly unsure. She spun around in is arms and pushed her back against the chair. “I don’t–what ...” Katara made a slightly strangled sound as Zuko’s lips descended upon hers. Her first kiss was exciting, a little strange, absolutely searing and made her weak in the knees. Katara didn’t notice when Zuko’s hand made it’s way into her hair, but she did notice when his tongue slipped past her slightly parted lips. By the gods, she felt like she was melting into a puddle of goo at that moment.

Zuko parted from her slightly and smirked. “Apples, hn?” The pink tinting Katara’s cheeks deepened to scarlet instantly. Her eyes dropped to the forgotten plate, the core of the apple still there, sitting on the edge of the table.

“I like apples.”

Prompt: #066 Touch
Title: Paying Homage to the Moon Goddess
Word Count: 191
Rating: M
Author's Note: This did not turn out how I had planned at all! In my head this was a competely innocent encounter, and somewhere between my brain and fingers it turned out to be anything but innocent. Oh well! It was lots of fun to write. Yay for limey goodness!

Warm hands moved from her hip up across her stomach. His palm pressed against her stomach as his fingers traced her ribs and turned in to caress the underside of her breast. She arched her back for him then. Wanton. That is what she was. She craved him. His touch, his voice, the security he provided her, everything about him she wanted. Right now, she wanted his touch most of all.

Zuko licked a line from just above Katara’s bellybutton to the end of her breastbone. She shivered when he blew over that line with heated breath. Her back arched again, this time to try to coax him into touching her. Katara almost jumped when she felt his hands on her ankles, tracing teasing circles as he worked his way up her calves. “Please.” The word came out soft and was followed by a whimper.

Zuko’s lips curled into a feral smile. “Are you ready to scream?” Katara’s eye shot open, her breath left her as though she were punched in the gut and she didn’t have time to respond before he was covering her body with his own.

Prompt: #067 Sight
Title: The Way You Move
Word Count: 223
Rating: K+

One of Katara’s favorite things to do was watch Zuko practice firebending. The movements were sharp, concise, powerful and decidedly masculine. Of course, it helped that he practiced in only his trousers. Watching him practice his kata was enjoyable to her. He repeated a movement over and over until he felt ready to move on. It lulled her into a trance as she watched his muscles ripple and move and he changed positions. Shirtless Zuko with taut muscles and a sheen of sweat covering him, there was no better sight than that.

One of Zuko’s favorite things about practicing was the way Katara would follow him with her eyes the entire time. He could feel her eyes boring into him as he moved. Sometimes it was distracting, most of the time he loved it. He loved the appreciative looks she gave him and how she would lean forward to better watch him preform a difficult maneuver.

She trotted up to him once she recognized he was done for the day. “You look tired.” He watched her as she tried to lean towards him to inconspicuously get a sniff of him. He knew how much she loved his scent. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close to him.

“Not that tired,” he replied and waggled his eyebrow suggestively.

X-posted to zutara100

Blame

Tue, 19 Dec 2006 16:37:01 GMT

Author: Foxfire Inari
Prompt: 073 Blame
Title: Skirmish
Word Count: 181
Rating: K
Authors Note: I was just having a little fun with this one! I really do feel bad for the cabbage guy, really. Oh, and don't ask me how Zuko could tip over a full cart on his own. He just can! Enjoy!

“Oh, no! My ...!” A large cart tipped over, spilling the vendor’s wares in the middle of the street.

“Zuko! Watch where you’re going!”

Zuko gave Katara a significant look. “What are you talking about?”

“You just knocked that guys stuff over! The least you could do is own up to it and help him pick it up!” Katara’s stance was rigid, feet shoulder width apart and arms akimbo.

“What? I did nothing wrong! He should watch where he’s going next time!”

“Pick it up!”

“No!” Tiny flames flickered to life at Zuko’s fingertips and steam came from his nose.

“Oh, you want to play that way, do you?” The waterskin at Katara’s side was quickly uncorked and the water hurriedly bent from the skin. A small skirmish began between the benders, it was the equivalent of a slap fight, really. That is not to say that a few items weren’t roasted and waterlogged once finished. A stream of fire broke past Katara’s guards and headed straight for the vendor’s upturned cart, catching it and his vegetables on fire.

“M-my ... MY CABBAGES!!!”

X-posted to zutara100, as always.

Siblings

Mon, 18 Dec 2006 21:19:37 GMT

Prompt: #053 Siblings
Title: Wild-eyed Boy
Rating: K
Word Count: 257
Authors Note: Maybe a little spoiler-ish, it takes place after the last chapter in Book 2. Okay, so there isn't any real Zutara in this one, but it is hinted at. A little foreshadowing, perhaps, to what may happen at some point. lol Enjoy!

Azula watched from across the room as Zuko paced before the largest window in her study. Back and forth. Back and forth.

"You are going to wear a hole in my floor, dear brother."

The glance he cast her way caused her to frown. She had heard the servants speak of the wild look in Zuko’s eyes but never saw it for herself, until that very moment. Honestly, she was a bit surprised. After bringing him home she thought he would have been elated to be there, even if it is on her good graces and he’s being used as a pawn (he doesn’t need to know that). Finally he stopped in the center of the window, looking out towards the ocean.

Zuko stared out to the horizon. The blue water of the ocean was never something he thought he would find calming after all the time he spent on them, but it was. Blue was now synonymous with calm in his mind. Actually, almost any color other than red had a calming affect on him. Being in his home, around his sister and all this blasted red was wearing on his nerves. He was beginning to feel like a caged animal. A thought struck Azula at that moment.

"You don’t have to stay. You can leave. But, know this, if you do leave you cannot ever come back. Not unless father and I are both dead."

He turned sharply to face his esteemed and honored sister. "I guess I’ll just have to kill you both, then."

X-posted to zutara100

Eyes

Thu, 14 Dec 2006 19:23:47 GMT

Prompt: #024 Eyes
Title: The Wolf
Word Count: 170
Rating: K+
Authors Note: I'm tired of looking at this. I don't like it too much, but I don't see anything else I can do to it. Let me know what you think!

His eyes reminded her of a wolf. He reminded her of a wolf. He was stealthy and dangerous, especially when cornered, and most of all, he was deadly. Those eyes of his even shared that same honeyed hue with wolves. They were the eyes of a predator. Aang was his prey and she was caught somewhere in the middle. Prey by association? No, definitely not. In his eyes she didn’t matter, only his restored honor mattered.

Katara wanted to kick and scream when he turned to look at her. Their latest confrontation with Zuko wasn’t as hostile as before, but that didn’t mean she felt any more comfortable with him looking at her. Damn her nerves! Every time he leveled his gaze on her form her breath became short and her skin felt like it was on fire, her stomach would even start doing countless somersaults. All of that from one heated, brooding look. What could possible make her react this way? It was ridiculous and she couldn’t stand it!

X-posted to zutara100

Clouds

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 21:22:17 GMT

Author: foxfire_inari
Prompt: #099 Forgiveness
Title: A Ship
Word Count: 133
Rating: G

"That one looks like a ... ship."

"No, it looks like a lizard."

"What? Are you kidding? A lizard and a ship look nothing alike!" At his Zuko harrumphed and continued looking at the sky.

"What about that one? What does it look like to you?" Katara pointed at a large puff of clouds to their right.

"You ..."

"WHAT! Are you trying to say I’m fat? Because, I will have you know that I am not that big!"

"If you hadn’t interrupted me, you would have heard me say ‘You, living in my castle. With me.’ Really, you shouldn’t inter–"

Katara turned on her side to look at Zuko with wide eyes. "Zuko." Her voice was breathy and barely above a whisper. "Really? Do you mean that?" He smiled as she spoke.

"Of course."

X-posted zutara100

Forgiveness

Wed, 29 Nov 2006 22:24:47 GMT

Author: Foxfire_Inari
Prompt: #072 Forgiveness
Title: Thank You
Word Count: 183
Rating: G
Author's Notes: I don't have much to say about this. I think it's okay. Nothing great. I like serious Sokka.

"I’m sorry," Sokka’s voice was strained as he spoke. "But, you have to understand that it isn’t easy for us. You’ve been the enemy for so long."

Zuko shifted his weight from one leg to the other grumpily and crossed his arms. A scowl had firmly settled across his face as he listened to Sokka’s "speech". His eyes darted over to Katara briefly before they settled back on Sokka.

"Look, I’m not any good at this ..."

"Obviously." The corners of his mouth tipped downwards a little more.

A growl of frustration sounded in Sokka’s throat. "Thank you for saving Katara today. You didn’t have to, but we’re grateful you did. If you hadn’t she would have been kidnaped by those bandits." His voice softened. "So, thank you. And, we’re sorry for not trusting you back there. I’m sorry." Zuko didn’t respond for a moment. He sized Sokka up before finally coming to a decision. The scowl let up and his eyes seemed a bit warmer than seconds before. Zuko’s hand shot out and Sokka immediately understood. With a smile, Sokka shook Zuko’s hand.

X-posted zutara100

Birth

Thu, 05 Oct 2006 21:56:24 GMT

Author: foxfire_inari
Prompt: #061 Birth
Title: Lighten Up, Boy
Word Count: 170
Rating: G
Author's Notes: A companion piece to News! (prompt 40, reveal) I've had this for quite a while, just lazing about on my hard drive at work. I don't know about this one ... Also, I don't know about the Naval rank structure, so I'm sure Zhao would have moved up in rank, but I don't know what is higher up ... So, you know ...

Uncle Iroh sat at a low table pouring chamomile tea. “Come, nephew, have some tea. It will calm your nerves.” The only response he got was a growl from across the room. Admiral Zhao, seated across from Iroh, gave a low chuckle as he turned to the young King. “Lighten up, boy.”

Although Zuko heard his uncle and Admiral speak to him, he wasn’t listening. His mind was simultaneously focused and scattered, working one million miles a minute. ‘Is it normal for it to take this long?’ As if sensing his nephew’s thoughts Iroh spoke, “Your mother took twice as long with you and she was fine. Do not worry.” Admiral Zhao nodded as her remembered the day.

The silence that had fallen over the group was interrupted by a series of short wails. Zuko immediately shot across the room to the door he knew hid his wife and new child. After a few moments the midwife opened the door and ushered her King inside. “Come. Come meet you son.”

x-posted zutara100

Ashes

Tue, 03 Oct 2006 20:56:46 GMT

Author: foxfire_inari
Prompt: #081 Ashes
Title: Forest Fire
Word Count: 248
Author’s Note: Anyway, this has been sitting on my hard drive for a few days and I'm not terribly pleased with it. Constructive criticism is welcome!

Ashes. They were everywhere. Nothing was left untouched, not even the earth.

Aang’s eye moved from one end of the still smoking field to the other, taking in everything he could. Some of the field were still on fire, along with the villagers’ houses. Their entire lives were going up in a thick, black, billowing smoke. He wanted to act like it was nothing, he wanted to pretend it wasn’t the Fire Nation that did this. He wanted, he wanted, he wanted ...

Sokka gave a low grunt before speaking, "I guess forest fire can be ruled out."

Aang’s shoulders drooped a little more at Sokka’s words. His eyes moved to settle on Prince Zuko and Katara. Zuko had one arm wrapped tightly around Katara’s shoulders and the other was pressed tightly to his side, his hand clenched in a fist and shaking. A familiar fire burned in the Prince’s eyes. It’s was one that Aang had been on the receiving end of many times before, but this time it wasn’t meant for him.

"I’ll kill him,"
Zuko growled out through clenched teeth. He would be damned if he would let his father get away with this. Banishing him from his own lands was one thing, but he would never allow him to harm the people he and his new friends were trying to help. The people he had a new understanding of and the people that had so readily accepted him for him, not his wealth or status.

Suspicion, Mask, War

Wed, 30 Aug 2006 16:39:39 GMT

Author: foxfire_inari
Prompt: #059 Suspicion
Title: Nervous
Word Count: 206
Author’s Note: I wonder what has him so worked up. ; )

"Hmm ..." ‘Something seems off with him today.’ Zuko never ceased to amaze and confuse Katara. She had never known anyone that could contradict themselves so well. One moment he was angry and determined, the next he could be cold and indifferent, but when they were together he was passionate and warm. Would the boy ever make up his mind?

Out of the corner of her eye she watcher as he sat beside her. First, he crossed and uncrossed his arms, apparently never liking their position across his chest. Then, his leg twitched. And, it twitched again. To solve that problem he crossed his leg over the other with his ankle resting on his knee. Finally, he shifted his whole position. This wasn’t the first time she had been witness to this new and strange behavior, oh no! For weeks he had been acting like this and she noticed it was only around her. ‘Something is definitely up!’

"What is with you? Why are you so jumpy? You’ve been acting this way for weeks! What is going on?" With a scowl set firmly in place she regarded him through heated eyes. When he turned to her she noted that he looked far more nervous than ever before.

Author: foxfire_inari
Prompt: #027 Mask
Title: It’s Not There
Word Count: 155

It was wrong, W-R-O-N-G. He knew that, but nothing made him want to run and hide more than this. What he saw, it was right in front of him, was more than he could handle. So, he did what everyone does when they don’t want to face something, he ignored it.

From a distance Sokka watched his sister and the Fire Prince converse. The way Zuko was leering at Katara made him very uncomfortable. Okay, so he wasn’t leering, per se, but the fact that he was looking at her at all made Sokka’s chest tighten in a way he did not like. He watched the shared smiles and the admiration shining in Katara’s eyes as she spoke with the banished prince. Sokka’s brow lowered and a frown settled across his tanned face. For now, he would act like he didn’t see what was happening. If you don’t acknowledge something it can’t be true, right?

Author: foxfire_inari
Prompt: #082 War
Title: Battle Scar
Word Count: 253
Author’s Note: This didn’t come out how I planned at all! I got this idea while I was at work last night, so I had all night to plan and stew on it. Except, not really because were so insanely busy! Ah, oh well! I hope it came out okay.

The ground was scorched and burning in some places, in others the earth jutted up at unnatural angles. Sounds of a fierce battle raged all around, drowning all other sound out. This time the Fire Nation was not the aggressor, it was the Earth Nation. Their king had become too power hungry for his own good and decided he wanted a piece of the Land of Fire for himself.

Fire burst from Zuko’s hands towards his enemy, ravaging all within it’s path. The earthbender never had a chance. Over the years Zuko trained diligently and worked hard for his nation, he was one of the greatest rulers it had ever seen. Some attributed his prosperity to his wife, the Lady of the Water, but his power could not be denied. The path he left of fallen and injured earthbenders could attest to that.

King Zuko fought hard against his enemy, felling them one by one. As he battled with one Earth combatant another snuck behind him and stabbed his dagger into the King’s lower back. With a howl of rage, Zuko swung around and killed the coward that stabbed him and his original battle partner. He grasped for purchase against the pain, for anything that would keep him from giving in. Zuko sank to his knees as his vision swam and only one thing came to his mind, Katara. As he repeated her name like a mantra his voice cracked from the pain that spread throughout his body. And, suddenly, all went black.

x-posted to zutara100

Wealth, Hands, Reveal

Wed, 30 Aug 2006 04:36:18 GMT

Author: foxfire_inari
Prompt: #004 Wealth
Title: Waterbending Water Balloons
Word Count: 186
Rating: G

From a distance he watched her. The clothes she on her back, the way she wore her hair, even her mannerisms all screamed ‘peasant’. However, Zuko knew better. He knew that the Avatar’s group was far more rich in ways he would never be, in ways that actually mattered.

Concealed by the shadows of the giant oak he sat under, the banished Prince Zuko watched Katara practice her waterbending. She pulled the water from the gourd at her side, pushing and pulling, making the water answer to her call. He eyes glittered with determination and a mischievous glint. This should be interesting. Katara pulled the water together to form a ball in each hand as she prepared to attack.

"Hey!" "What was that for?" Aang and Sokka cried out in unison. Laughter bubbled forth from Katara, the sight of them soaking wet too much for her. At Sokka’s demands to dry him off her laughter increased. Aang joined in the laughter, as did Sokka, albeit reluctantly. Zuko hid a smile as he watched the trio of friends. Yes, she was most definitely more wealthy than he.

Author: foxfire_inariPrompt: #022 Hands
Title: Warrior Hands
Word Count: 183
Rating: G

A small smile lifted the corners of his mouth as he felt a lightly calloused set of hands run over his bare chest. That was something he would never tire of.

"Zuko? It’s time to get up." Katara pushed onto one elbow as she sat up and leaned over him. The ends of her hair tickled his chest near her hand. Although Zuko was perfectly awake he would feign sleep for a little longer, if only to have her lean a little closer. He fought the urge to smile as she fell right into his trap. "Zuko?" With her face so close to his own, he couldn’t fight the need to grab her any longer. Yellow eyes snapped open and a small breathy gasp passed through Katara’s lips as he pulled her on top of him, effectively trapping her hand between them.

Katara pressed her lips to his in a chaste kiss. She ran her free hand down the side of his face and over his scar. Zuko smiled again and his eyes slid closed. Oh, how he loves those little warrior hands.

Author: foxfire_inariPrompt: #040 Reveal
Title: News!
Word Count: 226
Rating: G

The sound of her quick footfalls reached Prince Zuko’s ears before he could ever see Katara. That she was so eager to see him after only a day’s absence brought a smile to his face and a warmth to his heart. ‘There is something about this woman ...’ he told himself. As she rounded the corner he picked up his pace to a quick, but steady, walk. Laughter filled his ears as she came upon him, flinging herself into his embrace. "‘Tara," was all he said as he hugged her to him and smelled her hair.

She pulled back slightly and looked up at him with a bright smile, excitement written all over her face. "Zuko! I have to tell you something! It’s great news! More like fantastic!" Now it was his turn to laugh. "Calm down." She did. "Now, what is it that is so important?"

"Um, well ... you see ..." Here she took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Her nerves got so bad all of a sudden she didn’t think she’d be able to tell him. "I’m ... I’m pregnant." Lips parted into a smile and eyes opened to gaze at her husband.

For a brief second he had a slack-jawed, blank look on his face. With the next second it brought pure joy. He pulled his wife to him in another hug. "Oh, ‘Tara."

x-posted to zutara100

Lost

Tue, 29 Aug 2006 06:07:19 GMT

Author: foxfire_inari
Prompt: #094 Lost
Title: Something Missing
Word Count: 182
Rating: G
Author's Note: I think this one came out pretty well. It's cute. And, it jumped out at me while I was in the shower, the jerk. I knew if I didn't get it out tonight it would be lost and I would be kicking myself.

Sigh

There’s that noise, again! Aang snapped to attention and his gaze swivelled to Katara. From across Appa’s back he could see nothing wrong with her, which only furthered his irritation. Sokka, who had been arguing with Momo over who was more deserving of the last roll of bread–and losing, badly–also turned to the afflicted girl. Squealing in triumph, Momo snatched to bread away from a distracted Sokka and scurried over to Aang. Sokka eyed the lemur grumpily and crossed his arms.

"Will you stop with the sighing already! Gees!"

"Eh?" Katara’s attention immediately went to Aang after his unexpected outburst. She was surprised to find three sets of eyes peering back at her curiously. A light pink blush immediately found it’s way to her cheeks. "What!"

"Somethin’ wrong? You keep acting all girly and sighing." Katara’s eye rolled at Sokka’s words.

"Don’t you feel like something is missing? Like we left something behind?" Her eyes starting roaming the ocean below them, unconsciously looking for any sign of a Fire Nation ship.

For the one hundred fifty-third time that afternoon, Katara sighed.

x-posted to zutara100

New Kind of Strange

Tue, 29 Aug 2006 03:52:33 GMT

Prompt: #001 Beginnings
Title: New Kind of Strange
Word Count: 232
Rating: G
Author's Notes: This is my first attempt at anything fanfic-ish. I hope this is at least halfway decent.

In the beginning Katara knew he was wrong and she knew he had to be defeated. It had all been so clear. The Avatar had finally returned after one hundred years and they were the good guys. The banished prince was the enemy. He wanted to ruin Aang, and along with hi all hopes of peace between the nations. All because of his own selfish desires. Back then, everything made sense.

A sign escaped her lips as she sat up. Sleep eluded her as her mind twisted itself into knots over her latest conundrum. It made her mind ache and all other thoughts dissolve. Her eyes tiredly made their way around camp, falling on each member of their ragtag group. Aang and Momo to her left, Sokka to her right, Appa in the distance and, finally, the newest member, Zuko. The fallen Fire prince slept directly across from her and something about it did not sit well with her. He made her feel strange when he was around. Not the good kind of strange, either. More like that odd feeling you get when you eat the wrong kind of berries, not good at all. What was he doing here? He was their enemy.

Prince Zuko stirred as her eyes lingered on him. Katara watched in fascinated horror as his yellow eyes opened and locked with hers.

Suddenly, she wasn’t so sure anymore ...

x-posted in zutara100