ManonLeChat

#005 – Two of a Kind (March 2008; G) “What kind of a waterbender doesn’t know how to swim?” “I’m from the South Pole, remember? Ice and snow? Freezing temperatures? It’s not exactly the type of ocean you want to dive right into.” Katara spat salt water out of her mouth and struggled to float. “No fair using bending!” Zuko warned. “I am NOT—" Spurt. Gasp. “USING—" Spurt. “BENDING.” He steadied her torso and tilted her sideways. “Kick your legs.” Katara dunked her head under the waves and kicked her legs furiously. Zuko grinned and ducked, rearing

The Greatest Love #016 - Love (June 2007; PG) "Zuko... I won’t do anything that might hurt Aang. It would tear our group apart." One moment they had been laughing together then she had stumbled and his arm had shot out to steady hers and they both suddenly went still and his hand stayed there, resting on top of her forearm, and he had been on the verge of saying things that had been in the backs of their minds for weeks but never spoken— She looked at him sadly and he turned away bitterly, not wanting her pity and too angry to give her his. He didn't know why the memory of this night came back to him now, at this of all moment

#053 - Siblings (August/September 2007; revised March 2008; G) Sokka became the second-to-the-last to begin trusting Zuko, much to Katara’s tight-lipped displeasure. “Man, I never thought I’d say this, but, after that—after saving our skins and finding us a delicious and meat-filled meal—Zuko... you are like family!” The Fire Nation's former crown prince was caught completely off guard as Sokka—mouth, left arm, and right hand stuffed full of stolen roast pork-mutton—pulled him into a fierce, teary-eyed hug. Katara still refused to trust the firebender, in spite of—or perhaps because of—an

#077 – Children (June 2007; G) "You gave me a lot of trouble over the years, my nephew—sadness, heartache, pain, disappointment, terrible tension headaches—but now, now you have finally redeemed yourself!" Iroh eagerly accepted the squawking bundle from a proud Katara’s arms. He sighed happily. "I hadn’t already?" Zuko asked, incredulous and feeling just a little bit hurt.

#042 – Blanket (March 2008; PG) “I used to play in this cave when I was younger. I’m so happy you came out here to visit it with me.” Katara grinned and wrapped both arms around Zuko’s middle. This afternoon excursion was one of those things he was still willing to do for her, despite the frostbite he had suffered on the second day of his visit to the South Pole, despite two weeks of relentless and daily ribbing from Sokka, despite the nasty intestinal reaction he had discovered to tiger-seal blubber, despite the fact that her relatives never ever seemed to give them a moment’s privacy alone together. Katara c

#008 – Future (June 2007; G) Katara felt two unseen hands clasp her wrists behind her back. "I’m looking for someone," whispered a menacing voice above her ear. She turned her head defiantly in the opposite direction and said nothing. "Tell me where he is!" the voice insisted. The pressure on her wrists increased just slightly. "Go jump in the river!" she answered. From under their bed, there was a muffled giggle. Zuko smirked triumphantly. He kissed his wife’s cheek; his gold eyes dancing. "AH-HA!" he roared, dropping to the ground and flipping up the bedclothes. The excited shrieks of a child’s laughter filled

Something in Common (January 2008) With every day the heat grew worse and like the constant, climbing sun their bickering grew more intolerable. For the life of him, Zuko couldn’t understand why Aang went on about Katara’s "compassion" and "kindness." Actually, that wasn’t an entirely fair assessment. Zuko still remembered the formidable opponent who had offered on different occasions to heal his uncle, and his scar. That was the girl he had expected to encounter again at the Western Air Temple. But since he’d joined the Avatar, her interactions with him had ranged from death threats to shrewishness. She was sarcastic a

#033 – Comfort (June 2007; PG) Like many girls, Katara had daydreamed about her wedding many times. She imagined that her future husband would be strong, with sinewy arms, brown skin and blue eyes. Maybe he would be a warrior like her father. He would definitely not be a sexist slob. He would be kind and gentle and—most of all—he would appreciate her. She had never, even at her most fanciful, imagined that he would be a prince of the Fire Nation. Katara peeked at the man standing next to her, dressed in red and holding her hand; took in his pale skin, his smooth hair pinned into a topknot. Zuko’s expression was stern

#001 - Beginnings (May 2007; G) That night, after he had finally collapsed upon a bed in the former Earth King's palace, his thoughts had raced so hotly that at first he wondered if his fever had returned. He shifted back and forth on his pillow, wavering between sleep and wakefulness, determination and doubt. I betrayed Uncle. Uncle betrayed me. I am my father's loyal son. Father doesn't care. Azula always lies. Azula promised me. I have chosen. He touched his scar. The skin was thick and stiff, ridged and familiar. Her fingers had been soft... He angrily pushed the thought away. ~~~ Grief had struck them dumb. Resting on Appa

Second place winner for Live Journal's iyfic contest, Week #45, "Missed Opportunity" theme. My thanks go out to the talented, exacting, and gracious leian for serving as my BETA editor. As always, reviews and critiques are welcomed and appreciated (Please feed the author!) A Road Well Traveled His Father, Sesshoumaru often thought, could have been the greatest youkai in all Japan. A hundred demons could not have challenged the Inu no Taishou in his prime. Father's enemies quaked beneath the leagues of his shadow, his roar in the heavens shook the earth, and men and demons alike trembled with fear. Sesshoumaru had stood behind him, and felt