Author's Note: Hey there! I've been working and planning on a mini-project consisting of Tim Burton movie scenes and Zutara on my spare time. So, I wanted to share and post!I've been in love with Burton movies, and I want to freshen my writing with this mini-project. I am still working on my other fic, False Guise, so no worries!
Hope you enjoy! I have some scenes in mind, but you are more than welcome to suggest a Burton scene! :)
~Much love
Disclaimer: I do not own Sleepy Hollow, or Zuko and Katara. Ta dah..
Zutara: Sleepy Hollow
Movie Scene: Ichabod finds Katrina in a sitting room, reading a book as she sits on a lush sofa. He converses with her about such things as illusion and reality. Before he departs, she gives him a book as a gift, saying that he might need it more than she.
Location (AtLA): Ember Island, Season 3
A soothing, chilled spray of sea water caressed the aching pale limbs of a weary warrior. He exhaled with a gentle groan, his flesh drinking in the elixir waters. The nocturnal shades of the night sky were reflected by the calm waves of the ocean, contrasting beautifully with the exposed upper body; athletic lines creating slight shadow upon his abdomen and toned arms. Raven locks were brushed away from his Aztec gold irises, his fingers raking through his wet hair. A quiet soak in the sea was all that Prince Zuko requested of the spirits.
Well…it was the second request of his day. The primary, however, was something much more everlasting…something almost unachievable.
Ever since the recent bonding between him and the waterbending maiden, Katara, he could not seem dismiss thoughts and images of her soft, café au lait visage from his mind. Her warm, curved body colliding with his own in an unexpected embrace. The infernal prince could not recall such affection from all his years of venturing throughout the seas, thirsting for respect…for honor.
Perhaps, he had been searching in all the wrong places. Zuko would have never guessed that the warmth and acceptance of another lay in the arms of a spirited young lady with rich, waved locks, and eyes rivaling the many jewels hidden beneath the sea.
He rubbed his sealed eyelids with his palms, attempting to erase her face from his mind's eye. The bathing persisted for a while longer, ending with the nude prince walking out of the ocean in long strides. A large sheet of beige cloth had awaited his moist body as it hung from a wooden barrier meant to conceal carnal secrecies from peering eyes. He grabbed the sheet, drying off his body and hair of the remnants of salt water.
Atop the sand was a pile of clothes made of black silk, lined with gold trimmings. Slipping on silk pants that stopped at his calves, Zuko collected both the sheet and his sleeveless shirt in his large hand, ready to begin his short journey back to the beach house where his new comrades resided.
Opening a built-in door of the wooden barrier, he strolled across the sands, rather pleased with the feeling of warm sand brushing over his bare feet. It was probable that none of the other youths were awake, given the fact that it was quite late into the nocturnal hours. However, once the beach house was in full view, he captured the sight of a gentle glow from an open window that danced in hues of orange crème and pale goldenrod.
"Hmm?" he absentmindedly hummed, a thick black eyebrow cocked upward.
'Someone's still up…or just forgot to blow out the candles. Hopefully, it's not the latter. I specifically said that candles must be blown out before leaving a room..' He quickened his pace, pulling the black silk sleeveless shirt over his arms, one at a time. The richly embellished double doors soon came into view, his pale hand pushing one of the doors forward.
Silently closing the door behind his athletic frame, Zuko made his way toward a nearby staircase. He could sense the chill of the floors piercing the flesh beneath his feet. He buttoned the front of his shirt as he escalated the maroon carpeted steps, turning right at the top of the staircase.
Down the shaded hallway he went, the prince seeking out the source of the illuminated room. His feet were quite skilled in remaining silent; a trait very beneficial for wounding his enemies in surprise.
Step…Step…Step…
Zuko had ceased his footsteps at the door frame, the door itself wide open. Inhaling through his nostrils, the raven locked young man peered into the room, only his head visible to the unknown visitor.
"Do you normally spy on people this late at night?" inquired a hushed soprano voice.
Azure irises were encountered by a golden pair as Katara raised her head, unraveled scrolls sprawled on the table before her.
"Katara…" Zuko spoke, his voice softened ever so slightly in her presence. "I, uh…didn't know it was you. I saw the candle lights on."
"Oh. I'm sorry if they bothered you.." she averted her eyes, bashful of the possibility of disturbing his sleep.
"No, not at all.." he assured, stepping into the room that was arranged for reading books and scrolls. "As for your question: No, I don't normally spy on people unless they are a threat to me. You are, what, half my height? I don't think you'll be too troublesome."
He smirked, his impish ways evoking a slight flush of the waterbending maiden's cocoa cheeks. In response, she crossed her arms before her bosom, tilting her head downward as her eyes gazed up at the proud prince.
"I wouldn't retain that judgment, if I were you," she partially smiled, secretly enjoying a little banter.
He appreciated her fearless wit, a smirk still implanted upon his face as he made his way to sit beside the young lady.
The room itself possessed a tranquil atmosphere as it was bathed in candle lights. The table, where Katara was seated, was polished cherrywood; violet and maroon satin pillows settled on each side for seating. A small gathering of pearl white candles sat atop the table, bestowing a gentle glow onto the scrolls.
The wooden framed sliding windows had been previously pushed outward. The hushed whispers of the flailing ocean could be heard, a natural remedy for one's incessant insomnia. On one side of the window stood a bookcase, books and copper statuettes of dragons adorning the shelves. The opposing side consisted of an extravagant, scarlet chest with golden grapevine décor framing the edges. Inside of this chest lay collections of scrolls, recounting tales of both history and entertaining folklore stories.
To gaze upon Katara's luminescent countenance brought a tickling flutter in the infernal prince's stomach. He found her loving nature to be strange. It was so foreign to him. She was nothing like the young women of his nation: ill mannered, selfish, impure. Katara was not characteristic of such things. She was gentle, righteous, empathic…lovely.
He simply had to learn more about her one day.
"So," Zuko ceased his glazed stare. "What are you reading, anyway?"
"I'm reading these tales of the Moon Princess, Yue. My brother was once very infatuated with her, you see," she tittered, holding her palm over her petal lips.
"Hmm," he smiled. "I think your brother is infatuated with any pretty girl he meets."
"True, true. Anyway, I somehow thought of her, and came into this reading room to look for any tales about her. These stories are just as charming as she was. She may be a fantasy, but something about that mystical nature of the moon brings her to life."
"Sometimes illusion can become a reality."
"What do you mean?" she asked, bewildered by Zuko's words.
From beneath his jagged onyx bangs, Zuko peacefully looked at the young lady before turning away. He sealed his eyelids, golden viewing orbs hidden away. In hushed words, he said:
"I want to show you something…Something my mother once showed me."
The room became silent as the prince deeply inhaled, releasing a heated breath into the humid air. He elongated his arm in front of him, his hand balled into a tightened fist. Seconds had deceased just before his hand opened, revealing a newborn flame dancing in his palm.
"What are you going to do with that?" Katara questioned, slightly unsettled by the flame.
"Nothing to worry about. Imagine yourself touching this flame right now. Tell me, what would happen?"
"My hand would burn to a crisp," she responded in a deadpan tone. "Zuko, that's a silly question."
"Not necessarily…"
He gingerly cradled the flame, bringing the infernal dancer over to the waterbending maiden. He was sure to hold his enflamed palm at a safe distance away from her clothes.
"Do you trust me?" he simply asked, his eyes dipping into her own aquatic hued pair.
"Yes, I do, but…Are you implying that you want me to..?"
"Yes."
"You're insane! I'm sorry, Zuko, but I won't touch that flame."
"Fine. Watch me, then.."
Quickly, Zuko unbuttoned the first two buttons of his silk shirt, exposing his thick neck. He then brought the flame to his neck, evoking a gasp from a startled Katara.
"Zuko, don't d-"
He was unharmed by the flame, a peaceful expression on his face.
"Oh my…Dear La.."
Nothing.
No singe of his flesh.
No marring embedded.
…Nothing.
"H-how did you..?" she was unable to finish her sentence out of shock.
"Because I intended it not to harm me."
He distanced his hand away from his neck, the flame still cradled within his palm.
"I was once told that a powerful firebender was not only one who could control vast amounts of flames, but one who could control its intensity. This intensity can be eased, even to the point where it will not harm the firebender or another person."
The waterbending maiden gazed in astonishment towards the flame. What he had said…was it all true?
"I find this...very difficult to believe…My gosh.."
"Now do you trust me?" he questioned once more, a crooked grin signifying his inner glee.
"…Um…Erm…I-I guess so."
She offered her hand hesitantly, her upper body squirming. The infernal prince accepted her delicate hand in his unoccupied palm. He withheld some air in his lungs, concentrating on his flame control. Once he exhaled through pursed lips, he gently brushed the flame over the back of her hand.
Katara sealed her eyelids tightly, her teeth grinding in tension.
She did not feel anything. She felt…fine.
One eye was opened to peer at the pirouetting flame licking her hand. Like Zuko, she was unharmed.
"Amazing.." she gasped. "I-I never knew firebenders can do this."
Zuko chuckled deep in his throat.
"It's actually meant for entertainment. Fire is known for its destruction. However, to see it have no effect whatsoever is mind blowing. You are controlling its very nature. Firebenders are not known for patience, so they do not wish to learn such a thing. My mother had showed me this ability. I remember staring at her with such a shocked look…just like the one you gave."
The flame was distinguished before the waterbending maiden's eyes as Zuko curled his slim digits inward.
"I guess.." the young lady began, her nerves beginning to alleviate themselves. "..things aren't always what they seem to be."
She hummed pleasantly as she grinned to herself like a satisfied child.
"It's like magic," she commented.
"Exactly," he smiled, closing his eyes. "You are the only person I have showed this to."
"Am I? Why is that?" she inquired, crinkling her nose.
"You seem like the type of person who would appreciate this. I sense that you see things differently..like I do. Besides, I wanted to prove to you that I would never harm you…Ever."
Katara flushed, smiling at the handsome young man sitting beside her.
"You really are something, Prince Zuko," she smirked, cocking an eyebrow.
"So I've been told," he teased.
"Ego maniac.."
The pair of youths laughed to themselves, finding that they were now exchanging an intimate gaze. The manner in which the moonbeams bathed Zuko's visage brought shivers down Katara's spine. He became such a good friend to her after all this time. He had witnessed her at her worse moments. This connection between her and the prince seemed…surreal.
An invisible force seemed to draw in the youths closer together, inch by inch. Eyelids became heavy, vision glazed over as raven lashes fluttered. Lips moistened and plumped for the oncoming contact.
Just before their lips brushed up against one another, Zuko pulled away slightly. A hushed voice of reason from within advised that the time was not right for this intimacy. There was a dire battle approaching very soon, and to whisk this lovely young lady into a romance so soon was not proper.
He looked down to his lap, his cheeks flushed vibrantly.
"I-I should get some sleep. I'm sure you're tired as well."
"Sure.." she responded, silent disappointment dripping from her words. "We have training tomorrow."
"Right, right."
Ceasing to participate in this awkward moment, the infernal prince stood up from his seat, finger combing his disheveled obsidian strands. Katara was about to stand up as well until a pale hand was offered to her. She looked up, seeing that Zuko's bangs curtained his eyes. However, she could still sense warmth from him as she captured the sight of his thin , yet slightly plump, petal lips.
"Thank you.." she quietly bid gratitude, accepting his assistance by placing her small hand into his palm.
He helped her rise up from the satin pillow seat, his hand still holding her own. Reluctantly, he released his gentle hold of her hand.
"Well…goodnight, Katara."
"Goodnight, Zuko…Don't worry about the room; I will tidy up before I leave."
"That's alright. Leave for your bed, if you wish. Just blow out the candles."
"Sure…"
Zuko bid a partial smile before turning away to exit the reading room. Before he reached the open doorway, he felt a small hand implant itself onto his shoulder.
"Please, wait.." the waterbending maiden requested.
He turned around to face her, looking down at the shorter young lady with bemusement.
"Yes?"
"Um…I wanted to thank you..for showing that to me. I know that we are going to have to travel back to the Fire Nation very soon. So…I want to give you this."
Katara had untied her treasured family heirloom, the navy blue necklace with a Water Tribe insignia charm. Using her pearl teeth, she tore a small incision into the fabric, freeing the charm from its navy blue tether. In her hand, she cradled the charm, her eyes following the soft curves of the Water Tribe insignia.
"All my good fortune lies in this charm. I felt so lost without it hanging from my neck. However, now I feel stronger than ever before. I want to share this strength with you, so…I want you to have this for luck."
Taken aback by her bold gesture, Zuko was left speechless. He shook his head from east to west, deepening his gaze into her glistening azure eyes.
"Katara, that's thoughtful. This is your mother's, though. I don't know about taking this from you."
"Please…I wish to give this to you. Think of this as a good luck charm…from me."
She gently took hold of his hand, bringing it in front of her. Then, Katara placed the charm in his palm, closing his hand with her unoccupied hand. The touch lasted for a minute, the heat of their flesh melting into one another. Finally, Zuko spoke, his voice tender.
"Thank you…I promise that I will protect this..forever," he vowed, a serious tone in his voice.
A smile spread across her full lips, her heart beating just a tad faster.
"You're welcome…"
The pair of youths bid each other goodnight once more before Zuko had left to walk down the hall. Katara leaned her back against the doorframe, lowering her head of dark waved locks. The thick russet strands delicatelyframed her heart shaped face. Her raven lashes fluttered shut as she whispered a prayer to the humid, empty air.
"Please, protect him.."
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