1-Katara's Hands

Life. Such a short simple word, but with a complicated meaning. There are so many definitions of the word, so many different ways to see it, things to believe. But one thing was certain; most would agree that it is true; all life, leads to death.

Zuko knew that; he had grown up around it. He had had people taken from him, seen people taken from others. But this time, it was so hard for him to accept. It was hard to him to just move on like he was so used to doing. He should have known this was coming. But even when it did, it still felt like a blow, like a piece of him died with her. Died with his Mai.

He had spent countless hours trying to figure out what she had done to deserve this, what he had done. He knew their pasts were complicated, but still, why her? Things were going well for the past five years since the end of the war. He was the Firelord now, and Mai, his Firelady. They ruled the Firenation together, making decisions, and passing laws best for the nation. She was very insightful, always giving him advice when needed. But Zuko remembered the day when things started to change. That day about a year ago.

It was a slow day, no meetings. He had spent the day relaxing with his wife. But Mai had looked a little off. She was paler, moved just slightly slower. He had questioned it, and she had brushed it off in her usual tone, telling him not to worry, claiming it was probably just a cold sneaking up on her. He had insisted that she stay in bed, sleep it off, and sweat it out. He remembered a time when his faithful uncle had taken care of him when he had grown ill. He wanted to do the same for his Mai. But she dismissed it, insisting that she was fine.

Every day she grew a little worse over the next few months, the unknown illness spreading through her body. Some days she could not eat. Many nights she could not sleep. The pain was intense. He could not feel it physically, but he watched his wife thrash about in bed, moaning from the incredible pain. Eventually she did become bedridden, much to her dismay. But she could hardly move, barely breathe.

Zuko stayed by her side, inwardly scared to leave her. He joined her in those days of no food consumption, the sleepless nights, just holding her hand, talking to her. His heart was full of love for her; even in her illness she looked beautiful. He could see the love in her golden eyes…now lifeless.

Different healers came and went; none could explain what was happening to her. They tried numerous methods, all failed. All the remedies, the potions, the plants, did not work. Eventually, his frustration took over; there was a day when he lashed out, setting fire to a whole wing of the palace. What was the use of material items when his one and only love was dying? He could feel it; she would be taken from him any day, any moment. He could almost see her spirit slipping away from her.

That's when he called Katara. She was one of the few people he knew of that could heal with extraordinary power. After all, she was a master waterbender. His friends only stayed about a year after the war before they went their separate ways. After all that had happened it was hard to remember where she was. Did she travel to one of the air temples with the Avatar? Or did she return home to the southern water tribe? He searched violently looking through letters he had received from his friends for any kind of clue of where she was.

At last he found his target, her last letter to him. She was in the southern water tribe, visiting with her grandmother and father. Of course. As far as he knew, she and the avatar had not married yet, so she would have no reason to move to the air temples.

He grabbed a piece of paper, scribbling his predicament quickly. He was brief, there would be more to explain when she arrived. And then the letter was off, he hoped it would get there quickly, that she would be here soon and save his Mai.

It was couple weeks until her arrival; Zuko had lost hope that she was going to come at all. All the while, Mai was starting to grow delirious. She muttered things, things from her past, sometimes things that Zuko did not even recognize. But he did not question, he played along, rubbing her hand affectionately. It was then that he heard a knock at the door.

Rage consumed him. He told all his guards that any messages would have to wait; he could not leave Mai's side, not for anything. But what awaited him at the door was not what he expected. His fierce golden eyes turned soft when the presence of Katara greeted him.

"Katara…you came." She still looked the same, if not just a little more matured from the time. But her face, it was still the same compassionate, strong face he remembered. She was one that could love, yet make a fierce fighting opponent. He would know, he had been on the opposite end of her wrath a few times.

"Of course," she said. "Is she in there?"

"Yes, come in."

Zuko rarely allowed anyone in his bed chamber. But times were different, and he could not afford to keep people out. Mai needed healing, and he hoped Katara would be the one to fix her.

Katara wandered into the dimly lit room. Mai had once complained that the lights were too bright, they were hurting her. So naturally Zuko had turned them off, keeping the room at a dim setting.

Katara approached the bed, where Mai laid eyes closed. Zuko didn't know if she was sleeping or not. Mai had normally kept her eyes closed; opening them, sitting up, even speaking had caused her pain.

Katara placed her hands on Mai's head, on her face, feeling. "Zuko?" she asked softly. "Can you get me a bowl of fresh water please? I don't want to use the water in my pouch."

Zuko was off at once, completely understanding. She didn't want to use water that she fought with to heal Mai. After all, this water was going to go into her system, it needed to be clean. He returned no more than two minutes later carrying a large bowl of clean water. He set it down on the table next to the bed.

Katara grabbed the water at once, making it flow towards her, forming it around her hands with skill. Zuko pulled the blankets back around Mai, and undid her clothes, giving Katara easier access. She set to work at once, moving her hands, trying to find the source of the problem.

Zuko studied her face. As her hands moved through Mai, her face grew increasingly worried. Her brows grew more furrowed, her eyes getting wider. Zuko could not help his heart; it was beating out of control. Why wasn't she saying anything? All these expressions she was making, yet no words to explain them. But he did not want to bother her. He waited, patiently anxiety growing.

Finally she removed her hands, and gave Zuko a remorse expression. He stared at her, questioningly, worry plain on his face.

"This is bad," she said. "I'm not quite sure what she has, but it's powerful. The illness is infecting all of her organs, its spreading at an alarming rate. I'm not sure there's much I can do now…" she tapered off, the sight of Zuko fallen face breaking her heart. She wanted to do something, anything to save her.

"Unless," she continued. Zuko's head snapped up. "There was a time that Aang had died. If I didn't have any spirit water from the North Pole, he wouldn't have come back. With my water bending and that spirit water, maybe it could cleanse her of the illness, save her."

Zuko widened his eyes. He remembered that spirit water; Katara had almost used it on his scar.

"Do you have any with you?" he asked. She had carried it around her neck, he remembered. He glanced down looking for any kind of chain, any sign that it was there.

"No," she said, making Zuko's eyes wander back up. "There might be more at the North Pole. I could travel there and see, maybe there's still time."

Zuko nodded.

"In the meantime, let me spend some time with her. I'm going to try to do what I can."

Katara grabbed more water, her hands going to work. Zuko couldn't watch anymore. The anticipation was killing him. He left the room.

But even Katara's hands didn't work. A couple days after her arrival, Mai had passed. Katara didn't even have a chance to travel to the North Pole, to try the spirit water. It was too late, Mai was gone.

Zuko now stood in the weapons room of the fire nation palace, thinking about it all. Staring at the weapons that Mai had once used. The little sharp daggers that had saved his life before. The tiny weapons that Mai had kept up her sleeve for quick sneak attacks. She was very skilled; he loved that about her.

Not only did he think about their past together, their history, he also had questions. Was there anything he could have done to prevent this? Maybe if he had sensed it sooner.

Katara's hands…

If he had contacted her sooner, maybe Katara's hands could've saved her. And they would be together again.