Zutara Week: Cactus juice

"Happy Birthday" was about it. Every year since Mom vanished. Father wasn't really into celebrations and Azula-- was well, Azula.

Being Fire Lord meant my birthday was now a national holiday. The whole of the kingdom was at my disposal for whatever ludicrous idea struck. Like dancing bears or painted elephants to name a few previous commands.

But I didn't want any of that. Being on my own taught me what really was important and loosing so many people along the way to where I am has taught me to hold on to them for as long as they'll let me.

So it was to be a national holiday where everyone could have the day off and be with their families. I was planning on taking a few days to visit Uncle in Ba Sing Se but that changed when the Avatar's bison landed in my courtyard.

"All right! It's PARTY TIME!!" Sokka yelled with his normal exuberance. The ever present Suki smiling away.

Katara said something to Toph as they unhooked their bags from the saddle.

"Why so surprised to see us, Sparky?" Toph flipped down and took a moment to look around before rising.

"You didn't think we'd let you spend your birthday alone, did you?" Katara smiled with amused confusion. It had been almost a year since Aang took away Ozai's firebending. Still, Zuko wasn't fully aware of how knitted in he was to the group. "Aang sends his regards and will be here as soon as he's able."

Zuko returned the smile blindly. He still vividly remembered when she'd threatened his life if he harmed the Avatar and didn't think he'd ever get used to seeing her smile at him.

Party preparations commenced and as dusk settled on the Imperial City, they found themselves talking and laughing over dinner. Sokka had, of course, brought some new invention with him and he was eager to try it out. Katara was dubious but was gulled into a sample by Suki and Toph.

"You don't have enough fun in your life." Toph had said. It soon became very clear that Katara wouldn't be having any fun that night.

They all felt nauseous at first. It took lots of wine to take away the bitter taste. Then everything intensified: colors, sound, and the oddest fanciful thoughts that popped in and out of the mind.

The others seemed to be having 'fun' Suki and Sokka were attached at the hip in a Ty Lee style dance. Everything they experienced was totally synchronized. Toph swore she could see. Zuko had managed to dilute his with wine. Too many taboo thoughts hid just under the surface and he didn't want to let any of them out. Besides, if things got really crazy he could wake up having established new laws.

Katara was twitchy at first. She asked when her hands had gotten burned. She healed them many times over and then began bending every liquid in the room. Toph was laughing at it but quite suddenly got up to wander the palace. We found her later crying in front of a large painting. Sokka and Suki fled the magic and bending.

This triggered some latent fears she had about being alone with a Fire national. She almost stopped his heart before he could restrain her. She calmed and he let her go only to chase after her as she ran screaming through the palace. he couldn't make out everything but she seemed to be very concerned about her Aunt Wu.

One minute she was hysterical and trying to kill him and the furniture. The next she was sobbing and remorseful. Then she came on to him and when he backed away she began raging about the rejection. It was up and down and it occurred to him to call in the Palace guards to restrain her until the effects wore off. But he couldn't do that to his friend. Or to his guards. Towards dawn the ice cicles began melting away and she began to stablize.

Most would consider it a pretty horrible birthday but he'd had worse. And how could he complain? He had his arms around the Avatar's girl and his hands in her hair. Some of those darker thoughts had gotten out and he felt so much better to have said it bittersweet though it was she might not remember it.

The tears eased and her breathing evened out and Zuko let his tired eyes slip closed. The dawn was bringing the wind and the hot sun and a little red glider on the horizon.

Avatar LAB is mike and bryans. blurb is mine.

Aug 10: Crossover
Aug 11: Blood
Aug 12: Jealousy
Aug 13: Cactus Juice
Aug 14: Fireflies
Aug 15: Rhythem
Aug 16: Lick