Zutara Week: Faded

Chestnut colored hair trailed down her back and tumbled over her infant son as she cradled him in her arms, running her fingers over his tender skin. He had the same jet-black hair as his father and the same blue eyes as his mother. He was a part of her, and she loved him more than anything.

His father walked up behind them and placed a hand on his wife's bronzed shoulder. She smiled up at him and spoke softly. "I don't suppose you've thought of a name yet?"

"Kat, you know I'm not that creative."

She giggled and craned her neck to press her lips against his. They pulled apart, and he placed a hand on her back, leading her to the balcony at the end of the hall.

"Where are we going?"

"It's clear out tonight. I'd like to show you something."

He swung the door open, stepping out of the way of the woman's view. A brilliant blaze of magenta, salmon, brilliant yellow and soft purple met her eyes, and she smiled. They stepped onto the wooden platform into the cool evening air, observing the sky. A blinding yellow light shone from the sun, surrounded by subtle yellow and a brilliant peach sky. Whispy clouds of soft pink and purple, and even a bit of blue drifted thinly around, and the entire image was reflected into the clear, vast water of the ocean.

"It's...beautiful," she whispered, holding her son out, letting him feel the last rays of warmth from the sun. The sun sank lower, dimming the sky and the heat, and one word slipped into her mind.

"Fade."

She smiled down at her baby and tickled his stomach. "Yes...Fade."

His father smiled and rubbed his hand up and down his wife's back.

They looked back at the setting sun, and even little Fade opened his delicate eyes to take in the view. As the flaring ball of fire sank completely out of view, the brilliant shades of orange dimmed to a dull apricot, leaving only the memories of its radiance.

Faded.