Title- Embodiment Of The Embrace

When- After The Day Of The black Sun, Part 2. (Book 3, Chapter 12)

Rated- Fiction, M for Mature (Warning Graphic Smut, Violence, and language). Zuko, Katara, and Aang.

Story Description:

After suffering a lose to the Fire Nation, Aang and the others are not only forced to fall back. But also leave loved ones behind.

There is more going on behind the scenes of this war. A new threat, one possible more so then the Fire Lord will come forth. Aang and his friends will be put the ultimate test.

Friendships will be put to the test. An ultimate battle for love will take place. And those who once were foes will now to stand together to take on an evil that threatens the existence of everything.

..…Not Everyone will survive….

Chapter 1- Earning Forgiveness

Realizing that finding and capturing The fire Lord was not in their reach, Aang and friends are forced to retreat and leave their fellow friends and fighters behind.

"This isn't right. We should stay and try to finish this", Aang yelled in anger.

The others kept silent knowing there wasn't much they could say to comfort Aang's gilt.

"I know this feels wrong….", Katara paused.

Katara put her left hand on Aang. She could feel the tension and anger from Aang.

The others just watched and listen. Unsure if there was anything Katara could say to make a difference.

"I know this feels wrong Aang. But if we didn't leave when the Fire Nation regained their bending….it would have been a blood shed", Katara softly spoke to Aang.

Realizing his hands were tied, Aang had no choice but to find a place to rest for the evening.

Hours went by before Aang found a place to rest and relax in the mountains.

Unaware however, Zuko was in a one man air craft making his way to them as they spoke.

His thoughts filled with hope….fear….and uncertainty, Zuko's only hope on returning his own honor was with Aang.

Hours went by before Aang and the group found a place in some mountains to rest after the long battle.

Once landed, the group unloaded everything off of Appa and took a look around.

"Hey Toph….what do u see" Sokka questioned as he kept his guard up.

Toph glared at him for a moment realizing he didn't have a clue on what he just asked.

"Well I cant really see anything dumb ass". Toph laughed.

"Wait what….u knew what I meant". Sokka responded in embarrassment.

Toph jumped off of Appa, planting her feet firmly into the ground.

She placed her left hand to the ground as she closed her eyes to read the ground.

The mountain side where they land was rocky yet smooth for Toph.

It was a simple thing to read the ground fully in a matter of seconds.

"There seems…..to be a temple here. A lot of rooms and chambers all over the place", Toph stated to the group.

Aang and Sokka got everything off of Appa while Katara and Toph took a better look around.

"Hey Toph lets spit up and look around while the boys finish up", Katara implied.

Mean while….

Zuko landed his air craft further up the mountain range. Making sure he was not noticed until he was ready to show himself.

Thousands of thoughts ran through his mind as he set up his camp fire and bed.

"Ok…..how do I do this? They have no reason to even trust me", Zuko ranted.

He knew that he needed to gain Aang's trust someone or this encounter will not end well.

2 hours went by until Zuko finally came up with an idea about finally facing Aang and the others.

But one thing kept getting in his way. Something kept making him hold back.

….Katara….

"What if she doesn't…..she trusted me once…..back when the caves", Zuko thought to himself.

But he knew that he couldn't wait forever. There was only a small window to explain himself to Aang and the others.

After a few hours of looking around and finding rooms for everyone. Aang and the others finally were able to sit down to enjoy a good meal.

Happy to be back on the ground, The kids ran off after the meal to have some fun.

Even Aang picked up his glider and flew around to think to himself.

To his surprise, the fresh air and flying around comforted him and eased his gilt about leaving everyone behind.

After his share of flying, Aang returned to the camp and sat with the others.

"Ok so what do we do now", Sokka asked the group.

"Well its simple, we need to find short stuff a fire bending master before the comet comes", Toph answered.

Everyone knew that would be no easy feat. Everyone remembered the last time Aang found a master of fire bending it didn't end well.

As they all sat there by the fire mid the evening, Toph noticed that someone was on their way to them.

"Uhhhh guys, someone is one there they way to us", Toph told them.

"What is it…..who is it Toph", Aang asked.

Everyone stood up and was on their guard as they waited for an ambush.

Katara took in a gasp of air as she realized who it was waiting for them.

"Ummmm hi guys…..", Zuko spoke calmly.

Not two seconds later, everyone took their fighting pose and armed themselves, waiting for him to move an inch.

"What the….how did you….um never mind. What do you want Zuko", Sokka demanded.

"I know you guys have no reason to trust me. I know your wondering how I found you guys", Zuko responded

"Not really. You spent your whole life chasing up. Now is no different", Aang wait with anger.

Seeing Zuko almost enraged Aang. Making him think about to when he was forced to leave the fight.

Looking at him only made Aang more and more upset. It was only a matter of time now.

"Enough", Aang yelled.

Aang took three steps at Zuko and slammed both of his feet into the ground.

The sheer force knocked everyone off of their feet. A chunk of earth came out of the ground.

Slamming Zuko in the chest. Caught off guard by Aang's actions, Katara and the others watched and kept quiet.

The force that hit Zuko in the chest through him back into a wall making a small crater where Zuko hit the wall.

Zuko jumped back on his feet, but he didn't take any type of defensive stance.

"We need to stop Aang before he kills Zuko", Soka yelled.

"Why bother….I mean…..he did try to kill you guys many times right", Toph answered.

Soka looked at Katara in hopes to get a response from her. But as he looked into her eyes he saw something he couldn't really explain.

Aang hit Zuko with attack after attack. A combination of air, water, and earth attacks.

Still Zuko did nothing. Being hit with different attacks hurt with each blow. Making it hard for him to keep getting up.

"Do you know what you have done? How many things your people have done", Aang Yelled in frustration.

Aang, filled with such anger, was just about to lift his left leg to knock Zuko right off the edge of the mountain.

Just as he was about to attack, Katara rushed in front of Aang on a stream of frozen water.

Without realizing she was even coming, Aang went to attack Zuko without mercy.

"NOOOOOOOOO"!, Katara yelled out.

Katara grabbed Aang's foot, preventing him from completing his attack.

With one powerful thrust, Katara pushed Aang back. Both Zuko and Aang was completely caught off guard by her actions.

Toph and the others rushed over to Aang's side. Waiting for Katara to explain herself.

"What are you doing? Why are you protecting him", Aang demanded.

Katara paused at first. Not giving Aang an answer. She just stood there.

Katara turned to her side and stared at Zuko. Staring him down….studying him.

"I want to hear him out. You better have good reason for seeking me….us out", Katara said with a pause.

Katara slowly walked away from Zuko and stood behind Aang with her arms crossed over her chest.

"I wanted….what I want doesn't matter", Zuko spoke softly.

Zuko slowly dropped to his knees. Completely giving himself to them.

"I offer myself to you. As a man who realized his wrongs and hopes to make things right. Forgive me and please allow me to teach you the ways of fire bending", Zuko begged.

"Give me one good reason why I should blow you off this….."Aang paused.

"No don't. Zuko has a point. Twinkle toes needs to learn fire bending. This is his chance", Toph pointed out.

"NOOO! Never. I wont let him be my fire bending master", Aang yelled out.

"She has a point Aang. He can…..have his uses around here. Plus he can teach you", Katara added.

Finally being able to calm down from being so upset, Aang thought about what was at stake.

"Fine….there is too much going on for me not to at least try", Aang said as he turned away from Zuko.

Aang walked away to cool off. Everyone followed Aang…..Everyone but Katara.

"Thank you….for defending me back…..", Zuko paused.

Zuko paused at the fire he could see in Katara's eyes as she stood there and stared him.

Then with out speaking a word to him after starring him down, Katara just…walked away. Leaving him standing there.

Realizing that his goal was met, Zuko headed to the far east end of the air temple.

He figured he would keep away from the others until at least morning. In hopes that everything would settle down a bit.

But deep down now he knew…..the night was just starting for him in his new home. He knew something was coming but he couldn't possibly be ready for what was to come.

Only a hour maybe two passed by as he sat in his bed. Thinking over and over again on what Katara did….how she saved him.

"She….does care….." Zuko said with his eyes closed.