Note from Author: This is the trequel to "Scars" and "Secrets" but you do not need to have read either of those to read this one. (though it mite help you understand where the characters are at)

To those who have read "Scars" and "Secrets" note that this is a little different because I am now writing from Zuko's point of view instead of Katara, so don't be confused!

Scars link: .net/s/5887333/1/Scars_Zutara

Secrets link: .net/s/5890536/1/Secrets_Zutara

Zutara – Healing Chapter 1

"You are so weak, Zuzu!" Azula's menacing voice taunted me. "Did you ask the pathetic water peasant to come along just to watch you fail?" Her words and blue flames filled all the air around me.

I blocked every move with skill. She was definitely not completely herself, and I was going to use that to my advantage. But I needed the right moment.

"You're pitiful!" She yelled.

I grit my teeth, I had enough of her shrewd words. She might have been slightly off her game today, but she still knew how to torment me. And she seemed to be enjoying herself, for not a bolt of lightning had shot toward me.

The fire around me ceased and I took a deep breath still in my stance. My sister lunged toward me with more blue flames at her fingertips. I waited for her to be close enough, she stood only 10 feet away now.

I opened my mouth and let out a loud cry and closed my eyes. While blocking Azula's flame with my left arm, I swung my right arm below me. I summoned all the power within and around me and channeled it through my arm toward Azula. Suddenly my cry was drowned out by a blood curdling scream.

I opened my eyes to see bright gold lightning forming at my fingertips and striking at Azula's heart. I choked on my own gasp as the only sound in the world was her scream, but then even it echoed into silence as her body hit the ground several feet back from where she stood moments before.

I just stood there in shock, I could not move a single one of my muscles. I had bent lightning! I couldn't believe it. A small stream of smoke hovered and evaporated above my still stretched-out hand. I could barely breathe though I was panting and my whole body shook. I felt exhausted, the lightning had taken my whole power to create.

Then my eyes focused on Azula's motionless body. Her limbs were stretched out and her eyes stared unseeingly at the sky. I dropped my stance and stared at her in horror. I moved one shaky leg forward, then the other, until I stood above her. My breath was uneasy as I kneeled next to her. I refused believe that I did this.

My hand reached out toward her face, and as it did a voice called my name through my mind.

"Again, again!" the voice giggled. It belonged to a small, innocent 3-year-old girl.

My mind saw a boy repeating a simple firebending form producing a small flame.

He grinned as the little girl clapped and giggled again. "You a fiobending masto, Zuko!" she cried in delight.

"You will be a master too someday," the boy said as he helped his sister to her feet.

"Really?" she squealed.

"Yes, Zula, we'll be the greatest firebending masters ever!" They both laughed with joy.

This laughter echoed in my head as my fingertips gently closed Azula's cold eyelids. Could she have been that innocent once? Could that little girl I remember really be her?

Another voice called from my memory, a voice that was more recently heard, "At least Sokka cares about his sister!"

"I'm so sorry," my voice cracked and I felt a lump form in my throat. It was over; Azula was gone.

Suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulder. "Zuko," her voice whispered. I knew that voice well. It had always been there to talk with me ever since that journey to find the Southern Raiders. Even when I left her, even when I hurt her, she was there. Somehow. But for the first time, I truly did not want to turn and look at her. I closed my eyes and grit my teeth, desperately trying to keep my tears behind my lids. I had to be strong, I would not let Katara see me cry.

I stood alone in my old room. I had been slightly surprised when the guards of the Fire Palace did not fight against me, but instead let Katara and I enter without resistance. We had stayed in the palace waiting for word about my father. When news finally came, it was both good and bad. The good news was that the Firelord had fallen, the war was over, but the bad news was that my uncle had fallen as well in an ambush by the Dai Li while reconquering Ba Sing Se. When I had heard, I took a walk around the palace. I needed time to think. And I ended up here.

Everything was different now. The firenation was now mine, I would now be the Firelord.

I looked out my window toward the garden. There was a tall tree shading a pond. I saw Katara standing there, she bent the water out of the pound and around her a beautiful stream. I could see that her eyes were closed, she was practicing feeling the water to make it move instead of seeing the water. She had told me about this before, she thought it would make her to be a true master. I told her she already was, but she always said that she still had much to learn.

Katara moved with such grace that I could not remove my eyes from her. The fluid movement of her body matched the water so perfectly that I was captivated. Her slender legs danced in a circle and her arms rose into the air. How could she be so beautiful? So perfect? She always seemed to be without flaw.

I realized then that there was a smile on my lips. But it was gone quickly and I turned away from the window. I wondered what would happen between us now? If she returned to her people, would I see her again? And what about the avatar, he had her first. Would she return to him now that the war was over?

Yes. The war was over, so why wouldn't I smile? The avatar had won and I had won. He won, by killing my father. I won, by killing my sister. And now my dearest uncle was gone too. I realized then, I had no more family.

"Firelord Zuko," I heard a voice call from behind me. I turned and saw a messenger, "The avatar sent message that he will arrive here soon."

I turned back to the window, Katara was gone. I sighed, "I will change into the firelord attire then."

"Do you wish me to find you some maids?" the massager inquired.

"No, I am fully capable to prepare myself. Now go."

"As you wish, my lord," and with that he was gone.

I stared out at the still pond where Katara was moments ago. Why did she leave, I loved watching her dance. I shook my head. Stop it, Zuko! I was firelord now, and she was a waterbender. It was far out of custom for the firelord to be involved with a waterbender.

I turned then and walked to the door. I was firelord, soon I would have the headpiece to prove it to the world. And as firelord, my duty was to my people. And with that thought still lingering in my head, I strode through the palace, to prepare myself for the avatar's arrival.

plz dont give me crap for taking out the epic Zutara scene where Zuko saves Katara, it is SOOO cliche. I love it, but its cliche, i wanted my story to end different then the series. Oh and srry about Iroh, call e cruel....

plz review!!