" Zuko? What's wrong? Why are you out here?" That voice, suspicious yet slightly concerned, echoed through the fog.
Rain pooled around his legs, crossed in a meditative position. Mud stuck to his clothes, dragging him into the murky dirt. His face was concealed by his hair, slicked down by the downpour.
" Are you listening to me? Whats wrong! Get up, your dinners ready!"
His face was emotionless, frozen in it's apathetic expression by the cold water running down his face. Lighting flashed up above, making him grit his teeth and clench his fingers.
It was just like that day.
The sun was shining high in the sky one moment, sending happiness and energy coursing through his veins. A second later, the flame inside him sputtered out as he fell into the puddles.
' I can't get up...I'm drowning...'
Disgusting.
' Yes, that truly is all that you are Zuko. I can hardly stand the idea of a weakling such as you taking the throne. Your sister however...'
Intolerable.
' How pathetic. You're older than her, yet you...'
What am I, anyway?
" You're not alone!"
" Huh?" Zuko peered up, through his bangs, making out the shape of Katara through the sheet of rain.
" What do you mean, 'huh'? Didn't you hear me? I said, you're not alone out here, so get your butt up and go eat dinner!" The shape shifted slightly, and Zuko heard her mutter, " Good for nothing."
" You're right." His voice cracked at the end, and the rain coming from his eyes soon joined the rest of the showers.
" What do you mean?" She sounded slightly confused this time, and she became visible as she approached him slowly. Her eyes widened slightly.
" Zuko?"
Dark shadows resided under his eyes, and tears rolled down his cheeks, mingling with the rain. A small pained smile graced his lips. " I really am good for nothing. Letting my sister always have control, hunting down someone I didn't even know to please my father...L-leaving my uncle...Leaving my..." His eyes closed, and a deep sigh escaped his lips, tears coming down faster.
" Why are you crying?" Katara asked, even though he had just explained it to her.
He put his head between his legs. " It's rainy today," he offered.
The soft hush of the rain soon took dominance as he began to shiver in the cold. He wasn't sure, but he thought he heard Katara walk away.
' I truly am alone...'
" Get up." A splashing noise came from next to him, and he turned his head slightly, seeing Katara right next to him, kneeling in the mud. She held a cloak, and she draped it over his shoulders, keeping her arm there even after it was secured.
" You're not nothing. Nobody is. I may not like you. I may not like firebenders period. But that doesn't mean that they're nothing." She squeezed his shoulder in an oddly comforting way, and then her arm moved downward, entwining around his waist. She began to rise, supporting his weight. He felt grateful for this, grateful for the support she offered.
Grateful for her helping him transcend the rain.
(AN) This probably takes place around when they were at the air temple, and Zuko joined them. I hope I get reviews!