Discliamer: I Do not own any of the Characters from Avatar the Last Airbender

You're not Invisible to Me

"Why do I always have to be strong?" Katara said to herself as she stood in front of the ocean. Katara was sitting on the shores of Ember Island. It was the middle of the night and everyone else was asleep. Her eyes watered and she spoke to herself and the sea again.

"Everyone comes to me with their problems. So I listen and when they're done I say what they want or need to hear and then they walk off. I don't show how sad I am or how alone I feel. They don't act like I'm part of the group, it's like I'm a mother to them. I'm only 17! I have things of my own to worry about", at this point Katara started crying softly, "I miss my mom and dad. I miss having the security of them being near me. I love my friends but they don't ever ask how I am. I know it's selfish but I want them to ask about me; to listen when I've had a bad day or I'm just needing comfort. I also know that what they what to hear is I am fine but I'm not. I'm falling apart and they don't realize it." at this point Katara began to sob softly.

A few yards back Zuko was sitting behind a sand dune. He had heard Katara get up and head towards the beach so he followed her. When she got there he thought that she had caught him because she had just stood there staring out at the ocean. Zuko had let out a breath that he hadn't realized he was holding when she started talking. At first he hed thought about leaving until he had heard her breath hitch like she was choking back a sob.

He had realized a while ago that Katara wasn't as put together as she acted. He saw that she felt separated from the group and that the others didn't realize it. Then he heard her begin to cry and he knew that she needed someone. At first he thought about getting Sokka or Aang but then he remembered that they were part of the root of the problem. Before he realized it he had gone over and wrapped his arms around her. At first she froze but then Zuko said, "You know, you don't need to be strong all the time. It is okay to be tired and stressed. You can be angry or sad. You don't have to hide it and wanting them to ask about your day or if your okay. But even if they don't change your not alone; I am here for you."

Katara was quiet for a moment and she thought to herself "Zuko saw me and he didn't run away. He had told her that she didn't have to be strong; that he was there to help her.

When the reality of everything hit Katara and she broke down. Zuko held her as she cried and eventually her sobs quieted and her legs began to give out. So Zuko helped support her to the ground. He held her close as she tried to calm her breathing. They sat there for a while until the sky just barely began to lighten. At this time they decided it was time to go back; when they got to the summer house and had to split off to their separate rooms Zuko looked at her and said, "You're not invisible to me".