Title: Companionship, Caring, or is There Something More?

Summery: Following a mysterious trail of blood and footprint, Katara finds someone that will change her understanding for firebenders. Katara will be putting her trust to the test with someone she never thought would have thought would be beside her side.

Chapter 1: The Mysterious Footprints and Blood Trail

A young maiden, of fourteen, walked peacefully through the woods. Her dark brown hair fluttered and danced along her back, as the sweet spring winds swept through the trees and bushes, in the woods full of life. The leaves tussled and twirled, the trees swayed in the wind, and nothing but green leaves, littered the branches high above her head.

The young girl's eyes, shown of bright sapphire blue, and the blue were as fluent as an ocean. Yet her eyes were as soft and a calm stream. Her eyes were full of joy and happiness yet full of sorrow and pain. Her tan skin was soft as tender. She was in her traditional blue dress. The cuffs were lined with white fur, along her hood. The bottom of her dress was also lined with white fur.

She walked, stopped and bent down, while picking up a piece of wood. She continued this repeatedly, walking farther and farther from camp. She trekked deeper, and deeper into the woods.

As she was walking, she noticed something and gasped. She started straight at a trail of blood along with human footprints.

" Do I need to follow that trial?" Thought the young maiden Katara.

§§§

Around a certain cave, a river passed by, only a few thousand feet away from the mouth of the cave. Green surrounded the cave, along with the woods to the right. In the provided shade from the intense sun light that the cave gave, sat an old man with his nephew; having tea.

The old man had gray hair that was long, and on the top of his head, some of the hair was pulled into a knot-bun. Some hair still dangled over his shoulders, only a few inches higher. His eyes shown of gold, and wore a big grin on his face.

"Zuko, we are safe form Azula here. The only person that I know of, that could find us, is Toph; the little earthbender that hangs around with the avatar. She feels vibrations in the earth, and has a keen sense of hearing as well. But I don't thing she would ever join Azula. But if Azula forces her to help her track us down, nephew, that would be bad news. Bad news." Said the old man.

"Uncle, you know that won't stop Azula if the earthbender doesn't help her. She will find us, sooner or later. She always does." Said the depressed Zuko. "If she successfully captures the avatar, I will never have my honor back, my kingdom, my home." Zuko sighed. He was stating to think that maybe he will never gat his fathers love back.

"You will find better path to honor and glory, Zuko. You will learn that it isn't all about capturing the avatar that will bring you honor and glory. Betraying them now, you will get honor from more than one nation: the water tribes, and the earth kingdoms as well as the avatar, compared to one: the fire nation. You will fain trust, and more form them. But because of your past, and what your nation has done, it will take time, Zuko. It won't be easy." Uncle Iroh said in a wise manner, to his explanation.

Zuko looked at Iroh with a cold stare, and said, "You don't know how much I want father's love and trust back. The avatar is the only way for me to get those things." Zuko looked down and said, "If you disagree, please don't say anything."

"Zuko, you know I'll support you know matter what you choose, but my brother is not the loving father that you think him to be. His heart is darkened with the lust for more power every day. Things aren't—"

"As they seem in the family. I know, but father can and will love and trust me if I bring him the avatar!" Zuko yelled in frustration.

" You really think that father would ever love and trust you? I am more like father than you'll ever be of father, Zuzu." Said an icy, evil voice; whom only belonged to one, and one only-Azula. She pushed a strand of glossy, black hair out of her eyes and stepped forwards; fallowed by the elite Di Le squadron.

§§§

Katara started running, fallowing the trail. As her heart pounded hard and swiftly, she ran and ran. Looking only at the ground, and was aimlessly allowing the trail, she didn't look up. As she was running at full speed, wanting to help whom ever was in trouble, she ran into someone.

"Ouch! Watch where you're going!" yelled Katara, as she fell on someone. She glared at the ground; and noticed that the mysterious trail of blood and footprints belonged to the person she had collided with, and was on top of. ON TOP OF!