As the sun came rose, its' warming light traveled along the ground like a slow moving wave. In its' path stood a deep wide crevice in the earth. The light seemed to fall into its' misty recesses, only to rise up once more on the other side. As it did this, it lit up the features of the once grand Western Air Temple. Even though a century of abandon had worn away at its' structures, the gentle majesty of the sanctuary was not lost on those who now resided in its' walls.

Where countless generations of female air nomads had once called this place home; now it served as a refuge to a small group of freedom fighters. This group consisted of eight humans, a sky bison and a lemur named Momo.

The said lemur was currently perched on the shoulder of the young earthbender Haru as he followed Katara to the edge of the temple grounds. He was carrying a long pole with two buckets hanging off either end, while his waterbending friend was holding a clay pot.

They both placed the empty containers on the ground and Katara stepped to the cliffside. Just below them lay the swirling white mists that filled the crevice. Falling back into a stance, Katara began to move her arms in small spinning motions. As if pulled by some invisible force, the mist started spiraling up the cliffside. The vaporous trail straightened out as it reached Katara, who altered her motions, now moving her hands in sideways sweeps. She guided the mist until it was settling over the buckets and pot. Now she raised her hands in the air and gently brought them down. The mist condensed into small spheres and then, first a few drops, next a steady rain fell into the containers filling them with water.

Katara began to repeat the process, bringing up more mist, while Haru watched her. Momo glided down from his shoulder and started to chase a bug along the ground. A flash at the corner of his eye caused him to turn his head. On a higher level of the temple, he could see Aang and Zuko practicing their firebending. Moving and stepping in perfect synchronization with each other, the avatar and the former fire prince went through the 'Dancing Dragon' form. It came to an end with bursts of flame shooting from their outstretched fists.

"Aang's firebending is really coming along well." Haru remarked. "Zuko's doing a good job."

"Hmm." Haru looked to see Katara standing beside him, watching the pair. Her face was impassive, but he could see a certain hardness in her eyes.

"You still don't trust him, do you?"

Katara turned to face him. She didn't have to ask who he meant.

"I just don't want him to think that he can show up after everything he's done, and just expect me to act like it never happened."

She went back to the cliff edge and started up her bending motions again.

"Katara," Haru said gently. "You know I'm no lover of the Fire Nation; especially of its' royal family. But, for Zuko, coming here must've taken a lot of guts."

He gave a slight shrug of his shoulders.

"Don't you think maybe he deserves a second chance?"

Katara glanced at him over her shoulder.

"I used to." She said quietly.

Seeing the perplexed look on Haru's face, Katara let her arms drop and turned to face him fully.

"The last time I saw Zuko was the day the Fire Nation took over Ba Sing Se. I thought then that he really had changed. I was even ready to try and heal his scar using this water I'd gotten from the Spirit Oasis at the North Pole." Her voice began to rise as anger showed up on her face. "I gave him a second chance and because of it… Aang died."

Haru's eyes widened but before he could voice a question, Katara continued,

"It was only for a short time but, yes, he was gone. I only managed to bring him back thanks to the oasis water. The water that I had almost used on Zuko."

Katara crossed her arms over her waist and stared at the ground. Haru didn't really know what to say. He had known that Katara and the others had a somewhat sordid history with Zuko, but he hadn't heard the whole story. Katara looked up at him again. This time, there was no mistaking the sadness in her eyes.

"I want to believe Zuko's changed this time. I want to think that he's only here to help. But if I'm wrong, and this does all turn out to be a trick…" She looked up at the ledge where Aang and Zuko were taking a break and talking. Neither of them could make out what Aang was saying, but his cheerful tone carried on the wind.

"I can't bring him back a second time."

Katara blinked back the moisture that was starting to form in her eyes. She offered Haru a small smile.

"You think I'm acting crazy, don't you?"

Haru smiled warmly at Katara.

"No, I don't think that at all. I think you're a loyal friend, and I think Aang's very lucky to have someone like you looking out for him." He motioned with his head towards the pair on the higher ledge. "I don't really know Zuko, so I can only take him at face value; but I do know you, Katara. I know how dedicated you are to helping others. I know that, if it wasn't for you, my father would still be imprisoned on that Fire Nation ship."

"As opposed to where he's imprisoned now?" Said Katara.

Haru paused, and then let out a small chuckle, which Katara joined in with. He stepped closer and put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"I want you to know, that if it ever comes down to a choice, I'm in your corner."

There was a purr coming from near Katara's ankle. They both looked down to see Momo looking up at her. He clambered up onto her shoulder and rubbed his head against her cheek.

"It looks like Momo is to." Haru said with a grin.

Katara smiled and scratched Momo behind one of his large ears.

"Thank you."

Haru bent down and hefted the wooden pole onto his shoulders. It was now sporting two buckets full of clean water.

"Having said that," He remarked. "I hope you don't mind if I still give Zuko the benefit of the doubt."

"Be my guest." Katara replied as she picked up her pot. "But, if he should happen to ask, I'm still watching him."

"I never want to get on your bad side." Haru said in a mock scared tone as the two friends returned to the inner rooms of the temple.