I'm back with another Zutara fic, man its been a long time huh? Sorry to anyone who was waiting for another one. Also sorry about the dumb title, titles can be hard sometimes... Important bit of information, this story takes place during the episode "The Swamp". I've had this idea bouncing around in my head for awhile now.
Secret Vision in the Swamp
Once her tears were flowing they refused to stop, she didn't care that she was knee deep in slimy water and mud.
She had known it wasn't possible but her mother had been right there. She had looked so clear to Katara, standing tall and strong like she remembered. And that sight had been enough to convince her, just for a moment, that maybe she could come back. It was impossible. When she got close all she saw was a log sticking up from the mud. Then she remembered what she'd lost, and it had been too much. She had started to cry.
Surrounded by giant green woods and slimy water, she cried. Eventually the tears stopped. And when at last they passed she noticed something. Another presence.
She turned around expecting Sokka or Aang. Instead she saw a stranger, except he wasn't a stranger. He was dressed in red's and gold, with long black hair that hung in his eyes. Then she saw the scar and realized why this stranger looked familiar. It was Zuko, but like she had never seen before. He wasn't dressed in dark armor and his hair wasn't pulled into a high ponytail. But that wasn't why he looked so different. It was his eyes.
Even with his scar she saw a look of understanding and compassion in his eyes. It was so different from the cold indifference she had always seen. If not for the scar she wasn't certain she would have recognized him.
She noticed that he hadn't moved to attack, and it was that realization that made her aware of the fact that she hadn't pulled into a bending stance either. She took a breath and pulled from the water around her, she wasn't stupid. Zuko was still Zuko. Except he wasn't there any more.
That left an odd sensation behind. She couldn't explain it, she should've felt better without Zuko there, or nervous that he may have been hiding in the swamp somewhere, but she didn't. She felt like she had lost someone important; it wasn't as sharp as when her mother had vanished, but it was the same sensation. She wasn't sure what to make of that, so she pushed the thoughts away.
She was lost in a swamp with Aang and Sokka, that was what she needed to focus on. It was time she focused on finding them.
Later she would wonder about the strange Zuko she had met, wonder if there was more to him than she was aware of. She would only wonder to herself. The matter seemed strangely complicated, and she decided it was better she not tell Sokka or Aang until she understood it better herself.
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I know this story is more ship tease than anything but oh well... I've had this story in my head for a long while now and it wasn't going to go away until I put it up for all to see. I don't think it's up to my usual standard, but I tried my best. Looking back at it maybe this story is pointless... I don't know. Reviews would be nice if you have the time, please. Arigatou Gozaimasu!