Katara had been sleeping since Zuko had left; suddenly there was a knock on her door. "Come in." She said tiredly. Zuko walked in, dressed in his prince robes, he'd obviously been to the palace since he'd left. "Can you walk?" He asked. "I don't know." Katara replied as she sat up, her head spun wildly in protest and she laid back down. "No." She groaned. "What'd your sister do to me?" Katara complained. "I don't know, but she'll pay for it later." Katara looked at him confused. "What?" Zuko realizing he said that out loud tried to rephrase. "Um, I mean, she'll pay, for…um…NEVER MIND!" He snapped, but she'd heard it, compassion in his voice. She hadn't known Zuko to ever be compassionate.
Seeing as Katara could not walk, Zuko walked over and picked her up tenderly, so as not to hurt her wounds. Katara winced in pain, but it was better than trying to walk. Zuko walked up to the palace, the guards opening the door for him. "Prepare a burn healing salve for Katara here, she could really use it, and find her some clean clothes as well. Zuko continued to carry Katara up a flight of stairs and finally at the end of a hallway came to a lone room. He opened the door, struggling so as not to drop Katara, the room was furnished in a somewhat extravagant manner, there was a red and gold arm chair, a small shelve of books, and a large red canopy bed. Zuko placed Katara on the bed. "Are you hungry?" Zuko asked. Katara for the first time realized the empty pit I her stomach. "Yea, actually, I am." She replied "I'll bring you some dinner after the royal welcoming feast. The healers should be here soon to take care of your wounds." He said shortly
"Zuko, can I ask you something?" Katara asked cautiously. "What?" Zuko asked. "Is this what you really want? To be here, at the palace with your father, while he kills all those innocent people." She asked, legitimate concern in her voice. Who does this girl think she is? Zuko wondered to himself. This is all I've ever wanted…or is it…really? "Well?" Katara pressed. "I don't…I…Look I'm…I'm really confused right now, Katara, truth be told…I'm not sure what I want anymore." Before Katara could reply he left the room quickly, locking the door behind him.
Stupid peasant! Zuko thought bitterly to himself, who does she think she is! Asking me such a question! While Zuko tried to deny the feeling, he knew truthfully, that this didn't feel right, all he'd ever thought he'd wanted was to be back at the palace, but it didn't seem like that was what he'd wanted anymore.
Later at the meeting with his father
"Welcome home son! It's been almost four years! But it's great to have you and your sister back." Ozai started, with what sounded like sincerity in his voice. "And the avatar is dead!" Ozai exclaimed joyously, Zuko thought he was going to be sick. The meeting continued as they planned their next course of action, Ozai dismissed the group, but turned to Zuko.
"Son, may I ask you something, it's been bothering me quite a bit." "What is it father?" "That water tribe peasant you brought back as your prisoner, why is she staying in one of the palace rooms?" "She's injured father, she's not fit to be in the dungeons right now." Zuko replied back, trying to act like he didn't care, he didn't want his father thinking he was soft." Ozai looked at Zuko sternly. "When her wounds are healed, she must go into the dungeon, what would the officials think if they found out we were treating a peasant prisoner, as a guest!" Ozai spat out the last words. Zuko hung his head "yes father."
What's wrong with you! Zuko asked himself. She IS a prisoner, why should she be treated otherwise. While half of him agreed, the bigger half of him was shouting. Because you're not your father! This isn't what you want! You love her! Don't deny it anymore! Do what YOU want to do! Zuko had a hard time deciding if that voice in his head was really him, or if it was something he expected his uncle to say to him.
Sokka and Aang
It had been a week since Aang had asked where Katara was, finally Sokka heard a groan. "Sokka? Katara?" Aang asked weakly. "She's not here." Sokka said, the concern obvious in his voice. Aang sat up slowly. "What! Where is she? What happened?" Aang asked all at once. "Take it easy Aang!" Sokka exclaimed pushing him back down into his bed. "You were struck down by Azula after you jumped in front of Katara, you've been unconscious since then, after you were struck down Azula attacked Katara, and Zuko took her." "Zuko?" Aang asked confused. "I don't get it either." Sokka said back.
"Why didn't you do anything! Why didn't you go after her!" Aang said angrily. "Because, if I had, I would've either been struck down like you two, and I wouldn't have been there to get you to the healing hut, and you'd probably be dead…just like they all think you are." Sokka replied back, understanding why Aang was upset.
"Wait? Who's they, and why do they think I'm dead?" Aang asked. "The fire nation and the rest of the world think you're dead, like I said after Azula hit you it did appear that you were dead, and you would have died within 24 hours if I hadn't found a healer." Sokka explained. Aang sat up. "Well I'll go show them! Go knock out a few of them! They won't see it coming!" Sokka pushed Aang back down again. "NO! For one thing, you're in no condition to be fighting anyone right now, and second, it provides a good cover. As soon as you've healed enough we're going to have to go rescue my sister." "You're right." Aang admitted, lying back down in bed. "I hope she's alright." Aang said worriedly. "Me too." Sokka replied.
