The Talk

"Thank you miss Katara. I truly appreciate what you are doing for all of us."

"Don't worry about it." I respond to the wounded Fire Nation soldier. "I'm happy to help."

I water bend the water out of my hip flask and bring it up to his head. It begins to glow a light blue color as the healing process begins. This is the soldier's fifth visit with me. He took a blow to the head late in the war, and sustained some brain damage. He lost some of his memories and had nearly gone blind by the time he arrived at my hospital. The damage was quite severe and is taking time to heal, but we are making progress. His memories are returning slowly and while his eyesight won't ever be what it was, it is improving also.

"No, I mean it. I would have gone completely blind without you. You've saved me, and you had no reason to at all. I'm a Fire Nation soldier. You're from the water tribes and fight for the Earth Kingdoms. If we had met even a year ago, we would be trying to kill each other. Surely, there must be something I can do to repay you." The soldier was sitting down facing away from me, so I couldn't see his face, but the tone of his voice was sad, like a helpless child. The water bender in me could tell he was crying.

"You want to know how you can repay me?" I ask him.

"Yes miss. I'll do anything." He tries to turn around to look at me, but I keep his head straight and continue healing him.

"Then stop calling your self a soldier. This war is over. Neither one of us are fighting for either side any more. I'm helping you because it's the right thing to do, not because I want something out of it."

"I see. I'll make sure to do that." The water stops glowing and I put it back in my hip flask. I could sense he was smiling, even though I couldn't see his face.

"Your healing session is over for today. I'd say one or two more and you'll be ready to go home." I tell him with a smile on my face. He stands up and turns to me.

"You truly are an angel miss. I'm glad I had the fortune of meeting you. The avatar is very lucky to have someone like you at his side. Good bye for now." He says and walks out the Door.

"Good bye." I say out of habit, not really paying attention any more. 'The avatar is lucky to have me? We barely see each other any more How can either of us be lucky we we're practically strangers now.' My thoughts drift toward my boyfriend, and I find myself wondering if relationships were meant to be like this. I know relationships are supposed to take work, but isn't that to solve and avoid fights? Aang and I haven't fought yet. Are meetings are always too short. Other than my brother, there were no boys my age in the Southern Water Tribes, so I've never had a boyfriend before. I have no personal experience to compare this to. Sokka and Suki seem happy in their letters. So do Zuko and Mai, but then again they all have each other.

The ex-soldier was my last patient today, so after filling out a health report on him I walk over to Iroh's teashop, and pray it isn't too crowded today. I desperately need some advise. Apparently it was later than I thought because when I arrived there were only a few customers left and Iroh and Jin were starting to close up. As I open the door the door to the Jasmine Dragon and Iroh looks up.

"I'm sorry, but we're closed for- Oh, Katara! I had thought you weren't coming today. Welcome. We were just closing up." Iroh's face has a wide smile on it as I walk in. He really is a sweet man. I can see why Zuko was so upset when they were apart.

"I'm sorry I'm late, it was a busy day at the hospital. Iroh, I was wondering…?"

"Yes, Katara?"

"Can I talk to you for a bit?"

"Certainly. Jin do you think you can manage to close shop without me today?"

"Sure, no problem." Said Jin as she went to clean up the table where the last customers had just left.

Iroh leads me out back to a private spot under an oak tree. We both sit down on a bench and he asks me "So, what seems to be bothering you?"

"It's Aang."

"What about him?"

"I never get to see him any more. I can't help but feel like we're drifting. I know he has important duties as the avatar, but I feel like if he was really that serious about me he would try to spend some more time with me. I know I'm being selfish, but I can't help it. We got together just under a year ago, and at the time it seemed like a good idea. He had made it obvious that he loved me, and he wanted us to get together. I was hesitant at first, but after he defeated the fire lord, I realized that I loved him too. I seemed right that we should get together, but now I'm not so sure. I don't want to tell him all this in a letter, but I've never gotten the chance to tell him in person. I'm so confused Iroh, what should I do?"

Iroh remained quite for a few moments, thinking over what I had just said. When he finally did speak it wasn't what I had wanted to hear. "I'm not sure I can help you Katara. When it comes to matters of the heart only you can decide what's right for yourself. However, if you ever feel like you just need someone to talk to, I'm always here to listen."

I'm not sure how I should be feeling now. I'm just as confused as ever, but I manage to smile at him. "Thank you, Iroh. I'll go help Jin close up." I get up to leave but he calls me back.

"Wait a moment Katara, I have something for you. It arrived just this morning." I stopped walking away, and turned back to him. He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a letter. "It's from Zuko."

"Oh, thank you." I say, pleased to have some news from someone.

"It's my pleasure." Said Iroh smiling. "Now, what do you say we go help Jin finish closing, then we can all go out and get massages. I'm sure you could use one after such a busy day, and I never get tired of them. Naturally, I'll pay for both of you."

"That's a wonderful idea Iroh. Thank you so much." I really mean it too. With all the emotional stress I've been under lately my back has become as stiff as a rock. I could use some serious pampering. As we walk back into the teashop, I can't help but feel a little better. My problems are by no means solved, but Iroh has a way of making anyone feel good. He really is a sweet person.