The Unexpected Destiny

Chapter Two - Not this time

"I should have never done what I did. The betrayal against you and my uncle made me realize how much I've been doing wrong." Zuko murmured, looking directly into Katara's eyes. She waited, arms cross, for him to continue. Zuko sighed, "I'm sorry. I faced my father to tell him I will no longer be a prince and I will join the Avatar. I realized that the battle inside of me was because of my grandfathers: Fire Lord Sozin and Avatar Roku," Zuko heard Katara give a gasp, "I have chosen the path of my mother's father. I know my destiny and I know the Avatar's."

"Hmp," Katara turned and stared into the flame. For one fleeting moment, she looked like she was from the Fire Nation as the golden light masked her blue eyes. Zuko glanced into them. He was surprised to see tears had come back. Her face was straight, trying to show no pain.

"What? I'm sorry. Did I offend you?" Zuko hated that he couldn't understand women as easily as he should.

"It's…it's just…What did you know about your mom?" she asked, and for once, Zuko understood what she was asking about. She was referring to about their shared 'moment' in the catacombs.

"I figured from my dad that she isn't dead," Zuko whispered, the words tearing at his heart as he said them. He wanted to know where his mom was, to see her and comfort her, to know she was all right.

Katara turned toward him, but looked at the wall behind him. She said nothing, only fiddling with the wool of her blanket. Her tears made tracks down her tan cheeks.

"I'm sorry. I wish I could say the same about your mom," Zuko sighed, "If and when I find my mom, I'll introduce you to her. I think you'll like her. She's not like most fire nation people." Zuko smiled, trying to lighten the mood. He looked at the flame of the candle again, watching it pulse up and down.

He felt her touch his arm and he looked up in surprise. Her eyes were filled with tears now, streaming down her cheeks and dripping off her chin. He lifted a sleeve to offer to wipe away her tears, but she pulled back and stood up.

"No. You did this last time. I can't believe you," she wiped away her tears. They still flowed, but she had a more solid look on her face. Anger or confusion? "You can't be trusted. Not about this." She walked quietly over to the door and opened it, looking at her feet.

Zuko rose, hesitant. He knew this would happen. Of course it would happen. He walked out of the room and down to the opposite door. He heard her mumble something, barely audible. He caught her last words: "…some time. That's all."

Katara closed the door. Why she had shown vulnerability was beyond her. She was the strong one. Why was it always that damned firebender to take her out of her normal emotions?! Katara sat on her cot again, laying her head on the cool pillow.

"He wasn't lying," Katara heard a little voice murmur.

"What?"

"I said, he wasn't lying, Sugar Queen," Toph said, a little louder.

"Oh," was all Katara could manage.

"What happened between you two?"

"It's a long story. You'll figure it out soon enough, Toph."

"But what-"

"Good night Toph."

Toph sighed and rolled over. Katara blew out the candle and went into a restless sleep.

Zuko woke up the next to find some of the boys changing. Some were whispering and glancing at him, others just simply said "Good morning!"

Zuko had also expected this. He knew being the former Fire Nation prince was a setback to his destiny.

Zuko changed his shirt and pulled on his boots. He walked out of the boy's chamber and his stomach growled.

He returned to the 'work room' to find Sokka, Aang, Toph, and Katara sitting around sifting through maps, talking in hushed voices. Zuko could tell by the look on their faces that they were discussing about his father.

Zuko sat in the far corner, watching some of the other boys sift in and out of the room. One came in and called breakfast ready. Zuko walked out, following him. Not only was he hungry, but he had tried catching Katara's eye, making no success whatsoever.

Defiantly to be continued.