Chapter 3: Echoes From the Past, part 1

Katara leaned her hand against a beam, a wide smile of relief gracing her features. Even though she had been gone for a few days only, seeing her friends' jubilant faces seemed to untie the last knot in her stomach. Appa lowered himself onto his belly, allowing Sokka, Suki, Aang and Toph hop out of the saddle.

Sokka was the first one to reach her. He was wearing his Fire Nation outfit. "The minute I saw Zuko in one piece I knew everything had gone smoothly." he said with a playful grin. Katara folded her arms and sent him a pitiful look, tilting her head. The Water Tribe warrior stepped closer and held out his hand, lowering his eyelids and smiling warmly. "How are you, little sis?"

She returned the smile and grasped his forearm. "I'm doing fine, big brother." Sokka then pulled her into a loving embrace. Katara rested her head in the crook of his neck. She didn't realize how much she missed it.

"Awh, this is so sweet…" said Suki as they pulled apart.

"Yeah, Sokka, I didn't know you had it in you." Toph added with a hint of playful mockery in her voice.

"We're so glad to see you're alright" Suki turned to Katara, resting her hands on Toph and Aang's shoulders.

"Zuko told us what you did," Aang chimed in. "…or what you didn't do, I guess." He scratched his head sheepishly. "I'm proud of you. Forgiveness is the first step you need to take to begin healing."

Katara couldn't help but snort and shake her head. She was surprised that he still clung to this solution. I knew you wouldn't understand, she thought, unlike him. She cast a short glance at Zuko who was leaning against Appa's paw with his arms crossed. "But I didn't forgive him." she denied, turning to the airbender. "Aang, I never will." Seeing his concerned expression, she added "But none of it matters now, does it? I got over it. I left the past behind."

"Now that's what we wanted to hear!" Toph exclaimed triumphantly.

Aang opened his mouth intending to speak, his grey orbs locked on Katara's sapphire eyes. Yet no words escaped his throat.

"Good, now that everyone's happy, can we finally get something to eat? I'm absolutely famished!"

"Sokka, you know you're not the only one who's famished." Suki complained.

"Wait, you didn't bring any food?" Katara asked anxiously.

"Whoah there, Sweetness, I thought that Snoozles was the only one here who's obsessed on food." Toph teased.

"I'm not obsessed on food!" Katara and Sokka denied simultaneously. Toph only chortled.

"We've run out of supplies. Zuko told us there's a town nearby, so we were planning to go shopping right away." said Suki.

"I would have done it for you before, if I'd had my Fire Nation clothes with me."

"That's alright. We already know the directions," she turned to Sokka. "…and we should be on our way." she urged.

"Are you sure you'll have no problem finding it?" Katara asked with a hint of concern.

"Of course." Sokka assured her. "It's not so far from here. We'll get plenty of meat… and we'll get Suki some new clothes." he said as the girl glanced down at the long frayed shirt she had been given in prison. "We're in the enemy territory and everyone needs their disguise." he pointed a finger at the sky.

"Whatever you say, oh great Master of Disguise." Suki teased, triggering a wave of suppressed laughter.

"I gotta say, Suki, you're getting better and better at this." Toph admitted, shaking her head respectfully.

Sokka grimaced and strutted towards Appa. "Let's just get going, shall we?"

Suki muffled a laughter and followed him. Bewildered, Katara cast Aang and Toph a searching gaze. "Did I miss something?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh, not much." Aang answered in a lighthearted voice. "Toph is just teaching Suki 'the art of nicknames'."

Katara glanced at Suki who flung Sokka's black hooded travel cloak on. "I see…" she said slowly, nodding approvingly. It was all she could do not to burst out laughing again.

"Alright then," Sokka called out, weighing a pouch in his hand. "We're off to spend some money. See you guys later… at a very late breakfast!" He strolled away with Suki, sharing his thoughts with her and throwing his arms up in the air. All Katara could hear was '…finally some normal breakfast…' and then Suki's loud snort.

"You should feel flattered, Katara," Toph pointed out. "Sokka prefers your cooking over Suki's."

Katara giggled softly. "Do you want me to show you around a bit?"

"Yeah, sure!" Aang exclaimed cheerfully.

Katara turned to the firebender standing silently behind them. "Zuko, will you be around?"

His head snapped to attention. "Yes, I was just going to unpack." He answered and climbed into Appa's saddle.

Aang smiled dazzlingly at Katara while Toph arched her eyebrows.

"What?" the waterbender asked innocently.

"You two are finally getting along. That's great!" Aang exclaimed.

"Yeah, looks like it." she said, returning his smile.

"Isn't it weird that we're hiding from the Fire Lord in his own house?" Aang chuckled.

He was upstairs in Ozai's bedroom together with Toph and Katara. The earthbender was sprawled lazily on the large bed, her feet dangling from its edge, while Katara was gazing thoughtfully at the portraits.

"Zuko ensured us that no one had come here for years." she answered, keeping her eyes fixed on the paintings, as her thinking was interrupted again.

"I know. I'm just saying it feels a bit… odd." he remarked, fumbling with the heavy window curtains. "Can you imagine what would have happened if the Fire Lord suddenly decided to go on a little vacation? Here?" he gave a short laugh. It was soon muffled by the scarlet fabric which suddenly came off the curtain rod and fell on the unaware airbender.

Katara turned around at the noise and rolled her eyes, smiling faintly.

While Aang struggled to untangle himself from the material, Toph sat up abruptly on the bed.

"Can you smell it?" she asked. Katara sniffed around, trying to catch a scent. "Someone's cooking fish. Sokka and Suki must be back!" She leapt down onto the floor and rushed down the corridor, while Katara crossed the room to come to Aang's rescue.

In the courtyard Sokka was taking out pieces of fish from a large pot and placing them on the plates which Suki was holding for him. She was clad in her new Fire Nation outfit. She wore a brown clingy top, knee-length baggy pants partly covered with a dark split skirt. On her hips was a fiery-red belt and her arms were adorned with stylish armbands.

Sokka noticed the three running towards him. "Ladies and dear gentleman, you're right on time. Lunch is served. Please, take your seats." he said with artificial courtesy.

You forgot your beard and mustache, Wang Fire, Katara thought, laughing together with her friends. They took their seats on the stone steps.

"Wow, that must have been some shopping!" Katara remarked, looking at a stack of fruits lying on a large platter. "And how did you find the plates anyway?" she asked mischievously, crossing her arms. Her brother had never been eager to do the work which normally women were responsible for.

"Hey, you girls are not the only ones who know where the kitchen is." Sokka bridled. "They were hidden in the cupboard. There's a lot of great stuff in this house. I even found some chopsticks."

Suki handed the fish to everyone and sat down beside Sokka who started eating his portion away the minute he received the plate. He looked as if he hadn't had anything in mouth for days.

"That's weird, Sokka. I assumed you would let Katara prepare the food today." said Toph, adjusting the chopsticks in her hand. "Or were you just so hungry you couldn't wait for her?"

Sokka cast a wary glance at Suki who straightened her skirt and smiled smugly. "What? Why wouldn't I allow Suki to do it?" he stammered nervously, shrugging his shoulders. "I love her cooking!" He stuck another piece of fish in his mouth and moaned in delight to emphasize the fact. For a moment he stopped chewing and a curious expression crossed his face. Then he lightened up and looked down at his plate, smiling wildly.

"Oh, then I guess I'm just imagining things." Toph answered nonchalantly, as he started to wolf down his meal with new passion.

Katara shook her head in amusement and swallowed another bite. Her brother was being so fussy at times. In her opinion the fish was seasoned perfectly.

"Oh, I almost forgot!" said Suki, putting her plate aside. "Aang, we have a surprise for you!" A mysterious smile appeared on her face.

The airbender straightened up rapidly and swallowed hurriedly. "Really? I love surprises!" he exclaimed, beaming.

"Sokka?" Suki turned to the warrior who peeked at her questioningly, chewing. The girl crossed her arms, expressing her impatience. "You were supposed to show Aang the surprise." she reminded him coolly.

"Sorry," he swallowed, "but I'm a bit busy here, savoring m'lady's heavenly dish." He thrust the plate into her face. Suki knitted her eyebrows. "What? I'm not kidding!"

The Kiyoshi warrior rolled her eyes and reached into his pocket only to rapidly pull it out and stick it behind her back. No one managed to distinguish what she was clutching. She got on her feet and approached the baffled airbender from behind to stand over him. "Okay, Aang, are you ready?"

"Umm… I guess so." the boy mumbled insecurely. As soon as he spoke out the words, his vision went black. He felt something delicately scratching at his scalp. Oh his head was a piece of fabric… a cap, perhaps? A muffled laughter erupted around him.

"That was a great idea." he heard Katara say.

"Okay, what just happened?" Toph asked, irritated.

Aang pulled the cloth off his head and held it in one hand to watch it closely. He smiled in astonishment. In his hand was—

"A hat!" he exclaimed. "It looks just like Dock's. Or Xu's." He scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Or was it Bushi's?" He recalled the crazy, but friendly puny man they had met in the village of Jang Hui.

"We just figured out that since you can't wear a headband anymore, you could use something that would let you show yourself to the world again someday." Sokka explained.

Aang remembered how outraged he had been, forced to wear a headband to cover his tattoo at the very beginning of their journey across the Fire Nation. He felt as if he had been deprived of a part of his identity. However, he was ashamed of his outburst on the deck of the ship. It had been hard to resign himself with the situation, yet eventually he understood that it was inevitable to mask any sign indicating on his roots. Even if it meant giving up his pride.

"Thanks, guys." he said, placing the hat on his lap. "I'm sure it'll come in handy."

They heard footsteps and soon Zuko was seen coming out of the kitchen, carrying a large platter with six steaming cups of tea.

"Zuko, it's good you're here!" Aang waved at him excitedly. "When will you teach me some real advanced techniques?"

Surprised with the sudden question, the firebender stopped in his tracks. "Quit being so quick-tempered. I was thinking of doing a training tomorrow in the morning." he said, crouching beside Toph to let her take a cup.

"Tomorrow?" Aang was plainly disappointed. "I was hoping you could show me some new moves today." Unsatisfied, he nibbled at his portion of fish.

"Don't worry, Aang. You can train with me today." said Katara, who just received her tea from Zuko.

"Nah, I don't think I want to." he mumbled resignedly, looking away. "I've already mastered waterbending. Right now I need to focus my attention on firebending."

Katara lifted her eyebrows in bewilderment. Aang always wanted to move on to more sophisticated and elaborate sets, paying no special attention to the quality of his training. Yet she never expected him to refuse a waterbending practice. It reminded her of his first experience with firebending… and its consequences. She looked away, bitterly, lowering her cup.

Not only Katara was astonished with his statement. "Oh really, Mister Splash Master? I guess it's Sifu Katara's job to tell if you really have." Toph remarked.

"But I've been training non-stop for the past few days!" the airbender complained. "I've been working my arrow off."

"But you certainly haven't had enough firebending, have you?" the earthbender pointed out.

"That's different. I can hardly learn anything when I have to practice by myself." he argued. "Zuko has been busy going on field trips recently. Not that there's anything wrong with field trips!" he added hurriedly, forcing a smile.

"Well, if you want we can just spar awhile for fun." Katara suggested. "Practice and entertainment in one." She remembered how well Aang responded to positive teaching experience.

The young Avatar brightened up. "Well, okay."

"Good." Katara took a sip from her cup. Her eyes widened in surprise when she tasted the tea. "Zuko, this is delicious!" she exclaimed in delight, looking up at the prince. "Where did you learn to make such good tea?"

"That's obvious," Toph answered for him. "His uncle taught him, right Zuko?"

Taken aback by Katara's compliment, Zuko muttered "…I never thought anyone would actually find my tea tasty. Thanks." A faint smile appeared on his face.

It appeared the weeks he had spent both in Pao's Tea Shop and the Jasmine Dragon granted him a new skill. For the short time after his visit to the Dai Li headquarters, deep beneath Lake Laogai, he had been taking pleasure in brewing tea. Not only had it baffled him, but also his uncle. Iroh had quickly recovered from the initial bewilderment and was most pleased with the metamorphosis. He could finally share his enthusiasm with a member of his family. Zuko had got so engaged in the work that the days seemed to pass by unbelievably fast. He no longer considered serving other people as dishonor. It had become a part of his life. Each day he had been learning something new about the tradition of brewing tea. Each day he had been improving his skills. His strongest motivation was the growing smile on Iroh's face. Seeing his contribution to his uncle's enthusiasm for work was a reward itself and it gladdened him to bring joy to the kindly man.

Hearing the words of praise from Katara had much the same effect.

"Well well well, look at you two – you finally made it!" Sokka remarked between the bites.

Katara's head snapped to attention while Zuko, now serving the tea to Aang, stopped his cup in mid-air. They both looked quizzically at Sokka.

"What do you mean?" Katara asked.

"Isn't that obvious? You're finally talking to each other! These field trips work like a dream! You started getting along."

"Well, yeah." she answered, tucking her hair behind an ear, as Zuko resumed serving tea and sat down beside Aang. "Obviously."

"Well, it wasn't that obvious in the first place." Aang pointed out, blowing carefully at his cup. "You always had been looking daggers at Zuko. Uhh… to say the least," he said, smiling sheepishly. Katara's expression remained blunt. What made you change your mind?"

"You took a field trip with Zuko, too. Then you must know." she replied, sipping her tea casually.

"That's not the same." he argued, cocking his head. "Both Sokka and I already accepted Zuko's company before our trips, and you… well, you were—"

"Geeez, Twinkletoes, you need to stop being so annoying." Toph interrupted him roughly, successfully silencing the inquisitive monk. "It's obvious that Zuko helped Katara take a step out of the past, she already told you that. This couldn't have ended differently."

"That's right. Thank you, Toph." the waterbender peered at her over her cup.

"I don't know how you're doing this, Zuko," Sokka threw in, "but it seems that you've got it. Come on, what's your little secret? Your inner charm?" he teased.

Everyone laughed under their breaths while Zuko opened his mouth, not quite sure how he should answer. He was rescued by Katara who quickly changed the topic. "So, you already know what happened, right?"

"Yeah, we forced Zuko to tell us everything in detail," said Sokka. "But now shush. With all this talking you guys won't even let me enjoy the food."

Katara raised her gaze to the sky. Even if her brother really meant to drag her attention to eating and not divert it from the issue, she was still thankful. She was glad she wasn't forced to recount all the events she had gone through. Holding her cup with both hands she closed her eyes and took another sip of tea.

When their stomachs were finally full and the plates were clean and shiny, Team Avatar parted. Sokka and Suki decided to go for a stroll along the beach. They announced that they would explore a bit farther, not wanting to interfere in the waterbending training, or being interfered. Katara and Aang promised to stay in the vicinity of the pier.

Toph and Zuko remained on their seats with an awkward silence between them. Zuko's gaze wandered lazily from the large pot on his left, the bored girl, who already started picking her toes, and a towering cliff wall enclosing the rectangular courtyard from one side, to the dried-up neglected fountain and the stack of fruits on his right. He noticed a thin furry little paw sticking from behind the pillar he was leaning against. It was reaching blindly for the juicy mangos, missing them by a good foot. Momo's efforts were amusingly futile.

"Sokka was right. These field trips really do the job." Toph said suddenly and Zuko's attention was deflected from the lemur.

He turned his head to the earthbender. Her milky-green eyes stared blindly at the ground as she fumbled with her feet. They were perfectly healed now. The prince was still cursing his temper for what had happened the night she crept up to his camp in the forest by the Western Air Temple. He swore he would humbly accept any revenge she had in mind for him, even though she had threatened him with a hint of amusement, indicating that she meant no serious harm. By now he had still been waiting for what seemed to be inevitable, not daring to hope for mercy.

"Who would have thought that one such trip could flip everything upside down…" Toph continued. The only answer she heard was utter silence. "I bet you're glad that Katara doesn't hate you anymore." she added nonchalantly.

What is she driving at? Zuko wondered, slightly irritated. He didn't want to be considered as ill-mannered and let out a single short 'mhm'. Toph raised one eyebrow and stopped her picking for a moment.

"Got anything else to say about it?"

"And what would you possibly like to hear?"

"I don't know, you tell me."

"I already told you everything in the morning."

Slightly frustrated, Toph blew her unruly raven-black hair away from her face and switched her attention back to her grubby feet.

Zuko was never in mood for having pointless conversations. He turned his head to his right again and his gaze fell on the platter with fruits again. One of the mangos was missing.

The prince let out a weary sigh and hung his head. Everyone was busy doing activities they enjoyed. Everyone seemed delighted with their new hideout. Everyone except for him.

He was the only one to see the place as more than a free holiday resort. People were flooding to Ember Island to escape from everyday life (usually as luxurious as their temporary apartments), have fun on the beach (since living in the wealthy districts of the Capital was too boring for them) and make new friends (only to forget about them once the holiday should come to an end). This attitude Zuko could never understand. He always considered doing nothing as a waste of time. He needed something that would keep him occupied, lest his thoughts should turn to a place where they were not welcome. He would not welcome them there. There, in a place called the past.

The beach house used to be an oasis of peace, a spot he had loved to visit as a child. His happiest childhood memories had been connected with this house. Alas, it had been the earliest years of his life and most of the reminiscences had already vanished. What remained were mere shreds of memories of what once used to be his childhood.

Later the peace had begun to crumble. His father had discovered Azula's talent and immediately announced her as a prodigy. Meanwhile the young Zuko had been gaining consciousness of what genuinely mattered in his family. And it certainly wasn't its happiness. To make matters worse, his cousin Lu Ten had left for battle to aid Iroh in the Great Siege of Ba Sing Se, leaving the little Zuko all alone. Only his mother had remained by his side, yet not for long.

Neither Azula nor Zuko had had genuine childhood friends. They were royalty, therefore they had been allowed to befriend the children of high-ranking generals, admirals or governors and all nobles of their kind only. Even during their vacations they would hardly ever leave the shelter of the beach house. If they had, they mainly observed the world from behind the curtains of their palanquins, forbidden to speak to anyone not fit to stay in presence of the royal family.

Only few were granted this honor. Mai and Ty Lee, for instance, were fully entitled to roam the Royal Palace. Zuko and Azula's acquaintance with Mai was especially opportune. Her being the governor's daughter facilitated the relations between Ozai and his subjects. Yet neither Mai nor Ty Lee could be called real friends back then.

Toph was still fiddling with her toes when Zuko stood up. He had to find an occupation. The problem was – there were not too many options. He ran a hand through his hair and headed for the exit from the courtyard. When he reached the doorway he heard a voice behind him.

"See you later then, chatterbox."

A/N: Well, the chapters seem to be getting shorter… but that's only because I'm not really into rushing things. Don't worry, you can be sure that I won't forget that it's supposed to be a zutara fanfiction.

And in this chapter the rest of Team Avatar finally shows up. As for Toph's nickname for Zuko, no offence to the author of the idea, but I really dislike "Sparky". You won't see it mentioned in my story.

I hope you haven't found any grammar mistakes. Until next time!