.:Author's Note:. Hey. It's a new chapter. Hope you like it. Someone reviewed, and asked to hear more of Zuko's thoughts on how he changed. I agree with this teeny criticism and I will comply. -.o; However, Do not expect me to comply often. Only if I agree with you. So, hey, this chapter is mostly about Zuko and Katara's thought processes. I hope you enjoy it.
In the End
Chapter Three: "I want to help."
Uncle. Zuko thought. I know you think I betrayed you. How can I change that?
When Zuko saw his uncle his heart leapt. He needed to work things out with his uncle before Azula had him sent back to Ozai.
"I want to help," he told his uncle, a smile barely eluding his lips.
Iroh's face stayed stony, "You seem capable of helping those who don't need any further help, Prince Zuko."
Feeling his heart tear, he cleared his throat. "Uncle, I know what you think, but I've changed."
He really had. He knew his uncle was right when Iroh told him it was time for him to choose the good. He had changed. Azula just didn't know it yet.
Zuko knew capturing the avatar would make his father happy, but he wasn't sure it would really regain his honor. That waterbender had been right. His father, Ozai, had to be stopped. Hearing her say how she lost her mother to the Fire Nation's attacks reminded him of how the war had caused him to lose his own mother.
It was a thought too painful and enraging to think about.
"I'm listening Zuko," Iroh twirled a white lotus tile in his fingers.
"Uncle, I know it may seem that I've done wrong. But, I will make right having Azula here. She may control the city now, but not for long."
He hesitated, trying to think of what to say. He thought he might have something to say, when his uncle spoke up.
"The spirit of the best of men, Zuko, is spotless. It is spotless like the new lotus blossoming in the muddy water which does not adhere to the filth."
Zuko felt a stab in his heart. His uncle did not think he was among the best of men.
"However, nephew. Sometimes the droplets, will cling before they slide off." Iroh smiled, holding his hand out turned so he could drop something into Zuko's.
Zuko was puzzled, and reached his hand out under Iroh's. Feeling a tiny weight in his hand, he looked down, surprised to see a white lotus tile.
Katara's mind swam, touching a million little subjects. She placed all of the sleeping blankets over Aang, and one under him. She smiled, thinking of how strong and unique Aang was.
The last airbender... What would happen when Aang died? How would the avatar cycle continue if all of the airbenders really became extinct? There would be three more avatars, and then the world was subject to war again.
Aang stirred, and Katara was immediately at his side. The wound in his back had healed. But She was worried that something had happened. Azula had hit him with her attack while he was in the avatar state.
"Aang, how are you feeling? Is everything alright." Katara shuddered. Aand looked better, and he was awake more often.
Aang sat up, pushing the blankets off of himself, "We need to get going." He reached for his flyer, Momo jumping on his back.
"What are you crazy, Aang?" Katara said, stunned that he wanted to leave.
"We can't just sit here waiting for the Fire Nation to find us. We need to get somewhere to gather ourselves," Aang countered.
Katara stood up, "And go where Aang? Azula captured Ba Sing Se. The Fire Nation defeated the strongest guarded city on the planet!"
Bosco and the Earth King were paying attention closely to the conversation, "What if we go somewhere the Fire Nation is not?" The king asked.
Katara looked at him, "And where would that be?"
Sokka's heavy snored stopped and he sat up. "How about we go home to the south pole? The Fire Nation defeated us and left. They just don't consider us a threat since there 'aren't any water benders there'."
"But what about..?"
"They don't know about you." Sokka cut her off.
"Zuko does," Katara muttered under her breath.
"Yeah, well Zuko doesn't have Aang, so he won't be telling anyone about you anytime soon," Sokka said a bit angrily.
"Fine. I only want to help. I used the water from the Spirit Oasis to heal Aang, and I'm trying to go somewhere safe."
Sokka smiled, "You've been doing great. But you need rest just like everyone else, Katara. Rest, and we'll fly Appa to the south pole. Right, Aang."
Aang, who was looking between the arguing siblings smiled softly, "Right. You just rest, Katara. We'll head for the south pole."
Katara watched as Aang and Sokka seated themselves near Appa's head. The king and Bosco climbed onto the giant saddle while Momo flew onto Aang's shoulder. Aang patted Momo's head.
Katara stayed on the ground, five sets of eyes trained on her. She sighed, she wanted Aang to rest, she wanted Sokka to be saved from the war since they didn't know what was going on with their father now that Azula had taken over Ba Sing Se. She felt her entire world slipping away.
Katara sighed, "Well, let's get to the south pole."
.:Author's Note:. Behold, I discovered the symbolism of the white lotus tile, and it will be brought up periodically when we're with Zuko and Iroh. I'm doing things a little differently with Aang and his group than originally planned, but I hope you like it. I know it helped my flu riddled brain for a while. Thanks for everyone who gave me a review. )
