Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: the Last Airbender, it's owned by its creators Michael Dante DiMartino & Bryan Konietzko and Nickelodeon.
The next day, at breakfast, Zuko and Katara exchanged looks, while Sokka and Iroh ate with gusto.
"Um, I've asked Zuko to go to the Northern Water Tribe," said Katara.
"Really? Why?" Sokka asked.
Katara sighed then said, "Actually, I've been having trouble with my bending and Zuko suggested meeting with the original source of waterbending."
"So your going to see the moon and ocean spirits at the North Pole?" Iroh asked. Sokka looked sadly down at the floor.
"Yeah," Katara replied.
"That was very wise of you, Nephew," said Iroh with a proud smile.
"Er, it was the advice Toph gave me when I had trouble bending," said Zuko as he blushed slightly.
"I see," said Iroh. He thought for a moment then continued, "You look troubled Sokka."
"It's nothing," Sokka said quietly.
"Sokka, will you go with us?" Katara asked.
Sokka sighed; then he replied, "No, I think I'll return to Yu Dao and see how Toph's doing with her metalbending students."
"Are you sure?" Katara asked concerned.
"Yes," said Sokka. "Then I can wait there until you return. Do you think you'll be back before the lessons with that professor start?"
"Zuko and I talked about that last night," said Katara as she looked from her brother to Zuko.
"We should be able to make it back before then. I want to talk with Chief Arnook about relations between the Fire Nation and the Northern Water Tribe, as well as what has been going on in Yu Dao and the plans for the former Fire Nation Colonies," said Zuko. "I've asked my uncle to look over the Fire Nation while I'm not here."
A few days later, Zuko and Katara are on the deck of a Fire Nation ship.
Katara looked out at the water and began thinking.
"Katara?" Zuko said.
"Hmm?" Katara replied, while still in deep thought.
"What are you thinking about so deeply?" Zuko asked.
"I was just worrying about Sokka. I was also thinking about what will happen when we return to Yu Dao. I was also thinking about what to do to find to help you find your mother," Katara replied.
"Sokka can take care of himself, you know. I'm sure he just misses his first girlfriend who turned into the moon, that's probably why he didn't want to come with us. As for Yu Dao, I'm sure it won't be as bad as anything we've faced before. About my mother, I'm going to wait until after the lessons before I arrange for Azula to meet with Father," Zuko said.
"You're right. Sokka can take care of himself and you're probably right about him missing Yue. About Yu Dao, I don't think it will be that bad either; it will just be awkward since Aang will be there," said Katara.
The remainder of the trip was quiet. And after a few weeks, they arrived in the Northern Water Tribe. Chief Arnook welcomed Katara warmly.
"It's good to see you again. This is Fire Lord Zuko," said Katara. Chief Arnook and Fire Lord Zuko shook hands.
"It's nice to meet you," said Zuko.
"It's nice to meet you, too," said Chief Arnook. "Chief Hakoda spoke very highly of you in his letters."
"I want to apologize for what happened during the war. I hope that we can get along and repair the relationship between our nations," said Zuko.
"I think it's possible. Why don't we go inside?" Chief Arnook replied.
They entered the palace. "It hasn't changed," said Katara. Chief Arnook looked sadly at Katara. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean-"
"It's okay. I visit the Spirit Oasis and look at the moon to ease my sadness," said Chief Arnook.
"The Spirit Oasis?" Zuko asked.
"It's the most spiritual place in the North Pole. Would you like to see it?" Chief Arnook asked.
Katara cleared her throat; then she said, "Actually, Zuko has seen it before."
"I did?" Zuko asked.
"Yeah, back when you were trying to capture Aang, that was where we fought," said Katara.
"Oh," said Zuko. "Sorry about that."
"It's in the past," replied Katara. She turned to Chief Arnook and said, "Is it okay if we see it later?"
"Of course," replied Chief Arnook.
Stay tuned...