A/N: I know this took a long time to come, but sorry. I've been a busy student. But whatever. There's a new concept too. Further details in a different chapter.
Katara broke the kiss. '"We shouldn't be doing this."
"Who cares, no one's looking." Zuko covered her protests with another kiss. She struggled briefly before kissing him back.
This time it was he who broke the kiss. He took her hand and led her to the nearby garden. She followed him dazedly. They sat together in silence for awhile before she broke the silence. "My father will kill me."
"It doesn't matter, as long as he doesn't know."
"I hope he won't find out." She leaned against him and closed her eyes. He put his arms around her and held her close to him.
Everything is going as planned. A man watched the both of them from a distance. Unknown to many, he was a spy for the Fire Nation. Employed by the palace, he was efficient and trustworthy at his job, he rose up quickly in ranks to become the Earth King's personal servant. He was the recipient of many of the Earth King's confidences. Using the information he received, he helped the Fire Nation by passing on all the information he learned. Later tonight,he would send a message hawk to the Fire Lord. It was going very well indeed.
Zuko sat at his window, watching the moon rise. He saw the silhouette of a message hawk outlined by the rising moon. The spy must have sent it, he mused. Having gained Katara's trust, he felt guilty for not telling her. Restless, he left his room and headed for the gardens at the far end of the palace.
Sitting by a pond, he watched as the wind blew across the surface, causing ripples to appear. The tranquility of the garden soothed his troubled emotions slightly. How would he tell Katara his secret? He could tell her about Ozai's plans, but his personal secret concerned a very delicate matter that was not well received by humans.
For centuries, his race had been feared by the human race. The stories that were told to children about their race portrayed them as unspeakable horrors. How indeed, would he tell Katara that he was a Felwyrrn? (A/N: I made it up. I'll explain in the next chapter, but meanwhile, you're in suspense!!)
He buried his face in his hands. He heard water being bent up and he look up to see the Avatar. Water swirled about Zuko as he watched the Avatar bend the water the lower it back into the pond. "You are troubled, young one."
"Yes." He replied in a low voice.
"If you wish, I will listen and offer you some advice. However, it is up to you." Aang bent some of the water up again. It swirled about his body as he moved the water about.
"I don't really know if I should. It would upset many and betray people's trust in me. Its a very delicate problem and a dangerous one as well." He paused briefly.
"As old as I am, I have seen much and experience much as well. You'd be surprised by how much better you will feel after confiding in someone." Aang bent the water back and sat down opposite Zuko.
"You don't look much older than I am. And frankly speaking, you seem to be way beyond your years. You should only be about my age. In fact, I'm sure you are."
"The Avatar is the link between the Spirit World and the Physical World. If you were to draw two interlocking circles, you would have the Avatar there." Aang picked up a stick and drew two circles. " Though I am young in years, my past lives are with me. The Avatar spirit lives on in me as well as the experiences from the past lives of the Avatars before me." Aang explained. A long silnce followed Aang's explanation.
"Have you heard of the Felwyrrns?" Zuko asked, breaking the silence.
"Yes. They are not as bad as many people make them sound. I've clashed with them in my past lives before." Aang tilted his head and stared at Zuko. "You're one of them right?" Zuko nodded. "And no one else knows?" questioned Aang.
"Not even Katara," Zuko laughed, a harsh sound.
"I see. You do not wish for anyone to know, but you are afraid someone will find out."Aang mused . "And when that person finds out and spreads the news, you know that you will have to leave. And you don't want to." finished Aang. Zuko flinched, not wanting Aang to see how close to home he had hit.
"Clear up your inner turmoil and you will feel better. Telling someone will help. Someone who understands. Or bottle it up and you'll feel worse and more guilty." Aang stood up and left the garden. Zuko lay back on the rock he was sitting on. The stars twinkled in the sky, there one minute, gone the next.
"Wishing on a star doesn't make you different from anyone else, sweetie .Everyone has wished on a star at one point of their lives." Zuko could remember those words so well. He had tried, but his wishes never came true. His mom was right about everyone wishing on a star and some point of their lives though.
If only... Those two little words were full of mysteries. It usually heralded a regret or sadness. Oh mum. If only you hadn't left. If only you didn't do it. Zuko's eyes filled with years of unshed tears. Why did you go? If only you hadn't left without me, my life would be so different. The memories, hurts and pain came out after being bottled up for the last eight years.
He sat up and brushed away the tears. He walked back to his room, his mind full of long forgotten things. The way his mother would smile, the way she used to hold him in her arms and cuddle him. They all cam rushing back to him. But it was time to let go of all these memories. It was time to let all the hurts and pain go. It was time to let go. "Goodbye, mum. Maybe I'll see you again." Zuko soft words were drowned by the wind. He sighed and went into his room.
Yeah yeah, complaints about me taking to long to update and an unsatisfactory chapter can be sent, but compliments are also appreciated. .
Ewagan.