Zuko and Katara did not have long to dwell on Aang's startling news. With a primal scream Azula launched herself towards her brother, bursts of flame leaping from her hands. Everything seemed to slow for Katara. She watched as the flames crept ever so slowly towards Zuko, shock beginning to register on his face. She turned slightly and saw Aang as he sluggishly raised his head, inch by slow inch. But the avatar wouldn't be able to help in time.

Katara didn't act, she reacted. Acting implied she thought about what her actions would be. She didn't. She just responded in the only way her panic filled mind could. She lashed out at Azula, but not with water. Instead, she reached inside the other woman and did something she promised herself she wouldn't. Not again.

The bile rose in the back of Katara's throat as she invaded Azula's body, taking control through her blood. The flames went out immediately, and Katara twisted Azula's body to the floor. She screeched in fury. Katara twisted her further, her fingers savage in their control. She heard the gasps from the others in the room. They had barely registered Azula's attack before Katara had stopped it.

Katara held onto Azula as she looked in Aang's eyes. She saw shock in them. That was to be expected. But also a hint of fear. She knew he hated that she could do this. That she could violate another person's body like this. That she was willing to. Katara felt a spasm of anger. How dare he pass judgment on her? He removed another person's bending! How was that any different? Her eyes flicked to Zuko. They were only filled with relief. The situation was being controlled, and for him, that was all that mattered.

Azula let out a whimper and finally stopped fighting. Katara could feel the moment she gave in to the blood bending. Katara quickly cut off just the right amount of blood flow to Azula's brain, effectively causing the other woman to pass out.

Katara dropped her arms, her breathing harsh in the quiet that surrounded her.

"I'm sorry," she whispered softly, not quite sure who she was apologizing too. Zuko was the first to respond.

"She won't be out long. We need to decide what to do with her now." Katara nodded slowly, not really hearing him. She stared at her hands. How could she do that again? She promised herself that she wouldn't use blood bending, that it was wrong. It just came so instinctively. She looked at the unconscious woman on the floor and felt her conviction harden. She did what she had to do.

Finally, Aang spoke.

"I know what I have to do." And with that, he left.

Zuko resorted to drugging his sister. It was easier to get the drugs into her when she was passed out. Azula was then restrained from head to toe and placed back in her cold cell. Even though she began to bend in the cell already, it was better than nothing.

He walked slowly back towards his rooms, exhausted by the days events. He felt physically drained, as if he'd expended all his energy in extensive training. Zuko slowed as he approached Katara's room. He was not conscious of what he was doing, and before he knew it, he was knocking on her door.

No one answered. Zuko was about to turn away when he heard a soft sob coming from the room. He hesitated for a heartbeat before slowly entering her room. Katara sat on the edge of her bed with her face in her hands, desperately trying to muffle any noise. Zuko took a cautious step forward.

"Katara," he whispered softly. She looked up at him, startled, before quickly looking away. She wiped her hands against her eyes.

"I'm sorry," she started, "I didn't want you to see me like this." Zuko stepped a little closer. She refused to meet his eyes.

"Katara, it's going to be okay. Aang just needs to figure out what he needs to do." She nodded, still facing away from him. Zuko finally stood before her.

"Katara," he implored. But she only shook her head vehemently. Zuko reached out with one hand, placing it gently under her chin. She shuddered slightly. Zuko turned her face towards him. She looked up at him, tears still fighting to make their way down her cheek.

"Zuko…I…" she paused, "I need to go find Aang." Katara quickly leapt to her feet and made her way out of the room, leaving Zuko to stand alone.

Katara paused as she left her room. She leaned against the wall and tilted her head back. She took in a few deep breaths. Recently, she just couldn't breathe when Zuko was around. It didn't make a lot of sense. All the times she had been in his presence before, whether he was enemy or friend, she never had this problem. But since that day…Katara shook her head. She needed to stop dwelling on that and go find Aang. Katara made her way to Aang's rooms.

As she got closer, she noticed a flurry of activity seemed to be emanating from within. Katara knocked, at first gently and then more loudly. Aang answered the door with a harried look on his face. He stared at her for a few seconds before stepping back and letting her inside. Katara smiled at him, a smile which quickly faded when she noticed Aang had gathered a few belongings together and had changed into his customary traveling clothes.

"Aang, you can't leave! What are we going to do if you-"

Aang cut her off. "I have to go. I can't reach the Avatar state." Katara stared at him blankly.

"What do you mean? You've done it already! You've been in the Avatar state, and you took away Ozai's bending!" Katara felt tears threatening once more, but thankfully held them in.

"Katara I…I just have to figure some things out. Things I can't figure out here."

"What things!? You can tell me!" Katara didn't care that her voice was rising.

"I'll explain when I get back. I just can't now."

Katara took in a shuddering breath. "When will you be back?"

Aang shook his head. "I don't know." And he walked out of the room. Katara stood rooted to the spot. She knew she should run after him, try to convince him to stay or let her go with him. She knew she should, but she couldn't bring herself to move.

Minutes passed. Katara finally left Aang's room and slowly made her way through the palace. She bypassed her own room. She had a vague notion of where she was going and a slight hope of who would be there. She walked with increasing determination until she was outside, back at the pond.

Zuko was there. Only this time he wasn't sitting despondently by himself. He was waiting for her. Katara walked up to him, and echoed words that had been said to her.

"Aang's gone," she whispered. Zuko nodded in response.

"I'm here, if you need anything"

Katara took a step forward. She held back a sob. She hated crying in front of people. Zuko reached out a hand, which Katara tentatively accepted. He gave it a brief squeeze and then let it go. Katara stared at her own hand for several seconds before taking another step forward. Zuko, more hesitant than she had ever seen him, slowly pulled her into an embrace. Katara immediately wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his chest. His only response was to hold her more tightly.

Katara didn't cry. But she stayed where she was, accepting the comfort he offered.

A/N: I am such an awful person when it comes to updating. Super sorry about that. Anyway, Mai's back in the next chapter!