Disclaimer: refer to chapter 1
Chapter 4: The Joining of Paths
Aang helped Iroh down from the saddle and over to the lake's edge. Zuko refused any aide as he followed suit. They saw the way he tried to keep from shaking and walk straight and tall, but knew he was practically dead on his feet. Iroh shook his head, hoping that his nephew would someday learn to accept help like the kind they offered. Sokka and Toph were unloading the gear from the saddle. They'd been able to load everything they could before moving into their hiding spot earlier that day. Katara made her way over to Iroh, and sat on the opposite side of him then Zuko.
She smiled at the old man, and said, "I apologize if this hurts at all, but it should feel better soon. I'll even see what I can do about that shoulder."
He smiled back, "I have never known the kind efforts of a pretty young lady to ever hurt. I am also very intrigued to witness the healing abilities of the waterbenders. I've heard so much about it, but never actually seen it firsthand."
"Well, you don't get much more first hand then this." Katara joked.
She bended a sheet of water from the lake over to the man's back, and concentrated on mending the wounds. From the corner of her eye she could see Zuko staring at what she was doing with a mixed expression of confusion and amazement. This must be the first time he had ever seen a waterbender's healing abilities as well. She couldn't help the small triumphant smirk that found its way to her face, but it looked like he noticed because he turned away. When she moved the water away, the skin on his back looked as it did before the caning, and she moved to the old wound on his shoulder.
The scar didn't look as bad as she thought it would have after all this time, but that didn't mean it was in great shape. It was a somewhat irritated red, and the skin had a slightly distorted textual pattern. She cringed a bit as she looked at it. How could his own niece do this to him?
Iroh seemed to notice her expression. He said, "Not to worry, my nephew has a bit of experience with burns."
"Uncle!"
"Yes, well, I've got a little experience myself." Katara chuckled, and moved to heal the scar.
When she was done Iroh thanked her, and moved to help with the campfire. Katara slowly made her way over to the other firebender, and sat down at his side, slightly behind him. She was taking her time, still a little angry with him from the argument.
He glanced back, and then sighed, "Listen, I…I want to apologize for accusing you earlier. You were just trying to help." He turned and bowed slightly. "Thank you."
She stared at him as he turned back toward the lake. Was this the same boy she had first seen come down the ramp of his ship at her village so many months ago, or even the same one she had fought at the North Pole? He had a different air about him now, like he had lost something, a piece of himself. She almost felt a stab of sympathy for him, almost.
She healed his back, noticing the taut muscles running along it. She shook her head to clear those thoughts out, and moved her water-gloved hand toward the side of his face. As soon as he sensed the movement near his scar he jerked away. He looked at her with narrowed eyes.
He simply said, "Don't."
She let the water fall from her hand and quietly said, "I'm sorry, I just thought…" She stood. "Anyway, we were able to get your packs earlier. They're probably over with the others right now."
She walked over to the rest of the group, who were sitting about the now blazing fire talking. If they were lucky they might be able to get Iroh to teach Aang firebending, and they'd no longer have to worry about that. That could wait until morning; all that mattered to her right now was getting some sleep. She'd not done this much healing before, and hadn't realized how much it would take out of her. She was stopped by a question.
"What's your name?" Zuko asked.
"Katara." She replied, "and are we to call you Prince Zuko?"
He averted his gaze from her and said quietly, "No, I haven't been a prince now for some time. I am Zuko, just Zuko."
She smiled, "Then goodnight, Zuko."
"Goodnight…Katara."
Zuko was the first to rise the next morning, waking shortly before sunrise. So not to disturb any of the others he stood, grabbed his swords, and walked off. For the next hour he worked on his bending and swordsmanship. As usual his mind wandered to others that he had seen, and he was determined to best. He focused his senses fully onto his movements, remembering his earliest lessons. His teacher had been aggressive, reprimanding him each time his posture or movements were incorrect. His uncle had never been as aggressive in his teachings, but had his own form of demanding methods. Neither was as forceful as Zuko's own pride and desire. He wanted to not just reach the limit, but push past it. Unfortunately, if he couldn't learn to control lightning then it looked as if he'd never even achieve the limit.
After finishing his physical training, he had to admit that he didn't smell too good. He remembered the pools that fed the lake and the time his uncle had found similar springs. He quietly went back to the camp and grabbed a change of clothes from his pack. He then set off for a nice hot soak. Perhaps his uncle had been right, which he wasn't feeling too eager to admit, and a soak in a hot spring would relax his worries away.
He'd been relaxing in one of the pools for about five minutes when he heard it. One of the last sounds he wished to hear at that moment. His Uncle was approaching, and he wasn't alone.
"So much for a relaxing bath." Zuko muttered to himself.
"Ah nephew, it would appear my idea was not as original as I had thought. Tell me, is the water terribly cold? I do so hate freezing before having a chance to warm the water." Iroh called out as he and Aang approached.
"It's fine, uncle." He replied lamely, rather annoyed at having his privacy interrupted.
He continued bathing as the two climbed into another larger pool, and began a conversation. He tried to ignore what they were saying until something caught his ear. The Avatar had just asked them to join his little group, and for Iroh to teach him firebending.
He turned to them and gruffly said, "We thank you for what you did yesterday, but I'm afraid we will have to refuse."
His uncle gave him a sharp look and said, "Zuko, I believe it is best if we take up this kind offer."
"Uncle, every time we have come close to the Avatar, something has happened. Do you remember the last time we encountered him? You were seriously injured."
"That was your sister that did that, not Aang. Besides my shoulder is fine now. That young Miss Katara really knows what she's doing."
"Please, Uncle…"
Iroh cut him off, "Quiet Zuko! I rarely give you orders, but I am saying this now. We shall join these good people, and we will aid them in their endeavor. Avatar Aang, I will teach you as much as I can about the art of firebending."
After having been countermanded by his uncle, Zuko stayed silent and simply nodded as the two looked to him for agreement to the promise. He would now walk the same path as the Avatar and his friends, a path against the Fire Nation. How could it have truly come to this, two descendants of the man who founded the Fire Nation now agreeing to help destroy it? He quickly finished his bath, dressed, and proceeded off to meditate, something he hadn't done in a while.
He found a large rather flat stone down near the lake's edge within visual distance of the camp, and gathered up a hand full of leaves. Setting the five leaves in front of him he sat with legs crossed, facing the east. He created a small flame in the center of each of the leaves, and fell into a meditative state. He would use this time to contemplate everything that was happening, and all the possibilities open to him. He could leave on his own again, but he actually preferred travelling with his uncle. The old man was his last grasp at family he had. No, he wouldn't do that again, but he still didn't believe that he'd found his own path.
Katara woke to be greeted by the sun that had risen a few hours prior. She groaned at the thought that she had woken up later than she usually planned. She stretched her self out after climbing from her sleeping bag. No doubt Sokka would be waking soon, looking for breakfast. She noticed a figure not too far off as she went to wash her face down at the lake. It took her no time to recognize it as being Zuko, and it appeared that he was meditating. The sight made her think back to the time that Jeong Jeong had tried to teach Aang firebending by having him control the burning of a leaf. She couldn't help the amazement she felt when she saw the young man controlling five burning leaves at once, but she admitted that he had been training for years. Of course she was considered to have practically mastered waterbending in a matter of months, but he'd been training for years and she knew he was NOT considered a master firebender. Was fire really such a difficult element to master, and if so, how was Aang to master it by summer's end?
"Miss Katara, how are you this fine morning?" Iroh's voice called as he and Aang walked toward the camp along the shore.
"I'm fine. Where did you two disappear to?" She answered with a smile.
Aang said, "We were just having a bath and talking. Oh, and Iroh showed me a really good use for firebending. It can be used to heat the water in the pools so it's like a hot spring."
"Really? You know that was never one of the uses I had ever thought of for it. Maybe we can use you instead of a campfire to cook with once you learn firebending, Aang." Katara joked. "Anyway, after your earthbending practice with Toph later I want to work with you on your waterbending."
"Perhaps tonight, we can have your first lesson, Aang." Iroh suggested.
Katara blinked, and asked, "Does that mean that you're going to…"
Iroh nodded, "Yes, Aang here has accepted to allow me to teach him firebending."
"That's great! That means that you'll be staying with us then?" She exclaimed. "Wait. Does Zuko know about this? I mean, I don't know him too well, but I don't think he'd take this quietly."
Aang said, "Don't worry, he was there when we were talking, and he agreed to do it."
"He wasn't trying to capture you, was he?" Katara asked quickly, concerned for her friend's safety. She was ready to go knock the living day lights out of the young man on the rock if he had tried something.
Iroh chuckled, waving off the idea, "No, no, my nephew was already there, having beat us to the bath idea. Actually, I believe he has ceased trying to capture our young friend here."
Katara started, "But back at that abandoned village…"
"That was a last ditch effort. Capturing the Avatar has been his one hope for so long, he could not give up so easily, but now he is coming to accept that doing so won't get him what he wants."
Aang had a confused look on his face and asked, "Hope for what?"
Katara interjected, "That time with the pirates he said he was trying to get his honor back. How could capturing Aang do that? Why was he so obsessed with it?"
Iroh sighed, "Honor has always played a strong part in our nation's culture. It is not as simple a concept as most think, and it means almost everything to a person. The main portion of Zuko's honor that he wants back is the acc…"
"Uncle, you speak too much!" Zuko shouted without turning toward them, but the leaves were almost gone now.
"He is correct. This is not my story to tell, but his. Perhaps, someday he'll be willing to tell you. Now though, how would you like some nice jasmine tea? I was able to get some while in Ba Sing Se, and it's in my pack right now."
They prepared some breakfast, Sokka just waking as it was about ready. Toph had crawled out of her stone tent just a few minutes before, and was sitting near the fire waiting for the meal to finish. She playing around with a small, carved puzzle box she had gotten at Ba Sing Se. Zuko stood, the leaves burning away to nothing as he rose, and joined them. They all ate while talking to each other about their plans on what to do.
Sokka said with hint of distaste, "So, where do we go from here? We can't really go back now. They'd accuse us of aiding the Fire Nation, which we basically did. Besides, if we went back to Ba Sing Se they just try to execute those two again, and us along with them."
"I hate to say it, but he's got a point there." Toph said. "Does this make us enemies of the Earth Kingdom?"
Aang replied, a gloomy look on his face, "I'm not sure, but we did the right thing. If they had done that they'd be no better than the Fire Nation. No offense intended."
Iroh smiled, "None taken, I admit that my brother has endorsed similar lines of belief. There is an old saying I once heard."
Zuko's shaking head fell into his hand, another of his uncle's proverbs.
"There is nothing so terrible as the wrath of the righteous." The old man quoted. "It is that feeling that prolongs the war. Both sides believe that they are in the right, even ourselves. The Water Tribes and Earth Kingdom feel that they are in the right as they were the ones attacked, and thus label all from the other side evil. Meanwhile, the Fire Nation has come into the mindset that they are superior, and that that means they deserve to rule over the other nations."
"But how do we fall into this?" Katara asked.
His expression was serious as he replied, "You have promoted that the Avatar can do no wrong. Thus to side with him puts one on the path of righteousness. Tell me, what do you consider the people of the Fire Nation?"
Sokka said, "They're a bunch of scum out to take over the world."
Toph answered, "I haven't met many people from there, but from what I've heard they're not really that pleasant."
Katara said hesitantly, " From what I've seen they are greedy and conceited, no offense."
"I don't know how they are now, but a hundred years ago they were a great people, gracious and welcoming." Aang replied, still gloomy. "Now they seem to be completely different. They're controlled by their arrogance and hate."
Zuko had barely moved throughout all these answers. They were passing judgment on his people, having never truly been among them. His muscles tensed as he listened to the descriptions the four gave. He had to admit that a few seemed somewhat fitting, but primarily for some of the nobles and military commanders. Besides from what he had seen their peoples weren't any better.
Iroh turned to him, "Zuko, what do you think of the other nations?" But before his nephew had a chance too answer, he continued, "Answer truthfully, don't let your anger at their words control your tongue."
Zuko thought for a moment, and then said, "The Earth Kingdom is filled with people that seem to jump to a conclusion and stick to it. They're stubborn, unruly, and feel certain arrogance. The Water Tribes are nothing but a bunch of people who want everyone to think how nice they are to cover the fact that they are just as brutal as they complain about others being."
Iroh nodded, "Now, with all these opinions, how are you supposed to end this war? There is no single answer to this question. You've all formed you opinions from how you've each encountered members of the other nations. As the Avatar, Aang, you will need to help people see each other for whom, and what they really are. The truth given by that realization will be what truly garners peace. Look at us now; we have people from each of the nations having breakfast together. I think that is a good first step."
"Perhaps we should go back and try to convince the king to accept us back." Aang said.
"We'd need a strong and highly respected ally to vouch for us." Zuko commented.
Sokka blurted, "He's the Avatar. I don't think you get much stronger or more respected than that!"
Zuko glared at the boy, and said, "He and the rest of you just helped two Fire Nation criminals escape from their execution. Lets just say your words won't mean a whole to them."
Iroh laced his fingers together raising his hands to his face in a contemplative manner. He said, "He's correct. We will need someone that is quite recognizable and carries a lot of authority among the people. I'm afraid we are not truly familiar with anyone like that in this nation. Though, a few of my acquaintances might become useful in the future."
Zuko gave him a sideward look, and asked, "Are you talking about those white lotus people, uncle?"
The old man smirked, "Among others."
Katara piped up, "If only Bumi was free, we could have him talk to the king. He'd have to listen to him."
"That's real helpful, Sugar Queen, but last I checked you all said he was a prisoner in Omashu. Which, if I remember, is in Fire Nation control. What do you suggest we do, walk in and ask for him nicely?" Toph sarcastically said.
Zuko glanced over at them and asked, "Do you know where they keep him?"
Aang nodded and said, "They kept him in a metal cage hung at the top of the city. We got him once, but he decided to stay until it was the right time to do something."
Iroh nodded, "He was practicing neutral jin."
Zuko stood, and went to wash his dish and cup. He said, "We'll start toward Omashu as soon as everyone's finished."
Sokka shouted, "Did you miss what they said? Omashu is controlled by the Fire Nation, and Bumi's at the very top of the city!"
Zuko didn't look up from his washing as he replied, "That's why you all will stay hidden out of the city."
A/N: I want to apologise for the preachy bit. It's not my favorite part, but I got stuck in a rant. Sorry to anyone that takes offense.