I was on a roll this afternoon and was able to write another chapter. Enjoy :) I don't own anything!


Katara's POV

My near death yesterday left a mark on me. I couldn't help but fear that anyone around me could attack me now. I really should see a psychologist or something, but since Zuko told me he'd take care of her, I'll let him do it. I still haven't told Sokka or Gran-Gran, and I wasn't sure if I'd tell Aang or Toph. Toph would probably go out looking for her and a fight, and Aang would probably go with her. She was bound to find out something was up, but I planned to keep it from them as long as I could.

Sokka's expecting me to tell him because Zuko told him I would, so I'll probably end up telling him soon, when he wakes up, that is. As for Gran-Gran, she'll probably tell me to file a restraining order against Mai, but why was that necessary if Zuko was already going to deal with her? I wrapped my arms around myself in my room, trying to recall my feelings when he wrapped me in his arms, protecting me. I couldn't. It just wasn't the same.

"Gran-Gran, I'm going for a walk," I said, putting my phone in my pocket and taking a small shoulder bag with me.

"Okay, just be back for lunch in an hour," she called from the kitchen.

About a quarter-mile from our condo was a little park that nobody ever went to. It had a medium-sized pond and a wooden mahogany bridge over it. The grass that surrounded it was always green and there were no dead patches whatsoever. I discovered it when we moved to Ba Sing Se a year ago. It had a very serene feel to it; it was a great place to go to whenever I needed to get away from reality for a little bit. It may be slightly secluded, but I still felt safe nonetheless. I slowly made my way towards the bridge when I realized I was no longer alone.

"I see you discovered this place as well."

I gasped, slightly startled by the voice that broke the calming silence in the park. I turned to see Zuko standing a couple feet behind me, his face with its usual serious demeanor. He was dressed simply in gym shorts, a grey muscle shirt, and running shoes. I resisted the urge to swoon over his toned muscles.

I nodded. "I found it when I first moved here. It's my escape from reality."

"How are you feeling?"

I paused. "A little better. I still haven't told anyone, though."

"Why not?" His golden eyes pierced into my blue ones in a slightly intimidating manner.

"I…I…" I couldn't find the words. I bit my lip, fighting back tears.

"Katara," Zuko softened as he slowly gathered me into a warm hug. "You're not going to heal from this if you don't talk about it."

"Can I talk about it with you?"

"Of course, anytime," he said, releasing me, "but you need to tell Sokka and your grandma. They deserve to know."

"I know." I looked down at my feet. "Do you mind staying with me for awhile?"

"Not at all," he said. "I just finished my run."

"Thanks," I smiled a little.

"You're welcome."

We started walking slowly on the bridge and made our way to the other side, stopping to stare at the cute little yellow ducklings in the pond. "So…how long have you lived here?" I asked.

"Since I was thirteen."

"And you're…how old?"

"Sixteen."

"Really?" I was surprised. "You strike me as a lot older than that."

"I tend to have that effect on a lot of people."

"Why?"

"Do you really ask this many questions?" he asked me, slightly irritated.

"I want to get to know you better," I shrugged. "Is that a bad thing?"

It took awhile for him to answer. "For the longest time, I never liked opening up to people. They always had preconceived judgments about me because I was the Crown Prince of the Fire Nation. Everyone wanted to be my friend, but for the wrong reasons. And just because I'm royalty – or at least, I was – doesn't mean I enjoy it. It was sickening; I didn't ask for any of this! You don't choose which family you're born into! I fucking hate it! My mother left me when I was eight without saying good-bye. She was the only one who truly loved me, she and my uncle, Iroh. The Fire Lord, whom I am ashamed to call my father, kicked me out; banished me for standing up for what I believed was right, and gave me this." He pointed to his scar on the left side of his face. "And Azula…she is a mini version of the Fire Lord; cold, heartless, selfish, power-hungry, and manipulative."

I took a step back. Zuko, Crown Prince of the Fire Nation? The same Fire Nation that my mother's assassin was from? "Zuko," I said quietly. "There's something you should know."

He didn't answer, but just looked at me, expecting an answer.

"My mother's killer came from the Fire Nation."

His good eye widened in shock, but he didn't say anything. He motioned for us to sit down, placed a hand on my shoulder and looked to the ground, shaking his head. "The Fire Lord and my ancestors before him were bigoted supremacists who believed the Fire Nation should be the only nation in existence. I admit I was raised to believe that as well, but my banishment changed everything. It gave me a new perspective on life. One of the most important things I've learned is that social class and/or nationality isn't what defines who we are. It's what we do and how we are that does. I know that you probably hate the Fire Nation after your mother's murder, but do not judge a nation as a whole based on one person's evil deed."

I swallowed. I did not expect that from the Crown Prince at all. "So…if you're the Crown Prince that means you're going to be the next Fire Lord?"

"Yes." He said gravely.

"Do you want to?"

"If I don't take the throne, then Azula will. And she will possibly be even worse than the current Fire Lord. She disdains anyone who she deems less powerful than she is, and she will possibly order for the extermination of all benders that aren't firebenders and attempt world domination."

"But do you want it?"

He breathed in and out. "Yes. I want to rebuild the Fire Nation and its reputation and prove to the world that not everybody in the Fire Nation is bigoted and stuck-up, and I want to make the world a better place for everyone; not just the Fire Nation."

"So when do you take the throne?"

"Right now, since I got banished, it's Azula who's next in line. I'd most likely have to fight her in an Agni Kai."

"A what?"

"A deadly one-on-one fire duel that is fought to the death."

"And what about your dad?"

"Do not call that man my father!" he roared at me. He recomposed himself and continued, "He will have to be overthrown. But it won't be easy. It would take an incredible amount of evidence and eyewitnesses. The Royal Judge is the only one who can officially declare him removed from office."

"I see."

My phone buzzed. "Hi, Gran-Gran."

"Katara, lunch is ready, hon."

"Alright, I'll be over in a few minutes." I hung up. "I'm really glad we had this talk, Zuko. It helped me understand you."

"I'm glad," he said. "Now I suppose it's my turn to get to know you."

"Sure," I said cheerfully. "I'll fill you in sometime. I have to go, though. I told my grandma I'd be home for lunch." Then I had an idea. "Actually, you should have lunch with us!"

"Are you sure that's okay with her?"

"It'll be fine, I promise. Sokka's cool with you, anyway."

"Oh yeah, kinda forgot about that," he chuckled a little. "But I'd love to, now that you mention it."

I smiled, happy to have found someone that I can relate to. Aang and Toph were great friends, don't get me wrong, but they're twelve and I'm fourteen. I can't always relate to them because they're still young. Zuko, on the other hand…he struck me as more mature than a lot of teenage boys, including my brother. Then again, he's been through more than twice as much as most teenage boys have so no comparison there. To top it off, he saved my life. I owed him that much.


After how dark that last chapter was, I figured I'd make this one a little lighter. Do you guys see where the story is possibly going? Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about the Academy...there will be plenty of Academy action coming up!