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It Was An Accident

Katara slowly opened her eyes, and looked around the empty room. She realized that his arms weren't around her. She sat up; suddenly she felt a sharp pain in her back. She ignored it and looked to Zuko's side of the bed; but he wasn't there she then realized he had placed all the blankets over her. She then looked to the dresser and saw that his diadem was gone. 'Where is he? Why did he leave me alone?' she wondered frantically. Katara was still afraid of what happened last night. He must have been drunk, and he had the opportunity. She should have stayed with Zuko at the festival, maybe then nothing would have happened. She should have seen this coming; the kiss was the first sign. How could she have been so stupid to think that nothing else would happen?

Katara hated thinking about what happened. It scared her just to think about Shing. To get her mind on something else she got out of bed; but when she stepped of the bed she felt something sharp cut her foot. She quickly sat back on the bed and looked at the floor. On the floor was a broken vase. Shattered glass covered the table. She didn't realize it when it was happening but glass vases broke as she tried to get away from him. Katara then realized why her back was in so much pain. Katara reached over her shoulder and touched her back. She felt small cuts and scrapes that covered her shoulders and lower back.

She carefully got out of the bed and walked past the glass, and into the washroom. When she got to the washroom she dressed in her white undergarments that she also used for swimming, and water bending practice. Katara carefully tied her hair in a tight braid to keep most of her hair from her back. She placed her hair loops precisely and walked from the washroom.

When she walked into the bedroom she noticed Zuko standing in the middle of the room. Katara immediately noticed his uniform; it was a Fire Nation solider uniform with metal armor and large boots. She raised one of her eyebrows as to why he wore battle armor. What was he doing that he needed to wear it?

Zuko looked back at her, and noticed her change in clothing too. He had never seen her in so little clothing. 'Where was she going dressed like that?' He wondered.

"Where have you been?" Katara asked, and covered her stomach with one arm. She realized Zuko had not seen her wearing her practice clothes, and felt a little embarrassed.

"I was taking care of something." He answered. Katara immediately understood what he meant.

"You mean…?" Katara began, but she didn't want to have to say it.

"You won't have to worry about him anymore." He told her. Katara smiled at him, she walked across the room and wrapped her arms around him. Zuko also held her in his arms; at this point he would do anything for her.

When his hands touched her back, she winced in pain. He quickly took his hands from her.

"What? I'm sorry!" He said quickly apologizing for what ever he did wrong. She took a deep breathe to get rid of the pain.

"No, it's not your fault." She said and turned around revealing her back to him. His eyes widened at the small cuts and bruises that covered her shoulders and lower back.

"Did he do that to you?" He asked and grew angry. She turned back to him and nodded. Zuko tightened his hands in fists and small flames grew around his hands. Katara looked at him with sadness in her eyes; she walked in stand right before him. She placed her hand on the smooth side of his face and looked into his eyes.

"You did all you could. This wasn't your fault." She told him. He looked back at her, and the flames went out. He was the one that ordered Shing the drinks and happily drank with him. He should have locked the bedroom door behind him. Everything he did wrong ran through his mind. Katara took her hand from his face and gave him a reassuring smile. All he could do was hang his head and close his eyes. Katara thought for a moment then got an idea.

"Zuko, come with me." She said and grabbed his hand. He opened his eyes and looked at her. She continued to hold his hand and she pulled him towards the door. He didn't know what she meant but he would do anything she asked. He followed her out of the bedroom and down the halls. He continued to look at her back and the guilt stayed with him.

They came to the gardens and Zuko looked around.

"Why are we here?" He asked. Katara quickly brought her pointer finger to his lips to keep him quiet.

"Just watch." She said and removed her finger. Zuko silently nodded and she let go of his hand. Katara looked back at him then she slowly placed one foot in the water. He continued watching her; he didn't know what she was doing. She placed her other foot in the water and walked a little farther to the center of the pond. Katara closed her eyes, placed her hands together and concentrated. Then water began to flow from the surface of the pond, up her legs and onto her back. The water had a bright white glow and spread evenly over her skin. Katara took a long deep breath through her nose and exhaled through her mouth. With her breath the skin healed over the wounds and tightened her posture. After a moment she opened her eyes and the water fell from her back into the pond.

Zuko watched in amazement; he walked to the edge of the pond and looked at her.

"Wow." He said. Katara looked up from the water at the prince. She smiled and walked towards him. He offered her his hand to help her from the water.

"I guess I forgot to tell you I'm a healer." She said with a smile. Zuko pulled her out of the water. She landed with her hands on the armor that covered his chest, and she brought her eyes to his.

"Yeah." He said. Zuko's mind raced towards his scar. 'Could she heal it?' He asked himself. Katara looked back at his face, she brought her hand to his scar. When her fingers touched his scar he stopped his thoughts.

"How did you get this?" She asked and was curious. Zuko quickly backed away from her. "I'm sorry." She said sincerely.

"It's okay. It was an accident." He said and placed his hand to his scar. Katara walked beside him and faced the pond with him. "Azula… was born a powerful bender. We practiced together when we were young." He began. "She couldn't control herself, it was an accident. My mother always told me I must forgive her, but it's hard." Zuko said.

"Your own sister." She said and thought to herself.

"Accident or not… it was still her doing." He said. Katara could see the frustration in his voice.

"I'm so sorry, Zuko." She said and turned away from her.

"It doesn't matter." He said and walked from the gardens. Katara remained in the gardens and decided he needed time to think. She stayed in the gardens and began to practice her water bending.