Zutara - Scars Chapter 10

The next morning I woke later than normal; I had a terrible headache and my hair was a mess. I brushed my fingers through my hair a bit and straightened my clothes, for they had been ruffled by my night's sleep. Then I climbed out of my tent.

I was greeted by the one person I did not want to see. Zuko sat on a rock obviously waiting for me. He looked unkempt and tired. "You look terrible," I said harshly as a walked by him to my bag to receive my comb.

"I waited out here all night," he said coolly.

I grit my teeth, "What do you want?" I wished he would leave me alone; he would not gain my trust.

"I know who killed you mother," I stopped moving in shock. What? "And I'm going to help you find him."

I turned to him as all my anger from the night before rushed through my mind. My aches, my memories, they were all coming to me now. I closed my eyes. "Tell me who it was?" I said through gritted teeth.

"The Southern Raiders, that's who came to your village that day. Mostly likely he was their leader."

I looked at him and nodded, "Alright then, we'll go now, let's go get Appa." I turned and head toward where Appa was lying on the other side of our camp.

"Um, Katara," Zuko said from behind me. I turned to see him holding my bag. "Don't you need this if we're leaving now?"

"Yah sure," I said and waved my hand at him. I wasn't thinking through everything, I was only concerned with the Southern Raiders.

I went to Aang but he didn't let us take Appa. He kept telling me about how I needed to forgive. All I cared about was finding this man and killing him. Anger rage inside me and my mind was in chaos even as I spoke. I knew Aang would not understand and be on my side. This was his little revenge for breaking his stupid little monk heart. I felt better with Zuko backing me up, at least he was on my side for once. He understood me.

Finally I left enraged that Aang wouldn't let me take this opportunity. I went back to the cliffs that I went to the night before. I sat on a rock and closed my eyes. I tried to untie the knots of thoughts in my brain. I decided I would take Appa anyway. I the middle of the night Zuko and I would leave on Appa before anyone could stop us. I needed to find this man. I had to…. For my mother.

I felt someone sit down next to me. If it was Aang I swore I was going to scream at him. Then I looked and saw Zuko, "We'll go as soon as the others are asleep."

I smirked and looked at the ocean, "Exactly what I was thinking."

With that he left me to my thoughts. I was glad he did, he understood my pain, that encouraged me a little. This wouldn't be hard at all.

Night came over everyone and I went to my tent just as everyone else did. As soon as I got into my tent I gathered my things into my bag. I grabbed black clothing out of my bag and changed into them, they would be better for stealth. When I was all ready I waited in on the patted down grass that had been under my sleeping skins. I got lost in my thoughts about my mother. I saw her face. I recalled that day, it was a day I rarely recalled. But as I lay there, I remembered every detail. The black snow, the man in our tent, my mother's worried face, it was all real to me again.

Suddenly I heard someone outside my tent. I peeked out to see Zuko also in all black crouching near my tent. "You ready?" he whispered.

I simply nodded and crawled out with my bag over my shoulder. We silently crept to around the other tents. Once we were farther away from the other tents, we walked quickly to Appa's side. I put my bag down and opened it asking Zuko quietly, "Do you have any food in your bag?"

"No," he answered in the same whisper.

I gave him half of my supply, then threw my bag onto the saddle. I tied my hair back in the ponytail so that it would not be in the way.

Then I heard a angry voice, "So you were just gonna take Appa anyway,"

I didn't look at him but said roughly, "Yes."

His voiced softened, "That's okay, because I forgive you." Then he was silent, "That give you any ideas?"

"Don't try to stop us," I said looked back at him with a frown.

"I wasn't planning to. This is a journey you need to take, you need to face this man." I nodded, glad he finally agreed. I climbed onto Appa as he continued. "But when you do, please don't choose revenge. Let your anger out and then let it go; forgive him." I grit my teeth and looked forward.

"Okay, We'll be sure to do that guru goody-goody," I smirked at Zuko's reply.

But frowned again as I looked back at the young avatar, "Thanks for understanding, Aang." I noticed Zuko was on the saddle so I looked forward again. I was time to go. "Yip yip."

With a groan Appa flew off. As soon as we were in the air I yelled to Zuko, "Where am I going?"