Zuko was dozing off just when Katara's voiced echoed in his mind.
"You look terrible." She insulted. Walking past him to grab her hair brush. Zuko raised himself from his sitting position and rubbed his eyes.
"I waited out here all night."
"What do you want?" She scoffed.
"I know who killed your mother."
Katara froze. Did he just say what she thought he said. She was proven right by what he said next.
"And I'm going to help you find him."
Her eyes widen as she turned to him but then she narrowed them.
"What are you trying to do?" She spat at him venomously. Zuko looked alarmed.
"I just said I know who killed your mother."
"I know, I heard you." She countered. "Are you trying to get my hopes up, trying to tear me apart? Why would you lie about something like this? I thought you understood what it was like."
"I do know. I'm going to help you find the man who took your mother away from you. The man was the leader of the Southern Raiders, a fire nation navy."
Katara turned away from him, finally after all this time. The man who took her will be brought to justice. She felt Zuko place a hand on her shoulder.
"Please Katara. Let me help you."
Aang was talking to Sokka as he fed Appa. Unknown to Aang, Sokka had blocked him out ages ago as he stuck out his tongue to concentrate on a necklace specially made for Suki. Sokka looked up when he noticed Katara and Zuko heading in their direction. He noticed Katara had a determined but vicious look on her face.
"I need to borrow Appa."
"Why? Is it your turn to take a little field trip with Zuko?" Aang said jokingly.
"Yes, it is." She replied non humorously.
"Oh. What's going on?" Aang seemed surprised.
"We're going to find the man who took my mother from me."
Sokka was paying for attention now and had positioned himself next to Aang and demanded an explanation with his eyes.
"Sokka told me the story of what happened. I know who did it and I know how to find him."
"Um...and what exactly do you think this will accomplish?"
Katara shook her head in dismay. "Ugh, I knew you wouldn't understand."
She began to walk away.
"Wait! Stop! I do understand. You're feeling unbelievable pain and rage. How do you think I felt about the sand benders when they stole Appa? How do you think I felt about the Fire Nation when I found out what happened to my people?"
Zuko decided to defend Katara.
"She needs this Aang. This is about getting closure and justice."
"I don't think so. I think it's about getting revenge." He countered.
"Fine, Maybe it is!" Katara spoke angrily. "Maybe that's what I need! Maybe that's what he deserves!"
"Katara, you sound like Jet."
"It's not the same! Jet attacked the innocent." Katara justified. "This man, he's a monster."
Sokka couldn't stay silent anymore, he needed to snap her sister from her funk.
"Katara, she was my mother too, but I think Aang might be right."
"Then you didn't love her the way I did!" She shouted at him.
"Katara!" Sokka recoiled.
"The monks used to say that revenge is like a two-headed rat viper. While you watch your enemy go down, you're being poisoned yourself."
"That's cute." Zuko mocked. "But this isn't air temple preschool. It's the real world."
"Now that I know he's out there, now that I know we can find him, I feel like I have no choice."
"Katara, you do have a choice: forgiveness."
Before Katara could argue back, Zuko did for her.
"That's the same as doing nothing!"
"No it's not. It's easy to do nothing, but it's hard to forgive."
"It's not just hard, it's impossible." She huffed and stormed away. Zuko stayed for a few seconds before following her. Aang and Sokka looked at one another in worry.
"Do you think she's right?"
"Violence isn't the solution." Aang confidently replied. "It never has been."
"I don't think I'll be able to forgive the man either Aang."
"Why not?"
"He killed our mother." Sokka said. "Do you forgive the people who vaporised your nation?"
"I do. They were only doing what they thought was right."
"How could you justify their actions. They wiped out you're people." Sokka exclaimed in irritation.
"Everything happens for a reason Sokka."
Sokka sighed and patted Aang on the back. He excused himself and went to find his sister. Sokka found her sitting against a rock, however she wasn't alone, she was joined by the Fire Prince. Sokka hid and couldn't help but overhear their conversation.
"I knew he wouldn't understand." He heard his sister sigh.
"I'm sorry."
"You were just trying to help. Sometimes I understand why everyone has a soft spot for you." Sokka heard her chuckle and he peeped around the tree he was behind to see Katara nudge him affectionately.
"I'm sorry we can't go after him."
"Of course we can." Sokka noticed Zuko's confused face. "We'll just steal Appa when Aang has gone to sleep."
"Are you sure that's a good idea?"
"Has the big, strong Fire Prince lost his nerve?"
"What, no." He spluttered. "I just don't want to get one everyone's bad side again."
"I'll defend your honour if that happens." Katara giggled. Zuko gave her a look and smiled slightly.
"I'm glad you accepted my help. It means a lot."
"Don't get all mushy." Katara smiled at him. "I'm glad you offered. I didn't think I'd ever be able to find closure about my mother's death. This means more to me than you know."
Zuko fiddled with his fingers for a moment before asking her.
"Are you still mad at me about last night?"
"A little. I'm nothing like your sister." She scoffed crossing her arms.
"I know you're not." Zuko agreed. "If you had stayed you would of known I then said you were nothing like her."
Katara's eyes widen and looked at the fire bender. "What?"
"If you had stayed you would of heard what I had said. But you know those characteristics I said are all good qualities."
"Daddy's little girl?"
"I would kill for a father who didn't think the worst of me."
Katara frowned and put a hand on his arm.
"Also being compared to Azula isn't so bad. I mean she's pretty deadly, confident and incredibly smart."
"That may be true, but she's also a monster. Ozai's mini me."
Zuko laughed. "Very true."
"Thanks for defending me back there."
"That's okay, Aang understands, it's just the Air Nomads have different views. The monks don't believe in violence, they think everything can be solved in a peaceful way."
"That didn't get them far did it?" Katara huffed.
"No, I guess it didn't. But he's trying to understand, he's been frozen for hundred years."
"Are you defending him?"
"No, no." Zuko quickly replied. "I'm just justifying why he said what he said."
"Do you agree with him?"
"Of course not." He scoffed. "I could never forgive my father for what he did to me."
"I wouldn't either. So you'll come with me tonight?"
"Of course." Zuko nodded.
Sokka walked back to where Aang was still feeding Appa and told him of his sister's plan.
"We can't let on that we know."
"Okay, so what are we going to do?" Aang asked.
"Try and convince her not to go." Sokka shrugged.
The gang had gathered round the fire as they were eating dinner. Toph sensed the tension between Katara and Aang.
"What happened guys?"
They all turned to her and they all made 'huh' noises.
"Why is everyone so tense?"
"Katara is turning into a two-headed rat viper apparently." Zuko shrugged.
"I'm sorry, what?" Toph raised an eyebrow.
"She found out who killed her mother and she wants revenge." Aang explained.
"Not revenge, justice." Katara butted in.
"Go for it Sugar Queen." Toph gave her thumbs up.
"Violence is not the answer." Aang raised his voice. "If you kill him, you'll be no better than him."
"There are some people in the world that don't deserve mercy." Zuko challenged.
"Every life is precious, we all have a right to live."
"Why are you defending the man who killed my mother?" Katara shouted.
"I'm not defending him, I'm suggesting instead of going down to his level, you should do the right thing and forgive him."
"What is with you and forgiveness?" Zuko scoffed. "Not everyone is worthy of forgiveness, you can't go around wily nily throwing it out, it's take a long while for someone to forgive, they must face the problem and decide for themselves whether that person is deem worthy of their forgiveness."
"Well spoken." Toph praised. Katara looked at him in affection and Aang simply stared at him.
"The monks say-"
"Enough about the monks!" Katara yelled.
Aang looked incredibly hurt and kept silent throughout the rest of the dinner. Suki was calming Katara down, while Toph was commenting that she didn't have to forgive anyone she didn't want to. Zuko tried talking to the Aang, but the air bender just ignored his every attempt. Zuko sighed, he spotted Sokka looking his way and shrugged in defeat. Zuko tried once more.
"Aang, please, Katara's is just very frustrated. You know how she is, once her mind is set on something, you can't stop her."
Aang glanced at Katara across the campsite, she was being hugged by Suki and he sighed.
"I just don't want her regretting what she'll do."
"You don't know what'll she'll do." Zuko pointed out. "What she feels now, may be different after she confronts him. She needs this Aang, you know inside she does."
"I know, I know." Aang put his head in his hands. "I just don't want her making the wrong choice."
"There is no wrong or right choice. It's Katara's decision, if she chooses to not to act then that's her choice." Zuko spoke a little too loudly and everyone was listening to their discussion.
"There is always a right and wrong choice, and killing this man is wrong."
"And that is your choice. You are not Katara."
"Yes, but I'm right."
Zuko groaned in frustration. "You are not Katara. You can't influence her to do what you want her to do. She is her own person. She can made her own decisions and shoving your beliefs in her face is making her more frustrated with you."
"She's never been like this before. If anyone has influenced her it's you." Aang accused.
"Me?" Zuko seemed surprised. "How?"
"You're anger and stubbornness. You've forced upon her that forgiveness is for the weak and violence is the key. You're just like you're father." Aang growled.
"That's enough Aang." Sokka interrupted. "Zuko has done nothing to Katara."
"How would you know, you're too busy clinging to Suki."
"Do not bring Suki into this." Sokka growled. "Our mother was murdered in cold blood. Water Tribe people do not forgive that."
"Why aren't you wanting revenge?"
"I am. I'm just not strong enough to face the killer of my mother."
"Can you forgive him?"
"No. I don't think I ever will." Sokka crossed his arms.
"You need to understand that not everyone is like you." Zuko spoke. "We've all led different lives, we've all experienced different things, we have different beliefs, different opinions. What you think may differ from person to person. We understand that forgiveness has been a big part of your life and we respect that but you need to understand that forgiveness is treated differently in other cultures. We want you to respect Katara's choice and support her no matter what."
They were all staring at Zuko in amazement, he was being so logically and soothing and it was a side of Zuko they had never experienced before. Katara was finding it rather distracting, especially since it was in her favour. Aang finally sighed in defeat and accepted what Zuko had said. He turned to Katara and bowed.
"I'm very sorry for what I said. I will support your choice and I'm sorry I forced forgiveness on you."
Katara nodded and smiled softly at him. "Sokka I'm also sorry."
"Don't worry about it buddy." Sokka slapped him on the back.
"Katara, can you promise that'll you'll think about it first? And ask me before taking Appa."
"Of course Aang." Katara faked promised. "Well I'm going to bed. Night guys."
Katara kissed Sokka on the cheek and left for her tent. Katara waited for everyone to enter their tents and ensured they were asleep before leaving hers to rouse Zuko.
"Zuko, wake up, we're leaving." She whispered rather anxiously. Her eyes widen slightly seeing Zuko's bare chest again. I'm never going to get used to this. She thought.
"Now?" He whispered back, "but I just got undressed."
"I can see that." She blushed. "Hurry up, we don't have all night."
"Alright, alright." He grabbed a shirt and ushered them both out of his tent and they picked up their packs before heading towards the sleeping Appa.
"So you were just going to take Appa anyway?" Aang emerged from behind a rock along with Sokka.
"Yes." Katara huffed in annoyance, she was trying to avoid a confrontation.
"It's okay, because I forgive you." Aang paused for a moment before saying. "That give you any ideas?"
Katara held in her anger in. "Don't try and stop us."
"I wasn't planning to. This is a journey you need to take. You need to face this man. But when you do, please don't choose revenge." Aang begged. "Let your anger out, and then let it go. Forgive him."
"Okay, we'll be sure to do that, guru goody goody." Zuko answered sarcastically, Katara stifled a laugh and so did Sokka.
"Thanks for understanding Aang." Katara felt bad if she didn't say thanks since he allowed them to take Appa. "Yip yip."
Sokka watched as his sister and the fire prince fade in the distance.
"You know, you're pretty wise for a kid."
"Thanks, Sokka."
"But you aren't always right." With that Sokka left him.
Sokka walked back to his tent to find Suki there waiting for him.
"What's wrong sweetie?" Suki asked when she saw his face.
"Katara left with Zuko."
"I'm sorry. I know you tried to stop her." Suki patted a seat next to her. Sokka slumped down and sighed.
"I didn't try to stop her. I agreed with her. That isn't the worst part."
"What was that?"
"After all we went through to say it was Katara's choice, Aang still threw the forgiveness thing at her."
"Let's get some sleep, we'll talk to him in the morning."
Sokka smiled at her sweetly. "Thanks."
They kissed and snuggled down together.
Sokka and Suki woke with a start when they heard Toph yell out. Sokka grabbed his shirt and flung himself outside.
"What do you mean they left?"
"They left to find Katara's mum's killer."
"I know why they left, they didn't even say goodbye." Toph huffed and crossed her arms.
"Come on Toph. We'll have loads of fun without them." Suki came out and patted the earth bender on the head.
"Get off me." She grumbled swatting her hand away. "What are we going to do?"
"Well, let's see." Suki looked around and noticed Aang twiddling with his fingers.
"Now you have all day to train Aang, without Zuko or Katara to interfere."
Toph smirked. "That's true. Come on Aang we better get started."
It wasn't long before the rain started. Aang and Toph came back running, as the rain got harder. They all huddled together in Toph's earth tent and were making fun of Sokka.
Meanwhile...
"Hey, shhhhh, It's okay." Zuko hushed Katara. They had just confronted Yon Rha, the retired Southern Raider leader. Katara had rushed from the scene, trying to keep her tears in check. She had dissolved into Zuko when he approached, asking if she was okay. Zuko was never good with talking about feelings and felt out of place, this was Aang's job or the girls. Zuko took a deep breath and wrapped both arms around her. Katara stiffen slightly at first but then started crying harder.
"It's okay, Katara." He was hushing her gently, comforting her. He leaned his head on her and kissed her on her crown. Katara gasped and moved away from him.
"What was that?" She sniffed.
"I'm sorry." He mumbled, jumbling over his words in embarrassment. "I'm just not used to this kind of stuff. Mum used to do that when I was upset. I'm so sorry."
Katara giggled at his nervousness and wiped her tears away. "It's okay."
She grabbed his hands to stop his motioning and their eyes met.
"I got you to stop crying." Zuko said in triumph. "Maybe I'm not so bad after all."
This caused Katara to giggle again. "Thanks Zuko."
He shrugged. "I try."
They both smiled at each other, Katara then frowned again.
"Do you think I made the right choice?" Katara saw his confused face. "You know, let him live."
"Do you think you did?" Zuko asked.
"Yes?" She said more as a question.
"Why didn't you, you know, kill him?" He asked nervously.
"I just couldn't." She sighed. "He looked so pathetic and tiny. I was just thinking if I did, I'd be just as pathetic." Katara looked at Zuko. "I don't think mum would of wanted that."
Zuko gave her a reassuring look. "I'm sure your mother will be proud."
Katara smiled and gave Zuko another hug. She realised they were both soaked to the bone.
"Maybe we should go back, before we catch a cold."
"Okay." Zuko responded, he raised himself off the ground and pulled Katara up. "But I'm not camping anymore, if we go back, we're going to my summer house."
"Alright your majesty" She bowed teasingly. "I'm sure it's more comfortable than the hard ground."
The rain had stopped and Appa shook himself, spraying the two with water.
"Oh Appa." Katara groaned. She water bended Zuko and herself dry before moving onto Appa. They climbed aboard, Zuko taking the reins and they were off with a 'yip yip'.
"Can you leave me at the summer house before you grab the guys?" Katara moved up to sit with Zuko on Appa's head.
"Sure, if that's what you want."
"Thanks, I'm not sure I'm ready to face them all yet."
Zuko put an arm around her shoulders. "And that is your choice."
Katara cracked a smile and they both started laughing. Appa landed and Katara let herself off.
"I'll be back soon." Zuko smiled. "yip, yip"
Zuko landed Appa and was greeted with a flustered Sokka, a nosey Aang, a curious Suki and a annoyed Toph.
"Where's Katara?"
"Did she forgive him?"
"What happened?"
"You didn't even say goodbye."
Zuko waited for them to calm down before speaking.
"She's at my summer house, you can ask her yourself and Katara ambushed me, so goodbyes were kinda impossible."
"Fair point, fair point." Toph replied.
"Well what are we waiting for?" Sokka exclaimed. "Let's pack, my baby sister is waiting."
They all raced around gathering their stuff and chucking it onto Appa. Sokka was fidgeting too much while they flew.
"Come on Zuko, give us something." He pleaded.
"Oh alright!" He cried from Appa's head. "She didn't kill him."
Aang let out a huge breath he was holding, while Sokka thanked him. Sokka yelped when he saw her and demanded Zuko to land. As soon as Appa's feet landed Aang jumped out and ran to Katara. Sokka growled and stayed with Suki and Toph and Zuko followed Aang.
"Katara, are you okay?" Aang fussed.
"I'm doing fine Aang."
"Zuko told me what you did or what you didn't do, I guess." Aang smiled. "I'm proud of you."
"I wanted to do it, I wanted to take out all my anger out at him, but I couldn't. I don't know if it's because I'm too weak to do it or because I'm strong enough not to."
"You did the right thing. Forgiveness is the first step you have to take to begin healing."
Katara raised from the boardwalk and narrowed her eyes. "But I didn't forgive him. I'll never forgive him."
She smiled at Zuko. He looked worried. "But I am ready to forgive you."
She walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck, he hugged her back and sighed in relief like a huge weight was lifted from his shoulders. They parted and looked one another in the eyes, causing an understanding between them, before Katara walked away. She saw her brother and just ran to him and embraced him.
"Katara, I'm so glad you're okay." Sokka worried. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"No that's okay." Katara stated. "I talked it over with Zuko, he helped a lot."
"Remind me to thank him." Sokka smiled down at her. Suki came over and gave her a hug, Toph hung behind.
"Hey Toph, miss me?"
"No." She huffed, before throwing her arms around Katara's middle. "I just want you to know, what
you did was really brave."
Katara put a hand on her heart and looked at Sokka and Suki in amazement, they both smiled and shrugged. Toph withdrew and punched her.
"That's for not saying goodbye."
Katara rubbed her arm as they all laughed. Zuko and Aang came up and Zuko suggested they go inside before it gets dark.
"Lead the way, jerk bender." Sokka bowed. Zuko whacked him and started walking towards the house.
"Why are the doors broken?" Suki inquired.
Zuko rubbed the back of his neck. "That may have been me."
They all looked at him. "Anyway that doesn't matter. The rooms are upstairs, go take your pick."
They all rushed past him and fought their way up the stairs, tripping each other up and insulting one another. Zuko sighed and followed them.
"I'm in this one." Sokka yelled out.
"This one's mine." Toph shouted.
"I'll take this one." Katara offered, while Aang stood defensively in front on the door. "Or not." She quirked an eyebrow.
"I'll use this one." She seemed happy.
Suki walked over to Sokka, whispering something. "I'm staying with Sokka."
Zuko cleared his throat. "Have you all finished?"
They all nodded eagerly. "I have one rule."
"Urgghhh, rules." Toph complained.
"No one is allowed in that room." He pointed behind him. "Is that clear?" He looked at Sokka narrowing his eyes.
"Crystal." Sokka nodded.
"Good, oh Katara, that's my room." Zuko added. Katara blushed and said she'd stay with Toph. Toph refused immediately.
"No way Sugar Queen, you're stuck with him."
Sokka made clear she was not sharing a room with the brooding fire prince.
"I'm not that bad." Zuko defended.
"I'm not letting her sleep in the same room."
"Alright, I'll sleep on the couch." He resolved. "Happy?"
"Very." Sokka clapped. "So what's for dinner?"
Katara couldn't sleep, she kept tossing and turning. She let out a frustrated sigh and stared at the ceiling. Katara felt bad leaving Zuko to the sofa, he seemed so uncomfortable when they left him. Ever since their trip she couldn't help but care for his welfare. Katara let out another sigh and raised herself from the bed.
"Stupid Zuko, making me feel for him."
She left her room, passing the forbidden room and down the stairs, feeling the walls as she went. She entered the sitting room silently to find an empty sofa, the blanket on the floor.
"Where's he got to?" She muttered suspiciously.
She went to the kitchen, then the courtyard, finally finding him, staring up at the moon. Zuko looked back when he heard her, smiled slightly then turned back.
"Can't sleep?" He asked.
"No, you?" Katara answered, settling herself down beside him.
"That sofa does things to your back, you can't recover from." He joked, cracking his back.
Katara smiled, but when she noticed Zuko wasn't smiling she asked.
"What's wrong?"
Zuko sighed and looked at Katara. "I thought coming here would have been a good idea." He clasped his hands together and looked at them. "But all these memories keep flooding back."
He looked up towards the moon. "And I keep wondering, where did it all go wrong?"
Katara frowned, she placed her head on his shoulder. Zuko waited for a reply, since the water bender always had something to say, but when he heard soft breathing, he turned to see Katara snoozing on his shoulder.
"Hey, Katara, wake up." He gently whispered. She mumbled and grabbed his arm.
"Come on, let's get you to bed." He sighed. Zuko picked her up bridal style and took her inside and into his old room. He gently placed her on his bed, he turned to go when she grabbed his hand.
"Please stay." She mumbled.
"I don't think that's a good idea."
"I'll feel bad if you go back to the sofa." She pulled him onto the bed. "Just stay." She ordered.
"Alright, alright." He gave in.
"Just stay on your side." She put a pillow between them. Zuko turned to his side and fell asleep almost instantly.