Don't own ATLA. Wow! i got ten reviews for the last chapter! Thanks guys! For that you get an early update for sure! And really good guesses, am I really that obvious? Oh well, from here on out obviousness begins to vanish! Thanks again for the reviews, they make me feel loved!! And I apologize for this chapter being short. The next one is much longer!

Swiftly Zuko entered the door to where Paku and Kana were having their private dinner. He had made himself run at top speed despite his injuries. He ignored Paku and Kana's surprised looks and his eyes couldn't help but flick uncertainly to the chair that blocked the visitor from view.

He took a deep breath, his grip on the note loosening ever so slightly "Katara's gone, she left this" he said, his voice filled with worry.

Paku carefully got up and grabbed it before sitting back down. He then rolled the note open and cleared it throat to read.

Everyone,

I'm sorry about this, I truly am. But right now I'm just so confused and don't know what to do. I'll meet you guys at the invasion, Aang you could just try to learn from Paku like I did, he really is a good teacher. I really did try to stay but honestly I can't see what you see in Zuko. He's a selfish prince who only thinks of himself. Please forgive me, and don't try to follow, I'll be traveling across the tundra, something only a water bender could accomplish. And you won't find me until I leave, I'll make sure of it. But I will be at the invasion for sure. And gran gran? Sorry.

Katara

Silence reigned over the room as everyone contemplated those words in the note.

Suddenly a young water tribe soldier came in and he was panting and covered in snow "Sir it is a pure blizzard out there, blew in from nowhere. You can't even see you hand in front of you and water bending doesn't even affect it" he said.

Paku nodded as the soldier left "We'll send out a search party when the blizzard leaves" he said.

Kana sighed in defeat, knowing she couldn't do anything. Zuko however was debating something. Finally he made up his mind "No" he said loudly. Paku stared at him before looking at the guest who had let out a small gasp of recognition.

Zuko however ignored it "I'll go after her, blizzard or no blizzard. Sure she injured me and has not given me a break since I joined Aang but still, she needs help. All she has is her Fire Nation clothes and those won't keep her warm for long" he said.

For a moment silence reigned once more. Finally Paku turned to their guest "Well, do you think we should go through with this. Your obviously the wisest one here" he said with some amusement.

Zuko heard a familiar sigh "Sometimes a bird will get caught in a storm and separate from it's family. Usually it never sees it's home again unless one of it's flock goes to retrieve it" a familiar voice said.

Zuko stared wide eyed as the man slowly turned to look at him with tears "Uncle" Zuko said quietly.

Line break

With a heavy heart Zuko turned away from his uncle to focus on Paku whose eyes had widened in shock "This man is your uncle?" he asked.

Zuko stood stiffly and ignored him "Please, it's my fault Katara is in this mess and they said a water bender couldn't get through. With or without your consent I will find her" he said in clear determination.

Paku sighed "I'm afraid we can't let you, not in this blizzard" he said sadly. Zuko growled angrily before turning on heel.

However when he reached the door he stopped, looking at the ground "Just so you know uncle, you were right, that life wasn't for me. I confronted my…Fire Lord Ozai during the eclipse and told him that I was leaving to teach Aang fire bending" he said.

He then hesitated before smiling lightly "He also asked if you had gotten to me, I told him that you had, and that you are more of a father to me than he ever was" he said before leaving.

Swiftly Paku rose to stop him but Iroh held out a hand "You won't stop him, he knows how to get out of the tightest situations. If anyone has hope of finding Lady Katara it will be him" Iroh said soothingly.

Unsurely Paku and Kana looked out the empty door way "I hope your right" Kana whispered.