A/N: I will repeat. Most of these characters are not mine. They are owned by other people that are able to make money off them. Lucky dogs.

Things really come to a head in this chapter. We have the return of a character that played a prominent role in More Than Friends. I hope you read that three-chapter piece.

They'd been back from the Spirit World for three days. To Katara, Zuko's behavior towards her was the same as it always had been. Inwardly (and in the privacy of her own room) she was crying, but she'd resolved herself that she'd done what she'd come here to do. She'd showed him she was his friend. If he wished their relationship to stay at that level, she would be happy to oblige.

Well not happy, but at least content that he allowed her to still be in his life. She would take what she could get. Even if she could wish for love from him, he seemed incapable of that towards her. She sighed and pushed the door in front of her open.

Zuko was sitting waiting for her when she entered the sunlit room. He smiled when she entered. She sat next to him and returned the smile.

Zuko could see something was troubling her, it was probably the same thing that'd been bothering her since their return. He knew she wanted something from him, but he didn't have a clue what it was. It was tearing him up. It also didn't help that he was so nervous around her now he didn't know what to do with himself. There were things stirring within him he didn't know how to react to. Or even what to call them.

"I was a little surprised to get your note. You don't have to make an appointment to talk with me. My door is always open to you." he teased lightly.

A distant sort of smile bowed her lips. "I just wanted your full attention."

"You have it." he said earnestly.

She swallowed and rallied herself. "I've decided it's time for me to go." she didn't want to look at him, but she did when his voice became small.

"I see."

"I mean, I should really be getting home. I hope you don't mind, but I made arrangements to depart two days from now."

He wanted to jump from his seat and scream at her to stay, but maintained his composure."How?"

"How what?"

'How are you leaving me?' "How are you getting home?"

"I asked Iroh, and he's arranged an airship for me."

"Oh." he didn't know how to process that information. Somewhere in the back of his mind he'd thought Katara would always be here. It was foolishness, he knew, but to face the reality of her leaving was ice-water thrown in his face. The last time she'd left had been hard, but it'd been for Sokka and Suki. Now there was a real chance he might not see her again for years. The added sting was that Iroh was helping her in this.

A uncomfortable silence blanketed the mood between them, stretching for several minutes.

He had to say something, there was so much filling him up. Zuko leaned towards her. "What you did for me... I... I can never repay you. You know that right?"

She shook her head. "Payment is not required between friends." 'I did it because I love you. And I would do it all again, except for risking your life.'

He paused for a minute, unsure if he should continue."What I said the night we shared 'Barriers' was the truth. You are my best friend." he looked at her beautiful face. Spirits, he would miss her.

His eyes were intense. She felt like she was being burned alive. "Zuko what I said that night..."

She was cut short when a servant entered. The man bowed and Zuko motioned for him to speak. "My Lord, were you expecting anyone else from the Water Tribe?"

Zuko and Katara exchanged glances. "No. Why do you ask?"

"There's a man at the gates. He says that he knows the Ambassador." he bowed to Katara. "Should he be let in?"

Zuko's brow furrowed. "Of course. Lead him here so we may speak to him." The servant bowed again and departed to follow orders.

Katara stood and started pacing, a concentrative look on her face. "It wouldn't be Sokka, he'd never leave Suki right now. I wonder if it's a messenger from my Father." A panicked look came to her eye. "What if something's wrong?"

Zuko stood quickly to take her trembling hands in his own. "I'm sure nothing is wrong. Have faith."

She gave him a shaky smile and exhaled the breath she'd been holding.

Zuko released her hands at the sound of the door opening. A man Zuko didn't recognize, dressed in Water Tribe attire, entered.

Katara gasped, and threw herself into the man's waiting arms. "Anyu! What a wonderful surprise!"

The Waterbending Healer picked her up and spun her around laughing, his ice-blue eyes sparkled in the light coming through the windows. He set her down and bowed respectfully, "Master Katara." he said with a sly grin.

She slapped him on the shoulder lightly. "Stop it." she smiled, but blushed.

Zuko approached behind Katara. He sized up this Waterbending Healer he'd heard so much, but so little, about. The man looked to be about Katara's age and hight. His black hair, dark skin and defined features were definitely hard to ignore.

Anyu looked over Katara's shoulder to see the man standing behind her. Katara turned to follow his gaze and saw Zuko. "Oh. Fire Lord Zuko, I'd like to present to you, Anyu of the Northern Water Tribe. He's the man that was such a help to me in delivering Suki's baby." she smiled at the new arrival.

Anyu bowed from the waist to the Fire Lord. "It's an honor to meet you, Sire." he said with sincerity.

Zuko bowed in return, and forced on a smile. "I'm happy we finally get to meet. Lady Katara has said some wonderful things about you." he said cordially. "Please, let us sit, you must be tired."

Anyu nodded and the three took their seats. Katara sat very close to the water tribesman. Zuko was a little surprised when she hooked her arm under one of the Healer's.

"What brings you to my nation?"

Anyu smiled, "I was in the area and I heard Katara was here. I took a chance that I could see her again." He looked at her and she blushed again.

Zuko swallowed, "I'm grateful, as I know Lady Katara is, for the help you rendered her in the birth of Sokka's child. Thank you."

The healer waved his hand. "I was only there in a supporting role. Katara was the real hero. What she did was amazing. She was amazing."

"Yes she is." Zuko's golden eyes locked with Katara's for a moment.

The conversation turned to the places Anyu had gone after he'd left her in the Earth Kingdom, so the Fire Lord took his leave. He had other things to attend to, and he felt they'd be better served catching up on their own.

Besides he wasn't sure how many adoring looks from the Healer aimed at Katara he could stand without getting really upset.

They all had dinner together that night. Iroh was fascinated by the stories that Anyu told about growing up and training in the Northern Tribe.

Katara couldn't help but notice that Zuko was uncharacteristically sullen during the meal. She tried whenever she could to bring him out and into the conversation, but he blocked her at every try. She wondered what was wrong. It was selfish, but she hoped he was upset about her leaving.

"Anyu, how long are you here?" Iroh asked with a smile.

"Unfortunately, I have to leave tomorrow. I wish I could stay and see your fair city, but duty calls. I'm sorry I won't be able to spend more time with you, Katara." he sighed.

Katara thought she caught the briefest flicker of a smile on the Fire Lords face before he covered it with his glass. "I will be leaving the day after, so there wouldn't be much time anyway."

She saw the other waterbender's eyebrows raise in a question, but he said nothing. Katara was starting to wonder if the men in the room knew some secret that they weren't telling her, or if she had something stuck in her hair tonight. Again she was baffled by the behavior of males around her.

****

The last twenty four hours had seemed to fly for Katara, and all too soon she had to say goodbye to her friend. It had been wonderful seeing him again.

Anyu's things had been transported to his ship already, and now they were just waiting for the word from the Harbor Master that the tide was right to leave. They stood in one of the palace's many receiving rooms. It was comfortably furnished with a variety of tables, chairs and couches. Katara was admiring a painting of a woman riding on the back of a dragon when Anyu spoke.

"Katara, can I talk to you about something before I go?" he turned his kind eyes to her and she could see they were touched with sadness.

"Yes." she nodded.

"Now, I know most of what we had together was in my head,"

She sucked in a breath. "Anyu..."

"No, don't interrupt me. I was just another fan, in awe of your radiance. My proximity to you and my hormones got the better of my logic." She tried to talk again but he stopped her. "But I don't want to talk about me. I want to talk about you. You said that you had feelings for someone else, but you weren't sure. I think you are sure now, aren't you?"

Katara dipped her head but said nothing. Anyu put his arms around her. "I can tell." he sighed. "Does he know? Have you told him?"

Her head snapped back up in surprise. "Who?" she asked. She hadn't thought she'd been that obvious.

"The Fire Lord. You love him."

She shook her head and tried to back away, but his grip held her tight. Tears filled her eyes and threatened to flow. She looked away from his blue gaze. "I can't. It's complicated."

"You can't love him or you can't tell him?" he said softly.

She squeezed her eyes shut and one watery stream escaped down her face. "Either, both. Besides if he had feelings for me, why would I be leaving tomorrow?" a biter note had entered her voice.

He unfolded his arms from around her but kept a tight hold on her shoulders. "Katara." Anyu shook his head. "No one less than the Fire Lord would be worthy of you, but how can he respond if you never say anything? I tell you now, if you leave here tomorrow having never made your feelings known to him, you'll both regret it for the rest of your lives."

Silent sobs wracked her frame. "I... I can't." her strained voice squeezed out past her broken heart.

He leaned forward and kissed her cheek. "The strongest waterbender either Water Tribe has ever produced can do it."

She tried to smile, but it was difficult through the crying.

"Do you want me to stay until you tell him?" he asked softly.

She shook her head again. "No. I'll be alright."

He pushed her shoulders a bit, "I know you will."

A few seconds after the words left his lips he was suddenly flung onto his back by a set of strong hands. Both of the waterbenders were shocked.

"Keep your hands off her!" was growled down at him.

Zuko was on his way to meet them to say goodbye to Anyu, but his mind kept getting in the way. Currently he was pacing in the hallway off the room he knew they were in.

The confusion Zuko'd experienced after Katara's last departure had returned. His frustration intensified feelings of anger within him. Zuko clasped his hands behind his back as he paced. He was putting off seeing the waterbenders as much as possible.

He's Katara's friend so he didn't want to appear to be unwelcoming, but Anyu touched off feelings in him he wasn't sure were healthy, for himself, or for others around him.

Anyu's arrival confirmed all his suspicions about a relationship between the Healer and Katara. Zuko could see how the younger man looked at her. It was disgusting and loathsome.

He vehemently ignored the little voice in his head that said he saw things this way because he was jealous.

The Fire Lord approached the nearest wall and slapped his hand against it in anger. 'Katara's leaving me. I know it's partly because of him!' He growled as he reflected over her behavior around Anyu. She was courteous, even to the point of affectionate. It hurt that it brought into stark contrast how she reacted around him.

Zuko tossed his head back and forth and resumed his pacing. Maybe he'd get a chance to talk to her after Anyu left, but for right now he knew he should act gracious and honorable. It was just so difficult around the other man!

He sighed and continued to the waiting room where he knew they'd be. He should at least say goodbye. He could manage that.

He took a deep breath before pushing open the door. He saw the two of them standing in the middle of the room. At first his heart fell at the sight of them standing so close, and worse he was holding her. But that sinking feeling was quickly replaced by the fire of anger.

He noticed Katara was crying, and then he realized the way Anyu was gripping her arms wasn't entirely friendly. The last straw was when he saw her shake her head no and Anyu push at her shoulders.

Zuko was across the room in a second. Before anyone knew what was happening Anyu was on the ground, with a very angry Fire Lord towering over him.

Anyu looked up as he slowly recovered from getting the wind knocked out of him. He glanced at Katara. She stood with her mouth hanging open as she stared at the back of Zuko's head. He could tell she was livid, but then so was the Fire Lord.

"I will not let you hurt her!" Zuko growled.

"I wasn't trying to hurt her." Anyu said tensely as he picked himself up.

"I know what I saw."

"No, Sire. You don't." he hissed. "Look at her. Does she look happy at what you just did?"

Zuko was breathing heavy but he turned slightly to look at Katara. She was looking away from him for a second, but she whipped her eyes back to him when she felt him turn. He was scathed by the look she gave him.

"Katara?" he ventured, now unsure what was going on. She said nothing, only pushed past him and out the door. He was about to follow when Anyu put a hand on his shoulder. He whipped around and was about to yell something un-royal when the waterbender cut him off.

"Let her go for now. We need to talk."

A/N: Will they "talk" or will shirts get ripped and faces bloodied? I'm voting for the latter. :3 Ever since I wrote More Than Friends I'd mused what it would be like if these two men met. I had to write it.

I should go back through this story and count how many times Katara gets cut off when she wants to say something. That poor woman never can get a word in edgewise!

On a side note, Journey has gotten more comments in less chapters than Friends Again did in total. That makes me happy. Thank you to all of my reader/reviewers! *hugs*

Chapter Song: Just For by Nickelback