Some Katara and Zuko fluff since I seem to have forgotten about them being a couple ^^" as well as some Ahihaku family time. If you have time read HugglesxKitten's stories Untitled and Unrivaled. You may notice some interesting characters that have gotten mixed in.

"Do you have to go so soon?" Katara asked sadly, snuggling deeper into Zuko's arms.

"You know I do," he replied kissing her forehead. "I haven't been a very good older brother for a long time and she needs me. I'll be back in a month."

"Oh alright," Katara sighed. "Will you drive me home on your way?" Zuko nodded and began to get his things together when she called his attention again. "Hey, who's this?"

"It's Uncle," he answered, glancing at the photograph she held. She placed the picture back on the shelf and they made their way to the front door together.

"No, I mean who's that with him?"

"One of his oldest friends, that picture was taken on his fiftieth birthday, they went to Graceland together," he explained as he locked the door and they walked to his car. "You probably know him actually."

"He doesn't look familiar."

"I mean by name, that's Saiga." Zuko laughed as his girlfriend stared at him in shock.

"The author of The Painted?" Katara asked, opening her car door.

"That's the one." The short drive to Katara's apartment was spent with her gushing at how amazing it was that Uncle was friends with a famous author. Zuko smiled as he waved goodbye, wishing she could come; where he was going her warmth and caring nature would be a great asset.

With a deep breath Zuko opened the door to his childhood home, he hadn't been there in years.

"Evening Master Zuko," a maid he didn't recognize greeted. "Your father would like to speak with you."

"He's here?" Zuko asked, not bothering to mask his shock.

"Arrived this morning." Zuko followed her to the sitting room where his father sat, two cups and a pot of coffee waiting before him. Ozai nodded at the maid, who departed and indicated for his son to sit.

"Zuko, I'd like for you to start working with me sometimes," Ozai said as he poured the coffee once Zuko had taken his seat.

"I have school, and I work," Zuko hedged, taking a sip at the coffee and holding back a shudder. It just seemed so bitter compared to Uncle's tea.

"We'll work something out. You're the last of the Ahihaku clan who will be able to take over FireTech."

"Why give it to me? You've shown no signs that I've even been considered to work there, let alone run it."

"True, it was originally going to go to your sister, but her current state has left her unable to handle the responsibility so it's either you or just a member of the board. You know what they say, blood is thicker than water."

Once the forced pleasantries were finished Zuko made his way to Azula's room and knocked on her door.

"Enter," she called. "Oh, it's you."

"Nice to see you too, Azula. How're you doing?" She looked so different sitting on her bed, the long hair she had been so proud of was now a choppy pixie cut and she looked pale, with dark circles under her eyes. Gone were her crisp dress shirts and pants, instead she wore pastel pink silk pajama bottoms, obviously either borrowed or a gift from Ty Lee and a 'hang in there' t-shirt that had to be Mai's pick. While the shirt had the typical kitten holding onto a branch this kitten looked more Rambo than adorable and was holding itself aloft to apparently avoid being eaten by zombie kittens.

"Did you really just ask that?" Azula sighed and moved over to allow room for him to sit.

"Sorry, probably not too great, huh?" She looked down at her wrists and Zuko saw angry, jagged scars across them.

"I've been told that my actions caused damage to my tendons and median nerves. As a result I shall be plagued with chronic pain for the remainder of my life and have reduced sensory and motor ability. Not to mention these ugly scars to constantly haunt me," As she spoke her tone began to sound more aggravated.

"We'll match then," he said awkwardly putting his arm around her shoulder, trying to soothe her. He knew she wasn't just talking about the physical scars, they both had been pretty scarred mentally too. He thought of how he believed his life was over when Father kicked him out and how he felt when their mother died. He didn't think he was ever going to get over it, but he made some great relationships. Katara, Sokka, Aang and Toph had helped him get past his pain and he knew Azula had support in himself and her friends too. "Scars heal." It was simple, but he felt quite proud in channeling some of Uncle's wisdom.

Azula, however, rolled her eyes in response.

"Scars don't heal, Dum Dum, wounds heal."

"Oh. Well what do scars do? Fade I guess?"

This chapter was written based off the prompts found at the 100 Themes Challenge group on dA and prompt #17 'Blood'- 814 words.