Chapter Thirty-Three

Katara had spent the next several days sneaking around the palace, taking meals in the kitchen and staying late at the clinic. She could try to lie to herself and say she wasn't avoiding Zuko… but that wasn't happening. The fourth evening she came back late, she stumbled upon Iroh in one of the sitting rooms she used to cut through the palace more stealthily.

"Ah! Katara, please have a cup of tea with me. I've been waiting for you."

She suppressed an inward groan. "Why have you been waiting for me?" She asked, trying to play innocent. She had a feeling she knew where this might be heading and it most likely involved Iroh's nephew.

"I thought you might like someone to talk to. Please, sit." He gestured to the plush chair next to him. When she did, he poured a steaming cup of tea and handed it to Katara who watched the contents of the cup quietly. "How was work at the clinic tonight?"

As Iroh quietly sipped, Katara was surprised by the topic he chose. "It was good."

"Nothing too serious today I hope."

"Just a sprained ankle today, nothing I couldn't handle."

"You are a very skilled young woman." Iroh nodded sagely. "The Avatar chose a wise master indeed."

Katara looked up at him, unsure of where this was going.

"You have traveled all over the world and have seen many things. Tell me, what do you think of the fire nation?"

"Uh… it's lovely." She said lamely. She took a hurried sip from her cup as Iroh watched her. "The flowers here are beautiful and I haven't seen anything like it anywhere else."

"Since you started traveling with the Avatar, this is the longest you've ever stayed in one place at a time, isn't it?"

Katara thought a moment. They had spent considerable time in Ba Sing Se, the Northern Water Tribe, the Northern Air Temple and several other places, but Katara had been at the palace for quite some time.

"Do you ever miss home?" Iroh asked softly.

She could feel a burn in her eyes as she thought of home, Gran-Gran and her father. "All the time." She managed to choke out.

"If you're feeling homesick, maybe a visit home is due?"

Katara looked to Iroh to see if he were trying to influence her to leave, but she saw only earnest concern in his eyes. Iroh had always treated Zuko like a son after his own son had perished and much of that tender love was in his expression now as he watched Katara.

Katara took a deep breath and drained her tea cup. "Maybe it is time I visit my home and family."

"I'm sure Zuko could arrange for a boat to take you-"

"Actually," she interrupted. "I don't want Zuko to know I'm leaving. I'll… I'll tell him myself. Iroh, could you make the arrangements please?"

Iroh looked a little skeptical but acquiesced easily. "But why don't you want to tell my nephew?"

"I just… think he might not want me to leave, but I think… I think this is for the best."

Iroh didn't comment any further and just nodded. "I'm sure I can have something arranged in the next few days."

"Thank you Iroh, I appreciate everything. I suppose I should be off to bed." Katara made her get away and went to her room.

The ship was scheduled to leave in two days. Katara had explained that she was leaving to visit home and Wu Lee was incredibly supportive.

"If you ever find yourself back in the Fire Nation, know that you are always welcome here." The kind, elderly woman had told her.

Whom she hadn't told, however, was Zuko. Every time she began to pluck up her courage to speak to him, she would soon spot Mai lurking nearby. She was being awfully cowardly is she were honest with herself, but she tried not to think about it too much. Perhaps a letter? A nagging part of her said that a letter wasn't good enough, but the rest of her found that preferable to talking to him in person and most likely within hearing range of his girlfriend. She ended up putting it off until the morning of her departure, and by then it was too late. She had to hurriedly scribble out a letter to Zuko, crossing out a few lines here and there, having a hard time explaining herself, even on paper. She hastily sealed the letter and hurried to the carriage that was waiting to take her to the ship.

Iroh joined her on the ride to the docks. They passed the carriage ride with friendly banter; Katara was incredibly relieved that Iroh hadn't mentioned her lack of courage in talking to Zuko. As a sailor started calling "All aboard!", Katara hugged Iroh.

"Thank you for everything Iroh. I appreciate it."

Iroh returned the hug in a fatherly manner. "Think nothing of it. Have a safe journey and say hello to your family for me."

Katara nodded, quickly dashing away a tear. She fumbled in her pocket for a scroll, sealed and with Zuko's name on it. "Can you give this to him?" She asked in a small voice, not quite meeting his eye as she held out the scroll.

"Of course." He said, taking the scroll and tucking it up his sleeve. "Know you are always welcome here."

Katara threw herself at him for a last, quick hug. The ship blew its whistle and Katara dashed for the gangway, her things already taken aboard by one of the palace drives. Once aboard, she stood at the railing and waved, watching as the Fire Nation began to grow distant as the ship started its long voyage.

Zuko was in his office, trying to focus on the mountains of paperwork that seemed to constantly be growing. A while ago, Mai had grown bored watching him work and she no longer joined him while he was working. There was a knock at the door.

"Come in." He called.

His Uncle opened the door. "Do you have a moment?"

Zuko smiled. "For you Uncle, anytime." He was glad for an excuse to take a break.

Iroh hesitated a moment. "I have a letter for you." He pulled the scroll from his sleeve and handed it to his nephew before sitting across from him.

Puzzled, Zuko turned it over in his hands a few times, recognizing the handwriting of his name. He broke the seal and read quickly.

Zuko,

I want to thank you for everything. I don't know how I would have managed without you those first few weeks. I feel like it's time for me to move on, however. You have Mai now, so I know you'll be okay, but I think it's time I went home to see my family and my village.

-Katara

The letter was brief, and a few lines had been crossed out and as Zuko read, the dread growing heavy in his stomach increased. He dropped the letter and jumped to his feet. He was racing for the door when his Uncle called after him.

"Zuko! Wait!"

His hand was on the door, ready to fling it open and race down the hallways when Iroh's heavy hand fell on his shoulder.

"She's already gone." Iroh said softly. "I was there when her ship left."

It felt like the wind had been knocked out of him and he deflated, slowly pacing back to his desk, he slumped into his chair, elbows on the desk, head in his hands.

"Zuko..." Iroh started, not sure how to console his nephew.

"Can you send a messenger hawk for me?" He asked, looking up sharply at his Uncle.

"...To her ship?" He asked skeptically. Zuko nodded, looking determined. "I can certainly try."

Zuko snatched up a blank scroll and quickly scratched out a message, barely allowing the ink to dry before he rolled it up and sealed it with his royal waxen emblem before handing it off to Iroh. "Thank you, Uncle."

Katara had been staring off, watching the water and lost in thought when a crew member approached her.

"Lady Katara, a letter has arrived for you."

Startled, she just blinked at him for a moment before accepting the scroll. She recognized the seal and thought, that was fast... "Thank you." She told the man and he nodded before taking his leave. Katara sighed heavily and tucked it into her pocket, unopened and with no intention of reading it.

Sarahplainntall here. Hope you enjoyed that chapter. I know, not the happiest chapter, but please review. It really makes my day. : )