Hello everyone! Welcome to chapter 87 of Sparks Ignite! This chapter is a little fillery but important none the less! We get to see how Zuko is coping at the moment and another side of his character that we haven't seen yet. So keep on reading! As always, I do not own avatar or its characters. Onto the story!

Fate and Destiny are a funny thing. They are so permanent, but yet can be changed by the smallest thing. It can cause the moon and the sun to collide. Or the most opposite Sparks to Ignite.

Chapter 87: The Sitting and Waiting

Zuko watched the waves hit the sides of the ship, his mind spiraling in a thousand different directions. He tried desperately to calm it down, but nothing worked. Meditation was useless. Even when Katara tried to distract him with sparring, his brain just couldn't focus.

It only made him push her away.

He knew she only wanted to help him, to ease his worries. But the sitting and waiting only made it worse.

There was nothing he could do at the moment. He couldn't see his sister and analyze her condition. He couldn't go after the men who threatened his family. There was nothing he could do.

All that was left was sitting and waiting.

Katara watched him from afar, as she often did these days. Any time she approached him, he was silent, or he would ask to be left alone, in a harsher tone then she had seen him use in a long time.

She knew it was out of worry and being scared of what was next. If they attacked once, they would again, and this time it wouldn't be on them.

They decided to leave a few men at the southern water tribe to protect her family. It wasn't hard to find their ware bouts. She had no doubt that her father and his men could defend themselves on a normal day. But her father's condition was still delicate; there was more for their men to protect.

Leaving was difficult, to say the least. She wanted to go. She needed to go. But there was a portion of her heart that was tied to the southern water tribe. It was tied to her father, and her brother and what they now needed to protect.

But she knew she had to put her trust in the healers there and figure out how to let go. She struggled remembering that very soon, the fire nation was going to be her duty. The southern water tribe would always be her home. It would always be where her mother was and where she grew up. But she would have a new home, a new home that she desperately needed to protect. She would be sworn to do so.

It's difficult letting go, and maybe that's why she was clinging on so tight. Just maybe she wasn't ready to let go just yet.

The dynamic between the firebender and the waterbender was a push and pull, just like the tides that surrounded them. Zuko would let Katara in, just for a moment. She would see the worry in his eyes, and how he was genuinely scared. But then he would pull away again, sheltering his emotions deep inside himself.

They both let out a sigh of relief when the bell rang off, signaling the first sight of shore.

Zuko was already on deck, his eyes not having left the skyline since they left the southern water tribe. Katara came behind him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

He turned to look at her, gracing her with a small smile. Katara smiled back, "We're home…"

Zuko was quiet, smiling at the soft statement. But the weight landed on his shoulders, remembering just what that phrase meant, and remembering what was to come. His face became cold again, turning to see Admiral Jee walking behind them.

"How much longer to shore Admiral?" Zuko asked, his voice hard and demanding.

Jee took a small bow of respect before he spoke, "A few hours at most sir. The tide is on our side today Fire Lord"

Zuko nodded, "I'm glad to hear it. I would like to be alone before we reach shore"

Katara's face fell slightly, seeing his walls be put back up right in front of her eyes. But Jee was used to this, having traveled with the Prince long ago. He bowed again, "Of course Fire Lord Zuko" he beckoned for Katara to follow him, leaving the Fire Lord some peace.

Katara tried to smile at him, giving his hand a small squeeze. She turned and followed Jee below deck, taking one last look at Zuko's back before the door closed behind her.

Admiral Jee saw the look on her face and sighed, placing a hand on her shoulder, "I know this is hard… But he will come around"

She nodded slightly, pausing for a moment before speaking, "May I ask you something?" she asked him. Jee nodded, waiting for the question.

"You know Zuko better then most… I know the danger of Azula going crazy again, but why…" she trailed off, not exactly sure what she was asking.

"Why is her getting kidnapped and going crazy bothering him so much?" Jee finished for her. Katara looked away, "I get that she is his sister… But after everything she's done… I don't understand why it's hurting him…"

Jee sighed, folding his hands behind him as he walked, "I think all the Fire Lord wants is a normal life with his sister… He doesn't want to be at her throat or worried she is going to try and overthrow him… He wants an actual brother sister relationship with her…" he paused, "Like you and your brother have…"

Katara looked down, thinking for a moment, "Do you think that's possible?" she asked him, almost worried about the answer.

She could see him ponder her question, unsure himself how to answer it. After a moment, he spoke, "I think that Princess Azula is another product of the war… She was raised as Ozai's right hand… which in itself is a dangerous place to be. I think it can be turned around, and now is as good of time as any…"

Katara frowned slightly, "What do you mean by that?" she asked him. She had heard that Azula was 'moldable' but what exactly did that mean? Azula was never something Zuko talked about. Sometimes it was like she didn't exist.

Jee shrugged a little, "From what I know, she's very trancelike right now… Doesn't really talk, can't do much for herself… She's basically a zombie, and she just needs to be pulled out of her trance. But who knows who she'll be when she comes out…"

Katara looked away, nodding slightly, "Right…" she spoke, deeply lost in thought.

"Well I must get back on duty Miss Katara, we'll ring the bell again once we reach shore" Admiral Jee spoke, bowing slightly to the future Fire Lady. She nodded, slightly bowing back, "Thank you Admiral…" she spoke before he departed.

She stood there for a moment. If she was stuck in a trance, somebody needs to get her out. And something told her Ursa wouldn't be able to do it. It sounded like she was internally fighting, fighting against what she thought was right and what her mind was telling her. She was fighting so much mentally, her body just shut down.

If anything, Ursa might only send her further down the rabbit hole of despair. Azula may be the only who could get herself out of it.

But maybe, just maybe, she could help her along.

Whatever internal battle she was facing, she was doing it alone, and it was keeping her from communicating and functioning.

Maybe she just needed some guidance.

Katara remembered Jet and how she was able to reach the memories from his mind and help him remember what had happened to him. What if she pulled out the memories Azula needed?

The bell rang out ahead, pulling her from her thoughts. But she marched back up to the deck. She wouldn't sit and wait. She couldn't anymore. But the difference was she had a idea, and she planned to make it happen.

Ta-Daaa! What do you guys think? I wanted to show that even though Zuko has grown, it is easy for him to fall back into who he used to be. He is still Zuko after all. I hope you all liked it! Until next time!