Hello everyone! Welcome to chapter 88 of Sparks Ignite! I hope everyone had a great holiday! Back to the story! 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 88: The Room Full of Steam

The bell rang out overhead.

She felt the boat shift as the anchor dropped on the sea floor. She was still inside the ship, but she felt the warm breeze hit her skin. It felt like home.

When she stepped on deck, she wasn't surprised to see Zuko at the front of the ship, waiting ever so patiently for the ramp to lower. She walked closer and saw the faces, waving back at her on the dock.

Iroh, Ursa, and Ikem stood on the dock, arms in the air, graciously welcoming them home.

Zuko's face echoed the ghost of a smile, but it didn't quite grace his features. He was uneasy, that was plain for anyone to see. Katara pegged it down to just nervousness of what was to come, but she couldn't shake the feeling that it may be something else.

Zuko was the first one to walk down to ramp. He stepped onto the dock and embraced his mother, whose eyes echoed tears waiting to fall. Katara graced her with a small smile, not wanting to intrude on the tender family moment. But instead, Ursa grabbed her by the arm and pulled her in tight.

"It is so good to have you back…" Ursa whispered, rubbing the girls back. Katara smiled, "It's good to be home" she said, causing one tear that Ursa was holding back to slip through.

After Zuko hugged his Uncle, Ikem reached out a hand, looking to meet his, "Welcome back" he said, a small smile on his face. Zuko looked at him coldly, giving him only a coarse bow in return. He brushed past him, his traveling cloak flowing behind him.

The group watched after him. Iroh let out a sigh and was the first to speak, "He's hard headed and stubborn… He'll want to do this all on his own"

Katara gritted her teeth and squeezed her fists, "He doesn't have to…" she started to follow him and beckoned the others to follow, "Come on… It's time we fix this…"

She wasn't afraid of Zuko, or how he may yell when he tells them to go away while he tries to find a solution. She had seen it from him many times before, and she also remembered how it ended every time.

Katara was the first to barge into his office while the others followed, almost eager to watch the display. It was almost entertaining watching the two go head to head. Katara was the only one who could stand up to Zuko in that way.

When the door swung open, Zuko sighed, "I need to be left alone everyone" he grumbled loudly. He hoped everyone would listen, but he also knew that they wouldn't. And he knew he couldn't lock himself away forever. He needed help, but he would never admit that.

"We need to come up with a solution" Katara stood in front of him with her arms crossed, "I know you don't want to admit you're scared for your sister… And I especially know that your nervous about what might happen if she was captured…"

Zuko sighed, rubbing his face, "Katara, I…"

He started to talk, but cut himself off, almost like he didn't want to say something, or reveal something.

"Well…" she started, "It's good that I already came up with a plan then…"

Zuko looked at her, confused, but eagerly listening. He kept quiet, letting her speak. Iroh and Ursa could tell he was gritting his teeth, holding back his temper. He didn't want to lose his temper with Katara, that was clear to see. The two exchanged a look, a small smile at the thought that their teenage angsty boy had grown up right before their eyes and it was like they missed it but watched it grow all in one.

"I think I can guide her out of the… trance she's in…" she paused for a moment, not knowing the right words to use to describe the girl's condition, "But the only way I can know is if you let me see her, and you let me try…"

Zuko shook his head, "No…"

Katara looked taken aback for a moment, "What do you mean? If I can save her then"

"I said no" Zuko cut her off, "I want her to get out of this on her own. I want the choice to be hers to come to the good side. I don't want to live the rest of my life with my sister by my side knowing she wouldn't be there if it had been her decision"

Iroh stepped forward, "Nephew, I know that is what you wanted but we need to act quickly… I do believe she is stuck in her own mind and can't get out on her mind. If Katara doesn't try to help, she may never get out on her own…"

"Your Uncle is right Zuko"

Zuko's head snapped up when he heard Ikem's voice, to see him stepping forward next to his Uncle. He scowled darkly, "This discussion is between family. I don't think this is exactly your place" he spat out the words, disdain written in his tone.

Everyone was taken aback at the Fire Lord's outburst. Katara moved to stand next to him and put a hand on his shoulder, "Zuko, maybe you need some rest"

"No… I need to figure out how to save my sister" he folded his hands on his desk in front of him.

Ursa looked slightly hurt at Zuko from his outburst on her husband but she cleared her throat, "I want to see my daughter…" she stood tall in front of him. Zuko knew she wasn't backing down this time. He knew that he wouldn't be able to push it off any longer.

He sighed, knowing he was defeated, "Fine… I'll go make the arrangements" he got up and stormed out of the room, his shoulder hitting Ikem's on the way out, but he paid no mind to it.

Ursa stepped to follow him, wanting to confront her son on his behavior. But Katara placed a delicate hand on her shoulder, "Maybe it's best that I go and talk to him…"

She stopped and looked at the younger waterbender, who realized she just tried to stop a mother from seeing her son and her eyes shot open, "I-I mean if that's okay with you, I meant no disrespect"

Ursa patted her hand and offered a condoling smile, "No disrespect taken dear, perhaps you're correct"

As much as she didn't care to admit it all the time, Katara knew more of Zuko's adult life more then she did herself. Ursa only knew of the sweet caring 10-year-old boy that she left so long ago. Sometimes she didn't know how to handle the angsty adult that he was now. But Katara did know how to handle him and sometimes it was best that she left her to do just that.

Katara gave her a small smile and followed Zuko down the hallway.

She already knew where he was headed. She walked straight to the practice arena, knowing he would be looking to burn off some steam.

And when she arrived, she was exactly correct. He had already shed himself of his heavy clothing, wearing only his pants, that hugged his hips tightly.

Zuko aimed against the wall, sending fire blast after blast towards the concrete wall. The material began to scorch but he didn't bother to notice, or he just didn't care.

He landed a spinning kick of fire against the wall and landed in a crouch. He stopped, his body already coated with sweat and he was breathing deep.

Katara clapped slowly, walking more into the room to make her presence known. Zuko looked up at the noise and watched her walk into the room.

"Impressive…" she spoke, folding her arms in front of her. Zuko stood and walked to the bench as he spoke, "Katara, I really don't feel like talking so"

But she cut him off, "So let's not talk"

Zuko stopped in his tracks and turned to look at her, confused on exactly what she meant. But when he turned, he saw her stripping herself of her traveling clothes and down to her wraps. He thanked Agni for being winded, because if it weren't for that, his entire body would've turned bright red.

He tried not to watch her, not wanting to get ahead of himself. But she walked to the center of the room.

"Or did the wall tire you out too much?" she spoke as she got into a fighting stance.

Zuko chuckled, standing across from her and resuming a fighting stance himself.

"Bring it on"

Within moments, the room was full to the brim with steam.

Ta-Daaa! Get ready for a steamy Zutara scene! Literally lol! I hope you guys enjoyed that chapter! Until next time!