A/N: Deep Sadness...
Disclaimer: No, not mine.
X-ray Vision and Xenophobia
Katara was wild with grief. She held the lifeless body of her friend and the last hope of her world tightly. She rode out of the cavern on a waterspout shooting through an opening in the top to the waiting saddle on Appa's back.
Azula struck Aang with her lightning as soon as he emerged from his rock capsule in the Avatar state. There was only one thing Katara could do as she pulled out her vial of Spirit Oasis water that she nearly wasted on that weak and willful prince. If she had gone through with her offer to heal him there would have been no hope for Aang.
She cursed Zuko's name as she poured her healing into the cooling body of the Avatar begging the Spirits for the grace to bring Aang back from the brink. She cursed herself for believing Zuko could change and she hoped Zuko found no peace in his newfound illusion of freedom and his betrayal of his uncle and himself.
On the ship, Azula washed her hands in her cabin over and over.
"Ugh, I feel like I'll never get the stench of the Earth Kingdom off of me. Everything was so gritty and grimy." She said half to herself, half to her companions Mai and Ty Lee. Zuko sat in the corner silently pensive. Azula turned to her brother,
"Why so quiet Zuzu? I thought you would have been ecstatic for the chance to return home even without the Avatar." She added trying to gauge his reaction. Zuko shrugged. Hmmm, He didn't bite this time.
"I am happy, Azula. I'm just taking it all in, I guess. It's been years since I've been home." He replied. His jaw twitched slightly and Azula smirked. Zuko was worried.
"I'm sure you didn't lose all your manners in the wilderness, Brother. After a hot shower and clean up you'll be good as new. Father wants to see us immediately after we arrive." She said. Zuko's eyes widened and he took in a deep breath.
"So soon? Azula, what's—. Never mind, I—I'll be in my cabin until we arrive. Thank you." He said quietly. Azula watched her brother carefully as he left her cabin and closed the door.
"Is he going to be Ok, Azula?" Ty Lee asked with concern. His aura was a deep gray. Gray meant uncertainty and doubt. Azula shrugged without answering and went to speak with the captain.
Zuko allowed the scalding hot shower water to pound his skin. He didn't care that it hurt. He deserved the pain. He deserved worse. Zuko had condemned his uncle to death by his betrayal. There was no forgiveness for that. Hot tears mingled with the falling water and Zuko wept bitterly for the choice he didn't have the courage to make when it counted.
