Disastrous Revenge
"So you were going to just take Appa and leave anyway?" Aang asked with hurt in his voice. Katara's voice was cold as steel.
"Yes, Aang, I need to do this. It's important to me," she said clenching her jaw tightly. Aang smiled.
"That's Ok. I forgive you. Does that give you any ideas?" he said suggestively. Katara would have screamed in frustration but Zuko cut in his voice heavy with sarcasm just like Katara's was the day before.
"You know Aang, maybe we're going about this war all wrong. Instead of fighting the Fire Lord, why don't we go try to talk to him and hug it out? What do you think about that?" Aang's eyes lit up.
"That's a great idea Zuko! Do you think it will work?" he said with hope in his eyes. Zuko's mouth dropped open.
"No. No, it won't. The Fire Nation army has been trained to be ruthless and uncaring. That captain killed Katara's mother in cold blood. My father tried to kill me, his own son, on multiple occasions with no remorse. Wake up, Aang! We know where her mother's murderer is and Katara has a chance to do something about it." Aang was hurt. Everything about this war was turning out wrong and now Katara and his teacher were mad at him.
"I don't agree with any of this, at all. I don't think revenge is the answer, but you have to make your own choice. Please be careful." He said quietly. Katara released the breath she had been holding unconsciously.
"Thank you," was all she said as she turned to climb onto Appa. Zuko gave Aang a respectful nod before climbing up behind Katara and taking the reins. He sent Appa up in the air in the direction of the nearest Fire Nation communication tower. Three days later Katara and Zuko returned from their field trip. Aang was anxious. Katara could barely look Aang in the eye but said softly,
"I couldn't do it. I was going to take his life the way he took my mother's, but I saw how wretched he was and I couldn't do it." Aang smiled.
"See, Katara forgiveness is always the better way. I'm glad you didn't take revenge." Katara huffed and shook her head.
"You don't understand. I'll never forgive that man. He took the one most precious from me. He's not worthy of my forgiveness, but I know someone who is." She said turning to Zuko.
"I forgive you, Zuko. Thank you for helping me and understanding what I needed. Do over?" she asked putting her arms around Zuko's neck and hugging him genuinely. Zuko was caught off guard but relaxed into her hug grateful that they found a middle ground and could work on being friends.
"Thank you," Zuko whispered a gentle smile on his lips.