When Zuko first joined their group Katara often heard him mumble in his sleep. Little mantras over and over again.

It wouldn't be annoying-except Katara was a light sleeper, a habit she developed with the Fire Nation always on their backs. Zuko would always wake up in the middle of the night, breathing heavily and it caused her to lose a little sleep, but noticed he lacked even more if the eye bags and fatigue were anything to go by.

He never complained though, he always pushed through it. He has will power, she'll give him that.

It wasn't until they moved to his family's old beach house where she was exposed to the real horror of it. At first she only saw it as odd, since he refused his old room.

"Why don't you want to sleep here?" She asked as she waled into his old room. He stood at the doorway, but made no move to join her. Katara smiled a little when she saw the drawings of fire benders and dragons on the wall.

But then she also noticed scotch marks.

"Zuko.." Her voice trailed off as she tracked the black marks with her hand. "What is this from?" At first she assumed it was just him struggling to control his bending, although it seemed unlikely. These were too powerful for a ten year old.

She could almost feel Zuko tense. She turned to see him run his hand across the frame of the door, which had little scrapes and normal wear and tear.

"My father...he had a temper"

It was the first night that she heard Zuko scream. Really scream. A blood curdling, raw scream. This was much worse than what had previously happened at the western air temple.

Waking the whole house, they all rushed to his room; he was bent over, knee tucked to his chest and head dipped down. He was mumbling something incoherent.

After gathering his bearings he rushed them out of his room. Zuko refused to talk. He didn't want to be a burden.

The next day however they seemed to notice how fretful he was. Whenever they suggested a tour of the house he disconnected. Said they were free to roam but he wouldn't be following. After making that distinction it was only then that Katara realized he would only ever travel to the kitchen or his bedroom.

Zuko wouldn't go anywhere else in the house. As if an invisible barrier was blocking him.

Katara didn't know what he was going through but decided that he needed a distraction and when the sun began to set she suggested a spar. It was late enough that no one would be out so she didn't have to worry about anyone noticing her bending.

It didn't take much encouragement to agree. Clearly he wanted a distraction too.

She always got soaked when bending so she stripped down to her wrappings. Zuko seemed to follow and started to remove his shirt, he was a little hesitant at first but then quickly removed that article of clothing.

When it was shed Katara felt herself gulp, she noticed the scars that ran across his back and chest. Not as deep as the one on his face but there was no mistaking them.

They were thin, long and looked too...purposeful.

Only just becoming on good terms, she refused to spar with him beforehand and never really watched him train Aang so this was unknown to her.

Katara's heart dropped and stomach clenched. She walked up to him, he seemed confused at first until he realized what she was gazing at with horror.

She looked at him with question in her eyes, as if asking for permission and he nodded.

She ran her hand across his chest and stomach. Zuko stifled a gasp at her soft touch.

"Zuko" She gasped breathlessly. "Where did you get these?" She looked up at him, mouth parted softly.

He looked at her with hooded eyes. She knew.

Slowly, she raised her hand near his scar that covered the left half of his face. He didn't flinch when she cupped his burned cheek, caressing the callous skin.

"This too?"

Zuko paused. He nodded.

It started to become clear to her, but she wasn't sure if she wanted to know this revelation. it made her sorrowful and resentful-resentful at the thought that Zuko's father-no matter who he was, would dare lend a hand on his son.

"Why?" Katara choked. She didn't know why she asked, knowing she would regret it.

Zuko looked as though he would cry. Seeing him swallow as his throat tightened.

"I don't know why" he sobbed.

On instinct Katara pulled him close, feeling his shoulders move in rhythm with his tears. Their spar, long forgotten.

Just like last night she heard him scream. And once again they all rushed to him. Only this time Katara insisted for them to return to bed. That she'll handle it.

Walking in and closing the door behind her, she saw the same image she did that first night at the beach house.

He was trying to choke back a sob and he was curled forward, she was the sweat that claimed itself on his pillow and where his back would normally meet the bed. She used her bending to pull it out and flicked it out the window.

Zuko was covering his face with his hands which she noticed where shaking a little.

Katara pursed her lips before she took her seat at the edge of the bed, taking his face in her hands to make him look at her. She refused to let him go through this alone any longer.

Zuko was dripping with sweat and breathing jaggedly. His ember eyes met hers.

"Katara?" he croaked softly. As if he was just waking.

"Hey" She cooed. "It's okay"

He pursed his lips and took his face back. He wiped his forehead. "Katara, go back to bed." he croaked, trying to sound serious but voice still frail. "You shouldn't-you don't-you need to sleep" he finally went it.

"So do you" She noted.

Zuko sighed, becoming more lucid. "Katara-"

"No, you listen to me. Don't do that" She pointed at him. "Discredit your problems like they're nothing. Zuko I want to help you, please, let me help you"

Zuko paused, swallowing his bruised pride. "..I don't know how too.."

After a small silence Katara moved closer. Taking her side next to him on the bed.

"What are you doing..?" He questioned as he saw her get under the covers.

"Lay down." Was the only thing Katara said.

Zuko delayed the command for a couple seconds before receding.

Laying on his side, back facing her. Suddenly, small, warm hands wrapped around his torso.

Zuko blushed and sucked a breath. Katara tried to pull him closer but her relented, so she moved closer until their bodies were touching.

"Um-" He coughed. "What now?"

She pulled the blanket closer but then returned her arms to him. "Now, we sleep"

And from that night forward the rest of the Gaang never woke to screams again.