Title: Corresponding Hearts
Author: Midnight Jade
Summary: Zuko writes a letter to Katara asking for explanations.
Paring: Zutara
Rating: T
Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing, though I wish I did.
Katara,
First and for most, I have no idea why I'm writing you this letter, or why I feel that I have to justify my action to anyone, least of all you. It's just that …well. The day that Azula attacked us, all of us, and struck my uncle, you did something that was beyond my comprehension; you offered to help him. Why? We've been chasing you for what seems like an eternity, yet you still offered to help him. I don't understand why anyone would offer to assist such people. This has been something that has plagued me since that day and I can't seem to get that particular image from my mind. I've been thinking a lot; of where I've been, where I should be and of course, where I am right now. Your kindness that day threw everything I've ever known into question. The certainty of my life, the only goal that I have pursued for years now, just seems like a distant dream, something that occurred, perhaps to a different person.
I tell you this because I want you to understand that chasing the Avartar – chasing you friend just seems like a waste of time now. It feels like I've been blinded and guided into the wrong direction. I'm tired of always running. I've ran after you all and I run, now, from the only home I've ever known, as a fugitive no less. I'm stuck. Yet, I have to make a decision. I have to find the path that is for me and only me, putting aside everything that at one time I thought was important. Katarta, the only thing I have now that no man can ever take from me, is the love for my people and for my country. Even though I was exiled, I still want what's best for them. I want, no, I need to help them. My father can't see and my sister never will, but I know now, with absolute clarity, that what he is doing is wrong and it will only bring ruin to my nation. I never want to see that happen. I want to save them, or at least try.
Katara, I want to help. If you can forgive me everything that I've done to you and yours, then my services are yours. If not, then I still will find a way to save my people. Know this and thank you.
Zuko
The letter fell silently from Katara's fingers. She was in shock. Was this real or was this some kind of trap that the fire prince thought he could get away with? The shaken water bender picked the letter up and re-read it many times. There had to be something that she was missing; some underlining threat that she just couldn't decipher. It had to be a trick, this couldn't be real.
After carefully reading over each word, Katara raised her eyes to the most beautiful bird she had ever seen. Its' feather were the color of crimson and below its head there appeared to be a golden collar of feathers, worn proudly and its' eyes were the deepest color of gold. They almost reminded her of his eyes. She shook her head to clear her mind and brought her attention to the bird, patiently waiting in front of her. Clearly it was waiting for a response, but how could she respond to something like this. She had to tell Aang and Sokka. They had to know. But then again, if this was real, would they give him a fair shot, or would they scorn him for his past mistakes?
"Well, I know Aang wouldn't, but Sokka? What do you think Mr. Bird?" The winged creature stared at her with a look of contempt and boredom in it's' eyes. "You are definitely his bird." Katara's mind was racing non stop, different scenarios where running through her head, battling for dominance on what she should do.
"Aaaarrrgghh! This is ridiculous. It shouldn't be this hard to make up my mind!" Again she stared at the bird as if it held the answer to her peculiar predicament. Humph. "Well, Mr. Bird, here we go."
