CHAPTER 13

The Search for Aang

After the sudden departure of Aang everybody was feeling depressed especially Kattara. Zuko tried to cheer her up but no matter what

he did she ignored him. With each passing moment Zuko was becoming his old overbearing and foreboding self. After a few days which

seemed like an eternity Zuko finally decided that the only way to make Kattara happy was to go and find Aang.Searching for Aang

would not be easy because he had been gone for almost week and he could be anywhere by now.The group had hoped that he would

have returned by now; but that hope was vanishing and it was being replaced by a strange listlessness.

Zuko knew that any kind of a search would have to be done on foot; because Appa Aang's ten ton flying bison was gone too.As soon as

Aang went off into the sky Appa was right behind him. Zuko worked up the nerve to dare Kattara's icy temper and speak toher once

again. "Kattara." The words that he spoke were barely more than a whisper; but Zuko knew that she had heard him.When Kattara gave

no response Zuko felt his anger well up inside him.He barely managed to restrain his temper and keep calm so thathe could contiune

talking to her. With a sigh Zuko began his apology. "Kattara, I know that you hate me right now because it was my fault that Aang left. I

just wanted to say that I'm sorry." Kattara's tense body loosened up a bit, but she gave no other indication that she knew or cared that

Zuko was speaking to her. "I was jealous and that's why I did what I did. Everything seems to come so easily to him."Zuko was suddenly

reminded of similar words that he had spoken to a catatonic Aang."Seeing him struggle and try and fail gave me pleasure in a sadistic sort

of way. I've always had to struggle to get what I wanted and what I needed.I guess I was comparing him to my sister Azula."

Kattara looked up shocked and anger flashed in her eyes. "How could you compare him to her?" she snapped. Zuko immediatelyrealized

that he had said something stupid and hastily tried to come up with an answer; when he could think of none he stood silently andwaited

for her flood of wrath. To his surprise Kattara's face softened and tears welled in her eyes. ''I'm jealous of him too sometimes"

sheadmitted softly. "Kattara, I will help you find him." Zuko promised. For the first time in days Kattara smiled. "Thank you" she said.

"Then let's go" Zuko curtly replied. While they were packing for the venture Hakoda walked up "Where are you going?" he asked;

though he already knew the answer. "Were going to find Aang" Kattara swiftly answered. "May the great Moon and Ocean Spirits watch

over you" he said as he embraced his daughter. After Zuko said his goodbyes to Uncle Iroh Hackoda pulled him aside and said "Take

good care of my daughter Prince Zuko." "I will" Zuko promised.

"Hey where are you guys going without me?" came the sudden yell of Sokka. "Weren't you listening?" Kattara impatiently snapped. "I'm

not deaf you know" Sokka smirked. "I just wanted to know if I could come along?" "Well hurry up then!" Kattara snapped again but she

was smiling when she said it. "Were coming too!" Toph and Haru shouted in unison. "Does anyone else want to slow us down?" asked

Zuko sarcastically. Just before they were finally ready to go Zuko had a small conference with Hackoda, Iroh, and the rest of the group.

"Head towards the Fire Nation, we'll meet up with you as soon as possible. Don't do anything that may give you away. We're going

toend this war." With those last words spoken they ventured off to find Aang.