CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Going Home

The journey to the Fire Nation was not something anybody was looking forward too. Even Prince

Zuko who had dreamed of returning home ever since he had been banished was not happy about it.

He was in a bad mood, and Kattara had a feeling that she knew what the reason was. That night,

she and Zuko went off by themselves. Kattara could tell that Zuko was still dealing with his anger

and his sadness over what had happened to him. She wanted to help him, but she didn't know how.

Zuko had mixed feelings, not only about his father and returning home; but also about opening up

too Kattara. Her presence there was soothing to him; but it was also abrasive in a strange way.

When Kattara was around, Zuko felt compelled to reveal what he was keeping inside. He was tired

of feeling this way; he just wanted to forget about what had happened and move on. Unfortunately

that seemed impossible, there were just some wounds that could not be healed.

Kattara and Zuko were sitting silently on the ground side by side. Neither of them felt like talking to

each other, the silence was speaking for them. Though they thought they were alone, they were

being spied upon by Aang and the others. After many moments of silence Kattara asked "how did

we end up together Zuko?" "I've been wondering that myself" Aang whispered. "Yeah me too" said

Sokka quietly. "Shush!" hissed Toph and Haru. Zuko who had remained silent thought that he heard

something, he strained his ears to hear what was going on; but eventually decided that it was

nothing. He thought for a few more moments before he answered "I don't really know how we

were brought together. I had been searching for the Avatar two years before-" Kattara suddenly cut

him off "Why don't you just say his name?" she asked. "Fine" Zuko said. He didn't really know

what the big deal was, nor did he care; but he decided to accommodate her. "I had been searching

for Aang two years before I met you. Because the search for him had been consuming my every

waking moment; I was easily able to push you to the back of my mind. During the long goose chase

though I had plenty of time to think about you. Even though your beauty, and your tenacious yet

caring nature enthralled me; I was so obsessed with capturing him that I tried to force my mind to

stop thinking about you. I was trying to convince myself that any feelings that I had towards my

enemies were my weakness. After it became apparent to me that my father would never want me

back; I began to think about you even more. I began to wonder what it felt like to have friends and

people who cared about me. The only people that have ever cared about me are my uncle and my

mother." Aang, Sokka, Toph and Haru were fighting to keep quiet. They could hardly stand to hear

this talk, but at the same time they couldn't resist to stay and listen.

"Kattara, why did you fall in love with me? I mean you have a lot of admirers. The Avatar, that one

earth bender, and who knows how many else." "Well" said Kattara a little embarrassed. " I did have

a crush on Aang and Haru before you and I really got to know each other. I think of Aang as a cute

and sweet kid." Aang groaned at these words; but Kattara and Zuko heard nothing. "And Haru and

I went on our own separate ways before we had too much time to spend together. Any way Aang

and I did have a romantic relationship although it was kind of short." Aang knew what she was

talking about; and wished that it hadn't ended so fast. "It all began when we got trapped in this cave

called 'The Cave of Two Lovers'; and the only way to get out was to solve this riddle that said

'love burns brightest in the dark.' I came up with this plan to kiss him to see what would happen.

We almost got into a fight over it, because I thought Aang thought it was stupid. Any way our

candles went out; and Aang and I kissed. As soon as we kissed the ceiling and the walls of the cave

lit up with luminescent crystals that were impossible to see with the light. The crystals led us out of

the cave, and that was when we knew the answer to the riddle. I even had a crush on this rebel

fighter named Jet who was planning to destroy a village occupied by the Fire Nation. Sokka

discovered the plan and saved the villagers. After I found out what Jet was going to do, I froze him

to a tree."

"Zuko did you ever have any crushes?" "No not really. I didn't really know anybody. The only girls

that I knew besides my sister were her friends Ty Lee and Mai." At the mention of Azula and her

friends Aang and the rest of the group made faces of disgust. "Ty Lee was kind of cute though"

Sokka said. He was then rudely quieted by the others.

"We're very different people" Zuko finally concluded. "According to our peoples customs we

shouldn't be together." "I know" said Kattara; "but it's not fun to follow the rules all the time.

Besides if we successfully end this war, then our being together and loving each other despite our

differences will help the rest of the nations look past each others differences; and bring about

peace." "Perhaps" said Zuko thoughtfully. "On the other hand our being together may infuriate the

people of our nations; and fail to achieve peace. I know that many of The Fire Nation's military

personnel, especially the high ranking officers are going to want my head for this; especially if we get

married. What would happen if I manage to successfully wrestle the throne from my Father; only to

have to abdicate because of a rebellion? Then the Fire Nation would be without a leader; and

anybody who managed to gain control may start the war again.

"Nobody knows what will happen in the future" Kattara said. "All we can do is hope for the best;

and prepare for the worst. You need to look on the bright side of things more often Zuko." "I know"

said Zuko; "but you can't blame me can you?" "No I can't" said Kattara. "We really should get

some sleep; because tomorrow is going to be along day." "But I'm not tired" said Zuko. "Neither

am I" said Kattara; and then they began to kiss.

"UGH!" shouted Aang and the others. "What are you guys doing here?" snapped Kattara.

"Keeping you two out of trouble!" Sokka shouted back. "I'm a full grown women and a master

water bender, I can handle myself!" Kattara snapped again. Kattara stomped off and huffily

crammed herself into her sleeping bag; though she was so upset she couldn't sleep. Zuko who had

turned red in the face from embarrassment silently walked off into the wilderness; and didn't return

until dawn. " I hope you are all happy!" Kattara snarled. "Yeah were very happy" said Sokka and

he promptly fell asleep. "Sorry Kattara" Aang said. Kattara huffed loudly; and rolled over. Aang

sighed and stared at the starry sky. It was some time before he fell asleep; and soon after that it was

time to wake up.

I know that this is the gooiest and mushiest chapter I have written so far. I know that many of you will probably feel like barfing when you read this; but I felt like I had to explain how Zuko and Kattara got to be together "in their own words." I also felt it necessary for Zuko to be nervous about how people would react when they knew that he and Kattara were in love. For all those action junkies out there the next chapters are going to be full to bursting so don't worry.