All Roads Lead To Shukumei

Foxflame: Wow ….back so soon? Glad your enjoying this as much as I am! These updates are so fast due to a. much inspiration and b. long weekend….most likely ill use my free time to write, but I can't guarantee such fast updates.

Now to answer a few reviews…

Dearest reader Teen Anime Otaku: I know what you mean: that jus cus they'll be paired up you can't see how peace will automatically come….but hey, you're jumping the gun! I never said that lol who knows where this story will take us….so I hope you stay tuned and are not disappointed!

Now lets find out what happens once they finally stop running…those idiots the towns people aren't following you anymore!

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Chapter 3: Day 1: Follow Suit

"They were so strong in their beliefs that there came a time when it hardly mattered what exactly those beliefs were; they all fused into a single stubbornness."

Louise Erdrich

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The sound of pounding feet echoed through the forest on either side of the pair. The road was wide and very smooth, probably due to the years of extensive traveling.

Katara and Zuko began to slow their pace down a little while away and soon enough came to a general stop. Both parties were panting and sweating, and naturally discarded their bags onto the floor beside them.

Katara chose to walk to the side of the road and settle herself under the nearest tree to cool off. Once the pain subsided, there was an awkward silence between the two.

Zuko looked at the tired girl under the tree, wondering 'WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING?'

She was the Avatar's companion…so did that make her his because of their momentary alliance?

'I must travel to Shukumei alone; by being alone I can truly master myself'

"Whew, you certainly are popular Prince Zuko" said Katara as she stood and dusted herself off.

He looked at her, and then turned to pick up his things. As he started off along the road, Katara called after him. "Hey! Where you going?"

"To Shukumei" he stated obviously. Katara put her hands on her hips, and cocked her head to the side "Ofcourse you dunce! Why else are we on this road. What I mean is, where you going alone"

"I did not ask to travel with you, water bender" He turned towards the city once more, but was once again stopped.

"Hey this water bender has a name, so don't pretend like you don't know it. I figured that when, say, I don't know…. You grabbed my hand and forcibly dragged me down this path, you hoped I would join you"

She put her hands up in a defensive way and said "But hey, that's just me. Maybe in the Fire Nation that's how they say goodbye…"

"Don't patronize me. It was a reaction, that's all." Replied Zuko, pulling an excuse out of his ass. He really had no idea why she was here either.

"Well either way, we are here, and together. Why not travel together until we reach the group? Im sure neither of us would mind the company" she stated . She chose to head out on her own, but to be completely honest, she hated solitude.

"I would" sulked Zuko.

Katara was slightly taken aback, but brushed it off. "Fine, you go your way, and I'll go mine"

She picked up her things, and started walking down the road. "But there is only one way…"

She smiled at him and said, "Well then, we have ourselves a little problem now don't we?"

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The morning after Katara left, found Aang wide awake staring at the water. Sokka and Toph had just finished reading her letter, and Toph was in charge of calming Sokka down.

"We have to find my sister! I know her she's going to get herself in some sort of trouble"

"Relax you dolt, she's a strong water bender. She takes care of you and all of us half the time. I am sure she can handle herself" said the tiny Earth Bender, head down and back erect.

"But…Aang, come on back me up on this. We need to find Katara! Where could she possibly go"

The avatar just pulled his knees to his chest and stared at the water, twiddling his fingers and creating a tiny whirlpool in the serene lake.

"She went to Shukumei" replied Toph "I knew she would go"

"If you knew, why didn't you stop her! Or tell me so I could!" screamed Sokka.

"This was Katara's choice. Its her life, and she needs to live it how she wants" said a sullen Avatar.

Sokka just stared in amazement at his two friends. How could they be so dumb! Katara, his baby sister was out there somewhere, by herself! She could be hurt, or in trouble…

"We need to find her, and fast. I cant let her do this"

"Listen to yourself Sokka. Always saying 'I'. its not for you, its for her." Toph stepped closer to Sokka, who jus then sat himself hard on the floor.

His whole life he was with his sister. They did everything together. They even found the Avatar and went on this whole journey, always side by side. And the thought of her striking out on her own…without him…

It scared him, though he would never admit it.

"I want…I need my sister back Toph"

Aang decided to take off at that moment, flying away with his staff

' I need her too, Sokka' thought Aang bitterly as he flew away.

Toph placed an unusually gentle hand on Sokka's shoulder, as he hung his head down.

"She'll come back Sokka, she just needs to answer a few questions"

He looked up at the blind bender, who somehow knew and stared back. "What kind of questions, Toph?"

"I don't know. But they were obviously important enough to do this to us." She motioned to the Avatar flying over the land, and to the brother sulking on the shore.

"For the little time I have known her, I don't think Katara would do something stupid. She thought about this. Don't worry, she's a big girl"

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"I am not following you! Don't flatter yourself, Highness" Katara said, as she crossed her arms across her chest and stomped of a few paces ahead.

"Who's following who now then! Since I am ahead of you, its obviously you who seems to be stalking me"

Zuko scoffed " Well that's mature!"

"And so is saying I am following you when , surprise! Were on a one way road to the same city. I am terribly sorry that I even thought we could make the trip to the group together. Boy was I stupid"

The Fire Prince stared at Katara's back, shooting invisible daggers at her. Why did she have to make this so difficult! All he wanted was to travel to the city in peace!

"You got that right" he retorted, and suddenly he was splashed with a ice cold water ball.

'He's so infuriating! All I did was offer Company! I thought after what happened during the battle…ugh I don't know'

"I guess some people never change" she said in a low tone.

Zuko stopped a few feet behind her, and wondered why this girl was so troubled. 'Not like I care or anything…'

The suddenly those calm crystal eyes light up at him, and Katara spun around and faced him.

"You're such a jerk! You act like you're the only one who has problems. Well get a clue Prince- your not. Just forget it…I'll give you a half hours lead and you can walk alone if that's what you want" She threw her stuff down on the floor, and situated herself to wait.

Zuko glared at her. Who did she think she was! He was a Prince, an educated warrior…and who was she?

She was nothing but a meaningless water bender.

And yet.

"Why…why did you leave the Avatar?"

Katara slowly looked up at Zuko's honey eyes, letting her anger melt away; after all water can adapt to change very easily.

"What does it matter to you?"

"It doesn't matter…I was jus thinking maybe the time would pass more quickly this way."

Katara smiled to herself. Boy was he stubborn. He wanted her to accompany him, she knew it. No one, no matter how strong, likes to be alone. She accepted this about him; he jus went about things in a way to make himself seem in control. She knew how to deal with guys delicate egos; she grew up with Sokka, after all.

She stood, and dusted herself off once more, gathered her things and the pair began the walk to catch up with the group of wanderers.

" I left because I felt it was time to find my own destiny, not just follow Aang's " Zuko glanced at her, and watched as she fiddled with her charm around her neck.

He made a sound of agreement, and they said no more. It was a very weird situation, but fate caused it to be this way. Enemies turned allies turned companions.

Besides, Zuko isn't the easiest of people to get along with.

After a long time, Katara asked Zuko a question hesitantly "Hey Zuko, if you don't mind me asking…well you don't have to answer if you don't want to…"

"What is it?"

" Why did your father give you that scar? I mean, I know he gave it to you…but I was always unsure as to why…"

"It's a mark of my shame; I rather not divulge in it"

"I mean, for your father to give it to you, of all people, I am sure it must be painful…"

"Yes it is, and talking about it does not make it any less so."

Katara instantly shut up. She felt stupid at prying, but a girl's curiosity is not always sedated so easily.

" Well, if it helps…I can relate to your situation…"

"I highly doubt that. You don't have this on your face for the whole world to know your shame and disgrace"

"But I have a reminder of something terrible that happened to me too…"

Zuko looked at her. He never once conceived this girls life to be at all similar to his. He dealt with more turmoil then most should at such a young age. And here she was, comparing herself to him like she could!

'She probably grew up with a family that loved her, a great home; not one upon the sea'

These thoughts made him grow hostile towards her. Privileged people always made him angry; they never ever knew how good they had it.

"What could have possibly happened to you?"

She sighed and fiddled with her necklace once more. "You just don't get it do you? Your not the only one with a hard past, Zuko. Maybe if you ever chose to look around you, you'd realize you can be human and show a weakness because we all have one"

He was silenced then.

"I lived through this war too…and I felt the bad ends of it, just like you…"

"What happened to you that was so terrible?"

Katara watched her feet as she walked beside him. Now she felt pointless in her attempts at compassion. He did not care, and she sure as hell wouldn't share her life story right then and there.

Suddenly, an arrow whizzed past , just missing Zuko's head and piercing a tree.

Zuko's fist automatically was engulfed in flames, and Katara reached for her water satchel.

Then out of the trees a dark figured shrouded in black flew and somersaulted in front of the pair.

As he straightened up, he locked eyes with Zuko, and then passed over to Katara, who gasped at the sight of him.

"Hello Katara, you're looking more beautiful then ever" He stuck another wheat stalk in his teeth, and unsheathed his back slung swords.

Katara slowly arose from her battle stance, and glared at the tall handsome boy before her. The boy who was the first ever to win her attentions.

"….Jet?"

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OK ok I know whats Jet doing here? Well …you'll find out later lol. As for the chapter I don't really much care for it, but I think as time goes on they'll evolve a little more.

I hope you don't kill me for the Zuko / Katara conversations- theyr not moving to fast. I always felt people portrayed Zuko way to mean and cold; he is not Sesshoumaru (Inuyasha fans!) Hes still a teenage boy, and a little more open then most think.

Well I am exhausted and have a whole week of school ahead of me. See you soon!

- fox