Chapter six: Swing life away

Katara had dressed in the clothes Zuko had given her. She was so mixed up. She hated him more than she hated the Fire Nation. She was having sex with the man who had been responsible for her misery. She was sleeping with the enemy.

She looked to see that Zuko was out of sight and the door was wide open. Her heartbeat quickened. If she could only find that waterfall and from there get some bending water, she would be protected and ready to find her way back home. She quietly tiptoed to the door and looked around behind her and outside the door. All was clear. She sprinted like there was no tomorrow. She followed the quiet sound of running water in the distance. Soon, she came upon her destination. And there was Zuko.

"I thought you might do that," he said calmly. "I wanted to see how good your sense of direction was."

"Why won't you let me go?"

"I can't!" he finally bellowed at her. She looked at him confused at his sudden outburst. "Can't you see what we have? I make you happy, and if you can't see that, then you are the blindest person I have ever seen."

"You're the enemy Zuko," Katara told him putting a hand on his shoulder.

"If only you knew," he muttered turning away from her.

"Then make me know," she told him.

"You've got to trust that everything I tell you is true," he said grabbing her hand and leading her over to the shade of a tree.

"I'll you mine story if you tell me yours," she promised sitting down on the ground next to him.

"Okay," Zuko said breathing in deeply before continuing.

It was a cold night for where they were located. The Fire Lord was sending out troops to take over the great city of Ba Sing Se. A young man with a smooth face and handsome features was sitting next to a beautiful woman on the steps of the Fire Lord's temple.

"Mother, when will stop this madness?" asked the boy. "Men are dying out there all apart of father's plans. And these aren't the enemy either, they are our men."

"Soon you will understand son that war is not the answer at all," the woman responded sadly.

"Hold your tongue woman," the young man exploded.

"Don't talk to me like that Zuko."

"I am sorry for my out burst, mother."

"It is quite alright with me dear. But be careful, your father does not feel the same way. He takes anger very offensively, like it directed towards him."

"I know mother, I know." The boy and his mother sat there watching the small lights that were the hundreds and hundreds of soldiers heading out to the great city. "I miss my cousin," the boy finally said breaking their long silence. "Why send uncle back out to the war so early. It will take him forever to heal his emotional wounds. Just you wait and see."

"Your uncle is a smart man and a good actor. Your father believes he is ready for battle again, therefore he is back in the war."

"Sorry to interrupt," a voice behind them said. They turned to see the woman's daughter behind them. "Father would like a word mother."

"Yes, dear, tell him I am coming."

"I'll come with you."

"No Zuko, you must stay here."

"But why…"

"Trust me son, you will not want to hear to this conversation."

The boy watched his sister and mother walk away slowly into the temple. As soon as he knew they were far enough away not to hear him, he followed.

He pursued them right to his father's personal chambers where his mother stood before him.

"You have insulted me woman!" the Fire Lord bellowed.

"Yes, I know," his mother responded calmly.

"And you know the price of treason in this nation."

"Yes, I do."

"Tell me; was it worth trying to learn fire bending from your own son for the price of death?"

"Yes, actually it was," she said before the Fire Lord shot her down. His own wife lay there, bleeding before him, dead at his hand.

The earth village Aang has decided to stop at was busy with the hustle and bustle of business. They had been there for almost three days, and Katara was sure they would not be returning to Ba Sing Se. This, at last, was going to be their home.

"Katara," a voice said behind her as she shopped in the market. She turned to see her old friend Haru standing behind her.

"Haru!" she exclaimed throwing her arms around him. His face turned red and she too blushed when pulled away to see what a handsome young man he had become in the year they had been apart.

"How's life been treating you?" he asked.

"Actually pretty good. We might actually stay here for good," she responded.

"Really? Well, how long have you been here?" he asked.

"Only three days, but Aang likes it and Toph fits in and Sokka is getting warrior training…"

"So you guys really like it here?"

"Pretty much."

"Here, let me take that basket for you," he offered.

"Oh, thanks. So, what's a powerful bender like you doing in a city like this?"

"Well, I came here to expand my education. I have a better understanding business and trade. I've actually started my own business chain here."

"That's great Haru! I'm really happy for you."

"Thank you Katara."

They walked and talked just like old times. Except there was something different about this than old times. Or maybe, it was just the people that were different. The sun had finally set when Haru walked her home.

"This is my stop," she told him stopping outside the building the town leader had given to them as a gift of gratitude that the Avatar was staying in their village.

"I'll see you later then," he said.

"You most certainly will," she responded smiling.

"Well, goodnight."

"Goodnight."

As Haru walked away, he made up his mind.

"Katara!" he called back to her running back to her place. She froze about to step inside and turned around to see him running to her.

"Yes?" she asked as he stood at the steps of porch. He didn't say anything but walked up to her and kissed her. She pulled away placing her forehead on his. "Would you like to come inside for awhile?"

"I really would."

"The next day, Aang told me that he had completed an earth bending course and that was why he had stayed there so long. We left three days later and I haven't seen Haru since," Katara said finishing.

"I am so sorry," Zuko said.

"I am sorry too. The Fire Nation took my mom too."

"I guess we're not as different as we like think."