Zuko was just about to climb on Appa when he heard footsteps coming up behind him. Zuko glanced at the figure to see who it was. When he did see who it was, he had to take a deep breath to calm himself.

Katara started running toward the front gate of the palace while yelling, "Hey Zuko! Wait up!"

Zuko felt a chill run down his spine like it always did when she said his name.

When she reached him, he said quietly, "Hi Katara." He looked down at her from where he was standing. She was wearing her usual water tribe clothing along with her mother's necklace. Zuko imagined her with another necklace on—one that he had had made her. He smiled at the mere thought of her wearing his necklace. But his smile disappeared as the more pessimistic side of him said, 'Why would she ever love you?'

"Where do you think you're going fire lord?" she asked. That pulled Zuko out from his own bitter thoughts.

"I'm going to take the first step in order to find my mother," Zuko replied. He really did not want to deal with Ozai at this moment, but he didn't see what other choice he had.

"Which is…?" Katara asked quizzically.

"I'm going to talk to Ozai about what happened to her. I have a feeling that she killed my grandfather, ironically in order to save me." Zuko gave a curt laugh.

"I know she was banished, but I have no idea if she's still alive. I know that Ozai knows something because on the Day of the Black Sun, he asked me if I wanted to know what happened to my mother. He was trying to kill me then, but I don't think that he would lie about something like that," Zuko finished ruefully. He had always wanted his father's love, but it was never something that he could have.

Zuko looked at Katara wondering hopelessly about what she would say. She opened her mouth and then closed it. She seemed to be struggling for words.

Then, she said what Zuko was not expecting to hear. "I'm coming with you," she said as she began to climb on Appa.

Before she could though, Zuko had put a hand in front of her, blocking her way to Appa.

"Let go Zuko," Katara said quietly. "If you know what's good for you you'll move your hand."

"No Katara," Zuko said with a sense of finality. "You can't be with me when this happens. This is something that I need to do alone. I think that I'll be able to handle myself just fine."

"Zuko, will you be able to not hurt your father? After everything Aang went through, you really can't hurt him," Katara said.

"No Katara! It's too dangerous! Actually, it's not that dangerous, but I really don't want you near the Boiling Rock prison," Zuko said.

"You were there for me when I needed you Zuko, so why won't you let me help you?" She asked angrily.

"Maybe it's because I don't need your help," Zuko stated quietly.

"How would you know what you need Zuko? You haven't let anyone take care of you for the past 6 years! Your uncle did his best, but you cut him out!" Katara said without thinking.

Zuko lowered his head and realized her mistake. "Oh Tui! I forgot! I'm so sorry Zuko!" Katara said with sadness in her voice.

Zuko looked back up at her. "No, you're right. As always. I made many mistakes as far as my uncle is concerned, and even though he forgave me, I still feel pretty bad about betraying him. And you're also right that I haven't had anyone take care of me for the past few years. As I once said to Aang, not having anyone take care of me and always being second to Azula has made me strong—it's who I am," Zuko finished.

"Besides, Aang needs you here," Zuko stated.

Katara stuck her lip out. "But Zuko, I want to help you!" Katara said pleadingly.

Zuko shook his head. Sometimes, she was just so absolutely annoying. "You aren't going to let me go alone, are you?" Zuko asked ruefully.

Katara shook her head and Zuko sighed. He knew that if it had been anyone else he would have said no, but Katara was different. Apart from the fact that he loved her, he still wanted to become better friends with her because that was all they were—for now anyway.

"Fine. You can come this time. But never again," Zuko said with a tone of annoyance in his voice.

He looked into Katara's happy azure eyes and was actually glad that he hadn't turned her down.

But, a thought entered his mind and voiced it instantly to Katara. "On one condition," Zuko said. Katara's face fell just the slightest bit. "You have to go tell the others where we're going and that we'll be in Ba Sing Se by tomorrow," Zuko finished.

Katara nodded and then ran off. Zuko sat down on a rock next to Appa and said, "Why am I so bad at this? It's too complicated. And what am I supposed to do about Mai? This isn't going to end well, I just know it. What do you think?" Zuko asked Appa.

Appa growled and Zuko threw his head in his hands while saying, "That's what I think too."

Zuko was about to say something else when he heard Katara running down the hallway.

"Monkey feathers!' Zuko grumbled in such a low voice it was inaudible. He really hoped she wasn't listening to what he had said.

Katara walked into the entrance to the gardens and gave Zuko a warm smile. She walked up to him until they were inches from each other's faces. Zuko wanted to lean in and kiss her, but instinctively, he leaned back so that the moment wasn't quite so awkward.

He started to rub the back of his neck like he always did when he was feeling uncomfortable. He offered Katara a hand to help her get on Appa and she took it gratefully.

However when their hands touched there was something that sparked and they both removed their hands before anything could happen.

Katara looked embarrassed. "Thanks, but no thanks," she said quietly.

"It's okay," Zuko said and then thought to himself, 'She felt it too.'