Katara was growing restless. Zuko had been gone for what seemed to be a really long time. 'Where could he be?' Katara wondered aimlessly to herself.
He wouldn't killed Ozai if Ozai didn't give him the information he needed, right? 'No, no, no. I know Zuko better than that. He would never do anything to purposely hurt anybody like that,' Katara said to herself.
Katara leaned back on Appa and muttered into his wooly fur, "I hope Zuko gets back soon." As she said it, she saw Zuko coming towards her.
Katara gave him a smile as big as she could give him. She was so happy to see him—she was starting to get sort of depressed being around this creepy prison.
She walked towards him curious to how the encounter went with his father. His face was expressionless until he saw her—he gave her a small encouraging smile.
When they met each other, Katara looked into Zuko's eyes with unspoken questions in her own.
"My father didn't give me any information other than the fact that she is still alive," Zuko said wearily. Katara looked at him again wondering if he had done anything to Ozai.
"You still doubt me?" Zuko asked in pure bewilderment, "I didn't do anything to him, other than maybe being a little cruel. I wasn't going to kill him, especially after everything that Aang went through not to kill Ozai."
Katara felt relief wash over her and then gave Zuko a hug. She felt a rush of adrenaline run through her veins. Zuko stiffened at her touch, but then relaxed into it.
"I'm sorry Ozai didn't tell you anything about your mom," she mumbled into his muscular chest.
"It's okay," Zuko said quietly, "At least I know she's alive. I also know another place that I can look for information about her. I don't know why I didn't think of this before!"
Katara released Zuko from her immovable grasp. "So, where do we go now?" Katara asked Zuko.
"Well, finding my mother can wait. My Uncle invited us to go to a little celebration get together, remember? He would literally kill me if I didn't come. So, we need to get to Ba Sing Se within the next few days. We need to be there the day after tomorrow.
"Right now though, we should go to a nearby city or village and stay there for tomorrow. Ready to get going?" Zuko asked Katara.
Katara smiled and said, "Of course."
Zuko offered Katara his hand again and she took it and climbed onto Appa. Zuko hopped on after her and then sat down next to her with the reigns in his hands.
He muttered, "Yip yip," and they took off.
Zuko was looking straight ahead, and Katara was looking at Zuko. She wanted to start a conversation, so she started with a simple subject.
"So, Fire lord. Are you excited for your new job?" Katara asked.
Zuko smiled and looked at Katara with something in his eyes that Katara couldn't place. Was it care?
"Sort of," Zuko answered, "It seems as though it's a lot of work especially after all the war. I have a bad feeling I'll be working overtime for the next 5 years or so," Zuko said. "Too bad I won't have time to practice my Tsunki Horn," Zuko muttered.
Katara laughed. He had such a dry sense of humor, but that was one of Zuko's favorite things about him. "You play the Tsunki Horn?" she asked.
Zuko blushed, but answered, "Yes. My uncle thinks I'm 'wonderful' but I know I'm not. I don't enjoy playing it in front of other people mostly because uncle was always begging me to play on music night. I never did enjoy those nights," he said sadly.
"I never played any instruments, so I can't really relate to that," Katara said.
"Maybe I could teach you how to play the Tsunki Horn sometime," Zuko said jokingly.
"I'll hold you to your word Sparky. Careful what you wish for!" Katara said as Zuko grimaced at Sokka's nickname for him.
Obviously wanting to change the subject, Zuko spoke up and said, "Hey, look over there! It's a village that we can stay at. What do you think Katara? It's small, but it'll do for tonight. I don't know about you, but I've had a long day and I just want to rest now."
Katara recognized this village. She was eager to see the villagers again. "I agree with you Zuko. I think we should stay here for tonight. Let's go."
Zuko pulled Appa down and they landed on a dock where Katara met a familiar face—it was none other than Doc.