Disclaimer: I cannot own ATLA, even if I did, don't you think I wouldve made Zutara happen like forever ago? Seriously...

I would like to say I'm sorry for not updating in like an eternity. I'd also like to apologize for starting new stories without finiishing this one. Furthermore, I love to thank et114141 for helping me through this and encouraging me to write this chapter-this ones for you- I hope everyone enjoys this chapter. I had a blast writing for this story again. R&R and please enjoy reading...

---Runaway Bride

It was well before dawn. The moon still high above the horizon. Yet Katara was found at the docks. A howling wind echoed the night.

Shivering in her new wolf-sheep cloak, Katara turned to pacing as to keep her warm. A Kyoshi ship should have arrived minuets ago. But who could see through all the shadows and fog? Certainly not Katara.

Was it only hours ago that the magnificent dinner party took place, cheering for Katara and Aang's happiness? Some young ladies present were more than jealous of Katara. Aang was a hero, a dream come true. Or, in Katara's case, a nightmare that stood relentless in her wake.

Even some watertribe men had their eyes on Katara. Not that Katara cared. Life was empty compared to what she was about to do.

Run away.

The light in the darkness that was Zuko was snuffed out, only to leave candle wax dripping down like tears. This had to be the right decision. Surely anyone could see the sense in it. Iroh did. And from the bad vibes she was getting from Toph that evening, Toph would probably encourged Katara to leave.

In silence.

As if in shame. It would devastate Aang. It would devastate Zuko as well. But it truly was for the best. Zuko may be unhappy with his new bride, but the whole Fire Nation would be unhappy if it was Katara.

Through the fog, Katara spotted a wavering light. Squinting and stepping closer to the dock, she saw that the light came from a ship. Katara was so excited to finally be going she almost whooped with delight. Inching closer and closer until Katara could feel the mist rising from the sea, she waited expectantly and impatiently.

She didn't have much time. In only about five hours, it would be light and people would be out searching for her. Including Fire Nation vessels, much to the horror of Katara at being caught. As the ship neared, Katara saw a lone figure standing at the edge, watching her with a mixture of curiousity and happiness.

Finally the ship docked and a plank was lumbered down, roughly, causing more noise than the earsplitting wind. Wincing at the sound, Katara looked up at the man cloaked in semi darkness and headed up the plank, her feet swift, her mind alert, and her heart shattered.

The man became more focused to Katara's eyes as she neared the middle of the ship. He looked so familiar. Then, the darkness seemed to vanish, the cloak dispersed, the shadows flying away from the man. Dad!

Almost crying at seeing her father for the first time in a year, Katara wrapped her arms around Hakoda's middle. He hugged her, finally being able to help his daughter. She had shown courage in the past. But nothing compared to her bravery in this moment.

"Dad..."

Stroking her braid in the darkness, Hokada said, "Come Katara. There is much to be discussed. Bato will be taking us to Kyoshi, as you asked. But it has been too long; I wish to receive a clear understanding of what when why and how."

Katara gave a brisk nod and accompanied him to a room below the top of the ship. Together, they made their way to a dimly lit room. There were mats made of animal skins and furs laid hazardly across the wooden floor, as if a battle had been going on between the furs and the sailors.

Katara sat opposite her father and began telling her tale. She began from when Aang proposed with the engagement necklace (which was currently off her neck and in a drawer in the Fire Nation Palace) to the trip to the Fire Nation, then onto what was going on with her and Zuko, her love for him his love for her and so on. And finally, at her breaking point with Aang.

"But you didn't tell Aang?" inquired Hakoda.

During this time, Katara could no longer keep still. She began to pace aimlessly around the room. No certain destination, just to walk was a way to free her energy from her binding body. Meanwhile, Hokoda had traveled her movements with his eyes, sometimes he had to turn all the way around just to be able to see her, only for Katara to walk in the opposite direction.

"I couldn't dad. Gran Gran knows. So does Iroh. I have a hunch that Toph knows, she figures everything out anyways. But Aang, Zuko, the guests...they don't need to know I'm a runaway bride. They'll figure it out soon enough." Feeling dejected, Katara went back to the plush animal fur and sat down.

Hakoda put his large, calloused hand on his daughter's shoulder in a comforting gesture. He would have done anything to get his daughter back to herself once again. But as he looked upon her, Hakoda realized she was probably being more herself than what he had been reading in her past letters.

"Everything will come out well. It'll be two more day before we reach the island. Get some rest darling. You'll need it for when you see Sokka." As Hokoda rolled his eyes, Katara giggled lightly, hugged her father one last time and went to find a bed.

Hokoda watched her go with some reluctance. But she did need to sleep the stress off. She'd be getting plenty of stress once they arrived to Sokka's home. Then, blowing out the meager light, Hokoda walked out to find Bato and discuss his worries to his best freind.

Katara found a chamber a few yards away from where she was before. It was clean, although a bit deprived of color and coziness. It would, however have to do until she ended up in Kyoshi.

Tossing her pack at the edge of the bed, Katara flopped down, at once regretting it. The bed was stiff and cold.

Groaning, Katara pushed her body under the covers for warmth, leaving her clothes on.

Slipping into a dreamland out of her control, Katara fell deeply into the dark embrace and let her imagination wander...

Later in the morning, Zuko rose to the sunrise dripping light fragments across his floor from the open curtains. Red curtains parted to a veiw of the rich land below. It was a little warmer than it was last night.

Last night...Zuko had a horrible nightmare. Of Katara.

She was his bride to be, and instead of finding her at the alter before the Fire Sages; she was trapped at the docks. Zuko had looked below to see Katara fleeing for her life from some dark wind, trying to take her in its grasp and take her somewhere unknown.

A woman was riding the wind-Mai. But Katara escaped to the sea, but instead of floating, she began to drown. Zuko couldn't save her for he was glued to the alter. As she drowned, the wind stopped and it was Mai beside him, not his beloved.

Zuko had tried to wake during the night, but his eyes would not open. Sighing in relief that it was only a terrible nightmare, Zuko rubbed his eyelids.

Today was the day he had to tell Mai he couldn't marry her. Then he had to tell his uncle of his intentions. After that, confront Katara and Aang, call off their wedding and his own...and somehow find a way to tell Katara of his true feelings.

Coming up with scenarios in his head, Zuko began to dress casually. If he was going to break the news to everybody, he might as well be comfy as he did so.

A knock resounded at his double doors and Zuko leisurely made his way towards it. The knock became louder, more persistent. Flinging open the door, Zuko saw Katara's grandmother and his uncle Iroh, nervously shifting their feet and their eyes to one another.

"What's wrong?" He had no time to be pressed with trivial issues; he had to call off a wedding!

Iroh, upon seeing the door open and Zuko standing slightly away from it, barged into the royal suite, taking Kanna with him also. Groaning, Zuko stepped further aside.

Kanna had composed herself, although a hint of worry seeped into her blue eyes. "Fire Lord."

"Kanna." Zuko began, polite yet still confused at why she was here.

"Just call me Gran Gran."

So she knew of his intentions?

As the awkward moments passed, Zuko became even more unsettled. "Is there a reason for why you both are here?"

Iroh glanced at Kanna who was also looking at Iroh. Coughing into his fist, Iroh began, "Well, you see nephew, there is a problem with Aang and Katara's wedding."

Zuko stared at them, of course there was a problem, Zuko was the one supposed to be marrying her anyways!

"I completely understand, Uncle."

Looking at Zuko in confusion, he said, "You do?"

Sighing in exasperation, Zuko began to pace in front of his elders. "I perfectly understand. Katara won't be marrying Aang. Not today or any other day."

Now Kanna looked at him sharply. "My lord, I'm afraid you still don't-"

Zuko rounded on them, looked them each in the eye and said, "Fine! I will have to tell them myself exactly what my intentions are."

Iroh went to grab his nephew's arm, but was taken a hold of by Kanna. She shook her head. "He must find out on his own."

Sighing, Iroh nodded wearily. His poor nephew, how shocked he would be when he found out that Katara had left. Without even a word. Except of course to Iroh and Gran Gran.

"What do you mean she's not here?!" Zuko could be heard yelling through the halls and into the royal chambers where Kanna and Iroh still stood nervously.

Stomping into his room, his face red with rage, Zuko screamed, "You knew and you wouldn't tell me?! Where did she go, I have to stop her!"

Almost running back into the hall without any answers, Kanna took him by the collar and dragged him into a chair. "Sit down young man. If you'd only listen I'll tell you."

Blinking his confusion, Zuko and Iroh said, "You will?" at the same time.

Kanna nodded. Sitting across from Zuko, she began, "My Katara has had a wearisome year and hard travels. She decided it was best if she left."

"Without a word?" Zuko couldn't believe it, she hadn't even told him, she hadn't told Aang either.

When Zuko went in search of Aang and Katara, he had found Aang on Katara's bed, weeping. Toph had been standing outside the door, a perturbed expression crossing her sightless eyes and face. She didn't need to tell him what was going on, but she did anyways, "Katara's missing." Her voice was matter of fact.

That was when he blew up, that was when he lost control. And now, here he was, listening to Gran.

"...She has left word, with Iroh and I. That was what we have been trying to tell you Fire Lord."

"What did she say?" A hopeful hint was trapped in Zuko's words.

If only he knew, he could be able to help her.

Shifting in her chair, Kanna could no longer meet his eyes. "That is to be none of your business,"

Zuko sputtered in indignation, looking at Iroh for help, Iroh shrugged his shoulders. There would be no help from that quarter.

"What I can tell you is that Katara left with her father. And, that you must find her; bring her back where she belongs."

The rage that had flared his face only moments ago, returned in full force, "I'm not taking her to some Agni forsaken South Pole!"

Kanna rubbed her temples, what a foolish young man he was. "I meant here! With you!"

"Oh...Yeah, your right! I will bring her back!" Zuko began packing clothes in a chest from his closet.

Kanna stood and wearily took Iroh's arm, "I think I'm ready for that lavender tea." Iroh was very ready to take her upon that offer.

But before they left, Iroh stopped and turned to his dear nephew, "My nephew, you must do this alone. I know I have always accompanied you on your travels. That's a fact and I have never regretted that time spent with you. But you are a man now, the Fire Lord. You have to do this, I know you can." Just when the older of the two men was about to leave, Zuko bowed and hugged his uncle. He was right.

"I will be gone before evening. Thank you, both of you." Once again he bowed, this time to Kanna. She looked at him with pride. Yes, he would be great for Katara, she was sure of it.

They left in silence. Zuko finished packing and left to find Mai.

If only, if only; his heart cried out. If only he had a chance to make things right again, but Zuko knew to the pit of his heart, his friendship to any one of his friends was about to burn like the fire burning through his veins. It was inevitable. And, it was also a complete and total disaster.

How'd you like it? Cool huh? I thought it was rather sad, but needed to be said. Arent you all finally glad that Katara left Aang. I swear he was like a cold fish, too bad she had to leave Zuko too. If of course you would like me to continue, I only ask for 3 reviews. It would help me a lot. Your encouragement means the world to me. Oh, and check out my other stories too if you'd like to. Reveiws for any one of them could get me rolling again. Thanks guys, I love you. ;)