Finding a Mother
Chapter Three
The second Zuko and Hakoda set foot back at the camp site; Zuko was greeted with a tidal wave of water crashing into him, sending him reeling back. Katara stood in front of them, looking like she was going to kill Zuko.
"What did you do to my father?!" she demanded as a drenched Zuko stood up.
"Nothing." Zuko replied.
"Katara…" Hakoda put a hand on his daughter's shoulder. "Zuko and I just took a walk."
"Oh really?" Katara started to bend some more water at the Firebender. "Is that what he wants you to tell me? Did he threaten to kill you if you didn't say that?"
"No…"
"Dad, just tell me the truth and I can eliminate the problem!"
"KATARA!" Hakoda's voice boomed, causing Katara to back up. Her dad had never yelled at her like that before! Hakoda's outburst caused Aang, Sokka, Toph and Suki to run outside.
"Dad, what's going on?" Sokka asked.
"Zuko and I went for a walk to get to know each other better, and the second we get back, she assumes he did something horrible to me!" Hakoda scolded his daughter. "Katara, your mother and I taught you that holding grudges only brings out the bad in people. We taught you to forgive and forget, no matter what the person did to you. Katara, your mother would be ashamed of you!"
Katara could suddenly feel her heart sink and she felt fresh tear form beneath her eyes. She looked for the others to give her support, but they all had disappointed looks on their faces.
"Katara," Sokka started. "Zuko has left this camp with both Aang and I. You should have learned by now that Zuko's changed."
Katara couldn't believe her ears. Just a week ago, Sokka would have attacked Zuko if he saw him, but now he was standing up for him?! Tears poured down Katara's face as she turned and sprinted to her room.
"So, what did you guys talk about?" Aang changed the subject.
"Something that maybe you should all know…" Hakoda said. "It's easier to forgive someone when you know where they are coming from."
They all turned to look at Zuko, but the prince once again changed the subject.
"We should leave here as soon as possible."
"Why?" Sokka asked.
"We came here in my sister's war balloon." Zuko said. "It's only a matter of time until she spots it up here. Once she sees it, there will be Fire Nation soldiers surrounding this temple."
"So it's settled." Hakoda said. "We leave first thing tomorrow morning."
END CHAPTER