A/N

Mood: indifference

Listening to: Sailed On from Landon Pigg

Disclaimer: The following characters are not of my own creation.

And I enjoy water. :D Everything about it.

xxx

Guilt followed Zuko just like Aang did. Everywhere he went Aang was at his side (usually between Zuko and Katara) and so was the overwhelming shadow that was Zuko's induced guilt.

"What are you doing?" Aang asked.

"I'm in my room, Aang. I'm not doing anything."

"Everyone's always doing something. What are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking that this apartment isn't big enough!"

"Why?"

"Because I just want to be alone for a moment, okay?"

Aang folded himself up in the corner of Zuko's room. "I'll be quiet."

Zuko groaned. "But you're still there…"

"Not a peep. Just go on as if I'm not even watching."

"What's your deal, anyway?"

"Every time you get left alone, bad things happen. So, I'm a preventive measure."

"Thanks, Aang." Zuko drawled sarcastically.

"Anytime."

Katara gave Aang a bewildered stare as she walked in the room. "Aang, your training is going to start in ten minutes! Shouldn't you go?"

"I think I'm going to skip it today."

Zuko rolled his eyes. "Just go, before I drag you down there."

"It'll keep you out of trouble, won't it?" Aang frowned.

"Aang…" Katara pleaded.

"Fine." Aang pouted, rising to his feet and shuffling out the door.

Katara shook her head. "Iroh's going to watch you, Aang."

"Okay…" Aang's voice echoed as he trudged down the hall.

Zuko sighed and slumped back onto his bed. "Finally."

"Sokka and I are going out. Do you want to come?" Katara asked.

Zuko glanced at the pouch of money sitting on his bureau, and an idea struck him. Time to repay his old debts… And get back Katara's money from the shop keeper.

"I'll meet you at the palace gates in an hour." Zuko replied.

Katara threw him a questioning glance but didn't push the matter. "Okay. See you then."

xxx

"My vote's still for 'he's signaling the Fire Nation'." Sokka said, folding his arms.

"Sokka," Katara paused her walk to inspect some furs. "You're an idiot. I know I've told you that before, and I'll tell you again."

He pushed out his lower lip. "He's up to something."

"Like what? Breathing? Getting a break from Aang?"

"Aang's very wise to keep such a close watch-."

"He's being ridiculous."

"You only say that because he's cutting out your time with your princy-poo."

She slapped his shoulder. "I'm not-."

"Hey, look!" Sokka pointed across the avenue. "Is that Zuko?"

Katara looked closer. "He's talking to… a messenger service. What's he got to deliver?"

"Spy…" Sokka sang. "He's a sp-."

"Come on. Let's get a closer look." She pulled him behind a stand of cabbages and they listened to Zuko's conversation without being seen.

"… And I want a signed note back proclaiming she received it. Then I'll pay you the other half." Zuko demanded.

"Very well. And where is this ostrich horse?"

"You can pick it up at the royal stables. I have proof of my ownership."

"… Alright, then. Thank you for your business, sir. We're heading out that way tomorrow, so you'll receive the note in a couple weeks."

"Thanks."

Sokka dragged Katara to the other side of the cart, getting a vile glare from the vendor.

"He's coming around." Sokka explained to them both.

"I don't care where 'he' is. Get away from my cabbages!"

Katara and Sokka darted away and followed the retreating Zuko.

"What was that about?" Sokka asked.

"He's returning the ostrich horse…" Katara marveled.

"To who?"

"I don't know… Hey, this is where Zuko got mugged!"

Zuko ducked into the shop, and they didn't dare to pursue him. After a few minutes, Katara considered going in to break up the fight that Zuko would probably cause, only to see Zuko waltz back out, cradling a handful of gold.

"Bet he stole that." Sokka frowned. "Let's ask."

"No! Don't. I don't want him to know we were following. We have to get to the palace gates…"

"Don't worry." Zuko growled from above them. "We don't have to meet there."

Katara blanched. Sokka stood up and brushed his knees free of dust. "Good. Let's get lunch. I'm starved, and we can talk about what you've been doing all morning."

Zuko handed Katara the money. "Here's the money you gave the shop keeper yesterday."

She stared at it as if Momo had handed her a half-dead mouse. "How… Did…"

"He gave it willingly." Zuko said, shoving the coins into her hand. "You can go and ask him; he'll say the same."

"I don't believe that." Sokka scoffed.

Zuko shrugged. "Doesn't matter to me if you do or not."

Sokka's frown deepened, at a loss for a retort.

Katara mopped her forehead with the back of her hand. "Let's just go eat."

Sokka sighed. "Fine. But I get to pick where we go."

Zuko and Katara exchanged glances.

"I want something besides a solitary meat meal." Zuko smirked.

"Ha ha. That's very-… Look at that guy, Katara. He's wearing red shoes."

"So?"

"So… I've seen a guy wear obnoxious red shoes before…"

"Your brother's psychotic." Zuko remarked.

"I noticed. Sokka, what's the problem?"

"I gotta go talk to him. Hey! Hey, you with red shoes!"

Katara rolled her eyes. "We better follow him."

"I say we just let him go for it." Zuko said. "Better he lose his mind than us."

Katara grabbed Zuko's hand to keep him from stalking off in the opposite direction, and they grudgingly followed Sokka. He found them first, though.

He wore an expression of extreme disdain. "Wu…" He muttered.

"Wu?" Katara gasped. "Aunt Wu? Really?"

"She's… here."

"Is that good or bad?" Zuko asked.

"Bad for us. Great for her." Sokka replied.

"Where is she? Let's go see her!" Katara clasped her hands excitedly.

"She's a couple streets down." Sokka answered dully.

"Come on. Come on. Let's go!" She sped off.

"I won't even bother telling her that's the wrong way…" Sokka mumbled to Zuko.

xxx

"Aunt Wu has been expecting you."

Katara grinned to Sokka and Zuko. "See?"

Sokka groaned. "Just kill me. Please!"

"We'll be back Katara. I have to kill Sokka."

"Come on! She won't wait all day." Katara cried, rushing into the edifice.

Wu's new place was smaller and much less decorated. None the less, Katara's eyes were bugged with excitement. She turned to Zuko and began narrating all the wonderful things the fortuneteller could do, and Zuko could only listen to half of what she was talking about; she talked so fast.

"Bet she's renting." Sokka muttered snidely, glancing at the paint peeling on the ceiling.

"Hush, Sokka. Don't be rude. This woman is amazing." Katara scolded.

"Says you."

"I recognize that voice," Aunt Wu stepped forth from her back room and studied Sokka just as shrewdly as she first had. "Still the same old non-believer."

Katara gushed. "Hi, Aunt Wu!"

"Hello, dear. How are you?"

"I'm great! I can't believe you're here!"

"I'm taking care of my sister, and I thought I'd bring a little enlightenment to the citizens of such a grand city." Her eyes rested on Zuko.

He stumbled back involuntarily. He'd run into her before, and he was rather hoping she wouldn't recognize him.

"Well, well. Seems you've found your sweetheart." She drawled.

"Wh… What?" Zuko gasped.

She shook her head. "There's quite a story here, I'll wager."

"It's long and boring and will involve some of those bean curd puffs!" Sokka grinned.

Aunt Wu frowned. "I'm sorry. I'm out of those, and I will let you keep your stories. Your readings will be evident enough as to what's happened."

Zuko grimaced. Katara shoved him forth.

"Get your reading first!" She exclaimed.

"I… I don't want one, thanks." Zuko said nervously.

"It won't hurt!" Katara cajoled.

Aunt Wu raised an eyebrow. "Won't hurt for whom?"

Sokka laughed, eager to see someone against Zuko besides himself. Zuko sighed.

"Alright. I'll just… A quick one."

"Mhm. Indeed." Aunt Wu frowned. "For him, I'll need payment. His won't be easy."

"Sure!" Katara held forth a few copper pieces, and Aunt Wu passed them to her assistant.

"Now then. Come with me." She disappeared into the back room, and Zuko followed, shoulders slumped.

"Maybe she'll predict his death." Sokka kidded and received another slap in the shoulder.

xxx

Aunt Wu sat on a large, pink cushion in the center of the room and motioned for Zuko to take his place on a smaller cushion in front of her. He complied, glancing at the various instruments displayed around him.

"Give me your hand." She instructed.

Zuko thrust it forward grudgingly. She turned it over, bent his fingers back, twirled his thumb around (and around and around), and finally began to study the lines etched into his palm.

"Your past is very troubled… Much family strife… And death…"

Zuko jerked his hand away. "I know my past. I don't need to have it reiterated to me."

"Very well. Your future, then?"

"Whatever."

She swept a tall pitcher from her left and dripped a red liquid into it. She stirred it with a glass rod, shaking it twice before setting it back down again. A bowl was set before her by her assistant, and she poured the oily substance into the water. Zuko and Aunt Wu watched it as the swirls of red danced on the surface, blending and shifting until finally they slowed.

"Well," Aunt Wu sniffed. "Quite interesting…"

xxx

"What do you think she sees?" Katara asked Sokka.

"You know, Aang was this same way when you were getting your reading." Sokka rolled his eyes, flexing his bean-curd-empty hands.

Katara huffed, "I'm just curious."

"So was he. That's why he snuck back there to see. I mean, he said he was going to the bathroom, but I know better."

She flushed. "Well, I'm not…crushing on Zuko. I'm just wondering what she's going to say."

"Mhm. Sure."

Katara glowered at her brother. "And you're not just a little bit curious as to what she's saying about Zuko?"

"Not in the slightest. I'll tell you what, Katara, how about I predict his future?" He rubbed his temples with his index fingers. "He will have a great many troubles… And a struggle between getting his head smashed in from a-."

"Oh, be quiet. You know, her cloud prediction was right. You just won't admit it."

"Again, here, let me predict the future with the stupid clouds…"

"We're indoors, smart guy."

"Fine. I'll use the peeled paint on the ceiling! Now… I see her rent raising…raising… raising until the hag can no longer pay and-."

"Ahem."

Aunt Wu stood in the doorway, arms at her hips, sporting a genuine scowl. Sokka wriggled his fingers.

"Hey, Aunt Wu… Did ya clear the fire bender?"

"Sokka!" Katara gasped.

"It's kind of obvious, Katara. I think she knows who he is. And if she's so 'great' she'll know who he is by his facial features." Sokka snorted.

Zuko narrowed his eyes, and Aunt Wu gave an extravagant sigh. "I suppose you want a reading, then?"

Sokka stretched. "I might as well. Let's just see what you can tell me about my 'oh-so-readable' past."

"I require money for him as well." Aunt Wu told Katara. "Only because he is a firm non-believer and insists on degrading my art."

"Sure! Anything to get him out of my hair for a few minutes!" Katara exclaimed, handing the old woman the proper amount.

"Come along, you little infidel."

Sokka frowned, but followed her none-the-less.

Zuko sank to the floor beside Katara. She tugged on his arm.

"What did she tell you?"

Zuko leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. "Nothing important. Just that I was going to die with my shoes on."

"What? You're joking."

"Maybe."

"Really, what did she say?"

"'Your future holds much trouble, more so than your past,' and 'I think you should settle down and find a girlfriend before your heart gets bigger than your head,'". Zuko repeated in a dull tone.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Ask her. I don't know… She also mentioned… an opposite."

"An opposite?"

"A completion of my 'lacking side'. Make any sense to you?"

"A little…" Katara sank back to the wall as well. "I mean, she said… Well, never mind."

"What? I told you what she told me, now it's your turn." Zuko turned his head to study Katara's face.

She shrugged. "She mentioned… something about… a bender…"

Zuko rolled his eyes. "You know a lot of them."

"Never mind."

"She said I would have children," Zuko added softly. "It occurred to me that I've never really thought about life beyond the war."

"Me neither." Katara said. "Well, actually, Sokka and I talked about it a little yesterday."

"And?"

"He said he and I were going back to the South Pole after we help Aang, but I don't want to go back there."

"Why not?"

"It's not… what I want anymore… What about you? What will you do?"

"I don't know. I don't think I will know until afterwards."

"Will we still be friends?" She looked up to him, expression unreadable.

He held her gaze. "I hope so."

xxx

"Did you have a good time?" Aang asked over dinner.

"No," Sokka pouted. "That crazy old woman said my life was a failure."

"What about you?" Aang turned to Zuko. "Learn anything new?"

Zuko's gaze flickered to Katara. He hid a grin behind his drink.

"Yeah," Zuko answered distantly. "I think I did."

A/N

For those interested in helping out my sanity, my DA (see my profile homepage) account is screaming for some love. I've got a journal up right now asking for some challenges (I want to do another fic contest, and I've been directed to a plethora of them in a forum, but I don't have a lot of patience at the moment) but I want to draw some more, and in a short while I will have no more muses to follow. Side note: I will also be pleased to take some one-shot requests.

And I think I may have confused a lot of folks… To clear it up:

Zuko now has Aang and Sokka's permission to date Katara; therefore if he wanted to go out with her, he could do so WITHOUT having to owe Sokka and Aang a favor. I feel bad that I have to do this, but I just don't want my readers getting confuzzled.