Chapter 1

Zuko and Katara stood completely still in grim pity and utter silence for a few minutes, their eyes on Azula. Save for the slight wind, one could have heard a pin drop.

Katara finally looked at Zuko, and he turned to her.

"I can't believe this. All this time, I was so excited to put Azula in her place. I never would thought it would end like this," she said with a sad sigh.

Zuko lowered his head. "I knew would end badly from the start. No matter what she did, she still is my sister. An ugly outcome was inevitable."

Katara squeezed his shoulder. Zuko's expression was as serious as ever, but she had spent enough time with him to know that he was really conflicted and upset. She turned back to Azula. "What should we do with her?"

Zuko followed her gaze. He bit his lip, and turned away.

"I guess I should just leave her. I'll send someone for her later."

Katara hesitated, and then slowly nodded. They began to walk away.

Zuko watched as Katara moved to signal for Appa. Then something triggered in the back of his mind.

His father mocking his pleas for mercy, in the arena of their Agni Kai, right before burning his face…

Aang waking him up, having rescued him from being captured by Zhao's men after finding out he was the Blue Spirit…

The Gaang pulling him out of the blizzard…

Katara hugging Zuko and forgiving him…

"No!" gasped Zuko. He panted for a few seconds.

"Zuko?" asked Katara worriedly.

"I can't do it," said Zuko. "I can't just abandon her in cold blood." He turned to her, and his face became considerably softer and sadder. "If I do, I'm no better than her… or my father."

Katara stared at him for a few seconds before nodding slightly. "Yeah," she replied. "I was just thinking the same thing regarding myself."

Zuko hadn't noticed until now that Katara had been rather conflicted about leaving Azula behind. As he was silently admonishing himself, big beams of red and blue light in the distance caught his and Katara's eyes.

It looked like the red would overpower the blue, but then the blue light fought back and finally prevailed. Faint sounds of cheering and awe echoed in the distance.

"It's Aang!" cried Katara happily. "He defeated your father, I just know it!"

Zuko looked off into the sky and smiled. He was so proud of Aang, and he had always believed in him. And though he wouldn't show it too easily, he was very happy for Aang and Katara. Not only had they both played a decisive role in bringing about this moment, but they had both survived, and could continue to be an important part of each other's lives.

He put a hand on Katara's shoulder. "You should go see him, Katara. I think it's important that you two see each other and know you're both ok."

Katara gave him a very touched smile. "Thank you, Zuko." Her expression melted as she turned to Azula, who was still completely silent and motionless. "What about you? Will you be ok with her?"

Zuko nodded. "I'll be fine," he stated determinedly. "I'm going to put her somewhere safe. She needs a lot of help, and I'm going to make sure she gets it."

Katara nodded, and signaled Appa. Zuko watched her climb atop the sky bison and fly away. Then he walked back to Azula.

She was a depressing sight indeed. Her face was still red and hot from tears, and her expression was still pinched, a mixture of rage, fear, and sadness.

He placed two fingers on her neck. Her pulse was a little faint, but it was nothing too serious. He used his intense fire to quickly melt her chains and cuffs, and then turned her on her back.

Zuko stared down at his little sister for a few seconds.

In some ways I may hate you, but you still are a part of me, he thought to himself.

Then, inexplicably, he found his hand moving. His fingers stroked against her cheek and partially through her tousled hair-

He suddenly froze.

Did I REALLY just do what I thought I did?

Zuko stood stunned for a few seconds.

Oh well, strange things happen, especially in situations you don't anticipate...

Something he knew only too well from first-hand experience…

Zuko finally shrugged his thoughts off and got his act together. He picked up Azula, holding her tightly in his arms, and set off to get help.