*All important disclaimer! I don't own anything! This was made for fun! Anything from the show or the real world not mine! Any reviews or helpful suggestions are accepted. Anything rude will be ignored. Characters a mostly OC, a bit of my alter ego's might slip in here and flames on the pairings or how Emotional Aang might be will be totally ignored. This is a Zutara story, I never cared for KatAang even when the show was going on. Aang will grow up I promise so please bare with me. Any helpful suggestions are appreciated. All haters and flamers please take your mean reviews and use them to thaw your cold hearts.*
The next day Sokka and Hakoda spent the day in front of the television watching Air ball. Suki, Katara and Gran Gran cooked. Aang showed up around the time diner was served. Sokka sat next to Suki at the table, he'd apologized earlier. The group said their thanks and began their meal. Aang and Sokka talked about the Air ball game. Simultaneously Suki's and Katara's cell phones rang. Suki got a text from Toph pleading for her to call Zuko. Katara was receiving a call. "Hello?" A soft wheeze responded. "Hey Tara...*cough* remember when I said something bad was gonna happen. Well lets just say it's only a eight hour drive from my families winter house to yours." "Oh my god Zuko, where are you?" Katara exclaimed as Suki stood with her. "Pulling up right now. I hate to do this on a holiday..." "We'll be right out!"
Katara bolted from the table with Suki hot on her heels. Zuko's hunter green Plymouth Duster was idling outside. Zuko's eyes was black and as he killed the engine and hauled himself out of the car he clutched his right rib. "Oh my goodness Zuko!" Suki exclaimed as he leaned against her for support. "It's not as bad as it looks." Zuko hissed as Katara pulled his arm around her shoulder for further support. "What the heck happened?" Gran Gran held the door open as the two girls assisted Zuko into the living room and onto the couch. Katara sat next to him began to examine him slowly. She ran her hands over his face gently, Katara could feel Aang's eyes on her but at that moment she didn't care. She moved from his head to his chest and ribs. "Sokka could you bring me some water please?" Sokka nodded and went into the kitchen to fetch it, but not before touching Suki's shoulder gently.
Katara dipped her hand into the liquid and her hand was engulfed in the substance along with a glowing blue light. She looked into Zuko's golden eyes, "This'll probably hurt." With that she placed the glove on his right side. Zuko hissed and closed his eyes. "If-if you can do this...wh-why study medicine?" Katara smiled as the glow danced over her face. "It's not the same as being a real doctor..." Zuko peeked his eye open at her a smirked. They stared for moment, even after the glowing stopped. Hakoda cleared his throat to gain their attention. Startled they both jumped and turned to the other people in the room. Katara blushed, "his rib was fractured slightly. Some rest and food he should be fine."
"Sorry to intrude sir." Zuko muttered as he stood and held out his hand. "My name is Zuko Bei Fong. I've heard a lot about you." Hakoda returned the shake, "Likewise. Pray tell are you the same Zuko of the National Bending League?" Zuko flushed slightly and nodded affirmative. Sokka seemed to hold in a girl scream while Aangs' nostrils flared. "I see, well it's not everyday we have an up an coming star in the house. Have you eaten today?" Zuko shrugged, "Only breakfast Sir." "Well come on and join us, the girls made plenty." Hakoda motioned for Zuko to follow the rest of the family into the kitchen. As Katara passed Zuko grabed her wrist. She turned and looked into his eyes, "Yes?" "Thanks Tara." He said gently, his molten gold eyes seemed to glow. Katara felt her face flush slightly, "No problem Zuko, really." Zuko nodded and released her wrist. Zuko walked past Aang and offered a nod. Aang did not return.
Aang took a deep breathe. "So that's Zuko. You never mentioned him before..." "Yes I have Aang. Hundreds of times. Look I'm tired, I don't want to fight. Zuko is just a friend. It's the holidays can't we just enjoy them?" Katara replied with a plea. Aang turned away from her, "Tell Sokka and everyone I had to go. I just can't look at you right now Kat." He walked out. Katara was annoyed, frustrated but mostly tired. 'I'll deal with Aang later.' Katara joined the family. Sokka seemed to be asking Zuko a million questions. Zuko smiled and answered them slowly. When he noticed Katara in the doorway, Zuko smiled at her. Katara returned it. She sat and no one seemed to notice Aang's sudden departure. Or the fact that he was looking in through the porch window before he took off to a familiar location to him.
Katara lead Zuko upstairs to the Suki's room. "Suki will sleep with me and you can take her room." "You sure? I have no problem crashing on the couch, or in my car." Zuko replied as he entered the beige room. Katara sat on the giant bed and smiled, "My dad wouldn't hear of it. Your a guest. Though I must apologize for my brother and father fan-girling it up." Zuko chuckled. "It's fine. I should be thanking you...Tara. About what happened to me... It's a long story... not one I like to relive often..." "It's OK Zuko, you don't have to if you don't..." "But I do." Zuko interrupted. "You're my friend. And please, try not to interrupt me. My family, well was never right. My father was in the military during the war. When he came home, well... he wasn't right." Zuko's hand unconsciously covered his right eye. Kataras' hands flew up to her mouth as she gasped. 'He did that to him!'
"I was twelve years old. My mother had already left my father, I was nine and my sister Azula was seven. My younger sister and I were practicing our bending. He came out in drunk. That was the first time I'd ever seen Azula scared... He went after us claiming we'd ruined his marriage..." Zukos' entire body clenched, his knuckles were stark white. His eyes were downcast as if his jeans were the most interesting thing in the world. "I told Azula to run, for once she didn't argue. He came at me like an animal Tara. I have nightmares. But most of it is my imagination. I woke up in the hospital, my mom humming the lullaby she used to sing to me. I'd never seen her so relieved. I never cried so hard when I saw my scar... and all my mother did was wrap her arms around me..." He looked up from his pants with tears brimming in his eyes.
"Why do I still go back? Azula went to live with him when mom married Tophs' dad, she was thirteen. He treats her like a princess. It's only me. Why me?" Katara felt her body move before her brain told it too. She threw her arms around him and held him. "I'm so sorry Zuko." Zuko clutched her shoulder's as he fought back the emotions that he clearly kept beaten down. "I'm sorry for unloading on you like this... Mai... never listens like this." Katara pulled away slightly, "Mai?" "My girlfriend," Zuko replied. Some how she felt punched in the gut, Zuko never mentioned a girlfriend the entire time she'd known him. 'Not that it matters Katara, your with Aang. You love him.' Katara thanked Zuko for tell her his story and excused herself when his cell went off. As Katara closed the door she heard Zuko say, "Hi Uncle."
Katara crawled into bed next to Suki, she turned on her side towards her. "He alright?" Katara nodded. Suki scrunched her face for a second at her friends silence will it dawned on her. "He told you didn't he?" Katara nodded and looked at Suki with a great sadness. Suki nodded and hugged her. Katara wept, wept for her friend who went through a experience she'd never understand. And though she'd never admit it out loud to any living soul, at the fact that Zuko had a girlfriend.
A few days after Zuko's sudden arrival he announced he was going to Ohmashu. "If I don't go see Toph, you'll have to fix me up again." He chuckled to Katara as she helped him with his bag. Toph was furious and it took Zuko, Suki, Katara and Zuko's Uncle Iroh and cousin Lu Ten to calm her down. Hakoda shook Zukos' hand again, "truly it was an honor young man. Your welcome in our home any time." Zuko thanked him and promised Sokka he'd get him seats at an bending match. Suki hugged him tightly, "Be good, an polite to Toph's mom." "Yea, yea easier said than done. Lu Ten is flying from his resort to drive back to Ba Sing Se with me so at least things will get interesting."
Zuko turned to Katara again and hugged her. Katara returned the embrace and whispered, "be careful." "Yea, you too." He replied before he got into his car.
Christmas and New Years came and went. Katara pushed her suit case closed. She and Suki left in the morning. Poor Sokka seemed to mope around at the thought. Zuko had made it back to Ba Sing Se with his cousin alright. Toph bailed on her mom early and went with them and spent Christmas and new years with Zuko. Zuko agreed to pick them up at the airport, he seemed excited. Toph reported that Mai was transferring to Ba Sing Se. But Katara had very little time to think about her, Aang seemed to be in a permanent mood since Zuko's dramatic entrance. He was either pushing her away or being overly clingy. 'I wish he would tell me what is wrong! If he's afraid I'm cheating on him then just say it!' Suki made a wonderful goodbye diner. Hakoda joked about how he might need to hire her for a summer chef.
*I only just realized i should check my yahoo account lol! Thank you to all who have reviewed and added me to your watch lists! It feels good to know people are reading and even like my story! To answer manUgirl's question...lol you'll have to keep reading! I appreciate the reviews and hope to hear more idea's!*