The ABCs of Zutara: JUDGMENT

Written by Katie Jo aka AVidZktjo

JUDGMENT (1) – UH-UH. NO WAY!

/-\ Zuko's POV \-/

The moment of truth had finally come. You can do this, I told myself as I fidgeted with my hands. Ugh, why was I so nervous? I'd had worse confrontations than this, so what was the big deal? Facing my father had been one of the hardest things I'd ever done in my life, but it suddenly paled in comparison to the judgment I would surely face that afternoon. I just couldn't seem to shake the feeling of anxiety. I knew what I wanted to say and how I wanted to say it, so there was nothing to fear. But as the flying bison came crashing down in front of me and four pairs of feet landed on the ground, I lost all train of thought. With one word from the earthbender, they all turned to face me and the ridiculous greeting that I had rehearsed only moments ago fell forth from my mouth. "Hello. Zuko here." Why did I say that?

I didn't have time to ponder my stupidity though. In a flash, they crouched down into their fighting stances, ready for our age-old battle. And without a thought to my words, I said the first thing that came to mind. "Hey. I heard you guys flying around down there so…I just thought I'd wait for you here." What was wrong with me? I was messing this up already.

But before I could say another word, the bison stepped up beside me and his loud roar threatened to blow me away. I lifted my arms up to cover my face from the onslaught of his attack but the most unexpected thing happened. His massive tongue stretched out and ran up my back. Already I could feel his slobber soaking through my clothes. Ugh. I stood up straighter after his tongue had done its damage, but the bison wasn't finished with me yet. I inwardly winced as his tongue licked the side of my face, leaving a trail of saliva in its wake.

Well, at least I could find comfort in the fact that he was not going to crush me to death the way he had almost done when I set him free. Under Lake Laogai the bison had taken off the minute he was rid of his chains but not before he'd knocked me to the ground and roared in my face. Back then it had felt like he was threatening me. Now it felt like he was thanking me. As I wiped the drool from my face, I was happy to realize that I had one friend among their gang. Well, two…but she didn't look too happy to see me.

With the last of the bison's drool wiped off my face, I attempted to explain myself once more. "I know you must be surprised to see me here."

The young Water Tribe warrior – he was the waterbender's brother, right? – was quick to answer, "Not really, since you've followed us all over the world."

"Right...well, uh..." Of course they wouldn't be surprised. What was I thinking? Like the warrior had said, I chased them all over the world, which was probably something I should've apologized for. But I didn't. Instead I just kept rambling on, having no idea what I was really trying to say. "Anyway, what I wanted to tell you about is that I've changed, and I, uh, I'm good now. And, well, I think I should join your group." Right. Like that was going to convince them. "Oh!" But I did have one thing to bring to the table at least. "And I can teach firebending...to you." Yeah. That sounded real convincing. The waterbender stared across at me with surprise in her eyes and I knew I had lost them. What was I trying to say? I had the words before. I opened my mouth again. "See, I uh..."

"You wanna what now?" the earthbender was the first to ask.

The waterbender's gaze suddenly turned lethal and her words brought me back to Ba Sing Se. "You can't possibly think that any of us would trust you, can you? I mean, how stupid do you think we are?" I thought you had changed. The memory echoed throughout my mind and I cringed. Winning her over was going to be harder than I thought.

Her brother was speaking again. "Yeah, all you've ever done is try to hunt us down and capture Aang."

"I've done some good things," I immediately defended myself. Well, one good thing at least. "I mean, I could've stolen your bison in Ba Sing Se, but I set him free. That's something." The bison's slobbery tongue trailed up my back again and I shuddered.

"Appa does seem to like him," the small girl in green pointed out. Maybe I was beginning to convince them.

But the Water Tribe warrior retaliated, "He probably just covered himself in honey or something so that Appa would lick him. I'm not buying it."

Back to square one. "I can understand why you wouldn't trust me and I know I've made some mistakes in the past." Now I was finally getting somewhere.

But that peasant interrupted again. "Like when you attacked our village?"

And then his sister was quick to add. "Or when you stole my mother's necklace and used it to track us down and capture us?" Her eyes were filled with such rage and anger as she threw that accusation in my face. There had to be some way to make it up to them, to make it up to her.

"Look…I admit I've done some awful things." Placing my hand over my forehead, I closed my eyes. How could I apologize for a lifetime of wrongs? Words didn't seem enough, but I had to try. "I was wrong to try to capture you and I'm sorry that I attacked the Water Tribe. And I never should've sent that Fire Nation assassin after you. I'm gonna try to stop—"

"Wait! You sent Combustion Man after us!?"

Combustion Man? "Well, that's not his name, but—"

"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to insult your friend."

That Water Tribe peasant was really starting to get on my nerves. "He's not my friend!"

"That guy locked me and Katara in jail and tried to blow us all up!" the young earthbender added in a huff.

I sighed. What more could I say? All of them had clearly spelled out my verdict. Except for one. I turned my attention to the Avatar and tried to appeal to him. "Why aren't you saying anything? You once said you thought we could be friends. You know I have good in me."

I held my breath as the Avatar considered my plea. In his eyes I saw that my words had struck the right chord. He remembered as well as I did the day the Blue Spirit rescued him and the day we both imagined an unlikely friendship between us. Maybe there was hope after all. But as the Avatar looked over at the shaking head of the Water Tribe warrior, I knew my fate was sealed.

The gray eyes of the last airbender locked onto mine and my heart plummeted. "There's no way we can trust you after everything you've done. We'll never let you join us."

I wrinkled my brow in frustration and looked away. "You need to get out of here. Now." The waterbender's words brushed past my ears as rage burned up inside of me. Throwing my arms up in the air, I took a step closer to them and desperately attempted to change their minds. "I'm trying to explain that I'm not that person anymore!"

But the water peasant pulled out his boomerang and stepped forward with a threat. "Either you leave or we attack."

A fight was not the way to solve this. If I threw even a single blow, all would be lost. Taking a step back, an insane idea entered my mind but I went with it. "If you won't accept me as a friend…" I knelt before them and held up my arms in surrender, "…then maybe you'll take me as a prisoner."

"No! We won't!"

A wave of water crashed into my chest and sent me flying back into the dirt. As I turned around to face the group, the waterbender's words reached my ears and my judgment was clear. "Get out of here and don't come back! And if we ever see you again...well, we'd better not see you again!"

My head fell down to my chest in shame. It was no use. They weren't going to listen. So with a heavy heart, I picked myself up off the ground and walked away from the destiny I finally knew to be the right one.

~-~ Katara's POV ~-~

"I think that'll have to wait."

I turned in the direction of Toph's pointed finger and my eyes locked on to the one man I never wanted to see again.

"Hello. Zuko here," the firebender said as he waved his hand.

What kind of lame introduction was that? Like I didn't know who he was. Like any of us didn't know who he was. Out of instinct, I crouched down into a fighting stance, ready to throw water in his face or, better yet, an ice dagger. Now that sounded like a great idea. Kill him on the spot. It was a most enticing prospect. Surely the gang wouldn't mind doing away with the deceptive mongrel. He deserved it after all. But my thoughts of vengeance were squashed the minute he opened his mouth.

"Hey. I heard you guys flying around down there so…I just thought I'd wait for you here."

Yeah. Wait to pounce on us, just like always. I could feel the water cascading into my hands and forming into an icicle while he attempted to greet us. I had never been a violent person, well, I'd never killed anyone at least. But at that moment, I wanted nothing more than to send an ice dagger straight through his heart. The world would be better off without the fire prince. I would be better off.

But my thoughts were interrupted again, this time by a groundbreaking roar blowing forth from Appa's mouth and into Zuko's face. I smiled as the bison's snarl made the fire prince tremble. Go ahead, Appa. Eat him. Grind his bones with your teeth. End him right here and—what was Appa doing? Licking him? Zuko? My mouth fell open in shock and the ice evaporated. Appa's tongue ran up the side of Zuko's unmarred face in what looked like a friendly gesture. Had Appa gone crazy? This was Zuko! Not some popsicle stick!

After he'd wiped away Appa's drool, Zuko stated, "I know you must be surprised to see me here."

"Not really, since you've followed us all over the world," my brother was quick to counter.

Zuko's expression fell and I was beginning to wonder why he was really here. "Right...well, uh...anyway," he attempted again, "what I wanted to tell you about is that I've changed—" Changed!? The past was suddenly replaying itself in my mind.

I thought you had changed!

I have changed.

Changed!? That's what he wanted to tell us? That he had changed? Was he crazy? Did he honestly think that any of us would believe him, that I would believe him? After everything he'd done? After the fall of the Earth Kingdom? After Aang had nearly died? After he'd betrayed ME!?

I vaguely heard something about him wanting to join our group and I was again taken aback. He wanted to join us? Did he think we were idiots or something? I would never, I mean, we would never trust him. Ever!

Toph interrupted the firebender's slurs with a smart remark and then it was my turn. The words came flowing out of me in a wave of hatred and rage. "You can't possibly think that any of us would trust you, can you? I mean, how stupid do you think we are?"

Sokka was ready with another rebuttal. "Yeah, all you've ever done is try to hunt us down and capture Aang."

And then he opened his mouth again. "I've done some good things. I mean, I could've stolen your bison in Ba Sing Se, but I set him free. That's something."

Appa, that traitor, licked the firebender again. What was wrong with that bison? But then a crazy notion entered my brain. Maybe Zuko was actually telling the truth? Had he set Appa free?

"Appa does seem to like him," Toph observed and I looked back at her in puzzlement.

Yes, it was obvious that Appa had some sort of fetish for the fire prince, but did it really matter? He was still Zuko, the same villain who had chased us down time and time again in an attempt to capture Aang. It could all be a trick.

Sokka thought so, too, and dismissed the idea with a wave of his hand. "He probably just covered himself in honey or something so that Appa would lick him. I'm not buying it."

Agreed.

"I can understand why you wouldn't trust me, and I know I've made some mistakes in the past."

Some? Try several!

"Like when you attacked our village?" my brother pointed out.

And I was quick to add, "Or when you stole my mother's necklace and used it to track us down and capture us?" To think that his filthy Fire Nation fingers had been all over my mom's necklace. Ugh. It made me shiver in disgust. I would never forgive him for that or for baiting me with it or for tying me to that tree or for…well, for anything!

"Look, I admit I've done some awful things." Again, some? I guess what my father had told me was true then. Evil doesn't know it's evil until it's too late. And for Zuko, it was definitely too late! "I was wrong to try to capture you." Was he talking about me or Aang? It didn't matter. His attempt at asking for forgiveness was still pathetic. "And I'm sorry that I attacked the Water Tribe." Right. Sure he was. "And I never should've sent that Fire Nation assassin after you." WHAT!? My eyes bulged. So it was all his fault! I should have known!

Before I could point a finger in his lying face, Sokka did it for me. "Wait! You sent Combustion Man after us!?"

"Well, that's not his name, but—"

"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to insult your friend." A smirk crossed my face. Sokka had always been a mastermind at comebacks. Normally I hated his irritating jests, but right then I loved him for it.

My brother's mockery seemed to hit its mark for Zuko blurted out "He's not my friend!" in an angry huff that only gave me more reason not to trust him.

And Toph was right behind my brother. "That guy locked me and Katara in jail and tried to blow us all up!"

I fully expected Zuko to retaliate with rage but he didn't. Instead his shoulders slumped as his gaze dropped to his feet. He almost looked…regretful? No. It couldn't be. It was a trick. Just like Ba Sing Se. He hadn't meant what he'd said then and he didn't mean it now. He was still the same lying, conniving backstabber who didn't know a single thing about real honor. He wasn't regretful. He wasn't different. He hadn't changed. And there was most definitely no good in him whatsoever.

Which is why, to my utter joy, Aang turned him down. "There's no way we can trust you after everything you've done. We'll never let you join us."

"You need to get out of here. Now," I simply stated as my hand moved to my water pouch. My gaze was locked on the firebender as he cringed and my eyes dared him to try something. In fact, I wanted him to try something. All I needed was one reason to strike him down. Just one.

As if on cue, he took several steps toward our group and I could feel my heartbeat quicken. "I'm trying to explain that I'm not that person anymore!"

I was ready to pounce, but Sokka stepped forward before I could. With his boomerang pointed at the fire prince, he threatened in an even voice, "Either you leave or we attack."

Zuko took a step back and his eyes roamed over the group. I could see it there amidst the amber glow. He knew that we would never trust him. He knew what he was asking was impossible. And he knew there was no hope of us ever accepting him. Then why did he kneel before us, giving himself up as a prisoner? I didn't take the time to ponder that thought. I just reacted.

In seconds, the firebender was flat on the ground, soaked through with water. Taking a step towards him, I added another threat to the list. "Get out of here and don't come back! And if we ever see you again..." His eyes stared up into mine and for a brief moment, I forgot what I was trying to say. He looked so sad, so forlorn. Glancing to the side, I picked up where I left off and finished the threat. "Well, we'd better not see you again!"

Zuko's eyes met with everyone's in turn but it was me that he saved for last. In the flames of amber light, I saw the same pain I'd seen in the crystal catacombs. He yearned for acceptance, for understanding, and for that unexpected friend to return. But he wasn't going to find it here. I dropped my eyes from his stare and he took the cue. Rising to his feet, he walked away. I lifted my eyes to his back as he disappeared from view and noticed that he didn't even burn the water off of him. He just let it sit there and soak through his clothes. What was wrong with him? I suddenly thought back to the look in his eyes as I threatened him. I'd never seen such sadness there. I'm sorry. That's something we have in common. Ugh. Yes, I had! It was like Ba Sing Se all over again! It was all just a trick. Nothing more. And yet…NO! There was no way I was going to fall for it again!

In a huff I stomped over to Appa and jumped up in his saddle. As I unloaded our supplies, I whispered for the bison's ears only, "What's wrong with you, buddy? Don't you know who that was? We can't trust him." But Appa's deep growl spoke otherwise. Stupid animal. What did he know?

Hopping down from the saddle, I picked up my sleeping mat and entered the temple. "Why would he try to fool us like that?" I voiced to the gang as they followed along behind me.

My brother instantly replied with the exact same answer I had formulated. "Obviously he wants to lead us into some kind of trap."

Yes, it was quite obvious. Another trap. Another lie. Only this time I wasn't going to fall for it. "This is just like when we were in prison together in Ba Sing Se. He starts talking about his mother and making it seem like he's an actual human being with feelings."

Again Sokka was quick on the uptake. "He wants you to trust him and feel sorry for him, so you let your guard down, then he strikes!"

He was right. That's exactly what happened. "The thing is…it worked. I did feel sorry for him. I felt like he was really confused and hurt. But obviously when the time came, he made his choice, and we paid the price." Glancing over at Aang, the vision of Azula's lightning striking him down came back to haunt my mind. I would never forget that moment and I would never forgive Zuko for joining with her. Looking away, I stated with conviction, "We can't trust him."

"I kinda have a confession to make." Aang, who had been silent this whole time, abruptly spoke up and we all turned in his direction. He had this look in his eye like something big was on his mind. What was it that Zuko had said earlier? You know I have good in me. How would Aang know that? Had I missed something? "Remember when you two were sick and I got captured by Zhao?"

"And you made us suck on frozen frogs? How could I forget? I had a wart on the flap that hangs down from the back of my throat for a month!" Sokka remarked in frustration as he threw down his mat and pointed at his open mouth.

I rolled my eyes at him. "Sokka, I looked at it and told you there was nothing there."

"I could feel it! It's my throatal flap!"

I shook my head and Aang continued. "Anyway…when Zhao had me chained up, it was Zuko who came in and got me out. He risked his life to save me."

I immediately stepped forward in retaliation. "No way! I'm sure he only did it so he could capture you himself."

"Yeah, face it, Aang. You're nothing but a big prize to him," my brother added.

Aang's gaze fell as he simply agreed, "You're probably right."

What was wrong with him? Of course we were right. Zuko couldn't be trusted. He'd never done a single good thing in his life! "And what was all that crazy stuff about setting Appa free? What a liar!"

"Actually, he wasn't lying." The calm statement that came from the mouth of the intuitive earthbender made me pause for thought. He wasn't lying? No, he had to be.

But Sokka interrupted my musings with another smart remark. "Oh, hooray! In a lifetime of evil, at least he didn't add animal cruelty to the list."

The earthbender shrugged off the comment and explained, "I'm just saying that considering his messed-up family and how he was raised, he could've turned out a lot worse."

Oh, please. He already was worse! In the spirit of my brother, sarcasm dripped from my mouth. "You're right, Toph. Let's go find him and give him a medal, the not-as-much-of-a-jerk-as-you-could-have-been award."

Toph ignored my mockery. "All I know is that while he was talking to us, he was sincere. Maybe you're all just letting your hurt feelings keep you from thinking clearly," she clarified in a calm manner.

But I was not so calm. She had no idea what she was talking about, had no reason to think ill of him. But I did! "Easy for you to say! You weren't there when he had us attacked by pirates!"

"Or when he burned down Kyoshi Island!"

"Or when he tried to capture me at the Fire Temple!"

Sokka and Aang each took their turns in condemning the firebender and I couldn't agree more with their accusations. The fire prince didn't deserve a second chance. He didn't even deserve a first chance. All he deserved was our hatred and I had plenty of it to go around. In a rage, I lashed out at Toph, "Why would you even try to defend him!?"

"Because, Katara," she bit back at me, "you're all ignoring one crucial fact!" The intimidating earthbender stepped up to Aang and poked a finger in his chest. "Aang needs a firebending teacher. We can't think of a single person in the world to do the job. Now one shows up on a silver platter and you won't even think about it!?" she finished while pounding her feet into the ground.

For a split second, I considered her point. Aang did need a firebending teacher. But Zuko? The spawn of Firelord Ozai? And the firebender who had been chasing us down for months? My answer was simple. But it was not my choice to make. Glancing over at Aang, I awaited his decision.

With a solid conviction in his tone of voice, he replied, "I'm not having Zuko as my teacher."

"You're darn right you're not, buddy," Sokka approved.

Crossing my arms, I peered into Toph's gray green eyes and stated in agreement with the rest of the group, "Well, I guess that's settled."

"Ugh!" Toph huffed as she turned her back on us. "I'm beginning to wonder who's really the blind one around here." With a stomp to every footfall, the blind earthbender left us alone to wallow in our hurt feelings and angry thoughts.

No one spoke for the remainder of the night. We all went about our duties in silence. Sokka unpacked our supplies. Aang found rooms for us all. And I cooked dinner. Not that any of us were hungry. Even Sokka ate sparingly.

When Haru, Teo, and The Duke finally returned from their explorations, they could tell that something was up but they kept their mouths shut. Only The Duke asked what was wrong, and Aang was gracious enough to answer by simply telling the boy that we were all worried about finding him a firebending teacher. It didn't seem to satisfy the young lad, but he didn't ask any more questions at least. As for Toph, well, she had all but disappeared, not that any of us cared at the moment.

There was no banter that evening. No jokes. No laughs. No conversation at all, in fact. Just silence, a silence that everyone wanted to escape from. So after cleaning up dinner, I retired early to my room, just like the others, and closed the door behind me, wanting nothing more than to be alone.

Stepping over to the wide window, I peered out across the vast canyon, my mind deep in thought. What I wanted to tell you about is that I've changed, his deep voice seemed to echo throughout the gorge. Yeah. Sure he had. I'm good now. "Ugh. Shut up! I don't want to hear it!" I shouted out into the night as I hung my head in frustration. This was ridiculous. He hadn't changed and he was definitely not good. He wasn't even close. He was the Firelord's son for spirit's sake! I've changed.

"Ahhh!" I grunted as I turned from the window and crashed onto my bed. Burying my face in my pillow, I tried to drown out the memories but his voice refused to stay silent. I used to think this scar marked me, the mark of the banished prince, cursed to chase the Avatar forever. But lately, I've realized I'm free to determine my own destiny, even if I'll never be free of my mark.

What had I done? Why had I even listened to him? Why had I trusted him? And why was my heart still aching? As the tears soaked through my pillow, I realized the answer. I was still hurting. I still felt betrayed. And I still wished he had chosen differently. I'm trying to explain that I'm not that person anymore. What was he trying to say? That he had truly changed this time? That he was finally on the right path? Even in his stuttering state, I could tell that there was a change in him. Something different. A new purpose. A brighter fire. But even though he seemed to be on the right path now, I still shunned him. Well, what was I supposed to do? Accept him and let him trample all over my heart yet again? No! I wasn't going to stand around and take it. I wasn't!

But even though I was sure of the fact that I would never let myself be hurt by him again, the tears continued to roll and the ache in my chest wouldn't go away. I hated having these feelings and I hated him all the more because of them. It was all his fault. Everything was his fault. My imprisonment in the crystal catacombs. The fall of the Earth Kingdom. Aang's demise. And…the breaking of my heart. But it didn't matter. I'd move on like I'd always moved on. Turning around to lie on my back, I wiped the tears from my face and stared up at the ceiling, a fresh conviction taking hold of me. This pain would pass. My heart would mend. And I would move on. Only this time, I wouldn't be so kind about it.

JUDGMENT (2) – OH, ALRIGHT. YOU'RE IN.

/-\ Zuko's POV \-/

Her eyes had said it all. She hated me. They all did. And there was no changing their minds. As I trekked back to my camp, the water soaking through my robes went unnoticed. I didn't even watch where I was going and nearly went over the cliff more than once. All I could focus on was the stupid words that had unwittingly come out of my mouth. Ugh. What had been wrong with me? I had it all down before. But one look in her eyes and my whole speech had flown out the window. How could I apologize? How could I make it up to her? "Them. How could I make it up to them," I reminded myself aloud. This wasn't about her. This was about the Avatar and my father and the world. The waterbender didn't matter. But I would be lying if I said I was telling the truth.

Running my fingers through my sopping wet hair, the whole scene played out in my mind. What had gone wrong? Hello. Zuko here. Well, there had been that. Anyway, what I wanted to tell you about is that I've changed, and I, uh, I'm good now. And that. If you won't accept me as a friend, maybe you'll take me as a prisoner. Oh, and that! With a sigh, I dropped my hand back to my side and my shoulders slumped even further. What was I to do now? I had changed. I was ready to join them. And I wanted to fight against this war. Why couldn't they see that? There's no way we can trust you after everything you've done. Oh, right. That's why.

This was just like Ba Sing Se all over again, only this time, I didn't have the understanding waterbender on my side. All I had was the flying bison and the only thing he was good at was plastering my face with drool. It was hopeless. I would never convince them that I had changed. The waterbender would never forgive me. And, worse yet, I would never be able to speak to them again. That much was clear. The only thing that wasn't clear was why that badgerfrog was still in my camp. I thought I'd scared him away. At least, I should have scared him away because apparently, in light of the day's events, I was good at that.

"What are you still doing here?" I voiced as I passed him by and started a campfire.

Ribbit.

After I'd steamed the water off of me, successfully drying my clothes, I looked over at the badgerfrog and replied to his insistent croak. "Trust me, you don't wanna know."

As if in response to my statement, a deep grumble rose up from his stomach making his neck bulge and then contract. I narrowed my eyes at him. "You really wanna know?"

Ribbit-ribbit.

"Alright. But you asked for it." I began pacing in front of the log that the badgerfrog sat atop. "It was horrible. I completely forgot what I was gonna say so I said all the wrong things. And my introduction! Ah!" I stopped in front of the badgerfrog and mimicked myself, "Hello. Zuko here," and then continued. "I mean, what was that? Where did that come from? Okay, well, I know where that came from but I thought I was past all that. Apparently not. And then worse still, I stuttered. I never stutter. But I guess the new, uh, good me does." I mimicked myself again as I threw my hands up in the air.

"And, as I'm sure you could see, I came back soaked. It was all that waterbender's fault though I can't say I blame her. I deserved it. After all, as they clearly pointed out, I've made some terrible mistakes in the past." Just then my greatest blunder hit me and my voice grew louder and more agitated. "But that wasn't even the worst of it. I told them about that guy I hired to kill them. Ugh, I can't believe how stupid I am. I mean, what was I thinking? Telling them I sent an assassin after them? Why didn't I just say Azula did that? They would've believed that!" I yelled into the badgerfrog's face. Then I smacked myself in the forehead as I finished, "Stupid!"

Peering through my fingers, I eyed the badgerfrog, waiting for a response. It was like I was expecting him to actually say something. But when his ribbit reached my ears, I realized what I was doing and dropped to the ground in a defeated slump. Why was I talking to a stupid animal? He couldn't understand a word I was saying, and even if he could, what was the point? It wasn't like he was going to respond let alone be able to help me. No one could help me. I had made those mistakes all by myself and now I was paying for them. Attempting to join the Avatar was just another failure I could add to the list.

The badgerfrog swiftly jumped down from its log and settled in front of me. "What?" I asked him but he didn't respond. He just looked up at me with those big slimy eyes that seemed to pierce through to my soul. "What!?" I asked louder this time. He croaked out a stream of ribbits and then hopped off towards the Avatar's campsite. "I'm not going back!" I yelled after him, but it didn't cause him to falter. My eyes were locked onto the badgerfrog as he disappeared from view. Well, at least I had no more animals to talk to.

Chirp. Chirp.

"No! I'm done talking!" I directed toward the intrusive blue jay as I jumped to my feet. "And I'm leaving! There's nothing for me here. The Avatar doesn't need me. The waterbender hates me. And they'll never accept me. It's over!" I watched in amazement as the bird flew off in the same direction as the badgerfrog. Great. As if my life wasn't bad enough. Now I was going crazy.

It didn't matter. I was leaving and nothing was going to stop me. But as I walked over to my tent and started rolling up my sleeping mat, the words of assurance that I had so valiantly proclaimed in front of my father came back to haunt me. But I've come to an even more important decision. I'm going to join the Avatar and I'm going to help him defeat you. Reluctantly, I unfurled my mat. What was I doing? I couldn't leave. I had to stay.

A sigh escaped my mouth and I lay down on my sleeping bag. The waterbender would surely blast me again if I went anywhere near them. But I had to try. After a day or two, I would return to their camp. Hopefully by then their anger would've died down or at least decreased enough for them to hear me out. Either way, I had to go back. The Avatar needed me. Even if he didn't know it yet.

As I closed my eyes and tried to find the perfect sleeping position, my mind worked on the words I wanted to say. This time I was going to get it right. No fumbling around. No stuttering. And definitely no lame introductions. I would get right to the point and explain myself. All I needed was one more chance. I know I could make them see the change in me just as I'd made the waterbender see it in the crystal catacombs. Cringing, I rolled over in an attempt to find a more comfortable position. But nothing was comfortable. Not the ground. Not my thoughts. And not those livid blue eyes.

She had proclaimed that she would never trust me, never accept me, and never forgive me. But as I thought back to her final glance, I noticed something I hadn't seen before. There had been a sliver of hope in her eyes. However dim it may have been, it was still there. Regaining her trust would take time and it would no doubt be harder than joining the Avatar, but I would win her back to my side, I would make her see the change in me, and I would rekindle our lost friendship. And nothing was going to stop me, not even her water blasts.

Before sleep could fully claim me, one final question swirled around in my head. Joining the Avatar and helping him defeat my father was the greatest task I could ever endeavor to complete. But in light of the fiery waterbender and my desire for our renewed friendship, it quickly paled in comparison and seemed to hold a lower status in my overall purpose in life. How could that be? I didn't have an answer. All I knew was that my dreams that night were invaded with eyes of clear blue water and memories of shimmering green crystals. And it was a dream I would not soon forget.

///A\\\

A faint rustling in the bushes later that night pulled me out of the sparkling cavern and back to reality. Lifting myself up from my sleeping bag, I looked over my shoulder. My eyes were in a haze as I heard the rustling again. Someone was here. "Who's there?" I didn't wait for a response. I just reacted with a flash of fire and a hasty warning. "Stay back!"

"It's me!" But it was too late. "Ow!" The flames did their damage and sent my midnight visitor crashing to the ground. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I sat up straighter and the unexpected visitor came into focus. It was the earthbender. "You burned my feet!" she accused me.

My eyes immediately locked on to her red soles and I saw the beginning of blisters. Oh, no. What had I done? "I'm sorry. It was a mistake," I tried to explain as I stood up and hastened towards her.

A rock flew at my face and I just barely dodged it. "Get away from me!" she demanded. Turning around on her hands and knees, she began to crawl away from my campsite.

While dodging her flying boulders, I chased after her. As soon as I was at her side, I offered, "Let me help you." A boulder whizzed past my left shoulder and I shirked away from it. "I'm sorry." Another rock flew past me on the right. This wasn't working. I had to make her listen. Putting a hand on her shoulder, I tried to make her turn around, but she retaliated with brute force.

"Get off me! Get off me!"

Before I knew it, my chest was struck by hard earth and I was tossed up into the night sky. A second later, I came hurtling down into the dirt near my campfire. As I rose to face the fleeting image of the burned earthbender, I yelled back at her "I didn't know it was you!" and then clutched my side in pain. "Come back!" I attempted to gain her attention but she promptly disappeared from view and I was left to wallow in the misery of yet another mistake.

"Ugh!" Tossing my arms up into the air, I fell back into the dirt and screamed, "Why am I so bad at being good!?" Why couldn't I just get one thing right for once? Why did I have to ruin everything? What was wrong with me? I should have never thrown fire at that poor girl. That was the stupidest thing I could have ever done. But how was I to know it was the earthbender? Well, who else was here? Ugh, I should have known it would have been someone from the Avatar's gang. It could have even been Katara.

Katara. That was her name. The young earthbender had called her that when she told me about the assassin locking them in jail. Oh, what did it matter? Katara. The waterbender girl. It made no difference what she was called. Right now I had bigger problems to worry about. I had burned the earthbender's feet and she was headed back to camp. Great! As if I didn't have a hard enough time convincing them that I'd changed, now I had this to worry about. They would never accept me after this blunder. I'm sure the waterbender, er, Katara would surely freeze me in a block of ice so thick that I'd never get out. Yeah. I was in trouble.

Slowly rising to my feet, I began pacing in front of the campfire. Where was that badgerfrog when I needed him? Maybe he would know what to do because I most certainly did not. Should I go back and try to explain myself? Get out of here and don't come back. Not a good idea. Then what was I supposed to do? Just pick up and leave? What happened generations ago can be resolved now…by you. Uncle's words had never sounded clearer. Born in you, along with all the strife, is the power to restore balance to the world.

Uncle had been right then and he was right now. The choice was easy. I had to return to their camp. I had to try again. And if that didn't work, then I'd try again. There was no going back, no turning around, no rewinding of the past. I had made my decision. I knew my own destiny. And I had chosen the path to follow. Only this time I knew it to be the right one. Hurrying over to my tent, I grabbed my robes and quickly threw them on. I would face the Avatar's gang with even more sins on my plate, but this time I knew the words I wanted to say and the thoughts I had to convey. It wasn't going to be easy. In fact, it was probably going to be harder than the last confrontation. But I was ready for it. And nothing, not even a few water blasts, could stop me now.

~-~ Katara's POV ~-~

"Has anyone seen Toph?" I asked early in the morning as I handed out bowls of rice for breakfast.

"I haven't seen her since she stormed off yesterday," Sokka said with a yawn.

"Maybe she's just exploring the air temple," Haru suggested. "There are some pretty fun spots to practice earthbending."

I hadn't seen Toph since last night and I was beginning to worry. She never stayed away this long. "I think we should go look for her."

Sokka shrugged as he sat down next to me. "Ah, let her have fun with her rocks. I'm in no rush to have her yelling at us again."

"We can go check for her," The Duke spoke up.

"Yeah. I want to ride that tunnel down to the hall of statues again. It'll work a lot better now that I fixed my brakes," Teo jumped in as he skated on by us.

With Haru, Teo, and The Duke off exploring the temple, the three of us that remained settled down for a quiet breakfast. But before I could even take a bite, rocks burst forth from a wall behind us and dust covered the area in a thick shroud. I immediately hopped up on my feet and went running in the direction of the raucous. Before I even reached her, I heard the noise of the earthbender's struggle and called out, "Toph, what happened?"

"My feet got burned."

I knelt behind her and stared down at the dreadful blisters. "Oh, no, what happened?"

"I just told you. My feet got burned," she replied with sarcasm.

My face hardened as well as my voice. "I meant how."

In a softer tone, Toph admitted, "Well, I kind of went to see Zuko last night."

My mouth fell open. Was she crazy?

"You what!?" Aang burst out.

"Zuko?" I asked in disbelief.

"Ugh!" Sokka added with a look of disgust.

On my feet now, I pulled out the water from my pouch and began working on Toph's burnt soles as she explained. "I just thought he could be helpful to us. And, if I talked to him, maybe we could work something out."

My brother stepped forward. "So he attacked you?"

"Well, he did and he didn't. It was sort of an accident."

An accident? With Zuko there were no accidents.

"But he did firebend at you?"

Toph sighed and then replied to Aang's question with a resigned "Yes."

"See! You trusted Zuko and you got burned. Literally," Sokka pointed out.

The soles of Toph's feet were horribly burnt. That foolish firebender had done a number on them. "It's gonna take a while for your feet to get better," I clarified for Toph as the healing liquid cascaded back into my water pouch. "I wish I could've worked on them sooner."

"Yeah, me too," was the earthbender's offhanded reply.

Lifting a hand to his chin, Sokka thought aloud, "Zuko's clearly too dangerous to be left alone. We're gonna have to go after him."

"I hate to go looking for a fight, but you're right," the Avatar easily agreed with his plan. "After what he did to Toph, I don't think we have a choice."

Sokka followed Aang as he walked over to assist the fallen earthbender. "He's crafty, but we'll find a way to capture him."

As Toph turned around in order for the boys to pick her up, she recommended a simple strategy. "Maybe just invite him back here. He's already offered himself up as a prisoner once."

With Toph secured in the boys' arms, Sokka stopped in his tracks and marveled, "Yeah…get him to come back and say he'll be our prisoner, then we'll jump him and really make him our prisoner." A mischievous smile was already forming on Sokka's lips as he walked over to the fountain. "He'll never suspect it!"

I shook my head. "You are a master of surprise, Sokka." As much as I wanted that ridiculous plan to work, I was pretty sure that it wouldn't. Zuko was crafty, as my brother had pointed out, but he wasn't stupid. I still believed all of this to be a trap. The fire prince came from the same bloodline as Azula so he had to be just as devious as her. No. This was all some sort of trick, one that the others might not be able to see, but I could. It was a good thing that my eyes had been opened in Ba Sing Se or we would all be as blind as Toph was at the moment.

"Aw, that's the stuff," I heard her sigh as Sokka and Aang set her feet in the fountain water. Walking over to her side, I sat down next to her and put a hand on her shoulder. "Now I know how the rest of you guys feel. Not being able to see with your feet stinks."

We all laughed at her joke and then I told Aang to go find some bandages for the blind earthbender. Sticking my hand in the water, I swirled it around her blistering soles, trying to diminish the redness and discomfort. It was a good thing she was so tough. I don't think I could've taken to being burned as courteously as she did. Toph didn't seem to be in a whole lot of pain, but Zuko would pay for this all the same. How could he be so careless?

"Here, Katara," Aang said as he handed me the linens.

"Thanks, Aang." Taking them from his hands, I set them down next to Toph. "Just a little bit longer and—"

An explosion of rocks and fire erupted directly in front of us and I hid my face from the debris. As soon as the dust cleared, I could see Sokka and Aang rushing to get Toph out of the water and back to safety. I hurried over to help them but just then a voice rang out over the canyon and I turned toward the sound. I couldn't believe what I was saw. My mouth hung agape as my eyes focused on our unlikely rescuer, the banished Fire Nation prince.

/-\ Zuko's POV \-/

On my way back to the Avatar's camp, I spotted the assassin hiding out above the temple. Maybe it was luck or maybe it was fate, but the minute I saw him, I knew I had a chance to undo at least one wrong in my life. His focus was fixed on the Avatar as he walked around the fountain. I didn't have much time. I leapt down to the next ledge, yanked a vine from the wall, and tied it off around an even bigger root. Glancing over at the assassin, I watched as he breathed in a deep gust of air. This was my chance. Grabbing onto the vine, I jumped off the side and swung towards him, effectively hitting him in the shoulder. It seemed that luck was finally on my side today because his aim was disrupted and his combustible strike missed the Avatar and his friends.

"Stop!" I commanded the assassin as he rose to his feet. "I don't want you hunting the Avatar anymore."

The big man breathed in another gulp of oxygen and was about ready to shoot, but I abruptly stepped in front of him and instructed, "The mission is off. I'm ordering you to stop."

With a shove, he pushed me off to the side and I tumbled to the ground. Another blast erupted near the fountain where the Avatar hid and I knew it was time for me to add some fire to my orders. I leapt to my feet and charged after the assassin with hands ablaze in flames. "If you keep attacking, I won't pay you!" But he stopped me with just one hand to my robes. "Alright! I'll pay you double to stop!" I was quick to add as I kicked his arm away, causing him to miss again.

The sound of metal meeting rock made me turn. He was facing me now and he didn't look too happy about my interference. Before I could say another word, the assassin had breathed in and shot an explosive attack in my direction. I quickly engulfed myself in a protective fire shield but there was no stopping the momentum of his explosion. It pushed me to the edge of the cliff and I went flying over the side. My hand shot out to the vines hanging below the ledge and I held on to them with all my might. After being jolted, a cringe wrinkled my brow as pain raced through my arms, but I ignored it and slowly began to ascend the vine.

While I climbed, I saw bits and pieces of the fight that the Avatar and his friends were putting up against the assassin. It didn't seem to be going well. Combustion Man, as they called him, was ripping apart the temple and would no doubt blast the cliffside into oblivion. I had to do something. Ugh, but I couldn't get up there fast enough. Another explosion rocked the mountainside and I held on tighter to the vine. At this pace, the Avatar would be dead by the time I got up to the ledge.

But just when I thought all hope was lost, I saw the sun reflecting off a boomerang and I watched in amazement as it hit the assassin dead center in his third eye. The force of the blow knocked him off his feet and sent him flying backwards. I guess that Water Tribe peasant was good for something. And he must have thought so too because he came racing out of his hiding spot with a shout of triumph. But the moment of celebration was short-lived as Combustion Man rose once more to his feet and filled his lungs with air. I held on tighter to the vine, waiting for the inevitable explosion.

The cliffside rumbled like an earthquake and the vine swayed violently as the ledge below me went up in a cloud of smoke. What had happened? Staring down into the abyss below the air temple, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. The mangled body of the assassin fell down into the darkness of the canyon and the ledge went tumbling after him. I guess that boomerang did the trick. Turning my attention back on the vine, I climbed the remainder of the way and safely made it to the ledge. As I stood, my gaze focused on the Avatar and his friends. They were looking up at me with surprised expressions and wide eyes. Maybe now they would believe me. There was only one way to find out.

I couldn't seem to climb down fast enough, but in time I stood beside the fountain and walked towards them. Here it was. The moment of truth. Again.

"I can't believe I'm saying this but…thanks Zuko," the Avatar was the first to speak.

"Hey! And what about me? I did the boomerang thing."

I guess I would have to get used to the Water Tribe warrior's two cents. Oh, well. If it was the price I had to pay to be a part of their group, then so be it. Now was not the time to think on such things though. I had a mission to complete and this time I knew just the words to say. "Listen. I know I didn't explain myself very well yesterday," I began as I stopped in front of them. "I've been through a lot in the past few years and it's been hard. But I'm realizing that I had to go through all those things to learn the truth."

I glanced down at my feet. "I thought I had lost my honor and that somehow my father could return it to me." Lifting my eyes to meet theirs, I continued, "But I know now that no one can give you your honor. It's something you earn for yourself by choosing to do what's right."

With a stronger resolve residing within me, I gave an answer to the question of fate my uncle had constantly placed before me. "All I want now is to play my part in ending this war. And I know my destiny is to help you restore balance to the world."

The Avatar pursed his lips in what looked like an understanding gesture. This was it. I could feel it. But I wasn't finished yet. I had one more thing to say. Turning my attention to the earthbender girl, I bowed to her as I apologized. "I'm sorry for what I did to you. It was an accident. Fire can be dangerous and wild. So as a firebender, I need to be more careful and control my bending so I don't hurt people unintentionally."

Returning my focus to the Avatar, I saw his mouth drop in surprise and his appearance change to one of acceptance. His eyes met mine and my heart stopped at the words he said. "I think you are supposed to be my firebending teacher." Ignoring the shocked expressions from the rest of the group, the Avatar stepped forward to explain his reasoning. "When I first tried to learn firebending, I burned Katara. And after that, I never wanted to firebend again. But now I know you understand how easy it is to hurt the people you love." The Avatar put a fist to his palm and bowed before me. "I'd like you to teach me."

A genuine smile crossed my mouth as I returned the bow. "Thank you." Lifting my head to meet his gray eyes, I took a deep breath and said with an air of enthusiasm to my voice, "I'm so happy you've accepted me into your group."

"Not so fast." My smile faded. "I still have to ask my friends if it's ok with them." The Avatar turned toward the earthbender, who I could tell now was blind, and asked her, "Toph, you're the one that Zuko burned. What do you think?"

Toph. So that was her name. She paused to think it over, but then a teasing grin lit up her face and she pounded her fists together as she said, "Go ahead and let him join. It'll give me plenty of time to get back at him for burning my feet." I wonder what she had in mind for revenge. Whatever it was, I could live with it.

"Sokka?"

The Avatar turned to the Water Tribe warrior and I followed his gaze. Sokka. I was sure I'd heard his name before, but I must not have been paying attention. I would have to remember that now. Although…he didn't look too happy about me joining. His eyes stayed locked onto mine for the space of a heartbeat and I could've sworn that he was going to disagree with his friend. But then he looked away and shrugged. "Hey, all I want is to defeat the Firelord. If you think this is the way to do it, then I'm all for it."

The airbender nodded his head in agreement and then walked over to the waterbender. Her gaze was focused on the earth at her feet and the Avatar seemed to hesitate in voicing her name. "Katara?"

She lifted her eyes to his and wrinkled her brow in disdain. No. That was her answer. Even I could tell that much. Just as I'd suspected, she hated me and wanted nothing to do with me. Her vivid blue eyes locked onto mine and I could feel the sweat pouring down my face. I could easily imagine what she must be thinking. No doubt it was somewhere along the lines of what she'd said to me in the crystal catacombs. You're the Firelord's son. Spreading war and violence and hatred is in your blood. She would never see me as anything more than the face of the enemy. She'd said so herself. But hadn't she also changed her mind in that regard. For a split second, I dared to hope.

And it seemed my hopes and prayers were answered for Katara turned back to the Avatar and replied, "I'll go along with whatever you think is right."

The care-free airbender smiled across at his waterbending friend and I couldn't help but mimic his grin. "I won't let you down. I promise," I vowed as I walked closer to them.

The gang dissipated as I drew near, but I didn't care. They had accepted me into their group. That's all that mattered. With a new joy bursting in my heart and a lighter step to my footfalls, I turned on my heels and went back to my campsite to pick up some supplies. This was it. A new beginning. A fresh start. The path to a greater destiny. And I was finally on it! I couldn't be more excited. I know I still had a lot of work to do in convincing them that I had truly changed, but I was on the right road at last.

As if it were permanently etched onto my face, the smile on my lips wouldn't go away for the entire trek back to camp. My age-old frown seemed to vanish as a big grin took its place, but I didn't mind. It was a welcome addition to my new life. However, little did I know that my frown had found its way to someone else's mouth and would be residing there for many weeks to come.

~-~ Katara's POV ~-~

The explosion that rocked the cliffside and sent Combustion Man to his doom had me shaking uncontrollably for the next several minutes, but the words that came from the fire prince's mouth had me trembling far longer. It wasn't fear or excitement that raced through my body but an endless rage and unmitigated anger. Why couldn't anyone else see that this was all a trick!? He was lying! And I didn't care what Toph said. I knew the truth.

With a gaze that spelled murder, my eyes stayed locked on Zuko as he spread his web of lies. "Listen. I know I didn't explain myself very well yesterday." Ha. No kidding. "I've been through a lot in the past few years and it's been hard." Hard? What could he possibly know about hardships? That's something we have in common. Oh, it didn't matter. He hadn't lived through the war. He'd created it! "But I'm realizing that I had to go through all those things to learn the truth." I blinked. Was it possible that – No! I wasn't going to fall for it again!

"I thought I had lost my honor and that somehow my father could return it to me. But I know now that no one can give you your honor. It's something you earn for yourself by choosing to do what's right." Wow. He was even more convincing than last time. He actually sounded like he'd learned his lesson. Shaking my head, I dispelled the thought. No, he hadn't changed and he hadn't learned anything! He was still the same horrible man who'd chased us down and betrayed me. My expression hardened.

"All I want now is to play my part in ending this war. And I know my destiny is to help you restore balance to the world." I glanced over at Aang. He appeared to be buying this. Oh, great.

Zuko turned and bowed to Toph. "I'm sorry for what I did to you. It was an accident. Fire can be dangerous and wild. So as a firebender, I need to be more careful and control my bending so I don't hurt people unintentionally."

I caught the hint of acceptance in Aang's eyes and I knew Zuko had hit his mark. "I think you are supposed to be my firebending teacher." Sokka's mouth dropped as my eyes narrowed. What is wrong with you, Aang? I wanted to say to him. Can't you see that he's tricking you? "When I first tried to learn firebending, I burned Katara." Aang glanced my way and I dropped my eyes from his. "And after that, I never wanted to firebend again." This whole incident with Toph was working for Zuko instead of against him. What were the spirits thinking? "But now I know you understand how easy it is to hurt the people you love." I couldn't believe it but Aang actually bowed to Zuko. He was the last person that deserved that kind of respect. "I'd like you to teach me."

Zuko bowed in return. Great. That was it then. Aang had fallen for it and there would be no persuading him otherwise. Of course, ever the gracious Avatar that he was, Aang asked each of us in turn if we were ok with Zuko joining our group. Toph was easy to convince and Sokka, well, he was Sokka. He'd go along with anything that would better his plans. As for me…

"Katara?"

I looked over at Aang and cringed. Uh-uh. No way! Absolutely not! My eyes met Zuko's and held his gaze in place. I could see the sweat pouring down his forehead, the glimmer of hope in his eyes, but, more importantly, the lies behind his solemn face. My own words circled within my mind. This is just like when we were in prison together in Ba Sing Se. He starts talking about his mother and making it seem like he's an actual human being with feelings. But he wasn't an actual human being. He was the villain. I just knew it.

Closing my eyes, I sighed. Aang needs a firebending teacher. Toph's words of wisdom were an unwelcome addition to my thoughts, but…she was right. I couldn't let my own hurt feelings get in the way of Aang's destiny. I didn't like the idea of Zuko joining our gang, but it was the only option we had. He would join us, but I would keep an eye on him. I knew truth when I saw it, and there was nothing of the sort in his eyes.

Lifting my gaze to Aang, I conceded, "I'll go along with whatever you think is right." Aang smiled but I couldn't bring myself to return it. I knew the Avatar was wrong about this, and I desperately wanted to persuade him otherwise, but how could I?

Zuko's voice abruptly interrupted. "I won't let you down. I promise." He took a step towards us and I immediately turned from him and walked away. The gang seemed to follow my lead.

As we passed the fountain and came to the hallway that led to our separate rooms, Aang put a hand on my shoulder and said, "Thanks, Katara."

I didn't even turn. I just nodded and kept walking.

"Don't you need to bind Toph's feet?" Aang asked as I entered my room and put my hand on the door frame.

Sighing, I turned to face the young airbender. "I will. She should let her feet breathe for a bit anyway."

"Katara, are you al—"

"I'm fine, Aang. Right now, I just want to be left alone."

Aang's expression fell but I ignored it and shut the door behind me. Leaning my back up against the wood, I listened for Aang's departure. He stood there for a minute, most likely trying to decide whether to knock or not. Please, Aang, just leave, my mind begged him. Eventually, the kid chose the easy route and I sighed in relief at the sound of his fading footsteps. Talking to Aang about Zuko would have been like talking to my brother about boys. It just wasn't done.

Pushing off from the door, I plodded over to the window and crossed my arms as I breathed in the gritty canyon air. What had I done? I should have told Aang that Zuko was lying. Of course, I bet Toph would have told me that he wasn't, which I would not have believed for a second. He was lying. I knew it. And nothing Toph or any of the others could say would change that fact. This was Zuko we were talking about. Heir to the Fire Nation throne, son of Firelord Ozai, and brother to the most sinister witch who ever walked the earth. Therefore, he was bad, very very bad. Why couldn't the rest of them see it?

Ba Sing Se. That's why. None of them experienced what I did. They didn't know how cunning Zuko was or how convincing he could be or how he could turn on you in an instant. How could they know that? They hadn't been there when he'd betrayed us, betrayed me! That's why it was up to me to protect them all! Suddenly I felt very thankful for Ba Sing Se for without that moment, I wouldn't know so much about Zuko's nature. But now that I did, I had to do something about it. I had to tell them!

No. I began to pace in front of the window. I couldn't do that. Aang still needed a firebending teacher so telling him that Zuko was lying would only further destroy his chances of finding a master to teach him. Zuko had to stay, that much was clear. Aang would learn firebending from him and we would all go along with his little ruse while it lasted. But the minute the firebender showed signs of turning back to his old ways, we would stop him, or rather, I would stop him. That's how things were going to work. Zuko would be Aang's teacher and I would keep an eye on him. And if he made one wrong move or gave me one reason to think he might turn on us, then I'd stick an ice dagger in his heart. Yes. That sounded like a decent plan. There was just one thing left to do. Tell him.

JUDGMENT (3) – YOU MAKE ONE WRONG MOVE AND YOU'RE DEAD!

~-~ Katara's POV ~-~

"So, here you go." Sokka's voice cut through my thoughts and I stopped pacing. Opening my door just a crack, I watched as my brother showed Zuko to his new room which was unfortunately situated just a few doors down from mine. Wonderful. Now I had to endure the firebender's snoring. As if Sokka didn't provide enough ambient noise to try and fall asleep to. Zuko passed Sokka by and entered his room as my brother continued to blabber. "Home sweet home. I guess, you know, for now. Unpack. Lunch soon. Uh…welcome aboard."

I couldn't peer around my brother's big head to see or hear Zuko's response, but it must have been enough to satisfy Sokka. With a sigh, my brother turned from Zuko's room and met up with Aang in the hallway. "Okay, this is really really weird," he confessed to the airbender. Yeah. No kidding. But they didn't know the half of it.

I waited for Aang and Sokka to disappear around the corner before exiting my room. This was my chance. It was now or never. Time to go. But for some reason my legs just wouldn't move. Come on! You can do it. Still my legs wouldn't budge. Oh, this was ridiculous! I knew just what I wanted to say and how I wanted to say it. It would be easy. All I had to do was look him in the eye and tell him that I'd be watching him. No big deal.

But why did it feel like a big deal? Why did it feel like I was throwing away our friendship? Friendship? Was I insane? There was no friendship between us. There was only hatred and strife and sheer anger. I was throwing nothing away. I would only be telling him that I knew what a criminal he was and that I'd be there to run him through when he turned on me. Us! When he turned on us!

A sigh escaped my lips. This wasn't about me. This was about Aang. Nothing more. I had to protect him. I had to guard him from the firebender's lies. And I had to do it now! My legs finally obeyed and started to move and I made it to Zuko's door with ease. He was busy unpacking so I leaned up against the door jamb and waited for him to acknowledge my presence. I could feel my heart racing within my chest. Calm down, Katara. You can do this. Just walk up to him and — was that a smile on his face? For me?

Pushing aside the thought, I narrowed my gaze at him, hardened the lines of my face, and opened my mouth. "You might have everyone else here buying your…" His smile vanished. He knew exactly what was coming. I could see it in his eyes. "…transformation, but you and I both know you've struggled with doing the right thing in the past." Pushing off from the door, I came to stand in front of him.

With a stare even colder than the winter snow, I looked up into his golden brown eyes and all the words of hatred and anger that I'd kept bottled inside for weeks rushed out of me. "So let me tell you something right now. You make one step backward, one slip-up, give me one reason to think you might hurt Aang, and you won't have to worry about your destiny anymore. Because I'll make sure your destiny ends – right then and there – permanently!" Ignoring the hurt in his eyes, I turned on my heels and stomped off toward the door, slamming it shut behind me.

"Katara?"

"Ugh! I'm fine, Aang!" I yelled back at him as I opened my bedroom door and subsequently crashed it into place with a bang. Why did that kid always have to check up on me? Why couldn't he just leave me alone? Why couldn't they all just leave me alone? Why!

Plopping down onto my bed and throwing the pillow over my head, I tried to drown out the images. But a pillow wasn't going to stop them from flooding in. His eyes. I'd never seen such regret, such guilt, such sorrow. Maybe he was truly sorry. Maybe that's what he'd been about to tell me before I interrupted him with that threat. Ugh, why didn't I just let him speak. I screamed out the answer in my head. Because it would have been a lie! All lies! Just like Ba Sing Se! He would turn on me again. That's why I could never trust him.

But try as I might to justify my anger, I couldn't. I thought I knew everything there was to know about Zuko, but the look of remorse in his eyes had surprised me, so maybe I was wrong. Maybe he had actually changed this time. Maybe he was different now. I saw a hint of it the first time he tried to join us, and as I threatened him, I saw it again. This wasn't the Zuko from Ba Sing Se. He was someone else now, someone I didn't understand, someone I didn't want to.

But what did it matter? If I had chosen instead to befriend him and put my trust in him once more, he would've only found new ways to betray me. He may have changed this time, but deep down, I knew he was the same. He would still hurt me no matter what I did to try and persuade him otherwise. Which meant there was only one thing I could do. Never open myself up to him again no matter what he said or did and pray to the spirits to stop these tears from falling so my broken heart could mend.

/-\ Zuko's POV \-/

"So…uh, where will I be staying?" I asked the trio of friends who were gathered around the fountain upon my return. The waterbender, Katara, was absent from their assembly.

"Sokka, go show Zuko to his room," the Avatar directed toward the Water Tribe warrior.

He didn't look too happy about that decision. "Me? Why me?"

"Because you're the guy who assigned everyone to their rooms."

Sokka rolled his eyes and rose to his feet. "Fine." Walking over to my side, he waved his hand for me to follow and I graciously tagged along. As we turned a corner heading into the temple, he pointed to a door and said, "So, here you go. Home sweet home. I guess, you know, for now."

I stepped past him and entered my new room. My unwilling escort popped his head in the door and continued to talk. "Unpack. Lunch soon. Uh, welcome aboard." I shrugged my shoulders and gave him a quick smile to which he replied, "Yeah," as he turned from the doorway. Someone must have been waiting for him outside because he commented, "Okay, this is really really weird," and then walked off. A slight grin returned to my face at the remark. Yes, this was weird and it would surely feel that way for a long time. But I was positive that we would all get used to it eventually, or, at least, I hoped so.

Tossing my bags on the bed, I began to unpack my belongings. I stopped when I pulled out a picture of my uncle. It was hard to believe that the last time I had been at the Western Air Temple, I was hell-bent on capturing the Avatar. Even to this day I could recall the promise I had made. If I have to, I will spend every day of the rest of my life hunting the Avatar. I know it's my destiny to capture him. And I would never forget Uncle's answering proverb. He didn't know it, but I always took everything that he said to heart even if I didn't agree with it at the time. But now as the words of the past washed over me, I couldn't agree more with him. You know, Prince Zuko, destiny is a funny thing. You never know how things are going to work out. But, if you keep an open mind and an open heart, I promise you will find your own destiny someday. If only he were here with me now, then he could see just how funny destiny had turned out to be.

My eyes suddenly popped open as I realized that someone was at the door. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw that it was the waterbender. A smile graced my lips as I stood to face her. Good. Now was my chance to apol — "You might have everyone else here buying your…" Nope. She was still angry with me. "…transformation." The word stung just as she'd intended it to. "But you and I both know you've struggled with doing the right thing in the past."

Entering my room with an air of authority, Katara walked right up to me and met my gaze with venomous rage. Her eyes revealed it all. She was not ready to forgive me or to listen to anything I had to say. And her words were only a confirmation of that fact. "So let me tell you something right now." She took an intimidating pace toward me and my mouth fell open at her threat. "You make one step backward, one slip-up, give me one reason to think you might hurt Aang, and you won't have to worry about your destiny anymore."

I thought Katara was a kind, compassionate waterbender. This girl was anything but that. She had passion and rage and an anger that burned like fire, which meant that my chances of rekindling our friendship were dwindling at an exceeding rate and that her threat…was not to be taken lightly. "Because I'll make sure your destiny ends – right then and there – permanently!" I shut my mouth as my shoulders drooped. I had been right. She hated me. She wanted nothing to do with me. And she was willing to kill me in order to prove it.

As the waterbender turned and fled my room, slamming the door behind her, I slumped down on my bed and covered my face in my hands. What had gone wrong? I thought you had changed! I shook my head. But I had changed…just…not in the way she had thought. Ugh. It was no use. She would never believe me. The fiery waterbender had made her choice while at the same time making it abundantly clear that her decision was as immovable as stone. There was no changing her mind, no talking her out of her bitterness, and no calming the flames of her anger. It was hopeless.

As hopeless as joining the Avatar? The question flew through my brain, carrying a wishful dream upon its wings. Yes, I had chosen the right path, and, yes, against all odds I had joined the Avatar, but to think that I would be able to turn Katara's mind around…it was preposterous! Impossible! It just couldn't be done!

A sigh rippled through my body and my shoulders sagged even further. Joining the Avatar had been a piece of cake compared to winning over the waterbender. And after her vivid display of hatred, I knew that making her see the truth was going to be one of the hardest endeavors I had ever dared to complete. But even though I knew it would be agonizingly difficult to convince her of my transformation, I would do it all the same for a woman who possessed that kind of passion and fire was exactly the sort of friend I yearned to have by my side in battle and in life.

REVIEW PLEASE!!! I LOVE REVIEWS!!! They Encourage Me & Make Me Write More Often! Thanks! =D

First order of business – Never. Let Me. Do That. Again! Phew. This project took forever, but it was well worth it. The reason it took longer was because I had to keep going back and forth between the episode and my transcript of it. I would copy the lines and then watch that part in the episode to get a feel for the moment. It was a great way to grasp the emotion, but it took a very very VERY long time! As I'm sure you can tell. LOL. Writing off the top of my head seems to flow a lot smoother and freer than copying from the episodes, so, yup, that's why it took so long.

What can I say about this story? It's long and it took forever to complete. Zuko is such a dork and his crazy moment with the badgerfrog was hilarious and fun to write. Katara is a vengeful witch! (Maybe that should start with a "b" – LOL) Toph should have never stepped back into the fire. Idiot girl. Aang is still such a kid and I loved having Katara blow up at him at the end. Zuko really does want the waterbender to like him – awww – and Katara really does want to be friends with Zuko again – double awww!!! Yup, I think that about covers it. Why? Because my author's notes are way too long! =D

Don't trust FFN on the word count. It's only like 13,500 words. Haha. Yeah, like that isn't long. I know, I know, it's horrible. I gotta stop writing these monstrous ones and I will! The next 5 letters are NOT going to be so long. I'll be going back to more of the fun ones like I did with the first 5 letters. Here's what's coming up: Kindle, Liars, Myth (I've been crazy excited about this one), Nightfall (Sequel to Identity), & Oops. Let your minds run wild with ideas. =D So for those of you (you know who you are) who hate the longs ones, don't worry, I'm gonna be pumping out some shorts ones soon.

Again, REVIEW PLEASE!!! Do you agree or disagree with my portrayal of WAT? Or say something about the story. Let me know if I captured the emotion of the moment or if Katara's anger was vengeful enough or if Zuko's dorkiness made you laugh. Any comments are most welcome. And thanks for reading!

AVidZktjo

***I'll reiterate. The next 5 will be short and sweet and fun. Again, they are: Kindle, Liars, Myth, Nightfall, & Oops. Stay tuned!***