"What did you do to her?" Sokka demanded, tightening his grip on Zuko's throat.

"Nothing," the other teen choked, struggling to fill his lungs with air.

"Liar!" Sokka yelled. "My sister used to be the most trusting person I ever knew, but ever since we left Ba Sing Se, she barely trusts anyone. Aang says you were alone together, you did something to her!"

Zuko gasped, trying to gather enough air to respond. Before he had the chance to utter a single word, Katara arrived.

"What's going on here?" she asked, glaring at Zuko like he was the lowest scum on earth.

"He says he's looking for 'someone important'. Probably code for 'I'm trying to kill Aang again'," Sokka replied.

Katara glared at Zuko, and he was unsure if she was contemplating whether to kill him or not. Finally, keeping her gaze locked on the prince, she said, "Leave."

"What?"

"Leave. I'll take care of him."

After a moment's hesitation, Sokka released his grip on Zuko and left, glancing over his shoulder as he went.

Zuko stood, rubbing his throat and gasping for breath. He looked at Katara, an apology and thank-you at his lips, but found himself frozen to a wall before he could speak.

"Oh, don't look so surprised! Like I'd actually trust you after what you did!" Katara yelled, a dozen icicles hovering threateningly in front of her.

"I don't expect you to trust me! Please, just listen-"

"Listen?" Katara screeched as though it was the most absurd thing she's ever heard. "You expect me to listen after what–you-did!" As she said the last three words, she shot her icicles, piercing the wall inches from him.

"I'm not after the Avatar, I promise!"

"Why should I believe a promise from you?" More ice stabbed the wall at the words 'promise' and 'you'.

Zuko could see that this wasn't working; there was no way she'd believe him. But it wasn't like he could do anything else, so he continued.

"I'm searching for my mother-"

"Oh really?" Katara said, a look of mock surprise on her face. "I thought you said she was dead!"

"I thought she was," he said, rushing to explain before she interrupted, "but there was never a funeral, and her death isn't in the family records."

"Well, isn't that convenient? Now you and your family can live happily ever after!" Her last two icicles pierced the wall beside his neck, brushing against his skin.

"No, we can't, " Zuko said sadly, the ice around him beginning to melt.

"Don't move!" Katara ordered, taking a defensive stance.

By now the ice had melted enough for him to reach into his pocket. He passed a piece of paper to Katara, who took it and glanced at it suspiciously. Realizing what it was, she gasped in shock.

The face of Zuko's uncle was at the top of the paper. Beneath it was the words, "Iroh, the Dragon of the West, is dead."

Zuko stared at the ground, the ice pinning him to the wall completely melted. Suddenly, he fell to his knees, sobbing.

Katara looked from the crying the teen in front of her to the paper in her hand and back again. She hated the boy with every fiber of her being, and yet couldn't help feeling sorry for him. Her caring side finally took over, and she found herself kneeling in front of him, her hand on his shoulder and a sympathetic look replacing her glare.

Then, Zuko did something very unlike himself.

He leaned forward, wrapping his arms around her and resting his head on her shoulder. Caught off guard, Katara awkwardly began rubbing his back.

Feeling the firebender's tears soak through her shirt, Katara was reminded of the first time she had seen her brother cry. It had been during her mother's traditional Water Tribe funeral. Sokka had bawled, his eyes red and puffy as his nose ran uncontrollably. As a child, Katara had always thought of her brother as an impenetrable wall that would always protect her, like her father. Seeing him breakdown had both frightened and confused her.

Now, as Zuko sobbed in her arms, she felt the same way, but for very different reasons. The fear and confusion was caused not by weakness, but by closeness. She had never once been this close to him, and only once touched him out of caring. It was terrifyingly unfamiliar, and him seeking comfort for her was confusing. Had she not just frozen him to a wall and threatened to impale him with ice? Yet here he was, hugging her like she was the only support he had.

But maybe she was his only comfort. His sister certainly didn't seem like the caring type, and his father was probably more concerned with winning the war than comforting his son.

"Katara?" Sokka called from a distance. He sounded rather bewildered, though Katara couldn't blame him.

Her brother was soon crouching beside them, looking quite perplexed. "What's going on?"

"I'm… not sure," Katara said, turning her attention to her brother. She awkwardly reached over Zuko's shoulder, handing Iroh's death notice to Sokka.

He looked at the paper in shock for a few moments, and then asked, "What should we do with him?"

Katara bit her lip in thought. "I don't think he's much of a threat…" She said. "I guess if we keep a close eye on him, he can travel with us."

"No," Zuko said, pulling away from Katara. His unscarred eye was red and puffy from crying. "I can't travel with you. I have a different quest, and I'll only slow you down."

He recomposed himself and slowly stood up. He turned to Sokka and gave a small bow before turning to leave.

"Wait!" Katara cried, getting to her feet. As Zuko turned to face her, she hurriedly undid the clasp on her necklace. Grabbing his hand, she placed the trinket in his palm.

Zuko looked from her to the necklace, his brow knit together in confusion. Why would she give him something that was so precious to her?

Katara noticed his confused expression and quickly explained. "It's always reminded me of my mother, so I though, maybe, you know, it might remind you of yours…"

Zuko nodded, thanking her for her thoughtfulness, before turning to leave. As he walked away, he pocketed the gift the waterbender had given him, knowing full well it wouldn't remind him of his mother.

Instead, he would remember blue eyes and kind heart.


Author's Notes: O.o Wow, that's long. For me, anyway.

Yeah, not sure what to say about this one. I like it, but I'm not estatic over it. Well, I guess I'm pretty happy about the length...

Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar or any of its characters.