I'll Follow You Home – A Zutara Story.
Meeoko
Summary : Sequel to 'Eventualities Are Inevitable'. After being captured by a group of Fire Nation radicals and uncovering a secret plot to destroy the Avatar Cycle, Zuko and Katara must work together to find a way to stop the Sila Vatra before Sozin's Comet arrives.
Spoilers : Puppet Master, Day Of Black Sun part 1 and 2, Western Air Temple, Fire Bending Masters and Boiling Rock part 1 and 2.
Author's Note : Right! Just want to say that I'm so so sooo sorry for the delay. Writer's block hit me – bad. I know just how patient you have all been and I want to thank you for it. I tried to get this up and running quickly, but without completely butchering it and just uploading a crap, badly written chapter.
I'm pretty scared to leave my house now. I think rezmutt is hiding behind a bush with a machine gun and that my dog is going to get eaten by killer ninja bunnies lol. Needless to say, I'm going to try and upload chapters faster if they are out there.
Anyway, hopefully you'll enjoy this chapter and that it clears up a few loose ends and creates more (you know how I love to bug you with constant cliffhangers and 'WTF?' questions).
Mwhahahahaha!!
Katara could feel the blood rushing to her head as she stood up from her seat in the make-shift 'hospital ward'. She had tried her very hardest not to let herself drift off into sleep and her head was still spinning from everything that had happened. It was as if the whole world had turned upside down in a matter of hours.
But that wasn't all that was bothering her.
Did I do enough? Will they be alright? Please spirits, let them be okay.
Even after Iroh had given her the awful, disgusting truth as to their escape, Katara hadn't given it a single thought. She had simply ignored it. She wouldn't allow her mind to wander. She would concentrate and she would pray. She would pray for them.
--
Katara had sat and cried in her cell, long after the Fire Lord had left her. But she soon found the same disturbing serenity creeping over her as she eventually calmed herself down. She knew that it was a feeble defence against the Fire Lord, but at least when she was left alone, the calming, almost dull feeling in her mind acted as her shield.
For a while, it kept her secluded, untouched. It kept her safe.
Or at least sane.
Soon, Katara had begun to feel the sun waning in the sky and the barely audible throb of the moon as it called to her. She had tried not to utter a bitter laugh when she had realised that it was a full moon.
It had also been a full moon when they were imprisoned by the Sila Vatra.
It had all seemed so unfair.
Katara wondered if there would ever be a time that she would be able to see a full moon where she wasn't a captive, or fighting for her life.
Briefly, she had considered using the same escape plan that she and Zuko had concocted the first time that they had been captured together. But Katara doubted that Ozai would be fool enough to unchain her hands during a full moon.
Even if he was going to...
Katara had tightly shut her eyes, trying to dispel the thought. Ozai disgusted and repulsed her. She had been fully aware of his intentions when he had visited her in her cell and the very thought made her feel sick to her stomach with fear and hatred.
Never. I'll never be his. As long as I live!
As the time wore on, Katara had tried in vain to concoct an escape plan. But everything she thought of seemed either useless or suicidal. There was really only one thing that she could think of that could help her.
The same dark and lurking thought pushed itself into view, no matter how hard she had tried to forget it.
The eerie, crooked smile of Hama. Her long and deadly fingernails. And the full moon.
"Congratulations Katara. You're a Blood Bender."
But Katara didn't know if she would ever be able to bring herself to torture someone like that. To take away their free will and put them in harms way, without a chance to defend themselves. So she had shaken her head vigorously from side to side, trying to erase the ever-present memory.
Blood Bending...I can't...it's just cowardly and sick and wrong! But...do I have any other choice?
Chills ran up her spine in the cold cell. Katara was freezing, but there was one spot on her face that she just couldn't cool down – no matter how much she wanted to. Ozai's touch still lingered on her face, like a filthy smell or the deadliest pox. Katara felt dirty after being exposed to it.
The Fire Lord had truly terrified her. Even under The Warden's imprisonment, Katara had never felt so completely paralysed with fear. Of all the obstacles she had overcome; Zhao, Hama, the Invasion and even Aang's near-death experience, none of them had rendered her so immobile as the presence of the Fire Lord. It was as if the man was clouded in the scent of sadness, death and utter hopelessness.
And he passed it on, from person to person, like a rat.
It felt as if I'd never see the sun again.
For almost two hours, she had been terrified that he would return. But he didn't.
Katara didn't know if she should be thankful or horrified. If Ozai was no longer there with her, then that meant he would be somewhere else with Zuko.
Her very bones shook thinking of what would happen to him if Ozai decided to take his revenge. Katara knew perfectly well that the Fire Lord wouldn't treat his son with as much courtesy as he had her.
Don't hurt him. Don't hurt him, please. Let him be alright.
It was only when she had began to give up hope that Katara had been rattled by an enormous, shattering explosion. She had cried out, feeling the very walls around her shaking. Rocks fell from the brickwork and some even from the ceiling. The tremor had wracked her body with vibrations and sent her bones tingling.
The sounds of armoured soldiers could be heard beyond her cell door, clinking in their boots as they rushed down the halls in a bid to find the source of the commotion.
"Alert the Fire Lord!" one had called "We are under attack! Secure the perimeter at once and prepare the war machines! Under no circumstances are you to leave the prisoner unattended! Under no circumstances! Now move!"
Katara had felt a rush of emotions.
A small spark of hope began to burn inside her, hoping to be rescued and see the ones she loved again. Surely it was them? Who else would be attacking the palace?
But another, more rational part of her began to panic. If it was indeed her friends coming to rescue her, then they would be sitting targets for the Fire Lord's army.
War machines? What if Aang's here? What if he gets killed before he's even mastered Fire Bending? He can't fight Ozai in his own palace! We can't hope to win! What if they get hurt?
When she had heard the sound of men falling on their feet outside her cell door, Katara had both prayed and worried. She could see sudden bursts of light coming from underneath the frame of her cell door. The Fire Bender's were under attack! But from who? And were they winning or losing?
The walls shook again, sending chips of rock falling down into her hair. She grit her teeth and waited for it to pass, trying desperately to shelter her head from several large lumps of stone that fell from the ceiling. The second explosion had not been nearly as powerful as the first, but had still been enough to send the Fire Nation soldiers outside her door into a commotion.
The walls rocked again, but not from another explosion. Several guards outside grunted and screamed. The sound of 'retreat' briefly reached her ears, before it was snuffed out by the sound of clashing metal and a heavy, dull thud. Katara could feel her heart soaring.
Earth Bending! Toph!
"Toph? Toph, I'm in here!" she had screamed "It's me, Katara! Toph, I'm in here!"
Her prayers were answered when the heavy metal door to her cell had flown off its hinges and crashed loudly to the floor, a small hand print indented into the centre. When the dirt and dust had began to clear from the air, Katara had almost cried with happiness as she recognised the all too familiar figures.
"Katara!"
The serious faces of Toph, Suki and her brother, Sokka appeared as they ran through the dirt and dust to her aid. Toph immediately used her Metal Bending to break away the chains binding Katara to the stone wall. Jumping up from the cold floor, Katara ignored her screaming muscles and she wrapped her arms around her brother in a desperate, grateful hug. Sokka hugged her back tightly, before pushing her away gently.
"You're okay." he had sighed, looking utterly relieved. "Thank Yue."
Despite her happiness, Katara felt her more rational senses coming back to her. A thousand questions were running around in her head. She wondered how they had found her. Were the explosions going on overhead Fire Nation, or was it something else? Why was Suki here with them when she should be with Aang? How had the gotten into the palace?
"Sokka, what's going on? What-"
"No time." Suki had warned, throwing Katara a water skin. "We've got to go now!"
Katara almost didn't listen, her attention immediately taken over by the sweet cool sensation of the water inside the skin, calling to her. It was as if the very water inside was tempting her, commanding her to use it. She drew out a slender length of water from the skin and smiled darkly.
A full moon tonight...
"Katara, come on!" Sokka had urged, grabbing her wrist and pulling her to the door. "I'll explain later, but right now – we've gotta go!"
"But where are we going?" she had panted as they each bolted down the long and winding corridor, one after the other. "What about Zuko?"
Sokka drew the glistening Space Sword from the scabbard on his back and lunged forward, increasing his speed as they pelted down the hallways. Suki ran behind him on almost silent feet, two large, iron tipped fans trailing behind her.
"Don't worry, Princess." Toph had grunted, guiding herself along and picking up speed with the use of her Metal Bending, as she skidded along the floor on a board of metal. "It's taken care of! Now shut your yap and keep moving!"
It's okay. She chanted to herself. He's going to be okay. They won't leave him here. They won't leave him.
Feeling her lungs begin to catch fire as she ran, Katara had splayed the contents of her water skin out in front of her and immediately froze it. Using her ice slide to gather speed, Katara kept pace with her brother and Suki, unfreezing the ice behind her and immediately freezing it again in front to continue the icy pathway.
"Right!" Toph called out loudly.
Sokka had led the way, bolting toward the nearest right turn and veering off expertly. Katara panted, feeling her heart pounding at double speed, even with the aid of her ice slide. It had been far too long since she had gotten some exercise! She knew that Sokka was fast – she just hadn't known how fast!
"We've got company!" Toph had ordered once more, pointing directly ahead.
Several Fire Nation soldiers waited in front of them, dead set in their ranks and ready to attack. The first line sent a wave of fire straight at them, funnelling through the hallways and building up speed as it hurtled towards them. Katara had sent forth her water and immediately froze it in front of the blaze, extinguishing it, along with much of the water.
Sokka plunged through the weakened wall of ice with a single sweep of his sword and immediately pounced on the guards, parrying blows and dealing just as many. Suki followed suit, using her superior speed and flexibility to turn her opponents strength against them.
The guards didn't stand a chance against the four of them and were plowed down in a matter of minutes, many locked to the wall by strips of iron or lying unconscious on the floor.
They had wound through the corridors of what appeared to be the dungeons, attacking and taking down any Fire Nation soldiers that were unlucky enough to get in their way. Katara let her anger fuel her as she sent icy bolts at the men who had imprisoned her, pinning them to the walls.
Zuko! Where is he?
Sokka finally came to a halt, panting haggardly and hunching over slightly, as he pointed to a space on the iron walls. Katara recognised it immediately. Behind the panel was the lengthy tunnel that lead down to the Sila Vatra's building, the same place where she and Zuko had been seperated.
"Toph, get Katara out of here! Me and Suki are going to take care of the rest."
Toph slammed a fist into the side of the metal wall, sending it flying down into the darkness with an almighty crash. Another explosion shook the walls and Katara could hear shouting overhead. She turned to her brother, feeling both confused and angry at the same time.
"Take care of what? Sokka, what's going on?"
She tried to keep her voice calm and serious, but found herself almost screaming. Everything was just happening so fast and Katara found it difficult to concentrate. She wanted to know what was happening. She wanted to see Zuko again!
"Look, just trust me, okay? We can talk about this later, but right now, there's no time." Sokka sighed, obviously in a far calmer frame of mind than she was.
"No, Sokka! There might not even be a 'later'!" Katara screamed, secretly pleading with her brother not to leave "At least tell me where you're going! Please, Sokka. Don't do something stupid."
"We're going to free the other warriors." Suki replied. Her face was calm and immovable. The face of a seasoned warrior. "Toph's told us where to find them and we're going to get them out of here. They've been held prisoner here for too long."
Katara could feel her voice of reason slowly slipping through her fingers. She knew that Suki was right. She had known since they had arrived in the capital that Sokka and her father intended to free the other warriors. But that didn't stop her from worrying. They had come to find her and save her from Ozai. Only now, they were going to have to split up again.
Maybe for the last time...
"Sokka..." she pleaded, lowering her eyes to the floor. The sounds of armoured boots could be heard scuffing the floor above them. Soon, they would be under attack once again.
Sheathing his sword, Sokka sighed sadly and immediately crossed the gap between them, hugging her tightly. Katara tried not to cry and she held onto her brother.
"I'm coming back, Katara." Sokka promised. His voice was sure, but grim. "We won't be apart for too long, I promise."
But what if something goes wrong?
He pulled away from her and nodded to Suki, who managed the smallest smile. Pulling the Space Sword back out from its sheath, Sokka took in a deep and calming breath.
"Toph, get her outta here. We've gotta go."
Katara watched her brave and idiotic brother run down the corridor with Suki in tow, just before Toph grabbed onto her wrist and pulled her into the dark embrace of the secret tunnel, sealing the entrance shut behind them with a wall of earth and snuffing out the only source of light.
Her stomach growled. Katara couldn't remember the last time she had eaten. But she ignored it.
Many times, Iroh had been into the ward, bringing with him a tray of food and sitting silently beside her as they listened to the breathing of their patients. But not once had Katara touched the food that Iroh had brought for her. There was just too much to think about.
And despite her genuine liking for the old man, Katara found herself unable to even look at him after what he had told her. Toph had been right. Katara didn't know how she should respond anymore. The gentle, smiling general had always seemed like such a pure person. But now, things were a little different.
How is Zuko going to take it? Will he ever be able to look him in the eye again?
She worried, wringing her hands into fists in the fabric of her dress. All she could do now was sit and wait. Katara was terrified that if she were to do anything other than hope and pray for even a moment, then she would lose them.
I've done all I can. It's up to the Spirits now.
Her eyelids began to droop and she felt her head lolling forward. She was utterly exhausted. Crossing over to the basin of water, Katara splashed cold water over her face, hoping the refreshing tingle would keep her awake for a little while longer.
Her mind began to wander back to the conversation she and Toph had shared as they jogged through the dark and empty tunnel.
--
"Toph, what's going on?" Katara had asked urgently. "Where are the others? Is Aang here?"
Toph had sighed irritably as she strode forward confidently in the darkened tunnel. Katara however, had trouble finding her footing without a light source and stumbled several times on upturned rocks.
"We launched a small attack as a distraction so we could get you and Sparky outta there. We didn't tell Aang, because we knew he'd just fly right over here and get himself killed. Besides, we didn't have time to wait for him to get here."
Katara had tried to suppress a relieved sigh. At least Aang wasn't in any danger.
"But Suki's here. How did she get here without Aang and what were all of those explosions?"
Toph kicked a small pebble moodily as she continued her fast walk through the tunnel. It seemed as if something was bothering her.
"Your dad said that she arrived yesterday to help with the planning for the Comet cos she wanted to help rescure the other Kyoshi warriors. That new guy brought her over, Chit Sang. He's here too. Once they heard about you guys getting captured, they were more than happy to help out. And those big explosions you heard just so happen to be our newest weapon."
Toph looked back at Katara, who was struggling to keep pace with her in the dark, waiting for her to catch up.
"It's kinda like blasting jelly, but way better. Teo and that Piando guy came up with it. When it explodes, it burns everything and you can't put it out with water. Either it burns itself out or just destroys everything. Your dad and the others smeared it over the walls of the palace before we came to get you and then set them off. The explosions were kinda like a test run, but we wanted to use them as a distraction too, so it'd be easier to come and get you."
They walked in silence. Katara squinted in the darkness, keeping most of her attention of the floor. Putting one foot in front of the other.
She felt a pang of guilt in her stomach. If she hadn't gotten captured in the first place, then none of them would have had to risk themselves. Now their cover was blown. Her friends and family were putting themselves in danger for her. And their secret weapon had been used up.
"Toph?" Katara whispered, looking down at the floor. She could feel the backs of her eyes begin to grow hot, though she willed herself not to cry.
Toph seemed not to have heard her and walked on in silence. Katara was about to ask again, when the Earth Bender sighed sadly, stopping in her tracks once again to let her catch up.
"Yeah Katara?"
Drawing level with her, Katara sniffed, wrapping her arms around herself. The tunnel was cold and damp and it did nothing to liven her already pitiful mood. There was only one thing on her mind that she couldn't shake. Simply not knowing the answer just made her feel even worse.
Katara cleared her throat and took a deep breath, trying not to let Toph know just how desperate and shaky she felt.
"Toph...where's Zuko?"
The young Earth Bender sighed, her small shoulders drooping. She bowed her head.
"I don't know, Katara. He was a lot...higher up than you were. It might take a little longer."
"But you're not...you're not just going to leave him there, are you?" Katara snapped, unintentionally raising her voice.
Toph turned to face her, holding up her palms defensively, but frowning.
"No way, Princess! You think I'd leave him in that place? What kinda friend do you think I am?"
Katara felt her muscles relax only slightly. She swallowed, feeling a little guilty for snapping at her friend. She knew perfectly well that Toph would never abandon Zuko.
Of course she wouldn't leave him there. She loves him like a brother.
"You remember his Uncle?" Toph asked. "The old guy? Well, he's gone to go find him. I just gave him the directions. I don't know what's happening."
Katara felt herself frowning. Everything was happening so fast. It was all just a little too much to take in.
"His Uncle? But I thought he was...gone?"
Toph shook her head.
"It's kind of a long story. When things aren't so crazy, I'll fill you in. But when he came to see us, he told us something we weren't expecting. Something not good at all. Wether this plan of his works out or just turns into a big flop, I know that Zuko's not going to like what his Uncle told us. He's not going to like it at all."
They had stood together in silence, deep in the darkness of the tunnel. Katara felt too defeated to even bother to ask Toph what she was talking about.
"Toph" Katara mumbled into the darkness "I just wanted to thank you. For coming to get me."
Toph stiffened and her eyes fell to the floor. Katara could see her bow her head and cross her arms in front of her chest. She looked as if she might cry.
What's wrong with her? All I said was 'thank you'. Did I say something wrong?
When Toph replied, her voice was bitter and tense.
"Look, I'm sorry, okay? I didn't want to leave you guys there! There were just too many of them! They were all over the street and on top of the buildings! There was nothing I could have done! If I went out there to help you, they would have just caught me too and then we'd all be done for!"
Toph's voice betrayed her, despite how loudly she yelled. Katara knew that she was feeling guilty about not helping them when she and Zuko were captured by the Dai Lee.
So that's it...
"I can't believe I didn't feel it. Why didn't I know sooner? I should have seen them coming." Toph whispered sadly.
Katara took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She swallowed a dry lump in her throat, holding back her doubts and sadness. Right now, things were out of her hands. There was nothing she could do.
She just had to put her faith in the others now. She had to trust that they would get him out of there. Safe and away from Ozai.
Taking a tentative step closer to Toph, Katara wrapped her arms around the young girls shoulders and hugged her. Despite Toph's usual bravado and hatred for affection, she didn't pull away. She just sighed as Katara tightened her hold around her and tried desperately not to cry.
"It's okay, Toph." she said quietly "It's not your fault. We'll get through this. Just like we always do."
Katara rubbed at her eyelids tenderly. She could feel the lull of sleep calling to her. It had been almost two whole days since she had last slept. Not to mention, the lack of sleep even before they were captured!
Why do all Fire Benders have to be insomniac's?
She looked down sadly at the two figures, lying on the cots. Her brother slept quite peacefully, despite his injuries. He would snore every so often, bringing a smile to Katara's lips. She was certain that Sokka would pull through. He had already woken up once to ask for some water, though it was only brief.
Katara had managed to heal his internal damages after an hour or so and the gash in his side had healed nicely, though it would probably scar. She was unable to heal the broken bones – there was no fluid inside them, after all. Sokka would simply have to take extra care for a while, until they healed.
My stupid, crazy, brave brother. She thought fondly. He had to go and do something stupid when I told him not to.
When one of the Water Tribe Warriors that had aided them during the invasion had hurried into their new hideout, with a bruised and bleeding Sokka in his arms, Katara had tried her hardest not to break down into tears.
"What happened?" she demanded, as the Warrior placed Sokka down onto a cot.
"We were escaping through the tunnels." the man panted "There was a squadron of Fire Nation soldiers attacking from behind. One of them threw a knife at him, just as the Earth Benders were sealing the tunnel. It caught him in the side and one of the falling rocks crushed him. I got him here as fast as I could."
Thanking the man and waving him away, Katara had called for a large supply of water and immediately began to heal her brother. Suki had stayed by her side the entire time, though it didn't take too long. She cried silently, holding tightly onto Sokka's hand as Katara worked the water deep into his injuries.
He'll be okay. I know he will.
Of course, Katara had been immensely worried about Sokka when he had been brought back to their temporary base. She had felt the tears welling up behind her eyes as she had probed and fixed the damage inside him, hating the Fire Nation soldiers who had reduced him to almost nothing.
But there had been something far worse to come.
Zuko had arrived almost an hour after Sokka had. He was slumped over his Uncle's shoulder, whose usually cheery face looked grim and dark. His cheeks were stained with dirt and angry tears fell from his red and puffy eyes. Iroh had run as fast as he possibly could through the tunnels, with Zuko slung over his shoulder like a corpse. But it had taken far longer than he had intended.
"We encountered some problems along the way." Iroh explained grimly "If it were not for your father, I do not think that we would have made it back."
Hakoda had nodded to the old general, his face showing nothing but morbid determination. Katara shivered to think of what her father might have had to do to pull Iroh through. She tried not to think of Ozai's great, shadowed form, towering over them.
Nobody had expected to see Zuko in such a terrible state.
Of course, they had expected something, but nothing even close to Zuko's injuries. Nobody had ever believed that Ozai could ever truly do something so unspeakably horrible to his own son. But he had.
Zuko, no! What did he do to you? Gods, no! That monster!
Katara had fought back hysterical tears upon seeing Zuko, swearing and cursing loudly in a fit of rage and despair. Iroh had placed him down as fast as he could, pleading with her to heal him.
But for a single, terrifying moment, Katara had done nothing. She had simply looked down at Zuko, open-mouthed with tears streaking down her face. For that one second, she doubted almost everything that she had come to know or learn about the human race. Every act of cruelty that man had ever committed could be forgiven, no matter how terrible – that was what her mother had taught her. But now, Katara could hear her mother's words fading away.
It was as if her faith in humanity had simply vanished. She didn't know what she could do anymore.
Who could ever do something like this to another person? Why would a father ever do such a thing to his own son?
Katara had fought the overwhelming urge to vomit as the smell of burning flesh hit her in the face and filled the room with the air of death. She had seen the scalded, blistered skin around his neck, the shape of Ozai's handprint standing out like a sick, horrific warning.
Or an omen...
It had taken almost all of her willpower to bring herself back to reality and away from the darkness. Zuko needed her now and there was still one emotion that was more powerful than hate – love.
Katara had worked on Zuko's throat long into the night with tears streaming down her face. She could feel every single shallow breath that he took, inching him closer and closer to death. The burnt and scalded skin seemed to scream out in agony underneath her touch, as the healing water passed over it. It was as if Zuko's body had been tainted by Ozai's touch, that it was fighting against him. The thought almost destroyed her.
How could he do something like this to his own son?
She had worked in some sort of calm daze, letting the tears run freely down her face, but allowing her mind to think logically and to simply treat the injuries. Katara had willed herself to just let go of her personal attachments. Any feeling or emotions. She willed herself to just think of him as a patient. At least that way, she would be able to concentrate.
Iroh had stood behind her the entire time, not once sitting down or even moving. Katara had heard his slow, steady breathing behind her. Once or twice, she thought that she heard him sob, but he hid it well and she hadn't stopped for anything. Nobody was going to stop her now.
I'm not going to let you die, Zuko. I can't let you go. I can't!
Many people had been in to visit both Sokka and Zuko during the night. Toph had stood beside Zuko with teary eyes for almost four hours before she had fallen asleep on the stone floor and Hakoda had had to carry her to bed. Often, Suki would come in and simply sit beside Sokka, holding gently onto his hand, telling him that it would be okay.
After he had arrived with Iroh, Hakoda had gone into a state of shock when he had seen Sokka laying on the cot, wrapped tightly in bandages and covered in dirt and bruises. He had sat by his sickbed for a very long time in silence. When he had finally risen from his seat hours later and left the room, Katara had heard him speaking to himself softly.
"A true warrior. My son."
Although Katara knew that it was unlikely that Zuko's injury would scar after she had treated him, she couldn't help but worry that he would again have to bear a second mark. She had began healing him before the wound had began to dry out, so it was likely that it would simply fade away like a bruise. But that didn't stop Katara from thinking about the alternative.
Two scars. Two terrifying moments. Two regrets. One father.
Once she had finished healing both Sokka and Zuko, there hadn't really been much else to do.
There had been no other life-threatening injuries in the group, but Katara had busied herself in the makeshift hospital, healing cuts and burns, wrapping broken bones and re-setting joints. Master Piando had received a particularly nasty stab wound to the shoulder, but he had expertly bound it himself with a tourniquet and waited until she had tended to both Sokka and Zuko before asking for her assistance.
Why do they all have to act so brave all the time? She wondered, thinking back to the very same words she had said to Zuko just days before.
There was some good news, however.
Suki and Sokka had been successful in their mission. Many of the men that had aided them during the invasion attack had been released from inside their cells at the palace and led back through the underground tunnels. Many of them walked about the house, lavishing in the fresh air and space. Teo and his father had shared a very teary reunion and had barely been apart since. Haru's father was also present, looking forward once again, to see his son.
But not everyone had been quite so lucky.
Four had not survived. One of them had been her friend, Hue from the Foggy Swamp. An Earth Kingdom warrior and two Water Tribesman had also fallen.
So much death...
A service had been held for their memories that very day, but Katara had not attended. She had stayed at her place beside Sokka and Zuko. Two men that she loved in two very different ways. Both had been closer to death than they knew.
Despite her fatigue and worry, Katara still hadn't forgotten the words she had thought to herself only a few hours ago. Those three, all-important, life changing words.
It was as if Ozai had terrified her into logical thinking. She could remember exactly what she had felt and what she had been thinking as he had leant over her, his disgusting eyes bearing down on her.
When the Fire Lord had strode into her cell and forced himself upon her, Katara had heard her thoughts as if they were a human voice, united as one. She had expected that she was going to die inside that cell, with the Fire Lord lurking over her. She had been close to saying her goodbye's, but had only discovered something completely different.
Love. I know now. I love him. I love Zuko...
She tried not to smile at the irony of the situation. In a way, Ozai had helped her to discover exactly how she felt about his son. The son who had been her feared enemy, not months before.
"Katara..."
Katara looked up from the floor, her mouth parting hopefully as the sense of endless joy filled her from head to toe. The voice was barely above a whisper and he croaked like a Bull-frog, but it was him! She would know that voice anywhere!
Zuko looked up at her from his cot, the exhaustion and pain clear on his face. His eyelids sagged as he fought to keep himself awake and his breathing was stiff and harsh. He was covered in dirt, though Katara had tried to wash most of it off and the stiff bandage around his neck was stained a rusty brown colour.
But Katara thought of none of these things as she rushed over to the bed, fresh tears of happiness welling up in her eyes. He was awake. Zuko was finally awake!
"Zuko!" she cried softly as she carefully wrapped her arms around his chest and hugged him where he lay. "Zuko, you're awake! You're okay! Oh Zuko, I thought I'd lost you. I thought you weren't coming back. Thank the Spirit's you're okay!"
The warmth of Zuko's body radiated all around her, filling her with a strong, stable confidence. Katara placed a single, gentle kiss on his chest. The relief that she felt was beyond words. Beyond action. Beyond anything!
"Zuko, I'm sorry." she whispered into his chest "I'm so, so sorry. This is all my fault. I didn't mean for you to ever get hurt."
Don't leave me again, Zuko. Don't you ever leave again.
She could feel the muscles in his stomach tensing as he tried to sit up, but she placed a gentle hand on top of his chest and lightly pressed back down.
"Don't try to move, you need to rest."
Still impatient. Still hot-headed. But alive.
The fresh and joyous tears slid down her face and fell onto Zuko's chest. She clung to him as tight as she dared, without hurting him, so enveloped in her happiness that she didn't hear him speak at first.
"Katara..." he croaked "There's something...something I have...to tell you."
But she simply shook her head and held a finger to his dry lips. Reaching beside her to the table placed beside his cot, Katara picked up the glass of water left for him and gently pressed it to his lips. He grimaced as he swallowed, tightly closing his eyes. But he was able to digest it. That alone filled her with relief.
His throat isn't damaged. He's still going to be able to speak and eat. Thank Yue!
Smiling through her glassy vision of tears, Katara placed a gentle hand on the smooth side of Zuko's face. She had healed the deep cuts along his scar, but Katara knew that it would probably still be sore.
"Katara..." he tried again, looking pained by the effort.
She couldn't help but utter the tiniest of laughs, gazing into his pained and beautiful amber eyes. Relief and happiness washed over her like the turning of the tides.
"Don't talk, Zuko. Not now."
Zuko winced as he nodded, the bandage around his neck and throat tensing with the strain of his movements. His weary eyes looked up at her as she smiled an exhausted, but delighted smile.
Now, I just have to hope...
With careful fingers, Katara lightly unwrapped the bandage from around his neck. He shut his eyes tightly and grit his teeth, but Katara knew that he was going to be alright.
Moving the bloody and dirty cloth away from his neck, Katara's smile widened as she looked down on the pale, untouched skin where the burn had once been. Ozai had failed.
Katara would make sure that he would never mark Zuko or anybody else again.
"Zuko." she whispered, wiping the tears away from her eyes "You're going to be alright. It's gone now. The burn is gone."
Zuko's face visibly relaxed and he let out a long (if rather tensed) sigh. Closing his eyes and leaning back onto the cot, he raised a shaking hand to Katara's face. She smiled softly as the rough skin of his hands felt for her cheek. She placed her own hand over his palm and gently squeezed it.
"Never...again.." he croaked.
"What?" she asked, leaning a little closer to his mouth "I can't hear you, Zuko."
Zuko swallowed, wincing as his tender throat protested at the effort. He opened his eyes for only a moment, before closing them again. A small, barely noticeable smile perked at his lips.
"Never...never collecting...fire wood with...you again."
Katara laughed softly, never once taking her eyes away from him. It seemed that even in the worst of times, Zuko would still smile. It gave her strength and hope, looking down on that warm smile.
I always want to be able to see you smiling.
His grip slowly slackened with fatigue and Katara gently lowered his shaking hand back down onto the cot, relishing his touch. Zuko managed to open his eyes and smile at her once more before the heavy lids began to droop. Katara watched him and smiled as she could see him fighting to stay awake.
It was a losing battle, that he had no hope of winning.
And neither can I...
She could feel the lull of sleep calling to her as well. Finally, after almost three days, Katara allowed herself to relax. Sokka was safe. Zuko was safe. And for the moment, so was she.
Gently lowering herself down onto the cot beside Zuko, Katara curled her fingers around Zuko's own as she moved as close to his warm body as she dared. Putting her head beside his on the pillow, Katara finally let herself succumb to the gentle teasing of sleep. She closed her eyes and let the gentle rhythm of Zuko's beating heart soothe her to sleep.
"Zuko." she mumbled drowsily, feeling a calm and serene peace wash over her. "I think I love you."
But Zuko didn't reply. He too, was happily sleeping, with a small and gentle smile on his face.
Author's Note : Well, that was probably the longest chapter I've written so far. Took me bloody long enough, is all I can say! Once again guys, majorly sorry about the delay. Writer's block seriously sucks. Even writing down one-shots was impossible. There was literally not one coherent thought in my head!
I wonder if any of you made the connection to Teo's 'secret weapon'. Any idea what it was?
Well, for any who haven't guessed, it was a substance based around Napalm (if you've seen Forest Gump, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about). I know that Napalm sounds a little morbid for the gaang, but remember – they only used it on the palace. No intention to destroy human life. Simply a distraction. A very hot and nasty one.
And what exactly, was the horrible truth that Iroh had told them? For many of you who have been asking about the White Dragon Dream in the last chapter, once the next chapter is up and Iroh tells Zuko the secret – it will probably make a lot more sense.
Anyway, hope you enjoyed this chapter. It almost killed me writing and re-writing the damn thing several times! I started at 7pm and it's now 3:30am! Gah!