DISCLAIMER: All recognizable characters, themes, and dialogue are the property of Nickelodeon, or whoever owns this epic awesomeness.
And since some of you were curious, when Zuko was with Katara when she woke up, he had been sent by Mai to wake her up.
Previously on Running:
When she reached the palace, she ran into her room.
Zuko was there.
"Did you talk to him?" he asked calmly.
"Hell no, buster."
"Why not?" the Firelord replied.
"You know why not Zuko. I can't, I-I-I just can't."
"Katara, please don't be mad or angry, but I have been charged by Mai with telling you this."
"What?"
"Well," he began . . .
Chapter Three
"Zuko, please don't tell me-" Katara began, and when he smiled sheepishly, she groaned.
"His room will be on the West wing, if that is of any comfort to you," he said.
"Can't you find him anywhere else to stay?" Katara begged, dropping to her knees,"Zuko, I'm begging you."
Zuko shook his head. "Sorry, Katara, but maybe you should just-"
"Don't say it . . ."
"Katara, I know better than most that having all of these emotions trapped inside you- it's not healthy! It could change you, morph your soul in ways that can be. . . dangerous!"
"Zuko, I have nothing left to feel," Katara whispered.
"Well then tell him that!"
"I can't!" Katara wailed.
"Why not?"
"Be-because I . . . because!"
"Oh, that's a good excuse."
"I think I need . . . some air."
Zuko's frown twisted into a smirk.
"Not like tha- that's not what I meant!" Zuko just walked away with that annoying smirk still plastered on his scarred face. Katara slapped her cheek with her palm, hard. She paced around her room until she decided she needed to do something to take her mind off of Aang. She sniffed herself, and decided to take a shower. The water would relax her, she decided.
When she was stripped of her clothing, she walked slowly to the shower, luxuriating in the comfort of being in contact with that water, enjoying breathing in the steam. Playfully, she bent the water into funny shapes, before letting it fall into her skin, rinsing off the stress of the day. When she had had enough of her element, she turned the water off and grabbed the towel.
After she had dried off, she silently walked to her bed, sitting down. Her mind drifted to her narrow escape from Aang that day, and she felt a pang of guilt.
Did my running away hurt him?
No. He had left her, he obviously didn't care.
Her lower lip quivered into a stubborn pout, and she crossed her arms.
She remembered her times training with Aang. The big smile he wore, and the unbreakable enthusiasm he would show whenever she praised him. Her breathing grew ragged with dull, agonizing pain.
A soft knock on her door interrupted her pouting.
"Katara?"
She froze.
Zuko told Aang where her room was.
He was going to pay for this.
Hearing his soft voice made her want to open the door and hug him, but she knew very well that the moment she saw his face, her defenses would shatter, and she would be broken in front of him, putty in his hands.
That would not be acceptable.
She darted for the balcony, leaping over the edge, and having some water from a nearby fountain break her fall. She ran to the safest place she could imagine.
Mai's room.
She knocked on the door, and, while waiting for the Fire Lady to answer it, she nervously rocked back and forth on her heels. When the slender young woman answered the door, her eyes widened.
"Katara?" she asked, her eyes returning to their normal, bored state, "Why aren't you in your quarters?"
"Aang was there," Katara answered sheepishly, wringing her hands. Mai sighed.
"Come on in, Katara, Zuko is busy, so you can stay here for a while."
"Thanks, Mai."
"Whatever."
Katara looked around the lavish room, with its red and black walls, and golden lamps hanging from the ceiling. Mai's bed was a large, plush bed, covered in golden sheets with circular black pillows.
"You're going to have to talk to him eventually, you know," Mai pointed out, breaking Katara out of her reverie. Katara glanced at the woman, her eyes looking exhausted.
"I don't know if I can," she whispered, "I don't know if my heart can take it!" She felt as if Mai would laugh, or possibly even scold her, since she knew how strong the Fire Lady was.
"I sometimes felt that way about Zuko, while I was in prison," Mai admitted softly, "But if you let fear take away the opportunity to be loved, than it certainly will feel worse than being rejected, in the long run." Katara groaned. Mai was starting to make sense.
And if Mai made sense, she would have to see Aang again.
Katara mentally winced at the thought of seeing Aang. She very well knew that she would get on her knees and beg for Aang to take her back. That couldn't happen. It would kill her.
A few years ago, she would've imagined Aang as the one to beg for her. He had made it so believable that he wanted her, and only her. But maybe being the Avatar had-
The Avatar!
The Avatar state!
She had been blocking his chakras that made it possible to enter the Avatar State. Maybe the toll of those chakras had finally caught up with him.
She knew it probably wasn't true, but thinking that was much less painful than the more rational explanation.
That he didn't love her.
That he didn't want her.
Her heart lurched at the thought of such a terrible thought, and she thought she would collapse from the sheer pain that twisted through her body, piercing her to the core.
She became short of breath, and quickly excused herself and ran back to her room. By then, Aang had gone, but the thought of him being so close was just . . . too painful to be put into words.
This wasn't healthy, it wasn't right. She knew it very well.
But she couldn't seem to let go of Aang.
She would rather suffer for the rest of her existence than forget how she felt for the young Avatar. Her love for him was true and deep, and she knew that if she lost it, she would lose her very essence.
Another knock sounded at her door, but it wasn't Aang, fortunately.
"Katara, this has got to stop, now," Sokka said, his brow furrowed.
"What do you mean?" Katara asked.
"Listen to yourself Katara! You're so . . . empty! You have to move on with your life!"
"You don't understand Sokka," Katara yelled back, "You have Suki!"
"I know I do," Sokka said quietly, "and I am very happy."
"That's supposed to help me how?"
"Just stop focusing on yourself. You're only causing everyone more pain."
"Like who?" Katara challenged. Sokka narrowed his eyes.
"Aang."
"Never. He left me, remember?"
"Katara . . ."
"Just go, Sokka. I'll try and be better."
"Good," was all Sokka said before exiting the room.
Before the door closed, Katara swore she saw a sft shape running to the West.
Phew! This chapter is shorter than I'd prefer, but I think it really deals with Katara's inner problems. And it opens several possibilities.
Reviwe review! And remember that I am always open to your suggestions!