Authors note: I loved the last two chapters…I hope you all like this one as much as I did. Anyway, I'll stop my ranting and let you read.

Chapter Ten

Clue In

Katara slowly closed the door behind her, the piece of paper held tightly in her hand. She smiled a moment that was before Hokada's glared laid heavily on her.

"Where were you?" he inquired coldly.

"Out." She simply answered.

"Where is out?"

"I don't know…out?"

"Katara, I don't appreciate your sarcasm. Where have you been? I need to know."

"Well seeing as you find it okay to let us live in this decrepit neighborhood it seems fit to me to not tell you where I was."

"Katara!"

"What Dad? How does it feel to have someone not tell you something that is so important? It hurts…doesn't it?

"If you only knew…"

Katara was about to have many cruel words rush out of her mouth but they stopped suddenly. What did he mean if she knew?

"Dad…what-"

"I have work."

Hokada rushed pass Katara up the stairs and slammed his bedroom door behind him. Kneeling down, she grasped the paper even tighter. A small tear ran down her face as the sun began to set.

"Katara."

Surprised to hear his voice, Katara turned to her dad. Hokada had a blank expression on his face.

"I think," he began, "I think it's time you know the truth."

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"Hey, how was work?"

Zuko dropped his coat as he walked into his house. Jin was smoking a cigarette as she usually did on the counter top, waiting for him to arrive home.

"Alright…I guess."

"You seem happy for some reason."

"I do?"

"Yeah…something good happen?"

Zuko pulled out a cigeratte and smiled for a split second. He then sat next to Jin, shaking his head.

"Nothing in particular."

"Hmm, well…I have some good news for you."

"And what would that be?"

"The Gang…they…they want you back."

Zuko gazed at Jin with an obscured look as she smiled. She then nodded which made it more understandable.

"You're lying?" he said, more a question than a statement.

"Why would I? They want you."

Zuko made a tiny smirk, looking down into his palms. Somehow, he didn't feel as excited as should have been. He turned to Jin with a grin to make sure she knew he was okay.

"You seem disappointed…" she remarked.

"I'm not, the whole thing just seems fake, you know?"

"Well there is a catch."

"I knew it…"

"No, not a bad catch but a catch. If you want to continue your search then we're going to need the imports."

"Jin…"

"It's not that big a deal."

Throwing his cigarette into the trash, Zuko jumped off the counter top.

"You want me to get drugs anytime you all need them in return for sometimes a really crappy lead; that is a big deal!"

"Chan's out and we need a temporal replacement. By the time he's back you'll already have what you need.

Zuko heaved a sigh, "He overdosed, didn't he?"

Jin looked away with a frown, "Isn't everybody?"

He nodded in agreement after awhile though Zuko's face betrayed any real feelings he was trying to hide.

"Alright then…I'll do it."

Jin gave a short smile, throwing her smoke away as well.

"I wish it could have-" she started.

"If this is the only way…I'm taking it."

Zuko looked at Jin, her face thinner than ever. She seemed so desolate and alone even more that himself. Without another second wasted, Zuko brought her quickly into his arms.

Jin was surprised but took the embrace as a sweet treasure. When the departed, he had far away look on his face that she clearly noticed. Jin made her way to the door in a hurried matter however turned around before leaving by the sound of Zuko's voice.

"She's here…" he muttered.

Zuko locked eyes with Jin and she giggled.

"Wow…she's here. And who would "she" be?"

"Katara, Katara Soku."

Jin's smile instantly faded away. She stared at Zuko awhile before for answering the remark.

"How did this happen?"

"I don't know how…but she's here."

Looking around quickly, Jin thought to herself a moment. She then turned to Zuko again.

"If the gang finds out…" she murmured, "Don't get her messed up in this again. She barely made it out last time. No one can know of this."

"I know but-"

"Zuko," Jin whispered, pulling something out of her pocket, "You know the price."

Zuko closed his eyes when he glanced at the gun. His heart skipped a beat and his mind went blank when the scene came to his thought.

"You know what you have to do…if she finds out."

"Yes…"

"Katara was supposed to be apart of your old life…your fake life. You can't just-"

"I didn't bring her here. She won't mess anything up, I promise."

"She had better not, or it will be my life…and yours."

Zuko didn't answer but Jin knew he understood. Giving a quant sigh to herself, she left the house.

"Why…" Zuko could hear her say as she walked down the pavement.

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"But why Dad…why now?" Katara inquired.

Hokada looked down with a sigh, turning from Katara.

"I just had to know…who killed her."

"So your saying, the killer is here?"

"All the leads seem to be…I have to find out who did it."

"Dad…you can't do revenge."

"And I won't, but I need to know."

Katara watched as her dad passed her and out the door.

"She's going to pay…" he muttered before walking away.

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She walked slowly down the street, her shoes making ripples in the street puddles. She stopped every once in awhile to see her reflection or to see where she was. When she remembered she quickly started her walk again, jotting down a few thoughts.

As she passes the houses they soon became older and older, sadder and sadder. Most people ask why the economy is falling. Well...it's only us humans here, so isn't the question already answering itself?

Thinking that in her head, she let out a deep sigh. It was a sigh full of anxiety and pain. She was excited but also frightened. They were the two feelings she didn't know how to explain.

As she counted down the numbers, she finally came to her stop. She stared at it awhile but soon grew up the courage to start her feet to walking again. Her walk slowed down then sped up. She seemed hesitant then willing. When she was at last there she only made a tiny sound. At first, she thought it was unheard, unnoticeable. However, she could hear inside the motions.

Her breath stopped short and she began to walk back. But it was too late, the entrance was already opened. She stared and he stared in the silence. Neither one seemed willing to give.

When it seemed like she should have walked way he paced out. He gazed for awhile and then gave a short smile.

"I'm glad you came...Katara."

She gave a short smile back, "Zuko..."

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Authors note: Mystery…