The Things That Change You
Zutara Week 2012
Day 1: Serendipity
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
-~ZxK~-
Zuko's been with the Avatar and his group for a few days now and honestly, he feels much more welcomed than he thought he would be.
The Avatar —err Aang— has been really spirited about learning fire bending, even though he whines about how he "already knows how to breathe and he wants to learn how to make a fireball already." It reminds Zuko of how young Aang is.
The earth bender girl, Toph? seems to have a fondness for him. It might only be because we do not have a history, but still. She is funny and is an amazing fighter. She even came from royalty, too. Zuko did not believe it at first though since she seems to lack absolutely all manners.
Sokka and him get along fine, probably because we stay out of each other's way. Occasionally, Zuko sees him practice with his "space sword," he is surprising adept maybe he will ask to train with him later.
Zuko basically avoids being alone with Katara. After her warning in his room that first night he has been cautious of being around her. Although he does have to be near her at meals Zuko just makes sure sit away from her. The first day he skipped meal time and snuck out at night to eat leftovers. That is something he is not proud of.
Zuko is currently in the main temple area with everyone. Toph is lounging on a rock chair, Aang is playing with his lemur, Sokka is cleaning his sword and whispering to it, and Katara is cooking dinner.
She does not notice his staring, not that he is gawking at her. Okay maybe he is, but only slightly.
Zuko has been thinking about her lately, trying to see things from her perspective. He has not gotten too far being distracted by her enchanting qualities. Her determination to help the Avatar win the war is comparable to Azula's. Her courage to defend what is right in the world is remarkable, she is not hesitant to fight twenty men if it is for the right thing and he knows since he has been one of those men. Her loyalty is what caught Zuko's attention from the beginning. He was not quite sure why until he realized that the only person who was completely loyal to him —and Zuko to them— was his Uncle.
It is at that point Zuko feels the need to really change his life. He has discovered that being cautious of Katara, is not something he wants. While he came here to help the Avatar now, he feels like he needs to "help" Katara. He will prove to her how loyal he can be.