Chapter 2

Comfort

"Do you think he's okay?" Katara finally asked. The question had been dancing around her mind for quite some time now but she wasn't sure if she should ask it.

"I don't. No one's seen him since he stormed off." Sokka sighed.

"He should have taught that guy a lesson." Toph said punching a fist into her hand.

"If he gets out of line again, I will. Does he constantly have to antagonize everyone!" Sokka cried. Suki looked at the ground.

"I'm going to go look for him." Katara decided.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Aang asked.

"No, it might be best that we don't crowd him right now. I just want to see if he's okay." Katara explained.

"Well tell him we're all here for him, and whatnot." Sokka called out as she walked away.

"Will do." Katara said to no one in particular as she crossed into the palace, leaving the courtyard behind her. Just hours before it had been a place of beauty and tranquility, now it was full of sadness and confusion. Her feet seemed to move on autopilot as she passed silent servants and pacing council members. She avoided eye contact with all of them as she slipped out of the palace and followed the worn trail to the top of a small hill. She knew she'd find him there, sitting under the lone sakura tree. That's where she would find him in the days before his coronation, sitting and thinking. And just as she had expected, there he sat. One leg was extended before him and the other was propped up supporting his arm that lay easily across it. He was resting his chin on his stretched out arm and staring into space. The wind rustled through his hair as he sighed and continued to stare out over the palace.

She almost didn't want to disturb him but she had to be sure he was alright.

"Hey." Her voice was soft, trying to maintain the serenity of the moment.

He looked at her. She fidgeted not quite sure what to say next. It occurred to her now that she hadn't really thought this through. Would just flat out asking if he was okay be alright, or would that set him off? Should she beat around the bush to figure out if he were more angry or sad first? Was his lack of response supposed to mean he wanted her to go away? She watched him for a moment as he turned his attention from her and back up to the sky. Biting her lip, she decided to say nothing and wait for him to let her know what to do. She approached cautiously, waiting for him to tell her, he just wanted to be alone. When he didn't she took a seat next to him, drawing her knees to her chest and offering silent comfort.

Even though they sat in silence she could see him relax a little. He wasn't as tense and his face seemed less broody. He still hadn't said anything but he wasn't on a rampage either so that was good. She was just gunning up the courage to cut into his thoughts when he finally spoke.

"What if he's right?" Zuko asked. Katara stared at him. He hadn't been looking at her when he asked the question and she wasn't quite sure if he was talking to her or thinking out loud.

"What if who's right?" She asked cautiously.

"You know who I'm talking about, Katara."

"I do. That said, you ought to know my answer already." She replied with a pointed look, however, she froze seeing the desperation in his eyes. He wasn't asking because he didn't know what she'd say, he was asking because he needed to hear her say it. He needed to be reassured.

She sighed, "Zuko, you've done so much good. How could you let him trounce in here and make you doubt that?"

"Because, there was truth to what he was saying. I am Ozai's soon. I have struggled with doing the right thing. What if I'm not ready?"

"Well then you'll have to be ready." Katara snapped. "No one cares that you're Ozai's son. You're trying to do the right thing now and that's what matters. I thought I could never forgive you but you've shown me you've changed. You've shown us all. So don't give up, okay. Your nation needs you, and you're not alone."

Zuko turned to look at her, a small sad smile slowly etching it self across his face. "You're right, Katara. Thank you."

A grin burst across her face as she hugged him. He returned the hug then sat back again, staring into the sky but this time a content smile adorned his face.

The soft brush of fabric trailing crisp grass drew both their attention. Mai dropped into a slight curtsey, at their attention. Katara couldn't help but grin at the silly smile that graced Zuko's face at the sight of his girlfriend. She pat his hand and stood to leave, exchanging small smiles with Mai. Walking away, Katara paused to look back and beamed at the sight of Mai and Zuko sitting together, just holding each other the way young lovers should. The thought of young love put a spring in her step as she pranced back down to the palace.

She was on her way to find Aang when she saw her father walking up the hall. Her face darkened as she still felt slightly annoyed that she was the only one who stood up for Zuko during the meeting. What the heck were all the white lotus and adults they'd worked with there for if not to help create the peace but first keeping the peace in these tiring meetings. She hurried after him, knowing she wouldn't be content until she'd talked to somebody.

"Dad!" She called out as she drew close. "Hey, what's your hurry?"

"Uh, Katara. I thought you were out with the other children." Hakoda responded, glancing up the hall then back at his daughter.

"Children? Dad, we're hardly children any more. I'm almost 16."

"Hmm, that is true, Katara. Was there something you wanted?" Hakoda asked. Katara frowned at the distracted look on his face.

"Dad is something going on?"

"I don't know Katara. This afternoon's meeting got really out of hand."

"Tell me about it." Katara snorted. "That's actually what I wanted to talk to you about too."

"Oh, what is it?"

"Well…why didn't you say anything? Why didn't anyone say anything? You know the general was wrong to attack Zuko like that. Someone should have stopped him. He does this everyday. Why do you guys even listen?"

"Katara…" Her dad started.

"No, it's not fair, you know it's not fair. He's trying dad."

"You're right, it's not fair, but it's also far more complicated than you can understand."

"How can you say that? All those things he said, they were just, they were just…"

"They were what everyone's been thinking, Katara!" Hakoda cut in as she struggled to find the right words. Katara gasped, her face a hurt, angry mask.

"What? Dad, that's completely…"
"True, Katara. It's true, when we leave the meetings it's what everyone whispers about. We all want this to work out but we all have our doubts."

"His dad and sister are locked up. They can't manipulate him any more. He'll be fine."

"Katara, it's just, it's just so hard to be sure. I believe you through and through. If you say he's a good guy, I trust your instincts but its not that easy to convince an entire council of scorned old men of that. They've all had some nasty dealings with the fire nation and plenty of them were led by Fire Lord Zuko, himself."

"But he's changed now. He stole mother's necklace and hunted Aang, and plenty of other stuff but we've moved on."

"Katara, most of their grievances are more serious than that. This isn't about a necklace or an extended game of hide and seek, this is about people's lives. People have been imprisoned, tortured, and even killed by the fire nation and that's quite a bit harder to let go."

"It wasn't a game of hide and seek. Our lives were on the line."

"Katara, please…"

"Please, what?"

"Can we…we'll talk about this later, okay? I have to go."

"Go where?"

"The council is meeting."

"But Zuko's not even back yet."

"I know that."

"But…"
"Katara, we've decided it might be best to finish these talks without you guys there. The others are bored out of their minds. As long as Zuko is there, the focus won't be peace but personal attacks and you're right he doesn't deserve to have to sit through it all. And you, well, you've got to stay here to perhaps avoid any more emotional outbursts."

"What? Emotional outbursts? I'm being kicked out because I'm the only one brave enough to stand up and say what's right."

"Katara, it's not…"

"Fine, whatever, I get it." Katara muttered, throwing up her hand in defeat. "Go have your meeting, I'm sure you guys will come to the right decision."

"I'm sorry, hon."

"No, it's fine." Katara sighed. "I trust you, dad. Sorry I lost my temper with you."

"It's fine Katara." Hakoda laughed. "In fact, you reminded me of your mother just now. Sometimes when the Southern Water Tribe would have meetings about the future of the tribe she would become passionately animated about some topic or other. I see so much of her in you with every passing day."

"Thanks dad."

"I'll see you later Katara and I promise I'll tell you everything as soon as it's over."

"Great." She smiled, hugging her dad. She watched him go, then resumed her happy thoughts with a deep breath. Maybe she could get Aang to go explore the city some more with her. She really was anxious to learn all the secrets and hidden beauty of the fire nation.

A/N: We're getting to plot, I promise. Now that the stage is all set and whatnot, we can get down to business. Thank you for all the reviews that have come in so far. They have been truly encouraging.