A/N: I know there are some mixed feelings about Azula and how she should be treated after the movie but after watching "The Southern Raiders" episode I made my decision. When Zuko thought for even a moment his little sister wasn't going to make it, I saw genuine concern in his face and definitely heard it in his voice. So I feel that deep down inside, despite everything she had done to him, he still cared deeply about his sister (I mean come on she was a mind warped 14-year-old). His cold mask only came back up when she managed to save herself. Similarly, Katara had an awed shocked look on her face that told me even she still cared about the loss of a human life so while they wanted Azula off of their backs she wasn't exactly wishing her dead either. Thus, as much as they did or didn't hate Azula, I felt they probably wouldn't wish such a tormented mind on anyone because they had both learned forgiveness and compassion. That said, please try to enjoy the chapter, I promise it's not long and if you hate it, skip it. It doesn't really have anything of grave importance in it, it is just the first bonding type moment.

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Chapter 8

Bonding

Zuko stood in the doorway of the hospital wing's library, staring confusedly at Katara. He'd heard a loud crash from where he'd been reading and came out to investigate. What he saw left him somewhat confused and speechless. Katara was on her knees smiling off into space, a book sprawled not too far from her was probably the source of the noise but he was wondering what she was doing. He looked around the room trying to locate a reason for her to be smiling like that but found nothing. Then he looked at Katara again, this time taking in her appearance. She was in an incredibly lovely dress that hugged her figure quite pleasantly. Her face looked so serene with that smile on it but different with the makeup on. It wasn't a bad different, in fact it was really pretty but he had to admit he found her natural face to be most beautiful. He paused at the thought and then shrugged it off. There was no denying she was a beautiful girl and since this was his first time seeing her with her face made up in fire nation paints it wasn't strange that the thought had crossed his mind. He was still inspecting her face when he heard her sigh. The she looked up and her blue eyes locked on his gold. A brief flash of shock and panic swept across her face as she looked at him.

"What are you doing here?" She snapped, embarrassed.

"I was reading. What are you doing here?" Zuko returned, confused at her harsh tone.

"Uh….nothing." A blush flushed across her entire face as she looked away. Zuko raised an eyebrow but shrugged and headed back into the library. He was about to sit back down when he felt another presence.

"What are you doing in here?" He snapped this time.

"Following you." Katara offered, seeming very confused about her answer. It occurred to him that she hadn't planned to follow him but just did out of curiosity.

"Why are you following me?"

"I don't know. I wasn't really following you, per se, I just wanted to see what you were doing. Since it's probably a million time better than what I'm doing and a break would be nice." Katara smiled.

"Well, I already told you, I was reading." Zuko responded, trying to discreetly push the books he'd been going through out of her view.

"Yes, I heard you say that but what about? Searching for loopholes, because the minute you find one let me know so I can get out of this ridiculous get up." Katara laughed, trying to make light of the situation. He looked nonplussed.

"I've already looked for loopholes and uncle is still exploring other options." Zuko relaxed, scratching the back of his head. "I think the Earth Kingdom had kind of accepted the whole idea though mostly to avoid having to sit through any more meetings."

"Makes since." Katara sighed wistfully as she took a seat at the table across from where Zuko had been sitting.

"You seem less upset today?"

"I don't know. I'm not happy about it but it's not the worst possible fate on the planet, right? And what's the use of complaining to you, you're stuck in this situation too. It's a difficult situation for both of us and I think it is irresponsible of the council to do this because they're destroying relationships but what can we do?" Katara shrugged. He stared at her like she was crazy.

"Are you feeling alright? It's not like you to sound so defeated."

"No, I think I'm a little crazy, not defeated, just completely overwhelmed. Being woken up 'with the sun' and subjected to a long day of hair make-up, and all the things I should have known if I was a fire nation girl has made me a little flustered and confused. And despite how irritating it was I almost want to laugh now. It's nothing like you imagine it to be as a child."

"Imagine what to be?"

"Being a princess. It's supposed to being about the pretty dresses and fancy balls but you don't ever think about all the crazy background stuff."

He looked at her blankly.

"I wouldn't know." He finally shrugged.

"I suppose you wouldn't." Katara laughed. "It would be kind of ridiculous for you to imagine being a princess and equally stupid to imagine being a prince since you were in fact a prince."

"Should I get your father or brother?" Zuko asked. He was slightly worried about how relaxed Katara suddenly seemed to be. It wasn't a bad thing but it was incredibly strange considering their circumstances.

"No." Katara shook her head. "Sorry, I'm acting weird. I think I'm just relieved to be having a normal moment, you know. It's only been a day but it was crazy."

He smiled at her. "I think I know what you mean. All those times you sat around listening to me go on and on about the coronation were some of the best moments to me. With all the different people crowding me all day long it just felt so nice to be around a friendly undemanding face that there was very little left to be upset about."

"Exactly!" Katara exclaimed. "I'm sure the reality of my life will hit me any minute now and I'll go back to my conflicted self."

Zuko laughed. It was strange, but he understood. He watched her tip her head back and just smile. He imagined she was probably reminiscing about a similar time when life was just simple fun, hanging out with her friends.

-

Katara couldn't help the smile that crossed her face when he laughed. He looked like a boy when he laughed and she decided he needed to laugh more often. 'His mother probably loved his laugh.' She tipped her head back trying to imagine Zuko as a little boy, playing with his mother. She'd managed to come up with a rather amusing and terribly cute image that brought a silly smile to her face. And then a saddened shadow. 'He must have been devastated when she disappeared.' She lowered her eyes to the table, and a couple of books caught her attention. She frowned tilting her head to read the titles and realized they were all psychology books and tomes about mental health. 'Why is he…No, he wouldn't…Would he?'

"Um, Zuko?"

"Katara…"

They'd both spoken at the same time, him to inquire about her sudden change in expression, her about the books. They both waited for the other to begin.

"Go ahead." They both said and then blushed, sharing a chuckle. They returned to silence staring at each other once again waiting for the other to speak. Katara looked around the room and when Zuko still said nothing she finally couldn't resist her question.

"What are all these books for? Are you planning to help Azula?" She'd meant to have more tact and beat around the bush a little bit but her curiosity got the better of her. Zuko flushed immediately and looked both embarrassed and guilty at the same time.

"I, uh…well…" He tried to come up with a good explanation that didn't involve Azula, none came to mind.

"Why?" Katara asked in disbelief.

"Because she's my sister." Zuko sighed not feeling like lying. "I know it doesn't make sense. I'm not even sure why I'm doing it because she doesn't deserve it but I still feel like it's partially my fault. I can't just abandon her, again."

"If the positions were reversed she'd abandon you."

"I know that. But aren't I just as bad as her if I stoop to her level and act like that?"

"You aren't stooping to any level, everyone would understand. She tried to KILL you, on several occasions."

"I know."

"Then why?"

He shrugged and struggled to find a good explanation but nothing came. "I just feel sorry for her, you know? She may have done some terrible things but she's my sister and she only ended up the way she did because of my father. If I'm going to right his wrongs, I'm going to right all of them and that includes helping my sister in any way I can."

Katara considered this for a moment. Would she do the same thing in his position? She tried to imagine herself and Sokka fighting like that but she just couldn't picture it. She didn't understand how family members could fight like that…maybe Zuko didn't either. Maybe that was why he was trying to help his sister. She smiled as she looked at him, he really did have a good heart.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Because, you really are such a sweet guy." She cooed.

He gave her a somewhat scared look, which caused her to laugh.

"I know that was weird and creepy." She laughed.

"Agreed."

"I'll refrain from anymore weird one sided bonding moments."

"We were bonding?"

"I don't know, seemed like it."

He didn't say anything, just picked up the book he'd been on when she'd interrupted him some time ago by dropping her book. She watched him for a moment.

"Can I help you?"

"Help me what?"

"I don't know." She shrugged. "Research or something."
"You know this is to help Azula, right?"

"Yes, maybe we can be best friends when she gets her mind back together." Katara clasped her hands together and gave a mock starry-eyed look at the possibility. Zuko snorted with laughter and they both dissolved into pleasant chuckles.

"Okay, now I'm being serious." Katara said with a genuine smile. "Do you want any help? Two minds think better than one so I'm sure that extends to research as well."

"Be my guest." Zuko gave a grand sweep of his hand indicating all the books he'd pulled off the shelves. He watched her root through books trying to find an interesting one and when she'd finally settled on a title he said in a much quieter voice. "Thank you, Katara. I know it doesn't make sense but it means a lot to me."

"If it were Sokka, not that I could ever imagine us trying to kill each other, but if it were…I wouldn't give up on him either."

Zuko was silent as he watched her read for a moment. He'd always known Katara was honorable but her compassion and understanding in this moment had instilled a newfound respect for her in him. He had understood why they chose Katara but this moment made it even clearer. Despite everything Azula had done to them, she was still a human being whom they would rather fight to the death than watch suffer so helplessly. He had thought it his task alone but these girl sitting here with him now, she had surprised him. She let him know, he wasn't alone in this, any of it.

A/N: I promise Katara will be back to her fiery self soon enough. I'm getting tired of these softer submissive moments too.