I want to say now that this topic was incredibly hard to fill. It was difficult to find the next step of the story, and how it would fit in with harmony. Eventually I had to look it up in the dictionary for some inspiration, and so this chapter was born. Enjoy.

I also want to apologize if it sounds cheesy. Just, let me know what you think

p.s. my keyboard is acting strange, so please forgive any strange misspellings. The keys aren't registering every time I hit them.


Chapter 16: Zutara week, Harmony

Harmony is a matter of agreement, when two parties find themselves locked together, with the same interest in heart, following the same path. Pleasing as it sounds, harmony is not always pleasant or desired.

"Hey honey," One of the attending Kyoshi warriors guided her into the room, resting a warm hand on Azula's shoulder, "Lady Katara's here to see you." Azula looked up from her usual seat by the window and instantly Katara saw the difference in her face. Almost all the frailty was gone from the porcelain features; her golden eyes no longer seemed afraid, her small hands weren't shaking or clutching at air.

Unfortunately the strength ended there, and Katara knew it as soon as Azula spoke, "Mom?"

It took strength from within Katara's heart to just smile, snapping would do no good, the girl would forget it a few minutes later. "No, Katara, remember?"

"Oh…" Azula looked down, clearly bothered by the void which sat in her mind. Even though it hurt Katara knew that was progress, it meant that something inside was finally working.

Silently Katara took a deep breath, it was time to give the speech which she had known by heart now. Every week she visited she had to give the same speech, every time she had to recite her mission, over and over in hopes that someday she wouldn't need to, "Azula, I'm Katara, I'm your brother's healer here to help you."

"Zuko?" her eyes lit up upon his name, sparking true recognition.

"Yes honey, Zuko, he wants me to help you." Katara walked over, beside the patient, "How comfortable are you?"

"I like it here." Upon the surface, her answer seemed useless, a typical generic answer, but to the trained ear Katara was able to recognize the response aimed at her, somewhere inside Azula knew what was going to happen next.

Brushing the baby-fine hair back, over Azula's shoulder, Katara pulled her element around her hands, the liquid glowing blue with the healing energy which resonated inside her. "Close your eyes." Her voice was barely above a whisper, gently caressing the silence.

The instant contact was made both girls inhaled sharply as their physical and mental worlds connected to create one sentient being. Whatever Azula felt, Katara felt. Whatever strength Katara held belonged to Azula. For a moment, the lines separating the two beings blurred, almost erasing completely. It was this connection which allowed the magic to begin, but the fight was much more, so much more. Together they both had to fight, for if either of them, for a single second gave in to the darkness, hope would be lost and death would be the victor.

But that couldn't happen, so long as Katara was linked with another soul, she would never give up, never allowing her participant to fail.

Little had changed since the last visit, a thick slimy darkness oozed into almost every corner of Azula's sweet mind, suffocating the purity that resided there. Initially, Katara had tried to cut pieces away from the soft tissue, forcing its grasp to be loosened. The visit had been successful enough at first, but when Katara returned the next week she'd been shocked to see the darkness had spread almost completely back to where it had been the week before, only mere fragments of her success remained. But Katara remembered, she couldn't give up hope, she had to hold what slivers were left.

But this week, the slime had receded from the week before meaning Azula's mind was working on its own, continuing its work after Katara left.

Azula.A quiet whisper of Katara's voice fluttered through their minds. The first time Katara witnessed this she'd almost withdrawn completely from Azula's mind. It was her quiet voice which had pulled the use from their connection. The sound had been little more of a whimper of fear, begging to be set free, begging Katara for help, which she answered instantly.

Yes?It amazed Katara what she found here, when they were linked, together working at the slime. Some corner had been left untouched, unscathed from a lifetime of torment.

You've been busy, part of the mess is better from last time.

Yes. I've been working hard. Katara didn't quite understand how it worked, but in here, when their minds were linked it was like getting a pure glimpse into the other's soul. It was a place where every emotion and every thought that ever passed sat. In a way, through these "conversations" Katara felt like she knew Azula better then she even knew herself.

I see that.

Katara?

Yes? Her responses were automatic, her own consciousness responding.

You are… troubled? What's wrong?

Both bodies sighed as Katara exhaled, it's your brother…Mai.

What about them? Katara could swear she felt the curiosity drifting through them like a warm breeze.

Against her will the memory filled her mind, allowing the other girl to witness it like she had.

Without even skipping a beat Azula answered resolutely. He loves you.

I don't know that.

I do. Memories filled Katara's mind. Instantaneously, and simultaneously memories of Zuko filled her mind. Some were of how him and Mai interacted, how they seemed so stiff together, they were all Azula's memories. Other scenes Katara witnessed were of Zuko and herself, most of them from battles Azula had been a part of. Some muddled, foggy memories were recently, of their visits to her, but those ones were so hard to see, like looking through muddy water, or smoky air. It amazed Katara that somehow, the important part of Azula's mind had stayed protected from the slime that touched her. It was just a matter of time before Katara opened her mind back to reality, to the real world. Do you see how he looks at you versus how he looks at her? He loves you…

Katara didn't know what to feel, she wanted to believe what she saw but her heart was so full of uncertainty. Why? How could he?

Answering her emotions, Azula's whispery voice filled her mind. Talk to him. I know he'll tell you. A moment later the soft voice spoke again. No more… I can't—done today. That was how all their sessions ended, Azula's strength could only stretch so far until she needed rest. At the end her voice always sounded so tired, exhausted. Taking a final assessment, Katara withdrew from her counterpart's mind, releasing her glowing glove back to its bowl on the table. Progress had been made and that was important, she would return next week, and more progress would be made.

Upon pulling apart both girls exhaled softly as they sank back into their skin. A smile spread across her cheeks as Katara watched Azula reach a small hand to her eyes, rubbing tiredly. She knew firsthand how exhausting the process was, but she was working so hard and for that Katara was proud.

It hurt though, everything that happened inside their minds wasn't real. It was real there, but outside here, where everyone else resided, Azula couldn't remember. They hadn't found the link that connected here and there, some days Katara doubted they'd ever reach that point, but she had to have faith.

"Alright honey, I'll be back next week." Silence met her as usual. Some day… some day for sure she'd make the girl whole again.

"Goodbye Katara…" It stopped her dead just before she left the room. A tear slid silently down her cheek. It was the first time she'd used her name, first time she'd recognized her. With a tearful smile, Katara turned to the doll-like girl.

"Goodbye Azula." Smiles were exchanged. A touch of life sat behind Azula, even though it was significantly small, it was there.

Katara cried the whole walk home. Tears of relief and hurt escaped with each step, but each inch closer to home made her feel better. Azula was right, she would go, she'd talk to Zuko and let herself feel at ease. She knew he'd explain, as much as the answer could hurt, she knew he'd explain.

Zuko knew he had no right sitting here, but he hoped she would listen, he hoped she wouldn't run. A servant had told him Katara never returned to bed, but that she was seen this morning heading to Azula. She would come back, she had to. The thought of living without her hurt more then he could stand, then he even wanted to imagine. There was no way he was going to let her slide through his fingers, again. But would she believe him? The more he thought about it, the more far fetched it all sounded, the more unrealistic it seemed. Mai just couldn't get it through that they were over, that she had been the one who ended it.

Last night she came to him, to hi room even, to rant and rave about how he never called on her anymore. That he was neglecting her as a wife. She expressed to him over and over how strange it was that they didn't live together but no mater how many times he told her, she stayed in denial. For some strange, unseen reason she'd threatened to leave him last night. After everything Mai threatened to leave him, again! The memory wanted to make him laugh.

"Zuko, if you don't start acting like you care about this relationship, I'm going to leave! And you'll be sorry to have me gone."

It had all been funny until Katara knocked. He told Mai not to go, not to answer it but of course she didn't listen. "Zuko, your water tribe whore came calling for you. I don't think she was happy to see me." The disgusting grin had been plastered on her face, her features reeking of smug satisfaction. "I want her to go away Zuko."

He couldn't help it, it was at that moment that his temper was lost and his room ruined. Pure fire and heat leaked off his skin in sweltering waves. He told Mai everything he wanted to tell Katara, everything that sat in his heart for her, everything he wanted her to know. Then he'd told her to leave, told her he never wanted to see her again. Hell had been unleashed after she left, his room was engulfed in a pure hot flame which originated from the core of his being. It would take quite a long time for the damages to be repaired. Hatred oozed from his being as he scowled at the wall across from Katara's door. If this couldn't be fixed he would… He could never forgive anyone, this had to get better… it just had to.

His keen ears picked the gentle tapping of Katara's light feet against the marble. Her eyes glazed over with an intensity he couldn't read.

Shyly he'd stood to greet her, his gaze directed towards the ground, "Hey."

"Hi." Her words were as quiet and painful as his felt. They both knew this wouldn't be easy, but they wouldn't give up… couldn't.