15 - Confessions

Zuko found Katara alone in the training arena after the funeral. Many of his men had wanted to talk to him after his announcement with ideas or to express their support. It was very late by the time he was able to break away and was surprised but pleased to find her still awake. He hesitated by the doorway. While he knew he needed to talk with her, and was really anxious to hear her thoughts he was nervous about what she might have to say.

She had left them, Aang and her brother to follow him, thier largest enemy at that time. He imagined she would be nervous to face them again at the same time happy to have the chance to reunite with her friends. His worst fear was she was most likely angry with him, for putting her in this situation. "Zuko," she called when she spotted him. No turning back now he thought as he mustered up the courage needed to walk forward. As he approached her he noticed what she was bent over. She was seated on the bench with utensils for writing strewn about. He also noticed she had done a bit more healing as well. She looked very tired, but was moving more fluidly. He was about to ask her what she was writing when she startled him by giving him a bright smile before racing over and jumping in his arms. He barely caught her he was so suprised. This had not been what he expected. She was acting like he had just declared that the war was over, there were no casualties, everyone loved each other and the world was perfect. He was expecting her to be crying or screaming at him. Despite his confusion, he certainty wasn't going to complain, he thought as he held her.

She happily squeezed him tighter before giving him a peck on the cheek. "I'm so proud of you," she exclaimed.

"Really?" he asked suprised.

"Zuko, that was amazing!" she continued. "Watching you up there, trying to do what is best for everyone, only for them to refuse to leave your side. I knew you could do it Zuko. I knew you would figure it out.."

"What do you mean?" he asked confused and instantly regretted asking because some of the enthusiasm faded from her face and she gave him a nervous look as she jumped down from his arms.

"Okay," she starts looking like she expects him to set her on fire right there. "I need to confess something to you. I want you know that I never meant to deceive you. But, it may come across that way at first. I just wanted it to be your decision, for you. Plus I know how stubborn you can be when you have your mind made up"

"What is it, Katara? What could you have done to make me believe you had betrayed me?" He tried his best to stay calm, but on the inside he was panicking. There was no one, aside from Iroh, he trusted as much. If she could betray him, he didn't see himself trusting anyone ever again. Horrible scenarios started playing in his mind. Thankfully Katara intrupted his beginning panic attack.

"Okay, calm down Zuko. Really, it's nothing bad. I'm just worried your going to over react," she told him. "Look, back when you first found out who I was, you found me at our campsite and asked me to join you." Zuko nodded telling her he remembered and to continue. "And I told you I would leave Aang and Sokka to join you and put my trust in your plan instead of the avatar. That wasn't actually what I did."

"What do you mean that's not what you did. I was there too Katara. I saw your decision. It was one of the best days of my life," he contradicted her.

"But, you didn't see what happened when I went back to camp to get my stuff. I didn't just leave. Zuko, didn't you ever wonder why they never showed up here thinking you had kidnapped me. They are very protective. If they thought I had been kidnapped they would have been here within the day," she told him. Zuko nodded remembering actually hoping for that in the beginning. "Or why as soon as I joined you, there was no sightings of Aang. Zuko, the night I left with you I woke Sokka and Aang up and talked to them. Sokka knew about you already. I had told him about you. And Aang was excited to hear about someone Fire Nation who wasn't trying to destroy the world, who was my friend. I told them of your plan and that I didn't agree with it or think it would work. I'm sorry," she intrupted him when he started to protest. "But, I know you realize it now too." He just glared at her in annoyance as she continued. "I told them that I believed that you would make a very powerful ally. You just needed some time to realize that we're all on the same side and stronger together. I'm sorry for the lie Zuko, but it had to be your choice. I knew you would get there. You just needed time."

Zuko knew she was right. But, his pride had been damaged and he felt manipulated."Is that who your writing to?" he asked gesturing to the supplies on the bench.

"Yeah," she replied. "We've been keeping in constant contact through pigeon letters. Just letting each other know our locations and progress. I was just about to write them about your revalation." She smiled at him as she went back to writing.

"How do you think they will react to what your telling them? Do you think they would even consider trusting me?" he asked her.

She laughed before replying. "Oh, if you knew Aang, you wouldn't be asking me that. He is going to be so excited. He already considers you a friend and can't wait to meet you," Zuko was stunned at that. He had been hunting this young boy since before he reappeared. How could he possible be excited to meet him. "That's Aang for you," Katara continued reading his face. "Grudges aren't really his thing. They've been keeping about a day to the west of us. Whats the name of the port we are stopping at? I can have them meet us there."

Still Slightly stunned Zuko tells her the name of the port they were heading towards. "It's not too far away. We should reach it by morning."

"Good, then we should have some time to do the repairs before they arrive," she replied. He just nodded in response. He wanted to be angry. Irrationally, he thought she should have told him from the beginning. But, he knew she was right. He wouldn't have gone along with it. "Will you finally let me heal your arm?" she asked him reaching out. It was hurting him, even if he refuse to admit it. And it certainly hadn't been his friend in that fight with the earth kingdom. But, it was late and he could tell she was tired already from healing more of her own wounds.

"No, your tired. It's been a long day and you shouldn't over exert yourself," he told her.

"I have plenty of enery," she said annoyed. "Now come and sit down here and remove your shirt," she order clearing away the writing supplies having finished her letter. Zuko rolled his eyes at her before complying with her demands. "You should have let me heal this sooner Zuko. This looks horrible." He knew it was. He could barely move his arm anymore. But, he refused to ask for help. He flinched when her hand first touched his skin. But, quickly relaxed as he began to feel the soothing effects of her healing. After too short a time he felt it begin to fade away and glanced at his arm. It wasn't fully healed, probably because it was an older injury. But, it was much better. He turned to thank her only to have to hold in his laugh. He was right about her being tired. She fought with herself for a moment before giving up and snuggling her body up against his side and closing her eyes. After that he did laugh. "I told you, you were too tired," he said. She responded with a grumble into his shoulder. "Maybe you should head to bed," he suggested. In response she just snuggled herself closer to him and mumbled. All he was able yo hear in all her mumbling wasswa something about warm. He rolled his eyes before picking her up and heading for her room. She did protest then, insisting she had to send the letter. "I can do that," he told her. She didn't fight anymore. Just wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head on his chest.