Disclaimer: Avatar the Last Airbender is created by Michael DiMartino & Brian Konzieko and owned by Nickelodeon.
Based on "The Southern Raiders" originally by Elizabeth Welch Ehasz.
"Previously on Avatar, Katara confessed her feelings for Zuko," said Avatar Roku.
Zuko stayed confused and decided it would be best to talk to Katara again. Then he could find out why she liked him and he could explain why she was wrong.
He went over to her tent and called out to her.
"What is it?" Katara asked.
"I want to talk to you," said Zuko.
Katara sighed then said, "Come in."
Zuko entered and sat down. "Why do you like me so much? It's not just because you healed me is it?" Zuko touched the left side of his face. Katara took the hand away from his face.
"No," said Katara. "I felt sorry for you at first. You seemed really confused and hurt. While I healed you, I could see what you had been through and I could tell you didn't want to talk about it. It was after you joined us. I've watched how you've cared for everyone in our group. I missed you when you were gone. I was surprised and happy when you confided in me about your mother."
Then it clicked. Zuko decided that it might be best to talk to Sokka about what happened to their mother.
"Thank you for telling me Katara," said Zuko. He got up and left.
Zuko walked over to Sokka's tent, but did not enter as he heard Sokka and Suki making out. He paced around until he heard Suki talking.
"Sokka, I think someone's outside the tent," said Suki.
Sokka got up and opened the front.
"Zuko?" Sokka said surprised.
"Yeah, there is something I wanted to talk to you about," said Zuko as he touched the back of his neck.
"Who was it?" Suki asked in the background.
"It's Zuko," Sokka told her. "I'll be right back."
Sokka and Zuko went over to the cliffs away from everyone else.
"What's on your mind?" Sokka asked.
"It's your sister. She said she likes me," said Zuko. Sokka was surprised; he knew Zuko and his sister got along, but didn't think they were that close. "She said it was because I opened up to her about my mother. She hasn't said what happened to hers, other than she was killed in a raid. I thought maybe if I knew what happened I could help her get closure. Then maybe her feelings would dissipate."
"It's not a day I like to remember," said Sokka as he looked at the ocean sadly. "Katara and I were having a snowball fight, when black snow fell. Katara went to find Mom, while I joined with the warriors. Many of the warriors had seen the black snow before and they knew what it meant. A Fire Nation raid. We were badly outnumbered. But somehow, we managed to drive them off. As quickly as they came, they just left. I was so relieved when it was over but, that's because I didn't know yet what had happened." He lowered his head and composed himself. "I didn't know we lost our mother."
"Can you remember any details about the soldiers who raided your village Like, what the lead ship looked like?" Zuko asked.
Sokka thought then answered, "Yeah... Sea Ravens. The main ship had flags with sea ravens on them.
"The symbol of The Southern Raiders. Thanks, Sokka," said Zuko.
"No problem," said Sokka. Then he headed back to his tent.
Zuko went back to Katara's tent, but it appeared that she had settled in for the night. He waited for her.
"You look terrible," Katara said as she rummaged through her bag for her comb. "Didn't you get any sleep?"
Zuko stood up and rubbed his eyes and said, "I waited out here all night."
Katara combed her hair and asked, "Why?"
"I know why you have those feelings and I know who killed your mother." Katara's eyes widened in shock and she stopped combing. "I'm going to help you find him."
Katara was shocked. She couldn't understand what Zuko was thinking but the thought of her mother's killer being out there brought back feelings of pain and suffering and anger. Then her expression became serious.
"Do you think finding him will make my feelings for you go away?" Katara asked upset.
"No, but it will give you closure," said Zuko.
Katara nodded.
To Be Continued...