Chapter 17: Sleep

Katara walked through the underbrush, following in the general direction in which Zuko had walked off. Her thoughts were a whirlwind of concern for him and frustration at Sokka's stubbornness. As she moved quietly among the trees, lost in thought. She was not entirely sure why she was going after him. Perhaps it was her innate sense of compassion, or maybe it was a growing understanding of the internal struggle Zuko was faced with.

Zuko's voice to her left caught her off guard, making her jump slightly, her heart racing, before turning to face him. "I apologize for walking off without permission." He stated flatly. "What shall my punishment be?"

Katara blinked, taken aback by his stoic demeanor. She realized he had not wandered off nearly as far as she had thought. Glancing behind her, she could still even see Appa through the trees, a comforting sight.

"Why do you always think I am coming to give you a punishment?" She asked, genuinely curious.

Zuko's response was simple and tinged with a hint of self-deprecation. "Just my luck, I guess."

Katara could not help but feel a twinge of sympathy for him. Her concern for him was evident in her furrowed brow and the gentle way she regarded him. She could not deny that his unexpected outburst during the argument had rattled her, but she understood that like her brother, Zuko had a past and was carrying a complex mix of emotions and experiences.

Taking a step closer to him, she spoke softly, "Zuko, you don't always have to expect punishment or judgment. Not from me anyway. We are trying to move forward right, to work together. Trust each other."

"Why did you follow me?" Zuko asked, his gaze locked onto hers.

"To talk," She sighed. "Sokka can be… stubborn, but he means well in his own way. Which does not necessarily mean I am condoning his behavior."

Zuko's gaze remained fixed on her, his amber eyes searching for something in her expression. "I know it is not easy for you," Katara continued, "being caught between your loyalty to your nation and to me because of the life debt. But I have seen glances of the person you can become. I mean you did save me at the military base."

He did not respond immediately, his silence hanging heavy in the air. Katara could see the internal struggle within him, the battle between his past and his present. She knew it would not be resolved with a single conversation, but she hoped to plant a seed of understanding and trust. Finally, Zuko nodded slightly, a subtle acknowledgment of her words.

"Sokka will come around eventually." She reassured him. "He just needs to grieve and process. But, I am sorry that he is taking it out on you."

Zuko gave another slight nod of acknowledgment, casting his gaze down to the forest floor. As Katara silently observed him in the dappled shade of the forest, she could not help but notice the toll recent events had taken on him. His usually intense, amber eyes, which held a certain fiery determination, now seemed dulled. The spark that was so characteristic of him had dimmed, replaced by a weariness that spoke of sleepless nights and endless internal battles. There were shadows blooming beneath his eyes, betraying the restless nights he was enduring.

The perpetual tension that had always gripped his frame was even more pronounced. Every muscle seemed to be wound tight, as though the argument with Sokka had sapped what little energy he had left. Even in repose, he appeared ready for a fight, a testament to the constant vigilance he had to maintain.

Reaching out a hand she rested it on his shoulder, a gesture of comfort and understanding. She wanted him to know that he was not alone in this struggle, that she was there for him, even if it took time for everyone to fully accept it. But she did not miss the small flinch her touch elicited from him. It was a reminder of the countless times he might have been burned – physically and emotionally – by the actions of others. The scars ran deep, she realized, etched not only on his body but in the very core of his being. Hesitantly she removed her hand.

Her own guilt gnawed at her. She knew that she had played a part in some of his recent scars, especially the ones that ran deep within his being. It was a complex situation, and she found herself wishing she could do more to ease his suffering.

"I'm sorry," she repeated in a whisper, her voice filled with genuine concern as she voiced her worry. "You look exhausted. Are you… sleeping alright?"

Zuko remained silent, his gaze remaining locked on the ground before him as if he were lost in a world of his own thoughts and regrets. Katara could not help but feel a pang of worry for him.

"Please tell me," She urged gently, crouching down in front of him in an attempt to capture his gaze. She wanted to understand what he was going through, to offer him some solace in this difficult journey. But he had to be willing to open up. Taking a deep breath, she tried again, keeping her voice soft and reassuring. "Zuko, you do not have to go through all this by yourself. I am here for you, but you need to let me in."

Zuko's shoulders tensed, but he did not look up. And Katara struggled to find a way to get him to open up just a little without it sounding like an order from her.

"Please," she coaxed gently, searching through her memories. "Just as you swore to me that in my moments of weakness or vulnerability, you would be my strength. I will be yours. And you swore to listen to my fears and concerns. And I will do the same for you. Your well-being is my top priority."

Zuko's gaze rose to her face, searching. And she waited in silence, giving him the space, he needed to make a choice – to keep his walls up or let her in.

Zuko's gaze remained locked onto Katara's as her words hung in the air, carrying the weight of the life debt between them. At that moment, he felt the sincerity in her words and the depth of her commitment. It was a stark contrast to the life he had known in the Fire Nation, where trust and vulnerability were often seen as weaknesses.

As he continued to search her eyes, he realized that Katara was offering him something he had rarely experienced – unconditional support and understanding, qualities he had only encountered in two people during his short life. The walls he had built around himself began to waver, a defense forged from years of pain and betrayal after losing his mother, which had led him to misuse the support of his uncle. But it was a daunting prospect to let someone in, to share the darkness he had carried for so long.

Yet, in Katara's eyes, he saw something he had not expected – patience and genuine concern. She was not pushing him to reveal his innermost thoughts and fears, or using the power she possessed to force him to reveal his secrets. Instead, she was simply extending a figurative hand, assuring him that she would be there when he was ready.

With a deep breath, Zuko finally spoke, his voice tinged with a vulnerability he had not felt since that night not so long ago in her room, after he had sworn the life debt, "I… I have not been sleeping well," he admitted, the weight of his exhaustion evident in his words. It was a small step but it was a step toward the trust he had longed for in another being.

Katara held his gaze with a warm and understanding expression, her eyes reflecting the empathy she felt for him. She knew that admitting vulnerability was never easy, especially for someone like Zuko, who had grown up in a world that seemed to always demand strength and resilience.

"Thank you," she said softly, her voice filled with genuine gratitude. "I can only imagine the nightmares you have been having."

"They're… intense," he admitted, not divulging any additional information.

"You don't have to face them alone," Katara assured him, her hand gently resting on his shoulder again, noticing this time the touch did not elicit a flinch from him. "I am here when you need me."

"Thank you, Katara," he whispered, his voice filled with sincerity.

"KATARA!" Sokka's voice carried through the trees to them, causing Zuko to stiffen.

With a sigh, she rose to her feet. "Come, let's go back. It has been a long day and the sun is already high." She stated turning her gaze to the treetops. "No doubt he is wondering when lunch will be ready."

"Can I stay here for a while longer?" Zuko asked her.

She glanced back to him her head tilting to the side in question, but ultimately relented. "Okay, I will call you when lunch is ready."

As Katara made her way back to the clearing, she could hear Sokka and Aang discussing possible scenarios they might run into inside the city. Her thoughts, however, remained within the forest. The rhythmic motions of slicing and dicing as she prepared lunch allowed her mind to wander. And as the scent of cooking food began to waft through the clearing, she called out for Zuko to join them. Startled when he appeared suddenly beside her, almost dropping the bowl of food in her hand. His presence was like a whisper, a shadow that materialized without warning.

She turned to face him, noticing the weariness etched on his face, but also a glimmer of something else, something she had not seen before. But before she could question it further, it was gone from his gaze as he accepted the bowl from her hands.

"Thank you, Katara." He said simply, moving to sit atop a fallen log.

Sokka and Aang took their bowls from her with a thank you and sat down. As they all ate in silence, Katara could not help but steal glances at Zuko. There was something different, something that piqued her curiosity, and she could not stop wondering what he was thinking, what was going through his mind. But she had resolved not to push, to let him come to her on his own. Trust had to be earned, not forced her Gran-Gran had once told her.

"I'm sorry."

The voice broke through the silence, startling her from her thoughts. And Katara's gaze snapped to her brother. He was staring at Zuko, the two eyeing each other in quiet resolve. Zuko remained silent but nodded his head in acknowledgment before returning to his meal. Sokka's gaze slid to Katara's holding silently for a moment before returning to his own meal.

It was a step, a small step, towards understanding and acceptance she hoped, but they were far from reconciliation. She had begun to realize that they both had wounds that ran deep, and she wished she had fully noticed the depth of Sokka's feelings sooner.

As they finished their meal, Zuko glanced up at Sokka, breaking the silence once more. "I appreciate your apology," he said quietly, his voice carrying a hint of sincerity. "And I understand your anger. I am sorry as well."

Sokka did not say anything in response. The apology hung in the air, accepted but not fully acknowledged. After a moment he nodded his head, then exclaimed to them all, "I am gonna take a nap, rest up for tonight's mission." And climbed up into Appa's saddle.

Katara busied herself with cleaning up, using her bending to wash out the cooking pot and their bowls before packing them away again. Finished with her task she looked to find Aang sitting up a tree playing with Momo. She could hear Sokka snoring from the saddle. She turned to Zuko, finding him gazing off into the distance, lost in thought.

Approaching him quietly, Katara settled down beside him on the log. "You okay?" she asked softly, her eyes filled with concern.

Zuko glanced at her, and for a moment, she thought he might deflect the question as he often did. But then he sighed, his shoulders slumping a little. "I'm just… tired," he admitted, his voice carrying the weight of his exhaustion.

Katara nodded in understanding, waiting for him to continue. But as the silence continued, she decided on another tactic. "How about a healing session?" she asked, gaining his attention.

"What?" his confusion was evident as he turned to her.

"Just a healing session," she repeated. "Help you relax and calm your mind."

Zuko hesitated for a moment, uncertainty in his eyes, "I appreciate the offer," he said quietly. "But I don't-"

"Oh come on Zuko and let me help," she interrupted. "You need rest, how many days has it been now?"

"Umm," Zuko stumbled, clearly uncomfortable. "They didn't really let me sleep." He confided.

Katara's heart sank further, "then you need this," she insisted, her tone gentle but firm. Taking his arm and leading him into the forest. Leading him in the direction of the pool of water she could sense.

The forest around them was a lush and vibrant tapestry of life. Towering trees with thick canopies created a natural cathedral, their branches interlocking to form a protective embrace over the forest floor. Shafts of streaked sunlight filtered through the leaves, creating a mesmerizing play of light and shadow on the forest floor.

As Katara led Zuko deeper into the woods, she marveled at the serene sounds that enveloped them. The soft rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze, the chirping of birds hidden among the branches, and the distant murmur of the babbling brook that called to her. Untouched and marred by the war that consumed their lives.

Eventually, they reached a small clearing adorned with a crystal-clear pool of water. The pool was nestled beneath the canopy of trees, creating a serene and secluded oasis. It seemed like a place untouched by time, where the natural world thrived in harmony.

The pool itself was a work of art, reflecting the vivid greenery and clear blue sky like a perfect mirror. It was fed by a gentle stream that meandered through the forest, its waters pristine and inviting. Small, delicate water lilies floated on the surface, adding a touch of ethereal beauty to the scene.

The trees surrounding the pool stood like sentinels, their gnarled roots forming natural seats and their branches providing shelter from the sun. Moss-covered rocks bordered the pool, creating a sense of unity between the water and the land.

Katara guided Zuko to the edge of the pool, the coolness of the earth beneath their feet a stark contrast to the warmth of the day. It was a place of quiet reflection, a sanctuary where the troubles of the world could be momentarily forgotten. She decided that she could probably stay here for days if they were not trying to stop a war. But it was perfect she thought, for what she was trying to accomplish.

"Lay down please." Katara gestured to the ground, sinking down to her knees herself.

Zuko hesitated, glancing around as though she was talking to someone else. And she remained patient, her eyes fixed on him, waiting for him to make a decision. Sighing he laid down where she indicated stretching out on his back. Removing a key from around her neck she unlocked the shackles around his wrists. His arms felt overly light, having grown accustomed to their added weight.

He watched wearily as she reached for the water. She dipped her hand into the pool, her fingers moving with a practiced ease. Her actions were deliberate, as though she was crafting a delicate piece of art. From the surface of the pool, she conjured a small amount of water, allowing it to hover in the air before her.

The sight was mesmerizing. Zuko found himself captivated by the way she controlled the element, her bending skills so fluid and precise. The water, in response to her command, transformed into a shimmering ribbon of liquid. It glinted in as it passed through the sunlight filtering through the trees as she called the water closer.

Zuko lowered his arms to his sides, his posture remained tense, much like a coiled spring on the brink of release. Every muscle in his body seemed primed for action, ready to respond at a moment's notice, as if he expected her actions to suddenly turn hostile. It was a deeply ingrained reaction, a result of years spent in a world where dangers could lurk around every corner, and he never knew who to trust.

His eyes remained locked on Katara, tracing her every movement with a wary intensity. Though her intentions were clear, a part of him could not help but brace for the worst as the water drew nearer. And as the cool water touched his skin he was transported back to the chair and reacted. It was a more instinctual need to protect himself, a survival mechanism that had served him well during these past few years. It was as though his body had a mind of its own, responding to perceived threats with lightning-fast reflexes.

With one arm raised defensively before him, and the other poised to strike, Zuko stared across the clearing at Katara. His eyes, still tinged with wariness, were fixed firmly on her. Despite the fact that Katara's intentions were clear and benevolent, Zuko's body had responded automatically, caught in a momentary flashback to a time when water had been used against him in a much more hostile manner.

Katara stared back at him, confusion and hurt etched across her face. The realization of his reaction, his unwarranted defense against her, crashed over him like a tidal wave. In that brief moment, he had allowed the shadows of his past to dictate his actions, and he had almost hurt someone who had been trying to show him nothing but kindness.

Regret and shame washed over Zuko as he quickly dropped to his knees, his posture no longer that of a coiled spring but of a broken man who had lost control. He bowed his head, unable to meet Katara's gaze, and his voice trembled with remorse as he whispered, "I am sorry, Katara. I didn't mean… I didn't want to… It's…" He was struggling to find the right words to explain.

"It's okay Zuko," Katara said gently.

Zuko looked up at Katar, his eyes filled with a mix of gratitude and despair. He had expected anger or disappointment, but her gentle response surprised him. "I… It's just that… water…" he stammered, his voice trailing off. Words failed him as he tried to express the irrational fear that still lingered from his time below the military base.

Katara nodded, her expression softening with understanding. "I get it, Zuko. You have been through things in life that I cannot begin to understand. And I do not expect you to tell me about them until you are ready."

Zuko nodded, a strange sense of relief washing over him.

"Let's try something else," Katara suggested, letting the ribbon of water slip from her grasp and fall back into the pool. She patted the ground beside her as she turned to face the pool, crossing her legs.

As Zuko settled beside Katara, he felt a sense of anticipation mixed with a touch of trepidation.

Katara, sensing his mixed emotions, offered him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Zuko. No more water, except maybe to look at. But let's try some meditation and breathing exercises to help you relax."

He sighed, "I have already tried-"

"Follow along," Katara cut him off gently. With a calm and encouraging demeanor, Katara began the session. "Focus on your breathing," she advised. "inhale deeply through your nose, counting to four, and then exhale slowly through your mouth counting to six."

Zuko followed her instructions, his initial tension gradually giving way to a sense of calm as he concentrated on his breath. Katara's soothing voice-guided him through each breath.

"Good," she exclaimed after a few repetitions. "Now, I want you to start by picking a rock in the stream, one that has water flowing over it. And I want you to concentrate on that rock as you breathe. Familiarize it, picture the smooth surface beneath the water. Then picture the water flowing over it, around it, under it. How the water moves gently flowing."

Closing his eyes, Katara's soothing voice guided him through visualizations, as time seemed to slip away. Her words carried Zuko into a state of deep relaxation. Her voice, the sound of a gentle breeze, and the distant rustling of leaves became his entire world. Gradually, the rhythm of his breathing became slower and more even.

Unbeknownst to Zuko, the serene atmosphere and Katara's gentle guidance had lulled him into a peaceful slumber. His head dropped forward, and he drifted into a calm, dreamless sleep.

As Katara watched over Zuko, her attention shifted to the water before her. With gentle and precise movements, she began to manipulate it, creating a mesmerizing dance of liquid in the small pool. Her waterbending was fluid and graceful, a testament to her skill and control.

Katara kept a keen eye on the position of the sun as it continued its slow journey across the sky, ensuring that their restorative pause would not stretch too long. She, Sokka, and Aang were to set out at dusk to approach the wall of the city, hopefully undetected.

So as the sun dipped down towards the horizon, casting long shadows in the forest around her Katara figured she had waited as long as she could. With a final, graceful flourish she redirected the water back into the pool. The forest fell quiet around them, save for the occasional chirping of birds. She turned her attention back to Zuko, hoping that this brief respite had brought him some much-needed peace.

Placing a hand on Zuko's shoulder she shook him gently, hoping not to startle him awake. "Zuko," she stated with another shake. "We need to get back."

His eyes blinked open gradually, adjusting to the return of consciousness. His amber eyes, still heavy with sleep, focused on Katara. For a moment, he seemed disoriented, unsure of his surroundings. Then, a realization swept over him, and he pushed himself up into a standing position, rubbing his eyes as if trying to shake off the last remnants of sleep.

"Sorry." He started with a yawn, trying to discreetly stretch.

"It's fine Zuko." Katara reasoned. "You needed it, I just wish I could have let you sleep longer. But we need to head back. Sokka, Aang, and I should be leaving shortly."

"Thank you," Zuko replied softly.

In response, Katara gave him a warm, small smile, "You're welcome, Zuko."

With a nod of acknowledgment, Zuko shifted extending his arms out to her awaiting the feel of the cold metal clasped around his wrist. With a sigh, she locked the shackles in place. And he moved to follow her as they made their way back through the forest.