Zuko POV

Life back home was nothing like I expected. As the days went by I continued to regret my decision. Azula plots, my father ignores, and my uncle rots in a cell he doesn't deserve. I hate this place, I hate the Fire Nation.

The only person bearable in this wretched place was Mai, my girlfriend. It was nice to pretend to pick up where we left off as kids and play the role of a Prince and a noblewoman. We were both following the paths of our predetermined destinies. I know that's not what she wants every time she looks at Ty Lee. She fucks me nonetheless. We take our anger and frustration out on each other in private and disclose some of our deepest secrets.

"I miss the person I was as a banished prince," I whisper into her ear as I untie the robes from her body.

"I'm afraid to seek my own happiness," she drawls with more emotion than I had heard from her in a while.

These nights with her I learned why she hates the color orange, she prefers pink, but will never show it.

Mai was strong, secretly passionate, nuanced, and regal. She showed too much restraint. I needed someone ready to come ablaze at a moment's notice. I spent my days in the palace missing her.

I spent most of my time by the pond feeding the turtle-ducks. I would sit at the edge missing my mother, longing for her advice. Uncle had apparently gone mute and senile, my confidant was lost behind bars. Until the secret of my heritage was exposed and he finally spoke. My opportunity to choose again was presenting itself.

The day of Black Sun had arrived and I was certain of my decision. I was to confront my father, free my uncle, and unite with the Avatar to teach him fire bending. The old kook freed himself. No one could hold The Dragon of the West for long. I set off on my journey alone, following them in secret to the Western Air Temple.

I spent my days in the shadows. After a loss like the one they had taken, it was going to be even harder for me to earn their trust. They were scorned and recuperating. The last thing they needed was another threat. So I waited and bided my time. Watching them watching her.

She cooked all the meals, did all the laundry, and still managed to find time in the day to continue the Avatar's training. The only moments I could watch her alone were in the mornings. I guess I wasn't the only one who rose with the sun. She'd wake and sling her feet over the ledge breathing Agni in as it crept over the horizon. I'd watch the steady rise and fall of her chest while meditating, and I'd contemplate the arch of her brow as if she was trying to hold a vision. She'd lick her lips and chew on the inside of her cheek as her hair, now free of her braid blew in the wind. Even these small movements were a vision of ecstasy. My water bender was all grown up. I had to get close to her again. Refocus her attention in any way I can. Before that guy with the mustache gets to her.

So here I am practicing my redemption speech to a badger-frog, hoping team Avatar gives me a chance.

"I think it's time I joined your group, and taught the Avatar fire bending."

All the fucker could do was croak.

I marched onto the platform hoping Appa would give me a little bit of cover. The earthbender beat me to it.

"Hello, Zuko here," I knew I would never live this moment down.

I couldn't help but give a small smile when I saw her. Now closer I can see how much she had changed. She was taller and more womanly. Her hair was not just free from its braid but flowed wildly behind her at any sudden movement. Her features sharpened, and her body appeared physically stronger but that ice in her eyes when she looked at me never changed. I didn't realize how much I missed it. Hopefully, I won't lose all of that expression when she realizes I've changed.

I was flopping this speech but there was a moment I saw her eyes widen. The hope she held for me in Ba Sing Se snuck through her expression. But just as quickly as the feeling arose, she snuffed it out. Earning another chance at her trust was going to be the most difficult. All I could do was apologize, but I said too much.

Her water whip hit me with as much force as I deserved, if not more.

"Get out of here and don't come back," She seethed.

Her threat fell flat but I accepted my fate.

After speaking with the frog I crept back up to the temple to listen to their discussion. Desperate and dishonest, but necessary if I had a chance to join them. I heard the hurt in Katara's voice when she spoke of our brief moment in Ba Sing Se.

"I felt like he was really confused and hurt." She said.

I felt the coldness in her towards me when she reiterated that I couldn't be trusted. That day in Ba Sing Se played on repeat in my mind day in and day out. I remember her soft touch on rippled skin, her willingness to free me of my mark, and the moment we connected despite our backgrounds. To think if I had just chosen her, we would've defeated Azula and she could've freed me of my scar with her spirit water rather than use it to save Aang. I left to return to my badger-frog. I needed sleep.

The ground was uncomfortable but my body was tired from being so tense for so long. I had quickly fallen into a deep sleep. In my dreams, I revisited that moment in Ba Sing Se.

I was thrown into the catacombs and when I looked up, I saw her standing before me. My greatest enemy. I quickly repositioned my body away from her. I was ashamed. I had failed her in our agreement to have the greatest rivalry of all time. I was nothing now, not a banished prince, not a fugitive, not even the nephew to the greatest tea maker in the city. I was nothing, the fire in me was gone.

Yet there she was, so enraged and passionate and ready to fight at the moment she was presented with the enemy. I was sorry to disappoint her, but she welcomed it. She was ready to drop her mission and change a part of her destiny to accommodate my freedom. I see why water is the element of change.

I changed the way I saw her. When she pressed her hand against my face I looked closer. Katara was gorgeous. She had oceans for eyes and a sun for a smile and her cool hands were soft to the touch. She was as fierce as she was nurturing. There was a light to her you could only appreciate in the darkest of nights. How lovely would it be to eclipse her for eternity? I wondered if Yue would allow her friend to fly so close to the sun.

I shut my eyes and leaned into her hand, and then I felt her lips upon mine. It was soft but timid. As if she had moved on instinct, like she had flowed into me with the tides of change. I immediately drowned in her and I never wanted to come up for air.

I brought my hands to her face and added fire to our storm backing her into the crystal walls. She gasped at the contact and I snuck my tongue into her perfect mouth with the fluidity of the Painted Lady. I moaned at her taste, and I let the intrusive thought fall from my mouth onto her lips.

"I burn for you," I whispered, and her knees buckled under my touch.

I effortlessly caught her and lifted her legs to wrap around my torso, pressing us even further into each other.

"I've never thought feeling like this for someone of your kind was possible," she gasped. "Shouldn't this feel more wrong?"

I continued to kiss up her neck while my hands found ways underneath her clothing to caress her smooth taut skin. I broke away and let the fire in my eyes meet the ice in hers.

"If feeling like this for your kind is wrong, I don't want to be right."

The walls in the crystal catacombs were burst through.

Just as Toph entered my camp I burned her feet coming out of my sleep. It was an accident, but as always, I managed to do everything wrong.

After wallowing in self-pity I decided I would make my way back to the temple and publicly apologize. I'd done a lot of wrongs on purpose that don't necessarily deserve forgiveness, but for my accidents, I have full intent to earn it. I was nearing the temple when I heard the explosion. I tried to call off the assassin but whatever went down between them had turned into a personal vendetta. I'll have to give Sokka's boomerang more credit.

I gave my speech no thought and instead spoke from the heart. I wasn't going to throw away my second chance. They let me in, but she was no longer the same girl I met in the crystal catacombs.

I felt her presence before she spoke. She glared at the floor in the doorway with a frigid aura before she walked up to me and spoke.

"I'll make sure your destiny ends right then and there, permanently." She stared at me with glaciers and icicles before turning her back. I watched her beautiful head of hair disappear down the hall.

She slammed the door and I didn't flinch. I was frozen. The last time our faces were that close was in the catacombs and my dreams. She was even more beautiful now than ever. My mind now had new material for when I went to sleep. I hope these walls aren't thin.

I spent the next few days before beginning to teach Aang fire bending being cordial. I needed their trust, but a good amount of trust comes with normalcy and familiarity. I helped with my portion of the chores and spoke with Haru, the Duke, and Pipsqueak. I joked with Toph, trained swords with Sokka, and listened to Aang's stories. The only one icing me out was her. I didn't realize it was threatening my inner fire until it was time to start training.

If bending could have element dysfunction, that's what I had. My fire was weak, and nowhere near the standards I worked so hard to reach at my father's ridicule. This would not do. I need to light my inner fire. There was one way to do it… but given the side-eyes and blatant threat to my life, I doubt she'd be a willing partner. Toph suggested going to the source.

The adventure to the sun warriors provided everything I needed. Those dragons I had once seen in a fever dream graced Aang and me with a new fire. When I met the gaze of the blue dragon, I felt her presence in my purpose. The dragons filled the whirlwind of fire with colors and images I could've never imagined. It was my destiny to use my fire to create something new. I was determined to fulfill it. I was determined for her to see it. My element dysfunction was no more.

I made tea for the gang. Nothing like Uncle used to make but at least they included me at meals and around the bonfire. Once again, everyone but her but she seemed to at least be becoming more comfortable. After serving tea Sokka pulled me aside.

A trip to The Boiling Rock was less than ideal, but if saving her father and adding to the resistance doesn't score me some points I don't know what will.

We traveled by war balloon. Taking Appa would be a kind of cruelty the creature did not deserve. I had no desire to know what boiled bison smelled like. Stuck on a warship with Sokka wasn't too bad until he brought up Mai. I tried not to think about her too much at this point in my journey. I should've treated her better. I should've given her the opportunity to run away with me, but her presence would've complicated things with her. Plus, I'd doubt if she'd leave Ty Lee alone with Azula.

"My first girlfriend turned into the moon," Sokka shared.

"That's rough buddy," I responded and tried not to compare the amount of relationships Sokka had with how many she might've had. It was already maddening leaving her in the Western Air Temple with Haru. Earth-bending squatter likes to spend all his free time with her.

We arrived, or should I say, crashed onto the sides of the prison. The air was thick with muggy moisture and an instant sweat broke upon Sokka's brow. Guess living in the South Pole makes it hard to stand the heat. Getting the guard disguises was easy, but the plan to get everyone out… not so much. I went from undercover, to prisoner in a heartbeat. My breakup with Mai came to bite me in the ass in a way I could've never expected. At least Sokka and Suki seemed as in love as anyone would when your significant other came to break you out of the most secure prison in the nation. I hope Sokka's room at the temple is far away from mine.

Hakoda, or should I say Chief Hakoda of the Southern Water Tribe was a gentle force, just like his daughter. Who is obviously not a Water Tribe Peasant. He has an aura of strength and serenity but when provoked could invoke serious damage. Good to know the ice runs in the family. I wonder what her mother was like.

The last resort out was a prison riot. Running into my ex and sister was not a part of the plan. Truthfully, nothing about this trip went to plan. Not. One. Thing. Why is Sokka the plan guy? When the time came for Mai to choose sides she chose mine, and Ty Lee chose hers alongside her. I hoped Mai knew what her sacrifice meant to me. I hope discovering Ty Lee's allegiance to her was worth it. Even though I did not give her a chance to run away with me, I still care for her and I hope she finds her happiness after this war with Ty Lee.

I stole my sister's warship and we made our way back to the Wester Air Temple. I watched Katara embrace her father and I knew that the risk was well worth it. Her face took on this softness and tears gently flowed down her face as she clung to him. Watching the small Water Tribe family embrace was bittersweet. It reminded me of something I couldn't have.

With her father around Katara was more serene, younger. Hakoda doted on her as if she were someone who still needed his care and guidance even though his daughter was a full participant in the most crucial component of this war. In a way, we will always need our fathers, even if that's a sentiment I don't believe I will participate in. He overlooked her duties and always asked her if she was getting enough sleep. I did notice the bags begin to grow under her eyes as the days went on, but in the middle of a war, anyone would be restless. I wondered if there was anything in particular that kept her up at night.

Suki and Sokka were inseparable. Unfortunately, his room was across the hall from mine, and as much as they tried to be quiet they always failed. Even Toph called them out one morning.

"You too make my feet go haywire all night long!" She stomped in her seat. "You're almost as bad as Sparky and Sweetness!"

Katara and I blushed hard and quickly interjected with our versions of excuses.

"Nightmares," I said.

"Insomnia," she mumbled.

Hakoda arched his brow into his tea much like my uncle would've and pulled me aside after that morning.

"Is there something I should know about you and my daughter?" He inquired. "You both have strange mannerisms around each other. Your's, I'm familiar with, her's… she seems… conflicted."

I fought my blush in front of the Water Tribe Chief and gently explained my side. No use in lying when this is one of the few people who could help progress our relationship.

"She doesn't trust me much," I started. "Rightfully so but, I'd like to earn it back. I'd like to earn a place in her orbit."

"Hmm," Hakoda nodded in an understanding deeper than what I offered him. "Katara doesn't need a man. She reminds me of that just as much as I would like to forget it. What she does need is security and someone to challenge and assure her through difficult tasks."

I nodded and tried to let the advice Hakoda offered sink in before he continued.

"Katara bears a heavy weight on her shoulders. She won't settle for anyone who has had to bear less than her, or doesn't know how to carry it."

Another cryptic message, but I committed it to memory regardless. I guess that might put me in a better standing than Haru.

I slept on the topic, hoping the reconfirmation of Katara being a strong woman wouldn't seep through my dreams while the gang slept on the open platform the night before. Rising with the Sun wouldn't be fun to explain to her father and brother…

Azula attacked the Western Air Temple. The warships were bringing the temple down, and the moment I saw the stone crumbling above her I moved.

"Watch out!" I yelled and tackled Katara to the ground.

Her body fell perfectly with mine. I rolled her under my body to protect her from falling debris and breathed in the sweet smell of her hair. Magnolias. A Fire Nation flower. It suited her.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" she exclaimed through her heavy breathing.

I fought the adrenaline from the close contact, and in lesser consequence, the attack. "Keeping rocks from crushing you."

Our hands were mere centimeters from each other.

I raced to the edge of the platform while the rest of the gang escaped and met the crazed eyes of my sister. Her best friend's betrayals must have thrown her off. They were honestly all she had.

"I am about to celebrate becoming an only child!" She shouted before kicking blue flames at me.

Without a second thought, I raced off the podium and launched fire fists at her, but it wasn't enough momentum. My feet scraped off the warship and I began to plummet to my death, until I landed on another warship.

Blue fist met red, and the combustion launched us in opposite directions. Now, I began to plummet to an imminent death but just as I turned to face it, I saw a slender, blue-gloved hand reach for me and I was pulled onto Appa's saddle. It's good to know that even a year later, she wouldn't let me die.

We set up camp somewhere on a Fire Nation island and Sokka gave me praise for holding the front during this morning's attack. Everyone appeared to agree, well, everyone except her.

"What's with her?" Sokka asked no one in particular when Katara departed the bonfire.

"I wish I knew," I responded and set off after.

I followed her silently on her trek to the cliffside on this very full moon. I knew if I made any wrong moves tonight she would use the power of Yue to end me on the spot. She was a magnet. Katara didn't look at me the entire time after she reached for my hand. Reaching for her was instinctual. The desire to connect with her was the same.

"What can I do to make it up to you?" I asked her through her icicle-piercing gaze.

"I know you can bring my mother back," she stated before stomping off. Leaving me and Yue with my thoughts.

This wasn't the first time Katara mentioned her mother. It's clear that the loss of her was a driving force for Katara's position in this war. She never explained what happened, but I knew it was impossible to bring her back. If Katara wanted the impossible for me to earn her trust, I'd get as close to impossible as I could.

I crept to Sokka's tent and then bumped into Suki.

"Oops," she blushed fiercely, "Wrong tent."

She shuffled off quickly and for her sake, I determined to make the conversation with Sokka quick. At least some people were choosing their happiness in this war.

I opened the tent and saw an image that would be burned into my memory longer than my scar would last.

"Katara doesn't hate anyone," Sokka began, "except maybe some people in the Fire Nation."

The conversation went south before he got to the point. Sokka described the day black snow fell on their village as children. Katara was around 6-7 years old. As Katara said, the Southern Water Tribe was over-policed under the Fire Nation. They sent an entire raid over a rumor regarding one water bender. It was insanity and an unnecessary amount of force. These actions of the Fire Nation threatened the balance of all four elements. No wonder she hated my kind.

The Southern Raiders would pay for their crimes against the Water Tribe. Against her. She was the last water bender of the Southern Water Tribe. She'd been abandoned, underestimated, captured, ridiculed, and betrayed, but there is nothing like the eternal hatred she must feel for the tyranny of the Fire Nation. The greatest threat against world peace.

Southernnnn Raiderrrrsssss ;) ;) ;) -