Chapter 6: Bitter Horizon

I don't know how long we look at each other, but I'm acutely aware of the tense silence. Still, I keep my gaze on Zuko because it holds me up while I feel like I might collapse on the ground and I can't let him see that. I don't want him to see that.

A part of me is waiting to see pain. I know they didn't have the closest relationship. Ozai gave him the scar on his face. He's not winning any awards based on his parenting. Still, he must feel some type of way.

"You...killed him?"

I tear my my gaze from Zuko to look at the shock on Katara's face. The response that falls from my lips comes without a thought and with an edge, "That's what everyone said needed to be done, isn't it."

Hurt flashes across her sparkling blue eyes before it melts into concern, "Aang..."

I turn my back to all of them. It's not their fault. They didn't talk to a gigantic lion turtle. This is the only solution they know. My chest tightens and I'm suddenly angry. I close my eyes and nearly cry as my heart beats faster. It's uncomfortable and uneasy, and I almost feel like I can't breath. I jump when I feel a warm hand on my shoulder.

Katara's hand is still frozen in the air as I jerk away from her. She sucks in a breath and I speak before she gets a chance to, "Sorry."

I don't want to argue with you. I hate that almost all of me wants her to disappear from my sight. She's safe and alive. Thanks to Zuko. Now that I know that everyone is alright, there is much to do, but I want to hide. I want to run. I want to be alone.

"Can we just figure out what we're going to do with Ozai's body and then I would appreciate it if I could get some sleep."

"Careful, Toph might start calling you sleepy if you keep sleeping so much." Sokka jokes halfheartedly.

Toph scoffs, "Please don't insult my creativity like that."

Sokka scowls. Zuko pinches his nose, "Can we just go."

I nearly lose my mind as Sokka starts leading everyone back into the airship. I don't know what goes on in my head, but the idea of seeing Ozai again, dead... My stomach churns uncomfortably. Katara, as if reading my expression pauses. I do my best to clear my discomfort from my face because I can't let her see how lost I am. I don't know what to do and I don't know what I want. I don't like the feeling of being exposed, of being bare. I'm suddenly vulnerable as her azure gaze searches mine. Suki looks between us as we look at each other. She presses her lips together thoughtfully before seemingly making a decision.

"Hey, you guys can go ahead without me. I'd like to get some rest too. Aang, if you want you can join me." she pauses. "If that's okay, Zuko?"

Zuko blinks, almost as if realizing that this is his home and all the implications that come with it now, "Of course, leave Ozai to me."

Sure, deal with what's left of him. I nod and Suki holds her arm out. I reach to hold onto her as Katara speaks, "I can go with Aang. I should probably heal him a little more."

I'm not a kid. The thought makes me freeze. My grip on Suki tightens. Am I not a kid? I think back to my first interaction with Zuko almost a year ago. When did that change? I breath a little to reel myself back to the present and remind myself Katara is just worried. I take one look at the concern shining brightly in her eyes and my heart completely melts, "It's alright, Katara. My back doesn't feel too bad anymore and I would rather just get some sleep."

Suki rests her free hand comfortingly on my arm wrapped around hers, "We won't go far Katara. Besides, Sokka and Toph can catch you guys up on what happened."

Katara stares at Suki meaningfully before nodding, "Just let me know if you need a anything."

I manage to smile weakly at her as Suki and I walk away. When we're far away enough, Suki speaks softly, "I don't know how you're feeling now. We're not exactly very close, I know but...I just want you to know that if you need someone to talk to, my ears are yours."

I'm at loss for words. We pause inside the corridors of the palace, just little away from the courtyard entrance. She smiles, "I don't mean to overstep my place or anything. I just know that sometimes it's easier to talk to someone that isn't quite that close to our problems."

I ponder over that. Suki hasn't had very loud opinions or reactions thus far, if that makes any sense. If I'm honest, having had so many limited interactions with her, I'm not sure what to think of her. Yes, we're friends, but though she has a friendly attitude, she's...quiet. Gentle? Not the motherly gentle of Katara, just...gentle. Is gentle even the right word? Calm?

It just feels comfortable to be with her.

At once, a wave of warmth comes over me. She doesn't say anymore as we continue walking down the hall. I shift my weight and loosen my grip on her arm, "Thanks Suki. For keeping me company and for...well, for helping me back there with Katara."

She frowns, "You didn't seem like you wanted to talk to her."

"I don't."

She side eyes me, questioning. When I don't answer, she looks away thoughtfully. I tense as her mouth begins to open, "Do you just not want to talk?"

I let go of the breath stuck in my throat, "I don't really want to think in general. Katara makes me think."

Katara

"Katara?"

I turn away from Aang and Suki's retreating figures as Zuko calls me. Following them into the airship, I tune their voices out. Throughout the night, Zuko and I waited to hear good news. As happy as I am that we're all here, I can't help feeling disappointed. Though much calmer than the last time, Aang still walked away from me. He didn't say it in so many words, but I've known him long enough to understand that my presence isn't what he wants now.

I dig my nails into the skin of my palm to shake away the hurt. Aang killed Ozai. Aang did the one thing he swore he couldn't. To save the world, he took a person's life. Yon Rha's faces morphs into existence before my eyes. The anger and pain and hurt I felt squeezes my heart. Looking into the eyes of my mother's killer while he silently begged for mercy. Through the haze of my thirst for vengeance, I felt the need to stop. Maybe because he seemed so pitiful or maybe because as much as he deserved it, it wasn't worth to stain my hands with his blood. I don't know. All I know is that Aang and I are not the same. I was ready. I went with the purposes of killing the man that took my mother's life and when I got there; I couldn't do it. To Aang, who adamantly refused to kill Fire Lord: how did he find the strength to do it? Looking at him today, was like looking at the Aang we left behind on the serpent's pass. Not quite as detached, but not quite there either. We share plenty in common, sure...but Aang has always been gentle, softer. It's on rare occasions in which I've seen him lose his temper. Much like mine though, it can be rather explosive. I almost smile at the thought.

When I look up, Zuko is lifting a sheet cover what I assume is Ozai's body on the floor. A flash of pain covers his eyes and it disappears just as fast. Frowning, he lowers the cover. I hold a gasp as I gaze at Ozai's neck. Sokka looks down at the man, shock written over his face.

"Yes, he's dead. What were you guys expecting to find?" Toph asks with disbelief lacing her words.

Ignoring her question, I face Sokka, "Did you not see this before?"

"Toph and Suki moved the body because my leg was all banged up and..." Sokka pauses sheepishly. "Well, dead bodies are not my comfort zone."

Toph scoffs, "That's rich coming from the guy that kept going on and on about how Ozai needed to be killed."

Fire burned in Sokka's eyes, "Because he did!"

"Well," Toph starts sharply, "maybe you should have killed him then."

Zuko and I stare at each other watching the scene unravel. Before Sokka can get another word in, Zuko intervenes, "What's done is done. My question now is: what happened between my- Ozai and Aang?"

Sokka frowns, his gaze briefly shifts to Toph thoughtfully before answering, "We're not entirely sure. We know they fought, but it's was hard to keep track of the while working on taking down the Airships."

Airships? Zuko nods understanding and I suppose that it's something I must have missed while lost in thought. I sigh looking down at Ozai. His neck is bruised and if I had to take a guess, Aang's hands would fit the mark. Zuko completely removes the cover. On Ozai's abdomen there is a large sealed wound. It's not so much a guess to believe that was the finishing blow.

I'm sleepy and I got to get going, but I want to get this out now because I may not have time later. Last week got away from me and this week is bound to go fast too. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed this one! I hope you all have a wonderful day and spend your holidays happily! Thank you for the reviews! I love reviews, so don't hesitate to leave some...or not. Do as you will :)

UGudBroXD: Your review left me curious. Why is it better to you if Zuko accepts it as oppose to him not accept it? I just want to know what you're thinking, for some reason I can't stop thinking about that. Haha, feel free to ignore me. My brain is just weird :)

Quote of the Chapter:

Some people run away from their problems by leaving. Some people run away by avoiding. Some people run away by ignoring. Tell me the opposite of run away; I wouldn't say it's to stay.

-Pyreness