The Last Waterbender

Chapter 16: Choices: Part 2

Disclaimer: All rights belong to Nickelodeon, Bryan Konietzko, Michael Dante DiMartino, and all the men and women that created the A:TLA show, books, and comics. I take no credit, and I do not mean to break any copyright rules. This is simply a work of fiction made for enjoyment. No money is being made. The lyrics are from the song "Neptune" by Sleeping At Last

Rating: General Audiences. Warning: some scenes contain dark themes and minor violence

Author's Note: sorry

Chapter 16 - Choices: Part 2

I'm only honest when it rains

If I time it right, the thunder breaks

When I open my mouth

I want to tell you but I don't know how

An open book with a torn out page

And my ink runs out

I want to love you but I don't know how

I don't know how

"So now that you're the Avatar, what element are you going to master next?"

Zuko and Katara are facing each other off during training. Katara takes a step back, twists her arms to summon a stream of water, and then creates a water whip to smack at him He evaporates the water with a ribbon of fire.

"Avatar Saura said the next one in the cycle is earth." Katara creates a wall of ice in front of her to block a fireball.

"Too bad it's not fire," Zuko replies, throwing a wave of it her way. "I happen to be considered quite good at it."

Katara moves out of the way and launches a counterattack. "You're okay," she agrees, a hint of a smile on her face.

They continue sparring for a few more minutes. Zuko can't help but think about how much he's going to miss this. Iroh is a great Firebender, but he only uses his abilities when he absolutely needs to. The handful of other Firebenders aboard the ship are no match for him. And even if they were, it's nice to practice against someone with a different element.

Zuko wonders how much his Firebending has improved since practicing with Katara. Probably not enough to beat his sister, but maybe enough to hold his own for a while.

Zuko catches sight of something approaching from behind Katara. He lowers his hands in surprise and gets knocked to his feet by a wave of water.

"Start daydreaming?" Katara teases, offering him a hand.

He takes it and climbs to his feet. "No. Messenger falcon." He points to the dark bird swooping down. "It's a fast way of sending messages in the Fire Nation."

She follows his gaze. "Who would send you a message?"

"I don't know." Zuko holds out his arm and the falcon lands lightly. He uses his other hand to untie the ribbon and detach the scroll.

A crewmember comes and takes the bird. Zuko turns the scroll over and sees the royal seal imbedded in the red wax.

"It's from my sister," he says, not even hiding his surprise.

"How do you know?" Katara stands next to him to get a better look.

"Royal seal. It's not my father. He never sends messages. And it's not Iroh. The only other member of the royal family is Azula."

"That's nice of her to send you a note. Has she kept in touch over the years?"

Zuko knows Katara has never met Azula, but he can't help but feel annoyance at her naivety. He's told her that his entire family is crazy more than once.