Charred //ZUTARA

Chapter 2 - ''You are so much stronger than you think.''

''Promise me you'll write every day,''Hakoda whispered into Katara's hair. He was holding onto her for the past ten minutes. She was starting to get little annoyed now. He never took that much time with Sokka after he's visited. They would usually just embrace each other briefly. Nothing like this long goodbye full of advises and warnings she was being given. ''I'll miss you so much.''

''I'll miss you too, dad,''it was hard to resist the eye rolling. She really needed to work on this ugly habit of hers. Especially since she was now going to represent her whole Tribe. 

''Now, now, Hakoda! Let the girl breathe,'' she heard her Gran-Gran say. She looked over her father's shoulder to reveal her grandma standing there with crossed arms, awaiting her turn. She was equally inpatient just like Katara was. 

The Chief of the Southern Tribe turned his head around, acknowledging his mother. If he feared anyone, it was her. He slowly let go of his own daughter, smiling at her through the tears that suddenly appeared in his eyes. 

It was also difficult for Katara to let go even if she didn't want to admit it. After so many years of her father's absence, she still felt abandoned. It was hard to leave him here. What if she never sees him again? 

''Fool, you're not leaving forever. You will come back home. You will see him again.'' She kept scolding herself every time such stupid thought haunted her. 

Stepping away, Hakoda's arms were replaced by the ones belonging to Gran-Gran. Older woman was shorter than her granddaughter but the wisdom of her age floated around her like the most expensive perfume. 

''Be brave, Katara,'' Gran-Gran mumbled into her ear. So only she could hear. ''Live your life to the fullest. You are so much stronger than you think.''

This is something Katara hasn't realized she needed to hear. She was strong. She did fight alongside the Avatar. She was the one to help capture now Banished Princess of the Fire Nation. If not her healing abilities, many people including Aang would be dead. 

There was not much that could scare her. That should scare her. And yet... the thought of leaving this comfort she'd grown into was making her doubt all of it. She supposed it was only natural. 

Excitement mixed with anxiety arising from not knowing what the future will bring. What will happen once she's reunited with all her friends again. 

''I love you, Gran-Gran,'' she kissed her cheek. 

She squeezed her one more time. Very tightly. Trying to memorize every wrinkle on her face, every grey hair. 

She stepped away. Katara started walking towards the ship waiting for her. With her father monitoring everything, it would wait hours for her if she needed. The respect people had for him was crazy. 

''Goodbye!'' she yelled to them as she walked onto the metal plank. 

Walking onto the board, she prayed to the Spirits for a safe, uneventful journey. 

...........................................

Sitting behind a wall of fire, Zuko was glad he had something covering him. He was almost falling asleep, with his head propped up by his hand. It was such an uncomfortable position but he couldn't just lie down. It would be very un-Fire Lord like. 

''The Avatar will be getting here any time now,'' the main councilman has announced. His name was Yerden. He was in the prime of his age. Zuko even met his wife once, during a Summer Ball two years ago. He remembered thinking she was very lovely and so unlike her husband. 

Mention of Aang drew his attention. He could not wait to greet him again. He's last seen him about two months ago, when Aang came to him with a request to yield some of the Fire Nation's territory to the idea of the 'Republic City'.