Revelations ~ Zutara

Fury and Feelings

Katara traced the writing on the letter with the tips of her fingers, a curious look on her face.

Zuko had asked her to come to the Fire Nation and help him with an 'issue'. He said he'd fill her in once she arrived.

If  she agreed.

Katara had wanted to jump at the chance, had the letter come at a different time.

But with the pure awkwardness between her and Aang unsettled, she wondered if and when she'd tell him about her revelation.

Part of her wanted to do so then leave, right then and there. That way, it'd be a bit before she saw the avatar again.

Maybe it'd be better, and he can get his emotions in check, the girl thought with a sour tone. Though she knew it wasn't fair, Aang was still young, like she was, making mistakes and learning from them.

Even if she didn't feel they were still so young, not after the war.

Which was probably to be expected, the children shouldn't have to fight the adults' wars.

Eventually, Katara came to the conclusion that she'd tell Aang before she set out on her journey to the Fire Nation, tomorrow.

She felt butterflies flutter in her stomach as she thought not about going to the nation, but about who would be there.

As much as she hated to admit it, now that she knew that the fuzzy feeling actually meant something (thanks to Aang), Katara knew she had gotten them for the firelord since Ba Sing Se.

She hated it because that was the first time she had met Zuko.

The real Zuko.

It was when she had realized he was nothing but a teen hurt by the war, like she was.

He'd lost his mother to the war, too.

And, Zuko waited and was patient with her while she opened up. No one else took the time to understand her, and nobody took the time to understand him.

Except her.

That's why it hurt so much when he betrayed her.

Not the Gaang, her.

Especially since he was the first person she knew to understand what it meant, what it felt like to have 'your' person be taken away from you. Forever.

The first person to let her cry. Not just about her mother; about all of the fucked up shit the war has put her through.

Katara remembered holding his scar, and how she held it.

It was such an intimate, personal moment, meant only for the two of them.

The girl's heart swelled at the memories, and how trusting he had been with her. How gentle. Caring, even.

That side of him seemed to be reserved for her. Only her.

Laying on her sleeping bag (she agreed to travel for a bit with Aang and her brother, not thinking there'd be anywhere else for her to go), trying to get as comfortable as she possibly could, Katara let the sweet thoughts of a certain fire-bender lull her to sleep; infusing her dreams with sweet memories.

~

That morning after cooking herself a quick breakfast, Katara was greeted by Aang.

"What did Zuko's letter say, Katara?" he asked sternly, the look on his face appearing far too serious for an average twelve year-old.

The waterbender's eyes widened at his question, she wondered if he had read her letter and resealed it before he gave it to her.

That thought made her angry, but she recollected herself and her composure before answering.

Taking a deep breath, she said Zuko had asked her to assist him with an issue in the Fire Nation.

She said this rather cooly (cooler than she was feeling), but with an intentional cold undertone.

"What?! And you're just going to go!" he said in an over-dramatic accusatory tone.

For the next who-knows-how-long, the avatar yelled at his friend (who he was upset with because he wanted to be more).

But that only added fuel to Katara's fire. The more he yelled, the angrier she felt.

Finally, she had enough.

"Well, Aang, have you ever thought about how I felt?! Not just now, but every other time! Like, throughout the war? No! You haven't! But, oh, I thought about how you felt. And Sokka. And Toph. And Zuko." She saw him get angrier at that last name she added, which made her keep going. Katara didn't care if she looked like a toddler, throwing a tantrum, having an outburst.

"I had to! For your sake- and the world's!

While you guys were out having fun," She spat out the word like it left a bad taste in her mouth, and in a way, it did. Katara hated how she was always too busy stressing and doing chores for her to have it.

"While you guys were out having a grand time, I was cooking! Cleaning! Doing everyone's laundry! Whatever had to be done! I took care of everyone- you included, and you took it for granted!" She felt salty tears start to form, stinging her eyes uncomfortably, but she wasn't going to stop now.

"So, sorry if I want to make a difference, help the world, make it better! Because, spirits forbid I do something because I want to!" The waterbender practically screamed.

By the end of her rant, her face was tomato-red.

The fuming girl started to walk away but then stopped, and turned her head ever so slightly.

"And even if I wasn't needed, I'd still leave." Katara muttered under her breath, half-hoping Aang heard her.

Then, she left, her destination: The Fire Nation palace.