Charred //ZUTARA

Chapter 55 - ''Then love me enough...''

The sun shone on their faces as the group made a descend at the outskirts of the Fire Nation capital. The wall that Katara hated so much was painted colors of red and orange, casting shadows on the ground beneath them. The city was quiet as she surveyed the palace from the distance. 

Everyone gathered, the tension still palatable. Hakoda cleared his throat. ''We'll rest here for a moment but not too long. We will have to move quickly, hoping to avoid the potential guards that might still be loyal to Ozai.''

A hum of agreement went through Team Avatar. They needed to gather their energy for whatever will come next.

''What do we do with her?'' Sokka pointed his boomerang at Mai. Katara's noticed she's been unusually quiet and conserved, not even snapping back at the waterbender's brother. 

''We have to take her with us,'' Chan shrugged. ''We can't trust her to stay here, in case someone comes to her rescue.''

Zuko scanned the landscape behind them, calculating all the risks. The ancient tunnels beneath the palace were a labyrinth, he knew that much. He could also remember his long lost mother telling him of the unknown dangers within, sealed off forever. 

Did she know about the Air Nomads too? 

Katara stayed closed to Chan, her posture stiff, her glare distant. He couldn't keep his eyes from shifting to her. It was gnawing at him; the way she flinched at the sound of the Avatar's voice, how haunted she seemed. He still couldn't figure out what happened between them, but he knew it cut a deeper scar than she'd admit right now. 

Aang was staring at the horizon, his staff planted firmly in the ground. His shoulders were tense, probably thinking of all those poor souls trapped in the catacombs below. Not so long ago, he might've gone to him to offer some consort. Now, every time he looked at him, he couldn't forget the way he spoke to Katara; as if she was an object that belonged to him. Did he not see the pain he's caused her?

''We will need to move carefully,'' Toph announced, pressing her hand to the ground. ''The entrance to the tunnels is close, but I can sense people near. It could be the guards.'' 

Hakoda nodded, his lips pursed. ''Toph, you will lead the way. Sokka, you will stay on the lookout.''

''Got it,'' Sokka said, correcting a piece of his armor that he changed into during the flight. 

Aang was speaking softly to Appa and Momo, both animals keeping quiet as if they knew what was about to happen. He turned away from them, the smirk playing on his lips now. 

''There's no more time to waste,'' he declared, standing right next to Toph, all ready to lead them to many dangers that might be awaiting them. 

As they began walking towards the entrance that turned out to be very near the royal gardens, Zuko found himself walking beside Katara, Chan flanking her other side. Both remained silent, offering her support should she need it but not enough to spook her. 

After a while, he couldn't keep it in. ''I meant what I said earlier. If you need to talk, I'm here for you.''

Katara glanced at him, her eyes tired but guarded. She tried to offer him a faltering smile. ''There's nothing to talk about.''

Zuko frowned. ''I thought we were telling each other everything. Why can't you tell me what happened? You're clearly not fine, Katara.''

''Drop it, Zuko,'' she begged and her steps slowed. The group remained walking, unaware. The three of them halted to a stop.

''Do you not trust me anymore?'' he questioned, his frustration boiling over now. ''I forgave you for what you said and you never even apologized. Yet, you can't even bare to look me in the eye and tell me what's been bothering you about Aang. What could he possibly have done to make you this... this whisper of a woman you've been with me, huh?''