Entwined

Chapter 13

Katara's head pounded and her joints protested her movement as she jogged to the spot where a villager had seen Zuko not too long ago.

The waterbender was absolutely giddy, her smile as bright as the southern lights as she took a gravel path away from the village and into the woods.

After some minutes of walking, the copse became less dense, and Katara felt the call of the stream before she heard or saw it. A moment later when the softly flowing water came into view, Katara also saw the picture of an old wooden bridge with Zuko leaning against the railing.

She was about to call to him in greeting, but her mouth closed and her wave diminished as she saw the thoughtful look on his face; one Zuko rarely showed, as it was usually marred by a scowl or a harshly furrowed brow. He was turned so that Katara could only see the smooth side of his face. Looking at him, without his scar, it felt like something was missing from him. Katara had grown so accustomed to that part of Zuko that it was integral to how she saw him, in that it wasn't merely a flaw or vice, but a symbol of what he had overcome.

Katara approached him with hesitance, and quietly came to stand next to him. She tried to remain calm and silent, to wait until he was ready to speak, but the words joyfully and breathlessly bubbled out of her. "Aang has offered to fly us to the South Pole."

...

As soon as he heard Katara's statement, Zuko's hands tightened around the railing; the heat that came off of them was melting the already chipped paint.

Closing his eyes, Zuko wondered why Agni and the rest of the world was conspiring against him. The firebender had left his home to be rid of his blasphemous family, his corrupt nation, and any thoughts of the Avatar. And now, here the latter was with the offering of a favor that would have prevented Zuko's fall from grace had it come years before.

Yes, the world hated him indeed.

His eyes opened again when Katara tentatively said, "That's a good thing, Zuko." She was obviously aware that her enthusiasm of a sure passage to the south wasn't matched by her companion.

The firebender turned his gaze to her. "Is it? You don't know anything about him."

The implication of her previously sheltered life did not escape Katara, as her hands immediately crossed defensively in front of her. "Well, I do recall that once upon a time I didn't know anything about you, and yet, look where we've come," she retorted, gesturing between them.

Zuko's silence seemed to be an invitation to continue to Katara for she added, "Since you seem to be such an expert, why don't you tell me about him then?"

Zuko exhaled deeply, knowing that she would not give up until she had a valid reply from him, and in that reply Zuko would have to choose his words with extreme care.

"The Avatar has the potential to become the most powerful being in the world," he started a moment later. "He can control every element, and once he masters those elements he would be an unstoppable force should he become an opponent or enemy." With a pause, Zuko glanced at Katara, who he could see was soaking up every piece of knowledge Zuko gave her. "The Avatar's purpose it to promote and protect peace in our world. He is the symbol of unity for the four nations, where air, water, earth, and fire come to coexist peacefully in one person, as we four nations should come to exist in harmony in our world."

Realizing his lesson was over, Katara exclaimed in awe, "And that's who Aang is? That is amazing."

Zuko scowled, her tone and words piercing and prodding his own distaste for Avatar Aang.

Katara seemed to notice his expression and said, "What, you don't think so?"

The firebender was trying so hard to keep his cool, but her seemingly innocuous questions were only adding kindling to his temper.