Chapter 58

Episode 16, The Southern Raiders

After the encounter with Azula we found a nice meadow to camp on.

We built up our tents and made a fire, sitting around it when it was getting dark.

"Camping," Aang sighed with a smile on his face, "It really seems like old times again, doesn't it?"

I hummed and nodded as I leaned back slighlty, looking at the sky.

"If you really want it to feel like old times, I could... chase you around a while and try to capture you," Zuko said.

I let out a laugh just like the others and looked at him. Of course the only one who didn't find it funny was my dear twin. She let out a sarcastic 'haha'.

Sokka raised his cup. "To Zuko. Who knew after all those times he tried to snuff us out today he'd be our hero."

I smiled and raised my cup. The others quickly did the same. "Here, here!" we cheered.

Zuko looked taken aback for a moment before his face slightly fell with a small sad smile playing on his lips. "I'm touched. I don't deserve this."

"Yeah, no kidding." Katara said in a cold tone. I froze and looked at her while she stood up and left without another word, a tense silence consumig us.

I clenched my jaw, looking after her. She was being plain rude. Those were some hurtful words she said and her tone wasn't any better. Even I felt hurt by that somehow.

Seriously, what's up with her?

"What's with her?" Sokka asked no one specific as he watched Katara walking away as well.

I balled my fists and wanted to follow her but before I could stand up, Zuko beat me to it.

"I wish I knew," he said and followed Katara.

"What's with him?" Sokka asked and watched Zuko walking away.

I was tempted to follow them as well but I stayed seated. Biting my lip, I loosened up my fists and looked at my lap.

He wanted to talk to her anyway, so this is his chance. I don't need to get involved in everything.

Without another word, I left as well to get into Katara's and mine tent.

As we hadn't got so may tents we had to share. Sokka didn't want me and Zuko sharing a tent so I had to share with Katara and he with Aang. That was kinda mean as Sokka had his own tent while Suki and Topd shared. Why couldn't I share with my brother at least. He knew that Katara and I were not on speaking terms.

With a huff I got into my sleeping bag, trying too hard to sleep. It didn't work and when Katara entered some time later, I was still wide awake.

She glanced at me briefly before getting into her own sleeping bag. We were consumed in a tense and awkward silence with the only sound being our breaths.

I had a hard time to endure the silence but I wouldn't be the first to talk again. She said all those mean things to me so I pulled the blanket over my head, clenching my jaw. My eyes watered but I quickly blinked them away and tightly shut my eyes. And after a long time, I finally fell asleep.

The next morning wasn't any better. I simply had no luck as Katara and I got up at the same time. We glanced at each other but I quickly looked away.

She took that as a sign and left the tent without saying a word. But then I tensed, clutching my blanket.

"You look terrible," Katara said in a snappy tone.

"I waited out here all night," Zuko's exhausted voice reached my ears. My chest tightened a bit at his words and I breathed slower in order to understand what they were saying.

"That sounds wrong when you're taken. You're my sister's boyfriend," she said, the word boyfriend leaving her mouth like venom.

Zuko ignored her statement. "I know who killed your mother. I'll help you find him."

My heart threatened to stop as my eyes widened. The grip on my blanket tightened, making my knuckles turn white.

Katara rushed into the tent. I snapped out of my frozen state and quickly got up. While Katara packed a few things I left the tent and walked up to Zuko.

"How did you find out?" I asked him and grabbed his arm.

He stopped and looked at me. "I asked your brother if he could remember any details about the day your moher died."

I gulped and let go of his arm. "Who was it?" My voice was just above a whisper as I looked on the ground.

He softly took my hand. "The Southern Raiders," he whispered.

I bit my lip and nodded before looking up at him. He hugged me right away and I smiled sadly.

"Do you want to come with us?" He whispered and I shook my head.

I don't think I could get myself to look at the person that killed my mother.

Though, I understand that Katara wants to find this person. And I also understand that Zuko wants to help her. That was their opportunity to make up and get past their differences.

We parted the hug and Zuko got a few things together before Katara approached us. She briefly glanced at me before Zuko and Katara nodded at each other.

Walking up to Aang, who was feeding Appa, Katara spoke up with determination in her voice. "I need to borrow Appa."

Aang stopped feeding him and turned to us with a small smile. "Why? Is it your turn to take a little field trip with Zuko?"

"Yes, it is." Katara raised her eyebrow and Aang tensed, not believing her words at first.

With wide eyes he stepped closer to us. "What's going on?"

"We're going to find the man who took my mother from me."

I grabbed Zuko's arm and watched Katara closely as I gulped. I really didn't like her cold and angry tone.

Never have I seen Katara this determined and cold. It was almost as if she was a different person.

Even Sokka, who sat a few metres away from us, stood up slowly with wide eyes.

"Sokka told me the story about what happened," Zuko spoke up, "I know who did it and I know how to find him."

Aang and I briefly made eye contact. "Oh uhm... What exactly do you think this will accomplish?" He slowly asked Katara.

Katara chuckled dryly and shook her head. "I knew you wouldn't understand." She walked away.

Aang took a step forward. "Wait, stop. I do understand. You're feeling unbelievable pain and rage." Katara stopped but didn't turn around to face Aang.

"How do you think I felt about the sandbenders when they stole Appa?" He put a hand on his chest and I saw pain flash in his eyes for a brief moment. The memory still hurt him. "How do you think I felt about the Fire Nation when I found out what happened to my people?"

Katara didn't respond and the atmosphere tensed even more.

"She needs this Aang. This is about getting closure and justice." Zuko stood up for Katara.

I bit my lip and only watched the situation getting heated as my eyes watered. I didn't know what to say.

"I don't think so. I think it's about getting revenge," Aang argued with knitted eyebrows.

"Fine maybe it is!" Katara snapped, balling her fists but she still had her back turned to us. "Maybe that's what I need. Maybe that's what he deserves."

"Katara, you sound like Jet," Aang slowly said.

My twin quickly turned around. "It's not the same. Jet attacked the innocent," she defended herself. "This man, he's a monster."

"Katara, she was our mother too," Sokka spoke up for the first time. His tone was soft and he took a step forward and pointed at Aang, "But I think Aang might be right."

"Then you didn't love her the way I did."

My eyes widened and I gasped as Sokka's face fell. Now she was going too far.

"Katara!" I stepped forward and couldn't supress the scolding tone. Her head snapped in my direction. "Listen to yourself!"

Before she could tell me off or something, Aang spoke up. "The monks say that revenge is like a two-headed rat viper. While you watch your enemy go down, you're being poisoned yourself."

"That's cute," Zuko said, "But this isn't air temple preschool. It's the real world"

I narrowed my eyes at him. On whose side is he even?

"Now that I know he's out there and now that I know we could find him... I feel like I have no choice."

I clenched my jaw and looked at Katara. This isn't her.

"Katara you do have a choice," Aang tried to change her mind. "Forgiveness."

"That's the same as doing nothing," Zuko argued.

"No it's not." Aang shook his head. "It's easy to do nothing but it's hard to forgive."

"It's not just hard, it's impossible." Katara turned around and walked away. She was being irrational.

I bit my lip and walked away as well, not wanting to be around this tense air for any longer.

When it got dark, I went into my tent. Katara wasn't there and I hadn't seen her since earlier this day. I wasn't really keen on seeing her anyway at that moment.

I sat on my sleeping bag in the dark for a few moments when someone entered the tent.

"I just wanted to tell you that we're going now."

I looked up as Zuko sat down beside me. I only nodded and he sighed.

"You know, I think she really needs this to get over the death of your mother," he said quietly.

"I know, it's just that she seems so different. I have never seen her filled with so much hatred." Looking down, I let out a sigh.

Zuko took my hand and gave it a squeeze. I smiled up at him before putting a hand on his cheek and giving him a sweet kiss.

"Please be careful," I whispered near his lips, looking into his eyes after we parted.

"I will," he whispered and gave me one last peck on the lips before getting up. Already missing his warmth, we smiled at each other before he left.

Two days passed until Katara and Zuko returned. He told us that Katara spared the man and couldn't get revenge. And I was glad she did.

Aang, Zuko and I approached Katara who was sitting on the shore near our camping site.

"Katara!" Aang exclaimed with a happy expression on his face. "Zuko told us what you did... or what you didn't do, I guess. I'm proud of you."

"I wanted to do it. I wanted to take out all my anger at him, but I couldn't," Katara softly said, her back facing us. "I don't know if it's because I'm too weak to do it or if it's because I'm strong enough not to."

"You did the right think, Katara," I said with a small smile.

She looked over her shoulder and smiled at me slightly before standing up and facing us.

We looked at each other before she walked up to me and engulfed me in a tight hug. Not hesitating, I put my arms around her as well. "I'm sorry." We both whispered at the same time.

A few moments later we parted the hug and I was glad that the bad blood between us was gone as fast as it came.

Aang smiled at us. "Forgiveness is the first step you have to take to begin healing."

Katara knitted her eyebrows as the look in her eyes darkened. "But I didn't forgive him. I'll never forgive him." She looked at Zuko and her features softened as she slightly smiled at him and took a step closer to him. "But I am ready to forgive you." Then she hugged him as well.

I couldn't supress the smile growing on my face when I saw Zuko hugging her back. After they parted the hug, Katara walked away with a content smile on her lips.

When she was far away enough, I let out a squeal and clapped my hands before engulfing Zuko in a hug. He slightly chuckled and put his arms around me as well.

Finally my sister and boyfriend liked each other and I was on speaking terms with her again.

A/N - Heyy, another update, yay! I guess I felt motivated today. I hope you like it. Stay safe and healthy! :)