good for him, in a way. excellant, powerful piece here.

Wow...I certainly didn't see that one coming

"There's nothing you can do to me that hasn't already been done. I won't live in fear anymore, of you least of all." Oh, I just love the entire thing, damn, but this part was heartbreaking. Oh Zuko, Zuko.

Also, that last line that she is endlessly repeating? I don't know if you're familiar with Frank Herbert's Dune series but it reminds me a bit of the Bene Gesserit Litany Against Fear. When I was younger I would repeat it to myself and really do think it helped me grow a tougher skin and be just a little bit braver, silly as that may sound :)

I think I've read most of your other A:tLA fics already, but somehow this one slipped past me, since I don't recall reading before, hmmm. Fantastic job exploring Z and K in terms of trust and fear and that weird space where they aren't enemies, but are far from friends and just barely allies.

Thank you for writing this. This was a side of Katara that was shocking to say the least. She was vehment in her distrust and quick on her pronouncement to end Zuko's life if he betrayed them that I couldn't help feeling sorry for Katara. It's hard to explain. She had changed so much from Book 1 until that moment. Her character could have really spiraled into further depths of despair, but I'm glad she didn't.

I also enjoyed this piece b/c even though it was supposed to be Katara's side, I also liked that Zuko was given a say about this too. At the end of the scene on the show, he looked so defeated. He was prepared for distrust, but Katara's feelings were clearly more than that and it was difficult to watch. I like how you had him stand up to her b/c honestly, she really did need to be taken down just a bit.

Anyway, thanks again for this.

Really cool! I remember reading this a long time ago-I still love it!

pretty good POV from katara. she seemed pretty in-character at that time, although Zuko was a little dark in this one... overall-really good!

I really, really like Katara's mantras in this story. Your writing in general has a lovely flow to it, and I'm going to go sulk over the fact this was the last of your Avatar stories that I had left to read.

Also, I like the fact that you include your musical references in the headings; music plays a pretty big role in what I write, too, and it's nice to have a soundtrack.

-Lynati

nice fic :)

thanks for the read~!

oh gosh. i loved this. you have no idea how much i wish this happened in the actual storyline.

For the most part, I love Katara, and I think she's a great character-but someone needed to put that girl in her place. Sometimes she bothered me SO much I just wanted to punch her.

Ahah. Anyway, I think you did a superb job. I adore this.

Wonderful writing. You captured the sharp angles and awkwardness that Katara and Zuko are together, and gave us a scene rich in detail and intensity. Lovely work.

So... she didn't do it, did she?

...

That takes true strength, to show mercy.

"you’re a child with your first torture toy set.”

That's a really scary line, in many ways...

I loved this, very vivid and well thought out. I can so see this as a missing scene in that episode. :]

Okay, I totally just remembered why you're my favorite Avatar fan fic author when I read this. How the characters speak and act just feels so vivid and real, and the context makes it even more powerful. I feel so pathetic, being unable to generate this kind of emotional honesty in a story like you do. The sentences flow like clear water, and they convey so much in a relatively short story. Now I'm worried that if Katara's trauma is addressed in the show, it'll be disappointing compared to what you've got here. (because t.v writers can be wimps sometimes.)

Katara is cool, and Zuko is an absolute mensch. You've proven that even when the potential romantic dynamic is not dominant, they can have brilliant chemistry. Theirs is a unique relationship on the show, and no amount of shipping wank can change that.

So, seriously, awesome-sauce.

Oh, very dark! I love to read a good story about Katara and Zuko that isn't to cute and holds some despair...you did an absolutely superb job, especially since I couldn't see any errors in grammar or anything. Excellent work!