Broken then Healed

Chapter 1.

Do you ever wonder what would have happened if Zuko had let Katara heal his scar in the Crystal Catacombs beneath Ba Sing Se? A Zutara Fan-fiction

Disclaimer: I do not own ATLA, nor do I own the characters in this story.

This story takes place at the end of season 2, and then what would have happened after in season 3.

"This is water from the spirit oasis at the North Pole," Katara says gently as she holds up a small vile hanging from her neck. "It has special properties, so I have been saving it for something important." The water bender slowly walks over to the fire bender and raises the vial to his face. "I don't know if it would work but…"

Zuko inhales sharply and searches her big blue eyes. She must be kidding. Why would the water peasant treat him like this after all he had done? Then suddenly she does something unexpected, she steps in closer and reaches to touch his scar. He flinches when her cool hand meets his heated skin, but doesn't step back.

Katara calmly uncorks the vial, never taking her eyes off Zuko's. She searched his face for any signs of anger or hate, but all she could find were traces of sadness. With a small, fluid motion of her wrist, she streamed the water out of the vial. The water immediately reacted and spun around quickly into a small circle.

"I really hope I am not making a mistake," Katara thought.

She let her healing instincts take over, and the circle of water started to glow vibrantly. Zuko's eyes widened when he realized that this girl was actually going to try and heal his scar. Katara mistook his shock for fear and gave a reassuring smile as she floated her hands over both of his eyes. Signaling that he should close them. The guy that is usually so full of hatred, let out a small sigh and leaned into her touch. The girl then took her hand away from his face and brought the water up to his scar.

"Are you sure that you want to do this," Katara blurted out suddenly, letting her motherly nature take over. "I know that you want this scar gone, but I need you to know that this scar doesn't mark you or define who you are as a person. You are Zuko, and nothing can change that. Not even a scar."

Zuko opened his eyes and looked at her for the first time since they had started talking. He really looked at her. Zuko looked in her big blue eyes and stated plainly, "I know this, I really do Katara... But this scar means something different to me," He gulped nervously. He had never told this to anyone before."This scar tells a story on how I betrayed my country... And how my own father disowned me." Katara looked shocked, and Zuko would usually yell at people for pitying him, but he was just to tired today. "Just please, please at least try to make it go away."

Katara nodded silently, and Zuko closed his eyes. This time, Katara didn't hesitate to touch the spirit water to his scar. This time, Katara didn't question him on if he was ready. This time, Katara just did as he asked.

"Wow," Zuko muttered, touching the place where his scar used to be. "I can't believe that worked. I'm really free."

Katara stood on the opposite side of the cave leaning up against one of the glowing crystals, eyeing him warily. "What is he going to do now that his scar is gone? Is he going to go back to the fire nation? Is going to keep hunting Aang?" Thoughts were racing through the girl's mind, causing a slight pressure in her head. No doubt the sign of a headache yet to come. "Zuko, can I ask you something?"

The son of Ozai whirled around, first noticing the water bender since she had healed his scar. "Yes?" It came out more like a question than an answer.

"Well," the water bender started, "now that I have... You know... Healed you, what are going to do once Aang shows up? She fiddled with her thumbs nervously, then bit her lip and looked straight at him. "I mean, since you changed maybe you could-"

A boulder from the opposite side of the room flew across chamber and hit a pillar with a large thump, interrupting her question. Zuko and Katara both jumped from the sudden interruption and swung around to see where the boulder came from. Avatar Aang and Iroh strolled through the gaping hole in the wall. As soon as Aang noticed the girl-dressed-in-blue, he flew across the room and wrapped his arms around her, squeezing her tightly. Zuko stood, staring at Katara, and kept staring at her even when his uncle caught him in a bear hug.

"Ahem," Katara cleared her throat, "Aang, you can let go of me now."

"Oh," Aang stepped away and let his arms fall to the side, all while blushing very deeply. "Yah, sorry about that." Aang grinned goofily and went to say something to Iroh, but froze when his eye landed on Zuko's face. "Oh my gosh Zuko what happened to your face?"

Iroh blinked, and stared at Zuko's face, as if he hadn't noticed that his scar was gone. "My nephew, what happened, how is this possible?"

The fire bender turned his gaze onto Katara's, and she felt as if his eyes were digging into her soul. She blushed and stammered nervously,"I might have, um... healed him?"

Aang whirled around and stared at her incredulously. "You can do that?"

Katara nodded, and looked down on at the ground. "Umm... Aang, can I talk to you for a second?" The girl didn't wait for a reply, instead she just grabbed Aang's arm and dragged him a few yards away. "Aang, while I was down here with Zuko, he told me some things that made me realize something. I think he has changed Aang, and I think we need to give him a chance."

Aang just stared blankly at her. Then his childish smile came back. "I knew he had some good in him!"

The girl sighed with relief, and let out a little laugh. She glanced over at the uncle and nephew, and took note that they seemed to be in deep conversation. "I think that we should go talk to them."

Aang nodded in agreement and strode over to Iroh and Zuko. He was trailed by the little water bender, who seemed to lose confidence with every step towards them. "Zuko, do you want to join us?" Aang stated plainly, blinking his large innocent eyes as if this question wasn't a big deal.

Iroh was silenced, and Zuko immediately whipped his head to face Aang. The avatar and fire bender stared each other down, until the little water bender piped up. "I know it would be a little weird, but I think it would be the right thing to do, Zuko..."

Zuko glanced towards Iroh, who was staring intently at him. His eyes urging him to make a decision. Finally, after quite a long pause, Zuko spoke. "I think that maybe this is the right thing." The words felt strange coming out of his mouth. "Am I really giving up everything I ever wanted? What about my father, now he will certainly never want me," he was starting to feel sick. "What if the rest of the group doesn't accept me? What will they do?" Zuko trailed off in his mind, and realized everyone was staring at him, "What?" He spat out.

"Well, we should probably get going now," Aang grumbled, suddenly looking a little down. "We don't want to get caught by the Dai Li, or else we will really be in trouble."

Iroh started walking towards the giant hole in the wall, with Zuko close behind. Aang followed after, and then there was Katara, who was hanging back in the shadows. And they all walked out of the Crystal Catacombs together.

Hey guys! This is my first chapter, and I really need reviews and suggestions to make these better. Do you know why Aang and Katara were acting a bit weird?

Any reviews are helpful, even hateful review, because you care enough to comment. :) Anyway, this is my first time writing fan-fiction, so i am sorry if it is a little... Vague!

If you want to have a say in what happens next, make sure to review.