Great story!

I don't read much fanfiction in the friendship category, but I have to say this was lovely. I think you showed how Zuko could relate to that kind of self-hatred, but he's also grown so much beyond that since joining the gAang, and he was able to help Katara see herself as she really is. It was a sweet, tender moment, and I'm glad you didn't try to make it more. There's plenty of fiction centered around this episode where they get together, and I think that's way too soon for these characters. They're still in the middle of war, they don't know if they'll live to see another day, but neither of them are the type for the "let's do it even though we know it's a mistake" kind of sex. There's too much going on in Katara's mind for sex to even be a thought, and I'm glad you kept it to friendship here.

You have a lovely writing style, and I'm so glad you reviewed my stuff so I can read yours, too! :D

wow, i love this! it's so subtle and beautiful...

Nice job! Love superchick!

Because one fantastic turn deserves at least a good one in response. It's review time.

If this really is your first shot at writing creatively in a decade, I'm impressed. I'm a huge sucker for solid, emotionally-resonant character moments; a lot of people seem to forget that sometimes a quiet, wrenching personal moment can be just as poignant as a earth-shattering moment of tragedy.

But not you. This story did a lot with a very minimalistic approach, which is a lot harder to pull off than it seems. I really liked how you wove original introspection on Katara's part in-between moments from canon- it really felt organic and in-character, and added some nice depth to a really crucial moment in Katara's overall development. So nicely done there.

Where I thought this story really shined, though, was in what came after the canonical part was finished. Katara's breakdown felt completely convincing and natural; I've always wondered myself how Katara canonically went from something like sparing Yon Rha to just staring soulfully out at a horizon. Something that harrowing should take more out of you than that, and I think you really nailed that here.

And not only that, but you balanced out her grief with Zuko's attempt to comfort her really nicely as well. It paralleled really effectively with their dialogue under Ba Sing Se, except this time it was Katara being vulnerable in front of Zuko to an unexpected degree. I think you also made a smart choice by not breaking up the moment with any dialogue, and letting the action speak for itself instead.

I also liked seeing Zuko's blunt honesty cut through the awkwardness so cleanly, clearing the way to get at the heart of the moment. Guess that's a bit of his uncle coming through, after all. His reassurance to Katara that she wasn't a monster for using Bloodbending was nice to see, but it was given an extra bit of weight by his follow-up suggestion that it be used to help heal.

Zuko, counseling Katara on how to better help people who need it? Perhaps the world *has* turned upside-down, after all. And Zuko's failed attempt to act cool after the fact was endearingly ineffectual. Good job there.

I really loved the last scene, where it was really clear that everything you'd done throughout the story came together to give the canonical 'forgiveness' scene an even greater amount of impact than it had originally. The added aspect of reciprocation between Katara and Zuko really helped to put them on equal footing again, and Katara's internal admission that she'd shown Zuko a side of herself she wouldn't show to anyone else was touching.

All in all, this was a great snapshot of a very important moment... and if this story is any kind of indication of what you might produce in the future, keep on writing! It only gets easier the more you do it!

well this was very lovely and sweet and I'm glad you brought up hama. I think her impact on katara gets overlooked. so hama high five...um maybe not eh? we shouldn't be high fiving to hama.

good fic five?

much better ;)

I think you did a FABULOUS job! It was a lovely Zutara friendship, and at this point, I do think they would be friends rather than romantically involved. I've got a soft spot in my heart for fics that speak to the implicit respect in Zuko and Katara's relationship (romantic or otherwise). Zuko respects her choice and her feelings in this moment, never judging her, just being there if she needs him, and reminding her that she's not a horrible person. Just human with human emotions.

I'll echo the love for the contradictory statements. In Katara's situation, it's so hard to NOT be contradictory in your feelings. So much is happening that it's natural to not know where you stand. Kudos, madam!

lol Zuko field trips! Poor Toph got left out XD

good job! your oneshot's very well written. i look forward to more postings in the future. :)

Oh, and I just wanted to echo some of Incognito's sentiments:

"Another thing I appreciated about this was the fact that it wasn't romantic at all. Yes, I do like Zutara, but I am usually of the mind that you have to build to that (at least that's my preference for my own writing). I would have like Zuko to be a bit more awkward when he was trying to comfort Katara (as I don't see that coming naturally to him - with anyone), but I could suspend my disbelief because, hey, I love the Zutara friendship. Plus I could see Zuko being genuinely distracted and maybe even slightly disturbed by all that had just transpired (especially the Bloodbending)."

Slow and subtle Zutara that remains in character is the best, but such fics are so rare to find. If you decide to continue along this storyline (and PLEASE DO!), I hope to see their friendship more emphasized until there's a gradual development into their romantic relationship. Oh, and keeping Aang in character by not reducing him to a totally whiny brat.

Can't wait to read more fics from you! :)

Wow, I really really REALLY liked this. :) This is your first attempt at Zutara? That's pretty amazing because I think you captured their personalities spot-on. Would love to read more from you...and soon! :D

Great story, I loved it. I can just imagen the warmth that Zuko has to give to the unsteady waterbender at his side. It was extremely cute and fluffy and I liked that. I also like the fact that she had forgiven him so easily because she realised that she wasn't mad at him but her mothers murder instead. Nice job. :D

Great one shot. This is one of my faorite episodes, and you've actually made it better without changing any of the core emotions. I'll be sad if you dissapear from fanfiction for another decade and not write anymore.

Yay! I'm so glad you finally decided to write something. Welcome to the dark side - it only gets easier and more addicting as you go.

What I like about this story is that you actually manage to make me like and sympathise with Katara, which is rare for me.

How had it come to this? How could she give into the dark feelings within herself? Why could she not bring herself to exact the revenge she so desperately desired?

Personally, I like the contradictions here because I find Katara to be a mess of contradictions. She did give into dark feelings (Bloodbending is pretty dark), but she couldn't bring herself to kill Yon Rha.

Another thing I appreciated about this was the fact that it wasn't romantic at all. Yes, I do like Zutara, but I am usually of the mind that you have to build to that (at least that's my preference for my own writing). I would have like Zuko to be a bit more awkward when he was trying to comfort Katara (as I don't see that coming naturally to him - with anyone), but I could suspend my disbelief because, hey, I love the Zutara friendship. Plus I could see Zuko being genuinely distracted and maybe even slightly disturbed by all that had just transpired (especially the Bloodbending).

Field trips with Zuko are really a life-altering experience, aren't they? _~

So congrats for writing your first Zutara! Very few start off so well. _

This is really good! It's full of emotion, and I like you you actually included scenes from the episode and explained what Katara was thinking and feeling then. I can easily see this happening off-camera.

I really like that quote you used; I might use that in one of my stories. I love it when stories or chapters begin with a quote; I try to do that for most of my writing.

I was a little confused by these two lines, especially the first: "How could she give into the dark feelings within herself? Why could she not bring herself to exact the revenge she so desperately desired?" They seem kind of contradictory.

I liked that line, "I refuse to stoop to your level." I've never heard that used in a Southern Raiders fanfic before, but it makes perfect sense. It's a good reason for Katara not to kill Yon Rha, even if she doesn't forgive him.

I hope you'll write more fanfics, especially for Avatar: The Last Airbender. :) Good luck!