CHAPTER 7:

The next days passed with ease as they were blessed with peaceful and warm weather. Though once they had left official Fire Nation waters, Katara noticed a difference in the temperature.

She noted from the direction of the bright sun that the time was beginning to turn to early evening as she leaned against the edge of the ship. She flicked her wrist around lightly, causing the water beneath her to dance just above the surface.

She was beginning to breathe a little easier the closer they had gotten to their destination. She could feel it in her heart now that they would make it in time. Just as Zuko had said.

'Zuko…'

She sighed at the thought of the young Fire Lord. He was currently on the deck, conversing with the captain about whatever the weather would be like close to the Southern Air Temple.

Katara knew that the weather could be finicky around that area. There had been a lot of storms around there recently. She remembered being there just a couple of months prior for Aang to investigate.

~~flashback~~

"There is a lot of spiritual activity around here lately. Seems like some of the monks don't want this place to be rein habited by anyone other than the Air Nomads. So, they are wrestling with the air around the water to keep just anyone that stumbles upon it, away."

"Why would they do that, Aang? I thought they were a peaceful people?" She inquired.

"They were. But they are, or were, also very private." Aang had informed her casually.

~~end flashback~~

One of the better times that she could remember with him.

"Looks like we might be headed in for some rough weather." She jumped and released the water that she had been bending back into the sea as she heard Zuko's velvet voice.

"Did I scare you?" He chuckled as he approached her at the edge.

She turned around and looked up at him with a smile.

"Just caught me off guard. I was so focused on my thoughts that I didn't even hear you come up to me."

He leaned against the rail about an arms distance from her and she watched as he set his golden eyes on the setting sun, watching it intently.

"We're getting close to the Air Temple." He stated with little emotion.

"I could feel the change in temperature." She responded, peeking at the sunset as well.

She turned to face him completely. His loose-fitting trousers and gold trimmed maroon tied shirt suited him. Simple yet regal. Maybe it was the way he had carried himself as of late that made her think that way. Wise and kind. Yet firm and steadfast. Seeming always in control of his emotions and actions.

She loved that.

It was in that moment of silence that her thoughts went to Aang and what he was doing. She wondered if his precious Fire-Lily had bloomed to his liking. Katara had taken the last days to process through what happened with Aang.

She was no longer angry with him. She was sad for him. The way he was conducting himself would lead to a lonely existence, she knew that for sure. Now that she had stepped away and felt the freedom, she felt silly and unwise for staying in the relationship for so many years being so unhappy. And, not with the man she truly loved.

How had she been so blind?

"Can I ask something?" She heard Zuko ask, sounding as if he was a million miles away.

"Sure." She eyed him carefully.

"I-I was wondering…" He still wasn't turning to her, but she didn't miss the look in his eye.

The serious look. The one she knew meant she should give all her attention to him. Which she did. Touching his exposed arm, she looked at him gravely.

"What is it?" She softly encouraged as she leaned over to get a look at his full face.

"It's nothing." He shrugged her off and turned his back to her.

Her heart hurt in that moment of him turning away. Didn't he trust her? No. She knew that he did. Maybe he was upset? Or embarrassed?

She took a single step towards him as she closed the distance between them and placed a hand over his on the rail. An action she knew was a brave one. For both of them.

Letting a breath out, she found her voice.

"Please…" She requested more than plead.

"You only said Aang wasn't coming."

'There it is…'

"But you never said why?" Zuko continued slowly, as if testing the words on his tongue before they came out.

She stood silent as she tested her own words in her head before speaking.

"You don't have to tell me." He turned quickly around and eyeballed her carefully as if he was waiting for her to react negatively toward him for even asking the question.

Katara sensed this and shook her head vigorously. She even squeezed the hand she was holding.

"No! It's just fine that you asked." She reassured him, "I was just looking for the proper words to say."

"There is no need for any formal words right now, Katara. It's just us that can hear." He gave her a small yet reassuring smile.

The water bender felt a strong sense of relief and a sort of weight off her shoulders. She knew he and Aang were rather close at one time. And, she would never intentionally disrespect the Avatar to anyone with her words. Not that speaking the truth was disrespectful.

'Only that you know your words, just a few days ago, would have come at a high price. But it is just you and Zuko. No one else. Let yourself be vulnerable.'

She took a deep breath before she began.

"He chose a flower over me." She breathed out, "It sounds ridiculous coming out of my mouth right now. But at the time…"

Zuko turned them so they were facing each other, and he took a half a step towards her. So much so that she could start to feel the natural heat that radiated off his body.

"It's not ridiculous. You're allowed to feel however you want."

"It was just the final straw to me…" Katara mumbled as she glanced out to the sea and watched the waves bob along.

She was so set when she decided to tell him but couldn't understand the sudden rush of emotions that came with it. But she knew. She knew why it hurt. That even after years together, Aang was so quick to pick that damned flower over her.

"I'm all ears whenever you're ready to talk." His amber eyes flowed over with compassion, "Like I told you back in the Royal Garden. I'm always here to listen."

Her heart swelled even more at his compassion. She didn't have to worry about mincing words with Zuko. Fire Lord and all. He was still the same kind man that she always knew he was. Even if for a time it was only a hope that it was in there. Even through the time her heart was shattered by him.

"When I rushed to his room after the message about Gran-Gran was delivered… He-he told me he wanted to see the Fire-Lilies bloom. That it was more important to him."

Zuko's face twisted into a mix of anger and confusion.

"He also told me that Gran-Gran was old and had lived a good life. That if she passed, she passed. That he wouldn't miss out on the Fire-Lily for her… He knows the dark thoughts that, that flower holds in my mind." She looked to see the shock written on his face.

"So, I told him we were done. That if a flower was more important than me, there was no need to continue in a fruitless relationship."

If the topic of conversation wasn't so serious, Katara would have thought the range of emotions he displayed was adorable.

"What do you mean 'fruitless relationship?'" She heard him quietly ask.

The blue-eyed woman bit her lip before she decided to speak the truth.

"I thought I had loved Aang for a long time. But it had become clear with time that that was not what it was. Well, it wasn't what I thought it was. I felt like I needed to take care of Aang. Like I had since Sokka and I found him in the iceberg."

"Then why did you agree to marry him?" Zuko interjected quickly and with some edge to his voice.

"Because, I didn't feel like I had another choice. It felt like it was just expected of me at that point. Who in their right mind would reject a marriage proposal from the Avatar?" She let out a bitter chuckle as she reminisced.

"I see…"

She knew the true words that were hidden under those words he spoke. She grew nervous and quickly started to steer the conversation away.

"Then of course, he was jealous." She dared step out into that territory with him.

Zuko perked up and eyed her carefully.

"What do you mean?"

She shot the Fire Lord a sad smile at that point.

"Aang has always been the jealous type. Not that you don't already know that though. He was once so jealous of one of my old pupils in the Southern Water Tribe that he threatened the poor kid by telling him he would strap him to the back of a penguin. The kid was eight years old!"

"Angi…" Zuko's eyes widened, "I knew he was always jealous, but to that degree is ridiculous."

"I agree. I am glad to finally be out of that relationship." she agreed with a nod.

There was a minute of silence as they remained facing each other but both looked out to the purple sunset.

"May I ask about the Fire-Lilies?" He changed the subject, most likely trying to spare her.

Katara felt her blood run cold at the thought of the red flower.

"Hama…" She breathed out.

"What?"

"Hama was her name." Katara started as she took a deep breath to calm herself, "She was a water bender that had been captured by the Fire Nation when Gran-Gran was a little girl. The soldiers kept her in a cage for years where she grew up. Through the years into her early adulthood she felt the moon empower her when it was at its fullest. That was when she realized that all living things have water in them. So, she started controlling the rats usin-"

"Blood bending…" Zuko finished her sentence.

"How do you know about blood bending?!" Katara couldn't keep the shock from her voice.

"That's what I saw when we went after Yon Ra wasn't it?"

Katara paused as the memory of her losing control came to her.

"Yes." She breathed, "I swore to myself that I would never use it. And, that night, I lost control and did. I reached inside of him and took control. It's a moment that still haunts me."

The man took a small step toward her and closed the remaining distance as he placed a large hand around her shoulder and pulled her into a half hug. She could feel the comforting weight of it, and she wanted it to stay there forever. She took advantage of the moment and inhaled deeply as the comforting scent of him invaded her nostrils and instantly relaxed her. It was exactly how she remembered from all those years ago in the healing chambers.

"We all have lost control at one point or another. What matters is that we grow and move forward. Not letting our past mistakes define who we are now."

Katara smiled as they stood there.

"Okay, Uncle Iroh!" She let out a small laugh as she teased the now blushing man.

He dropped his hand and instinctively reached up to scratch his head.

"What can I say, he has taught me well!" Zuko winked at her and jumped back quickly as she struck her hand out to smack him playfully. He laughed loudly as she lunged at him and landed a light slap on his left bicep.

'Hard as a rock… He still trains hard.' She couldn't help the risqué thought.

"I only wish to be as wise as he is one day." He stated with all sincerity in his voice once his laughter died down.

She stood with her feet firmly planted and hands crossed over her chest.

"You wish, Sparky!" She grinned as he groaned at the statement.

"You wound me!" He cried with a smile splayed on his face, reaching his eyes. Even the marred one.

It brought her joy to know she could still make him smile, even in the deepest part of his scars.

Hey Guys!

Sorry it has taken soooo long to update. Life has been absolutely insane lately. I am still working so I don't have much time for writing. But, I hope that ou like this chapter!

It is more of a "transition" chapter with not much drama. However, I can't wait for what is coming! :O

Thank you to my wonderful friend and BETA generaltay, for always being amazing and helping me through brain fog and letting me bounce a million ideas off her at all hours of the day and night!

Can't wait for next chapter! Thanks my wonderful readers for your continued support!