Day 7: Storm

The rain was pouring hard on Ember Island. The sky and the clouds were dark grey and from them poured heavy drops of water. It was obviously not a good weather for bending practice or even for taking walk outside. But one person didn't care. He stood at a cliff that overlooked his family's beach house and waited for lightning to strike.

It wasn't the first time he did this. Back when he was still with his uncle, he let out all his anger at the world during a storm. Lately, it was the only way he could release his anger, his worry and his fear. He couldn't show everyone else that he was scared. There had to be one of them who wouldn't be afraid to face the Fire Lord. Since Aang was obviously not going to be that someone, he decided to step up.

He waited and waited but no lightning could be seen. He didn't care about the rain or about getting wet. Right now, the only thing he wanted to do was redirect lightning. It was the only way he could calm down. Besides, he needed to practice his defense against his sister and father.

The storm was slowly getting stronger but nothing could compare to the turmoil within himself. He knew the Avatar would have the hardest job of all because it was against his morals and beliefs as a monk. But he thought it would be just as hard for him. He was going against his own family, against his country. There was no one else who sided with him. Azula and Fire Lord Ozai were much better benders than he was, not to mention they can bend lightning. There was no one there to help him. His mother was gone and his uncle had escaped from jail on his own.

He sighed. Thinking about his uncle made him remember all his past mistakes. He was always there for him. He had been a true father to him and he didn't appreciate him. He even called him a crazy old man. As he thought about that moment in Ba Sing Se, tears streamed down his cheeks, mixing with the rain pouring on him. He crumpled down and buried his face in his hands. He just wished he could change everything. He wanted to go back in time and change his decision. That way, he could still be with his uncle. That way, the GAang wouldn't have hated him so much. Well, he still thought that they still hated him. After all, they still hadn't come to check up on him.

Little did he know that back at the house, they were all wondering where he was. After much searching, Katara volunteered to look for him outside. She figured it would be okay since she could bend the water away from her and Zuko when she found him.

She ventured outside and looked at the dark sky. I hope he's okay she thought. As she looked at the cliff that overlooked the whole island. She saw a small spot of red near the edge. She thought it would be Zuko so she hurried to him.

After a lot of running, she finally arrived at the edge of the cliff. There she saw Zuko kneeling, crying in his hands. She knelt beside him and put her hand on his shoulder. He looked up and she saw the tears flowing down his cheeks.

"Zuko, what's wrong?" she asked, looking at him with worry and bending the water away from them

"It's my fault, Katara! Everything is my fault!" he cried, gripping her arm

"What? What are you talking about?"

"This is all my fault! If I hadn't betrayed you in Ba Sing Se, we could have defeated Azula! If I hadn't chosen to side with her, I could have been with my uncle! If I didn't speak out in the war room, my mother would still be here! It's my fault, Katara!"

"Zuko, please calm down. It's going to be okay... Please go home. We can talk about it inside..."

"No! I don't deserve to be in your company! I betrayed you! All of you should be mad at me, especially you!"

"Zuko we've already forgiv-"

"How could you forgive someone who has made countless mistakes!"

"I know you're a good person, Zuko! That's why I forgave you! Deep inside, I know you're genuinely good. I know you're not like Azula and you're not like your father! Please come with me! The rain is getting stronger! You might get sick!"

"No! Just leave me here to die..."

"Zuko, please! I'm here for you! We all are! I don't hate you anymore! I'm sorry for treating you like dirt! You didn't deserve it, not one bit."

Zuko stood up and faced her.

"Katara, please. You have to understand. I hate myself more than any other person right now and I just can't forgive myself for my mistakes, especially for hurting you..."

"Zuko, you have to learn to forgive yourself, especially when everybody else has too..."

"I'm afraid, okay? I'm afraid because I might just hurt you again..."

"I know you won't, Zuko. I know you've changed for the better..."

Zuko just turned away and faced the raging seas and the sky again. Katara wanted to get down on her knees and beg him to come with her.

"Zuko, please! Let's go home! Do it for the team!"

He didn't budge.

"Do it for your uncle and for your mom!"

Still no movement. Katara decided to pull her trump card. She was probably going to regret it but...

"Do it for me! Because I care about you! Because I love you!"

Katara waited for his response. She didn't know that her words, no matter how meaningless they may seem, had a great effect for Zuko. When he heard those 3 words, the storm within him started to disappear.

Drying his tears, he turned around and gave her a small smile. He took her hand and together they walked back to the house.

Katara's words had changed his very core. The stormy sky of his mind was now bright and sunny again. The angry-looking clouds in his soul were now nowhere to be seen. And in his heart, the once-raging grey waves of the seas subsided and turned calm and deep blue again, just like the cerulean eyes of the girl that he loved...

A/N: yeah, I know. it sucked. Sorry guys. It didn't come out the way I thought it would. But hey, it's not that bad right? Well, I had an awesome Zutara week! Hope you guys did too! :)

Disclaimer: i dont own avatar or any of the characters in it

Hope you like it! R&R please! :)