Chapter 8

Zuko took a deep breath of fresh air. He had been crammed on a boat full of rhino stallions and ape yaks for the past hour. He glanced around. The last time he had been there, he was with Katara. He thought of Zi Bao's words "Just go on your course! The eclipse is upon us soon! The sun and the moon will naturally be drawn to each other!" He wondered how long exactly it would be until he saw Katara again. A week? A month?

"ZUKO?!" Or now? Zuko looked out above the ape yaks. There stood the moon: Katara. She looked just the same as the last time he had seen her. She had been fourteen then. It had really been three years. Her hair loopies and fire nation bun (that she had grown accustomed to wearing) were exactly centered. She was alone. Zuko couldn't help it. He ran. She ran towards him as well. They collided in the middle and embraced each other. Katara was the first to pull away.

"I haven't seen you for three years! What on earth are you doing at the western air temple?" Katara said. Zuko laughed.

"Long story, basically I have to travel to a bunch of major cities as part of my fire nation duties!"

"I see!"

"why are you here?!" Zuko laughed, playfully poking her stomach "I thought you guys were in Omashu!"

"We took a vacation!" Zuko nodded.

"Do you have Appa?"

"No I walked from the western air temple!"

"Fine! Stupid question! Anyways, would you help me carry my bags?" Katara followed Zuko to his things and picked up the lighter of the two bags. Zuko glanced over at the sun, which was just beginning to rise over the ocean. Sun and moon. Destinies intertwined.

"Katara...? I have to talk to you about something-"

"HEY!" a man riding a rhino stallion screamed.

"THAT'S THE WANTED CRIMINAL!" he pointed to Katara.

"GET HER!" Katara looked helplessly up at Zuko.

"run."