Katara & Zuko: Water & Fire

Chapter 8

Katara's POV:

"Alright, Zuko, what would you like to ask me?" She gave her full attention to him, gazing into his now softened golden eyes.

Zuko looked down. "Remember I told you my mother was taken from me?"

"Yes, I remember," Katara responded gently.

"Well, I'd like to start searching for her." He paused and looked back up. "Would you like to go with me?"

"Of course, Zuko. Especially after everything you've done for me. I'd be honored to help you find your mother," she answered and smiled.

"Thank you Katara," Zuko replied and squeezed her hand.

"But right now I'm exhausted so I'm going to bed. Good night," she said and pulled her hand away as she walked back to her room.

As she closed the door behind her, she let out a long breath. That was a long night and she needed to sleep at least a few hours before the sun came up.

Remembering what Mai had done, Katara locked her door, just to be on the safe side. Then she trudged to her bed and flopped on it, falling asleep soon after.

Before she understood what was going on, she saw Zuko. One thing led to another and they ended up in bed together. After sleeping with Zuko, Katara found out she was pregnant with his child. Suddenly she awakened and realized that it had been a dream.

Katara took several breaths to calm herself. What was that? A glimpse of the future? Or just a manifestation of her growing attraction for Zuko? Or both?

Zuko's POV:

Facing Azula, Zuko asked, "where is our mother?"

Suddenly Azula morphed into a blue dragon with lighting blasting out of her eyes.

Zuko awakened with a jolt, sitting up in bed. He shook his head. Even with Azula locked up in prison, she was still wreaking havoc in his mind.

As much as he didn't want to see her, Zuko realized that he didn't have much to go on to find his mother. His father hadn't been very informative. But he vaguely remembered a conversation he had with Azula many years ago when their mother left.

He would have to visit Azula and see how much she could tell him.

Zuko took a while, but eventually fell back asleep.

The next day, the sun shone through the window, strengthening his inner fire. He arose and prepared for his mission. But who would watch over everything while he was gone?

That's when Zuko thought of Aang and remembered how he banished him. Regret and guilt washed over him as he hurried out to the hall to find the Avatar.

Once he reached Aang's door, Zuko knocked. No one answered, only silence. Maybe he was asleep?

Zuko knocked harder this time, but this just caused the door to open, revealing an empty room and no Avatar in sight.