Zuko's Baby Sister

Chapter Thirty Five

     "She's.. not gonna make it.."Azula uses her firebending to propel herself toward the wall, stopping her fall with her hair pin and saving herself. "Of course she did." Zuko finished

*short time skip*

    "Wow, camping ... it really seems like old times again, doesn't it?"

    "If you really want it to feel like old times, I could, uh ... chase you around a while and try to capture you." I snorted immediately spitting up my water. He smiles and the rest of the group laughs, except for Katara.

    "Ha, ha." Kat said sarcastically

    "To Zuko! Who knew after all those times he tried to snuff us out, today he'd be our hero?" I said lifting up my cup again.

    "Hear! Hear!" Aang nudges him with his elbow, before Toph lightly punches him.

"That's how Toph shows affection." I shrugged.

    "I'm touched. I don't deserve this." Zuko said. I noticed Katara's angry expression and shook my head.

"Katara, say it. I dare you." My eyes darkened in anger and she immediately clasped her mouth shut and got up. As she walked away the fire flared and then went down as I took a deep breath.

Later the next day m Aang is feeding Appa hay. Sokka fiddles around with a flower necklace. I lay upside down on Appa's head making weird faces at my boyfriend. Katara and Zuko approach the bison, Zuko carrying a sack slung over his shoulder.

    "I need to borrow Appa."

    "Why? Is it your turn to take a little field trip with Zuko?"

"No ZuZu isn't leaving me again." I said pouting as I flip forward off Appa landing on my feet beside Aang.

    "Yes, it is."

    "Oh. What's going on?" Aang's asked as Zuko patted my head.

    "We're going to find the man who took my mother from me." Sokka pauses and stands up, surprised.

    "Sokka told me the story of what happened. I know who did it and I know how to find him."

    "Um ... and what exactly do you think this will accomplish?" I said looking at Aang then back to the two.

    "Ugh, I knew you two wouldn't understand. Especially Princess Ardema." Katara said as she begins to walk away.

    "Wait! Stop! I do understand. You're feeling unbelievable pain and rage. How do think I felt about the sandbenders when they stole Appa? How do you think I felt about the Fire Nation when I found out what happened to my people?"

"You're not the only one who lost their mother to the fire nation." I remarked. "And I was 4." I said before turning and walking away. I felt my eyes water shook my head.

    Later that night Katara is dressed in a black cloak, tying her hair in a ponytail. Aang, Sokka, and I watch her from behind a rock before emerging from behind it. I rolled my eyes at the dumb girl and shook my head.

    "So you were just gonna take Appa anyway?" Aang said as I glared at the water bender.

    "Yes."

    "It's okay, because I forgive you. That give you any ideas?"

    "Don't try to stop us."

    "I wasn't planning to. This is a journey you need to take. You need to face this man." Katara situates herself on Appa's head. "But when you do, please don't choose revenge. Let your anger out, and then let it go. Forgive him." Aang said.

    "Okay, we'll be sure to do that, guru goody-goody." My brother retorts sarcastically as he climbs aboard Appa.

    "Thanks for understanding, Aang. Yip-yip." Appa takes flight; Aang and Sokka look up at the departing bison, their backs facing me. I closed my eyes and sighed.

    "You know, you're pretty wise for a kid."

    "Thanks, Sokka."

    "Usually it's annoying, but right now, I'm impressed." He wants something.

    "I appreciate that."

    "So, can I borrow Momo for a week?"

    "Why do you need Momo?" Sokka simply shrugs.

    "Can we go to sleep now?" Sang nodded and turned back to me before pulling me to a temporary sleeping spot.

    The next morning as I watched Aang practice his fire bending I stopped and frowned slightly. I looked at Aang then stood up and stopped his bending.

   "I have a random question." His eyes  met mine and he smiled.

    "Yeah?"

    "When's your birthday?"

    "Oh umm...June 19, 12 AG." He said smiling slightly. I nodded and kissed his cheek.

     "I missed it this year so I won't miss anymore." He blushed and then nodded. "Get back to work." I winked.

    *time skip*

     "I miss Zuko." I mumbled as I began falling asleep. I felt Aang's hand run through my hair just as I fell asleep.

    "He'll be back soon." He replied.

     "Katara? Are you okay?" Aang said as we approached her, Zuko with us.

    "I'm doing fine."

    "Zuko told me what you did. Or what you didn't do, I guess. I'm proud of you."

    "I wanted to do it. I wanted to take out all my anger at him, but I couldn't. I don't know if it's because I'm too weak to do it or because I'm strong enough not to."

    "You did the right thing. Forgiveness is the first step you have to take to begin healing."

    "But I didn't forgive him. I'll never forgive him." She smiles at Zuko and walks up to him. "But I am ready to forgive you." The two hug and Katara begins walking away.

    "You were right about what Katara needed. Violence wasn't the answer." Zuko said as we walked away.

    "It never is."

    "Then I have a question for you. What are you gonna do when you face my father?" I said looking back at Aang. His eyes widened and a worried expression covers his face.