The next morning Zuko and Chiara were up early with the sun, and they decided to quietly meditate by the river while allowing their guest to sleep in.
"I think we should have fish for breakfast," she said after their meditation. "She might enjoy that better than our supplies."
"Don't overdo it," he said as he watched her walk into the river.
It was not long before she froze a section of water and set it on the riverbank, where, after she melted it, Zuko began gutting the fish that had been frozen inside. When he finished, Chiara drew a bucket of water to take back to the campsite.
"I'll get that," he said as he took it from her.
"I need to get used to doing work again," she said.
"No, you don't," he insisted. "I can handle it."
She sighed softly.
"May I at least pick some of these moon peaches?" she asked when they walked by the ripe fruit.
He stopped and waited while she pulled a few from the tree. She missed having her skirt in which to gather food as Zuko's tunic, despite being long on her, was still too short to carry much.
When they arrived back at the camp, Zuko built a fire and started heating the water for tea while Chiara prepared to cook the fish.
Soon the aroma of the cooked fish drew Toph out of her shelter.
"Something smells really good," she said giving her limbs a stretch before stomping and dissolving her makeshift rock tent.
"Breakfast, Lady Beifong?"
Toph knelt down on the ground not far from the campfire. "Thank you, Princess Chiara."
She was a bit thrown by Toph's title for her having only ever heard Iroh address her as "princess." She set her own plate aside, and she put a piece of fish on another plate. After cutting up one of the moon peaches, she placed the pieces on the plate with the fish. Zuko had poured a cup of tea for her, and Chiara took it all to Toph.
"There's fish and a fresh moon peach," she said as she lay the plate in her hands. "And this is ginseng tea." She set the cup on the ground near her.
"I'm not totally helpless, you know," said Toph with a tone of defensiveness. "I could've helped myself."
"I know you could," said Chiara calmly. "But what would that say of our hospitality if we allow a guest in our camp to serve herself?"
Zuko was quietly laughing to himself as he listened to Chiara counter Toph's argument.
"You sound a lot like Iroh," said Toph.
"Thank you," smiled Chiara as she sat down with her own plate. "That's a great compliment."
"You guys must've been up early."
"Firebenders rise with the sun," said Zuko still eating his breakfast.
"But what about Princess Chiara?" asked Toph. "Because the waterbender I know does not get up with the sun," she said speaking of Katara.
"I grew up with firebenders," said Chiara. "So I rise early too."
"So this is what the others were talking about," said Toph as she ate. "They said you had breakfast ready for them every morning." She stopped eating. "Hey, you were a guest in their camp. Why weren't they serving you?"
"They saved me from a cruel fate," she answered. "The least I could do was make breakfast for them."
"I guess," said Toph as she started eating again.
"And they reminded me of children in need of a mother," she added softly.
"Aang said he liked having you take care of them."
"Aww," she smiled.
"You're awfully quiet, Sparky," Toph said to Zuko.
"I'm eating," he said dryly.
"You know, I can feel your heartbeat. It sounds pretty annoyed to me." Zuko and Chiara were both amazed to learn that her earthbending ability was sensitive enough to detect their heartbeats. "Does it bother you that much that Aang likes your wife?"
He was instantly irked, hating the way she worded her question, and Toph, feeling it, took a little sadistic pleasure in messing with him.
"She was gone for days when she was with them," he said trying to keep his temper under control. "It was a very difficult time."
"I guess it was if you didn't have Princess Chiara serving you your meals every day."
"It wasn't like that...," he started defensively while memories of her serving his meals went through his mind.
"You might want to rephrase that more truthfully," said Toph.
"Well...okay...she did, but that's not why...that's not why it was difficult." She could hear the frustration in his voice. "I was worried about her. I missed her," he said softly.
"So did Aang," she said with an impish smile. "And Sokka. The way they went on about her, they didn't want her to leave. Between those two it was 'Chiara this' and 'beautiful mystery girl that...'"
Zuko was feeling heated as Toph went on.
"...and with Sokka's stomach being bigger than the Great Divide, he couldn't sing her praises enough around the campfire."
"It was an honor to serve them during our time together," said Chiara who had giggled at the Great Divide jab towards Sokka, but she was quite sure Toph was embellishing the truth about 'her praises.'
Zuko, however, was getting more frustrated. He was trying not to let the little earthbender get to him, but it seemed the harder he tried, the more her extra-sensitive senses picked up on it.
"Once they find out you're here they won't have a problem letting you join the group," continued Toph, "especially if it means this every morning." She held up her empty plate. "Is there more?"
"Of course," said Chiara taking it from her.
Zuko was scowling. "I don't like the idea that they'll only let us join so my wife can be their slave."
"Mother, Prince Zuko," Chiara corrected him while cutting up another moon peach. "Not slave. There's a difference."
"They're never going to accept me for myself," he said, sounding disappointed.
"Hey, you're the one that screwed up in Ba Sing Se and ticked everyone off, especially Katara," said Toph. "So if you really want to teach the Avatar, then Chiara's your best chance to join the Gaang."
Zuko sighed.
Chiara handed Toph her refilled plate before sitting down next to Zuko again and gently rubbing his back. "Don't worry. It'll all work out," she said.
--------------------
After eating breakfast, they got ready to approach the Avatar again. They started walking towards the temple, stopping at the river as they did the day before.
"You stay here," Zuko said to Chiara.
"I still think you should bring her," recommended Toph.
"I need to do this on my own," he insisted.
"No offense, but they like Chiara a lot better, and if you want to teach Aang, you really should take advantage of that."
He crossed his arms. "I'm not using my wife as leverage or selling her services to win the Avatar's trust."
"Your funeral, Sparky, but she'll make it a lot easier."
He sighed, but they started descending the steps while Chiara sat by the water and waited.
"Toph! Where have you been?!" yelled Katara when she saw her coming down the stairs.
They suddenly noticed Zuko behind her.
"You didn't...," started Sokka glaring at the Fire Prince.
"I really think he can help," said Toph.
"No!" said Katara. "We already decided yesterday. He's not joining us. Aang doesn't want him for a teacher."
"Look," said Zuko, "I'm sorry for hurting you, all of you. I know I don't deserve another chance..."
"That's the first honest thing you've said!" said Katara. "You don't deserve another chance!"
"And you're not getting it," said Sokka.
"You need to hear him out," said Toph.
"No!" yelled Katara. "We're not letting him teach firebending to Aang. That's the perfect excuse for Zuko to attack him."
"You guys'll really want to hear what he has to say," said Toph.
"I don't care what he has to say!" Katara looked at Zuko. "You need to leave! We don't want you here!"
In anger, she drew up water from the fountain and threw it at Zuko knocking him down. He refused to defend himself in an attempt to show his sincerity.
"You...you can keep me tied up...or...or put me in a cell, but you need me," he said, still on the ground, his hair and clothes dripping with water. "I can help you defeat the Fire Lord."
"Go!" yelled Katara. "Leave!"
When he remained where he was, she attacked him with water again. He only covered his face, but he made no move to defend himself otherwise or retaliate against her.
Chiara was sitting quietly by the river creating fish shapes out of water when she heard Katara yelling. She slowly descended the steps to the temple complex and peeked around the corner where she saw Zuko being attacked. Katara continued blasting him with water until he was dangerously near the ledge, and he still refused to defend himself against her. Just as she was throwing another blast of water towards him, Chiara had sprinted down the steps and towards Zuko quickly diverting the water from him. She pulled the water from his clothes and then blocked another of Katara's attacks. Katara was stunned to see Chiara come to his rescue as she stood protectively in front of him. But they were all even more astonished to see her waterbend.
"You're a waterbender?" asked Katara. "Why are you helping him? He betrayed us."
"He can help the Avatar," said Chiara.
"What is this?!" Katara yelled. She looked at Zuko who got to his feet and stood next to Chiara. "You convinced her to help you so we'll think we can trust you now?"
"It's not like that," he said.
Katara drew up more water and furiously launched it towards him again, but Chiara skillfully bent it so it gracefully moved around him without a single drop touching him.
"How can you defend him?!" cried Katara.
"Please give him a chance," she said.
"I gave him a chance and it nearly killed Aang!" yelled Katara angrily.
Aang and Sokka just silently watched the two girls.
The physical exertion was beginning to take its toll on Chiara and she was fighting to remain conscious. Toph, sensing the strain on her heart, started slowly walking towards her.
"I know he's hurt you guys," said Chiara, "but I promise he's changed."
"How can we trust you? You lied to us."
"I'm sorry I couldn't tell you everything, but nothing I said was a lie."
"But we still can't trust you," insisted Katara. "We don't even know who you are."
Chiara stumbled, feeling weaker.
"Please don't attack him," she said before she began falling.
"Chiara!" Zuko caught her in his arms keeping her from hitting the ground. He looked up at Katara. "Please, you've got to help her."
"I don't have to do anything for you!" she snarled.
"It's not just for me; it's for her."
Katara's heart started softening at the Fire Prince's plea for a waterbender, but she still felt it was a trap.
"You need to help her, Katara," said Toph.
"What happened to her?" she asked Zuko deeply. "What did you do to her?"
"I got her out of the prison where my sister tortured her."
Toph perked up, stunned to learn this. "She was tortured?"
"So that's it," said Katara sure she identified the trap. "You convinced her you'd let her go if she helped you get the Avatar."
"She would never do something like that," argued Zuko.
"But you would."
"Please help her," he begged. "And then if you want us to leave we will."
"She's not even Fire Nation," she glared at him. "Why do you even care what happens to her?"
"She's my wife," he said softly.
Everybody was stunned into silence except Toph.
"I told you guys you'd want to hear what he had to say," she said, sounding smug.
"You-you're lying," said Katara deeply. "She wouldn't marry you. And you would never marry someone from the Water Tribe."
"It's a long story," he said.
"Wait...," said Sokka with a puzzled expression, "you married your cousin? So is that like a normal thing in the Fire Nation? Because that would explain a lot about your crazy family."
Zuko sighed deeply at Sokka's disturbing assumption. "She's not my cousin..."
"Your uncle said she's his daughter. I mean, I guess that's better than being married to her if she were your sister, but still, that's pretty close..."
"We're not blood related," said Zuko dryly. He found himself getting really annoyed with Sokka's rambling. "My uncle adopted her."
"Katara," said Aang, "maybe you should help her."
"I don't trust them, Aang. It could be a trick and they're in on it together."
"It's not a trick," said Toph. "Princess Chiara's really honest."
Everyone caught Toph's title for Chiara.
"Maybe he just convinced her that he wants to help so she really believes it," suggested Sokka following his sister's lead on it being a trap.
"Look, while you guys are arguing, she's not getting any better," said Zuko. "Are you going to help her or not?"
Katara hesitated still glaring at him. "Fine," she gave in. "I'll help her, and then you leave us alone."
Zuko nodded. He was not happy about the Avatar turning down his offer to train him, but he was relieved that they were willing to help Chiara. He stood up lifting her in his arms and then followed Katara into one of the temple buildings. They entered one of the rooms where Zuko laid Chiara on the floor, but he continued holding her left hand in his not wanting to break contact with her. Katara knelt down next to her across from Zuko and looked over her facial wounds. Pulling water out of her water skin, she began healing the deep cut above her left eye. Zuko watched as the water glowed over the wound that got smaller and smaller until it was no longer visible. Katara then healed the smaller cut on her lip and the bruise over her cheekbone.
"Prince Zuko...," she said weakly.
"I'm here," he said as he caressed her hand and then kissed it.
She looked up at him. "Are you okay?"
"Better now that you're awake," he answered to Katara's surprise.
"I have so many questions for you," said Katara softly to Chiara.
"I know you do," said Zuko. "But before you interrogate her, can you heal her other injuries?"
Katara gave him a slight glare before nodding curtly. Zuko helped Chiara sit up, and then he helped take off his tunic she was wearing so Katara could have access to the wounds on her back. She gasped when she saw them, and Chiara could not help a soft laugh.
"What's so funny?" asked Katara.
"Prince Zuko has tried to spare my feelings. Thank you for letting me know just how bad it really is."
He averted his eyes, but she tenderly touched his cheek drawing his gaze back to her, and she gave him a smile that warmed his heart.
"W-what happened to you?" asked Katara.
Zuko knew that she was hoping to hear he did it to her.
"Azula," answered Chiara.
"They look like they're healing."
"I've been putting a burn salve on them," said Zuko, "but it's not healing them fast enough."
Katara began working, and soon the wounds were closed and her skin looked much better, except for scar tissue that was too old to heal. Zuko was relieved to see the difference.
"How does it feel?" he asked her.
"So much better. I still feel weak, but the pain is gone. Thank you," she said to Katara.
"Yes, thank you," said Zuko with his arms wrapped around Chiara.
"She should get some rest," said Katara in a surprisingly gentle voice.
Zuko nodded and helped Chiara with his tunic.
"I want to talk to you," Katara said to Zuko, reverting to a more stern tone.
He tenderly caressed Chiara's cheek. "Will you be okay here?"
She nodded. He kissed her hand and then helped her lie down before following Katara outside where they met with the others.
"How's she doing?" asked Aang.
"She said she feels weak, but the pain's gone," said Katara. "Her back was covered in scourge wounds. She said Azula did it."
"Knowing Azula," started Sokka, "I probably don't have to ask why, but why?"
"She found out Chiara's my wife," answered Zuko.
"Yeah," said Sokka, "and about that..."
Zuko hesitated trying to sort his thoughts.
"When we were living in Ba Sing Se, my uncle had opened a tea shop. He said it was a new beginning for us, and he convinced me to settle down and find a wife. Chiara's the only one I ever considered marrying, and Uncle finally gave me his blessing, so we got married."
"But...but you're just teenagers," said Aang.
"As Crown Prince of the Fire Nation, I would've had a marriage arranged for me at sixteen, and I would've been married at seventeen."
"But she's a waterbender," said Katara. "How did that happen?"
"Yeah, I thought she was from the Fire Nation," said Sokka. "Your uncle said she was his daughter."
"Is the Fire Nation taking slaves from other Nations now?" asked Katara, her eyes narrowed.
"She's not a slave," he said with a hint of defensiveness in his tone. He remembered Chiara's suggestion to be honest, and since none of the information was secret anymore, he decided to be open about it. "Years ago, a Fire Nation company attacked a Water Tribe village in the northwestern Earth Kingdom..."
"There are no Water Tribe villages in the northwestern Earth Kingdom," said Katara, trying to find holes in his story.
"No, there aren't...," said Zuko. "...anymore. Chiara was the only survivor, and my uncle, having pity on her, brought her home and adopted her..."
Her mouth dropped open. "Your uncle slaughtered a Water Tribe?" she asked sounding appalled.
"No. He arrived too late to stop the attack. He said it never should've happened."
"How did he get away with adopting her?" asked Sokka.
"He was the only one who knew she was from the village and that she was a waterbender. To everyone else she was just a war orphan that the Crown Prince of the Fire Nation took into his home. But he was like a father to her and she was raised as part of the Royal Family. We were best friends, and I had no idea she was a waterbender. She always took care of me, even going into exile with me when I was banished because she didn't want me to be alone." He looked down. "She always insisted I never lost my honor. Having her with me was like having a part of home wherever I was. I always wanted her to be my wife, but my uncle said we could never marry because as Crown Prince I had to marry someone whose lineage could be traced; he never told me it was because she was from the Water Tribe. In Ba Sing Se, it seemed there was no hope that I would ever return to the Fire Nation, so when Uncle suggested I settle down, I asked for his blessing to take Chiara as my wife, but he would only give his permission if I passed a test first..."
"You had to take a test to get married?" asked Sokka. "I didn't even know that was a thing. Was it written? Did you have to study for...?"
"His test was telling me their secret," Zuko interrupted what he considered to be inane questions. "She began bending water around a candle flame reflecting beautiful colors. I was shocked. Azula always said she was probably a peasant from the Earth Kingdom, but I never cared. All I knew was that she was my best friend, and I didn't care where she came from, whether it was the Earth Kingdom, Water Tribe, or Fire Nation, but I never would've guessed she was a waterbender. Although it did clear some things up," he added somewhat softly mostly to himself.
"What things?" asked Katara.
He looked at her. "She would secretly use her healing abilities; she told me she had a special medicine. Whenever she would heal any injuries she would always tell me to close my eyes, so I never knew it was her..."
Toph started laughing. "Oh, now I get it."
"Get what?" asked Katara.
"Zuko attacked me last night and burned my feet...," she started.
"He what?!" asked Katara and Aang at the same time.
"It was an accident," said Zuko.
"Chiara healed them with her special medicine," said Toph.
"But if she has healing abilities, why didn't she heal her own wounds?" asked Katara.
"She can't heal herself," said Zuko.
"I can heal myself."
"She said that it's rare, but she was told that her gift was for others."
"Who told her that?"
"I assume her waterbending teacher."
"From her village?" asked Katara.
"No. The Northern Water Tribe." Katara looked surprised by his answer. "After my cousin died, my uncle and Chiara traveled around. He took her to the North Pole to train. They lived there for months."
"But Master Pakku never trained female students," she said recognizing that Chiara's waterbending was more defensive than she would have learned from Yagoda.
"I don't know who her master was," said Zuko. "I just know she trained there."
Katara was now even more anxious to talk to Chiara.
"She never said anything about being Water Tribe or a waterbender when she was with us," said Aang.
"She couldn't," said Zuko. "If that information got back to the Fire Nation, it would've cost her her life as well as my uncle's. It nearly did after Ba Sing Se."
"We thought she was a firebender," said Sokka.
Zuko had a small smile. "My uncle said she's a firebender at heart."
As Katara pondered over everything, more questions came to her mind.
"I don't understand how she could marry you in Ba Sing Se," she said. "That's where you betrayed us."
"We were married the day before we found out Azula had taken over the city. We had our wedding in my uncle's tea shop and we postponed our vacation because Uncle had been invited to serve tea at the palace and he wanted us to join him. We didn't realize it was a trap set up by Azula."
"Um...that might've been my fault," said Katara guiltily. "I saw you in the tea shop, and when I went to report it to the Kyoshi warriors, it turned out to be Azula."
Everyone was stunned. Zuko wanted to be angry, but the more he thought about it, he knew they could not have remained there.
"It doesn't matter," he said. "Azula had taken over the city; she would've found us eventually. And I didn't just betray you," he said sadly. "I betrayed Chiara and my uncle as well. When you left the catacombs, Chiara came in to help Uncle. She was incredible. She fought against the Dai Li and Azula while defending Uncle, and even me," he added softly.
"You?!" asked Katara now glaring at him. "You were fighting on Azula's side."
"When I saw Chiara fighting I was so impressed, I couldn't move to fight her, but as she battled Azula she protected me from crossfire. She and Uncle were outnumbered though. They were taken to the Fire Nation as prisoners and I did nothing to stop it. My uncle was condemned to execution as a traitor for raising a spy in the Fire Nation, and Chiara was to be imprisoned for life."
"Your uncle was executed?" asked Aang, his eyes wide with worry.
"No. The night before his execution, I broke them out of prison, and we escaped to the Earth Kingdom. We lived there for months camping out in tents and living in a cabin." His heart stirred at the memories of their life in the cabin. "For so long I thought my destiny was to capture the Avatar," he said softly. "But I never felt so free until I made Chiara my destiny." Having spent a majority of their encounters in battle against each other, the Gaang was not used to seeing such a dreamy expression on the young prince. "We were so happy in the cabin; I could've lived there forever with her."
"So why didn't you?" asked Sokka.
"We were discovered by Fire Nation soldiers," he said, his dreamy expression becoming solemn. "When the general threatened to execute Chiara right there, my uncle told him that he had no authority to execute royal property because she was my wife. He had hoped it would prevent her execution and give us time to escape again, but unfortunately, we were taken back to the Fire Nation as prisoners, and it was now known that I had married someone from outside the Fire Nation. The wounds on her back were punishment for it by Azula. My sister told me she was dead, and when I finally found Uncle, he confirmed that Azula killed her. He told me not to let her death be in vain. That's when I made plans to get him out of prison and find the Avatar and join your side. The day of the eclipse when you guys were attacking the Fire Nation I went to the prison but Uncle had already escaped. On my way out, one of the guards told me to check the hidden cells. I thought I might find my uncle there, but instead I found Chiara. I took her out of there and we've been camping by the river the last few days. I've been nursing her back to health, but she's been so fragile lately." He was anxious to return to the room and stay by her side.
Toph now understood why Zuko had been so concerned about her the night before.
"I know that I betrayed all of you, and I understand if you don't trust me. I've been through a lot in the last few years, and it's been hard. But I'm realizing I had to go through all those things to learn the truth. I thought I had lost my honor, and that somehow my father could return it to me. But I know now that no one can give you your honor. It's something you earn for yourself by choosing to do what's right. All I want to do now is play my part in ending this war and help you restore balance to the world so Chiara and I can find a little quiet piece of land where we can grow old together." All of their mouths dropped open slightly at the prince's romantic revelation, but he took no notice of their reaction. He faced Toph. "I'm sorry for burning your feet." He bowed to her. "Fire can be dangerous and wild, so as a firebender I need to be more careful and control my bending so I don't hurt people unintentionally, but I'm willing to teach you everything I know about firebending," he said turning to Aang.
Aang was silent for a moment. He was relieved to learn that Zuko and Chiara were a couple and that moment he saw the prince standing so close to (his) Katara in the catacombs was just a misunderstanding on his part. He also realized it was no coincidence that just when he needed a firebending instructor, one appeared. "I think you are supposed to be my firebending teacher," he said. "Chiara said that I'd find the right teacher when the time was right. When I first tried to learn firebending, I burned Katara, and after that, I never wanted to firebend again. But now I know you understand how easy it is to hurt the people you love. I'd like you to teach me."
He bowed to Zuko Fire Nation style, and the prince returned the bow.
"Thank you," said Zuko, feeling relieved the Gaang finally agreed to allow him to join them. "I'm so happy you've accepted me into your group."
"Not so fast," said Aang. "I still have to ask my friends if it's okay with them." He turned to Toph. "Toph, you're the one that Zuko burned. What do you think?"
"Go ahead and let him join," she said as she pounded her fist into her palm. "It'll give me plenty of time to get back at him for burning my feet."
"Sokka?" asked Aang.
He looked down and sighed. "Hey, all I want is to defeat the Fire Lord," he shrugged. "If you think this is the way to do it, then I'm all for it."
"Katara?" asked Aang.
She glared at Zuko who looked nervous. "I'll go along with whatever you think is right," she said to Aang with little fervor.
Aang smiled.
"I won't let you down!" said Zuko excitedly. "I promise! Now if you don't mind, I'm going to go sit with Chiara."
When Zuko was gone the others looked at each other.
"I'm not taking my guard down," said Katara still not completely content with the situation.
"I wouldn't want you to," said Aang.
"I'm also going to talk to Chiara," she said. "I want to hear her story...alone."
When Zuko entered the room, Chiara was lying quietly.
"How'd it go?" she asked when he knelt down next to her.
"I'm officially the Avatar's firebending teacher." He took her hand in his.
"Who would've ever thought of that?" she smirked.
He smiled as he remembered her teasing him about teaching the Avatar. "Uncle always said you were wise."
"Avatar Roku must be so proud of his great grandson," she said. "Imagine, the great grandson of the Fire Nation Avatar teaching the Avatar firebending."
He chuckled as he shook his head. "Yeah, I never saw that coming." He gently moved a curl from her cheek. "How're you feeling?"
"So much better."
"I wish I could've helped you sooner."
"You took such good care of me." She gave him a gentle smile. "Thank you."
He shook his head. "I couldn't heal you though."
"Without you, I would've died in that cell. You saved my life."
"I love you, Chiara."
He leaned over her to tenderly kiss her lips.
"I love you, my Prince." She caressed his face noticing a sudden darkness in his demeanor. "You seem sad. Are you okay?"
"I...I've just been thinking about the future: the Avatar's battle with my father. I wish Uncle were here to help us."
"Me too," she said. "I miss him."
"I'm also worried about you," he said as he held her hand in both of his. "I know you're really good, and you'd be a strong ally in this fight, but I don't want to risk losing you again."
She was touched by his concern.
"And what if my father wins?" he continued. "The whole world will be in danger. There'll be nowhere for us to go."
"You can't worry about the future," she said. "We have to put our trust in the Avatar, and if you teach him, he can't fail in his firebending."
He kissed her hand appreciating her faith in him.
Katara knocked on the open door before entering without invitation. She walked over to them.
"How are you feeling?" she asked.
"Much better. Thank you so much, Lady Katara."
Katara looked at Zuko. "I'd like to talk to her alone. You know, a little girl talk?" Her tone was less than friendly.
"If Chiara doesn't mind," he said.
Chiara shook her head. "I don't mind."
She started sitting up as Zuko helped her. Then he kissed her hand before standing up to leave. Katara watched him go, and after he left, she sat down next to Chiara.
"Are you from the Northern Water Tribe?" Katara asked her.
"My family lived in a small village in the northwestern part of the Earth Kingdom. They trace their lineage to the Northern Tribe."
Though Zuko explained Chiara's origin, Katara wanted to hear it from her. "Why were you living in the Fire Nation?"
"My tribe was murdered in a Fire Nation raid. General Iroh found me alive and took me home where he raised me."
Katara's mouth fell open. "You lost your whole family?"
Chiara nodded.
"I'm sorry. How old were you?"
"About four or five."
"Do you remember any of them?"
"Only my mother," she said sadly. "This is all I have left of her." She touched the diadem.
"You got it back," said Katara remembering she had lost it to the pirates.
"Prince Zuko got it back for me."
Katara's eyes darkened. "Your family was murdered by the Fire Nation, yet you married the Prince of the Fire Nation?"
"I don't blame him for his family's deeds. He's my best friend. I've always loved him."
"But he's tried to kill the Avatar," she said trying to keep her voice calm. "He betrayed us at Ba Sing Se, including you."
"I know he's hurt you all," said Chiara sympathetically. "He regrets his past, and he's willing to make up for it. He understands that the course of the Fire Nation needs to change."
"For all our sakes, I hope you're right," said Katara. She was trying to sort through the questions in her head. "I'm really curious about you being a waterbender. If you were living in the Fire Nation, how did you learn to waterbend?"
"The General and I traveled the world for about a year. He knew I was a waterbender, so he took me to the Northern Water Tribe to train. We stayed there for months before returning home."
"You call the Fire Nation home?" she said, not really intending to speak the thought in her head.
"I know that must sound wrong to you," said Chiara, "but it was home to me."
It did sound wrong to her, but Katara decided not to argue. "They didn't teach you how to heal injuries at Agna Qel'a?"
"Actually, I could heal somewhat before I trained with them."
"Really? Why didn't you heal your own then?"
"My gift isn't for me."
Katara was puzzled. "I don't understand that."
"I can heal others, but my healing ability has no effect on my own wounds. I was told that there are a few healers like that. Their gift is only for others, but not themselves."
Katara was stunned to learn that information. "That seems unfair."
She shrugged. "I don't mind. I enjoy taking care of others. But I do heal faster in the water and in the moonlight, especially the full moon."
"I suppose that's something," said Katara softly. She was gazing down at her own hands. "I guess you being a waterbender...that's how you knew I could heal."
Chiara nodded.
"Who was your waterbending teacher?" Katara asked her.
"Master Yagoda and Master Pakku."
"Really? Because when I went to the Northern Water Tribe, Master Pakku refused to train females."
"He did refuse at first, but the General spoke to him. I don't know what was said between them, but Master Pakku took me as a student."
"Why didn't you just stay with the Northern Tribe?"
"I wanted to stay with the General."
"You wanted to or had to?" asked Katara.
"He gave me a choice. I could stay with the Northern Tribe and be free to waterbend, or I could return to the Fire Nation with him and be forced to hide my ability. I chose to remain with him. Wherever he was was home to me."
Katara could not imagine choosing to live in the Fire Nation. She stood up having learned the information she was looking for. "Would you like to go to the river with me tonight?"
"If Prince Zuko doesn't mind."
Katara felt annoyed that she needed his permission, but she did not say anything. "I'll come get you later."
Chiara nodded and Katara left. On her way to leave the temple, she met Zuko who was waiting to return to the room. She glared at him as she approached him.
"You might have everyone else here buying your...transformation," she started in a deep, threatening voice, "but you and I both know you've struggled with doing the right thing in the past. So let me tell you something right now. You make one step backward, one slip-up, give me one reason to think you might hurt Aang, and you won't have to worry about your destiny anymore because I'll make sure your destiny ends...right then and there. Permanently."
He remained silent. Nothing she said to him could ruin the joy and relief he was feeling over Chiara being alive and being healed of her injuries. As soon as Katara turned and left the temple, Zuko rushed back to the room.
"Did you enjoy your girl talk?" he asked Chiara as he walked in.
She softly laughed, which Zuko loved hearing. "It wasn't bad." He sat down next to her. "Would it be okay if I go to the river with her tonight?"
He hesitated as he worried about her. "Um...can I go with you?"
"I don't mind," she shrugged, "but she may be expecting more girl talk."
"I know she won't hurt you or anything, but I'm just worried that if someone sees you, you might be targeted."
"It's up to you. I won't go if you don't want me to."
"You need to go," he said as he gently pulled on one of her long locks and released it smiling as it re-coiled.