Zutara - Secrets Chapter 1

Note from Author: This is the sequel to "Zutara – Scars," but you do not need to have read "Scars" to read this one.

Zutara – Secrets Chapter 1

"How was your trip? What happened?" Aang practically jumped on me when Appa had landed.

"It was okay," I said giving a side glance to Zuko who returned the glace as he grabbed his pack. I slipped by Aang and jumped to the ground.

Aang followed and landed next to me, "What about the Southern Raiders?"

I grit my teeth, I had not forgotten, but Zuko had helped take my mind of them. I clenched my fists and looked away from the curious boy in front of me. "We found him," I said darkly, then shoved by the avatar.

"And?" he followed me.

But then Zuko came to my rescue, "Aang!" Aang stopped following me. "Let her have some space," Zuko said.

I heaved a heavy sigh and marched toward the ocean water.  I looked out toward the sunset on the horizon, it caused the sky to be a beautiful orange color. I slowed my pace and slowly walked onto a dock that stretched out over the water. I sat heavily on the end and let my legs dangle over the edge.

My mind recalled the face of Yon Rha. I grit my teeth again and closed my eyes. I almost regretted letting him live. I felt like I had lost a long raging battle, I had given up when I had the advantage. He deserved death, why did I spare him? Then I remembered his pathetic existence, he was nothing.

My fingers gripped the edge of the dock. My muscles tensed and I closed my eyes tightly. I felt my pain overtaking me again, but I fought back. I would not give into tears.

Suddenly I felt the dock vibrate a little bit and I heard footsteps against the wood. They were slow, obviously not wanting to upset me, but it was too late for that.

"Katara," it was Aang. "Zuko told me what happened. I'm proud of you."

I didn't turn as I sneered, "I wanted to, and I wish I did."

"You did the right thing," he said. "Forgiveness is the first step to healing."

"But I didn't forgive him. I can't." I looked out over the water and breathed in the air, trying to calm my raging mind.

"But Katara…"

"Aang," I interrupted and closed my eyes again as I grit my teeth. "Go away," I knew my words were harsh, but I didn't care if they hurt him.

He didn't answer of protest, but simply walked away. I heard his footsteps until he left the dock. I bowed my head and opened my eyes staring at the water. My hands still gripped the edge of the dock. I felt a lump form in my throat, I hated this hatred that consumed me.

"Katara," a softer voice called my name this time. I hadn't of heard or felt his footsteps on the dock, yet he was only a few feet behind me. This time I turned and saw Zuko's soft eyes smiling at me, "It's alright, you did do the right thing."

I did not match his smile but let out a sad sigh while turning my head back toward the water. Zuko approached and put a hand on my shoulder. "If I did the right thing, why do I feel like I failed?" I whispered.

"Because you still want justice, and part of you still thinks he deserves death." His answer seemed too simple, too logical.

I turned to again, "So what do I do?"

He smiled at me a little and squeezed my shoulder encouragingly, "You let it go. Even if you never forgive him, you shouldn't dwell on it." I smiled a little, he was right. "Now you should get some rest, you have been through a lot lately."

I sighed and nodded slightly, then stood up turning back toward the shore. I followed Zuko off the dock and peered up at a large building. "Where are we?" I asked Zuko.

"Ember Island," he answered. "This is a royal house that my family used to stay at during summers, but no one has been here for a long time." I raise an eyebrow as I followed him up the path.

We walked through some old doors that hung wide open on broken hinges, then through a hall and out into the courtyard. I saw Aang and the others standing in the middle of the courtyard talking. They all turned at our entrance and looked at us.

"Welcome back," Suki was the first to speak. I only nodded and stepped forward.

Sokka watched me then approached saying, "How are you doing, Sis?"

I grinned a little and said, "Better, and I want to say sorry for how I treated you before I left." I turned toward the rest of the group, "I'm sorry how I treated everyone."

Sokka smiled and hugged me, "You're forgiven!" Then he looked at Zuko and said, "What is with you and these fieldtrips, Zuko?"

Zuko shrugged, and Toph said, "Ya, what is with these fieldtrips? I'm starting to wonder if you're brainwashing the group one person at a time." Everyone chuckled a little. "What's your secret?"

Suddenly everyone, including me, was looking at Zuko. He smiled sheepishly and scratched the back of his neck. I held back a giggle as he said, "Um, you never know, I might have had monk training when I was a child."

Everyone laughed and Sokka pat him on the shoulder, "Well its good to see you two back and in one piece."

My eyes widened a little but I shook it off because no one else caught how weird that sounded. It was only me. Zuko smiled at me discreetly and I wondered if he caught my slight blush. I looked away and stretched my arms, trying to change the subject, "Well, I am tired after all that traveling."

"Well, Aang brought your pack up here for you," Sokka pointed at her pack that lay next to Zuko's near the edge of the courtyard. "And each of us just chose a room. It's nice to sleep on a real bed after the hard ground all the time."

"Maybe for you," Toph said. "But I like the ground." She wore a big grin.

"Oh ya, all of us except Toph, she still sleeps outside," said Sokka.

I chuckled, "Alright." I walked over and swung my bag over my shoulder.

Suki followed me, "My room is down that hall," she pointed toward a door, "But you will see my stuff on my bed. Otherwise there are two other rooms."

"Okay, thanks," I said and headed down that hallway.