Together At Last

“Katara, are you ready?” Sokka knocked on her door. He knew today of all days was going to be rough for her. “Iroh is waiting for us.” He added after he heard nothing.

“I’m coming.” She sighed. Iroh had been so kind to them, her especially since the war ended. A year since the end and her heart still ached for her love. She missed him so.

As they walked down the halls in the Fire Nation, Katara remembered the last time she saw Zuko. A smile was brought to her face. A smile she hadn’t had in a long time.

It was the day before the real invasion. Zuko and Katara lay out enjoying their last day of peace before the invasion. He fiddled with her necklace. She giggled whenever he touched her neck.

“I’m going to make you one of these.” He smiled.

“You are?” She raised an eyebrow. Did he know what he was saying? “Do you know what it means?”

“Yes.” He nodded. “Your father told me. I have to carve one for you for it to really mean something.” He paused as he sat up and took something out of his pocket. “I did. I do. I love you Katara. I’m asking if you will be with me. You don’t have to decide just yet, but I wanted to let you know how I felt before anything serious happens tomorrow and I don’t get a chance. Will you, one day, marry me?”

Her eyes filled with tears of joy. Her very own necklace! “Yes Zuko! I will marry you!” She kissed him tenderly as the tears fell down her cheeks.

They were planning on a lifetime of happiness, even if it wasn’t right away. But it was her stupid fault they weren’t anymore.

“Katara? Did you hear me? Are you alright?” Iroh repeated his question.

“Oh, I’m sorry Uncle. I was distracted. I’m fine. I think I’ll go to the gardens for a moment.” She tried to smile.

Iroh watched with a sad face as she left. His heart was moved for her. Such a wonderful lady like her shouldn’t be so sad.

“How has she been lately? Is she doing ok?” He turned to Sokka.

Sokka hung his head. “She does as well as she can, as anyone in her situation could be expected to be.” His eyes felt tears surface. “I don’t like seeing her like this Iroh. She’s supposed to be the strong one. I can tell she’s breaking down. It breaks my heart. And there is nothing I can do to help her.”

Iroh’s heart went to Katara. He knew the pain and suffering she was feeling. Someone so young shouldn’t deal with that sort of pain. “I’ll see what I can say to her.”


Katara walked in the gardens missing the one who should be walking them with her. She saw her reflection in the pond and noticed the necklace right away. Her hand ran across the red ribbon Zuko was so careful not to mess up. How long it must have taken him. She loved every inch of it.

She turned her head once she thought of him. She was the reason he wasn’t there. She was supposed to save him. And she couldn’t. She was too afraid of using the blood bending on him. Too ashamed of what he would think of her. The lightning passed thru his heart so quickly her world seemed to fall apart before her. Everything was slow motion the way he responded. Her tears fell faster than he did.

No matter how hard she tried, she failed every time. The only way to save him was to attempt to bend the blood in his heart. She was too scared to even try. Instead, she hugged her knees hoping for some miracle. It never came.

Her fault. It was her fault. Her fault he died. Her fault she couldn’t save him. Every time she thought of it, her tears intensified. Today, a year ago, was the day he passed. The day they won the war, a day of celebration and a day of heartache for his young water bender. A day she never wanted repeated. A day she tried to escape.

She walked away from the gardens and along the cliffs of the Palace. She couldn’t even bear to look at the once beautiful place he loved so much. Along the way, she looked below to see just how far she was. It was a long way down to the ground. Perhaps long enough to fall without waking up.

She shook the thought out of her head. Or at least she thought she did. It crawled back inside of her mind over and over again. There was no escaping it. As she turned, she slipped and fell. Darkness surrounded her.

By the time she woke up, she felt her surroundings were different. It was when she saw him did she know.

“Katara, you’re here.” Zuko cried out as he ran to her.

“Zuko!” She felt the tears escape her eyes once more. “We’re together again. Together at last.” She sighed.

“Yes. We are.” He held her tightly, never wanting to let her go. “Come, I found your mom. She’s waiting to see you.” He smiled as he led the way.