A/N: Sorry this took so long! It's short, and I don't know if it's really in character. I don't know. It may change. Please tell me what you think.

Rapture

Chapter 7

The next few months are stressful beyond belief. He is barely able to keep his correspondence with Aang and Katara anymore because everything gets so busy. Firebenders gather together secretly and rise up—it sickens him to lead forces against his own people, but he knows it’s necessary. The security of the government depends upon its authority. He cannot have proud nobles riling up the farmers to rebel against the government. Already there has been an attempt to end his life.

In the most recent revolt, he suffered an injury to his calf. He returns home beaten, bruised, and bloody. He has become run-down. Someone else is running the civil war campaigns now. He is not fit enough to lead the charge.

One half of his nation does not want him. The other half does not need him.

He feels sick.

The tenth day home he receives a welcome distraction—a letter from Katara, after nearly a month of no letters at all.

He unfurls the scroll, licking the anticipation off his moist lips. His sickness returns to him as he reads through the scrawled handwriting.

Zuko,

I know it’s been forever and I know you’re probably busy but I really need your help.

A lot of things have happened since Aang left the South Pole and since the peace conference. Some people seem to think that Aang is no longer coming back to see me ever again. I mean, the old tribe still loves me, but the people who came from the North don’t know me that well, and they kind of…suspect things of me?

Dad’s been away in the North the past month or two, and I haven’t heard from him in a while. Sokka’s on Kyoshi, so Gran-Gran and Pakku have been leading the tribe. They’re really preoccupied right now and have lots of things to worry about. Things like—well, Gran-Gran’s sick. Really, really sick.

So. Yeah. I’ve been trying to not bother Gran and Pakku, but something crazy happened. This Waterbender from the North sort of started hanging around me and I didn’t think anything of it, but, well—

I’m sixteen in two weeks. And I’m still not ready for adulthood. I still want to live a little.

I didn’t accept, but he’s persistent, and he publicly announced our engagement yesterday morning to the tribe. Without my consent.

Of course Gran and Pakku are thrilled for me. Gran is especially ecstatic. She keeps talking about planning the wedding and seeing me on the happiest day of my life. She’s so happy she gets to see my wedding before she, well…

I don’t have the heart to tell her it’s not what I want. Gran’s so happy she’ll finally get to see her line continue on. She keeps telling me about how, when she first came to the South, she feared she wouldn’t be able to marry and pass on her line because of what she’d done in the North, but now look where she’s come—her son the Chief, her grandson and granddaughter friends and teachers of the Avatar.

But, well, I don’t know. I’m selfish. I’m so selfish I sicken myself.

Gran deserves to be happy. You’d think I’d know that. I’m such a coward.

I love Gran but I’m not ready for this. I don’t know what to do. I just remember that you said I could come and stay with you, once. I’m so sorry for bothering you about this. I just need some time. Maybe. I don’t know.

Please respond quickly. I miss your letters.

-Katara.

Katara,

I’d ask if you want transportation, but there’s no time. I’ve already dispatched a ship that will take you from the South Pole to the Fire Nation. It should be there any day. I’ll meet you on Ember Island by the end of the week—the Fire Nation’s not so safe right now, but Ember Island is relatively peaceful. You’ll be safe there. You can stay for as long as you like.

Before you leave though, think about what you’re doing. Talk to your grandmother. She’s has her own problems, but more than anything, she cares about you. Please at least talk to her. I can’t stand just stealing you away when your grandmother and your tribe need you most.

And yet, I can’t stand you being used for something you can’t handle. I’ll take you away for a bit, as long as you like.

If you change your mind, then by all means stay home. But please don’t waste your life. I can’t stand the thought of you sacrificing your own happiness anymore than you already have. You deserve better.

I’ll see you soon.

-Zuko

Zuko,

How can I ever repay you for all you have done? I think I may be indebted to you all my life.

The ship came yesterday, but I talked with Gran-Gran and Pakku a lot before leaving. They’ll have a lot of things to sort out because I can’t handle it on my own. I’m afraid I made things worse. Actually, I know I did. I’m a coward. I don’t know how I’ll live with myself for a while. I might not see Gran for a long time, or longer. It’s scary. Why am I running away? I’m just sickening myself more.

But then I remember that I get to see your royal pompous rear and I know I’m all right. Really, who wouldn’t be amused at the thought of seeing the Fire Lord gush over theatre?

The steward keeps saying we won’t be there for a week and a half, but I know we’ll be there soon. I’m not a Waterbender for nothing.

See you even sooner,

Katara