This takes place at the conclusion of the Southern Raiders.
Katara walked back from the dock, leaving Aang and Zuko to talk. She still had mixed feelings about the outcome of everything that happened today. She knew she had truly forgiven Zuko; the thought of him no longer infuriated her, a weight had been lifted. But she wasn't certain she would find an end to the cold ache she felt knowing that the man who killed her mother is still out there, even though she was able to confront him and saw the empty, pathetic state which he had been reduced. Aang may have been right: Killing him would not have solved anything, but nothing would. Nothing can bring her mother back to her.
The sun was sinking lower, deeper colors danced off the surface of the water. Katara went back out to the end of the dock. Everyone else has gone...so it seemed. She sat back down, kicking her feet, her toes splashing then making ripples In the water. She closed her eyes for a moment and felt the warmth of the setting sun. She felt a tremble in the wood planks as someone walked toward her. "Aang, I'll be alright, I just want some time alone." She knew he would try to comfort and reassure her.
"i'm sorry...I don't" - it was Zuko's voice. He sits down inayofuata to her. He glances over at her for a moment, then looks down at his feet. He waits, collecting his thoughts. So much has happened today, so much he wants to tell her...and NOW, he feels he can really talk to her.
"You were amazing out there" he blurted out.
"Thank you" she replied, rather weakly, not sure what to make of this compliment.
"really, wewe were" he continued. "when we boarded the ship, I saw how wewe took control of everything...and everyone-I was impressed with how focused wewe were...and your skill-YOU CAN BEND PEOPLE. That's really scary."
"It's blood bending" Katara explained, "It's the darkest, the worst kind of bending" she cringed just thinking about it. "Don't expect to see that again anytime soon".
"I'm just glad wewe never used it on me" Zuko lets out a short laugh "Remind me not to get on your bad side".
"And you" she smiles at him "you've done so much to help me-"
"But it's not enough" Zuko sulks "My mother is out there somewhere, still alive. I'll find her someday. I'll never be able to do that for you'
Katara rests her head on his shoulder "For now, everything wewe did for me today...is enough".