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Everyone had their role in “Team Avatar”, and Katara’s happened to be the mother. She had long since accepted that familiar role, or so her friends thought. But truthfully, Katara hated it. She felt as trapped as she had in the Northern Water Tribe when Pakku told her that women cannot fight, only heal. Except then, she could fight back; had a reason to fight back. Katara knew she was the glue of her unruly friends; the mature, stick in the mud. Thus, she cleaned, cooked, and trained without complaint.
“C’mon Katara, you can’t do this!”
Yes I can!” Taking a deep breath, Katara tried to center herself. It didn't work as well as she had hoped. “Aang, listen. The meal that I’m cooking tonight is taking more time than I thought. If you don’t cook your own meal, you won’t be eating until midnight!”
“But Katara, you’re the cook!” She recoiled from the Avatar as though she’d been slapped.
“What’s that supposed to mean?!” Sensing her anger, Aang tried to backtrack, but the damage had been done.
“It’s just…you cook so well! And you know how!”
“You don’t know how to cook? Aang, that’s a basic life skill! You can’t rely on other people for your survival!”
“So what, you’ll let me starve?!” The wind picked up around her, and Katara sighed, knowing she had to apologize, because it was her fault, her responsibility. Like always.
“Aang, I’m sorry, okay? I’ll get started on your meal right now, alright?” The tumultuous boy calmed himself, and the wind no longer whipped her face.
“Really? Thanks Katara!”
“It’s not like I had a choice,” the waterbender muttered under her breath.
“What was that? I didn’t hear you!”
“I said, how about you wash up before dinner?” Once again, Aang’s face fell.
“Aww, but I was going to play with Toph.”
“Oh, good. Then you can tell her to wash up too. Now leave me to cook.”
“Fine,” huffing, Aang stomped away, and Katara rolled her eyes.
“And he expects me to be attracted to him. Will he ever grow up?”
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As much as she hated him, Katara had to admit that Zuko was useful. Helpful, even, although she’d never admit that. Not just because he was training Aang, but because he took on domestic tasks without being asked. At first, Katara suspected that he was trying to poison them; then, that he was doing it to get on everyone’s good side. But even long after the group had accepted him (minus herself, of course), Zuko continued to cook and clean without complaint.
“So, I um, noticed that you do most of the work. Is there a monthly rotation or something?” Katara grunted, and continued doing the laundry. Zuko was only trying to win her over so he could betray them, betray her, again, and this time, she wouldn’t fall for it. Yet, the prince couldn’t seem to take a hint.
“I mean, Toph sets up her own tent, and Sokka kind of hunts. Sometimes Suki will even help with dinner. But what about the Avat— what about Aang?” Katara’s patience had long since run out, and she snapped.
“Shut up! You don’t get to waltz in here and act like you know everything! You may have tricked everyone else, and they all may believe you changed, but I don’t! So do your work in silence or leave!” Stunned, Zuko’s eyes went wide and he dropped the pants he was drying. Snatching it from his hands, Katara sent him a deadly glare until he backed away.
“I’ll, uh… I’ll get started on dinner.” Without replying, Katara turned back to the river, scrubbing harder on the cloth in her hand. His tunic, he realized with guilt.
Upon returning to the campsite, Zuko approached Aang.
“Hi Sifu Hotman, what’s up?” The boy greeted cheerfully. This time, Zuko only rolled his eyes at the nickname. Progress.
“Hey Aang. I was just wondering… do you ever help around camp? Like with cooking and stuff?” Confused, the young boy cocked his head.
“No, why would I?”
“Well, it’s just, uh,” Zuko began rubbing the back of his neck, regretting the conversation.
“Wait,” Aang narrowed his eyes. “Did Katara put you up to this?”
“Uh, no? Why would she?”
“Because why else would you ask that?!”
“Because, Aang, you don’t do anything around here! You don’t cook, you don’t clean, hell, you don’t even set up your own tent! You’re lazy!”
“What did you just say to me?” Around the boy, rocks began to rise, but at that moment, Zuko was too angry to be afraid.
“I said, you don’t do anything! Do you even know how to cook?” Suddenly, a mini tornado appeared before Zuko, but he didn’t even flinch. He had faced his father’s wrath; Aang’s temper tantrum was child’s play.
“I’ll take that as a no. Aang, cooking is a basic life skill! You can’t rely on other people for your survival!” The younger boy shoved Zuko to his knees and flew away. When he looked up, Katara was there, giving him a strangely thoughtful look.
“What?”
“Nothing, just—” She stopped abruptly, as memories came flooding back.
“You don’t know how to cook? Aang, that’s a basic life skill! You can’t rely on other people for your survival!”
“So you’ll just let me starve?”
“No…I’m sorry”
“I’m sorry for putting your lives in danger for a stupid scroll”
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have pretended to be that Painted Lady”
“I’m sorry for learning with Hama, I should have seen the signs”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m—”
“Katara? Is everything okay?” Zuko’s voice shook her from her reverie.
“Huh? Yeah. It’s just…it’s nice having someone I don’t need to apologize to.” Zuko’s face fell, and Katara realized her mistake. “Not that…I mean…ugh. I just meant it’s nice to have someone around who understands responsibility.” The firebender’s face instantly lit up, and he beamed at her. Katara rolled her eyes and walked away as her lips upturned. Maybe Zuko wasn’t so bad afterall.