Zutara Week 2013 - Calor

Zuko had been wandering around in this never ending forest for hours. He knew the avatar was around here somewhere but a few hours ago, after the sun had set in a spectacular array of oranges and reds, Zuko finally admitted he was lost.

Without the wild flames he cupped in his palm, he would have nothing to guide him. Not that he knew where he was going, but being able to see around him was comforting and the forest was too thickly covered for the moon to be of any help.

Zuko was feeling weak and tired. He was parched and he felt like the fire he cupped in his hand was sucking all the moisture out of his skin, leaving his lips dry.

He told himself the avatar would have to wait until he could find his way back to the ship. His uncle was probably worried about him. Zuko could picture him sipping a cup of tea help calm himself.

As much as his Uncle drove him up the wall, Zuko had to admit he cared about him. He always looked out for him, he was more of a father to him then his real father ever was.

A sharp clicking sound snapped Zuko back to the forest. He stopped and listened. Click. There it was again. Somewhere off to his right. He went towards the sound. With a flick of his wrist he extinguished the fire in his hand. He was plunged into darkness.

There it was again, but this time it was accompanied by something else. Zuko made his way quietly towards the sound. His eyes soon adjusted to the dark forest. Up ahead he could see a section of the forest where the trees had spaced out and allowed the moon to burst through and light a small clearing.

To his surprise he saw a girl; she was kneeling over a circle of stones with a pile of sticks in it. Zuko slipped behind a tree and peered out at the girl. Beside her lay a couple of different stones. She had two in her hands and was ferociously banging them together as tears streamed down her face.

It was Katara, the girl traveling with the Avatar but right now she was alone and shivering in the cold. She was trying to light a fire with the stones. She picked up a few different stones and smacked them together. Zuko saw a spark but it wasn't enough to start a fire. Katara gave up and flung the stones across the clearing. She sobbed into her hands harder than before.

Zuko wanted to move, to comfort the girl but she wouldn't be happy to see him. He didn't know what to do. They clearly had something the other needed. Would she be willing to trade?

Zuko moved back away from the clearing as quietly as possible. He didn't want to suddenly appear from behind a tree and scare her even more. He then turned walked normally towards the clearing, twigs snapping and leaves rustling beneath his feet, alerting her to his presence.

"Who's there?" The water bender called out.

Zuko walked on and stopped at the edge of the clearing. She was prepared, standing up with a stream of water between her hands. The water glistened in the moonlight. She squinted in the dark, trying to see who it was. Recognition dawned on her face.

"I don't want to fight." Zuko said quickly fearing she would run.

He took out his swords and set them down at the edge of the clearing.

"Zuko?" She asked taking a step back.

He stepped into the clearing, allowing the moon to confirm his identity.

"I'm not with the Avatar. Leave me alone." She said moving the water from hand to hand threateningly. It flowed, graceful and dynamic.

"You have something I want and I have something you want."

"What could I possibly want from you?" Katara spat.

She really was fiery for a water bender. All traces of the girl who was crying in a heap a few minutes ago were gone. Here in her place was a courageous young woman will to take on the fire Lord's son.

"Heat." He said simply.

Katara looked down at the pile of dry sticks briefly. Momentarily, desperation flashed in her eyes.

"What do you want?" She continued suspiciously.

"Water."

She really was freezing. She didn't bring her coat when she went out for a walk. She didn't really bring anything, thinking she would be back within an hour. How wrong she was.

"Light the fire first." She ordered giving in to a basic need for warmth.

The fire bender moved forward and knelt down. He took in a breath and let the energy out through his hand in the form of flames. The dry sticks caught fire quickly and were engulfed in the yellow and orange flames.

Katara forgot who she was with for a moment and after putting the water back in the animal skins she fell to her knees before the fire, stretching out her hands to capture the heat. She then looked up across the fire at Zuko, he was waiting patiently. A deal was a deal. She passed the water to Zuko.

Their hands touched for a second and they both felt a spark. To Zuko it was something different to sparks from a fire. He didn't understand it. Katara didn't know what it was or want to know. She pulled her hand away quickly.

Zuko drank thirstily. The cool water refreshed his dry mouth and gave energy to his tired body. He passed the water back to Katara. She made sure not to touch his hand this time.

The deal was over. Katara wondered why he was still here. Shouldn't he go now? He got the water. He was just sitting there quietly staring into the flames. The fire illuminated his face. He was actually quiet handsome, Katara thought. He looked up catching Katara staring.

Zuko held her gaze for a few moments before she looked away. He found himself noticing how pretty her blue eyes were. How pretty she was. He shook himself, trying to get the thought out of his head. She was helping the enemy. Didn't that make her the enemy?

"Shouldn't you be leaving?" Katara questioned.

"You're not warm yet…" Zuko muttered.

A deal was a deal and Zuko wouldn't leave until she was warm. He found he didn't want to leave yet either. Katara rubbed her arms to generate some heat.

"I'm fine." She lied. She wanted the fire bender out of her presence; he was making her feel strange.

Zuko didn't say anything. They sat in silence for a while. Katara kept a wary eye on him. Zuko relaxed and leaned back against a tree. He didn't believe she would hurt him when he wasn't doing anything to her.

"Aren't you cold?" Katara broke the silence.

"No." Zuko looked up. "My chi keeps me warm. Feel my hand."

Zuko got up and walked over to Katara. He sat down beside her and held out his hand. Katara immediately regretted asking the question, his proximity made her nervous. She felt herself leaning away. Zuko noticed her unease.

"We're not enemies tonight. Okay?" He reached over and took her hand. He shook it as if to make his words a promise.

Katara was amazed at the warmth. She was sitting right beside the fire and her hands were still much colder than his. He hadn't let go yet. Her heart began to beat faster in her chest.

"You're cold." He noted.

She slipped her hand out of his and held it near the flames. She looked into the flames and listened to the crackling of the wood. He began to take off his shirt. This caught Katara's attention.

"What are you doing?!" Katara gasped. She rose to her feet and moved away.

"Relax. I don't need it. Take it, you're cold." He almost chuckled at her reaction but held it in fearing she would be angry with him. He held out the red shirt. After a moment she took it and wrapped it around herself. She sat back down. The fabric was warm from his skin and smelt like a mix of charcoal and cinnamon.

She found her eyes wandering over his bare chest. It was obvious he worked out a lot from the muscles along his abdomen. His arms were also toned. She scolded herself each time and dragged her eyes away. She felt her cheeks heat up. Zuko pretended not to notice her looking at him. He found he liked her attention. He hid his smirk.

"Why are you out here alone?" He asked.

"I went for a walk and got lost. Why are you alone?"

"I left the ship in search of the avatar. The crew and my uncle stayed to make repairs."

"If you're thinking of using me to get to Aang I won't let you." She warned.

"I won't."

She was surprised by his answer. It made her suspicious. Was he trying to lure her into a false sense of security so he could catch her and use her to get Aang? Well she wouldn't let him.

"Why?" She asked.

"I told you, we're not enemies tonight."

Katara stayed quiet, unsure of what to say. She shivered in the cold. The fire wasn't enough. Zuko moved closer so that their sides were pressed against each other. He was so warm, so she allowed it.

She felt her eyes lids drooping but she fought against it. She couldn't allow herself to fall asleep with her enemy so close. He could easily slit her throat in her sleep or tie her up and bring her back to his ship.

Katara jumped as Zuko's head landed on her shoulder. Did he just fall asleep? She pushed his head off gently, his eyes were closed and his mouth hung slightly open. His head fell on her shoulder again. Sleeping in the silver moonlight, he looked so harmless.

"Zuko?" Katara shook his shoulder and he opened his eyes. He sat up quickly, realising his mistake, his face heated up in embarrassment.

"Sorry. Can I have some more water?" Zuko rubbed his eyes.

Katara passed him the water and he took a drink. The water refreshed him again and would keep him awake for longer. Katara yawned and drew in closer to him, to the heat she told herself.

"You should sleep." Zuko said getting up and taking his shirt off her, he lay it down on the ground so they could both lie with their backs on it. Zuko lay down and beckoned to her to come over. She looked sceptical.

"Don't worry, I don't bite." He teased.

A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Katara got up and moved over to lie down beside him, their sides touching. They stayed quiet for little while.

"Can I ask you something?" Katara said quietly turning towards him.

Zuko nodded and yawned at the same time.

"Why are you trying to capture Aang?"

Zuko closed his eyes for a few seconds before answering. He should have expected that question. "I have to restore my honour. I was banished from the fire nation. I can only go home if I capture the avatar."

Katara turned away and didn't say anything. She wondered what he had done to get banished. She tried to put herself in his shoes. What if she was banished from the southern water tribe? The thought alone made her feel lonely. She shivered again.

"Can I ask why you were banished?" Katara asked wondering if he was going to tell her about some heinous crime he had committed.

"I spoke out against a general. His plan was to sacrifice fire nation soldiers in battle against the Earth Kingdom." Zuko replied.

Katara relaxed, that proved he had a good heart.

Zuko noticed Katara shivering again. He hesitated but found he couldn't let her shiver any longer, not when he, a walking furnace could stop it. He turned on his side and pulled her up against him. He found he fit perfectly around her body. He slipped his left arm under her head so she could lie on it. He waited, expecting resistance.

Katara's heart was beating so loud now that she was amazed he couldn't hear it. She took the warm hand that was hanging over her side and clutched it to her chest with both hands for warmth.

"Thank you." She whispered.

Zuko felt so nervous around the water bender. He'd never felt like this before. Holding her like this was so right. It would all be different in the morning though. She'd go back to hating him. He'd go back to trying to find the Avatar.

They lay there in each other's arms trying to sleep. Katara closed her eyes. She was so comfortable but it was no good; sleep wouldn't come, not now with the fire bender holding her.

Zuko stared up at the sky though the gap in the trees. The moon was nearly full tonight. The stars twinkled around it in sparkly dots, kind of like mini moons.

Katara looked around at Zuko. He noticed her moving and immediately closed his eyes. After a few seconds she turned back. Zuko opened his eyes again. Katara moved his hand and began examining it. She traced her fingers over his.

From looking at his hands Katara could see that Zuko had been through so much. His hands were so much bigger than hers. The skin was rough from all the fighting. Calluses had formed at the base of his fingers. Katara felt strangely sad looking at them. He was too young for this war. They all were.

Zuko was about to crack. Her silky fingers were tickling his palm and he was trying his hardest not to move or laugh. Finally she stopped and he could relax again. Not for long though. Katara rolled over so she was facing him. He closed his eyes again.

Katara looked Zuko's face. It wasn't as relaxed as earlier. Was he sleeping? She poked
him in the shoulder. No movement. He must be she told herself.

His coal coloured hair was falling over his eyes. Katara reached up and brushed it back. His hair was soft and Katara found herself running her fingers through the pony tail again, then down the side of his face. She looked at his lips. They were light pink and when she traced her thumb over them she found they were soft too.

Zuko smiled into her thumb, what was she doing? This was tickling him so much. He wondered if this was some form of torcher to try and get him to open his eyes. No one had every touched him like this before, he was enjoying it, apart from when her delicate fingers tickled him too much.

Katara smiled when he smiled. He looks more relaxed now; maybe he's having a nice dream. Her gaze wandered over to his left eye. The skin was pink around his eye, darker pink the closer you got to his eye. She brought her fingers up to the marred skin. His eyes shot open, his smile was gone.

Katara's breathing quickened. She couldn't stop now; she moved her fingers closer to his eye, up around it to where his eyebrow had been burned off.

He stared at her, confused as to why she would touch that part of his skin. He never ever let anyone touch him there. No one would want to anyway. His heart started beating twice as fast. He took her hand in his and pulled it away from his face.

"I didn't mean to wake you, go back to sleep." Katara whispered.

"I wasn't asleep." Zuko confessed.

"Oh…" Katara said slowly. She felt her cheeks heat up in a blush.

Zuko pulled Katara closer to him, so she was pressed up against his warm body again.

"Who did this to you?" Katara put her hand back up to his scar.

"My father."

Katara's eyes widened. What sort of monster would do that to their son? Before she knew what she was doing Katara had thrown her left arm around Zuko and pulled him even closer to her in a tight hug.

It was now Zuko's turn to be shocked. The hug ended too soon, she pulled back and looked at the scar again. Her eyes were sad.

"Close your eyes." Katara said.

Zuko obliged. To his surprise she kissed the scarred skin. Her lips were soft and sweet.

"I was so wrong about you." Katara whispered

Zuko couldn't help himself; he leaned forward and caught her lips with his. He felt those sparks he felt earlier when he touched her hand. She felt them too. He kissed her slowly and softly feeling like they had all the time in the world. His hands wandered up and down her sides while her's explored his chest and neck.

After they pulled apart, Katara snuggled into Zuko's chest. That was Katara's first kiss. It was perfect. This moment was perfect. It may not have been Zuko's first kiss but it was the first one he meant. It was indescribable. Both fell asleep smiling.

The next morning Katara was the first to awake. She was so warm and comfortable next to Zuko. They still had their arms wrapped around each other. She untangled herself carefully. He was sleeping like a log.

The fire had burned out and Katara was almost out of water. With one last look at the relaxed sleeping Zuko, Katara went off in search of some water. It took her a while to find a small stream but when she did she filled up the animal skins and rushed back to Zuko.

Katara was nearly back, she could see Zuko was sitting up facing the other way. He had his shirt back on. She walked as quietly as she could towards the clearing. She wanted to surprise him. When only a few feet away she stepped on a twig, it snapped.

Zuko was up and turned around in a fighting stance in seconds, flames in his hands. Katara jumped back and pulled the water from the container. As soon as he saw who it was he put out the fire. She realised it probably wasn't a good idea to sneak up on a fire bender.

"Don't sneak up on me."

"Sorry." She said walking into the clearing, while putting the water back in.

"You came back."

"I went to get water." She held up the animal skins and handed it to him.

Zuko thought she had left already. He had been very disappointed. He had scared her though when she came back. He didn't mean to. Had his fire bending reminded her who he was? He took a drink and kept his eyes on her. Did she regret kissing him?

"Prince Zuko?!" They heard someone shout.

Zuko immediately grabbed Katara and pushed her behind a tree. He put a finger to his lips before walking off in the direction of the voice, he didn't get very far.

"Uncle! I'm here." Zuko called out.

"Prince Zuko, where have you been? We found the location of the avatar." Iroh replied rushing over to him.

"Where?" Zuko asked.

"That way, but I think you should go back to the ship and get some food first." Iroh pointed in the opposite direction.

"Alright lead the way back to the ship; I just want to get something." Zuko said turning around and walking back to the clearing.

Iroh followed at a distance and noticed that in the small clearing there was a burnt out fire. Zuko wouldn't need a fire to keep warm. If he really wanted one he could cup it in his hands. He also noticed small footprints. He looked at his nephew's feet; they were much bigger than the footprints.

He realised the prince was not alone. He smiled to himself. Maybe he could get a glimpse of the girl.

"Uncle, I'm just getting my swords. I'll catch up." Zuko said glancing at the tree Katara was behind.

Katara was looking panicked. Zuko saw some footprints and tried get rid of them with his foot before his uncle saw them.

"Okay then. I'll put on a pot of tea." Iroh took one last look around before turning and heading back to the ship.

Once Zuko was sure his uncle was far enough away he gathered his swords and went over to Katara.

"Your camp is over in that direction. Do you think you'll find it?" Zuko asked pointing in the direction his uncle told him.

"Yes, I'll be fine." Katara replied.

Zuko grabbed the water bender and pulled her close. This could be the last time. He inhaled her sweet scent and tried to memorise it. Katara did the same.

"Thank you." They both mumbled into each other's necks before pulling apart and bringing their lips together one last time.

They kissed urgently knowing they didn't have much time. He pushed her hard up against the tree and their bodies melted together. Their tongues entwined and she nibbled on his lip softly making him moan. They finally pulled apart breathlessly. He kissed her cheek one last time and walked away.

Katara stood by the tree for a few minutes catching her breath. Her whole body tingled but mostly her lips and her cheek, where he kissed her. She finally pulled herself together and headed in the direction Zuko pointed.

It wasn't over yet. Zuko would track down the Avatar again and without a doubt the beautiful blue eyed water bender would be with him.


Thanks for reading! Please leave a review! I'd love to hear what you think! :)

This was longer than I meant it to be... The other Zutara Week 2013 prompts won't be as long! Oh and they'll sort of continue this story in a way... so I'll post them as chapters here!