Her forehead rested against the tree, her back facing their camp, a few hundred yards away. She took several deep breaths, steadying herself.
"Katara."
She spun and saw Zuko standing in front of her, arms crossed, eyebrow raised.
"Why are you out here?"
She swallowed. "Why are you?"
He watched her for a few minutes. He sighed and shook his head.
"What is up with you?"
"What do you mean?"
He continued to look at her. His deep, shining eyes made her feel uneasy.
"..Katara-"
And then, before he could say anything else, Katara felt her eyes fill with tears. She instantly bit her hand to keep from crying out, and turned swiftly away from Zuko.
Moments passed. Katara was shaking, and making an enourmous effort not to start sobbing aloud. She felt Zuko, silent, behind her.
And then, she felt herself being turned, and then she felt a firm embrace.
Zuko was holding her.
"What's the matter?"
She had never heard him speak in a softer voice.
The waterbender took several shaky breaths, and then told him.
"We're dying, Zuko."
He was silent for a minute.
"What?"
She bit back more tears. "We're not all going to survive the comet, I know it. I just do. I know that's awful and depressing, but, I can tell. Saying that all five of us will survive and live long, happy lives is just stupid. And-"
Her voice cracked, and she found herself sobbing into the firebender's shoulder.
For a while, they stayed like that; Katara muffling her sobs into Zuko's shoulder, and Zuko's arms wrapped tightly around her convulsing body.
"I know."
Katara tried to reply, but she was still overcome with her cries. But he seemed to understand.
"I know Ozai. I know he's merciless, and probably wouldn't hesitate to kill Azula if she ever displeased him." Katara heard the tiny note of disgust in his voice. She took several deep breaths in an effort to stop the flow the tears, but did not respond.
"It sounds awful, but I know we're not all going to survive. We may, but the chances are slim. But I tell myself..." He trailed off.
She pulled back and stared into his eyes, sniffling. He stared back.
"I tell myself, that this is greater than us."
Katara did something she hadn't done in a while; she raised her hand to his scar, and touched it gently. His eyes closed, and she felt his hands move to her waist.
And before either realized it, they were kissing.
It was on odd sensation. She was so close to him the tears that were still on her face were rubbed over his cheeks. She felt warm. She felt safe.
They pulled apart, foreheads touching. Katara felt herself blush. Zuko may have been also, but he was a firebender, so it would make sense for him to be warm...
"You were right." She whispered, closing her eyes. "This is bigger than all of us, maybe even bigger than Aang. And that's why-"
She pulled away and for the second time, her blue eyes met his amber ones. He finished her thought for her.
"That's why we can't let one day pass us by."
She threw her arms around him, kissing him again.
lame ending lame ending lame ending lame ending.
blehhhh.
yeahhh it's not much. I was bored. lol jet lag, five am, yeahhh xD.
anyway...
review? please and thank you!
-ddk12