I don't know about any of you, but I really hated the Season 2 finale because of Zuko's betrayal. So, I decided to make a story on what would've happened had it gone differently. And I mean DIFFERENTLY!! Warning, if you don't like fast love, don't read this story. It was originally a one-shot.
Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar.
Ripples of Fire: Chapter One
"The Fire Nation took my mother away from me!" Katara yelled, beginning to cry.
"I'm sorry, but that's something we have in common… It's Katara, right?" Zuko asked.
Katara turned around, wondering what mystery was behind the handsome face of his, and wondering if he really had changed. She knew the old Zuko wouldn't have given a copper piece to hear her thoughts and feelings. Maybe, just maybe, it was possible.
"Yes, my name's Katara. And you're Zuko, right?"
Zuko smiled a hint of a smile. "Yeah. Are we starting this over?" he asked.
"Only if you want to," Katara replied, sniffling.
Zuko turned around, and began to crawl over to her.
"Well then, it's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Katara," he said, holding out his right hand.
"And you too, Mr. Zuko," Katara giggled. They shook hands. But that wasn't really what shocked her. Zuko had laughed… and smiled. Something she had never seen him do before, except maybe to laugh at people, like when he had stolen her mother's necklace, and he laughed at those pirates when they, (as in her, Aang, and Sokka) had stolen the pirates boat. Yeah, that had been the only time.
"Well, I suppose I should apologize. I guess I was a little blind, when I was chasing you. I had forgotten what my mother had told me the night she disappeared, something I never should've done. I know she wouldn't be proud of my actions the past three years," Zuko said.
"I accept your apology, Zuko, but what was it your mother told you?"
"Well... she told me to, um, never forget who I am... and I did just that. I became someone I wasn't. Even though I wasn't the Fire Lord, or his ancestors, I was behaving just like one. But I think I'm remembering who I am now, thanks to you," Zuko replied.
Katara blushed, but realizing what she was doing, she quickly looked down, and hoped Zuko hadn't noticed.
"That's strange. That's what my mother told me the day that she-," Katara broke off, unable to finish, and began to cry again.
Zuko lifted her chin up, wiping the tears away with his hands.
"It's okay to cry, and remember, and I'm not saying to forget, but sometimes, you just have to let go," he said, in the gentlest voice she had ever heard him speak in.
"I know, but it's hard. Zuko, could I ask you something?" Katara asked.
"Sure, what?" he replied.
"Why are you being so nice to me?" This took him by surprise, she could tell.
"Well, uh, maybe uh, it's just because I like you… a little more than normal," he responded, turning red.
Katara blushed at this, then said, "Maybe that's why I can so easily forgive you,"
The two were closer now, and they leaned forward to kiss, letting go all of the enmity and hate that had happened between them. As the distance between them closed, the two weren't really thinking, just doing what their conscience was telling them to do. DO IT, DO IT, DO IT!!
Finally, there was no distance at all between their lips, and Zuko held Katara by the waist, silently rocking them back and forth. As they broke apart, Katara and Zuko had that same, romantic, contented smile on their faces, and each felt that the love lost between them had been replaced.
Katara had never seen Zuko look so happy, and Zuko had never seen Katara so happy, so… alive, and he had never seen her give him such a kind, soft look before, and vice versa.
"Zuko?"
"Yeah?"
"I think I have an idea,"
"What is it?"
"You're not going to like it,"
"Come on, how hard could it be?" Zuko asked.
Katara told him. He didn't like it.
"If you do this for me, I'll use this water from the spirit oasis at the North Pole to heal you're scar," Katara offered.
"Tempting, but no. DO YOU REALIZE WHAT AZULA COULD DO TO ME IF SHE FINDS OUT?!
"Well, maybe this'll help," Katara said, and kissed him, long and passionately again.
"It's helping. Do it some more," Zuko replied.
Katara kissed back more strongly than she had ever kissed anyone ever before. (not that she had, or anything)
When they broke off, Zuko said, "I don't like your plan, Katara, and when I say that, I mean I REALLY don't like it, but, if you heal my scar, I... guess... maybe... I could... do it,"
"Really?" Katara said, barely daring to believe him.
"If you want to condemn me to death, I'd say go for it, but, if it involves kicking Azula's ass at some point, I'll do it,"
"Thank you," was all Katara could say, and kissed him more strongly than ever.
Well, how did you like it? This is my first shot at Zutara, so review please!!