Sweat poured from his body as he sat upright. He shook his head to clear it and looked over at the girl sleeping in her bedroll. He knew that he had been accepted into the group, but that wasn't the only place he wanted to be accepted.

Sitting next to her was as close as he felt he could get.

He sighed and made sure that she was asleep before standing up quietly. He made his way to the top of the hill, overlooking the city below, and leaned against a tree.

"It's so peaceful up here."

He whirled around to face the newcomer. His heart leapt when he saw that it was her.

"Yeah, it really is. You would never guess that the enemy of the entire world lives there." He said bitterly. It would only be a few days before Aang faced the Firelord, and Zuko longed for the day that was to be the failure of his father.

The girl thought for a moment then said "I guess outside appearances do not always show what is on the inside."

He looked at her, at the way the moonlight lit her face. It made her eyes look even bluer. The wind began to blow lightly, sending tendril of her hair blowing across her face. He couldn't help himself; he reached out and tucked the hair behind her ear then quickly drew his hand away. She looked at him and smiled lightly; a small blush gracing her cheeks.

"You know, what I said applies to you too." She said quietly.

His brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean? I'm his son; chances are I will end up like him." He said quietly turning away from her and looking out across the land.

"No, you won't end up like him." She moved in front of him. "Do you remember when we were stuck in that cave together?"

Zuko could only nod, it was the first time he realized that he liked Katara.

"You could have killed me, easily. I wasn't as powerful as I am now, and yet you didn't." She went on, placing a hand on his cheek to get his attention. "You didn't hurt me."

"But I have so many other times. How many times have I tried to kill you and failed? How do you know that I won't try again once Aang defeats my father?" Anger welled up inside of his chest and tears began to sting his eyes. He closed them willing the tears to stop but one slid down his cheek betraying his feelings.

Katara gently wiped away the tear with her thumb and coaxed him to open his eyes. "I trust you." She whispered.

He opened his eyes wide at her statement. Could she possibly feel the same way the he did? His heart gave a squeeze at the thought. He placed a hand on top hers and looked into her eyes, getting lost in the kindness there.

"Katara, I…" He tried to speak but words failed him. She smiled at him and nodded.

"I know. I've known since we were in the cave together." He was speechless, she knew how he felt!

"How?" Was all he could manage to say.

She stood up on her toes and brushed the tip of her nose against his. "Because I felt it then too. I feel it now; I've felt it ever since you came to be with us."

His heart swelled at her words and he tipped her chin up with his hand.

Her lips were as soft and sweet as he had imagined.