Nobody Else Feels This Way
He could have died from the damage that had been done. Those few intense moments could have been his last. His vision was obscured with a tunnel of bright light. He tried to make each breath count. She gathered the water from her pouch, covering the intense wound with it, trying to bring him back to life.
Zuko stopped breathing for a brief, but terrifying moment. Katara felt the tears swell in her eyes, starting to stream down her face. She gathered him in her arms, praying that he would come through. Finally, she heard him cough. Katara looked down to see Zuko almost smiling up at her.
"Thank you Katara." said Zuko.
"I should be the one thanking you."
Katara wrapped her arms around Zuko, hugging him like she would never see him again. Weakly, he tried to hug her back the best he could with the only strength he had in his body.
"You are hurt pretty badly Zuko. Try to just stay still for now. I'll get help for you." Katara couldn't help but cry rivers of tears at the sight of him laying there in so much pain. It reminded her of when her mother was taken; how helpless she felt. That thought made her cry even more. Zuko reached up, wiping away the tears on her face.
"I'm sorry for all the pain I ever caused you Katara. I would give anything to take it all back. I still owe you so much, for accepting me, and for giving me a chance."
Katara buried herself under his chin.
"You just saved my life. I think you have done enough Zuko."
He only had enough energy to smile back up at her again, before passing out.
Katara ran her fingers through his thick hair, and gently touched the scar on his eye. It was an odd time, but now she was beginning to understand Zuko now more than ever. He was just a lost, confused kid who never understood his place in the world; much like herself.
"Everything is going to be ok." she whispered.
Even though she was exhausted after her battle with Azula, she was going to stay with Zuko as long as she had too. Katara cared about him too much. She needed him too much. She loved him too much. Not the kind of love that she shared with Aang, but the sort of love where life just wouldn't be the same without him. Katara knew in the bottom of her heart that nobody else felt this way. Nobody had this kind of bond that they shared.
Even while passed out, Zuko never let go of Katara's hand.