The Chibi Series

By Animanganerd01

Disclaimer: I own nothing. I'm a poor student who owns only her art and her computer.

I only made this series as an example of what I would do if I could pop in and out of random anime and/or manga. You don't have to read the others to figure each one out. There are no references to past or future chapters.

ZUTARA

Disclaimer #2: I don't place any claims to Avatar. It, and all if its characters belong to their creators, Mike and Bryan, and Nickelodeon.

Warning: Spoilers for any episode preceding and including The Firebending Masters.

Zuko stood watching the lunar eclipse from his room in the Western Air Temple quietly. The Water Tribe girl, no, Katara, was nowhere to be found that evening. Her brother, Sokka, said that it was because she didn't want the others to see her helpless. Zuko highly doubted that the Waterbending Master was ever helpless.

He sighed. He had managed to gain the trust, or at least acceptance, of all of the other members of the group, except her. She seemed bent on hating him. He began to wonder if Hatebending was possible.

"Well, if Hatebending is possible, then so is Lovebending."

Zuko yelped as a small presence made itself known by popping onto his shoulder. As he jumped back, the little person fell off and tumbled to the sill. He stared as a tiny, female, child-like being picked herself up and dusted off her clothes.

"Hey, a little warning next time, ya mind?" She scowled at him.

"Who… WHAT are you?!" he gasped out.

"I?" she asked, placing a hand over her chest. "I am what is called a chibi: a small, diminutive person with an out of proportion body. For example, as you can see, my head and eyes are far too large and expressive for my small body. My name is unimportant, Prince Zuko." She grinned mischievously.

"Okay…" he said. "So, why are you here in my room? Wait. How do you know my name?"

"That is classified information." She grinned again, reminding him vaguely of Toph in one of her scheming moods. "I am here to help you get Katara to like you back."

"How… WAIT! I don't like her!" he stuttered, backing away from the slightly freaky apparition. She raised an eyebrow at him. "Okay, so maybe I do, but she hates me."

"No she doesn't."

"Yes, she does."

"Doesn't!"

"Does!"

"Doesn't!" (Sudden evil grin)

"Does!!"

"Does!"

"Doesn't!"

"HA! Gotcha!" She punches the air in triumph.

Zuko blushed and scowled, unbelieving that he had fallen into her trap. "Fine. How do you propose I talk to her?"

"I knew you'd want to! Okay, here's the plan: we go find Katara, you tell her you're sorry and you've changed…"

"I've already done that and she doesn't believe me!" he said frowning.

"I KNOW! Now don't interrupt. Next, when she laughs at you and still doesn't believe you, ask her how you can make her believe you."

"How's that any different from what I've already done? I thought you knew all of this already, Oh All-Knowing Chibi," he said sarcastically.

She glared at him. "Do you want my help or not?"

He hung his head. "Sure, yeah."

"Good. Now, we've got to do this before the eclipse ends," she said, suddenly poofing back to his left shoulder.

He glanced down at her out of his bad eye. "Why's that?"

"Well, if she has all of her powers, you're dead." She grinned widely.

"Great. So, you know where she is?" he asked, walking out of his door.

"Is the Fire Nation's patron color red?"

He took that as a yes, and let the strangle little chibi girl lead him around the temple. As they walked she was quiet for a while, save for directions. Then suddenly, she asked, "Hey, Sifu Hotman?"

He glared at her for using Aang's nickname for him. "What?"

"What is your new reason for Firebending?" she asked, cocking her head at him.

"Huh? Oh, that. Isn't it obvious?" he asked, not looking at his new shoulder angel/devil. She shook her head. "Love. The need to protect my new family," he said honestly.

"AW! That's awesome! Oh, we're here!" She tugged on a tuft of hair gently. "Katara's in here," she whispered, pointing at a door to his right. "Now, I'm going to disappear, but I'll be watching. Oh, yeah, before I forget, did you ever notice that in an eclipse, the sun and moon are directly involved with each other?"

"Yeah, but now that I think about it, there's a bit of symbolism, isn't there?" He craned his neck to look at her. "You think the universe is trying to say something?"

"Maybe not, but I am!" She grinned manically as Zuko sweat dropped. "Now, before I go, I'll tell you my name." She leaned up and whispered in his ear. He grinned and opened his mouth to thank her. "No! Don't say it! Just remember it and don't tell anyone! Got it?"

"Yeah, okay, but why?" he asked confused.

"Because my involvement is strictly as minimal as possible. Now, take care of yourself, Sifu Hotman, and remember, be assertive and confident!" She vanished.

Zuko sighed and walked to Katara's door. 'Here we go,' he thought. He knocked.

"Go away," came the muffled voice of the beautiful Waterbender.

"No. I need to talk to you," said Zuko, crossing his fingers silently.

The door wrenched open. "What do YOU want?" she snarled.

"I just told you. I need to talk to you," he said.

"Not now," she snapped and tried to shut the door again. He grabbed it.

"Yes, now," he growled. As she gaped at him, he pushed past her into the room and closed the door again.

"How…How DARE you?" she screeched.

"Seriously, I need to talk to you." He sat stubbornly in the middle of the floor.

"Fine. Talk." She glowered at him.

"Why do you continue to hate me?" he asked, his gold eyes pleading. "Everyone else is okay with me, why can't you let it go?'

She sighed angrily. "Why? Why, you ask? Because you hurt me more than you did them. You broke my heart Zuko. I thought you had changed, back then in the catacombs. But then, you betrayed us and Aang nearly died!"

"I know, and I'm sorry," he mumbled, looking away from her.

"That really won't cut it anymore." She said, sitting back on the bed.

"Then what can I do?" He stood and moved to walk in front of her. "What can I do to make you believe me?"

"Nothing," she muttered not looking at him. She was secretly afraid. He was in full control of his element, and she was not. On top of that, he didn't need it being a male, and much stronger than her. She was helpless.

"How about this?" he asked suddenly kneeling before her. He raised his hand and put it on her cheek, moving it to face him. And, before she could slap him away, "I love you."

She gaped at him. "You… you what?"

"I love you. I love all of you. I would die to protect you all. What did you think the reason for the return of my Firebending was? Please, believe me," he brushed his hand down her cheek, "Katara."

She locked her gaze with his. This was the first time she had ever heard him say her name. And the way he said it! Like the warm caress of a fires heat after a long day in winter. Slowly, she reached out and placed her gentle fingers over his scarred cheek, like she had done so long ago. "I… I forgive you." She suddenly jumped forward and hugged him tightly.

He gasped and fell back in surprise. She landed on top of him, clinging to his neck. His arms wrapped around her waist and squeezed tightly.

"Zuko?' she murmured into his chest.

"Hmm?" he said, inhaling the gentle scent of her hair.

"I think… I think I might like you too… I've just been to angry to realize it," she whispered.

He smiled. 'That darned chibi girl knew it the whole time, didn't she?' he thought. "Don't worry about it Katara. I can forgive you." He grinned down at her.

She giggled and poked him. "Good."

Suddenly, she leaned down and touched her lips to his. He blinked then pulled her closer. He ran his tongue over he lips, pleading with her. She complied and he slipped his tongue into her mouth, teasing her mouth. She giggled and teased back. After a few minutes they pulled apart panting.

"You know, this will sound crazy, but I was sure I felt someone push me down to kiss you," she said, snuggling into his chest again.

'It's probably not as crazy as you think,' he thought. He only chuckled out loud. Over her shoulder, he saw a tiny, familiar shape sitting on the bed. She grinned happily and waved. She vanished. This time, Zuko was sure she was gone. But he still whispered, "Thank you."

He could have sworn he heard a cheeky reply of, "Well it's about time! But, you're welcome."

"What did you say?" asked Katara.

"Nothing, just thanking the universe. Hey, did you realize that during an eclipse, the sun and moon are directly involved with each other?" he asked remembering the question his little teacher had asked him.

"No, I hadn't thought about it. But now, looking at us," she kissed him softly, "it makes sense."

In another dimension, a little chibi grinned at her work. 'I should have gotten Sokka involved though,' she thought with a little sadistic chuckle. 'Oh well, he'll find out eventually.' She sat and poured a cup of tea thoughtfully. "Now, who to mess with next?" she murmured, grinning.