Title: Into Dust
Author: nichelle.hp
Summary: Katara speaks to Zuko about past and present feelings.
Ships: Katara/Zuko
Disclaimer: Anything that looks familiar isn't mine.
It hurts to look at you.
All I can see is the fire that was reflected in your eyes each time we encountered previously. It was all I saw as I mustered my strength, my body hot and screaming in protest as I used my aqueous abilities against you. You would grunt and scream, arms and legs flying as the angry lava flew from your fists. There was so much anger and so much hatred that I couldn't help but return it to the best of my ability. I fought against my own peaceful nature to defeat you.
It hurt to fight you and now it hurts to look at you.
There is so much to you, as I now see. You aren't as empty as I had thought. You are filled with more than fire. You are filled with sadness and a longing to belong. You are not just a scarred face and hands filled with lava. Banished and unloved, you strayed. You did all you could for the love of your father, which made you understand my need to find my mothers' killer. You are more mature than Aang, a better fighter than Sokka, more moral than Jet. You possess more than they do, but so much less at the same time.
It hurts to look at you. It hurts more to love you. So I will be in unbearable pain for the rest of my life.
