Hey Zutarains Zstar2010 here. I'm doing a Collection of short oneshots for the themes of Zutara Week. Each one will have a short description before the story. I will be updating each day all week. Important

Betaread by: Jezebel. V. Sterling

Enjoy.

"Blue Spirit": The one time she takes a short-cut she runs into trouble, but she also runs into a hero.

Zutara Week 2011 Theme One: Mask

Katara walked down the city sideway on her way to her apartment. As she passed the many parking meters, she felt a water drop fall on her cheek. She looked up, and sure enough it started to rain. "Ah, crap!" She started running, raising her arm over her head pointlessly trying to block the rain. "Why did I have to forget my umbrella today?" She decided to cut through an alleyway. She normally she didn't do this, but she didn't feel like getting wet today. She was almost on the other side when three guys stepped out from the sides of the alley.

"Excuse me miss, could you spare some change?" Their presence gave her an uneasy feeling.

"No. In fact, I can't even spare a second." Katara said sternly, turning around to take the long way, but three more guys appeared. A cold chill ran up her spine as she realized something…she was trapped.

"Okay look." She started to panic. "I've got like 20 dollars and a gift card. That's it!"

"Oh no, you got more to offer than that."

"No."

"Oh yes."

"NO!"

Just then a blur of black slammed into the guy next to Katara and everyone froze. The figure rose, standing over the man. He looked human except he was wearing a blue demon-like mask.

"GET THIS FREAK!" One yelled. One of the thugs picked up a nearby 2-by-4 and ran at the masked man. The masked man ducked and did a sweep kick on the thug, knocking him to the ground. Three of the thugs stood there looking hesitant as to what to do next. The lead thug looked at them impatiently. "Well get him!" he ordered and the others did what they were told without hesitation. Two of them rushed the masked man. He flips over them and kicks off the back of theirs heads, causing the two to fall and slid across the ground. The last thug (save for the leader), holding some chains, snuck up behind the masked man. Katara opened her mouth to shout a warning but it was too late. The thug used the chain to take hold of the man by the neck. The leader pulled out a knife. "This is why nobody should play hero." The leader said tauntingly as he pulled out a knife. The masked man was gripping at the chains watching the leader lunging at him with the knife. He did a high kick, knocking the knife out of the leader's hand. Flipping over the man trying to choke him, the masked man freed himself. He landed and gave him a hard chop to the neck. The man's whole body flinched and he went down.

The leader pulled out a gun and pointed it at the masked man. "Now this is really why no one should play hero." He smirked. Katara saw the man cock the gun and covered her eyes. She heard the gun shot, but instead of the thud of a body, she heard the cling of metal. She opened her eye and saw the masked man still standing, with a sword covering his head. She didn't know what just happened until the man let off more rounds. The masked man stepped forward while deflecting the bullets with his sword. The other man stepped back, frantically shooting, trying to land a hit. That is until he ran out of bullets. The man stood there frozen with fear. "What are you?" He yelled. The masked man pulled out another sword, twirling both in an intimidating fashion. The other man dropped his gun and ran. The masked man then lowered his swords and walked up to Katara.

"Are you okay?" His voice was firm but gentle.

"Yeah, thanks." Her eyes squinted trying to remember where she saw that face before. "Wait a second!" She pointed at him "You're the Blue Spirit!"

He chuckled. "Blue Spirit? Man I've got to get a better agent. They couldn't think of anything better than that?" He joked.

"Yeah so you are that vigilante from the news!"

"Vigilante? I hate that word. It makes me sound like a criminal."

"Well…" Katara scooted closer to him. "You're a hero to me."

"Um…Thanks." There was a long awkward pause between them. The only noise that could be heard was the sound of pouring rain. "I should get going then…get home safely."

He turned around and started walking away. Katara ran up to him "WAIT!", and grabbed his shoulder. The Blue Spirit stopped, captured by her touch. He turned around slowly, her hand still on his shoulder. He didn't say anything so she spoke. "Do I get to say thank you?"

"What?" She slowly reached up and hooked her index finger under his mask. She barely nudged the mask up when… "Wait." She stopped a moment, but continued lifting the mask just enough to expose his mouth. He was considerably taller than her, so she had to get on her tiptoes to reach him. She lightly brushed her lips over his and kissed him. It was slow at first, but he dropped his swords and wrapped his arms around her. He kissed her back leaning over so she wouldn't have to be on her tiptoes. The rain was soaking them to the bone and all they could think about was this. They finally pulled away as he lowered his mask and picked up his swords. He turned and wall jumped up to the roof, gone in the blink of an eye. The display of acrobatics impressed Katara, and it's something she wouldn't mind seeing again. But she rather see him again…somewhere…somehow…someday.

There is actually going to be a part 2 of this on 'secrets' day.
And yes I took this from the first Spider-man movie (a little) but come on...who DIDN'T like that scene?

I actually got a head start on this week so I don't plan on stopping half-way like in Taang Week (which I WILL finish, don't worry)

Please REVIEW!