And so it begins.

We were all sitting in a circle at the Western Air Temple. It had been a few days since Zuko had returned with Sokka from their secret trip somewhere. I don't know where, nobody told me anything. Some Fire Nation prison, and they brought back Katara's dad, and a few others, which meant less food at mealtimes. I would have assumed that Katara's dad being back might make her in a better mood, but she was still as snippy as ever. I wonder whether she was on her bad week.

It was hard to accept Katara as less than perfect, but there was no denying that there was something wrong with the way she refused to trust Zuko. Sokka had told me it was something to do with Ba Sing Se, while Toph had worried me with tales of how they kissed in the caves, which I soon found (through a water whip to the head from You-Know-Who) were completely false. Still, I couldn't take my revenge on Toph, she was younger than me and my Sifu as well. It was unlike me to think of revenge, but I think Katara's permanent bad mood was infecting us all. Even Zuko looked more frustrated than usual.

Currently, Katara was sitting across from Zuko with her bowl of food, but was neglecting her food in favor of giving him death glares. Not that there was much food, even though Zuko had done his best in the nearby forest. She ignored the conversation going on around her, instead focusing hard on Zuko picking at his food.

"What's the matter, Zuko? Too peasant-like for you? I'll take your portion." Her viciousness silences the others, and Zuko attempts a smile back, but falters at her icy gaze.

"It's great," he lies.

Katara huffs. "Well, if you'd not tired out Aang firebending, maybe he could have helped you hunt."

I'm about to protest that I saw both of them training, and Zuko was doing all the exact same moves, but Aang beats me to it. "Katara, I need to train up before the Comet."

It silences her for awhile, that rare intervention from the peace-loving Aang, and I attempt to start a conversation. I figure, sitting next to her I should be able to distract her. Just as I explain how I invented a shampoo that helped me grow my moustache, she snaps at Zuko again, and I wonder if she was listening.

"How's your uncle?" she sneers. Somewhere, she's crossed the line. Both Sokka, Aang and Hakoda begin to talk and Toph seems about to send a boulder her way.

However, the most astonishing fact seems to be that something has snapped within Zuko. His voice cuts across all the others. "Katara, if you can't accept me, then I'm just going to accept that and give up on you. And there definitely wasn't too much salt in the meal." Everyone begins to snigger, myself included. I'm only human.

He is about to rise when Toph tugs him back down and begins to explain something to him. Next to me, Katara looks...crestfallen. I can't believe my eyes, and wonder if there's something to Toph's theory that Katara forgave him after he brought Hakoda back, but that she's making Zuko fight for her acceptance because she likes his attention. It seems too immature for Katara, but who knows?

The circle soon subsides into an awkward silence. All that can be heard is Sokka loud chewing, and the Duke's slurps. Katara jumps up beside me and I wonder if she's going to walk away back to her room, but she crosses the circle instead, heading for Zuko. He pretends not to see her, turning towards Toph instead, but his posture betrays his tension. I wonder if she's foolish enough to start a fight.

She reaches him, and Teo begins a loud and pointless conversation with Chi Tzang, but it soon fades away. Everyone stares at Katara and Zuko, frozen in their positions. Finally, Zuko gazes up at Katara. "Yes?" I don't know what he sees in her face - her back is to mine - but his expression becomes less bored and a little more compassionate. This is probably hard for her.

I can almost hear her struggling for words, then she gives up and bends down instead. Zuko flinches a little, but stays where he is. No one breathes, but Sokka obliviously continues eating.

When she kisses Zuko, everyone is shocked into speech. The Duke giggles, soon starting off Teo, and the tension breaks. We resume our conversations and the mood is restored, but I keep an eye on Katara. After her peck, she seems inclined to run back into the temple. Just as she begins to walk away, Zuko rushes to his feet, also beyond words. The others ignore them, except Hakoda and Aang, whose eyes remain on the pair. Sokka hasn't noticed anything.

He finally wakes up to what is going on around him when Zuko sweeps Katara into a proper kiss, leaning her back and planting one on. Sokka looks at Hakoda, sees his slight smile, and returns to his food. Hakoda starts a conversation with Aang, who seems a little shattered. I can hear the word Toph floating across the circle.

Toph sighs, putting up a rock tent around Zuko and Katara. "Spare my feet!"

Crossover - crossing the circle, geddit? I imagine the kiss somewhat like this - http://wwwDOTgallerymDOTcom/images/work/big/eisenstaedt_alfred_M2_vj_day_lasiter_16x20_

It's a little crack-ish, but I like it! Welcome to Zutara Week people, and if you want a full Zutara story, check out my story Things We Lost In The Fire (shameless self-promotion). :)

wondering-wandering on deviantart collaborated with me on this and will be posting this on her dA account the moment I post this!

p.s. - this is the first entry here on fanfiction I've seen so far!