A/N: I just want to say that I AM a believer in Zutara (cheesy). My reasons for believing that this pairing would have been much more presentable, are the struggles that the two character faced were so similar, and the prices they paid for every wrong move were almost the same. I could see the tension between the two from the beginning, and honestly, I was a little upset with it went a different direction. I wanted to see what would happen if this was existent, and I wanted to see a more mature and realistic side to the TV show we all know and love :) This is my goal, so be prepared for some slightly different characterization (not much, I won't destroy this wonderful cast) and a darker side to this show that people may wish to believe didn't exist- but it exists in my mind :PP. Remember, this is just how I think things should have gone (although at first I was winging it), so if you don't like it, don't complain. I'm excited about taking this road, so follow me on this slightly darker, AU adventure (again...cheesy).

So I recently pulled this up, and sort of went 0.0 Gosh this is bad. I decided to sweep through and get it up and running again :) It's still rough, but this is the somewhat improved Water Kindled Fire

Red

I don't own Last Air Bender

It was split second decisive actions that led to Katara's decision. Even before Azula began to chase her she knew she would have to do something fast to reach him in time. The flash of lightning seemed to catch him midair, and as he hit the ground spasms from the electricity enveloped him until he could no longer hold his body upright. The initial shock was enough for the waterbender to run towards him, her heart racing faster than she could ever remember.

But his sister was ready for this.

It took longer than Azula originally planned, but she eventually had the girl pinned behind the pillars beyond the storm grate.

This was enough for the waterbender to grin and focus on a specific objective, as she grabbed a chain hanging off the walls. I guess they don't consider water bending in the Fire Nation.

With one lift of her arms, they were frozen.

The chains are cold even without the ice helping to chill her hands. Katara tried to focus on the two fingers pointed at her brow but found crossing her eyes to be even more uncomfortable than being frozen in her own ice block. So letting a rush of warm air out of her nostrils the water became fluid that caressed her cheeks and flowed through her long hair. She didn't have time to relish in her element and she wrapped the chains around Azula's wrists, binding her to the grated prison.

With a graceful flick of her wrists, the water was released.

The fire bender screams as soon as the water is chocked from her system, but by then Katara is by his side, fingering the flesh around his wound, and snapping back as a last spark extinguished into his skin. Tears were hard to hold back. She summoned the water to enclose her hands and pressed some sort of comfort into his chest. She had to focus on the little embers of energy he struggled to hold on to.

The water flowed to that fire and surrounded the flame, the healing willing it to grow until his breathing was deep with sleep, but still faint and labored. Even as her water rebuilt the fire into his soul, she could hear her conscious whispering warnings that this was not right. But she would not let him die, and in doing so this new fire has enveloping the old embers. The wound, however, did not close. She knew instantly that something else was wrong with him.

Katara was panicking now. He continued to breath raggedly, but still did not open his eyes.

Her entire demeanor changed at that moment, seeing for the first time the real danger of his situation.

This was her fault, which sent her panic into full on dread. Her decision might have cost his life.

"Zuko?" she whispered firmly, and was welcomed by silence. Nothing, at all, and that was the moment she realized, how silent it really was. No more sounds of chain screeching in protest, or howls of anguish.

The only instant that stopped her heart just as quickly as when she saw him dive in front of his sister's lightning, was seeing her absence by the grate, and the chains melted into a molten red substance that steamed from the water beneath it.

She had failed.

Please leave a review! Kindness or critiscism welcome!

Red