A HEART BEAT

"Zuko!"

I screamed to the top of my voice. My throat hurt, but it was not important. I was panicking inside, breathing so hard that I couldn't take this. No, I can't allow him. I can't let him die.

I ran towards him, my eyes watery. He was on the floor, wincing from the pain. His fingers twitch as I approached him. He was breathing hard, I could hear him gasp. I can't help but cry.

No.

My hands were trembling, as I enveloped my hands with water and started going over his newly-scarred chest. I can't concentrate on healing him if I'm panicking like this.

My sight was getting blurry, all covered with tears. But I swear I saw his eyes were closed. I don't want you to die.

As my hands go across his chest, he'd flinch. I knew it was painful. There wasn't much damage in his bones, but his heart was hit, and this wouldn't make things better.

A heartbeat. Zuko's pulse was getting weaker.

I don't hate you, Zuko. My inner voice cried.

She remembered how she hated him before. When he stepped on the Water Tribe Island for the first time and threatened her people. When he embarrassed my brother as he defend our people. When he took Aang as prisoner.

A heartbeat.

I don't hate you, Zuko.

He chased me, my brother and Aang all over the world. When he tied me to a tree, and tried negotiating with my mother's necklace. Forcing me to give him Aang. Though I hated him for that, I forgive you now.

A heartbeat.

I don't hate you Zuko.

My fingers twitched a bit, I can feel his pain. I recall him bruised all over his face when he attacked me in the Northern Water Tribe. Stealing Aang from us, but we still got him back.

A heartbeat.

I don't hate you Zuko.

I was the very first to trust him change. When we were trapped inside those caves, we talked, shared each others' loss. I believed him. I felt sorry for him. Then he betrayed us. And all I could think about then was how I hate him.

He flinched again. His eyes struck open, I must have hit something inside him as I was panicking.

A heartbeat.

I don't hate you Zuko.

He tried smiling at me. I stared at him, crying, I tried to smile at him back. Then he slowly closed his eyes, tired, like he wanted to rest. To sleep. No.

I worked harder. Faster. Deeper.

It was painful. He was exhausted that he'd lose consciousness. But then he would wake up from the pain, moaning heavily.

It was unbearable.

A heartbeat.

I don't hate you Zuko.

When he turned to our side again, I was the last to believe him. I even treated him unsympathetically. I discouraged him to laugh, or even smile. I refused him to be one of us. But no matter how spiteful I had been, he'd reach out for me, lowering his pride as he apologizes. But I just rejected him.

He even helped me find my mother's killer. He saw me at my most viciousness. He saw me blood bending. And he has witnessed me about to kill a murderer. But I didn't, I couldn't. But he didn't judge me.

A heartbeat.

I don't hate you Zuko.

That was all I could ever scream inside me. Because he knew how much I hated him. Now he sacrificed himself to me. Maybe that was the reason he offered his life for me. My mother gave away her life to save mine. And now he's giving away all he's earned for me, a simple Water Tribe girl.

Oh Spirits, Zuko. I forgave you; you don't have to do this!

A heartbeat.

I don't hate you Zuko. I don't hate you!

He turned away from his nation, from his family, from his beloved. Just to join us, to join the avatar. To make things right. After all that's happened, he'd risk his life to save mine? Does he still think I didn't forgive him? You're such an idiot, Zuko! You're putting me in a lot of pressure right now! I shouldn't make a mistake, because with one wrong move, it could take away your life.

A heartbeat.

I don't hate you…

I healed every fiber in his body that has been hit, but that scar won't just cover up. If I only I was more powerful. I owe him my life, and I am forever in debt to you, my Prince.

A heartbeat.

Zuko… I

I can feel his breathe becoming softer… is he alright? I can still sense pain inside of him. His heart pulse slowing down. Spirits, Tui and La, help me. Send me guidance in order to save my savior, my knight in shining armor, my Zuko.

A heartbeat

I love you

I miss your luminous golden eyes. You glared at us with those honey colored orbs long ago. When you came to apologize, your dazzling eyes were sincere and true, but we didn't believe you. Then as you make jokes around the fire, they would flicker and dance with the light. I could melt when I see them once again. So please I beg of you, open your eyes.

A heartbeat.

I love you

You have a lean well-toned body. You have muscles in every corner; years of training must have made them firm and strong. I feel guilty that your fair-skinned chest has to take a new scar that was for me. But even if you have this on your chest, I won't hesitate to touch you over and over again, as long as you want, whenever you desire. So please, Zuko, gather all your strength to stand up.

A heart beat

I love you…

Your scar, Ozai's unwanted and unbearable gift. Whenever someone sees you, you feel ashamed, like your banishment is written all over your face. Those burned edges on your face don't make you a monster, Zuko. It's made you who you are. It tells you that you are good. Though you did make mistakes, you looked through things and finally settled to what's right. Whenever I think of you, I always see your scar. I would wonder then how you got them. But when I look at you now, I don't see a scar. I just see you. I see your kindness.

Now, you have been implemented with a new scar. That has me all over it. It was Azula's doing, yes. But it was meant for me. And that scar, is mine. That wound right above your heart, is me. If you would wake up, and be alright, I'd love to take you to the North Pole, look for the Oasis and try to eradicate those patched skin.

A heartbeat.

I love you, Zuko!

I felt him twinge. He was slowly cracking his eyes open. Excitement and enthusiasm filled my heart. Finally, you're awake, Zuko!

He sat up. He smiled at me.

"Thank you, Katara."

A zutara drabble. I just thought about it and I wanted to publish it. Thanks for reading, and thanks for any comments. Please tell me what you do you think?