Disclaimer: I own nothing in Avatar the Last Airbender... If I did, Katara and Aang would never be together.

Hey guys! Just wanted to give a heads up on what is to come. This story will begin during Crossroads of Destiny... Chapter 1 might be a bit slow due to me having to set the story up, but it definitely has a couple unseen twists! The rest of the story will flow as I see fit. Enjoy! :)

Zuko's POV

Time stopped. Hope flared in my chest as she spoke those fateful words, but the doubt soon sank in again as I told her it was a scar. It couldn't be healed. She replied that it had special healing abilities, and reluctantly, I allowed that hope to spark again.

I felt her fingers brush the rough skin of my scar as I closed my eyes. The coolness of her touch gave relief to the angry burning of the mark. Seconds passed, yet they felt like hours. We both stood, revelling in the moment, before it was broken. The Avatar had come.

Immediately, her touch was stolen away from my bitterness, causing the anger to rush over me once more. I wanted to reach out and pull her back to me, make her heal my pain, but I was soon engulfed in Uncle's embrace. For once, I allowed him to hold me. He was only worried about my well-being. I felt the heat of the Avatar's glare and returned it with just as much intensity. As Uncle pulled me away and spoke to me, I saw her glance my way. I averted my gaze to the floor.

There went my chance, my only chance to be free from this mark of shame. It was gone. She was gone. Katara was gone.

Katara's POV

I don't know why I offered. There could have been so many other uses for the sacred water that were far more important. I guess I couldn't bear to see the pain, his pain. In that moment, he wasn't the angry firebender that had chased us around the world, but a lost teenager, drowning in his own confusion.

As soon as I saw Aang, I had bolted to his side, clinging to his lithe form. All thoughts of Zuko and his scar banished from my mind. I never stopped to think about how I had hurt him. I gave him a taste of redemption, then ripped it away.

Stealing a look at him as Aang led me away, I saw his old mask of indifference plastered on his face. Yet somehow, I knew that the insecure, hurting Zuko was on the brink of surfacing. I turned away and set my attention on finding Toph and Sokka. They were my priority, not Zuko.

As we entered a new, more spacious part of the catacombs, the sound of fire blazing caught our attention. My heart sank as I saw the deadly blue fire streaking toward us. Double-teaming Azula proved to be a simple plan, but difficult action.

There was a tense moment in which the three of us stood stock-still, waiting for the other to make a move. Suddenly, a second flame exploded in front of me. When the smoke cleared, he was standing there. Zuko had made it, and he was joining our side! I knew that the three of us could definitely subdue Azula, and that together we would be safe. My relief was short-lived, however, as I realized it was not Azula he was attacking, but Aang.

The betrayal stabbed me in the chest as I saw him shoot fireball after fireball at my best friend. I had no time to feel anger though, as Azula's attention was now on me. Forcing the sudden change of events out of my mind, I focused on pin-pointing my opponent's weakness. Problem was, she didn't really have a weakness. Instead, I opted to using pure force and agility.

Slowly but surely, I started to gain the upper-hand in the fight. A smirk appeared on my lips as some of Azula's hair was sliced off from my attack. Don't get cocky, Katara. That's when you mess up, I thought to myself.

Finally I saw the opening I needed. Pulling the water from the ground, I engulfed my body to the neck. Whipping out a tendril, I grasped Azula's right arm as she was about to attack. In the next second, I had her left leg. Her face morphed into panic as I heaved her up a foot off the ground, preparing to end it for good.

Out of the corner of my eye, a flash of orange and red raced toward us, but before I could react, my hold on the fire princess was gone. Zuko! I mentally screamed, I had her, you bastard!

The rage I had suppressed before surged through me full-force as my opponent was switched. Summoning water from the canal that seperated us, I formed two water-whips. Memories flashed in my brain as I prepared my fluid weapon. Aang and I at that waterfall. Me stealing that scroll. The first technique that I learned. "I'll save you from the pirates." And then the moment was lost as the exiled fire prince called his own weapons.

My anger was renewed as I saw what he was using. He stole my move! He made a fire-whip! Growling under my breath, I raised my arms and our elements clashed.

"I thought you had changed!" I yelled.

"I have changed."

Zuko POV

I saw the anger spark in her eyes as I calmly responded. I pretended I didn't feel the guilt when I had turned on them, on her. I pretended I didn't see the hurt in Uncle's eyes as I followed Azula. I pretended I didn't have any fear as her icy-blue eyes filled with rage. I pretended.

I couldn't see my sister's battle with the Avatar, but suddenly, she was there attacking the water-bender with me. I assumed the airbender was taken care of for now. Together, we sent jet after jet of hot fire at Katara. I knew she didn't stand a chance against us both. Ignoring the sound of her back hitting rock, I watched her fall to the ground.

Rumbling in the distance told me our fight was not over. The Avatar was advancing on us, and quickly. He did not look happy that we just beat up his companion. Hell, I wouldn't be either. Positioning myself in a fighting stance, I watched his earth-mound gain speed.

But before he could reach us, a Dai Li agent came out of nowhere and the Avatar's mound halted abrubtly. He was launched into the air and landed heavily on his back. Suddenly, agents were everywhere. About thirty were stationed behind us, ready at the first sign of movement. I saw Katara stand and ready her water-octopus, facing twenty agents alone.

Returning my attention back to the Avatar, I was surprised to see him retreat into the safety of a crystal tent. Narrowing my eyes in confusion, I watched as it began to slowly glow. I covered my eyes when it exploded outward, a column of light beaming from within. It was then that I knew we were screwed.

Katara's POV

After seeing how many were now against us, I didn't think we stood a chance. At least, not until I realized what Aang was doing. He was going into Avatar state! I figured the fire nation siblings would also realize what was going on, so in order to defend Aang, I gathered what water I had and perched on my wave.

The Dai Li agents never knew what hit them. One moment I was there, and the next they were eating dirt. Gaining speed, I set my sights on Aang's crystal tent.

Fifty-feet away.

I watched as the dozens of agents began to squirm nervously when the glow intensified.

Thirty-feet away.

The tent exploded outward, pelting the people closest with debris.

Twenty-feet away.

Aang began to rise steadily. His glowing tattoos were a beautiful sight for me.

Fifteen-feet away.

That's when I saw Azula. Fear made my heart skip a beat as I recognized that stance from before. Lightning. I pushed as fast as I could, hurtling toward her.

Ten-feet away.

Currents of electricity in the air made my skin tingle. I gathered water up my arm, about to strike her.

Five-feet away.

She shot. I acted. I flung the water from my arm, no longer aiming for Azula, but for the deadly white bolt of lightning.

My world slowed. I saw the water intercept the lightning. I watched it turn sharply as the stream conducted it. It was to late for me to realize that my arm was still attached to the water, and that the dangerously precise bolt was headed straight for me.

I didn't have time to scream. I don't think I could've. Everything blurred in a haze of pain. A burning sensation traveled through my arm. My body began to jerk as the lightning coursed its way to my heart. The one thought I had as I began to black out was, Better me than Aang.

Zuko's POV

I had expected Azula would have some sort of back-up plan, I just didn't know if she could put it to action in time. I heard the crackling of energy and turned to see her moving her arms in a languid motion. I didn't know whether to feel proud that the Avatar would be taken down, or guilty.

Right as my sister prepared to shoot, I heard the gurgled gasps of the agents behind me. I was alarmed to see a ten-foot wave heading straight towards us. But I was not surprised to see who was riding it. Hair streaming back, and eyes on fire, Katara looked like an angel of vengence.

Azula also seemed to have heard the approaching water, for she suddenly lunged out, a white-hot stream of lightning protruding from her fingertips. It snaked its way to its target, straight for the boy with the glowing tattoos. This is really going to happen, I thought. We are going to kill the Avatar. And then, my eyes widened as I saw something else heading toward the bolt of lightning.

Water. It was water. A stream of pure life attaching itself to a jolt of pure energy. Then I realized who was sending the water, who was about to face that energy head-on. Time slowed for the second time that day, except instead of hope flaring in my chest, there was fear.

I saw the lightning in slow-motion, how it veered off its previous course, instead, allowing itself to be directed by the water. I saw the moment when it contacted her outstretched fingers. I saw the horror, fear, and absolute pain on her face as her wave receded, and her body was seized by energy. I saw her body racked by spasms when it curled its murderous fingers around her heart. I saw her hit the ground. I saw Katara.

The crystal catacombs were plunged into silence as everyone stared in shock at the petite young girl laying on the ground. The only sound anyone could hear, was the dull thud of Katara's body impacting the ground. The suffocating smell of burnt flesh made my stomach twist. Not even Azula was able to gather her wits.

No, no! It wasn't supposed to be her! I wanted to scream, yet my body was still frozen, un-willing to mirror the turmoil in my head. Somewhere among the silence, I could hear Katara's accusing voice.

It's all your fault.

Author's note: I hope you enjoyed the first chapter! Muahaha, I am evil for that cliffy! More romance is on its way, so don't panic Zutarians!

This is my first fanfic, so hopefully it isn't too shabby. Review as you please. (You know you want to!) Criticism is welcomed!