I woke up to find myself staring up into a large tent. It was filled with pots and pans that hung from its fragile blue ceiling. I looked to my left to find Sokka lying there nearly unconscious in a heavy sleep. Aang slept by Sokka's side with his hand in a tight clench. Poor Aang must be having a terrible nightmare about his fate to come while I lay here unable to do anything about it. I'm scared as well. Not scared of the fire lords but of Aang himself and his lust for me. I would never be anything more than a friend to Aang unlike his feelings for me.
I sat up picking up a wooden brush by my side. I combed through my velvety soft brown hair as I thought of someone that confused me to my very core. Zuko. I hated him and filled up in frustration and anger whenever he said my name or did anything really but at the same time I couldn't breath whenever I was around him. There was something about him that was alluring and interesting, everything I could never be. I couldn't be so mellow and care free, so gorgeously... I was getting ahead of myself. I didn't love him, did I? I couldn't, I would be so wrong to pull him in like that.
His long black dusty hair that swayed in the wind. His muscles that sparkled in the sunlight, his eyes that gleamed. Who was I kidding? I was deeply and madly in..
"Are You the only one up?" Zuko whispered popping his head in the tent. His hair brushed against his bare chest as his golden eyes sparkled in the morning light. I dove under the covers realizing I was only in my bra as he snickered. Frustration balled up inside me as he did this causing me to shout at him.
"I can get myself up thank you! And who are you to walk in here when I am not descent! Hugh?" I blurted.
"Sorry! I didn't mean to get in your way your majesty!" he cooed sarcastically and left the tent closed. I hated myself for acting like such a jerk in front of him but I couldn't help it, he got me so mad sometimes. Did you see those biceps! Shut up Katara, just shut up! I stared at my woolen backpack absent mindedly as I through my more seductive red shirt that showed off my belly button matched with my red flowing skirt. I also wore to golden bangles on each wrist. I crawled out of my tent to see Zuko sitting on the ground eating some loaves of bread for breakfast. I took a seat next to him and as he saw me he opened his mouth as wide as it would go.
I could feel my cheeks turning bright red as I met his eyes and I turned my head away with my heart pounding at the speed of light.
"Um, I think we should discuss Aang and his fire bending." I stated trying to get both of our minds off of what just went down.
"Err, uh, yes! Of course, Aang. Well, um, he is doing quite fine." He stuttered looking down at his feet.
"Right, well if he's doing just fine than why isn't he completing what's necessary for him to fulfill his duties as Avatar?" I asked impatiently remembering the rage I had once felt for him.
"Well Aang is struggling more so on fire bending, since it's built off a lot of anger." Zuko sighed feeling his red scar over his eye.
"Oh well, angry or not you need to help him through it! The war is just around the corner and I don't want.." I unwillingly broke down into tears thinking of those who have died because of this and just the thought of one of us dying. Tears raced down my eyes as I hung my head in my lap.
"There there." Zuko calmly cooed as he rubbed my back suddenly.
"It will be okay Katara." He tried again through my sobs. As he said my name butterflies flew through my stomach.
"I couldn't even imagine if someone was to not make it…" I sobbed. Suddenly A large crack echoed through the forest as Zukko grabbed me and jumped across the forest floor. It all flashed before me suddenly as I saw a tree fall onto the place we were sitting. I screamed uncontrollably as I saw through my mind the fate at which would have unraveled if zuko hadn't saved me. I suddenly realized shirtless Zuko on top of me with his hot skin against my bare abdomen. A shutter of warmth flew within me. I truly didn't want him to get off but...
"Get off of her!" Aang yelled viciously misunderstanding Zukos intensions.
"Ya, what he said! No one tries anything on my sister!" Sokka joined. I suddenly realized this looked all wrong. Zuko on top of me, me screaming, him shirtless, and my skirt flipped up.
"No, no, no you have it all wrong!" Zukko shouted in contrary.
"Do we!" Sokka shouted back in angrily.
"I thought we could trust you!" Aang joined in.
"Guys just stop it!" I broke up there little argument as they all turned there attention torwards me. "Zuko here saved me and I owe him my life. We were having breakfast when a tree fell and me unknowingly stood there while Zukko pushed me out of the way." I gave Zuko a quick glance and he mouthed thanks subtly .
"Is that what happened?" Aang asked questionably.
"Yes." Zuko replied unenthusiastically. "That's what happened."
"Well we should be thanking him then!" Aang smiled graciously as he glanced at me dreamily. I looked away seeing Zuko stand up next to Sokka as Sokka cried in anguish to see how strong Zuko was.
"Im sorry…" Sokka tried nervously as Zuko shook his head at him. I giggled at this gesture of foolishness.
"Would you like me to wake up Toph?" I voulentered.
"That's probably a good idea." Zukko replied being the only one listening while Aang and Sokka argued. I went to leave as I heard Zukko voice again.
"Katara?" I turned my head to see Zukko gazing at me.
"You never did thank me." He began.
"How bout I thank you when you compete Aang's fire bending training and he can pass his recommendations. Deal?" I asked suggestivley as I began to head torwards Toph's tent.
"Deal." I heard a low whisper. I smiled at this as I could feel his eyes gazing at me. I opened Toph's tent to see her lying on her stomach snoring.
"Toph?" I asked as I taped her gently.
"Katara?" Toph rolled over. "Is it time to get up" she asked.
"Ya, it's time to get up." I responded calmly.
"Do you mind if you could leave while I get dressed?" She asked.
"Sure." I purred.
I left the tent and headed torward Aang. I could see his eyes brighten at my presence and his mouth hang open at my suggestive outfit, but it was not pleasurably embarrassing as it was when Zuko did it, more uncomfortable. I shifted my weight from foot to foot as I asked Aang if we would be traveling to the fire nation today so Zuko could retrieve a magical anklet which was told to help bring a better understanding of fire bending for students. It helped the student excel faster and so that is why we would steal it for Aang. I explained all of this to Aang until suddenly I was pulled into Aangs arms.
His cold hard lips smashed into mine unwilling as I tried to break free. I finally was able to pull away as I angrily pushed Aang to the ground. I ran away frustrated and unconcluded. Why was Aang so... so pushy! I stormed into the tent where Sokka, Toph and Zuko sat impatiently. I couldn't help but notice Zuko seemed hurt and sad but before I could ask why I got interrupted.
"What's the matter, did you get Aang to say yes about the anklet thingy?" Sokka asked clulessy.
"For your information, Aang would rather be indulging himself in other activities. And there's nothing the matter at all if you must know. Nothing!" I shouted back flustered. I turned my head against them and left but I could still here Sokka remark rudley "Whats her problem?"
I circled around for a while untill I sat down on a wooden log. All I could do was to think and wonder. After a while I saw Aang head towards my direction as I turned my head away. He sat down next to me and began to speak.
"Katara, I think we both know I like you. Even though I like you it wasn't right for me to do what I did back there. I don't want to risk losing your friendship by being more than a friend to you. I hope you can forgive me."
How could I not forgive him after what he said? It was always up to Aang to make a great speech wasn't it? I turned my head towards him and looked him in the eyes and smiled.
"I forgive you." I responded warmly.
"Thank you Katara, that really means a lot and uh, by the way I really like the whole idea about the anklet." He answered smoothly.
I got up to go tell the others what Aang had confirmed about the anklet. I was walking back to the tent as I bumped into Zuko.
"Hey uh, guess what Aang said?" I uncomfortably bounced with sarcasm.
"What your getting married?" he sarcastically fired back. "Invite me to your wedding, that is if you get a chance." I stared at him in confusion.
" Whats the matter with you?" I asked completely confused.
"I don't know,why don't you ask your boyfriend?" He pushed me out of the way and hurried on.
"Zuko?" I tried but he kept walking. What was his problem anyway? He makes me so angry! He is just so annoying I can't even..
"Hey Katara what's the matter?" Sokka asked as he ran up to me.
"It doesn't matter…" I replied gently. "But Aang has agreed we set out for the fire nation." I stated coldly.
"Well good, let's pack!" Sokka laughed.
