Both chapters are the same story from different perspectives. I was bored and wanted to try this out, since I would have loved for Zutara to work out.

This occurs between Southern Raiders and Ember Island Players.

The fire crackled fiercely, casting active shadows on Zuko's stern face. The flames caught and reflected back in his narrowed gold eyes. His mind shuffled through the memories stored there, reliving every moment. As the memory of his mother's kind face came into view, tears began to well in his eyes.

"I'm sorry mom," he whispered.

"Zuko," a soft voice exclaimed. "What are you still doing up? It's late, you should be asleep."

"I can't," he replied, his head falling to hide his tears. "Why are you up?"

The voice's owner shrugged and sat down beside him. "I saw the fire and figured I'd see if you're OK."

"I'm fine!" he snapped.

"OK, I'll just go back to sleep then." She stood and began to walk back towards her tent.

"No wait," Zuko reached out, grabbing her arm and pulling her back down. "I'm sorry Katara."

"It's OK," Katara said gently. "For whatever reason you're up, it's none of my business."

He sighed. As much as he didn't want to share his thoughts with this girl, he couldn't help it. Something about her just compelled him to be open and honest.

"I was just… just thinking about my mother."

"Oh. Didn't you say the Fire Nation took her from you?"

"Yeah. More like my father," he paused and debated whether to continue. "My father insulted my grandfather so he ordered him to kill me. My mother loved me too much for that to happen and went to Azulan. I'm not sure if she killed him or not, but in the middle of the night she left. I have no idea where she is… or if she's even still alive."

The fire popped in the still silence. It took Zuko all of his strength to keep his emotions in check. Slowly he felt tears creep down his cheeks. His head bowed even further. He was alone. He had lost everyone who truly loved him. His mother was gone. His uncle no doubt hated him. And he wouldn't blame Mai if she never talked to him again. Losing control of himself, his shoulders began to shake. After a moment, he felt Katara's arms around his shoulders.

"I'm so sorry Zuko. I wish there was something I could do." She laid her head against his neck and held him for a while.

He took a breath and pulled away a little, taking her hands in his. He sat and stared into her concerned sapphire eyes.

Hesitantly, he saw Katara's right hand rise to touch his scar. Her fingers were cool and gentle, the soft brown skin soothing.

"And I really wish I could have healed this for you," she whispered.

"If you had, Aang would be dead and the world would be in ruins. And who knows where I'd be."

Her hand fell and it took him some restraint not to pull it back to his face. "You're right. But maybe if I had been able to heal it you would have helped us defeat Azula and we'd never have been in this situation."

"Are you still going on about that," he groaned.

"Yes, I am still 'going on about that,'" she exclaimed loudly. "Because of you, Aang almost didn't make it. You're lucky things worked out the way they did."

"Well sorry for upsetting you," Zuko said sarcastically.

"Ugh," she grumbled, standing up and turning her back to him. "And here I thought we were actually having a moment. I guess I should have learned from the caves."

"Maybe," he said offhand.

The fire was gradually shrinking and the air grew chilly. The two stayed silent. Zuko waited for Katara to say something.

"You going to start that up again?" she asked as she sat down again, motioning towards the dying flame.

"Sure," he replied shooting a thick beam of fire into the rock circle. Suddenly the fire blazed to life again.

"Thank you for letting me join you," Zuko said after a while.

"You proved yourself," she said matter-of-factly. "And we need you."

Zuko smiled, despite himself. "I can't say I disagree with that."

"Just be glad I don't hate you anymore."

"I am."

Their eyes met as Zuko spoke. He looked into her eyes, searching for what it was that made her different, special. Without making a conscientious decision, they started moving closer. Finally, their lips met. Zuko pressed his against hers, somehow pleased when she responded by pressing closer. Her body pressed close to his and he snaked his arms around her waist. Suddenly, an image of Mai flashed in her mind's eye. Quickly he pulled back.

Looking up at Katara, he knew she felt as odd as he did. Her cheeks were flushed a delicate pink and she looked away from him, fiddling with her hair. Zuko's lips tingled, as if asking for more.

"I should get back to bed," she muttered. She stood and strode clumsily to her tent. "You should sleep too."

Zuko nodded, although she had already slipped into her tent. His eyes stayed trained in the door, a part of him half expecting her to burst out and fling herself at him. That part of him wanted her to. But he knew that was foolish and knew better than to pursue her.

Still, there was no denying that she was one amazing girl.