Hey guys!! Well this is my first Zutara story, so don't kill me for it -runs away- lol XD!! Anyway hope you guys like my story, please R&R even if your gonna do it anonymously! Enjoy!

Katara wasn't lying when she told Aang that she was confused…but what she didn't want to admit is that deep down inside her she knew she had feelings for Prince Zuko…

Katara walked quickly to her room, irritation clearly visible on her face, Aang had just kissed her even after she told him she was confused…the nerve of him! She stopped halfway to her room and leaned against the wall of the narrow hallway…why was she confused, she racked her brain in search of answers and understanding but nothing came.

Sighing she let her mind wander to the day that Zuko told her that she could avenge her mother's death…Zuko…the very thought of him made her body shiver and her heart pound deep within her chest, she remembered the day when they returned clearly. The colors of the sky as the sun slowly set; the worried look adorning Aang's face and the smell of the sea. But most importantly, she remembered her embrace with Zuko.

She remembered the surprised look on his face when she hugged him, and how his strong arms seemed to wrap around her small waist and settle comfortably there, and the most curious part of it all was that…she never wanted to let go. She felt safe, content, and even whole as they stood there embraced for what seemed like only seconds; which was way too short for her.

As she reminisced she didn't hear the light taps of feet on wood as someone slowly approached her from behind.

"You should be asleep Katara." Said a gravelly voice making Katara snap out of her reverie and jump a foot in the air, she spun around to see Zuko standing a couple feet away from her and staring at her intently, his golden eyes seeming to pierce right through her.

"I know..." She replied as she tried to think of a reasonable excuse to why she would be up this late.

"Well you should be in bed, you need your rest." He said taking four long strides until he was standing right next to her, Katara could still feel his gold eyes piercing daggers through her trying to understand why she was still awake.

"Yes Zuko, I'm well aware of that." She sighed, Zuko detected a hint of annoyance coming from Katara but foolishly decided to press on.

"Well then why aren't you in-" He began, but didn't get far for Katara had lost her control and spun around to face him.

"The same reason you're not in bed Zuko!" She spat at him, her face only inches from his own. Zuko's mind went wild, not believing that they were really that close. Somewhere in the very back of his mind he wanted to close the inches between them and kiss her with as much force as he could muster…but the prince in him stopped himself…the prince in him knew it wasn't proper…the prince in him didn't want to believe that he just felt that way.



Katara could sense his confusion and hesitation and stared at him in frustration, the boy was going to reprimand her for being out late and here he was spacing out in front of her the nerve of him, the nerve of boys…what is it with boys anyway…do they always do this? Irritation clearly visible on Katara's face, she moved her hand and waved it in front of Zuko's; causing him to come back to the real world and leave his struggling mind to be dealt with later.

"Hmmm Zuko? Why are you up so late?" She asked tartly as she jabbed him in the chest with her finger.

Zuko's face turned a light pink as his hand flew up to rub his chest where Katara had just jabbed him, he turned to his side and let his gaze wander past the window and out into the gardens as he answered her, "Just couldn't sleep."

"Well then that makes two of us." Katara kept her voice cross even though she was surprised that the usual arrogant prince had answered her truthfully, and without a hint of the usual anger that filled his deep voice whenever she angered him.

"Mhmm…" The Fire Prince mumbled back as he let his mind wander to the day that Katara finally forgave him…he wasn't sure why but before that day…he didn't care if any of them trusted him but…for some reason that he could not fathom he wanted her to trust him. Out of everyone in the group he didn't care who trusted him except for Katara, he vowed that he would earn her trust and he did and to his surprise received a rare hug from it as well.

He wanted that hug again; he wanted to feel her head against his chest as she listened to his heart beat and wrap his arms around her in a strong protective hold. He wanted it, he craved for it, he needed it; but he didn't know how to get it.

Katara didn't realize how tired she was until a wave of sleep washed over her and without warning she fell to the side. Zuko was snapped out of his thoughts once again and with quick reflexes caught the sleep deprived water bender; he helped her into a standing position and allowed her to lean against him while she recuperated her strength.

"You should really be going to bed now…you can't train tomorrow in this condition." He said a bit of concern in his voice, Katara only nodded as another wave of sleep hit her and she teetered on her feet.

"Sorry I wasn't really expecting this." She smiled up at him, and his heart stopped. He did not understand this feeling he had, yes he had it once for Mai but this seemed to be stronger…and he didn't quite understand it. He stared into her soft blue eyes and his mind reprimanded him for he was showing weakness at the moment.

Now Zuko you cannot show weakness! As the future Fire Lord you will have no room for weaknesses or feelings. It is your job to fix your nation and you will do it right, showing weakness will only bring you down. His mind reminded him, and once again he brought out the arrogant prince that he was; shoving his feelings and his weakness to the back of his mind.



Katara leaned against Zuko, marveling at the fact of his arm tightly around her and his strong body supporting her own petite one. She never wanted it to end, but she knew it would. She gently pulled away from Zuko, whispered a thank you and slowly began the short walk to her room.

Zuko stood there speechless for a couple seconds, until heading back to his room. Katara on his mind, he knew that they could never be together. They were total opposites, not to mention he knew she didn't like him; but as he drifted to sleep a few minutes later he couldn't help but remember a saying his Uncle used to tell him…opposites attract…

Hope you guys liked it!! R&R please for I want to have some reviews before I post the next chapter! Tell me anything, just don't bash plz!! By until next time!