this is just an idea that I had in my head. There will be a second part and maybe a third, Idk. Enjoy lol. Can't believe I was actually inspired to write something. Probably because this ship has killed me. RIP me. This fic contains Zutara so if you don't like that pairing, then go away lol. (◡‿◡✿)

Katara came out into the clearing with her clothes in her hands. Wearing just her white bandaged bra and underwear. She was heading down to the nearest natural mineral pool because today was particularly hot. Especially since it was morning, the sun burned down onto her dark skin. Katara woke up so warm she could barely stand it anymore. She was surprised the others were still sleeping through this heat like it was no problem.

Katara guessed she was just more sensitive to heat since she was a water bender and since she came from the arctic. Her brother Sokka could sleep through anything so she didnt bother worrying about him. She felt she couldn't escape the dry heat unless she were to find some water to cool down in. The dry warm air made her feel even worse, and she hated that there was not even the slightest bit of wind.

The waterbender wiped the beads of sweat off her warm forehead and sighed. At this point she was losing so much moisture she could probably sweat bend her own pool in no time. Katara groaned at the thought. Cicadas buzzed in the trees surrounding her.

She finally came up to the pool and set down her clothes on the stone edges and tested the water with her foot. It was quite cool, perfect temperature actually. Katara smiled, closing her eyes as she slipped into the clear ,turqoise water feeling instant relief.

Then she suddenly realized she wasn't alone. It was a fairly large pool and she saw that Zuko was near the end. He looked like he was dozing off and he had his arms on the edges of the pool with his head back and his eyes closed, resting on the damp stone. Katara blinked and blushed slightly because she hadn't really seen him show off so much skin before.

"Hey! What are you doing in here?", Katara asked.

Zuko gasped awake, struggling a bit as he slipped back into the pool with a splash, his shoulders were back to being submerged in the water now.

" Katara ? Oh sorry, I can leave if you want" ,he turned his back to her and started to leave the pool but she stopped him.

" no wait-" ,she hesitated.

Zuko turned back around to face her with a questing look in his golden eyes.

"You don't have to go I ..guess I just didn't expect anyone to be here, that's all." She shut her eyes again as she sunk a little deeper in to the pool.

" oh..okay" ,Zuko muttered.

Katara opened one eye to look at him. "So, how long have you been here anyway?" She asked.

Zuko shrugged, "not long, I just needed to rinse off a bit" ,he admitted.

"Why are you here?" He asked her.

" These last couple of days have been way too hot. I needed to cool off sooner or later", she replied.

Zuko nodded. "I see..yeah, heat doesn't really bother me that much." He said.

Katara gave him a dirty frown.

" but I guess that's pretty obvious.. " he said, scratching his head.

"Uh huh", Katara said to him rather abruptly.

Zuko leaned back and let the salty ,clean water soak into his skin. It was so refreshing and almost purifying. He thought that maybe relaxing more would help him get over his firebending block.

He was also stressed because of the tension between him and Katara.

Ever since he joined their group to be Aang's new fire bending teacher he still felt unwelcome. He knew Katara hated him and Honestly, he would much rather have anyone else hate him then Katara. Or maybe he uncle, he would never want him to hate him.

He cared about Katara. He had a high amount of respect for her and the last thing he wanted was for her to hate him.

He understood of course why she was still mad at him, but he was a changed person now. He only wished she could see that.

Katara sighed, " well, I'm heading out, See you back at camp." She said as she stepped out of the water and grabbed her clothes.

Zuko frowned, " okay", he said. He wasn't sure what the else to say.

Zuko blushed, admiring her in her white under garments, "she had such beautiful skin." He thought.

Katara squeezed out the water from her hair and then walked away, dripping as she went, leaving Zuko there all alone.

Zuko groaned in frustration as he dunked his head under water. A few bubbles rose up to the surface after him.

At this point though, nobody probably hated him more then he hated himself.