Author's Note: Installation number 2! This is from "The Nightmare Before Christmas," one of my all time favorites. I will certainly try to write another once class work/job calms down.

Special thanks to AnnaAza: You're review was very kind! :)

Hope you all enjoy! Please review, hm? ;)

~Much love

Disclaimer: I do not own "The Nightmare Before Christmas;" it is a Burton film. I do not own characters from Avatar: the Last Airbender.


Zutara: The Nightmare Before Christmas

Movie Scene: Sally returns from delivering some goods for Jack, who is staying up late to work on his plans. She strolls around the town, saddened by the oncoming tragedy that will befall Jack. And yet, in actuality, this is not her only burden. She is depressed, feeling that Jack is too busy with his dreams and determination to notice her love for him. Sadly, she concludes that perhaps she is not "the one" for him.

Location (AtLA): Ember Island, Season 3


Off he goes again, emitting his need for solitude with not a word. Such a weight on his shoulders…must he truly bear them alone?

I had just finished assisting Zuko with some packing of armory and travel-friendly sustenance. Although he did not ask me to help him, I could not help but sense that he wished for someone to at least accompany him for a short span of time. He is so consumed with pride; he will never admit that he cannot always do something on his own.

And yet, Zuko did not protest when it was I that wished to be present beside him. Of course, I had to persist with my offer a couple of times before he quietly accepted with a crooked smile.
As he was binding some weapons together with rope, I was occupying myself with a little nutritional mixture, encasing the goods in a small, brown leather pouch. Almonds for muscle strength, dried cranberries for their elixir juices, and dried slices of sweet bananas for energy. I had packed myself a similar mixture, knowing very well that the journey to the Fire Nation will require some physical revival now and then.

"I mixed up some nuts and dried fruit for you to take with you. It will keep your strength and energy up," I explained, presenting the filled leather pouch to Zuko.

"Oh..T-thank you," he bid his gratitude, his slight bashfulness rather charming. "You didn't have to pack me food."

"I insist. If we are leaving tomorrow, and you are going to battle with your own family, you might need something to keep you going."

"True," he murmured to himself.

A smirk then tugged at the corner of his lips. I had noticed the subtle expression in my peripheral vision. An eyebrow had cocked upward upon my face.

"What are you smirking about?"

"Hmm," he exhaled through his nostrils. "..Not too long ago, you would have told me something quite different."

Admittedly, I could recall a time when I seethed with hatred toward the Fire Nation prince. The animosity would seep through my pores, my vision blurring as if someone had placed a lace veil over my face.

Now, however, I held nothing but content and rekindled trust for Zuko. If anything, he was the last person I would have expected to mirror my inner pain…My pain for my mother's presence and warmth. This was an invisible scar that seemed to link us together emotionally, bringing us together like that of a single, silver thread attached to our index fingers, drawing us closer.

There was comfortable silence between him and I until the sun had descended ever so slowly into the powdery collection of clouds. I think there would be a full moon tonight, if I am correct. After traveling for so many months, I find myself experienced with the moon cycles. They are, in fact, very useful when I want to intensify my waterbending. The moon is the elixir to my people's passion; it is a gift from the spirits, Gran-Gran would tell me.

Excuse me…I tend to allow my mind to wander for a bit. Let me return to reality for now. Sometimes my mind prefers to be in the skies rather than in the seas, at times.

"I should leave you be. I'm sure you want some time alone," I spoke softly; I didn't wish to suffocate him with too much company.

"…If you don't mind..I just want some time alone to prepare," he responded truthfully in a calm manner, no malice whatsoever.

I nodded. I wanted nothing more than to respect his personal space. I bid him a smile just before I rose from the floor. Looking down upon him for a moment, a partial smile actually tugged at the corner of his thin, yet plump lips. His eyes seemed to flicker with warmth in their liquid honey hues. Even the serpent slit of his burned scar narrowed with the genuine expression. You know, I cannot help but wonder if he is winking, or his damaged eyelids just happen to seal with his rare smiles. Either way-

Did my heart just skip a beat?

No, no, not in front of him!

I shook my head, dismissing the sudden palpitation. I do hope he didn't notice..

I escorted myself out of the bedroom that he occupied at night. I shut the door behind me out of respect for his privacy. I had nothing else to attend to; my chores and preparations were already set to go. I guess, for now, I can watch the sun set.

Exiting the beach house, I could see Sokka in the corner of my eye, touching up on his sword techniques in the training area of the property. Aang must have been somewhere else, settling his nerves. I certainly don't blame him; he is finally going to stare down his destiny. That in itself can twist one's stomach in a knot. As for Suki and Toph: not a clue, really. I'm sure they were just fine, readying themselves in their own manners.

I found myself walking toward a gathering of palm trees. Their lengthy olive leaves swayed with grace in the humid breeze. Such freedom they displayed, basked in. I chose one of their trunks to lean my back against for support. Gazing at the sinking sun and the rose quartz clouds, I allowed my mind to wander for a bit more in silence.

I did not know what to think of the upcoming battles. Of course, a part of me was terrified for my life. And yet…I can only process emotions, not thoughts, really.

Fear.

Anxiety.

Maybe hope?

I am not sure yet, to tell you the truth..

I am supposed to depart sometime tomorrow with Zuko. Everything was packed for the journey over seas. I'm more than ready to battle beside him, in unison with him. He was about to quarrel with his own blood ties. Imagine Sokka and I at each other's throats, trying to murder the other. How can one even conceive such things? Oh, Zuko..I don't approve of harming family, but your sister needs to be stopped. I will stand by you as long as I breathe.

Just…do not die. Please?

A morose chuckle reverberates within my throat. Once this is all over and done with, he'll have to return to his kingdom. He will eventually return to his previous life as a new man…a man with another woman waiting for him.

He did in fact say that he dismissed the relationship with Mai due to the current situations and all. However, does he still have feelings for her? Did he ever?

Did he ever see me in intimate ways…after what we've experienced together?

Dear spirits, I wish I knew..

Why can I not just remain neutral towards him? I once hated him! Now I…gosh, I won't think of it!

To see him grow and change. To see that imperfect face of his stretch in a smile. To feel his touch on my shoulder…his arms around my waist.

Zuko…I think I love you. It makes no sense at all. I mean, we come from different roots, different homes. How could things between us even prosper? Suddenly, I feel an urge to silence my rational mind. My heart…she must dream for tonight.

It is silly to think that if I happen to embrace my feelings towards him that he will magically mirror such emotions. I shake my head, the waves of my hair kissing my flushed cheeks.

My face was heated, and my breath was shallow, a heavy weight birthing within my bosom. I embraced myself around the torso, sealing my eyes shut. Warm tears welled, slipping through my lashes and cascading down my heated cheeks.

How much longer can I hold on to a dream? A fantasy? I feel selfish for silently wishing that he would remain by my side after the war. I cannot demand such a thing from him.

Perhaps…perhaps it is not meant to be, him and I.

The minutes passed on into the nocturnal skies. The shadows of the palm trees crawled up my limbs. The moon should have risen some massive odd number of feet behind me. Oh Yue...please, watch after me as I return to the beach house.

Walk me through it all, won't you?


R & R ~