We took shelter in one of the villages small inns.

The rebellion was set to take place at sunset, not that there was any way of knowing where the sun was in the sky thanks to the storm. Zuko remained confident, saying that he could feel where the sun was at all times.

I rested on one of the beds, not sleeping, just laying there watching Zuko. He didn't move as he sat on the window ledge, staring out at the streets below. I must have drifted off without knowing, because when I woke up the storm was directly above us, the rain pouring down steadily.

I sat up, looking at the blanket that now covered my shoulders. Zuko was in the same place, so still it was like he'd been carved there, his head now resting on the window frame. I walked over to him and was about to speak when I noticed that his eyes were closed, his breathing deep.

Smiling softly, I looked down the street towards the market place. A small crowd had already gathered from what I could see, but I didn't want to disturb Zuko when he looked so peaceful for once. The innocent look of sleep he had reminded me of a child, and without really knowing why, I touched his scar lightly.

To see the usually stern expression gone, his firm jawline relaxed, and the restless eyes closed was a rare sight. I traced his burnt skin, a wave of sadness overcoming me. He had suffered so much, and had achieved what he had always wanted. He was back at home, on the throne that was meant for him, only to spend his success in solitude.

I didn't want that for him and though I hadn't liked Mai, at least he'd had company when she was around.

Zuko mumbled something in his sleep that made my pulse quicken; "Katara." He said almost wistfully.

I smiled to myself but the moment of peace was disturbed by shouts of outrage and anger in the streets. I dropped my hand quickly just as Zuko woke up, looking out towards the market place that now had crowds of men with torches in view. Zuko cursed under his breath and swung his legs back over the window frame, landing in our rented room. He swiftly grabbed his duel swords and cloak while I grabbed my own and water defences.

We quickly ran down the steps of the hotel and into the streets.

Zuko looked at me, "until we know for certain that the Rough Rhinos are here, just blend into the crowd."

He pulled his hood up, hiding his scar from view. I did the same and we finally reached the crowd who were shouting abuse at the Fire Nation soldiers protecting the gate of the palace. We didn't have to wait long. A rumbling caught my attention as the ground shook underneath my feet. Zuko turned to look at the village's entrance, he whispered to me.

"They're here."

I also turned to see five men, each of them riding Kimono Rhinos and each man looking as intimidating as the beast they were riding. One of the men rode forward and the others stayed behind, watching whom I presumed to be their leader address the crowd. He wore typical fire nation armor, had three orange feathers on his head and a ruthless expression on his face.

He shouted to the crowd. "We are all here to demonstrate our outrage! Our great and powerful Fire Lord Ozai, was wrongly replaced on the throne by an incompetent teenager! We will one way or another end the former Prince Zukos rein, and put the rightful ruler on the throne once more!"

There was a loud cheer of agreement from the crowd, some waved their fists in the air or waved their torches. I glanced at Zukos angry features, and furrowed my eyebrows. They knew nothing about Zuko and yet they called him incompetent? Had they not taken note of how well their trade had been going between the other nations thanks to Zukos struggles?

Why couldn't they see that being under Zukos rule was far better than serving a tyrant that used fear to control them?

The crowd began to run forward, trying to push past the soldiers that guarded the gate. The man who I presumed was Colonel Mongke turned his rhino around, heading back to the other four men. Zuko grit his teeth, "what a hypocrite. Hes not even going to help the crowd break into the palace. To come all this way and just watch? They're just cowards."

A fight broke out between the soldiers and the crowd. I looked to Zuko, "we should finish this quickly, before anyone gets hurt."

Zuko nodded and walked forward, I followed him as we faced the five men. Zuko called out to them "so you're the leaders of this rebellion?"

Mongke looked at us, his eyes narrowed. "Yes, why do you ask?"

Zuko lifted back his hood. "Well I need to know who's trying to de throne me, don't I?"

Mongke's eyes widened. "It's Prince Zuko! Men, attack!"

The archer Vachir shot an arrow towards Zuko, but my fingers re flexed quickly and my water whip snapped the arrow away. The men suddenly noticed that I was standing there as well. I lifted back my own hood, though I doubted they would recognize me.

The older man with a halberd pointed at me, and said in a gruff voice. "Isn't that the girl who's with the avatar?"

I grit my teeth, my anger fueling my powers as I flung my hands forward, the water slashing him off his rhino. Another man with an iron mask threw what looked like a bomb towards me, but Zuko intercepted it in the air. My moment of hesitation cost me as the man with the ball and chain flung his weapon forward, the steel ball nearly hit me as I stumbled back.

Zuko punched his fist forward, a blaze of hot fire shooting from it towards the same man who attacked me. The man jumped from his rhino just in time and Mongke sent a slash of fire our way. I quickly stood back to back with Zuko as I blocked the attack with a raised wall of ice.

I was aware of Zuko fighting the archer, the man called Kahchi and the explosives expert Yeh-Lu. I slashed my water whip so that it snapped Ogodei's weapon in half, the chain snapping. The ball at the end of the chain fell and landed on his foot as he cried out in pain. I smirked to myself but it soon disappeared as Mongke threw his fists forward.

As I defended myself from his attack, I didn't notice the archer who wasn't actually fighting Zuko, but had been waiting for his moment to strike. A slash of pain ripped through my right ankle and I cried out, the pain making me to fall to my knees.

The arrow had slashed through my ankle, leaving a deep gash where a ribbon of blood was trickling. A second arrow was let loose and it pinned my skirts to the ground, keeping me in place.

"Katara!" I heard Zuko shout.

Looking up I was startled to see Mongke hold up his hand, a burst of flames flying free from his palm. I raised my hand to draw some water to me but I couldn't do it quick enough, I knew that, and so did he.

Zuko quickly ran in front of me, palms flat as he pushed the flames away, the embers flew to the sides. Yeh-Lu, threw another bomb, directed to hit Zukos back I managed to put out the spark on the dynamite and push it away before it could do any damage. Scrambling to get to my feet, I ripped the arrow from my clothes free. I then swirled the water before pushing it forward, breathing cold air out so that Yeh Lu was frozen in ice.

Zuko aimed with the tips of his fingers so that the fire he shot hit Vachir's bow, burning it. The archer dropped it too late as the fire burnt his hands, he wailed and shook his now red palms.

I turned and gasped, "Zuko look out!"

Mongke advanced too quickly and blasted Zuko with a powerful fireball. Zuko managed to turn so that he could shield himself from the blow, but the force of the attack sent him flying through the air. His back hit a building and he collapsed in a heap.

I gasped and a flash of fire stopped me from rushing forward to help him. From that flash I saw the battle with Azula once more, and my body began to tremble with fear. The lighting, the pain. 'Help him Katara! You have to help him,' was all I could think.

"It's just you and me now little girl."

Though Azula had scared me more than this man, the situation was similar. I faced him, my stance sloppy as I couldn't place my right leg down properly, and my hands were shaky as I held them up.

He laughed, a deep rumble of sound. He ran and shot a powerful blast forward, for a moment I didn't see the orange flames come towards me, but blue lightning. Azula shot the lighting towards me as Zuko stood to my left. But as he turned to look at me, his face not filled with the horror I remembered. Instead it was full of confidence in me, he smiled softly and nodded in encouragement.

The vision faded and I narrowed my eyes, slashing at the pavement so fast the water cut through the ground and held it up in front of me. It defended me from the blast and I sent the earth forward with a whip from my water, my attack hitting Mongke and sending him back. He hit the floor heavily, his eyes closing as I breathed out heavily.

The five weapon specialists were defeated, and as I worriedly looked over to see if Zuko was alright, I smiled. He was already standing, a small smile on his face. I was so relived to not see him lying down, gasping in pain, so relived he was okay that I ran forward.

I forgot the pain in my leg, forgot about Aang, forgot about everything. All that really mattered right then and there was him, I threw my arms around him, tears falling from my eyes.

Zuko caught me and held me steady, his arms wrapping around me. I buried my face in his shoulder, relived tears falling down my cheeks as Zuko gently stroked my hair.

"I thought you...oh I don't know what I thought." I whispered.

"Well I know what I thought. You were incredible Katara." He pulled away slightly so that he could see my face. His rough palm wiped away the tears and I smiled.

"Thank you Zuko." The name rolled off my tongue in a way I hadn't meant it to. It was almost raw with desire and want, and whether that was his invitation I don't know. But before I could question it, his lips were on mine.

Alarm swamped my mind, and though it was wrong, I couldn't help it. It really was a dark and forbidden act, but that made it all the more enticing. His kiss was desire itself, and it was so intense it made me see that he had been wanting this for a long time. His hands gripped my shoulders, pulling me closer as I slid my arms around his neck.

I could feel myself go hot in his arms but Zuko's body temperature merely fed the fire that was already inside me. My hands buried themselves in his hair as my body felt alive. For once I actually felt like a fire bender, the flames of hunger licking their way up my skin.

Yet in the middle of it all, an underlying tenderness filled our touches with more than just lust.

But the need for air got the better of us, and we pulled away panting heavily. Only then did I truly know that I had betrayed Aang, and for that I felt terrible.

Zuko saw the look on my face and mistook it for regret. At once his content expression became cold, his body going tense in my arms. But the thing was, I didn't regret it, it had been the most amazing sensation I'd ever felt. I didn't regret that I could now place what it was I had felt for him for so long.

xxx

After Zuko's soldiers had arrested the Rough Rhinos, we headed back to the Fire Nation palace. The rest of the rebels had scattered once they had seen their leaders arrested, and they had fled in a desperate bid for freedom.

We rode back to Zuko's home in silence, but not the comfortable one I was used to. When we finally arrived it was late and both of us were tired. However I knew I wasn't going to be able to sleep unless I finally told Zuko what I wanted to say.

As we walked down the grand hallway, or rather limped in my case I turned and grabbed Zuko's hand, halting him. "Zuko please, can we talk?"

"What is there to say? I know you love Aang, in fact that's why I've held off telling you I love you for so long."

I stared at him with wide eyes, shocked that he'd said it so easily, the words rolling off his tongue as if he'd memorized them. He looked worn and tired as he continued;

"I always wondered what would happen between us if I had just got the courage to say what I felt. But now I know that you and I..." he sighed and pulled my hand free from his arm.

"I might be the Fire Lord and I could offer you all jewels and money in the world, but I could never deserve you. Aang is the right person for you, he'll make you happy as I'm sure he has already. I promised myself that I'd never hurt you again. This is me keeping that promise." He turned and walked away.

I watched him go, feeling my insides twist and pull in pain. Tears pricked my eyes but I didn't cry, I merely sank into the wall next to me, grateful it was there as I felt all my strength leave me at once.

Bowing my head in sadness, I tried to hold myself together, to have some pride or dignity in myself. It was useless as I felt all those titles slip away.
Chief Hakoda's daughter, Waterbending master, the Avatars girlfriend, none of that mattered now. I was nothing more than a little girl who'd played recklessly with peoples hearts.

How long had he felt like that for me? I felt so terrible for a number of reasons. I felt selfish for not seeing what he felt for me, and guilt for not returning Aangs feelings. The worst thing I now knew, was that I had felt this way for Zuko for a long time, I just never wanted to admit it to myself.

I put a hand to my face in disgrace, what a foolish girl I was.

My hands clenched into fists.

No, what a foolish girl I had been.

I had to try to make things right once and for all. I wouldn't give this up without a fight. If I let this go now, if I returned to my room, I'd be shutting the door on this once and for all and I realized then that I couldn't do that.

My body pushed itself up and I made my way to Zukos room, a new found courage inside me. The things I was too scarred to see became reality. Aang really did have feelings for Toph, I knew that now. He was rejecting that thought because of the same reason I had. We were scared to face the unknown.

Aang and I were best friends, and for so long it had seemed like that was why it made sense to be together. But to think outside the box and go outside everyone's expectations was a scary thought. We had pushed it away for so long, but I was tired of running from it. Zuko and I were meant to be, because we were so different and yet the same. Toph and Aang were meant for one another in the same way, like the opposites pushing and pulling.

I stopped in front of Zukos door.

Aang and I would always be friends, no matter what happened. But now I knew that being with him wasn't what I wanted, and one day he'd see that being with me wasn't what he wanted either. It had been the perfect picture, the way everyone thought it should be.

But this was the way it was meant to be.

I raised my hand and pushed open the door.

Zuko looked up from his sitting position on the bed. I stood in the door way, before walking forward. "You never even let me have the choice Zuko." I walked towards him who now looked shocked.

"But I-"

I held up a hand, silencing him. "I don't know where you got the idea that you weren't good enough for me. You didn't tell me about your feelings, but its my fault, because you were telling me your feelings through all the things you did. I also felt things for you, but I ignored them, and not for the reasons you think."

I sat down next to him, looking at the red carpet. The bedroom was dark, but as I glanced behind me at Zuko, his eyes seemed to glow amber, a fire in their depths.

"You think I did that because I love Aang? Aang is my best friend, its just that I never realised that he will always be a best friend to me. I didn't want to think about another option than being with him, because that's what everyone wanted, for me to be with him. For a long time I thought that's what I wanted too, but its not." My heart was thudding my chest, I dared not look at him.

"I want to choose for myself. I always considered you dangerous Zuko, you could always bend the rules and make me feel such foreign feelings. But its always been my secret that I love you too, I just didn't want to admit it to myself until now."

Zukos warm breath made the hair on my neck stand up. "Why?" He whispered.

"Because...you offered something so deep and passionate that it scared me. Aang loves me too but...the love I had with him could never amount to something we could have had. Aang doesn't realize it, but I'm not the right girl for him. I don't think I'm the right girl for anyone." I stood up and began to walk away when a hand grabbed mine.

I stopped but didn't look back. Zuko asked me a question in a voice laced with desire. "Are you afraid of me now Katara?"

I shook my head silently and he tugged on my hand. "Then prove it. Look at me."

Swallowing I looked back to find him smiling softly. "You're everything that I want and need Katara. Mai knew that herself, that's why she left me. I never wanted to ruin your relationship with Aang..."

I nodded and closed my eyes. "He'll be here tomorrow. I'll tell him then."

Zuko tugged on my hand again and I fell forward onto the bed. His arms caught me and I looked up at him, a scowl and blush on my face. Zuko laughed, this time really laughed. The sound was so carefree and happy as it echoed around his room that I smiled.

xxx

Aang and I walked out of the hallway leading to the outside. As we stopped and looked at each other through our tears, I knew I had done the right thing. His brown eyes were sad, but he had accepted my decision allot easier than I had expected. We both knew what could have been, but as I turned to look at the carriage that had arrived, I knew it wouldn't have been a future we both wanted.

Toph stepped off the carriage, and Aang smiled. I turned to face him and he faced me.

I gave him one last hug, him in turn hugged me back for a brief moment before we parted. I stepped back and smiled through my tears, "you're my best friend Aang. I don't want to loose you."

Aang smiled sadly, "hey don't say that. We'll always be best friends...you'll come visit Ba Sing Se right? I have to go speak to the war generals again." He looked down, "I'm sorry I treated you the way I did over the past few months."

I smiled and wiped my tears away. "Don't apologize for saving the world."

I took a deep breath and spoke the words, "good bye Aang."

Aang nodded, "bye Katara." He squeezed my hand before walking away and joining Toph who looked worried.

"Twinkle Toes whats wrong? Are you alright?"

Aang helped her into the carriage again and looking back at me he smiled in acceptance. "Yeah. I think I am."

The carriage rode away and I watched it go. A familiar breeze of warmth swept around me and sure enough Zuko was standing behind me. He wrapped his arms around me and lent his head on my shoulder, I leaned back and smiled. "Are you sure this is what you want?... Am I what you want?"

I turned to face him, my hand drifting up to touch his face. "I've never been more certain of anything else."

Zuko smiled, his eyes warming. I tilted my head to the side as I questioned something. "Zuko. When I first came back you seemed so distant, like how you used to be before you joined the group. When I left you seemed happy with Mai."

He turned to look out at the city that lay before us. "I was closer to telling you the truth that day we battled Azula. But when Aang returned and I saw you so happy to see him...I thought he was what you wanted. I was content with seeing you happy. In a way, I thought Mai was what I wanted as well. As the months began to pass and I didn't see you...I don't know, I became more distant. It was like I had been healed by you, but when you left the stitches fell open and I went back to being who I was before."

I wrapped my arms around him and breathed in his scent. "Well I won't be leaving again, I promise."

Zuko chuckled and brought me closer. "I'll hold you to that promise."

As our lips met once more, I was reminded of destiny and how it changed the fabric of my world so easily. I had tried to follow what everyone told me was destiny, but in doing so I had strayed from the path that was meant for me to follow.

I felt complete in Zukos arms, like I was finally where I belonged.

"...Destiny is a funny thing. You never know how things are going to work out, but if you keep an open mind and an open heart I promise you will find your own destiny someday." - Iroh

End

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Disclaimer - I do not own Avatar the last airbender, or any of their characters.