I am so, so sorry to everyone who has been waiting for me to update.

But the earthquakes have gone, and we have power again (yay!), and I've gotten over my writer's block, so now, here's an update! (The next chapter is almost done, I'm just putting this up. Yes, it's short, and I do regret that).

Thank you Julymoon (thanks so much!), Megz95 (don't worry, I will), DeadlyAssult (you're welcome! ), Ruby of Raven (it's gonna get worse! ;3 ), SnoopyGirl213 (such a cute username!), and Zutarawins (thanks!) for all the reviews, support, and waiting for me to update ;D

Disclaimer: You know it, I know it, everyone knows it: unfortunately, I do NOT own Zuko (/3) or Avatar: the Last Airbender, because trust me, if I did, boy, that movie would have been a hell of a lot better. Just sayin.

Here we go!?

Chapter 3

She was falling; falling down a deep, bottomless pit. At least, that's what it felt like. After what seemed like hours, Katara hit a hard surface with a thud.

"Ow." She said, wincing. The Waterbender got up and looked around. It was pitch black, but she was illuminated. Suddenly, leering eyes appeared in the darkness. Dozens and dozens of pairs glowed yellow and red in the void. Sinister laughter echoed in her ears.

Join us, Katara… embrace the darkness… the dark is good… do not be afraid, we won't hurt you…

"Mom?" She asked out in a frightened tone.

'Oh, sweetheart, don't worry: you'll be fine if you join the darkness. You can see me again. Yue's here too, weren't you friends?' Said her mother's voice. Then Aang's voice floated to her.

Katara… I'm so sorry, I made a mistake… but it won't happen again, I promise. If you join us, we'll be together again…

"AAAHHH!" All of a sudden Katara felt extreme pain, and fell to the ground, writhing around, trying to escape from the pain; it was too much to fight.

"NO!" She cried, and felt something clutch her arm.

"Get off me!" She screamed, panicking, because her mind was telling her that the thing was evil, that it would hurt her.

"Katara? Katara, stop, it's okay! Wake up! Katara, wake up!" Twisting and struggling, she hit something hard with her hand. Suddenly, the void vanished, she was back in Zuko's bed, and he was sitting next to her, rubbing his nose.

"Damn Katara, that hurt." He said though not to be mean, as he rubbed the aching skin.

"What happened? You looked like you were having a terrible nightmare. Are you okay?" He asked, concern and worry in his molten gold eyes. Katara looked at him for a minute and collapsed into his arms, shaking and sobbing her heart out. Bewildered, the Fire Lord awkwardly patted her back and stroked her hair, trying to be soothing. They stayed like that for a while; eventually Katara calmed down enough to hiccup and hyperventilate. Zuko held her tight.

"Are you alright? No, wait, I mean, I know you're not, but, do you feel better?" Zuko asked, uneasy with Katara's behavior: this wasn't like the Katara he knew. This one was hurt, troubled, and deeply scared. He so desperately wanted to absorb that pain, that hurt, and destroy it. But, he couldn't. Not unless he knew what was wrong. Katara looked away from him, embarrassed and ashamed.

"I— nothing. It was just a bad dream. There were all these voices… I heard my mother again. And Aang… he…he said that he would take me back if I joined the darkness… but the darkness was so c-cold and there were so many… so many eyes, staring at me, and…and…oh Zuko, I'm so sorry, this is the second time I've cried about something silly… I'm sorry…" She trailed off, tears forming in her eyes again, stinging and hot. Zuko gently turned her head to face him.

"Take you…back?" he inquired softly. Katara nodded through her tears.

"He broke up with me because he said that, as the Avatar, he could not have any ties, so he left me and… flew away…" She muttered as she jerked her head away.

"I'm sorry, Zuko," She added, and looked at him through red-rimmed eyes. Instinctively, Zuko brushed away her tears with his hand and kissed her forehead softly, like feathers lazily brushing against skin from a small breeze on a mild summer's night. Both froze, shocked by what just happened, but Zuko somehow managed to look okay about it. Katara smiled softly, the corners of her mouth just barely rising, and thanked him. Zuko held her hand.

"I'll stay here the whole night, just to wake you up if you have another nightmare, okay? I'll be here, don't worry. Now go to sleep." Katara's face had an unreadable expression, but she nodded and lay back down, clutching Zuko's hand like a child would. She fell asleep once more; as Zuko watched her eyes flutter twice before closing he wished so deeply that he could heal her pain.

It took an eternity to reach morning. Zuko's head was on his shoulder, and he was just about to nod off to sleep (and probably fall off the bed onto the floor) when Katara moved. Alert in a flash, Zuko glanced at her. She stirred again, and yawned, before abruptly sitting up and stared at her surroundings.

"Where in the name of—oh! Zuko!" She exclaimed, and got up to hug him.

"Oof!" Zuko gasped at the force of the hug, and shook his head to stave off sleep.

"Well, I'm glad you're okay. You were having nightmares last night." He smiled at her and was about to offer breakfast when Katara frowned.

"Did I? I don't remember any…" She complemented, and looked at him strangely before giggling.

"Maybe it's you who's been having the nightmares, Zuko!" She laughed gaily and got up off the bed. Puzzled but glad at her happiness, the young Fire Lord quickly got up too.

"Wait here, I should go get you some other clothes to wear—" He started to say, but was stopped by the Waterbender.

"It's fine Zuko. But thanks anyway." She added, smiling. He began to ponder her words, and wondered if he really did fall asleep and simply imagined her nightmares. But then how did I get on the bed? He shook his head and offered Katara his arm and led her to breakfast.

~TBC~

Well here we go with another chapter done and we are moving on, getting closer to when I take over. Yay!?