Blazing Melting Blades Chapter 7

Blazing Melting Blades Chapter 7

By: Animanganerd01

Okay… so I know I'm terrible… Visit my profile for a full apology; it's kinda long. I really did plan on updating sooner. Really! Oh, and before I forget: this chapter is dedicated to raindropsx. Thank you so much for your reviews!

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Seriously, if I did, all of the episodes would be out and Zutara would rule the Avatar-verse.

New Year. Part of Zuko was looking forward to this, part of him wasn't. He wanted to attend the fancy party Hakoda was throwing, but he still hated crowds. Too many people to stare at his face, too many whispers to follow him around. But, whether he was ready or not, it came.

Iroh took him out two whole hours before the party even started to buy him a tux. After about thirty minutes into shopping, Zuko decided he hated shopping. At least with his uncle. Now he was finally dress in his monkey suit (as he called it), and was trying to maneuver through the large crowd at the Snow estate. It wasn't working. To his great relief, he saw the door to Hakoda's office to his right. He quickly walked over and ducked through the door before anyone could notice. He had already heard the whispers and the pitying titters from rich, little old ladies. It was too much. Not to mention he had caught a glimpse of Katara with a young man with a brown ponytail who was too close for his comfort.

Katara searched around for Zuko, unsure as to why she was worried about him. While she was hunting, she ran across Haru, who, though she had rejected him as a partner, accepted him as a friend, having knowing him since childhood. It didn't take long for Katara to realize that Haru wanted more. That was the main reason she had said no to him as a partner; or rather Iroh had, Katara didn't want to hurt Haru's feelings.

On a hunch, she opened the door to her father's office. "Zuko?"

"Katara!" She looked around to see him walking behind her father's desk. "I was looking at your pictures. This your mom? She was pretty."

Katara blinked. "Yes, she was. She was a singles skater too."

"What about this picture?" he asked picking up a frame. "You look barely old enough to walk and you have skates on. Could you waterbend then?"

"Uh, no… Look, this room is usually closed during parties," she said stepping inside and closing the door.

Zuko stared at her balefully. "Who am I? Some guy off the street?"

Katara felt heat rising up her neck. She had never seen Zuko in a tux, or anything nice for that matter, and now here he stood. But, there were creases and he already had it twisted. "Turn around."

"What?"

"You heard me."

He turned his back to her, suspiciously. "What are you doing?"

"Fixing your suit." She ran her hands over his back, smoothing out the wrinkles. The traitorous heat returned as she felt the rippling muscles under the silky fabric. What's wrong with me? It's not like I haven't felt them in practice! She stopped and stared at the floor.

"You done?" he asked petulantly.

"Yes," she said in careful monotone. "Now come on. Out!"

Zuko sighed and followed her out. Here we go again, he thought, not ready to face the whispers again. "Oh, Katara, that book you gave me, it's really great."

"As a doorstop or a coaster?" she asked sarcastically.

"Very funny," he replied. All he wanted right now was to find another hiding place. Soon, he would want it even more.

"Katara!" shouted a male voice.

"Haru!" said Katara smiling. She embraced the same brown-ponytail haired man that Zuko had seen earlier. He scowled, something inside of him snarling with an unexpected jealousy. "Zuko, this is Haru. He's a childhood friend of mine. Haru, this is my partner, Zuko." Zuko felt his insides beam with pleasure as she called him 'partner' for the first time.

"Ah, so you're the secret weapon that Mr. West keeps raving about," said Haru, appraising Zuko up and down. When he saw the scar, Zuko couldn't fail to notice the flicker in his bright green eyes. He held out a hand to shake.

"My uncle," said Zuko gruffly, ignoring the hand.

"Ah, I see. You know I used to play a bit of hockey a few years ago." Haru must have decided that Zuko was not a threat to his pursuit of Katara, because he was now smiling and being openly friendly.

"Oh really? Well let me know sometime and we'll play." Zuko was actually enjoying the idea of beating him worse than he had Katara.

"If you boys will excuse me, all of the male bonding is leaving me cold," said Katara as she walked away to join a group of lady friends.

As soon as she was out of earshot, Haru murmured, "I hear you've been giving Katara a hard time."

"Have you now," growled Zuko, instantly annoyed again.

"Yeah, I have, and I don't like to see her upset." Oh yeah, he had it bad for Katara, and Zuko was beginning to have it in for Haru. Oh what he wouldn't give to set his expensive pants on fire for a few seconds. If he ever got him alone, he would. Mental note: stay in populated area to keep out of trouble.

"If I were you I'd invest in blindfolds!" he growled. Sokka, who happened to overhear the conversation, snickered.

He quickly excused himself from Haru and went to find his uncle. As soon as he saw how… liberal his uncle was with the women, he turned on his heel and went to find a dark corner.

As the party continued, Haru monopolized Katara's time but she couldn't but notice Zuko in his corner… only he wasn't alone anymore. There were about three young women standing around him. He looked like he wanted run or melt and couldn't decide which one he wanted more. Katara couldn't help but observe how well he was dressed.

Zuko not only had on a tux, his shaggy hair was styled to look slightly windswept and he had shaved off what little stubble he had. Despite his huge scar, he was very handsome, sexy even. In fact, Katara thought, the scar adds to the whole look. As she watched the ladies flirt shamelessly, she felt hard jealousy gnawing at her gut. She blushed and looked away.

Finally, the count down began.

"5… 4… 3… 2… 1… HAPPY NEW YEAR!!" Sparklers went off and buzzers blared over the screaming crowd. Hugs and kisses were spread everywhere. Katara suppressed a shiver as Haru kissed her. His kiss was sweet but, just not quite right. She wondered what Zuko's would… No! Can't think like that! It's ZUKO for Heaven's sake!

Her eyes slid over to Zuko. He was being kissed by Jin, then by Song. Suddenly she was spun around and was face to face with him. A blush spread over her face and over his good ear. He leaned in slowly tilting his head. Katara was about to find out what his kiss would taste like.

Her courage suddenly failed her and she turned her head to lay a soft kiss on his scar. She quickly turned and dashed away, more embarrassed than she had ever been.

Zuko stared after her, bewildered. Her lips had been soft and her scent was still in his nose. Mental note: Find a way to get a real kiss from her! He turned and escaped to his room, avoiding any more women and fighting back bile as he watched his uncle be… himself.

A/N: So that's it for this time. I'll try to get the next chapters up in a timelier manner. Gomen… Really, go to my profile for a full apology.