Okay guys here we go! Things are about to get serious!

Chapter 7

Zuko was making a quick recovery but his head still was healing. From what Katara said it would leave a nasty scar on the back of his head. She blushed when she said, and she really couldn't look at him. Iroh had convinced them that they had to go back to the fire nation. Zuko could feel his stomach doing flips, he still hadn't told anyone about his engagement with Mai. At the moment they were on a Police ship to the fire nation. Katara was sleeping peacefully next to him, it must have been way past midnight.

Zuko just kept starring at the ceiling. He couldn't bear telling her about Mai. As much as he wanted her to know, he could just see that there was no good to come of this. Checking twice to make sure Katara was asleep, he crept out of bed and walked outside of their cabin. The moon was nearly full, and it was surprisingly cool. He went to the edge of the boat and watched the waves roll.

"Midnight strolling are we?" a familiar voice said behind him. He jumped at the sound of his uncle's voice.

"Yeah I couldn't sleep." Zuko said trying to hide the worry that was in his voice. But Iroh didn't miss it.

"What's troubling you nephew?" he asked showing true concern. Zuko pursed his lips and stared at the ground.

"Uncle, before I went to Ember Island, I was forced into an engagement with someone I don't love." Zuko said. He could feel the tears coming. This hurt him beyond anything he had ever experienced.

"And you can't tell Katara can you?" Iroh said, finishing what Zuko couldn't. Zuko shook his head no.

"There is no way she'll believe that I didn't want this to happen." Zuko said running his fingers through his hair.

"If she loves you, she will believe you." Iroh said. And with that he turned and went back inside. Zuko let the tears fall silently. Somehow, he couldn't see her taking this good.

Katara woke and felt her to be alone. She got up and stretched, and went out to the deck of the ship. She saw Zuko standing there, watching the waves. She walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. He turned around to face her, and he looked like he hadn't slept. He gave her a sad smile.

"Katara….I need to tell you something." He said this slowly. She just looked up at him with concern.

"Before I went to Ember Island I was forced to…get engaged…..with Mai." He finished and Katara still had the same expression.

"Zuko, I know. It was announced a week before the vacation." She said. Zuko had to process this.

"But it was supposed to be a secret?" Zuko said completely confused. Katara just smiled.

"Why else do you think Aang was so confused and upset?" Katara said. Zuko now came to the realization of things. He bent his head down and kissed her. She stood on her tiptoes, but Zuko picked her up by her waist and spun them both in circle's.

Two hours later the fire nation came into view. Zuko could hear his heartbeat echoing in his ears. He knew that hell was going to come on those shores and he couldn't bear the thought of losing Katara. His heart was aching at the thought. He was so tired, and he was about to have a fight. Katara came onto the deck and touched his shoulder.

"It will be okay." She said. Zuko doubted that she felt that way because she had the same look in her eyes as he did. The boat docked a Zuko and Katara shakily stepped off. There stood Mai, and two palace guards. Zuko felt his heart in his throat. He hadn't even realized that his Arm was around Katara's waist. Mai's eyes seemed to burn at the sight of the pair. The look she gave Katara was of pure hatred and jealousy. Zuko could feel Katara shaking, but her face was fierce and ready.

"Well, well, what a surprise. Zuko won't you introduce me to your friend?" Mai said it so wickedly that it scarred the pair.

"Mai. I was never in love with you. I was always in love with her." Zuko said. Mai took in a breath, and she moved her hand to her side. She was reaching for her knives. She threw two and Zuko's chest and one toward Katara's stomach. Each dodged them easily. Then the palace guards took hold of Mai and took her off fast. After all she did just try to kill the firelord. One of the guards stayed behind and escorted them inside to safety.

Once inside the guard spoke up.

"Sir, the fire nation will not like this. You have brought someone who isn't your fiancé into the palace." He said in a whisper. But Zuko smiled at what he said. Zuko shoved his hand into his pocket. When he had captured Katara, and had her necklace, he had taken time to actually look at the thing. Call him crazy but he had made one years ago and just constantly wished that she would be his.

Within his pocket, he had a necklace that resembled Katara's. Only it was in the shape of a heart, it had the same water tribe markings, but on the bottom sat the symbol for fire. He had been planning on giving it to her tonight. He ignored the guard and they walked to the bedroom. Katara sat on the edge of the bed and sighed.

"Zuko the world hates us." She said almost with tears in her eyes.

"The world needs to get the hell over it because I love you more than you will ever know." As he said this he slid next to her on the bed. Their faces were inches apart they were both giggling. Zuko then swallowed the lump in his throat and reached into his pocket.

"Give me your hand." He whispered. She gave it to him not understanding what was about to happen. He dropped it into her hand.

"Close your eyes." He said. She did. Zuko was breathing heavy, but he continued.

"Okay you can open them." He said. She opened her eyes and starred at the object in her hand.