Here's the second of the angsty explosion that is "The Necklace." I know Zutara drama can be depressing, but only if they're fighting. This, on the other hand, is deliciously, evilly, awkward, and I enjoyed every minute of typing this. Enjoy and review!!

The Necklace Part 2:

Zuko raced down the halls of the Air Temple, chasing the phantom waterbender he'd just seen turn the corner. He'd been searching for Katara all day, and now that the sun had set over the canyons, the glimpses he'd caught of her had become scarcer and scarcer until he began to think he was only imagining things. Why didn't she talk to him? Sure last night had been… awkward to say the least, but he wanted to talk with her about it. She couldn't avoid him forever.

Abstractly, Zuko wondered if these had been Katara's feelings the other day. He'd only been avoiding her to keep from having to give an explanation for not aiding in her search for her mother's necklace. Then his surprise would have been ruined. But he knew full well that Katara did not have the same excuse he did. She was running from him, probably furious with herself over her emotions, and the fact that she'd probably really upset him and hurt their relationship.

And that was where it got really weird.

If Zuko could have been given a chance to say anything before Katara raced away after her confession the night before, he would have admitted that her feelings didn't at all bother him. He'd been shocked, to be sure, at first, but when the first wave of surprise died away, Zuko found that the idea of his gift being an engagement pendant wasn't that strange at all. If fact, he found it rather… pleasant.

Zuko's thoughts shattered as he spotted Katara up ahead in the hall. She'd already heard him running behind her, and Zuko could see her steps quickening. Not this time…

With a burst of speed, the firebender dashed across the wall and leaped over Katara's head, stopping her in her tracks. Just for good measure, Zuko took hold of her wrists to keep the surprised Watertribe girl from running.

"Why won't you talk to me?" he demanded, keeping his voice calm.

Katara lowered her eyes, and he let her have that comfort. "Zuko, I… I was just… afraid," she admitted quietly.

He already knew the answer, but Zuko decided to ask anyway. "Why?"

Katara pushed him gently, frustrated. "You know why!" she exclaimed, her cheeks going deep fuchsia and her tone flustered. "That… I… UGH! Why do you have to be so darn confrontational?!"

You're the one who's yelling at me! Zuko almost countered, but he kept his mouth shut. She didn't need him being argumentative right now. Katara tried to pull away from him, but he held her tight.

"I don't care what that necklace made you think!" he burst before Katara could struggle further. Those words froze her. "It was supposed to make you feel better, and… well if that's what makes you happy, then fine." Zuko could hardly believe those words were coming out of his own mouth. It was true, but for him to actually say it… that was something completely different.

Katara stared at him, stiller than stone. Her azure eyes sparkled with guilty tears, and she lowered her head. "I… I don't even know what to say…"

Zuko smiled sheepishly. "Yeah…"

"But, it's so weird… you know, that you're okay with it."

"Yeah…"

Katara's cheeks turned darker than Zuko had ever seen them before. "Well… what if… what if that was… no… no, never mind! It's stupid." She turned away, and Zuko let her.

"What?" he demanded. "What if what was what?"

"No," Katara refused, folding her arms to hide her growing embarrassment, "It's too weird and… awkward."

Zuko spun her around and looked her straight in the eye, a curious smile spreading over his face. "Please tell me?" he pleaded.

Katara refused to look him in the eye. "Whatifengagementwaswhatthatnecklacewasreallyfor…"

Zuko stared at her for a second, trying to decode her mumbling. "What was that?"

Katara sucked in a deep breath and let it out in a loud sigh. "I said: WHAT IF ENGAGEMENT WAS WHAT THAT NECKLACE WAS FOR!!" she screamed so loud Zuko could barely make out the words. The instant he sorted his jumbled thoughts and the hearing returned to his ears, Zuko realized that Katara had bolted.

Katara raced away from Zuko as fast as possible. How could she have said that?! He'd think she was bizarre, stupid, awkward, silly… everything that could possibly be wrong with her. And all those things probably were.

Why did she have to be so truthful? So 'out with it'? It only made things that much more difficult on her, and probably Zuko, too. How was she supposed to know whether or not the firebender wanted a serious relationship? Who knew? Maybe he only liked her for now, and in a few months, after the war was over (or was hopefully over), and they all went their separate ways, he would forget about her and find someone else he liked more. The thought made her stomach knot.

No! She didn't want Zuko to leave. She wanted to stay with him… forever.

Katara froze. Did she just think what she thought she thought? Be with Zuko? Forever?

A stupid, girlish smile stole over Katara's lips. Forever… Did she really? Did she really want to spend the rest of her life with Zuko? It sounded weird, wonderful, alien, natural, and completely, totally perfect. She couldn't lie to herself on something so important.

"… and it's totally confusing!" Zuko concluded after spilling his worries to his attentive listener.

"Well…" Toph replied lazily, leaning back against the wall, "what's not to understand? She's playing 'house' with you, Sparky."

Now Zuko was even more thoroughly confused than he'd been before. "'House?' Why?"

"It's 'cuz she loves you, you Dipstick!!" Toph exclaimed suddenly. "Loves you enough to stay up late in bed imagining that you guys are married and have ten kids, and if I know Katara, she's probably already got their names planned out! She's the sort of girl who think ahead, and who only gets into relationships if she believes they're gonna be permanent."

Zuko's jaw dropped as he stared at the earthbender, utterly dumbfounded. "R-really?"

Toph ignored his question and continued, "And I think we both know you're the sort of honorable guy who only gets into permanent relationships, too."

Ouch.

Zuko, though he knew Toph couldn't really see him, gulped under the blind girl's blank stare. It brought back memories of a certain gloomy girl he'd once called his girlfriend. He'd been feeling so guilty back then, what with just having betrayed his uncle to a possible lifetime in a filthy prison, as well as the only real friend he'd ever had. Someone who cared about him and made him feel like he'd done the right thing certainly helped him to not thoroughly hate his own guts. Plus, having someone he could say was his, someone who wouldn't be taken away from him like everything else he'd ever lost in his life felt pretty good. He'd used her…

"So, what'dya say, Sparkles? How do you feel about this whole sitch-i-ation?" Toph asked in an annoyingly intuitive accent.

"Well… I think… it's none of your business," Zuko replied boldly. Toph only smirked.

"Whatever you say, Sparkles," she sighed, adding in a sing-song voice, "Sparky and Sweetness, sittin' in a tree…"

"Toph!"

"She likes you!"

"Yes?"

"And you like her?"

"Yes!"

"Permanently?"

"… I… I…"

"Out with it, Hothead!"

Zuko stumbled over the words. Yes, he loved Katara, and there was nothing he wouldn't do for her, but was he ready to commit to something like that? He was old enough to marry, as Katara was, but they'd only known each other – really known each other, and loved each other for that matter – for a few weeks. He couldn't make such a decision yet! It was far too soon!

"I'm not sure…"

Toph glared at him, disappointed. "I'm not saying you have to do it now, Sparky! You can wait, of course! You guys have plenty of time. Take it slow, enjoy the ride…" The earthbender stood slowly and pointed a threatening finger into Zuko's chest, her gaze cold on him for the first time since he could remember. "But if you hurt Katara, I don't care how good friends we are. I'll make you regret the day you turned your back on her. Katara trusts you, and she's very nearly given her heart to you, which means even more considering your history and all you've done to her. I won't let you tear her to pieces twice."

Zuko very nearly shrank away from the blind girl, but he kept himself from flinching… barely. Toph moved away, her voice calm like she hadn't just threatened his life.

"Good night, Sparky…" she said pleasantly, turning and leaving him to his thoughts.

Katara cringed at the gentle knock on her door. Zuko… But her body betrayed her as her tongue automatically formed the words, "Come in."

Zuko opened the door, and Katara noticed with shock that he wore an enormous, breathtakingly handsome smile on his face. She'd never seen him smile like that before, and she immediately wished he wouldn't stop.

"Good evening," Zuko greeted her cheerfully. Okay, now she was concerned…

Katara sat up slowly in bed, awaiting an explanation to Zuko's giddy mood. He didn't give one, but just sat on the edge of her bed and gave her a quick kiss on the lips before settling back to just gaze at her, an adorably boyish grin on his face.

Staring bewilderedly at him, Katara cocked an eyebrow. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Zuko looked away, still smiling. "I was just thinking…"

"About what?" If ever Katara had felt nervous in her life, it was now.

"Of how I never want this to end."

Katara's confusion slowly faded from her face, replaced by a small smile that just continued to expand until the joy behind it threatened to consume her entire being. Before she could say anything, Zuko held up a hand, his smile somewhat dimmer by the seriousness of his next words.

"Not now, though," he said gently. Katara nodded her head solemnly. Of course not now. They were too young, and they had so many responsibilities already, all of which would decide the rest of their lives, not to mention the fate of the entire world. No, of course not now. But Katara's heart still swelled with the revelation that Zuko's feelings mirrored her own. He wouldn't leave her. He really loved her, and always would until death and beyond.

Zuko pulled out the necklace he'd made for her and held it up to the moonlight. "This is rightfully yours," he began quietly, drawing closer, "but if you want, I can keep it until the right time, when we're both ready for what it really means."

Katara could only nod, beaming through unquenchable tears of joy and relief.

"Here you go, Sugar Queen. You've earned this."

Katara gasped as Toph held up the familiar abalone shell necklace she'd been looking for since the beginning of the week. "When did-"

"The seeond day it was missing, I decided to take one last look around the arena, and I found it buried under a pile of rubble. It fell off and got buried during one of the battles. It was pretty dinged up, but I smoothed out all the kinks."

Katara took the necklace from the earthbender's outstretched hand and quickly replaced it around her neck, smiling at the familiar, cool shell charm against her skin. But her smile dimmed as she gazed at her blind friend. "Why didn't you give this to me when you first found it?" she demanded harshly.

"I knew Zuko was planning something," Toph explained calmly, almost innocently. Innocently. Ha! Katara nearly smirked. "I wouldn't want to interrupt your little romantic angst-fest, now would I?" the earthbender added. She turned to leave, but Katara stopped her.

"Toph?"

"Yeah?"

"…Thanks."

"Anytime, Sweetness. Anytime…"

Four fics in one night?! Am I really that psychotic?! Anyway, I really like this one. Review, please!