Disclaimer: Hey people I don't own Avatar!!

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Chapter 7: Journey

Bright and early the next morning the duo left Lin Yi and Kahn's house and set out to find the Earthbending rebels. Lin Yi gave them what little food she had for their travels and a waterskin full of fresh water, little did she know it'd be used for bending. Katara and Zuko bid the kind couple farewell and continued into the forest on their way to the cliffs to find the Earthbenders.

Ever since their little heartfelt conversation in the guest bedroom he couldn't get Katara out of his head. The way she held him, it was so sincere. Secretly he hoped she had a hidden attraction to him, like he had to her. Zuko told himself this was crazy he can't think of her that way it wasn't they were too different, nobody would accept it, and besides he was pretty sure she was somewhat involved with the Avatar. Subconsciously Zuko sighed.

"What's wrong?" Katara asked while stepping over a large root in the ground.

"Nothing is wrong," he replied.

"Oh, well I was just wondering where you are gonna go after we are separated?"

"I am probably going to sneak into the Fire Palace's dungeons and break out my Uncle some how, and apologize to him," Zuko answered while staring at his moving feet. "Where are you going to go?" He asked hoping she would say "With you." Instead she said,

"I'm going to find Aang, and my friends some how." Katara then thought of Aang for the first time since the she was on the Navy Ship and she felt the tears welling up in her eyes. Zuko saw the hurt on her face, that's when he knew.

"You love the Avatar don't you?" He asked quietly already knowing the answer.

"Yea I do, but he can't love me back," her voiced cracked.

"Why?"

"Because he has to control the Avatar State, and to do that he cannot love any one person," as soon as she said that she began to cry. Zuko stopped and embraced her like she did for him the night before. They stood their for a minute then she broke the hug.

"I guess it was my turn right," she tried to laugh.

"Well that's what friends are for," Zuko replied blushing a bit. Before moving on, Katara wiped the tears from her face and said to Zuko,

"You know his rejection hurt me but with each passing day I feel a little better." She ended with a smile. Zuko couldn't help but think maybe she was falling for him too. Then the connected fugitives continued on their journey.

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Zuko and Katara kept a steady pace even through the hot mid day sun. They noticed the ground was getting muddy and squishy under their feet.

"This area probably used to be a swamp or lake or something, but mostly dried up because of the heat," explained Zuko.

"I think we only have a mile or so left correct?"

"Yeah, I hope," he answered it was hard to gauge how far they were, but they had been walking all day only stopping once for lunch. Suddenly Zuko couldn't pick up his feet. "Katara I can't move!"

"Me neither, and I think we're sinking too!" Katara shouted.

"Quicksand, we must be in quicksand," Zuko said frantically. His uncle once told him how to escape quicksand. The Firebender racked his brain for the solution as the quicksand covered his kneecaps, then it came to him. He called to Katara who seemed to be sinking faster than him, "Okay Katara try to go down on your stomach and float to the edge."

"Okay," she said quite panicky. They both float on their stomachs to the edge and climb back onto solid ground. After they caught their breath the Waterbender spoke,

"Thanks Zuko."

"For what?"

"Well one for thinking quick and two for using my real name."

"Uh yea don't mention it," Zuko blushed a little bit, he found himself doing that a lot lately. The two benders found themselves getting tired from the heat.

"Hey lets just take a short nap I mean we are almost there," suggested Katara.

"Yea that's a good idea," he replied with a yawn. The pair laid down under the shade of a tree and quickly fell asleep.

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It was in the late afternoon when Katara awoke with a start. She really didn't know why she did, except that when she did wake up something didn't feel right. Everything was too quiet. Katara shook the sleeping Zuko.

"Zuko, Zuko wake up." Stirring he looked up at her groggily annoyed she had woken him, but then he noticed her blue eyes were filled with worry.

"What's wrong?" He asked, sitting up.

"I don't know but something is." Then with out a rock flew past Katara's head she barely dodged it. "Earthbenders, were not that close."

"No Dai Lee, look!" Zuko pointed to four Dai Lee agents who came out from behind trees, as him and Katara stood up.

"That means…" she gasped.

"Mai and Ty Lee!" Zuko finished with a growl. Katara and Zuko took a fighting stance as more Dai Lee agents appeared surrounding the two escaped criminals.

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I'm Sorry!

It's been so long, I apologize. I have been quite busy and I know in my drabbles I said I would update yesterday, but I got caught up in something else. But do not worry I shall update tomorrow and only one more week till X-mas break, so more free time! Anyway how was it? Yea I know a little sappy but do not fear! Next chappie has some action and there will be a surprise at the end of it! So ta ta for now!!!!

Beauty