Ch. 8

" Jealousy is a virtue"

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It was morning, and Katara had the worst headache of her life. She silently stood on deck, staring out into the azure waters. Ok Katara, last night you were drunk and belly danced?...this isn't you, and you are now going out with Zuko?..Whats happening- she was cut out of her thoughts as she felt two very strong hands wrap around her from behind, she couldn't help but slightly smile.

Zuko was the happiest guy on Earth right now, he and the girl of his dreams- the only girl he's ever met- was his, and he's not worried about the Avatar anymore. "Good-morning", Zuko kissed Katara on her cheek. She blushed, never feeling so wanted in such a long time, "good-morning to you too, Zuko".

" Guess what?" Zuko playfully challenged Katara with. He let go of Katara and backed away to get something from on top of the table in the middle of the deck. Katara turned around and smiled, "I don't know, just tell me". Zuko hid the package behind his back as he approached Katara again, "just guess" he said. Katara rolled her eyes playfully, "ok, you want to get a hair cut".

Zuko lightly laughed, "umm not quite, but here, I fixed something for you". Katara looked at him as he gave her a small package. She smiled as she sat on the floor, Zuko sat down next to her. She untied the ribbon and carefully unfolded the wrapping, then she saw the gift. All the expression fell from her face as she looked at her gift, her bottom lip slightly trembled as she held back a cry, her eyes slightly welling up with her tears.

She looked at Zuko, "thank you" she gratefully said, she let her tears go and touched the precious gift. Zuko just liked her expressions and the way he held herself, he knew fixing her mothers' necklace was going to be a great gift for Katara. " let me put it on you" Zuko offered.

Katara nodded, Zuko took the necklace and placed it on Kataras' neck and hooked the two ends together, "there" Zuko said announcing he completed his task. "Thank you so much Zuko" Katara said gratefully, Zuko slightly blushed "it was nothing really, no pro-" he was cut off when his mouth met with Kataras'.

Katara kissed him passionately, and Zukos' mouth fought back with so much passion. He grabbed a handful of Katara's hair, and Katara put her arms around his neck. After a eternity of kissing they broke apart for air, staring into each others eyes smiling, blushing, it was 'puppy love'.

"Hmmm!" Katara and Zuko quickly looked at the person who interrupted them. It was indeed Iroh. " Good morning, who's up for some tea" he said as he took a sip. Katara smiled as she got up and joined Iroh for some tea, Zuko just walked away to the kitchen area.

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Iroh trying to break the silence, "so, you and Zuko are getting close, am I right?". Katara nearly choked on her tea, " I guess if you peel of all the rough layers you'll getting something easier, more approachable" Katara answered. " Nice one" Iroh complimented. " So, are you proud of Zuko?" Katara asked, she was indeed curious.

Irohs' facial expression changed from smiley to serious, "does this have to do with the Agni Kai?" he asked. "No", "Well then, yes I am very proud of Zuko, he is very intelligent for his age, just like his water bending master" Iroh happily stated. Katara took a sip of her tea, "you mean his water and fire bending master".

Iroh was surprised, a combination like that does not happen often, she was truly rare. "You mean you are master of both, and only still a teenager?". Katara finished her tea, and placed her cup on the tray, " yup, I learned by myself, taught myself". Iroh was very impressed by her self accomplishments, " good job!", "thankyou, now excuse me, I have to get something" Katara said. Iroh nodded, she walked away towards her room.

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Zuko tried to be as silent as he could, he hid in the corner as the figure appeared to walk in the room. He hid behind the plant in the room, it was pretty big plant. The person walked and stood in the middle of the room, looking around as if seeing it for the first time. Zuko just watched, now was his chance, he jumped out of from behind the plant and startled the person.

The person turned around and water whipped Zuko on his temple. "OW!" Zuko said as he rubbed his temple. "Oh my gosh Zuko, I'm so sorry!" the person said giggling. " What was the for Katara!" Katara walked up to Zuko and healed his pain with her powers, " you need practice on scaring people," she said. Zuko just took her hands in his and said " I told all the men on board to go home, so it's just me and you", Katara furrowed her eye brows, " but what about Iroh?" she asked.

" Oh he's leaving too, tonight" he stared into her eyes. Katara wasn't sure what to think, wow he's really changing for me, " oh ok" she smiled staring into his golden eyes, while he stared back. " your mothers necklace looks beautiful on you" Zuko complimented Katara. She couldn't help but blush, "thank you". Zuko leaned forward and kissed her, it was soft and gentle, but soon grew into a hot, passionate kiss between the two. He held a little tighter on Katara's waist, and Katara wrapped her arms around his neck, making the session even lustier. They were soon interupted by a loud knocking at the door, " umm, Katara are you in there, im just telling you 'goodbye', see you soon, promise, my boat came early, take good care of Zuko for me, I'm putting all my trust with you". Katara smiled and pushed Zuko behind then tree, and quickly opened the door, to give Iroh a big hug goodbye. Iroh hugged back with one arm, for the other was occupied with the presence of his son.

" Bye Iroh, I'll miss having you around, don't worry about Zuko, just take care of your son, and say 'hello' to your wife for me" Katara said, she bent down and gave little Wei Jin a light kiss on the cheek. "Bye!" she said as Iroh turned and walked away. Damn! Now who the hell am I going to have tea with? Katara thought. She walked back into the room and saw Zuko at the balcony.

She slowly walked towards the balcony and stood next to Zuko, looking out to sea, watching Iroh's boat sail away. "you miss him already don't you" Katara stated. Zuko just watched as the ship slowly disappeared, " I know how it feels Zuko, but you will see him again", Zuko looked at Katara " maybe I wont, I'm the banished one remember, he has a son to take care of, he'll forget all about me".

Katara held his hand, and stared into his eyes, " He won't forget about you, don't be jealous". Zuko's eyes widened, "you think I'm jealous?", " he has been your father figure most of the time,and now that he has a son, you may feel like you lost all the attention" Katara said as looked away towards sea, Zuko walked away towards his room, feeling mixed emotions. Katara still stood there on the balcony, she let a tear drop from her eye, the very eyes which held the flame of fire. \

AN: well heres another chappie folks, its kinda boring, give me ideas, I beg of you!

Anyways, I had the most awesome dream last night. It was with Zuko, we were together…he was shirtless walking on the beach and I was watching him 100 feet away with binoculars, …..we were so close…