Zutaraness this chapter!!!!
Disclaimer: I don't own Av…blah, blah, blah...we know. Let's just get on with the chappie!
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Chapter 9: Let Love In
The rain began to let up a bit as they continued to just sit there on the boulder. Zuko noticed Katara stopped crying, but still was upset. Katara caught Zuko looking at her with worry in his golden eyes and decided to speak about her sudden memory.
"That reminded me of what happened to my mother." She looked down. "Fire Nation soldiers invaded our village and burned alive anybody who got in their way. My mother got in their way," she said sadly, a lone tear sliding down her face. That's when Zuko realized this girl attached to him, had a painful past, just like him.
"I'm sorry."
"And these Earthbenders, I mean to be slaughtered in your out hideout, it's awful. How could the Fire Lord do this to people, he's a horrible person!" Katara covered her mouth, realizing what she had said about Zuko's father. "I'm sorry I didn't…"
"It's fine, you're right anyway. He's hurt millions of people all over the world," he said in an emotionless tone, trying to disguise the pain he felt inside. Katara gave him a comforting look.
"I can tell he has hurt you too."
"Yea," he answered, touching his scar. Nothing more had to be said, she knew. Katara turned to face him, and he faced her. The two troubled teens each closed their eyes leaning toward each other's lips. Then it registered in Katara's brain she was about to kiss Zuko! And she knew that was wrong even though she had developed feelings for him. The brunette pulled back as Zuko's eyes snapped opened and he blushed.
"Uh… um it's getting late, we should find somewhere to sleep," she stuttered, while blushing.
"Uh yea good idea," he replied embarrassed. So the two got off the large boulder and walked away from the cave entrance. They walked along the bottom of the cliffs. The pair continued for quite awhile, they stopped at small lake that was right up against the bottom of a tall cliff. It was perfect they could tell even in the dark. There was many large rocks outlining the sides of the lake, and between the cliffs and the rocks there was a little alcove the two benders could sleep in and be safe. The tired Waterbender and Firebender climbed in the alcove and fell asleep side by side.
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Morning had already snuck up on them, Zuko thought as he opened his groggy eyes. Surprisingly Katara was up before him with the little food they had set out before her and him in the tiny space they were sharing. She looked happy this morning despite the horrific, hope squashing events that happened the previous day.
"Your up early," Zuko stated, cocking an eyebrow.
"Yup, it's a new day and we have to find someone to remove our cuffs, but more importantly we have to climb the cliff and jump into the lake, so eat up," she exclaimed her hope was back. "I can't wait to be in the water, I feel so icky right now."
"What? I'm all for cooling off in the lake, but do we have to jump off the cliff?"
"Yea that makes it fun! What are you afraid or something?"
"No!" He spat back quickly, even though secretly he was a little afraid of heights, but he didn't want her to know.
"Fine then I don't see why it's a problem then?" She teased. He had no idea why she was being so cheerful.
"It isn't a problem, that's why we're going to do it." Zuko's male pride decided for him, despite his fear. Maybe I'll get over my fear once I'm up there, he thought.
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Once they were standing on the edge of the cliff looking down, the Banished Prince realized he wasn't over his fear. Katara caught the scared expression of the boy next to her as he peered over the edge.
"It's uh, high," he said nervously.
"Don't worry it's not as high as it seems, plus I'm jumping with you," she told him flashing him a bright smile as she took his cuffed hand in hers. He gave her a true Zuko smile and said,
"Let's do it." Katara then turned to face the water below and counted,
"1…2…3…Go!" At "Go" both of them tipped over the edge of the tall cliff.
Zuko closed his eyes and listened to his and Katara's screams as they plunged through the air, which was rushing all around them. It was quite a thrill, he thought as they hit the cool water below. When they went under the surface of the lake, he lost his hold on Katara's hand. He didn't think anything of it as he surfaced, but when he turned to face the girl next to him he didn't see her.
"Katara? Katara, where are you? Come on it's not funny," he called as he felt a slight tug on his cuffed wrist. Confused he looked around, then all of the sudden he was violently pulled under the water by the wrist. As he was being pulled down through the deep water Zuko opened his eyes. He saw Katara below him still connected, frightened and struggling. A Giant Octaquid had two humungous tentacles wrapped around her slender waist and it was dragging her down into the depths. She was trying to Waterbend the huge beast back with her free arm, but that just made the fowl giant more determined. It wrapped two more tentacles around her arm and body, then pulled with such force that the rock restraint connecting Zuko to Katara snapped.
Even though he was now free, Zuko did not hesitate to swim after Katara and the Giant Octaquid. He could tell she was now unconscious, by the way her head bobbed limply through the water as her dark hair swirled all around it. Zuko's lungs felt like they were going to explode as he got closer to the creature, but he ignored the feeling. He was now about five feet away from his friend and the large tentacles that were wrapped tightly around her, that's when he began heating his hands. When he was close enough he rammed his scorching hot hands into two of the tentacles. The monster let out a screech and released the two. Quickly Zuko repeated the same process on the two remaining tentacles that were attached to a lifeless Katara. The creature yelped a second time releasing its now throbbing tentacles from around the water tribe girl and retreated into the depths of the lake. Zuko grabbed Katara before she sank and used every last bit of strength he had to swim up to the surface.
Once he surfaced, Zuko began gasping for oxygen while Katara began coughing up water, snapping her back into consciousness in Zuko's arms. He then paddled to the shore. Once they were on the muddy, rocky shore, Zuko collapsed onto the ground along with Katara. After they both caught their breath, Katara sat up and stared down at Zuko with her beautiful eyes and said,
"You saved me."
"Yea," he replied wearily.
"Why? You were freed, you could have just left. Why'd you save me?" She asked bewildered at by his actions.
"Why, because you befriended me, you understood, you didn't give up on me, and you're the most amazing girl I have ever met." He paused looking up at her shocked face. "What I'm trying to say is, that I have developed strong feelings for you along our journey. I really care about you Katara," Zuko confessed to her. He stared at her face waiting for her reaction. Then her mouth curved into a beautiful smile and she bent down and kissed Zuko full on the lips. At first he was taken aback by the kiss, but was relieved she felt the same way. Her lips felt so cool, he thought. She went to break it off but he pulled Katara back down on top of him and began to kiss her back. His tongue parted her lips, and they began to make out. It felt so nice to Katara, she used think kissing like this would be disgusting, but it wasn't. The two laid there on the soggy beach soaking wet, kissing as they let the world around them fade away.
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Finally Some Zutara Lovin'!
Weren't expecting that were ya? Don't worry it's not the last chapter. I had this chapter in my head for like ever! It feels good to get it out!! Whoo! Love you reviewers you rock my life and this story!!! Cya next Chappie!
Beauty
