Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender. This is either the 28th or 29th time that I've said that. Damnit.
A/N: So, how did you guys like that song-verse? If you want, go to Google Video and search "Headstrong – Trapt" and it'll come up with the music video, but that's if you want to. Anyway, I hope you all liked the fights and stuff; I was trying to figure out stuff that they should say, and it took me a while. I promise some more mushy stuff for a little while, but the big battle will come soon. There's not much else I can think to put in here between now and then, so it will definitely come quick along with a lot of fluffy crap to fill the space. Then I'll switch some things around and give total control to Zutara! Woot! Oh, and sorry if this took a while to be written, but I've been devoting a lot of time recently to finishing my summer work (it's due in a week) and I've been running out of inspiration. If anyone out there wants to give me some help, it'll be greatly appreciated! And just so you reviewers know, you guys are awesome! I like to know that someone out there likes my story.
It was the morning after Zuko had tried to run away. He and Katara had decided that since Sokka was stuck to the tree, they would sleep next each other that night. That is, in different sleeping bags and as long as Zuko didn't snore. They pulled their bags to the side of the clearing, separated from everyone else.
When Zuko woke up, at first he thought that his nightmares were coming to life again and that he was holding Sokka, but then he remembered that it was Katara. As his eyes grew accustomed to the early morning light, he took in the sight of Katara's sleeping form next to him. The only thing that he could compare her to was an angel.
Katara awoke next to him, and after a brief moment of confusion to her surroundings, she looked up at Zuko and said sleepily, "Good morning." The end was cut off by a yawn, which ended in a small squeak. Zuko chuckled softly, running his hands through Katara's hair as he kissed her soundly. They stayed in each other's arms for a few moments more, before Katara slowly dragged herself out of the bag. She stretched her arms above her head, yawning again, before offering a hand to help Zuko up. He took it gratefully, hauling himself out of his bag.
Katara rolled her sleeping bag up, folding it into her pack carefully to save room for other items. Zuko, on the other hand, balled his sleeping bag up and tried to shove it unceremoniously into his pack, before Katara sighed in exasperation and folded it for him, placing it in his pack with a smile tugging at her lips.
By this time everyone else was beginning to wake up. The people were still divided by race, Katara realized, and she made a mental note to talk to them about this after they had settled down that night. Today would be a walking day, used solely to make progress towards the Fire Nation capital. When Katara reminded Zuko of this, he groaned in mock complaint.
"Hey Katara," Aang said, walking up behind her as she was eating. "Do you know what happened to Sokka? The last time anyone saw him was when the two of you walked off last night."
Katara stiffened, turning slowly to face Aang. "No, Aang. I don't know where Sokka could be. Why don't you go look for him in the trees over there, and take everyone with you," she suggested. Aang, sensing that this was more of an order than a suggestion, agreed and took everyone into the trees, with the exception of Zuko and Katara. Zuko looked at Katara in confusion, but only got a small smile and a shake of the head in response.
Less than a minute later, a scream was heard from the woods that sounded much like a little girl, and as Zuko jumped up, Katara broke out laughing. He looked at her questioningly again.
"After you saw Sokka and I and left, I froze him to a tree and ran after you. Last I heard him say was that he wanted down because it was cold under the ice!" she chocked out, still laughing. It was then that Zuko realized that no girl had screamed. He also started to laugh, sitting back down next to Katara and putting an arm around her shoulders.
"You are brilliant," he said, squeezing her shoulders gently. Katara's only response to this was to smile softly and lean into Zuko's form. She let out a contented sigh. She was happy until there was a commotion behind her. Katara got up and turned around, only to see Sokka stumbling out of the forest, followed by the rest of their group.
"KATARA! GET OVER HERE!" he shouted, even though she was already striding across the clearing, a smug smirk that could rival Zuko's plastered on her face.
"Yes, Sokka? Is there something you wanted to say?" she asked innocently, as if she hadn't been the one to freeze him to a tree for the night. It was quite apparent after a moment that Sokka was shaking from both anger and cold. Apparently it was cold under the ice.
Sokka seemed to be struggling for words before he stuttered out, "You- You froze me t-to a tr-tree!"
"Yes I did," Katara answered matter-of-factly. "You were being stupid, and saying things that you had no right to say, so I froze you to a tree. Did you learn your lesson, or do you want to be a popsicle again?" Katara asked calmly. All the while, her voice was growing more calm, which most people who knew her knew was not good, while Sokka looked like he was about to explode. He just stared at Katara, his eyes bulging.
Zuko came up behind Katara and put a hand on her shoulder protectively. "You know, Katara, he could always be a flaming popsicle," Zuko suggested, his voice also void of emotion. When Sokka saw Zuko touching Katara, he twitched visibly. Then Aang and Toph came up behind him and, before he could hurt anyone, especially himself, they pushed him away and forced him to lie down under some furs. As soon as he was out of earshot, Katara and Zuko burst out laughing.
They did not speak, just laughed, and Katara turned around to face Zuko. The last traces of laughter were still visible on both of them as Zuko looked into Katara's eyes. Neither of them noticed it happening, but soon they had come together and were kissing each other softly. They broke off at a quiet cough from behind them, and the couple turned to see Iroh watching them with a knowing look on his face.
"Umm… I guess I'll just go then… make sure Sokka's feet aren't frozen off or something…" Katara mumbled, backing away from Zuko and his uncle and almost tripping over a stump in the process. When she had turned away from Zuko, he rounded on his uncle.
"Uncle! Why can't you just mind your own business once in a while?" he asked, his voice hushed.
Iroh only chuckled softly, saying under his breath as he passed the enraged Zuko, "It would not do to give Sokka more reasons to hate you, Prince Zuko." Zuko just stared after him, a confused and frustrated look on his face. He decided to actually take his uncle's advice for once, though, because he did want to stay with Katara. Before he got a chance to talk to Katara again or pick up where they had left off, Sokka was up and moving, causing everyone else to have to run around and gather their things before following him.
Throughout the day Sokka made sure to keep Katara and Zuko apart, giving them both little jobs to do that had them on opposite sides of the group. This caused both Katara and Zuko to become fed up with Sokka very quickly, although they both knew that there was nothing they could do. If either of them said anything, Sokka would throw a fit, and who knew where that would lead.
By the end of the day, when they had all settled down for the night, Zuko was close to killing Sokka. So far, he had been assigned to garbage duty, body guard duty, and crap-picking-up duty. Not his idea of a fun day. Katara had had it easier, with only lifeguard duty and cooking duty, but Sokka was still getting to her. He did not let her and Zuko together, so they had planned to sneak away that night. They had also come up with a way of communicating using bird calls, much like the Freedom Fighters had.
"Umm, excuse me? Everybody?" Katara called. They had just finished dinner, and she had finally gotten up the courage to talk to the rebels about how they were all so segregated. When no one looked up, she called again, "Excuse me!" This got everyone's attention.
"Umm… hi everyone. Uh… I just wanted to… umm… say something to you all. I've noticed that you are all separated into your respective nations. This isn't right," Katara said, her voice gaining strength. "We are the rebellion; we are fighting against the Fire Nation. We should not be paying attention to trivial things such as where we come from or how we look. These are the kind of beliefs that will get us killed if we are fighting. So come on, people! Help me out!" Katara then pointed to an earthbender. "You over there. Yes, you! Go and sit with him," she pointed to a firebender. The two people looked shocked to be picked, but they slowly made their way towards each other.
As Katara continued on, people started to take the hint. By the time she had stepped down, there was not one big mass separated into reds, blues, and greens, but instead a mixed group, with people of all races sitting together. As she walked away, applause started behind her, and grew into thunderous clapping. When Katara looked back, she saw that Zuko had been the cause of this clapping. He wore a proud smile, and she waited for him to catch up before continuing into the trees and down to the river.
"That was some speech," Zuko commented not far into their walk. The couple now held hands as they walked.
"Thank you," Katara answered. "And thanks for the applause." When Zuko looked as if he had no idea what she was talking about, Katara laughed and said, "I know it was you who started the clapping."
Still Zuko held that 'Who, me?' look that Sokka was so famous for. "What are you talking about? Why would you think that I would start that applause? You know, I'm really not sure where you come up with these things, Katara," he said, looking down at her, a smile tugging at his lips.
By now Zuko and Katara had just reached the water. As Katara tugged off her outer clothing, she replied, "I don't know, Zuko. I could really see that cute Fire Nation guy starting that applause. Maybe you're right; you didn't start it. Maybe I should go and thank him instead." By now she was about to wade into the water, but Zuko was still standing on the bank.
"Which Fire Nation guy?" he asked, his voice suddenly filled with irrational hatred.
"Zuko, I thought we were working on controlling this temper. And he's just this guy," Katara added, walking back up the bank towards Zuko.
Zuko was getting frustrated. He wanted to know who this guy was now so that he could beat his face in. "Who?! What does he look like?"
"Well, he's got short dark brown hair and warm gold eyes. He's really strong; oh, and handsome too. He's got brains, but sometimes they get lost in his anger. Sometimes it's like they're not even there at all. And he's got this scar that looks just like mine," she said, walking up to Zuko as she spoke. Zuko looked confused for a moment, like he was trying to figure out which of the few Fire Nationers fit the description. Then, something clicked in his head.
As he looked down at Katara, who was now so close to his that they were almost touching, he decided to play along in her little game. "You know, if you really like this guy more than me, I should go and find that Water Tribe girl that was watching me before," he said, his face emotionless.
Katara had an odd look on her face, something between understanding and confusion. "Yeah, I think I saw her before, watching you. You snuck out with her the other night too. Care to remind me what she looks like?" She already knew that Zuko had caught on and was playing along, but she wanted to know what he saw in her.
At first Zuko was confused, before he got what Katara was getting at. "Yeah, she's got long brown hair, and beautiful blue eyes. She's strong for her size, and she's an amazing waterbender. She's extremely smart; could always outwit me. She's really gorgeous, and she's got a scar on her side like mine. But that could never make a difference in her being," he said before adding, "And she's an amazing kisser."
Katara blushed at this, before saying, "Yeah, my guy's pretty good too." Then Zuko leaned down and kissed Katara. It was short, but meaningful. Then Katara looked up at Zuko once more before turning and jumping into the water. Zuko seemed a bit surprised by this, but took it in stride, removing his outer clothes and jumping in as well. The water, he found, was not cold, but not warm either. He had just come up for air when he suddenly felt himself being pushed under again.
Katara had been waiting in the shadows of the water, and when Zuko came up, she jumped, forcing him under the water by throwing all her weight on his shoulders. Before she could right herself, however, Zuko had grabbed her around the waist and stood up, holding her over his shoulder.
"You should know by now not to do that," he said, and Katara could hear the smile in his voice.
"Maybe I do it on purpose?" she suggested. He laughed, before changing his grip on her and throwing her into the water. When Katara came back up, she was laughing. As laughter is contagious, Zuko soon started as well. He swam over to where Katara was sitting in the shallow water of the opposite bank, acting like some kind of predator by swimming with just his eyes above the water. This caused her to laugh even harder.
When he finally reached her, Zuko crawled over her and, just when he looked like he was going to lean in to kiss her, he shook his hair all over her face. She made an odd noise of protest, shielding her face with her arms before bending the water out of her own hair. She then brought it up above Zuko and dumped it on his head. This caused him to get wet all over again, but he did not shake the water out again. He looked down at Katara, in whose eyes there was still a hint of mischief. This was banished when Zuko leaned down to kiss her, their eyes sliding closed.
Katara's arms came up to tangle in Zuko's hair, and she used this to pull him closer. As they kissed, they slowly moved up and onto the bank. Katara's hands roamed from Zuko's hair, to his strong shoulders, down to his chest, where they stayed. His had moved from their places at her sides, up her arms to her shoulders, then back down her sides. They rested at her hips for a moment before going back up her stomach.
As his hands came up near her breasts, Katara's hands immediately shot to his and moved them back down to her hips. When Zuko looked at her questioningly, she whispered, "Zuko, we can't go that far. Remember, your uncle stood up for us and made us promise that we would only do what we thought was appropriate. Until the war is over, we can't. I mean, I'd love to, but we just can't."
Zuko groaned, resting his forehead against hers. It was getting harder and harder for him to resist, but if Katara wanted to wait, then they would wait. Katara smiled up at Zuko in understanding, and kissed him once more before sliding out from under him.
Katara swam back to the other bank and put her clothes back on. By the time Zuko had gotten to her, she had also bended the water out of her hair and fixed it, so that nothing out of the ordinary could be suspected. Zuko put his clothes on as well, and they walked back to the camp together.
