Hi! I've decided not to bring Haru back but there will be a poll below and I want you to answer. The question is at the bottom so read before you answer.
I keep forgetting this: I do not own A: TLA.
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Katara woke up the next day with a smile on her face, that is, until she remembered what happened last night. Her face formed into a frown as she started getting ready. Since she's trying to avoid Zuko for now, she left the inn before you could say even say "IhateKataangandthinkZutaraiswaybetter!"
She went to a nearby teashop and ordered Jasmine tea and a slice of fruit cake. With breakfast out of the way, Katara went to the fountain and started practicing her bending. Right after she successfully froze and thawed the whole fountain, she spotted Zuko heading towards her. In a panic from the small scene yesterday, she quickly ran away from the spot, not noticing the confused look on the former-prince's face.
Zuko was about to run after her, when he noticed a small hint of Blue on the ground. Picking it up, he noticed it was the necklace she always wore.
I should probably return it.
Zuko remembered the times when he had it. He would always rub the stone pendant because it helped him relax. It was just so smooth and delicate.
Just like her lips.
Zuko shook the thought out of his head. He would keep it for now. He thought back to the time when he tied her to a tree. It felt like so long ago now. Like forever. How he dangled it in front of her face, how he bargained with her seductively, whispering softly in her ear. Even then, he had a soft crush on her. He admired the way she would refuse, even if he would let her and her necklace go. She was pretty much the only woman ever to turn him down, the only woman who had enough courage to shout back at him and tell him to jump in a river. Yes, she was very brave, but a bit clumsy at first. But now, she's already a waterbending master. A good catch indeed.
Zuko ran back towards the inn to find his Uncle packing the little they had brought.
"Uncle, where's Katara?"
"She just finished packing a few minutes ago. She said she didn't get enough to eat earlier, so I gave her a few silvers for breakfast."
"Where?"
"She said she would be at the small tea shop. Why do you ask nephew?"
But he before he could get an answer, Zuko was already out the door, heading towards the tea shop.
Zuko arrived panting. He stopped to catch his breath in front of the door and walked in soon after. He spotted Katara and felt his heart skip a bit. Suddenly he was very nervous to confront her, especially after what happened last night.
Damn this girl, why does she make me feel this way?
Zuko approached Katara slowly and sat down across from her there was an awkward silence before Katara spoke.
"Listen Zuko, about what happened last night. Well, you see I-"
She was cut off when Zuko put his finger in front of her lips.
"It's okay I get it. I know how you feel and, and I 'd like us to stay just friends."
Although he didn't know why, Zuko's heart ached when he said those words. He stood up and walked away, not noticing the sad look on Katara's face.
Zutara-Zutara-Zutara-Zutara-Zutara
Katara was back at the fountain, bending. It was somehow very relaxing to be around her element, it reminded her of home. But, today was different. Today, bending didn't help her, so she just put the water back into the fountain and sat at its edge, debating with her conscience once more.
He probably doesn't mean it.
'Yes, he probably does. I knew this was going to end up bad. Why did I listen to you?
Quit your whining. He probably thought that's what you were gonna say and said it for you.
'I should be happy he doesn't like me, but, it just doesn't feel right without him.'
That's why you should go and tell him that that's not what you were gonna say; if you were actually gonna say something.
'I don't know. What if that was what he wanted to tell me. I'd sound like a complete fool.'
Fine. I'm gonna go do stuff. I'll be back before you leave for Ba Sing Se. Bye.
Then her conscience (which from this point on in the story will be named Katrina) left her mind to go and talk to someone else's conscience(I'll write a drabble dedicated to the first one who guesses right!).
Katara hesitantly left the fountain. She wandered around a bit before feeling the pull of water tug at her. She decided to follow it and came to a nearby stream. Just as she was about to practice a water whip, she saw a bit of smoke coming from somewhere. She started running off towards the fire and found a few trees burning. She quickly bended water from the nearby stream and started putting out the fire. She suddenly heard Zuko's voice and followed it to a small clearing separated by a thin line of trees. She carefully went over to the trees and listened to whatever it was Zuko was saying, and by the rise in temperature, she'd say that he was mad and was firebending, a lot.
"STUPID! STUPID! STUPID! WHY DID IT HAVE TO BE HER!? STUPID LITTLE WA-"
He was cut off when Katara went through the thin line of trees and asked him what was wrong.
"Zuko, what are you doing!? You nearly burned down five trees, let alone half the forest! You're lucky there was a stream nearby or the whole village could've been burnt to a crisp!"
"Katara, I don't have time for this. I'm just furious! Furious that you had to join us! Furious that you're always on my mind! And furious because you just want us to be friends when I don't!" Zuko was practically yelling at Katara by now.
"So you're saying this is my fault? Zuko, I never said I wanted us to be just friends. Do you know how hard it was back there at the tea shop, to have to just sit there when all I wanted to do was kiss you right at the spot? Do you know how hard that was? Do you?" Unlike Zuko, Katara's voice was still fine, not normal, but not too loud either.
"And do you know hard it is to have to-" She was silenced by lips on hers, making her forget all her worries. Just as she was about to deepen the kiss Jet jumped through the trees and had a sword pointing towards Zuko's back.
"Let Katara go. Now." Zuko did as he was told, just so Katara wouldn't have to get hurt. When Jet loosened his grip around the swords, Zuko spun around and aimed a fire kick at Jet's stomach. Jet of course, dodged this, and threw his hooked swords at Zuko. Zuko barely dodged the attack and sent fireball after fireball at Jet.
Seeing as how this could end up destroying the village, Katara made a small ice dome around the two boys, getting water from the stream to fix any holes from Zuko's fire attacks. The ice dome was 12 meters in diameter, giving Zuko and Jet enough space to duel. She, of course, stayed outside to maintain the dome.
Jet was starting to get tired so he decided to play one of his dirty tricks. He dropped his one remaining sword on the ground and looked up at Zuko.
"Please. Have mercy. I can't fight you. I just can't. I'm too weak."
When Zuko let the flames extinguish from his palm, Jet jumped up and pushed Zuko's hand onto the ice. When he used his firebending, that part of the ice dome melted making a huge hole in the dome. Jet kept dodging Zuko's hits, making sure that Zuko stayed near the hole. When Katara bended more water to freeze to the ice dome, Jet pulled Zuko's two hands and drenched them in the oncoming water. Zuko smirked, knowing something Jet didn't.
"You're forgetting something, pretty boy. Heat can turn water to steam in a matter of seconds."
Zuko evaporated the water from his palms and sent a fireball Jet. When he dodged it, Zuko picked up the sword and hit Jet at the back of his head with the flat side of the sword.
When Jet collapsed, Katara knew that was her cue to melt away the small ice dome and bring it back to the stream. She ran up to Zuko and hugged him.
"You did great. Remember, we have to make sure that nobody finds out about Jet. No one, not even your Uncle, got it?"
"Yeah. I'm not worried about my Uncle finding out. I'm just worried that you'll tell him."
"I will not Zuko, promise."
"I bet you can't even keep that promise either."
"Try Me."
Zutara-Zutara-Zutara-Zutara-Zutara
Aang and the others were talking when Aang finally made a decision.
"Guys, we have to go to Ba Sing Se. I'm sure that Katara will be heading there. She knew that's where we're headed and is probably gonna wait for us there."
"But Aang, my sister could be in trouble right now."
"But Sokka, we have to inform the earth king about the eclipse."
"He's right Snoozels. Sugar Queen can defend herself."
"Sokka, we have to go to Ba Sing Se. Katara can wait."
"WHAT!?!? Aang, saying Katara can wait is like saying Jet should attack Katara soon and afterwards, Zuko could kiss her!" –(Whoa. Talk about Brotherly instincts.)
"What are you saying? Snoozels, I think you're out of your mind. That would never happen!" –(If only you knew Toph, If only you knew.)
Zutara-Zutara-Zutara-Zutara-Zutara
Iroh finished packing away and went downstairs to get some fresh air. He walked over to a small tea shop and ordered Jasmine tea. He looked out the window and saw Zuko and Katara walking together, holding hands. He put on a knowing grin, only one thought on his mind.
Grandbabies
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I just had to put that in because I realized I've been neglecting Iroh lately. Oh well.
Here's the poll I told you about earlier-
What would you rather happen in my story?
a. Jet has amnesia after getting hit on the head, meaning he'll try to be friends with Zuko...er…Li on the ship. (I already have one vote for this from my cousin)
b. Jet sees Zuko on the ship and throws him overboard.
c. Zuko and Katara accidentally miss the ship, leaving Iroh onboard alone.
d. Or Jet teams up with Azula to kill Zuko and get Katara back.(This time, he wants Katara, not Aang. Wink. Wink.)
Anyway, I wouldn't have done it without you guys. You're the reason this story's still here!
P.S. Check my profile, it has a list of the coolest Zutara stories ever. If you know one I haven't read, please tell me.
This is probably the longest a/n ever so bye. Don't forget to Review!