All right… I think I finally have the will to keep this story going. Sorry for the long wait! But, I've had over 50 psychotic episodes in the past two days, so.

Anyway, let's get this show on the road!

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Chapter Nine

After breakfast, Zuko left for another firebending training session with Aang. And Katara was lonely. She sat there, aimlessly poking her fish with her finger. There was no enjoyable atmosphere without Zuko around.

No one tried to talk philosophically like their tea-drinking uncle. No one took a joke seriously, which was more entertaining than annoying nowadays. To Katara, Zuko kept everything happy, even though 'happy' would've never described the Zuko she used to know.

Katara sighed in disappointment and took a gulp of tea a little too fast. It stung as it trickled down her throat.

Suddenly, someone grabbed her harshly by the shoulder. She whirled around to find Sokka, a scorned look on his face.

"You and I need to talk, Katara." He said sternly. Katara brushed his hand off of her and stood up. She tore off the tail of her fish and tossed it to Momo, who sniffed it with utmost caution.

"What's there to talk about?" Katara asked.

"Everything." Sokka responded bitterly. Katara's eyes widened. She understood the roughness and severity of her older brother's voice. Taking her wrist firmly, Sokka pulled Katara off near the fountain, where no one was around.

"I saw you and Zuko." Sokka told her.

"Doing what?!" Katara asked in alarm. There were some things going on between her and Zuko that were a little too explicit to discuss about.

"You kissed him. He kissed you back. You hugged." Sokka explained briefly.

"So? You and Suki do that all the time." Katara protested. "Can't I have the freedom to do that with Zuko?"

"Look... you know the feelings Aang has for you. If he were to find out, he would lose focus about everything, even about defeating the Fire Lord. He has to be ready, Katara, and until then, he CAN'T find out about you and Zuko. It'll break his heart."

"You're not going to tell him, are you?" Katara asked, her heart pounding out of her chest. Sokka shook his head and scoffed.

"Why the hell would I do that? Then, everyone would blame me for making him lose focus!" He said. "All I know is that you and Zuko can't display any affection while you're around him. And you can't make him suspect anything. Got it?"

"We've kept it hidden so far. It won't be hard." Katara said more confidently than she actually felt. Sokka snatched Katara's dish from her and began washing it in the fountain.

"See, Suki and I are different." Sokka laughed. "We don't have an obnoxious Airbender swooning over us. You, unfortunately, do."

"Thanks, Sokka. I feel loads better." Katara said, nudging Sokka in the ribs. Sokka grinned stupidly. Yet, when Katara lowered her voice, he stayed quiet and listened intently.

"Hey… does Dad know?" She whispered.

"He's had his eye on you, but he hasn't said anything. And don't try to lie to him. You know how he feels about the 'family trust' aspect of life." Sokka answered quietly. Katara nodded and moved away from Sokka silently.

Originally, Katara was going to go back to her room and read. Yet, from the corner of her eye, she spotted two, full canteens. Zuko and Aang had probably forgotten about them. Katara figured that they would need the water for the scorching day.

Shrugging sheepishly, Katara picked them up and headed to the training site.

She heard the blasts of fire from 100 yards away. She could also hear Zuko, scolding Aang and correcting him on numerous things. With a smile, she appeared in front of them. As soon as her eyes came across Zuko, however, the smile was wiped from her face.

Zuko was shirtless… yet again.

Katara bit her lip savagely. What was there NOT to admire about Zuko's body? The built Pecs, the brawny arms and legs, and the toned back. Katara restrained herself from drooling all over the place.

Never before had she acted like a giddy, 5-year-old upon seeing anyone's body. Her face flushed bright red, for which she couldn't blame the heat. She covered her mouth to keep herself from giggling.

Noticing Katara's eyes wandering among his body, Zuko blushed deeply. He scratched the back of his head with an easygoing laugh.

"So, I guess we've gained an audience." He joked. Katara rolled her eyes and flicked Zuko in the forehead teasingly.

"Hmph. I prefer to be called a spectator!" She said humorously. Zuko's smile was small, but it had more affection than anything Katara had ever seen. Her hormones not stopping her, her face reddened immensely.

Meanwhile, as Zuko and Katara continued their playful joking, Aang's frown deepened. For some reason, Katara was getting closer to Zuko and farther away from him. Aang couldn't have been angrier with anyone…

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Sorry once more for the shortness! It was the best I could do! –DeathRow609