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Chapter 10 The New Dawn

The sun rose up replacing the dark melancholy that had accompanied Katara throughout the night. She couldn't sleep. Today was their last day at the Western Air Temple. Although this meant a closer end to the war, leaving the temple meant leaving a life she had grown to adore.

Living in one place made it seem like her makeshift family had finally found a home. Since meeting Aang it's been one place after another. Even the walls of Ba Sing Se couldn't contain their sordid little group. And the few weeks in the hijacked ship just made her sick. Plus Zuko wasn't in any of those places.

Zuko. He was confusing at best, and maddening at worst. Somehow it was always her who acted on the relationship. "If" there was actually a relationship. It had already been a few weeks since the battle they had, combustion man and that fateful night. They were cordial to each other in public. And they had a few stolen moments under the moonlight. Those memories were her favorite.

Every other night, after training with Aang, Zuko would wait for her by the cliffside. They would always meet up. It didn't matter what they did, it mattered that he was always there. Sometimes they would talk, sometimes spar and other days they would just sit together until she fell asleep on his broad shoulders. It was wonderful. They never did kiss in those times, but it still felt so special.

But beyond these moments, she didn't really understand what "they" were. He never told her how he felt. And she never voiced hers. Come to think of it, what did she really feel?

"Katara?"

"I'm here Haru! I'll catch up with you." well it was time to make breakfast, the last meal they'll have together in the temple. They were already leaving at lunch. She would make a feast.

Despite her own negativity at the departure, the gang couldn't seem any happier. Everyone was animatedly talking to each other. The explorers were excitedly talking about their very last excavation.

Aang was talking to her father, Hakoda, and the big guy. It was a few weeks ago that Zuko and Sokka rescued Suki and their father. They were a very welcome addition to the group. It made this home seem even more complete. Aang seemed to really welcome the new family.

Sokka and Suki were shamelessly flirting. It was sickening and sweet. Katara was a little envious of them. They didn't hide their affection. Everyday it seemed like Sokka told the whole world he was in love with Suki. Of course Suki would whack him afterwards. Then she'd kiss away the wounds. It was sweet. It only made Katara wonder if Zuko would ever declare to her his... She couldn't think of a word. Feelings?

Zuko was being tickled by Toph. Somehow those two were always drawn to each other. It was Toph after all who welcomed the exiled Prince first. They always hung out with Toph playing pranks on Zuko. And Zuko played the big brother to the young girl. Zuko was laughing on the ground looking helpless as his tormentor lay on top of him. His smile always made Katara's heart jump. She wondered briefly if her smile made his.

"Hey Katara! Wanna show Zuko the power of us female benders?" Toph made groping motions with her hands. Her grin was wide and maniacal.

Zuko looked at her, eyebrows raised.

Smiling, Katara sauntered off flirtingly towards the duo. Moving her face close to Zuko's, she grinned. "Whoever makes him squeal like hamster-pig wins!"

Both girls then grabbed at Zuko's side, tickling him.

"Oh Agni no!" He laughed helplessly at their assault. "I surrender! You win!"

"What do you say?" Toph snickered in glee.

"Toph is the greatest Earthbender in the world, and she could kick my butt any day." he mumbled.

"Hey! What about me?" Katara played on, she wanted to know what he thought of her. Even Toph was quiet in anticipation.

"And..." Zuko paused, seemingly thinking. "Katara is the bossiest Waterbender in the world!" At that Zuko scurried off in playful manner. Toph was rolling off on the floor laughing her head off.

"Hey! I'll show you bossy!" she chased after him.

Katara was panting heavily now; she tried in vain too catch the elusive prince. But boy could he run. He was very agile easily jumping from place to place. She couldn't keep up. She lost him minutes ago. Her pursuit placed her in Appa's stable. Feeling no urge to run, she settled in her surroundings, unceremoniously plopping down on one of the haystacks.

"Katara?" Suki called out.

"Oh, didn't know anyone was here."

"I was just putting my stuff on Appa. You?"

"Tried capturing my man. Harder than it looks." Katara laughed.

"Good luck with that, I've mines. Now I'm trying to keep him. I mean Ty Lee?"

"She thought Sokka was cute. She was never the smart one."

"Hey! I'm dating that idiot." Suki mock lectured. "He's my idiot."

"Can I ask you something?" Katara seriously asked.

"No problem."

"How did you know that it was you and Sokka already?"

"Hmmm... Tough one." The Kyoshi Warrior thought for a while before answering. "Well he was really protective during Serpent's pass and he did rescue me from the Boiling Rock."

"Alright. That doesn't help much but I'll take it."

"Actually, those are just some things. I knew I loved him when I saw him again the Boiling Rock. My whole world stopped just because he was there. It felt like time waited just so could keep me in his arms longer. I'm sorry. It's hard to explain."

"No I think I understand better now. Sokka's lucky to have you." She smiled at her friend before leaving.

Suki made her feel jealous. Katara wanted what her brother had with the Kyoshi warrior. For the first time in her life she wanted to be Sokka. Speak of the devil. "What are you doing?" She eyed her brother suspiciously. He was huddled over tinkering with something.

"Oh just the person I needed. We were making bracelets from stuff around the temple. I can't decide which would look better on Suki, the blue or green one?"

"Wow that so sweet of you Sokka." Katara looked closely at her brother. Despite being a little quirky, somewhere along the way, he became a dashing young man.

"So which one? I'm thinking the green one, but everyone in the Earth Kingdom wears green! What if it looks cheap? Then I think blue... But she doesn't have anything in blue! It'll clash with everything and she'll never wear it!" Sokka ranted, flailing his arms for emphasis.

Ok, Sokka's back to quirky. "I think the blue one looks nicer." She analyzed the rocks carefully. "Definitely the blue one." She affirmed just to dispel any more noise from her brother.

"Thanks Katara. You know you're not so bad sometimes."

"I know."

"Only when you're not bossy and naggy and all motherly!"

"Hey!" Katara was about to mock pounce when Sokka shoved the bracelet inches away from her face.

"Man at work, do not attack." Sokka replied in a very businesslike manner.

"Alright alright, I'll let you off this time." She took off, leaving her brother to his work.

Somehow after wandering for a few minutes, she found herself back at "their" spot along the cliffside. Maybe she would spend her last moment in the temple alone. She looked around, maybe Zuko was here. No one. Exhausted, she sat down by their spot, landing on something soft.

"umph"

It was Zuko lying down. She landed on his chest. His eyes were still closed, trying to return to sleep. She watched his face serene face closely, peering closer every minute to the face that made her heart jump.

Now it made her whole body jump. Zuko suddenly flung his eyelids open, spooking the very near Katara. She backed away messily kicking her human bed everywhere.

"Oww! What did you that for?" He was sitting up clutching his abused chest.

"You opened your eyes!" She said incredulously, pointing her finger at him.

"Of course, I'd open them. I thought Appa sat on me!" Returning her comment with the same misplaced fervor.

"Appa! I do not weigh like Appa." Not really thinking straight she ran towards the very surprised prince and jumped.

As expected the prince caught the Waterbender on his arms. His hands on her waist, holding her in the air. "What the hell are you doing?" He asked looking up at her from her elevated position.

"See I do not weigh like Appa! You're arms can already support."

"You pounced on me to prove a point? I was kidding."

"Well you do not mess with a woman's weight. Anyway you can put me down now." She said quietly, realizing what she did.

"Hmm, now that I think about it, you are light. I think I'll leave you up her in my arms." He snickered.

"What? Let me down or I'll make you regret it." She positioned her hands in a Waterbending stance.

"Then I'll just have to do this!" He hoisted her up his shoulders, carrying her like a sack. "There much better."

Getting irritated Katara saw a weak spot and attacked. She pinched Zuko's bum, causing him to let her go. She would've hit head first if Zuko didn't grab her again. Unsurprisingly he lost balance and fell. They were back to their first position with Katara straddling Zuko's chest.

"Are you okay?" Katara asked, becoming aware that Zuko could have hit his head.

"Just feeling like this happened already."

"I think I like being on top." At that they both laughed.

"What took you so long to get here anyway? I waited for you for so long."

"Were we supposed to meet up?"

"Yes, I mean no. I just thought since this was our last day here..."

"Well at least I came." Katara smiled, so maybe there was something between them. It wasn't just her, Zuko felt it too. "We better get going, we're leaving soon." They both stood up.

Just as Katara was about to walk off, strong arms wrapped around her waist from behind. Zuko nuzzled her neck. "Zuko?"

"I want to give you something." He took her hand and slid a small red bracelet on her hand. "Sokka taught me how to make them."

"It's beautiful." So maybe Zuko could be sweet sometimes too. Maybe it wasn't one sided after all.

Katara turned around to face him. " Thank you."

They stared into each other's eyes, gazing at each other's souls. Katara was very familiar with the feeling. This time Zuko leaned towards her, lips puckered slightly. Katara pulled away from his embrace, leaving the a very stunned Zuko.

"That, is for all those times you left me hanging." She crossed her arms in triumph. She really wanted to kiss, but she couldn't resist returning the favor. Who said revenge wasn't sweet?

Zuko stood for a moment, seemingly contemplating. Then in two quick steps, she was in his arms again. He crushed their lips together in passionate kiss.

Revenge just got sweeter.

"How was that?" He asked breaking off for air.

"Let me try again." She said smartly. And without any fuss, they made out again.

"Katara! Where are you" Aang called out.

"Mmmm." They separated. Katara's hand was on her lips. "We should go get ready."

"Good idea." They both went in different directions.

Everyone had boarded Appa already except for her and Zuko. The morning had been eventful to say the least. She had kissed Zuko or Zuko had kissed her. Maybe leaving the temple wouldn't be so bad after all.

Zuko stood beside her. He then placed his hands over hers, and squeezed reassuringly.

Not so bad after all.

A/n: The end! I'm sorry if I took so long. My computer died so this was entirely typed up in my cell. So forgive me for any errors. I actually felt inspired writing this chapter, I wanted this out before Southern Raiders so I was pressure and inspired. XP. Most people aren't fun of subtle endings but I like those.

Thank you to all those who have reviewed. And as usual feel free to comment and criticize, just because the story is done doesn't mean the writer can't improve.