Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The last Airbender, it is property of Bryan and Mike and all the other dorks at Viacom and Nickelodeon.

Also I do not own any of the songs used in the fic unfortunately. They belong to the credited artist. This fic is purely fan made and for my own and yours amusement.

This chapter may be a little confusing. It's a point of view chapter. We start with Zuko and then go on to Katara….the Pov's are in italics and separated from the action and time of the rest of the story. If you have any doubts feel free to ask, oh and critics are welcomed as long as they are constructive.

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Chapter 10- Thank you sir.

Thank you kind sirs! You've made me what I am today. A bundle of broken nerves, a mouth full of words I'm still afraid to say. I don't mind telling you now that I'm old enough to love, I couldn't begin to even if my pretty life depended no it! And funny thing….it does!

Gothic Lolita-Emilie Autumn

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Her warmth emanated from her body mixing in the air with the characteristic smell that made my heart speed up. Her gentle arms were around my neck in an instant and her torso was pressed onto mine. I could feel my stance stiffen. For a moment I couldn't react. I felt my bones creak and the soreness in my body telling me that this was too much but I simply ignored it. It felt so good to be in her arms, to feel her temperature warm me up inside and out and to feel her exotic aroma fill my brain. Her skin was the softest type of silk I had ever encountered. I felt all the hair in the back of my neck curl up when her lukewarm, moist breath caressed my skin. "Thank you!" She whispered her hold on me tightening. My heart stopped in my chest and I felt like nothing more was left from my life. What was happening to me?

I smiled involuntarily and supported my head on her shoulder. Her hair was softly tickling me and I had to stifle laughter.

My arms wrapped around her, also against my brain's demands, and I pulled her closer to me. Her body was limp against my own by now and I could feel her leaning in towards me. I have no idea how long we stood there, just holding each other but it seemed like it wasn't enough when she pulled away. Her mouth curled up into a smile. I wanted to smile back but the sudden lack of support took a toll on me and once again my wounds got the better of me and I winced in pain. A small groan escaped my lips and her pools of ocean blue shot up in despairingly worry.

"What's wrong?" She asked, genuine concern in her voice.

"Nothing…" I lied.

"It can't be nothing, you wouldn't be making funny faces if it wasn't serious!"

Her hands started wandering through my chest, my heart bumping against my ribs as I felt them search. She didn't seem to notice and if she did, Katara didn't let it show.

She almost ripped my clothes from my body, spotting the now dirty bandages Mai had wrapped me in.

"Oh Tui, you are hurt. You could've told me, I'm a healer you know?"

"I know!" I whispered.

She gasped, her breath caught in her larynx. "Come on." Her voice concealed her thoughts. "Let's get you to your room so I can at least ease those wounds." Her tone was gentle.

I nodded still weary of her sudden kindness. Just a short time ago she was demanding my loyalty and warning me about Aang's safety.

My legs moved with unsteadiness as the waterbender guided me to my own room. It seemed like this little walk spent all of my energies and I felt my head dizzy and uncomfortable.

She opened the door and whipped her head to look at me, her azure eyes filling once again with worry when she saw me stumble, my feet tangling in one another.

I could feel her figure underneath me as she tried to lift and walk me to my bed.

"Sit down!" Her voice showed the same tenderness and concern as her eyes.

I obeyed. My bed had once felt soft. Not as much as the bed I had had at the palace but still better than the bed I had on my ship and when I had slept in Ba Sing Se. Now it just seemed like a rectangular piece of rock underneath my bottom and my hands gripped the end of it.

Katara gently sit beside me and roamed for the bandages tips so she could loosen them. I could feel the warmth of them around my shoulders and my higher back. After a few minutes she finally found the loose tip and begun to unwrap me.

I could feel the fabric being pulled away from my flesh, the dry blood gluing the white cloth to my open wounds and the sting passing through me like a heat wave. I winced and tried to hold back a yell by biting my lip.

"I can use some water and try to…"

"I can handle it!" My voice was low. I was trying to show no weakness. In effect this was nothing compared to what I had felt when my father burned me. It didn't pain me physically. Well not really. The healers told me it was because the burnt had been so severe all my nerves had been damaged. Still I felt it like I should have had my nerves not been destroyed. Once again the healers told me it was just my head. Every single day they had to exchange my bandages, so the tissue wouldn't get infected, and everyday I felt the mental pain of the cloth being removed from my wound. I could see the scabs and pieces of still intact skin being peeled from my face as the cloth was removed. There was no blood but the one of the already dead capillaries and blood vessels that left me along with my skin. Day by day I had to endure it, the emotional wound deeper and harder to heal than the physical. My flesh started healing short after the Agni Kai but it took almost a year until the wound was fully closed and the skin had once again grown. So many times I had wanted to see the wound, to touch it but the healers dismissed my pleads. It was to prevent an infection. I was extremely lucky when it came to that. I had never had an infection. It was a good thing. I could've lost my eyesight or worse, my life. I had always wanted to take away the bandages and see what I had become but uncle told me it was not wise. Now I see he was just trying to maintain me strong so I could nurse myself back to health quickly. When the cloth was finally discarded I hesitated towards the mirror. I didn't want to look. When I finally did I didn't see Zuko, Fire Prince and heir to the throne, I saw a monster. I hated myself for a long time but my drive to find the Avatar, to find Aang, kept my faith alive and I forgot the monster I had become and dove into my mission. I was so wrong. I now see I was not, am not, a monster because of my face but I was a monster for everything I've done, for all the wrong and hurt I've caused.

I still remember my scar's colour the first time I saw it. It was purple-ish and ugly. It seemed like some illness as deadly as the Fire Nation itself. After it had been exposed to the sun and air the colour started changing into what it is now. Uncle told me that in a few years it will be lighter than it is currently, almost the same colour as my skin. Almost. I felt a cold breeze against the skin that covered my ribs and that brought me from my reverie. Katara's face contorted. I could tell she was astonished and horrified by the look of my torso. She voiced her thoughts.

"How could you let them do this to you?" Her eyes were full of hatred and disbelieve. I smiled slightly. She clearly thought I was stronger than that.

I kept my lips sealed. Her eyes searched my body and my own eyes. We just stood there watching each other, trying to read each other's thoughts.

Katara broke the spell by looking away. She raised her hands slightly in a vertical movement and her water stood up at the level of her hands. She cleared her throat and once again, moving her wrists to circle her hands she brought her water towards me and placed it, like a cold, damp blanket, upon my chest. I could feel the sting on the open wounds but it subsided almost immediately.

She frowned and I could spot a drop of sweat caressing her temples.

"Darn it!" She muttered and I sighed.

"I wont be able to fully close this wounds. It has been too long since they were made. But I can try to heal your broken ribs."

Broken ribs. I didn't even know I had broken ribs. It made sense. That is why my torso was always tender after I was beaten up.

Her brows knit together and I could see some lines, wrinkles I guess, forming on her forehead. She looked tired and I was feeling guilty.

Katara sighed. Although she had partially healed five wounds at a time, she was getting drained fast.

"We can do this by sessions." I suggested. Her eyes shot up once again and she smiled.

"I'll just do your ribs and then we will continue after dinner." She smiled and I couldn't help but smiling back.

"Sokka told me…what you had to give up to join us."

I looked at her puzzled. She shook her head and smiled sadly.

"It isn't any of my business…"

"What do you mean?" I asked. What was she talking about?

"Your girlfriend! My brother said she saved you…" Her hands moved while she tried to heal deep within me.

I don't know if I frowned but I saw her recoil a little.

"You don't need to talk about her…I just thought it would be good for you to take your mind off your pain." She started defensively, trying to excuse herself.

"I didn't know that!" I said with a sigh.

"If it were me I would never leave the person I loved behind. I would've brought her with me."

"Mai would come for me not for the mission. She doesn't believe this."

"But she believes you!" Katara smiled and blushed. "If I had a boyfriend that I really loved I would follow him across the world. Much like you did with Aang!" She giggled. That sound was infuriating and addicting at the same time.

"Not that you loved Aang, I mean… it's just…"She went quiet for a while.

"Do you love her?" My eyes widened. I was shocked and my mind raced.

"I…no, I don't!" I admitted begrudgingly. She looked more shocked than I did. Her eyes wide and her mouth agape.

"But…I thought…"

"I've changed!" Was the only answer I had to offer. I wasn't going to lie to her, nor to myself. Still that feeling of mine, the one gut instinct that Mai was the best I could find didn't leave me.

"Did you realize that today?"

I shook my head. "No. It's something I have been gradually seeing." I replied quietly. Her eyes shone.

"Did you love her?" Once again she inquired in a whisper.

"I don't know… I guess I loved her for a single minute in time!"

She frowned but kept healing my broken ribs.

"It's a long, complicated story!"

"We have time!" She was surely interested in this. But why?

I sighed. It was going to be hard to get her off my case.

"The first time we…went out…together…it seemed that she was a different person. We had fun…she had fun…and I liked it. I liked the fact that she was alive and having fun and being herself. But I guess I was wrong. She wasn't being herself. She was just overwhelmed by the situation at the time. It was something new and we were both taken by the excitement."

She looked at me with attention, gulping down my every word, encouraging me to continue.

"We got accustomed to being with each other and slowly that enthusiasm faded. Maybe I was just in love with a lie." I muttered that last part through my teeth.

"Maybe you just wanted her to be that way, so you imagined that she was that person."

Her voice was sad. I beheld her quizzically.

"I've never known real love. But I felt something for a guy and he disappointed me. I saw what I wanted to see in him. Sokka just knew the type of person he was, but not me. No! I had to try and see what was best in him and I fooled myself into thinking he was someone he wasn't. And then my heart was broken."

Her tone was gentle and reminiscent. Her hands fell to her sides momentarily and the water she was controlling splash all over my lap.

"Oh!" Katara claimed, holding a hand up to her mouth. "I'm so sorry! Here!" She lifted her hands and the liquid was once again floating in the air.

"Try moving a little. I want to see how your ribs are."

I got up and stretched my arms up in the air. The still open wounds throbbed but that uncomfortable ache was no longer there.

"Thank you!" I replied half-smiling.

She grinned back at me, her grin shinny and pure. It made my heart sink.

"She's the only one that will ever love me…"

Her blue orbs shot up to meet my golden ones. Her smile faded.

"I disagree!" She stated too quickly and then blushed. "You are a good person, Zuko! I'm sure you will find someone that will love you as much as you will love her." Her lips curled upwards again and she flashed her teeth. Still her words didn't comfort me.

"I mean…when the war is over and all, we can all live our lives normally and find the ones we are destined to" Her cheeks flashed a brighter, deeper red this time.

"I'm rambling…"

I sat down next to her again, an urge to slip my arm upon her shoulders taking control of me. Still I pushed it back.

"It's okay to believe in love!" I added, desperately trying to make Katara feel comfortable.

"Do you believe in soul mates?" Her eyes and voice were empty of emotion. Was this a meaningless question, a curiosity she had about me? Did she seek reassurance in my beliefs? Or was she really interested in my opinion on the matter?

"It doesn't matter if I believe in it or not!" Truth be told, I never bought that "soul mate" lie. Love wasn't eternal. It was constructed day after day.

"I will heal more of you gashes after dinner" Her voice was still low and drained of any emotion. Her body slowly rose from my bed and she swayed towards the door.

"See you at dinner!" When she left she silently closed the door.

I could feel the lingering warmth of her body coming from the spot where she had sat only moments ago. Revising all that happened today in my head, I lay down and smiled before I felt my eyelids heavy and drifted off to sleep.

--

Katara had left Zuko's room with a lot on her mind. He had seemed so fragile, so human while she was there, after their talk. He had the same problems every other teenager had. And more. How could he have found time to start a relationship she did not know? But there was so much she wanted to know about him even if just to take her mind off of what was really concerning her.

The waterbender walked towards the feeding grounds near the fountain to prepare dinner.

She was going to cook something special, within their ratio limits, to thank her brother and Zuko and to welcome her father and Suki. It made her particularly happy that Hakoda was now with them, assisting them with his wisdom and guidance. It made Katara feel a lot more protected even though she could fend for herself.

After they got back from the Boiling Rock, nesting themselves in the safety of the Temple, she had been held by her father for quite some time. The girl had then tended to her father and Suki's wounds and now they needed a proper meal to regain their strength. Still after she got a better look at Zuko's wounds, she was horrified to see that even though her male parent and her brother's girlfriend, who had been incarcerated for quite some time, had less extensive wounds than the boy who spent two days there.

Katara opened the door to the room where they had hid all of their supplies. She grabbed all that she needed for tonight's meal and started a small fire. The sun had already gone down for a couple of hours so the campfire was all that lit the place. It was enough for her to see what she was doing.

They didn't have an enormous variety of food with them so she wouldn't be able to cook a big, fancy dinner, but she could use her imagination a produce something they would all love.

She placed some water, she bended from the fountain, into a steel pot and placed it above the fire. When the liquid was boiling she added some carrots, onions, tomatoes, pumpkin and cabbage to cook them. She placed some rice and water on a big porcelain pot. The meat was going to be cooked last.

Everything was quiet around her. Zuko was still in his room, Hakoda, Teo and The Duke were talking not far from her, Aang and Toph were earthbending, Sokka and Suki were making up for the lost time and Haru was nowhere to be seen.

The indigo eyed girl sighed. Although she appreciated a little time on her own, this silence was making her uneasy. She had grown accustomed to all the noise everyone made. Quiet was just a way to tell her something was wrong.

Katara was trying to keep her head busy. The vegetables were already cooked and the rice was almost done. Time to do the meat.

It didn't take long until everything was prepared and she called on Hakoda and the two infants to summon the others so they could all eat.

Zuko was the last to show. He was walking less stiffly. She handed them two bowls each, one with vegetables the other one filled with rice. The meat was still on the stick and everyone took the amount of it they wanted to ingest. Of course Sokka exaggerated. He always did. The place was filled with sound, their voices mingling with small talk, giggles and glances. Aang seemed pretty satisfied with the way his firebending instruction was going. He was picking the advanced moves rather quickly. The comet was only weeks away so those were good news.

Katara glanced around the group. Hakoda was talking to everyone in general and mostly they were all paying close attention. Sokka and Suki were speaking to each other, their intimate relationship plain for everyone to see. Aang, Haru, Teo and The Duke wee happily listening to Hakoda's stories. Toph seemed rather uncomfortable between Sokka and Zuko.

The waterbender shook her head. Of course she would fell awkward. She could be naïve but she was not stupid. It was quite clear to anyone that wanted to see that the blind bandit harbored some feelings for her brother. But this was life. We didn't always got what we wanted.

The Water Tribe female took a sip of her tea. It was warm and it smelled heavenly. She could feel the soothing liquid slip down her throat, invading her with a sense of calmness. That was the power of good tea.

She opened her eyes and glanced at Zuko. He seemed distracted. His golden eyes were glazed, looking at the steam that evaporated from the cup.

She frowned. What was he thinking? For some inexplicable reason she found herself wondering about what happened in his mind, in the deep of his own being.

The mocha skinned girl took another sip of her tea a munched on a perky carrot.

Dinner went by slowly and slowly everyone retired to their rooms for a good night's rest.

The firebender stood still in his place.

"Everyone went to bed already, Zuko!" Katara told him gently.

"I know!" He kept his eyes on the creeping flames.

"You can go to bed as well! I'll be there when I finished here!"

"I'll wait!" His voice was deprived of all emotion. What was going on with him?

She grabbed every bowl and placed them on the mural of the fountain.

She would clean everything quickly so she could work a little more with her father's savior.

"Can I help?" He asked, his voice terse.

"I can handle it" Katara claimed, not averting the dishes.

"If clean the pots this will go a lot faster!"

The young woman's eyebrows knit together. He could be so frustrating at times.

"Fine! But don't force yourself!"

The Fire Prince smiled behind her back.

She heard the water splash gently as he placed the pots in the fountain. She moved her hands around, and the water swirled around the utensils. She could feel the water warming up and her eyes found Zuko, eyes narrowed, concentrating in what he was doing. Katara said nothing, mentally willing him to look up at her. Her expression was puzzled. The Fire Nation heir could feel her eyes upon him. He didn't even need to look up to know what she was thinking.

"It's easier to wash dishes with warm water."

"How would you know that?"

"Tea shop work. I did the dishes." His reply was nonchalant.

She scowled deeply, the wrinkles in her forehead becoming more evident.

Silence installed itself around them and soon after she stretched herself.

"Finished!" Her smile was big and smug. Zuko was still trying to rub the lower end of the rice pot, where some grains of rice got stuck.

"Need help?"

"Almost done!" It was his time to grimace, the smugness in her voice and body language putting him on edge.

It took the adolescent boy a while to finish his part. Katara sat on the floor, yawning from time to time, indicating that she was bored.

"Done!" He muttered but she caught his word.

"Finally! It was about time!" Katara smirked.

Zuko clenched his jaw tightly. She sure knew how to get him riled up.

The waterbender started towards his room, the words "Come on"unspoken. He followed her promptly to his room. Once inside his abode he sat down on his bed.

She glanced around, her cold eyes hitting every corner of his room, as if trying to see if someone was spying on them. He eyed her.

Suddenly, her eyes connected with his and she blushed. He didn't need her to voice her thoughts and started disposing of his outer robe.

"Where do you want me to begin? Its better we take care of the worst ones first, the ones that hurt you most!"

He kept quiet and shrugged

--

Zuko shrugged and sighed.

"Anywhere is fine!" His rough voice caught me off guard and I shivered.

Gulping down the knot within my throat I walked towards him.

I gazed upon his upper body and looked for the worst gashes. There were some really nasty ones on his back, and two or three on his chest.

He had some cuts on his face, something I hadn't noticed until this point.

I open my water skin and with a fast flick of my wrist my element came running outside, curling up in mid air waiting for my next command. I moved my arm up slowly and met Zuko's face.

His eyes widened. Maybe he hadn't noticed his face was also beaten up. Maybe he just wasn't expecting me to try to heal his face. That reminded me of Ba Sing Se and for a brief moment I backed down.

I shook my head, trying to get rid of this feeling that had installed itself upon my chest. It was something physical, a pleasant ache in my heart. I looked up. He had closed his eyes and his face was now serene. My heart bumped against my chest and it heaved up and down, my breathing unsteady.

I could feel that pleasant ache inside me increasing in intensity. I gulped down, my mouth dry.

I tried to concentrate but it was proving itself difficult.

Instinctively I leaned in. We were now only inches apart, his hot breath tickling my nose. I don't think he noticed our new acquired proximity.

I could feel my cheeks tint, getting hotter as the minutes passed.

I remembered Aang, and the kiss we had shared. No, I lie. The kiss he had placed onto my lips. For one brief instant I could feel his small lips upon mine, his affection gentle and shy. I grimaced inwardly. I loved Aang but that kiss, that moment felt so empty. My heart hadn't sped up, I didn't feel the natural butterflies inside my stomach nor my knees buckled.

Zuko opened his eyes, clashing them against my own. In the dim light they seemed to glow, like liquid gold. I was flabbergasted.

Once again I shook my head, stepping backwards as a way to shield myself from the pure energy radiating from his body.

I stuttered, the words not coming out properly. Closing my eyes, I filled my lungs with air and exhaled, gaining focus on what I was doing once more.

"There! Maybe now I can heal some of the gashes in your back and leave the rest for tomorrow. What do you think?"

Zuko stood there motionless, like he was magically turned to stone and couldn't move. His expression was nonchalant and he seemed to be lost somewhere inside himself. I cleared my throat as loud as I could, trying to get his attention. A few moments latter he blinked and looked at me like I had grown another head.

"What?"

"I said I was finished with your face. It's perfect…" I stopped myself. I didn't mean for it to sound that way. Zuko went a light shade of pink, almost unnoticeable, but I caught it. He smiled a little after, a genuine smile. His gesture made that satisfyingly aching sensation return and I bit my lip.

Hanging my head so he couldn't see my face I continued.

"I'm gonna heal the worst wounds on your back and we'll leave the smaller ones for tomorrow."

He nodded in agreement but stood impassive in front of me.

I cleared my throat once more and his eyes lifted from the floor to me.

"Maybe you should lie down on the bed please. Your back up!"

He complied and as soon as he was lying down I took some more water from my water skins. They were more extensive gashes so this was going to take a little longer and more water than his face.

I started my healing as soon as the water was floating in the air in front of me. From time to time memories of that sensation and his amazingly beautiful eyes flooded my head. I had to push them away so I didn't become fully absorbed in them. They were like those orbs, I heard from Gran-Gran's stories, those magical spheres that placed whoever looked at them under a grand spell which could never be lifted. A small sigh escaped my lips but he must have caught it.

Damn him and his superior skills. Why did he have to be so damn good at everything? I mean, if I had a scar like the one he has I would probably look hideous and never leave my ice hut ever again for as long as I lived, but not him, not Zuko, the Fire Prince. No! He not only left his home to search for the Avatar, I mean Aang, but he still looked handsome even with that huge red blemish all over his left eye. How infuriating.

I must've frowned. At least I think I did.

Zuko purred inside of his throat. It must've felt good to relieve himself of the pain and discomfort he was feeling.

I stashed my water back in my pelt packs and looked at my work. There were still some things that I had to take care of but the worse ones were already almost fully healed.

"How are you feeling?" I asked.

He moved a little bit, flexing his arms and legs, punching and kicking the air.

"Much better!" He looked at me and smiled. "Thank you!" His tone was low in register.

I smiled back picking up his words.

"Tomorrow I'll finish it." He nodded and I headed towards the door. I opened it, the old wood creaking as it moved. I stopped myself mid-pace turning back at him.

"Get some rest! You need it!" And I left before he could reply.

I crawled into my room, throwing myself carelessly onto my bed. My lids closed, heavy with tiredness.

There was one thing haunting me, a fact that I had been pushing since we got back. During my healing sessions it didn't bother me but now I was alone, it kept pounding forcefully inside my head. That voice. I know I've heard it somewhere.

When we went to save Sokka, Zuko, dad and Suki, I heard a man yell something.

"Don't let them run away. Cut the ropes!"

His voice was hoarse and characteristic and I was certain then and I am certain now that I have heard before, somewhere.

Sleep started taking hold of me and when I was already half asleep I saw my mother smiling at me. Then, a faceless figure came and burned everything around him. My mother screamed in agony. She called out to Sokka and me.

"Take your sister and hide." He tugged at my hand and pulled me into our secret hiding place in one of the glaciers. It was a cave we had discovered two weeks earlier. We played there every afternoon and it became our sanctuary. Now it had become our savior.

The shadowed figure spoke.

"The Fire Nation will rule all! There is no sense in fighting!"

My eyes shot open. I perched myself up on my elbows, a silent scream evading my lips.

I could feel sweat trickle down my face as my hands gripped the linen bed sheets with such a force I could feel my nails biting into my flesh. My breathing was to fast and it felt like as my heart wanted to come out from my mouth.

I searched my dream. It wasn't a dream. It had been real. It was the day I was permanently scarred. The day my mother was murdered. I looked around my room, the darkness surrounding me. There was nothing else but shadow and brim.

Suddenly realization struck me and I felt my strength waver as I fell down, crying out helplessly, but noiselessly. That voice.

Now I knew where I had heard it before.

I heard it the day my mother was killed. That was the fearsome voice of her murderer.

--

I'm sorry this took so long but I have been busy with my exams. This was a particularly special chapter because I tried something different. I stuck to the plot I had designated for my fic but instead of writing this as an absent narrator I wrote it as Zuko and Katara. And this chapter introduces not only their growing attraction towards each other but it also gives you a hint as to what is going to happen next. It's not that hard. So read, review, enjoy, criticise and keep on rocking. Zutara forever!!

NorthernLights25- Well here is the next chapter. Well I will try to add some slight Zutaraness but I think that in this chapter Zuko spent a lot of time with Katara doing some healing sessions to prevent further scars. And Zuko already feels attracted to her. It is just a matter of time Muhahahahaha.

inufan155687- Thank you so much! I'm glad you like the previous chapter. So here is the new chapter and Katara not only doesn't fight with Zuko she heals his wounds and tends to him. :D

pink princess 16- I'm sorry it took me so long to update. I'm glad you like the last chapter and I hope you like the new one. Zuko will be alright. He has Katara.

Sokkas Instincts 2- I'm sorry I forgot to thank you in the previous chapter. So here is my apology and gratitude. I'm so happy that even though you don't ship Zutara you like the fic and think that this is believable. Your opinion is of great importance to me so if you keep reading please keep reviewing. Thanks.

Dragon Jadefire- Yes. My faith is alive and kicking and it will until the very end. MY fingers are crossed. Thank you for reading this chapter. I'm glad you like the Maiko. It was hard to write it without getting to blah about it. :D Hope you like this one too!

hj- I'm sorry this took so long. Really I am. I did not abandon it. I was very busy with exams. So once again sorry. Hope you keep reading and enjoying.