Okay, this is the tenth chapter! There are some really angsty ones, some that deal with mature content. My rating may have to be upped. But, as you know, I need twenty five reviews before I update again. I need FIVE more reviews, then you guys can have the next chapter, and it's a doosey! It's so sweet! I'll give you a hint: It's the first time...for something...review like crazy! Even if you see I've already got twenty five reviews, REVIEW ANYWAY! K, I'm done, you can read now.

Hidden Feelings

Unknown lips traveled over hers, down to her neck, against her throat. Katara gasped at the sensation. It felt amazing, and she wanted more. Then, the unknown figure changed into a TigerFlare (a fire bending tiger), icy drool dripping down onto her neck and face.

Katara sat up during a clap of thunder, dripping in perspiration. Something wet touched her shoulder and she looked up at the roof of her tent. The rain was leaking through. Katara flicked her wrist gracefully and bent all of the moisture off her tent. It should stay that way for a while, she thought.

Lightning half-blinded her, and the thunder that followed hurt her ears. Katara clamped her hands over them and turned and snuggled into her folded clothes that served as a pillow. The rope against her hands roughly rubbed her already raw wrists. Katara began to cry from fear and the injustice.

Several tents over, Zuko lay awake listening to the Water Bender's cries. He rubbed one hand across his scar habitually. Oceanic orbs haunted his lidded eyes. He couldn't get her graceful, lithe form out of his mind. He didn't really want to, either. But her sobs tore at his heart.

Thunder boomed through the air again, and he heard her gasp, then cry once more, but muffled, as if she'd buried her face.

Zuko couldn't take it any more. He stood and pulled on his shirt, then strode out into the rain toward her tent. He shoved aside the flap concealing her, and couldn't help but feel indignant at the condition of the so-called tent. It was little more than a hole-riddled canvas with a door. Water dripped through, soaking her mat. And - those idiotic sergeants - she didn't even have a pillow! And her blanket had more holes then the tent.

As if she sensed his presence, she looked up and clapped a hand to her mouth. The other one was pulling her blanket over her half-dressed form. She was only in her underwear!

"What do you want?" she asked acidly.

Oh well, she had every right. I am the one who brought her here. Zuko thought."I heard you crying." Wow, nice sentiment, Zuko.

Katara looked surprised.

"What are you so scared of? The storm?" her eyes flicked downward, it was as bright a sign as the lightning. She was scared of the storm. "Why? You're a water bender."

She shuddered again as thunder pounded the air. "Because it's not water. It's something I have no control over. It's" she shrieked as one sounded right behind them. "It's destructive." she whimpered.

Zuko couldn't hold back his smirk. "So you're scared of it because it's different. Nice philosophy."

"I-" she clamped a hand over her mouth to muffle the scream as lightning struck the support beam for her 'tent', exploding it.

Zuko managed to bend most of the flames away from him, but he was still driven backwards. He sat up, dazed and confused and covered in mud. He pried some of the splinters of the support from his clothes. Then it hit him. Katara had no clothes to catch the splinters - and she couldn't fire bend.

The tents in the immediate area around hers had been blown back from the force. Them, and other tents, had caught fire. Zuko paid them no heed as he lurched to his feet and, skidding in the mud, slid over to where her tent had been. Nothing remained, other than splinters and shreds of fabric.

"Katara!" he looked around, not believing. His stomach lurched as he saw her still form against a tree. He ran over and slipped in the mud, sliding the last few feet to her. A rush of emotions he'd hidden for so long flooded him. Regret - that he liked such a creature. Fear - of what she awoke in him. And Love - for the only one who'd shown him any kindness, given him second chances. Ones he'd trampled on.

Zuko gathered her gently into his arms, examining her for injury. There were splinters, burns, and - Agni, no - her eyes were glazed over and half open. Her beautiful, trusting, sky-blue eyes stared into space, the light gone.

Zuko buried his face in her neck, kissing it. He moved to her hair. Oh, Katara! His soul cried out in anguish to his god, pleading, promising. Anything, he'd give anything if she was spared.

He frantically tried to warm Katara, rubbing her arms, heating his own body. Zuko searched for a pulse, then started, checking it again.There was a pulse. She was alive. It was faint, but there.

Zuko pulled out his dagger and cut the ropes off her hands and ankles. He rubbed her hands between his gently, chafing warmth into it. Her eyelids fluttered. Katara blinked in confusion, then moaned as she tried to move.

"Sh," Zuko hushed her. "I've got you. You'll be alright." Katara limp in his arms, he stood. Then, he rushed off to find the healer. With each step, he thanked Agni and promised to become a man worthy for this innocent feather.