Chapter Eleven:

-Katara-

I gasped. I'm a water bender? All this time, I've had the ability to control water? Even back when I was with - No! No, don't go there! Luckily Zuko brought me out of my state of shock.

"Well at least there is that part of you still intact" he mumbled.

"Huh?" Apparently I wasn't intended to actually hear that.

"Nothing important. Just talking to myself."

Suddenly I got an idea in my head. "Wait! So, since I'm a water bender, can you teach me to control my water bending?" This idea made me feel…excited—for once. Zuko's face fell slightly.

"Um, Katara," he pointed to himself, "fire bender. Remember? Water and fire are complete opposites. Even if I could teach you none of our moves are the same so it would only confuse you. Plus I'm pretty sure I would be a horrible teacher if I even dared to try to demonstrate water bending moves."

"Oh, it—it's o—ok—ay, Zuko." I didn't get why I was so bummed. I mean I should have known better than to ask him. He was perfectly right to point out that water and fire are opposites so of course he couldn't teach me.

I didn't hear Zuko approach, but out of nowhere it seemed he was kneeling right in front of me. His facial expression was unreadable as he stared into my eyes. Normally I would have looked away whenever I was stared at so intently, but for some reason I just couldn't look away. Those gold eyes shone just as much like the sunrise as the first day I met him. It captivated me in this surreal alternate reality. I wasn't exactly sure how much time passed before he spoke up, and I wasn't sure what I had been imagining, but it left a feeling both pleasant and hollow. "It's later."

I finally blinked and let out the breath I had not realized I had been holding. "…What?"

"I asked you before if you wanted to try out my duo swords and you said later. Well…it's later."

"Do you – normally take things literally?" It was another rhetoric question, but once again Zuko responded as he grabbed his swords.

"Yes."

I shook my head as I walked behind him out of the cave and into the mini clearing just outside of it. Zuko stopped walking and I stopped as well; though I still remained a couple of feet away from him. Luckily for me that was actually a good idea as Zuko unsheathed his swords and pulled them apart.

"Katara," Zuko called to me as my eyes had remained on the swords as they gleamed in the sunlight. "The thing to remember about duo swords is that they are just two halves of the same sword and that you use them as extensions of yourself." After that he proceeded to show me some of the moves he had been working on earlier today. His movements were quick and deliberate. The way he moved was memorizing - wait, wait, and wait! Ok what just happened to me?! Suddenly I felt heat rush up my neck and to my cheeks. I shook my head a couple of times so I could break out of my daze and hopefully my color would return to normal.

Then I noticed Zuko looking at me again with his swords just by his side. I thought he noticed how red I had become and I self consciously scratched at my left arm. "Your turn" was all he said.

Zuko held out the swords for me to take and I hesitantly took both while trying very hard not to make any contact with his skin. Somehow my right fingers managed to just brush against Zuko's fingers and I almost dropped the sword, but instead I just tightened my grip as I backed away to make sure I don't accidently hurt him. My right fingers were tingling slightly. I reasoned it was because I was holding the sword in a death grip, but my subconscious was yelling at me that it was because I could still feel the warmth of Zuko's fingers. I quickly pushed the thoughts out of my head as I tried to get into the stance Zuko had been in before.

I felt so awkward. I stood with my legs slightly bent and shoulder width apart as Zuko had, but the swords in my hands just felt so weird to me. Regardless I tried to mimic the moves he had just demonstrated, but I was a lot slower than him. And I'm not exaggerating.

Zuko had been standing there with his arms folded loosely over his chest watching my progress when he started to approach. I immediately lowered the swords. "You're too hesitant. Too careful" he replied softly. It was the softest I had heard his voice go, but it still had a hint of that roughness in his voice; I think that's just natural for him because of his age, whatever it is. "Stop thinking so much. Just let go and try again. This time faster." Then he went to stand behind me a good distance away. I breathed in and out deeply before I started again.

I tried going faster, but at some points I felt like I was going to lose control of myself and send one of the swords either forward or behind me. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Zuko standing behind me looking apprehensive and sometimes he would start to bring his hands up like he was about to do something, but then would bring them back down. "Am I still doing something wrong?" I asked worriedly when I saw him once again just start to bring his hand up.

"Kind of. You're still – whoa!" Zuko had been starting to approach me as I lowered the swords yet again when he must have tripped on something causing him to shout. Before I could even turn Zuko fell forward and his hands where holding onto my upper arms. I froze.

I gasped loudly and then held my breath to keep myself from freaking out, but he had such a strong grip; which in all honesty would be understandable when someone has just tripped over something. Zuko's breathing seemed to stop as well because he ever so slowly loosened his grip on my arms until he finally let go of me.

Hearing that he had taken a step back I turned slightly to see him wide eyed with his hands raised up as if he was surrendering to some unknown enemy. "Katara I am so sorry. I didn't even mean to do that. I just…"

I turned so I could fully face him and merely held out his swords for him. He took them from me, careful not to make any contact with my skin. "Uh, um…I…uh…" I was stammering so bad that I felt like an idiot. The warmth from Zuko's hands were still radiating throughout my upper arms. I mean I should not have liked how warm his hands are…right? "I think I've had enough for today" I was finally able to get out without so much stammering. "I'll, uh, be in the cave taking a nap." Without waiting for a response I headed back to the cave. Lying down I ever so slowly drifted to sleep as I tried to push all of my racing thoughts out of my head.

-Zuko-

Argh! Way to go Zuko! Somehow you manage to trip over your own ankle and just had to practically have a death grip on Katara's arms just so you wouldn't lose your balance! What am I stupid?! I scared Katara half to death! I banged my head lightly against the tree I was still standing near before I turned around and slid down to the ground with my back against the tree trunk as I looked back up at the sky. More time had passed than I thought; it appeared to be somewhere around midday. Hopefully that means Uncle will be back in just a few more hours. Then he can take care of Katara.

Just by thinking her name I brought my hands up to my face and rubbed roughly against my temples. I promised not to cross any boundaries and that's exactly what I ended up doing. Now I have really lost a good chance at gaining Katara's full trust which means she may never heal. "Stupid, stupid, stupid" I muttered to myself repeatedly.

As I continued to think of what I had just done my mind unconsciously pointed out just what I had felt when I was holding her and bringing up. How it had felt when I was rubbing circles onto her back. Her skin was warm, though slightly cooler than mine (that's to be expected though since being a fire bender my body temperature always runs slightly warmer than anyone else's). It felt…nice.

Hold it?! What just happened to me? I'm not supposed to be feeling this about Katara. I hardly know anything else about her. Not to mention she probably hates me right now. That's not supposed to be anything new to me. So why, all of a sudden, does that idea bother me now?

I went back to the cave and grabbed the water canteen. Pouring just a little into my hand I splashed the water on my face before I closed backup the canteen and sat down outside of the cave. Katara was out like a light already, but I didn't want to take the chance of upsetting her again. I closed my eyes deciding I would take a short nap as well.

Only to realize I had completely fallen asleep for hours as Uncle was shaking me awake by the shoulder.

"Zuko wake up" he repeated another time; I don't know how many.

"Hmmm…" my eyes opened into slits just to see that the sun had already set – at least an hour ago. I rubbed at my eyes with the palm of my hand.

"Zuko, I need you to listen to me" Uncle commanded in his General's voice. Immediately I was wide awake. Uncle rarely uses that voice unless it is gravely important or if he is scolding me for something I did or said. Regardless, I know that this can't be good news. He let out a long breath before he continued. "I overheard in town that Azula is headed this way."

I growled and a small flame escaped through my clenched teeth. Doesn't she ever take a break? "Why is she coming to the Earth Kingdom?" I forced out.

"I honestly don't know my nephew. However, I thought I heard someone say that now she is hunting the Avatar."

Out of nowhere I felt my heart lurch uncomfortably. I leaned over to the entrance of the cave and my eyes landed on Katara who was still asleep. "If Azula comes this way and finds her she won't hold back anything to try and get information about the Avatar. Katara can't go through that."

"I know this Zuko. And that is why we are leaving now." I jumped up and packed up everything inside the cave into our bags. Uncle was looking over a map in his hands. "Are you ready?" he asked while not taking his eyes off the map.

"I just need to wake her up and then we can go."

"Very good." Holding out the map for me to see he pointed out a town somewhere near the middle of the Earth Kingdom (quite honestly it looked like this town was just a couple of days away from Ba Sing Se). "This town is deserted and it will take about a week to arrive there. That is where we will meet."

I went rigid. "Why does it sound like you are saying good bye?"

Uncle looked at me sadly. He didn't need to say anything else. I already knew what he was planning; take his own route while I took the other. Smart idea, yes. One that I like, absolutely not! I stalked over to entrance of the cave facing away from him as I went to the right side and my balled fist made contact with the rock. It didn't hurt because I didn't cause any damage; just small flames that escaped with my rage.

I flinched when I felt my Uncle's hand squeezing my shoulder comfortingly. "I know you are worried my nephew, but it is necessary just so we can be sure that Azula does not catch on to us. At most we will only be separated for a week." My eyes were stinging from tears that wanted to be released, but I just shut my eyes tighter. I am not going to cry in front of my Uncle. I refuse to cry. "You will be taking Miss Katara with you on the ostrich horse. You are faster and stronger than I am so you will be able to take care of her better."

I still didn't like the idea (to be honest I thought Uncle could take better care of Katara), but this was no time to argue with him so I nodded my head once I got control of myself and faced him. It's going to be hard without Uncle around –he's practically like a father to me –but at least it's only for a week. "Just be careful out there old man" I demanded quietly.

Uncle laughed and then grabbed my into a bone crushing hug. "Only if you promise to do the same my nephew."

"Yeah, I promise" I struggled to force out of my mouth. "Now am I allowed to breathe?"

Immediately Uncle released me and I sucked in a deep breath of air. "I will leave first along this road. After about ten minutes, leave with Miss Katara along the other." I looked it over again and nodded. "Will you need the map?"

"Nope. Got it all in my head."

Uncle nodded again, picked up his bag, and swung it over his shoulder. "I will see you both in a week." With that he smiled and left.

After that I went over to where Katara was still sleeping. "Katara wake up" I ordered loud enough for her to hear. Katara sat up groggily and tried to keep her eyes open as best as she could. "C'mon Katara we need to leave now."

"Why?" she moaned, she looked like any minute she was going to fall asleep again.

I started saying what would make sense to her. "You remember what I said about it not being good that I'm here because of my fire bending?" She bobbed her head up and down slowly. "Well there are some people coming this way and they would not be too happy to see me or my Uncle. So that's why we need to leave now." Katara just stared at me sleepily. From what I could make out of her expression she understood – for the most part – but she really did not care at the present moment. "Please Katara." Finally Katara nodded and stood up shakily.

Holding out my arm she took hold of my sleeve as I bended the fire out, grabbed my bag and canteen, and led her to the ostrich horse. "Where's Iroh?" I heard Katara mumble.

"He's going by a different route. We will be meeting up with him in a week so you'll just have to deal with me until then." I had tried to make her laugh and loosen myself up, but it didn't work. I was still agitated about the situation we were under and Katara was just too groggy to care; guess she was a lot more sleep deprived then we had originally thought.

The ostrich – horse was already sitting so Katara got on first and I got on in front of her. Katara seemed to wake up slightly more so I just said, "I have to ride this time so we go a little faster. Just hang onto me and you'll be fine." I didn't turn to see if Katara was listening, but then I felt her grab fistfuls of my outer robe to hang on to. She didn't say anything else.

"Just try to stay awake until we make camp again. Then you can go back to sleep" I promised and with that I got the ostrich – horse to stand up and we took the other road as we made our 'escape.'