Okay so I'm sorry this chapter took so long. First final exams happened, then Chirstmas, then this chapter had to sit for a while after I wrote it so I could come back and make sure it sounded alright because the pacing in that last chapter I realized was terrible! That Sokka/Zuko interrogation? Totally rushed…now I know why there were only two reviews, nice job Lyssa. That being said I put more effort into this chapter because I didn't have to rush to get it up to prove to you all that I'm back for reals. That being said…please review this time? Your opinions truly are valuable and help me write. Alright, enough of this shmutz, on with the chapter.


Chapter 9:

Lunch was a quick affair of possum-chicken, yet again, which was devoured by Sokka's insatiable appetite and Zuko who'd been denied food for a day. After, Aang declared that they'd only be grounded another two days at the most when Appa proved able to stand, but not yet fly. With that pronouncement Sokka, who'd been getting increasingly restless with camping in one place, brightened considerably. Katara, on the other hand, wasn't so sure she was ready to leave. Though her newest puzzle, Zuko, was guaranteed to come along, the luxury of a nearby river was something she'd miss. She vowed to nag Sokka about finding a good water source near their next campsite.

Most of the afternoon was spent making slow trips back and forth from Zuko's campsite to bring his possessions back to the group's spot. He didn't have much to be carried but he, Aang, and Katara found themselves content to dawdle without Sokka's nagging presence. Katara had made sure they'd have that option by sending him off to give Appa a bath, since the bison was now mobile. In other words, she'd given him permission to laze about by the beach, leaving the rest of them to slack off in their own ways.

"So Zuko, what are you going to teach me first, huh? How about how to make a dragon of fire! You know I saw a guy do that once, at the Fire Festival, remember Katara?" The question was only one in a long stream that Zuko had been forced to endure since Aang had awoken to the news of their new partnership that morning. Zuko visibly twitched and Katara swallowed a giggle. After a deep breath he gave Aang some generic response, the patronizing note of which the young airbender seemed to miss. Zuko's temperament had clearly leveled, at least as much as could be expected of a young, male firebender. This improvement was another that convinced Katara he was genuine about their cause. She'd have to remember to point it out to Sokka later.

"You know I already learned a thing or two from Master Jeong Jeong. Have you heard of him?" Aang chattered on. At that comment Zuko granted Aang a whole sentence as an answer. Katara was only half listening but caught a word or two on Jeong Jeong's notoriety and the note of respect in Zuko's voice that the legendary deserter had accepted Aang as a pupil, however briefly. Aang noticeably latched onto this topic when Zuko proved willing to have an actual conversation.

Stories of Jeong Jeong, and eventually a few of Zuko's own firebending teachers as a child, carried them through the rest of the trips between camps, made longer when the trio decided to each carry as little as possible at a time.

Sokka snorted in derision when he got back from the river, Appa in tow with momo on his back. "This is all you got done all afternoon?" He inquired incredulously, seeing Zuko's pack and bedroll, along with other miscellaneous effects gathered around the fire.

"No, we gathered firewood too!" Aang pointed out, gesturing to a meager pile of sticks that the three had hastily scraped together, knowing what Sokka would say otherwise.

"What do we need firewood for? He can make a fire out of anything!" Sokka squealed, gesturing wildly at their new companion. The three looked at each other, all having realized the same thing, even as they gathered the pathetic excuse for wood, and all shrugged.

"And what have you been doing all day, Mr. Productive?" Katara accused sarcastically. She cocked an eyebrow, taking in his hair which was still wet. Sokka crossed his arms and stomped over to their wood pile, digging through to find a suitable pair of sticks, rummaged through his pack, producing flint, and lit the fire. Neither of the other three had the heart to point out that he could have simply asked Zuko to do it, tallying it to his pride, or forgetfulness.

"What should we do about my ostrich-horse?" Zuko tossed into the silence of indulging Sokka's ego.

"Why did you get an ostrich horse? I didn't think they had those in the fire nation." Sokka piped up, having forgotten his chagrin.

Katara noticed Zuko fidget, knowing it couldn't have rightfully belonged to him. "I explained this to you last night. I've been running from my father's warriors just like you have. I would stand out as a firebender so I'm disguised as an earth nation citizen." Zuko explained, gesturing to his loose green tunic.

Sokka shrugged. "Then we sell it. You won't need it anymore and we could use the money." Sokka was right on all counts for once and Aang and Katara both nodded in agreement. With yet another mouth to feed they'd need money, especially if they ever wanted to buy a night under a roof instead of tents. Katara didn't mind the camping, but the endless nights on the hard ground had begun to affect her back. And she didn't need a tense back, not as a waterbender, tension was the last thing she needed. She eyed Zuko, knowing that she was going to get a good measure of that from now on, regardless of where she slept, and not the familiar tension of tight muscles, a new kind that formed in the middle of her gut and the back of her throat, a tension she'd never had practice dealing with, sans her short trysts with Haru and Jet. Katara shuddered and swallowed heavily.

"I'll go out and find something for myself to eat," Aang announced, bringing her back to the present, when Sokka began pulling out strips of possum-chicken that he'd skinned the day before from the salt box. Sokka nodded and went back to setting up the fire.

"Why don't we go round up your ostrich-horse, Zuko?" Katara suggested, more to announce her intent to Sokka than to Zuko. Sokka nodded again and waved them away, apparently skipping his 'be careful of Zuko, he might still be a traitor' spiel.

Katara turned to head back towards to Zuko's former camp where the ostrich-horse was still tied, hearing Zuko's light footsteps fall behind her. The walk began with an awkward silence that tore at Katara's nerves in a fashion that was becoming all-too familiar. Zuko detested it as well. He fidgeted with his hands, scuffed his feet, and generally acted like a child, to Katara's amusement, despite her discomfort.

"I'm surprised that you even let your brother carry a weapon sometimes," Zuko scoffed. Katara cocked an eyebrow but laughed good naturedly, agreeing, and responding with the story of one of Sokka's many klutzy incidents. After she was finished the silence fell again as they untied the ostrich-horse and began leading it back. Just when Katara got the foreboding feeling that Zuko was going to being up one of their earlier encounters, he started in on a similar story about his uncle when the two had just set out as refugees. Apparently the fire nation didn't train its military personnel in survival very well because the old man had mixed up plants even Katara could have identified in her short time in earth nation territory.

Just before they walked into hearing distance of the camp Katara interjected. "Come down to the river at midnight, you owe me a favor…in bending." Katara demanded, clarifying the last bit quickly. Before he could answer Katara trotted off into camp calling to Sokka, "Is dinner ready yet?!" and leaving Zuko to tie up the animal.

Katara had expected the demand to lift a weight off her chest but all it had done was add the new anticipation of another nighttime escapade with Zuko, who was now, she berated herself for thinking, not an enemy, and therefore not off-limits. Katara shuddered and allowed all thoughts along that thread fall away, at least until that night.

The evening passed quickly, though not quickly enough for Katara who had acquired Zuko's fidgeting habit. The boys went to their usual tent as did Katara, who actually allowed herself to fall asleep, knowing that she was conditioned to wake up in the dead of night by now, not worried that she'd miss her own appointment. When she woke up it was to her relief that the moon was nearly at its peak, perfect timing. As soon as she slipped into a tight tunic, good for bending as it didn't get in her way, and tied up her hair, Katara slunk out of the tent, only to see that Zuko's sleeping bag by the fire had already been vacated. She wondered if he'd even slept.

Sure enough, when she reached the bank it was to find Zuko on the ground stretching his legs, shirtless, showing off? And if he was it worked. Katara cleared her throat to announce her presence which conveniently cleared her face of the rising heat as well. Zuko looked up and crossed his legs, hunching over with elbows on his knees.

"I assume you wanted me to come out here to show you some firebending, in return for letting me watch your bending this afternoon." He spoke up. Katara nodded. "Why at night?"

"My bending is stronger at night, you know that," she replied simply. He scoffed, calling her bluff. "And because I don't think Sokka would approve of me using firebending technique. He's a little close-minded."

"I've noticed," Zuko muttered. "Well," he began, pushing himself up and brushing off his knees, "if you want to bend like a firebender you have to be able to move like one." Zuko waved her over from the edge of the trees, closer to the water.

"Move like one?" She prodded.

"Acrobatics," Zuko elaborated. "It's a part of every firebender's training, though some use it more in their own personal style that others. I've never been much of an acrobat but…it does help with agility." Zuko explained, looking down with his admission that he lacked talent in the area. Katara almost laughed at the similarity in his male ego to that of her brother's.

Katara quickly chalked his shirtless state up to ease of movement, refusing to appreciate his body, even as a fellow warrior. "You can do a cartwheel, right?" Zuko asked, interrupting her not noticing his lean waist and toned arms. Katara nodded. With the bulky clothing worn in the south pole there wasn't really the ability to learn acrobatics but that much she could do.

"Show me," Zuko insisted. Katara obliged and turned a slightly sloppy wheel, though she landed cleanly. Zuko tilted his head pensively. "Your legs are too far forward. Keep them straight over your head, and point your toes—it keeps you lined up." Katara nodded, falling into her role as a student that she'd become accustomed to under Pakku. Even the straightforward analysis was the same, though Zukko lacked Pakku's biting sarcasm that came with any misstep. She tried again and Zuko nodded. "Better. Okay, this is what I'll try to teach you tonight."

Katara involuntarily shuddered at the word "tonight". This wasn't the only late night of practice he intended to spend with her. Katara gave up admonishing herself for growing excited by the prospect.

Jerking herself back from those thoughts Katara forced herself to focus as Zuko pushed off backwards with his feet, landed on his hands, and pushed off to right himself back to his feet in what she seemed to recall being named a 'handspring' for obvious reasons. It looked easy enough but…

"I don't think I can do that…" Katara admitted. Zuko smirked and dusted his hands together.

"Not yet," He amended and motioned for her to come closer. Katara set her jaw. He was right, since when did she quail in the face of challenges? Since I've become an anxious, besotted little girl. Doing as she was told, Katara sidled over next to him as her new teacher moved to his knees. "Now stand there," he indicated pointing just in front of him to his left. "No, face away from me." She turned obediently.

Katara cursed herself silently for flinching when his hand landed on the small of her back. Zuko looked up at her. "Calm down already." Chastised, she snapped her head forward, refusing to look at him, which did a little for her nerves. "Now, arms up, straight—together. Good" He coached her. "Now bend backwards until your hands touch the ground." Katara looked at him nervously. "Just do it." Zuko ordered, pressing his hand harder to her back to remind her he was there. She nodded and faced forward again, tightening her muscles. Slowly she bent back and relaxed into his helping hand until her hands did in fact touch the ground. "Good. Now kick your legs over. Katara grimaced but tried to do as she was told. Eventually she ended up pushing both feet off separately and treading air until they landed back over her head.

Zuko gave her a few pointers about how to keep her legs together and then insisted she try again. After a few more tries she could comfortably perform the move with his help. "Okay, uh try it by yourself now." Zuko said, looking away after she stood up from her last arch. He pulled his hand away and she could swear it was shaking until he shook it and planted it firmly on his hip. Well that served him right to be as nervous as her.

Taking a deep breath Katara snapped her arms up and fell back into her arch successfully then pushed her legs over. All the repetitive motion was starting to make her abdomen tighten but she didn't mind. This kind of tension was one she was familiar with.

Zuko looked up and pulled a half smile. "Not bad, do you want to try it in the air now?" He prompted. Katara's stomach churned. And there's the nerves, back again. Nice job Zuko.

"Uh, I should probably try it like this a few more times." Katara pointed out, hoping she sounded sensible. Zuko nodded.

Katara set up again and started her bend but this time she realized too late that she'd gone to fast. Her arms flailed uselessly as her head dove straight for the ground. This is going to hurt. Zuko's hand shot out, she'd forgotten he was right beside her. His arm broke the fall but the impact jerked him forward. He caught himself by throwing an arm out on Katara's other side. She looked up at Zuko who'd ended up inadvertently poised over her. This is exactly what I was trying to avoid. Silently she waited to see what would happen.


Zuko cursed inwardly as he wasted precious moments with his own cowardice. He'd kissed plenty of girls before; the only difference with this one was her coloring, an exotic surprise that even the firelords couldn't enjoy with the last hundred years of war against her nation. That and of course the fact that he wasn't her future ruler. She had nothing to gain by cozying up to him. Zuko only realized then how easy he'd had it back in his homeland. There, any girls would fight each other for the chance to woo the crowned prince. Out here, in some earth nation forest, he was just another young man who had no idea how to charm a woman.


Katara cleared her throat when the mental willing of: Do it, you know you want to, didn't work out. Katara was no fool; her lack of experience with men in no way indicated a lack of comprehension. Jet, at least, had been something of a learning experience for her regardless of his intentions. So despite not knowing how to proceed, she at least knew the status quo.

"What was it you were saying about waterbenders and firebenders and passion last night?" She prompted, not bothering to cover the heavy waver in her voice. Zuko's attention focused back on her in surprise, as if the comment had been the last thing he'd expected to her.

Katara fidgeted. She hadn't moved and neither had he. Clearly they both knew what was going to happen but neither knew the protocol and neither especially wanted to be first to explore it.

"That the key to our bending is something we share." He murmured, finally looking her in the eyes. And when he did Katara could literally feel the resolve flood out of her.

"Passion?" She managed to squeak. Zuko nodded.

Just when she thought that they would be stuck in this deadlock of not having the guts to make the first move, Zuko did. Without warning whatsoever he descended on her and caught up her lips with his.

The setting was exactly the same as with their kiss a few days prior: the same river, the same forest, the middle of the night. But tonight Zuko didn't give her the chance to contemplate the situation or to run away. And Katara found herself not wanting the option anyhow.

Katara couldn't help the surprised squeak when she found his tongue in her mouth. Zuko quickly pulled away. "Sorry was that—" He began but she cut him off.

"No, no sorry. I'm just…new to this." She admitted but to prove her willingness, dared to slip a hand behind his neck and pull him back.

And it was then, at the most unlikely moment, that Katara wondered how long they could keep these little trysts that were bound to become more common, from Aang and Sokka.


Well there you have it. I just started and couldn't stop writing XD Please let me know if you agree with me that the pacing in this chapter is much more realistic than the last chapter. Oh, and you're welcome for the 6 page chapter :P Thanks for continuing to read everyone. Oh, and please review because I only got two on the last chapter (probably because it sucked)

Luv Lyssa