Chapter 11: Fire

Yes technically, "Fire" is a song title. By my lovely friend Jimmy Hendrix. Coming up soon will be some excellent Toph moments, come on she's total woman power. But first you get an excellent Zutara moment. Toph will come later, because she gets a few chapters to herself.

They set off just a few hours after dawn, and landed in the early afternoon, just as the sun glares off the sea and the beach glitters. They could barely see the dark blur that marked the outskirts of Crin's village, Konashi.

All of them sat near a tiny fire, discussing how to proceed. "It's my village," Crin said, her voice daring anyone to contradict her. "You need my help navigating. I'll lead the first team in on foot."

Aang nodded in agreement. "A second team should follow in a few hours on Appa."

"Who's taking Appa and who's going with Crin?" Sokka asked, his voice hesitating awkwardly over her name.

"Zuko will have to ride Appa," Katara said. "His leg is healing fast, but he's in no condition to walk for hours, let alone fight."

Zuko stared down at his leg. Useless thing.

"I would prefer to stay with my nephew," Iroh interjected smoothly.

"Katara, you should stay behind where it's less dangerous," Sokka said, being the overbearing and protective brother. Katara didn't mind. A part of her wanted to stay with Zuko anyway.

"Ok," Aang said. "That works. Me, Toph, Sokka, and Crin will go on foot. Katara, Zuko, and Uncle Iroh can follow in a few hours on Appa."

"Let's go," Crin led them up the beach into the parallel running woods and towards Konashi.

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Katara had practically forced Zuko to come sit with her at the water's edge. Now that he was there, he actually enjoyed it. There was nothing about water that constantly reminded him of his leg, of his weakness.

Zuko watched Katara out of the corner of his eye. Her hair loops swayed playfully in the ocean breeze. "Your leg doesn't make you useless you know," she said softly.

How did she always know what made him feel worst?

"You may not be able to fight, but there are so many fighters in this war." She gazed out at the ever-changing sea, thinking about the warriors from her village. She hadn't seen them in years.

They turned to look at each other. Gold eyes meeting blue. Fire meeting water. Katara gently laid a hand on his scar, feeling Zuko flinch a little under her touch. "You're strong in ways you don't even know."

Zuko began to feel warm inside. He desperately wanted her in his arms. He was sure he was shaking. Somehow their faces had found themselves about an inch apart. Warm, soft breath.

"It doesn't matter what the world thinks as long as you have something worth fighting for," Zuko said, countering the reasons why not.

Iroh sat farther up the beach, smiling and thinking of grand nieces and nephews.

Yeah I was caught up in the action for awhile, and then I decided we needed to check up on Zuzu and Kat. Anyway, whatever romance I imply at the end, well use your imagination; it's more fun that way. The big thing I wanted with that was them pretty much deciding that their "potential love" is worth it. And someone still needs to tell me how to do breaks or you will be stuck with 00000000000s. You better like 0s. DEAL OR NO DEAL? That show is so creepy. shudders Ok I'm good. As for the "you're strong in ways you don't even know," bit, sorry to be total optimist here, normally I'm a realist, but that's true about everyone. We are all strong in ways we don't even know. And in ways we do know.