Insight Into Zutara

Zuko is traveling with the group, and Katara is completely livid. A deeper meaning to the Zutara relationship. (Forget Appa in here… he's just… hanging around lol)

The birds flew along side them; up above the sky was only partially covered by passing clouds. The only noise that could be heard was of the rushing stream nearby. Katara smiled broadly as she twirled her arms in circles. The cool water rose and danced around Sokka and Aang.

"Hey! Will you quit it? I don't like the idea of being suffocated by water!"

Aang just laughed as he interfered with the water and splashed it on Sokka's head. He grumbled and pouted. Zuko leaned behind a tree with his arms crossed, observing them with little or no interest whatsoever. Katara peered at his demeanor through the corner of her eye, and she huffed. He was so full of himself all the time. He wouldn't be bothered with "stupid little games" as he would put it so kindly. It had only been a few weeks since Aang accepted him into their group. Somehow, he felt differently towards Zuko than either she or Sokka did.

Just then the wind picked up, and the trees started to sway violently. Aang knew all to well what was coming: a storm.

"Come on you guys! We need to find shelter!"

Katara and Sokka led the way to a nearby cave. Aang noticed that Zuko hadn't budged.

"Zuko, a lightening bolt could strike at any moment! You have to come in the cave with us!"

He saw a mean glare come from Aang, so Zuko finally pushed himself off of the tree and followed the avatar reluctantly. The cave was small and the four of them were crouched in it together, leaving only about a foot in between each of them. Thunder cracked right after a flash of light illuminated the sky. Katara jumped at the unexpected noise, and when she did this, she bumped right into Zuko. She looked practically terrified that she had. Zuko chuckled shortly.

"Scared of some thunder?"

Katara folded her arms and pouted.

"No, I'm not scared of some thunder!"

Another boom of noise was heard, and she jumped again. Seeing this, Zuko actually laughed, a smile lasting on his face for maybe two seconds. She turned away from him angrily and stood at the other side of the cave, her back towards the three. Sokka and Aang gave each other a look signaling the end of peace among them. Ever since Zuko joined, Katara was always uptight and angry with him for the slightest things. Suddenly the wind died, and they all walked outside, relieved to see the sun in the sky.

"That was quick," added Sokka.

The four made their way to their campsite to see everything soaked. Katara set out to taking out the water with her bending. Sokka and Aang were looking for food. But Zuko just walked around the campsite slowly. This nerved Katara and she felt her concentration waning. Then, Katara realized that he was walking around to the campsite in back of her. She sensed his eyes on her, and that he was close by. Something snapped inside of her, and suddenly as the water rose, it flew up behind her, and she heard a sudden splash. Katara turned around to see Zuko standing there, soaked by her bending. The snarl on his face was so amusing that she laughed out loud. Her smiled disappeared quickly, when Zuko grabbed her wrists tightly. His voice was hoarse and low, his hot breath made her skin crawl.

"Do you wish to challenge me?"

She pulled her arms out of his reach and stared at him furiously.

"No, but I don't appreciate you circling me, and breaking my concentration!"

Zuko stood back, arms folded.

"Well, it's not my fault you lost concentration. You just aren't skilled enough."

"I'm not skilled? Maybe you could show me then, oh wise one!"

Her tone was sarcastic and he mocked a fake smile.

"Fine. Watch closely."

Katara smiled inwardly; she had a feeling that something like this had happened before. She knew it did, and she knew the outcome. Zuko readied himself, and so did she. Easily, Katara dodged his fire blows with the excess water lying around. Zuko inched closer to her with every step, and soon they were stepping around each other to dodge the other's attacks. For some reason, Katara didn't realize that there was practically no space between them. When she tripped, it made her fall into Zuko, knocking him down as well. Katara lifted her head and his face was inches away from hers. Suddenly, time fell still, and the two just looked at the other. The trance was broken by Zuko's voice.

"Would it be such a bother to get off of me?"

Katara snapped up at once, brushing off her arms of flyaway dirt. Zuko pushed off of the ground and did the same.

"This ground is muddy. My whole uniform is ruined because of you!"

Katara glanced at him and an idea came to her. She smirked and he eyed her curiously.

"So sorry. Here, let me clean it for you."

And with no time to react, Zuko was dosed with a wave of water. He looked at her with stunned eyes, but she smirked.

"What? I said I'd clean it for you…"

He looked down at his soaked uniform and then back at her eyes. They stared at each other hotly, but after a minute or so, the two broke out in laughter. Zuko wiped away the excess water and smiled. Katara felt a faint blush rise to her cheeks and looked away. The two of them heard footsteps and soon Aang and Sokka came wandering back.

"Did you miss us?"

Aang looked cheerful, and Katara rolled her eyes.

"Terribly. I think I would have gagged it not for the presence of someone besides him."

Zuko snorted and she turned to him.

"Well, don't think that I don't agree with you on that."

Katara growled and marched past Sokka. She began to shuffle their clothes and fold them together. Sokka whispered to Aang.

"See, I told you nothing would happen between them. They still hate each others guts!"

Aang nodded and went to go find Momo. Sokka sat down and ate, and Zuko found another tree to lean against. Katara moved her head slightly, and then looked away abruptly after catching Zuko glancing at her. When she turned away, both of them smiled.