Zutara - Secrets Chapter 13

We didn't find Toph and Aang around the beach, so we returned to the house assuming they had gone to town. Zuko and I didn't find anyone at the house so we became very bored. I sat down on the edge of the dry fountain and Zuko sat next to me.

For a moment he seemed hesitant but then his arm wrapped around me securely. I smiled and rested my head on his shoulder. It was silent for a while, but it wasn't an awkward silence. I felt calm and Zuko seemed like he was too. It was a nice warm day and the sun was hot on my skin. But it wasn't uncomfortable. In fact, I liked the heat; it was so different to my home in the south pole where it was always cold.

Zuko sighed and I watched his chest rise and fall, "So…" he said. I giggled a little at his attempt to break the silence. "What's your favorite color?"

Now I laughed out loud, I was taken by surprise at the simple question.

"What? You know my favorite color," he defended. "Now what is yours?"

I still laughed a little as I said, "Um I don't really have a favorite."

"Oh come on, everyone has a favorite."

I thought about it a moment, "Well, blue and white are like the only colors we use for anything in my village. Clothes, blankets, beads, everything. But after seeing the rest of the world…." I thought more. "I like the colors of firelillies, and I like the green of earthkingdom dresses and the black of a certain boy's hair…"

Zuko laughed, "And what boy would that be?"

"Oh, you probably don't know him…" I said teasingly, pulling away and looking at him.

Zuko raised an eyebrow, "I don't?"

"Yah, he doesn't come around much. But when he does, its when no one else is around. He was always around in some form or another. But I just met him not long ago, and we are already great friends." As I spoke, I stared into space and tried to look complete dazed.

It worked, or at least he played along. Zuko crossed his arms, "Oh really, and what happens when you see him."

I smirked, "Magic."

Just then I stood up and walked away, Zuko jumped up and followed. I lead him to my room, I didn't like being in the courtyard all the time. And I didn't want my brother to walk in on us again. I didn't want anyone to get any bad ideas, though I knew walking into my room didn't help. Right now I didn't care. I just wanted Zuko's arms around me.

We entered my room and Zuko closed the door while saying, "And what magic would that be?"

I turned and batted my lashes at him flirtatiously. "A special magic…"

"Care to explain," He smirked down at me.

"Sure, just close your eyes." I smiled and he obeyed, I wrapped my arms around his neck and breathed, "Come a little closer." He did what I asked, and I stood on my tiptoes to kiss his lips.

He kissed back and grabbed my waist. Suddenly my feet no longer touched the ground for Zuko had picked me up. I laughed against his mouth and bit his lower lip. He carried me to the bed, the closest piece of furniture. He sat me down and kept kissing me as he took a seat next to me. His fingers tangled in my hair while his other hand held my leg. His tongue slipped into my mouth and I was surprised by it, though I did not pull back. My heart was beating at lightning speed in my head, and I could barely breathe.

Suddenly Zuko let go of me and pulled away, standing up and walking around trying to catch his breath.

"You okay?" I asked concerned, standing up.

"Um, ya," he seemed flustered and did not sound convincing at all.

"What's wrong?" I put a hand on his shoulder.

Zuko turned back to me and gave me a halfhearted smile, "Nothing, its just…" he hesitated. "I didn't even move this fast with Mai, and… I just… I don't even know."

I furrowed my brow, "Do you wanna talk about it?"

"No, I just… I need to keep my mind on the war right now. The comet arrives in a few days and… I want to be ready."

I felt like he was changing the topic dramatically, "When did we start talking about the war?"

"Katara…" he was still extremely hesitant even when he put his hand to my cheek. "I love you. I love you a lot, but… We are in the middle of a war. We need to concentrate on it."

"So, what do you mean?" I asked, suddenly afraid.

"I mean, we need to stop this, at least for now." He dropped his hand and I looked away. "Once Aang faces my father and the war is finished… we can be together. But if our whole group continues to be so slacking, we won't win."

I closed my eyes and fought the pain that was filling my chest. No. I breathed heavily but I could open my eyes again without risking tears. I could be strong, I wasn't always an emotional wreck.

"I'm sorry, Katara," Zuko had crossed the room to my door. Then he opened it. Then he was gone. And I was alone.