A/N: This is for the readers who read what I updated right away and reviewed and forgave me for taking such a long ass time. I love you guys!

Chapter 14

Zuko burst into his room and sighed in relief when he saw Azula was gone. He glanced at the bathroom door and saw it ajar, accompanied by some sounds of rummaging. He smiled, knowing it was Katara.

He slid off his robe and pants and slid into his cozy bed. He sat up, wanting to speak to Katara before he went to sleep.

He rolled his head and rubbed his neck, unsure of what to tell her. He knew he really didn't have to... but he should.

Katara walked out and just as he opened his mouth a knock at the door came. He grunted impatiently and screamed.

"WHAT?"

Shyu peeked in, "You have a visitor."

"Can't they come back later? Like... tomorrow?" He rolled his eyes.

Shyu looked back at the person who wanted to enter and then back at Zuko.

"They say it's rather important..."

Zuko groaned, "Fine."

He sighed and looked at Katara who was currently at the vanity, brushing her hair and setting it in one thick braid. He smiled a bit, she spent a lot of time there: whether it be to do her hair, makeup or even read. She said the light was best there.

He looked back towards the door to see Mai walk in. He sneered.

"Didn't I tell you to leave me alone?" He meant the words to hurt.

She flinched a bit but continued forward and sat on the edge of the bed, next to him.

"I... I didnt mean to hurt you, really. I had to lie." She whispered the words.

"Why?" He crossed his arms.

"Why in the world would you lie about something like that?" His voice grew louder.

"Don't you know that now its almost a legal obligation." And louder.

"That now my father expects it so I now have no choice to marry who I actually wanted to marry?" He was full blown screaming.

Mai looked at the bed sheets as streams of tears ran down her cheeks, making dark spots on the red satin.

"Now get out of my room. I don't want to see you again until im forced to play this charade. Unless I can stop it, that is." He grunted the last part and motioned her to leave.

When he saw she wouldn't leave, he scoffed.

"SHYU!" Shyu popped in quickly and nodded.

"Get this disgrace out of here."

Mai looked up at him, stunned. And a soft sob escaped her lips.

Shyu nodded and grabbed Mai by the elbow, gently leading her out and shutting the door behind him.

Zuko sighed and slid back into the bed, rubbing his eyes with the heels of hands. He kept them there for a while, not wanting to give up the darkness it brought on.

He took in deep breaths to try and calm himself but stopped when he felt the weight shift beside him.

He turned to see a stoic Katara sliding into bed. She patted the sheets down around her and took a deep breath.

Zuko knew it had to hurt her... Or at least he hoped she cared. He sighed and looked up at the top of the canopy bed. He followed the creases made the intertwined silks. Red with yellows, bound by oranges. He loved the colors of the fire kingdom dearly. But they never looked as beautiful as the ones of the water tribes. The different shades of blues, the way they pair with whites. It had a soothing affect on him.

He felt his breathing becoming heavier and decided to let himself drift off to the thought of the water tribes: the beautiful hues and the beautiful girl.

Zuko woke up and found himself stiff. He didn't remember falling asleep in a weird position but with the stress Mai had added onto his chest, he wasn't surprised. He sat up and searched the room, he wasn't looking for anything in specific but had a habit of checking out the room whenever he woke.

He caught a flash of movement in his peripheral and his head shot in that direction. He sighed when he noticed it was just Katara stirring in her sleep.

He slid off the bed and walked to the balcony doors. He peered out and saw it was still sometime in the night, all the lights were off and there was a hint of sunlight coming from the earth.

He decided to stay there and look out, letting his mind wander, but a raspy voice pulled him from his thoughts.

"Zuko?"

Zuko turned and saw Katara holding herself up on her elbow, turned to look at him.

"What are you doing awake? Its way too early." She yawned.

Zuko smiled at the cute little squeak that escaped her lips when she yawned.

"Oh I uhm, couldn't sleep. Too much on my mind." He nodded and turned back to the scenery.

"Is it Mai?" She whispered.

Zuko froze and shut his eyes, hating Mai more than before.

"Yeah."

"Wanna talk about it?"

Zuko sighed and decided it was that time. He walked back to the bed and slid in sitting next to her but keeping his distance.

"Well... You know how Azula accused them of treason?"

"Yep. I was there." She giggled slightly.

Zuko smiled and continued, " Well when I ran over to see what was going on, I walked in to see them all just sitting there laughing. My father was laughing. I had never seen him laugh unless it was at someones distress or when Azula would master a skill."

Zuko's hands balled into fists.

"Well, when I walked in her asked why I hadn't told him the news. I was so confused, what news?"

He sighed and shook his head and looked down into Katara's eyes.

"Mai had told him we were going to be married, and thats why they had been sneaking around for so much time. My father was so... proud."

He looked away from her and dropped his head into his hands.

"Now I'm stuck."

Katara sat up and wrapped her arms around his waist, putting her head on his shoulder.

"I know what we can do." She whispered.

Zuko shook his head, "What exactly is there to do now?"

"Do you mind getting blood on your hands?" She threw the words out.

Zuko turned his head to her in disbelief, but he knew what she meant.

"No"

Katara nodded and placed a kiss on his lips, knowing what they were going to do might be the end of them.