HAPPY READING

Fire and Ice

Chapter 22

"You guys! I've missed you so so much" she sobbed and ran to gather them all in a hug.

"Whoa sugar queen" Toph chuckled "I missed you too, and your food" Katara stepped back from them. Sokka grabbed hold of her and held her close he said "We thought we'd lost you" Katara cried into his shoulder "I thought I'd lost you too" she sniffed.

She then fought her way out of Sokka's arms, tackling Aang in a bear hug. He smiled up at her and said "I'm glad you're back" Katara stiffened and said "I'm not back yet" they all went rigid. Toph was the first one to react "Whatta ya mean you're not coming back yet" Katara replied "just what I said; I can't come back yet. I can't leave Zuko like this"

Sokka dropped to the ground laughing but he managed to gasp out "since when do you care! That fire jerk betrayed us! Betrayed his Uncle!" Aang cut in grimly "He made her his concubine" Sokka froze "What?" Katara pleaded with him "no! Well, yes! But he only did it to save me!"

"What do you mean?" they both asked. She sat on the ground and wrapped her arms around her knees "When I was in the dungeon, I was . . . attacked. Zuko killed the guy and saved me. The only way to explain why his healer was needed in his rooms was if Zuko was my . . . Master, as if he had . . . beaten me up. The fire lord bought it"

Only Sokka knew what she really meant, and for that she thanked the gods. She didn't want Aang or Toph to really know, she didn't want to scare them. Or send Aang into the Avatar mode.

Sokka sat behind her and wrapped his arms around her. She whispered "They're too young, please don't tell them" Sokka closed his eyes against the onslaught of tears "So are you" he whispered, his voice cracking with emotion.

"Aang, Zuko wouldn't let me leave because he didn't want to be alone. Just give me some time to convince him to come with us" the whole gaang exclaimed "What?"

Katara pleaded "he knew I had the spirit waters, he knew I could heal Aang. That's the only reason he joined Azula, for our cause. Even if . . . Even if it meant sacrificing someone he loved"

Sokka exclaimed loudly "Fine! But I am only! . . . Only (!) taking his side because he . . . helped you"

Aang grouched silently, while Toff laughed "I'm going to have to think of a new nickname for him. How bout . . . Sparky" Aang chuckled "No, no, how about . . . Hot man" Katara laughed.

Katara hugged Sokka and Aang goodbye, even if Sokka was a little reluctant to let go. She then slugged Toph in the arm, and was more than a little surprised when the small girl latched onto Katara with a renowned vigor.

As soon as Sokka and Aang wrestled her off she high-tailed it back to Zuko.

Zuko made sure he was there before her, leaping tree to tree. All of his Blue Spirit masquerading had come in handy tonight . . . more than once. He had lied to her tonight. They really could have made it back to his room, but he knew she needed to clear up things with the Avatar.

He had wished, no, hoped that she would choose him and she had. Even if, . . . it was with a twist. He should have known that she was only staying to recruit him. He wished her luck, she'd need it. He just gained his old life back with a bonus of her. Does she really think it would be that easy?

Katara came back to see Zuko slumped in the same position she had left him. She felt rejuvenated, and laid down next to him. He shifted positions in his sleep, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her closer.

Katara smiled and cuddled into him, it would be interesting when he joined the gaang. She sighed contentedly, and drifted off to a peaceful sleep. . .

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