so, here's #29..its a continuation of #28 and #17, in which Toph has trapped Zuko and Katara in a stone prison until they wither kill each other or kiss and make up. And since I'm a Zutarian through and through...well, you can draw your own conclusions.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the fluffiness...Squee

oh and here's another plug: Go read "The World According to Martial" by AStormisBrewing, who is one of my faithful reviewers...its sort of like the 100TC, but its more general and it includes ALL the Avatar characters, so well written...GO READ!!


#29. Happiness.

And quite suddenly, after Zuko's confession that he did indeed have a problem, the tension their prison lessened some. "Does it make you happy that I admitted that I have a problem?" Zuko asked her.

"Maybe." Katara shrugged in an attempt to remain aloof. It really wasn't working too well, though. It might have been more effective if she wasn't inching a little closer with every few moments. It wasn't so much that she wanted to be next him, but that she wanted to be close for a reason that she couldn't really explain.

"Do you have to be so evasive?" He smirked.

"It makes life much more fun that way, don't you think?"

"Not really."

"What makes you happy, then?" Katara wanted to know.

"...I don't know...?" He ran a hand through his hair. "I've never really thought about it. What makes you happy?"

Katara and Zuko were suddenly sitting shoulder to shoulder. "My friends, rains, snow, a full moon, stewed sea prunes, my necklace, my brother, a quiet day at the river; just me and the water, laying in the sun. You?" She gave him a nudge with her elbow.

"...My Uncle, jasmine tea in a tin cup, sunrise practice, turtle-ducks, Toph, summertime...you." He smiled, but not in a way Katara had ever seen before, it was almost...bashful.

"I already told you mine."

"No, I mean, you make me happy."

"I do?! Why? I've done nothing but argue with you since you got here."

"I know. When I was back in the Fire Nation, everyone always agreed with me, told me how wonderful I was. But you, you always tell the truth, even if it isn't nice or what I want to hear."

"And that makes you happy?" Katara cocked her head in confusion.

"In a weird way, yeah. It makes me feel like I'm doing something right."

"I think your father has twisted your brain way more than any of us thought."

Zuko actually laughed at this. Really laughed, as if he hadn't laughed in a long, long time and Katara joined him. "See, that's what I'm talking about. That's why i like you..." He suddenly sombered as he realized what he'd said out loud.

"So..." Katara pondered when he'd gone quiet. "you like me?"


So...guys...what do you think?? i couldn't help but keep that line threading through these one-shots...