"Come on, Fancy Pants; feel it!" taunted Toph, kicking the earth up under Zoe's feet so that she nearly tripped.
"I'm trying Toph!" She snarled angrily in response, "all I can feel is the wind!"
"That's because you're focusing on your own element! Feel the earth!" She created another boulder beneath Zoe and this time she flew off it before it could knock her down.
"Look, maybe this only works for earthbenders-"
"Anyone could feel the earth if they actually stopped to listen!" retorted Toph, "You're so light on your feet I can barely see you; it's like you can't stand to be on the ground, like your about to fly off at any second! You're not even trying!"
Zoe sighed angrily, "I give up! Ok? I can't do it."
"This was your idea!"
"Well I was bored, but this is worse."
Toph snorted derisively, "You're such an airbender."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You just avoid the problem instead of facing it straight on."
"Well, lucky I'm an airbender then and not some stubborn, rock headed earth bender!"
"At least I'm not some quitter, wuss that can flap about and run away! I actually have guts to face my problems!"
"I do face my problems! More so than you! If you did have guts as you say you do, then you would tell him how you feel!"
Toph was silent. "What are you talking about?"
"You know what I'm talking about."
There was silence for a moment, and then a roar echoed above them. Zoe's head shot to the sky; Appa! "Zuko and Katara are back!" cried Zoe excitedly, "Let's go!"
But, before she had run very far a block of earth barred her way. "Don't tell anyone what you just said." hissed Toph from behind her.
Zoe turned and smiled at the younger girl, though she would not see it and said, "Your secret's safe with me Toph." And the blind girl punched her arm.
On their way down to the spot where Appa had landed Katara suddenly emerged, her eyes on Zoe. Zoe could see Zuko and Aang talking a way away from them.
"Uh…" mumbled Toph, "I might leave you guys alone for a second."
And she subtly faded away into the backround and off to Sokka and Suki. "Did you…find him?" asked Zoe hesitantly.
"Zoe, I want to apologize." said Katara, her voice hard and tense.
Zoe sighed and looked down. "Me too."
"No." she said before Zoe could go on. "I should have trusted your judgment and I shouldn't have been so hard on you two. I'm sorry for all the fights I made and…hope we can move on from that."
"Katara, it's OK, I know you were just looking out for me…and I…really appreciate that." She thought for a moment, "Though you did go a little crazy." Katara gave an apologetic smile and Zoe walked over to her, throwing her arms around her neck. "Thank you Katara."
They pulled apart. "So, what happened? How are you doing?"
The younger girl sighed, "I couldn't do it. I couldn't kill him."
"Only a monster could do the thing that he did. You're too strong to ever fall to that." said Zoe, laying a hand on her shoulder. Katara nodded, her eyes watering and Zoe could tell she needed time alone. She hugged her again briefly and Katara headed away while Zoe walked over to Zuko.
He had left Aang on the jetty and his face was troubled. "What's wrong?" asked Zoe immediately.
Zuko glanced at Aang then turned back to Zoe. He placed a hand on her forearm and led her away. "Would Aang take down my Father for the sake of the world?"
Zoe gave him a perplexed look. "Of course, that's what all this training is fo-"
"But, when it comes to it, would he kill him? Another human being, will he do it?" Zuko demanded relentlessly, his hand tightening around her arm.
Zoe thought about it, about Aang and his humble, loving nature. She tried to imagine him striking his opponent down, watching them fall, crushed, burned, bleeding… "I…I'm not sure, Zuko."
He sighed, his tight grip on her arm slackening. "Neither am I."
"Staying in your father's holiday home?" spluttered Zoe as they made their journey, flying to Ember island to where Zuko said he knew the perfect hiding place for their gang. "Isn't that…a little crazy?"
"Hey, you're not really the best judge on what's sane." noted Sokka and Zoe glared at him.
"What do you mean by that?" she snarled.
"Only that you have been known to stick your hand into the heart of a flame, then after the first attempt want to do it again." He explained simply and Zoe's face flushed.
"You stuck your hand in a flame?" asked Zuko confused and concerned…probably for her sanity.
Zoe threw Sokka a dirty look. "I feel it is a necessary part of life to find out what fire feels like."
"Twice?"
Sokka rolled his eyes, but then shot Zuko a strange look. "She missed you." He said bluntly.
"Sokka!" hissed Zoe angrily, glancing at the firebender beside her quickly.
"Was that really necessary?" demanded Katara, shooting her brother an annoyed glance. Sokka shrugged, but Zuko didn't speak; he was staring at Zoe, a tumultuous array of emotions clashing in his eyes; too many to decipher.
Zoe tore her eyes away from his, unable to cope with Zuko's intense stare.
She moved closer to him and he put his arm around her, but it was hesitantly and his hold was not as close and firm as usual.
Zoe tried not to notice, but it was inevitable; something was up.
Eventually they arrived that evening at Zuko's old family summer home. The whole estate was magnificent. Even in the house you could hear the calming crash of the waves on the beach below.
They took their belongings off Appa and Zoe kept throwing Zuko worried glances. He wasn't looking at her; his face was creased in something that looked horribly like regret.
"So where is your bedroom?" she asked him, half in an attempt to make him speak and half out of pure curiosity to know what his chamber looked like.
Zuko looked at her for a moment, "this way." He grunted, leading her down a darkened hall.
"…Zuko, what's the matter with you?" asked Zoe, worry creasing her brow.
Zuko was scowling, but when he took a glance at Zoe's face his features softened. "How can I even dare to touch you after everything I've done to you?" He snarled very suddenly.
Zoe looked at him, taken aback, "What are you talking about?"
"You stuck your hand in a flame." He hissed, "Because you…missed…me!"
"So what?" said Zoe rather stupidly.
"So how can I even dare to look at you?" He shouted, spinning around to face her and Zoe stumbled back a few steps in shock. "I despise myself." he hissed, his face pained.
"Don't, Zuko, please." Whispered Zoe, reaching out her hand to touch him, but he pulled out of her grasp. Finally a little of Zoe's own anger trickled into her eyes. "Let me touch you." She hissed, her eyes flashing.
Zuko glared at her, though he was furious with himself and most certainly not the girl before him. "You can't." he snarled.
"Why not?" shrieked Zoe furiously, "That's all in the past! You're here now! I don't care that I stuck my stupid hand in a stupid fl-"
"Well I do!" shouted Zuko, his eyes bulging, "it's my fault! I left you and hurt you so much and then come crawling back and you let me back into your arms!"
"That's because I love you!" cried Zoe, annoying tears pricking her eyes.
"I take too much for granted. I don't deserve any of this!" reeled Zuko, ignoring her, anger bubbling inside him. Suddenly, before he could continue shouting about his faults he was blown into the wall behind him hard.
Little parcels of dust sprung from the small crevices of stone behind his back and his thud echoed through the empty hall. "Stop this." whispered Zoe, her voice harsh.
Zuko was silent, his blazing golden eyes locked on Zoe's sparkling silver.
"Are you here with me now?" asked Zoe, her voice still quiet, but icy.
"…yes." He snarled through his teeth.
"Are you sorry for what you did?"
Zuko glared at her, "you know I am sorrier about that than anything else in my entire life!"
"And are you planning on betraying me again?"
Zuko stared at her in shock. "Why would you say that?"
"Answer the question Zuko."
"I will never leave you again."
Zoe's face softened and she laid a hand on Zuko's cheek. This time he did not pull away. "Then stop with this…stupid, ridiculous… 'I shouldn't even touch you' stuff." She paused, but there was silence, "Please." He still did not speak, "for me." She said finally.
Zuko sighed, bowing his head. He lifted a hand to cover Zoe's on his cheek, his touch very warm. "I'm sorry."
Zoe leaned in and kissed his forehead softly. "I know."
They were silent for a few more moments, and then Zoe smiled. "So, are you going to take me to you room or not?" she asked innocently.
Zuko looked up at her, a small grin hooked the corner of his mouth, but his eyes were still troubled. He took her hand of his cheek and held it, then led her on down the hall.
They entered Zuko's chamber and Zoe's jaw dropped. The room was huge! No, enormous! A massive king sized, claw footed, four poster bed with rich, red sheets sat in the direct centre of the chamber, immediately taking Zoe's attention. Two large doors stood to the side, red curtains draped around the framing, the material blowing slightly in the breeze that snuck in from outside. Zoe ran over to a window and threw open the shutters to let the cool night air flow through and the tumbling waves could be heard louder than before.
She turned back to Zuko, her face still awe struck. "This is…uh one nice bedroom." She said finally, her eyes flicking to the bed once again.
"Go on." said Zuko, a small smile forming on his face. "You know you want to." And Zoe grinned, knowing exactly what he meant and she ran and threw herself atop his bed with a soft 'thump', the sheets billowing around her. Zuko walked over to her, lighting his lamp on the way and then lay down beside her.
"It smells dusty." stated Zoe.
"No one has been here in a very long time." said Zuko, his voice strange.
Zoe turned to look at him beside her only to find that he was already staring at her. "Is it hard for you to be here?"
"It's…" he paused, "just strange."
Zoe clasped his hand in hers and his fingers intertwined with hers. They lay there for a few minutes, his thumb softly caressing the side of her hand, the silence comfortable when suddenly Zuko shifted onto his side, his eyes smouldering. He raised a hand to Zoe's cheek and brushed his fingers along the soft flesh gently.
"I'm glad you don't mind touching me again." Said Zoe and Zuko's eyes narrowed slightly.
"You're too hard to resist anyway." His hand moved from her cheek over her lips, feeling and discovering their curves in a very different sense. He moved his hand to rest beside her head on the bed and he leant over her slowly, now pressing his warm lips to hers. He lingered there for a moment and then Zoe felt his tongue trace the moist insides of her lips softly, and tantalizingly slow. She let out a soft sigh, melting into the kiss. She nipped his top lip gently, her tongue flicking up to graze the inner edge of the soft flesh and Zuko growled, deepening the kiss. His tongue slid inside her mouth and along hers sensually. Zoe's heart sped up and she moved her arms around Zuko, one hand threading itself into his hair and pulling him closer to her while the other hugged his back.
Zuko's breathing began to speed up and Zoe's tongue curled and slid around his, fighting for dominance. His hand began to roam, finding its way up and down her body, along her hip and up her waist, but no further. Zoe wished he would search higher, where he had previously, she craved his touch and her body ached; she needed to feel him, more of him. She pulled herself closer to him, her breasts grazing his chest, successfully achieving a low moan from the back of Zuko's throat.
His mouth slanted over hers as the kiss turned almost wild and Zuko's will gave way, his hand moved from her waist to cup her breast and Zoe moaned in pleasure, pulling herself closer to his touch as he began to kneed her heated bosom, his finger brushing over her hardened nipple and he groaned. Zoe could feel Zuko's scolding touch beneath her clothes and the sensation caused heat to shoot to her core. Blood pounded Zuko's head and Zoe's hand ran down his back, the simple gesture somehow managing to make fire shoot through his veins and he pulled himself closer to her. The evidence of his arousal brushed against Zoe's hip and she gasped while Zuko groaned in pleasure, pressing himself against her once more. Zoe felt her need for him increase by a tenth fold, desire fogging her mind and she moved to thrust her hips against his and his arousal brushed along the damp warmth between her legs. Both moaned throatily at the pleasurable sensation, their hearts pounding double time with each others.
"Zuko? Zoe?" called Aang's voice from down the hall. "Katara says dinner's ready. Where are you guys?"
Zuko broke off the heated kiss very quickly; his breathing heavy and he sat up, his throbbing manhood painful. Zoe sat up too, though slightly slower, blood pounding her head; she had never experienced anything like that before; the feelings excited, but scared her at the same time. Zuko glanced at her, realising too late what a bad idea that was as he saw in the flickering light of his lamp Zoe's flushed cheeks and swollen lips. His heart skipped a beat and heat flared in the pit of his stomach. Zoe laid a hand on his thigh which did not help his situation at all especially as her fingers brushed his obvious erection and she blushed furiously while Zuko hissed in what sound liked pleasure, quickly grabbing her wrist.
"Oh here you guys are." Said Aang happily, coming to a halt at Zuko's bedroom door. His smile changed to slight confusion as he surveyed the two of them. "Uhm…did I…er, am I?" He had no idea what to say, or what they had been doing, but there was an overwhelming sense in the room that he had just interrupted something very intimate. "I'll…see you two at dinner." And with that he practically bolted from the room.
Zuko glanced at Zoe who was still flushing and not looking at him. "I'm…sorry," he whispered, "I…uh, this doesn't normally happen when I kiss a girl." He said weakly, "You have this effect on me…I can't control myself."
Zoe looked at him, a small smile on her face, "You say this as if it's just you feeling these things."
Zoe wasn't sure what to say to this.
"I have never felt like this before." said Zoe bringing a hand to Zuko's cheek. "It's so…"
"Good, but bad at the same time?"
Zoe nodded and Zuko began to think that's Sokka's words of wisdom weren't so crazy after all as he didn't seem able to restrain himself because of one light kiss. Zuko forced himself not to think of this as he was trying to forget the ache and raging need below his stomach. He settled on putting his mind to think of defeating his father, of what moves he would teach Aang. He thought he was ready to learn how to redirect lightening by now.
"Uh…we should probably head to dinner." said Zoe, noticing Zuko's glazed eyes. He shook his head dazedly.
"Probably wise." He mumbled, but before he could stand Zoe had place both hands on his shoulders, crashing her lips against his, her kiss hot and urgent. But, before he had a chance to kiss her back she quickly pulled away, breathing quickly.
"Ok, come on." She said with her eyes down and she hopped off the bed. Zuko followed her, one part of him scolding himself in disbelief; half an hour ago he had made up his mind not to even touch her. He had caused her too much pain; he didn't deserve to be with her. And now he had taken her to his room and heavily made out with her on his bed!
Half way down the hall way Zoe suddenly stopped and turned round to face Zuko straight on, even in the darkness Zuko could see her eyes were clearly troubled. "Zuko." She said determinedly, her eyes meeting his and her heart fluttered.
"Yes Zoe?" he said, a smile hooking the corner of his mouth.
"I want you to know that I have never done this before." She said quickly, "and I am not some kind of…mindless…slut that goes around kissing guys like…that."
Zuko couldn't help the small laugh that escaped him and he moved forward and grasped Zoe's hand. "I know that." He said, his voice making her stomach flip, "and uh…neither am I."
Zoe smiled and blushed. "I know that." She repeated and Zuko smiled. With that she turned away and they continued on, hand in hand, to dinner, Zuko looking at her face from the side bemusedly; he found her self-consciousness endearing.
By the time they reached the outer courtyard where food was served everyone was staring at them.
Zoe blushed and quickly glanced at Zuko to check that nothing was wrong with him, but he looked perfectly acceptable. He glanced at her, doing the same thing, except his eyes went wide when they locked on some place below her neck. Zoe looked down and mortifying horror appeared on her face.
The red material of her shirt was no longer sleek and red all over. A large handprint was burned into the fabric, easily drawing anyone's eye to the out of place design feature.
Zoe's eyes snapped back up to the group and she noticed that all of their eyes were on the same spot. She didn't think her face had been redder in her life.
"Ok, seriously." said Toph who was the only one not looking at Zoe's breast. "What is wrong with everyone?"
A/N Thank you theblackwriter! That fixed my problems up :D I believe I can now receive emails again from FF!
And Readinfromphone you are amazing haha! Lol you have a talent for making giggle like a maniac XD YAY an award! If you are serious about drawing an OC fanart then that would be SO AWESOME! I'd love to know what you think Zoe looks like :D Ooh and Thankyou Rhea XD and I'm sorry for making you cry :P And thankyou friends .music .reading (I have to write it like that or it won't come up for some reason) and thankyou KhAel and phantomXangel (I'm glad you like the heat =P I just can't help putting it in there, before I realise it I've written it!) And thank you Jo XD XD and Kimsara XD XD and to all that have reviewed.
Phewph I think that's all the thank you's done. OOh I moved this to M...I got paranoid. Is this M now? I think so...I don't know. Whatever...
Please review =)
