Hello everyone! Welcome to chapter 36 of Freedom! This is where the comet begins! So a very exciting chapter! I hope you guys enjoy it as I did! Also, happy new years eve everyone! Wishing everyone happiness and success in the new year! As always, I do not own Avatar or its characters. Onto the story!

What could have happened if Aang and Iroh were a few minutes more?

Let's find out!

Chapter 36: The Spark

The group rose at first light the next morning. It was finally the day of the comet and the sense of that hung in the air. There had been no sight of Aang in the night, someone kept watch just in case. And they still had no clue if he would show up, but they had to try, even if it meant their lives.

Zuko went to the front of Appa, offering to steer. He wanted some alone time before he left the group. He was about to face his sister, knowing he or her could not make it out with their life. He felt some remorse for what he might have to do, but still couldn't decide if he would. Would he actually be able to kill his sister if it came to that? He didn't know until he got to that moment.

He looked back at Katara sitting in the back. She sat looking at the rising sun, her hair blowing gently behind her. In a few hours, he would be leaving her in the care of her brother. He trusted Sokka to protect her and her to protect herself but another part of him felt like he was leaving her in the hands of the devil. There would be nothing stopping his father from killing her. He very easily could.

But she couldn't come with him. He couldn't help but think of the dream he had back at the air temple.

"You're the reason mother left us. You're the reason we lost everything!" she yelled, taking a stance to direct lightening. Zuko stood his ground, prepare to redirect it. But Azula shot the lightening behind him. Zuko turned quickly to see what she was aiming at, just to see Katara fly back, the lightening coursing through her veins.

Zuko ran to her, ignoring Azula's cackles. He kneeled by her side, looking down at her precious face. Katara looked back at him, "You did this to me… This is your fault…" and with that, her eyes fell closed as Zuko yelled her name.

The air temple wasn't the last time that dream occurred. It happened many nights since and every time afterwards, he lay awake.

He didn't know what she wanted. He didn't know if she wanted him or Aang, or if after the war she wanted to go home or travel. But he couldn't lose her. He couldn't hold her limp body as she died. He couldn't do it. If it were up to him, she would be somewhere the war couldn't touch. But that wasn't possible and he knew with her stubbornness she would never allow it.

But he wanted her safe. And fighting Azula with him wasn't safe.

It wasn't long before they landed at the shore that the Fire Lord would be arriving in just a few hours. When he arrived, he would attempt to destroy every living thing in his path. And hopefully Aang would be there to stop him. At least that's what they hoped.

They unloaded everyone's things off of Appa. They would set up a small camp until the air ships were in sight. Then they would attack. Zuko kept his small pack on Appa and took only a small amount of food for his short journey. It was only a small snack to eat along the way, since as soon as he landed, he would be faced with Azula.

Katara was watching him from a far and how he stayed away from the group, taking time to digest his mission and prepare himself. She wanted to go with him. This wasn't something he should do alone. He shouldn't have to face Azula by himself.

Why was he being so stubborn? She wanted nothing more then to help him and he won't let her! Her anger rose just thinking about it! She walked by to him and brushed his shoulder, indicting him to follow. After a moment, she heard his footsteps behind her.

Once she walked a fair distance away from the others, she turned on him, "Why won't you let me come with you?! You can't do this all on your own!"

Zuko's eyes widened at her outburst, "Katara I-" but she cut him off quickly. Katara kept yelling, "You don't have to do everything alone anymore! We can help you! I want to help you! I would never live with myself if I let you go alone and you didn't survive! What if she wounds you too much to continue? What if she kills you? What if-"

He cut her off by placing his lips firmly over hers. It was like everything in the universe stopped, except for them. Like there was no war or no fighting. They clung to each other as if they would let go and the world would fall apart beneath them. The sparks flew like fireworks above them.

Katara knew then in that moment that whatever she felt with Zuko, felt nothing like Aang. She loved Aang and wished for his safety more then life but the sparks of their kiss were like sparklers compared to the fireworks Zuko lit inside of her. What she felt for Aang was not what she felt for Zuko.

Zuko look at her, almost as if looking into her soul, "Katara I…" he trailed off, unsure how to put into words. "I need to tell you something… Something you need to know in case I don't…"

"No" Katara said. Zuko frowned, "What?" he said confused at her response. Did she not want to know? Did she already know and did not care? Did she not feel the same thing he felt?

Katara began, "I want you to tell me after we win against Azula… Together" she smiled and he smiled back, showing she had won. "Okay" was all he said.

They headed back towards the others, unknown to what had just happened just beyond the tree line. They explained the new plan of Katara going with Zuko and they all oddly seemed relieved that the firebender would not be making this journey alone. And they all knew Katara was the right person to accompany him.

As Zuko and Katara flew away, it seemed as if so much had happened already. But the battle had just begun.

Dun DUN DUUUUUNNNN! That's it for this chapter! Wow! Bet you guys did not see that one coming! A kiss before the final battle! I hope you guys enjoyed that chapter! Next time, we get into the final battle! Until next time!