safe
Disclaimer: I don't own ATLA or any of the characters used in this story
Enjoy!
It starts when the avatar gang and zuko are fighting Azula. When she shoots uncle Iroh, and disappears, what will happen next?
"You've got me. Princess surrenders with honor." It was the last thing Iroh heard before he was hit. When Azula disappeared, Zuko started panicking. What is he going to do without his uncle? He was so scared and just started attacking out of nowhere. Just as the Avatar gang was to ready to go, Toph stopped them and convinced them to stay and help.
"The old man gave me an amazing tee and a piece of advice, we can't just leave him here to die. Katara?" "Fine I'll do it, but make sure Zuko is out of my way."
Aang went there and talked to Zuko who just slightly nodded. Katara started healing him, but was already exhausted from the fight.
"He wont die, but he is still in a critical condition, If you want your uncle to ever walk again, you'll need to stay with us for a couple of days"
"Thank you for helping my uncle but there is no way I'm going to travel with the Avatar"
"Why not? You don't want to be a traitor? Hello, only thing you can loose is your uncle and I'm helping because Toph asked me to so thank her instead!"
"Fat chance! We'll just travel to the nearest town and get him help"
"You should really listen to the sugar Qeen, I can feel his pulse, he won't make it far,." Toph tried to reason with him.
Okay, fine but this doesn't mean we're on the same side"
"Of course not hotman" Toph replied sarcastically.
"Don't call me that!"
All hell broke loose when Soka saw him.
"Hey look out!" he said as he threw his boomerang at Zuko"
"Ouch! I'm gonna kill you!"
Katara and Toph had to physically restrain him, so he wouldn't hurt sokka.
" Fine if we're traveling together then we'll need a contract" Sokka grinned.
I knew this day would come, he pulled a paper from his back pocket.
No attacking Aang
No to kidnapping Aang
No to calling the fire nation
"Deal, I'm not with them anyway, remember the traitor stuff and all."
They put Uncle Iroh to rest on Appa, and got ready to leave.
Zuko knew how it worked, but at the same time the thought of flying on the bison hundreds of meters high scared him, not that he would ever show it, especially not in front of Avatar and his friends.
Wow Zuko said wide eyed with amazement
"It's beautiful, isn't it?"
He looked at Katara laying next to him in a saddle "It really is" he said making himself comfortable.
They flew for the rest of the day, only getting down to eat dinner and sleep.
Sokka took the supplies and blankets from Appa, while Aang went into the forest to look for wood so they could make dinner. Katara looked at Zuko who hadn't spoken much at all. She was still kind of scared that he'll flip, but was positive enough to sit next to him. They were just sitting for a few minutes, and just as Katara was about to initiate a conversation Aang came back with an armful of wood. Zuko got up abruptly lighting up the woods on fire and Katara began making dinner.
She gave Zuko a bowl of soup and sat next to him.
"You're not eating much. What's wrong?"
"Just worried about my uncle, he's the only family I have."
"He'll be fine. I promise, I'll help him, now eat up."
Zuko found the Avatar gang a bit annoying, but was still thankful for their help. He was starting to like Katara, she was the only one to actually make an effort. Even after all of the bad things he did to her, she was still so caring. He liked that, and in his subconsciousness he wanted to be more like her.
It started getting late, so the gang went to bed. Since Zuko and his uncle didn't have any of the supplies with them, and uncle Iroh had to be warmed up because of his injuries, It was a bit cold after all they were sleeping on the ground, but Zuko didn't really care. He was a firebender for God sake. Everyone went to sleep, everybody except Katara who was wary of Zuko, but she knew that he wouldn't do anything to endanger his uncle. Deep down there was still good in him, otherwise he wouldn't even be here right now. They all fell asleep with a few feet between them. Katara was lying down near Zuko, because nobody else wanted to.
Zuko felt something in the middle of the night and his instincts made him immediately wake up. It was Katara, snuggling into his torso. She was asleep, and most likely cold. As a firebender whenever he was cold, his body temperature would rise. She probably sensed it and got closer in her sleep.
Katara was asleep. She felt much better. All of a sudden she wasn't cold anymore, and she felt safer. She was so comfortable, she didn't ever want to wake up.
Zuko knew that he couldn't be caught spooning Katara like this. Well to be fair she was the one spooning. But they would never understand it, and he would never hear the end of it. He decided that the best option is to move and pretend that this didn't happen. He didn't want to move, it was so long since the last time he felt someone hugging him, or touching him at all. Last person who hugged him was his mother, and it was many many years ago. Human contact felt so good, but he didn't have time to act like a little boy now. He lifted himself and started moving quietly so he wouldn't wake her.
Katara started moving and murmured something at the sudden loss of heat.
He cringed, she was waking up. What was he going to do now. He moved just in time, so when she opened her eyes, they weren't next to each other. It was still late, moon was still high it the sky. She felt relaxed. She looked around, to see if anybody else was awake. Zuko tried to go back to bed, but Katara noticed that he was still awake. At first she didn't know if she should go up to him or not. She didn't want to get on his bad side, but after a few minutes, boredom got the better of her.
"Psst.. Hey Zuko? Are you sleeping?" He wanted to ignore her but after a few moments he responded: "What do you want? It's late. I want to sleep" he said grumpily.
"I can't sleep, lets talk for a bit." He adjusted himself on his back "What do you want to talk about" he asked looking at her. They were never this close to each other. It was weird, because he didn't feel threatened at all, and she didn't feel like she was in any kind of danger. "why did your sister attack you?"
"She's like that. There is no reason, she just manipulates for power."
"Yeah she probably attacked your uncle, cause he was the only one who could beat her."
"Maybe, it's been like that since we were kids." Did you ever beat her? She asked.
"No" he said closing his eyes "I am not strong enough, I'll never be"
"Nonsense! If you think like that you'll never do it."
"You don't understand she's the prodigy. She is born lucky, and I am lucky to be born" he said sitting up still looking at the ground.
"No, why would you think like that" "It's just something my father used to say all the time, and he is right."
"No he's not. Zuko come on " she stood up stretching her hand to him. He didn't know where they were going, but he obliged. At least this talk was over.
They went into the woods. It was dark, and there wasn't any moonlight because of the clouds. Katara tripped, but managed to catch herself in time. Zuko lit a small fire in his palm, so they could see where they were going.
They finally arrived to the beach.
"So what are we doing here?"
"Training Katara said with a smirk.
Zuko was confused, what did she mean by that, did she want to fight? Or to just train? What if he hurts her? No there's too many things that could go wrong. He won't do it.
She attacked him, it wasn't an attack that could hurt him, she was not going on him full strength. So she doesn't want to hurt him? But still it was too risky.
"Come on Zuko, fight back. Or are you scared?" she asked laughing
"No of course not, don't flatter yourself"
"You don't stand a chance" She said wanting to anger him so they would finally train.
"We' ll see about that" He said as he attacked.
He started with a fire bomb, which she easily avoided. He was careful not to attack her for real. She not so much. She used her water whips to catch his legs. He couldn't move and got even angrier when she started laughing at him.
"What's so funny!" He spat
"You" she said giggling, " but I think you need to cool down." She said as she splashed a tiny wave of water on his head. He was angry, but at least she was happier. They trained like that till the storm started. They ran into the cave to shelter themselves. Storm soon turned into a hurricane, and they were far from the gang. It was still night, and they decided to sleep there, and see what they'll do in the morning. Zuko lit a fire, so it would be warmer for Katara. They were both soaking wet and had no blankets with them. It wasn't a problem for Zuko, but Katara couldn't fall asleep even with the fire burning. After about 15 minutes of turning and rustling Zuko turned to her.
"Come here" he said calmly. It was weird for Katara seeing him this calm. He would usually yell all the time. But they were enemies then Katara smirked. Then she realized that she doesn't think of him as an enemy, at least not now.
"What are you waiting for? I can't sleep if you're constantly making noise cause you're cold just come I'm tired"
She looked at him. He wanted her to come and lay with him. Not a chance, they were maybe allies now but no way is she going to snuggle with him.
"No, are you crazy, why would I even want that'' she asked in disbelief.
"Well it wouldn't be the first time."
She didn't quite understand what he was talking about so she waited for him to elaborate.
He explained how she waked him up and Katara was horrified.
"Katara I'm a firebender, my body naturally heats up when it's cold."
"Zuko you can stop trying, I'm not going to cuddle with you."
"You'll get sick if you don't" he said pissed " It doesn't mean anything, and I won't tell anybody I promise."
"Fine" she said as she went to him. At first they were really awkward because neither wanted to make the first move, but then Katara moved and just laid next to him. Zuko wasn't satisfied, because now he was the one who had to actually hug her. Her back was turned to him. He pulled her closer with his left arm and put in on her waist. There wasn't any space between them anymore. He had hugged her with both hands. She felt really nice, Zuko has a large frame, and strong arms. She felt safe in them, like not even the scariest monsters could take her away from him. But still she was a bit uncomfortable, being this close to her former enemy. She knew that he wasn't going to hurt her, but still it was uncomfortable, until of course his body started heating. She moved even closer, and heard him grunt, as his hands hugged her even tighter. She would never admit it, but she liked it a lot. Zuko was already asleep, and she closed her eyes.