Ok, I got this crazy idea. Maybe the four powers of bending, water, earth, fire, and air, are created from emotions. If each person can master the emotions, they can learn how to use that certain element. You'll see what I mean in this chapter.

Youkai no Yume: Thanks, I think. Nah, just joking. I know what you mean. By the way, cool name.

And to all my reviewers, a lot of people voted for Katara and Zuko and a lot voted for Katara and Aang. I have an idea what I'm going to do. I'll try not to disappoint you.

One last thing. I think that Zuko's father's name is Ozai. If anyone knows for sure, let me know. Thanks. And now, the next chapter.

Emotions

Aang and Sokka were finishing packing there stuff onto Appa. They had decided that it was time to end there search for Katara and think about learning how to bend water, earth, and fire. They didn't know if they were doing the right thing or not, but if they wanted to defeat Lord Ozai, they would need all the help they could get. Sokka was worried about Aang. "Are you sure this is what you want to do?" he asked the air bender?

"Yes, we need to think about saving the world. We'll have to put off our search for Katara." It hurt him to say those words about his friend, but he had to worry about the world.

"Screw the world!" Sokka yelled. "What about Katara? I thought you loved her!" Aang turned to the warrior.

"I do love her," he said quivering.

"Then let's look for her. Think about it. Where haven't we looked yet?" Then it popped into their minds. "She couldn't be."

"I think she is, Sokka. And if she is, I will have to master the other elements. In the mean time, let's hope that we can find her elsewhere." They jumped onto Appa and headed to the North Pole. He would have to finish his training as the Avatar, then save Katara. Hold on, Katara, he thought. I'll save you from the fire benders.


Zuko was meditating in his room, hoping for strength to carry out his wishes. I thought she loved me, he thought. You idiot, she does love you. Why can't you see that? She would do anything for you. Then why did she reject me? He looked out the window. The sun was beginning to set. In a half hour, it would be all over. Katara would burn and then he could return to looking for the Avatar. Why did he feel like crap?

He looked over to his bookshelf where a book laid open. He usually didn't read much because he hated, but he was intrigued to this time. He picked it up and saw that it was his mother's diary. He flipped through the pages and found something interesting. It was a note.

The four elements, water, earth, fire, and air, are not controlled by strength, power, or even the gods. Rather, they are controlled by a human's emotions. Some are gifted with one certain element like my husband and son who can control fire, but others have found ways to control the forces of nature through their emotions.

My research has led me to believe that each element is controlled by a certain emotion. Water is love. Earth is wisdom. Fire, unfortunately, is hatred. Air is friendship. I would be easy for my husband to control earth and fire, but he does not hold enough love or friendship to summon the other two elements. Hopefully, one person will be able to master all four and put an end to this horrid war. I only wish that my son will be the one.

Zuko was astonished. He knew his mother had done research before, but he never expected this much. He closed the book and replaced it on the shelf. Why was this information so important to him? Was there something hidden in her words?


Katara was kneeling towards the stone wall praying. The guards had left the shackles on her ankles and wrists to belittle her, to let her know there was no hope for the young water bender. They had teased her and told her that the reason they didn't feed her or give her drink was because the person started on fire easier if they were empty and dry. She was hoping against all hope that maybe Aang and Sokka would come crashing through the door with Appa to her rescue. She doubted they would come. Her fate was sealed. She would die within the hour.

Then the door behind her opened and she turned around to face the person. She was glad to see it was Iroh. "I hope that you have slept well." Katara smiled at the old man and hugged him. "I guess not. It would be hard to fall asleep on stone floor with no food or drink."

"I am so glad to see you, Iroh."

"And I you, child. What were you just doing?" Katara broke the embrace and her smile quickly disappeared.

"I was praying that my journey to the afterlife would take me where I was meant to go." The old man tried to comfort the sixteen-year old. He pulled out some bread and offered it to her, but she refused. "I do not wish to eat. I wish for a quick death."

"Katara, don't do this. I know for a fact that Zuko loves you and you love him. He's just too stubborn to admit it. You have to stop this. If you tell him you'll marry him he will forgive you with open arms." Katara walked over to the barred window and looked at the sunset.

"I can't marry him. I do love him, but I couldn't possibly be expected to marry him so suddenly. I need time. I'm sorry. I must sound like a failure." Iroh lifted her chin up and stared into her eyes.

"You are anything but a failure. You have a gift, a gift that could end this war and save this world. You deserve to live your life. Don't let it end like this. Don't let the world wonder what if." The guards opened the door. Katara gazed out of the window. The sun was almost gone. She smiled at the man and kissed him on the cheek.

"Thank you for everything." She walked to the guards and they led her away. Iroh walked out.

"Please, Gaiyoh, god of fire, help her," he whispered.


Prince Zuko walked out to the courtyard. His heart dropped when he saw Katara tied to the tall stake surrounded by wood. It hurt him to see her like this. He wanted to untie her and call the whole thing off, but what good would that do? If he couldn't have her, no one could. He walked to her and begged one last time.

"Please, Katara, don't make me do this." She turned away and closed her eyes. A tear managed to fall from her eyes. Zuko caressed her cheek and almost cried himself. "I love you." He gave her a small kiss and stood back. Then, with a snap of his fingers, a ring of fire surrounded the logs under Katara's feet.

Katara wouldn't show any fear. She knew it wasn't her fault, but she accepted her fate. Just as the flames surrounded her, she mouthed something to the sad prince. "I love you, too. Please forgive me." Zuko caught the words. He stood there in shock as the smoke surrounded his love. She started coughing. The flame was torturous against her skin. She fainted from the smoke and pain. Zuko wouldn't let her die. He had to save her. But how?

He could feel something cool flowing through his body. He finally swung his hand at her and yelled, "Katara!" Then something strange happened. Water flowed like a stream through his hands and surrounded Katara. The flames extinguished and Zuko quickly ran to untie Katara. Everyone stood there in amazement as he tried to shake her into consciousness. "Katara, wake up. Please don't die." Katara fluttered her eyes open.

"Zuko, what are you doing here?" she asked. "Am I in heaven?"

"No, you are alive. You're safe now." He carried her down from the stake and stood her up against his body. "Katara, I love you so much. I love you too much to watch you die. I'm not sure if you feel the same for me, but…" Katara put her finger against his mouth and smiled.

"Zuko, I love you, too. I can't marry you yet. I'm not ready yet. But that doesn't change how I feel for you." He drew her into a passionate kiss. They were interrupted by Lord Ozai.

"Would you mind explaining how it is that you can water bend?" he asked.

"I found an old diary of mother's. She said that the four elements were controlled by emotions. Water is controlled by love. I love Katara so much that I guess now I can summon it. I still have some work to do with it. I hope that you will still allow me to stay so I can master the other elements." His father smiled and embraced them both.

"I would be honored. I hope you two find true love within each other. You have my blessing."

"Thank you, father." Zuko smiled at his love. Katara was happy that he had some love left in his heart. She did love him. She hoped that someday she would be ready for his love. Zuko picked her up bridal style and carried her into the castle. "We need to get you up to the hospital to take care of those burns."

"They aren't that bad," she protested.

"You need to rest. I promise that I will always be there to protect you."

"I promise that I will be there for you always. As soon as I'm ready, I'll have to train your water bending skills. Then I can kick your butt." They both laughed as they traveled up the stairs. That night as Katara rested, Zuko didn't leave her side. He promised her he would protect her, and that's what he would do.


How was that? I know, it was a little sappy. Oh well, I hope you liked it. It isn't over yet. I promise that Zuko and Aang will face off yet. That might even be in the next chapter. I'm not sure yet. Keep reading and reviewing.