Chapter 6 – (as promised lol)

Katara felt herself awaken, but she didn't open her eyes. She didn't want to believe it had all been a dream, but it wasn't. Zuko's arms were wrapped around her, and she was resting her head against his chest. Her arms were tucked in, and she let him cuddle her into his warmth. She opened her eyes finally, and saw that Zuko's chest was an inch away from her. Curiously, she placed her hand gently on it, and she traced over his muscles. A sudden realization hit her; 'You will marry a powerful bender one day.' Zuko was powerful; he was powerful… Just then he opened his eyes and smiled at her, so she smiled back at him.

"Good morning…"

"Good morning Zuko."

To say that, at that moment, to know she was with the person she couldn't live without made everything seem right. All of her wants and desires had been fulfilled, she had found someone to make her life more exciting, more exhilarating than it was before; before as in with two immature idiots who now that she thought about, were saddening her not to be with. Zuko saw the change in her eyes and right away, his eyes changed too. Katara saw his golden eyes soften, and they became even more intense, so much that she lost herself in them. She placed her hands on his chest, and he put one arm around her neck, and the other around her waist.

"Zuko…" she whispered sadly.

Before the tears could fall from her eyes, Zuko leaned in and kissed her. This time it was a little more rough than before, but it left her wondering how on earth he had known how to kiss her to make her feel better. Had he taken kissing lessons or something? Most likely not… Maybe he was just a pro at it? He pulled away and they stared into each other's eyes again. Suddenly Katara let out a soft laugh because of her thoughts. Zuko looked at her puzzled.

"What's so funny?"

Katara stopped laughing and just smiled. She cuddled into him, and he wrapped his arms around her tightly. Zuko could feel her whispers on his chest, and the chills went up his spine.

"Nothing. I'm just really happy is all."

Zuko smiled at the response. This must have been the most unbelievable luck he had in his entire life. To have her, be with her, someone who he just clicked with somehow. Suddenly both of their eyes became alert as they heard footsteps in the hall. Katara looked up at him for a signal of some kind and he just shushed her softly. If it was possible, she cuddled into him even more, so that she couldn't be seen. Zuko turned onto his side, so that he covered her completely. Both of them it seemed, stopped breathing as the door began to creak open.

"Zuko?" Iroh's voice was heard.

All he saw was Zuko's back. He waited for a response, but he didn't get a verbal one. Instead Zuko's arm shot towards him, and so did a blast of hot fire. Iroh stepped back to avoid it, and so then he decided he shouldn't bother anymore.

"Fine. All I wanted to say was good morning, and that breakfast is ready, but I guess I shouldn't bother you, should I?"

As Iroh was walking out, they could both hear, "Teenagers these days. So temperamental."

When the door closed, and they could no longer hear his footsteps, they both let out a sigh of relief, and they laughed. Zuko got out of bed first, and then so did Katara. He began to do his morning stretches, and Katara just sat there admiring him. His muscles flexed here and there, and it seemed like there was no limit to his strength. That is, if he really wanted to use it all. Then the thought came back to her. Why she was so angry yesterday morning, and once again, she hadn't thought about anything but her feelings towards Zuko.

When she saw Zuko take a break, or maybe the end of his stretches, she stepped up to him.

"Zuko? Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Why am I here? Am I just… another step in your plan to capture Aang?"

He turned silent, but he gathered her in his arms, and looked at her straight in her eyes.

"Katara, you are not another way to catch the Avatar. You're here because I want you to be."

"Oh Zuko…"

She wrapped her arms around his neck, and buried herself in him. He put one hand through her hair, and the other around her waist.

"You promise?"

He looked into her eyes again, and gave her a fierce honest look.

"I swear it."

Katara was now aware of the fact that Zuko was still not fully clothed.

"Maybe you should change?" she asked with a smile.

"Maybe I should, shouldn't I?"

So he started to put his suit back on, first the sleeveless shirt, then a long sleeved one, and so forth. He finally looked like a fire bender once again. Then Katara fingered her hair, and sighed.

"Zuko, do you um… have a brush I could use?"

Zuko walked up to her, and played with her hair.

"I don't see why you would need one. I like you like this anyways, why bother changing it?"

She smiled as he caressed her cheek with his hand. Then she reached up to his cheek, and found herself curious about the scar that surrounded his eyes.

"Zuko… I know I shouldn't ask… but…"

"You were wondering about my scar?"

Katara looked ashamed, and then looked down at her feet.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have said anything. I know it's personal."

He lifted her chin up, and shook his head. His face expressed the seriousness of what they were talking about.

"No, you have a right to know. Well, I think you saw how I got it, correct?"

She nodded her head slightly. The image of him and his father was now replaying in her head.

"Well, that's how this all started. My father banished me that night… I can't return unless it's with… the captured Avatar."

Katara gasped. All of this time… he had been chasing them, because he just wanted to go home…

"I'm sorry Katara. I never meant to cause you and your friends so much trouble. But I've finally realized that there are more important things than going back home."

He smiled at her, and she felt her heart widen with so much new warmth and love towards him.

"Zuko you're amazing…"

"No, I think you are…"

They embraced each other with another long kiss. He finally pulled away when he heard her stomach growl.

"Looks like you're hungry."

"Sounds like it actually," Katara replied with a chuckle.

"I'll bring you down some food. Wait here okay?"

"Okay."

The door closed and she fell onto his bed with a huge smile on her face.

..:-:..

"Ahh, it looks like Mr. Grouchy Face has finally decided to come eat."

"Good morning Uncle," Zuko replied through gritted teeth.

"I've got your food on the plate here…"

"If you don't mind, I think I will just take this down to my room."

"Oh, I'm sorry Zuko, but you can't. See, we have a visitor that is going to join us."

"WHAT? WHO?"

Zuko turned around and stopped dead.

..:-:..

Katara was getting impatient. Even if it had only been a couple of minutes, it felt like an eternity to be away from Zuko. She found an apple on the table, and filled another cup with some water. She gulped it down, and then took the apple with her. Yes, she was going to go explore the ship. Who wouldn't?

She stepped out of the room, and tried to close the creaky door as quietly as possible. Somehow it worked, because no one seemed to come running at her. The only way she could go was left, since they had come from the right. Katara took a bite out of her apple, and walked along the cold corridor.

..:-:..

"It's you…"

"Yes it's me you oaf. Remember me Zuko?"

Zuko looked away to the side as she stepped towards him, and slid her icy fingers across his cheek. She chuckled and then went to go sit down next to Iroh.

"Zuko seems a bit different from what I remember."

"Yes, indeed Jun," he leaned in closer and whispered, "he's very temperamental nowadays."

"Is that so?"

She was in full armor with a whip tied to her back. Half of her black hair was tied up, like in combat mode, but her make up gave that dark woman kind of look, like you shouldn't mess with her or you'd regret it.

"Why is she here uncle?" he asked with a flare of hate.

"Oh Zuko, why do you hate me so much?"

She laughed coldly, and smirked at him.

"Zuko, I saw how um, you've been acting these past few days… so I decided to recruit Jun here to help us capture the Avatar."

His gold eyes widened, and he turned on his heel so fast, that it looked like someone had punched him. That's what he felt like anyways.

"WHAT?"

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier, but I couldn't find you."

Zuko was speechless. Now that he had mentioned it, he thought about Katara. How would she react when she found out that his uncle had gotten help to capture the Avatar, when he promised he wasn't going to? He clenched his fists, and started to breathe deeply.

Katara had heard noises coming from a door to her right. She decided that she would open it slightly, and listen in.

"I can help you capture the Avatar, if you want me to," she heard a woman say.

"She's proved to be very valuable Zuko. I think you will be pleased."

No, no it wasn't true. Katara stood there shocked to the ground. Her apple fell from her hand and hit the floor with a thud. There wasn't any reply, but she could feel the warmth of fire spread through the room. Suddenly the door opened and there stood Zuko, mad with fury. When he saw that Katara was standing right in front of him, with that hateful expression, he knew that his worst nightmare had come alive.

"I… hate you…"

She said it so scornfully, and so quietly that it sent an arrow at Zuko's heart.

"Katara, wait, you don't understand."

Too late, she was already running away towards the deck of the ship.

"Katara!"

Zuko slammed the door shut, and he began to run after her. Iroh and Jun sat there stupefied at what had just happened. Iroh shrugged his shoulders, and smiled at Jun.

"Would you like some tea?"

..:-:..

Aang and Sokka had just woken up. With Katara not there to wake them up, of course it was well past sunrise, maybe even midday already. Sokka sluggishly stood up and stretched.

"Aang is she here?"

He looked around, and sighed sadly.

"No. And it doesn't look like she came back."

Sokka furrowed his eyebrows.

"We have to go look for her. I think something has happened."

Aang nodded his head, and so they went out into the forest. Appa stayed behind, but Aang took his bison whistle just in case.

..:-:..

She sprung up onto the deck, and she felt the water on all sides of her. Perfect. Her element. Four guards were approaching her, and now she couldn't believe how powerful she felt. Her rage for Zuko escalated, and when she pulled up her hands, a huge wave of water swept up and plunged down onto the guards. She stood there admiring her work, when she felt it. Quickly she spun around, and there he was. Zuko. She didn't even let him say her name, she instantly pushed her arms forward and a very powerful jet of water hit Zuko, sending him against the wall. Katara didn't even feel a twinge of guilt that she hurt him. He lay there sprawled out. She winced, but then reminded herself that he tricked her, lied to her, he pretended to care for her, just so that he could try to do what Jet did.

"Ka-ta-ra…" Zuko barely spoke.

She looked at his eyes, and saw that they were full of sorrow. That didn't make any sense. Katara turned around and went towards the edge of the ship. Her arms did a dance, and a great whirlpool of water shot up. She jumped into it, and it carried her to the shore. Two people appeared out of the forest; two people she was extremely glad to see.

"Katara!"

She smiled as Sokka and Aang ran up to her. Sokka narrowed his eyes and saw the fire nation ship he was so familiar with. He looked around as if someone was going to attack them right then and there.

"Katara, what happened to you?" asked Aang curiously, seeing that her hair and clothes were worn out.

"I'll tell you guys later. Right now we have to get away. Right now!"

They were about to head back into the forest, when a figure emerged from the deck of the ship.

"KATARA! WAIT!"

She turned around to see Zuko holding out a hand towards her. Sokka stepped up in front of Katara for protection, but she held a hand out. Her eyes sent a deadly signal to Zuko, and then she hung her head down to the ground. She wasn't going to be a weak girl anymore. Katara motioned Sokka and Aang into the forest, and Zuko's heart filled with rage, rage towards everything. Himself, his stupid uncle, the fire nation, even the Avatar for being alive, which started this whole game.

Zuko couldn't take it anymore. He breathed in deeply, and a huge flame of fire erupted from his mouth. Then he began to punch the air in every direction, each time fire coming out into the open. The ship was beginning to burn; he had to move quickly. Zuko sped down into his room, and then back up again.

"Uncle, I'm leaving. Don't follow me. I don't think I will see you again. Thanks…for everything."

"Zuko, wait!"

But by the time Iroh got up to the door, Zuko had vanished.

"Um… Iroh?"

"What Jun?" he asked crossly.

"Are you so busy with your problems, that you can't see that your ship is burning down?"

"Who are you to tell me a proverb at a time like this?"

"It's not a proverb, it's true."

Iroh looked around, and saw that she was right. The two of them got out of the room, and headed towards the deck.

..:-:..

They were making their way back towards Appa, but they were all silent. Aang and Sokka could tell that Katara didn't want to be bothered, not just yet.

She just felt like her whole world had crashed down on her. That morning had felt like she was on some kind of drug, like she was on top of the world. Now she felt like scum on the bottom for betraying her real friends, especially Aang. He had been looking for her, and she decided to stay with Zuko. Maybe it was just disappointment, that she actually thought that Zuko could be different. But he lied to her. Lied.

There it was though. She could feel it, his warmth. How was that possible? Katara turned around, and so did Aang and Sokka, they must have felt it too. Each of them opened their eyes wide as through the trees they could see the ship they had just left, engulfed in flames.

And for some reason, tears fell from Katara's eyes. They fell down her cheeks, the ones that Zuko had touched so gently. But there was no way he could do that now. He was gone… engulfed by real flames, not the cool blue ones that they had created. She fell to the ground on her knees, and held herself in her own arms. Then she felt two hands on her shoulders. She looked up and saw that it was Aang and Sokka. A forced smile was on her face now, and they helped her get up. They turned around, and began to walk again, ignoring the flames.

Why couldn't she help but feel sad? So incredibly lost and alone?

Maybe it was because, somewhere deep inside of her, she had fallen in love with him.

A/N: Haha, I just want to say, that I know that it seems like Katara can't make up her mind, but sometimes, I find myself doing that too! I know this chapter must have been sad… we shall see what the next chapter brings! (Do you see a trend?…)

NEXT: Katara's grief is soon replaced by shock as Aang encounters an old friend… sorry, someone he thought could have been his friend, but can people change?