A/N: What can I say? Read on (smiles to herself)
Chapter 7They were making their way towards Appa but they were still silent. The faint flickers of the fire they left behind weren't visible any longer. Now Katara felt extremely cold inside, like she had abandoned any warmth when she left the ship. She couldn't think like that though, her main objective was to help Aang defeat the fire lord, Zuko's father. Another tear slid down her cheek at the thought of him, but she wiped it away furiously. How could she be so weak, that she kept on crying over a stupid prince? Katara lifted up her head, and saw that Appa was about to nudge her. She chuckled, the first time since that morning, and she greeted Appa kindly.
"It's good to see you too."
"Katara, are you hungry? He must have… starved you or something, you look sick."
She turned on him furiously and he backed away.
"He did not starve me Sokka! He…"
Her eyes grew wide as she remembered everything he had done for her. Zuko had never hurt her, never touched her like Jet did. He was even going to get her some food… when she found out about his plan. Aang and Sokka were waiting for her to continue. So she breathed deeply, and let everything out.
"Long story short, Zuko saved me in the woods, brought me back to his ship to rest, and so of course I thought he was okay, but he wasn't because I found out that he was going to go capture Aang, so I ran to the deck, and that is where you two found me."
She breathed in deeply again, but saw that they were gawking at her with dropped jaws.
"WHAT?"
"Zuko saved you too?"
"THAT GUY HELPED YOU?" Sokka asked with disbelief, drowning out Aang's previous question.
Katara closed her eyes and bit her lip. Sokka could tell that she didn't want to talk about it, so he went up to her and hugged her. She hugged him back fiercely.
"Are you okay Katara? Are you sure you're okay?"
She nodded and quietly answered.
"Yes, I'm fine now."
"Here Katara, eat up!"
She smiled as Aang gave her some food, which she gulped down eagerly. But soon she felt a bit queasy.
"Guys… I'm going to go a bit into the woods… I don't feel so well."
"Katara! You can't go by yourself, look what happened the last time you did that!"
"I'll be fine Aang, I'm not going to go very far."
..:-:..
Zuko stopped near a tree and rested against it. He had barely made it out of the ship alive. It might have been stupid really, to go into his room just for this, but maybe it would come in handy. Hopefully it wasn't too late; Katara could have already left on that flying bison. Zuko closed his eyes, and covered his face. He picked up the two swords off of the ground, and began to run again through the trees.
Katara wiped away at her mouth as she stood leaning against a tree. All of the morning's events had caused her to lose her appetite. Zuko was… dead. How could he not be? The whole ship was roaring in flames. Could she have stopped it with her water bending though? Could she have saved him? More tears fell down her cheeks, but this time she let them fall freely. Who could see her now? Aang and Sokka weren't within that much distance of her. So who else could…
If it weren't for the tree, she would have definitely fallen on her back. When she opened her eyes, there he was, or rather, there he wasn't. It was the blue spirit, like she had seen on so many fire nation wanted posters. His mask was so compelling, and she felt like she knew the person behind it, but how on earth could she? The mysterious person outstretched his arm, and she edged closer to the tree, but she relaxed. He was giving her a handkerchief. Katara took it, and wiped away her tears. When she gave it back to him, her hand grazed his, and she felt a spark of heat. She looked down at their hands, but the blue spirit recoiled his quickly.
"Thanks…umm… would you like something to eat? I'm sure you can't just walk into a market and buy some food can you?"
She said this cheerfully, and she smiled. Inside so did he, and Zuko felt the urge to just grab her and kiss her right then and there. But he couldn't, so all he did was nod his head. Katara led the way, and for some reason, she started to feel happier, just because this stranger showed up and gave her a simple handkerchief. So she walked into the campsite with a wide smile on her face.
"Hey guys! Guess who I met in the forest? It's the blue spirit! Can you believe it? He's wanted everywhere in the fire nation, remember? Aang, what's wrong?"
Sokka had a grin on his face, but Aang's eyes went wide and his mouth opened. Zuko mentally cursed himself. He didn't think that the avatar would have remembered his disguise, but how could he not? Before Zuko could decide what to do, Aang inhaled a bunch of air, and then blew it out straight at the blue spirit.
"Aang! What did you do that for?"
Zuko went flying; his body hit the tree about ten feet into the air, and then he landed face down onto the ground. Katara looked at Aang crossly, and then began to run towards the body on the ground.
"Katara, wait."
She stopped midway but didn't turn around to face Aang.
"Katara, the blue spirit, is Zuko."
She spun around like a tornado. His name had struck up her ferocity. Sokka just couldn't believe it, and he went ballistic.
"WHAT? That's Zuko? But… but… he's dead!"
Those two words compelled Katara to run towards Zuko. If what Aang said was true, she would be the happiest person on the face of the planet. Sokka however, didn't feel the same way.
"Katara! What are you doing? We have to get out of here before he wakes up!"
She ignored his remarks, and knelt beside the sprawled body. Turning him over, she slipped the mask off, and Zuko's scarred face stared back at her. Everything went off inside of her like an explosion.
"Zuko! You're alive!"
She slipped off the hood of the outfit and began to stroke his face. Tears of joy slid down her face, and onto his. Zuko opened his eyes, and smiled weakly as Katara wiped the tears off of his cheeks. Suddenly the two of them looked up, when they heard an exaggerated cough. It was Sokka and Aang, and they didn't seem a bit happy.
"Oh boy, he's alive! What's it to you Katara? Remember, all he's going to do is just capture Aang!"
Giving Zuko a hand, Katara helped him stand up. Her eyes shined with hurt once more. Her feelings had won once again. Numbed any sense of reason in her mind, and let her heart do the talking. There was a silence, and then Sokka, Aang, and Zuko watched as Katara just walked away.
"Katara wait! Let me explain!"
Zuko reached out towards her, but Sokka pushed his hand away.
"Leave her alone creep! I'm surprised you're not attacking Aang right now! Get lost!"
Zuko pushed Sokka away angrily, and then ran after Katara. He put his hands on her shoulders and turned her around. Apathy was written on her face, and his eyes shined brightly. She stared into those golden eyes, pure gold, but a heart of gold?
"Katara, I didn't lie. I never wanted to capture the avatar. My uncle just thought I did… please understand."
She closed her eyes and didn't say a word. Aang was restraining Sokka from going after Zuko. But Aang was also listening to what Zuko was saying. Katara opened her eyes, and sighed sadly. Zuko on the other hand, was filled to the top with hope that she would understand.
"I'm sorry Zuko… I can't trust you anymore…"
His hands dropped from her shoulders, and she stood there without any motion. Zuko hung his head to the side, saddened and his hope shattered to a million pieces. For once, he had done something right, and he had ruined it all. Katara suddenly grabbed Zuko's arm as fire erupted from his hand.
"No, Zuko don't!"
"There's nothing left for me, I don't see the point in capturing the avatar, and since you… can't trust me… There's no reason for me to live."
"No reason to live? No reason to live BECAUSE KATARA CAN'T TRUST YOU? What am I missing here? Could someone explain?"
Zuko took Katara's hand off of his arm, and he was bringing the flame closer to his head, and in front of his face. Katara couldn't take it. She didn't want him dead, not now, not ever. Then why in the world hadn't she forgiven him? The raging fire that was burning in Zuko's hands engulfed her eyes. She couldn't take it anymore.
"NO! I'm not going to let you do this!"
"Katara!"
But Sokka couldn't stop her. She jumped in front of Zuko's body, into his arms, just as he was going to put his flaming hand into his face. Sokka and Aang wouldn't allow themselves to believe that Katara had sacrificed herself for Zuko. The event that actually happened however, was even more shocking. The fire in Zuko's hand, turned blue, as Katara concentrated and exhaled the moisture in her breath onto the fire. Zuko was just as shocked as they were.
Sokka and Aang ran up to them as the cool fire spread and overwhelmed Katara and Zuko. To them it wasn't shocking, but to the warrior and avatar, it was a completely numbing surprise. Each of them, fire and water bender, closed their eyes. A cool warmth ran through their blood, to the tips of their fingers, and back to their hearts. Katara opened her eyes, and smiled, feeling renewed. Aang and Sokka just stood there bewildered, but somehow, they were able to hear Katara.
"It's okay you two, this doesn't hurt us."
"Oh, so now it's us?"
All of her emotions were running high, and Katara turned to Zuko with so much desire to just make everything right. Zuko's golden eyes brimmed with a heartrending hope, but in them Katara could see the pain he carried in himself. Aang stepped towards the blue fire, and tried to touch it, but his hand was repelled back at him. He saw the two of them standing there, inches apart, not moving or saying anything, just staring at each other longingly. Aang sighed, and decided to do what was best.
"Aang! You've got to do something! Katara is stuck in there with him!"
"You're right. I should do something."
Sokka smiled and nodded.
"Go right ahead Aang!"
"Katara," she turned towards Aang, and so did Zuko, "I think you should trust him."
Sokka's eyes bulged, and he threw his hands in the air.
"AANG! ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?"
Katara looked at Aang with confusion, but he continued.
"I knew that Zuko was the blue spirit, because he saved me from Zhao."
"What?" she turned to Zuko eagerly, "did you really save Aang?"
"Yes… I did…"
The drug had come back; Katara was on top of the world again. She wanted to believe that Zuko hadn't lied to her, and now she had her proof. Her arms wrapped themselves around Zuko, and he buried his face into her neck, giving her a kiss on it that Aang and Sokka couldn't see. Katara giggled. But the joy stopped.
Sokka's boomerang hit the blue shield so forcefully, that it bounced off of it, making it disappear.
"How could you two believe that scum? And how can you do this to us Katara? Why did you hug him? Why did you let him hug you? You're involving yourself with the enemy, and you have betrayed Aang. Aang lied for you Katara; can't you see that? Right Aang?"
Aang stood there staring at the ground.
"Aang?"
"I didn't lie Sokka… Zuko saved me… he freed me from Zhao."
"NO! YOU'RE LIEING! ZUKO IS NOT A GOOD GUY!"
Just then Zuko stepped up to Sokka and glared at him.
"Who are you to tell me what kind of person I am? You know nothing about me!"
Aang was going to interfere so that they wouldn't start a fight, but he didn't have to, because Sokka's boomerang came flying back, and it hit Zuko in the head.
"Zuko!"
Katara ran up to catch him, and then she laid him gently on the ground. When she made sure he was just unconscious, she stood up and walked angrily over to her brother.
"Sokka, look, I'm sorry if you think he's scum, but I don't! And neither does Aang! Zuko saved his life, my life, and I'm sure he will save your life next, so would you mind shutting your trap and being nice to him for a change?"
Sokka looked away gloomily, and then sat down. The day was coming to yet another close and the three of them were sitting around in an unusual silence. Suddenly Aang thought of something. Zuko's swords were lying on the ground next to Zuko. He picked them up and smiled.
"Hey you guys! Look at me!"
Aang concentrated hard, and then used his air bending on the swords. Katara gasped as she watched the swords dance in the air above him. Sokka didn't look too amused for once. Suddenly, he lost his balance, and the swords came crashing down, right above Zuko's peaceful body.
"Zuko! No!"
Katara closed her eyes as her heart almost fainted. When she opened them again, relief spread through her body. Aang had caught himself, and made the swords hit the ground next to Zuko. His eyes began to stir, and he awakened. Katara helped him stand up. Zuko picked up the swords, and the last bit of sunlight caught them and made them gleam. Zuko smirked and looked at Aang.
"How about a demonstration for the audience… Aang?"
Aang looked at Zuko with wide eyes, and a huge smile lit on his face. He nodded as Zuko assumed a fighting stance, and so did Aang.
"Katara, so think of this, I'm captured by monkey face Zhao…"
Zuko burst out laughing, and then the rest joined in, that is, except for Sokka, but they ignored him, and let him be.
"So, then I'm in the room tied up like this…"
Aang went up against a tree, and spread out his arms. Zuko suddenly made a mad dash at him, but Aang didn't flinch. Sokka however yelled.
"Aang! He's going after you!"
Katara just shushed him, and made him sit down, just as Zuko slashed away at the invisible ropes. She clapped, and Aang took a bow. Zuko motioned him wordlessly, and he followed. Suddenly, they began to fight imaginary enemies side by side, and Katara clapped and cheered for them. Sokka looked away in disgust. Zuko and Aang acted out the whole thing, and when they were done, they shook each other's hands and smiled. Katara stood up and cheered loudly; she had to pull up Sokka with exerted force.
"We make a great team Aang."
"We sure do Zuko."
Katara was just bursting with joy right about then. Zuko and Aang were getting along, how unbelievably lucky she was. But she was distracted from Zuko's and Aang's laughter, by her annoying brother.
"I can't believe you Katara… I just can't believe you."
"Sokka, why are you like this? Can't you see that Zuko is on our side now? Why can't you just grow up and except that?"
She yelled at him, but Sokka just looked away with even more disgust. Right then, Zuko came up behind Katara, and put a hand on her shoulder. Next Sokka heard his hated enemy's voice.
"Sokka, am I right to believe that you will never trust my word?"
He looked at him with utter disgust.
"What do you think?"
And he sat down without another word. Katara sighed, but Zuko just pushed his hand more forcefully into her shoulder. Aang joined them, and then called them over to Appa.
"Zuko! Want to go for a ride?"
Katara had already joined Aang on top of the flying bison, and she was now extending an arm out to him. Zuko looked at the huge animal hesitantly, but he didn't get to choose, because he felt the ground leave beneath his feet, and he landed next to the beautiful water bender.
"Want to do the honors Zuko?"
He looked at Aang curiously, but Katara whispered into his ears. A smile spread across Zuko's face as he said, "Yipp, Yipp!"
It was unbelievable, the amount of joy he was experiencing, all because he was now considered the Avatar's friend. As Zuko saw the top of the forest, and the vast sky before them, he felt overcome with happiness. For the first time in his life, he had friends, and not just because he was a prince. The wind blew into his face, and his ribs hurt from laughing so much. Zuko looked from Aang to Katara, and he knew he had made the right choice. The fire nation didn't have a place in his heart anymore.
..:-:..
Iroh got up and shook his head. Quickly he paced around, and found Jun under some rubble.
"Jun! No!"
For an old man, he moved rapidly, and soon there was no more rubble left. He picked up her chin, and she stirred. When the woman opened her eyes, she shoved Iroh away. She stood up with no help and dusted herself off.
"I'm perfectly fine Iroh. I don't know why I bothered to come again. I should have known that Zuko would only cause me trouble!"
"I'm sorry, I didn't know he had changed so much. He never talks to me anymore."
She cocked her eyes at him, and then looked around. The only way out was into the forest. So she grabbed the old man's arm and started to lead him away. Iroh just smiled.
They were well into the forest now. But Jun stopped and began to look around curiously. She knew something was different about this place, bur she couldn't put her finger on it. Suddenly, she heard something move in the bushes to her left. Jun shoved Iroh away from her, and shushed him so he wouldn't make a sound. She walked on past a few trees, when she saw him sprawled on the ground.
Quickly, she picked the man up, and saw that his hair and clothes were ruffled. He smirked at her.
"Why thank you, but I didn't need your help."
She let go of him, and he stumbled around a bit and winced while he did. Obviously he had been attacked, but for some reason, he interested her. When he stopped, he smiled at her, and for a split second her heart flipped over. A small smile spread across her face, and so Jet thought he would take his chances. He stepped forward towards her, and whispered to her.
"I think I know a way that I could pay you back for your generosity."
"Oh really?"
Jun batted her eyelashes, and spoke with a girly tone. Inside, she was smiling evilly.
"Oh yes. I do. Want to see?"
Jet began to lean his head forward, and so did Jun. But at the last second, she pulled away, and lashed her hand out at his neck. She recoiled her hand, and smirked as he fell to the ground, dead.
"Serves you right, pervert. I can only imagine what you've done to other women."
So she spat on his lifeless body, as Iroh ran over to her.
"What happened?"
"Oh, I just took out the trash, that's all."
..:-:..
The three of them jumped off of Appa, to find Sokka glaring at them furiously.
"Where in the world have you guys been? I started to think…"
Zuko stopped laughing, and looked at him angrily.
"Started to think what?"
Katara had to restrain him from going after her brother, and so it worked. Zuko exhaled deeply, and regained his cool. Aang flew over to Sokka and turned him around.
"Sokka, don't you think you should give Zuko a chance? I mean, he's not that bad…"
They turned back around at the sound of sparks. Zuko had created a huge fire that spread warmth to everyone, even Appa and Momo. Sokka cocked his eyebrow at him and then spoke to Aang seriously.
"Aang, don't you think he's bluffing? He's pulling the wool over your eyes, and it seems that he's pulled Katara way too deep in, to get her out! Look!"
Aang turned around and saw Zuko making little flames in his hands, which Katara sprinkled water over to make the fire blue. They both laughed as they sat there doing that. Aang bit his lip, but sighed.
"Sokka, I think that he's a good guy…"
"But Aang!"
"Sokka… just stop it…"
Sokka pouted as Aang left to go join them by the fire. The sun light began to fade and shadows began to creep through the trees. Suddenly, Sokka heard a twig snap. He stood up defiantly and readied himself to attack.
"Who's there? Come out and show yourself!"
When the two figures came out of the woods, Sokka whimpered and nearly fainted. His boomerang dropped to the ground, and he winced.
"Oh please don't hurt me!"
Jun chuckled.
"Oh, I'm not going to hurt you."
She marched right past him with Iroh following right behind her. Katara, Zuko and Aang stopped laughing when they saw their new visitors approach the fire. Zuko stood up and greeted them coldly.
"What do you two want?"
"Zuko… I'm sorry… I didn't…"
"Save it uncle. You almost made me lose everything I could have ever hoped to have. That's not something I can easily forgive you for."
Zuko somewhat cocked his head towards Katara's direction, but it was very slight. Iroh only noticed because the girl began to blush. He hung his head, and bowed to his nephew.
"Forgive me Zuko, I didn't know…"
Zuko looked back, as Katara tugged on his sleeve. She motioned him forward, and he nodded.
"Fine. I forgive you."
Iroh's head shot back up with a huge smile on it.
"All right, can we cut it with the lovey-dovey crap? I want some food. Especially after I… get the job done…"
She said the end with an unusual smirk, and Zuko knew all too well what she meant. He strode over to her, and took her aside.
"Who did you kill?" Zuko asked concerned.
"Why does it matter to you if I killed a guy back in the woods?"
"What did he look like?"
"Tall, somewhat well built, shaggy brown hair… what's it to you?"
Zuko smirked at her.
"I just want to thank you, that's all. I'm glad you did it. I would have done it myself, but… I didn't have the time."
Jun let out a laugh, and then smiled at him.
"Well then, you're welcome."
"Hey Jun! Want some tea?"
She let out an angered breath, and went to go sit down next to Iroh, whom she hit on the back as he was laughing. Everyone was sitting around the fire, eating, except for Sokka. When the sun was gone, and he couldn't take it anymore, he stormed at them.
"AANG! KATARA! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? DO YOU NOT SEE WHO YOU ARE MAKING FRIENDS WITH? I'LL LET YOU KNOW! THE ENEMY! You can't trust them!"
This was his last attempt, but all he got back were empty stares. Suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up into Iroh's face.
"Young man, you must believe Prince Zuko. He has truly changed for the better."
"Oh yeah? And how would you know? He was going to capture Aang this morning, and he used Katara as bait!"
Katara gulped down her water forcefully, and Zuko just held her by the shoulders.
"I do know, because you see, I asked Jun to come help, because I thought Zuko wanted to capture the Avatar. Turns out he became so angry with me for doing that, that he burned down his own ship."
Sokka stared open mouthed across the fire, while Iroh took his place again. Zuko locked his eyes into his, and the look of pure truth starred back at him. Sokka sighed. He looked at Katara, and then at Aang. He had lost. Sokka sat down next to Aang without saying a word. They all looked at him to see when he would break the silence. When he felt all the eyes starring at him, he couldn't take it anymore.
"When are you guys going to pass the food down? I'm starving!"
They all burst out laughing, and the meal continued. Everything had finally come to an end. New friendships were made that day, and the true evil out there, had gotten its due pay.
..:-:..
Everyone was asleep around the slowly dying fire in their sleeping bags. It was somewhere in the middle of the night, and there was a full moon shining down on them. Katara awoke with the feeling that someone was watching her. She didn't panic, because she saw that it was only Zuko. He smiled softly at her, and she did the same. Katara looked around to make sure no one else was awake. Zuko came up to her, and held out a hand. She stood up and they walked into the forest, away from the campsite.
Once they were far enough, they stopped. Katara looked up at the moon, and Zuko watched her figure glow with the moonlight. She caught his eyes, and slowly leaned into him. He hugged her tightly; they hadn't been able to show their emotions to one another for the entire day. It would have been all too much for Sokka and Aang to find out anyways. They would tell them later.
"Katara…"
"Zuko, you don't have to say anything. I know that you don't want to capture Aang anymore. I'm just glad you've finally decided that."
She smiled at him, and he smiled gently back at her. He caressed her face, and Katara shivered at his touch. She hadn't truly felt him since that morning. Zuko leaned in closer to her, so that their eyes were an inch apart. His fiery breath rested on her damp breath as he spoke.
"You mean so much to me… I don't think I can live without you..."
Katara closed her eyes. Something was happening to her, to them. As their breaths gathered onto the others, a spark of blue fire appeared once again. But this time, Katara and Zuko kissed, and it went inside of them, through their bodies. Their spirits burned with so much intensity, and their kiss overwhelmed them with power and beauty. Their movements felt like magic, so much together, so alive and so graceful. Her arms wrapped around his neck, and his around her waist. Closer and closer to the other; it almost felt like their bodies were merging. The blue fire roared inside of their hearts, and finally when it could expand no more, it calmed down. Zuko and Katara's lips broke apart, and they looked at each other with amazement.
Katara shivered, but Zuko pulled her close to him.
"What just happened?" Katara asked with a whisper, and a hint of fright.
"I'm not sure…"
She looked at him then, and in his eyes, she saw a cool calm serenity mixed in with the golden color. When he looked at her, he saw a fierce spirit behind those crystal blue eyes that he hadn't seen before. It was like they were looking into a mirror, and they saw themselves in each other.
"Zuko, I could have never imagined I could be this happy with you…"
"Believe it," he leaned into her face once again, "because the same goes for me as well."
He gave her one last kiss under the stars. She curled her body to his, and he put his arm around her for added warmth. They began to walk slowly back to the campsite, but it didn't matter to them when they would get there. The world was theirs, the night stood still, and all that mattered was that they were with each other.
..:-FIN-:..
A/N: Yes, this is… the end to this fic! Long chapter, I guess I merged two into one, but I think it fits better. Okay, so… I think you know why this fic was called Within One Another… I hope you do, if not tell me, and I will explain gladly. I want to thank everyone SO MUCH for supporting me throughout this endeavor, and I hope you all liked the ending! I had so much fun writing this…. So much fun in fact…
NEXT: So this fic is done, what's up next for me? I will let you guys decide! I can either start on my new zutara fic called (Captured Hearts) and no, Zuko does not capture Katara in it… it has a really original plot lol OR, I could start with what is going to be a series of oneshots that I will update monthly… so please tell me!
Oh, and one more thing, could you in your review tell me what part of the chapter you liked best? It will help me with my future zutara fics lol
I hope, from the bottom of my heart, that you have, A GREAT DAY! Until next time!