A/N: Here's some good old Zutara-ness! Kind of a continuation of The Best Form of Torture but it could easily stand on it's own…and I made it from Katara's POV instead. Also I figured if Zuko/Katara is Zutara, then Sokka/Zula can be Sokula! Right on!
Kayko15: Yeah…I can only imagine Grandpa Iroh. Anyway Wahoo! Iroh Action Figure! RIGHT ON:hugs him: And for you I'm thinking A Zuko Plushie:gives to you: That talks:squeezes his hand: "Where is the Avatar!" :squeezes hand again: "Uncle I don't want tea!" Ah he's adorable. Anyway, thankies for your review:DZukoscute2: Well here's your Z/K! I hope you like it! That seems like an interesting song, but I thought song-fics weren't allowed anymore. Oh well thanks anyway. And thank you for the review!
Iziz: Yeah Kayko said that too. Thanks for the review!
Monito: Yeah, I suppose it could have been, but I think Katara's mother would have been older rather than younger. That's actually a pretty interesting idea though. Oh wait, I think I have someone else for Katara's mom…Thanks for reviewing!
Lizzz: Yo you're welcome foo'! Heh heh, thank you for reviewing. It makes me feel all special.
Masako Moonshade: Hey, I read your story 'Everything for a Price' although I have yet to finish it. It was pretty darn good! And I'm glad that Zula turned out all right. I was hoping she'd be evil enough. Anyway, many thanks for the review:D
The Perfect Silence
I had always thought that Aang would master all the elements in time. When Zuko finally captured us I swore that we would get away. We were the good guys, and besides Aang was the Avatar. He was much more powerful that Zuko or any of his soldiers. But as we sailed closer to the fire nation, my hopes dwindled.
It was an ordinary day for the Avatar and his traveling companions. We had flown miles and miles over the Earth Kingdom. It seemed as though the mighty lands of the Earth Benders had stretched on forever. The North Water Tribes seemed so distant and I longer to have a real waterbending teacher. I was impatient I admit. But I had never lost hope. I guess out of the three of us I was the most hopeful, calm and level headed one. I guess that comes with being a female.
Our food supplies had slipped again (due to Sokka's ravenous appetite) and we found it necessary to stop yet again for more supplies. In addition to that our budget was growing slim and our stomachs were empty. As bad as that all sounds though, I would trade anything to be there right now. Although traveling with Aang is a difficult journey it's better than being captive on a fire bender's ship.
Appa quickly descended towards the ground near a small lake that was only a few minutes away from an Earth Kingdom village. This one was a small one and appeared to only have a few stores, homes and people. But we'd have to make due. Once Appa was settled safely on the green grass that surrounded the lake we jumped off the furry beast onto the ground as well.
It wasn't long before I remembered Zuko. Our last encounter with the fire prince had been a narrow escape and he was hot on our trail (quite literally). It seemed every time he was knocked down he was back on his feet in a matter of seconds chasing after Aang.
"Aang, we should hurry," I warned. "You know that Zuko is close behind us and if we're not quick we'll all be toast," I said taking a weary look behind us. Aang shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly with a grin.
"Don't worry Katara," Aang began. "We'll go in, buy some food and come out. We'll be out of there before you can even say 'fire bender'."
Of course we weren't. You'd think that as the female it would be me taking up all the time shopping. But it was Aang and Sokka who kept us up. First we stopped at a fruit stand and Sokka began taking all the fruit he could get his hands on. When he went to pay he realized he had no where near enough money to reimburse the conveyer of the stand. Aang tried haggling, and in the end he used some air bending to make the stand fly away from it's master.
So we got some free fruit.
We did actually pay for several varieties of vegetables because they were in season and not very costly at all. We bought a few breads and one or two delicacies (like Aang's custard tart). After I thought we had all the food we needed Aang insisted upon shopping around for interesting trinkets. Sokka also wanted to look at some weapons in the tiny armory that the small Earth Kingdom village obviously used to protect themselves from the ruthless fire nation.
While Aang and Sokka went off to shop I was left alone to… 'hold the food'. Though it irked me at time, I wish I had been more appreciative of those things. It wasn't long afterwards that I noticed a troubling sight in the sky.
Smoke…
Fire Nation Ships…Zuko. I quickly dropped our food and fled to find Aang and Sokka. I found Aang hanging around an old gypsy in a run down building who was trying to sell him some tea leaves.
"Aang!" I said as I burst through the doors. "Hey Katara," he said brightly. He turned back to the gypsy. "That's Katara," he said pointing his thumb in my direction. The old woman looked at me carefully as I walked over to Aang and made a reach for his arm.
"So this is the lovely Katara. Can I interest you in some concoctions? Perhaps a love potion for a special someone?" she said picking up a pink glass bottle.
"There's no time," I said ignoring the offer. "Aang listen, it's Zuko…he's here!" I said as began tugging at his arm. He gave me a suspicious look.
"There's no way he could be here, we've only been here a few minutes. You're just trying to get me out of here," he said pulling his arm back. I let out a frustrated sigh.
"No I'm not, come see for yourself," I said pulling him towards the doors. I pushed one of the doors open and pointed to the source of our trouble. "Look…" I said. "It's smoke." Aang's eyes followed by hand and studied the billowing, black clouds of smoke amassing in the cerulean sky. He heaved a heavy sigh when the realization dawned on him. Oh darn, no more magic tealeaves.
"Well it looks like I'll have to take a rain check on those tea leaves," he said to the old woman who was also looking thoroughly disappointed. "Are you sure you want to leave yet? I have some fire repellents," she said picking up another glass bottle, this time red with a flame shaped cap. I saw Aang's smile broaden at the thought of more interesting things, but I quickly grabbed the back of his clothes and pulled him of the store.
Sokka was also disappointed when we had to force him away from the boomerangs but we luckily were able to get him out with no serious injuries. In a moment we had recovered our foods and were sprinting towards Appa's location.I felt my chest rise with relief as we rapidly approached the site. Unfortunately when we found Appa, the relief was replaced with fear. Appa's massive arms were tied, and Momo as well. Fire Nation soldiers surrounded the area, among them Prince Zuko.
I heard Aang's shocked gasp as he watched his beloved pets being contained. Sokka growled a bit and I just starred. There was a deadly silence as we starred at Zuko and he starred back at us. His one good eye, amber colored, seemed to burn my soul. And his scarred one…something about it sent a shiver up my spine.
The stillness of the moment was broken by the prince's voice. "I have you now Avatar," he said, devoid of emotion. I looked back towards Aang to find his expression was not angry. He balled up his fists and growled, much like Sokka had.
"We'll see about that," he said as he swiped at the air sending a rush of air towards the soldiers. All of them were knocked off their feet and we made a dash to free Appa and Momo. However, they were incredibly persistent. Several soldiers jumped up and pounced on Aang.
I made a move to free him from the soldiers, as I dashed towards the edge of the lake. Meanwhile Sokka whipped out his boomerang and was fighting off fire benders himself. I knew then it was my moment. If I could just get a wave to form those fire nation soldiers would be washed off of Aang in a moment.
I readied my hands over the water and began focusing very hard on my goal. I slowly guided my hands upward and the water was following. My hands continued ascending into the air and the water was following. I was doing it…I couldn't believe it. As the wave began to rise so did my hopes. They were soon crushed when I felt strong, warm hands grab my wrists and force them behind my back.
The wave sunk quickly into the water and I leaned over and let out a cry of pain. I looked over to see my assailant. It was Prince Zuko. I snarled in frustration and stepped on his foot. He reeled back in pain as my hands were freed.
Without hesitation I began forming a water whip, but I was still pretty slow about it and I had to break it when I dodged a wave of flames. I dropped onto the grass and narrowly avoided a fiery fate.
For the first time I looked over to Aang, who was now taking on several larger men. Fortunately for him, his air bending continued to baffle them. Sokka was not fairing so well though. He was striking out against his opponents but they caught his hand and hurled him onto his face.
I looked up and into the visage of Zuko. He was standing over me, his fist flaming. I needed an idea and quickly. I looked around for something, anything that would put me back in the fight. My eyes locked onto his feet…it was my only chance.
With a quick movement, my leg swung forward and swiped at the Prince's feet. He was on his back in a moment and I was now standing over him water was ready in my hands. He made a move to get up and I slapped the water into his face. He wiped the water from his brow and he looked angrier than I had ever seen. I began backing up and tried to ready more water, but he was so quick to his feet that I had no time.
He lunged forward and grabbed my wrist. I tried pulling away, but my upper body strength was clearly no match. Instead he pulled me forward and fell into the dirt. I felt his knee dig into my back and my wrists were now bond by his hands. I sneered and started furiously kicked, but it did me no good. I was helpless.
He leaned down close to my ear and whispered, "Don't get in my way again, or I promise you it will be painful." His breath was hot against my ear and I flinched away. I needed away to get out of this prison that was my enemy. If only I could catch him off guard. A wild idea sprung into my head but I could never do it. As much as I needed to get away I wouldn't lower myself to that level.
But I couldn't take much more of the searing pain that the position of my wrists caused. It would only be for a moment and when we got away I would thank myself.
"Oh yeah?" I said confidently. "I'll show you painful…" I sneered as I turned to look at him. He was still very close, as to make sure I didn't pull any tricks. But he did not know this kind of trick. He snickered at my statement and leaned closer.
"Doubtful," he said smiling. He was walking right into it…but part of me wished he hadn't. I didn't want to do it, but I knew if I wanted to save myself I would have to. I decided it would be quick and I'd get it over with. Before I could stop myself I leaned in quickly and kissed him. My desired plan worked instantly. My hands were released and his knee was no longer pushing down into my back.
Though it was good, I all of sudden realized that I hadn't immediately pulled away. This was the part that I ripped back and wiped my lips. So…why the heck wasn't I? I was now not angry at Zuko but angry at myself. I couldn't wrench myself away from the warm feeling hat I have often dreamt about. I always thought my first kiss would be with Haru or Jet, or even Aang, but never Zuko.
When my conscience finally would no longer stand it, I pushed against his armor and broke the kiss. There was still a tingling feeling there. I looked back to my enemy and he looked as though he had just been hit with a ton of bricks. I all of sudden felt my face grow hot and I looked around to see if anyone else had seen the horrible deed I had to do.
And everybody had. Aang was starring at me with the most hurt look I had ever seen. Sokka looked like he was about to burst into flames. In fact if I didn't know better I'd think he was a fire bender.
I couldn't believe I had just done that. Zuko was also looking around to find his soldiers starring agape at him. He, however, regained himself sooner then anyone else did.
"Don't just stand there, grab the Avatar!" The men look flustered for a moment but quickly sprung to Aang's side and held him. But Aang wouldn't have moved anyway…he was just starring at me, looking so betrayed. It hurt me so much to see his face like that. During my venerability several men surrounded me and I was soon in Prince Zuko's hands.
I felt like a complete idiot. I had just demeaned myself and it had gotten me no where. Sokka too was being restrained by several large men. My deed had caused us all to be off guard and we couldn't recover from the shock in time.
And in a matter of minutes we were all thrown into a prison cell on Prince Zuko's ship. It was basically a small room, the walls covered with metal. There was a tall pole in the middle of the room, and we were all tied around it with heavy iron shackles. No windows graced the wall and there was only one door that was also made of metal. The room almost reflected myself. Empty and sad. I felt absolutely horrible and when the guards left it only got worse. Sokka was the first the first to speak.
"I don't believe you, Katara," he said glaring at me through angry eyes. "How could you kiss that…that…fire scum! How could you do that to me, to Aang! What stupidity would posses you to do such a…a…that!" he said hatefully.
"I...don't know," I began, feeling my eyes burning with hot tears. "I guess I thought that if I kissed him, he would release me…" I sniffed feeling as though things could not get much worse. I was disgraced and my brother hated me.
"Yeah sure he would Katara! If it was that easy our ancestors would have all have kissed the fire nation's people and they'd all have little screwed up children!" he burst out angrily. I blinked the tears away as Sokka's words cut me like a knife. There was an awkward silence as no one said anything. I looked over to Aang, who looked as though he was about to cry.
"Aang," I began, as I felt like I would burst into tears at any moment. "I am so sorry, you know I wouldn't have done it if I thought it could help us," I said trying to explain my situation. He just sat there, his head down looking downtrodden. It was all my fault he was here like this. "I'm sorry Aang, for everything," I said looking away, no longer able to bear that expression on his face.
He still said nothing, but I heard him sniffle quietly. We sat there in silence for what seemed like an eternity. I just wished Aang would talk so I'd know what he was thinking. But he said not one word and that made everything so much worse. Sokka too seemed to have no words left to say to me and simply ignored my presence.
After what I believe was several hours, a heavy metal door swung open. There stood one of the guards who was stood outside our cell. He took a quick look at us, his eyes landing on me. The then walked over to the pole and began untying the ropes that bond me around the pole.
"What are you doing?" I said as I felt the ropes fall from my wrists. He grabbed one of my hands and walked around to my side of the pole. He pulled me up with a sharp yank and now held both of my hand. He took the rope that bond me to the pole and began tying my two hands together.
"The Prince requests a word with you," he said leading me towards the door. Zuko wanted to speak with me? Why? My legs froze to the floor as thoughts raced through my head. Could it be something about the kiss? Did he enjoy it as I had…? The thought that I enjoyed that kiss, hit me like a bolt of lightning. Had I enjoyed it? No…that isn't possible…I hate him! I said trying to convince myself. Then why didn't you pull away? I had no answer to that. I don't know…but I know that I would never have feelings for him! I mean, that kiss was nothing…it meant nothing.
But somewhere I knew that I was kidding myself. It was the stupid hormones fault, lack of oxygen to the brain, anything! I could not have feelings for him…I refused. It was then I realized I hadn't moved from my spot.
The guard nudged me with the butt of his weapon. "Move it girlie," he said in a gruff voice. "And no funny business," he said as he continued to jab me in the back. I began walking out of the cell and I considered running. But two things prevented me from doing so. First of all if I got away what would I do and secondly there was a long hall filled with guards in front of me.
I decided it was pointless, and continued down the hallway. It wasn't long before the guard halted me in front of a metal door. It looked no different from any other door and I found it hard to believe that this was the door to Prince Zuko's living quarters. The guard approached the door and knocked twice. He waited for an answer.
"Come in," I heard Prince Zuko's muffled voice through the door. The guard reached down for the handle and twisted it as he swung the door open.
Zuko's room was nothing like I expected it to be. It was mostly very plain. There was a mattress on the floor, and there was a low table with candles on it. I assumed he meditated by it. A few tapestries hung from the otherwise bare metal walls and it seemed like a gloomy place to dwell.
He was standing in the middle of his room starring intently at us as we stood in the threshold. After a moment he looked to the guard and said, "Leave us." The guard obeyed and made his way towards the exit. He slammed the door shut and I heard the lock click. And then I was alone. Alone with the Prince.
Tension was thick in the air as we starred at each other in silence. I couldn't even fathom what he was thinking as he gazed into my eyes. I felt very uneasy as his amber eyes watched me closely. I decided to make this stop and speak up.
"What do you want?" I said irritably, trying to forget the fact that somewhere deep down I was having a debate about my feelings towards him. He straightened up but didn't answer me right away. Instead he looked away and walked towards the wall to the right of him. He leaned one of his forearms against the cold metal and looked down. I still couldn't even imagine what he was thinking. At last he spoke.
"Why did you do it?" he asked simply. I threw him a questioning glance as he looked up to meet my expression. "Why did I do it?" I repeated processing the question. "I did it because…because I…why do you want to know?" I said thinking that my words might betray me. I might slip that I was debating with myself and that was a bridge I did not want to cross.
"I don't need to explain myself to you," he said turning towards me. "Answer the question," he said, a stern look on his face. I sneered and then turned my back on him.
"I don't need to explain myself to you either. My reasons are my own. But don't flatter yourself. I wasn't doing it because I wanted to. It was to get you off my back, literally." I replied.
"Oh really," he said. His voice had changed, from cold to much warmer. Perhaps it was because he had an explanation and thought something of it. He approached me from behind. "Are you sure that's all?" he whispered into my ear. His warm breath was ragged on my skin and had goose bumps from the close proximity between us. Funny, when I was fighting with him, I didn't feel this way.
"Of course," I said, lying through my teeth. "What else would it be?" I said, losing my confidence.
"I don't know," he said placing a hand on my shoulder from behind. "You tell me, you said I was flattering myself…how did you mean?"
"It was nothing," I demanded, suddenly feeling very hot. I put my hand to my temple because my voice of reason was beginning to falter. "Nothing at all!" I said loudly, unable to control myself. His hand curled around my forearm and he spun me around to face him. He held me there with both arms and I surprisingly didn't even try to struggle.
"If it was nothing, then you could do it again…" I was lost for words.
"I…you…why? I mean…no! I don't want to kiss you again!" I said pushing myself from his grasp. He let me go, but he his expression didn't change.
"You're afraid to," he said bluntly.
"I…what!" I said angered.
"You're afraid to," he repeated. "Because you're scared that you may feel something again…"
"I most certainly am not!" I stated, placing my hands on my hips. "What makes you think a ridiculous thing like that!"
"It's simple really," he said. "You didn't pull away. Not for awhile in fact. Had you, like you probably intended I would have thought nothing of it. But forgive me if my hormones are thinking it was something else. Believe me, I wish I was devoid of them. But I'm sixteen and I can't control what they're doing. I hate this just as much as you do."
"Oh yeah, then why are you pushing this?" I growled. He face softened a moment and then he looked away from me.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," he said turning away from me.
"Why not?" My voice softening too from the look that was spread across his features.
"Because you think I'm a bad person, that I am capturing the Avatar out of greed. You wouldn't understand." I was shocked. I had already seen several sides of Prince Zuko in the last few minutes and I admit he was a much different person than I perceived. The fluctuation in his mood confused me greatly.
"Please, just tell me. Why are you so concerned about this?" I said in the most understanding tone that I knew. I suddenly wanted him to trust me. This unspeakable urge baffled me, but that day was the most confusing day of my life so it was really nothing new.
"Very well," he said, not looking at me. "It's because…" he looked as though he was having a hard time saying something. "because…I…am alone," he lowered his head and refused to look my way. It seemed truly sincere, but he had such a hard time saying it. Did he find this demeaning? That a man couldn't ever feel lonely? I admit, it was hard to comprehend that Prince Zuko actually had feelings.
"You don't know what it's like," he continued. "To be banished from your home, you don't know what it's like when your only means back home is the Avatar. You don't know how it is to train and meditate all the time. You don't know what it's like when no body cares about you…"
"Your only means back home is…"
"The Avatar, yes!" he said turning around furiously. "My honor, everything that I know depends on the capture of your friend. Perhaps it's sounds selfish, but I deny myself everything just so that I'd have the chance at the one this I want." He turned his back towards me again and leaned against the wall.
"You can go now…" he said. I stood there baffled by the words entering my head. Things were beginning to piece together. I didn't want to leave yet. Maybe there was a way to help him.
"But Zuko," I began, but he turned and shouted at me. "JUST GO!" he shouted. Scared, I backed up towards the wall and swung the door open and shut it hard behind me.
It was truly amazing what I had just seen in him. I saw his sultry side, which was just compensating for his real problem, the sad, lonely side. Prince Zuko was much more complex then I would have ever dreamed. Perhaps he had hoped for feelings that went with a kiss because of the little boy inside him has always wanted love.
Outside the guard was leaning up against the corridor wall, relaxed as if he thought I would be in there forever. When he was alerted of my presence he straightened up. He escorted me back down towards the dungeon.
When we reached my cell, I found my male companions as they were when I had left them. I quickly resumed my position and the guard retied my hands around the pole. He exited the cell and shut the door.
I sat (or rather kneeled) there thinking about my conversation with the Prince. Could it be possible that after all I had learned about him that maybe it wasn't unthinkable to have feelings for him? My thoughts were interrupted by Sokka.
"Back so soon?" he growled irritably.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I said in reply.
"Well you seem to be so close with that…jerk, I thought you might be there awhile." He said grumpily. For some reason that struck a nerve, and I became very upset with my brother.
"Zuko is not a jerk Sokka, you are!" I shouted at him. He looked at me baffled, lost for words. But I had only begun. "You don't know the first thing about him do you? No, you don't! He was banished from his home, and Aang is the only way he can go back home. He isn't a bad person Sokka! He was just placed in a bad situation…" I finished exasperated.
Now both Aang and Sokka were starring, completely unable to speak. Sokka's brow creased in a matter of moments after my words sunk in.
"First name basis are we Katara? I knew it! You have feelings for him don't you? You have feelings for the Prince of the Fire Nation! Aang's enemy! Your enemy!"
"What if I do?" The words were out of my mouth before I even knew what I was saying. This time we were all surprised by my words. I had intended initially to deny it, as I had been denying it to myself. But the words just came out. I couldn't believe it.
For the first time I heard Aang speak. "I understand Katara…sometimes you fall in love with people you shouldn't…" he said, his voice laced with rejection.
"Aang," I began, feeling a pang in my heart at the boy's shattered emotions. "I am so sorry – "
"It's ok Katara, don't apologize…I understand," he said looking away.
For the rest of the trip his words eat guiltily away at my conscience. I couldn't help but feel awful, and how sad Aang looked completely wrenched my heart.
It took us nearly a week to reach the fire nation. Most of the trip was uneventful. Sokka rarely spoke to me, being that he was so furious. Aang looked the same all the time. It seemed as though I had permanently broken his heart. We were fed occasionally, usually just scraps. Three guards would come in and untie us and watched us eat. As soon as we finished they strung us right back up. They never gave us a chance to even think about escaping.
Aang never ate. Sokka and I did, but I found it hard to seeing Aang just stare at his food with those sad eyes. I thought surely he would starve and I insisted he ate, but he always refused. By the end of the week I thought I would go crazy with the guilt I was feeling. It was lucky that it was the day we were removed and were taken to the Fire Nation's Royal Palace.
We arrived at the palace in late afternoon. the sun was setting the golden sky. It was a very large building, built out of what I assumed to be the finest bricks. They must have been clay because they gave the palace a bit of a reddish aura. It stood proud and tall, and red and black banners were hung from the turrets.
Before we entered, Zuko took a long look at the building. He must have missed it greatly. He then turned to us. He looked at the guards holding us. "Give me one of the prisoners," he said. The guards looked around at each confused. "Which one?" said a guard holding Sokka's left arm.
"It doesn't matter," Zuko said irritably. "Just pick one!" My guards began to step forward and thrust me towards Zuko. I had a feeling it was because the soldier who escorted me to Zuko's room (who at the moment was holding Aang) must have told them all about it. Maybe they thought something happened between us.
Why did Zuko want to walk in the doors with a prisoner in his hands? Possibly to impress anyone who went by. To show that it was he who captured the Avatar and friends? Regardless, he grabbed my wrists and pushed me forward. He said not a word to me as we walked through the heavy iron gates. But there was something I had to tell him, that he had been right. As much as I hated to admit it, I had enjoyed the kiss. And I think after hearing him and seeing him vulnerable I may have developed feelings for him too. I wish I hadn't though. It would make things so much easier. The emotional turmoil it caused me was damaging in itself, not to mention the guilt I felt for causing Aang's grief.
As we entered the gates we were approached by many people of the court. They immediately went to Zuko asked of his amazing capture of the Avatar. Although I wasn't listening I knew he wasn't going to mention the whole reason he had was because he was better at recovering from shock. But like I said I wasn't listening. I was thinking that I had to get this off my chest before I exploded. I had to tell him…which is odd, because normally something like this to be a secret. It seemed like everything I used to know was now gone. I had seen a sad Prince Zuko and I myself was feeling something towards him. I still could not believe the things that were happening. My life was a mess.
It seemed that Prince Zuko was done talking to these people and he had spotted others he knew. He looked back towards the guards. He thrust me into the guard and said, "I need to go talk with someone for a minute. Make sure nothing happens," he said. Yeah right, like something would happen. We were three children in a palace full of fire benders.
He turned to go and before I could stop myself I said, "Wait!" he froze in his tracks and looked at me with a questioning gaze. "I need to talk to you," I said, not really even thinking about it before hand. He kept my gaze for a few seconds longer, and then turned around again.
I had no way to interpret this. Did that mean he wasn't going to talk to me? Did that mean he felt resentment. It could be any number of things.
I watched him stride towards two people of the fire nation, one a young girl, around my age. The other was an older man probably in his thirties. They both seemed to have a scowl on their face which I assumed meant they disliked Zuko very much.
After a moment or two he turned around and addressed his soldiers. "Take the prisoners to the dungeons, and be sure to give them separate cells. A make sure they are far away from each other, I'll have no more escapes," he said. I assumed he was referring to all the times Aang had escaped while in Zuko's hands.
We were marched off to the palace's dungeons and we were separated. Aang was taken to another facility that was heavily guarded. Sokka and I were given different chambers at two ends of the long hallway of prison cells.
It was a miserable wait. I sat there alone, tied to a pole just thinking about how everything in my life had gone wrong. Why couldn't I just hate Zuko like Sokka did? Things would be so much easier. Aang wouldn't be feeling depressed, Sokka wouldn't be ignoring me, and best of all we wouldn't be captured. But no, I couldn't just ignore the kiss and slap Zuko in the face with some water. I had to reflect on it, and in turn let myself be captured.
My torment was interrupted late at night though. I was half-awake and half-asleep when I heard the door to my cell open. I blinked, because my eyes weren't used to the light outside in the hall. A person was standing in the threshold. It was him.
He shut the door. "What do you want?" he said, almost as I did a few days ago. I looked up and studied his face. His face did not read triumph. It did not look like the face of someone who had just regained his honor.
"I just wanted to say…that you were right," I said bowing my head. I didn't want to look at him right now. I was afraid that perhaps he had let his guard down only a moment and he was hardened again. Perhaps before he thought the kiss meant he could trust me with something and I had proved that it hadn't. But I wished I had a second chance now.
"About what?" he said, his voice almost the same as before, but I could sense it softened the slightest bit.
"About me," I began. "About what I did. It wasn't nothing, and I've only recently come to grips with that. I wish it was nothing, I really do. But you were right." When I was finished, I felt a great burden rise off my chest. I had finally gotten it off my chest. When he didn't say anything, I looked up to see his expression.
He looked solemn and pensive as though he was now lost for words. He looked away when he noticed me starring but still looked deeply thoughtful. I decided that I would break the silence…there was just one more thing I had to do before he left.
"I know it will never work, but if before you go you could do me just one favor…"
He looked back at me with a puzzled look on his face. "What?"
"My attempt at escaping last time, I'd like to try it again…" He looked utterly perplexed by my words. "Why?"
"I just told you why…you were right, now will you do me this favor or not?"
He was contemplating my request. At last he answered.
"Fine…"
This one was much better than the first. Before I had been confused and scared at the thought. But now, I had already come to terms with the truth as annoying as it was. The fact that it was forbidden might have made it all the better. I kissed him with intensity knowing that this might be the only time I ever feel this way. And he returned it graciously. It seemed as though my lips had been ignited with fire…perhaps that's what happens when you kiss a fire bender.
When it ended I felt relieved and saddened. I may never kiss someone like that again. But, now the burden was gone and I could live with myself. Knowing that I had accepted the truth.
He stood up to leave…but he had his eyes on me. Perhaps he too thought he'd never be kissed like that again. I smiled knowingly. I had kissed a Prince. I had kissed the enemy And something about it felt great.
Before he shut the door on me for what could be forever we took a long gaze at each other. That sort of gaze could only mean one thing. There were no words to be said about that look. Although if it had to be it could be summed up with three words.
As we held the each other's gaze there was silence.
And this time the silence between us was entirely perfect.
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A/N: I hope this wasn't too rushed at the beginning or anywhere else, and I hope Zuko and Katara weren't too OOC. Before writing this I tried to hear the characters say the dialogue and it seemed to work. Oh well if it sucked please tell me but I hope you liked it! Also, if you didn't notice there were slight Aang/Katara hints in here. Well more of Aang's unrequited love (poor guy) but you get the point. But there won't be any Aang/Katara one-shots in here. Obviously because Aang isn't fire nation-ness. But I do like that ship (fans throw garbage). I know it's weird that I like both but I do. But if you're strictly Zutara, you don't have to worry. There won't be any Aang/Katara here.