AN: I'm back! O.k. school majorly sucks. I have math homework on the weekend! I also haven't had a spare moment to type all week. Also, I am sorry if this is getting ooc. And now, here is the chapter you've all been waiting for - As the Clock Strikes Twelve!

P.S. This will not be the last chapter!

Inuyashas lover alway- Don't worry this one will be longer.

Junior High sucks. Remember that.

Katara's Cinderella Story

Chapter Six: As the Clock Strikes Twelve

They must have already walked through the maze twice, yet they still kept walking. They were actually nearing the entrance once more, and music could be heard. An idea popped into Zuko's head.

"May I have the honor of this dance?" He held out a hand, and Katara took it with a smile.

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"I don't know. How could I just let her go in there alone? I must be the worst brother in history!" Sokka was still pacing around Appa, who let out a groan in reply. "Thanks buddy, I knew I could count on you to cheer me up." It was filled with sarcasm.

Please be o.k. Please be o.k. Please be o.k.

XXXXXX

Ten gongs. Ten o' clock.

Ozai just so happen to glance out the window, and what he saw rather surprised him.

There was Zuko, a huge smile on his face, dancing with a young lady by the entrance to the garden maze. Ozai tapped his wife on the shoulder, and she was soon watching them too. Only one thought rang out in their heads.

Who is she?

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" - And Zula was so mad at me, she threw her musicbox at my head."

They both laughed. It was wonderful. Katara would have never imagined that Zuko could be so caring and fun-loving. She liked it.

No one in the Fire Nation has eyes like hers.

No one in the Fire Nation. He quickly brushed the thought aside. He liked her. A lot.

With one last step the song was over, and Zuko led her over to the bench, where they sat.

XXXXXX

"What are they doing?" The Fire Lady whispered to her husband.

"Just ... talking. They seem to be enjoying themselves though."

"He seems to really like this girl. Unlike all of the others."

"You know it isn't polite to spy." The Lord and Lady turned quickly to find Iroh with a smile plastered to his face. He apparently thought this rather amusing.

"Spying is such a crude word." Ozai told his brother. "I prefer to think of it as... watching one's every movement with careful consideration."

"There's a girl, General Iroh, out there with him. He's enjoying himself. We are simply trying to figure out who she is." The Fire Lady added.

"I see." Iroh walked over to the widow with them and his smile grew all the wider as his eyes fell upon the couple outside.

She looks oddly familiar... But he brushed the thought aside.

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His arms were strained and aching, for they were chained to the wall just as his feet were to the floor. He hadn't eaten in two days, and it was most uncomfortable to sleep in this position.

Even in his chamber Aang could hear the clock outside.

Eleven gongs. Eleven o' clock.

"Katara," He whispered. "Please Katara, I need your help. Help me Katara..."

Yet she didn't hear him, and his pleas went unanswered.

XXXXXX

Aang was pleaing for help, Katara and Zuko were enjoying eachother's company, meanwhile Zuko's mother, father, and uncle were spying on him, and Sokka was still pacing around talking to a giant bison.

XXXXXX

Sokka looked up to the moon. It was beautiful.

Like Yue..

'Technically she is the moon spirit.'

It was a long, deep, thoughtful, sigh. One of sorrow, worry, and fear.

"Yue, help her please. I've lost Mom and I've lost you. I just couldn't take it if I lost Katara too."

The breeze whipped at his face, and the moon seemed to glow brighter for a moment.

"Thank you, Yue." And he continued with his pacing.

XXXXXX

A sudden thought occured to her, and her eyes lost their happy glow. They weren't, however, filled with sorrow, anger, or disappointment. Just... confusion?

Zuko noticed it. He placed a comforting hand over hers.

"What is it?" His voice was soft.

XXXXXX

"What happened? What's going on."

"Something's bothering her."

"Oh, look! He's trying to comfort her!"

"He really does seem to like her..."

"I've never really seen him act like this toward a girl before. Does something seem different about her, or is it just me?"

"Something's definatly different. But what is it?"

The three were still spying, and they, too, had noticed the sudden change in this girl's mood.

"Look! She's talking again!"

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"It's just," Katara began. "My mother always used to read me story books. In all of them there was always a girl who meets a prince and - and I never thought it would actually happen. To me, that is. Do you know what I mean?"

A small, comforting smile graced his lips, and he didn't remove his hand from hers.

"Yes, I do. My mother always used to read Zula those kinds of stories. She never liked them of coarse. But - I do know, and I would like for you and you alone to not think of me as a prince."

"Then what would you have me think of you as?" A small smile appeared on her face.

Gong!

Katara gasped.

Gong!

"I'm so sorry Zuko, but I have to go!"

Gong!

"No, wait! Please!"

Gong!

"Zuko, I have to go! I really do! Goodbye!"

Gong!

Katara dashed into the garden maze. They had gone through it so many times that she had memorized the way out.

Gong!

Zuko went straight in after her.

Gong!

Katara was out of the maze and dashing through the city of Sozun.

Gong!

As late as it was, there was still a crowd out, no doubt because of the celebrations,

Gong!

Katara knew Zuko was still following her, so she ducked into an alley and lost Zuko.

Gong!

She went through the alleys until she came to the clearing. It was out in the open. She hesitated only for a moment before sprinting into the trees.

Gong!

She ignored the branches ripping at her clothes and skin. She ignored the fact that she was breathing heavily and her lungs felt like were about to burst.

Gong!

She burst through the trees, much to the obvious relief of Sokka. He ran up and hugged her tight, and as soon as she had regained her breath, broke out in a chain of sobs.

"I - I'm so s - stupid!" She cried into Sokka's shoulder. He held her tighter than ever, only wanting to be there for her.

She didn't bring Aang with her.

"I - I betrayed h - him, S - Sokka!"

Betrayed him? How could you have possibly betrayed him?

"Shhh." He said instead. "It's alright, Katara."

"N - no it's n - not! I - I'm such an i - idiot! How c - could I do th - that!"

"It's going to be alright Katara. You've had a big day. Just lie down and go to sleep."

"W - we have t - to save him S - Sokka!"

"We can come up with a plan in the morning. Right now we need sleep."

Katara slipped into her sleeping bag,

'You couldn't save your own best friend. And why? Because you were flirting with the enemy!'

I did more than just flirt. I - I think I'm actually starting to care for him.

'NononononoNO! He's the enemy!'

Katara's mental battle was anything but comforting.

Not like Zuko's touch.

XXXXXX

Zuko was still searching the city - alone and on foot, his three relatives stood in shocked silence, meanwhile Katara was having her little battle as she tried to get to sleep.

Finally, Zuko decided his search would go better in the morning. As he laid down for bed thar night, a shocking realization hit him.

I don't even know her name...

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AN: How was that? Shall that last you the night? I will try to write and post chapter seven tomorrow, but I'm not making any promises. Poor Zuko... okie dokies thats pretty much all I have to say

Until next I update...