A/N: Here we go! A mostly anticipated chapter I believe! I haven't named any chapters of any fanfics, but this is an exception, because so many of you had threatened to come find me lol (Just joking!) So this chapter is called…

Chapter 8 – Monika's Backup Plan

Now the fire wrapped around them. But Katara wasn't the least bit scared anymore. He smiled down at her gently and she tilted her head up to his. She kissed him and the fire vanished. The roaring flames disappeared and he wrapped his arms around her firmly. From behind him, Katara saw her mother standing there. Surprisingly, she was smiling.

Katara woke up with confusion and some anger. Why did that blasted dream keep coming to her, and why did it change each time? Was it telling her something… or was it just some stupid imagination? Well it didn't matter, especially since last night. Her kiss in the dream wasn't real, and that disappointed her a lot. A tear slid down her cheek as she was faced with the reality of the situation. She had to marry Haan; it was what her father wanted, and she had no way out of it.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door.

"I'm coming!"

Katara quickly slipped on a new outfit, and fluffed up her hair so that it looked decent. She nodded at herself in approval, and walked to the door. She sighed, and pulled the doors open. Her face radiated with a morning smile, but when she saw Zuko standing there, the smile disappeared instantly. He looked like he hadn't slept that well last night.

"Good morning Katara…"

"Good morning Zuko…"

They stood there in silence awkwardly. Zuko rubbed the back of his head with his hand and Katara shifted from one foot to the other. They spoke at the same time.

"Will…"

"So…"

The two of them laughed and broke the tension. Katara tilted her head towards him.

"You first."

"So you want to go to breakfast?"

She clung to her stomach and laughed.

"Yeah, we didn't have dinner yesterday! You must be starving too!"

Zuko smiled and shrugged his shoulders.

"I guess so… didn't really realize it…"

Of course he didn't; he was too busy being overwhelmed with thoughts of Katara. The two of them walked and talked, and soon they were walking side by side, barely any space in between them. Something told Zuko to edge away. It was a good thing he did, because right then, Nasu turned the corner. Zuko bowed.

"Good morning sir."

"Good morning Zuko, Katara. No need to bow."

Zuko stood up straight and nodded. They walked into the room together, the three of them, and Katara glanced at Zuko. He smiled but inside, everything was writhing from torture. He wanted so badly to feel her lips graze his, but there wasn't anything he could do about it. She was engaged; it was a done deal. So he looked away, the faster he got her out of his heart, the faster it would stop hurting him. Katara saw this change in his face and sighed. Her eyes were cried out from the previous night. Now she had to deal with her life. She had to deal with seeing Zuko, and not being able to be with him like before.

"Good morning father!"

Yue bounced into the room with high spirits, followed by Sokka. He seemed to be smirking. Katara raised her eyebrow. What was wrong with them?

"Good morning Yue, Sokka. You two seem to be happy this morning."

"Of course we are."

Yue sat down and shot a smirk towards Katara. She just sent a mean glare back. Yue turned around and whispered to Sokka.

"She doesn't even know yet! She thinks that she is going to have a fun time with her friend…"

"But she will be surprised, won't she?"

Yue nodded happily and Sokka turned to see their welcomed guest arrive. Katara's jaw dropped.

"Haan?" she asked desperately.

He walked in gallantly and smirked, while pushing back his hair.

"The one and only!"

She closed back her mouth but her eyes widened as he put his hands on her shoulders. He pushed Zuko aside, and sat down next to Katara. She was about to protest when Haan looked right at her face.

"I couldn't stop thinking about waking up and seeing your face…"

He talked softly and smoothly; it made Katara's skin crawl. Zuko curled his fists under the table, and looked away. Yue's eyes found his, and he looked up to the ceiling, that way, he would see no one.

"Oh, how nice of you to say Haan…"

He took her hand, and kissed it gently. Katara quickly pulled it away and grabbed her cup of water. She looked away and saw the rest of her family come into the room. When she met her mother's gaze, her eyes widened in annoyance, and her mother seemed to know why. Next to her, Haan was picking at the grapes, leaning against Katara, and plopping them into his mouth.

"Okay, since we are all here, let's eat!"

Breakfast couldn't have felt longer. Every second, it seemed that Haan had found a new way to annoy her, and she wasn't even able to say anything to Zuko. Her heart seemed empty that morning, and it soon became crushed even more.

When everyone left, only Yue, Katara, Zuko and Haan stayed along with Nasu.

"There is going to be a bit of a change. Katara, Zuko, please step forward."

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry but I think it would be best if Zuko were now transferred to be Yue's bodyguard."

Katara's eyes popped out and her jaw dropped, but she closed it up quickly. Zuko closed his eyes solemnly and breathed in.

"Haan will be your new bodyguard Katara. That way you can get to know him better. You are all now dismissed. I will see you all right on time for lunch."

Nasu left the room, and Zuko and Katara turned around slowly. Across the room stood their new partners for the day. They each took their steps cautiously, waiting out all the time they could before they were separated from one another. The time slipped by very quickly. Haan grabbed Katara's arm and led her out of the room. She wasn't even able to say a word to Zuko. Yue walked up to Zuko and pranced around him. When he shot her a death glare, her happiness disappeared. He grabbed her by her wrists and pulled her in close to him.

Yue cringed at his harsh soft voice.

"Do you think this is all a joke, a game? It isn't funny, and don't think you are off the hook for what you did…"

He let go of her, but not in time. Katara had gotten away from Haan for a split second, and ran back to the room to say something to Zuko. When she got in there, all she saw was Yue leaned up against Zuko. It broke her heart in two and she ran away from there without saying a word. Yue massaged her wrists and sighed.

"Zuko, I wanted to tell you that I was sorry…"

He chuckled briefly, but didn't smile.

"Like I'm going to believe anything that comes out of your mouth."

She looked taken aback, but she knew she deserved it. Now was her chance to show Zuko that she was just like Katara… and then maybe he would like her more…

"Zuko, I really am sorry. I don't know why I did it. I think I was just jealous…"

He eyed her suspiciously.

"Jealous? Of me? So you had them beat me?"

"No not you… I was… jealous of Katara…"

His expression softened slightly as her eyes began to water. He didn't know that Yue was capable of tears. She walked up slowly towards him and displayed a very good performance of acting. Tears shed from her eyes, and Zuko even put a hand on her shoulder.

"Ever since you came here, everyone's given their attention to Katara! No one cares about me! No one! And especially not you… and now Katara's engaged…"

The last part stung at Zuko's heart. He didn't want to face it, the reality of his life. But she was right. He had spent his whole time with Katara, and now he was weak and broken because he couldn't be with her. It was time to move on. Zuko's eyes widened as he felt Yue's arms wrap around his waist. He desperately wished that it was Katara with him, but he shook his head. He could never be with Katara. Maybe he would give Yue another chance.

"It's… it's okay Yue…"

Her sobs stopped and she looked at him bewildered. It had worked?

"Oh Zuko! Thank you for understanding! I couldn't live with myself if you didn't forgive me!"

She hugged him even tighter, and he had to push her away or else he wouldn't be able to breathe. Yue flashed him her nicest smile and they walked out of the room. Zuko sighed. It was going to be a long day.

..:-:..

Katara ran out and unfortunately bumped right into Haan, and his arms wrapped around her confidently. It was like he thought she liked it when he did that. He saw the tears in her eyes, and immediately became concerned.

"Katara! What happened?"

She was about to open her mouth to say something, when he pushed her head into his chest. He began to stroke her head and shush her. Her facial expression was of the utmost hatred.

"Don't cry… don't cry… everything will be just fine… as long as you're with me."

That was it. Katara pushed him away forcefully and breathed deeply. He was caught by surprise, and tumbled backwards towards the wall. Each time she spoke a new word, she stepped closer and closer towards him.

"Just because I am supposed to be your bride and all, doesn't mean you get to spin me around your finger! I'm an independent woman and no one tells me what to do. Nor can they push me around, belittle me, or in any way treat me like I am on object!"

She was up in his face now, and he stood firmly against the wall.

"Understood?"

Katara stepped away and crossed her arms. Haan loosened up and nodded.

"Yes ma'am!"

All the anger in her disappeared as she saw him salute her off. She laughed out loud and he smiled. Surprisingly, he took her by the hand and they walked down the hall together. Somehow, she didn't realize it.

They had gone on the boat tour of the city like Katara had done with Zuko the day before. This saddened her very much, but it was one of her duties, and now that Haan was her fiancé, she had to do with him. When they got off the boat, Katara quickly walked away. Haan had to run up to her.

"Hey, what did you walk away so fast for?"

She turned back at him crossly. He backed off remembering her earlier speech. They heard the gong ring and Katara rolled her eyes. It was off to lunch again… why did it seem like her whole life was based around the three meals of the day? Oh wait… she would get to see Zuko! Her face lit up, but then she remembered how close Yue had been with Zuko. Her smile vanished, and a frown appeared just as quickly as the smile had appeared. Katara began to walk towards the room, but Haan grabbed her hand.

"Katara, where are you going? Didn't your father tell you? We are announcing our marriage in the Great Room for lunch today."

Her eyes bulged. Why did things like this happen all the time?

He dragged her into it and when she got there, she was amazed. Everything was decorated superbly. There were streamers everywhere and the waterfall seemed to gleam with beauty as it fell to the pond. Her father greeted them warmly, and all she could do was hug him. Nasu seemed shocked, but pleased that she was happy. A week ago, she would have never dreamed her father would be so loving towards her. Now she thought it was possible he loved her more than Yue. Where was she anyways?

She stopped dead in her tracks and Haan had to pull her towards the table. The sight hurt her even more; Zuko and Yue were laughing with one another. How could that be?

Zuko chuckled slightly at Yue's impression of a lemur. For some reason, he did laugh, he didn't understand why though. Then he saw Katara, and she was with Haan, walking hand in hand. He became somewhat angry; she sure did change her feelings rather quickly. Then he softened; it wasn't her fault she had to marry him. Yue tugged on his sleeve and pointed at some kids in the distance. He smiled weakly, but always kept trying to see what Katara was doing with Haan.

Ironically, the same thing was happening with her. Each second she got free, she would glance over to Zuko on the other side of the table to see what Yue was doing with him. Sadly he seemed actually interested in what she was saying. That was it; she had had enough. She would no longer have her thoughts wound up around Zuko; she was going to marry Haan, so she better had started to think about him instead.

"Attention everyone! We have gathered you here today for a very exciting announcement! And it does not involve anything catastrophic or serious in fact. As it so happens, you were all invited here for a celebratory feast for my daughter, Katara. She and Haan, are soon to be wed!"

Haan stood up immediately and had to get Katara to stand up. The crowd cheered and roared with applause and Katara shifted uneasily as Haan wrapped an arm around her shoulder. She caught Zuko glancing at her, and when she did, he turned away abruptly. Katara huffed angrily and turned her attention towards the crowd. After a while, they sat back down.

"And now, enjoy the feast!"

Katara ate silently, only nodding and responding to Haan when she was forced to. After she had finished eating, she got up while she made sure Haan was focused on his food. She slipped into the crowd where she was caught by her favorite group of children.

Zuko apparently had had enough of Yue's bad jokes, and so he slipped away unnoticed. He heard children laughing, and though it was familiar, so he walked through the crowd towards it. Suddenly he froze on the spot, when he bumped into Katara.

"Oh…"

"Yeah… um…"

"Zuko! Katara! Play with us!"

The children surrounded them at their knees and pushed the two closer together. Katara felt the heat rise in her cheeks, as did Zuko. She was so beautiful up close… Zuko shoved the thought out of his head and he backed away from the group. He laughed soulfully as a child tried to climb up on him.

"Sorry kids, but I'm not giving you any piggy back rides today!"

"Yes, I can't either."

The two looked up at each other, but quickly glanced away. One of the kids however, took each of their arms and pulled them close in together again.

"But please! We love playing with you!"

"Yeah! Zuko's the coolest!"

"Katara, you don't like us anymore?"

Her head swam with all of their voices and she began to feel faint. Suddenly, it appeared that an even bigger crowd was coming into the Great Room. Katara grabbed her head as pain shot up through it. Zuko held her up by her arm. He was worried, no doubt about that. The kids' attention was distracted as a circus troop marched in playing drums of all sorts. Katara winced in even more pain, and Zuko couldn't just leave her like that. So he took her by the arm, and led her through the crowd, until they were at the room's exit door.

"Zuko… what are you…"

But she couldn't finish her sentence, because at that moment she fainted. Zuko picked her up in his arms, and carried her out of the loud and busy room. When he shut the door behind them, he already felt better. He too had been beginning to feel light headed. Then a thought came to him, or rather something a person once said to him. Katara had said she came to the spiritual place to rest, and clear her mind whenever she felt bad. So all he had to do was take her there, and everything would be fine again.

It took Zuko a while to find it. He wasn't too familiar with the palace yet, but nonetheless, he had figured out where to go. They stepped through the small door, and once inside, Zuko felt renewed. The warm air filled his lungs and everything in him sprang to life. He felt Katara stirring in his arms, so he walked over to the pond and laid her down there. There was a small rock, so he put that under her head so that she was elevated slightly. After a while, he saw her eyes flutter open. She moaned and seemed to still feel a bit light headed.

"Where… where am I?"

She saw Zuko's worried face above her, and Katara smiled.

"Shh… don't move too much… I brought you to your favorite place… away from everyone…"

He helped her sit up and she looked around. There was the lulling sound of the water, and the warmth of the setting sun on her face. The grass felt prickly under her hands, but it felt livening. She smiled fondly.

"How did you know where to take me?"

"It was easy; I just remembered what you said…"

"Oh, so you actually had been listening to me?"

She said this playfully. Now that she was alone with Zuko again, and no one else was there, she felt more apt to be friendly with him. He stroked her hair and smiled.

"Are you okay?"

She nodded, but then frowned. Zuko saw her necklace and then recalled his hand. Katara bit her lip so that the tears wouldn't fall from her eyes. Her heart was screaming at her; why wasn't she following her true emotions? Why was she letting someone who she hated become her lifetime partner? She shook the tears away, and the looked at Zuko fiercely. He sensed something was different in her; he saw a longing in her eyes, and he felt it too. Suddenly, Katara reached out towards him, and he let her pull him in close. They began to lean in their heads but a noise caught them off guard, and they separated instantly.

Haan and Yue burst into the clearing. Each had wide eyes as they saw that Zuko and Katara were actually there together. Haan seemed even angrier than Yue did. He marched right up to Katara and pulled her into a hug. He looked at Zuko eyeing him. Katara tried to push him away, but he wouldn't budge.

"Oh Katara, I thought that he had hurt you!"

"But,"

"Zuko! Why did you leave me? I thought you were going to go do something…"

"I,"

"Katara, you must have been so scared! I'm here now though…"

"Zuko, you look so tired out! What's wrong? Do you need some water?"

"Katara…"

"Zuko…"

Each of them couldn't take the babbling any longer and Zuko roared a flame into the open air. Everyone except Katara seemed scared. She smiled as Haan's arms left her and he backed away with Yue. Suddenly, Katara laughed. It was rather funny to see the two of them together; they would be perfect for one another. Yue got a hold of herself quickly and walked back to Zuko. He rolled his eyes and sighed.

"The two of you need to stop babbling over us like we are a couple of babies."

"Yeah, Zuko's right. All that happened was, I fainted and Zuko brought me here. I'm fine now."

At that response, Haan rushed up to Katara to see if she was okay, checking her forehead with her hand, and pushing her down so she was sitting on the ground at rest. She crossed her arms and pouted.

"Haan, do you remember what I said, or do I have to repeat myself?"

He looked at her and shushed her with his finger to his mouth.

"I remember, you don't have to say it out loud again!"

She smirked. It was so fun torturing him and his ego.

Yue saw the interaction between them and smiled. She didn't even have to do anything, Haan was already fitting in with Katara perfectly, like a sculpture. So she decided to go to Zuko. His eyes widened as Yue began to message his back. Katara saw this and then looked away. She had once again been fooled into thinking that she could somehow whisk away with Zuko. It wasn't going to happen. Why couldn't she realize that?

"Oh man," Haan grabbed his stomach, "I'm so hungry!"

Katara let out a howl of laughter. Zuko eyed him curiously. No one was that hungry. He had just eaten! What was he playing at? A smile crept onto Haan's face and inside Zuko flamed with fury. He was only trying to make it seem like a joke, so Katara would warm up to him. Fine, he would play along with Haan's game. Zuko's gaze shifted towards the pond. There were two fish swimming in circles around each other. Perfect.

"Hey Haan!"

He was helping Katara stand up and they walked over to Zuko and Yue. Katara looked at Zuko's smile with an awkward feeling. Up above the moon began to spread its light onto the pond and it reflected brightly. What was Zuko getting at? He had only smiled at her before.

"Are you really that hungry?"

Katara looked up at Haan, and since he saw her do this, Haan nodded dramatically. He bent down and acted to be starved.

"Yeah I am! There is no way I'm going to make it…"

He was really getting into the act as Katara began to laugh. Yue joined in, and they didn't notice Zuko step away. Katara just thought he was being dumb, it was the only reason she was laughing. Finally she turned her attention back to Zuko. What was he…

"All right Haan, here's your food, coming right up!"

Zuko pulled his arm back, and then aimed a shot of fire right into the pond. Katara's and Yue's eyes went wide, and their mouths split open. For a split second, it really did seem like they were sisters. They were each rocked to the pit of their stomachs, and a deep foreboding feeling came upon them. Haan however, looked delighted. He reached out towards Zuko who held the dead fish in his hands. Zuko gave it to him joyously, getting a laugh out of Haan. He was practically drooling over his new dinner. When Zuko got to Katara and Yue however, he stopped dead. Each had tears in their eyes and then he saw how bright Yue's blue eyes shone. Then it hit him; it was dark everywhere. In the sky, there was no moon. Katara's hateful, yet sorrowful look killed him inside. What had he done that was so wrong?

"Zuko… how could you?"

He reached out to Katara, but she tugged away. The tears ran down her cheeks, and Yue cradled her sister. Zuko looked at this scene bewilderment in his eyes. He knew that something had happened for Yue to be hugging Katara, and no fight resulting from it. Yue looked up at Zuko gravely while she caressed her sister in her arms.

"What did I do?" he asked softly.

Yue's blue eyes now haunted him. They quavered in place and tears ran down her cheeks as well.

"You killed the moon spirit…"

Zuko looked absolutely distraught.

"No… no, it's not possible!"

Hearing this, Haan dropped the fish right onto the ground. To think he was about to eat it. Zuko couldn't find the words in his throat. There was nothing that could have prevented that from happening was there? He tried to reach out towards Katara, but Yue shoved her away from him.

"I'm not letting you anywhere near her! Get away! You killed the only thing that has kept my tribe alive! You are a monster!"

Zuko shook his head defiantly.

"No, I'm not! I didn't know it was the moon spirit… that oaf just said that he was hungry so I thought I would give him some food. I swear I didn't know!"

Katara was now kneeling on the ground rocking back and forth. Zuko pushed Yue away, and his arms found themselves wrapped around Katara, even though she lightly pushed him away. Of course she had heard him, so she gave into his embrace. She sobbed lightly into his shoulder, and he messaged her back. Yue couldn't believe what was going on. In the background was a whimpering Haan, in front of her was a betrayal that was going to go down in the history books, and the whole world was missing a moon.

Katara lifted her head up slightly to his ear, and whispered only as much as she could.

"Zuko… I can't water bend anymore… I can't…"

Tears overwhelmed her again, and Zuko just cradled her even more.

"I'm sorry Katara… I'm so sorry…"

Yue closed her eyes and looked away. She couldn't hear what Katara had said, but she saw enough to know how Zuko really did feel about her. It was too much for her; Yue felt like she was going to explode, everything was happening to quickly, and it was all so unfair. She was the elder, and then when she tried to make things right with Zuko and Katara, they left her aside. She was frustrated to no end, and stomped away. The glint of the white fish caught her eye and she picked it up angrily. But before she could throw it into the pond of water, something happened.

Everyone turned to look at the white light radiating from Yue's hands. Yue herself had no idea what was happening and she was just as shocked to see it happen. Everything in her body seemed to be becoming drained. All of a sudden she lost all feeling inside of her, and she fell to the ground, with the fish falling out and jumping into the pond. Katara's eyes widened and Zuko gaped. Haan was so overcome with what he had just witnessed, that he too fainted on the spot.

"Yue!"

She shot up and ran over to her sister. Katara quickly picked up her sister's wrist and hoped that she would feel it, any kind of heartbeat. Yue's hand slipped out of Katara's, and she looked away to Zuko. She shook her head sadly and he knelt down to comfort her again. Katara let Zuko do that, and she gladly wrapped her arms around him. This was just too confusing to be true. Yue couldn't have died just like that because she had touched a fish. It wasn't possible.

But it was. After a few minutes, Yue's body vanished, and she appeared from a radiating glow that came out of the pond. She was smiling and Katara couldn't help but smile too.

"Yue… what happened?"

"Katara, listen carefully. Tell Sokka that I will miss him, but that I will always be with him. Tell father that he shouldn't blame anyone for this happening; it was my doing. And most of all, I want to tell you that… I'm sorry…"

Katara reached out towards her sister, but Yue soared up towards the sky and soon, she saw the moon again. I'm sorry… she had apologized. And now she was gone. Katara was too overwhelmed with everything and fell into Zuko's arms.

"Zuko… is this real, or am I dreaming?"

Before he could answer her, Nasu stormed into the clearing followed by dozens of guards. He looked from the limp form of Haan, to Zuko holding Katara. She stood up immediately along with Zuko, but Nasu pushed him to the side, and stood right up to Katara. His stare was lethal, and it frightened Katara to her core. Behind them, Zuko was being tied back by four guards.

"Where is Yue?" Nasu hissed.

Katara wasn't ready to tell him. But she had to.

"Father, there is no easy way to tell you this. She wanted me to tell you that you shouldn't blame anyone for it, and to tell Sokka that she would always be with him, and that she was sorry."

"I asked you to tell me where she is!"

She trembled and started to cry.

"Father… father, she's up there… she's now the moon…"

His eyes quavered and he gasped.

"What? No… no! You are lying!"

"Father, I'm not lying! She touched the moon spirit and…"

"What are you speaking of? Tell me exactly what happened!"

"Zuko burned the fish, which is the moon spirit, so that Haan could eat but…"

Nasu gritted his teeth and turned towards Zuko.

"Guards take him away and prepare for execution! Now!"

Katara ran towards her father and pulled on his sleeves.

"No! Father you can't! You can't blame him for this! Yue said not to blame anyone!"

He shoved her to the ground and looked at her with an empty hollow in his eyes. He was not her father anymore. Nasu was a bitter man, with a bare heart.

"You protect him now, and you have protected him then. You are no daughter of mine. Guards, take her as well."

Her eyes widened and she felt numb inside. Katara felt the guards' strong hands grab her arms and lead her away right after Zuko. They were gone, and Nasu looked up to the sky where the moon shone brightly.

"I'm so sorry my dear Yue, I am so sorry… I knew this day would come… but I didn't know it would be so soon…"

Haan began to stir and looked up at Nasu.

"Huh? Why are you sorry? Did you do something to me?"

Nasu just kicked his head slightly and Haan went back into unconsciousness.

..:-:..

Katara winced as she was thrown into the dark cell along with Zuko. She stumbled to the ground and landed on her knees and hands. Zuko helped her up, but she turned from him bitterly. She had been so stupid; her father was right. Since he had come, she had taken Zuko's side on everything. Now she was in the cell, a traitor to the water tribe, a princess no longer.

"Katara…"

Zuko looked at the dim outline of the back of her head sadly. Such a little thing had turned into the biggest mistake of his life. They sat opposite each other on different sides of the cell. Katara wanted nothing to do with him anymore; he had hurt her too much. Zuko felt horrible inside, and he didn't know what to do. She wouldn't talk to him, and if he used his fire bending, she would surely yell for the guards to come. Zuko heard Katara shiver and he felt even guiltier. He shifted slowly towards her, and sat next to her. She was cold in the cell, but she didn't want Zuko anywhere near her. Did she though?

Zuko found himself relieved when she didn't push him away. Maybe he should try to make some conversation?

"Katara… please just listen to me… you don't have to say anything."

He finally saw her wonderfully beautiful blue eyes on his. Zuko breathed in deeply.

"I know you are angry with me, and you have every right to be. But I just hoped I didn't have to spend my last moments alive like this, with you hating my guts."

Something snapped in Katara and she had to bite her lip in order to not cry again. She had only been thinking about herself; she had completely forgotten that Zuko was going to be executed. Her father's words haunted her thoughts, and she closed her eyes. She whimpered and Zuko took the initiative. He took her into his arms, and she let him. Katara buried her face into his chest and clung onto him tightly.

"I'm sorry Zuko… I was only thinking about myself."

"It's all right," a small smile graced his lips.

She looked up at him, and she could see a faint glimmer of gold, which were his eyes. Her hands reached and felt their way along his face. Then she felt his soft lips braze her skin. She leaned her head up, and kissed him affectionately. Zuko caressed her back and wandered amazingly through her kiss. A soft moan escaped his throat as she bit the bottom of his lips playfully. After a while, the two just held onto each other lovingly. Time was slipping by so quickly and soon it would all be over. A tear escaped Katara's eyes.

"Zuko… I don't know if I can live without you…"

He looked deeply into her eyes and it stung his heart painfully. Zuko knew the best thing to do; he wouldn't let her live on in heartache. So he pushed her away.

"Katara, you are just going to have to deal with it."

She looked at him completely shocked. Zuko turned away so she wouldn't see the tears fall down his cheeks. It was so hard to tell her that, and he knew it was hurting her. Katara just sat there in silence, dumbstruck. And that's how the next couple of hours lasted. They sat in silence, knowing that the end was coming closer. Katara just tried to push it out of her mind, but Zuko couldn't. He was trying to remember every single moment he had shared with Katara. It was all going to come to an end.

Suddenly, both of them shot up and looked at each other. Each had heard the creaking of the door. Then there were slow footsteps trotting down the hall towards their cell. Katara's heartbeat quickened as did Zuko's. At any moment, the guard would come take Zuko away, and she would never see him again.

Finally, the footsteps stopped, and they heard the key turn in the door. Katara started to breathe rapidly and Zuko just tried to calm himself down. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad. It would be quick, and then he wouldn't have to remember any pain at all, except for that of missing Katara.

When she walked into the cell, Katara almost fainted. Shira came in with a lantern and smiled at the two of them.

"Mom!"

Katara ran up to her joyously and Shira hugged her daughter tightly. Zuko sat there stunned to see no guard at all.

"Mom, what are you doing here?"

"Shh… don't be so loud Katara. First of all, I came to tell you that both of you are to be sentenced to immediate death at sunrise."

Katara stepped back. Her father wanted her dead as well? Every bit of caring thought for the man escaped through her body at lightening speed.

"But that is no problem."

Zuko stood up now and looked at the woman's eyes with sad disdain.

"How can you say that? Both I and Katara are going to hang at sunrise, and you say there is no problem?"

Shira put a hand on Zuko's shoulder and smiled.

"Yes Zuko, there is no problem at all."

"Mom, I agree with Zuko, how can you say that?"

Shira walked over to the back wall of the cell and put a hand on it. Before she turned towards it, she smiled warmly and said, "Because you won't be here."

Suddenly the wall disappeared as Shira concentrated and pushed it away. Both Zuko and Katara stood there stunned. Shira simply nodded, admiring her work.

"Mom! How did you do that?"

"What do you mean? You didn't know?"

Katara looked at her mother curiously.

"Didn't know what?"

"Well, you had to get your talent from somebody. I got it from my father, and you got it from me."

Realization flooded Katara and she became overwhelmed with a sad joy.

"You're a water bender too?"

"Of course, but you didn't know… and neither does your father…"

Katara ran up to her mother and gave her a tight hug.

"I love you so much mother."

Shira closed her eyes as tears fell down her cheeks.

"I love you too Katara. I always will."

Katara stepped back and saw that Shira had brought something with her. She gave it to Zuko who strapped it on his back.

"You two will need these. The tunnel will lead you to the tundra. I believe it is the only way to hide before you can travel out to the sea."

"But mom, they will figure out that you helped us!"

"No they won't. All I did was come to check up on you two, and saw that you were asleep, so I left."

Shira gave her daughter a small wink and a laugh, and Katara did as well. Shira pushed her daughter and Zuko towards the tunnel.

"Zuko, promise me that you will take the utmost care of my daughter. I am trusting you with her life."

Zuko nodded and bowed.

"I will. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart for saving our lives. I will never forget your kindness."

"It is no problem at all. Oh, and you can use your fire bending to light up the tunnel. There are old torches in it I believe."

Katara stood there next to Zuko, facing her mother. Shira waved, forcing a smile onto her face. Katara became overwhelmed with tears and Zuko gripped her shoulder tightly. She bit her lip, and saw the wall reappear, a flicker of her mother's face gone forever.

Shira let down her hands and made sure that the wall looked like it hadn't been touched whatsoever. Then she fell to the floor and cried. Her voice was only a hushed whisper.

"Katara… please be careful... I guess I could never pull you away from the fire… could I?"

She stood up and walked out of the cell. The door creaked open, and then creaked close.

"How are the prisoners?"

"They were sleeping. I just lingered a while to see my daughter's peaceful face. Goodnight gentlemen."

The guards bowed, and Shira disappeared quietly up the staircase.

A/N: Shocked? Surprised? I'd love to know! I like how this fic is coming so far… only like two or three chapters left to go!

Have a great day everyone!

-Monika-