K15: Okay guys here's chapter what am I on now? Eight?
Zuko: Kayko's all right I swear she is.
Me: Don't worry about me Zuko, just a little tired.
Zuko: I'm not worried about you.
Me: Good to know. Okay guys so here's the big chapter you've all been waiting for!
Zuko: Where I die?
Me: NO!
Zuko: Where I fail the love test?
Me: Now that I can't tell you. You'll just have to read. –Shrug- Later. K15
Disclaimer: Have I mentioned yet I don't own Avatar? I haven't? Well, I don't own it.
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Chapter 8 Forget about Love
Zuko was the last one to fall asleep that night. He sat there praying to whatever gods would listen to him. He only had a few more tests left, but that didn't mean it was going to get any easier.
The love was supposed to be the hardest out of all of them. It was also supposed to be the longest lasting. But before the love portion came you had to pass everything else. And right now Zuko had passed, faith, or trust, and endurance. He still had to go.
Zuko put out the fire at the girl's side of the camp and made sure everyone had an adequate number of blankets on them. He slumped back over to the boy's side. He should have been sleeping next to Katara, but since this whole thing was going on he wasn't.
He put out the other campfire, before laying on his sleeping bag. He stared up at the stars and wondered what his mother, his aunt, and his cousin could be doing at this moment. Were they looking at the same stars he was? Or was it a different set from where the stood. After all, all three of them were dead. He offered a silent pray to them before wrapping a blanket around them, and falling asleep.
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In the Spirit World
Mei paced back and forth from the pool, where she had been watching her son grow up for the past six years. She really missed her little boy terribly, and watching him get punished for standing up what he believed in only made her angrier that she wasn't down there to protect him.
Mei had long black hair that was pulled back into a traditional ponytail, she had changed the style a bit by adding braids to it, and allowing a few hair strands to fall down in front of her face. Her eyes were a bright gold, much like her own sons.
"Don't worry Aunt Mei, Cousin Zuko, is doing well for himself."
"I don't know; I'm just worried about my son." Mei replied. "I'm just worried that he'll father in his footsteps Yang."
"I understand Aunt Mei." He said bowing.
Yang is a strong built boy with black hair that is pulled up into a topknot. His eyes were just like his father's; a dark gold color. He was slightly taller than Zuko would be now, that was if he was still alive.
"He won't Mei." Came his mother's reply. "You know Zuko as well as I do. There's no way that he could fail the love test. He's such a loveable person."
"Look, I'm really worried, Kira. It's only natural for a mother to be worried about her son." Mei replied.
Kira of course was Iroh's wife; she had died shortly after Yang did. Though it was because Ozai had killed her for speaking out against a punishment he gave Nyla. She had long beautiful dark brown hair and here eyes were a hazel color.
"I'm not worried about Yang." Came her reply.
"Yeah, well that's because he's dead."
"I resent that!" Yang yelled.
"Sorry, I know it's not your fault. It's actually Ozai's."
"So how come you married him?" He asked.
"An arrange marriage." Was her short reply. "I actually wanted to marry Iroh, he was the nicer of the two. But your mother just had to get to him first."
"It's not my fault!" Kira scolded. "I told you that you could marry him. But you have that stupid honor."
"I got it from my father."
Yang walked away from the two arguing women. He really didn't want to get in their way, just in case they started using their bending. Plus, if he told something that Iroh had told him, then he would have an easier time understanding Katara.
"Where are you going?" Mei asked turning to the boy.
"I'm going to visit my cousin. Avatar Roku said that one is able to visit the living on any solstice. It's currently the spring solstice." Yang replied. "Or the Vernal Equinox."
"I don't know, what would your father say about this?" Mei asked, already knowing the answer.
"That's simple. He'd be proud of me. Plus, Zuko needs a little common sense anyway." Yang smirked.
"Are you going to talk to Iroh after words?" Kira asked.
"Yeah, I don't think that you'd like the fact that he's been obsessed with tea, and younger women." Yang said.
Kira raised an eyebrow. "I'm going to have a talk with that man of mine."
Mei smirked as the two of them walked off. Maybe if she could talk some sense into Katara then they could get back together. That way her son could live happily ever after. If that was even possible for the young prince.
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In Zuko's dream
He was walking through a forest. Zuko knew almost immediately that he was back in the Fire Nation. But there was something he had yet to do, something that he felt was missing in part of his life.
The moonlight crossed the young prince's face and it gave him enough light to see. He felt if he used his fire bending than that would give away his position to troops that were probably surrounding his area.
A lone wolf howled off in the distance. "He's lonely." Zuko muttered, know exactly how that poor wolf felt.
"Actually, he's separated from his mate." Came a voice from in the tree.
"Same difference." Came the sharp reply.
"Actually, if you're lonely you can find another, but when you're separated from your mate, then you can't." Yang said jumping down from the tree.
"Yang," Zuko breathed. "It's been four years since I last saw you."
"Yeah don't remind me." Yang looked away from his younger cousin. "I really don't need to be reminded that."
"Sorry."
"I don't need your pity. I don't want your pity." The older boy snapped.
"Yin misses you." Zuko said suddenly trying to change the subject, but it didn't work too well."
"I figured as much."
"What are you doing here? You're supposed to be dead."
"Vernal Equinox. The Spring Solstice." Yang replied. "I came to warn you, that if you hate your father as much as your heart says you do, then I suggest you talk to Katara, and see what the hell is going on between you two."
"Have you visited Uncle yet?"
"No, Mom was going to. I was supposed to talk sense into you. It doesn't seem to be working."
"It's not my fault I'm stubborn."
"You know if you let Katara into your life," Yang started.
"I'm trying to! But that stupid water bending peasant won't let me!" Zuko yelled turning his back to the former wannabe prince.
"There's a great force behind this. You'll just have to figure out what it is before it's too late." Yang looked up at the sky and saw the sun rising. Even though it was just a dream, he had already spent too much time there. "Look, I've got one more stop to hit before talking to the Great Agni. Take care cousin." He bowed before walking deeper into the forest.
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End dream
Zuko came back to reality slowly. Though when he was fully awake, he still didn't realize what he was supposed to do. I've tried everything, there's nothing that can show Katara I love her. The young prince thought.
Just try being yourself. The wind whispered.
Zuko smirked and walked over to the young water bender master. He had to be extremely cautious, considering she insisted that the girls slept over by the water. And he knew why too. In case perverts, like Sokka or Aang, come and bother them.
The exiled prince let out a long sigh before crouching down and admiring the girl he cared so much about. She rolled closer to his touch, and let out a long sigh before, grasping her pillow tighter.
"I wonder if Mother has reached her dreams yet." He asked himself.
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In Katara's dream
Katara ran through the forest, she couldn't get away from Zhao. She wasn't afraid of him in particular, but she was afraid of what he could do. Especially if he found out that Katara was seeing more and more of Zuko.
"Get back here you water peasant!" Zhao yelled.
"NO!" Came her snappy remark.
There wasn't enough moonlight out tonight for her to see exactly where she was going. So naturally she tripped over a root that was sticking up.
"Lady Katara, over here." A voice said.
The young water bender master looked up and over to where the voice came from. There was a girl standing in a red armor, she looked strangely like Zuko. Though she couldn't be him, due to the fact she was a girl.
"Hurry, I'm sure you don't want to get caught by a barbaric man like Zhao." She said pulling Katara into a tree.
"Okay. I really don't know what to say. Thanks I guess." Katara said unsure of what to do.
"I'm Lady Mei of the Fire Nation. Or at least, I was." Mei introduced. "But that's not why I'm here. It's about my son, Zuko."
Katara gave the women before her a gentle smile. "I know I've got to follow my heart, listen to the gods, and believe every word that comes out of Zuko's mouth. I know already." Mei gave Katara a look like the water bender was crazy. "You missed my mother by about ten minutes."
"Oh."
"Look, it's not like I don't love Zuko. I really do, but it's just that Zhao is more powerful, and has more respect with the Fire Lord." Katara tried to explain.
"The man I married all those years ago was not a cold heartless monster. When I first married him, he could barely fire bender. That's beside the point. My point is, you must talk it out with Zuko, he'll understand more than you think." Mei explained.
"Look, he only cares about himself. That stupid ritual is messing with the man I feel in love with. Now he only cares about what happens in the end." Katara snapped.
"You must understand, my dear, that Zuko is a kind hearted soul, and he figures that this is the best for not only him, but his future family as well." Mei tried to calm Katara down.
"Yeah right." She scoffed.
"He cares for you deary. And no matter what happens, no matter how much of a stuck up snob that boy is, he will always care for your well-being." Mei said putting her hands on the shoulders of the young girl. "I know my boy is like that."
"I just don't know he just doesn't show it very much."
"He left the safety of his ship for you. And he's betraying his father because of you. And he loves you. And whether or not you like it, he's doing everything for you. Now, wake up and tell this boy about Zhao!" Mei commanded.
"Yes Mei." Katara said looking down at her hands. "I don't know if I'll get a happy ending though."
"My son, never did like a happy ending, especially if the prince got the princess." Mei laughed.
"I'm glad I'm not a princess then."
"But you are in his eyes."
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End dream
Katara slowly opened her eyes; standing right above her was the prince. She offered him a smile and looked around. Everyone was still asleep, well except for her and Zuko. "I need to talk to you." She whispered.
"That's more or less why I came over here." Zuko said helping the girl off the ground.
They began to walk around, the moonlight being their only source of light. They just needed to enjoy each other's company for a while, maybe a little time to get their thoughts in order.
"Zuko, I'm sorry that I've been treating you like crap for the past couple of days." Katara said, finally looking out to the lake that they had been walking around.
The love struck prince grabbed his water bender's hand. "There's something that's going on behind the scenes, so to speak, isn't there?" He asked.
Katara nodded. "I'm protecting you."
"Who is it?" He asked.
"General Zhao."
Zuko looked down at the girl. "Zhao has been dead for several months. Shortly after Yue gave her life for that fish."
"He survived; I was the first one he hunted down. I was supposed to forget everything and give him information about you. If I didn't, he'd kill not only Aang and Sokka, but also me as well. He said after he did that, he would hunt you down and cause you pain."
"It still sounds kind of selfish. But I can see that you're doing this for your brother and best friend." He glanced away from his only love.
"He also said that he would rape my dead body in front of you. Then kill you slow and painfully." Katara said tears forming in her eyes.
"It doesn't make any sense." Zuko said shaking his head. "I saw with my own eyes that man be dragged under the water."
"It's not that he's alive that I'm afraid of, it's the fact that he will go through with every one of his threats if I don't do everything he says." Katara sniffled.
"Don't worry about that man."
"I can't help it. But you're still selfish."
"I'm trying to solve that problem." Zuko joked. "I have good reasons. I want to make the best of my life, and I don't want to screw up because I'm in love with the prettiest water bender in the world."
Katara smiled as she felt the blood rush to her face. "Zuko, I really didn't mean to hurt you."
"Kat, I must know what is going through that brain of yours." Zuko said tilting her chin up. "For Agni's sake I'm not a damn mind reader!"
"I know, but just talking to you I'm putting you in risk."
"How much do you love me?"
"With everything that I have. I'd die for you." Katara admitted truthfully.
"And what if I said I don't believe you."
"Then I would have to answer by saying, you're a damn fool if you don't." Katara replied.
"Then I'm a damn fool." Zuko said. "I fell in love with you."
Katara looked up into the prince's eyes and she could tell that he was telling the truth. But there was a part that refused to believe him; the part that Zhao had corrupted.
"I don't know if it will work." Katara said, looking away.
"What do I have to do? Kidnap you?" Zuko demanded. "You didn't have a problem with it when we were on the ship. You love to receive my kisses, my tender words, everything about my words."
"Zuko, things are different."
"I swear don't want any trouble."
"You've got trouble by saying no to me." Zuko gripped Katara's arms tighter. "I get everything I want! And by everything I mean everything! Damn it Katara, I'm a prince, I can have women line up to have a turn in my bed."
"I'm not like any girl though. I've gotten to see the real you." Katara said pulling her arms out of his hold. "You're a selfish prick."
"Look, Katara, I'm practically throwing myself on the ground for you!" Zuko yelled. "I'd do anything for you!"
"Then, start showing it damn it!" Katara snapped. "What I see before me is a boy filled with lust. And only cares about whether or not he gets the throne of the Fire Nation!"
"What happened to the innocence of this conversation?" Zuko demanded. "What happened that sweet little girl I fell in love with?"
"You never fell in love with a sweet little girl. You fell in love with a girl with her own opinions." She barked. "And I can clearly see the real you."
"So have you said before."
"You know what Prince Zuko. You thought you could boss me around, like one of those…" She stopped to search for the right words. "Mary Sues! Well guess what Your Majesty, you found the exact opposite."
"Look, I don't care about those girls." Zuko tried to reason, not even about to question where she got the word Mary Sue. "They are a dime a dozen. You're a brilliant girl that I wouldn't trade for even the Avatar. And I was a fool to believe I could use you any differently." His eyes widened at the last statement. That had come out totally wrong. And he was able to tell by the way Katara's expression changed.
"Oh so now I'm only going to be used for your own pleasure?" She demanded. "You know what Prince Zuko, I hope you fail this test." She pushed the boy into the water then froze it. "I don't ever want to see your ugly face again." She quickly incased him in an ice block.
She walked up to it and tapped it. "Have fun trying to find a girl who will succumb to your every command. Because I will not be your play thing any longer."
Zuko watched the girl walk off back towards camp. "Fine!" He yelled. "I don't need you either!"
With those words he felt like the whole world came crashing down on him. He knew that Agni had heard those words. And they were truthful too, which made the pain he just felt even more real. He looked down at his hands, what have I done? I've caused my own downfall.
"And I hope you rot in hell!" Katara's final yell came.
Zuko being the kind of guy who just had to get the last word in yelled, "I hope you become a concubine to an abusing freak, like Zhao, and maybe you'll understand how much I used to love you!"
His heart cracked and he fell to the ground. He wasn't even going to try to melt his incasing. Because every word that came out of his mouth at the end was truthful, he looked up and saw Agni standing before him.
"You've failed."
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K15: Okay guys my goal was to do one last updation before 2005 ended. And by my clock I succeeded.
Zuko: She's in Mountain Time Zone.
Me: Yeah, and it's about 8:30. So yeah.
Zuko: How could you make me fail!
Me: I have plans for you yet Zuko. But I can assure that Zuko's life goes down hill from here. So if you guys can think of any good punishments for the young fire bending prince, let me know and I'll include it in my story. I'll even give you credit. After all, my readers need to say what happens. And no I'm not going to have Zuko run and apologize to Katara.
Zuko: Okay I'm out of ideas.
Me: So Happy New Year guys. Later. K15