K15: I bet you all are wondering if there's hope for Katara and Zuko?
Zuko: Hope comes from even the dimmest of places.
Me: -turns to Zuko- have you been going through your uncle's proverb book again?
Zuko: Of course not. I remember Katara telling me that once. Before you had her incase me in an ice block!
Me: Sorry, I had to do it! Don't worry faithful readers! Katara is on her way!
Zuko: To what? Zhao?
Me: Why do you have to be so down sided?
Zuko: I'm not. I'm just saying there's not a single ounce of hope left.
Me: Don't count your chickens before they hatch Prince Zuko.
Zuko: Now you've been going through my uncle's proverb books.
Me: Yeah. Anyway please read and enjoy. Later. K15
Disclaimer: Does it look like I own Avatar? Is Zhao still dead in the series? Is the series every going to be new? No I really don't own Avatar. If you answered yes to any of those questions, other than the last one, then well… I dunno. Just read people.
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Chapter 9 There's hope left for the hopeless.
Iroh's dream
Iroh was pacing his room, he knew that he had done wrong. He was unfaithful to his wife; he really should go get some help.
"Iroh, unfaithful to your wife is an understatement." Kira said walking up to the man she married. "You're just being stupid. I always said a younger women would be the death of me."
"Kira," He breathed.
"Iroh, you're nephew…" She didn't finish her statement due to the fact that Yang walked in.
"Yang!" Iroh said pulling his only son into a bear hug. "What brings you two to my dream?"
"It's about our nephew." Kira said.
"Of course, only Prince Zuko would be in trouble." Iroh chuckled.
"He failed the love test." Yang said bluntly.
Iroh nodded his understanding. It would only make sense that the prince would follow in his father's footsteps. After all, they were more a like then either of them would admit to. Iroh should have gone after him as soon as he read the note.
"It's all my fault. I should have given him advice for that. Maybe then he'd still be alive."
Kira and Yang both chuckled. "Oh he's not dead, yet. He's just incased in an ice block, and probably talking to Agni right now."
"Do you think that the god will give him another chance?" Iroh asked.
"I do not know my prince." Kira said wrapping her arms around the retired general.
"I'm not a prince any more Kira, I'm just a measly old guy trying to help his nephew." Iroh said looking down at the ground. "I should have told him how I passed it."
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Zuko was staring straight at Agni. "Don't you think I know that?" He growled.
"Hold your tongue, you're in the presence of a god." Agni barked. "I will not tolerate a sharp tongue."
"Really? So what brings you here? Other than the fact that I failed that stupid love test." Zuko asked sitting down on the ground.
"I came to talk to you about why you failed the love test." Agni said creating a chair from mid-air. "But first, did you know your uncle took the test? He passed with flying colors."
"You didn't expect the same thing from me did you?"
"Iroh, was the best thing that happened to the Fire Nation. And he passed the tests and then was able to get his wish." Agni continued, ignoring Zuko's question. "You think you know someone right? And they turn on you."
Zuko looked away from Agni. He knew that it was his entire fault that he tried this stupid ritual. If he didn't want to try to please his father, then he would still have Katara in his arms.
"Look, I'm sorry for barking at you. How many other tests do I have left to do?" Zuko asked looking up as the sun began to rise.
"Two."
"Two?" The young fire bender repeated.
"The test of fear, and the test of death." Agni replied coolly.
"I've come close to death before, don't you think that once… twice is enough?" Zuko demanded.
"I know. But I'm giving you a second chance at the love test." Agni said looking up at the sun. "My son, you must realize that Katara's heart has been corrupted by Zhao."
"Go figure." Zuko muttered under his breath.
"And if you can't make her realize that she cares for you, then you're doomed. I'll have to rewrite history and make you marry that air bender girl." Agni half joked.
"What!" Zuko found himself to his feet. "I don't think so! I will not marry that girl! No way no how!"
Agni smirked. "Then damn it get yourself out of that crystal incasing and get to Katara."
"Yes sir!" Zuko replied. "Uh… I'm not in the Spirit World this time am I?"
"Nope." Agni replied before walking off.
Before the prince's eyes the god turned into a majestic dragon. His wings were nearly twelve feet and his eyes were a piercing gold. The scales along his body were a ruby red color. Zuko smirked at the sight of this. He had rumors that the Great Agni was able to change his form, from a dragon to a human being, but this just proved it.
"Listen to legend." Were his final words, before he flew off into the sunrise.
"Legend sucks." Zuko said crossly.
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Back to Iroh's dream
"Father, you never told me that you took the ritual." Yang said looking at his father.
"My boy, I have good reason not to. I didn't want you to go off and into the war." Iroh slightly chuckled. "But that didn't stop you, and looked what happened, your own Uncle killed you."
"It wasn't Uncle Ozai's fault. He was drunk." Yang answered. "He was going to sacrifice recruits younger than me."
Iroh smiled and pulled his boy into a hug. "I need to speak with Zuko."
"I've already given him a second chance at the love test General." Agni said walking up to the family.
Kira gasped and bowed. Even though she wasn't a full fire bender, she still respected the great god. "Lord Agni, it's an honor to be in your presence."
"I give you the gift of sight Iroh, and you allow your nephew to do the one thing I forbade you to allow him to do." Agni scolded.
"My great lord, I did not mean for Zuko to after his water bending peasant."
"You must understand something Iroh of the Fire Nation." Agni said as Kira stood up. "You're nephew is to fulfill a legend proclaimed throughout all Nations."
"You really can't call it a legend." Yang piped in. "It's more or less a prophecy." He corrected.
"Yes, you're right."
"You mean the one saying that the two unlikely of Nations will join under one blood creating the twins of destiny." Iroh asked.
"Recite it General, you and I are the only ones who know the full thing." Agni said. "After all, you're the reincarnation of the first Avatar."
Kira looked at her husband with confusion her eyes. Iroh quickly took the chance to explain. "When I was young, I was in a Komodo rhino accident. This nearly cost me my life." Iroh let a long sigh out, before continuing, "things weren't looking good for the prince that was going to be the lord of the nation. At one point the healers thought I actually had died in my sleep. But in fact it was just the opposite.
"I was visited by the first Avatar. Not only that but I was also visited by Agni as well. I was to complete the ritual that hadn't been seen in our Nation for centuries. But also Avatar Iroh had told me that since we shared the same name I shouldn't have to had lost my life." Iroh chuckled. "Can you believe it? Me dead, anyway, Avatar Iroh took care of me and told me of a prophecy that was to be fulfilled by nephew."
"Hey! I want know if you survived." Yang interrupted.
"I wouldn't be here now if I didn't my dear boy." Iroh replied. "I awoke the next morning and took the tests. It took me about a week to complete. During the time Ozai was taking the tests his first child was born. That's when I was to reveal the prophecy to the Nations, which took me to Bai-Sing-Sei. There I repeated it."
"What did it read?" Kira pushed on.
Iroh looked up at Agni, who nodded. "On the seventeenth birthday of the Chosen One there will come a point where the boy will have to choose between the throne of his ancestors and the love of his life. If he has not taken the test and passed each and every one, his life will end, but if he has passed life will continue on as normal. The test of Love should still be strong in the Chosen One, and he should choose his love. Then two unlikely Nations will join as one through twins. These twins will be Twins of Destiny.
"The current lord will suddenly die shortly after these twins are born and the Chosen One and his wife will become the current rulers. There will be many tests; even a Dark Avatar will come into the scene after the current one dies. Things will go into darkness and the twins along with the Chosen One will bring us out of Darkness. And when all hope seems lost the Chosen One will receive power from past battles and defeat the darkness." Iroh let out a long sigh before looking at Agni. "Please finish."
"Zuko has been this Chosen One, since the day he was conceived. Many people know this, namely the Dark Avatar and my daughter. So they've tried everything to stop him." Agni explained.
"Does my son know about this?" Mei asked walking up.
"No."
"Tell him. If you wont I will." Mei threatened.
"He will find out on his own time. Shortly after this next test." Agni looked up to the sky. "We better get going the solstice is coming to an end."
"Yang, listen to your mother." Iroh yelled. "And don't forget to wash behind your ears."
Yang smiled as Iroh told him things that he would
if the boy was still alive. He turned to his mother and nodded.
"Iroh." Kira said stopping the general in mid-sentence.
"Yes dear?"
"If you ever lay hands on that girl again I will make sure your death is painful." Kira threatened. "I don't care if you look at women your age, like Kana, or Aunt Wu. But if you ever lay hands on Jun again I swear I'll have your head."
"Yes my dear." Iroh chuckled. "I'll leave her for Prince Zuko."
"You will do no such thing."
"Yes ma'am." He said running up to her. He gave her a quick peck on the cheek, before he decided that it was best if he woke up.
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With Zuko
Zuko wobbled back into camp in the early morning. They were already packing up for the day. "Where are going?" He asked.
"I was planning to head to Omashu, King Bumi should be able to teach me earth bending." Aang replied.
Zuko coughed slightly and nodded. He wasn't sick when he left that stupid icicle, but he used most of his energy to melt it. He looked over at Katara and saw her almost glowing in the morning sun. Yeah he had fallen harder, but he had dug himself a deep hole, and there was no hope of getting out of it.
"Zhao is close by." Suki said looking up at the sky. "I can tell."
"Then that means that Zula is too." Nyla piped in. She looked over at Yue and glared. Zuko already knew she had something for the water warrior, but the moon spirit had gotten to him first.
"Will we all fit on Appa?" Haru asked.
"If not we'll just cuddle." Aang replied looking over at Katara. "I wouldn't mind."
Nyla put her hand on her brothers as he took a step forward. She knew that he had it bad for the water bender girl. Though whether of the fact he was going to admit to it, was a different story all together.
"Cut it out Zuko. I know you failed the love test, that doesn't mean you have to push it." Nyla snapped. "And remember we're twins. We've got that connection thing going on."
Zuko let out a short growl before walking up Appa's tail. He hated the Avatar, but he hated Katara just a little more. She had no reason to jump to conclusions like that. He took his usual spot next to Sokka and he wouldn't allow anyone to bother him for a couple of hours.
"Zuko?" Sokka asked as soon as they were in the air.
Zuko had already started to mediate. He needed to get the past days events out of his head. No more worrying about what that stupid little water bender thinks, he was going to go back to his old ways. Though he wasn't going to capture the Avatar.
"What's the matter buddy?" Sokka pushed on.
Zuko still didn't answer. Nyla glanced over at the boy she was forced to call her brother. And the man she liked, he was having trouble talking to the prince. And by the look on Zuko's face, the conversation wasn't going to last much longer. At least, not until Sokka was black and blue all over.
"Zuko, damn you answer me!" Sokka yelled.
"I don't have to." Came the prince's cool reply. "You're just a stupid water peasant."
"Sokka, you're approaching my brother wrong." Nyla said walking over to the boy. "First you need to do this." She placed her hands on the side of Zuko then poked him in the sides.
This caused Zuko to jump and glare at his sister. "Stop that you brat!" He barked. "You know I hate that."
"Then for pity's sake start paying attention to Sokka! He cares about you. Though not in the way I just thought of." Nyla said shaking her head.
"I don't care what he has to say!" He barked.
"What the hell is wrong with you? Did something crawl up your ass and die?" Nyla snapped back.
Katara looked over at the bickering twins. She almost wondered what it would be like if she had to deal with twins. It was then when the girl felt her stomach churn.
"Zuko, knock it off." Katara scolded the prince.
"Don't tell me what to do!" Zuko snapped.
"I can tell you whatever I feel like telling you."
"Go jump off Appa."
"How about you bite me?" Katara barked.
"Name the spot!"
Sokka watched the argument go from brother and sister to ex's. He knew that all this had to do with Katara, normally Zuko was calm, but since they left to go and talk early this morning things were different.
"Chill out you two." Yue finally yelled. "I've had enough of your arguments." Yue turned to the princess of the Fire Nation. "How much money do you have?"
"Twenty gold pieces, three silver pieces, and six copper coins."
"Make that five I couldn't help but buy this lemur whistle." Aang said holding up a whistle in the shape of Momo. "Sorry."
"Good. Aang, land Appa in the next city. There's going to be hope for the hopeless." Yue muttered.
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After some shopping Yue found herself smiling as she looked at the feuding teens. "I've found the perfect thing to stop you from bickering so much." Yue said cheerfully.
"What's that a muzzle for that water peasant?"
Katara crossed her arms and stuck her tongue out at Zuko. "You could use that."
"That wasn't even a decent comeback." Zuko pointed out.
"I don't care."
Sokka stepped between them and smiled at Yue. "So what is it?"
"I've paid for a night at an inn together." Yue smirked. "It's the best one in town too."
Nyla, whom had gone with her, smirked as she walked up to her brother. "Remember Zuko, things can be a lot worse. You could be dying."
"I rather die then be with this stupid peasant." Zuko snapped. "I hate her."
"The feelings mutual." Katara said turning her back to the prince.
"I got rooms for all of us while I was at it." Yue smirked. "This place is a good place to do shopping, and they have the best food in the world. And we're just in time for a celebration. Turns out that Avatar Iroh stopped here on his way to defeat the first threat. The Dark Avatar." Yue explained.
Sokka picked up his sister over shoulder and began to carry her off. "So what are we waiting for? The faster we solve our Zutara problem," Sokka chuckled. "The faster we can move on with our lives and eat!"
Nyla smiled and kicked her brother in the shin. Even though the prince acted all tough, he hated to be kicked. He began to chase after Nyla trying to strangle her. Though the sad part, other than he was being out ran by a girl, was that he was being led straight to the inn that he didn't want to go to.
"Come big brother, don't you want to strangle me?" Nyla teased. "I forgot you can't."
"Shut up!" Zuko yelled chasing her right into his room. "I have no time for your games."
"But you just lost." Nyla said walking around the prince. She looked as Sokka came walking down the hall, Katara still screaming and yelling. "Look, I'd love to stay but I've got a date with destiny. See ya." She blew him a kiss as Sokka threw his sister in the room and they locked it from the outside. "Sucker." She laughed.
"I hate you." Zuko said looking at the bed.
"I know." Katara replied looking away. She felt guilty that Zhao was corrupting her. But she knew that Zuko was only using her.
"We're going to be stuck in here for a while." Zuko sighed walking to the window. Standing in front of it was Appa. Curse that stupid Avatar for thinking of almost everything.
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With Zula and Zhao.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEY LEFT!" Zula bellowed.
"Well, I went to go talk to that water bender and they weren't there any more." Zhao admitted truthfully.
Zula let out a frustrated growl and walked over to a lieutenant. "Pack up this camp immediately. I want to be out of here in a few minutes." She commanded.
Katrina walked out of her tent to find the crew of Zula walking around nervously. "What's going on?"
"He's moved on. I'm never going to catch my brother at this rate." The youngest fire sibling snarled.
"I'm sure my minion can be of some assistance." Katrina offered up. "She is after all, the Dark Avatar."
"I've heard about that. The girl who is stuck traveling time due to her brother, she's supposed to be cursed for all eternity." Zula said.
"That's the one." Katrina smirked. "I know how to get you to your brother. And I can assure you that he'll be good as dead by morning."
Zula smirked. She loved the sound of that. If her brother was dead, then she could kill her sister with ease. Then Ozai would have to choose her for the heir. And not even the Avatar would stop her. (K15: I feel like laughing evilly here. Does anyone else?)
With Zuko
Zuko wasn't feeling good as it was. And Katara just harping on him to try to figure out a way of there, he couldn't even get a chance to mediate. It was "Zuko get me out of here!" Zuko do this, Zuko do that. He was sick and tried of her bossing him around. All he wanted to do was get rid of his pounding headache and maybe sleep for a couple of hours.
"Zuko!" Katara cried out again. "I need some water, be a…"
"Shut the hell up!" Zuko snapped. "I'm not your slave! Go get your own water. You're a big girl."
Katara was taken back by Zuko's sudden outburst. He personally didn't care if she did hit him. He currently didn't have the energy to fight back. He walked over to the bed, that surprisingly enough they had to share, took off his top and laid his head down.
"I'm going to sleep. No disturbances." He told her before rolling over.
"Zuko? Hey are you okay?" Katara asked stepping forward.
"I would be if you'd shut up and leave me alone!" He yelled pulling the covers over his head. Before that happened Zuko went into a coughing fit.
"Are you sure?" Katara pressed on.
"Yes, now for the love of the gods, just leave me alone!" Zuko snapped.
"Yes Your Highness," Katara complied.
She stalked off over to the wall opposite of where Zuko was sleeping. Something told her, that she shouldn't have locked him in that ice block. Maybe if she just had heard the prince out, then things would have been better for their relationship.
Katara violently shook her head back and forth. No, she couldn't be getting second thoughts now. All she needed was a little bit of space between the boy and her; that was it, no more no less.
But why did it seem that every time Katara looked at the boy, she wanted to jump his bones. Katara felt that there was something wrong, like the gods were giving both her and Zuko some sort of test. Maybe the prince was right, and he was doing this to protect her.
Why me? Katara asked herself. Why couldn't it be Yue, or Suki, or someone else?
She really needed to take her mother and Zuko's mother warning seriously now. What if Zuko did die? Or failed the tests ruining his life forever?
"That's not my concern." She muttered staring at the now sleeping prince. "If he dies, then it's his own fault."
Zuko rolled over and let out a cough, before clutching the sheets around him tighter. Katara crawled over to him. She didn't really want to disturb him; after all, his temper was pretty deadly. If she just took a peak then, maybe he'd turn out to be all right.
Just a small peak, I'm waiting for is a sign that he's got a slight cold. Katara thought to herself.
She placed a hand on his forehead. He was slightly warm. But she knew that a fire bender was naturally warm. It was natural, but was he supposed to be this warm?
Katara debated with herself whether or not she was to wake up Zuko and ask how warm a fire bender should be. She decided against it and pushed the sleeping fire prince over some, before climbing into bed herself.
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Aang had moved Appa some time before. He needed to see how Katara was doing.
"Aang!" Nyla squealed. "Let Katara have her prince. I mean not everyone can have whom he or she wants. So stop trying to interfere." Nyla scolded.
"Look I love Katara more than your brother can ever understand." Aang tried to explain. "He's just trying to push her away."
"Zuko is honorable and loves that water bender with all his heart." Nyla defended. "I know what he's going through." She snapped.
"Fine, whatever. By the looks of things the poison that was in your brother's food last night is starting to kick in." Aang blurted out suddenly.
"YOU POISONED MY BROTHER'S FOOD?" Nyla bellowed.
"Well, it wasn't me exactly." Aang said bashfully.
"What do you mean it wasn't you exactly?" Nyla demanded. "Why are you trying to kill my brother?"
"He took Katara away from me!" Aang snapped back. "With him out of the way I'll have her all to myself."
"And what about the next boy who comes in the way? Are you going to kill him too?" Nyla pointed out. "Then just keep killing until there is no one left?"
Aang was speechless. He honestly didn't know how to reply. Nyla had a point. He put his head in his hands and looked at the ground. "What have I done?"
"You need to give Zuko the antidote right away." Nyla told the young boy, taking him into her arms.
"I don't have it. My sister gave it to me. She said it was to help me to get Zuko away from Katara." Aang sobbed. "I never thought it would cause his death."
Nyla looked up to the window. She wondered how much longer Zuko had to live. "Wait, was your sister with another girl?"
"No, well yes." Aang said looking at Nyla. "But how could you have possibly known?"
"I have a feeling that it was not your sister that was behind this, but the gods."
"Gods?" Aang asked. "What do you mean?"
"Zuko wouldn't want me to tell you. Lets just say it has to do with that stupid ritual thing."
"Of course. Will he survive?"
"It's up to the gods, young Avatar." Nyla replied.
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In the Spirit World
Mei paced back and forth in front of Agni. She was slightly upset with the god for putting her son in this kind of danger. If Katara really didn't care like she said, then her only son would soon join her side.
"I can't believe you." She finally yelled at the god. "How dare you put Zuko in so much danger!"
"He's got this test and one other to go. If he doesn't pass this next one, then there is no hope for the fire nation." Agni said. He then looked over to a sundial. The boy had more or less nine months before his seventeenth birthday.
"He's got to free the soul of my daughter." Agni said. "He's got nine months to defeat her."
"What do you mean?" Kira asked looking from her sister-in-law to the fire god.
"I can assure you that your son will live. But that's because someone interferes." Agni answered.
"I'm trusting you." Mei said. "But I'm going to be right by his side."
"You do that." Agni replied coolly.
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With Zuko
Katara shield her eyes. The sun was coming in through the window, so she right away knew that Appa had moved. She looked over at Zuko and saw him sweating profusely.
"Zuko," she said, pushing him gently. "Are you alright?"
Zuko moaned and unconsciously kicked the covers off of him. He rolled over before letting out another moan. This is when Katara started to worry.
"Sokka!" She screamed, running out of the room. "Sokka!"
She ran down the hall where she knew that the water warrior was staying. It was going to be hard to explain to her brother that Zuko was sick. She ran straight into Haru.
"Haru, it's Zuko. He's sick." Katara said.
Haru grabbed a hold of her wrists, in an effort to get her to calm down. "Okay calm down Kat, and just tell me what happened."
"Well Aang and Yue locked us in a room together and he was already coughing. He went to bed last night, still coughing and he was slightly warm." She replied, all in one breath. "Then when I woke up, I felt warm so I rolled over and looked over at Zuko. This time he was sweating uncontrollably and he was warmer than normal." Again it was all in one breath.
"Okay, calm down." Haru said, glancing around looking for someone to help. "You're a water bender, so go try to cool Zuko down. You need to stay calm. The last thing we need is for anyone to panic more than necessary."
Katara nodded frantically. She was still panicking, but wasn't going to allow Haru to know that. "Okay, I'm going to back to my room. Please send someone here soon."
"I will. I've got to go find Sokka first. He'll help you." Haru answered, letting go of her wrists. "I'll be back as soon as I can." Then him and Katara ran off in different directions.
Katara returned to her room, and began to panic. She knew that Haru told her not to, but it couldn't be helped. The person who she was trying to protect from Zhao was dying.
She had moved the prince from the cot that they shared, to the floor. She was hoping that it could cool him down some, but obviously it wasn't working. Now she was pacing around him, and trying to calm herself down at the same time. She couldn't do it. It was just too much for one girl to handle. She was on the verge of crying when Sokka chose that moment to run in, and drop down next to Zuko.
"Katara, get me some water. We have to cool him down as much as possible. And make it as cold as you can get it, without freezing it over." Sokka commanded, taking his hand off of Zuko's forehead.
"I-I-I… I can't." She stuttered. "I can't do it Sokka."
"Don't you want to save him?"
I'm not a princess though. Katara remember telling Mei.
But in his eyes you are.
"No, I can't. I'm just going to end up hurting him again." Katara muttered, wrapping her arms around herself. "I won't do it again."
Sokka glanced down at Zuko. He couldn't tell what happened to the prince between last night and this morning, but he could be anything that Katara had nothing to do with it.
"Katara, I thought you loved him."
"I thought I did too." The water bender master replied. "I was wrong."
Sokka walked over to his sister and spun her around so that she facing him. "You've got to do something. I'm not a water bender. You're the only one who can get him to cool down. He will over heat and burst into flames." Sokka said, glancing back at Zuko making sure that he didn't already burst into flames. "Kat, get a hold of yourself."
Katara shook her head. It was then when her eyes turned completely white and she started to glow a light red color. Sokka was flung back across the room by such raw power. He had no clue what was going on, and he wasn't going to fine out.
"Somebody get me water!" He shouted, hoping his sister would be all right without him.
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Katara's vision type thing
"What are you doing!" Mei yelled, as soon as Katara's sight came into focus. "How can you just let my son die!"
"I want nothing to do with that man any longer! I'm just hurting him with everything I do." Katara replied sharply, turning her back to the pervious Fire Lady.
Mei walked around so that she was facing the water bender. "I wasn't raised a noble or a princess. All the men in the royal family have something for peasants. My father was just a general, when I met Zuko's father. And Ozai looked passed my dirty clothes and saw me for my real beauty. And Zuko's found a girl whom in eyes is the most beautiful girl in the world. YOU'RE MISSING THE CHANCE!"
"I don't deserve him." Katara replied.
"Fate can't be helped. She controls things that the gods don't. You just have to trust her." Mei told her. "She's written it in the stars that Zuko is to die. And you're the only one that can save him."
"I can't."
"Yes you can." Mei encouraged. "Zuko needs you. He can't live without you. The poison that was placed in his food is acting faster than Shadow thought." Mei looked behind Katara and smiled.
"My little ice burg." A voice said.
"Mamma?" She asked turning around, tears forming in her eyes.
Kianna, Katara's mother, looked just like her, though her hair was a lighter and brown, and she was in a white traditional dress.
"Listen to Mei, Katara." Kianna told her. "You love Zuko, and don't doubt that love."
"You're one of the few who get to choose your love." Mei added on. "I fell in love with Iroh, but was forced to marry Ozai."
"You're father, knows what is expected and before I died, I told him not to allow you to be married off like some prize." Kianna continued. (K15: Now Kianna is Katara's mother remember that, Katara later on names her daughter in remembrance of her mother.)
"You've found the boy who treats you like a queen. I suggest you take the chance." Mei assured the young water bender.
Katara wiped away tears. She couldn't believe that her mother and Zuko's mother were friends. That and she never thought she see her mother again.
"Katara dear, you've got to return to the living world." Kianna told her. "Mei and I are taking big risks talking to you, now that the solstice is over."
"Mamma, I miss you." Katara sobbed.
"I miss you too." Kianna said giving her daughter a hug. "Now go save the only hope of putting an end to the world."
"And give me grandkids!" Mei yelled, as Katara disappeared.
"Was that necessary?" Kianna demanded.
"Yes."
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Katara shook her head back and forth as she realized that she was back in the room with Zuko. Sokka was sweating slightly, and didn't even know that she had returned. She ran over to the prince and water bended some water onto him.
"So nice of you to join us." Sokka snickered.
"Very funny. Mom says I've got to do this." Katara said, partly lying.
"Okay, I'll back off."
Katara placed the water down on Zuko's chest and pushed slightly. She had never dealt with poison before, so she was guessing what to do. She gasped as Zuko turned a light blue, and began to cough a little.
"Zuko, come on my prince." Katara whispered, moving up so she was petting his head. "I need you still. You're mom wants grandkids."
Sokka chuckled at this last statement, but the laugh turned into a cough when Katara shot him a dirty look. "Sorry, I thought it was funny."
Katara leaned down next to Zuko's ear and hissed, "I still love you, my prince, and I always will. I was just being selfish and didn't care if I hurt you or not."
Sokka smiled and silently left the room. He knew that Katara didn't need him any more. After all, she was old enough to know the difference between right and wrong. He needed to go see the Fire Princess and talk to her about something.
Katara sat back on her heels and took a few deep breaths in. She had to remain calm. If she didn't, then all hope was lost.
"Zuko, your mother doesn't want to see you die. She pulled me into the Spirit World, against Agni's orders, and told me that herself. She has faith in you and me. She wants to see this war over, and so do you. I know it." Katara continued on, pulling the prince's head into her lap.
"I'm sorry for the way I treated you. It was wrong, and I don't deserve your love for it." Katara continued. "And if you never want to see my ugly face I understand." She let out a long sigh before looking down at the prince.
"I love you more than life itself, Prince Zuko." Katara said, tears rolling down from her eyes and landing on his chest.
Zuko let out a moan before opening his eyes. "Kat,"
"Zuko?" Katara asked, looking down.
Zuko sat up and took Katara's hands into his hands. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been forcing you to love me."
Katara started sobbing and flung herself into Zuko's embrace. "I shouldn't have doubted your love for me." She sobbed.
The prince petted her and leaned his chin on her head. He couldn't believe that he had almost died. He should have paid attention to Great Agni's warning. And to top it all off, him almost dying got Katara to realize how much he means to her. It was all very confusing and gave Zuko a headache.
"Katara," Zuko started.
Katara looked up at Zuko and pulled him into a kiss, something that they hadn't done in a while. The prince ran his tongue over her bottom lip and Katara allowed him to enter. Katara couldn't help but let out a moan. She hadn't shared a kiss like this with Zuko before.
They finally parted when a bright light shown the room. "Zuko, can you quit sucking her face for just a moment?" Agni asked.
Zuko blushed slightly as he stood up and faced the god. "I'm sorry sir."
"This near death experience should have taught you something." Agni said, occasionally glancing to the door.
"It has." Zuko replied, his grip around Katara tighter. "I won't use this stupid ritual as an excuse to getting Katara's love."
Agni nodded. "Well, that's not the answer I was looking for, but that will do."
Katara bowed her head as not to look into the eyes of a great being. Zuko couldn't help but smirk at the god. He never knew Katara to be a shy type person. He found out more and more about her every day.
"You're love is unbreakable. And Zuko and you better realize it my dear." Agni spoke towards Katara. He smirked, "if you ever threaten the son of fire again, well it won't be pleasant."
"Yes sir." She replied.
"Prince Zuko, you may want to check with your uncle. He's worried about you. And he's got a prophecy with your name on it." Agni informed the prince.
"It doesn't have to do with being the Chosen One does it?" Zuko asked.
"Yes, my son, it does." Agni replied.
"Go figure." Zuko scoffed. "Did I ever mention I hate being the chosen one?"
"All the time my son, all the time." Agni said. "I must go now, but I can assure you that this last test will be your hardest and most longest test yet."
"Of course makes sense."
With that Agni left. Leaving the two teens in the room, in each other's embrace. Katara couldn't help but cuddle up as close as she could get to Zuko. She hadn't felt his warmth in over three months. And she missed it.
"I love you Katara."
Katara didn't answer at first, which worried Zuko. She leaned up and kissed him before leaning over to his ear and whispering, "I love you too."
Sokka stood out side the door and saw the whole thing. He knew that Iroh would be proud of what just happened. Speaking of which, he needed to run off and right the old man a letter. There was so much that he needed to tell him.
"Thank you." He whispered, hoping that someone would hear him. Then he ran off to send some sort of message to Iroh.
"Can you ever forgive me for being so selfish?" Zuko asked.
Katara looked away and gave him a small smile. "I dunno," she replied, "after all, there's so much that you've done to hurt me."
Zuko looked at her with wide eyes. "What… are you serious?" He blurted out.
"But I guess I can forgive you just this one time." Katara finally said.
"You're going to keep on forgiving me until I stop making mistakes, right?" Zuko asked, pressing his nose against Katara's.
"I might as well. Our destinies intertwine now." Katara sighed. "And the day you stop making mistakes is the day that Sokka becomes the ocean spirit."
"Lets hope that day never comes. I can assure you it will be a downfall for the water tribes." Zuko laughed.
"With Yue at his side?"
"He'd be looking at her good looks rather than focusing on his job of protecting." He laughed again.
Katara pulled away from Zuko and crossed her arms. "Are you insulting my family?" Katara demanded.
Zuko laughed while crawling over to her. "No, what I'm saying is he focuses more on Yue than anyone else."
"Are you sure?"
"Trust me I've heard sounds that I never want to hear again."
Katara looked at Zuko and raised an eyebrow. "I don't want to know." She said.
"I wasn't going to tell you anyway."
"Good, I'm glad." She stubbornly replied.
"I'm glad, you're glad." He spat back.
"Well, I'm glad you're glad, that I'm glad."
"Good to know." He smirked.
"If you're going to kiss me, get it over with." She stated.
"I was planning too." The prince replied, pulling her into his arms. "I was waiting for you to tell me to."
"I thought you don't take orders from a peasant." Katara snapped.
"I don't." Zuko replied, closing the gap between them.
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K15: Does anyone else think that the last line that Zuko said was kind of corny?
Zuko: Does anyone think this story is corny?
Me: Very funny Zuko. Don't worry faithful readers I'm working on a story that has Katara and Zuko more in character. A challenge for me!
Zuko: Yeah!
Me: Shut up Zuko. I've actually got many evil plot bunnies…
Zuko: Evil plot bunnies?
Me: Yes. Now quit interrupting me! Anyway, I've got many evil plot bunnies floating around in my head.
Zuko: That's still a funny saying.
Me: Is not. Oh and I'm sorry that it took me a while to update. I've gotten myself a job. I'm working!
Zuko: At burger king.
Me: Shut up. Anyway so I have less time to update. I'm working on chapter 10 as we speak.
Zuko: Liar.
Me: -Hits Zuko in the head with a frying pan- anyway. Oh if you've ever wondered what reading 20 pages is like you've done so. At least it was 20 pages on Word. So please review… and no flames… they scare me. I'll update as soon as I can. Oh I almost forgot. The idea for Katara waking up to find Zuko dying was given to me by iamzukosnumberonefan so yeah. If you've got any ideas let me know. I'll give you credit. And I'm in constant of ideas. Later. K15