A/N: I am sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo sorry for the slow review. I just have a ton of family visiting and I'm still taking care of my grandmother. I've had this humongous case of writer's block and my computer still hates me. I hate to sound like I always have an excuse, but I have a life outside of fanfiction. That sucks. I'd write my entire life if I could.
I lurve being a FF nerd!
Anyway, I'll try to get a couple more chapters written before I go on vacation.
o0oOo0o
Zuko walked behind the two girls, noting how Katara had slowed a bit. He could almost imagine her grimace in pain from her ankle yet here she was, still trudging through the maze of the swamp. She was determined; he'd give her that much. And stubborn. "Lily, come walk with me." she said. The little girl didn't turn or even stop.
"I'm okay. I like the dark." Was it just him or was the girl avoiding physical contact? Then again, he didn't blame her. He only took that from his mother when he had been Lily's age.
"It's just dangerous out here, so stay close, okay?" There the waterbender went with her motherly instinct.
"Okay."
Suddenly, the waterbender stopped, leaning against a tree. The ex-prince could just barely see her pained expression in the yellow light he gave off from his flame. He shook his head, stopping in front of her. Blue eyes snapped open, looking up to meet his golden ones. Katara smiled a bit, attempting to reassure him she was alright. No luck. She had always been a bad liar. He kneeled in front of her again with his back to her, taking a deep breath. In all honesty, he was getting rather tired—not that he'd admit that.
"Zuko, I'm fine." the girl reassured him.
"No you aren't. Get on."
"You're bound to be tired too. I don't want you to get hurt."
"Katara, get on. You have a mission and if you have a broken ankle, it'll only hinder it." the firebender said matter-of-factly. He sighed when Katara said nothing. "Come on."
Zuko turned to face the girl, but she wasn't looking at him. Her eyes were wide as she looked down the path the way Lily had went. Looking in the same direction, he saw no one--only vines snaking toward them. Then he remembered what Katara had said about vines pulling her and her friends apart, when he'd thought she was exhausted. Eyes wide, the firebender stood to fight them off, sure to keep Katara behind him. Flames engulfed his hands as he stood in ready position.
"Zuko, you can't fight them off." Katara's voice was soft and scared.
"Then we'll run." Zuko replied, grabbing her hand and taking off in the opposite direction. The waterbender struggled to keep up, but she did, holding the firebender's hand in a death grip. Chancing a look behind him, the ex-prince saw the vines were going almost as fast as they were, just ten feet behind. Kicking the speed up a notch, he pulled Katara with him. "Hurry up!"
Without warning, the waterbender tripped with a scream. Zuko turned to help get her up but the evil vines reached her first. She screamed again as the vines wrapped around her waist, pulling her back the other way. Fear coursed through her and she reached out to Zuko. "Help!" The firebender dove for her hand, gripping it tight. He pulled with all his might, attempting to break her free. "Don't let go!" she yelled, tears in her eyes.
"I won't!" he reassured her.
Summoning a roaring flame in his free hand, he shot the vines at their base. They retreated with a black burn and released Katara of their tight hold. Zuko hurriedly helped the injured waterbender up. She stood only to fall into the firebender's warm chest. Her features were contorted in pain. "My ankle…" she moaned, tears seeping from her eyes. The ex-prince sat her down again, checking her injury. It still wasn't broken, but she'd twisted it again while running. The firebender tore a length of brown fabric from the bottom of his shirt sleeve, wrapping it around the girl's ankle.
"It won't support it much," he said, tying it, "but it'll help. At least until we find some water." Katara nodded, biting her lip, eyes shut tight.
"Where's Lily?" she asked, eyes opening. Zuko looked back down the path. The little girl was not there. "Oh, gods." Heaving herself up, the waterbender almost collapsed against her companion. She winced. The ex-prince turned, kneeling. The girl got on his back without hesitation. "She's just a girl…"
"We'll find her. Calm down."
o0oOo0o
Aang and Sokka sat on the big tree, knees hugged to their chests. It was dark now and had been for some time. The Avatar had finally gotten worried. Katara was not back yet and neither was Zuko. They both only hoped that if the two had found each other that they had the sense to work together. There was strength in numbers even if there were only two.
The water tribe warrior glanced over at the two old men sitting near the trunk of the tree. They were now playing some other stupid card game or another. Aang had joined in shortly only to lose and sit with Sokka on the branch. The men were quickly losing interest in their petty game. The one called Iroh looked out over the swamp, an unknown emotion in his eyes.
Iroh locked eyes with the water tribe boy, forcing a smile onto his wrinkled face. He was getting worried as well, but he would not let the children know that. They needed someone to be strong for them. "I'm sure your sister is fine. She is a strong waterbender, from what I have seen." the retired general remarked.
"A master." Sokka muttered.
"That is amazing! She--"
Sokka cut off Iroh, brows furrowed. "Just because she's a master doesn't mean she can't be caught off guard." Iroh nodded slowly, smile fading. Aang's face fell further as he rested his head on his knees.
o0oOo0o
"She's all alone out there, Zuko! We have to find her!" Katara exclaimed, eyes begging the firebender. The girl sat on the ground, looking up at Zuko. Said young man sighed, sitting down. Lily had not been found and their calls to her had been futile. The ex-prince had finally insisted that they stop and rest until morning when it would be easier to see the trail. He couldn't firebend for the entire night and he had growing doubts they'd ever see the little girl again. The vines had undoubtedly dragged her off and there was no telling what had happened to her. Zuko had made a guess but didn't want to think about it. There was nothing he could do if his guess was correct.
"It'll be easier to find her in the morning and if we find your friends and my uncle we'll have help." Zuko replied, sitting beside her. Their shoulders brushed, sending a wave of warmth through the waterbender's body. "Besides, even I can't carry you all night." The last part was muttered, but the girl caught it.
"Then I'll walk."
The firebender looked up with a bit of anger in his eyes. "You don't get it, do you? I can't firebend all night to give us light. It'll be easier to see in the morning meaning we won't get lost or go around in more circles. And you'll get some rest before you undoubtedly break you're ankle!"
Katara glared at the firebender. "I won't break my ankle!"
"Forgive me for caring." the firebender mumbled, quieter than before. He turned his head and crossed his arms. The waterbender couldn't believe her ears. Sure, Zuko had cared for her well-being, but admitting it? She swallowed, biting her lip.
"Thanks for that."
"What?" Zuko asked, turning. There he went with his favorite word again.
"I said thanks," Katara repeated, eyes locking with his, "for caring." The firebender looked at down at her, eyes seeming to search for something.
"You're welcome." he said softly, breaking the stare. He put out the light in his palm. "Get some rest."
"Alright."
o0oOo0o
Iroh had lit a flame in his palm to give the group a bit of light. They were all gathered around a small wooden table, silent. Worry and sadness shown in everyone's eyes. Everyone's but the Swamp Man's. He knew the two in the swamp would pull through. He had seen it happen dozens of times before. Deciding to break the silence, he spoke up.
"What did you all encounter in the swamp?" He received no reply. The man turned to Aang.
Without looking up, the Avatar spoke. "A girl in a white dress." He didn't seem too enthused. "I didn't know her." The man nodded.
The man nodded again, turning to Sokka. The water tribe warrior didn't look up either. He turned away before he spoke. "I saw a girl from the Northern Water Tribe. Princess Yue." He looked up at the moon through the thick trees. "She gave up her life to be the Moon Spirit."
"That was brave of her." the Swamp Man replied softly. "You must be proud of her, in any case."
"And sad." Iroh watched the boy. He remembered being there at the North Pole when it had happened. How Admiral Zhao had basically taken the princess away from her love. The war was tearing not only families apart, but what could have been. The general looked up when he was addressed.
"Oh." Iroh said, holding his teacup firmly. "I saw my son." Aang looked up. "He was killed in battle while I held siege on Ba Sing Se." Sokka's eyes widened.
"So you're the general they're always talking about!" the water tribe boy exclaimed. Iroh didn't respond, only looked into his teacup with sadness in his eyes. He wished he had never been able to take over that stronghold. Then maybe he'd still have his son.
No one said anything after that. Not even the Swamp Man.
o0oOo0o
Katara shivered slightly and brought her arms up to rest on her shoulders. When it got cold here, it got cold. Zuko looked sideways at her. He knew waterbenders got colder more easily; it was because of their element. Firebenders were naturally warmer. She shivered again, resting her head on the tree trunk. That was when the firebender finally put his arm around her, bringing her close. He said nothing, but allowed his body heat to flow through her veins as well.
The girl's eyes widened. Zuko was hugging her. 'It's only to keep me warm.' she told herself, but she knew he was hugging her nonetheless. She bit her lip, shifting her position slightly so her head rested on his warm chest. She could hear the thu-thump of his heart in her ears. The rhythmic sound soothed her.
The firebender gulped when the waterbender rested her head on his chest. His heart sped and he hoped she didn't notice. He wasn't used to this kind of contact from anyone. Sure he'd snuggled with his mother once upon a time, but this was different.
Katara sniffed, resting her hands on Zuko's shoulders. The firebender's heart sped up again and he could hear it in his ears. Suddenly, she lifted her head. "Are all firebender's this warm?"
"Yes." His voice was slightly off, he noticed. He wasn't the only one.
"I'm glad. I would have frozen to death in no time out here."
"I doubt it." he replied. That was better. He sounded surer of himself. Katara rested her head in the crook of the ex-prince's neck, unknowingly sending a shiver down his spine. He swallowed again. The waterbender closed her eyes, savoring the moment. As much as she hated to admit it, she liked this. Being held in Zuko's strong arms, head rested on his shoulder, no arguments or insults. This was a side of the boy she'd never seen and she definitely liked it.
"Zuko?"
"Hmm?" He had adjusted to the situation and he was now feeling more confident.
A pause. "Thanks for saving me."
"Mmm-hmm." The throaty noise echoed in Katara's ears. She cleared her throat, looking up at him. He opened his eyes, looking down at her. Even in the dark, he could imagine her big blue eyes, full of emotion. And she could imagine his handsome gold ones, sparkling with the ghost of his past.
Before they knew what they were doing, they leaned toward each other, meeting halfway. The kiss was tender and soft, lips barely pressing against each other. It sent waves of electricity through their veins, making them long for more. Zuko deepened the kiss, Katara glad he had dared to. Their lips danced together and—
"I thought you didn't like each other." Startled, they broke apart. Zuko lit a flame in his palm to illuminate the speaker.
"Lily!" Katara exclaimed. "How did you get out of the vines?"
"Firebending." the girl replied with a shrug. "It didn't take much. I'm glad too. I hurt myself." She held out her hand where there was a small red mark. A burn.
"I'll heal it with my waterbending! Come here." Katara said, pulling out her water pouch. The girl shook her head, backing away.
"I'm going to go sleep. I'm tired." The girl turned and sat against another tree across from the other two benders.
"Are you sure you don't want to sleep with us?" Katara asked. Zuko's good eye twitched. She made it sound like…
"No. I'll leave you two alone."
o0oOo0o
A/N: How was it? I had a major case of writer's block for this. I just can't get the "fall in love" thing the way I want it. But I think I did alright. Let me know!
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