Author's Note: I do not own "Avatar: The Last Airbender" or anything related to it. I do, however, own my characters. If you steal them or borrow them without my "Yes." I will hunt you down. Thank you for your time. And if you do not like this, you don't have to read it! I will not force you or beg you.
Dedication: This story is dedicated to Winter Rose Alchemist. She is my buddy, a sister-figure, and a great person to talk to. This story is for you, WRA (a.k.a. Winter Rose Alchemist)! And to my: readers, reviewers, and friends.
-A Kiss For Zuko-
"You know what?" Artymis said, making herself comfortable in Appa's saddle by sitting up. "I am so sick of seeing blue sky and white, puffy clouds!"
"Really?" Katara asked, "I would assume you love it."
"I do, but," Artymis looked over Appa's saddle and down on the trees. "this is too much!"
"Now you know how I feel!" Sokka said.
"Oh, shut it!" Artymis said, she could see amusement in Anduril's eyes. She smiled and fell over the saddle. She clung on to Appa. "What just happened!" She yelled.
"I don't know!" Katara yelled, hanging onto the inside of the saddle.
"Guess who?" Sokka said, taking a peak below.
"Zuko?" Artymis guessed.
"And we have a winner!" Sokka announced.
The girls groaned, "Not him again!"
You're so lucky, Anduril said with dry sarcasm.
Oh, yeah! Artymis responded back, trying to climb back up to the saddle, I'm about to fall - what fun!
Hang on.
Artymis saw a silver blur, Yep, that's him. She knew he was right below her. Artymis let go of Appa and felt safe that Anduril was going to catch her.
Artymis - wait!
What is it? Artymis asked, she felt herself fall for longer than she expected. She looked up to Anduril, who was aiding Appa. Artymis saw a small burn on Appa's side. Appa! Artymis screamed and the force that was pulling her to the earth was too strong that she couldn't airbend anything to slow herself down. Artymis shut her eyes and prayed to the spirits: I swear if I live through this - I'll never ever keep a secret from Anduril if he asks - and that's only if he asks! Artymis felt herself stop. She was too afraid to open her eyes. I'm dead.
"It's very easy to catch the Avatar now."
Artymis opened her eyes and found herself once again in Zuko's arms. He saved her from falling... again. Artymis stared up into Zuko's golden eyes. She felt that strange warm emotion she would feel around him, but she remembered her hatred for him. She began kicking.
"Stop kicking!" Zuko yelled.
"Let go of me!" Artymis yelled and jumped away from Zuko. She breathed for a second and started to run.
"Catch the Avatar!"
Firebenders came in front of Artymis, she smirked and said, "Guess again!" She kicked and sent air waves at her opponents, and would bend water and put out their fire. She threw her arms down, and they all fell to the ground. "Bye!" She said, and when she turned around, she was face-to-face with Zuko. Artymis felt her shoulders being grasped by Zuko's hand. He glare at her, and she noticed his eyes turned to the Panda Lily in her hair, then to her necklace. She noticed there was interest in his eyes, the same as Zhao's did.
"What are you looking at?" Artymis snapped, pulling apart from him and glaring at him. She gripped her necklace.
"I want your necklace." Zuko answered.
Artymis rose an eyebrow, "What do you want it for?" He asked.
"To add to my collection." Zuko pulled out Katara's necklace.
Artymis took a step, "Give that back!" She hissed. Artymis lunged for the necklace, but she didn't have an eye on her own. Artymis fell to the floor and growled. She felt her neck naked. Artymis panicked and try to feel for the chain. She didn't. Artymis looked down to see if it was still hanging around her neck, and it wasn't. She stood up and turned around.
Zuko had her necklace in one hand and was smirking, "Thank you very much."
"Right," Artymis said, "now give me the other one!" She held her hands in front of her and air hit Zuko, he covered his face with his arms. Artymis ran and managed to get Katara's necklace. She tried to get her necklace, but she didn't get a chance to when Zuko turned around and threw a fireball at her. Artymis dodged it and ran over the rail, she had noticed the ship had stopped at a harbor, so she landed on the harbor and began to run for the trees.
"Avatar!" Zuko yelled, slamming his fist on the metal rail.
"Pleasure doing business with you!" Artymis yelled over her shoulder, holding up the necklace.
Artymis, meet us at a shore, away from Zuko, Anduril telepath her.
Alright, she said, I'll be there. She stopped in her tracks and slowly turned around, Artymis bended the water out of the ocean and made a small but big enough sphere over Zuko's head. She let the water drop and it soaked Zuko. "That should teach you a lesson on how to handle a lady!" Artymis turned on her heel, "Hmph!" She ran and hid in the trees, she placed Katara's necklace in one of the pockets of her belt.
"Prince Zuko, are you alright?" Iroh rushed to Zuko.
Zuko glared at the trees, he was soaking wet. I can't believe I wanted to talk to her, he thought, I knew she attack me the second she would see me. Zuko had wanted to act mean towards her, but then he wanted to talk to her about him rescuing her. But, he smiled on the inside, when he saw she still wore the Panda Lily. Yet, he slammed his fist on the rail, hiding his thoughts from his uncle. "No, I am not alright!" He turned to his uncle.
Iroh realized he was wet. "I see you finally let water calm you."
"No, I didn't!" Zuko yelled, slamming his fist again, the one that held the necklace. He felt the chain of the necklace slip from his sweaty palm. It was falling into the water. Zuko reached down and quickly captured it. He straighten up, and stared at the jewels of the necklace.
"It is the Avatar's, am I correct?" Iroh offered.
"Yes, you are." Zuko said, he put it in his pocket, "Now, what was the name of the bounty hunter woman, the one with the Xirxiu?"
"Why?" Iroh asked.
"Because, finding the Avatar will be much easier for us." Zuko said, a smirk on his face.
"I'm gonna kill him!" Artymis yelled, throwing her hands up in the air.
"Why, what happened?" Katara asked.
Artymis and her friends were at their camp, night had fallen too quickly, and the fire was warm against the coldness. Only Sokka was missing, he had gone out to fetch more firewood.
"Zuko doesn't let me go without a worry or without a tower of hatred in me!" She yelled, "He took my necklace!" Artymis turned to Anduril, "The one that I got on my fifth birthday!" Artymis knew her voice was becoming small and childlike. "It was the one that... that... that..."
"Hey!" Sokka's voice came out from the darkness, "Look who I found!" The girls turned to see Sokka grinning, and a Water tribe man with him.
"Is that you, Bato?" Katara asked, her eyes wide with shock.
"Yes, it is me." The man said with a kind voice.
"Bato!" Katara screamed from joy and ran to hug the man Bato.
"My, you and Sokka have grown." Bato said.
Artymis quickly dried her watery eyes and walked up to Bato, "Hello, Bato." She said with a friendly smile, "I'm Artymis, the Avatar."
"Pleasure to meet you, Lady Avatar." Bato said.
"Please," Artymis said, "don't call me Lady Ava - "
"Where's dad, Bato?" Sokka asked Bato. Artymis had never seen Sokka this happy before, she thought it was strange and happy to see.
"He and the other warriors are still traveling." Bato said, he looked up to the night sky, "Let us go someplace else, this place is no fit for a reunion."
Artymis followed the Water tribe members. Anduril and Appa slowly walked behind them.
Is that their father? Anduril asked Artymis.
No, I'm pretty sure it isn't because they called him 'Bato', Artymis answered. She watched the three talk and laugh.
Are you feeling lonely? Anduril asked her.
I'm not sure, Artymis said, and it was the truth, she felt happy that Katara and Sokka found a friend of their father's. And though she found Bumi, Artymis felt left out somehow.
"I was left behind by your father and the warriors." Bato explained, "Because I was badly wounded, they left me with these sisters in an abbey, they heal and shelter the wounded. They've shown much kindness to me." He began explaining that his boat was on the beach and why it was scratched. They entered a courtyard, guarded by walls, and were greeted by uniformed women. "Superior, these are the children of Hakoda." he turned to Artymis, "And their friend, the Avatar, whom they have been traveling with."
The uniformed woman that Bato had called 'Superior' bowed her head in respect to the teenagers. She looked to Katara and Sokka, "It is pleasure meeting the children of Hakoda." She looked to Artymis, "And an honor to meet you, Lady - "
"Please?" Artymis said softly, "Don't call me by that, just Artymis." She bowed her head, "It's an honor meeting you too."
"Hey!" Sokka said, "What smells so good?"
"The sisters make perfume and of that sort." Bato said.
"Really?" Sokka turned to Anduril and Appa, "You know, come to think of it. Appa and Anduril need a bath with some of that stuff, 'cause they stink so much. Am I right?" There was a silence, but it was very short since Sokka yelled "Ow!" in two seconds.
"You wanna say that again?" Artymis asked, pulling her staff back towards her. ""Cause I have more where that came from."
"Alright, you two," Bato said, "come with me." He beckoned. He led them to his room, where it looked much like a Water Tribe.
"Bato, it's just like home!" Katara gasped.
Dead animal skins? Artymis thought and gulped, she held onto Momo very tightly. He squealed and jumped off. "Sorry, Momo!" Artymis said, Momo immediately jumped back into her arms. Artymis could tell why, there was a dead bear on the floor, spread out like a carpet. "It's alright, Momo, I got you." She petted him softly.
Dead animal skin, you say? Anduril asked.
Yeah, Artymis said. She watched Katara and Sokka sit down beside Bato as they ate on stewed sea prunes. She gulped again.
By any chance, he's not looking for a dragon, now is he? Anduril asked, a hint of panic in his voice.
Artymis looked around, I'm sure if you're a good little dragon, the spirits will have mercy on you, she teased.
Ha ha, very funny, Anduril said with sarcasm.
It is! Artymis said. The Water Tribe members talked for some time, and Artymis suddenly had the urge to go outside. But then she over heard Bato say something:
"You know, I'm expecting a message from your father when he and his men find the rendezvous point. A map actually. It tells of his location, I'm sure he'll be happy to see you."
"Really?" Katara asked, "You mean, we can see him?"
"We've waited for more than two years!" Sokka said eagerly.
Artymis lowered her eyes. She quietly exited out and met Anduril outside, I'm back.
Don't tell me you traded me in, Anduril joked.
Artymis looked up at him with panic, No, of coarse not! You're my brother!
I know you wouldn't.
She and Anduril walked side-by-side, they quietly walked out of the abbey, and onto the beach. It's been a while since we had brother-and-sister quality time, you know.
I've noticed.
Artymis let Momo go and let him run free. She spotted a Water Tribe boat and knew at once it was Bato's. She leaned against it, the moon's light not touching her in any way. She was in the shadows. Artymis looked up to Anduril, he was laying down, his head on his clawed hands. Anduril, I want my necklace back, Artymis said.
Anduril's eyes lit up, What do you mean 'you want it back'? What happened?
I didn't get a chance to really tell you, but Zuko took my necklace. Artymis said.
Anduril growled, No wonder you look different, I'm going to hunt him down - He rose his head and looked around, Where is he?
Artymis shook her head, But I got Katara's - oh! I forgot to give it to her! Artymis was about to reach out for the necklace, but she heard a noise. She looked around and saw an Earth Kingdom messenger.
"Excuse, ma'am, where is Bato of the Water Tribe?" The messenger asked, he saw Anduril and the creature he rode on, backed away in fear.
"I know Bato, I'll deliver him whatever you have for him." Artymis said, stepping from the shadow of the boat and up to the messenger.
"Make sure this gets to him." The messenger handed Artymis a rolled-up piece of paper and he took off.
Artymis, her curiosity getting the best of her, unrolled the scroll. It wasn't a letter at all, it was a map. "A map to Katara's and Sokka's dad." She whispered. A feeling in Artymis made her crumble the paper and stuff it in one of her belt's pockets.
Anduril looked at her. What are you doing? he asked.
I - I - I don't want to be abandon by Katara and Sokka, Artymis answered, I know I have you, Appa, and Momo, but - Artymis straighten up. She sighed, I don't want to be the only one without a father to see.
"What happened?" The bounty hunter, Jun, asked. She leaned against her Xirxiu and looked at the scarred man and his uncle. "Why do you seek my help?"
Zuko pulled out Artymis' necklace and showed it to Jun, "I need you to find someone." He said, and he noticed there a bit of amusement in Jun's red eyes.
"So, your girlfriend run off on you?" Jun asked, "I wonder why." She said with dry sarcasm.
"No, she's not my girlfriend." Zuko said with anger, Why is everybody thinking like that? The Avatar and I are nothing! "I need her for something else."
"Whatever you say," Jun said, "so if I find this girl, what is my reward?"
"I'll consider the damage you cause on my ship earlier paid for." Zuko said.
Jun shook her head, "Sorry, I only take money." She was about to climb on her Xirxiu, when Iroh stepped up.
"Plus we'll pay your weight in gold." Iroh offered.
Jun hesitated and turned to him, "Make it your offer, and we got a deal."
"Done." Iroh said.
"Alright," Jun snatched the necklace from Zuko, she held it before her Xirxiu's nose. Since the Xirxiu hunted by smell, the order of the wearer of the necklace made a purple color in it's "eyes". "Get on!" Jun said, saddling on her animal. Zuko sat behind her, and then his uncle. Jun brought her whip out and whipped her creature. The Xirxiu snarled and sped off, following the purple string of the sense of its prey.
(The Next Morning)
Artymis was feeding Appa and Anduril with some of the hay that the sisters provided. Though Anduril preferred meat, he politely ate the hay. Artymis patted both Anduril and Appa, she petted Momo too. But she absentminded.
Anything wrong, Artymis? Anduril asked, Beside you betraying Katara and Sokka by hiding the map of their father's location.
I feel so guilty! Artymis buried her face in her hands.
Here comes Katara and Sokka, Anduril said.
Artymis lifted her head and saw Katara and Sokka coming towards her. "Hey, what's up?" She asked.
"Oh, nothing." Sokka answered.
"Sorry, if I disappeared for a while last night." Artymis said, otherwise she never hear the end form Katara.
"You were?" Katara asked, "I didn't even see you leave."
"Oh," Artymis was shocked.
"Come on!" Sokka said, "Bato is gonna show us his boat!" He was already running to meet Bato at the gate of the courtroom.
"Come on!" Katara said over her shoulder to Artymis.
"Right behind you!" Artymis looked to Anduril, Tell Appa we'll be right back, ok?
Be on your guard, Anduril said.
Artymis nodded and grabbed Momo and they ran after the three Water Tribe members. They ran up to the boat where Artymis was last night, though they didn't know that. She saw the footsteps that the Earth Kingdom messenger made while delivering Bato's map to her. She looked over to the others, they all had their backs to her. Artymis quietly used airbending to blend the footsteps with the sand. She turned around to them with a sweet smile. Momo chirped and perched himself once again on Artymis' shoulder.
I hope I won't have to live with this guilt for so long, Artymis thought.
(An Hour Later)
Artymis stared out into the ocean. She, Katara, and Sokka were on Bato's ship. They were going to "ice dodge".
"Alright, Sokka steer the boat. Lead with wisdom." Bato said, he turned to Katara, "Katara, secure the mainsail. Be brave for the winds may be harsh." He looked to Artymis, "Artymis, you'll be in charge of the jib, without your steady hands we all go down. Your position is wisdom."
Artymis rubbed her arms, "Alright, sir."
"You three must do this on your own, in order for it to be done right." Bato sat down on the floor, "I cannot help you."
The three teenagers stared at him.
"You know," Artymis whispered to Katara "I have a bad feeling about this."
"Me too." Katara whispered.
After dodging some of the rocks, the group could see big rocks up ahead that their boat couldn't possibly go through.
"You've proven yourselves." Bato said quickly, noticing the rocks up ahead.
"No, not yet!" Sokka said, "Katara rise water between us and those rocks. Art, give us more wind."
Katara rose her arms up and down, the boat began to rise. Artymis brought more wind in the sails. With both waterbending and airbending, the boat managed to rise over the rocks and smoothly cruise to shore. Sokka sat down with a sigh of relief. Katara and Artymis gasped for air.
"Sokka." Artymis said, "This is the only time I'm gonna do - do - so - " She gasped for more air.
"I'm gonna - I'm gonna - " Katara's voice drowned. Both she and Artymis slumped down.
"At least we did some ice dodging." Sokka said.
"You all have proven yourselves, I am very proud." Bato said, "Your father would be too." They landed the boat in the same spot it was before. Once they all departed, Bato grabbed a small bowl with black paint in it. "Sokka, you have earned the mark of the wise." Bato marked a symbol on Sokka's forehead: a curve and a dot beneath it. "Katara, your courage inspired us all." A backwards crescent moon for her. "Artymis, you have the mark of trust. Now, you are an honorary member of the Water Tribe."
Artymis stepped away before Bato could place the trust symbol on her forehead. "No, I can't."
"What's wrong?" Katara asked.
How can I say this? she thought. Artymis sighed and pulled out the map, "Last night, a messenger told me to give this to Bato." She revealed, "I'm very, very sorry. But I didn't want to be all alone - "
Sokka snatched the map from her and took a look at it. "This is the map from our father!" He turned and glared at Artymis with anger she had never seen from him, "You had it since last night? When were you planning on telling us?"
Artymis buried her face in her hands, "I didn't want you both to go! I've been alone too much and - "
"It doesn't matter!" Sokka yelled, "You were trying to keep us from seeing our father!"
"Sokka, please!" Artymis said, lifting her face. "I tried so hard to not think of Gyatso, but it came rushing back when you were going to see your father!"
"So you wanted us to be alone too?" Sokka asked.
"No!" Artymis shook her head, "I didn't want you both to be alone! I just didn't - "
"Didn't what?" Sokka yelled.
"I didn't want to be left behind." Artymis said.
"You're going to the North Pole by yourself!" Sokka yelled.
"Sokka, I think you should - " Bato tried to calm him down, Katara didn't say anything.
"I'm going to find dad!" Sokka turned on his heel, and looked at Katara. "Are you with me, Katara?"
Katara looked back at Artymis, "Yeah, I'm with you."
Artymis was left alone, Anduril?
Yes? Anduril paused, Have you been crying?
We're going to the North Pole by ourselves.
"Can't this thing go any faster!" Zuko yelled from frustration. The Xirxiu had followed the sense of the Avatar from a few different places, but it was getting on Zuko's nerve that he wasn't getting any closer into capturing her.
"Shut it!" Jun snapped back, "My Xirxiu is working overtime for you, so don't you say anything!"
"Oh, dear." Iroh sighed, "maybe I should've stayed at the ship."
Artymis told Katara, the only really speaking to her, that they could take Appa. Well, Katara spoke very little to her now.
"Thanks, and good luck." Katara muttered.
"You too." Artymis said, not looking at her. She looked to Anduril, I was so stupid.
You were acting on emotions, Anduril said.
It doesn't matter, Artymis said and looked up when the superior came to her. "I'll move on." She said bitterly.
"That would be best." The superior said.
Artymis walked side-by-side with Anduril and looked at her friends and Bato with Appa. She could hear Sokka plead Appa to fly, but he refused. Artymis kept walking and she looked down when Momo jumped in her arms. "I'm sorry, Momo." She whispered. Artymis and Anduril reached the beach when Artymis fell on the ground. Momo chirped, his head tilted to the side. "I'm - so - stupid!" She lightly hit her head two times, between each word, on her forehead. She opened her eyes and groaned. "Great! I left my staff in the abbey!" She stood up and kicked the sand.
Anduril shook his head, I'll get it.
Thanks, she said, still kicking the sand.
Stop doing that, Anduril said.
Why?
You'll get sand in your eyes, Anduril said.
Uh-huh, she stopped.
I'll be right back with your staff, Anduril said. He walked back to the abbey.
Artymis placed her hands on her hips, and blinked. She slapped her forehead. "Great! I forgot to give Katara her necklace!" She began running back into the woods. I'll be back before Anduril knows I'm even gone! She was running on the path when she heard movement. Artymis stopped and stood still, listening to the environment around herself. Something's coming, she thought and her hands balled into fists, I'm ready for Zuko this time. Artymis gasped when she heard a loud snarl, she whirled around and saw a Xirxiu. "A Xirxiu!" She cried and she was backed up against a large boulder. She pressed herself against the rock and gulped as the creature snarled. I wasn't ready for a Xirxiu! She saw the rider was a young beautiful woman with white skin and dark hair, behind her was Zuko, and behind him was his uncle Iroh.
"So," the woman looked to Zuko, "this is your girlfriend? No wonder she left. She's way too pretty for you."
Artymis frowned, "Wait a minute! I'm not his girlfriend!"
"Oh, look!" The woman said, "She's even denying it."
Zuko jumped off and walked towards Artymis, "Now, I've got you."
"You even lay a finger on me, and I will seriously hurt you." Artymis threatened, "My brother wouldn't be as merciful as I am right now." She paused, "How'd you even find me?"
"It doesn't matter." Zuko said, "You're coming with me."
"And what makes you think that?" Artymis placed her hands on her hips.
We need to talk, Zuko mouthed at her.
Artymis blinked, she took a step forth and the Xirxiu instantly snarled at her. "Oh, shut it!" She yelled and sent a wave of air at it. Apparently, it got even madder. Artymis began to run for it. "ANDURIL!" She yelled, as she ran.
Zuko gulped when she yelled out her brother's name. "I hope your Xirxiu can handle a rare creature." He said to Jun.
Jun turned to him, "Why?"
"Because an angry dragon is coming to get his sister." Zuko answered.
Jun looked at him with confused red eyes. At first she didn't get it, then she did. "Oh, I see what you mean." Her voice was monotone.
Artymis ran and she looked behind her to see the Xirxiu and its passengers still following her, I'm seriously gonna die!
Artymis, go to the abbey! Anduril said to her.
But, the sisters - Artymis started.
It's alright! Anduril cut her off, They'll understand!
Artymis turned left and headed for the abbey. She looked behind her, the Xirxiu was on her trail. It has no eyes, she realized, so how can it... ? She looked up and ran right in the opened abbey gates. Once she was in, they were closed, but not for long. The Xirxiu barged in and growled. Artymis stood in front it, "Give me your best shot... mole." She said, with a smirk. The Xirxiu growled and made an attempt towards her, but a silver blur came and knocked it down. "Told you my big brother won't stand for it." Artymis smiled and stopped when Zuko was standing five yards away from her, glaring at her.
"You won't escape from me this time." Zuko said.
"That's what you said last time." Artymis pointed out.
"I mean it this time!" Zuko shouted, fire flaming in his hands.
"I'm pretty sure because your girlfriend - " She jerked her head towards Jun, who as riding her Xirxiu while fighting Anduril. " - has a lot of faith in you."
"She's not my girlfriend!" Zuko made a fire punch towards Artymis.
She dodged and airbended while he, of coarse, firebended. Artymis dodged his attacks, but hitting him with a bit of a problem. Zuko missed her many times, but missed her attacks as well. Artymis managed to grab her staff, but Zuko knocked it right out of her hands.
"You asked for it!" Artymis shouted she threw large ball of air towards Zuko, while he threw one of fire towards her. This caused a small explosion and sent both of the teenagers flying. Zuko and Artymis both landed on the tile roofs of the building, they landed close to each other.
"Artymis! Anduril!" Katara and Sokka came bursting in the abbey. "Artymis?" Katara called out. She stopped and hit the wall, when the Xirxiu paralyzed both her and Sokka.
"Anything you got in mind?" Sokka asked Katara, realizing he couldn't move any part of his body, only his head.
"No." Katara said, realizing the same thing.
"Paralyze him!" Jun yelled, whipping her Xirxiu.
Anduril was down and trying to get up when the Xirxiu came hurling towards him. That was when Appa came in and growled loudly at the Xirxiu. He hit Appa with his tongue once and Appa began to fall, the Xirxiu was about to hit him more when Anduril came in and whipped the Xirxiu with his long tail. Both Anduril and Appa growled.
Artymis moaned and opened her eyes, she sat up and looked to her right to see Zuko. She made a silent sigh and slowly walked away. Her long hair whipped around when she turned around to see Zuko grasping her arm. Artymis twirled around and rose her arm to slash it down to make a powerful air wave, but Zuko grabbed her other arm and let go of the one he had. She twirled around again and Zuko let go of her arm to grab her other one. This continued, it was like Zuko and Artymis were dancing on the roof.
"Enough of this!" Zuko yelled and he grabbed both of her arms.
Artymis kicked him in the stomach and ran. She barely avoided the Xirxiu's tongue. She turned around and ran the opposite way, she passed Zuko who was clutching his stomach in pain. She jumped off the roof and was followed by a quickly-recovered Zuko. She and Zuko began fighting again a well. Zuko sent fire punches at her and Artymis sent air waves towards him. When he extended his arm out, Artymis saw her necklace dangling from his wrist. She gasped and tried to get it.
"Give it back!" She yelled at him, when he stepped aside.
"Come to me, then!" Zuko said. He knocked out the small roof over the well, when he attacked Artymis with fire again. they were both now walking on the rail of the well.
"It's time to practice your dance moves, Your Highness!" Artymis teased. They did look like they were dancing while really trying to attack one another.
Zuko grew more and more angry, but he caught Artymis smiling and heard her laughing. "What are you smiling and laughing about!" He snapped.
I haven't danced in a while, she thought. Unfortunately, she said this thought out loud.
"Believe me: you don't dance all that great!" Zuko said.
"I wouldn't be talking!" Artymis shot back, she lost balance and fell in the well.
Zuko, without thinking, sent fire down the well. But, the water from the well shot up and Zuko landed on the ground with a grunt. Artymis carefully got out of the well. She looked around to Zuko She saw Anduril and Appa knocked down. "Anduril? Appa?" She ran again when Zuko again wouldn't stop attacking or chasing her.
Katara and Sokka were un-paralyze by the perfume that the superior let them smell. Sokka moved around then said, "That creature can't really see, it smells us out."
"We gotta pour something with smell on him." Katara said.
"Perfume?" The superior asked.
"That'll work." Sokka said.
They aligned pots of perfume and ointments, and two people began pushing. Katara wasn't, because she would bend the liquid and hurl it towards the creature. She breathed and ready herself.
Artymis whirled around and stopped in front of the Xirxiu. She began backing away, but she didn't remember that Zuko was walking right behind her. Liquid pour down in front of the Xirxiu and within five seconds, it lost control. It slashed it's tongue everywhere, it even hit fallen Jun. Artymis stared at it and felt the tongue slashed her on her arm. Zuko also got slashed on his shoulder by the tongue. Both of the benders fell. Zuko laid on his back, his arms spread apart. Artymis felt right next to him, and her hand laid on the middle of his chest. It looked like Artymis was hugging Zuko, with her head laid on his left shoulder and Zuko's arm around her shoulders somehow. Both of the teenagers groaned and opened their eyes. Artymis lifted her eyes up a bit and saw she was laying right next to Zuko, her cheeks changed to ten deep shades of pink. Zuko lowered his eyes and saw Artymis right next to him, his pale cheeks blushed deeply. Artymis looked at Zuko, and he looked at her.
She made a small smile, I... I... I think I'm...
I think... I really think that... that... Zuko lost his train of thought, as well as Artymis.
Artymis closed her eyes and had a smile on her face. Zuko smiled. But when Artymis opened her eyes and saw Jun nearby, she saw that Jun's fingers were overlapping Zuko's fingers. For some very odd reason, Artymis felt heat of envy rise in her. She glared up at Zuko, he realized that Jun's fingers were on top of his own. He glanced nervously at Artymis.
I did it again! she thought with anger.
Artymis smelled a sweet scent and she felt she could move again, she jumped to her feet. Zuko smelled the scent too and immediately pulled his hand away from Jun, who was barely recovering. Zuko got to his feet, turned around to say something to Artymis, but found her glaring at him with deep hatred in her green eyes.
"I told you," Artymis hissed dangerously, "don't ever play with my heart!" She rose her hand, but it was caught in the air by Zuko's hand.
Zuko placed a hand on her waist and pulled the Avatar towards him, "And I told you we need to talk." His golden eyes soften on her, "I want you to understand that I will do things for you, as I have done always."
"What are you talking about?" Artymis asked, starting to fall into Zuko's eyes.
"I was the one who - " He was cut off by Jun's tiring voice:
"Oh look. The groom and the bride are about to kiss." What Jun said caused the benders to stare at each other. Artymis lowered her hand and thought, A groom and a... bride? Artymis had never thought of marriage, until now. Zuko stared at her and his grip on her ease, Me - a groom? Her - my bride? "You know, I'm still here." Jun's voice broke the thoughts of the benders. Artymis pulled away from Zuko and started running towards Anduril, she climbed on him.
"Go, Avatar, go!" The superior said, "Leave before they attack you again!"
"And you?" Artymis asked.
"We will be fine."
"Come on, Art!" Artymis looked around and saw Sokka and Katara, saddled in Appa's saddle.
She smiled and nodded, "Let's go!"
Anduril and Appa sped into the sky. Once they were in the sky, Artymis switched her seat over from Anduril to Appa. She looked at Katara and Sokka.
"Guys, I'm really sorry for my selfish acts." She said, "I was so - "
"We forgive you." Sokka said.
"What?" Artymis looked up.
"When we were with Bato, we heard a wolf cry from sorrow. He was separated from his family. We felt like that when our dad left, but..." Sokka looked to Katara to finish it.
"You're our family too," Katara said, "and we need to stick together."
Artymis cried from joy and hugged Katara and Sokka, "Oh! I'm so happy and so sorry!" She pulled away and looked to Anduril, she could tell he was smiling.
"Hey, what happened to your necklace?" Katara asked.
Artymis lowered her eyes, "Zuko took it." She then lit her eyes with joy, "But, I got something back!"
"Your necklace?" Sokka guessed.
Artymis shook her head, "Nope!"
"Then what?" Sokka asked.
Artymis pulled out Katara's necklace, "Isn't this yours?" She asked Katara.
Katara smiled and grabbed her necklace, she put it on. "My mother's necklace!"
"How'd you get it?" Sokka rubbed his eyes.
Artymis knew it was killing herself to say it: "Oh, Zuko and I came to an agreement. I persuade him to give me back your necklace." her voice was obvious with sarcasm.
"That's so sweet of Zuko,"Katara said with sarcasm. "you think I could give your boyfriend a kiss?"
Sokka looked behind him, "Here's your chance!"
The girls looked over Appa's saddle. They saw Zuko on the deck of his ship, talking to his uncle. Artymis smirked.
Don't you even think about it... Anduril said to her dangerously.
"Zuko!" Artymis waved. She was surprised he actually looked up at her direction.
"I dare you!" Sokka said.
Artymis knew this was also killing her, but she did it anyways. Artymis pressed her four fingers against her lips and closed her eyes. She moved her fingers and pointed the tips towards Zuko, Artymis let a kiss escape from her lips. She opened her eyes and saw Zuko very, very shocked. "That was for you, Prince Zuko!" She yelled and hid herself back into Appa's saddle.
Artymis! Anduril yelled.
"I can't believe you just did that!" Sokka said.
Katara fanned herself, even though she wasn't really gonna faint.
"I can't believe I did either." Artymis felt her cheeks blush.
"Someone's blushing!" Sokka teased.
Artymis turned her face and closed her eyes, That felt... that felt really... really... good. Wait, am I... in love?
Zuko was still overcoming the shock that Artymis gave him. She had blown him a kiss, and she said it was for him.
"Apparently, you have an admirer." Iroh said, chuckling.
Zuko sent a flame out into the horizon. He grunted and his eyes narrowed. "I hate that woman!" He yelled.
Iroh leaned forward and quietly laughed, "Prince Zuko, you are blushing."
Zuko hadn't realized he was blushing, and he turned his face away from his uncle. "I am not!" He lied.
Iroh shook his head and began to walk away, but not before teasing: "'Her eyes like shining emeralds.' "
Zuko groaned and threw his hands down, I am not in love! he paused and opened his eyes, Am I?
Author's Note: Dang! This chapter got out a lot faster than expected. Well, Artymis and Zuko are getting the picture of them both being in love. I liked Jun, she was funny with the "So, your girlfriend ran off on you" and "She's way too pretty for you" in the episode. Well, We're more than half-way through this story. I should have the next chapter (where I have many ideas!) in two weeks, three the most. I like to thank for the support once again:
Firework: Was this a fast update? -lol-
Ghettogurl94'Llane2': I believe there will be twenty-one chapters. Not much, but me like the chapters after this one. -shifty eyes- OK, I'm done!