Yay! I got the days to match up with their chapter number finally. Anyway...

I went back to the grove sometime later, hungry. Zuko was still meditating. "Do you want lunch?" I asked, walking over to the bag. Zuko nodded and I pulled out two apples. "It's going to be fish for a while," I remarked. "That's the last fruit."

Zuko groaned. He was just as tired of the fish as I was, but there was nothing else here. We ate our apples and went about our business; I just sat doing nothing and Zuko meditated. Bored, I began to daydream about the adventures I had had with my brother and Aang, getting stuck here, Zuko…

I groaned inwardly. I had told myself to stop thinking about him; it wasn't right. But I couldn't help but think about his strong arms enveloping me, his body heat warming me, the way his lips felt against mine in a kiss, and my dream. I leaned against a tree. It was that stupid dream that had started my conflict.

A shadow blocked out the light from the sky that peeped in and the firelight. I looked up to see Zuko standing over me. "Is everything alright?" he asked, concern etched in his features.

I started to say yes, but then I realized how much like Zuko I was becoming. "It's…oh, right before I woke up, I had this dream," I began. "In it, the war was over and everything was as it should be. To celebrate that and someone's wedding, there was a huge party somewhere hot. I was there, and I was sixteen. After dancing with other people, I was swept into the arms of someone, someone wonderful. As soon as the waltz ended, my partner kissed me and whispered 'I love you' in my ear. Here's the thing; I am not allowed to dance until my wedding day, it's tradition in the Water Tribe. And on the wedding day, only the groom can kiss the bride that passionately, which I think is custom in every nation. The problem is, it was my wedding and the groom…." I trailed off and looked at Zuko. "I haven't been able to think about anything else all day, try as I might."

To my surprise, Zuko didn't get mad or whatever it is guys do in a spot when women slap the speaker. Instead, he took my hands and stood me up. "Who was the groom?" he asked, whispering in my ear. I bit my lip. Should I tell him?

Yes! He feels the same way, one half of me, my heart, said.

You'll just end up getting hurt, my brain contradicted.

I looked back at Zuko, who was watching me intently. I thought of all the times he had carried me when I was unable to walk, the times he had embraced me, and thought about how I felt. Was it really…love?

No! Just infatuation.

Is there a difference?

My brain had no response to that. I looked at Zuko and took a deep breath, preparing myself for the doom that would certainly follow.

"The groom…" I couldn't bring myself to say it. Tears flooding my eyes, I ran off.

"Who was I kidding?" I muttered as I ran. "He's probably just using me anyway." I got to the ruined gazebo. Half of a bench was still intact, so I climbed over the ruin and sat on the half-charred bench.

I knew that, recently, he hadn't been, for lack of a better word, evil, but his past actions spoke for themselves.

Suddenly, an acorn hit me in the head. "Ow!" I cried. I looked to see a squirrel chattering at me. "What was that for?" The squirrel stopped chattering and seemed to point to the grove. "What? Are you telling me to tell Prince Zuko?" The squirrel started chattering again. "Stupid squirrel. Look at me! I'm arguing with a squirrel," I muttered.

I'm not just a squirrel, you know.

What the heck? Did that squirrel just say something?

Not really. I'm not a squirrel.

Then what are you?

Another acorn hit me in my head. Think, girl. What Spirit appears to mortals as a squirrel?

A Spirit? This tiny little creature was telling me it was a Spirit? Yeah, right.

This time a walnut hit me. Use that brain that your brother brags about. What Spirit only appears to young girls and as a squirrel?

Spirits above. I was talking to the Guiding Spirit to all young, unmarried girls, Xe Mei.

About time. Now, what was it I was supposed to explain? Xe Mei scratched her tail. Oh, yes. Prince Zuko is worried. He thinks he did something to make you upset, which he didn't. Listen to your heart, not that annoying brain of yours. It takes all the fun out of life. Xe Mei hopped around. Believe it or not, he is in love with you.

I stared at this tiny brown squirrel disbelievingly. Impossible. That thought sent shivers throughout my entire body.

I have to leave you now. Think about what I've said. With a whirlwind of brown fur, the Spirit left.

Zuko loved me? The thought weighed on my mind. That would explain the kisses, the embraces, the gentleness that he showed me now.

But what about me?

I thought about the aches that had risen within me whenever I was near Zuko and felt his touch. I remembered the emotions a simple embrace caused, the feeling of vulnerability whenever I was away from him. Was it love?

I thought about what the Spirit had said, and sighed. Who was I kidding? I did love him, no matter what my head said to the contrary.

Elated that I had finally figured my heart out, I made my way back to Zuko and the grove. The Fire Prince was still meditating. "Zuko?" He looked up at the sound of my voice. I blushed slightly. "About earlier…"

"No. It's my fault. I shouldn't have pried," he said, returning to his meditating. I sighed.

"No, it's not your fault, and I wish you'd stop trying to take the blame for everything. I was just a bit confused at the time." Zuko opened one eye. "We girls get emotional when we're confused," I explained shyly.

"My sister Azula didn't."

"If she's anything like your father," I snorted, "then she's not exactly a normal girl." Zuko nodded and continued meditating. I sighed again.

"About the answer to your question…" I started to say, but Zuko cut me off.

"I don't want to know," he stated.

Yes he does! He's just afraid of the answer.

Deciding to listen to my heart and not my head, I tapped my foot. "Are you afraid of the answer?" I taunted. Zuko broke off meditating to look me.

"I'm not afraid of anything," he growled.

"So does that mean you want to know or not?" I crossed my arms across my chest.

Zuko stood and mimicked me. "Yes." I dropped my arms and walked directly to Zuko. I caressed his face and beckoned him to lean forward so I could whisper. His eyes opened wide when I told him. Zuko took my hand, which rested on his face. He pulled me in front of him and lifted my chin so I met his eyes. I must have been crying because the world was a bit blurry and it seemed like Zuko's face was wet. (I'd have said he was the one crying, but he never cried. Did he?)

I never figured it out, because in the next instant, Zuko took my face in his hands and brought it to his. This time, I didn't feel the worry and doubt I had grown accustomed to. I just felt the love I had been so afraid to admit.

Ta-da! I decided to let Katara finally see some sense. And would it be Avatar without Spirit mention? I think not. Sorry for the short chapter, but hey, we all have our slow days. 'Sides, I think I got a lot done in a small word count for these past few days. (UIL, tests, practice, etc.)