Again, short chapter. Sorry.

Day Seventeen

" Over two weeks here!" I exclaimed. "I've not stayed in one place for two weeks since I was at Pole." I stood to get the fish from the spits.

"North or South?" Zuko asked.

"Either pole," I said, handing him his breakfast. "I hope Appa's getting better."

Zuko seemed a bit depressed every time I mentioned Appa or Aang. (I suspect it was because he had no idea where his uncle was and the thought of being stranded here was not a pleasant one.) I was just anxious to see them again.

Zuko and I ate our breakfast in silence, me standing. When I finished, I took out my braid and brushed my hair, which was a tangled mess. It took much longer than I'd expected to get to one hundred strokes. During the whole time, Zuko "meditated", but from the corner of my eye, I could see him watching me.

"Why do you insist on watching me?" I asked, looking straight at him. Deftly, I plaited my hair. "Well?"

Zuko stood and went behind me. I felt his arms wrap around my shoulders and pull me in. "Do you have to ask?" he murmured in my ear.

"Yes." I turned to face him. Zuko brushed some hair from my face. He smirked and brought me closer, resting his hands on the small of my back.

"Ignorant Water Peasant," he teased. Lowering his voice, he whispered, "Because I love you."

I don't know why, but those three little words can awaken a plethora of feelings inside you, longing foremost among them. "I love you," I whispered back. I shuddered as Zuko ran his hands up my arms. (The sleeves to the shirt I wore under my dress were long gone.) He brushed my neck as he placed one hand under my chin; the other teased my freshly tied braid out again. (I should have learned by now.) I closed my eyes and leaned in as he brought my face closer.

Since I had told him about my dream, we never to let the other out of sight. I felt, well, naked without Zuko's arms around me. Though I wanted to see Aang and Sokka again, I was also bit reluctant because seeing them would spell the end of Zuko and me. (I was not going to give my big brother a heart attack and risk either him or Zuko getting hurt.) I wanted to enjoy his company as long as I could.

Zuko and I broke apart reluctantly. I rested my head against his chest and sighed. I knew that these moments were numbered, and therefore I treasured each one.

Zuko must have known it as well because he seemed to draw as much from me as I drew from him. Neither of us wanted this to end.

Suddenly, I heard a commotion outside the grove. Two very familiar voices called my name. I motioned for Zuko to stay as I slipped out of the embrace and ran to see if I was daydreaming.

I wasn't. "Katara!" Aang called. Sokka, whose back had been turned, turned to see me.

"There you are! Are you okay? What happened? C'mon!" he said before I could answer. "Appa's not quite healed, but the water's only waist deep on Aang. Let's get you outta here." I laughed. This was a bittersweet moment; I got go back with Sokka and Aang, but it was the last time I'd see Zuko more than likely.

"Okay, let me go put out the fire. Stay here." I ran back to the fire…and Zuko.

"The water's down far enough to get out of here," I said dousing the flame.

"That's great," Zuko said behind me. He didn't sound pleased. I knew why and shared his upset. Zuko moved closer, but seemed hesitant.

I turned to Zuko and ran into his arms. "I'll miss you," I whispered tearfully.

Zuko kissed me, then murmured, "Hurry. Don't worry about me. If the water's down, I'll get out of here as soon as you're gone. We don't want your brother to think…" I nodded and slipped away for the last time.

"Goodbye."

Break

Sokka and Aang hadn't been lazy during my absence. Our supplies were refreshed and the laundry was actually clean. I set to work repairing Aang's glider as soon as I had changed into something that wasn't torn and ripped.

"Beauty before chores," I muttered as I braided my hair. Sighing, I sat down and began.

Aang had been practicing his Waterbending was almost as good at it as me. Sokka had learned to cook, which made laugh. Soon, I felt like I had never been separated from them.

Of course, there was thing that kept reminding me of my absence. Sokka noticed my melancholy mood and questioned it. Shrugging, I avoided answering his question. The truth was, I missed Zuko. Oh, yes, I knew he was okay, and one day when I went to the beach to get some practice in, I saw a familiar shape a distance down the shore. I also saw a fatter, smaller shape with him. I smiled. "You found him," I muttered.

One day, about three days after my rescue, Sokka and Aang had left the cave to get some last minute supplies. Appa was perfectly healthy now and we were leaving.

I was in the cave, trying to repair my dress by the fire. "I give up," I said, throwing aside. "I fell down too many times; it's hopeless." I stood and arched my back to get the kinks out.

"I always liked it when you fell; it gave me a reason to hold you." I spun around to see a shadowy figure in the cave entrance.

"Zuko?" I whispered. The Fire Prince came out from the shadows towards me. I smiled and threw my arms around his neck, my mood lifting as I felt his hands slide to rest on my waist. "I missed you."

Zuko held me tightly. "My uncle and I have made another raft; we're getting off of this island."

"So are we. Appa's healed now," I said. Suddenly, my melancholy mood returned.

"What's wrong?" Zuko asked, concerned.

"You shouldn't be here. What if my brother comes back, or your uncle looks for you?"

"Uncle Iroh is busy. As for your brother, I set up a little…distraction," Zuko said with a smirk. I smiled and didn't ask what that distraction was. It was probably something to do with food anyway. Or something that could tie them up, like rope nets. (I voted for the latter.)

"Do you know where you're going to go?" Zuko nodded.

"My uncle expects me to get back to chasing the Avatar, so I intend to do so. But not for the reasons he thinks." With that, Zuko kissed me. I moaned softly with pleasure.

When we parted, there were tears in my eyes. The embrace slipped and he left. I wiped my tears and went to find my brother and Aang.

There comes a time in every great adventure when you realize there is absolutely no turning back. I thought it was when we found Aang. Now I know better.

Don't panic, it's not over. Who would their fic with such a cliffie? Well, if I was mean...but it's too anticlimatic.