A/N: Oh my gosh! I LUV you guys! Seven reviews? For one chapter? I love you guys to death! I was feeling slightly uninspired for a little bit, but now I'm totally pumped! Heck yea! wipes a tear from her eye I will do my absolute best to give this coupling my best shot. takes a big sweeping bow
Disclaimer: Me: If I owned the Avatar, there would be more Zuko/Katara interaction. As you there's not, thus my case is proven. I DO NOT OWN AVATAR. NICK DOES!
Lawyers: Who is this 'Nick' you speak of?
Me: It's the shortened version of a name of a kid's network. It's not my fault I'm horrible at spelling Nickelodeon. Even though I did it that time.
Lawyers: turning to each other in a huddle Do you think we can still sue her?
Me: I HEARD THAT!
Thank you:
Chips Dip: Thank you! And yes, I will!
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Caeli Et Terra: Thank you! Me too! Will do! I rhyme!
Mini MnM: Thank you so much!
Monito: Thank you!
Tabitha93: Thank you, thank you! Yes m'am!
chickygurl: Thank you! I feel honored that you read this! I will! reads it over Yea, you're right, it does feel like a journal entry! I love your story, by the way!
Chapter I: Weakness
In Prince Zuko's mind, everything was going according to plan. His Uncle's ship was in top-notch condition and was currently cutting through the gray waters at top speed, with its cannons all trained on the same target. The soldiers were listening to every word he breathed, and the Avatar was right above them. Perfect.
"Fire!" He roared, smoke and a cannon ball whizzing past his face. Prince Zuko watched the Avatar's giant, flying bison veer out of the way, the beast staggering in midair from exhaustion. He heard himself holler again, a cannon ball going past the other side of his face. This time the tired creature jerked out of the way, barely missing the searing hot metal, but still missing it.
However, all was not well for the three companions, for one of their number had not made the dodge to safety with them.
Prince Zuko watched the girl fall head first toward the metal deck of the ship, toward instant death.
The banished prince grimaced, thinking of what his father would say if he could see him now. His father would have only one word for him: "Weak." Prince Zuko had a rare weakness in the Fire Nation: he truly and honestly cared for the people of his nation. He didn't want to kill anyone or have anyone killed, not if he could help it. And it didn't stop there, to his father's disgrace. While his father, the Fire Lord, valued power above all, Prince Zuko valued life.
This caused his dislike of war. He, the heir to the Fire Lord, held every life, even those of other nations, sacred.
"Umph!" Prince Zuko grunted as he threw himself forward just in time to save the girl from her steely fate.
This was his burden. His disgrace. His treason. His "weak"ness…
A/N: Ahem. See? Longer! And they'll only lengthen from here! I hope you like this chapter, it's one of my favorites! Save a life, leave a review!