A/N: Hey guys! Sorry I took so long! I was actually having quite a bit of trouble with this chapter. I did my best, and though while writing I wasn't happy with it, looking back on it now, I'm happy. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside! Which, has to be a good thing. So, I hope you enjoy and have a wonderful day! prances off humming
Disclaimer: Me: takes a deep breath I do not own Avatar or Sound of Music or Disney (I wish) or anything else except for a ton of stuff in my house and head!
King Lawyer: She's getting too good for her own good, think we can contact our snipers?
Lawyer 1: Sorry sir, they're all playing Halo 2 on Xbox live.
King Lawyer: Drats!
Me: Ha, ha!
Lawyers: looking mutinous with metal briefcases
Me: Um, brother? (my brother is my designated body guard for this disclaimer's purposes, but I do not own him…except at some video games, then I own! Fear the ever funny puns!) Bro?
Bro: talking to the tv Shut your face you noob! ish also playing Halo 2…shocker that…
Me: Aw, great…
(actually, he isn't playing Halo right now, hasn't for two days, which is a record, he's playing a Ranma ½ game, which, after doing the final author's note and thank you's and uploading this, I think I'll join him…Mario Party 6 or another game would be fun to do too…)
Thank you:
Lost Darkness: THANK YOU! Thank you, thank you! Yes m'am! Okay, okay! Down, girl, down! (everyone, this is my beta reader, co-writer, and one of my best friends…in real life and in the cyber world…)
XwildfiregirlX: It's fine! Oh, cool! Didja have fun? Thank you! Me too! Thank you! I appreciate that! It does take it out of a girl!
Jinko: Thank you so much! You don't know how much that means to me! Of course I'll continue! I wouldn't dream of stopping!
Tears Washed Away: Eeks! Thank you! Wow, really? I hope you like this one! Thank you! I know! Iroh was evil! Though, he completely beat himself up over it..Lol….I'll try! Yes'm!
dragon's kitty: I know! huggles back Hmmm, maybe….I know I know! You're very welcome! bows Arigatou gozaimasu! Ja ne!
Katuko: Thank you! They're some of my favorite songs! Thank you! Yes, they are. In fact, they're lyrics from three different songs, I'll list them at the end of this chapter in order.
Lucibell: Yay! Thank you, thank you! Thanks! I love writing Iroh.(though sometimes it's a pain…) Thank you!
lyria of danceing flames: Thank you! Hmmm, cause he wants his nephew to be loved I guess, and he thinks they'd be good together. That's my take on it at least. But also because Iroh and I both agree that Zuko needs a friend. Thank you! No problem! It's fine! You're welcome! It's fine! Lol…Will do!
starlightz1112: Hey! Thank you! Will do! I can't wait to write more!
Mirage: Thank you! Will do!
Serious Fan: Thank you very much! I will!
TanakasHeart: Thank you, thank you!
Loyal Fan: Thank you! Thanks a lot!
ML7: What do you mean? What doesn't make sense? If you would please tell me I would be happy to try and explain it!
jerseygrl246: I know…Lol…Yup! That chapter was necessary to the story. Thank you! I will!
Zukos Girl: For, um, preventing them from kissing? Thank you! Yup. Yes, they do. Lol. Probably not! Thank you, I will!
iloveprincezuko: Thank you! I'm glad you liked them! (quotes?) I will!
tina7610813: Thank you! I know! You won't have to wait too long!
Monito: Actually, his lips brushed hers, they were about to make it a real kiss before Iroh burst in. To me, there's a difference. But, I'm sorry for confusing you! Thanks for reviewing!
almostinsane: No, I didn't. Actually, as far as I'm concerned they haven't. In fact there are a lot of song fics out there. Thank you!
Harpygirl91: Thank you! I'll try!
Chapter 13: Water- Won't
Day 5
Katara woke up with her head under the firm pillow, her hair sticking out at odd angles. She gave the sunlight a death glare and flipped over, staring at the ceiling. She had only got to sleep at daybreak due to her mind's incessant wondering. And now that she was awake, her mind resumed said rant…'Geez, why did I almost have to let him do that? I think I know why, but no,' Katara sighed, her chest heaving up and down. The last time she had felt like this was when she was with Jet, that is, before she found out he wasn't what he seemed. But this time the feeling was stronger.
If there's a prize for rotten judgment
I guess I've already won that
Katara groaned. This was not happening. She wouldn't let it. She'd squash this; no man was ever worth hurting that badly. Katara clutched her chest, remembering the torn feeling she had felt when Jet showed his true colors as a murdering monster. She wouldn't go through that again. She was being silly. 'It's up I get, no sense in moping around over a feeling I'm going to ignore anyways,' Katara thought decidedly as she slid off the bed and quickly made it.
No man is worth the aggravation
That's ancient history, been there, done that
Katara let the door click decidedly behind her, focusing on breakfast and maybe waterbending practice afterwards. She was dismayed to see the sun to her left. It was past midday, much past midday. Then she saw Prince Zuko, and her heart leaped into her throat.
Who d'you think you're kidding?
He's the earth and heavens to you
Katara shook her head and walked purposely forward to stand beside Iroh, watching Prince Zuko practice. To her dismay, she found her heartbeat had somehow been magnified. "We're practicing now?" She stated quietly.
"Prince Zuko said he needed to get something off his mind." Iroh's smile grew wider, a knowing glint in his eyes, as he looked from Prince Zuko to Katara.
Katara nodded, trying to placate her face to indifference as she watched Prince Zuko. 'Wait a minute, am I staring? Oh, gosh, it'd look really weird if he looked over and I was staring at him. But should I look away? That'd look even weirder…'
Try to keep it hidden
Honey we can see right through you
Katara discreetly shook her head. 'I'm ignoring this. I'm ignoring this. I'm ignoring this.'
"Katara?" Uncle Iroh chuckled.
"Hm?" Katara exclaimed, startled out of her thoughts.
"I believe Prince Zuko is ready to let you practice with him."
"Oh," Katara's face fell farther. "Great…" She thought miserably as she walked forward and took her place in front of Zuko, making her mind focus only on the fight and found she was determined to win this time.
Girl you can't conceal it
We know how you feel and
Who you're thinking of
Katara sent a water spurt at Zuko through a kick and followed with a water whip, attacking furiously. Zuko dodged and ducked, manipulating the flame to his whims, allowing him to close the distance between him and Katara rather quickly. Katara gasped as she found him to be a only a foot away. She stumbled backward and, in a panic, sent a random jet of water at Zuko. The infuriating prince simply waved it away with flame…and smirked…Katara sent a seething glare at Zuko hoping it conveyed all of her turmoil without giving away the reason for it. A blush was now threatening to increase in her cheeks. Was it from the fight? Or was it from Zuko? 'It's not from him. No chance, no way.'
I won't say it, no, no
Katara fought back, causing the prince to back up from her. 'I'm winning!' Katara thought triumphantly as she sent a final jet of water to finish the fight. But, it was not meant to be she realized as she found the prince had disappeared. The next thing she knew was that he was behind her, whispering in her ear: "I win." Katara looked back at him, wondering dimly if her legs had somehow been transformed into water.
You swoon, you sigh
Why deny it? Oh oh
Katara glared, recognizing what was happening from her past experience and pushed Zuko away, stalking off.
It's too cliché
I won't say I'm in love
Zuko returned her glare. "What's her problem?" He breathed. "C'mon uncle, it's time for dinner."
'Dinner?' Katara groaned.
"Prince Zuko, I thought you'd never say that magical word," Iroh piped good naturedly, preceding his nephew to the dining room. Katara walked beside Iroh, trying hard not to think of the boy behind her.
Katara sighed as she poked at her food, trying to move the chopsticks through the evil silence. Her eyes took on a distracted, sad glint as she waded through her thoughts. Which, if it were possible, were thicker than the silence.
I thought my heart had learned its lesson
It feels so good when you start out
'I'm just homesick. That's all. Nothing more. Nothing. Not at all,' Katara ranted to herself, her chopsticks beginning to not only poke or prod the food, but stab. She stopped, however, when she felt someone's eyes on her. Looking up, she met the intense golden eyes of Zuko. Suddenly, she was back in his room, her hand caressing his face, his lips inches from hers, his breath on her face-Katara jerked her head down, not only a blush surfacing but a renewed rant in her head and a horribly happy feeling rising in her chest.
My head is screaming, 'get a grip, girl
Unless you're dying to cry your heart out
Katara forcibly gulped down a last mouthful of fish and rose from the table, bowing respectfully. "Please excuse me," she mumbled, already halfway out the door for some fresh air.
Iroh almost burst into laughter right then and there. Sure, it had been hell going through it at the time, but young love was so amusing to witness. Add in the forbidden factor and double the fun. "Prince Zuko, I am full. I think I will join Katara," Iroh chuckled, leaving a very confused and annoyed Prince Zuko to take over Katara's mutilating of the cooked fish.
Iroh smiled as he saw Katara leaning on the railing, a beautiful fiery sunset stretching across the sky. 'You keep on denying who you are and how you're feeling.'
Katara gasped as she felt someone move to stand beside her, she breathed a sigh of relief though when she saw who it was. "Oh, Uncle Iroh. I thought-"
"I was Prince Zuko?"
"Yeah," Katara murmured, focusing on the fiery patterns painted on the water's turbulent surface.
"I'm sorry I disturbed you two last night," Iroh said casually, sending Katara for an emotional loop.
"What!" Katara exclaimed.
"Yes, I'm sorry. I should've knocked first, but then…no, best to leave you two alone next time."
Katara blushed furiously. "No, don't. I'm glad you walked in."
Iroh's all knowing smile grew.
Baby, we're not buying
Hon, we saw you hit the ceiling
"Are you really?"
"Yes," Katara stated uneasily. She had always been a horrible actress. "Yes, I am."
"You know, you cannot hide forever."
Face it like a grown-up
When you gonna own up
That you got got got it bad
Katara frowned. "What are you talking about?" Katara said, but inside she knew exactly what he meant.
No chance, no way
I won't say it, no, no
"I'm…" Iroh paused as his nephew walked by, giving them both a suspicious look before giving end of the day orders to his crew.
Katara, to Iroh's delight, didn't seem to notice that a smile had tugged her lips.
"I'm talking about what's making you smile so brilliantly."
Give up, give in
Check the grin, you're in love
Katara quickly wiped the smile off her face. "I'm just feeling cheery, the sunset's beautiful, that's all."
This scene won't play
I won't say I'm in love
"Well, yes, I suppose I have to agree with you on that. But it's not just the beauty of the sunset that has you smiling. It is what the sunset reminds you of."
"Huh?" Katara narrowed her eyes.
"Or rather, it is whom."
"What!" Katara gasped in understanding. "No! That's not it! No way!"
You're doing flips
Read our lips, you're in love
"Katara, if you truly didn't care for my nephew, then you wouldn't be making such a big deal out of this, would you?"
"You're way off base!" Katara exclaimed. 'I won't say it.'
"An old man is never far from the truth, especially since he knows what he's talking about. Experience is the best teacher."
Katara growled and turned around to head toward her room. "Get off my case!" Katara closed her eyes to the truth. 'I won't say it…'
"Katara!" The sharpness in Iroh's voice made Katara stop in her tracks more than anything, her eyes still tightly shut. "Let me say one more thing before you head to your room. A ship that refuses to go with the wind is just as bad as and even more so than a ship without any sails at all. Girl, don't be proud. It's okay, you're in love."
Katara felt her shoulders slump. 'He's right.' Katara opened her eyes slowly and lifted her head up. The first thing her eyes saw was Zuko, staring back at her, the sunset tinting his eyes. This time, she let the smile dance in her eyes and pull her lips, feeling light as a feather. Behind her, Iroh was smiling wider than ever.
'Ohhh, at least, out loud, I won't say I'm in love…'
A/N: Hey everybody! Okay, the songs from last chapter are as follows, all done by Lifehouse: "Sometimes we fall" to "Around" is Better Luck Next Time, "I can see it in your eyes" to "When you come undone…" is Undone, and "Tell me all the dreams" to "Yeah, we'll never know till we try" is We'll Never Know. This chapter's song is I Won't Say (I'm in Love) from the Disney movie Hercules.
Music I find is my main muse to writing. When I'm listening to music, I get new ideas and loose ideas seem to click together. That's why I sometimes like putting song lyrics to my fanfics. Now, onto other business.
How would you lot feel if I told you I'm thinking about making this part one of a trilogy? What would you say to that? Tell me when you review! Ja ne!