A/N: WEEEEEEEEEEE! Hey, peeps! I LUFF YOU GUYS SOOOOOO MUCH! 300 REVIEWS! I'M SAVED, SAVED I TELL YOU! So, here's the much awaited FINAL CHAPTER! I LOVE YOU GUYS, I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT! AND I'M SO INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL TO YOU GUYS FOR GETTING ME TO FINISH THIS STORY! THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY IS DUE TO YOU URGING ME TO DO MY BEST! So, that said, enjoi.

Disclaimer: Me: from behind iron bars Alright, alright, I screwed up! The song lyrics from last chapter are from "You and Me" by Lifehouse (belonging to Lifehouse). The song lyrics in this chapter, in order, are "I'd Rather Be in Love" by Michelle Branch (belonging to Michelle Branch), "Come Back Down" by Lifehouse (belonging to Lifehouse), and "Blind" by Lifehouse (belonging to Lifehouse). Which, is my personal favorite love song, especially when you put Zuko with the song. I swear, this is his frickin THEME SONG. Especially pay attention to the line 'And I loved you more than you'll ever know' and how it's sung. When I think about Zuko and hear that line, I get shivers. But the whole song is good, and fits him. So listen to it! (I'm actually listening to it right now) Anyways, I don't own any of these lyrics!

Lawyers: Alright, you made bail on your ridiculously long disclaimer…

Me: Yay!

Lawyers: BUT! The rant on the song "Blind" is gonna cost you another five hundred years in the pen.

Me: NOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Chapter 18 Fire & Water- Fly

The passages that have become familiar to me over the past few days blur, Zuko seems almost to be flying, taking me with him. I catch my breath as we suddenly stop, and before I realize it, the door slams and I'm against his door with him. Zuko is standing in front of me, his hands pressed against the door, breathing hard. I can feel his breath on my face, and I turn away, trying to stare through the door to the outside world.

I cannot help it, I couldn't stop it if I tried
The same old heartbeat fills the emptiness I have inside

I look up to him, my hair swishing to the side with the movement. My eyes I know are wide with fear and pain. I open my mouth to speak, and it comes out weaker and smaller than I wanted. "Zuko, please don't capture Aang. Just let them go. We can find another way to get your kingdom back!" I only realize afterwards that I said 'we can find another way…', and not 'you'.

And I've heard that you can't fight love, so I won't complain
'Cause why would I stop the fire that keeps me going on?

Zuko says nothing and walks away, deeper into his room. "Prince Zuko?" I clutch my chest. "Your soldiers won't attack them, will they?" I say, fearing the worst since he didn't reply to my earlier statement.

'Cause when there's you, I feel whole
And there's no better feeling in the world

But without you I'm alone
And I'd rather be in love with you

"They don't do anything unless I tell them to," he murmurs from the depths of his drawers, his voice flat.

Turn out the lights now
To see is to believe

"What are you-"

Before I can finish my question I'm back out the door. I guess he didn't find what he was looking for. Zuko drags me back to where we started, and I feel like I'm not the only one he's dragging.

I just want you near me
I just want you here with me

He halts there, swallows hard, and squeezes my hand. Appa is closing the distance. Zuko's soldiers and Uncle Iroh are still where we left them, still frozen in the broken moments of yesterday.

And I'd give up everything only for you
It's the least that I could do

I take a deep, shuddering breath, and look up, saying the last words in my heart that I wanted to say. "I have to go now."

'Cause when there's you, I feel whole
And there's no better feeling in the world

Zuko jerks his head away.

I try to tug away, tears spilling over, my head down. "I thought you wanted me to leave! So, let me-"

But without you I'm alone
And I'd rather be in love with you

And just like that I'm in his arms, heat sinking down to my core. I close my eyes, feeling like more than ever I belong here in this moment, more than anywhere else.

And I feel you holding me

And I wish with all my heart that I could stay here forever. But just as quickly as it started, it's done and all that connects us are our hands and our hearts.

Why are we afraid to be in love?
To be loved

Zuko doesn't even look at me as he gives my hand one more squeeze and I realize there's something cool and hard and yet soft and malleable separating our palms.

"Zuko, I!"

I can't explain it
I know it's tough to be loved

Zuko shakes his head, cutting me off, then with the grace of a prince he closes his eyes, bends down, and kisses my hand. "Go."

And I'd rather be in love

I look at him one last time, he's still not looking at me, and dash away, feeling like I'm running through water. My eyes continue to be closed as I dully feel Sokka grab the hand that isn't clenched around the object Zuko gave me.

Yes, I'd rather be in love

I feel air rush past me, and at the last moment I open my eyes. Zuko's looking at me, and I can swear that he was smiling at me really for the first time, but it's a sad, wistful smile. Then his shoulders slump, and he walks away to the front of his ship….

Oh, I'd rather be in love with you…

Zuko walked stiffly back to the front of the ship, like a wooden toy soldier. He immediately started barking orders to turn the ship around…in a direction away from the Avatar. The men stared at him, confused for a moment, but followed the order anyways. Zuko stood beside the rail and looked down at the ocean, his insides seemed to be twisting themselves into millions of knots. His mind was roiling with images of Katara.

Staring right back in the face

A memory can't be erased

I know, because I tried

Iroh stared at his nephew for a moment, wishing with all his heart that he could turn back the clock and order Zuko to marry Katara right then and there, that morning when he had walked in on them. Then he sighed and trundled away, murmuring something about Ginseng tea.

Katara choked as she landed next to Sokka and Aang on top of Appa. She could feel Sokka rub her back soothingly, his voice echoing dully in her ear. "Hey there, you okay?"

Start to feel the emptiness

And everything I'm gonna miss

I know, that I can't hide

The wind tussled Katara's hair as Appa picked up speed, having not forgotten the flaming cannon balls of Zuko's ship. Katara coughed once more, Sokka and Aang watching anxiously, and took a deep breath. She released the breath, hoping that the exhaled air would carry away her feelings and memories of those seven days.

All this time is passing by

I think it's time to just move on

Zuko looked up, the Avatar's, no, Aang's flying bison was still in sight. She was still in sight. Zuko swallowed, trying to dislodge the lump in his throat, and wishing that maybe, just maybe, their paths could cross once more. He'd only need one more time to set things right. But, life isn't full of second chances. He had learned that all too well.

When you come back down

If you land on your feet

I hope you find a way

To make it back to me

Katara looked over her shoulder, and immediately wished she hadn't. Her heart rose, then fell like lead to the pit of her stomach. She could still see him, and it took all of her self control not to jump right then and there, and have him catch her once more. But, she couldn't leave Aang and Sokka. They were her family. Maybe, she smiled slightly, their paths could cross again. Or, maybe he would let go of his stupid honor and chase after her…that would be nice…

When you come around

I'll be there for you

Don't have to be alone

With what you're going through

"Katara?" Sokka whispered, worried.

Katara looked up and forced a smile, though her eyes were brimming with a new wave of tears. She saw Aang practically ready to explode with joy in front of her, she guessed Aang just figured they were tears of joy.

"Katara!" He cried, as he launched himself at her.

"Hey, watch it!" Sokka yelped.

Aang ignored Sokka and continued on his happy rant. "Katara, you won't believe how much I missed you! He didn't hurt you, did he? I'm so glad you're back! We'll never let that happen again! Promise!

Katara chuckled softly, pathetically almost, and returned Aang's hug.

Start to breath and fake a smile

It's all the same after a while

I know, that you are tired

"Prince Zuko?"

Zuko turned to his uncle, and could've almost smiled, if his heart wasn't so heavy and his body and spirit so tired. His uncle was carrying an extra tea cup with him.

"Ginseng tea helps the heart, Prince Zuko."

Zuko turned and leaned on the rail. "Is that why you drink it so often? Do I really give you that much heartache?"

"A joke? From my nephew?"

"No, just spite," Zuko looked down and smiled bitterly.

Iroh turned to the sunset, letting silence reign the moment for a while. Then, he asked something that had been nagging at his mind for awhile. "You gave it back to her, didn't you?"

"I thought it was the right thing to do…If I didn't, I would still be able to give myself an excuse to see her again. And next time, I might not be able to let her go," Zuko looked up and sighed.

Carrying the ones you lost

A picture frame with all the thoughts

I know, you hold inside

Iroh just nodded thoughtfully, thinking, but not saying, that that might not be such a bad thing…for either of them. Iroh turned, and smiled at his nephew, then up at the sky where Katara was.

I hope that you can find your way back

To the place where you belong

"Well, sulking won't help anything," Zuko muttered as he heaved himself away from the rail and started walking to his room. "I'm going to train," he called over his shoulder. 'And hopefully beat this.'

When you come back down
If you land on your feet
I hope you find a way
To make it back to me

Katara leaned up against the saddle on Appa and took another deep breath, suddenly not feeling so well.

Aang stopped mid-rant. "Hey, Katara, are you okay? You're not still sick, are you?"

Katara smiled sadly. "No, Aang. I'm not sick anymore," the waterbender clutched her heart. "It just hurts."

"Oh."

Katara's smile grew, Aang was so wonderfully clueless sometimes. But, when she looked up from his joy filled face, she just managed to catch Sokka narrowing his eyes, giving his face a shrewd, questioning look. Katara just smiled once more, this time reassuringly, and looked back down to the ocean.

When you come around
I'll be there for you
Don't have to be alone
With what you're going through

Zuko continued to walk slowly to his room to change, his arms shifting back and forth, helping to pull him forward. He half expected if he stopped this effort, he would be pulled backwards. But, that was stupid. He wondered once more, this time with more bitter amusement then irritation, what that girl had done to him. He wished more than anything right now, to hear her voice calling out to him…then he would turn around, and there she would be, smiling that gorgeous smile of hers.

You're coming back down

Before Sokka could probe any farther, Katara smiled around at them and spoke. "So, where to next?"

Sokka's eyes narrowed further. "Well, Aang still needs to learn firebending."

Katara bit her lip. She hated it when Sokka acted smarter than he was supposed to. "Well then, we'll just have to find a firebender, won't we?" 'Zuko could teach Aang. But there's probably some stupid rule against that too,' Katara thought bitterly. 'What's with all these dumb rules?...' Then, involuntarily, her mind shifted back to Zuko, despite her efforts. 'I hope he finds out how to reclaim his honor without Aang. I can't believe he let us go…I can't believe why I let him go…'

You said you feel lost - can I help you find it?

When you come around

Zuko lit the flames in his room with a flick of his hand, memories flooding his mind without cease, coming and going like the ocean's tide. He quickly shed his armor, then slowly, almost solemnly put it up on the mannequin. Then, after a moment of looking at it, he sat down on his bed to tighten the laces on his boots. He stood up, making sure his body language didn't portray what he was feeling, and walked back out of his room to the deck.

From time to time, we all are blinded
You're coming back down

"Katara? Katara?"

"I'm sorry, what?"

"It's just that, we thought of something."

"What?"

"Prince Zuko's not coming after us," Aang called from the front, Momo curled around his neck.

Katara made an effort to act normal. "Well, maybe he's just now figured out that you just can't beat us!"

Sokka laughed. "Took him long enough!" Then, he stopped, and went silent, and stared at his sister.

The waterbender sighed. 'Now is one of those times that I really wish I wasn't Sokka's sister. He may have his moments, like just two seconds ago when he reverts back to routine, but he knows me too well to be fooled. If only he knew how much of a fool I've been…'

You don't have to tell me what you're feeling
I know what you're going through
I won't be the one who lets go of you

Zuko walked to his space on the deck and slid into a stance, trying to calm his mind. He was about to launch into a sequence of moves, when-

"So, Zuko, what's the plan?"

Zuko faltered. "Uh, what?"

"I mean, what's your plan for getting Katara to become my niece-in-law?"

Zuko slumped and glared. "There is no plan, Uncle. She's gone. That's it. End of story." With that attended to, Zuko continued with his training.

I think it's time to just move on

His uncle just sighed and stared at him, knowing that Zuko would eventually blow a gasket and they could finally get down to how they would integrate these two worlds…at least, that's what the old general hoped…but Zuko could sometimes be impossibly stubborn. And men said raising a child wasn't a hard task! The man who said that should be severely punished...oh wait, he might've said that a while back….

Zuko felt sweat begin to bead on his forehead as he went through his sequences, progressing from the most simple to the most complicated. He could hear his breath roaring in his ears. He had thought that training might get this awful feeling out of his system, but it was doing the exact opposite. Zuko was wishing more and more that Katara was here, training with him.

When you come back down
If you land on your feet
I hope you find a way
To make it back to me

"So, Katara, want to tell us anything of your days in captivity? Anything interesting happen?" Sokka drawled. "Find out any weaknesses?"

"Did you hear about any other firebending masters!" Aang called.

Katara remained stubborn. "Nope. Nothing. I was mostly kept in my room all day and night."

"Oh really. So, no contact at all with that jerk Prince Zuko?"

"Nope. Why do you ask Sokka?" Katara consciously pulled her smile even farther.

"It's just," Sokka's eyes crinkled in hurt and thought. "-you don't seem completely happy to be back here. With us."

Katara's smile dropped faster than water.

Aang turned around at this, Momo dislodging himself from the Avatar's neck and leaping to land on Katara's lap, where he promptly curled up. Katara's shoulders slumped, her eyes dropping to the floor of Appa's saddle.

"You're hiding something Katara," was all Sokka said as he fell back against the saddle and crossed his arms and legs in irritation.

Katara opened her mouth to say something, then closed it again. 'You'd hate me if I told you the truth. And you'd know if I lied. So I'll just remain quiet.' Katara looked down and over the edge, into the sea and clouds, wondering how on earth she was going to fall out of the mess she had fallen into.

When you come around
I'll be there for you
Don't have to be alone
With what you're going through…

I exhale a breath in relief, thankful that Katara has finally taken a step back in my mind. But, just as I take in another breath, it catches, something even more deep and equally painful surfacing. Katara had caused me to question myself and my motives. Why do I want to return so badly to my kingdom, my father? I haven't forgiven him, and he sure hasn't forgiven me, so why? I shudder in the midst of a kick as my mind replays that moment once more, for what seems like the millionth time.

I was young, but I wasn't naive
I watched helpless as you turned around to leave

I glare, feeling my body burning with rage. Flames curling from my shoulders and arms, I disperse a piece of my anger with a kick. Then I'm left, feeling tired and hollow and yet still angry, standing in the middle of the deck My breath comes in huge, hard gasps, making my whole frame move with each one. Pain, sorrow, regret, anger…I'm feeling all of these emotions at the same time, and I can't believe I still have the energy to feel them.

And still I have the pain I have to carry
A past so deep that even you could not bury if you tried

I take a final deep breath, but Katara's voice is still echoing in my ears. I continue with my training and, finally, when I'm slightly more calm, I gain the courage to look over at my uncle and see him looking at me from his Paisho board, casting a meaningful look upwards. I take the hint, and against my current better judgement, look up to the sky, where the flying bison carrying Katara is still in sight.

After all this time, I never thought we'd be here
Never thought we'd be here, when my love for you was blind

I immediately jerk my head back down, feeling my face contort in frustration with myself and the rest of the world….but mostly with myself….I can just feel my uncle staring at me pointedly, exasperatedly. But what my uncle fails to see is that, though horribly clichéd, the love that I have for Katara is forbidden. Still, this fact doesn't change how much I care for her…

But I couldn't make you see it, couldn't make you see it
That I loved you more than you'll ever know
And part of me died when I let you go

Iroh sighed and looked down into his ginseng tea, unable to see his nephew in such turmoil again. Katara was probably the best thing that had ever happened to him, she had brought out the best in him, and Zuko had let her go. He chuckled a little…and they had said that Zuko was a selfish prince…though, irony had always seemed to be a constant in his nephew's life. It was probably because the exiled prince was so reserved and enclosed, he never really showed his true colors. Katara had brought them shining out, and now that she was gone, the old general feared they might never surface again.

Despite my exhaustion, I continue with my training with renewed fury, though I know I'm not focusing like Uncle Iroh has told me time and time again. But, at the moment, I could really care less, I need to get this out of my system as fast as possible…so that maybe I can find another way to live my life…

I feel something between a grin and a grimace pull my features. I hadn't realized how much hunting down the Avatar had become a part of my life….it really was at the very center, it had become my sole purpose of living…I remember dreaming at night, when my head was still bandaged, tears dripping down my face, of the glorious welcoming my kingdom would give me when I finally returned with the Avatar. I had stayed up late, imaging over and over again how my father would open his arms up to me, welcoming me home. That dream had kept me going through these past few years.

I would fall asleep only in hopes of dreaming
That everything would be like it was before

But, for the past few days, I haven't had that dream, not once, ever since that day when Katara fell down into my arms. No, my dream had been replaced by another, one slightly different. Instead of my father opening his arms to me in the midst of confetti and banners and my people cheering, there had been Katara, crown princess of the Fire Nation, until I reached the age when I could take over as the rightful Fire Lord. I remember the night when the dream had begun, it was the night when I had almost kissed Katara….Ever since, that dream has graced my nights, sometimes even in the midst of daylight. But now, all I have left is the dream, without even a sliver of hope that it could one day come true….just like my dream to be welcomed home…my dream that my father would show that he actually, truly did care…

But nights like this, it seems, are slowly fleeting
They disappear as reality is crashing to the floor

I jerk my head away from the sky defiantly, and snort in disgust, little spurts of flame curling around my face. 'It's her stupid fault anyways. She got sick and fell down and had to be just so damn perfect and beautiful and wonderful and…..it's not her fault, it's mine…I should have been more careful.' I really had brought this on myself, no one had fallen in love with her but me...And I feel so stupid to have let that girl get to me. I halt as the pain in my chest strangely deepens as I try to return to my routine…no…she has a name…I can't just call her 'the girl' or even 'the Avatar's waterbending friend' anymore. She's just Katara…it's so strange how one word can mean the world to someone. No matter how pathetic it makes me feel. My whole world should be regaining my pride and throne….but, if that truly is true, why does the prospect of achieving that dream only seem half full now?

After all this time, I never thought we'd be here
Never thought we'd be here, when my love for you was blind

I almost chuckle when I remember the first true contact we had had. It had been over Aang, again….I had kidnapped her and tried to get her to tell me where the Avatar was. She wouldn't…she never gave in to my coaxes or yells. I hadn't realized it back then, but that night had possibly changed my life forever. Something about her had made me doubt myself. Her eyes had sparked with such defiance, so similar to my own, as she defended her friends against all costs. Though, her eyes had something mine didn't, confidence in her belief that what she was doing was truly the right thing…I remember once having such confidence, but that night had shaken me.

I find that my feelings of that night are also mingled with disgust when I think back to how I had used her most precious possession as a bargaining chip…well, at least I had been able to right that wrong.

I wonder briefly in the middle of a kick sequence if she had ever even begun to realize how much I truly cared for her. 'I doubt she even suspected before today…' Hiding what I feel inside, after all, is my gift and curse. I close my eyes and can almost feel a phantom caress against my scar. But wait, if she didn't know or care, then why would she act why she cared so much? My chest tightens at this, unbearably so, and I involuntarily reach up to clutch it, my eyes squeezed shut, as images of her flash through my mind. Her lying in bed sleeping, floating in the ocean yelling at me, the look on her face when I had won our first fight and caught her, her face when she helped to close our distance, her eyes, wide with fear, as she looked away from me today….the tears streaming down her face when she tried to tear herself away. I wish more than anything that I could have shown her, shown the one person who actually saw a part of me I didn't even know existed, how much she truly means to me…Maybe then the spark that had ignited between us could've grown into something so much bigger than the both of us, bigger than pride, a kingdom, or a throne. 'But I couldn't make you see it, that I loved you more than you'll ever know…'


And part of me died when I let you go…

A/N: Eeps! Bye! hides in bomb shelter pokes head out Eh heh, review?