hey people sorry it took so long to update! u see i have to do it when my moms not arounf cuz if she read this, man i would get killed! ok i want to thank all you guys for the nice reviews and keep em comin! well this ch. iz way longer than the rest and expect all the chapters from now on to be about this length or longer, well i wont tlak nemore and you go enjoyt htis cappie!

Chapter 3. Kiss of Fire

" Aang we've been flying forever! can we please find a place to camp! Sokka said whining.

" Yea Aang it would be nice to get a camp started, were already half way to Yoshida." Katara said.

" Hey theres an opening in the forest right over there, and its almost right next to that small river, it would be perfect place to camp." Zuko said pointing.

" Yea that place looks great!" Aang then pulled on Appa's ropes and landed in the clearing. it was very spacious with many tree's surrounding them. Aang, Sokka, and Zuko started setting up camp. When they finished it was twilight, so Zuko made a fire and they all sat down to start eating.

" Ummmm, Zuko can we start my firebending lessons tomorrow?"

" Yes we will begin, i expect you to get up very early Aang, and be prepared." Zuko then retired to his tent.

" Well he's not as bad as i thought he'd be, in fact he's nice once ya get to know him." Katara said smiling.

" Yea, im glad i worked things out with him." Aang nodded then stood up ready for sleep. Sokka stood up to.

" Well i dont care what you say about him, i still think he's a spoiled fire brat." Aang and Katara smiled and said goodnight to each other. Aang was up thinking that night.

Man i never knew mine and Zuko's friendship would come so easy. He's really cool and cute...OMG! i did not just think that, ugh of coursr not. im a guy and so is Zuko we couldnt be with each other like that...or...could we? NO! i need to stop these thoughts, i'll just get some rest and be looking forward to my firebending lessons tomorrow. Aang sighed and closed his eyes and fell sraight to sleep. But Aang wasnt the only one thinking, Zuko was doing some himself.

Aang, man he;s so different, he acts so normal around me, its strange. im so used to people putting up faces around me, its nice to have Aang be so real around me. And that smile of his, if only he'd smile like that just for me... ok i did not just think that, i definately need to stop while im ahead. Me and Aang are just friends, but... No im going to stop now i have a lesson to teach tomorrow. Zuko shook his head and dozed off.

Zuko woke at 3:30 and got dressed, he then walked over to Aang's tent. And to no surprise to Zuko, Aang was asleep. Zuko stared at Aang and saw his lips were slightly open. hmm..if only... no Zuko stop thinking these things, Zuko calmed himself and looked at Aang again and smirked. He shot a fireball right next to Aang's head. Aang jumped up and looked around and noticed Zuko.

" Zuko what are you doing? i thought we were done with this whole trying to capture me thing!"

" You idiot, i was waking you up for your lesson, i told you to be up early."

" Zuko it's like 4 in tha morning!"

" Well get used to it, this is how early we will be starting from now on. now get ready and meet me at the river."Zuko walked out of Aang's tent. Aang frowned and yawned. man this is too early. Aang pulled his shirt on and took off for the river. Aang got there and saw Zuko doing some basic movements.

" Hey is that what im gonna learn Zuko!"

" No, you have to get breathing and meditation in first."

" I've already done that!"

" Well your gonna do it some more!" Zuko then motioned for Aang to stand next to him.

"I assume you know the correct stance to breathe in?"

" yea, yea." mumbled Aang.

" listen you dont need to be impatient with firebending, it is not something you should rush. now practice breathing with me, make sure it's slow and that you try to feel the sun's energy, even though its not quite up yet." Aang nodded and started his breathing, it wasnt the speed Zuko wanted.

" No Aang your breathing is to fast, here!" Zuko grabbed Aang's hand and placed it on his chest and showed Aang the right speed. Aang couldnt help it, he turned a bright pink color.

" Aang try to catch my rythm of breathing." Aang did. he stareted to get the same tempo as Zuko, he could feel Zuko's heartbeat and his heartbeat matched the beat of Zuko's. for a moment it felt like they were one person. Aang flushed an even redder color at that thought and his temperature began to rise. Zuko noticed the heat change in Aang.

" Hmmm, that was quick, you got heat energy really quick Aang." if you only knew Aang thought. for the next 6 hours Zuko meditated and practiced breathing with Aang.

" okay Aang, i will show you some basic techniques now."

" YES, finally!" Aang jumped in excitement.

" okay im going to show you some moves, dont try using fire with them yet, just get the moves down." Aang nodded and watched Zuko. he's so graceful, i wonder how he moves like that, it's so smooth yet powerful.

" okat Aang, now you give it a shot." Aang tried it at least 50 times and did not get it right.

" Aang! god here lemme help you." Zuko stood behing Aang and pressed against him holding his hands. both Zuko and Aang felt there faces turn a slight pink color.

" uh-uhm, Aang just try and flow with my movements, okay?" Aang nodded. Zuko then guided Aang through it, they both were enjoying it. finally Aang was perfect with Zuko.

" okay Aang now try harnessing your energy again and on the last punch exhale with me and think of releasing fire through your hand." Aand nodded shyly. Right before the last movement Zuko whispered in Aang's ear, " Exhale softly and think." Aang did it, he released the fire perfectly with his punch.

" oh my god, Zuko i did it, i did it! Aang jumped up and turned around and hugged Zuko. Zuko hugged Aang back equally happy for him. But then they both jumped back and looked away from each other blushing.

" uhm, g-good job today Aang, thats all we'll do for today."

" o-okay, umm im gonna go back to camp and check on Katara and Sokka, i'll see ya later Zuko." Aang then ran off to the camp.Zuko looked down at the ground, whats happening to me, whats this feeling i get when im around him, i dont understand it. Zuko shook his head in confusion and started to head to camp, he would take his time though so he could calm down from his thoughts.

" Hey Zuko your just in time, we got the fire going and the food is ready!" Zuko noticed a slight blush to Aang's face as he looked at him. Could he feel the same... no Zuko stop this while your ahead.

" Aang how did your lesson go?" Aang reddened.

" it was g-great Katara, I already did a successful kata, Zuko was a wonderful teacher." Zuko stuttered at that comment.

"No Aang you just catch on quick, most people couldnt do all the kata in one day." Aang smiled and noticed a faint barely noticable flush on Zuko's face.

" Well im tired, i spent all day looking for this food, let's get some sleep." Sokka looed at everyone for agreement, they all nodded. Aang walked into his tent and plopped down. I cant believe i let my emotions go and hugged Zuko like that... it was noce though being held like tha- What am i thinking! I like Katara not Zuko, I like Katara not Zuko, i like Zuko ot Katara...wait that thought was wrong. But...Katara iz pretty, but when im around Zuko i...i feel.. i cant put a name to it. i better stop thinking and get some sleep, i have to freakin get up at 3:30 in tha morning, stupid Zuko. But Aang smiled at Zuko's name and fell asleep.

Aang groggily woke up at 3:00 and started getting dressed. Man, and Sokka thought 7 o' clock was early. Aang drank some water quickly and hurried to the river. Aang was shocked to see that Zuko wasnt already here. But Aang thought to soon, and a fireball shot right past his face.

" OMG!" Aang looked behind him and noticed Zuko in a tree laughing hard. it's nice to see him smile and laugh like that, even though its at me. Aang thought.

"Aang this shows you need to keep your gaurd at all times and be aware of your surroundings."

" well i would cept for the fact that its 3:45 in tha freakin morning and im tired!" Zuko just smirked and jumped down and leaned right in Aang's face. omg...is..is he?" Zuko noticed how close he got and backed up embarassed.

"well if you get the kata down with the fire techniques included we will move on to sparring tomorrow."

" YES! i will finally get to kick your ass again!" Aang turned and smiled at Zuko.

" yea yea, so you say, we'll see if you can back it up." Zuko went and sat on a boulder and pointed for Aang to move in front of him. Aang obeyed.

" now, go through the kata and try to make them as perfect as you can." Aang nodded and began , he of course had to have Zuko show him the moves again.

" Aang, i'll only show you one more time." Zuko got behind Aang to guide him. Aang smiled to himself. heh, i'm only faking i dont know and he doesnt even have a clue. Aang had made this little scam to feel Zuko;s body against his again. Aang apparently has a devious side. after Zuko showed him Aang played dumb a little more then got the kata perfect.

" finally, i thought i'd have to show you again." Aang just shrugged at his comment.

" Well i think were good for today, we'll start fighting tomorrow, oh yea! Aang when are we going to finifh our way to Yoshida?"

"uhmmm, we'll wait a couple more days, i like it here."

" Yea i like being here with you." Zuko slapped his hand over his mouth, and Aang's eyes widdened. he looked over at Zuko and noticed his major blush. No way...could Zuko feel the same? no it's impossible.

" uh Z-Zuko w-we should head back. Katara and Sokka probably have food by now." Zuko nodded. Aang started back to camp, but Zuko stayed behind. He needed to think, i cant handle this much longer, these emotions are getting way outta control, i cant even control my words...i...i cant stay. Zuko just stayed there thinking of his last words for hours. Finally Zuko put his head down and slowly started walking to camp. by the time Zuko got to camp everyone was asleep. he got some left over berries from dinner and scarfed tehm down then retired to his tent. he kept tossing and turning Zuko turned to face Aang and embraced him back, but he felt tears soaking his shirt. he looked doen and raised Aangs chin up to face him.

"Aang whats wrong, are you hurt?" Aang shook his head and just held Zuko tighter. Zuko's blush was outta control now as was Aang's.

" I-I was worried about you Zuko. you took so long, i thought the fire nation found you or something. i told Katara i was going to look for you but she said not to worry and i stopped and decided to gt some rest. but then i had a terrible nightmare that you were killed. you were stabbed with a blazing sword of fire, it went straight through you...but worst of all... I WAS THERE AND I COULDNT STOP IT!" Aang started weeping harder. Zuko hugged Aang as tight as he could. is he really that worried about me... i want to comfort him, i want to kiss him and all his tears away. but Zuko shook his head at the idea.

" Aang dont worry about me, i am not defenseless. isten sleep with me in my tent tonight if your that frightend, okay?" Aang nodded shyly. Zuko embraced him again and started walking back to camp.

Zuko layed next to Aang with a furious blush on his face. he looked at aang who had already fallen asleep and noticed his slightly parted lips. gods i want to devour him right now. Zuko got even redder at that thought and snapped his eyes shut. okay Zuko calm down, get some sleep you have to wake uop in 3 hours. Zuko finally started to calm down when Aang grabbed Zuko in his sleep. Aang nuzzled on Zuko's neck and sighed. Zuko took a gulp trying to shake away new thoughts entering his head. nope your not going to get any sleep tonight, thought Zuko.

Zuko got up slowly out of Aang's embrace and got ready. once he did he went down to he river . he sat on a boulder and thought about last night. he couldnt take this, these emotioms were way to much. Zuko was confused he didnt know what to do. Aang finally got there at 9.

" Zuko im so sorry i slept in, i promise i'll never do it again, please dont get mad!" Zuko shook his head and smiled.

: It;s okay, i;ll just go a little harder on you today." Zuko smirked and Aang's shoulders slumped.

" Great." they practiced till about 6 when Zuko said they could call it a day. Zuko noticed the sky was getting darker and he didnt wanna be out here when it rained. they got to camp at about 7 when they found a note from Katara and Sokka saying they were in a village near here getting supplies and would be back tomorrow because of the weather. aang smiled and turned to Zuko.

" hey Zuko, your it!" Aang slapped Zuko on the back and ran into the forest.

" argh, i'll get you Aang!" Zuko chased Aang and vice versa for about an hour when finally Zuko collapsed and Aang jumped on top of him. Aang was smiling and ranting that he won when Zuko reached up and started stroking Aangs face. Aang stopped ranting and blushed.

" Z-Zuko."

" shhh." Zuko pulled himself up and now Aang was straddling him. he knew what he was about to do. He embraced Aang and looked him straight in the eye.

"Aang, i cant stay with you any longer. i have these emotions when im around you and... i cant follow through with them." Aang started tearing up as was Zuko. Zuko stood and Aang jumped up.

" NO! you cant leave, not after all thats happened. i-i thought we were friends now! am i doing something wro-"

but before Aang could finish Zuko pressed his body against Aangs and kissed him with all his passion and heart. showing Aang his love, want, and need for him. he kissed him long and hard then slipped his tounge out and whispered to Aang,

" i love you, and im so sorry." And with that he ran off into the forest with tears streaking down his face. and as Aang touched his lips the rain came pouring down.

Dun dun dun! hahaha what a cliff hanger right! well i put much more fluffy in this chappie. but trust me the hardcore stuff iz reaaaaaly close. i know ya'll cant wait! well leave ,e lots of reviews! till next time! yours truly!