Kiss THIS!

SPOILERS LIKE PLZ FOR ZUKO ALONE AND THE BLIND BANDIT!

If you haven't seen it, you're a hobo. Like, seriously. A. Friggin. Hobo. No, not even a hobo—that's insulting the hobos, they even saw Zuko Alone. You're worse than a hobo—you're a…well, I don't know what you are, but your something, okay!

30kisses 14. radio-cassette player

Findings

"So your mother is dead?" He asked softly from his position by the bushes. "That's why that necklace means so much to you?"

She glared at him. "Didn't anyone ever teach you that eavesdropping was rude?"

He shrugged before he sat down beside her on the log, straight across from the earth girl. "I think my mother might've mentioned it once or twice, but I've forgotten. Uncle tried, but he did it too often himself for it ever to have all that much effect on me."

The blind girl stared at him intently, her blue-green eyes unreadable. "What about you, Zuko? What happened to your mother?"

"She left."

Katara looked at him, confused. "People don't just leave, Zuko. There's usually a reason for it."

He shrugged again. "I know that. I'm sure there is a reason for why she left, but no one ever told me. I guess I was too young. All I know is that when I woke up one morning she was gone."

A wave of sympathy hit Katara. "Do you think she's still alive?"

He opened his mouth, intending to speak, before he stopped himself. "I—I don't know." He said finally. "I hope she is. I'd like to find her, if I could…but I just don't know, I mean—"

Toph twitched lightly as she stood up, feet placed solidly on the ground. "Aang and Sokka are back." She brushed a bit of the dirt off of her. "I'm going to go help them carry firewood."

Zuko laughed. "I don't think I'll ever get use to that, you know?" He chuckled. "Come on, we should go help them, too—Katara?" He noticed she had yet to stand up, and called her out on it.

She looked at him attentively. "Do you want to find her again? Your mother."

Why was she still asking about this? "Of course I do."

She finally stood up and walked up beside him. "When the war is over, I'll go with you. We can try to look for her." She smiled. "Maybe if we go together we'll find her. Or at least find out what happened to her." She blushed slightly. "That is, if you want to."

"I would like that." He surprised even himself when he leaned over and kissed her on the cheek in gratitude. "Thank you. But can I ask why…?"

Her face turned even redder from his kiss as she looked away shyly. "You heard what I told Toph. My mother…is dead. I don't think anyone should have to go on without their mother, especially if there's still a chance she might still be alive, you know?"

He nodded. "I understand. Maybe we can find your father, too, while we're at it." He smiled, and this time she returned it generously.

It wasn't much, but it was still a start—and maybe that was all they needed, all along.

XXX
END

OMG ZUKO ALONE WAS THE SHIZNACK! HOLY COW!

Emo boy needs a hug. Like bad.

I volunteer Katara.

Or myself.

Also, in case you are wondering: I'm going to continue this until I finish my 30kisses claim. Then Kiss THIS! will end.

But never fear! Because when I'm done with that, the brand spanking Kiss THIS! Vol. 2 will be born! Basically, it will be the same as this, but, you know, another story so you don't have to shift through 60+ chapters, though I'm sure Vol. 2 will get that far as well.

Thanks for ya'lls reviews!

Jak