Authors Note-These first two chapters have just been Katara, Zuko, and Aang growing closer, but more action to come! Don't know if this will turn out as a Kataang or Zutara yet, but I'm leaning more towards a Kataang. Thanks for the reviews Envoywarrior and frozenheat
Katara yelped as a thorn branch caught her skin, but quickly bit her tongue. She continued running as fast as she could while the sun climbed higher in the sky. Tripping over a branch, she caught herself by grabbing a tree trunk. Aang and Sokka must be worried! She thought to herself as she ran. Finally, she burst out of the forest and into the camp. Her chest heaved as she gasped for breath.
"Hey Katara." Aang said. Katara looked over to see him sitting on the ground eating berries. Katara put her hands on her hips, upset that he wasn't even a little worried. She was about to say something, then stopped in case he'd asked where she's been. Instead, she walked over and sat next to him.
"Hey Aang, where's Sokka?"
"He's chasing after some rabbit." Aang said, laughing. They both reached for a berry, and ended up touching hands. Both of them drew back, blushing horribly. Aang looked over at Katara and noticed something missing.
"Hey Katara, where's that flower that I gave you?" He asked, sounding a little disappointed that she wasn't wearing it. She must not have liked it he thought to himself. Katara reached behind her ears and realized that he was right.
"It must have fallen out while I was waterbending." She said.
"Its ok, I know where we can get more." Aang said smiling as he airbended himself up. Katara followed him into the woods, and gasped as they came upon a meadow. Beautiful flowers of every color flourished there, and it seemed like a canvas. Grabbing her hand, Aang pulled Katara along as they ran through them, laughing and giggling.
Once they were tired, they found a spot free of flowers and sat down. Aang pulled a bouquet of lovely flowers. Katara smiled and accepted them, picking out one and putting it behind her ears.
"Oh Aang, thank you." She said, resting her head on his shoulder and closing her eyes. Aang smiled, wishing that this moment could last forever. They were so caught up in this that they didn't notice the two eyes watching them from inside the forest.
"We better get back and practice waterbending." Katara said finally, though she didn't want to leave either. Aang nodded and followed her back into the forest.
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Katara opened her eyes, seeing that the moon was right above her. It was midnight. Silently, she crawled out of her sleeping bag and looked at Aang. He seemed so cute and peaceful while he was asleep. Looking at Sokka, she frowned. He on the other hand was tossing and snoring loudly. Finally, she crept off to the woods.
Emerging from the trees, she saw that Zuko was already there.
"Your late." He said unhappily.
"Not by much, and is that all you have to say to me?" Katara asked. What? No hello, no good evening, no smile? Just a "your late?.
"Fine, lets get started. Try and hit me." Zuko ordered. Katara was taken aback, as she didn't want to hurt the prince.
"But-"
"I said try and hit me." Zuko repeated, growing impatient. Katara ran at him, swinging her fist towards his head. Suddenly, Zukos other hand appeared like lightning and grabbed her wrist. Pulling it backwards, he forced her to spin around. Once that was done, he easily pinned her arm to her back. Normally he would have also shoved his opponent onto the ground, but for some reason he didn't.
"Oww." Katara protested, bringing Zuko back from his thoughts. Releasing her, she rubbed her wrists and looked at him.
"You're being to predictable." Zuko said sternly.
Katara sighed and stepped back.
"Watch me." He said, running at her. Katara was, at first, amazed that he would hit her. She got into a low stance and readied for his punch. His fist drew back as she prepared to leap, when all of a sudden he was on the ground, supporting his body with just his hands. Before she could react, he sweep her feet out from under her with his leg. She crashed into the ground, rubbing her head.
"Oww." She moaned. Opening her eyes, she saw Zuko standing over her, his hand extended. She grabbed it, forcing back a blush, and heaved herself up.
"Like I said, don't be so predicable. And your defensive stance is all-wrong. Widen your legs and bend your knees, its easier to maneuver and harder to force you off-balance." Zuko said, demonstrating the proper stance. Katara watched, amazed. He was really good at this.
Katara backed away from him, getting ready to attack again. Charging, she swung her right fist at him. Zuko put up his arm, easily deflecting it. Suddenly, her other hand came around and almost hit him in the face. He looked surprised as he ducked and once more hit her legs out from under her.
"Better." Zuko said. She had almost hit him there, a good move. Make them watch this hand, instead of this one. But his reflexes proved to fast for her. They continued this for another good hour and a half, Katara failing to even land a blow on Zuko. Yet her rear end was beginning to hurt from all the times that she'd fallen.
"I think
that covers it for the night." Zuko said finally, helping Katara up
once more. She seemed disappointed.
"You'll get the hang of
it." Zuko promised. Katara looked at him and smiled.
"Thanks
Zuko." She said.
"I'll see you back here tonight?" Zuko
thought about this, it couldn't hurt.
"Yes." He finally
said. Katara seemed delighted that they could continue her
training.
"Well, I have to go. See you then!" She said.
"Bye." Zuko replied, watching her run into the forest.
Shes a water-peasent, you shouldn't care about her.
I
know, but I do
No you don't!
Yes, I do
You
cant!
I shouldn't
But I do
"Where were you last night?" Aang asked as the trio woke up. Katara was at first in a loss for words. How could she explain this? Gulping, she said the first thing that came to mind.
"I had to use the bathroom." Sokka seemed satisfied, but Aang didn't.
"That was a long break, I was up a while after you left." He said. Once more, Katara looked around nervously.
"Well, I couldn't sleep so after that I practiced my waterbending by the river." She said. Aang still seemed suspicious, but didn't further question her.
"We should probably leave today." Sokka said. Katara felt like slapping him, they couldn't just leave already! But I'm not done training with Zuko! I want to finish, I want to learn how to defend myself, I want to see him again.Katara nearly gasped at her own thoughts. She wanted to see Zuko again? The guy who wanted Aang in chains? Katara couldn't understand what was going on with her.
"No, lets rest for another few days. We have a long journey ahead of us, and Appa needs a break." Aang insisted. Katara wanted to reach over and kiss his cheek, but then Aang would know she was up to something.
a few days later
Katara grunted as Zuko jumped in the air, spinning and bringing a hard heel to strike her in the gut. She fell backwards, rubbing her stomach. He sure wasn't taking it as easy on her as when they first started. She had gotten a lot better over the past few days, and had managed to hit Zuko a few times.
The first rays of the sun began to show through the trees. Wow, we really lost track of time. She thought to herself. Over the days, Katara had not only gotten better at fighting, but she and Zuko had grown closer.
"Its getting late—I mean early. I should probably head back to camp." Katara said, giggling at her mistake.
"Yeah. You've gotten really good Katara." Zuko said, rubbing the back of his neck. Katara blushed and smiled at him.
"Thanks, I had a good teacher." This time Katara could tell that it was Zuko who was blushing. Suddenly, Katara wrapped her arms around Zukos neck…..and kissed him! For a moment, both of them looked dumb-founded, and both were blushing horribly. I just kissed Zuko, and liked it! Katara thought to herself. This was so wrong. But before she could say anything else, Zuko wrapped his arms gently around her waist. Katara felt her heart flutter as his lips gently brushed hers before pressing passionately into them. Katara wanted this moment to last forever, and hated it when it ended.
"Well, I have to go." She said.
"Bye." Katara ran off into the woods, her heart beating out of her chest. I just kissed my worst enemy, and I liked it!No!
Before she knew it, Katara was back at the camp. Sokka was, of course, rummaging through the food sack while Aang was patting Appa.
"Hey Katara, where were you?" Aang asked. Katara was once more unsure of what to say.
"Looking for food."
"Without the food sac?"
"I forgot it." Katara said, growing uncomfortable under Aang's questioning. She walked over to Sokka and grabbed the bag, ignoring his growl of protest.
"C'mon Aang, lets go find some." Aang was only to happy to follow Katara into the woods, forgetting his suspicion. The two walked in silence, all except for Kataras sweet humming. Aang loved her hums, they were so beautiful. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the moment, grabbing her hand. Katara blushed, but didn't try to work her hand free.
What
about Zuko?
Forget him! Aang is your friend, Zuko is your
enemy
You weren't thinking that when you kissed
him
Katara was so confused about her emotions. She was so lost in thought that she didn't notice when they came to a stop until she felt Aang let go of her hand. Looking around, she saw him looking up at a large apple tree. He pulled out his staff and swung it through the air, sending a sharp gust of wind at the fruit. Half a branch fell to the ground, the force cut right through them. Aang grinned and began picking off the apples, smiling as Katara laughed. But suddenly, her blood went cold.
"Well, look who it is. And shes brought an airbender."
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Zuko paced back and forth in his room, ignoring the knock on the door.
Don't tell me that you have feelings for this peasent
girl?
I don't
Yes you do, admit it
No
I don't! I'm a prince, shes a peasent.
You're a
banished prince, shes a beautiful water tribe girl.
I
thought you didn't want me to like her?
Me, hey I am you.
Your thinking this
Zuko growled. Not only was he in love with some water tribe rat, but he was talking, no arguing, with himself! This was so messed up.