Disclaimer: I own neither the Avatar characters nor the song "Kiss the Girl". If I did, Zuko would become my sex slave.
We were sitting by the stream; it was early in the morning, it had become part of our routine. I would meditate while, the water bending girl, Katara would practice her water bending. She was becoming quite good I had to admit. I smirked, although not quite as good as me.
Uncle and I have been traveling with the Avatar, Aang as Katara insists on calling him, for some time now. The Ava … I mean, Aang is progressing rather quickly, although he tends to combine air bending along with fire bending. In general I've learned that it's best to stay away from them when they're practicing.
We wouldn't speak Katara and I, besides, I was supposed to be meditating, right? Truthfully I would only spend a very short time actually meditating the rest of the time I would stare at Katara, through half-closed eyes, watching her practice.
'There you see her
Sitting there across the way
She don't got a lot to say
But there's something about her
And you don't know why
But you're dying to try
You wanna kiss the girl'
This was becoming my favorite time of day. Sometimes when she was done practicing, let's face it I'd been done meditating, for hours, we'd sit in silence. Sure sometimes, we'd talk, but mostly we just sat there looking out over the water. This morning was one of the times we sat there in companionable silence. I chanced a glance over at her from the corner of my eye.
'Yes, you want her
Look at her, you know you do
It's possible she wants you, too
There is one way to ask her
It don't take a word
Not a single word
Go on and kiss the girl'
She was leaning up against the tree next to me. She'd changed a lot since I'd known her. I smiled remembering, how it never really seemed that she was afraid of me. Even in the beginning when I was hell-bent on catching the Avatar, to regain my honor. And return home, no longer in exile. It took me awhile, but I finally realized, with the help of Zhao of all people, that if my father really wanted me back I would've been able to return any time I wanted. I paused remembering Zhao's words to me:
"You can't compete with me. I have hundreds of warships under my command. And you, you're just a banished prince. No home. No allies. Your own father doesn't even want you."
I was getting angrier and angrier with each word that Zhao said. There was no way that Zhao could be telling the truth. "You're wrong once I deliver the Avatar to my father; he will welcome me home with honor, and restore my rightful place on the throne."
But it was his next words that I would ponder, late at night when I couldn't sleep. Trying to think of ways to capture the Avatar.
"If your father really wanted you home, he would have let you return by now, Avatar or no Avatar. But in his eyes you are a failure and a disgrace to the Fire Nation."
I denied it, but already there was doubt, "That's not true."
Then the crushing blow, the part I would literally have to face, "You have the scar to prove it."
I shook my head dislodging the memories. The sun was almost completely in the sky. And light was creeping in, glistening on the water. I chanced another look at Katara; she was staring out at the water, apparently lost in her own thoughts. She really was kind of pretty, but I would never say anything, to her or to any other girl for that matter.
"Sing with me now
Sha-la-la-la-la-la
My, oh my,
Look at the boy to shy
He ain't gonna kiss the girl
Sha-la-la-la-la-la
Ain't that sad
Ain't it shame, too bad
You gonna miss the girl"
I wondered if Katara had someone waiting for her back home, she wasn't too much younger than I was. It seemed likely that she was of marrying age. The thought of Katara with someone else, made me clench my fists. It wasn't like I had some claim on her. But we had a connection, didn't we?
I frowned. I remembered hearing about a boy named Jet, one time. From what I heard it sounded as if Jet and Katara had been close. My frown deepened. Too close.
I thought back to our conversation only the night before.
"You know Zuko, when you aren't being grouchy you're actually pretty nice."
I was mad. "I am not a nice person. Being nice is a weakness." I pointed to my scar.
"Look what weakness, has given to me. A scar for the world to see, now everyone can look at my weakness."
"Zuko, you told me how you got your scar. And to me compassion isn't weakness. It is strength. It takes more strength to spare a life than to take it away."
I wish my father could've heard her words. On the other hand, he would've killed her for even speaking. My father believes that women are to be seen and used, but never heard. The fact that Katara, was from the Water Tribe, meant that she would've been killed on sight, never mind getting a chance to speak.
I looked over at her again. She was a mystery, one moment she'd be smiling and laughing, and then the next she would be angry and yelling at everyone. I smiled, 'Girls are crazy.'
Katara sighed and made to get up. My mind was racing.
"Now's your moment
Floating in a blue lagoon
Boy, you better do it soon
No time will be better
She don't say a word
And won't say a word
Until you kiss the girl
Sha-la-la-la-la-la
Don't be scared
You got the mood prepared
Go on and kiss the girl
Sha-la-la-la-la-la
Don't stop now
Don't try to hide it how
You wanna kiss the girl
Sha-la-la-la-la-la
Float along
Listen to the song
The song say kiss the girl
Sha-la-la-la-la-la
Music play
Do what the music say
You wanna kiss the girl
You've got to kiss the girl
Why don't you kiss the girl
You gotta kiss the girl
Go on and kiss the girl."
"Katara wait." Was that my voice? It sounded a little high, too high. She turned back towards me. Before I could think, before I could stop myself, I reached for her. I placed my hands on either side of her face, and pulled her face closer to mine. I looked into her deep blue eyes, and took a deep breath. We both knew what was coming and I was giving her a chance to leave. She didn't take it. In fact it was her, who closed the gap between us. Our lips touched, it was only for the briefest of moments, and then it was over. Katara stood up and turned back towards camp. I watched her walk away. I leaned back against the tree. And I smirked; I had a feeling that it was going to be a good day.
