A/N Yes, I know I've been making Katara cry too much…..darn me. XD I promise not a lot of crying scenes, at least not with Katara.
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar!
Three travelers kept walking, silence over shadowing them like gray thunder clouds. "We should be reaching Ba Sing Se by tomorrow," Katara spoke up, reading her map. Zuko dropped his gaze, watching his hands fiddle with the reins.
Should I stay with my uncle at Ba Sing Se?
No way! You got a hot girl waiting for you! Take her!
That's wrong though, uncle needs me, my protection, what if fire nation storms into Ba Sing Se?
Don't worry you little head! Ba Sing Se didn't get run over yet!
Yet….
You're hopeless….
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"Aang, I'm sure that Katara is fine and is at Ba Sing Se, where else would she have gone?" Sokka reassured his little friend.
"I guess you're right Sokka," Aang replied back, sorrowfully.
"Cheer up twinkle-toes, Ba Sing Se is just over these mountains! We'll be there by tomorrow and you can…..be reunited with your……girlfriend." Toph mumbled out the last part. Aang, sensing Toph's disappointment, handed Sokka the reins to Appa and sat next to her on the saddle.
"Toph, do you like me?"
"What! That's nonsense twinkle-toes!" Toph giggled nervously.
"Are ya sure? 'Cause, it seems like it."
"I'm sure, now stop bothering me. I just want to be left alone."
"Toph…."
"Leave me alone Aang!"
Aang was about to remind her that she actually said his name, but decided against it. The last thing the girl needed right now was someone rubbing it in her face. He sighed and lay down on the saddle, drifting off to sleep.
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"We should make camp here, it seems perfect." Katara suggested. The two firebenders didn't argue and started to set up camp. The dark forest around them seemed to emit scary noises, but Katara seemed oblivious to the sounds, one, she just had her first kiss with the boy of her dreams, two, she didn't really scare easily now.
"I'm going to go get some water from the stream near here, if you need me."
Katara walked on and on, by now, she got hopelessly lost. She groaned and frustration and kicked a tree trunk. "This is hopeless! How'd I get lost in the first stinkin' place!"
She kicked up dirt and clenched her teeth, growling under her breath. Walking aimlessly for another hour, she gave up hope in ever returning to camp.
Great you got us lost!
Us? I'm the one in your mind; you're the one with the physical legs.
Well, you're the one that's making me lost!
Face it! You are the master of getting lost!
"Shut the hell up!" Katara shouted to the dark background.
"Who are you talking to Katara?"
Katara snapped and turned around, she sighed in relief when she saw Zuko.
"Zuko! You could lead us back to camp!"
"Yeah…..the thing is….it's really funny actually….."
"You're lost too, huh?"
"Yeah."
A vein pulsing in her head, she released her grip on Zuko and went over to a nearby tree. She held the tree trunk and banged her head on it repeatedly. "Ow, ow, ow, ow…."
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"My nephew has been gone for a while, must be having "fun" with Miss Katara."
Iroh chuckled and sighed, turning himself in for the night.
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"No, no, no, no, we can't be lost!" Katara gripped the sides of her dress tightly.
"Let's see, I know I passed the stream a while ago, so, we just need to go back there!" Zuko exclaimed.
"I suppose."
"Come on; let's go, before my uncle thinks we're doing something right now." Katara giggled nervously.
Zuko looked down and blushed too.
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Sighing a breath of relief, Katara saw the campsite at last.
"Wait, Katara, before we go in," Zuko grabbed her and smashed his lips against hers. Katara melted in his embrace, almost wishing that the magical moment never ended. Eventually they broke apart, gasping for breath. She couldn't help but blush a deep crimson red when she made eye contact with him.
He looks so handsome in this light. Such a gentlemen.
Well, duh, what do you expect?
He reached out and tucked a piece of loose hair behind her ear. "No use covering up that beautiful face right?" Katara blushed and giggled again.
Once in the campsite, Iroh stirred but did not wake up, he was smiling.
Probably thinking about tea or pai-sho
Zuko sat down at the base of a tree, staring into the campfire. Katara set down her weapons next to her and sat down next to Zuko.
"Zuko?"
"Hm?"
"I don't want to burden you with this question, but are you going to stay with your uncle at Ba Sing Se?"
Zuko knew this moment would come, when he'd make the decision of staying or leaving.
"I don't know yet, part of me wants to stay there, and the other part of me wants to travel….with….you."
"I understand, whatever seems to be a better idea, being with your uncle would be a better choice though, he needs the protection."
"I guess…."
"Zuko, do what's best for you, I'm going to go turn in now." Katara yawned and walked over to the mat on the ground next to the fire.
Do what's best for you…..
I don't know what the best is for me though…..
Mom, where are you when I need you?
Zuko had these thoughts in his head before laying down on his own mat next to Katara's.
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Cold drafts blew through the trees, signaling a change in the seasons.
Zuko woke up and noticed it was still dark out. He wasn't cold, but rather confused, still the thoughts from that night clouded his head like fog. Then, he turned and saw Katara shivering a little from the cold.
Hurry up! Get your butt over there! She's freezing for pity's sake!
Listening to his thoughts, he got up and laid down next to her, he draped his arms over her petite figure and hugged her close. Instantly, her shivering stopped and let out a sigh of relief. Zuko also felt sleepy suddenly, he loved how her slim back was up against his chest, how her hair smelled of the sweetest flowers in the world. He sighed and drifted off into sleep. Considering his current state, he decided that this was the best sleep he has gotten in 2 years…..
A/N Yeah I know Zuko may have been a little OOC in this chapter, but lots of fluff right? MUWHAHAHAHHAAAHHA R&R!