Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar!

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Katara has never been exposed to that much hurt and tragedies in one day. She just couldn't take it, this was too much for her, she was shaking all over.

She looked up from the ground and readied herself for the final test.

It didn't seem hostile, or anything dangerous, in fact, the atmosphere was calm and balmy.

Still on her toes, she walked around the meadows. Quizzically, she wondered if this really was a test. Right after she thought that, she heard quiet whispers and a young woman's giggles.

Swiftly, she ran over towards the sound. Once she was there, what she saw next to the tree left her heartbroken.

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Zuko once again, landed on the ground with a thump. He cursed the spirits.

Dusting himself off, he looked around, it was a quiet meadow, birds flying around, the occasional turtle duck quack. Was this the third and final test he was getting so worked up about?

Scoffing, he walked around, bees buzzing around the flowers around him.

He felt the wind gently blow on his face, that's when he heard a giggle he was all too familiar with.

Katara.

Zuko rushed off towards the sound, however, once he got there, the reward wasn't what he had in mind.

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Katara stood blinking at image in front of her.

Zuko had his back leaned on the trunk of the tree, with another girl in his arms. He held her close and she giggled when he gave her a teasing kiss on the cheek.

Katara's hands were in loose fists, her face blank as she watched him pluck a flower that was beside him and plant it in her hair, giving her a sweet kiss afterwards.

"Zuko? What…." Katara stuttered out, her eyes close to the threat of tears.

He continued to give the girl pecks on the neck and cheeks, leaving Katara in a wreak.

"This can't be real…." Katara stammered out, slow tears rolling down her face.

The girl was everything a Fire Lord lady should be, pale skin, raven hair, hazel eyes, she was everything Zuko would want. And her? She was nothing, just a simple water tribe peasant, nothing significant, her skin was too dark, her hair was lighter that his, and her blue eyes made her stick out like a sore thumb.

Why would he want someone like me? Look how happy he is with a girl that looks like him.

Katara shook visibly, her mind in a great wreak.

So this must be punishment…..for the years he wasted with a worthless wench like me….

She angrily wiped away the tears she shed and ran away, sick of hearing their giggles and whispers.

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Zuko was shocked at the image he saw before him.

It was Katara alright, but with….a different man.

He walked up to them and saw that the man was exactly like her, blue eyes, dark skin, brown hair, everything Zuko wasn't.

He was kind and gently, he whispered something into her ear and she giggled. The man was warm and open, where as Zuko himself, was cold and closed.

The man pulled her closer towards him and he planted a soft kiss on her cheek.

Zuko just stood there with a blank stare, unaware of how to react to this situation.

Katara does look happier with a man that's exactly like her, kind, open, warm, from the same nation, why would she love a monster like me?

He let out a deep breath, which came out in one, silent tear, sliding down his face, his breathing cracked, paused and continued before he let out another tear, tears, he thought he wasn't capable to shed.

If she's happier….so be it…she'll be better off without me….

He walked away sullenly, his mind spinning in different directions, an emotional wreak if you will.

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Katara slumped down onto the ground, shedding tears.

Oh suck it up Katara! You are a disgrace! I mean come on! He's just a guy! Look at him! He's happier this way!

I know but….I…

What? You what? Huh? What?

I…..I…..

You are a stupid crybaby, crying for no absolute reason.

I am crying for a reason!

Well…still….remember….this whole thing isn't real!

I know that….but…why the pain seem so real?

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So….this was the third test huh? Who knew all of these test were all to inflict damage on the inside…..

Zuko tightly shut his eyes and let one lone tear fall out from his unscarred eye.

What was worse was, he knew this wasn't real, but what if she really does this in the future? Then what? Then it'll be real….

Zuko let out a shaky sigh and tried to calm his trembling fists.

It just hurt too much to see her with someone else, like she abandoned him like an old doll.

At least….she'll be happier….as long as she's happy…..

Suddenly, he felt a cool breeze on his face, letting him out of the spirit world.

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Katara blinked away the tears and told herself to not cry anymore.

"Zuko…..if you're truly happier with another…..that's ok….it'll just be hard to let my feelings for you go….." She sighed.

In a blink of an eye, she was back in the palace.

She looked around awe struck, finally she was out of that spirit world. But, were the events that happened in there…real?

"Katara…." A soft voice called for her behind her.

"Mom?" Katara turned around and saw her mother behind her, placing a hand on her daughter's shoulders.

"Katara…honey….."

"Mom, I don't get it, how in the world did I pass the tests? Frankly, I think I've failed all of them, all I did was cry or try to prevent the events from happening." Katara replied, completely baffled.

"Katara….the first test was you greatest fears, apparently, the fear you have was Zuko dying, not just that, but dying to protect you." Her mother answered.

Katara let speechless, her mother continued.

"The second test, was the past, you tried to prevent his banishment, but…there are just something's we can't change…."

Katara bit her lip and allowed her mother to proceed to the final test.

"The third test, was….a test of love, or trust. You said you would give up anything, even your love for him, just to make him happy."

Katara looked up at her mother and a look of understanding came to her face.

In a blink of an eye, her mother was gone.

"Thank you mom…."

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Zuko opened his eyes and he found himself in the gardens, still nighttime.

"Zuko…."

He turned around and saw his mother, slowly, as if gliding towards him.

"I thought you wouldn't pass, I was afraid you were going to turn into your father. Cold and ruthless, but you're the exact opposite of him." Ursa swept her son in a hug.

"Mom…." He buried his head in her shoulders, knowing this event won't last forever.

"You've grown up so well, I'm glad you met someone like Katara."

Zuko smiled and wiped away a tear from his unscarred eye.

"I have to go now Zuko……I love you…."

"I love you mom."

Ursa soon disappeared, as if she was never there.

He stood there for a while and soon remembered Katara, were those events real? Even though his head told him it wasn't, he had to see them for himself.

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Katara looked up and down the corridors frantically, searching. Was Zuko ok? Was it all real? All these thoughts were running through her head, bouncing around in her head, begging answers.

Hastily, she ran once more, skidding on the marble floors. Katara panted as she felt sweat drop from her forehead. The shouting in her head also increased, shouting out,

Please don't be real!

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Zuko ran through the doorway and into the dark corridors, emitting ghastly sounds.

His heart hammered within him, almost as if it were going to pound it's way out of his chest. Questions were tossing themselves around in his head, begging for reasonable answers.

"Katara!"

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Katara stopped in her tracks, upon hearing his voice.

"Zuko? Where are you?" She shouted down the hallways, echoing around the whole building.

"Zuko?" She shouted in desperation now.

A faint voice yelled down the hallway.

She picked up her pace and ran down the hallway, tears streaming from her eyes.

Finally she saw him, unharmed, and without a scratch at all.

The two wordlessly ran towards each other, embracing each other tightly once they met.

"You're ok…." He whispered into her sweet smelling hair.

"I'm ok? You were….." The image of him stabbed with knives and shuriken projected itself into her head.

Instead, she buried her head into the warmth of his chest once more, breathing in his scent.

"So, none of that was real?" She whispered into his chest, tingles rushing up her spine since he was stroking her brown hair.

"No….it wasn't….." He gently pulled her head away from his chest so that she was locking gazes with him.

Katara looked up at him with a skeptical look. "I don't believe it…."

Zuko scoffed lightly and then tilted her head slightly and placed a feather light kiss on her lips.

"Real enough for you?"

A/N Sorry it took so long to update! And I just saw that Zuko had his first kiss! At first, I thought he was going to date a Mary Sue-ish like character, but Jin….I think her name was…..was totally cool! She had the same attitude as Katara and I really think Zuko would benefit from her, well….she would bring up his day!

I know it took so long to update and I'm sorry! And I know they were so OOC!

Sorry! Next chapter will be better!

P.S Zuko's hair grew even more! Lol

R&R!