An updated version! Hope y'all enjoy!
Book II: Earth
Chapter III: The Freedom Fighters
Part I: Jet
Katara was dressed in her undergarments, gently enjoying the feel of the cool water on her skin. Katara felt at home in the water. It was her natural element after all. She enjoyed how the waves pulled her back and forth. She then began gently bending the water with her arms, allowing it to form whatever shape she desired. She spun it around with her hands, creating a whirlpool around her and raising her in the air.
Kuzon gulped a bit, blushing as he admired her from afar.
Katara was definitely an enigma of her people. There was a certain grace with how she moved and how she thought. She could be compassionate and kind in one moment and then deadly and serious the next. He remembered the Fire National girls he knew growing up. Those girls..especially the palace girls, had proven to be equally as fierce as Katara yet they lacked her sense of compassion. It sort of made him have a new respect for her. With a foe who believed in fighting with unbridled fierceness and attitude…you knew how to counter her every move and even as highly skilled as he or she was…you could eventually beat her or him if you managed to unbalance them mentally. Warrior benders like Katara were a different breed. They had two sides to themselves. They were compassionate. Some of their enemies would see this as a weakness to exploit. Benders like her knew how to hide her feelings and when to jump into fight mode. It gave Katara an edge in combat. Her enemy didn't know when she was going to strike. This new revelation both privately floored Kuzon and frightened him to his core.
Spirits me! I really wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of her attack for real!
Kuzon's was interrupted when he heard Katara calling out to him. She let out a laugh and gave him a playful wink.
"Admiring my battle form sweetie?"
Kuzon scoffed and turned away from her blushing.
"No! Not at all!"
She then descended to ground level, put her hands through her hair and began wringing it dry.
"Sure you were!"
She then giggled.
"Come on in! I won't bite! I promise!"
Kuzon sighed, shaking his head.
"And get my clothes wet? You know how hard it is to dry this get-up?"
Katara giggled to herself. Throwing the Avatar off balance was one of her favorite hobbies. Despite all his time with her, her beloved firebender hadn't lost that trademark stoicism that is so often associated with his people. She honestly didn't mind that he was the shy type. That was part of the dynamic the two of them shared.
Katara then playfully smirked, rolling her eyes at him.
"Oh stop being a baby. I'll dry your clothes afterwards. I promise."
Kuzon huffed with crossed arms. A slight blush formed on his face.
"Fair enough. Make room already."
He then took off the gauntlets along with the top part of the outfit. He then jumped in the ocean. He let out a sigh.
"You want to know something sweetie? I find your mastery over the waves to be fascinating."
Katara eyed him curiously.
"How so?"
Kuzon decided the honest approach was the best way to go about the situation. He was a Fire National after all. They weren't known for being good liars.
"It has become rather obvious to me that you have a greater command of the waves than I do. They follow your every command. You single handedly managed to hold off four master waterbenders alone all by yourself. Not to mention you've fought with Azula twice and managed to meet her strike for strike. Such power is commendable."
Katara giggled sweetly and put her hands over her heart. She batted her eyes at him.
"Oh Kuzon! You really know how to flatter a girl!"
Kuzon rolled his eyes with a faint smile appearing on his face.
"I'm just being honest but if such words are considered flattery…so be it."
Katara then sent a huge wave his way.
Kuzon blocked the wave with his right hand. It rose then then lowered in height to sea level.
"As I was saying…it makes me wonder. Yue once told me that the moon spirits were the ones who granted her life and healing from her born illness. I'm just wondering if..maybe..the spirits have a plan for you as well. Maybe you were born with some innate mastery of waterbending. Perhaps I'm not the only one with a destiny to fulfill."
Katara tapped her chin in thought.
"Hmm? What are you saying exactly?"
Kuzon just shrugged."I think that either Tui or La imbued you with some sort of power from birth. Some sort of power that elevated your natural waterbending abilities to a level even higher than that of the Avatar himself. Perhaps they knew of the suffering your people had endured and knew that the Water Tribes would need a..defender of sorts. So they chose you."
Katara chuckled and then burst out laughing. She then bended over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Kuzon..be serious. I don't have any special power. I just..spent a lot of time practicing."
Kuzon shook his head.
"I don't believe jumped in front of me and held off four waterbenders at once. That requires tremendous power. You didn't see how shocked everyone was when they saw that. I've seen how you waterbend. You make the waves into whatever you wish them to be. You move and bend so gracefully it is awe-inspiring. Sometimes my eyes can't even catch up."
Katara giggled and kissed him on the cheek.
"Flatterer."
Kuzon shrugged with a wry grin.
"Ah. Maybe a little flattery intended. I can't help it. You bring out the best in me."
Katara giggled again and hugged him, resting her head on his chest.
"Aww is someone getting all mushy?"
Kuzon shook his head and groaned. He nonetheless hugged her back around the waist.
"Yes..I'm getting mushy. Don't tell anyone."
Katara again kissed him on the cheek and spoke in a teasing tone.
"No promises."
The two then stared into each other's eyes. He then shook off the blush and managed to regain control of his heartbeat.
"Okay. Training time."
The waterbender smirked in response. "After you my dear flameheart."
They then got into their stances.
Army Corps III Base
Bei Han
Occupied Earth Kingdom
Zuko woke up with a groan. As he woke up, he looked down and saw that he was clothed in standard Fire Nation garb. It was a royal robe of some kind. He then heard his mother's voice in his head.
Zuko. What have you done? You've attacked innocent people. You have threatened children. You attacked Iroh. Why my son why?
Tears were rolling down Zuko's cheeks.
"I..had no choice. He was in the way. He was in the way of my honor. I have to get my honor back. That way..Father will believe whatever I tell him and then I can kill him for the throne."
The ghostly form of his mother then appeared in front of him.
"Zuko..this isn't you. Whatever has happened to you…this isn't who you really are. You are kind and compassionate. You are not meant to be the cold tyrant my husband desires you to be. There is still time to choose the correct path."
Zuko, now driven to angry tears, shouted at the apparition of his late mother.
"The correct path? Who are you to dictate to me what the correct path is? You left me! You abandoned me! Go away!"
He then picked up what seemed to be a golden knife on his nightstand. The boy's hand was shaking. He then threw the knife at the apparition of Ursa. The apparition soon dissipated into thin air. The knife struck the mirror behind her. It shattered into pieces.
Zuko then fell into despair on his knees crying.
Azula, who had been walking around the base, quickly rushed in.
"Zuzu what is wrong?" She then put an arm around her brother's shoulder and pulled him to his feet.
"What happened?" Zuko rested a hand over his burnt eye his voice clearly shaking.
"I..saw Mother in..that mirror. She yelled at me. She called me a monster."
He then pointed to the now destroyed mirror. Shards of glass littered the floor beneath it.
Azula just nodded.
"I...I see."
She then hugged him. Damn you Mother! Damn you for putting us both through all of this!
Mai ran in the room.
"What happened?"
Ty Lee was right behind her.
Azula sighed.
"Zuzu thought he saw Mother in the mirror and threw a knife at it. You can see the results for yourself."
Mai's eyes then widened as she looked from the knife in Zuko's hand to the broken mirror of the far side of the room. She then smirked at her boyfriend.
"Not bad Zuko. I have to admit that I'm impressed with your aim."
Azula hissed.
"Not the time."
Zuko just shook his head.
"This is all wrong. What we are doing is…"
Azula shook her head and hugged her older brother close.
"Hey don't lose your nerve dear brother. We are going to get him. I promise you we will get him."
Zuko just muttered to himself. He wasn't exactly high on the group's chances.
"Whatever. I'm going to get some fresh air."
He then stormed outside to the balcony in order to get some fresh air.
Azula then turned to Mai with a sigh.
"Go check on him will you?"
Mai just nodded with little emotion.
"Of course."
She then followed Zuko out twirling a knife in her right hand.
Ty Lee just sighed and glanced between a departing Mai and Azula. Her voice was trembling.
"What…do we do now?"
Azula just let out a frustrated sigh and glared at her intensely.
"We recoup and resume our search."
Forests
Somewhere in the Earth Kingdom
A while later
Everyone looked around. It seemed that they were in a forest of some kind.
Aang looked around in wonderment.
"Wow! Look at this place! The leaves are so pretty!"
Lhasang smiled at him.
"It does have a certain aura."
Momo then landed on Aang's cheek and nuzzled it. He stroked the lemur's fur in response.
Kuzon looked around in wonder. His golden eyes shone in the light.
"I do enjoy the sight of autumn leaves. They do look rather beautiful. Reminds me of home. There are forests like this all over the Fire Nation. I used to go with my father on long walks when I was little."
Sokka raised an eyebrow.
"I thought you said you grew up with the Nomads."
Kuzon just shrugged and glared at him.
"I did spend some time home."
The Avatar then spotted something suspicious in the distance. It looked like someone was hanging off a hook. He seemed to be struggling to get himself out.
"Help! Help! Someone please help!"
Kuzon then turned back to the others.
"Someone is in trouble! We have to help!"
Kuzon and the others then rushed over to the tree. They came upon a man hanging from a hook. He looked to be in his mid 40's. He had long shoulder-length hair that ran messily down his back. He also had a beard that looked as if it hadn't been shaved in years. It ran haphazardly down his chin. The man was wearing what seemed to be a thin Fire Nation tunic. The hook had pierced his shoulder pretty badly. It had torn through the muscle tissue and was bleeding. His eyes brightened when they met Kuzon's.
"A fellow Fire National! Agni praise me! Please! You must help me!"
Kuzon eyed the man curiously.
"What are you doing here? How did you end up on that metal hook?"
Juso grunted in pain.
"I was just taking a walk in the forest to clear my head when someone dropped smoke pellets on me. The next thing I knew…I felt something strike me hard in the back of the head."
He then grunted in pain, starting to breathe heavily.
"The next thing I know..I'm hanging off this damn hook."
Kuzon nodded and turned over to Katara.
"You think you can heal that wound of his?"
Katara scoffed with a smirk present on her face. She then gave her boyfriend a playful punch in the shoulder.
"Please Kuzon. Think about who you are talking to. Of course I can do it. I healed your wounds remember?"
Kuzon nodded.
He then pressed his hands on the hook, gripping it. He turned to look at Juso.
"What is your name?"
Juso smiled warmly at him grimacing a bit from the pain.
"The name's Juso."
Kuzon nodded.
"Juso…this is going to hurt. Do you trust me?"
Juso gave the Avatar an eager nod.
"With my life sir."
Kuzon then took in a deep breath and transferred fire through the metal hook.
Juso then howled in pain as the heated metal made contact with his skin.
Kuzon then turned to Sokka.
"Hey brother! A little help here! Help me get them off this hook!"
Sokka nodded.
The two warriors then helped pull Juso off the hook. They then sat the older man on the ground.
Katara kneeled down to the man's level, pulled out her med-kit, and analyzed the man's wound. She furrowed her brow in concentration.
"A puncture wound. I can heal this quickly. Just a bit of healing here and and good amount of bandaging there."
She then drew water to her hands and pressed them on the man's wound. It was then that Jet and his Freedom Fighters jumped down from their hiding spots in the tree trunks.
Jet drew a sword pointing it at the Avatar.
"So it seems our little bait attracted a fly."
Kuzon immediately went into defense mode. He jumped in front of Katara with both swords drawn.
The others followed his lead.
"Who are you?"
Jet glared at the firebender.
"The name's Jet. I'm the leader of the Freedom Fighters. The most dashing set of rogues in the entire Earth Kingdom and the bane of Fire Nationals everywhere!" You want to explain what you are doing in our territory?"
Kuzon glared back at him.
"I'm saving an innocent man's life."
Jet crossed his arms in irritation.
"Innocent huh? That's a laugh. None of the ashmakers around here are innocent. They are colonizers..the lot of them. They have ransacked our homes and burned our villages. They have made refugees out of all of us."
He then sneered at Kuzon.
"Of course…I don't expect a Fire National to understand our pain. You all are nothing but a set of minions so dutifully dedicated to your Fire Lord."
Kuzon grunted in frustration, gritting his teeth.
"Do not speak on things you don't understand. The Fire Nation destroyed my life. They killed my family and forced me into exile."
He then summoned flames to his hands.
"Forced me to become the Avatar I never wanted to be." Jet scoffed. "The Avatar? Hah. That's a laugh. The Avatar died a hundred years ago. Everyone knows that."
He then turned to the rest of his Freedom Fighters.
"Alright! You all know what we do with those who aid the enemy! Kill the ashmaker!"
He then drew his hookswords and rushed at the Avatar.
Sokka then drew his swords with an intense look in his eyes.
"I don't know who you are but you aren't getting anywhere near the Avatar."
Aang then jumped in behind him, raising his staff in defense.
"That is putting it mildly."
Kuzon then raised a hand with a deadly serious look in his eyes.
"No. I'll handle this."
He then took in a deep breath and allowed for the Avatar State to take over. The air whipped around him and lifted him up in the air. Everyone else stood in wonderment. Using his waterbending ability, Kuzon then sensed a large pool of water. He then raised a hand drawing a large amount of it to his hand. He then swirled it around, spinning it in a circle. Kuzon then took in a deep breath, releasing the energy in the water at the Freedom Fighters.
Jet's eyes widened in fear.
"Freedom Fighters! Retreat! Retreat!"
It was too late though as Kuzon had already surrounded them with the mass of water. He then spun it around, encasing each of them in ice cocoons. All of them fell to the ground shivering. Aang gasped.
"Kuzon…how did you do that?"
Kuzon turned to his friend with a nod.
"Three words Aang. The Avatar State."
Lhasang blinked. "That..makes sense but how are you able to just control so much water at once?"
The spirit of Avatar Suzin then appeared.
"It is rather simple Aang. Kuzon has the ability to allow one of his past lives to actually overtake his body. When he does so…all of that ancestors' knowledge of their natural element comes to him. He is able to command more of that natural element than his body would usually allow. He contacted me through the Avatar State and allowed me to take over his body."
Lhasang nodded.
"How come you haven't done this before Kuzon?"
Kuzon blinked and immediately felt the headache overcome him. He ran a hand over his left eye and felt his sense of balance leave him.
Luckily both Katara and Aang both caught him in their arms and sat him down on a nearby rock.
Avatar Suzin let out a sad sigh as she looked at her successor. I warned him this might happen. To control so much power at once can be taxing on the body.
"The ability is powerful but also taxing on the body. One needs years of training to deal with the strenuous effort of controlling so much water at once. That is why I've been pleading with him to be careful with it. It is powerful but could possibly but him at risk"
Katara sighed. She felt her temper flare up. She didn't like that he was putting himself at risk for all their sakes. She signed on to both fight the Fire Nation and to find her mother's killer. Nobody was going to take that from her. Not even the boy she adored. She looked at her boyfriend with a worried look in her eyes. She then shook her head and grasped his face, carefully looking over for any cuts or bruises. To her relief, there weren't any. Her tone turned motherly stern for a moment.
"Tell me. What was the point of that little stunt?" Kuzon sighed and ran a hand over his right eye. "I was trying to protect everyone. I'm trying to be brave…for you. For everyone."
Katara again felt herself get upset.
"Really? Putting yourself at risk like this is your way of being brave?" Kuzon rested his face in his hands. "I can't afford to lose you. Any of you. Sacrifices have to be made."
Katara's anger showed itself in her eyes. Her usually calm blue eyes turned stormy blue.
"And I can't afford to lose you! Did you ever consider that in your little plan? None of us can afford to lose you! You are the boy I love and you are the only one who can end this war!"
Kuzon sighed. The guilt entered his heart and etched itself in. He then sighed. His eyes suddenly filled with tears and he could respond with tears and sobs.
Katara quickly switched from being furious to being compassionate. Seeing her boyfriend in such pain from her words filled her with guilt. She let out a sad sigh.
I…think I could have handled that situation a bit better.
A part of her was angry at her boyfriend for suddenly deciding to take on his burden alone. Another part understood his pain. He had lost his family after all. She knew that there were mental scars from his past that had never healed. She knew that pain all too well. She had lost her own mother after all. She had nightmares every now and then of the night of her death. She often woke up crying or screaming at herself.
Still. That doesn't excuse what he did. I'm in this fight with him. So is everyone else. It isn't right of him to just decide to go off on his own. I'll have to approach this carefully. She then took in a deep breath to calm herself and smiled.
"Kuzon…my flameheart…I should have remembered how sensitive you are to yelling. I lost control of my temper. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me."
The boy didn't respond.
Katara sighed sadly.
My yelling must have scared him. I forget how sensitive he can be sometimes. I'm not giving up on him though. I'm never going to give up on him. He's the one I love. She then looked down and shook her head. I need something to get his attention.
An idea then entered her mind.
A kiss. That'll do the trick.
She then gave her boyfriend a kiss on the cheek. This managed to finally get his attention. She could see the fear in his eyes. He was frightened of her. It seemed that yelling triggered him in a way.
Kuzon rubbed at his eyes sniffling. "You hate me don't you?"
The master waterbender just smiled and picked up his face with a hand. She then tilted her head to the side smiling and put a finger to his lips. She made sure to look him in the eyes so he could see the warmth in them.
"Hate is…such a strong word. I don't hate you sweetie. I'm upset. I'm upset that you tried to gamble with your own life."
She then hugged him as tightly as she could. Tears filled her eyes. She was finding it hard to control her own emotions.
"I..love you Kuzon. I love you more than anything in the world. If I ever lost you…I would lose a part of myself. I need you alive." She then took in a deep breath before speaking again. "Please…promise me that was the last time you do something stupid like that."
Kuzon closed his eyes. He took a deep breath.
"I...promise."
Katara felt like a heavy weight had been lifted from her heart. She then pulled away to look him in the eyes smiling.
"Thank you."
She then kissed him before gently pulling away.
"I know how much you have suffered. I know you are scared."
She then took one of his hands in hers and rested it against her right cheek smiling. "But you are not alone in this fight. I'm right here. I promise you that I will always be here at your side. No matter what happens."
The others let out a sigh of relief.
Aang then walked up to his best friend and put a hand of his left shoulder.
"Same goes for me brother. I've come this far with you. I don't plan on leaving anytime soon."
Lhasang then walked up and put an arm around Aang's shoulder.
"The same goes for me Kuzon. You are a friend and a valued ally to the Air Nomads. You and Aang both saved me and the Air Refugees from possible execution. It is part of my duty both as a Nomad and as your friend to keep you safe."
Sokka then kneeled and put a hand on Katara's left shoulder grinning at Kuzon.
"Same goes for me brother. You forget. You are going to be marrying my sister back home after this damned war is over. I have to make sure you make it out of this war in one piece."
Kuzon smiled at all of them. He was beyond blessed to be surrounded by all his friends.
I'm really happy to have all of them on my side. I couldn't do this without them.
"Thank you all! I couldn't do any of this without you guys!"
A sudden headache overcame him and he almost tripped forward.
Katara's eyes opened in shock.
"Kuzon!"
She managed to catch him. She then laid him down, pressing her fingers to his neck trying to feel for a pulse. She let out a sigh of relief and turned up her head to look up at the others.
"He's alright. Just exhausted. We need someplace safe to rest."
Jet then managed to stand himself up and lean himself backfirst against a tree. He then smirked at the waterbender.
"The guys and I have just the place. Let us free and we will take you to our hideout."
Katara then glared at him. She then held her boyfriend a bit tighter.
"Not a chance. You attacked us. You attacked my boyfriend. I can't trust you. None of us can."
Jet shook his head with a grin.
Hmm. Not what I expected out of a Water Tribe girl. I like her style though. Nice to see there is a deadly edge to all that compassion I hear so much about.
"Easy there beautiful. I had my guys attack you all because you were helping that ashmaker. I also thought that your friend there wasn't telling the truth."
He then looked down at himself chuckling.
"I see now that wasn't the right call."
Sokka then put a hand on his sister's shoulder.
"As much as I hate to say this sis...this guy has a point. We don't exactly have a shelter in place right now."
Katara nodded.
I hate this but Sokka has a point. I'll be watching Jet and his friends though. I don't trust them one bit.
She then turned to Jet with a glare.
"You harm a single hair on his head and I will freeze your insides. Are we clear?"
Jet gave her a crooked grin.
"Cross my heart beautiful."
Katara then walked up to him with serious killing intent in her eyes and freed him from his ice prison.
Jet hit the ground hard landing on his right shoulder. He then glared at her as he pulled himself back up.
"Ow! You could have been a bit nicer you know."
Katara continued to glare
"I said I would free you. I didn't say I would make it comfortable. Now where is this hideout you speak of?"
Jet got to his feet rubbing his injured shoulder.
"Ngh. It's right over here. Follow me."
Katara nodded at him with a cold look in her eyes. She then walked over to Kuzon and kneeled down to pick him up in her arms. She then reached out and caressed his left cheek with a hand. A warm smile graced her features.
"It's going to be alright sweetie. I'm right here. I'll keep you safe."
She then picked him up in her arms and turned to Sokka.
"Sokka! You get our new friend over there!"
Sokka gave her a nod.
"I'm on it."
He then picked up Juso and slung the old man over his shoulder. Aang and Lhasang just gave each other a shrug and followed both of them.
The Hideout
Up in the Forest
It turned out that the charismatic rebel wasn't lying. He had led Team Avatar up a long wooden ladder into what seemed to be a central platform connected to many different treehouses.
Katara took a good look around as if to scan her surroundings. It seemed that Jet was the leader of some ragtag army. The large group all varied in both height and age. She then realized that everyone was staring at them with equal looks of curiosity and suspicion. She just glared at all of them.
Try me I just dare you dirt mongers. Try to get near me and I will kill you all.
Jet then raised a hand.
"At ease everyone. These guys are friendly. They are traveling with the Flame of Redemption."
A chorus of oohs and awws came across the crowd. Those that had their arms raised in defense immediately lowered them.
Jet then turned to Katara with a smirk.
"You can let go of your boyfriend now. Mei is one of the most accomplished medics in our little ragtag army. He'll be in good hands."
Katara then glared. As if I would ever let another girl near my flameheart. This idiot is lucky I don't kill him where he stands.
"I don't think so. I'm quite capable of taking care of himself. I'd rather you just point me to somewhere quiet I can heal and watch over him."
Jet just chuckled and glanced over at Sokka.
"Tell me something Sokka. Is she always this cold?"
Sokka just shrugged.
"You did try to kill him Jet. I can't say I blame my sister for being wary of you."
Jet just grinned and nonchalantly shrugged.
"Fair enough."
He then turned to Katara.
"Have it your way then. I'll have Mei point you to one of our abandoned treehouses."
Katara just gave him a nod.
"Thank you."
Mei then looked Kuzon up and down as she stepped forward in front of them.
The beautiful Earth Kingdom rebel then brushed a hair behind her ear blushing.
"Please…follow me."
Hmm. I got to say…I like what I see. I had heard rumors of the infamous Flame of Redemption but I assumed those were just rumors. He is…far more handsome than I ever imagined.
Katara just sent her a suspicious glare. She was aware of how the other girl was looking at the firebender she adored so dearly and sent a dangerous glare back.
Watch yourself dirt monger. I see how you are looking at him and I swear if your intentions are what I think they are…I will deal with you accordingly. He is mine! You hear me! Mine!
She then faked a smile.
"After you..Mei."
Aang then let out a sigh of relief.
"Whew. That was intense."
Lhasang buried her face in his chest shaking. She then murmured in his ear.
"You said it."
Abandoned Treehouse
A day later
Kuzon woke up the next morning with minor throbbing.
"Oh my head…what…"
He then looked around to realize he was lying in some treehouse. There were various pillows, blankets and other assorted items that seemed to be made of furs. The bed was made out of oak wood. He rested a hand over his eye.
"What..the hell happened?"
He then heard a knock on the wall in front of him. Katara's teasing tone filled the room. "Well well look who finally woke up. You had me worried."
Kuzon then glanced her way.
"Katara..what.."
He then shook his head.
"What am I doing in a treehouse?"
Katara then allowed herself against the wall with crossed arms.
"Courtesy of our new friends. You and I are in the Freedom Fighters' base."
She then sighed in irritation and motioned with two fingers in each hand.
"I say friends in quotations. I still don't trust Jet."
Kuzon just nodded.
Katara sighed. She then took a seat beside him on the bed. He then placed a hand over hers.
"What happened to Juso?"
Katara gave him a prideful smile.
"I..made Jet and the others let him leave. He protested at first but relented when I threatened him. I think your little demonstration earlier scared Jet and his pals. They were all quite afraid of me."
Kuzon nodded.
"That is somewhat understandable. You can be intimidating when you want to be. It is a scary yet admirable trait."
Katara let out a giggle.
"Oh you flatterer. I have to admit I've grown to admire your tact for brutal honesty. You never beat around the bush do you?"
Kuzon blinked at her confused.
"Of course. The opposite would be dishonorable."
Katara then burst into a fit of laughter. She then rested her head on his shoulder and spoke in a teasing manner. "Oh but of course. We wouldn't want that now would we?"
Kuzon rolled his eyes and put an arm around her waist.
"Must you always tease me?"
Katara giggled and kissed him on the cheek.
"Oh but I must sweetie. I consider teasing you to be the highlight of my day."
She then hummed happily as he put his arms around her.
Kuzon sighed. He still felt a bit guilty about their little fight yesterday.
"Listen..about the fight…I..just wanted to say that I'm sorry for putting you through all that. About putting all of you through that mess. It was selfish. It was stupid. I should have known better to just trust all of you to fight at my side. I got scared. I let my fears overtake me. I.."
Katara, however, was having none of his groveling. She wasn't the type of girl to hold a grudge when it came to him. He had apologized for his mistake. That is all she ever wanted. That is all that mattered to her. She then put a finger to his lips. There was a mixture of sterness and sweetness in her tone.
"Sweetie…that is enough. It doesn't matter anymore."
Kuzon blinked at her in awe.
"Katara…"
Katara then got under the covers with him and wrapped herself around him. Kuzon shivered when he felt their bodies touch. Her body was warm to the touch. So was his.
She then rested her head on his chest, closed her eyes and snuggled him for warmth.
"I mean it Kuzon. You made a mistake. I then made a mistake by yelling at you when I should have just camly discussed the problem with you in private. I've already forgiven you."
She then turned him over on his back, smiled and brushed her hair behind her ear.
"Do you forgive me?"
Kuzon just nodded.
"O-Of course. Of course I forgive you."
Katara smiled at him and rested her hands around his neck.
"Then the issue is settled."
She then glanced at him with the most puppy-dog expression she could muster and spoke in a whiny tone.
"Now can we stop talking about this already? I'm tired and I want to cuddle with you!"
Kuzon chuckled with a half-grin.
"When you put it that way…how could I possibly say no?"
Katara rolled her eyes smiling.
"Finally!"
She then snuggled him and rested her head on his chest.
Mmm. This is where I want to be. Finally.
"I love you my flameheart."
Kuzon wrapped his arms around her and finally felt himself relax.
"I love you too my sweet wave."
The two then fell asleep listening to each other's heartbeats.
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