A/N - Sorry it took me so long, guys. I've had a lot of trouble sitting down to write lately. Plus the fact that 2 of my teachers dumped huge research projects on me at once, and they're both due around the same time and it sucks!

Oh...sorry. Anyway, that's why it took me so long; I've just been stressed. So, anyway, here it is, in all its belated glory. =)

Chapter 11

All that Zuko, Sokka, Katara, Toph, and the Tribe Leader saw was Aang's body taking the place of Kura's, and he was in the Avatar state. All that Kura saw was whatever Aang saw. All the Aang saw (or wanted to see) was Zuko.

As Aang honed in on him, Zuko backed away quickly. "Get away f-from me!"

"No, Zuko. You're going to pay for what you've done."

Zuko scowled and muttered, "That filthy peasant ratted me out!" Then, to Aang, putting on his sweet tone "Please don't hurt me, Aang! I only wanted to make Katara happy! She was devastated when you died! I just wanted to help her feel better!"

"Zuko, I'm not talking about you and Katara. I would never blame you for loving Katara after I'm dead! What you're paying for is threatening and hurting Kura to save your own skin. How dare you do that to my life succession? You will be punished, and you've only brought it upon yourself." Zuko scowled even louder, realizing that if he'd just kept his mouth shut in the first place, everything would be fine and dandy right now. Katara gasped, realizing that she had no idea of her boyfriend's treachery. Sokka whined, realizing that Aang didn't mention his pain at all!

What happened next was a bit of a blur to Kura. It was extremely intensive and tiring for her, considering it was her own body doing all the work. Being in the Avatar State- she realized -you weren't really seeing everything around you; you're just being fueled by your emotions. Long story short: Kura didn't really remember any of Aang's attack on Zuko, and didn't see much of it either.

All Kura knew was that, who knows how much time later, she was waking up in Sokka's arms. Wonderful, caring, Sokka. Everything was fine now; that much she just knew. However...that was about it.

"Wh-...What happened...?" she asked, weakly.

"You did it." Sokka said gently, "He's gone." Kura went a little pale.

"You mean...he's..."

"Don't worry," Katara said, just noticed by Kura for the first time, "He's just...far, far away." Katara smiled slightly. This reassured Kura; little did she know that Katara meant far, far, below the ocean.

But that didn't matter, anyway. All that mattered was that everything was fine now.

Kura looked around to see Sokka, Katara, and Toph standing over her with concern (less so now that she was awake and talking, though).

"...Where's the Tribe Leader?" Kura asked, still quite weak.

"He just went off to get a healer for you." Katara said, "I pointed out that I could heal you myself, but he insisted, out of hospitality." She smiled and added, "I decided to leave out that I could probably do a better job. Best not to insult him, I figured." Kura smiled too, and laughed quietly. She tried to sit up, but found herself gently pushed back down.

"Don't move around too much," Toph said, "You got quite a shock, there. First time's the worst, I guess." Kura guessed she was referring to the Avatar state, and Toph was right. Kura felt as if all the life in her had simply been drained out, like the blood from a freshly caught fish.

At this point, the Tribe Leader returned with his healer. Kura felt a bit better after a little healing. She was able to stand up and walk around, at least. The healer recommended getting some food in her stomach, and Kura agreed. Katara volunteered to walk Kura to the kitchen, while the rest of the gang prepared for their depart. Apparently, it had been decided that they'd spent enough time here. Kura figured she could master the rest of waterbending through experience, now that she knew the basics.

"I'm sorry." Katara said, once they'd gotten settled with their snack. "I should have noticed. I just completely melted in Zuko's arms. I should have been paying more attention. I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault, Katara." The older started to object, but Kura put her hand up to stop her. "Zuko made every precaution to be sure that you never found out. You really had no way of knowing. It's alright; I don't blame you at all."

Katara smiled...but Kura could sense a trace of sadness in her eyes. Katara was clearly furious with Zuko, and was glad he was gone, but she wished that he didn't give her reason to be. Kura knew that Katara wished with all the love in her heart that Zuko hadn't been who he was. The man he'd pretended to be was the man that Katara really wanted. Kura knew it would take a long time for her heart to heal. Only time would help it. Time and, after that, a new man. A man that was who Katara needed him to be, on the outside as well as the inside. But Kura feared she would never find him.

They left the North Pole two days later. They had taken one more day for Kura to learn a bit more waterbending in those perfect Northern conditions, but Katara had come to the same conclusion that Kura had: Once she knew the basics, it was merely a matter of battle experience. So, now, it was on to Earthbending.

The gang flew off to, apparently, some place called Kioshi Island, where Sokka wanted to pick up someone called Suki. Then, it was off to some 'earthy' sort of place. Kura hoped that things would be a bit smoother from now on. However, being that Avatar during a world war, that usually doesn't work out too well...

A/N – So...that's it! He's gone! Sorry, Zutara lovers, but that's it. However, I might be bringing back a familiar face to replace Zuko...(Jet...Haru...who knows? Katara's had plenty of boyfriends...)

Please reaview! Even the cheap-o "Great chapter!" reviews are welcomed, if that's all you got. I just like to know that your reading my crap! lol