I'm really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really bored and I'm getting no story updates out of the hundreds of stories on my alert so I decided to post this cute sappy zutara oneshot. Brief warning though, Maiko readers will not like! If your a maiko fan do not read! Don't own ATLA
Zuko sighed as he stood on the edge of a cliff, overlooking the deep chasm in front of him. It was the only spot where you could look down and see a part of the western air temple, right above the fountain. He smiled peacefully as he just stood there, letting the early morning rays wash over him.
He took slow and steady breaths, in, out, in, out. And with each exhale he also released a small breath of fire. He was still as a statue and in perfect harmony with the nature around him. Nothing could ruin the moment, not even the approach of someone on quiet feet.
He sighed and opened his eyes but remained looking forward "Yes Katara?" he asked, knowing full well everyone's sneaking habits.
Aang and Sokka would be much louder while Toph wouldn't make a single noise. But as a dagger slid to position itself on the front of his neck he froze, that was not something Katara would do "Well look who it is. The jerk who broke my heart" Mai hissed, her voice filled with more pain and emotion than Zuko had ever heard.
Startled Zuko made a small move to turn around but halted as the dagger pressed deeper into his flesh. He could feel a line of blood begin to trickle down his neck and he could feel his heart beat wildly and for a moment feared that it would kill him "What to you want?" he asked roughly, fear in his voice.
Mai snorted "You broke my heart. You leave the fire nation and all you leave is a note? You couldn't have at least looked me in the face when you ripped out my heart? And let me guess, Katara is your new girlfriend? Are you going to backstab her too?" she asked.
Zuko flinched and the dagger pressed deeper. It was starting to cut off his circulation "Mai I didn't mean to hurt you. I need to help my country and as a prince I must put my country before my own needs. You were the only thing that truly hurt about me leaving" he pleaded.
Mai scoffed "Sure" she said before the dagger jerked.
Zuko let out a gasp as it cut into his throat, the pain making him fall to the ground where he gazed up in pain at Mai who had tears running down her cheeks "Don't worry, it's not deep enough to kill you" she said.
Zuko flinched as she drew the dagger back, ready to throw it at him. But he knew he deserved this. He only hoped she wouldn't kill him. He let out a cry of agony as pain hit his left shoulder and he gazed blurry eyed at the dagger that stuck out.
Looking up he felt himself pale further as he saw Mai with multiple miniature daggers. She expertly flicked her wrist and Zuko felt pain explode through his body and he let out another agonized cry, feeling the daggers in his right arm, right calf, and one the felt as though it went all the way through his left hand.
Weakly he raised his head "Mai please…" he whispered through clenched teeth, his body shaking from the pain.
His right hand clenched instinctively as more pain flashed through him. Fear started to creep in, even if Mai didn't finish him off he would bleed to death. Suddenly he heard a scream and looked at Mai as she was sent over the edge of the cliff by a combined mixture of water, earth, and air.
Zuko shivered in pain and sorrow as he looked dimly at the approaching gang. They stopped short however in shock at the blood everywhere, daggers sticking out of Zuko like a boarquipine. Cautiously Katara approached him, kneeling by him.
Cautiously she touched his uninjured shoulder "Zuko you're going to be okay" she comforted, drawing water around one hand as she took the dagger out of his shoulder, quickly moving the hand to it as she healed the wound, leaving a thin scar.
Zuko shivered as pain wracked his body once more and Katara moved to remove the last dagger Mai had thrown that had lodged itself in his stomach. Zuko hissed in pain and quickly Katara moved her hand to the spot.
She continued this cycle until all of the wounds were healed. But still Zuko remained still, looking out to where Mai had fallen, sadness and heartbreak in his gaze. Katara sighed "She meant something to you?" she guessed.
Zuko remained silent, studying her before he closed his eyes, his entire stance broken "She was my girlfriend…she was upset that I broke up with her when I left" he whispered, his voice frail and torn.
Katara sighed and carefully grabbed Zuko's hand, coaxing him to his feet. He did so but he no longer stood proudly, instead standing broken. Cautiously Katara lead him away from the cliff towards a stream and she sat him down by it.
He didn't even seem aware of her presence. Carefully Katara looked in his dull eyes "Zuko" she said quietly.
Nothing showed he heard her but she continued "Zuko there are other people who love you. Your mother loved you, and your uncle does to. Toph has even grown attached to you. More so than any of the others. And I care about you and want you to be happy and safe" she coaxed.
Zuko lowered his head and carefully Katara leaned forward embracing him "I just want you to know that if you ever need me I'll be there. I know I haven't been the nicest person but even I can see that you need a friend and I'll be willing to be that friend" she said.
With a tired smile Zuko looked at her "Thank you Katara" he said quietly.
Katara smiled and carefully wet her hand, forming it into a small heart "My mother always told me that your heart is your most precious possession and that if you were to give it away then you should give it to someone who matters" she said.
Carefully she put the already melting heart in his hands "I know this one probably will last an hour at most but…you have my heart. If Mai couldn't understand why you left then maybe she didn't deserve you" she said quietly, closing his hand over the heart.
For a few moments Zuko remained silent before lunging forward, embracing the startled water bender "Thank you Katara" he whispered.