DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Avatar: The Last Airbender. I don't own anything related to it. I earn no money from this. In fact, I earn nothing from it but my own enjoyment. I make no profit from my writings and don't want to; they're based on someone else's work and I would rather make my own way.

Thank you all so, so much for your reviews. You don't know how happy they make me. I love you guys!

As always, responses here.

Untilthemoonrises: I'm sorry. But here's the update!

donnacrunch: Until the end of the series, I'm following canon, so they won't actually find out until later, so we'll have to wait for that. And…I hadn't actually planned on it. I think he'll fuss when he finds out, but it wouldn't be much. After all, Zuko's a member of the gang, and he did help Sokka rescue Suki and his father. I think Sokka actually likes Zuko now that he's proven himself. And no, not that I remember. The series itself takes place over…I'm assuming somewhere around six to eight months, at the most. Zuko was banished when he was thirteen, and during the second book, one of the earliest episodes, he says that it is exactly the day of his banishment; he's been gone for three years. So about a third of the way through the series, he's still sixteen. I don't think he actually gets a year older. I mean, I'm rewatching the series now, so I can correct it if needed, but I really don't think he does.

xBrown-Eyed-Maidenx: I'm glad you like it that much. And…who knows? Maybe it did happen and we just don't know that. And, as I've said before, I'm going canon until the end of the series, and then they'll find out after that. Eventually. So it will be a little while.

AnnaAza: Thanks for the review! I'm glad you like it.

She-Poe: Thank you for the review!

MysNiWol: Thank you for your review. Hopefully, this chapter won't disappoint.

My Soldier of Irrationality: Ahh. That explains it. Sorry about that; I'm a bit of a Nazi when it comes to writing and I try to correct people so that they aren't in the wrong. I don't know if it really helps or not. And thank you on that! I had hoped that I depicted it right; they don't show much of her reaction, but I think she'd be wary. And it actually wasn't one of my favorites, but I still wanted to use the kiss from Aang in the fic. And thank you for all that, too.

Heart of the Lullaby: The reason I didn't use them is because it would've put time-skips in the chapter and I try to avoid that as much as I can. The episode didn't hold much interest for me; it's not one of my favorites, so I used what I needed without having to rewatch the episode fifty times when I didn't really like it. But thank you for your review, I hope the update doesn't disappoint.

XxEvilMasterMindxX: I don't think it's really completely forced, but I do think it's very, very rushed. They're so young, especially Aang, who's never had a touch of experience with women. He was raised by Monks and he's twelve. He doesn't really know much about romance other than what instinct tells him. Katara hasn't had much, but she has had some. Thank you for your review!

Meegan: Thank you for your review! And I agree with you about Aang on that. That's why I'm going with canon until the end of the series.

Luinuial: Thank you for your review!

Again, thank you guys so, so much for your reviews! I'm the happiest author on the planet.

Now, this one doesn't have prominent pieces of episodes in them, so it's more of an in-between sort of chapter. I hope you enjoy it all the same!

Change

Chapter Four

They lingered for several moments that way, shock and pleasure keeping them from parting, but soon, breath became a required thing and she pulled away first. After that, she looked at him for several seconds, and then gasped, and she buried her face in her hands. "We shouldn't be doing this. We can't. I mean, you…don't you have Mai? And…I…"

"You have Aang."

Her head drooped and she felt a few tears in her eyes. But Zuko had seen her cry enough already. Too much. "…Maybe I do." It was the tiniest murmur, soft and gentle and, though she tried to hide it, almost sad.

Things weren't awkward between them even after that night.

Zuko spent most of the next day training Aang, until they tried to have a beach party. Then, he attacked. How could they rest or play when the comet was so, so close?

It was then that the group found out the truth. Aang was going to wait…until Zuko told them of his father's plan. He was going to wipe out the entire world, other than his own nation. He was going to start with the Earth Kingdom.

Aang nearly had a panic attack. But Zuko tried to calm him. They all needed to rest, not panic. They would be able to do this. The would be together, and before the comet. They had to do it that way. With all six of them, each of the four elements, and two expert warriors, they could do it.

They practiced with Aang, all of them worked hard, and were all exhausted by the end of the day. Aang was still upset, and threw a bit of a fit. He was sure that he absolutely could not kill Ozai. He left them to meditate, trying to think of a way to defeat Ozai without taking his life.

Katara went to bed a little earlier than everyone else, upset and tired. Aang was sweet, and she knew he had his own…rules, but what choice was there? A treaty? Ozai would burn the thing up within a second. Aang just didn't have a choice, and she wished he would realize that.

Her sleep was very restless and, nearing midnight, she heard a soft crash and a quiet curse. She crept out of bed, putting her water pouch on. Was someone here? She kept her water wrapped around one of her hands and slipped through the halls smoothly, searching for the source of the sound. She found a room open that had not been before. It was dusty, but very beautiful inside. She made it inside, her legs bent slightly. Who was here? Her eyes narrowed as she peered around in the dark. Had someone found them? She took a chance and glanced back at the doors. They had been kicked down from outside the room. That made it just a bit less suspicious, but she still kept her hands up, ready to attack.

"I'm sorry I woke you." She nearly slashed at the voice, until she registered who it was. The soft, yet deep tones could only belong to Zuko. She sighed very heavily, and allowed her water to go back in to its pouch. Her stance slacked and she shook her head. He lit the room with a little ball of fire, and then lit the small lamps inside. The furniture within was covered in dust, but she could see some of it underneath; it was pricey furniture and very beautiful. The room was well-decorated and looked rather feminine. She realized after several minutes that this had to be his mother's room. There was a long pause of silence. He spoke. "I just needed to see this room before we…end it." He didn't know if he would get to come back here and see the pieces left of his mother.

"No, it's okay. I was just…afraid someone had found us." It was a quiet murmur, and she turned to him. "Maybe you can ask your father where she is, once we've gotten him down."

Zuko shook his head. "I'd rather have him dead than to try and get him to tell me something he'd never say." It was true. Ozai would never tell his son where Ursa was. Never.

Katara took a few steps toward him, hesitant. "…What was her name?"

He hesitated for a few seconds, but then went and dusted off one of the old chairs in the room, a sigh on his lips. "Her name is Ursa."

She noticed that he said that a little defiantly; he was absolutely sure that his mother was still alive, and she had to be well, if that was the case. She lingered in her spot for several seconds, but then saw him dusting off a spot at his side. It was a wide chair, probably some sort of couch, but not quite that big. She went over and sat beside him. "What was she like?"

Zuko hesitated for some time, here. "She was always kind and gentle. She took good care of me. She always loved me, where my father never did. He always loved Azula, because she was the prodigy, the talent. She was instantly skilled, and I had to work for it." There was another pause here. "Mother loved me regardless of my lacking talent. She would encourage me even when I failed. She was…" He hesitated, and then finally continued. "She was the perfect mother, I guess." There was a pause as Katara took this in, and once she looked back at him, he met her eyes with a small smile. It was almost sad. "I miss her, Katara, so much. My father will never tell me where she is…but maybe, one day, I can find her."

She sat there for several very long seconds, and then she reached out, softly brushing his cheek with her fingers. "Once we get rid of Ozai, we'll just need to take down your sister. Then you'll be Fire Lord, and you can send out a message, try and find her that way. Once she finds out it's you ruling the nation, maybe she'll feel safe."

He sighed quietly. "I don't know how I can do it…but I'll try."

There was another of those silences between them, comfortable yet awkward in some way. Then, there was a very pure silence, and, finally, she turned to him. She gently caught his lips and he couldn't resist leaning in to her. She was always gentle and she didn't push him away, like Mai had.

He couldn't resist this time, and his hand softly weaved through her hair. He pulled her close to him, his other arm wrapping gently around her waist. She was stiff, at first, but he could tell that she wasn't going to pull away. He did, however, have some thought for her. He softly pulled from her lips, hesitating. "Katara…if you don't like this, push me away." It was a quiet murmur against her lips, just far enough away that she wouldn't feel suffocated.

She was silent for several seconds, and then, allowing herself to feel for a moment, not think, she made her decision. She gently caught his cheek, pulling him back to her.

He was surprised, and pleased, and he leaned in to the kiss, holding her close to him, his hand in her hair. He supposed he needed comfort, because though her movements were shy, her arms wrapped gently around him, and it felt…good. Comforting. Warm.

She finally responded, a little hesitant at first, and then she allowed herself to relax. She shyly opened for him when his tongue touched her lips, and at first, she was very, very nervous. Then, she felt his tongue slip in to her mouth, moving slowly, but surely. The kiss was slow and passionate and his mouth felt hot. He was…an excellent kisser. He broke off for a few seconds, letting her breathe, and then brought her back to his mouth, kissing her again.

She was left speechless, breathless, and in shock. It felt amazing, overwhelming. His kiss was perfect and she felt butterflies in her stomach when he pulled away. It was a wild feeling. Aang hadn't kissed her that way, but she was sure that the first kiss was supposed to make these feelings. Aang's kiss was too abrupt to feel anything. Even the kiss on Appa with Zuko had made her stop short, and start to blush. Then the ones on the beach…they had felt good, too. But not like this. It was a perfect kiss, lingering and warm and it felt so wonderful. She didn't know a kiss could feel that way.

Settled in his arms, with the feeling of him on her lips, she didn't want to move. She wanted to stay there, if only for a few more moments. She looked up at him, her eyes just a little wide. She just watched him, his pretty, golden eyes. Finally, she found words. "Zuko…I shouldn't say this…but you really, really know how to kiss." For the first time, Katara didn't sound so intelligent or bossy. Instead, she sounded impressed and rather delighted. Her voice was even a little breathless.

For the first time she had ever seen, a very wide smile spread over his lips, his eyes even lighting up a little bit. He looked…not smug, but perhaps…happy? That was the right word, she realized after a few moments. He really had needed comfort, and she had given it. She smiled at him slowly, delighted. "Mai didn't think so." Or, she didn't seem to.

Katara's eyes darkened just a little bit. "Then she doesn't deserve you, Zuko." Anyone that didn't think that Zuko could kiss needed to have their head checked. His lips were so smooth, and warm. And with each second that passed in that kiss it seemed like his mouth heated a bit more. It was a wonderful and warm kiss and she had absolutely enjoyed it.

He chuckled quietly. "Maybe you just haven't kissed someone who's better than me."

She shook her head a little bit. She wasn't sure there would be anyone better. However, she sat there with him for several moments, allowing herself to memorize the feeling of his mouth.

Then, she stood quietly, holding his hands for a few seconds. She leaned in and softly pressed her lips against his scar, squeezing his hands, and then she left him.

Zuko was sure that, even if he did get Mai back, even if they came out of this alive, he would remember this kiss.

He stayed in the room for a while, looking at old pictures of his mother, dusting off some of her things. It gave him time to say some sort of goodbye to her, in case he never came back. He hoped that he would…but if he didn't, this was his chance. He found an old piece of paper and left a long note to her on the dusty bed. If something ever happened, he hoped that, one day, she might come back here and find it, if he didn't find her first.

The next morning, they all prepared to fly off to the palace and attack his father. They would end this before the comet came. But someone was missing.

Aang had, apparently, disappeared, and Zuko took them to an Earth Kingdom pub to find…June. She was the strange woman with the little animal that could find anyone anywhere on the planet, so long as it had the person's scent. They offered her Aang's staff, but…

Apparently, Aang no longer existed. But how? It made no sense. Zuko had one last idea.

…His uncle's very, very sweaty sandal.

They found his uncle and…the entire order of the White Lotus. His uncle was going to take back Ba Sing Se…and his tea shop, of course. Aang was still missing, and they chose to split up. Zuko had to fight Azula, and he would need help. He chose to bring Katara with him.

Zuko spent much of the trip to the palace thinking, worrying. She finally reached out and touched his shoulder, squeezing it softly. "We can take Azula."

"I'm not worried about her; I'm worried about Aang." It was true. They could get rid of Azula, so long as they were together. But Aang. What if he wasn't strong enough to take out Ozai? What if he stopped at the last minute, too goody-goody to kill the man? Aang had to realize that it had to be done. The world wasn't safe with him still alive.

He stared out off Appa's back, knowing that, very soon, they would find his home.

They would find his sister.

End Chapter

Again, thank you guys so much for your reviews and, of course, I would appreciate a few on this chapter, as well.

And, as I replied to some of the reviewers, I should say this now. I'm going canon until the end of the series. This means that, though this kiss was different from the others, they're still not an item. The romance is going to take a little longer than that and please don't assume I'm gnawing at the bit to put them together. Katara is still going to kiss Aang in Ba Sing Se. The story after that, however, will be different. Right now, I'm following the episodes and putting in bits that I can imagine might have happened (and, for us Zutara shippers, should have happened). The real stuff won't start until after the series' end.

Thank you, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter thoroughly.