A/N: Now, these next two chapters will begin to go into how they developed feelings for one another (this chapter), and how they became husband and wife (the next chapter). Again, I don't own Avatar, and the only original things in this story are Kourin and Seung. Also, I apologize if this story feels rushed. I've just begun writing after a long hiatus so I'm a bit rusty. I hope this chapter is better.
The first week was a tense one for the both of them. Despite her kindness, Lu Ten still was wary to trust her. He would have her taste the tea and food she would give him to make sure it wasn't poisoned. She had called a local healer to her home to check on him. She had used the cover story that he was her childhood friend who had been injured during a battle. The healer had told him that it would take three months in order for his wounds to heal. It was a shock, but he would bear it for now until he could leave this home.
When the first week came to an end, he began to trust her a bit more, and even became interested in learning more about his rescuer. "Do you live here alone?" he asked one day as she was changing his bandages. Kourin was startled by his question, but soon regained herself. "Yes, my mother giving birth to me, my father had died the previous year defending a small Earth Kingdom from your army, and my brother is in a remote village helping them rebuild from an attack" she said softly. "It must get lonely" he said, looking up at the ceiling as she finished changing his bandages.
"Believe it or not, it really isn't. The farm I work at, the two old people who own it are very nice, and are family friends" she said, getting up from the bed. "Is there anything I can get you?" she asked, looking back at her guest. "Jasmine tea, if it's not any trouble" he said. Kourin simply nodded and headed to the kitchen. While she was gone, this gave Lu Ten time to think. 'Why in Agni's name should I trust this girl, even a little bit? Shouldn't I hate her for being part of an enemy nation?' his thoughts whispered to him.
However, when these thoughts came, her words from the first day rang in his mind. 'Even if we come from different nations, we both have beating hearts beneath our chests' is what she had said. 'Also, she could have turned me in by now, so I guess for now, I have no choice, but to trust her' he thought as she came into the room with his tea.
During the end of the first month, he began to question Kourin about several things. "Why are the other nations so resistant of my nation, we are just trying to share a prosperity with the world?" he asked, looking over at Kourin who was mending his clothes that he was wearing under his armor the night she found him. Kourin looked at him with a shocked look written all over her face. "You can't possibly believe that this is for the good of the world" she said, placing her sewing down. "Why else would this war be happening if it wasn't that?" he asked.
Kourin sighed softly, and shook her head. "I guess the fire nation teaches that as the reason for this war. This war is not bringing the nations anything, but unbalance and chaos. There are several families that are torn because of this war" she said, tears filling her eyes, "I think perhaps you need to see this for yourself." She helped him up from the bed, and into a chair with wheels that she had built for her brother when he broke his leg when he was last here. Once she got him into the chair, she wheeled him out of the house, and towards the market.
As the walked down the street of the market, he heard the whispers of the citizens. "This is terrible, Ba Sing Se may fall to the fire nation" one said. "They think they're superior, and know what's best for the world. How arrogant and foolish" another said. Many of the things said were along those lines for the rest of the day. Finally, once they arrived back home, Kourin helped Lu Ten out from the chair, and into his bed.
"Kourin, I'm so…" but before he could finish what he had to say, she placed a slender finger to his lips. "It's alright, I know hearing from the people was much to take in, but I believe once you've processed everything, you'll understand the truth of this war" she said softly, "for now, you need to rest." She gently placed the covers over his body, and went to her own room, leaving Lu Ten to reflect on what he had heard today.
It was the middle of the second month when he finally trusted her completely after she opened his eyes to the truth, and now he was even enjoying her company. She would talk to him about all different things, she made excellent tea, and she was a fairly good Pai Sho player. It was in the fourth week that he was able to get out of bed, but not without the assistance of Kourin. The first time she helped him up to go to the bathroom to bathe, he noticed as he leaned against her, a soft pink hue came across her cheeks.
'She looks very pretty when she blushes' he thought, 'wait, where did that come from?' Finally, they reached the bathroom; she soon began to help him undress. He felt a rush of warmth flood over his body as her delicate fingers brushed against his skin. He noticed that as she was helping him get off his pants, her fingers trembled. "I can get this, you can leave if you want" he said, his cheeks turning slightly red. Kourin nodded, and scurried off, unknown to the both of them that each of their hearts were beating very fast.
The day following that incident, Lu Ten wanted to try, and walk around despite Kourin's protests that he need to heal more before attempting to walk again. As he walked a few steps, he began to stumble, and Kourin rushed to keep him from hitting the ground. She tried to support his full weight, but soon she was on her knees with his head resting on her shoulder. Feeling his body so close to hers and the tickling sensation of his breath against her neck was enough to make her feel dizzy. Unbeknownst to Kourin, Lu Ten was feeling just as flustered as her. He had never been so close to a woman before since he mainly focused on his fire bending, and studies.
Her scent was an intoxicating mix of sandalwood and lotus, and was flooding his senses entirely. What seemed like an eternity from the moment they touched, they finally broke apart. Kourin gently helped Lu Ten back into bed before rushing to the kitchen to prepare dinner. Lu Ten sank into the soft bed, his heart still pounding wildly in his chest. 'Why do I feel like this when I'm around her?' he thought, closing his eyes, and turning on his side. Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Kourin was having similar thoughts. 'I can't possibly be falling for this man. As soon as he's better, he'll leave, and I'll be nothing but a foggy memory' she thought as a tear rolled down her cheek. The night was filled with silence between the two as they ate their meal.
Finally, the day arrived when Lu Ten was full healed, and ready to return to the Fire Nation camp. Lu Ten was dressed head to toe in his armor, and headed for Kourin's room. He noticed she was facing away from him on her bed. "Well, I guess this is good bye" he said to her, Kourin neither moving nor saying a word. His heart felt like it was in an iron grip at her silence. "I thank you for all you've done for me, and I swear that I will change the minds of my fellow soldiers so we can stop this siege" he said, bowing. He put on the cloak Kourin used to get him into the city, and was about to head for the door. He soon heard the rustling of clothing, and the patter of bare feet against the ground.
He soon stood frozen as a pair of arms wrapped around his body, and the sound of soft sobbing filling his ears. "I wasn't planning on telling you this because we may never meet again, but my heart tells me I mustn't keep this from you. The truth is, over these three months, I've fallen in love with you. At first, I wanted to deny it because I knew it would never work for us, but I don't care anymore. I need you to know how I feel!" she cried out, her arms tightening around his waist before finally letting him go. Lu Ten's heart swelled at what he just heard, she loved him, just as he loved her. He quickly turned out, grabbing her wrist, and pulling her close to him, ensnaring her in a loving embrace.
He bent his head down, and with his lips near her ear, he whispered, "I love you too." Kourin's eyes widened and she slipped her arms around him. "I will admit I never expected this. I was wary of you because I felt that once you gained my trust, you would turn me in, but you never did. Instead, you got to know me, took care of me, and opened my eyes to the truth. Though I know we must part, I need you to know I feel the same way you do" he said, bringing his head back up to look her in the eyes as he spoke to her. Without any hesitation, he leaned in slowly, and planted a soft kiss on her lips.