Disclamer: Avatar is not mine! But OMG I can't wait for the movie!!!

AN: Sorry I took a little long, i had soooo much to do! but I wrote this as quickly as possible so please enjoy (and review!)

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Chapter 4: Cinderella

He strode out the foyer, Katara in tow. Somewhere in the ride down in the elevator her hair-tie had become lost. Her hair flowed behind her now like a it was one with the breeze, thousands of strands shimmering like silk and starlight. The look in her eyes was soft and dazed, widening to surprise as she realised they were in a horse-drawn carriage travelling down the street. She'd been caught up in his own eyes the whole time, the thing he wanted her to do forever.

"Where… are we going?" she finaly whispered, though it was if they were on some secret adventure nobody else was allowed to know about.

He touched her on the arm softly as they arrived at their destination. "Cinderella needs a gown for the ball tonight," he replied just as quietly in her ear, causing her to shiver. Taking her elegant hand in a graceful hold, Zuko lead her into an unassuming white-fronted store with the words 'Beauty, Grace, A New Outlook' printed in small letters across the frosted windows.

He couldn't help but smile as he pushed Katara into the waiting arms of the assistants, even though it caused him so much pain to see her wide eyes stare after him while she was dragged away. Taking a seat by the reception desk he stared into the mirrorlike surface of the windows. The way her starbright orbs gazed right into his soul like that… it was enough to melt all the bitterness he felt in his life. But at the same time make him wonder hat a girl like her would ever stare at him like that in the first place.

He didn't deserve that unreserved gaze.

"Z…Zuko…"

The woman that walked out of the doorway was almost unrecognasable. He felt himself standing out of shock, unknowingly dragged to his feet in amazement. He couldn't top staring at her, this beautiful creature before him. His jaw dropped.

Gone were the frumpy maids clothes that once hid her devine body. She had gone in a common-looking girl and come out looking like a goddess. Her long bronze hair had been crimped, looking like waves as it cascaded down her bare back and over her smooth shoulders. Her hair had a sheen like the ocean on a cloudless night, with the moon shining above. Her strapless dress looked like it was made of water, draping and flowing down her body like a waterfall and clinging to the best parts of her – the way the dress cupped her breasts so supplely, the perfect curves of her hips that the fabric seemed determined to make a show of, and the long split in the side of her dress that showed such perfect legs he wanted to caress and run his hand up them. Her skin seemed to glow with a moonlight radience in this dress.

Her eyes stood out like blue fire – the eyes of a goddess.

She wobbled on her high heels and he ran to catch her before she fell. She landed, hands on his chest, so he could feel her silky-soft fingers subconsciously rubbing through the fabric of his shirt.

And the smile on her face… that dazzlingly grateful smile with such joy… crystal tears budded in her eyes that were so close to his own. He placed the tip of his finger to her long lashes, not wanting her makeup to be ruined. The diamond bead lingered on his fingernail, light from the windows making it sparkle as her gaze stayed upon him. He took a deep breath, smelling her scent – lavender and vanilla – that was her scent.

In his heart, guilt was growing, dark and overwhelming. Someone like this… the way she looked at him… he didn't deserve a princess like this.

"This doesn't were off at midnight, does it?" she asked, her harp-like voice wavering with a giggle. As they both rose to their feet, she twirled around in the dress, hair dancing around her like a copper halo, just as beautifully as he'd imagined when they'd first met.

"I won't let it. This is a special magic," he replied. He offered his hand to her. "Even so, we must hurry. There's still a lot to do."

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Katara couldn't help but blush as she clutched the trenchcoat tightly around her. They had gone back to the hotel, a whirlwind she couldn't remember had blown into her life and suddenly she was dressed in a ballgown. It seemed nobody recognised her though. Had the change really been so significant? People pointed and whispered, but it wasn't what she was expecting. It was like she'd gone out that door and come back a whole other person.

It was… a little exciting.

Her Prince led her into the elevator, holding her hand softly. He had been a gentleman, almost too much of one… she almost expected him to kiss her in the privacy of the elevator once the doors closed. But… nothing. She couldn't bring herself to say anything either, there was tension in the air and it sucked her confidence dry. And what could she say? She still felt just a little bit werd about this all. Shouldn't she say thank you? Karata's mind swam with confusion.

But why… this guy had done all this for her… What did he see in her? There arose a feeling in the pit of her stomach that she still just the same Katara, the same body but with new clothes that felt a too small for her – or really, she was just too big for them. Despite what he'd done she didn't deserve this splendid clothes or this kind man.

The elevator opened and she felt herself tugged along gently by Zuko. She followed him into the room, for a moment remembering that second where she'd first met him. He let go of her hand, only pausing when he reached the window. A breeze filled the room, white curtains billowing around his frame.

"I'm sorry," she heard him whisper. She froze in the doorway, transfixed on his presence, the way curtains wrapped around him so elegantly.

"What are you sorry about?" she asked.

"You're too good for someone like me," he replied. "You're a goddess. I can't contend." He pushed the curtains away from him, storming out onto the balcony.

She was still frozen. The words he was saying… too good? Goddess? She didn't know if she should laugh or cry. Or feel terribly ill. She wanted to tell him so many things before, to tell him her thanks and to say what a wonderful person he was, but those words… Her confidence was gone. She couldn't say a word. Katara ran into the bathroom and slamed the door shut after her. What was she supposed to do? She slid down against the door, hands over her face as she tried to stop the tears from running. She was no goddess. She was plain old dumpy Katara, wearing a dress that she didn't deserve to have. She stayed like that for a long time with her back against the door. He didn't come after her, or call her name.

Did he really believe the things he said?

She lifted her hands from her face and glanced up at the basin, she was becoming uncomfortable against the cold tilled floor. As she rose to stand, one of her feet kicked over the wastebin, the contents spilling onto the floor. Katara grumbled and crouched down to clear it – her habits as a maid still with her.

It was then she saw the razors. Her hands began to tremble as she saw the bloody edges. A metallic smell filled her noise. Tissues everywhere, covered with blood. Too much blood.

Katara backed away until she was against the edge of the bath.

He didn't… did, he?

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Zuko stared out at the afternoon sunshine reflecting off tall mirrored buildings, each shining more brightly than the last. The night would be coming soon, so would the event he had promised to attend – he'd have to if he was to survive with that single course of income. And for once, the first time in his life, he'd found someone he wanted to attend with, but she shone even brighter than the sun off those buildings, and he had no place casting a shadow over her. He flexed his wrist, feeling a dull pain shoot up his arm. Somehow, it was welcoming over the pain that resided in his heart.

"Zuko!" He turned as he heard the sharp cry. Something barrelled into him, arms wrapping around his waist. Katara clung to him tightly, refusing to let go. "I'm no goddess, I clean toilets for a living! Please don't say I'm too good, or stupid words like that! You've been far too kind to me, I should be the one saying those things."

Her forehead was warm against his chest. Slowly, he placed a hand under her chin to lift her face to his gaze. Her sapphire eyes were wet with tears. She flinched from his hand, wiping tears away carfully.

"You… you're in a lot of pain, aren't you? It's why you cut yourself?"

His hand paused from reaching out to her. He hung his head ashamedly. It was enough of an answer for her it seemed. She placed her hands on his chest, crying quietly as she placed her head back his chest as well. He wasn't sure what to say now. As he tried to move away, Katara's fingers clung to his shirt.

"Don't go," she whispered. "I know what it's like to hate yourself. It hurts so much and you want to scream, but no matter how hard you try you can't make any noise."

His vision blurred as tears began to fall down his cheek. She knew the same pain. And it comforted him, as though all could be forgiven while she was here. He wrapped his arms around her, never having held someone as close as this to him. "Stay with me, Katara. So then we can be happy."

She nodded. "I'll try to make your pain go away. I promise."

The sun began to set, whispers of cold breeze twirled around them. Somewhere in the distance they could hear the chime of an old bell.

"The gala… I forgot." He ran his fingers through her hair, silken to the touch. "Please come with me, Princess?"

She looked up at him, smiling. "Of course… but… can we stay like this a little longer first?"

Though the world around them was growing colder with the night approaching, there was nothing but warmth as they continued to embrace on the little balcony atop the world.

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AN: Hope you enjoyed! Dont forget to reveiw!