Judgement
Chapter Seven: Forgiveness
It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend.
-William Blake
Katara sat on the bed, watching the sun set and angrily playing with her hands. She was still mad at Zuko. His bad mood had passed to her.
She hated how he had talked her, insulted her. She didn't think the things he said would upset her but they did. She wouldn't now admit that just the day before, she thought they could get along.
She was a fool to think that. He was her enemy, they hated each other, and… It would never work. Katara shook her head. Where did that come from?
No matter how much she tried to deny it, she did know where that thought came from. That's what made her really mad. She had thought they could be something other than enemies. She really was a fool to think that.
How could he say those things? She wondered. He had called her helpless and useless! She hated being called those things. She hated feeling like that… and that's how he always made her feel. In his presence she always felt like she was helpless. He mind and some of her heart turned to jello and she was sometimes completely useless.
She knew it shouldn't bother her because he was just her enemy and he was supposed to say those things. It was supposed to be easy to forgive an enemy for something like that.
She refused.
She wouldn't forgive him for what he said.
Zuko had his uncle bring Katara her dinner and went back to training. He had been training most of the day. He tended to train more when he was frustrated.
He wasn't angry for the reasons his crew would think. He was upset with himself more than her. He was hoping that by making her angry at him, he would really become angry with her. That plan had went to hell.
By making her mad at him, he just felt…guilty. He hated feeling guilty. He wasn't supposed to have that emotion at all! So he dealt with it by turning it into an emotion he was supposed to have, anger.
He would train until he got even more angry and frustrated, to the point where his mind was clouded and it no longer mattered. Then he would train some more. He would keep training until his body ached and he was out of breath.
Zuko didn't even eat dinner that night. He was too tired and "angry" to eat. At least, that's what he had told his uncle when he asked.
Zuko now stood in front of the door, dreading opening it. Behind the door was a fight waiting to happen. It would probably not end well. He took a deep breath and unlocked it.
He stepped in to find Katara already asleep in bed, most candles out. He was thankful that he wouldn't need to deal with her tonight.
He carefully walked up to her, gazing at her intently. Her eyes were closed, steady breathing, and bathed in candle light. One thing he said had definitely been a lie. She was not ugly by any means. His guilt came back.
She won't forgive me. He thought. I wouldn't forgive myself if I was in her place. It was hard not to reach out and touch her. He realized how many times he had wanted to touch her and backed away.
He shook his head and went to his side of the bed. He followed his normal routine before lying to sleep. He took one breath before silence was broken.
"I want an apology."
"What?" He asked surprised. He had thought she was asleep. She doesn't know I was looking at her does she?
"I Want. An. Apology." She spelled out, turning over to face him.
"For what?" He shouted turning to face her as well. His stupid stubbornness and pride wouldn't allow him to do anything of the sort.
"For what? For everything you said! You've been acting like a stuck-up jerk!"
"You're a prisoner! I'm allowed to act that way, or any way I want!" He continued to shout at her, unconsciously inching towards her. They stayed only inches apart for a few moments. Katara froze when she saw Zuko's hand tempt to reach out to her. He had stopped himself before he reached her face though. She found herself disappointed.
"You haven't been treating me like a prisoner." She whispered tempting him even more by leaning forward just slightly. Zuko stayed silent a moment as if debating what to do.
"Well here's your reminder." He spat before turning away from her quickly. He heard her groan and turn over.
He sat there for a while getting rid of all the feelings that washed over him. I should have kissed her. He thought to himself. What would she have done if I kissed her? I don't think that would count as an apology. With thoughts of the girl laying next to him still racing through his head, he slowly fell asleep.
Katara stayed awake, unable to sleep. She was angry and restless. She wanted him to apologize even if she wasn't going to forgive him. She wanted to forgive him even if she thought she couldn't. She wanted to kiss him even though she knew she shouldn't.
She stayed laying in the bed trying not to toss and turn. Then she got an idea.
Well I'm back from the Dells and it was fun. I had nothing to do when I got home so I decided to type this and get it up for you guys. The next chapter is the one everyone will like. The night's not exactly over yet, but that's all I'm saying. So thanks for the reviews and I hope to get the next chapter up soon. It will also be long I hope.