Hello, readers! Thanks to those who reviewed…I dedicate this chapter to you! I hope you like it because this is where the sweet moments just kick off. Love is in the air, apparently, and we have a familiar character to thank for that…So, enjoy!

Chapter Thirteen

Zuko raised his head as he heard Katara's breath hitch. He glanced over at her and his own breathing stopped. Katara was laying on her side, facing him, a contented look on her sleepy face. Her hair fell in soft waves around her and Zuko had the sudden need to kiss her.

Night had already fallen and the moon was rising. Pushing his warring thoughts to the side for once, Zuko moved closer and bent his head towards hers. Their lips met for the barest of moments, a contact sweeter than wine. He pulled back and smiled.

"Hello."

She answered his smile and sat up, pushing the fall of her hair away from her face. "Hello." Despite the cool night air coming into the cave, Katara felt warm. And all because his golden eyes were looking at her.

"Kiss him," a voice whispered in her head. It sounded like Yue's voice. Everything felt like a dream but something told Katara this was real.

"Wait."

Katara cupped Zuko's face in her hands. "I don't want to."

Zuko's eyes searched hers. "Katara?"

A soft smile crossed her face. "Yes?" she whispered, drawing closer.

"What are you doing?"

She was so very close now. "Returning your kiss."

Zuko's mind went blank as he saw the emotion shimmering in Katara's blue eyes. "That's nice."

Katara laughed. "Isn't it?" And then she kissed him.

The kiss was slow, deeper than the other. They melted into each other and closed their eyes. Zuko's arm snaked around Katara's waist and her hands went from his face to loop behind his neck. They should be enemies but, surprisingly, they trusted each other.

After a little while, Zuko pulled away and sighed, his golden eyes sliding away from hers. "Katara, I have to tell you…"

"Yes?"

"We're trapped here."

She laughed again and shook her head. "I know."

His eyes snapped back to hers and he stood. "No. I mean we're trapped here. The creek we crossed overflowed and is too deep now to cross. We're on a separate island, Katara. We can't get back to Uncle."

Katara's eyes went wide. "T-trapped?"

Zuko nodded. He watched her for a moment as she turned her head, silent.

"What is she thinking?"

"What is she thinking? What about you? Why did you kiss her? Twice?"

Zuko blithely ignored the other voice. "Katara?"

She looked back at him and smiled brilliantly. "It's all right. We'll just have to wait for the water to go down…or for Aang to find us."

The prince was shocked. And very, very afraid. He didn't know if he liked the way she was smiling. And he eyes looked suspiciously bright. As if she was about to have a lot of fun…at his expense.

Katara stood and walked towards Zuko. When he frowned and took a step back, she laughed softly. "Ever play tag, Prince Zuko?"

He stilled. Her voice was starting to scare him, too. "N-no…"

She sent him a wicked smile and started to pace around him. "It's quite simple, really," she said.

Zuko could hardly breathe he was so distracted. "Is it?" Oh, god. Had his voice squeaked?

Katara was in front of him again and she nodded. "Yes. You see, someone is 'it' and has to catch the other person. When you catch them, you say 'Tag, you're it,' and then run away so that they catch you. Understand?"

He nodded.

She stepped closer and whispered into his ear. "Good." Katara tapped him lightly on the shoulder. "Tag. You're it."

Before Zuko could react, Katara disappeared from the cave, her laughter trailing behind. He went after her. Luckily, the moon was full and bright, helping him to follow her movements through the forest. Zuko smiled and gave chase. All he had to do was catch her and he had a feeling it was going to be a very good chase. He didn't understand it, but somehow the full moon made him feel freer, somehow.

They had spent the rest of the day searching for Katara and everyone was tired. They had landed on the island without ever searching it. But no one wanted to sleep. The moon was too full and beautiful to ignore. Even Toph was feeling the effects. The earth beneath her feet felt strangely energized, making her feel calm.

She was sitting by the fire, listening to Sokka laugh at Ty Lee and her acrobatics. Aang had wandered off but Toph knew exactly where he was. Leaving Sokka and Ty Lee to their antics, she went off to follow the Airbender.

"Hey Twinkle Toes!"

Aang turned to see Toph following him. He stopped and waited for her. He had wanted a little time to himself, but he was strangely happy Toph had decided to come with him. When she caught up, he took hold of her hand and they fell into step.

They walked along the rocky shore of the island, not really talking. They didn't have to say anything. Somehow, being close was comfort enough. Suddenly, Aang pulled away.

"Let's practice some bending," he said. His voice was soft, but it still held the patented Aang-excitement.

"Okay." Toph was always ready for a good sparring match.

They got in their stances and began. It was a good match but no matter how unusual Aang's tricks were, Toph always anticipated them. Aang laughed and began to airbend, using it to hold his rocks in the air and confuse Toph.

Quite suddenly, though, she stopped bending and sat on the ground. Confused, Aang dropped the rock he had been holding up and walked over to her. "What is it?"

"What if you fly away Aang, and I can't ever find you?" she whispered softly.

Aang sat down next to her. "I wouldn't do that," he answered. "I wouldn't leave you behind."

"Really?"

Aang hugged her. "Really!"

"But what will happen after you defeat the Fire Lord? I'll have to go back home and I won't ever see you again."

Aang laughed. "That'll never happen. I'll come and visit you all the time; you're my earthbending teacher!"

Toph smiled at the sincerity in his voice. "Thanks, Twinkle Toes."

The Avatar jumped up and helped Toph to stand. "Don't mention it. Now, do you want to go explore the woods with me?"

She was silent a moment. "Yeah."

-------

Sokka laughed as Ty Lee's acrobatics turned into a fun-looking dance. She flipped and cartwheeled all over the campsite, moving as if she were dancing on a stage for hundreds of people.

"That looks like so much fun," he said.

Ty Lee stopped and then walked over to where he was sitting. "Then come on; I'll show you some moves."

Sokka stared at her hand a moment and then let her help him up. "Do you think you could teach me those cool jabs you do, too?" he asked as she began showing him how to do a proper cartwheel.

"Sure!" she answered, trying not to laugh. His cartwheels looked hilarious. He had his hands on the ground, and his butt was up in the air. And then he did this funny little jump and she couldn't stand it anymore. Ty Lee began laughing hysterically.

"What?" he asked grumpily.

"You…look…so…funny!"

Sokka growled and righted himself. "Well this is…" He crossed his arms over his chest, trying to think of something to say. "This isn't proper for a warrior," he finally finished.

Ty Lee sighed and shook her head. "Then let's start on my 'jabs.'" She gently touched a point on his arm. "Everyone has certain spots on their body through which their chi flows, and which you can disrupt. If you hit someone in a certain place, their chi is blocked and they can't bend…or fight. It's useful if you can't bend or use a sword, but you have to be quick." She demonstrated by jabbing at a point near his shoulder.

Sokka cried out as his whole arm went numb. "What was that for?"

Ty Lee giggled. "Just an example. It can be fixed easily." She jabbed his arm again and feeling rushed back in. "See? Now all you have to do is memorize the pressure points. If you hit someone in the wrong way, it could permanently damage them…or worse."

Sokka gulped. And listened as Ty Lee began listing all the pressure points. It was going to take a while before he would be able to actually use her technique. He looked down at her and smiled.

"You're great."

Ty Lee stopped and looked up at him, eyes wide. "What?"

Sokka gulped. He hadn't meant to say that. What was wrong with him?

"Oh, Sokka. Open your mind a little."

"Yue?"

"Of course. Who else would it be? Now, why don't you make a move? You don't want to leave Ty Lee standing there, do you?"

Sokka smiled. "I said, 'You're great.'" He moved closer. "Did I say the wrong thing?"

"No."

"Good." He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. "Thanks. Now, should we get back to the jabs?"

Ty Lee nodded dimly, a strange smile on her face. "Yeah…"

Katara ran through the woods, unable to contain her laughter. She felt so free. For once, she wasn't confused. She liked Zuko and if that meant making him like her, well, then she could handle that.

She paused a moment to catch her breath, certain that Zuko was still far behind. She liked him! She didn't exactly know how or why it had happened, but it had. Zuko had taken care of her—that much was obvious—and she couldn't ignore that. She had woken up to find him nearby, with the moon shining into the cave behind him. It was in that moment that she stopped fighting. Why fight when you could enjoy?

A twig snapped behind her but before Katara could move, strong arms wrapped around her waist. "You're it," Zuko whispered softly into her ear.

"That's not entirely true," Katara said.

Zuko laughed. "How's that?"

She turned in his arms and slipped her arms behind his neck. She moved closer so that their lips were almost touching. "Because I've just caught you."

"Looks like we're both caught." He pulled her body closer. "What should we do?"

Katara never had time to answer. Zuko closed the last bit of distance between them and kissed her passionately. She sighed and melted into his arms, only to have her dream suddenly shatter.

"Katara?"

Oooh! A cliffhanger, I know…normally, I don't like them because I feel horrible about it, but not this time! Mwahaha! Looks like Katara and Zuko aren't alone anymore. Their little vacation seems to have been cut short…But! Never fear! I have even more devious plans to get them alone…Please review!