Aww, did I leave you people at a semi-cliff? I couldn't help but put Jet in. He's so cool. Anywho, be prepared for more Zutaraness this chapter…and we get to hear more about the two ancient lovers! So, enjoy! And review, please!

I still don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender. It's getting to be a real failing in my life…

Chapter Seventeen

Zuko watched Katara. She was so beautiful. Moonlight washed the dying colors of the sun from her body, bathing her in silvery light. Her body began to sway, as if to a melody only she could hear. Strangely, though, he could hear it as well. He moved closer.

"Katara…"

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She glanced back at him, the moon in her sapphire eyes. "What is it?"

Zuko moved hesitantly forward. And then his courage failed him. He stopped and looked away. Katara smiled softly and moved closer.

"Zuko…this isn't like you. Come on. We've been around each other for nearly two weeks now. I had hoped we…" Her eyes moved from his face and fixed on the ground. "I had hoped that we could talk without feeling embarrassed or angry," she finished in a whisper.

Startled, Zuko looked up, his golden eyes wide. "We can. It's just that…I…" Suddenly, he took hold of her arms and brought her close. Without another word, he kissed her, wrapping his arms around her and bringing her against him.

Katara was taken back at first but, when Zuko didn't draw back, Katara threw herself into the kiss. All of her pent up emotions went into it and she moved closer, bringing her arms around him so that she could hold him close.

After a long moment, they broke apart and Zuko rested his forehead against her, a smile playing about his lips. Katara laughed softly. "Well, that was certainly articulate," she joked.

Zuko laughed, happy and content, as he hadn't been in a long while. After a moment, he drew back. "I'm sorry for being so…"

Another smile appeared on Katara's face and she shook her head. "It's perfectly all right. Now…I believe it's time for some more fun."

The young prince stepped back at the mischievous glimmer in her blue eyes, suddenly suspicious. The last time she had looked at him like that, he had ended up in a game of chase. Abruptly, he smiled. But he wasn't going to complain about how it ended.

Katara sucked in a breath at the laughter and warmth smoldering in Zuko's eyes and then turned away. "It's time to start exploring."

Zuko's heart flipped as Katara turned away from him. From what, though? Excitement? Happiness? He wasn't sure. "How is exploring fun?" he managed to get out, following her.

The girl cast a look over her shoulder and Zuko nearly died of a heart attack. She looked so beautiful. She smiled and turned back around. "Trust me."

Suddenly, Zuko stopped. How had this happened? They had been at each other's throats not so long ago and now…He sighed. Now he couldn't help but find her unbearably lovely. She was walking ahead of him, her hips swaying gently. The wind played with her hair, down since he had commented the day before at its beauty. And the moonlight shone down on her, casting her in a silvery glow. Silver and sapphires. Another sigh escaped him. When this war was over, if he ever saw her again, he would give her a silver necklace with a teardrop sapphire. It would be delicate and pretty, but pale when compared to her.

He shook his head. "What am I thinking?" he asked himself.

"You're thinking that you like her."

"I…" Zuko subsided. He couldn't help but agree.

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Katara felt Zuko behind her. And how could she not? She was always aware of him. He was always so warm. With a sigh, she glanced up at the moon, now silver and glowing in the sky. Her feelings about Zuko were becoming clearer with each day, but how could she express them? She and Zuko had been enemies not too long before.

"Oh, Yue. What should I do? I like him so much. I never thought I could trust him again, but now…Now I feel as if I could trust him with my life. Does he feel the same about me? How can I even begin to speak to him about how I feel?"

The moon was silent, but a soft breeze whispered around her and Katara smiled. She would be silent for now. She would see whether Zuko felt the same or if this was just a passing fancy for him.

Quite suddenly, she felt Zuko's warm hand slip into her cool one and he moved to walk beside her. He said nothing and neither did she, but they walked hand in hand through the darkening temple, perfectly at ease. Katara took pleasure in the moment, knowing that they could be erupted at any second. Her heart began to beat faster, but the sensation wasn't unpleasant. Besides, she had Zuko to calm her.

As they came into a dark courtyard, a flame appeared in Zuko's hand, reflecting off of the pond. The dancing light reminded Katara of a story her mother had once told her.

"Their names were Savitri and Nilam, lovers separated by a vast ocean and the hatred of between their families. It is said, Katara, that when their families forbid them from even seeing one another, they ran away to the spirit world, declaring that they would not return until they could see each other once more. The spirits of the moon and sun took pity on the two lovers, knowing how painful it is to be separated."

"Wait, mama. Does that mean that the sun and moon loved each other, too?"

The woman smiled. "Yes. Long ago, they had been separated, too. Now, when the spirits saw Savitri and Nilam, they took pity on the two lovers and promised they would be together forever. And that day, as the sun set and the moon rose, the ocean was set ablaze, allowing the lovers to become one. And they were never parted after."

"How sweet."

"It is sweet, Katara."

The little girl sighed and looked out over the frozen landscape. "Does such love exist?" she asked, sounding suddenly so much older.

"Of course, my dear."

"But it seems like only a dream, mama."

Her mother laughed softly. "Never a dream, Katara."

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Zuko led Katara to the edge of the pond and sat down. He glanced at her. She looked so far away. He wondered briefly where she had gone to when she turned and gave him a brilliant smile. The world seemed to take on an ethereal quality, and time slowed. His heart flipped again and he wondered if he should tell her how he felt.

"What can you lose?" the voice in his head urged.

"Everything."

Still, it was now or never. "Katara, I…"

Katara looked at him and fell into his golden eyes. She reached up to place a hand on his cheek, her fingertips just brushing his scar. He might not think so, but he was every inch the prince.

"Yes, Zuko?"

Zuko took a deep breath and then spilled his heart. "I like you Katara, more than I can say."

Her heart melted.

When a tear slipped down her dark cheek, Zuko's heart lurched. He reached out, touching her smooth cheek. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…"

Katara placed a finger on his lips. "Shhh." She smiled gently. "I feel the same, Zuko." And with that, she pressed her lips to his, kissing him more passionately than she ever had. And though their kiss was passionate, a sweet note filled the air and surrounded them. The trees in the courtyard began to dance, whispering amongst themselves at the sight. Unbeknownst to the two, the pond beside them lit briefly, lighting with silver and gold. It shone brightly in the dark, but they didn't notice.

Finally, just as the pond returned to its shadowy self, the teens pulled apart, eyes locked. Katara sighed and leaned into Zuko. "I hope this isn't just a dream."

Zuko smiled at the longing in her voice, knowing that she felt the same as he did. He felt warm and happy. He tipped her chin up and placed a chaste kiss on her swollen lips. "Never a dream, Katara," he whispered.

Katara smiled in happiness, in confusion as his words struck a chord deep within her. But she was tired and Zuko was so warm. Her lids grew heavy and soon she fell asleep.

Zuko laid her down and curled up beside her, watching her as she slept. "She's so beautiful." He looked up at the starlit sky.

"What is this?" he asked the stars silently. "What is this thing that I feel when Katara's near?"

But the stars didn't answer. And he hadn't expected them to. Beside him, Katara moaned softly in her sleep and shifted a bit. A smile crept over Zuko's face and he lay down beside her, wrapping her in his arms. She was sure to get cold in the night and, while he should probably bring her back to the camp, he didn't want to disturb her. And he certainly couldn't leave her alone.

Awww! Wasn't it cute? And we learned more about the ancient lovers I hinted about earlier, huh? Nothing really happened, I know, but there was a real big realization. Now the fun begins. And is anyone interested in how the morning's going to play out? Especially when both Katara and Zuko were missing for the entire night…interested? Then review!