"AANG?" I cry out as I emerge from the curtain of branches. I run to where I heard the scream from, not seeing Zuko who had so recently left the it's cradling arms as well. I'm sprinting, my breathlessness tearing through my chest with every breath I take. My water is all around me, ready to defend him. I run up a steep hill, almost collapsing but urging my legs to carry on, although they scream in protest.

Eventually I emerge over the top and come across Sokka, admist the crowd of the new additions to "Team Avatar" as well as Toph and to my heart's surprise, Zuko, whose is already at the scene. My brother is covered in mud with a pathetic flame jiggling on his rear end. Exhausted, relieved and irritated at my idiotic brother's over reaction, I fling my water at his backside and catch the sad little flames, a lucky shot since Sokka is prancing around too much and beating his behind desperately. He shrieks once more and sullenly inspects his sopping rear.

I collapse to the ground and breath in all the oxygen I can get, my lungs feeling as though they're about to split at the seams from the physical peak of exhaustion I have just touched. Aang is playing his innocence card, with the wide eyes and apologetic expression. He's not apologizing to me, for my unnecessary exertion, he's apologizing to Zuko, who is baring his teeth down at him.

If he knew what Zuko and I were just doing a few seconds ago he wouldn't be saying sorry. He wouldn't be saying sorry for knocking him off the temple's edge himself either.

Or would he hate me? Would he turn away from me, his grey eyes hurting, hurting, hurting? Would tears stream from his eyes as they did after the failed invasion when I was by his side? Am I still by his side? Or is Zuko leading me away from him, poor naive Katara.

"What did I tell you about breathing?" Zuko snarled, shaking me out of my worries. He is already at the scene, up close to Aang, too close, "It's the most important part of fire bending- if you can't control your breath, then you can't control fire! Although..." He finished quietly, turning to me, now bent over and supporting myself on my knees. I peer up at him, my brow furrowed and my chest heaving.

"It looks as though Katara will always come to the rescue when you're concerned. Seems as if she's acting the mother for you, Avatar. Howtouching."

Aang looks at me then, and blushes. My heart jolts as he looks away, almost ashamed.
So this is how Zuko will play his little game. He will humiliate me and Aang, and drive us apart. Or he will try.

He will compare me to his mother and create uncomfortable situations?

The prince is still as spoilt as he was when he was a little child. Hehas to have everything he wants; everything hasto go hisway. My stomach churns and my blood boils as I glare at him. I storm off, pulling Sokka along with me, who is looking bewildered.

"Come on, Sokka, we have to stitch the singe in your trousers." I say with authority, yanking him along impatiently, "Let's leave theprince to his little games!"

I shouldn't have let myself get that angry. But it's done. Aang will ask about my temper with Zuko, perplexed, but what's done is done.

Aang will find out...

I won't let him.

I can't let him.

It was just a kiss! It was nothing more than that! I try desperately to wrestle with my mind, which was pushing and pulling me violently, making my head spin.

But a kiss is what brought Aang and me together, a kiss is dreadfully important. I didn't ask for this to happen, Zuko forced it upon me, none of it is my fault.

You didn't stop him.

"I tried!" I cried aloud, causing Sokka to stop and peer at me suspiciously. I ignored him and pulled him along, he had no idea what I was talking about, the turmoil that was churning through my veins and he never would.

No one would.