Disclaimer: Unfortunately I don't own Avatar. It belongs to two creative geniuses, by the names of Mike and Bryan.

Burning Water- Chapter Three

Flames.

Katara glared sharply at her enemy. This would be a hard battle to face. Not only was her opponent very skilled in her art, but she, well she had a very strong connection to Katara. One that they had both tried to break with little success. But she couldn't think like that. This person was the enemy, they had to be defeated.

The silhouette step further out of the shadows slowly revealing themselves. Red cloth covered the person, curving around small delicate hips. Black hair framed her face, pulled back in the traditional topknot. And those amber eyes, sparkled menacingly in a sea of milky white skin. This was the one person that could stop Katara cold.

The person having been fully revealed gave another small laugh, this one sounding equally as menacing as the others. The light in her tawny eyes glittered and a small indigo flame danced on one finger. They two girls circled each other, each ready with their own element.

"Hello Katara." The figure spoke her voice soft and silky.

"Azula" the water bender replied, "I've see you've run back to daddy."

Azula's eyes narrowed at this comment but other wise she didn't react "My father merely requested that I come home to squash some annoying little pests." Suddenly a flame shot out of her index fingertip, arching over to Katara, who dodged it neatly, not bothering to use any water. There was little of it around, so she had to be careful.

She then sent out a whip of water in retaliation, blocking all the bittersweet memories from her mind. Azula had a choice. And she choose to leave her and stay with her tyrant of a father. It had hurt Katara deeply and it still ached to think about it.

Katara was shocked out of her thought when she was pushed up against one of the grand pillars that supported the ceilings. Wide sapphire eyes shot up to meet almond amber ones. Then small red lips met with light pink ones.

Katara had no idea how long the stood their, Azula's hold on her eventually relaxing to sweep her into a passionate embrace. It couldn't have been long, but it felt as if many days had come to pass. They stood there pressed against each other as if they were trying to become one, before eventually ending their fervent embrace. They gazed into each other's eyes, as if they were looking at into the others souls, both forgetting that they were enemies, which were supposed to fight each other, not become lovers.

Tears began to cloud Katara's light eyes, before leaking out of the corners and forming their rivers of anguish upon her face. She sobbed into Azula's shoulder; her tears stain the red cloth. The raven haired girl brought her lover closer, ignoring the cries of battle her mind only focused on the shorter girl, hating the fact that she had caused this torment.

After awhile Katara's sobs began to subside and she looked at the fire princess, her face still shiny with tears. Her voice hoarse she spoke to the younger girl, tears threatening to appear again.

"Azula... I-i can't do this anymore. I c-can't fight you… I-it hurts too much." Katara choked back a sob before continuing, "W-why do we have to f-fight. W-why can't you just c-come to our side? We… we only want peace. D-don't you w-want that too Azula. N-no more fighting… then- then maybe we can be together." She looked hopefully at the girl whose arms encircled her.

Azula's small smile of joy began to disappear as she released her hold on Katara. She turned and took a few steps away; knowing that behind her Katara's hopefulness would be fading. She bit back tears and replied to the older girl "You know I can't do what you wish Katara. You have your duty and I have mine." And with that Azula released a small wave of fire separating her from Katara, and Katara from the door to Aang. She took one last look at her brunette lover before running away, after the avatar, tears threatening to overpower her.

AN: And there you have it. Chapter Troi. Enjoy AND REVIEW. Please. Reviews make baby jesus smile. God I've got to stop watching Simpsons. I'm so sad.