sorry for the wait. This one isn't going as fast as my other fanfic. Perhaps because I'm thinking this one out more. I've had this chapter for a little while, but it just didn't seem right to me, so i had to go back and rewrite it. i hope you find this one to be a good one.

disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender, though i want to.

Chapter Six: Moonlit Kiss

"I don't want to be here, I don't want to be here, I don't want to be here." It was like a mantra in her head as she walked through the camp, even though she knew it was completely false. She wanted to be a part of this. She wanted to be a part of Zuko's world so badly.

Finally, Katara came to Iroh's tent. She was silent, her fists clenched at her sides. She could hear voices from inside. Mitsuko was chattering away to someone and Iroh was chuckling. It was unusual for Mitsuko to be talking so much. Katara took a deep breath and then resolutely went inside. Only to stop dead at the scene inside.

Sunil was sleeping quietly on a red pallet, his pale skin slightly flushed. But that wasn't surprising. Mitsuko was the cause for shock. She had clambered up into Zuko's lap and was now talking animatedly with him, obviously telling him about every adventure she had ever come across in her young life.

Katara stepped forward, just about to snatch her child away from the young Fire Lord when someone stood, the hood of his parka having been pulled down to cover his eyes. But Katara knew who it was.

"Sokka?" Katara would have plopped down on the ice but managed to grab hold of her brother's arm. "Why are you here?"

He grinned. "Nice to see you, too, sis."

"Sokka!"

Sokka's smile fell into a worried frown. "I had heard the Fire Nation was traveling in this direction, and I was curious as to why." He shrugged. "I was worried about you."

Katara hugged Sokka, trying not to glance at Zuko and his attentive eyes. "Thanks, but why are you in here?" she asked.

Sokka pulled back. "I saw Iroh and the twins coming in here, so I decided to join. Zuko got to the entrance before I did, though." An innocent smile spread across his face. "I didn't know you and Zuko were back together. If I had known that, I wouldn't have gotten so worried."

Behind Sokka, Zuko had come to attention. His golden eyes stared deep into Katara and she blushed, looking away. "We're…not together," she whispered. "I'm just here to bring Mitsuko and Sunil home."

"Oh." Sokka turned back towards Zuko. "Well." He was silent a moment and then he moved towards the pallet. "I'll take them. Why don't you sit down for a while and have some tea? You look tired."

Katara nodded and walked over to sit down next to Iroh, who was busy humming to himself and looking as if he hadn't been on earth for the entire conversation. In fact, when Katara began pouring her tea, Iroh turned to her and smiled. "Ah, Miss Katara. This is quite a pleasure. I hope you like ginseng."

"I'd prefer jasmine," she replied stiffly, "but I do like ginseng." She tried not to glance over at Zuko as Sokka collected Mitsuko from the Fire Lord's lap.

"C'mon, Mitsuko," Sokka whispered. "I want to show you the presents I brought for you."

"Presents?"

"Yep."

As soon as the twins and Sokka left the tent, Iroh turned to Zuko. "Nephew, I was hoping we could discuss your choice…It's become apparent that--"

"Uncle, I'd rather not discuss it," Zuko interrupted coldly. "I've made my decision and I won't go back on it. You can tell everyone that they just have to be patient. I'm not going to bend on this."

Iroh was silent a moment and then he nodded. "Of course, Nephew. I understand how you feel." He drained his tea cup and then stood. Smiling apologetically to Katara, he said, "I must excuse myself. There is something I must discuss with our chef." He looked towards Zuko. "Please escort Miss Katara home; she does look rather tired, Lord Zuko." And with that he was gone, quicker than if there had been tea just outside the tent.

Katara stood quickly. "It's all right; I can make my own way home. I don't want to bother you," she whispered hastily.

Zuko stood too. Everything was going excellently, but he was going to have to be careful. Katara was still very wary. "It's no trouble, really," he replied. "Besides, I don't want you to get lost." Without another word, he gently took hold of her arm and steered her out of the tent.

Katara thought Zuko might say something to her, but he surprised her. He didn't say anything as he walked her out of the camp. In fact, he acted like the perfect gentleman. While she knew he had been trained his whole life to be a gentleman, It wasn't something she had expected from him. It was a bit disconcerting.

Night had already fallen in her icy retreat and the moon shone brilliantly down on them, lighting what would have been a dark wasteland and turning it into a magical place which sparkled like gems in the night. Katara sighed. She wasn't exactly how much longer she could resist Zuko, even though he wasn't really doing anything. Still, she admitted, all he had to do was stand there, letting the moonlight shine on his perfect features and turn his golden eyes warm and shining.

"Zuko, I…"

He turned to her, his eyes focused and full of warmth when Katara felt so cold. She suddenly found herself standing still, tears silently rolling down her cheeks. Zuko leaned forward, his eyes as kind as ever, and gently wiped her tears away.

"What is it?" he asked softly.

If he had asked any other way…If he had looked any less concerned, she might have been able to straighten and turn away but she loved him and knew he loved her and she just felt too sad and broken. With a sob, she fell into his arms. "Oh Zuko…I'm so sorry!"

Zuko stayed where he was and simply let her cry everything out. When he tears began to dry, he tilted her head up towards him. "You don't have to apologize. Just think about me. Just think about what I've said. Think about marrying me." His lips moved towards her. "Think about us." And then he kissed her.

When Zuko finally brought Katara home, she had stopped crying and she looked more like the old Katara and less like the fragile one that had pulled so much on Zuko's heart. But, as he turned away to walk back to his camp, Katara called out.

"Zuko…I'm not saying I'll marry you."

Zuko smiled at the stubbornness in her voice. "I know," he replied. And then he walked off, leaving Katara to her bed.

Katara smiled at Zuko's retreating back. There. That settled things. She walked into her hut and her shoulders slumped a bit. But it really didn't. The kiss she and Zuko had shared had brought up the emotions she had been trying desperately to forget. Still, as long as she was resolved, she could stay away. And she could keep everyone safe.

As she looked around her home, Katara smiled. Sokka was lying on a pallet, the twins snuggled up against him. It was so cute, Katara couldn't help but giggle softly. Sunil woke up and groggily called for her. Katara took hold of his hand. It seemed he was just waking up again, now that the moon had risen. Sometimes it was hard to have children who woke during different hours, but it was just part of their uniqueness. As twins, Sunil and Mitsuko could have been identical in every way, but they weren't. They were hardly ever apart, but they were both their own person. It was a blessing.

"Mama?"

"Shh," Katara whispered. "You don't want to wake up Mitsuko and your Uncle Sokka, do you?" Sunil sat up and shook his head. "All right. If you want to play, go ahead, but don't go far, okay?"

Sunil nodded and hugged her. "Love you, Mama."

"I love you, too."

As the little boy ran off, Katara smiled at how lucky she was to have such beautiful children. But she also realized there would come a time when she would not be enough for them. And what would she do then?

all right. this one is all finished. did you like it? did you hate it? do you have any criticism? well, if you have any opinion at all, please review! and please review even if you don't have an opinion. yet again, i apologize for the time delay...things happen and, though summer vacation has arrived, i've been busier than ever...so the next chapter might be a while, too...sorry...

Please review!