Sidenote: Yes I know, terribly fluffy stuff, the first few chapters seem to be setting the scene so just bear with me. Might turn into a rather long story. Hope you like it so far... Please review.

An Uncomfortable Routine

The next few days passed by without incident. As strange as it was, they had developed a routine. Katara usually woke to find Zuko gone, meals were brought to her by servants, and in the evenings Zuko seemed to make a point of returning as late as possible. They had barely spoken since her first night in his bed.

The days were the worst. Stuck in his huge room with nothing to do and no one to talk to. Katara usually spent her time snooping around, rifling through his desk proved diverting but fruitless. She spent the rest of her time thinking of her brother and Aang. Where they were, if they were ok, if they would still go ahead with their plan for the Day of Black Sun...

Katara had had no intention of staying a meek captive until Zuko decided it was safe to send her home. If he intended on that at all. No... she would wait until the Day of Black Sun and make her move to rejoin the others. They would surely use the eclipse to invade, even without the Earth Kingdom's support it was an opportunity at rescuing her and defeating the Fire Lord.

One evening Zuko returned earlier than usual, his face had a dark cloud over it. He stormed in, throwing his armour off.

"What's wrong?" Katara asked from the bed.

He slammed the door of the bathroom closed.

A few moments later he came out and began pacing. He had just been in the War Council with his father, and they had began to plan the most abhorrent of war crimes. Zuko clenched his hands into fists and the temperature in the room began to rise.

"Look, you don't have to tell me, just don't set fire to the room please."

Zuko stopped and stared at her, seemingly remembering her presence. "Sorry," he said shortly.

After a moment he turned to the cupboard, tugging off his shirt. Katara averted her eyes. As if the sleeping arrangements aren't humiliating enough, no he haaas to sleep shirtless.

He got into bed next to her, turning over as he usually did.

The light snuffed out and both teenagers drifted into sleep.

Katara woke in the middle of the night. Zuko was mumbling incoherently in his sleep, twitching and shivering slightly. She watched him in the dull light of the half-moon. His fists were clenched tightly, a sheen of sweat visible over his face. The room began to warm up, there was that feel of heavy static which comes before lightning strikes

Alarmed, Katara reached over and touched him lightly on the back. "Arghh!" He yelled and swung his arm over, hitting Katara hard and sending her off the bed with a loud thump. He leapt up, fists ablaze.

The light from his fire cast shadows dancing over the room. He saw her lying winded on the floor and quickly lit a lamp with a flick of his fingers.

"What. Was. That. For." Katara said, wheezing out the words and clutching her midsection.

"You startled me! Why did you wake me?" Zuko said, bending over and pulling her hands away.

"You were having a nightmare! I thought you were about to set me on fire!"

He frowned and softly plucked at her shirt to lift it slightly. She was slightly bruised, but not badly. The impact of falling had just knocked the breath out of her. "You're lucky I didn't char you to bits, waking me like that."

He slipped an arm under her, picking her up. "I can walk Zuko," she said.

Zuko ignored her and set her down on the bed, sitting beside her and staring at his hands. "I'm sorry, bad dream."

"It's...alright..." She said, sitting up a little.

Zuko looked up at her. "It was the day my father gave me my scar."

Neither said anything for a moment.

"It's not something I tell people, look just forget I said anything."

A little bewildered Katara nodded. His father...no wonder he's as messed up as he is.

He got up and walked back to his side of the bed, settling back in. Katara turned over, closing her eyes.

"Katara?"

"I'm sorry."

"...I know."

The next morning Zuko woke feeling unexpectedly well rested. The sun came softly through the curtains, warming his back. He shifted slightly, tightening his arm around...around what!?

Zuko opened his eyes. Oh no...His arm was wrapped around Katara's pliant waist, his head tucked into the crook of her neck. Her hand clasped his, holding it to her chest, snuggling contentedly. She smelt amazing, soft and almost floral. He shook himself mentally. Stop thinking about how she smells!

Very, very carefully, Zuko moved back, slipping his hand from hers. She murmured something unintelligible, curling up a little more in response to the loss of warmth.

He tried to dress with as little noise as possible, dropping his headpiece in his haste. Katara's eyes fluttered open and she stretched, yawning. "Why are you up so early?"

"It's sunrise, I train at sunrise. Go back to sleep Katara."

He left the room quickly, Katara easily complying with his request.

Katara sat up from her armchair by the window. Putting down the book she'd been reading. Zuko was back in the middle of the day, holding his arm. He angrily pulled off his armour and shirt, moving his hand from his arm. An angry red welt was wrapped around his muscled bicep. Katara gasped, "Zuko what happened?!"

He walked into the bathroom, Katara followed cautiously. "Training accident, some stupid novice tried something too dangerous for himself and I had to intervene."

He opened one of the taps and dipped a towel into it, using the soaking towel to soothe his burn. "I'll get the healers to bring me a salve so you better stay out of sight, don't need more gossip."

Katara bit her lip, raising her hand to touch his arm.

"Don't." He said sharply. She dropped her hand to her side.

"Zuko, I'll heal it for you." She said.

He turned to face her, still holding the towel to his wound. "What?"

"I'll heal you, just sit down." She motioned to a low stool in front of the empty bath.

A little speechless, Zuko sat down. Katara filled the sink and pulled the water into gloves over her hands. They began to glow and hum slightly. Zuko watched with an unreadable expression, moving his hand away from his arm. She placed her glowing hands over the wound, the humming increased, water glowing brighter.

As she worked the humming increased, water glowing brighter.

"It was to teach me respect."

"What?" Katara asked.

"My face. I spoke out of turn and my father punished me for it."

Katara was silent for a moment, mind turning over what she had learnt. "How old were you."

"13."

"Oh...I'm sorry."

"Don't be. It was a long time ago."

Katara pulled away, leaving his arm perfect and healed. Zuko stared at the place where, only a moment ago, had been blistered and burning. He stood up, mind strangely clear, and took her hand, holding it with both of his.

Looking deep into her ocean-blue eyes his own golden irises burned with a strange intensity. "Thank you Katara."

She looked up at him, hearing the sincerity in his voice. But it was his gaze which held her. He seemed to be staring right into her very soul. "You-You're welcome." She gently pulled her hand back, but he held it firm.

In that moment Zuko became intensely aware...aware of just Katara, how caring and kind she was. Not to mention breathtakingly beautiful. Acting on impulse, he leaned down and kissed her. It was a chaste kiss, just brushing her soft lips with his, lingering a moment.

Katara stood stock-still. He's kissing me...why is he kissing me she thought wildly. The kiss wasn't exactly unpleasant...just confusing. Suddenly she became intimately aware that he was shirtless and well-muscled.

He drew back and studied her expression. She hates me, she's going to slap me and walk out...she'll call me a monster, why would anyone want to kiss me.

Instead, everything went from Katara's mind. All thoughts of war, peace, escape, invasions, Aang, Sokka, Toph, her father, it all went away. She stepped forward and stretched up on her tip-toes, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him right back.

Now it was Zuko's turn to be bewildered, but after a second he pulled Katara closer into his arms, wrapping them around her waist.

This kiss was not chaste. Their tongues danced sensually, both their hearts pounding frantically. What am I doing, why am I kissing him? Why is he kissing me? Why do I like it - Katara thought, coming to, mind reeling.

Zuko pushed her against the wall, moving his hand slowly to lift her leg around him, hungering to get closer to her.

"Zuko...Zuko wait...Stop!" Katara said breathily, pushing him away firmly.

Zuko leant back a fraction and set her down, slowly pulling back but still holding her.

She turned in his arms, gently pushed away the one that blocked her exit from his embrace. She slowly walked through to the bedroom.

He followed her, she betrayed no emotion, said nothing.

"Katara...Katara say something."

She turned to look at him.

"I...I'm confused...what just happened?"

"I kissed you." And you kissed me back - Zuko folded his arms uncomfortably.

"Why?"

"I don't know."

"I thought I was just some grubby water peasant you were taking pity on."

Zuko turned, not wanting her to see his face.

"Well, obviously you're not..."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying I don't know what made me do that, but I did it...and you kissed me back so it's not just me."

"I'm confused Zuko...I don't know what to think. I can't trust you still, how do I know you aren't just trying to get in my head?"

He stared at her. It felt like a kick in the gut. "How do I know you aren't trying to get into MY head?!"

Those cerulean eyes which had just so captivated him, now terrified him as they narrowed. "Well then I guess it must have worked since you kissed me back!" She said, whipping around, refusing to face him, and crossing her arms.

Zuko practically ran out of the room, grabbing a shirt roughly out of the cupboard. Slamming the door behind him, he stalked down the excessively long corridor and ducked into his mother's private library. Kissed her back...who does she think she is...in my head...hmph as if..

He spent the day reading. Being back in that particular room started to bring back memories. Memories of his mother playing with him, reading to him and laughing with him, started to resurface.

Damn it Katara, I just got my life back and now you're turning it upside down.