Katara didn't just hate Zuko; she despised him. Every fiber of her being felt an overwhelming detest for the prince, ever molecule wished to end his existence.
But Aang had said he could travel with them, so harming him was out of the question.
Of course, Aang hadn't been too keen on the idea at first, either. But, for reasons beyond Katara's understanding, Toph had vouched for Zuko, saying he could help them and that he meant no harm.
Katara suspected brainwashing.
Zuko's reasons for joining their side were unclear as well. He had offered no explanation as to why he wanted to help them. In fact, he hadn't really clarified what he was helping them with, either. Aang already had a firebending teacher, and, as far as Katara could tell, that was really the only help Zuko could offer.
One week later, his reasons for joining and Toph's reasons for vouching were just as unclear.
And Katara was alone with him for the afternoon.
The waterbender's detest for her former enemy had not wavered, despite Toph's assumptions of a budding crush. No, she hated him just as much, if not more than she had before. So it was only natural that she be upset with the day's arrangements. She had always gone to the market with the group while Toph stayed behind with Zuko, so why did it have to change now?
"Stupid prince," Katara thought grumpily. Who did he think he was, forcing her to stay at camp because of his untrustworthiness? He shouldn't be allowed to strut around her camp, and light her campfire, and be around her friends, and oh God, why was he taking his shirt off?
"What the hell are you doing?" Katara demanded as her cheeks reddened. She was not flushed because she was embarrassed or flustered. No, the warmth in her face was caused by anger and annoyance. How dare he take off his shirt and force her to look at his well-toned chest!
"I'm meditating," Zuko said simply, eyes closed.
Really, who did he think he was? This was her camp and her life he was intruding on! He could not sit around acting like he owned the place and whatever he wanted. If he wanted to meditate, then he better ask her first! And if he thought she wasn't going to do anything about his behavior, he was sorely mistaken! She was going to-
"May I ask why you're staring?" Zuko's eyes were now open and looking at her quite curiously.
Katara was not staring. She was glaring. A glare is an expression that compounds all of a person's hatred and anger into invisible beams that shoot from their eyes and bore into someone's soul. A stare is an expression of shock, and the way Zuko said it implied ogling. In no way had she been ogling or admiring or memorizing the appearance of him shirtless. That was completely absurd and ridiculous. The only reason she was even looking at him was because there was nothing else to look at. She couldn't very well stare at a tree, could she?
Plus, she was hoping her glare would eventually melt his brain.
Instead of saying all this, Katara averted her gaze to a nearby tree and asked, "Do you have to meditate now?" She was not avoiding the subject; she was ignoring an absurd question.
"I've always meditated in the afternoon," Zuko hesitated, then said, "It doesn't bother you, does it? Your blind friend had been the one around before, so…"
"N-no! It's fine," Katara found herself stuttering. Stupid vocal cords, speaking without her brain's permission!
Zuko's closed his eyes and everything was silent. The only sounds to pierce the peace were the chirping of birds and rustling of leaves.
"I'm sorry," Zuko suddenly said, breaking the relative quiet. "About what I did in Ba Sin Se, I mean. You offered me help, and I betrayed you."
To Katara's surprise, she did not recite the hateful rant she had thought up after his betrayal. Instead, she simply said, "It's okay."
Then her lips acted on their own and twisted into a smile.
Zuko smiled as well, and, despite her best efforts, Katara couldn't deny that it was a beautiful sight.
Author's Notes: First, Happy Thanksgiving to any Canadian readers!
Anyway, I had a lot of fun writing this. Denial and rambling are very entertaining. Hopefully you guys think so, too.
Disclaimer: I do not own 'Avatar' or any of its characters.
