Chapter 7: Stubborn Flame

Little Falcon: I'm back!!! Hopefully, this time it's for good. We'll see. Sorry for the long wait I sincerely wish you didn't forget about me. Off to the latest chapter! Read and review like always.

Standard Disclaimer:I don't own this series. If I did, I'd be the happiest person on earth. All I own was the idea.

Her sapphire eyes looked up at the brilliant half moon above, You guys better stay alive. It had been days since she regained her supposedly 'erased' memories but it only felt like a moment ago when she walked out on them, without saying another word after teaching the avatar how to counter blood bending. If their silent gazes were restraints, she would've been tied down permanently to their side but it wasn't. That's why she's here, miles away from the fire nation palace… worlds away from her family and friends.

What have I done… this question plagues her dreams and wakes her up ever since she realized the dark truth. It was me who caused all of this to happen. All those people… died without reason. With an inhale, the air that filled her lungs seemed to suffocate her instead of the other way around. Overwhelming guilt now became a physical manifestation as she felt something heavy crushing her chest, making it almost impossible to do anything without great effort.

Somehow, her need to be forgiven became synonymous with revenge that was what drove all the way here, away from anyone she holds dear. Suddenly, her train of thoughts was cut short when she heard the altered flow of water from a distance then bullet-like drops shot from everywhere and were aimed directly at her.

The fire she made was doused instantly as she jumped in mid air, evading the attacks flawlessly. Water benders? She dropped expertly on the forest floor and ran straight to avoid being a steady target.

A shadow jumped in front of her, making her jump back and prepare for battle. Upon reflex, Katara drew her twin swords slowly as two others appeared on her sides. These people are…

"We should've killed you when we had the chance," That voice made her skin crawl. Her pupils dilated as she realized who these water benders were. They are… Her mind was in full chaos but her body blocked and evaded each and every water bending they made. With just a flick of their wrist and the movement of their body, she knew what kind of attack would be coming. She didn't become the avatar's water bending teacher for nothing.

"You're better off dead, Katara… or should we call you Azrael?" the other said as he made another desperate attempt to capture her.

Dark clouds crawled in to hide the moon. "Not waiting for the full moon to attack me? Big mistake," the three shadows stepped away from her as they felt their blood freeze in terror, just by meeting her lethal glare. She was a few feet away from them but they felt their every muscle in their body tightened painfully.

"Br…brother… is… she able to…" the other struggled to move but to no avail.

"I…impossible! She's able to use blood bending even…" their desperate attempt to communicate was broken when they saw her hand gradually moving... the movement for a final blow.

Only moments away from sure death, they closed their eyes only to hear roaring flames around them. Upon opening their eyes, they felt their body now able to move but only to have angry flames towering around them.

Why is HE here?! Katara now had to release those three from her hold to prevent other people from knowing about her unique abilities. But in the back of her head, she felt… relieved… safe… something along those lines… because he is at her side now. When their enemies used team effort to escape, the two were left with no choice but to watch them run.

The moonlight peeked through the gaps between the thick clouds. His fire died under his command as he turned around to see her already looking at him. Her confused blue orbs reflecting his handsome face. "What are you doing here Fire Lord?" Her tone was still as cold and distant as ever.

Using her voice in such a way made his heart ache, seeing her safe was the only consolation he got. "Breaking the deal and facing those blood benders alone? Are you suicidal?!" His relief was immediately overpowered by his temper. For days, he had been traveling all over places just to catch up with her but he never came up with a reason why. His breath caught in his throat as he caught sight of her eyes. His heart skipped a beat then raced like there's no tomorrow as he somehow felt that the old her was looking at him.

Keeping the tears from even building in her eyes took more effort than fighting against three water benders. The iron grip on her chest tightened upon seeing his amber eyes so wracked in pain. I can't go back… not after what I've done so please… leave me alone. "Go back, Fire Lord. You're not needed here," she addressed him so formally then turned her back and prepared to leave.

"Katara…" Zukko called so she stopped walking but didn't face him.

"I'm Azrael… the Katara you know is dead," Silently, her tears trickled down her face.

"I love you," a pair of strong arms embraced her from behind as she felt his breath in her hair. "I don't if I'm able to say it now because I've already know the feeling of losing you or because I know you're not her… but I know you're still there, Katara," his hug grew tighter as his voice shook.

The urge to break her pretense was enough to almost make her turn around but reason caught up quick. Katara pried his arms away from him and made a safe distance in between them. "Don't be deluded, Fire Lord. Katara will never return… the sooner you believe it, the better," Her words came out sharp, the way she wanted them to be even if her tears continued to flow.

Rooted on his spot, his amber eyes watched her back. "And just what do you plan to do when you finally catch up with them?" His arms fell like lead on his side. "Kill them?"

Her body began to shake involuntarily upon hearing his statement. In truth, she never thought about the obvious conclusion she would be making. Her lips trembled as she began to speak "Then… I need you to tell me... that what I'm doing is wrong; that I'm just doing it for myself and that nothing good will come of it,"

His eyes lit up immediately as he heard her voice… her true voice that echoes in his mind every time and plagues his dreams every night. This wasn't Azrael talking… this is…

The moon finally appeared as Katara turned around only to have the young Fire Lord's arms wound around her waist and his lips crushing hers. After all the battles and the pretenses, she just lost all her strength and finally gave in to his kiss.

Little Falcon: Read and review please…