I think you guys are gonna like this chapter, it's pretty heated, especially for zutarians. I'm sorry if the Zutara came on a bit suddenly, this is my first fanfic.

And it might be a little out of character for Zuko, but I try to stick to their characters as much as I can.

I would like to thank the following: Daddysgirl3001, JuneTheZutarian, True Rarity, and Kataangfanfics, for following. Especially JuneTheZutarian and Kataangfanfics for reviewing also.

I would also like to apologize to JuneTheZutarian for misspelling her user when I thanked her on one of the previous chapters

Zuko's POV

I drag Katara into the room and shove her onto the bed. Then I sit down. And I look at her. She's very beautiful, I realize. With her fierce blue eyes and long dark hair that hung around her in waves. Even with blood on her face and dark bags under her eyes, she's probably the most beautiful girl I've ever seen.

I have to hurt her. I have to prove to the Avatar that my threats aren't just threats; they're promises that I will keep and follow through with. I take my knife from my back pocket, pressing it to her face. Katara remains so still, her expression a frozen mask of emotionlessness. That's' brave. I realize I like that braveness. I like the shine that that braveness gives to her already beautiful eyes.

I can't hurt that face any more than I already have. Letting out a breath, I back away. Her lips are parted in surprise as she also lets out a breath. I have to hurt her. I have to. So I take my blade and slash it across her forehead.

It doesnt bleed much, doesnt look like hurts that much either. I should do worse, they almost escaped. But for some reason, I can't make myself.; I would have been fine with hurting her three days ago. Instead, I leave again. But this time I don't slam the door. I leave it a crack open and see what she does. She wipes her forehead with her sleeve and collapses on the bed. I lock the door and leave.

Aang's POV

Zuko moved me from the prison hold to a room. Not one as grand as Katara's, but still. The rooms had no windows; Zuko wasn't taking any chances. Now instead of opening the door to give me food, he slides it through a mail-slot-like-thing in the door. So it's not really an improvement, since I rarely sleep on a bed usually anyway.

I wonder would happen to me if Zuko did give me to the Fire Lord. He wouldn't kill me, probably; I would just be reborn again, into another avatar. With a shudder I remember something Zhao said when he captured me. I'll keep you alive. Just barely. That's worse than a quick would almost definitely kill Katara. I can't allow that to happen.

The door creaked open and Zuko walked in. I didn't have the energy to be angry.

"What did you do to Katara?" I hesitates for a moment, looks like he changed his mind on what he was going to say. That's how I know the next thing he says will be a lie. It becomes more obvious when he says,

"A l-lot. There was blood everywhere. It must have been gruesome for the guards present at the time to watch. But nothing compared to what I'll do if you try anything again."

I smirk and lay back on the bed, annoying him. "Thanks, for the room and for the confirmation that you didn't hurt her too much. Glad I got that off my mind, and now I know you wont hurt her for whatever the reason. Maybe cause you actually are human." Of course I hated Zuko, but I knew it wasn't his fault. The monks always told me to let my anger out and then let it go. Forgive, don't seek revenge. Zuko was one of the people that deserved a second chance the most.

"Maybe you are human," I repeat, half to myself.

Zuko's POV

Maybe you are human. It makes me remember something the avatar said to me before.

You know what the worst part of being born over a hundred years ago is? I miss all the friends I used to hang out with. Before the war started, I used to always visit my friend Kuzon. The two of us, we'd get in and out of so much trouble together. He was one of the best friends I ever had, and he was from the Fire Nation just like you. If we knew each other back then, do you think we could have been friends too? And in response to that, I had firebended at him. Attacked him.

No, I think. I don't think I'm nearly as human as you. That is probably the most honest things I've said to myself. I look at the Avatar, Aang, for a second before I hand him the food and leave.

As I'm walking back to my quarters, I feel an odd thought strike me. A type of thinking I don't usually think. Were Katara and the Avatar . . .together? Why do you care? I scold myself. She's just a pretty water-tribe peasant. An enemy of the Fire Nation. Both of them were enemies of the fire nation.

I remember something my uncle told me. Who are you? What do you want, and why?

What if I wanted Katara to not be an enemy of the fire nation? I just don't quite know why I want that yet.