A:n/ I don't know whether to make this Zutara or Kataang after all! People- please post your opinions on my reviews! Thanks xxx
Aang POV
A twig snapped about 5 metres away from me.
I sprang up- ready to face my attacker.
Katara.
'Oh...' I threw my arms around her- almost to make sure that she was really there.
'Oh, Aang...' She wept quietly, hugging me tightly.
Her hair was dishevelled, her beautiful eyes shining with tears and mouth quivering with fright.
'Are you okay? Did he hurt you?' My voice grew stronger- more angry.
'N...no.' She shook her head though her voice was uncertain and feeble.
'Katara- if he has...' I began, ready to fight for her but a loud snore interrupted us.
'Sokka!' Katara leapt towards her brother, who had just opened his weary eyes.
'Katara...I...' He swept her off her feet, embracing her and kissing her cheek.
'I am so sorry...I will never fail you again- I promise.' He said, his voice was shaky and high with emotion.
'I love you, Sokka. You're the best brother a girl could wish for.' Katara wept quietly, her tears falling onto Sokka's Water nation tunic.
Staining it cobalt blue.
'Oh...Katara? Is it really you? Are you really here?' Sokka looked as serious as I'd ever seen him.
I nodded, placing a hand on my friend's shoulder.
'It's really her...' I trailed off, wanting desperately to hold her again. To assure her that everything was okay.
That I loved her.
'Do-D-do you want to erm... talk about it?' Sokka asked gently, as Katara sank down next to the campfire.
'No...I...I just want to f-f-forget...' She couldn't form a sentence. I ground my teeth in fury- Zuko would pay.
For doing this to Katara.
Katara tried to say something but winded up with her mouth open, silent.
'We can talk later, Katara.' Sokka rubbed her back gently and set a place for her to sleep.
'You need to get some rest.' He said maturely, his older brother instinct kicking in.
'I...I love you Katara.' He muttered before sitting back on his own place.
'Love you too...even if all I have to contribute to this troupe is 'mumbo-jumbo'...' Katara gave him a wry smile, referring to his denial of Spirit Magic.
'That may be Katara, but you know I'd kill for you.' Sokka said seriously, his hand tightened on his familiar boomerang.
'I know.' Katara nodded at Sokka, who immediately tried to make her smile by pulling a funny face.
It half-worked.
Katara sighed and laid down, obviously exhausted from her ordeal.
I made a stern promise to watch her all night if I had to, to protect her.
And judging by the determined way Sokka was fingering all his weapons- I'd say he was preparing to do the same.
Katara POV
Poor Aang and Sokka. I never wanted to put them through this, through what was yet to come.
Even now, I felt tears sliding down my cheeks, not from fear or pain as Aang and Sokka suspected, but from regret.
I missed him. I missed Zuko.
I knew, that even now- I loved him. I did.
But I also loved Aang and Sokka. Maybe, a wiser, stronger girl could make the decision that I couldn't.
I couldn't hurt either of them, so ultimately I was losing both of them.
I wish there was a way around this, somehow- something that I could do to be two people at once.
Zuko...
His beautiful, golden eyes- always watching and studying me. Always wanting to protect me.
Aang, so sweet- so kind. Would throw himself in front of me- any time. If it meant protecting me.
Sokka, my big brother, would sacrafice everything for his little sister, the same way he would for his tribe. His loyalty was unquestionable.
I dreaded to think how Zuko reacted to my disappearance. I didn't want to think about it.
It hurt too much.
I felt sleep taking over, as I cried myself into oblivion. Cursing my weakness, but yet- embracing dreams. Because I knew of one thing.
One thing i could depend.
I would dream of him.
And that was a small comfort...
Zuko POV
I love her.
I love her.
I loved her.
She left me.
WHY?
I felt tears coming to my eyes, for the first time since the Agni Kai.
Why?
I sobbed to myself, memories- painful and bittersweet came flooding back to me.
'Mom...Katara...' Why did everyone I love leave me? Why did they abandon me like this?
I was never evil, I never wanted to be this. I just wanted to be normal, to be loved.
Fate it seems, has other plans for me.
You're a fool Zuko.
A big fool.
You deserve you've got.
What? A large scar, disfiguring my face? No friends, no family who care for me, no Katara? Is that what I deserve?
Love brings weakness, Zuko. Remember Ursa- so weak...
Shut up! She was NOT weak!
Yes, she was...so was Azulon and Iroh...all weak...-
-'Zuko?' Uncle knocked timidly on the door.
I felt like raging at him, burning down the ship. I'd lost everything.
'Uncle?' I faced him curtly, trying to rein in my emotions.
'I know you loved her, nephew. You're like a son to me. I know when you hurt.' Uncle said matter-of-factly.
'Why did she do it? Why did she have to leave me? I could have made her happy, I wouldn't have treat her as anything lower than what she is- a lady of honor. Why did she have to go?' My voice broke in despair as I broke down.
Uncle patted my back. 'Keep strong Zuko.'
'Well how can I? I'm so weak! I should never have allowed myself to feel!' I spat at him, snarling my words like a monster.
Uncle jumped back a little.
'Zuko, you and I both know that that is your father talking- not you.' He said quietly, though his voice barely disguised his horror.
'Well, now I've lost her- I've lost the Avatar!' I said, venting my anger in that direction.
'You and I both know that that is not true either. it wasn't about the Avatar, though in truth- I feel sorry for that young boy. You and I both know, that it was never about the Avatar. It was always about her.' He said wisely. I hadn't fooled anyone.
'If not, just for companionship- those few days with her- Uncle, they mean more to me than the rest of life.'
'Then hold onto that, Zuko. If it meant as much to her as it did to you- she'll be back. I don't know how long it will be- but she will come back.'
Uncle left me to my thoughts.
Yeah, he was right.
I just had to wait.
But it was so damn heart-breaking.