Author Note: So im slowly getting over my review fear. SLOWLY. This chapter is for AnnaAza because she asked a very important question "how can you fall in love in a few days" and i found it funny cause this chapter was about that question LOL(: So yes. i decided once more to update sooner rather than later because YES. i am stalling on homework. As long as i have homework, you all get a chapter(:

i still love everyone who reviewed. Most Definitely.

I Do Not Own Avatar. I only invited the characters over for some tea.

x x Chapter Seven x x

It was like that moment in a dream where all you wanted to do was wake up. Katara stared at the fire bender in front of her. Her mind racing as she tried to think of what to say. Sure, she liked Zuko. He was kind and sweet and different than how she remembered and pictured him to be. Yet she questioned, almost wondered, his sincerity. She grew up in a land that was covered in snow and hoped every day for a source of heat. A source that would not only warm her on the outside, but reach down to the very core of her heart. She wanted to grow up normal, to find love and get married, but she got the opposite. She lost her mother, fought a war, and was given a fiance.

She could feel Zuko looking at her, his grasp light on her hand as he stared at her. She was never one for confrontation. When Sokka stole her fish she just send a water whip to his head. When Aang kept bugging her during training, she trapped him in a water bubble. She had never once needed to say something to someone's face unless she was angry. Yet how was she suppose to respond? In her heart, a small part of her wanted to believe Zuko. She wanted to think that he loved her and would never leave. Yet this was Zuko. He was the one who kept trying to kidnapped Aang. He was the one who wanted honor above everything. Was he the one who could fall in love with someone so soon?

"Can... I answer that question later?" she asked softly as she tried to find her voice.

Zuko smiled. It was a small smile, but it was still there. He had known that she would needed time. He told himself continuously in those small minutes that he would have to wait a little bit more. He continued to pull her along. The rest of the walk was silent. The only talk was made by the approaching stars that lit the sky.

"Katara, Zuko, welcome home," Iroh said as he greeted them at the door, "How was your day out in the city?"

Zuko had stopped and told Iroh everything that they did. He told them how happy Haku, Yue, and Rose were when they first saw the house. He mentioned the small mishap with the restaurant and even brought up the slutty waitress that wanted to jump into his lap. Katara soon excused herself as she walked to Zuko's room. She had too much on her mind and as much as she loved Uncle Iroh, she needed quiet.

"Uncle," Zuko said softly after a few moments, "Today, I told Katara that I love her,"

The old general looked at the young boy in front of him, "What was her response?" He questioned with pure curiosity.

"That's the thing, she said that she would tell me later on. Aren't people normally greeted with an answer on the spot?" He asked with pure genuine worry in his voice, "All those plays you dragged me too showed the guy confessing his love and getting a kiss or hug in response; along with a 'I Love You'"

For a moment Iroh's heart fell. He didn't really know how he had forgotten, but he just remembered that Zuko was only 18. He wasn't just his nephew, but the Fire Lord. The lives of hundreds of people were in his hand. Zuko was never good with his actions. He either showed it or he didn't. It was either wrong, horribly wrong, or somewhat acceptable. It pained him to watch him grow up and pained him to be deprived of something he desperately needed all his life, love. "Prince Zuko, do you think that Katara questions your confession?"

The Fire Lord looked at him, his eyes tiered as he tried to think about what his Uncle was saying. Iroh found it more enjoyable if someone "learned from wisdom." He, however, had no time to decode anything. Or in this case, see the obvious.

"What do you mean uncle?"

"I mean, one doesn't normally confess their love to someone in just a few days. Especially with the past that you two hold. Are you sure that Katara isn't confused?"

Zuko wondered for a moment and suddenly knew what he had meant. Katara thought that his words held no meaning, which he guessed made sense. Only an idiot would confess their love to someone after only a few days. Which meant he was a moron. He didn't plan it through all the way. He didn't give her flowers or whispered sweet words into her ear. He had just confessed in front of everyone because he felt that it was the right moment to do so. Idiot.

"Why did you tell her you that you love her already? It's like you to not plan ahead on things," Iroh asked

"I don't know," he answered, "it just felt right to say... It didn't feel like a few days to me, It felt like years,"

Iroh smiled at his Nephew. Felt like years? He supposed that could be true. Zuko held a small liking toward the water bender in his earlier teen years, but was always in denial because he was royalty and she was a... peasant. When he had first gotten hold on the Bridal Necklace he never let it out of his sight. He held onto it as though it was the last thing he owned, the last object that he could protect. At the time it was said that he wanted to use it as bait. Yet one night Iroh had walked into his nephew's room. The fire bender had fallen asleep on his bed and the general was going to pull the covers over him before it got too cold. Upon reaching his side Iroh had noticed the necklace laying gently in Zuko's hand. He had held it close to his chest, almost as though he wanted the object to merge with his heart. It wasn't until only then that Iroh began to realize Zuko's true feelings, even if Zuko didn't realize it himself.

"Perhaps you should explain to her your feelings, Nephew," Iroh said as he walked away, "All the paper work are done for a while, feel free to clear your mind a bit now."

Zuko knew what he had to do. He knew what he wanted to do. He didn't want Katara to think that his words held no meaning. Everything Zuko said had a meaning. He was Zuko. His word was law. Almost as though it was tugging in the back of his soul he knew what his next move was. Slowly he made his way to his bedroom, his hand on the door knob as he opened it. Katara was sitting on his bed looking at the wall, her mind clearly occupied as he made his way over, "Katara, want to go for a small walk with me?"

The water bender looked at him as though he was crazy. They had just came home because it was getting late. However, she got up and smiled while nodding. As they made they way back out of the palace, Zuko took hold of her hand, a slight shock running through their body as their skin touched. Zuko walked with Katara down the old grassy path. It wasn't a long walk, or a short one. There was nothing but trees and a small pond when they had finally stopped. What was so important about this place that he wanted to come here? Of course, no one knew about this place. It was a place sacred to him. Whenever Azula would make fun of him he would run here. Whenever his dad would strike him he would run here. This was his haven and he had never let anyone in, but here she was standing in the same spot that he had cried so many times before.

"Katara," Zuko said softly, "I know today I told you that I love you,"

Katara gulped as she heard those words again from his mouth. She silently nodded.

"I know it seems stupid and strange. Falling in love after a few days of being together. All we ever done was fight. A few years ago I was scared. I was scared when I joined your group. Everyone tried to open up to me besides you,"

"Well... I..." Katara started before she realized that she didn't have an answer. She didn't want anything to do with him back then. He was a traitor and a jerk who joined their group to train Aang. All he wanted was his freedom. He didn't care about the people. He didn't care about the nation. He just wanted to over throw his father. But that was back then...

"I never had any real form of love, besides the one I got from Uncle Iroh. I didn't have a brother who wanted me to cook him fish or a dad who wanted to protect me. I didn't have a village on my side when I was growing up and it was hard to befriend people with this scar on my face," he said as he turned to look at her, his hand brushing his hair aside to show the burnt mark that ran across his face, "I didn't think I was ever going to get love. I wasn't good at romance. I wasn't the ideal guy for anyone. I wanted to train with my ex girlfriend and she dumped me because that? That was our anniversary gift!" he yelled embarrassed as he saw Katara let out a small giggle. "I'm selfish. I'm stubborn. I wanted to fall in love with you before we got married because I wanted to feel love." His hand slowly reached for her wraist. "and in every kiss we had, every time our hand linked together; I felt something that I never had before and I wanted more."

Katara was blushing. Blushing at the sincerity and at the honesty he was giving her. Yes, she had thought his words were fake. She thought that he wanted to just tell her he loved her so that she was more com fable around him. Here he was standing in front of him. Her former enemy, her former hatred, her fiance. She knew he was telling the truth. She could hear it in his voice; she could see the fear run through his eyes as he thought about his next words. He admitted that he was scared that she hated him. The honesty was refreshing in some sense. Zuko had never opened up to her on this level and normally he would revert to his old self, but this time he seemed intent to making her understand his ways.

"I already lost my family. Azula's in jail and dad died. Uncle Iroh is there, but how long until he leaves too? I have lost everything that ever meant something to me and I don't want to lose you. I just got you... and I know it's unfair. I know it's selfish. I know that maybe I can't be the perfect guy for you. I'm stubborn and hot tempered, I'm a freaking fire bender! I can't control myself sometimes, but all i'm asking you," He said as he looked into her eyes, "Is if you would please, give me a chance to be someone you want to spend the rest of your life with."

Katara looked at him and at that moment, she forgot everything that she thought about him before. She had forgotten how she had rampaged through her village for an entire week upon finding out that she was marrying Prince Zuko. She had forgotten that he was the very element that she had detested. She forgotten how she wanted a normal life like a normal girl. After all, being normal was over reated. She looked up, her eyes shined over with tears as she processed everything he had just said.

"I'm so sorry that we met the way we did so many years ago. If I could, If i was given that chance, I would redo everything. I would stand in the fire nation way when they had invaded your penguins. I would have fought my father back if it meant giving you your childhood. I would have held your hand whenever you fell down in battle, stand by your side instead of trying to kidnap someone, Katara I need you. I don't know if what i'm feeling is love. I've never felt love before. Yet today when I said it, it felt as though it was the only word that could describe how I felt toward you."

Katara stopped him, her mouth against his as a tear fell down her eyes. Sure, he was Zuko. Sure he was stubborn and hot-tempered. Yet even though he puts on the "tough guy" act, he was still a 18 year old boy who was lost when it came to love. He kind of was like Sokka. The water bender pulled away as she laid her head on his chest, his heart beat was faster than normal.

"Zuko," She mustered out, "I... did question whether or not you really meant it, but I think my mind has changed. Perhaps by the end of this week, we can fall in love... but until then..."

Zuko nodded, "Don't tell me you love me until you're absolutely sure, Katara" he said as he planted a kiss on her cheek. "Let's head home."

Home. It was such a simple word. It was only 4 letter and meant nothing, but a place that you stay in. Yet saying "home" to Katara felt good. It made Zuko feel happy that she was going to be there when he comes home. She was going to be there when he fell asleep and come out to eat when they woke up. He didn't care if he was the Fire Lord. He finally remembered something that he had forgotten. He was still young. His hand reached for Katara's as he wiggled his fingers in between hers. They almost fit perfectly.

"almost perfect," he said as he looked at her, the moon lighting their way as they walked home.

"Almost?" she asked as she looked at their hands.

"Uncle always said that when you find someone you like or love, their hands fit perfectly together,"

"Than why does ours only almost fit together?" Katara asked as her blue eyes stared into the red of Zuko's.

"Because, It's almost perfect. When we start to go out, it moves a little closer toward perfect, "He said as he placed a small kiss on her hand, "When we grow to know each other more and more... it'll be almost there." He picked her up gently, her body falling into his arms as he carried her forward bridal style, "And when we finally say 'I Love You' to one another... it'll fit perfectly,"

"You're a big sap, Zuko" Katara said with a small giggle.

"And you're going to be the only one who ever knows that,"

x x x

Author Note : So what happened was, i had written this chapter out in one night because i was pulling an all nighter. I go to my AP Class and then comes home, my laptop needed to be restarted. I Went to save the word document and i pushed "Don't Save" instead of "Save" because i didn't read them correctly ! So I'm sorry if it wasn't top not. I wanted to post this today because PRIZE ! There will be a new chapter tomorrow(: So please enjoy and thank you.

x Chapter eight Preview x

"Good Morning Fire Lady,"

"Good Morning Alarm Clock,"

"Alarm clock?" Zuko asked, "Do I look like an annoying device made to spite teenagers?"

"Why must you always wake me right when the sun rises? You don't see me keeping you up when the moon comes out," she asked yawning

Zuko frowned slightly and rolled over on top on her. He leaned his mouth close to her ear as he let out a small groan. "How will you ever survive our honey moon, Katara?" He asked slowly, "Then again you're right, you don't keep me up at night. However, I plan to keep you up all night when we say 'I Do.' I was going to kiss you like this," he mumbled as his lips met her neck, "and while the sun comes up, I'm going to wake you up in a very, very special way."