5. Zuko's Dream
(Zuko)
"...but I am ready to forgive you," she hugged me with such emotion I never knew I would feel. She reminded me of somebody, or rather the opposite of somebody. Immediately I thought of Mai. I thought of how she kissed me, and couldn't help but wonder how different Katara's kisses would be.
As my mind wandered back to months ago I slowly drifted into sleep. The kind of sleep that leaves you wanting more when you wake up. I dreamed of Katara, of how beautiful she was with the wind in her hair, of how close we had become over time, and also of how I wished we could be closer.
When I awoke I found my self alone in Appa's saddle in the middle of a grove. I tried to shake the dream out of his head. Aang was my friend. I couldn't think of such things when Aang and Katara were already together. Soon Aang would be marrying age, and Katara would, no doubt, accept his hand. But still my head ached with beautiful visions of Katara and I. I wished it possible, but I knew that I wouldn't risk everything for it... would I?
"Oh good, your awake," I stood to find Katara trying to drag a huge log over to a makeshift camp. I smiled and climbed off the bison.
"Need some help," I chuckled inwardly and picked up the piece of wood, trying not to give away that it was indeed heavy. I must have though because I heard her giggle.
When the fire was started we sat on opposite sides. We chatted a bit and talked about where to go next. We would take turns at the reigns, her taking the day shift, I the night. Although this would mean we would hardly ever be awake together, I was rather relived.
Then a loud growl came from within the forest. "Uh, Katara, maybe we should get on the bison," I said nervously. I was too late. Slowly it came into veiw, and before she could run the beast had Katara screaming and pinned down. I grabbed my sword and rushed to her, running as fast as I could-- No, something was wrong! I ran and ran, but she just kept getting farther away, I couldn't reach her, all I could do was watch her be devoured! "Nooo!"
(Katara)
"No!" I heard a scream from Appa's saddle and quickly climbed up to Zuko to find him sitting up, panting, like he had been running. I couldn't help but notice how strong he looked with nothing but sleeping pants on. He must have changed when the wind became warm.
"What's wrong," I climbed up into the saddle, knowing that Appa would maintain a straight course, and sat next to him. "Are you okay?" I blushed furiously as his muscles flexed when he put his tunic on.
"Yeah, sorry, just a bad dream," his face was red too. He picked up the reigns and said, "I'll take this shift, you get some rest."
(Zuko)
Even though I was supposed to be steering the bison, I couldn't stop staring at her. I was so glad she was alive. For now at least. I still hadn't told her how dangerous this journey would be, in fear that she would leave me to face it alone. The dream had changed my mind. I couldn't let Aang get in the way, or someday I could lose her. But I couldn't pursue her just yet. I knew that I had to break up with Mai first, and ask Aang for... well... permission? Was the fire lord really going to ask a twelve year old for permission? I decided yes.