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Chapter 2

Zuko POV

There was a light breeze blowing in the warm air. Katara was quiet which didn't surprise me.

"At least its nice out." I said, my voice coming out low and quiet. She looked up at me and smiled. Damn she was absolutely beautiful. The kind of beautiful that girls flaunted and bragged about. Except her. Im not even sure she realized how beautiful she really was. We rounded another corner and came up to this small tan stone house with blue shingles. It was nestled between two larger houses with only hedges separating them. I smiled, it was small, but I felt as though I could call it home. Especially if she lived here. She turned the knob and we stepped inside. I had no time to take in the downstairs because she already was halfway up the blue carpeted stairs. I couldnt help it but stare at her backside. I felt the heat in my face. Teenage hormones suck. I shook my head. We stepped into what I assumed was her bedroom.

It was a deep and dark blue. It matched her eyes. She sat down on her bed and my heart couldn't help but fly.

"Where do we start?" I asked. She pulled out a book on defensive moves.

"Here. 'How to counter your opposite element.'"She whispered. I snagged the book and began to read.

"There are many times in your life where you will encounter an element that is different, but opposites are an exception. Some say that because of having different properties, opposite elements can never co-exist together. But elements like fire and water mix all the time. For example when you're boiling water for tea, each element is present, making something productive rather than destructive. So when fighting an opposite element remember this: co-existing is more important than the destruction that you might cause." I stared at the page. Maybe its the same for people with the opposite element. I shook my head. Katara cleared her throat.

"Well? Should we spar? Or do you have other homework?" her voice was high. Nervous almost.

"I have other homework." I whispered. Our faces were closer than I thought when I looked up. I froze. Katara bit her lip making my heart do somersaults. I locked our eyes, noticing how there was small grey flecks buried within the blue, I studied them intently.

Katara POV

His amber eyes were mesmerizing. Dont freak out, don't freak out, not the time to freak out. My brain was not functioning, it wasn't until now I noticed I wasn't breathing. I broke the gaze and turned and breathed deeply enough to burn my lungs. I dug in my bag for homework. I liked Zuko. He was a lot nicer than other kids seemed to think. Then again his sister probably didn't leave the best impression on people. Especially not on me. I picked up my book on healing properties and began to take serious notes on my readings. I lied on my stomach across my bed to study better. Call me crazy but it helps. Zuko took notice.

"Well I guess I should be comfy too." He said as he adjusted himself into the same position next to me. He smiled at me. I giggled. I couldn't deny it, he was extremely handsome. I smiled back trying to hide the blush that heated my cheeks.

"What's your favorite subject so far?" he asked. His face was slightly closer than was comfortable, but he wasn't trying anything. Zuko was just my friend, and I knew he'd never be much more to me due to who I was.

"I like my class about medicine and healing." I half whispered.

"Really? I would have thought training and fighting was your thing." He cocked his head to the side waiting for an explanation.

"Well, it is, but I really love helping people. And if i'm gifted with the element that has the ability to heal, and I don't learn about it, what's the sense of having that element?" Zuko's eyes seemed to grow soft.

"Oh." He whispered. I almost wanted to ask why he cared, but that sounded really rude.

"Why did you ask?" There that sounded better. He gave a one-sided smile that was stunning.

"Just wondering about you." His voice was scratchy, like he had swallowed sand. I nodded and kept doing notes. I really liked him, he was smart, kind, and over all good. I could tell we would be friends.

Azula POV

"Dad! I'm home with friends!" I said storming through the door, Mai and Ty Lee not far behind. Mother sat on the couch reading some stupid looking book with plants on it.

"Hey honey, where's your brother?" She piped up from behind the pages. Of course that's what you care about! It's always about Zuko. I cleared my throat hearing my father's footsteps.

"He went home with some Water Tribe peasant." I stated casually. Mother opened her mouth, but was cut off.

"He did what?! Why didn't you stop him?" He roared. I put on my best 'daddy's little girl' face. Mai joined in.

"He wouldn't listen! It was awful." I said with close to fake sobs.

"Sir, it was horrible!" Mai chimed with equal mock horror. Mother closed her book with a thud.

"I'm sure there was a good reason, Ozai, dear." Father only glared at the insolent look in her eyes. Mother was so naive, Zuko was only doing this to spite us.

"What was her name?" Father said in my direction. I smirked, I simply couldn't help myself.

"Katara. I think they live on the lower east side of the city." As I continued to speak, his growls grew louder, he turned in his regular tuxedo, and grabbed his keys storming past Mai and I. I followed, turning to Mai.

"I told you he wouldn't get away with it this easily." I whispered. From the revving in my father's engine, i'd say he was far from getting away with it.

Katara POV

I couldn't help but notice the glances Zuko kept throwing in my direction. They were shy, peeking like a child, glances. I tried not to blush or giggle in embarrassment. We continued this little tag game of looks for a while. Zuko finally cleared his throat.

"So, what are you doing for homecoming?" I stopped breathing.

"I uh….nothing?" It was a question. Stupid, you sounded stupid. Zuko smiled anyway.

"I was wondering if instead of that, you wanted to hang out?" His voice sounded so nervous. I felt the blush increase to a boil on my face. His face was red too, almost worse than mine.

"I'd...uh...love to." I stammered out finally. He smiled the biggest smile I had ever seen on him. I smiled too. I slapped his arm playfully.

"Is this why you asked to come over?" He laughed. I had never heard him laugh. It was the sweetest thing i'd ever heard. It was throaty and deep, but soft and gentle.

"No, in truth, I really like you and I could tell I wanted to spend more time with you." Each blush was fading into the next for the both of us. My face was hot, too hot for my liking. Suddenly,

"Katara! I'm home!" said a voice like gravel.

"Shit." I muttered. Zuko looked up in concern. "My dad's home." I stated. His eyes got big and he swallowed. Without thinking twice I grabbed his hand dragging him out of my room and down the stairs.

Zuko POV

I'm so dead. Her fathers voice struck fear into me. I wanted desperately to run and jump out the window. Oh Agni help me please, I thought. I glanced down. Our hands were locked as we walked down the stairs. I couldn't help but notice the contrast in our skin tones. And how absolutely perfect they looked together. Katara let go, dropping her hand to her sides as I shoved mine into my pants pocket. I sighed at the fact that she would never like me in a romantic sense. Katara pushed the swing door open that lead to the kitchen, there sat her father. He sat in a chair untying his dark brown boots. He had the shoulders of an earth bender, he looked like he could rip me in half. He had many dark blue tribal tattoos with a blue sleeveless shirt much like Sokka's. He had a goatee and a warriors wolf tail hair cut. It was easy to see where Sokka got his influences from. There was no hiding the glare and frown on his features.

"Who's this?" He growled. I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"Dad, this is my friend Zuko, he offered to walk me home and study with me." Katara said, her voice soft and high.

"Oh, you're the prince? Interesting." He grumbled. I nodded. I turned to face Katara.

"I should be going anyway. I'll get my things." I said, I turned but he stopped me.

"No no, Katara go grab his things, i'd like a word." He said his eyes leering over me. Katara and I locked eyes. They trembled with fear, I forced a smile as she walked away. Once she was gone I turned to him.

"I'm Chief Hakoda. Whether you're a prince or not, that does not change what i'll do to you if you hurt her in any way. Deal?" He grumbled standing up and shaking my hand vigorously. I found my voice.

"Anyone who would hurt your daughter in any way is a monster. I'm not a monster, and besides we're just friends." That last part was difficult to mask the sadness. Hakoda nodded, liking my answer, then he paused.

"Friends…...for now." He turned on his heal leaving me to think. Katara bounded down the stairs with my back pack. I opened the door and we both walked outside. I threw my bag over my shoulder.

"We should do this more often." I stated, turning to gaze at her face. She smiled brightly.

"How's tomorrow sound?" Katara's voice was like bells.

"Hell yeah." I said. she laughed. I stepped forward and hugged her tightly. It was either fate or bad timing for that hug because a car came flying around the corner. My father's car.

"Oh shit."

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