Going to bring this chapter up to the new episodes, I was actually surprised with how well they fit into this fanfiction, it made me sooo happeh I would also like to give a big thank you to all my reviewers, especially solarecilpse who gave some great advice to me! Thank you! On this advice I will be making my chapters longer and more descriptive, though this might take me longer to do, so please bear with me on it -

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The questions Katara asked where more personal than she possibly realized, Zuko had merely said that he was not meant to hide from her in Jest, not meaning for his words to be taken so seriously, but now Katara was demanding things from him, things he did not feel overly comfortable sharing with her. Not from embarrassment per say, more of a wish to avoid attention. Well okay he would admit it was more embarrassment, he was not fond of talking about his feelings, so to be readily asked to share personal information, well it was a lot to ask. His golden eyes faltered as thoughts swam through his head, he could always refuse to answer her, tell her that she was over stepping her boundaries and that he was entitled to have some secrets, but the results of doing that could be catastrophic, what would happen if he refused to answer her? She seemed alright with him now, but if he didn't answer her question, then she might think him to be plotting against them. After all, she didn't trust him after Ba Sing Se, and she even read his journal thinking it was a letter or mission from Azula, Was saving himself a small amount of embarrassment really worth having her go cold and untrusting of him once again? He turned to face her, the thoughts swimming in his mind adding a somewhat urgent look in his eyes, he had to make it clear to her that this was nothing untrustworthy, he realized just then that he did not want to loose her trust that he was slowly earning back.

Katara would admit that she was not fully prepared for the intensity of Zuko's eyes when he turned to look to her, they had only been simple questions, at least to her mind, so why now did he turn to her like that, his amber gaze so intent, so focused. Focused on her, She could not deny the fact that her heat skipped a beat when she thought of Zuko's focus being solely on her, nor was she able to resist the blush that spread over her features. She dropped her gaze, her stomach was churning and her fingers began to fidget all the more. Why did he turn to her like that? And why did she suddenly become aware that she was alone with him, in his room, on his bed. She felt her heart begin to hammer against her chest; her mind was telling her to run from the room, despite the fact that she had asked a question, if she were to run away from him, she could deny the feelings he was causing, she could prolong the inevitable fact that she was finding hard to face. She could pretend that she did not like Zuko.

When Katara looked away, Zuko furrowed his brow, she went red again, but Zuko thought nothing of it, why would he? But seeing her looking down like that, a pang of guilt came over him, he must have done something to make her uncomfortable, he reasoned that he must have looked hostile, after all, they were alone together, and he was pretty intense, to make sure, he examined how he was feeling, he did notice he had tensed up somewhat at the thought of answering her questions, his shoulders were ridged and his fist were clenched, he had also leaned in closer to Katara then he first meant to, then he left out a calming breath, using it to ease his mind and let go of the tension in his body, but this seemed to startle Katara a little more, perhaps he was a little close to her, he had lent into her, so perhaps if he gave her a little room she would relax, he chose then to sit back against the wall, to give her as much room as he could, but still be within ear shot, that done he began to almost whisper his response. He thought it best to whisper, as she seemed like she would run from the room any second, and for some reason, that was the last thing he wanted to happen.

"Katara, I said before you had a way of asking personal things without realizing it… I am not very good at talking about myself, or my feelings, but I suppose I should explain my strange behavior, I didn't think I was acting so differently today, but I guess I am just to easy to read. Well, I don't know if it will really mean anything to you, but the I guess the main reason I am acting this way is, well its is because today is the anniversary of my ascension"

Katara froze when Zuko took that deep breath, She felt it fall lightly on her shoulder, and it made her realize just how close he had gotten, how easy to could be to turn and make contact with him, this thought alone made her turn a shade darker, she could not think of Zuko that way, this was Zuko! She was meant to hate him not want to… she felt him move behind her, her body then seemed to turn to stone, she unable to turn to face him, and unable to flee, she just sat there and tried to ignore how intimate his voice sounded as he began to whisper a reply to her question, she also ignored the prickly sensation what was crawling up and down her arms, to do this, she tired to focus on the words he was saying. And he was right his words did not hold any meaning for her, they just left her more feeling more confused, and wishing for more answers. but more answers meant more questions, and more questions meant having to spend more time with him, and while one part of her leapt at the opportunity, another part of her was afraid, and as though those two parts of her were coming to an understanding she heard her voice responding, while her body refused to turn to face him.

"Ascension? To what?"

Katara did not turn to look at Zuko as she said this, and Zuko just found that worrying, She must not trust him, she might have thought it was something sinister, like ascension to power, well he supposed it was in a way, but not in a bad way, just, well he was over thinking things himself, for now he was concerned with getting her attention. There were a lot of ways he could go about that, he could move towards her and make her look at him forcefully, but even as the thought crossed his mind he knew that was a bad idea, he could ignore her till she looked to see if he was going to answer, but then she might get the wrong impression and just leave in a huff, no, he had to do something to make her turn around herself, but know it was because he wanted her to, and so he drew a leg behind her and prodded her back slightly with his foot, when she did not turn the first time, he repeated the action, it was slightly amusing to see her shoulders slump forward with a slight umph sound, but it was even more satisfying when she turned somewhat angry eyes, He gave her a cocky smile and then he continue talking

"The formal name for it is 'The right of Angi', it is a firebenders birth, or in short our ascension, today marks the day that I became a firebender, and became a 'true citizen of the Firenation'"

Zuko said the last line in a some what drawling tone that made Katara smile, this in turn making Zuko smile genuinely, he patted the bed beside him, inviting her to sit back with him, and to this she frowned, she was safe from this distance, it gave her an easy way to escape, it also let her heart slow down and gave her enough distance to hide her reddened cheeks. But there was that happy voice in the back of her head, it was screaming at her, saying things like 'look, he is inviting you to sit next to him, that must mean he likes you too' and 'if you get closer to him, and listen to him, maybe you can tell him how you feel?' she did not want to listen to that voice, but it seemed her body was revolting against her, she turned on the bed and made her way to sit beside him, the only thing she managed to do was keep a decent space between herself and Zuko, She refused to cuddle up next to him, even if the little voice in her head was telling her how easy it would be.

"Okay… I will explain it as best as I can, but, can you promise not to tell on me? It's not like today is a bad thing or anything, but, I just don't want a big deal made out of it, I would like to remember today for how it was"

Zuko seemed almost childish as he asked her imploringly not to tell the group what he was telling her, she found herself looking at him and thinking the situation all too cute, she half smiled and then nodded to Zuko, and Zuko took this as being good enough, and Katara's eyes widened slightly as she began to realize just how much Zuko trusted her, however, before she could voice this, Zuko continued on with his explanation

"You see in the Firenation, it is a great honor to have a bender in your family, So we tend to celebrate the day we first begin to bend, When we wake, we greet the sun and thank it for its guidance over the last year, then we celebrate the day with our family, showing gratitude to the spirits for protecting us that year, then traditionally we are meant to spar against another firebender, to show what we have learned from our previous bout. So I guess that answers two of your questions… as for the smile… well…"

Zuko looked down, Katara seemed to note his breathing becoming a bit more rapid and his brow creasing a bit more, so far what he told her was not personal, but looking from his reactions now, it seemed that this was the part he was uncomfortable telling her, a bout of guilt washed over her for prying into matters that did not really concern her, but she was curious now and she found she really wanted to hear what he was going to say. She felt an urge to reach out and touch him, just place a hand upon him to tell him that it was alright, to show him that she was there for him, but she held herself back from taking such an action. Instead she sat there in the silence, waiting till he was ready. But the silence seemed to stretch on for an eternity, and Katara feared that he was not going to answer at all, after an age (or possibly only a few second, but in katara's mind time was stretching longer then normality)Katara could not hold it back any longer, she raised a trembling hand and left her fingers reach forward, she sought to touch his scared cheek once again, almost reaching it. but he found his voice at that moment, she brought her hand back quickly, letting it rest in her lap, she tried not to think on what she had wanted to do, instead she once more focused upon Zuko's voice, listening to its soft whispers that Katara was finding herself loving and hating for the same reason

"Every year at my ascension I would have the eyes of my family thrown upon me, I would be made to spar, and every year I would loose my bout, My mother would praise me for trying my best, because she said that was what she loved about me, she said I never gave up, and that's what made me strong. but my Father did not think that way, he would always look at me with cold uncaring eyes, you see, even though I am older then her, Azula began to Firebend a week after I did, and so she was chosen as my sparing partner, I have never once beaten her. All my years of training only showed that I was weak in my father's eyes, unable to best my sister who was younger, and unable to improve because all I ever felt like was a failure. I began to see that day as nothing but a day that marked my failures, and I never looked forward to it. Even in my quest to find Aang, I never celebrated this day, and my crew never mentioned it either. I guess this was the first year that I felt I could have this day to myself, it was the first time that I did not feel it marked me as a failure, I felt proud to be a firebender today, and to secretly celebrate it with people that I find I now care about."

"Zuko…" Katara found herself growing steadily guilty as Zuko began to explain why he had the smile, she did not doubt him, but she realized only now, how personal her question was. She had asked it without thinking, and now here he was explaining that for the first time in his life he felt at peace enough to celebrate a day that should mean so much to him, Then something unexpected happened. Katara felt his lips upon the skin of her temple, her head began to swim as she tried to register what was happening, her senses elated, Zuko had kissed her, even if it was only on her forhead, his lips had still touched to her skin, she thought she would burst for the feeling of joy that was spreadin through her veins, Zuko was standing and holding a hand out to her, his smile never faltering now, she idly reached her hand out to him and wondered what was going on, as her fingers curled over his out stretched palm, all that joy she was feeling suddenly left to his next set words.

"I wish I could have had a sister like you, without even trying to, you just make me feel better. I am beginning to feel like I am part of a family here, I find myself caring about Aang like a brother and Toph and you, you are the best sisters a guy could ever have, I might have to ask Sokka if he will trade with me"

Katara saw the humor in his face, and even attempted a laugh with him. But she suddenly felt sick, a sister, he saw her like a sister. She felt as though the ground was falling away from her, and she almost didn't hear Zuko as he asked why she had come to begin with, Zuko was not aware of the rejection Katara was feeling and she knew it would be unfair to him if she stormed out, after all, what he said was rather sweet, he told her that he did care about her, but, it was not the way she wanted. It took all she had to answer him without her voice cracking; Zuko did not seem to notice anything strange he just led her back to the yard where dinner had been made. Katara held his hand, for only a moment before withdrawing it and following behind him, it felt to her like her heart was breaking with every step.

--

Sokka was the first one to see it as they came back into the clearing, Zuko was the same as he was this morning, Sokka noticed that the small smile on his lips and the casual but almost friendly walk was still in place, but Katara was different, it wasn't a very noticeable change, but it was clear for him to see, her eyes seemed distant and she was walking a little further away from Zuko then she had the previous time they returned. Her hands were fidgeting with a bit of her dress and her shoulders where slightly hunched. Sokka frowned slightly at this sight, wondering what Zuko had done now to upset his sister, but Zuko was acting like nothing happened, and Katara didn't seem mad at him, just… distant. Sokka thought on this, something must have happened but seeing as Katara was being so quiet about it, it would not do to start drawing attention to her by shouting at Zuko, instead he would question his sister, after all, Zuko seemed to be clueless to whatever it was that he did anyway. The Watertribe boy stood just as the pair took there seats, he was finished his dinner so it didn't matter that they were just sitting to eat theirs, He bypassed Zuko to sit by his sister, she smile weakly to him, while it would generally be enough to fool most people, it wasn't very convincing to him, Sokka leaned into her then and whispered into her ear, so as not to alert the rest of the group.

"Katara, what's wrong?"

Katara felt as though the air was closing in on her, her throat was tight and her legs were heavy, walking back with Zuko was hard, when all she wanted to do was go to her room and cry, but that would look strange, and possibly have Zuko following her wondering what was wrong, she could not tell him that she liked him, especially not just after he said that she was like a sister to him, also the thought of what he had said previously came back to her, what his mother used say to him. Zuko never gave up, if he thought something was wrong, he would have pressured her into telling him, and that would never do, so she just followed him, and hoped he didn't notice her mood change, but it was inevitable that Sokka did, stupid as he was at times, he was also her brother, and knew her better than anyone, so when Sokka sat beside her and asked what was wrong, she needed to think of a convincing reason, something that would put her into this mood, that would not be a lie if Sokka questioned Zuko about it, but what?

Sokka lent in closer to his sister, not giving her much room to breath, when he was almost to close for decency, she turned her head from him a bit, Sokka frowned and only saw that as incentive to be more pressing on the issue, he grasped her hand and pulled her up, this action obviously startling her, as she made no effort to help him in hauling her to her feet, when Sokka got her standing, he then proceeded to draw more attention to them by dragging her off to the side, it was clear that Katara was shocked by his actions, but she followed him nonetheless, when he had her far enough away from the (now staring) group, he broke his (somewhat) calm act, Sokka had always been overly emotional, so it was not strange to see his arms flailing wildly, but he was feeling more then a bit annoyed that Katara was upset by the stupid Firenation prince that had just joined them and been grumpy from the word go, who did that Jerk think he was upsetting his baby sister like that? Just because he was cool in fighting Toph and used be a superhero, did not give him the right to pick on Katara, Sokka was thinking along these lines and his voice cracked as he started vocalizing his accusations.

"Okay, What did that firebending Jerk do to you?! You left to get him for dinner in a good mood, and now you come back here looking like batwolf ate your favorite bending scroll!! What happened Katara?! And don't lie to me, I may not be as good as Toph, but with you I will know!"

Katara had taken a step back, she knew Sokka would react this way, but she did not think he would be so demanding about it, she needed to think of something to say, but what? She could not lie outright, that would be stupid. But she could not tell him the truth, that would only make the situation ten times worse. He was staring at her and she shifted uncomfortably, she had to think something, she felt beads of sweat form on her brow, the room seemed to grow even more stifling, her mind was working at a rather fast pace but seemed to be coming up with nothing at all. Sokka began to turn from her then, for a moment she thought that she was safe, but she realized that he was making a beeline for Zuko. She could not have that! She needed to stop him, and before she realized what she was going to say, her mouth opened and words started pouring out.

"He didn't do anything Sokka, I went to get him and he was looking at a picture, I think it was his mom, I don't know, it was weird, we got talking about family and stuff, and well, I guess I just got upset that's all, I don't think he even noticed"

Katara had to admit to herself, for something that she plucked out of nowhere, she pulled that off pretty well, she hadn't lied to him per say, but left out just enough details to hide the real truth, Katara attempted a smile, it was a weak one but a smile none the less, she hoped it would be enough to get Sokka to back down, but when she looked at her brother, she found him looking a bit worried, Perhaps the mention of family hurt him also? She was not so sure, her tummy began to swirl uncomfortably again, had she just upset her brother also? That wasn't supposed to happen! She was about to tell him the full story then, but Sokka interrupted her near confession by placing his hand to her shoulder and giving her a bright smile.

"I miss mom and dad too, but we have each other right? I mean, we are all family now, remember what you said to Aang when he first went into the avatar state all that time ago, we are all family Katara, and we all look out for each other, So, even though it's hard, just remember that you are not alone"

Katara returned his smile, but for a more reasons then the fact that he had just been incredibly sweet, Sokka fell for her half truth, and she was saved from an embarrassing confession, she reached out her arms and pulled him into a hug, for Katara, a wash of relief spread through her, the sick feeling in her stomach was still there, and her forehead still tingled from the ghost of Zuko's lips, but now that she would not have to explain this to Sokka, the tension in her shoulders released and she began to feel a lot calmer.

--

As Sokka lead Katara away, Aang brought Zuko his dinner, Aang was not sure why he felt the need to sit with Zuko, but there was something bothering him now and he felt he had to say it, He watched as the ex-price accepted the bowl and happily took a bit, but then a frown appeared on the airbenders features, Zuko just turned to look at Katara, Aang had noticed that Zuko was staring at his crush as Sokka led her away, and he registered that as soon as they had cleared hearing range, Sparky had drawn his hands into fists, Sokka had began to (what looked like) shout at Katara, and Zuko did not seem happy about that at all.

"Zuko… What's erm… Why do you look upset?"

Zuko who had indeed been rather annoyed at Sokka's treatment of Katara, found it hard to look away from the pair, but it would not do to ignore Aang either, so he forced his gaze to young boy, (a good thing too, as Sokka had chosen that moment to start marching his way) Aang was frowning and his eyebrows were knitted together, he seemed almost angry rather then concerned, this confused Zuko slightly but he refrained from mentioning that when he replied.

"It's nothing Aang, I just don't like how he treats her that's all, I mean, I just don't think Sokka realizes how lucky he is to have a sister like Katara, I would trade Azula for her in a heartbeat, but it doesn't matter, I can't order Sokka to be nicer to her, and I can't make her my sister, no matter how much I want to, so don't worry about it okay?"

Aang blinked several times, it took a moment for it to click with him, but an understanding began to spread over his features, and his eyes became brighter, it wasn't that Zuko didn't like Katara, it was that he thought of her like a sister! Aang began to smile brightly as Katara and Sokka rejoined the group, Katara took a seat next to Toph who had been strangely quiet, and Sokka made an excuse and left for bed.

The conversation that began to spark up after Sokka left, was mainly on what kind of foods they liked to eat, or what hobbies they had in the past, Aang Explianed the rules of Airball, and how he invented a new airbending moves, like the Airscooter, which he then demonstrated, then is was Toph's turn, She explained to Zuko why she was called 'the blind bandit' and He looked mildly impressed by her, explaining that he never got to do anything 'cool' with his firebending as his teachers never allowed for experimentation, and when he began to train with his uncle, the old man had him start from the beginning to try and learn things properly, Aang was laughing again as Zuko explained how his uncle would obsess over drinking tea and how he had actually grown fond of making tea with his uncle, though he would never admit the fact to him, it was then that Toph suggested he should make them all tea at dinner the next day, everyone seemed to be in support of this, and even Zuko did not seem to mind so much.

The night went along pleasantly and Zuko found himself laughing once or twice, but he could not help but look at Katara as she seemed to grow quieter and quieter; he edged over to her just as everyone was settling down to sleep, Aang was snoring loudly and Toph wasn't really moving, Haru, 'the Duke' and Teo had left a while ago, so it was just him and Katara for the time being. Katara made out like she was getting her bed ready, but Zuko just sat beside her and looked out to the stable where Appa was resting, He did not look at her as he spoke, and again his voice went soft, he was not doing it on purpose, it just seemed to take that tone when he was near her.

" Katara, I don't know what's wrong, but, you seemed a bit I dunno, out of it tonight, if it was something Sokka said, well, there's not a lot I can do but, well… I just don't like him treating you that way and…"

"Zuko" Katara cut him off before he made her feel any worse then she already did, he was being considerate of her, but now she knew it was only out of 'brotherly' concern, she found she did not want that. "Sokka is the only family I have left at the moment, My mother has died, and my father… well, He takes care of me, and I take care of him, even if he annoys me, that's okay, because that is how Sokka is, if he were any other way, he would not be the brother that I love, so don't go defending me against him, because I am perfectly capable of handling him. Now, I think you should go to sleep, its late, and Aang needs to do more firebending tomorrow."

With that she turned over to her side and curled up as to go to sleep, Zuko just nodded and took that as his cue to leave, she was right of course, and he was just sticking his nose into places it did not belong, but it still stung that she was so cold about it, but then what did he expect? She was after all, only recently warming to him, he was being to pushy about the issue, that was the only conclusion he could come to, it made sense now that he thought on it, just because he felt that way about her, did not mean she would feel that way about him. She hardly trusted him, how was she meant to think of him like an older brother?! The Firenation prince returned to his room feeling remotely stupid, and laying on this his bed stomach side down, he groaned to his pillow.

"Why do I have to ruin everything?"

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Okay okay, I know its not very Zutara for now, but it will happen eventually, I just don't like to rush things that's all, trust me on this.