Chapter 17! (As if you didn't know)

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Zuko could hardly believe that he'd made it. Kuzon had made it there safe and sound because Zuko spared him; he'd given the boy the chance at life that he would have never had. But what really bothered Zuko was how he'd used his job to kill, to save. This put all sorts of thoughts in his mind that he knew could get him killed.

If I could use my training to save lives, could I use it to help end the war?

Zuko had to shake these thoughts out of his head before he got himself in trouble. He glanced sideways to the water bender who walked walked alongside him. He had to figure out what he was going to do with her as well. He knew that there was no way to bring down the city with her in the way; but he couldn't bring himself to accept that he might have to kill her. And even if he did, he wasn't sure he could.

They approached the heart of the city just as the sun rose, and people were now streaming into the streets to do their daily routine. He stopped as they were passing a fish shop and studied the inside of the building. He felt Katara move to stand next to him.

"What are you looking at?" He could here the teasing in her voice even though no smirk or smile appeared on her face.

"It's a fish shop," he stated simply.

"And?" She clearly didn't see his point.

"How did you get fish here if no one leaves?" He saw her stiffen out of the corner of his eye. Instead of answering she took his hand and began leading him away from the shop.

"Come on, I want you to meet someone." Zuko looked down at their intertwined fingers, he didn't react but was even more surprised when she didn't let go.

No Zuko! You can't think like this. You can't.

They weaved their way through the streets and as more and more people came out, the more Zuko thought that he should at least dress differently. He wasn't treated with the same disgust that he was the last time he was there, but last time he was a prisoner. Now he obviously had the favor of one of the two greatest benders in the city. It earned him slightly more respect.

They reached a small stone building and Katara led him up the step still holding him by the hand. She rapped her knuckles on the door and after a few moments, a young women with short auburn hair came to the door.

"Hey, Kat! I'm so glad you popped by I was hoping you'd co-" The girl completely froze when she saw their hands. He saw Katara follow her gaze, and when she realized what she was staring at she ripped her hand away. Zuko saw the unmistakable color of crimson on her cheeks. He didn't react but inside was laughing hysterically.

She must have forgotten she was still holding my hand

"I-I didn't-I," she stuttered, failing to form an explanation, "Suki! This is Zuko, my newest student." Zuko turned back to the girl and saw her looking him up and down critically before cracking a small smile.

"It's nice to finally meet you, Sokka hasn't stopped," she paused with a contemplating look on her face, "talking about you."

"I don't doubt it," Zuko replied giving her a lopsided grin of his own.

"Actually, he's in the kitchen pouring some watermelon juice. Come on in and I'll have him pour two more." The girl stood aside ushering them inside the cozy apartment. She led them into the kitchen and Zuko spotted the Water Tribe warrior standing with his back to them.

"Who was it Suki?" He asked obviously too busy to turn around to see for himself.

"Pour two more glasses, it's your sister and her new boyfriend."

Katara watched her brother spin around instantly upon hearing this while she just stood there still trying to process what had just been said. She barely noticed Sokka marching around the counter and punching the fire bender in the jaw, sending him to the floor. When she snapped out pf her trance she saw Zuko sitting up and holding his hands up in a sort of surrender while her brother yelled threats at him.

"No," she said it loud enough that everyone heard her and turned to see her glaring at them.

"'No' what?" Sokka asked still seething at the fire bender.

"No, he is not my boyfriend; or anything close to it. He is my student, nothing more," she said it with clarity and confidence, although inside she wasn't sure she meant it. When she grabbed his hand to lead him away from the fish shop it had felt... right, somehow. The way that their fingers tangled together felt so natural to her.

No, no, no, no, no!

She screamed at herself mentally and pushed the thoughts out of her head. He was still under suspicion. He was still the enemy.

Sokka moved away from the man on the floor to stand directly in front of her and stared deep into her eyes, as if they would expose her true feelings. Katara returned his serious stare a moment before she did something she hadn't done in years. She made a silly face at him.

Katara felt like a fool, sticking out her tongue and tuning her eyes to the ceiling but she wagged her tongue back and forth making weird noises anyway. This earned her a laugh from her brother before her pulled her into a head lock and ruffled her hair.

"Agh, Sokka stop!" She pulled out of the lock and punched his bicep a few times playfully before they both broke down laughing. It'd been a long time since they'd had fun with each other, she hadn't realized how much she missed his smile.

Sokka stepped over to Zuko and held out his hand, after helping him up he didn't let go right away and Katara watched his expression turn deathly serious.

"I still don't trust you, fire bender," she saw him huff indignantly, releasing the man from his grasp, "but I'm sorry for hitting you."

"It's ok, you had a good reason," Zuko smiled rubbing his jaw.

"Sokka, finish pouring the juice. Katara, you and Zuko go out back; there's a water pump so you can make some ice for the juice and for his jaw." Katara nodded, taking the small container Suki offered her, and moved through the house to the back door. Even though she heard no sign of it, she knew that Zuko was there. They walked out to the pump and, without her needing to ask him, he pumped a few times to move the water up the pipe and out of the nozzle.

She set the container on the ground and began bending the water into small orbs, shaping them into ovals. After they were piled in the container Katara nodded for him to pump again; she bent the water that came out around her hand and half froze it so that it was cold like ice, but soothingly smooth like water. Katara walked up to him and placed the hand on his jaw where it was red.

She avoided looking into the eyes that she knew were staring into hers and instead focused on using her healing abilities to heal the swollen skin.

Two more minutes should do the trick

"I'm sorry about that," she said quietly as she watched the swelling begin to go down.

"That's ok, I honestly thought he would break out his machete. I'd say I got it pretty good," he replied smirking. She smiled as she continued in her work.

One more minute.

I don't blame any of you for hating me, though. I understand that I'll probably be getting worse then this the next few weeks," Katara hated how calm he sounded. If he was angry or frustrated he didn't show it.

"I don't hate you," the words slipped from her mouth before she realized what she'd be saying. She inhaled sharply before releasing the breath slowly; no real damage had been done.

Thirty seconds.

"Really?" Katara made the mistake of looking up into those amber eyes, she felt like if she fell into them they would swallow her whole. They stood there gazing into each others eyes.

"Ya, really,"

Ten.

She felt her rate beat pick up.

Nine.

She saw his eyes flicker with something she'd never seen before.

Eight.

She let her eyes roam over his face.

Seven.

She felt her hand involuntarily rest fully on his skin.

Six.

She felt him lean into her touch.

Five.

She sighed and stepped closer.

Four.

She watched him move his hand to brush a strand of hair from her face.

Three.

She heard him whisper her name as he slowly leaned in.

Two.

She closed her eyes as she felt their noses brush together.

One.

"Katara! Haven't you finished with the ice yet?!" Katara's eyes snapped open and she stumbled backwards away from the equally shocked fire bender.

"I'm sorry," he said with wide eyes. Katara turned her back to him as a silent tear slid down her cheek.

You can't Tara, you just can't.

"Me too."

There you go! I don't know about you guys but as I re-read that last part I felt very conflicted. Cause I was like "Yes! They are growing closer! :-D" But then at the same time I was like "No! I hate this stupid war! I destroys everything! :'(" So ya maybe I'm just super emotional but what evs :p

Thank you everyone who reviewed! Please keep it up! I really enjoy hearing what in particular you enjoy about the story:)

Quote of the day: "Love. It's not about dates, anniversaries, expensive materials, and an elegant boyfriend or girlfriend. Neither is it about holding hands, tight hugging, torid kisses, body touching, or sexual desires. It's about how you value and respect someone without expecting from them in return. It's about being unselfishly devoted and committed." I just love that .:3 (That's a heart if you didn't see it at first)

Love you all!

Kmsitterley