Chapter Fourteen:

-Katara-

When I woke up the next morning the sun was shining brightly. Luckily the tree behind me was providing enough shade so that the sun was not blinding. It wasn't noon, but it was still sometime late in the morning because the sun was slowly making its way up in the sky. Did I really sleep in that late? Well I guess riding through the Earth Kingdom for a whole day with little rest would make anyone exhausted. I was still for so long that my legs feel like they are constantly being struck by needles.

I tried to get up to stretch my legs, but I couldn't move. There was pressure around my left hand. A warm pressure. Turning my head I noticed that my hand was trapped underneath Zuko's. It wasn't a tight grip, but it was firm. At the same time his hand was so warm and soft. Why is Zuko holding my hand? Then last night's events came rushing back; the nightmare, me screaming, Zuko comforting me. Finally I remembered that I had fallen asleep with my head resting on Zuko's lap. Normally there is no way I would have allowed this to happen, but after last night…I don't know what to think anymore.

Upon further inspection I noticed how Zuko fell asleep. His right hand was laying limply in the grass. He had been resting on his knees all night with his back pressed against the tree. Zuko's head was resting at a slight angle against the tree. His raven black hair fell across his face, concealing the upper half of his face. Judging by his breathing he was going to be asleep for a while.

Trying to be careful not to wake him I sat up, removed my hand, and crawled away from him just slightly. Zuko seemed to shiver a little once I left my spot so I took the blanket and covered him with it; bringing the blanket up to near his chin. I was just about to move away when something inside me told me to stop. Curiosity maybe? Whatever the cause is, I found myself staring at Zuko's face (what I could see of it anyway).

He looked so calm now. No anger, no stubbornness, all traces of that tough exterior just seemed to disintegrate while he slept. I mean it would help if I could see the rest of his face, but…maybe, if I could just move his hair out of the way…if only a little. What's the worst that could happen? I asked myself, for once feeling brave; and that was new considering everything that has happened and the nightmare with that horrible Fire Nation soldier. My left hand trembled slightly as I brought it closer and closer to his face. Then, ever so carefully, I pushed a few strands of hair out of his face; his hair only having a few snarls in certain areas, but that's ok. He really does look so peaceful right now, I observed. Why can't he be like this all the time? Eventually I moved away from him and decided I would try to help out by restarting the fire and cooking some breakfast for us.

I just finished cooking the rice when I heard Zuko begin to stir. Looking back, I saw Zuko shift and breathe out deeply. I noticed how his hand tried to wrap around something and when he found nothing his faced scrunched up in a cute way. He seemed to try again, but I was more focused on his face. Suddenly Zuko shot up wide awake as he looked around frantically. "Morning sleepy head" I greeted him.

Zuko's gaze rested on me as soon as he heard my voice. I found it rather funny that he went from being frantic to bewildered as soon as I spoke. Zuko blinked a few times before he responded. "How long have you been up?"

"Long enough to make us breakfast" I said scooping out a portion of rice for him. He accepted it gratefully and began to eat rather quickly. "Slow down before you choke."

Zuko laughed once. "Didn't even realize I was eating that fast." We were silent after that as we continued to eat. "You know," he started, "you're actually the first person I ever talked to about my Mother."

I was stunned. Not even to your Uncle? I guess that explains why he seems so reserved about his emotions. "Zuko, I truly am sorry," I wasn't sure what else to say until I just said what I believed to be true, "but I do believe you will find her someday." Zuko did not look at me after that. At first I was afraid I had said the wrong thing. Then I just felt uncomfortable with the following silence.

"I don't understand" Zuko spoke up, finally bringing his face back up to face me.

"Understand what?"

"You." I raised my eyebrows hoping that would tell him he needed to explain more. Luckily he caught that. "I mean I appreciate what you just said about my Mother, believe me I truly do, it's just…I don't know Katara. Before last night, you would freak out if I so much as touched you without some kind of permission; I honestly thought after what I did last night you would try to kill me for that," he didn't seem to notice as I flinched at the word kill. "You never really joked with me before this morning and you never…" he paused to catch his breath, "you have never seemed so close to being happy and carefree. You're just so different from the girl I found in the woods and I don't know why. I'm relieved, but that doesn't mean I understand what changed."

I drew my knees up to my chest as I brought my gaze to him. "Zuko, I don't really know what to say. You're right, any other time if you had touched me I would have freaked out. I would never have killed you for that but still. It's just that—Zuko what you did for me last night, despite what I had said to you earlier, taking care of me the way you did. I can never repay you for that. I truly am grateful for what you did. So how could I possibly be mad at you?" Zuko went rigid when I said that last sentence. "After a couple of days it's becoming easier to read you when you assume something, though not always." Zuko relaxed after that. "When I woke up this morning I was trying to help out by making breakfast so you could sleep longer. It was my way of saying thank you."

Zuko was staring at me intently. He leaned forward and scrutinized me as I brought my knees closer to my chest. "Doesn't mean that you still don't creep me out when you stare at me like that" I warned him. Zuko's eyes went back to normal as he shook his head.

"At least you can cook better than I can." Um, random enough?

"What does my cooking have to do with what I just said about you creeping me out?"

"Just referring to the fact that you can cook and if I had tried I either would have burned it or could have possibly poisoned us." I laughed freely now, surprising myself; and apparently surprising Zuko even more. "I thought I told you not to laugh at me."

I tried to suppress the giggles that escaped out of my mouth. "Sorry" I apologized, though I didn't mean it this time. "But I don't think you can poison rice that easily." Zuko blushed…blushed?!

It was true Zuko's face and neck went scarlet red. I had to cover my mouth just so I would not laugh again, despite how cute I found it. "What did I do now?" Zuko asked. He wasn't annoyed, but perplexed as to what was happening to me.

"Nothing." Wanting to change the subject I added "Should we be leaving soon?" Zuko didn't respond. "Zuko?"

"So, you're actually going to stay with me?"

Of course he would guess that I would leave the moment the chance arrived. I really didn't want to tell him that he had been right. After that nightmare I feel like I should leave. I mean he's also Fire Nation so I should be scared of him…shouldn't I? But he has never done anything to hurt me. Vaguely I remembered how he spoke of the war. It sounded like he really wanted no part of it. So then I shouldn't feel afraid of him…I think? My mind is so scrambled I can't even convince myself of what I should and should not do. I don't think I should leave just yet, I thought quietly. There was no way for me to explain why, but I didn't want to hurt him. Not after seeing him that sad after telling me about his mother. So, maybe a small fib—not a total lie—will be okay. "Zuko…where would I go?"

Lucky for me Zuko bought it. He nodded and started to clean up our makeshift camp as I threw dirt over the remains of the fire. While I was doing this my mind was contemplating an idea that, in all honesty, scared me. However I convinced myself that I have been doing well since last night so this should not matter so much, but that did not ease my tension.

Here it goes, I thought to myself; trying to be brave. "Hey Zuko?"

"Yeah?" Zuko turned to face me from the bag he had been strapping onto the ostrich –horse. He must have seen my anxious expression because he raised his eye brow and opened his mouth about to say something. Squaring my shoulders I walked the short distance to him slowly. I hoped the warning in my eyes was enough for him to understand that I was pushing myself. "Katara what-" he cut himself off as I carefully wrapped my arms around him and my hands rested gently on his back near his shoulder blades; hugging him.

Zuko's breathing seemed to momentarily stop until it went back to normal. I was about to let go when I felt his hands rest carefully on top of my shoulders as he returned the hug. His hands were so warm against my back. We held each other like that for a few more minutes until I reluctantly broke away, leaving behind the warmth. "Thank you" I finally said after my heart rate calmed down; that still doesn't make any sense to me. Zuko stood there too stunned to talk. "We should go" I stated breaking him out of his trance.

After mounting the ostrich – horse Zuko leaned forward a little and held out his hand. "Would you like some help?" Instead of saying no thank you like I normally do I decided to be brave again and nodded in thanks. Taking his hand I grabbed the back of the saddle and Zuko hoisted me up with ease. Then taking hold of his outer robe with my fists we headed off on our 'journey.'