a/n So far, from the Reviews, Favs, and Followers I'm guessing you like what you're reading. THANK YOU SO MUCH! I'm so ecstatic that you're liking my FF. Things get a little more spicy in this chapter and I also managed to almost double the length of my entire series thus far.

Chapter 4 ~Spark~

-Zuko-

He was so stupid. What have I started? He asked himself, shaking his head as he walked back into the palace. At least I made an impression. He thought smugly,

recalling her stunned expression. His face fell when he saw Toph coming towards him.

"Zuko," she acknowledged a knowing smile played on her lips. Zuko felt his ears turn bright red as he shrunk against the hallway to let her pass. He turned to

continue on his way when her voice stopped him.

"Hang on," Toph said, "you and Sweetness are up to something…" she waited for his reply

"Uh…" was all Zuko could manage, unsure if he should tell Toph or perhaps she already knew... Toph sighed.

"I know you two are going to spar/battle/fight whatever you want to call it and I want in."

"You want the three of us to-"

"No, no, no you and her can have at it while I watch out for…foul play." The way she paused unsettled Zuko, so he scrambled for a reasonable way out.

"But…um…isn't your…doesn't the shifty sand make it fuzzy for your feet to see?" she grinned.

"Don't worry, I will see plenty."

"Okay…" he hesitantly agreed. What is Katara going to think, now? He asked himself, as he continued down the hallway back to his room to grab his shirt.

-Katara-

There was an instant replay inside her head. She was still rooted to the ground where Zuko had left her going over what he had said. What have I gotten

myself into? She thought, then her pride came back and reminded her, You wanted to show him you could beat him, well here's your chance. Shaking her head,

hardly able to process what just happened, she sighed.

"Big plans tonight?" asked a voice, making Katara jump and twirl around. Toph stood on the porch leaning against the doorframe.

"Toph! What are you doing here?" Katara asked, trying to relax to hide her alarm. Toph laughed. Not a little lady-like chuckle, (because that wasn't Toph's

style,) but a belly clutching, eyes watering laugh that made Katara's ears burn for no apparent reason. "What?" she asked angrily. Toph wiped the last tear

from her eye and straightened up.

"Why does everyone keep asking me that?" Toph asked, stifling a laugh.

"I don't kno-"

"Save it Sweetness." Toph interrupted, "What's up with you and Zuko?" Now Katara's ears burned for an apparent reason.

"Nothing." She replied quickly, fidgeting. Toph fumbled for the handrail and walked down the steps of the porch, onto the sand beside Katara.

"Really?" Toph raised an eyebrow "Even from up there I could tell you're lying." Katara's heart sunk, of course Toph, of course was all she could think. "Listen

Sugar Queen, I already know about your little dual tonight." Katara's head jerked up in surprise.

"You do?" she asked incredulous. Toph smirked.

"Oh yes, my hearing is excellent." Katra's face became very red at the thought of what else Toph might have heard; however, Toph didn't give Katara much

time to be in shock before she continued. "It has been ages since I've felt a good fight… I won't tell anyone else, IF you let me watch. Deal?" Toph then spat

into her hand and extended it to Katara. AGNI! Katara swore in her mind. What am I going to do now? She thought. The only thing she could do: agree.

"Sure…Toph…" she answered doubtfully. Toph waited.

"You have to spit and shake." She explained

"Um…no…" Katara said, looking at the dirt and spit now coating Toph's hand, "I'm good."

"Suit yourself." Toph shrugged, lowered her hand, and wiped it on her shirt. "Better make it a fun fight," was the last thing Toph said before she turned and

went back into the palace. And for the second time that morning, Katara found herself dumbstruck and alone in the backyard.

-Zuko-

After putting on his shirt, Zuko followed the wishes of his stomach and headed to the kitchen. When he got there, he saw her, Katara. Of course, his heart

paused when he saw her again, as it always had. She faced away from him, hunched over the cooking stove trying to light it. She was so absorbed she didn't

notice him until he cleared his throat and then she whipped around to face him.

"Katara." He breathed. She gasped in response and a small part of him died. Her gasp was one of the most sensual sounds he had ever heard. He stared into

her blue eyes. A part of him knew that if he could fall into her eyes, it'd be just like falling into the ocean. But at the same time, those ocean-blue eyes held an

immense amount of fire.

It was Katara who broke the spell, ripping her eyes away from his and resettled them on the floor by his feet. He shifted uncomfortably, trying to hide his now

straining member.

"Katara," he tried again, but his voice still sounded like a rasp. She's killing me he thought, before he shook his head, cleared his throat, and tried for a third

time. "Katara…" her blue eyes wandered back to his "do you need my help?" She blinked once, not understanding, her eyes drifted back to his feet. Then her

head sprung back to his and her face turned red for no reason.

-Katara-

She heard him say her name and she looked up at him. Looking back at him was a mistake. She felt her heart constrict, her palms sweat, and her clothes

began to feel too tight and hot. Then he asked her if she needed help. At first, she was confused and she let her eyes drift back to his feet. On route, they

paused at his waist where she noticed his new state. 'Do I need your help' obviously! She thought, And it appears you too need…help… Are you trying to kill me?

Then she had a horrible, but wonderful thought and she spoke.

"With what Zuko?" she asked innocently, but completely aware of her breathless tone. She watched as her words sunk in. His eyes widened and his lips

parted. He actually stumbled backward, one of the first ungraceful things she had seen him do.

"Could I help you start the fire?" he asked, "It would be my honor." He added in attempt to regain a more formal atmosphere. She smiled a slow smile.

"Why Zuko, the pleasure is all mine." she stretched out the word pleasure just enough.

-Zuko-

When she said that the pleasure was all hers, he lost it. It was like a crack of lightening or a spark of fire into dry timber. And in a heartbeat, he was beside

her. He stood only inches in front of her, but still not touching. Her eyes widened and he could feel her tickling breath on his face. Slowly, he reached behind

her, summoned a small flame in his palm, and the stove sparked to life.

a/n I hope you liked it! PLEASE review! THANK YOU!