A/N: Heyyylo fandom. Alright I spent all last night and this morning writing this, so here you go two chapters in one day! I hope you enjoy! Thanks for the reviews and follows!

Disclaim: I don't really know if I need this but I honestly don't care this is the only disclaimer I'm doing for the whole story so yep. I DON'T OWN ATLA, i barely have any rights to the computer I'm writing this story on...

Chapter 1

It had been a couple of days after Zuko woke up, and realized that he and Katara were alone out here in the woods. On the first night, Zuko had nothing to say, because there was nothing to say. Katara just slept by the campfire as Zuko slept against a tree. They would alternate who would stay up for watch out every other hour, at least that's what they planned but Zuko just stopped waking up Katara and decided to stay up the whole night.

It was nice to be able to sit and share some time with the stars in the sky. It was when Zuko would pray that all his friends and his uncle were ok, and that the spirits may protect them from any harm. He mostly prayed that they all were alive. They had to be alive, for the sake of him and Katara.

In the mornings, Katara would go out, get food for breakfast, and cook them things and such. Zuko would try to practice and fire bend, but eventually it made his chest ache with pain, and Katara would order him to sit down and just relax.

That was the thing though. He didn't want to relax, he wanted to take the throne from his father and put his father in jail or kill him. It was too late to relax now.

They also never talked. After breakfast, Katara and Zuko would sit around in awkward silence because no one really felt like talking yet.

Around the fifth day of awkward silence, Zuko decided that it was best if they began to move.

"Where exactly would we go Zuko? It's not like we have anywhere to go to." Katara spoke as she practiced her water bending.

"Well we can't just live off of lychee nuts and berries forever."

Zuko stood up and winced in pain. Katara jumped up and ran over to him.

"Stop moving so much!" She griped.

Katara looked at the bandage around his torso. It was growing dirty. Actually, all of him was growing dirty. Spirits only knew how she looks too. Katara frowned at the thought of looking disgusting, she hated being dirty.

"Ok yeah we need to find a hot spring, or some water of some sort so I can replenish on water supply. Also we both need baths and I need to clean your bandages."

"Well, not only that, but don't we need to get more and better supplies to treat our wounds, and we probably need to find some sort of disguise to hide ourselves knowing my dad is probably looking for us." Zuko added.

Katara didn't want to admit it but they would have start moving. They couldn't just stay in their little campsite forever. She just felt safe here. Any wrong move could cost them their lives.

"Fine we'll head out tomorrow." She said giving in for once to Zuko.

Zuko shook his head. "No we need to leave today, Katara."

It honestly made no sense to stay there when they could be moving, and someone is bound to notice the campfire smoke one day, wondering who's burning it. They needed to find a town and go shopping and try to make a strategic plan.

Katara sighed and shrugged. "Well where are we supposed to even go? We don't even know which direction to head in."

Zuko pointed in a direction. "That way."

"Why that way?" She crossed her arms and furrowed her brows in confusion.

"Because I said to go that way." He glared at her. Katara just rolled her eyes and groaned as she stopped doing her practices to gather her things. It seems as though all they ever did was question each other's methods and gripe to each other. Zuko realized this was going to be a long journey.

As Katara stomped past Zuko a breeze of her flew over him, which resulted in him coughing.

Katara dropped everything in her hands and ran over to him. "Zuko, what's wrong?"

"You're right… you do need a bath." he pinched his nose as he walked in front of her smirking, which soon resulted in a frown as a boot hit his head.

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Katara began to take the lead as they walked. Zuko just followed and watched her from behind. She was holding all their supplies. Somehow, she was able to get Zuko's Dual Dao Swords, her water pouch, a bag, and bandages that all have been used.

He was quite curious to know what exactly happened when he blacked out. Did she just carry him around? Where did she get the stuff? What happened that was so bad that they had to run? He had so many questions to ask but he knew better. Every time he brought it up, she would change the subject. He figured he would just have to wait for when it was time for her to tell him.

Zuko always knew Katara was strong, but she is also stubborn, and determined. Whatever it was that happened a week ago had to be terrible enough to scare her out of her senses. Therefore, instead of annoying her with questions he decided to watch out for her and try to think positive.

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"Hey Mister. I-know-where-we're-going-because-I-said-so," She spoke in a mocking tone, "how about we stop for the night?"

"Sure I don't see why not."

Katara set their bags, and stuff by a tree, and walked off.

Zuko, baffled, wondered why she was quick to leave. "Katara, where are you going?"

"I'm going to go see if there is any sort of river or lake around here. While I'm out you can go searching for food."

"I'm injured." He pointed toward his wound and his limping body.

"Yeah, but would you rather be injured and fed or injured and famished?" Zuko shrugged at her. "Exactly, plus it will do you some good exercise and stretching for your wound and your muscles."

She smiled and went on her dainty little way. Zuko just scoffed and did a little stretch and grabbed his swords and headed off further into the woods.

Zuko used his swords as support as he walked through the trees and bushes. He carefully watched his step and kept an eye out for anything to eat. After meaningful searching he eventually came across a wild boar.

His grip tightened around the swords handle, holding his breath, keeping everything as still as he could, so he could catch this pig.

"Katara's going to be so impressed once she sees me bring this back." He smirked to himself growing a tad bit excited to be hunting something again.

It was eating what looked like more lychee nuts, but Zuko did not know. He slowly approached the pig and hovered right over it in the perfect position to slaughter it.

Zuko licked his lips as a bead of sweat rolled down his forehead; all he could think was "No more damn lychee nuts. Actual meat!" Zuko couldn't help but smile at how much he sounded like his friend Sokka.

Zuko slowly raised his swords and the pig's ears went up, it looked left and right and then stared straight ahead.

"Pleasedon'trunpleasedon'trunpleasedon'trun. I NEED THE FOOD."

The pig took off running not too long after that, and Zuko chased it… for a good while. He could of caught the boar if he didn't slip in fall into the own pig's slop. Zuko just prayed to Agni that it was mud and not what it smelled like.

Disgusted, tired, and pretty pissed off because he was smelly and had no food, he walked back to camp and started to make a small fire.

Katara walked back to the camp with two fair sized fish in her hands. Her face twisted and scrunched up as soon as she walked back into the site.

"Ugggh Zukooooo, what the hell happened it smells like sh–"

" –Please just tell me you found water."

"Uh…yeah?" Katara waved the fish around to show him. "No, I didn't. I just found these fish on a fish tree because you know fish grow on trees." Katara's Sokka side was showing.

Zuko just grabbed his stick and grumpily stomped over past her.

Katara couldn't help but snicker. "And where do you think you're going?"

"To find where you got the fish, as you can see I need a bath."

Then he kept walking, but Katara grabbed his arm and stopped him. Zuko just groaned knowing she was going to ask him more stupid questions.

"You don't even know where to go. Look, how bout we sit down, eat while dealing with your… uh odors, then I'll show you to the river, and you can bathe, but before you do I'll need to fix you're bandages and heal you're wound some more… also if you needed any help well uh yeah you get the picture."

Zuko just looked down at her with his usual smirk. "So basically you're coming to watch me bathe?"

Katara shoved his arm back at him, and Zuko chuckled at the her.

"Eww no! Gross, Zuko! Why would I want to see any of… that" She gestured her hands towards his body.

Zuko frowned a little insulted. 'Well I can go by myself! I know how to wash my body, Katara."

"I never said you didn't! Look, I'm coming along to tend your wound and I'll be not too far from the river, gathering more food that I can find, so if you did need me to help you get out the water or help with you're clothes, which I'm sure you will, I'll be nearby. Spirits Zuko I am not some perverted girl who just watches people bathe, I just want to help you get better. Because the faster you get better, the faster we can try and find some help."

She was fuming with irritation, as Zuko stood there with his pig-shit smelling body. He just sighed and sat down by the fire. "Let's eat and then go."

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After eating, they went on their way. While walking Katara asked Zuko how exactly, did he get covered in crud? He explained about the pig and everything and Katara just laughed.

"It's not funny." His man ego went down a good percent as he watched her laugh at his loss. Sure the fish were satisfying, but a full grown pig, they would be able eat for weeks! Zuko's stomach churned at the thought of being able to eat fresh pork.

Eventually they arrived toward the river, which resulted in an awkward silence as they just stared at the river.

"Well… uh take off your shirt." She instructed him.

Zuko tossed what was left of his shirt that was torn, burned, and dirty. He waited for Katara to tell him what to do but she just stood there and stared. Zuko looked back at her and shrugged as if to say, ok now what?

"Oh! Um, yeah just go sit down by the water." A faint blush appeared on Katara's cheeks. She doesn't know why she's blushing and why her stomach is doing these weird flips. She has seen Zuko shirtless countless of times but this time was different. They were alone and Katara had to put her hands on his body. It was easy when he was unconscious, but now he is wide-awake and kicking, and the thought of her hands touching Zuko's chest just made the pit of her stomach turn.

Zuko sat down and waited as she walked over. "Well first I need to…"

With no warning, just a flick of her wrist she sent a wave of water towards Zuko and he was drenched.

Zuko glared at her through his wet hair. Obviously, he wasn't prepared for that.

"Sorry, can't heal a filthy person. I always have to clean the wound before I heal it." She smiled.

Zuko just scoffed and turned his head away from her. She knelt down beside him and started to unravel the bandages.

"You still smell terrible." She looked up at him and smiled, but he still looked away with a serious look on his face. "Look I'm sorry Your Highness, that I splashed you with water, I was just trying to make a joke."

"I'm not mad... especially not about that." He spoke softly in a voice that Katara knew something was on his mind.

"Well, what's wrong?"

She had finished unwrapping the bandage and began soaking it in the water.

"I'm just thinking about everyone what they're doing right now, what's happening to them. I hate sitting around and doing nothing."

Katara sighed and agreed. "I know me too. But we can't go out there fighting by ourselves. I'm a water bender, which is the only weapon I have, me in a place where there is barely any water just doesn't work out. You're also hurt. Until you're able to get up and fight properly again we'll just have to lay low."

"I know but I just don't like it."

Katara nodded and agreed agrain. "Alright lay back, I can't heal you properly if you're sitting up straight."

Zuko laid his head back against a rock. Katara sat on his legs and already Zuko's mind flashed a warning.

"Wha -what are you doing?" He gulped as she moved a little more up his legs to his thighs.

"I'm about to heal you. What else?" She dipped her hand in the water and it glowed around her hands

"What else? Oh, there are more things you can do in this position." Zuko thought, but tossed the thought away as she brought her hands to the wound on his chest.

Zuko hissed through his teeth, and his whole body shook. It probably was a good thing Katara had sat ontop of his legs other wise they would've been spazzing out everywhere.

"Shhhh just relax, I know it hurts now, but give it a minute." The wound had still hurt, but the pain subsided and he eventually felt pure bliss.

"How does it feel now?" She asked him.

"Great." He spoke with closed eyes and tried to focus on the cool feeling on his chest muscles and the movements of Katara's hands. "Has she always been this good at massaging?" Zuko couldn't help but think it.

Once she was done Zuko opened his eyes and found her still slightly blushing

"Well I'm done. You can go ahead and do what you need to, like I said I won't be too far." She rose up off him and left.

Zuko laid there for a while before leaning upwards and touchinh his wound. He then stood up and stripped out of his pants and stepped into the water, which was freezing cold. He heated up his body temperature and the area around him slowly grew warmer.

He sat back, touched his wound again, and winced. It hurt but it felt a heck of a lot better. He brought his mind back to the time when Azula shot him with lightning, it was because he was trying to save Katara, but really, she saved him. He could not help but smile, sure she might be a pain in the butt to have sometimes, but he wouldn't want to be stuck out in the middle of nowhere with anyone but her.

Zuko's brain has always been fuzzy about Katara, he knew he would give up his life for her, but will never admit that he has any such feelings for her. Zuko decided now was not the time to wonder about his feelings for Katara, because he already has before, and it always resulted in thinking about how Aang is in love with her. He thought it was best to just call her his really good friend. There is a war going on and he can't be worried about his emotions.

His goal now was to get better and save everyone he can, especially Katara.

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After bathing and washing his hair, Zuko stood up and got his pants back on. He yelped as he was moving it felt like he pulled a muscle in his chest. He crouched down and grabbed at his chest.

"Zuko!" Katara yelled from further off. She dropped the fruits and nuts in her hands and ran towards him.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, I'm fine." Zuko cleared his throat and stood up straight. "I'm fine, I just moved a little too fast."

"Here." Katara picked up the bandage and water bended the water out of them. She wrapped it around his torso again, and tied it off. Then she picked up his shirt and helped him put it on.

"Thanks." he spoke to her.

"No problem." She smiled and helped him up. Zuko grabbed his stick and walked over to the nuts and fruits she had dropped.

"That's okay Zuko I'll get them, let's just head back to camp… You smell so much better by the way."

Zuko smiled and walked with her back to camp. When they got back Zuko instantly fell asleep and Katara stayed up to look out.

She sat in the quiet with a sad pain pulling at her chest . She shed a tear because she didn't know what to do. Every time Zuko yelps or cries in pain, her heart starts racing and she begins to worry. She just wants to make sure Zuko's okay. He can be a stubborn and arrogant little turd sometimes, but Katara wouldn't know what she would do without him.

She sat there and gazed at the stars for a little bit before drifting into sleep.

A/N: Okay so I hope you don't think it's strange that Zuko has some feelings for Katara already because here's the thing, he's been dealing with his emotions for her strating with the whole "I'll save you from the priates", it's just right now he still is wondering what should he feel. Espically after the whole sothern raiders thing they both have things they need to figure out. Also they are the only two people part of the group that they know are alive, and they need eachother now more than ever. So this is just them starting to adjust to the fact of working together. There will be more fun and actiony scenes but that's not until the next chapters or later chapters. I have big plans for this stroy sooo I hope you like it! REVIEW please it always helps ;) and follow or favorite if you like what you see! Alrighty you guys until I get the next chappie up buh-bye. ^_^.