She was terrifying. Shrouded in shadows, covered in black and with the look of hatred in her eyes. I had been on the receiving end of that look, but when she was in her usual clothes I never worried. She was so good, pure and her morals were tight. Right then... I was glad I was on her side. This girl could have killed me whenever she wanted if she didn't stand for what she did. I could have died on multiple occasions. How did I come out of our fight in the North Pole alive? The captain cowered away from her only able to turn his head in utter fear. Then he fell to the ground and she sagged, defeated.

"Its not him" she said emotionless

"It has to be" I said firmly moving ahead and grabbing the man.

It was silence as we swam away from the battleship. She focused on keeping the water from our heads as Appa swam away. She was made for stealth, which only added to my amazement that I was still breathing. Going over the events that transpired, she was silent, the water not making a sound as she bent it, neither did she and then using the man as nothing more than a puppet, it was stuff of Assassins. Nothing like the girl I saw when chasing them over the world, or even close to the protective girl who threatened me when I joined them at the temple. Sure she scared me then but now... now I believed her. She found the strength to let the man live, to let go of her hatred and trauma of what he put her through. Whether she would ever forgive him I wasn't sure. But she forgave me and the feeling of joy that came with that surprised me. After betraying everyone in Ba Sing Se, after Uncle, it was betraying her that caused me the most guilt. And I don't think I deserve her forgiveness. But I like to think if I hadn't, if I had taken up her offer to try to heal my scar Aang would be dead now along with any hope to stop my Father. It was the only silver lining I could find in the whole situation. So here we were finally sat down in a group with no animosity between us. I just couldn't believe that Eight months ago I was willing to kill them all to capture Aang. Harder to believe they even accepted me so easily. Katara being the most difficult up until a week ago.

"So you're sure its a safe place?" Toph asked

"Yes" I answered jumping out of my thoughts "we can stay there until the comet and trust me, nobody is going to look for us there. Its the last place they will think to go for the reason that none of us have been there for a long time" I shrugged "not to mention, who would be stupid enough to return "home" after betraying their family and country"

"That's a good point" Sokka said shuffling closer to Suki, clearly that being all he needed.

"I hope you're right" Katara said softly not because she didn't trust me, I have learnt over the last week but because she is overly cautious. Aang nodded happily clearly trusting my judgement. Toph wasn't too pleased with the sand and wooden floor but had informed us she was doing better with the sand. I sat on the porch of the inner house looking up at the sky. The others had gone to sleep and the only sound was the small fountain running the water. Katara had cleaned the unkempt water earlier and it was bringing back memories. I almost wished she'd left it clogged and not running, but I honestly hadn't thought about my mother in so long...

"Can't sleep?" a voice softly came and from the shadows came Katara into the moonlight

"This isn't exactly my favourite place" I admitted and she frowned slightly and sat next to me on a slight angle facing me.

"You have seemed a little more tense since we got here. I mean you don't exactly relax but I can see the difference"

"Its fine" I shrugged not thinking about how she knew the difference made my stumach flutter.

"want to talk about it?" she asked gently "you don't really talk about yourself, I don't even know anything about you"

"I just haven't been here since my mother disappeared. The pond was her favourite place" I pointed to the pond and the running fountain I said keeping my voice level

"I didn't even think. I'm sorry I could turn it off" she said guiltily starting to get up I reached out catching her arm

"no, its okay" I said "she'd be saddened to see it as it was" I shrugged and she nodded sitting back down. We sat and talked for hours and eventually moved closer to the beach lay on the sand facing each other.

"You don't like the summer?" she asked surprised with a big grin "but your from the fire nation!"

"Your telling me you like the cold?" I shot back

"Well no, but because I'm a waterbender the ice didn't affect me like the rest of the tribe. I do miss it sometimes" she shrugged "so if you don't like the hot days do you like the winter? I mean you can keep yourself warm I suppose"

"no, I like the Autumn and spring. There is a nice balance to the two extremes that feel more peaceful" I shrugged and she looked at me again surprised.

"Hot headed Zuko appreciates the peace of balance" she nodded

"Oh shut it" I said lightly trying not to smile her eyes were falling and she was getting obviously tired, she laughed lightly and looked at me steadily. My heart did not pick up. And I did not have the urge to reach for her.

"I can't believe a couple of months ago we were in the hidden city fighting and now we are here" she said softly

"I wished I had chosen better... not been so blinded" I whispered

"I've never hated someone before that moment" she said "nobody specifically anyway, I felt so betrayed, so foolish that I believed your story" she blinked trying to keep her eyes open "of course I know it was true but the time before you showed up I wasn't sure, you know?" I nodded not speaking "but I think it was the right decision" she said softly

"You can't mean that" I said appalled

"I do. You were never going to learn what you did until you got to go home. You went home, saw what was going on with eyes of a man... not a child who was exiled and felt he had something to prove. You had travelled the world, lived among those who suffered at the hands of your nation, your uncle guiding you, showing you unconditional love. I'm sure you learnt things that you needed to know to see where in this fight you belonged. And you chose a difficult one, to turn away from your family"

"Not really" I shrugged and she frowned a me softly "Betraying Uncle was a harder choice, choosing to leave, to go get him, to come help Aang was very easy, much more so than I ever thought. I'd spent so long convinced my father loved me, that we were right, and killing the Avatar was my destiny. Its why I foolishly chose to help Azula. I'm just glad we failed so I could set things right" I admitted

"Still, are you not... upset that Aang has to kill your father?"

"Not even a little bit" I admitted "which sounds awful but its true" His Father had done nothing for him and even took his Mother from him. Whatever delusions he had about his Fathers love was broken on the day of the eclipse, and it was so easy to walk away.

She sleepily shook her head

"its understandable" she mumbled and I smiled. She was cute I thought and my smile vanished. I had to stop thinking about her like that.

"I think its time for bed" I chuckled and she frowned her eyes still closed

"Mmno" she shook her head barely "mwide wake" she slured I stood and picked her up kicking sand over the fire to put it out. She opened her eyes for a moment still clearly fighting to open them

"its okay... I ca-"

"I don't mind" I chuckled and she smiled sleepily and held onto me her arms falling onto her stomach as I reached the stairs to the bedrooms her clearly losing the battle with sleep. I put her in her bed gently and pulled the covers over her. I smiled down at her, was she always so beautiful? So... light? I had never noticed with my brainwashed mind, but I could understand why Aang loved her. I left closing the door. I'd never talked with anyone like that before, not even Mai, I truly enjoyed it. I went to bed myself. There was only a few hours until the sun came up. I dreamt about Katara...

-

I sat in the throne room, the fire dead and I sighed my body tense and aching. Sitting here all day was not what I was made for I thought bitterly.

"Fire Lord Zuko?" A voice came from below I looked down to the bowed soldier and frowned in annoyance

"Yes?" I asked calmly hoping it was not another citizen wanting a audience to complain about the Earthbenders, again.

"There is a-"

"Please tell" her voice came right behind me then a hand took my shoulder and came round the back of my neck gently messaging it "whoever has come to complain the time for a audience is over and the Fire Lord has other obligations right now" her voice was stern yet soft and the soldier smiled and bowed

"Yes Fire Lady" he responded and left

She came and sat behind me and put her arms around me

"I'm not made for this" I sighed and leant against her feeling greatful for the support of her.

"We can't fight forever, we ended a 100 year war, what did you think your life would be afterward?" she asked leaning forward to kiss my temple

"Well for starters I thought I'd just still be the prince and Uncle would become Fire Lord. He should have been from the beginning" I said putting my hands over hers bringing them to my lips. She came round and I closed my eyes leaning into her and the incoming kiss. It was still just as perfect as the first time I had kissed her. Like somehow we were made for each other. I opened my eyes to look into her blue eyes. As blue as the waters that only stood out with her cinnamon skin. Her dark hair was down with two small braids keeping it at bay. I brought my hand to cup her face and kissed her quickly

"I love you, Katara" I whispered putting my head to hers

"And I love you" she smiled

-

I woke up quickly sitting up and then going dizzy from moving too quickly. My heard was pounding and I looked to the door to see Sokka stood at the door arm raised to knock in the open door

"Are you okay?" he asked concerned

"Yeah..." I said weakly and crossed my legs to hide a awkward conversation "yeah just a dream... a... a weird dream" I frowned getting out of the bed and getting ready to start training Aang.

The others were excited for the play, I however was not. It was going to be excruciating to sit through and Toph coming was pointless as she couldn't even see stage given it was wood.

"You know, I'm good" I tried as they were all dressed to leave "I'll stay here with the Bison and Lemur"

"Come on Zuko!" Katara smiled taking my arm and pulling me along. The nervous turn of my stomach at her touch bothered me and I tried not to yank my arm back

"Oh come on, please don't make me go they are awful. I may have been gone for a few years but I guarantee that they have not improved" I groaned and actually felt as though the Eight year old me was coming out to have a tantrum about it

"Even so, we can all have a laugh about it later if it is so bad" she said looking up to me smiling. Was she always so beautiful? I thought again and gave in letting her pull me along to walk with the others. After a few moments she let me go and I strangely felt cold where her hand was. Katara was pretty, of course. But ever since we went looking for the southern raiders, seeing her strength, her loyalty and dedication I found deep respect for her that I could appreciate that I was too blinded to notice before. And feeling that toward me and seeing her happy and smiling I now see how beautiful she is, pure. I sighed and shook my head. This is absurd! I thought to myself, You love Mai, and you can't even try to think of trying anything with Katara. Its a war, and Aang clearly has feelings for her and you cannot afford to upset the balance of the group. That's what I told myself.

-

The show was awful, as predicted. Aang and Katara were quiet on the way home the others didn't seem to notice. No doubt Aang was upset about the play and how Katara and I were portrayed but surely he knew that was not the case. I would be lying if i said it didnt stir some feelings aand images wothing me. Everyone was in bed and I sat on the front porch the Lemur on my lap eating berries. He then flew off and glided into the house. I looked to the beach and saw a figure. Frowning I silently made my way down ready to fight if needed. When I rounded the corner arms up I stilled. The moon was bright in the sky and she sat on a bit of ice floating on the water out passed the waves looking up to the moonlight. Her red outfit didn't fit the image as her water tribe one would but she was still breath taking non the less. I kicked off my shoes and got into the water and swam up to her.

"Katara?" I asked and she gasped turning to face me "sorry, its just me" I said lifting myself up out of the water

"Zuko" she breathed

"I didn't mean to scare you. Are you okay? What are you doing out here?" I asked shaking the water out of my hair she smiled slightly and used waterbending to dry me.

"I needed to think" she said softly looking back up to the sky

"Don't worry about the play" I said "nobody takes what they portray as fact" I shrugged

"Maybe, but it upset Aang. And caused an argument" she sighed and put her head in her hands as she sagged forward.

"I'm sure you and Aang will make up"

"I am too. Thats not what I'm worried about" she said and shook her head

"So what is?" I asked

"The fact they even insinuated it" she said and I tried not to take that personally "I mean sure who doesn't like the bad boy, and it's not like I haven't wondered, obviously" she said gesturing to me "but at the time, my only thought was to help you. And I'd never say anything like that portrayal" she sighed and then froze eyes wide as she realised what she had just said

"obviously huh?" I asked calmly hoping I was not blushing. She took a moment and xomposed herself seeming to make a decision.

"Oh come on. You are... well you're hot, you have that bad boy vibe -well did- and its intriguing. What girl wouldn't wonder. But bad boys don't make good partners in the long run and you were the enemy, then you almost weren't, then you betrayed me" she shrugged her tone wasn't harsh or accusing just stating the facts, but it still hurt to have it thrown back at me.

"And now?" I asked and she sighed

"And now..." she took a breath and looked at me "and now you're Zuko. You're brave, and honourable, honest and surprisingly sincere. You care a great deal than I ever thought you capable" she sighed I snorted and looked to the sky and saw her glare at me

"Sorry... its just I spent the best part of the last year trying to capture Aang for honour. I am not Honourable"

"Zuko, you chose to leave your family, you owned your mistakes with no excuses and you are teaching Aang so he can defeat your father to end a war that you grew up being told was the right thing. You gave when you were without, and you saved Appa when that could have benefitted you a great deal. Tell me where there is no honour there" she challenged "you helped me grieve and didn't judge me, you supported me in the path I chose. You helped my brother free my father and Suki. Honestly as resourceful as he is I think he would have died if he went alone" she said and shook her head. I stayed silent for a moment and let that sink in. She... respected me. She didn't think little of me because of my mistakes and the things I had done. If anything it seemed to make her...Proud? That I had learnt from them and owned them. She truly had forgiven me.

"So you're upset... I'm not just a... a bad guy?" I asked confused

"I'm upset they were right" My heart dropped "Now, not then. I mean, now I know you better..." she shook her head "I'm upset they saw it and I didn't until tonight, I'm upset it hurts Aang. I'm upset I am not in a position to figure out my feelings right now because of the impending death match that decides the fate of the-" she was getting worked up and I could see her struggle wasn't just the timing, it was the choice between someone she deeply cared for and another she was learning she cared for.

"Katara, calm down." I interrupted placing my hand on her bare shoulder "you have time to figure all you want out. Aang will restore balance and the world will be fine...scarred, but it will heal in time and with the Avatars guidance. But you're right we are at war. And as scary as it is to commit to a relationship with the off chance go the other way, I don't think you should push it down to deal with later. If you realise in the moment it could end your life"

It was too risky to leave it waiting to be realised at the last moment. I never said it but... there was a very real chance Aang could fail. And I didn't truly see myself making it to the end of this war, I had no intention of letting anyone kill me but it would balance out if his time came then. He was clearly getting... attached to her, to the others and he was accepting that. It wouldn't interfere.

"Is that why you chose to try with Mai?" she asked gently

"I suppose so..." I frowned honestly I wasn't sure why, she had been my childhood crush, she clearly loved me but it seemed to make Azula happy, and it distracted her from my unease of being home.

"Why didn't you bring her with you? Would she not have come?"

"I think she may have, I didn't until the prison. I thought she would have tried to talk me out of it, or say no but then be in a position to lie to Azula. It was hard to leave her but... not as hard as I thought it would be" I admitted and she nodded. I watched her in the moonlight and she watched the horizon slowly relaxing. Had I helped? She leant against me her bare arm radiating heat along my own and the urge to reach over was overwhelming. She was everything I wasn't, she cared in a way I hadn't felt in a long time. And the knowledge she was feeling something for me was more dangerous than anything she had ever thrown at it me. She was always supposed to be Aang's girl, he deserved her, he had never hurt her or tried to kill her. I sighed and felt the guilt rising again. She looked up to me and smiled wrapping her arms around my waist

"Thank you, Zuko" she whispered and kissed my neck quickly before resting her head on my shoulder. My breath caught in my throat.

I'm in trouble I thought sighing again before selfishly putting my arm around her waist and pulling her up against me

"Anything you need I'm happy to help you through it" I promised

"Anything, huh?" she asked her tone suggestive, the smile clear on her voice and I had to close my eyes and not let my mind run away with images I had no right thinking about. Did she realise what she had just said? Shaking my head and looking up to the sky, silence fell between us.

I'm in big trouble, I corrected my earlier thought.