Its a day late, but hey, at least its here!

o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o

As Sokka's sword clanked to the ground, it hit me –not the sword, but a realization. The reason Katara wanted to be so secretive about us could all be summed up in one word…Sokka. Everything I didn’t understand about Katara's decision before now became as obvious to me as the full moon that hung above our heads and the dumbfounded look that was now on Sokka’s face. I tried to take back every thought of doubt I ever felt over Katara’s decision, and now I even wished I could turn back time and fix it all.

Sokka stared into the unoccupied space between Katara and me with a blank, slack, expression. His face clearly read: ‘I’m going to stand here and deny everything I just heard.’

I was about to open my mouth and help him on his way to denying everything, but Iroh suddenly came careening out of the forest. He stopped right in front of me and bent forward with his hands on his knees, breathing deeply from breathlessness. He must have run all the way over here, and as I say him so out of breath, it reminded me of Iroh’s age. He was getting old. I always used to think of him as indestructible, but now…

When Iroh finally recovered, he looked at me; his eyes seemed to bore into my soul, like he was looking right into my mind. With one glance at Aangs unconscious body, Iroh seemed to know exactly what happened. With a sad smile, Iroh encased me in a bone crushing hug, a hug that was filled with both sadness and happiness at my situation.

A surprising pain gripped my arm and I couldn’t stifle the scream of pain as he squeezed my shoulder that he didn’t know had been dislocated, and to be honest, with all of the craziness that was happening, I forgot myself. Iroh let go of me and examined me carefully, and although I told him thousands of times to go and check out Aang, he fretted over me.

He made a small sound of pity and then addressed Sokka, “Go and check Aang for injuries.” He commanded. Sokka jumped into action and ran to where Aang, but the dazed and confused expression never left his face. I turned to watch Sokka check Aang, but when I did, Iroh grabbed my shoulder, surprising me, and popped it back into place. Another wave of pain hit me, but it was not as intense as the first, my arm seemed to be slowly numbing.

Iroh kneeled next to Aangs limp body and began checking him for a pulse and any other injuries along with Sokka.

Iroh glanced back at me and Katara and nodded towards our camp. I knew Iroh was giving Katara and me a chance for a clean escape back to the campsite, so I took it. I ran towards Katara, grabbed her arm, and made a break for it. Katara didn’t yell, struggle, or question what I was doing, I think she knew that we should get away from there just in case Aang woke up or Sokka snapped out of his shock.

We made it back to the campsite quickly. I released Katara from my grip and then ran to my stuff. I didn’t know what would happen when everyone came back, but I wanted to be prepared so I strapped my swords on and stuffed my dagger into my sash.

I made my way to Katara, who was trying to keep busy by cleaning up Sokka’s mess, and gave her a big hug.

I could only think that Sokka was probably going to kill me once he comes to his senses, so if I ever wanted to kiss her again, then I’d better do it now.

I tried to kiss her softly and savor the moment, but all of my intentions went up in smoke as soon as my lips touched hers.

There was fire everywhere, because she was everywhere. Her hands traced my skin, burning it. Her lips tasted every inch of my face. Katara pushed me roughly and my back hit the prickly bark of a tree, but there was no pain, I couldn’t feel anything but the burning.

Her hands knotted in my hair, pulling me into her as if there were any possible way for us to be closer.

I switched our positions and slammed her back into the tree. Her legs wrapped around my waist, the tree giving her the leverage she needed. My tongue twisted with hers and there was no part of me that was not invaded by the insane desire that possessed me.

“What in the name of Yue are you-”

I detached myself from Katara only to find Sokka staring at us from across the clearing. “Get off my baby sister!” Sokka yelled and then charged at me, sword drawn.

I cursed loudly and then pushed Katara, who was as dazed as I was from the kiss, away from me. This is the second time Katara has been put in danger by someone she loved today, and I was actually getting pretty tired of it.

I unsheathed my swords and waited for Sokka. He swung his sword at me hard and fast, aiming for the juncture between my shoulder and neck, but my swords rose up to meet his quickly, blocking his blow. His sword sliced slowly through the air, but what it lacked in speed, it made up for in power.

Sokka seemed determined to chop off my head, and with every swing he came closer and closer to achieving that goal. He swung his sword with such power that I had to use both swords and all of my strength to block his blows, but with my arm still pulsing painfully, every block got weaker and weaker.

I could hear Katara yelling at us faintly in the background, but she didn’t interfere, she knew that this was between Sokka and me.

I tried to use my superior strength and agility to my advantage, but the power behind his heavy sword leveled my strength. I ducked one of his blows and spun around him so that his back was against mine. I waited for the blow I knew would come, and when it did I quickly dodged it. His sword made an arc over his head, and when it didn’t his me it kept going despite his attempts to stop it. His balance faltered and he fell backwards, hitting his head on the hard dirt.

I did a flip backwards and landed right in front of him, my swords crossed at his neck. I could have killed him right then, but I wasn’t a killer, I wasn’t my father.

I took a step backwards and sheathed my swords as he got to his feet.

He looked murderous, but made no further move to attack. “Get out.” he commanded through clenched teeth.

I looked at Sokka, confused and a little worried.

Katara stepped in front of me. “Sokka, what are you saying-”

“He needs to leave; he can’t stay with us anymore.” Sokka cut her off.

I froze. He wanted me to leave. Where would I go? What would I do? I couldn’t leave Katara after what just happened. But the longer I thought about it, I realized he was right. I can’t stay as long as Aang is here. The little kid is kind of like an annoying kid brother in some ways, and if I stayed here, it would hurt him. It would be a lot safer for everyone here for me to just leave for a while.

“He can’t just leave!” Katara yelled. “Where would he go?”

“I don’t really care.” Sokka answered coldly, hate burning in his eyes as he glared at me.

“What do you mean ‘you don’t really-”

I put my arm on her shoulder and sighed. “No, he’s right…I’ll leave.” I walked over to my small bag of stuff and shouldered it. I was glad that I hardly had anything so it was easy to pack up.

Sokka smiled triumphantly at my submission.

Katara looked like she wanted to hit me. “No, you’re staying right here, if Sokka doesn’t want you here, then he can leave.”

I sighed and grabbed Katara’s arm, pulling her off to the side so I could talk to her without Sokka hearing. “It would be bad for Aang to see me right now; he hates me now. I won’t be far from the camp though; I’ll stay close so you can get me when things calm down enough for me to come back.”

“If you’re going, then I’m coming too.” She asserted impulsively and began to gather her stuff.

“No.” I called to her as she walked away. “I couldn’t do that to you; just stay here with your family and friends.”

“W-what do you think you’re doing?!” Sokka yelled at her and grabbed her hand roughly, stopping her from packing her stuff.

I saw her flinch in pain and let out a growl of anger. “You’re hurting her Sokka, you better let go if you know what’s good for you.”

“She’s not going with you.” He started pulling at her arm as she struggled to get away. “She needs to stay here.”

“Why? So you can yell at her and harass her for liking me?” I stepped towards him threateningly. “Let her go now, or I’ll make you.” I flashed my sword at him.

Sokka paused and Katara was able to yank free of him. When he spoke again, his voice was controlled. “Choose now. Zuko or me.”

Katara’s eyebrows furrowed, and then her expression relaxed. But in that short moment, her face clearly read anger and sadness.

When she spoke, she did it quietly. “I’m sorry Sokka, but someone who loved me wouldn’t make me choose, you told me I couldn’t be with someone I love. I can’t deal with you right now. If you want me back, then Zuko has to be welcome too.” She took my hand. “Let’s go Zuko.”

I stood still in shock, but was brought back to earth by a painful tug to my arm. I grunted, but let her lead me out of the campsite. I just couldn’t believe that she chose to stay with me, the idea seemed impossible. How could she choose me over her family? I know Sokka was being a complete jerk, but wasn't she used to that already? But it was true that Aang would not likely forgive us easily about what had happened today. I knew Aang would always love her, and he wouldn't easily forget our lies and trickery.

“Where are we going to stay?” I asked Katara quietly.

She paused and I almost bumped into her. “I don’t really care.” She said gruffly, but I saw her shoulders shake with unshed tears.

I squeezed her hand and gave her a hug. We stood there for a while, just embracing each other. Crickets chirped slowly as she cried with grief on my shoulder. She cried for her brother, Aang, and she cried for herself.

The night drew on, the animals slept, and the wind blew. We couldn’t change what just happened, we could only move on and live with whatever consequences we were delt, be it good or bad.

I let out an involuntary yawn, it was late, and even the memory of what happened earlier today, could not wake me up. “Come on Katara, we need to get some sleep, it’s really late and we need our rest.”

She let out a small hiccup that was wet with tears. “Ok.”

When she drew away from me, she left a wet spot where her face had been. “Sorry.” She apologized with another small laugh.

“Its' ok…” I drew out a long sigh and rubbed at my eyes. “Um…did you bring a blanket we could sleep on?”

She closed her eyes tightly. “Crap…I didn’t, but I do have a sleeping bag…”

I sighed. “Is it big enough for both of us?”

She blushed. “If we squeeze in real tight.”

I sighed again, “Ok, I’ll sleep on the ground…”

“No!” she yelled, and a look of panic graced her face briefly.

I jumped slightly at her small outburst.

She continued shyly. “I mean…I don’t want to be alone tonight…I just…I need someone to hold me.”

I couldn’t deny her emotional comfort, if she needed me, I would be there for her. What happened to her tonight was obviously worse than what happened to me, so I had to be there for her no matter what she needed. “Ok.”

After about ten minutes of awkward shifting and squeezing, we were able to crawl into the one-man sleeping bag.

Katara fell asleep quickly, but I stayed awake for a long time just listening to the sounds of the forest, wondering what life would throw at me next.

When I finally did fall asleep, it was with Katara in my arms. I held her tightly, not willing to let her go for a second. We were tangled in each other, we were one, and I had a feeling that is how it was supposed to be from the beginning. Now and forever.

o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o

I know some of you guys are like "Why did she choose her Zuko over her own brother?" Well, you have to understand, she was angry at Sokka. She is the 'caretaker' of the group, always putting everyone else's needs before hers, and the one time she finally did put her needs before everyone else's, regardless of what they thought about her decision, it all blew up in her face. Everyone is mad at her (except for Iroh and Toph of course) and she just doesn't want to deal with that hate and disapproval right now. She just needs time. Dont worry, she's not going to run away with Zuko and never speak to her family again.

Sokka...oh Sokka...you and your stupid pride, why did you make your sister choose? Hmmm...I hope it all turns out ok in the end! (Ha ha ha to you guys! I know exactly what is going to happen!)

Ok, so...I am really excited about what is going to happen next...its going to be good (at least I think it is.)

Whatever, I have to go now. I'll see you laterz.