AUTHOR'S NOTE: I started writing this Monday, and I only just finished it. I'm extremely proud of it. I think I kept pretty close to their personality; which I'm happy about. I finished this after watching "Southern Raiders" and "The Ember Island Players". The Zutaraness was amazing! And Aang totally got served!! HEh heh, I mean, he confessed his love to her and she shot him down completely!! I loved it!! Trust me, I have absolutely NOTHING against Aang. I personally love that guy with a burning passion. I just don't want him to be with Katara. She's Zuko's girl!! Anyway, i hope you like this, and please comment!!

Zuko sat in the shadows, the dim light of the fire flickering across his mangled face as he leaned against Appa’s giant flank. Most of the others were already curled asleep. The avatar’s flying lemur, Momo lay sprawled on Aang’s chest, slowly being lifted up and down with each breath. Toph had made herself a bed of stone and was lying eagle-spread upon it. Sokka was lying face down on the ground. He twitched every few minutes and was snoring loudly. Zuko stroked Appa’s fur. The large creature had become his only friend in the strange group and he remained close to him at all times.

Appa shifted in his sleep and grunted. The firebender chuckled and patted his silky fur. But among all the peaceful quietness, Zuko’s mind was far from easy. His gaze rested on the brown haired waterbender. Her back was turned to him as she watched Aang intently. Zuko’s stomach clenched and he squeezed his eyes shut. Would she ever learn to trust him? To see the person behind the hate and fear? Would she ever realize how much her resentment toward him hurt? Why couldn’t she realize how he really felt about her? Ever since he saw her, something deep inside knew that he was meant to be with her; to protect her from anything and everything. It was his destiny. His heart throbbed as he recalled the words she had spoken to him the day he joined the avatar. “If I see you take one step backwards, you won’t have to worry about your destiny anymore…” Her voice, thick with venom, rang in his head as he replayed them over and over. Her eyes had flashed beautiful, blue fire. That was the only word to explain it: fire. Ever since then, in between his training sessions with Aang, he had spent his time trying to recreate the fire. He would skillfully sculpt the flames, in every direction, and just when he thought he had got it right, she would smile, laugh, speak, walk by…She would do anything and Zuko would lose his concentration; lost in a sea of blue flames.

He pried his eyes open as Appa shifted around. He sighed and yawned quietly. There was no doubt he was tired. In fact, he was downright exhausted from training the timid avatar, but he wasn’t about to miss anything that had to do with the beautiful waterbender that sat with her back to him. He smiled as she yawned and arched her back in a stretch. She was so beautiful; Zuko could hardly stand it. He just wished he could bury himself in her sweet, brown hair, feel her soft, delicate arms wrap around him, touch his lips her hers.

Just then, the fire flickered out. He heard Katara gasp and whip around. “Oh great,” she mumbled, gathering her blanket around her. Zuko watched her nervously as she stood and stumbled into the forest. His heart lurched as he thought of her being out there. Alone. If a firebender found her…Zuko shivered at the thought. He leapt to his feet and raced after her. She would kill him if she found him. But somehow, that didn’t matter. He carefully picked his way after Katara; keeping close enough to keep his eye on her, but not enough to be noticed.

As he followed her, his mind wandered. He pictured himself, his arms wrapped around the beautiful waterbender who sat curled in his lap. Her face was buried in his chest. She lifted her face to meet his and smiled. Zuko cupped her chin in his hands and touched his lips to hers. Blue fire ran through his body. Her hand ran over his well-muscled chest as she deepened the kiss. She sighed into his mouth, surrendering herself to him. He quickly took advantage of her sudden weakness. Their tongues swirled together, memorizing every inch of the other’s mouth.

Suddenly, he snapped back to reality as he crashed into…“What are you doing here?” She stood rigid before him, her eyes, once again, burning the fire he loved. He stood, staring at her, his mouth open, his eye stretched wide. Katara sighed with annoyance. “Are you just going to stand there, or are you going to explain yourself?” Zuko didn’t budge. He just stood, watching her. Katara narrowed her eyes. “Zuko? Hello? Earth to Zuko!!” He blinked stupidly.

“Uh…”

To his surprise, the blue-eyed girl giggled. He snapped his gaze to her, his eyes stretched even wider. “What?” he demanded.

She pressed her lips together, trying desperately to control her amusement. “I…I’m sorry…Zuko…” she apologized, still laughing. “It’s just…your…face!” Zuko’s heart pierced with sadness. Of course she was laughing at his face, he spat at himself. Who wouldn’t laugh at it?

He turned away, fighting tears that he held in his eyes. “Right,” he mumbled, “my face.” He touched the mangled skin that ran over his eye. His heart almost stopped when, light as a feather, she put her hand on his shoulder.

“Zuko, I’m sorry.” Her voice was sincere; there was no trace of sarcasm or irony. Only regret and sorrow. She sighed. “Zuko,” she whispered, “I’m sorry. I-I didn’t mean it the way it came out…I-I shouldn’t have snapped at you. You just…surprised me.” Zuko turned around to face her. His heart throbbed as he saw her pained expression.

He touched his hand to her cheek. “It’s okay. I shouldn’t have surprised you.” Katara placed her hand over his and smiled, nuzzling into his palm. Zuko’s heart went wild. He placed his hands on her waist, slowly moving up and down her back. She stepped closer until their bodies touched. She inhaled sharply and blushed. Zuko stopped. “Oh, sorry. I I don’t know what got into me…I just ” He was cut off by her lips on his. She threw her arms around his neck, pulling him even closer. He only remained stunned for a moment before he tightened his arms around her waist, welding her body to his.

The kiss lasted a long time, until neither of them could breathe. Zuko broke away, but kept his face close to hers. He shivered as he felt her warm breath on his neck. “Katara,” he breathed. She lifted her eyes to his, blue fire burning. He caught his breath and blushed. She smiled and touched her lips to his again.

“You really are beautiful,” she whispered in his ear.

Zuko chuckled. “Right, maybe compared to Sokka, but to you?” He smiled. She rolled her eyes. “Speaking of which, I’m not sure if this Fire Nation outfit really suits you.” Katara looked at him, questioningly.

“Really? What is then?”

He stroked her cheek, looking deep into her fiery eyes. “Blue. It matches your eyes.”