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Assistant: Title: My Heart Burns for You
        Author: alwaysZutarian alwaysZutarian 
        Chapter: 12/78 
        Summary: Four years have passed since the end of the war, but as they meet again and encounter many obstacles, Zuko and Katara realize that whom their hearts truly burn for is one another. Can they love each other knowing they will hurt those that love them? What will become of them when a new enemy appears with a vengeful plot to destroy everything they had worked for to bring peace?
        Contents: Chapter 12: Enclosed City
    

    


      
        
          *Revised 6/26/2020*
      
  

  
  
    
    The bright sun peeked over the tall mountaintops, warming the Earth below with soft pink, lavender, and golden hues, signaling the start of a new day. A chilly breeze blew by, reminding the world that the seasons were changing. A few birds rose from their warm nests and began to sing the coming of dawn.Katara opened one blue eye and was greeted with the early colors of a bright new morning. Stifling a yawn, she blinked a few times to get rid of the sleep embedded in her eyes and frowned. Why did she wake up so early?Sitting up with her warm sleeping bag still around her, Katara drowsily looked around their little campsite and noticed that everybody else was still asleep. A crackling sound drew her attention to the small campfire where the fire had died down during the night into a few glowing embers.Suddenly, she remembered why she had woken up earlier than usual. They were to travel to Ba Sing Se at the break of dawn. But then why was everybody still sleeping? She looked over to where Zuko had laid out his sleeping bag the night before and saw that he was still asleep.That’s strange, she thought, Zuko’s always already awake by dawn.She glanced at his sleeping face and noticed that he had a small smile on his lips. Smiling gently, Katara wondered if he was dreaming. A memory of what happened at the lake the previous night flashed before her eyes.His intense golden eyes roaming her body, his warm breath caressing her ear…Her cheeks began to burn and she was positive her face was turning red.Oh, gods, I can’t believe Zuko almost saw me naked! How embarrassing! Mortified, Katara placed her hands over her cheeks and shut her eyes tight. Well, at least it was Zuko and not some old perverted stranger…She shuddered at the disturbing thought.Another image from about a month ago surface in her mind. It was Zuko, almost nude with a crimson towel wrapped around his lean hips and droplets of water coursing down his muscular torso…I guess we’re even now, Katara thought with a smirk before she blushed. Oh, La! I can’t believe I’m daydreaming about a half-naked Zuko!Shaking her head, Katara decided to start on breakfast in order to keep her mind busy from confusing thoughts of glorious masculine bodies…namely Zuko’s.Stop it! Katara yelled at her imaginative mind.Blushing furiously, Katara opened the bag of food supplies and began to rummage inside. She had seen other men shirtless, especially in their trip to Ember Island. Aang tended to practice without tunics too. But then why didn’t the thought of Aang shirtless cause her face to burn like it did when she thought about Zuko?Shaking her head with a frown, the waterbender pulled a pan from the bag. She again looked up at the morning sky and wondered if perhaps Zuko decided that they would leave for the great Earth Kingdom city later in the day. Shrugging, she added a few wood sticks and small logs to make the fire stronger and placed the pan over it.Frowning, Zuko shifted in his resting place as the smell of roasting meat reached his nose. He rolled to his side, taking another sniff, and sighed as his dream resurfaced in his hazy mind…
  He was sitting in the Royal Palace Garden under his favorite cherry blossom tree. Beside him sat his mother and they were smiling as they fed the turtle-ducks, who waddled away from the pond to nibble on the morsels they provided. 
Suddenly, he felt someone come up from behind and sit next to him. Turning, he opened his mouth to greet Mai, but was mildly surprised when he realized it was not his black-haired girlfriend, but the blue-eyed waterbender that took a place by his side.   
  He smiled as she gracefully sat on the green grass, arranging her red dress around her feet. Zuko vaguely wondered why she was wearing red, but he found he was quite pleased. Katara returned his smile and thanked Ursa when the woman handed her a piece of bread and the two women laughed as they fed the little creatures. Zuko looked up to the sky and watched as clouds lazily passed them by. He felt so at ease.
  A small weight on his shoulder brought his attention back to his surroundings. He looked over at Ursa and noticed that his mother was smiling warmly with a twinkle in her golden eyes. He looked down to where his mother’s gaze shifted to and noticed a head of brown hair resting lightly on his shoulder. He gasped when Katara lifted her head to give him a bright smile that caused his heart to skip a beat…Zuko’s amber eyes opened and blinked a few times as the clutches of sleep began to leave him.Whoa, that was strange, he thought. Where did that come from? He frowned. Well, at least it was not like the previous dreams that have begun to plague me constantly. But he had to admit he had not had such a peaceful and relaxing dream since his early years of childhood. He sighed quietly. It made him feel…content.The young Fire Lord allowed his eyes to scan around and he saw that light was shining on the trees before him. He heard birds chirping somewhere overhead before he yawned and closed his eyes to doze off again.He bolted up into a sitting position and cursed. It was dawn already and he overslept!He threw his warm sleeping bag from his body and scrambled to his feet. He opened his mouth to order the others to wake up when he noticed that Katara was already awake and had started on breakfast.So that’s what I smelled in my dream, he mused as he put on his black, pointed boots and quietly made his way to the campfire.Why am I having so many dreams about Katara? he asked himself as he quietly made his way to the busy waterbender who had still to acknowledge that he was awake as well.Are these dreams trying to tell me something? He frowned as he felt an ache in his chest before a thought formed in his head. Am I really…falling for Katara?Zuko shook his head before frowning even deeper.No. That can’t be it. I can’t fall in love with my friend. It has to be something else. Yes, that’s it. It must be something else…He stopped a few feet behind the waterbender and sighed inaudibly…Right?“Good morning, Katara,” he called softly, but apparently not soft enough because she jumped and almost dropped the pan she was holding. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you,” he apologized quietly.He watched as a blush stained her cheeks, reminding him of what he had come across the night before.Smooth shoulders and long legs the color of caramel, wet chocolate-brown hair, damp white towel…He mentally shook his head before it wandered off too much.“N-no, it’s fine!” Katara squeaked before clearing her throat. “I just didn’t hear you.” She smiled bashfully. “Oh, and good morning even though I thought I would’ve said that a couple of minutes ago,” she teased with a grin.Zuko rubbed the back of his neck and cleared his throat.“Yeah, I…kind of overslept,” he muttered.“Yeah, I kind of figured that out,” Katara retorted playfully. She laughed softly when Zuko scowled.She turned around and continued with her chore.“How about you wake the others while I finish here? That way we can leave right away. Uncle Iroh must be impatient to see us,” she said as she turned to smile at him again.Zuko nodded and walked to where the rest were peacefully sleeping.The young lord smiled as he heard the fondness in Katara’s voice as she mentioned the tea-loving old man. He remembered how his uncle had insisted the waterbender call him ‘Uncle Iroh' that time they all helped the old firebender in his teashop after the war. He vaguely wondered why his uncle insisted Katara call him such and why only her. Iroh was fond of Toph too, but he never insisted that she call him ‘Uncle’ as well.Dismissing the thought, Zuko first woke Aang, who rose with a loud yawn. Momo mimicked his master and stretched lazily on the airbender’s bald head.After a few minutes, Zuko was able to wake a snoring and drooling Sokka, who immediately wrapped a protective arm around his betrothed and their unborn child while grabbing his boomerang. After realizing who had disturbed him, Sokka nodded groggily in understanding and gently shook Suki, placing a soft kiss to her temple to wake her up.The young Fire Lord then knocked on the stone wall that housed Toph, calling to her that they were getting ready to depart. He then immediately left for he was smart enough not to insist too much unless he wanted to deal with a cranky earthbender early in the morning.Zuko next moved to his mother and smiled at her peaceful face. Soon they would return home and she would have all the time she wanted to rest. He shook her shoulder gently and Ursa immediately sat up, greeting him with a warm smile. The young man help her packed their things and handed their belongings to Aang who placed them on Appa’s saddle.Zuko watched as the group dragged their feet around the clearing while rubbing the sleep from their eyes. Apparently, only firebenders were morning people.After picking everything up, the little group settled around the small campfire and waited for the waterbender to serve them their breakfast. The sun was rising slowly, illuminating their small clearing and causing the dew resting on the tips of the green blades of grass to glisten.A few minutes later, they heard a low rumble as Toph’s earth tent was lowered back to its original place in the ground and a grinning earthbender emerged, stomping her way to the circle of friends.“Had a good night sleep, Toph?” Aang asked, smiling cheerfully as he munched on some berries Momo had given him. It was a bit unusual for the earthbender to wake up in such a good mood so early in the morning.“Not really, what with all the vibrations last night,” Toph said as she yawned and smirked as if she knew something.“What vibrations?” Sokka asked with a full mouth.“Oh, I don’t know. I was sure I felt something…or someone walking in the middle of the night, possibly to the lake we found yesterday. Did you hear anything last night, Sweetness?” Toph asked innocently as her smile broadened before she tilted her head in Zuko’s direction. “How about you, Sparky? Did you have any trouble sleeping?”Katara blushed lightly and averted her eyes to the plate in her lap. Zuko glared as Toph smirked.“No, I actually slept well,” he answered impassively.“Of course you did,” Toph replied.She grinned and chuckled, making everybody look at each other in confusion and causing Zuko to inwardly cringe in horror at the possibility of her knowing what the first dream he had the night before consisted of.Clearing his throat, Zuko looked around at the others.“We should hurry if we are to arrive at Ba Sing Se today.”The others nodded as they rushed to finish their small meal.A few minutes later, Zuko waited patiently as all their supplies were piled on the sky-bison’s saddle. He looked around the small clearing they had made their stay in for the night to make sure they had not forgotten anything.Zuko watched as Aang bent a small ball of air and propelled himself onto Appa’s massive head with a cheerful laugh. He then watched as Momo landed on Appa’s nose and the two animals began a conversation that consisted of grumbles and chirpings. Zuko frowned as Toph passed him by and gave him a huge grin while wiggling her eyebrows.Okay…? he thought.Smiling, he helped his mother stepped onto the large saddle, earning a loving pat on the cheek.He then turned to look at the lovely and confusing waterbender whom it seemed he could not stop thinking about. Zuko watched as Katara bent down to grabbed her water skin from the ground, unintentionally presenting to him her lush backside and causing his heart to race. He looked away and cleared his throat.He smiled as Sokka helped his Suki settle comfortably on the saddle while cooing at her bulging stomach. Asking for an apple even though she had eaten breakfast a few minutes ago, Suki smiled lovingly as her betrothed readily agreed to give her one and searched through their food supplies.Sokka turned around with the red apple in hand and went to give it to Suki, but cried out in indignation as Momo snatched it up. Sokka jumped after the lemur, but lost his balance and toppled over the saddle with a surprised cry.It seemed they were ready to go.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*“Look! We’re finally here!” Aang cried out excitedly before he called out, “Yip, yip!”He flicked Appa’s reins, indicating to the sky-bison to fly faster. Appa let out a groan as he increased his speed.The great city’s stone walls emerged before their eyes, casting shadows on the ground surrounding the borders.“Oh, my! It is incredible,” Ursa awed as the small group flew over the tall walls of Ba Sing Se.They leaned over the side of the saddle and watched as the people below looked up when the large animal’s shadow fell over them. The people began to cheer and point excitedly as they realized the Avatar had come to visit their grand city. Aang waved enthusiastically at them, earning a few more cheers.“Your love for public adoration seems to never die, Twinkletoes,” Toph muttered sarcastically.“I can’t help it if the people love me,” Aang replied and grinned cheerfully.“Whatever,” Toph retorted with a scoff, rolling her eyes. She snorted and slouched deeper into the saddle.Katara frowned as she looked over at Aang. She knew the people adored Aang for bringing down the terrible Fire Lord Ozai and she especially remembered a few girls who practically fell all over him. Koko from Kyoshi Island especially came to mind. She had felt slightly jealous in the beginning of their relationship, but now she felt almost nothing because she knew he was the Avatar and in a way belonged to everyone. The only thing that did bother her was that Aang seemed to enjoy the attention a bit too much to the point where it seemed he completely ignored her sometimes.Is something wrong with me for feeling this way? Katara asked herself and frowned even deeper.She returned her gaze to the ground below and noticed that a few people were now pointing and cheering for the young Fire Lord. She looked over to where Zuko sat perfectly straight with an almost bored expression, not acknowledging the cheers sent his way.I guess he must be used to the attention since he is royalty and all, she mused.Katara noticed that morning that he had changed into a more formal-type of traveling clothes. His short hair was now pulled back into a topknot with his royal fire crown resting proudly on his head. She guessed it was because Zuko was meeting the Earth King, and being the Fire Lord he had to present himself as such.And he does look stunning, she admitted with a blush.“Should we have sent a messenger ahead of us to prepare the Earth King of our arrival?” Katara asked, looking at Aang and then at Zuko.“I believe it is unnecessary,” Zuko replied coolly as he looked over at her and nodded to the people below. “I’m sure King Kuei knows we’re here already.”He turned his attention to his mother who was watching the extremely large Earth Kingdom City of Ba Sing Se rushed below them. Ursa raised her head and looked over at her son with a confused expression.“Why are there walls inside the city? It almost seems like the city is being divided into sections.”“That’s because it is divided into sections,” Toph spoke up. She snorted again and crossed her arms over her chest.“Ba Sing Se is divided into three rings,” Zuko elaborated. “The Upper Ring is where the rich and wealthy reside in elegant homes. The Middle Ring is the financial district, with shops and restaurants and the university. The Lower Ring is where merchants, artisans, the poor and refugees live in,” his voice sounded almost bitter. “This is where Uncle and I first lived when we came to Ba Sing Se during the time we were hiding from the Fire Nation.”Katara frowned as she remembered coming upon the Lower Ring of Ba Sing Se almost four years ago. She could not believe that she, along with her companions, were enjoying the pampered lifestyle of the wealthy when they had first arrived to the city of walls while others were barely able to enjoy a meal. If only there was something she could do about it just like that poor village where she appeared as the Painted Lady.“That is horrible,” Lady Ursa gasped.“Yeah, but it’s not as bad as it was four years ago,” Aang said and turned around a bit from his perch on Appa’s head. “Toph and I were able to convince King Kuei to send help to those from the lower district. It was small help since Ba Sing Se had lost much after the war, but at least the people are not as bad as they were during the war.”“Perhaps I can do something about that,” Zuko spoke up, his face hinting no emotion, but his eyes glinting with determination. “Maybe I could promise King Kuei that I will aid the Lower Ring to prosper in exchange for something.” He frowned. “I just need to think of what.”He remembered how hard it was to live by on what his uncle and he earned at the teashop in the dirty and poor district of Ba Sing Se. They had met a few people who were kind to them and so he wanted to help them. Ursa smiled proudly at him and patted his arm.The ground below changed from the grand and elegant houses of the Upper Ring to a grand wall with a massive gate, and beyond that stood the Earth King’s palace. A few guards approached and waved their hands to signal where the sky-bison should land. Appa groaned as he slowed his speed and landed softly on the stone floor, a few clouds of dirt swirled at the landing breeze Appa created.And just like Zuko predicted, King Kuei stood on top the long flight of stairs that led into the palace with a large smile on his face. Bosco, his brown bear, lay by his feet with a small green vest and a hat. A few servants were waiting patiently behind them.They were surprised, however, to find Iroh grinning widely at them beside the young ruler of Ba Sing Se with Mai and Ty Lee at his side. Iroh’s grin was then replaced by disbelief and then delight as he spotted Ursa before he quickly made his way down the stone stairs. Once he reached the bottom, he walked swiftly toward the new arrivals.The gang dismounted Appa, who was then led away to rest in the stables, and approached the long flight of stairs. Iroh reached them and opened his arms wide to the woman who was his good friend and had gone missing for years.“Ursa!” Iroh exclaimed happily and a wide smile spread across his excited wrinkled face. “I see Zuko has found you. It is good to see your lovely face again. I am so happy that you are finally here with us.”“It was actually Katara who found me first,” Lady Ursa replied with a smile before she embraced the old man warmly, her eyes shining with unshed, joyful tears. “Iroh, I am glad to see you once again. I was afraid I would never see you or Zuko again in my life.” She tightened her hold slightly and laughed. “I see you have not change. You still smell like jasmine tea,” she teased.Iroh chuckled joyfully and patted her back soothingly. They slightly pulled away and Iroh held onto her hands.“I still can’t believe that after all these years I have been fortunate enough to see you once again,” he confessed, causing Ursa to smile.Iroh returned his attention to his nephew, who was smiling at them, although he tried to hide it.“Did I not tell you,” Iroh began, “that you would find your mother with some hope and patience?” The retired general then glanced at Katara. “And some help?”“Yes, Uncle.” Zuko nodded as he, too, looked at Katara who blushed under his gaze. “That you did.”Iroh beamed before he looked at Katara who was smiling at them.“Ah, my dear Katara,” he exclaimed as he walked over to her and gave her a warm, grateful hug. “I want to thank you for helping my nephew.”Katara blushed again and sneaked a glance at Zuko.“Um…you’re welcome…”“Let’s go greet King Kuei and his beloved Bosco. I bet you all must be tired,” Iroh continued as he chuckled before he looped his arm around Ursa’s. “And then we will discuss your whole disappearing act, my dear Ursa, over some nice warm tea.”Ursa smiled slightly and allowed herself to be led toward the flight of stairs by her good old friend, whom she sometimes saw as her older brother.“Yes, we have much to discuss, Iroh dear,” she said and inclined her head towards her son who was talking to the young Water Tribe woman before the Avatar stepped in.Iroh chuckled and nodded.The group finally climbed the stairs and began to greet the Earth King and his furry friend. Bosco gave a friendly growl and licked Aang’s face, causing the young airbender to laugh. Katara laughed at the scene before she caught Mai glaring at her. Katara smiled tightly, but Mai only narrowed her eyes coldly and looked away.I guess a day at the spa didn’t help much, huh? Katara mused inwardly before she narrowed her own eyes and glared at the back of Mai’s head as the noblewoman made her way to Zuko. Katara crossed her arms and looked away.“Fire Lord Zuko,” King Kuei greeted and bowed to the younger ruler. “Welcome back to Ba Sing Se. Master Iroh has explained to me about your journey into the Earth Kingdom. It is a pleasure to have you here once again. I hope you enjoy your stay,” he said politely since this was the young man who had returned Ba Sing Se to him even though the new Fire Lord could have kept the city for himself.Zuko returned the bow and gave a small nod.“Yes, thank you for your hospitality, King Kuei, but I am only staying for a few weeks for I must return to my duties in the Fire Nation soon.”“Ah, yes, I understand.” King Kuei smiled and pushed his thin glasses over his nose. After greeting Lady Ursa, the Earth King’s attention was then brought onto Aang, Bosco and Momo.Zuko felt a pair of arms snaked their way around his own arm. He looked beside him and saw Mai smiling softly at him.“Mai,” Zuko greeted with a frown. He had had a feeling that Mai would have still been angry with him for his behavior back in the Fire Nation Palace.“I would like to speak to you once we are alone,” Mai responded lowly.She waited until Zuko nodded before she moved her emotionless gaze towards the older noblewoman who was staring at them with a small frown.“Princess Ursa,” Mai said as she bowed gracefully. “I am glad that Zuko found you. I hope you remember me. I am Mai, your son’s girlfriend.” She straightened her shoulders smugly and attempted a friendly smile.“Ah, yes. I remember you. Little Mai, the governor’s daughter,” Ursa replied as she gave a small smile before her gaze landed on the pink-clad young girl who was jumping excitedly in her place beside the tall, young noblewoman. “And I also remember you. Ty Lee, am I correct?”“Yes, Princess Ursa,” the enthusiastic acrobat bowed deeply before giving off a radiant smile.Ursa looked back to her son who was standing like a stone statue with an equally stony facial expression beside a bored-looking young woman. The older noblewoman looked Mai over, who was attached almost possessively onto Zuko’s arm. She saw that Mai was as tall as her son with long black hair, dark eyes, and pale skin. She stood gracefully, almost haughtily, with guarded features, the perfect example of a true Fire Nation noblewoman.Ursa looked over to where Katara was laughing with the blind earthbender and the pregnant Kyoshi Warrior. She would have liked for the Water Tribe woman to be her son’s girlfriend. She was intelligent, loving, and caring and she made Zuko smile. Returning her scrutinizing gaze to Mai, Ursa frowned. She did not know Mai that well, but maybe she made her son happy.Zuko furrowed his eyebrows as he noticed his mother looking Mai over with a frown before her gaze shifted to Katara.I wonder what she’s thinking, he pondered.“Come,” King Kuei’s soft voice brought everybody’s attention to him. “My servants will take you to your rooms so you could freshen up from your long journey. Bosco and I will be waiting for you in the dining hall with a grand banquet that has been prepared for such important guests such as yourselves.”“Alright! I couldn’t have asked for a better trip,” Sokka cheered before planting a big kiss on Suki’s cheek. He grabbed her hand and shoved his way inside the palace with the others trailing after him.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Zuko allowed Mai to lead him away from the rest of the group after their meal was over. They all had spent a lot of time talking in the elaborate dining room. Well, the others had, while he listened and observed, occasionally offering his thoughts on things. He had noticed that even though the Earth King had learned many things as he traveled the Earth Kingdom he was still a bit naïve, especially since he considered his bear higher than anybody else.He sure is a bit strange, Zuko thought absently. I’m sure it will be easy to make a compromise with him about the Lower Ring…The others had gone to look around the palace, and to his annoyance, Katara had gone with Aang. Shaking his head, Zuko noticed they had stop walking and he shifted his gaze to the room they were in. It looked like a large sitting room where soft, green pillows and couches were placed in. There was a small table near a corner with a Pai Sho game board. He had a feeling his uncle had something to do about that. He returned his gaze back to Mai who was staring at him silently.Zuko sighed and ran a hand over his hair.“Mai, about the other night—”“I’m sorry, Zuko,” Mai interrupted as she moved forward and wrapped her arms around his neck.Zuko frowned before he slightly pulled her away.“What?”Mai stared at him before she let out a soft sigh.“I’m sorry for trying to manipulate you, for accusing you of cheating, and for ignoring you. I have thought about what happened during these couple of weeks and I realized that I overreacted,” she said in her usual tone, void of any emotion. “It’s just that I got angry that you rejected me and I was scared that you didn’t want me anymore.”Zuko closed his eyes before looking away.“Mai, I…” He paused and frowned, as he could not think of anything to say.“It’s okay,” the dark-haired woman said and smiled. “I understand.”“You do?” Zuko asked skeptically and raised his eyebrow.“Yes,” Mai replied with a nod. “You were just tired and wanted to rest. That doesn’t mean that you don’t love me anymore.”Before Zuko could answer, Mai pressed her thin lips to his.Zuko closed his eyes and waited for that spark...that heat to course through his veins that just one look from Katara seemed to install in him. But he was slightly disappointed when nothing happened. He felt Mai press herself closer to him while she tried to make him respond by nibbling on his lip. Zuko cringe as a feeling of revulsion and guilt hit him. He jerked away and gently pulled her away from him. She looked at him with a questioning look.“I need to speak with the Earth King about the problems with the Lower Ring,” Zuko said instead. He watched as annoyance briefly flashed across her face before she stared at him blankly.“Oh, well, why don’t you go see to their needs before the world ends?” she said coldly.Zuko narrowed his eyes at her.She will never understand, he thought severely.It was the same thing back in the Fire Nation. She never supported him on his decisions to help those in need and accused him of neglecting her in favor of strangers. Perhaps it was best they broke up.“There are some things we have to discuss once we arrive at the Fire Nation,” he said harshly.Mai’s eyes widened slightly at his tone of voice and she gasped.“What are you saying?”Zuko looked away and sighed deeply, trying to gentle his tone.“Our relationship seems to be going nowhere. I believe it is for the best that we—” He was unable to finish as Mai clung onto his neck desperately.“Please, Zuko, don’t,” she pleaded, a hint of nervousness and pain coating her once monotonous voice. “I’m sorry. I won’t question your decisions ever again.”“Mai, I think it’s best—”“You know what?” Mai interrupted and smiled. “You must be tired and that’s what is making you say such things. Maybe all we need is some time alone for the both of us to think. I think it’s time that I paid a visit to my family. I will leave to Omashu after you return to the Fire Nation and I will stay there for a few months.”Instead of being the governor, Mai’s father was now the ambassador of the Fire Nation in Omashu. King Bumi was the one who proposed that the ex-governor of New Ozai stayed.Before Zuko could argue, Mai gave him one last kiss before she hurriedly left the room. Zuko stared after her in bewilderment at her strange behavior and the obvious fear in her voice.Perhaps he was being too brash about his decision to end his relationship with her. She loved him and she had been by his side for almost four years. Would he be able to break her heart?~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Both the retired Fire Nation general and the Fire Lord’s mother were sitting in one of the many gardens that surrounded the Palace of Ba Sing Se. The gardens were beautiful, but Ursa noted that these gardens consisted of too much green colors with few rare flowers. The way the gardens were situated seemed too organized and rigid, not giving off the air of them being natural, something she made sure her garden possessed when she used to live in the Fire Nation Palace.For the past few hours, Ursa had revealed her past to her trusted friend, who listened to her with an understanding and sympathetic ear. Mentally, Iroh cursed his brother for harming such a kind woman like Ursa and a young boy like Zuko.“A-Azula?” Ursa whispered sadly, “Where is she? I have only heard rumors about her...Rumors that I am afraid could be true. Zuko has not spoken a single word about his sister. Is she…dead?” she asked in a strained voice and held her breath.Iroh sighed and swirled his teacup, causing the steaming liquid to swoosh. It seemed Ursa had no idea that her daughter had become an insane ruthless warrior, one who almost tried to kill her older brother.“No, Azula is alive, but I believe it is best that you ask Zuko what has become of her,” Iroh told her gently.Ursa lowered her gaze and sighed sadly.After being reacquainted again and falling into a comfortable setting, Ursa insisted that she be informed of everything concerning her son. And of course, being the caring mother that she was, Ursa wanted to know if Zuko was happy in his love life as well. She expressed her concern of the cold relationship between Zuko and Mai.“It does not look like Zuko is happy, but perhaps that is just me. I have not been in his life for a long time,” Ursa said sadly before smiling when Iroh patted her hand. “Maybe I am not giving Mai a chance to prove herself.”Iroh shook his head and sighed.“Even if you give Mai a lifetime of chances she will never make Zuko happy. I fear that Mai is just like the other noblewomen who seek your son’s affection as well as the title of Fire Lady. She is too serious and depressing for him, something that Zuko seems to have too much of already.”Ursa looked down at her teacup and frowned.“What he needs is a lively young lady who would do almost anything to make him happy, a woman who complements the person he is. Preferably a beautiful waterbender with sparkling blue eyes, long brunette hair, and a lovely laugh,” Iroh said casually. He grinned and sip from his steaming cup of tea. His golden eyes glimmered with glee.Ursa snapped her head up and gaped at her wise friend.“So you have noticed the way Zuko and Katara interact with each other as well?” she asked and when Iroh grinned even wider, she smiled.“To tell you the truth I am surprised you noticed also since it seems nobody else want to acknowledge the possibility that those two may have feelings for each other…especially the two stubborn ones concerned,” Iroh said and laughed.“Then you would approve of Zuko pursuing a relationship with Katara, a Water Tribe woman and a waterbender?” Ursa asked hopefully.“I should be the one to ask you that question, but it seems that there is no need for me to do so since you seem delighted with the idea already. My dear Ursa,” Iroh chuckled softly, “I am their number one supporter besides Master Toph!”“Lady Bei Fong is aware as well?” the Fire Nation noblewoman asked.“Are you kidding me?” Iroh exclaimed incredulously before he laughed again. “You are talking about the one who can detect a heartbeat a yard away through the ground! She was the one who noticed their changing feelings and attitudes toward one another as the end of the war approached. We are trying to lead my nephew and Miss Katara in the right direction, but they are the ones who have to realize it and take the next big step. They are just being stubborn.”Ursa smiled and took a small sip of the jasmine tea Iroh had poured for her. She sighed in contentment as the sweet flavor coated her throat. She not only missed the jolly old man, but his wonderful tea as well.She really liked the idea of having Katara as her son’s girlfriend, and with any luck, as his future wife and Fire Lady, and her future daughter-in-law. Iroh and she approved, but would the Fire Nation Court approve of such a relationship? Would they allow their Fire Lord to marry a woman from a different nation?And what about Mai? Zuko had told her that the dark-haired noblewoman loved him enough to go against Azula. Maybe she was being biased because she had spent more time with Katara than she had with Mai. Perhaps once she got to know Mai better she would be able to decide if the noblewoman was the right one.And if Mai wasn’t…well then, the much better she would feel if Katara was the right woman for her son. Looking up at Iroh she gave him a small grin.Then she would gladly join in the ranks of those supporting a relationship between Zuko and Katara.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Zuko sighed tiredly as he paced irritably in one of the palace gardens. The sun had set a few hours ago and he had a headache. His problems with Mai were making it difficult for him to come up with something to compromise with King Kuei in exchange for his help towards the Lower Ring.Should he continue with their relationship? Could their small time apart from each other help at all? And if he did decide to break up with Mai, he was positive the Fire Nation Court members would not hesitate to parade their single female relatives in front of him. He did not need more problems than the ones he already had.“Calm down, Sparky, or you’re gonna pop a vein,” he heard Toph’s amused voice behind him.Suppressing a growl of annoyance, Zuko spun around to pin a glare at the irritating earthbender, ready to snap at her to leave him alone. He closed his mouth quickly, however, when he noticed that Toph was not alone, and because of this, the blind girl was smirking knowingly. Katara was beside her and she was looking at him with a concerned expression.Zuko looked away and closed his eyes.Why must she do that? he yelled in his head. Those looks she gives me is what’s making me so confused!“Zuko, what’s the matter?” Katara asked when Zuko turned away from them. “Did something happen to Lady Ursa?”“No, she’s fine,” Zuko replied quickly, unable to stop himself from reassuring her. “Where’s Aang?” he asked tersely.Toph smirked when she noticed his barely contained jealous tone.“Oh, uh…” Katara frowned at the hard edge in Zuko’s voice. “He went to check on Appa before he retired for the night.”“Hm.” Zuko nodded and continued on his previous task…pacing around in circles.“What’s bugging you, Hotman?” Toph asked as she sat herself on a stone stump she summoned from the ground. Crossing her arms over her small chest, she tilted her head toward the agitated young man.“And don’t tell me nothing’s wrong ‘cause I ain’t buying that,” Toph added when she felt the firebender about to retort.Zuko closed his mouth and snorted, stopping in his pacing to glare at the unaffected earthbender.“Is it something we can help with?” Katara asked quickly before some bruises and burns appeared.Zuko looked over at her and sighed.If you can help me figure out what you’re doing to me, then be my guest, he muttered in his head.“No, it’s nothing serious,” he replied coolly. At least part of it wasn’t. “I’m just trying to figure out what to ask King Kuei in return for aiding the Lower Ring of Ba Sing Se.”“Oh, that,” Toph huffed as she waved her hand dismissively. “By the way you were pacing like a caged tiger-armadillo I thought you were having a life crisis. So what’s the problem with this compromise thingy?”“Well,” Zuko began and frowned, “I want to help these people, but I just can’t spend the Fire Nation’s treasury by sending relief to people from another country without getting something in return. The Court Council would not like that.”“So the only thing you need to do is figure out what King Kuei can give you in exchange for your help?” Katara asked and tapped her finger on her chin pensively.“Yes.” The young Fire Lord nodded. “The thing is that I don’t know what Ba Sing Se can offer for the betterment of the Fire Nation.”The three young benders furrowed their foreheads as they tried to come up with a good idea. A chilly wind blew by, rustling the few trees in the garden. Katara shivered and unconsciously stepped closer to Zuko who absentmindedly raised his body temperature to warm her.Toph noticed their positions and grinned widely. They were already finding comfort in each other without even realizing it.“I know!” Katara exclaimed suddenly and snapped her fingers. “While we were in the Fire Nation I noticed that there were only a few vegetables and fruits grown in the Earth Kingdom that are used in the meals.”“Well, yeah,” Zuko said and shrugged, “The Fire Nation is not exactly a good place to grow many types of vegetables or fruit. And the common Fire Nation citizens do not buy Earth Kingdom produce regularly since they are too expensive.”“Ba Sing Se is known for its vegetables and fruit production. So why don’t you tell King Kuei that in exchange for helping him with the Lower Ring he exports fresh green produce to the Fire Nation at a low cost? That way the common people could afford to buy vegetables and other fruit for their meals.” Katara beamed at her idea.“Hm?” Zuko frowned, rubbing his chin as he thought it over. “Well, that does sound like a good idea, but it may not be enough for the Court Council members.”Katara’s smile fell from her face and she frowned in concentration. She wanted to be a part in Zuko’s plan for aiding the Lower Ring. She was unable to do anything for those at the Abandoned Fort, but maybe if she thought hard enough she could help those in need in the poor district of Ba Sing Se. If only she could don the Painted Lady’s identity once more and sneak into the rich homes and ‘borrow’ money that could help the people.What does Ba Sing Se have that can benefit the Fire Nation? Katara racked her brain. Well, there’s the zoo and the earthbending-powered train system. And then there’s Lake Laogai.“Hm? Ba Sing Se has been almost isolated from the rest of the world for many years,” Katara thought aloud as an idea began to form in her head.“Yeah, so?” Toph asked as she wiggled her dirty toes.“Well…” Katara furrowed her eyebrows as she looked up at Zuko. “What if you could help without actually having to use a lot of the Fire Nation’s treasury?”“What do you mean?” Zuko asked her.“You can ask the Earth King to promise to lower the cost to the vegetable imports to the Fire Nation in which you will send money as is appropriate by how much the vegetables make a profit to the Fire Nation,” Katara began slowly, “The other promise King Kuei could make is that Ba Sing Se will help itself by opening its walls to the rest of the world.”Zuko tapped his chin with a long finger as understanding began to dawn in his head.“Ba Sing Se has many interesting things to offer,” he mused, “It is very probable that many people would like to see the grand City of Ba Sing Se. And with many tourists swarming the city…”“Money pours from their pockets which will help Ba Sing Se rise!” Toph finished, as she finally understood what the other two benders were getting at.“It is time that all nations opened their doors to each other,” Zuko said seriously. “I will talk about this with King Kuei tomorrow morning.”He smiled down at the waterbender.“Once again you helped me with a problem. Thanks,” he said sincerely.Katara looked up at him with a smile before his warm eyes caused her to lightly blush.“I’m glad that you accept and appreciate my help,” she said softly. “And it makes me happy to help you, but I also want to help the people in the Lower Ring just as much as you do.”Zuko smiled at the determination that shone in the waterbender’s face. Her love in offering her help to those that needed her was what also made him admire the great woman that she was.Not to mention that she’s a beautiful woman, Zuko thought with a dazed look before snapping out of his thoughts when Toph coughed. He glanced at the short earthbender from the corner of his eye and noticed she was grinning at him.Straightening his tall frame, Zuko cleared his throat.“Okay then, so I guess I’ll see you two in the morning,” he said smoothly. He looked at Toph then at Katara and a small smile appeared on his face. “Maybe we can all look around Ba Sing Se tomorrow after I speak to King Kuei.”Katara smiled brightly.“Yeah! That sounds like fun! We could visit Uncle Iroh at the Jasmine Dragon! Maybe Toph and I can take Lady Ursa and Suki to the spa.”Toph pretended to scowl in annoyance.“Eh, fine, but I swear that if my feet get touched, someone will die,” she drawled.“You didn’t complain about the mud bath last time,” Katara teased and laughed, making Zuko looked between the two in bewilderment.What the hell are they talking about? he thought before shrugging his shoulders.“Okay, I guess I’m going to bed now,” Katara said with a yawn. “Good night, Zuko.”“Good night, Katara. Sleep well,” Zuko replied with a smile. “And thanks again.”Katara smiled and nodded before she turned back to looked at Toph who had not moved from her perch on the stone stump.“Toph, are you coming?”“I want to stay out here for a minute,” Toph said. “I’ll talk to you later. Wait for me in your room.” She grinned mischievously.
  First, I’ll talk to Zuko about their little…outing last night.
Katara shrugged before she again bid them good night.“I’m not really surprise Sugar Queen came up with that plan,” Toph spoke up and yawned. “She always tries to find a way to help others even if it gets her into trouble just like when we were at the village of Jang Hui.”“You were at Jang Hui?” Zuko asked as he watched Katara make her way across the garden until she disappeared inside the palace.“Yup, like four years ago, and let me tell you that place smelled horrible,” Toph said and wrinkled her nose at the memory.“To tell you the truth I had no idea it existed when I was still Prince Zuko,” the young man admitted guiltily. “It wasn’t until we were told that the factory was destroyed that I learned about the village and the dishonorable way the people were being treated. It’s prospering now, though,” he added.Toph smiled as she swung her small legs.“Did you ever find out who destroyed the factory?” she asked.“No. We were told it was probably some rebels,” Zuko answered as he continued to watch the spot where Katara had been standing last. “But I heard some rumors that the people of Jang Hui attributed it to a spirit by the name of the Painted Lady.”“I’m glad they held their promise of secrecy,” Toph said casually.“What?”Toph began to bend two small b@lls of dirt between her fingers.“Were you told how the factory was destroyed?” she asked instead.“Well…” Zuko began and glanced at her suspiciously, “The soldiers reported that it seemed the factory was flooded before it exploded…” he trailed off as a thought popped in his head, “Did you guys have anything to do with that?”Toph smirked.“We really didn’t do much. It was all Katara’s idea. She and Aang destroyed the factory. Sugar Queen couldn’t stand the way the villagers were forced to live so she helped them, healing their sick, too.”Zuko smiled.“The river spirit the villagers were talking about…it was Katara, right? She was the Painted Lady,” he stated.“Yup,” Toph admitted with a grin.The young Fire Lord returned his gaze toward the entrance of the palace where Katara had disappeared to.She was willing to help a town from the nation that had hurt her and her family. Will she ever cease to amaze me? he thought.“Sooo,” Toph began innocently before she started to grin, “What were you and Sweetness doing last night? Please, spare me the obscene details.” She threw her hands before her face and laughed sarcastically.Zuko spun around to face his small friend and gaped at her before he composed himself.“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said warily.“You know d@mn well what I’m talking about,” Toph retorted and rolled her eyes. “I know it was you and Katara giving off those vibrations last night.” When Zuko did not respond, she smiled. “So are you gonna tell me what you two did?”“No,” Zuko replied flatly. He had promised Katara that nobody would know, and even if Toph tortured him, he will keep his promise.“Fine,” Toph huffed and jumped from her stone seat, lowering it to the ground.The best way to approach this is by making outrageous assumptions, she thought wickedly.“You both were lured by a mystical creature to an unknown land or perhaps both of you were sleepwalking?”“Uh…no.” Zuko frowned and wondered what the hell Toph was talking about.“I know! You got sick and started to vomit and Sweetness went to help you,” Toph continued and smirked.“Of course not!” Zuko denied with a scowl.Toph grasped her small hands behind her back and began to rock back and forth on the b@lls of her bare feet.“Well, I guess the only thing left to think is…” Toph leaned forward and whispered, “Katara and you sneaked away from camp in the middle of the night to have hot s@x!”Zuko backed a step with a shocked expression.“N-no! We did no such thing! D-don’t be ridiculous!” he stuttered.Toph grinned widely as Zuko’s heart skipped a beat before it began to race wildly.“Katara and I doing that…” Zuko’s voice trailed off as he thought back on his dreams and on how much he really enjoyed the thought of such an experience from happening.Mai and Aang’s betrayed faces surfaced in his mind and again he felt ashamed.“…is impossible,” he finished and closed his eyes.Toph sighed and crossed her arms over chest. That’s what you keep telling yourself.“I was just messing with you, jeez. I’m going to sleep. See ya tomorrow,” she said with a grumble.I’m not going to get anything out of Lord Uptight here. She grinned. But it would be so easy to make Katara divulge everything.The scheming earthbender mischievously grinned inwardly as she passed by Zuko.Stopping a few feet behind him, she spoke, “I hope you don’t get a heart attack with whatever dream you have tonight.”She laughed loudly and ran towards the palace, leaving a gaping firebender standing in the middle of the garden.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Katara hummed softly as she passed the brush through her long, brown hair. She stifled a yawn as she looked over at the night sky through the window in her guest room. The room was a bit smaller than the one she was given in the Fire Nation Palace, but it was nice nonetheless. The soft, jade green bed was slightly raised from the ground with two stone steps leading up to it. The small dresser she was sitting at and a stone chest at one corner were the only other furniture in the room. The only thing the room lacked was a private bathroom. The palace actually had two separate public baths for men and women.“Why is Toph taking so long?” she muttered. “I wonder what she wants to talk to me about. Knowing her, it’s probably something that will either irritate or embarrass me.”At that moment, the door burst open and Toph emerged with a glint in her milky lime-colored eyes.Yeah, not good at all, Katara mentally groaned as she continued to comb her hair.“Okay, what do you want?” the waterbender sighed in resignation. “I know you have something in your mind by that look on your face.”The earthbender chuckled as she flopped herself onto the soft bed.“Alright then,” Toph began. She grinned as she prepared herself to ask the same question, but this time, she was not leaving without getting any answers. “Why were you awake in the middle of the night yesterday?”Katara turned around to face her friend and frowned.“There was a full moon and you know I can’t sleep on those nights,” she said.“Well, what were you doing?” Toph asked innocently.“I…uh…went for a midnight…walk,” Katara replied carefully as a small blush appeared on her cheeks.“Really?” Toph smirked. “Then what were you and Lord Sparky doing together last night?”“What?!” Katara squeaked and slightly jumped in her seat. She felt the telltale signs that her face was imitating a tomato and she was glad Toph could not see it. “W-what…uh…we were…um…enjoying a midnight spar! Yeah, that’s right. We both couldn’t sleep and decided to do a little exercise, that’s all.”“Riiight,” Toph stressed sarcastically before she scoffed. She snorted and lifted her eyebrow to show she did not fall for that lame excuse. “I thought you said you went for a midnight walk.”Katara blushed even deeper as she tried to come up with something, but her mind was drawing blanks as her memories rushed before her eyes. She looked up when Toph began to chuckle.“I get it,” Toph said as she sat up in the bed. “You and Zuko wanted some alone time, so you sneaked away to snuggle together under the romantic full moon.” She grinned as she waited for the waterbender’s usual outburst.“That’s crazy!” Katara yelled frantically. “I was just swimming, minding my own business, when Zuko happens to come upon me while I was bathing and—” She gasped and clamped her hand over her mouth as she stared wide-eyed at Toph.Toph’s mouth fell open before she started to chuckle.“Woah, I never would’ve thought Zuko to be such a pervert!” Toph exclaimed. She grinned, knowing full well Zuko would never do anything to harm Katara.“It was not like that!” Katara exclaimed and shook her head. “He didn’t know I was practically…” she trailed off as another blush stained her tan cheeks.“Naked?” Toph finished for her.She smiled as Katara’s heart practically had a marathon. Toph knew that if it had been any other guy, Katara would have raised hell for having her privacy intruded upon. Interesting.“Well, yes…” Katara replied embarrassingly. “But Zuko apologized and was gentlemanly enough not to try anything. Then he looked away while I got out of the water to change and escorted me back to the campsite. It was like it almost didn’t affect him at all.” She frowned, wondering if perhaps she was not attractive enough.“Oh, please,” Toph snickered. “He’s a guy! Any man with blood in his veins would be affected if he saw a girl bathing. Zuko just happens to know how to control himself.”Katara frowned and wondered what Toph was trying to accomplish.“Are you trying to say that Zuko was in some way affected by…um…seeing me almost n-naked?” she stuttered.Toph rolled her eyes at her sometimes too innocent and naïve friend. Of course she will miss the signs a h@rny guy would give, but she guessed it was not the waterbender’s fault since Sparky was good at hiding his emotions.“Did he really not do or say anything? He didn’t react at all?” Toph asked.“Well, he was embarrassed for sure,” Katara replied and smirked at the horrified look he had on his face when she caught him staring at her. “He was also apologetic, and then…”“And then?” Toph prompted.Katara’s eyebrows furrowed and she placed a finger on her chin.“When I got out of the water, I wrapped a towel to cover myself to face him. Then he…uh…well…he stared at me, almost as if he was looking me over.” Again she remembered the intense look he had in eyes and she shivered. “You don’t think that Zuko was…checking me out, do you?”“Why not?” Toph asked and shrugged. “I’ve heard many comments from lots of guys who say you’re hot. I’m sure Sparky knows when to appreciate beauty. And stop being so embarrassed and shy about these things. It’s normal! Of course, if guys are being gross and perverted about it, then you can beat the cr@p out of them.”Katara laughed, feeling a bit reassured about her physical appearance.“Well, now that you got what you wanted, can I go to sleep? Oh, and uh…don’t tell anyone else, like Sokka and…Aang. They might get the wrong idea.”“Don’t worry. I’ll be silent as a tomb.” Toph grinned before she jumped down from the bed and made her way to the door. She opened it, but before she left she turned around a bit. “Katara?”“Yeah, Toph?” Katara asked as she made her way to her bed.“You should try to make yourself be happy for once and admit what you feel even if it might hurt those that love you,” Toph said in a serious tone.Katara looked up at the uncharacteristic manner Toph spoke, but her friend had already exited the room and closed the door behind her. The waterbender went to the door to call Toph back, but stopped and instead went to her traveling bag placed at the foot of her bed. Rummaging inside, she pulled out the object she was looking for and climbed into her bed. Sighing quietly, Katara opened her closed hand and looked at the beautiful, silver rose hairpin.What was Toph talking about? What feelings am I supposed to admit? She stroked the ruby and sapphire gems gently with one of her fingers. Why did Toph all of the sudden say those words when they were just talking about Zuko?Katara’s eyes widened and she gasped.“Surely she doesn’t think I have feelings for Zuko!”
  Well, Toph is a smart and very perceptive person.
“Well, this time she’s got it all wrong,” Katara said aloud and frowned as she clenched the little trinket in her palm. “I can’t have feelings for Zuko because I love Aang. Zuko’s just a very good friend whom I happened to enjoy spending my time with.”She couldn’t have feelings for him. They were too different. He was a very powerful man who had a country depending on him, and she was just a simple Water Tribe woman. He is destined to marry a refined noblewoman.Probably Mai, she sighed.And she…well…Aang had not actually asked her to marry him yet, but by the way he kept telling her how much he loved her, then it was a likely possibility that they would settle down and start a family.Katara frowned as an uneasy feeling settled in her stomach at the thought. She looked down at her rose hairpin and sighed.
  Why does this piece of jewelry make me feel so confused and yet so comforted at the same time?
Shaking her head, Katara placed the rose pin under her fluffy pillow since the room did not contain a nightstand. Resting her head and covering her body with the blanket, the young woman looked over at the window before she fell into a restless sleep.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Katara smiled as she took in the sight before her. She was standing before a beautiful, clear lake. A few bright stars were winking at her from the inky sky. There was a light mist that surrounded the place, giving it a mysterious and peaceful feeling. She bent down and reached into the water with one hand. Strangely, the water was warm, and a grin spread across her face.   
  She stood up and reached for the sash around her waist, but a hand stopped her and covered her own small hand. She tensed when she felt warm breath near her ear. Her heart began to pound in her chest as uncertainty made her immobile. 

  “Katara, don’t be scared. I won’t hurt you,” a low masculine voice whispered in her ear. 

  Katara’s eyes widen in surprise and a small gasp fell from her mouth. 

  “Z-Zuko?” she breathed uncertainly.

  She heard him chuckle before he brought his other hand to her shoulder. Slowly he slid his warm hand down her arm and brought it to rest on her hip, causing her to shudder in a strange but delightful way. She felt his breath near her neck before Zuko placed a soft kiss on her warming skin. Katara closed her eyes as a rush of heat coursed through her body. 

  “Katara, you’re a very desirable woman,” Zuko continued in a whisper. 
Katara was positive she had heard him say that before, but now having him so near caused her to shiver and believe him even more.  
  She felt Zuko tug her hand as he slowly turned her around to face him. Katara gasped once again as she saw his intense golden gaze. She had a feeling she had seen that smoldering stare before, but her mind went blank as he suddenly drew her body closer to his.

  Another gasp escaped her lips at the swift move. Her heart was beating wildly in her chest at the close proximity and she felt hot. 
What is happening to me? she thought.
  Zuko brought a hand to her face and caressed her cheek gently as a soft smile graced his handsome features. Katara watched, mesmerized, as his face began to descend to her own. Zuko’s lips touched her forehead, causing her to gasp. He moved his lips to her cheek while his hands ran down her back, causing Katara to let out a soft moan. She shivered as a strange sensation burned in the pit of her stomach.

  “Katara,’' Zuko breathed as he leaned his head closer to hers, his lips a few inches from her own. Another shiver ran down her spine. Katara closed her eyes as she waited for their lips to meet...
Katara opened her eyes and blinked as the morning light fell on her face. She was breathing heavily. She bolted to a sitting position on the bed and gasped, clasping a hand over her racing heart.“What was that?” she asked herself as she removed her blankets, which were suddenly too warm for comfort.She barely ever had dreams and she had never experienced such a dream before. Most of the dreams she did have were well…nightmares. She shifted in her bed and gasped as she realized that her most private area was hot and slightly damp.“Oh, spirits!” she exclaimed softly with wide eyes.She had felt attraction to men before, but never anything like how she felt toward Zuko. This strange, burning feeling was new to her.Katara dropped her hand from her chest and gaped.“A-am I…a-aroused by…by Zuko?” she stuttered.She jumped from her bed and began to pace around the small room with a blush on her cheeks.“This is all Toph’s fault!” she accused into the silent room. “She filled me with all those thoughts about Zuko and reactions and all that stuff last night! Yeah, that’s it! That’s why I was having a dream about Zuko.”A slightly dazed look covered her features as she stopped in her pacing.“And how he was holding and looking at me and…how he almost kissed me…” She gasped as she felt another rush of warmth in her core.She blushed furiously before she shook her head.“It’s nothing to worry about, right? This is normal. I’m nineteen for La’s sake.” She laughed self-consciously. “There’s no shame in this, right? I mean what woman would not be turned on by someone as stunning as Zuko?”A few women’s faces that they had encountered during their stay in Ember Island surfaced in her mind. They were practically drooling when the young Fire Lord passed them by with slightly heated looks on their adoring faces.Katara blinked when she realized she was grinding her teeth.Ooh, someone is jealous, a voice that sounded so much like Toph teased.I am not jealous! Katara denied and huffed before another thought crossed her mind that made her uneasy.Why was she having such dreams about another man that was not her boyfriend? Zuko had never held her like that and yet in her dream it almost made her melt. Aang had kissed her, he had embraced her, he had held her, but then why was she not having those kinds of dreams about him? Why did just a smile or a look from Zuko made her blush and feel things Aang’s kisses had never done?Katara slumped onto the small seat in front of the dresser with a long sigh. What was going on with her? What was happening? Was she really beginning to have feelings for Zuko?But that couldn’t be because she loved Aang and she would never betray him. She could never hurt him. He loved her.The confused young woman groaned as a small headache began to appear. She stood up to get another set of clothes to replace her...dirty ones. As she exited her room with the clean clothes, Katara headed towards Toph’s room to ask her if she would accompany her to the public bathhouse in the palace. She needed a cold bath.'
User: Summarize the chapter based on the content provided, ensuring to follow the set format and emphasize key aspects within the specified length.
User: Summarize the chapter based on the content provided, ensuring to follow the set format and emphasize key aspects within the specified length.
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