5 years later- (Katara is 15 now while Zuko is 16. I change their ages so their just a year apart now.)

I was walking down the hall with an arm of books and Zuko carrying some as well. "Katara this is a lot of books to carry you know that right?" I nodded. "Can I go? I think Mai might be waiting for me." I stopped in my tracks. I shook with anger...then stopped. "...yeah...sure just leave the books I'll come back and get them." He looked at me. "Really?" I nodded. "Yeah I don't mind I got it." He smiled hugged me and then ran off.

"Katara?" I looked up and met the gaze of Uncle Iroh. "Hey Uncle." He bent down in front of me. "What's wrong honey?" I looked down before I began. "It's Zuko." He looked at me without saying anything so I applied he wanted me to continue. "I don't know Zuko and I are close but not how we were before Aunt...you know." I sighed. "Things are so different now I feel a disconnect from him now." Uncle nodded pulling at his beard. "I see what's going on here." He does? "You like Zuko don't you?" My eyes widened which caused my face to burn up.

"I do not!" Uncle Iroh laughed at how red I was getting. "Katara I was just like you as a kid, I denied my own feelings and lost the love I once had. I don't want that for you Katara." He touched my face causing me to relax. "You wanna come to a war council meeting today?" I looked at my feet and then back at Uncle. "Who's gonna be there?" I asked curiously.

"Ozai and his many generals." My eyes lit up but at the same time I was scared of Uncle Ozai from time to time. "Alright I'll just go put these books in my room and I'll be back." I spoke. "Ok. Oi! Zuko!" I jumped before I ran off. "Katara!" Zuko shouted. I ignored his shout and rushed to my room. I slammed the door behind me and put my books on my bed. I sighed hard before there was a hard knock on my door. "It's Azula." The voice said. I opened the door where Azula stood in front of me.

"Are you going to the war council?" I nodded. "Uncle invited me." She nodded. "Me too let's go." I learned that despite Azula having her moments of being mean and rude I learned that she was actually a very sweet person. I walked down the hallway with her as we neared the door that we were always forbidden to entered. Zuko was waiting there. I knew Uncle invited him. We entered the room and we were immediately stared at by the generals.

I was able to ignore the stares like Azula and Zuko. We sat on the side. Uncle walked in and saw us. He walked and mouthed three words that I couldn't forget. "Do. Not. Talk." We said nothing as he sat at the table with the others. "Let's start." Uncle Ozai's voice spoke up booming the room. Azula and I sat there bored but still listening was Zuko who was so into it.

However, one of the general's said something that I caught. It slightly ticked me off. "I have a plan why not sacrifice an entire division of the new recruits in a diversionary maneuver." The general suggested. Zuko being Zuko stood up and fiercely said. "Why do something like that! These new recruits are already giving their lives! That's betrayal of the recruits patriotism!" Azula looked at Zuko as did I. I facepalmed while Azula smirked.

Zuko's insubordinate outburst was seen as a grave insult. Uncle Ozai stood up from his chair. "Prince Zuko for your disobedience to a war General I punish to participate in an Agni Kai." He demanded. The room turned to gasp and murmurs. "Silent!" Zuko didn't try to apologize all he said was "Yes Father." An hour later the meeting had concluded. Uncle Iroh had approached Zuko as Azula and I stepped out. "What have you done Zuko?" Uncle touched Zuko's shoulder. "It's fine Uncle. I'm gonna be okay trust me." But it really wasn't. Agni Kai's were dangerous even I knew that some people don't come out of it.

I walked past them. Even though I'm angry at Zuko I still like him and I don't want him to get hurt because I don't think my heart could take it. Azula had already walked off. "Katara wait up!" Zuko called. I stopped not turning around when he got next to me I started walking once more. "Kat-" I cut him off when I held up my hand. "I thought Mai was waiting on you Zuzu." I said pushing my hair off my shoulder.

"Why are you mad?" I sighed. "Don't act like you don't know Zuko." I stopped as I got in his face. "Know what?" Why is he so dense!? "Never mind Zuko." He nodded no. "Don't 'never mind' me Katara. I thought we we're like siblings." I blow up. "I never wanted to be siblings with you Zuko!!! I-I li-" I shook my head vigorously. I can't do this. I grabbed him by his arm pulling down to my level and pecked him on the lips.

"I like you, you idiot." He touched his lip seeming confused. "Zuko!" I heard Mai's voice. I ran off speeding down the hallway. I covered my mouth as tears ran down my face staining my cheek. I slammed my door realizing that I messed up. I could never forgive myself for what I did. "I betrayed Mai's trust in me." I laid out on my bed crying myself to sleep.

Next Day-

Today was the Agni Kai. I left my room at 9 since it was suppose to be at 9:15. Azula accompanied me as we travel to the arena. We stood next to Uncle and one of the generals that were there at the meeting.

That's when it started. Zuko was turned around and he was staring directly at me. I didn't look at him even for a minute. The opponent entered in the ring and Zuko spun around. Zuko found himself about to fight against his father. He immediately became penitent and fell to his knees. "I'm sorry Father I don't wanna fight." I looked at Azula who seemed to be enjoying herself. I grabbed Uncle's sleeve gripping it. Zuko crying and begging. Uncle Ozai stood there not moved by Zuko's actions. Uncle Ozai declared Zuko's refusal a sign of cowardice and another form of disrespect. Uncle Ozai affirmed that..."You will learn respect, and suffering will be your teacher!"

Uncle Ozai's hand came down and fire hit Zuko in the face. I could hear his scream. Uncle Ozai permanently burned the left side of Zuko's face. I stared at Zuko as blood ran down his face. I was horrified by this...I was even more scared of Uncle Ozai than before.

Later that day I heard from Azula that Zuko was stripped of his birthright and exiled. "When is he leaving?" I asked. "You didn't let me finish." I rolled my eyes. "Uncle said that he will have a permanent scar on his face. He's also said that he can not return until he found and captured the Avatar who we all know disappeared 100 years prior." I looked at her processing what she told me. That was crazy...a fool's errand...

"Uncle's also going along as well." My eyes widened. "What time are they leaving?" I asked. She shrugged. "Probably tomorrow." She said nonchalantly. She sighed afterwards. "Go after Zuzu." I smiled before I bear hugged her. She was taken back before she gave in and embraced me as well. "Bye Katara." She whispered. "Bye Azula." I said softly. We let go and I ran past her heading to Zuko's room. I had to hold my dress so I wouldn't trip and fall. I came to a stop as I stood in front of his door.

I raised my hand to knock but the door opened automatically opened and Mai was standing there beginning to leave. She had a tear run down her face as she ran off. I walked in where I saw Zuko sitting at the edge of his bed. "Zuko." I stood near the door. He didn't look up at me as I stepped into his room. I calmly walked towards him and he didn't move.

I was standing in front of Zuko. "Zuko look at me." I uttered. I touched his hand and squeezed it tightly. His hand gradually touched mine. He lifting his head and I saw the bandage over his right eye. I hugged his neck tightly as I let tears drip down my cheek. I felt Zuko's arms wrap around my waist as he stood up. We stay like this for a long time. After just a minute longer Zuko let me go and looked down at me. His eye was long somewhere else but not at me. I held his face making his forehead touch mine.

I looked in his eyes and brushed my lips against his. He didn't move back but pressed into it, it was like we were in sync. I wrapped my arms around his neck and we kissed harder after a minute and slowly stopped. I looked down thinking about what I just did. My face started burning just thinking about it. I looked at him and saw him frowning. "I shouldn't have done that." He looked away from me. My chest started aching.

"Ka-" I laughed dryly. "Yea you're right what I did was stupid." I rubbed my arm giving a great fake smile. "Katara!" I heard Azula from the hallway. "Well I have to go." I turned around and started walking to the door. When I felt a hand grab my arm. "Katara I'm sorry...I just ca-" I turned and gave a very fake smile as tears started rolling down my cheeks.

"Zuko it's fine I have to go...please let go." I choked slightly. "Katara." I snatched my arm away. "Bye Zuko." I felt a pit in my stomach just lingering there. I meet Azula halfway wiping my eyes. "Are you ok?" I nodded. "I just had...to let go."