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Can Fire melt? Ask the Earth	By : SSjJaden Category: Avatar - The Last Airbender > Het - Male/Female > Toph/Zuko Views: 13993 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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Katara opened her eyes slowly. Her head rested on cold rock ground. She attempted to stand or sit, but she only managed to twitch her body. Sleeping on the ground wasn’t such a good idea after all.

„You aren’t accustomed to this type of sleep. Your body will remain stiff as a pole. Rest for a while.” The voice came from the other side of the large chamber she was in. She could identify that voice.

„Look buster, I’ve slept on hard ground a thousand times and…” she started to protest, but he just snorted.

„Thought as much. Point is, you still can’t move.” He finally walked into her sight, frowning.

„I can, I just…”

„Oh, stop it. You’re wasting you’re breath.” He pointed over his shoulder. „Our wardens dropped some food from the same hole I came through. I have already eaten. You can take what’s left. I’ll go off to train, so don’t disturb me.” His voice was stern, demanding. Katara almost said something very rude, and also wanted to suggest his strangling in the nearby artificial river, when he walked out of her sight.

Minutes past, and Katara could feel the stiffness left a little, life coming back to her limbs again. When she could stand, she set out to find the food Zuko was talking about. She found a leather bag on the floor, not far from where she was sleeping. The bag was full of bread, salted meat and dried rice. Katara nodded to herself, accepting the food. It was plenty and healthy, which stirred something within her. For a prisoner, this is quite good food. What could Azula plan?

She stalked off, trying to find her unwanted companion. He said not to disturb him. She won’t. It took her twenty minutes to find Zuko. He found shelter in a smaller chamber, where in the middle was the river, flowing endlessly. Zuko himslef was sitting in the middle of the chamber, legs crossed. Katara knew he was meditating, by his expression. She sat down to eat, meanwhile she studied his face.

Zuko was always the enemy to Katara. She was born and raised to hate the Fire Nation. Nevertheless, Katara never saw a Fire Nation soldier, Firebender or anything of the sort until she found Aang in the iceberg. Zuko’s was the first face she saw as an enemy as a Fire Nation soldier, a Prince no less. The offspring of the very man every non-Fire people wanted to see dead.

For Katara the Fire Nation was always Zuko, no other. Zuko was the symbol of her hatred, and she thought he embodied everything she hated in the Fire Nation: arrogance, anger, loathing, demanding… everything. But as she journeyed with Aang and Sokka, and lately Toph, Katara realised that things weren’t so simple. She just couldn’t understand Zuko’s agenda, why he was so determined to find the Avatar, but still she thought not understanding someone is not a reason to hate or to loath.

During her travels, Katara heard stories about others as well. Once Aang was captured by an Earth Kingdom town because the townsfolk though that his former life, the Avatar Kyoshi, killed their leader. She did kill him, but the truth was that the man was mad, power-hungry and he conquered lands like Sozin or Ozai. He was no better than the Fire Lords, but there was one problem: he was an Earthbender. Katara learned then not to judge by simple bending. It’s not the Fire’s fault, that the Fire Lord started the war.

Katara watched as the expressions on Zuko’s face change rapidly. She still hated him. He did do a lot of bad things with them, attacked them not once, participating in the conquering of the North Pole Water Tribes. Still, Katara decided, she hated him because of their past. Not because he’s the Fire Prince.

„How should I tell you not to disturb me?” his voice snapped her back to reality. When she looked up, she could see him staring at her.

„I wasn’t disturbing you your Highness.” The last word was like acid on her lips. He arched a brow.

„What are you doing here? Leave me alone.”

„Why?” her question was innocent, but he saw through it. She was trying to get to him.

„Because I want to be alone.”

„Why?”

”Because.”

„Why?” her tone was starting to change from innocent to mocker.

„Because I’m always alone. Now shut up. I want to finish my meditation.” He snapped at her, but it did not have any affect at all. Katara grinned. If not angry with him, she could still be sarcastic. This’ll be fun.

„Soooo… how old are you?” Katara laughed invardly but regretted her plan instantly. Zuko was still sitting but he raised his head to look at her. His cold, gold eyes were staring at her, his lips almost not moving as he spoke.

„Shut. Up.” Katara nodded, and dared not to do anything besides eating silently. –Man, he was scary. Not that I’m a coward… of course not… he was just… scary.- Minutes passed and Katara filled her stomach with food. Finally, Zuko opened his eyes and streched.

„You finished?” Katara asked. Strangely enough, her tone was not angry, not mocking, not even sarcastic.

„Yes I have.” He answered. Zuko wanted to speek to her for a long time now, but he dared not to wake her, and after she woke, he wanted to finish his meditation. Speek, speek. But what to start with?

„I’m sixteen.” He remembered her asking this. Katara turned to him with a questioning face.

„My age. You asked how old I am. I’m sixteen.”

„Oh, yeah. Thanks. I’m fourteen.” She answered and looked away. Although he acted decent, she still didn’t trust him.

”Hey, I’m older than you. Respect you’re elders.” He smirked.

„Yeah, right. I would respect you if you would do me a favor and jump into Appa’s mouth…”

„Appa? What’s that?”

„You’re business I presume?” –Wrong turn Zuko. You should make her feel relaxed. Speeking about stupid things like that will just tense her. My God, I was never good at this. Uncle Iroh always had his way with people, especially women. Oh, well.-

„Just wanted to start a conversation. But you can forget it. It won’t work anyway.” He stood to walk away, but she grabbed his rist when he reached her.

„Wait. We did call a truce. As long as we’re here we might as well get along. Of course as long as we’re down here.” She said to him. He looked down on her face, and saw blue eyes staring back. He saw so much emotions… sadness, desperation, hate. All he knew quite well. –She caught the bait. She really thought I’ll leave.-

Zuko walked back to the chamber and sat down, right in front of her. Katara flinched a bit, but stood her ground. His closeness made her a bit uneasy, but she forced herself not to back down. He was right. They had to speek once in a while. All they had to do, is to start with something meaningless, and the conversation will start in no time.

„Well…” she started. Nothing came to her.

„So…” he said, but not continued. Any minute now… Zuko thought about what Uncle had tought him. -Zuko, you always have to start with something, which’s in common in both of you.- Something common, eh?

„So, how much do you know about Waterbending?” She looked at him. Nice topic. Good start. Well as good as any in a situation like this.

„As much as I can learn, I guess.” Katara answered. „I was a late bloomer, so I found out real late that I’m a bender. But I think if I learn I can catch up. Still, I have a few tricks.” Her smile made him shiver.

„And what about you’re Firebending?” Zuko turned his face, and watched the flowing river near them.

„I started to learn to bend when I was only five. My masters said I was talented, and I learnt faster than any other kid in my school. I had great potential. But then for an unknown reason my Father took me out from school, and said that I’ll learn bending at home. I was seven and Azula was six when she got to my old master. She was a wonderkid, just like I was at that age. She could stay in school, but I was forced to stay home and learn there. I could say that the time I spent at home lessened my enthusiasm to be a bender. Mother was glad that I was at home though. At least she was happy.”

Katara looked dumbfounded at the young man before her, and she realised what was bothering her about him all this time they spent together underground. How much he has changed. His face, when she first saw him was a mask of anger and arrogance, believing that he, beeing a Firebender was above all other life. That is why it was so easy to hate him at that time. He was almost not human. But now…

Katara couldn’t guess what happened to him in these last few weeks, but he was a totally new man now. A man she might not hate, although these thoughts were not so comfortable.

”What now? Am I so boring, that you’ll fell asleep?” his voice brought her back to reality.

„No, I was just thinking.” Katara answered. He snorted.

„About?”

„About you, Zuko.” His brows reached new hights as he heard what she had said. She knew he got the wrong idea.

„No, not in the wasy you think.” Katara flinched. The simple idea about her and Zuko… yuck.

„I was just thinking how much you changed. You were quite scary back then, when we first meat. And… I have to admit something.” Her voice became softer, and she blushed in embarrassment. Zuko nodded, urging her to continue. „Well… after a few of our encounter I… have thought about you as the greatest enemy.” Smooth Katara, that made great sence!

„That was stupid. Let me start again.” She inhaled deeply, than let the air go. „I hated you, you know? I was born into the war, as a Water Tribe girl. My mother was slain by Firebenders. My Father left me and my brother to fight in the war. The Fire Nation took away everything I loved. My family was no more than a dream to me. And then we found Aang, found out that he’s the Avatar… and you came along. You attacked our village. You brought destruction on your ship instead of men. Monsters walked off the ship, not soldiers. And you were their leader.” She stopped now, her voice not more than a whisper. Zuko just stared at her. He started to understand… meanwhile Katara continued, a bit more louder than before.

„And after that when we see each other we always fight. And you’re face… a mask of anger and hatred. You know, you’re face was that I hated the most. The symbol of the Fire Nation in my hearth. Zuko, I have used you as the thing I wanted to loath. I was in a war I could do nothing against, I was hopeless and helpless, and those feelings always converte to anger. And I was always angry at you. The Prince.”

„But now I don’t think that. You’re mask has fallen, and now I see no Prince, but Zuko.”she finished sheepishly. Katara blushed again, and looked on the ground, not wanting to meet his eyes.

„I…” Zuko started, dumbfounded. „don’t know what to say. I…” whatever he wanted to say just got stuck inside. It took minutes for him to form an idea.

„Look, I know we started on wrong terms.” Zuko finally found his voice. „I think we should start from the beginning.” He stood and bowed in a traditional Fire Nation style. „My name is Zuko. Please to meet you.”

Katara stared at him, before smiling and standig up herself. She bowed as she used to on the South Pole.

„Greetings. I’m Katara.”

They stood for a good while, not knowing how to continue. But there was something Katara wanted to ask him for a good while.

„Where did you get that scar from, Zuko?” His face suddenly flinched in pain. She understood in a second.

„I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.” She bowed again.

„It’s nothing.”

„Have you tried to heal it?”

„Stupid question.”

„Maybe I could.” His eyes grew wide.

„How could you?” he asked. Katara slowly reached for her robes, and pulled out a small vial of water from it.

„This is Spirit Water from the North Pole. It has very unique healing abilities. Legend says it can bring back even the dead. Although I don’t plan to use ot on dead people. If you want we could…” she couldn’t finish her sentence. The cave they were in rumbled and a very loud sounds came from the entrance chamber. As if the walls themselves would open up. Soon, a very young voice filled the corridors and caverns of Ba Sing Se.

„Katara! Katara where are you?! Katara!”

„It’s Aang!” Katara shrieked. She hurriedly put the vial back into her robes and started to run to the entrance cave, hoping to find her friend. Zuko sighed and followed her.

Zuko had to admit, the Waterbender’s words affected him greatly. As much as he was proud to be Fire Nation and a Firebender, for a minute, for a split second he felt devestated. She was only one girl fom the South Pole, far from the actual war, and still her hatred towards the Fire Nation was deep as the ocean. How could he become Fire Lord in the future, knowing that everyone hated him? How could he rule to help those who would not need him? As he walked, he heard the voices of the girl’s group.

*

Katara couldn’t believe her luck. Aang, Sokka, Toph and an old man were standing in the entrance cave, searching around it. She screamed in joy.

„Guys! I’m here!” she ran towards them, and jumped into a startled Sokka’s arms. Her brother hugged her hard, closely followed by Aang and Toph.

„You’re all right! We were so scared Katara! We thought something might have happened!” the Avatar said. Katara just gave him a small kiss on his cheeks, and was graced with a deep blush. Sokka coughed impatiently.

„Yeah, she’s back, all right, can we go now? I mean, I’m really relieved, but still, we’re in a Fire Nation prison… thing. We should get out of here as soon as possible.” Sokka gave a sideglance to the old man who was really familiar to Katara. She had seen him somewhere else before… of course, he was Iroh, Zuko’s Uncle. Her brother continued. „And as far as we know, good Ol’ Sparky is here too.”

„And you’re talking about who exactly?” a voice came from the other side of the cave. Everyone turned towards it, and saw Zuko, leaning against the stone wall. Aang, Toph and Sokka almost intsantly jumped into a battle stance.

„Zuko!” Iroh ran over and hugged him. This once Zuko didn’t resist. He truly missed te old man. The others loosened a bit.

„Oookay, so everyone’s happy. Can we go now? Appa’s waiting for us, and I don’t like to leave him out in the open.” Sokka said.

„Well, I’m sorry to hear that you have dinner plans. Now I have to cancel them. Shame.”

Everyone jumped in surprise and looked for the source of the voice. It was Toph who spotted the people with her Earthbending.

„To the left!” she screamed, but was almost instantly blown away by a blue wave of fire. Azula jumped out from her hideout with a group of Dai Li agents. The Earthbenders started to fight with Sokka and Iroh. The old man turned to Katara when he had a split second.

„Get the Avatar out of here! Leave, now! He can Earthbend, so he can make an exit! Go, now! This is a battle neither of you can win! Run!” and again he was thrown into battle. Katara didn’t think, she just reacted out of sixth sence. Aang, who was ready to fight back found his wrist caught by the Waterbender, and he was pulled away from the battle, Katara running forward, never letting his hand out of hers.

Zuko just stood there, dumbfounded, not knowing what to do. Before he could act, the Avatar and the Waterbender ran away, his Uncle and the other two were imprisoned by the Dai Li with serious Earthbending. The short girl still struggled against her green crystal prison, but her hands and feet were tied up and she couldn’t move to bend. The other guy was trapped in a simple cage made of earth. He was no bender, so he couldn’t escape so easily. Iroh was surrounded by green crystals, unable to move an inch.

Azula walked over to Zuko. He held his breath, watching his sister’s every move.

„Brother… „she purred. „I think it’s time for us to work together.” Zuko flinched. This, he didn’t expect.

„No Zuko, don’t listen to her!” Iroh yelled.

„Shut up Uncle. I wasn’t speeking to you. I think our Prince is a big boy now.” Azula closed the gap bethween her and Zuko, her nose just inches away from his. He could feel her hot breath on his skin, which sent shivers down his neck. „Well, Zuko? Our Father thought you could make no difference in these things. But I think you do. You have great talent to become a great Fire Nation Prince. Your honor… the thing you worked to earn your whole life… is escaping. I’m here to help. Let me help Brother. Reclaim what was rightfully yours. I’ll go now. I won’t let him escape. I’m going to wait the finishing blow to hit the Avatar. Hit, by your hands.” Azula smiled, and walked past him, leaving to where the Avatar had gone.

„Zuko, you don’t have to do this.! There is another way for you!” Iroh pleaded. „This is not you, my Nephew! Do you really want that honor? Do you really want the love your Father will give after you succeed? Love which was never given freely, but earned? Zuko!”

„I’m sorry Uncle. I already decided. I won’t change my mind.” With that, he left not even looking back.

„Katara, what are you doing?” Aang demanded. She still held his hand in hers, never letting go. „Katara, our friends are in that cave! They are battling! We have to help them! How can you run away! Katara are you even listening?” Aang could finally pull his wrist out of her grip. He stopped and so did her, both panting from the short run. They both stared at each-other’s eyes, searching for some kind of feeling. Finally, Katara spoke.

„Aang, Iroh was right. We can take on a few Dai Li agents, but we can’t fight Azula. She’s too powerful, and more experienced in combat. We cannot win. The only chance we have, is to flee now and resue the others later.” Aang stared at her in disbelief, his eyes wide.

„Katara, do you hear yourself? You’re brother’s beeing attacked and you just run away? This is not you Katara! You always fight, no matter what!”

„Do you think it’s easy for me?” she screamed, tears spilling from her eyes. She was so ashamed now. She reacted automatically when Iroh yelled his orders, she didn’t even think about disobeying, and staying. Sokka… Toph… I’m so sorry. But still, deep down, she knew this is the right action. Moments passed, and the only noise around was the artificial river flowing wildly. Aang finally shook his head.

„Do as you wish Katara. I thought you’re better than that. Regardless, I’m going back.” Just as he turned to leave, a mass of blue flames erupted around him. In the middle of the fire stood Azula.

„Well, well, well. I was hoping the chase would be more interesting. Nonetheless, I do have more important issues to spend my time with, so let’s wrap this up quickly.” She smiled her devilish smiles, and launched herself at Aang, attacking with the blue flames. The Avatar was held back by the rapid attacks, and he could barely defend with his staff and nicely aimed air-waves. Katara stood, stunned by the quick turn of events. When she finally moved in to help Aang, another presence disturbed them. Azula stopped attacking, and looked behind her back. Katara was staring at the same person as Azula.

Zuko.

He stood there, standing in an offensive pose, aiming at both Azula, Katara and Aang. The Waterbender couldn’t decide who he’s going to attack. She held back tears, and bit her lower lip. If he did change, he’ll help them. And he did change. He was so different now… he has to help them…

Zuko arrived late. The fight was already going on. When the Waterbender-girl started to move, he knew he had to make his presence known. He formed a battle stance, and loudly stepped inside the large cave. Azula stopped fighting, looking at him. So did the girl. And the Avatar. Zuko had a hidden smile. His plan was well going under way. He formed a ball of flames on his palm, and hurled it in the direction of the Avatar and his sister. The ball nearly missed the ears of the Avatar. Azula laughed, and jumped forward, in the direction of the Water-girl. She clearly showed, that the Avatar is Zuko’s prey. When she got out of his way, he jumped into the battle.

He launched at the boy, who tried to hurl a thick air-wave at him. Zuko jumped sideways, avoiding the blast, still running towards his opponent. Aang was so shocked at his speed, that he mis-aimed his next attack, and it flashed away innocently, meters from Zuko. When the elder boy reached him, Zuko grabbed his arms, blasting him on the floor. Aang kicked upwards, trying to hit Zuko’s stomach, but he just jumped out of the way, and grabbed the Avatar’s neck, strangling him.

„Avatar…” it was nothing more than a faint whisper. Aang couldn’t see Zuko’s mouth move, so he thought he imagined it at first. But then, when he grabbed his attacker's arms, trying to make him release his throat, Zuko said it again.

”Avatar… I’m not going to fight you…” Aang just smirked, out of pain. He could hardly breathe now. His other arm was held down by Zuko, so he couldn’t bend. Breath was out of the question, obviously.

„Funny…” Aang spat from bethween his teeth. „You look quite serious to me.” He tried to grab Zuko’s throat himself with his free hand, successfully. He tried to twist his opponent’s neck, but couldn’t. He was too much out of breath.

„No, listen… listen to me…” and then Zuko started speaking. Aang’s eyes widened, both in shock and in pain. He just listened, absorbed what he said, not lefting out one word…

„My, my, you’re a pretty weak bender.” Azula smirked. She formed a lash of fire, and hit Katara on her face, making a burning scar on her cheek. Katara stepped back a few steps, holding one of her hands on her injury.

„Oh, did I hurt you?” Azula joked, the whip still in her hands. Katara smirked too.

„Two can play that game, bitch.” She reached out with one hand, bending water to it from the nearby river. When it reached her, she froze it, and made it look like a sword.

„I have to admit, you have some nice tricks.” Azula said. „Ty Lee would have loved you at the circus.”

Katara launched at her, but she evaded her attacks with ease. She had to admit, the Water-girl was a really good bender, considering her age, but her battle experience was really low. No tactics, nothing. Just slashing and bending everything at everyone. Truth be told, Azula was surprised that she got this far.

„Fight me! Fight back!” Katara shouted. She was really getting angry. Suddenly a sharp yell came from the right. Both girls turned, and what they saw froze the blood in Katara’s veins, but made Azula’s run wild.

Zuko stood, one of his hands stretched out, his grip was fully closed on Aang’s throat. The yell was the boy’s last breath. His limbs were just hanging there, no more energy in them. Katara heard some noise, and turned to it’s source. Sokka, Toph and Iroh emerged form the cave’s entrance, but stopped when they saw the scene. The Prince then formed a huge blade of flame and pointed it at Aang’s hearth. Normally she would jump into action, hitting Zuko and trying to help her friend, but now she just stood there, frozen. The others were petrified too. Her usual smirk melted off Azula’s face. Even she felt the dramatic moment in her Brother’s life. And what Zuko said burnt into Katara’s mind and hearth for all of eternity.

„Good bye Avatar. The chase is finally over. It was a nice hunt though. Goodbye… Last Airbender.”

Time slowed down. Katara saw how carefully Zuko pointed the fire sword at Aang’s hearth, how his muscles tightened, how he built up his momentum. The pure flames finally cut into the Avatar’s body, and claimed his hearth to it’s eternal burning depths. The spell was broken as Aang screamed in agony. Katara just looked at the blade, deep within his body, it’s tip cutting through his back, pointing to the ceiling. She covered her ears, eyes shut. She just couldn’t bare his agonising screams. For minutes, Aang shouted out his pain, but before his body gave in, his tattoos and his eyes started to glow with a flashing white light. Katara finally looked up, and saw Aang looking up to Zuko with those eyes. He was in the Avatar State.

„Noooooo!” she screamed, and launched at the Prince and the Avatar. If Aang dies in the State, there will not be a next Avatar. She can’t let Aang die! He just can’t die! NO!!!!!

Katara formed a huge, typhoon like wave from the river, jumping on top of it, rushing to Aang. But before she could do anything, Zuko let go of the boy’s throat, so his limp body was now only on the blade. The Prince finally let the flames dispence, and with that, Aang’s tattoos stopped shining, and his eyes closed. His body hit the floor with a loud thud.

Katara speed up, not caring about the world around her, not caring about the enemies. She just saw that body on the floor, lifeless. Emotionless. Dead.

Sokka, Toph and Iroh started running in Aang’s direction too. They and Katara reached him at the same time. Zuko did nothing, just turned away, showing only his back to the group. Azula herself didn’t attack either. The Avatar was dead. No more effort was needed. Sokka saw as Toph and Katara reached for Aang’s dead body. He turned to Zuko, eyes flashing with anger, fury and sorrow.

”You… you!!!!” he yelled, and draw his weapon, when Iroh grabbed his hand and threw him back, right on top of the wave Katara was bending.

„No, you must go! Leave this to me. GOOO! NOW!”

Katara, with every ounce of strenght she had left, bended the wave to the ceiling, and Toph made an exit by touching it. Azula looked up, and saw the earth close around the little group. She shrugged her shoulders, not caring about the whole situation anymore. She locked her eyes on her uncle. He was staring at Zuko’s back. His face showed no anger. Only the deepest disappointment ever to exist. Suddenly, bondages of crystals and earth grabbed Iroh, although he was not resisting anymore. Azula smiled. „Finally, the Dai Li arrived. Took them long enough.”

Zuko himself looked at the ceiling. He dared not to face his Uncle now. Not now. He clenched his fists.

„I hope my plan works.”

The group was settled on the back of Appa. Katara reached under her clothes, and pulled out a small vial. The Water from the North Pole. With tears streaming down her cheeks, she bended the water over Aang's soft, lifeless body, and planted it into the injury. She poured as much of her life force as she could, trying to mend and close the wound. Hard minutes have passed, Sokka staring at the chest of the dead Avatar, praying to everyone who heard them. Toph was holding her breath. Finally, the open wound started to twitch, thin bundles of muscles forming inside, then the skin closed on it. Katara fell backwards, concentrating on not loosing consciousness. She looked at Aang’s body. He stirred a little, inhaled a large amount of air. His chest was moving up and down in a steady but slow rythm.

„He’s alive Katara. You made it.” Sokka whispered.

Katara smiled in relief as she fell into a deep sleep.

This chapter is finished! Next chap up as soon as possible. With the finals here, I can barely concentrate on anything else, but I’m trying! Reviews please!!!!!!!!! I would really like to know you’re opinion about it. Oh, and Zuko+Toph soon! I’m trying to speed things up.
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Can Fire melt? Ask the Earth