Post by Shmandy (: on May 11, 2008 13:36:35 GMT -5
First Avatar Fanfic. Hope you guys like it 
As everyone had settled for their last night at the Temple, the conversation and laughter grew softer and softer until only deep breaths and the occasional snore surrounded them.
Zuko knew he was the last awake. But he had too much on his mind to worry about sleeping. Where was Uncle? Would they succeed in their plan? Was this really the right thing to do? Is Mai all right? These thoughts swirled around in his head until it was too much to bear. Zuko rolled onto his back and attempted to clear his mind. He then listened to the distant rustles of plants above the Western Air Temple. Strangely, they were extremely soothing, like a long lost memory. Soon he found himself up and heading toward the luring sounds of the night.
Although he was aware of his weaknesses at the time, it just made him all the more attracted. Zuko usually never rose during the night but on this certain occasion he felt such a bond and purpose for doing so. Once he had climbed down to where he believed he was needed, he stared in awe. Mesmerized by the gushing waterfall of life, he sat just on the edge. Taking a deep breath he looked in. He sighed and closed his eyes. No transformation. Only a blistering scar to remind him everyday of his betrayal.
But you have done the right thing for the better of your nation, the Avatar, the world, and most importantly yourself.
Zuko opened his eyes once more. However this time there was another face. Katara stood above him with the moonlight illuminating her. They stared at their own reflections in silence. He never like admitting to himself that he found her beautiful. When he thought to the past he remembered he was forbidden to even have an opinion of her. But he always did.
They continued to stare for some time until Zuko felt her eyes boarng into the back of his head, forcing him to speak.
“When I was younger, I was constantly afraid of the night. It’s power over me made me vulnerable. It’s mystery made me unknowing. For so long I’ve wanted to take control and banish the night altogether… but now I see its differences are... what completes me. Without it, I’d be nothing.”
Zuko looked to Katara, to see if she was just as surprised as he was by the sudden outburst. Her countenance remained unreadable. Suddenly, Zuko felt very childish.
“I think I’ll leave—”
Katara abruptly sat next to him and pointed up to the sky.
“See that star above?”
Zuko raised his head and felt like gasping at the sight that met his eyes. Usually when he looked up at night there was a reason- flying objects, the Avatar, or preparing for vigorous fight. Yet now, as he gazed longingly into the sky without hesitation, Zuko saw hundreds of thousands of stars winking down at him that he never took time to notice before. This, combined with the waterfall, overwhelmed him.
“Which one? There are so many.”
Katara reached for his hand and pointed it for him. All the while he felt the warm yet cool sensation of her embrace. Finally, his own hand pointed to a larger, reddish-tinted star. Its majestic glow was greater than all the others. Zuko continued to stare in silence as Katara started to explain.
“After my mom was taken away I always looked up to the night for help. That star was almost like a guardian to me. Every night I still try to find it so that I feel safe.”
Zuko nodded in response and pointed to another. Soon, they were making up stories for each star and how it ended up in the sky. Their discussions slowly grew deeper as they talked of their families and their views on life. Zuko never felt this open before with anyone, it even scared him a little. But seeing Katara’s understanding ability to sympathize and relate made him all the more willing to let out everything going on in his head. He spilled his regrets, doubts, and all his troubling thoughts from before. Time didn’t pass as they spoke. It could have been minutes or hours but Zuko didn’t care.
“I think you’ll know you’ve truly done the right thing once this is over. Right now we all are having regrets. Sometimes I wonder if Sokka and I have been better off not finding Aang and it upsets me to even think that. Now I’m positive that it was our destiny and I’m proud to say I found not only our last hope but also a lifelong friend that day,” said Katara honestly.
“You’re very brave.”
Katara blushed and managed a shrug. A face then emerged in Zuko’s mind. Mai’s.
“You remind me of my girlfriend. At the Boiling Rock prison she was very courageous. I guess it hit her, too that she needed to do the right thing.”
Katara bit her lip and tried not to show her disappointment, “Girlfriend?”
“Well…I don’t think anymore...it’s complicated.”
“I know how you feel…”
Zuko knew exactly who Katara was talking about. It was obvious for anyone to see Aang’s feelings for her. It was the question of how Katara felt that troubled him.
This time the silence had an awkward aroma.
“I think I’ve experienced enough of night for one night,” Zuko said while attempting a smile. The sun was beginning to peek over the vast hills causing a pink glow over them.
Zuko made his way back to camp, but stopped when he heard his name. He looked back and saw a very restrained look upon Katara’s face. He could tell she was having trouble with whatever she was about to say.
“I…”
Zuko struggled to read her eyes but still had no idea what she was thinking. Suddenly, he found her arms tightly wound around his neck. He hugged back tightly, thoughts racing through his head that this shouldn't be happening, it wasn't allowed to be happening. Zuko was so worried about the wrongness of this all that he just barely heard what sounded an awful lot like, “I love you.”
***
Darkest Desire
Rating: PG
Length: One-Shot
Pairing: Zutara
***
Darkest Desire
Rating: PG
Length: One-Shot
Pairing: Zutara
***
As everyone had settled for their last night at the Temple, the conversation and laughter grew softer and softer until only deep breaths and the occasional snore surrounded them.
Zuko knew he was the last awake. But he had too much on his mind to worry about sleeping. Where was Uncle? Would they succeed in their plan? Was this really the right thing to do? Is Mai all right? These thoughts swirled around in his head until it was too much to bear. Zuko rolled onto his back and attempted to clear his mind. He then listened to the distant rustles of plants above the Western Air Temple. Strangely, they were extremely soothing, like a long lost memory. Soon he found himself up and heading toward the luring sounds of the night.
Although he was aware of his weaknesses at the time, it just made him all the more attracted. Zuko usually never rose during the night but on this certain occasion he felt such a bond and purpose for doing so. Once he had climbed down to where he believed he was needed, he stared in awe. Mesmerized by the gushing waterfall of life, he sat just on the edge. Taking a deep breath he looked in. He sighed and closed his eyes. No transformation. Only a blistering scar to remind him everyday of his betrayal.
But you have done the right thing for the better of your nation, the Avatar, the world, and most importantly yourself.
Zuko opened his eyes once more. However this time there was another face. Katara stood above him with the moonlight illuminating her. They stared at their own reflections in silence. He never like admitting to himself that he found her beautiful. When he thought to the past he remembered he was forbidden to even have an opinion of her. But he always did.
They continued to stare for some time until Zuko felt her eyes boarng into the back of his head, forcing him to speak.
“When I was younger, I was constantly afraid of the night. It’s power over me made me vulnerable. It’s mystery made me unknowing. For so long I’ve wanted to take control and banish the night altogether… but now I see its differences are... what completes me. Without it, I’d be nothing.”
Zuko looked to Katara, to see if she was just as surprised as he was by the sudden outburst. Her countenance remained unreadable. Suddenly, Zuko felt very childish.
“I think I’ll leave—”
Katara abruptly sat next to him and pointed up to the sky.
“See that star above?”
Zuko raised his head and felt like gasping at the sight that met his eyes. Usually when he looked up at night there was a reason- flying objects, the Avatar, or preparing for vigorous fight. Yet now, as he gazed longingly into the sky without hesitation, Zuko saw hundreds of thousands of stars winking down at him that he never took time to notice before. This, combined with the waterfall, overwhelmed him.
“Which one? There are so many.”
Katara reached for his hand and pointed it for him. All the while he felt the warm yet cool sensation of her embrace. Finally, his own hand pointed to a larger, reddish-tinted star. Its majestic glow was greater than all the others. Zuko continued to stare in silence as Katara started to explain.
“After my mom was taken away I always looked up to the night for help. That star was almost like a guardian to me. Every night I still try to find it so that I feel safe.”
Zuko nodded in response and pointed to another. Soon, they were making up stories for each star and how it ended up in the sky. Their discussions slowly grew deeper as they talked of their families and their views on life. Zuko never felt this open before with anyone, it even scared him a little. But seeing Katara’s understanding ability to sympathize and relate made him all the more willing to let out everything going on in his head. He spilled his regrets, doubts, and all his troubling thoughts from before. Time didn’t pass as they spoke. It could have been minutes or hours but Zuko didn’t care.
“I think you’ll know you’ve truly done the right thing once this is over. Right now we all are having regrets. Sometimes I wonder if Sokka and I have been better off not finding Aang and it upsets me to even think that. Now I’m positive that it was our destiny and I’m proud to say I found not only our last hope but also a lifelong friend that day,” said Katara honestly.
“You’re very brave.”
Katara blushed and managed a shrug. A face then emerged in Zuko’s mind. Mai’s.
“You remind me of my girlfriend. At the Boiling Rock prison she was very courageous. I guess it hit her, too that she needed to do the right thing.”
Katara bit her lip and tried not to show her disappointment, “Girlfriend?”
“Well…I don’t think anymore...it’s complicated.”
“I know how you feel…”
Zuko knew exactly who Katara was talking about. It was obvious for anyone to see Aang’s feelings for her. It was the question of how Katara felt that troubled him.
This time the silence had an awkward aroma.
“I think I’ve experienced enough of night for one night,” Zuko said while attempting a smile. The sun was beginning to peek over the vast hills causing a pink glow over them.
Zuko made his way back to camp, but stopped when he heard his name. He looked back and saw a very restrained look upon Katara’s face. He could tell she was having trouble with whatever she was about to say.
“I…”
Zuko struggled to read her eyes but still had no idea what she was thinking. Suddenly, he found her arms tightly wound around his neck. He hugged back tightly, thoughts racing through his head that this shouldn't be happening, it wasn't allowed to be happening. Zuko was so worried about the wrongness of this all that he just barely heard what sounded an awful lot like, “I love you.”
