Disclaimer: I own nothing. Sad day.

Note to my readers: Well, once again my next chapter is extraordinarily late. FIVE YEARS LATE! I don't really have an excuse for this one…I guess after all of those crises in my life happened my muse just ran away with my inspiration once again, and I didn't really pick up fanfiction again until late last year. I've kind of figured out a pattern with my writing…I get really into it and write like crazy for a couple of months, then I burn out and don't write for another couple of months…or in this case, years. I don't know why it's like that, but better late than never, right?

Anyway, I do have good news. I also updated my other Zutara fic called "Rekindled." If this chapter isn't enough for you, you are free to read that! LOL.

Love you, my dear readers, and thank you for continuing to be faithful to me. Enjoy this chappy—we are nearing the end!

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Across the plains, the air sizzled with heat. To Katara's weary eyes the horizon seemed to shimmer and shift, as the hot air rose from between the long grasses into the sky. The waterbender's feet ached; her limbs grew heavier with each step forward. Her throat ached for water. Zuko was slightly ahead of her, stamping a path through the dry weeds for her to follow. The Fire Nation Prince wasn't doing much better, Katara suspected, but in his stubbornness Zuko refused to complain or show any sign of weakness.

Although the girl tried to show the same kind of strength, what little she had left was failing. A soft groan escaped from between her parched lips, she took two more steps, and on the third her foot suddenly broke through the dirt into a gopher hole. Katara cried out in pain as her ankle twisted and she fell to the ground.

"Ah! Ouch," she hissed through her teeth, pulling out her injured foot and rubbing it.

Zuko backpedaled around and knelt beside her crumpled form. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I think so," Katara answered after she'd thoroughly rubbed her ankle. "I'm just getting tired and clumsy, that's all."

"Me too," replied the Prince, sitting down beside her and sighing heavily.

"Can we rest?" the waterbender asked hopefully.

Zuko glanced at her worriedly, his jaw clenching. "Yes, but not for long."

Although she meant not to, the waterbender couldn't help an expression of disappointment from crossing her features. The firebender scowled sadly in return.

"It's still daylight, Katara," Zuko explained. "Maybe when night falls we can find a place to hide and rest—but right now it's too dangerous."

"Don't you think that we'll have made it back to camp by then?" inquired the tired waterbender.

Zuko shook his head doubtfully. "I really don't know. I'm not sure how far south or north Azula carried us—I only know that we have to keep heading west. However farther we must go in any other direction…I don't know yet."

"That doesn't sound hopeful."

"Well, if I know anything about your friends, they'll be out looking for you. They might have spread out and we could find them easily."

Katara shot Zuko a look. "They'd be looking for us," she corrected.

"I'm pretty certain that I'm not ranked highly on your brother's or the Ava—Aang's priorities."

"Don't be ridiculous; you're uncle's will be out there looking with them, and you're his only priority," Katara said warmly.

Zuko's lips curled up into the beginnings of a smile, but they faltered just short of the expression. He turned back the the waterbender. "We should keep moving," he urged.

"Just a few more minutes?" Katara asked, her eyes pleading.

"Katara…"

"Please?"

The firebender's brow furrowed, but finally he granted Katara a curt nod. "Alright," he sighed, "But after this, no more stops until nightfall."

Katara smiled at him playfully. "Of course not, Your Majesty."

Once more, Zuko settled gently next to Katara's curled form. The pair shared a moment of silence; instead of speaking, they both gazed anxiously at the swaying tips of the tall grass surrounding them, and into the pale blue sky above their heads. A precious wisp of breeze bent the green-yellow stalks back and cooled the benders' sun burnt cheeks.

"Zuko," Katara panted, leaning her head against his shoulder tiredly. "What are we going to tell the others?"

A twinge of fear and uncertainty clenched Zuko's heart. He shook his head. "I…I don't know," he sighed helplessly. "Maybe we shouldn't tell them."

The waterbender shot the prince a disapproving glance. "We can't do that; that would be the same as lying to them."

"Your brother will try and kill me if we tell them."

"You let me worry about my brother. You just worry about your uncle."

"Hm," grunted Zuko, a hint of a smile forming on his face. "No need. He'd probably be overjoyed."

Another breeze swept across the plains, and the firebender sucked in the cool air graciously. It was a short-lived relief, for a moment later the breeze had ebbed and the heat settled back on the weary travelers. Zuko felt his smile fading away. He placed a hand on one knee and gingerly returned to his feet.

"That's long enough," he said in a firm but gentle tone. "We can't stay for too long or we risk my sister finding us again."

Katara's eyes glanced up at him, pleading with his own for only a moment, but she eventually sighed and relented.

Hours and many weary steps later, Zuko could just barely make out the jagged edges of the tawny bluffs that had surrounded their previous spot. The sun was setting, setting the sky on fire with russet reds and blazing oranges, but in the distance he knew that their small, temporary camp was straight ahead. They were almost there, and both relief and apprehension flooded through the firebender's body. He and Katara were nearing safety, but unfortunately they were also coming closer to having to explain their newly-kindled relationship to their friends and relatives.

I'd better prepare myself to get socked in the jaw again, the prince mused silently while thinking of Katara's temperamental and protective older brother. He will like this arrangement the least of all.

Zuko glanced over his shoulder towards Katara, who was wearily trudging through the tall grass close behind. She was hungry and thirsty and hot, but thankfully the impending darkness would bring a much-needed blanket of cool air to the landscape around them.

"How are you holding up?" he called back to her softly, his voice laced with concern.

Katara's bright azure eyes flashed up towards him, and she returned his inquiry with a kind smile. "I'm fine. Are we almost there?"

"Yeah, I can see the ridges that overhung the village we were camping out at. We should arrive there after dark."

The waterbender sighed tiredly. "Thank goodness, I was getting exhausted."

Zuko paused in the middle of his next step and then whirled around on his heels, facing a semi-surprised Katara abruptly and planting a firm kiss on his lips. She blinked, startled, but then giggled playfully. "What was that for?"

"Just because," the firebender said as he shrugged, and then he suddenly bent down and scooped the girl up in his arms. "Here, I'll carry you the rest of the way."

Katara struggled a bit in his grasp, but her smile told Zuko that she wasn't serious about it. "Stop, Zuko!" she exclaimed, though her relief was clear the in the musical laugh that followed. "You have to be tired too!"

"I'll be fine," the Fire Nation prince replied assuredly. "Just promise to protect me from your brother when we explain all that's happened."

The girl's full lips curled upward in a warm smile, and she leaned forward and gave the firebender a kiss on the cheek. "Deal," she said as she wound her arms around his neck.

Thirty minutes of trekking through the monotonously grassy plains, and the two benders finally came across something they recognized: The twisted, ancient carcass of the tree, under which they had met and began to kindle their unexpected love—and near to where Azula had captured them both. Although neither of the teens said anything to the other as they passed, they shared in a knowing smile before trudging onward to camp.

Dusk swept over the land, and the bluffs that had led them back to their temporary home disappeared against the blackened sky. Zuko didn't worry about not having a visual—he knew they were not far, and if he squinted, he could just make out the tiny flicker of firelight from within the windows of a building in the distance.

"See that?" he said as he nodded his head in the direction of the miniscule light. "Looks like someone is home."

Katara unexpectedly frowned. "They must be worried sick about us."

"Then let's not keep them waiting," Zuko replied determinedly, as he increased his speed.

Somehow, something more than simply facing his uncle and Katara's brother was unnerving him as they grew closer and closer to the encampment. As they crossed the last few waving stalks of grass and entered the small, stony village, he wondered why the nighttime fauna seemed so uncharacteristically quiet tonight. There were no crickets singing, no frogs chirping, no calls from nocturnal birds or other creatures. The night was utterly, eerily silent. The quiet crept into his heart and twisted into a profound feeling of worry. But the firebending prince shook off his anxiety, dismissing it simply as his own paranoid fears surfacing for no good reason.

Zuko lowered Katara to the ground as they approached the empty fire pit that once had been filled with glowing embers. The waterbender glanced at it dismissively, and then jogged the short distance to the doorway of the small hut from which the firelight gleamed. But she paused just short of entering, turning her head to glance back at Zuko.

It was as she expected: The firebending prince was lingering back, an expression of uncertainty painted across his features. Katara knew what he was thinking.

"Zuko, we don't have to tell them anything until later, when it will be less of a surprise," the waterbender consoled quietly. Then she smiled playfully. "I promise you, I'll protect you from my brother. You won't get punched again."

But Zuko didn't appear to be listening to her. Instead, he turned his head towards the darkness beyond the dim glow from the building, across the expansive sea of grass and night. His uncertainty melted into a more troubled expression, and he said nothing in response.

Confused, Katara took a step away from the door. "Zuko?" she called again, and then more loudly: "Zuko, what's wrong?"

The sound of her voice caused a stirring of life from within the building nearby, and both benders heard a chorus of excited voices screech in delight. A millisecond later, the door to the hut burst open, and an overjoyed Avatar, dusty earthbender, elated firebending general, and distressed Water Tribe warrior poured out through the opening amid a myriad of shouts.

Katara gasped with surprise when Toph, Aang, and her brother captured her in an impossibly tight hug. But she couldn't help laughing along with them—she was so glad to be back among her family and friends.

"Foosey Britches!" Toph rejoiced aloud.

"Sis!" cried Sokka almost hysterically. "Where have you been?! What happened?!"

"Yeah, Katara!" Aang chimed in excitedly. "Where'd you go?"

"Oh…I was…you know…" Katara couldn't find the words or the oxygen to answer their many inquiries between all of their frenzied hugs.

She glanced over to her firebending companion, half expecting him to be staring off into space again, but it seemed that Zuko had been snapped out of his trance by General Iroh's emergence from the small hut. The prince ran to his uncle and squeezed the old man tightly, an embrace the other firebender gladly returned.

"Nephew, you were gone for over a day," Iroh said as he was finally released from Zuko's grasp. "What happened to the both of you?"

"Yeah, you two," Toph's teased knowingly. "What were the both of you off doing?"

Katara was horrified. Suddenly, she felt completely unprepared to tell the others about her sudden, unexpected romance that had blossomed, but she tried her best to hide it. It was somewhat of a futile effort, she knew, because Toph could undoubtedly sense her heart leaping into her throat as soon as she heard the question, but that didn't mean she couldn't try to fool the others.

"Uh…yeah, about that…" Katara attempted to choke out a fabricated story between hugs. It was futile. "…Zuko, you want to take this one?"

Zuko's yellow eyes leapt towards her, his face unable to mask his obvious terror. "W-what?"

The young firebending prince felt the heat of many gazes fall upon him, and similarly felt the temperature inside his own body rapidly rise along with his nervousness. They must have noticed the state both he and Katara were in: Bruised wrists from their binds, tattered clothes from running at breakneck pace through the forest, rings of sweat staining their collars from their long, hot hike throughout the day. How could he conjure up a lie to convincingly incorporate all of those things without compromising the fragile trust he'd established? The teenager blinked blankly at each face, settling finally on his uncle's expectant grin, and an absurd thought occurred to him.

He could tell the truth.

Everything that Zuko had learned about trust in the past few weeks since his injury told him that the truth—though it would welcome all sorts of chaos into his life—was the best choice. With an anxious breath, he opened his mouth to speak.

"Um…well…Katara and I…"

The fire prince felt his stomach lurch as he saw the waterbender's eyes widen in alarm. But Zuko carried on, slowly, delicately, but most unsurely.

"…Katara and I…" he repeated, his voice shaking. "…we've been…well…"

He went on, and as he did Zuko witnessed his companions' expressions morph rapidly from curious gazes to masks of shock and fear. He furrowed his brow and paused his explanation, uncertain as to what he had said to cause such a reaction.

But when he saw that their eyes had shifted to the field behind him, he realized that the others were not reacting to him. A sudden horror gripped him, choking him, and he grasped suddenly why the meadows had been so eerily quiet tonight.

Something…someone was behind him.

No, someone had followed them…all the way back…all the way to Aang, the Avatar.

Oh no…please no…

Zuko felt a familiar flicker of heat upon his back, and heard an equally familiar voice. It was as bright as fire and as sharp as the flick of a knife. It was filled with wicked glee, and it made his blood run utterly cold.

"Surprise, big brother…"

PersonalThingy: Okay, reviewers, show me what five years of waiting for an update did to you: Vent, rant, threaten find me and kill me if I don't update, whatever you want. I understand that I was a very, very bad author for making you wait this long…but one or two more chapters and this story should be done! Thank you, love you, and thank you again! Review!

Reader responses (very, very belated) are below:

Awakening Eden: Aw, that's really sweet! I'm glad that my interpretation of that conversation was realistic! I'm glad you thought the characters were...well, in character! Thank you for your kind words. Also, don't even worry about it when you skip reviewing a chapter! I mean, look at me: I didn't even update for five-freaking years! Thanks so much for your readership!

ML7: Hey there friend! Again, thanks for keeping on top of me and reminding me that I have to finish this story! I'm sorry, but I just don't have time to go read anyone else's stories. It's a struggle just to keep up with my own writing now that I have those pesky things called a "job" and "responsibilities." Oh, how I wish I could just write full time and now worry about working...but that's all wishful thinking and not the reality in which we live in. Thanks again (sooo much, you can't even know!) for your undying, unfettered support.

ell25: Thanks so much for your compliments! I appreciate them immensely. I'm glad you thought the Zutara-ness of the 12th chapter was cute! By the way, all the personal problems that I was whining about in the author's note of that last chapter have sorted themselves out since then (thank God), but still, I appreciate your kind words. Thanks!

zutarababe: Thanks for your support! Yeah, my fiance (actually, he's my husband of four years now) is wonderful. Thanks for the review!

Nicky-Pickle-25: Thanks for your review! I'm glad you liked how I portrayed Zuko. Not to worry about my troubles; they have long since past and I'm very happy now! Thank you for your concern though, and for your kind words!

burnin4Christ: Thanks so much for your condolences. All is well now. Thanks!

charizardag: Thanks so much! I'm glad you loved it.

Lady Amaya: Thanks for the support! I appreciate the kind words!

NorthernLights25: Thank you so much for your kindness and condolences. I actually am a teacher and my life has turned around a lot since I last posted. Thanks so much for your support!

Saucebender: Thanks so much for your review. Yeah, life certainly happens, and when it does, it hits you like a freight train! I know that my grandparents (the two that are now gone) are with me now too! Thanks so much for your wonderful, encouraging words! They really brightened my day - when I first saw them and even now when I reread them years later. Thank you!

Noodle Fiasco: Thanks for the condolences. I love your name!

ryndc-chan: Thanks so much for your supportive words! I'm really appreciative of all the kind things people are saying. I'm glad you liked the chapter and hope you'll enjoy this one too!

Khajmer: Aw, thanks for your kind words. They certainly made me feel better!

Handerra: Thank you!

SnowCharms: Thanks for your review! I'm glad you seem to think I pegged Zuko! Sorry for the long update wait.

dreamscholar: Thanks for your compliments! I'm glad you approve of my grammar use. I was, after all, striving to become an English teacher at the time of the last post. Now, as I'm writing this, I'm sitting in my classroom with two students chattering beside me! Sorry I haven't yet updated "Masquerade" but I won't give up on it! Even if it takes me ten years I'll finish it! I swear!

Diabolical Kitsutora: Thanks so much for your review! Thanks for your kind words as well as your constructive criticism. I imagine there are probably several errors within my story...I never proofread anything. It was better to not proofread and update slightly faster, I suppose. Thanks as well for the offer, but as the story is going to finish up in the next two chapters or so, I won't need a beta. Thanks again!

Heihachi-Katayama: Thanks for your review and your kind words!

67890firegirl: Thanks so much for your support! I'm glad you can find some kind of escapism in my writing; that's very cool!

Clockwork Mockingbird: Thanks so much! Everything worked out in the end. My grandparents are in a better place now, I've dealt with the loss, and I'm a much happier person now! Thanks again for the review!

Dark Neko 4000: You just found out!

AthenasHoliday: It certainly does express your enjoyment! Thanks so much for your readership!

BluePiratePrincess: Thanks so much for your review and your compliments! Your guess turned out to be incorrect, but it would have been an interesting scenario if that had indeed happened! Thanks for the congrats!

Niori: No problem, hun! Thanks so much for taking the time to review! I'm glad you liked it!

xxxZutaraxxx: Thank you! I'm sorry I didn't update sooner!

ry123red: Wow, that is a long review! Thanks so much for it! I'm glad you like my writing style so much and that you enjoy the story. I'm sorry I haven't updated in a long, long, LONG time...I hate to be a disappointment but life unfortunately got in the way, and then I had other interests...but thanks for your review and compliments!

Densharr: Thanks so much for the support! I took your advice and haven't given up - on life or the story! Thanks again!

Mrs-N-Uzumaki: Aw, thank you! I'm glad to have you as a reader! It took a long time, but I did eventually come back to it! Thanks so much!

wakingfire: I'm glad you like it, and yes, I definitely do wish to continue it, as you plainly can see here! Thanks for your compliments! *virtual hug back*

newsearching: Thank you so much for your kind words! I did end up continuing it, five years after the last update, but it's an update...so...thanks so much!

Silv3rl0v3r: Thanks!

kimberly: Hey there, thanks for the review. Yes, my sister is fine. She's in college right now, happy, healthy, and all that jazz. Thanks so much for your compliments; saying that the story is good is enough!

Lioutenant Flame: Everything did end up all right in the end, thanks! As you can see, I did decide to come back to it and finish it! Hope you enjoy!

anonymous-unknown: Thanks so much for your kind words and support! I'm updating...though extremely late! I haven't given it up! Thanks so much for the review!

demonic angel23: Thanks so much, and I have. ; )

Guest: Wow, that's a long time reading! I'm glad you liked it enough to read it in one night! That's a big compliment for a writer! Thanks so much!

KJun: Thanks so much for your kind words! I have found the motivation and time to update - FINALLY! Wish granted! Thanks again!

xFlipJamsx: Done. Thanks!

Just another girl13: Also done! Thank you!

head-first-fearless11: You got your wish, LOL! Thanks so much for your readership and compliments!