You Don't Hate Me

By

Lucibell

Author's Note: I know this is a really, über short chapter, but it is the last chapter. I don't have a title for the sequel just yet, I need to do some planning for it. I intend to do that sometime soon. And be looking for an AU modern day fic. ZukoxKatara, though episode 14 was kinda pro-KataraxAang… Oh well, I don't have a problem with that either. Even though I will always be a KataraxZuko fan, no doubt. Anyway, just be looking for those two stories in the very near future. Thanks to all the reviewers, I love you guys!

Luci

Chapter Twelve

Men don't cry. It's the way things are. Men just don't cry.

But boys do.

Fire Nation soldiers don't feel pain. They're not allowed to. They're trained to ignore all types of pain, all kinds of emotion.

But Fire Nation teenagers can't.

Crown Princes don't fall in love. They don't put themselves in such a situation that a goodbye would be too hard too handle. It's best for them to avoid falling in love.

But I could not.

And as much as I want to say that I'm a pathetic little Fire Nation teenage boy that fell head over heels in infatuation with some little Water Nation teenage girl, I can't.

Because I'm a legally, fully grown Fire Nation Warrior Prince that has fallen deeply in love with a blossoming Water Nation young woman. And I can't seem to find the words to say goodbye.

But I'm going to have to, and it's going to have to be quick because all the Northern Water Tribe's people are standing by the entrance to their village waiting for me to get with it and leave. I hate rushed goodbyes.

I look back down at her and sigh, wrapping my arms around her waist. I pull her close, reveling in the warmth and scent of her body that I'll be without for God knows how long. I sigh and tighten my embrace. She clings to the back of my parka.

I feel the backs of my eyes prickle.

I try my hardest to stop it, but I can't.

I grip the fur of her coat tightly as sobs wrack my body for the second time in the past week or so. I feel her own sobs shake her as well and my heart breaks even more.

How can they ask me to do this to myself?

To her?

How can they ask me to leave her here, not knowing when or if I'll ever see her again?

After what seems like an eternity, I pull back, tilting her chin up to meet her gaze. I reach up and wipe the tears from her cheeks, then allow her to reach up and wipe my own face.

I stare at her for a moment, then I lean down swiftly to kiss her.

She pulls me closer, intensifying the kiss. I pull back, taking a deep breath, then lean back in, kissing her fervently. She locks her arms around my neck and I think we could both easily say that we don't care if both her Tribe and my crew are watching us. It doesn't matter. They're making us separate, and that's what we'll do. We just have to say goodbye first…

Apparently she's feeling daring, because I'm surprised to feel her tongue slide across my bottom lip. She bites it lightly, then presses her tongue against my lips, begging for entrance. I part my lips and feel her tongues slip in and glide across my teeth. I push my own tongue out to meet hers and we both moan at the contact. After awhile, I reluctantly pull back.

I look into her eyes. "I love you, Katara."

She smiles grimly. "I love you, too, Zuko."

I hug her tightly. "We'll see each other again. I promise."

She nods.

I pull back again. I kiss her head lightly then turn and walk back to my ship.

I will see you again, Katara…

I steel myself.

Because this isn't goodbye.

END