Disclaimer: I still own nothing.

AN: This was written about a month after Drawn to the Blackened Skies, again, written on my laptop and finally transferred here. This is, by far, the realistic version of Drawn to the Blackened Skies, more accurate than its predecessor. (Which, I repeat, was written and posted on a whim.) I finally post it in honor of my friend Wolfhawk, who has been my faithful idea consultant for ages and moved this spring. I've finally kept my promise, my friend!

Creative Diversion

"He's not here," the girl said evenly. Prince Zuko glared in annoyance.

"Obviously," he snapped. "Now tell me where he is."

"No."

From the corner of her eye, Katara could see Aang. He stumbled as he tried to help Sokka to a clearing where Appa could land. She had to keep Zuko's attention on her, but how? All the rest of his men stood menacingly behind him, unaware that just over their shoulders, Aang and her brother were almost painfully visible.

"Where is the Avatar?" he repeated, throwing his head forward until his face was only a few inches from hers. His eyes nearly glowed with the power of his glare. Yet she knew it wouldn't last. His patience had all but vanished, and Aang still hadn't passed yet…she vowed silently that they would have a serious talk about his choice in clothes; the bright orange and yellow made him stand out almost violently against the shadows of the trees.

"I won't tell you," she said. Zuko grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her roughly.

"Listen-" she didn't hear the rest. Her eyes were fixed on the scene behind him: Aang's foot caught a tree root, he stumbled. He tried to stop his fall, but Sokka's weight unbalanced him and both plunged to the ground. As soon as they hit the forest floor, they would be caught.

"—Mulish little MPMPGH!" Zuko was suddenly silenced as Katara grabbed the sides of his head and kissed him, too quick and fierce to be evaded. His eyes widened in shock and he tried to pull away, but she refused to release him.

Several dozen feet away, lying helplessly on the forest floor, Aang's mouth dropped. On top of him, Sokka cringed in disgust, but motioned for the Avatar to keep moving. The distraction was working. He could yell at Katara later.

Through the wave of shock that was threatening to overwhelm him, Zuko calculated his options. The girl showed no signs of stopping; if he kept trying to get away, either her fierce grip would end up breaking his neck, or else he would accidentally hurt her.

Neither option sounded pleasant.

Or he could…

He pushed the thought from his mind. He was a soldier, a prince, not some insane, lust stricken teenager. He continued pushing at the girl's shoulders, though she blatantly refused to let go.

She isn't doing this n a whim, the voice in the back of his head scolded him. She's got a reason.

Come on, am I honestly going to try to fight my way out of my first kiss?

Maybe if I kiss her back, she'll be satisfied…?

This logic, at least, pleased him.

As soon as he managed to pry her off him, he would leave and look for the Avatar…without her.

Seeing no other means of escape, he lowered his hands from her shoulders, resting them on her hips. He swallowed uncomfortably, then steadied himself, returning the kiss in full.

Just as his eyes closed in careful concentration, Katara's snapped open.

What was he doing? Was he honestly kissing her back? She felt the blood drain from her face. And what were his hands doing on her hips? Too close! Every one of the guards stared at them, their mouths agape. Behind them, still unnoticed, Aang and Sokka staggered out of sight. A few moments after they had completely disappeared, Katara pulled away from Zuko. As soon as both were free, they spun away from each other, gasping for breath. The shocked silence finally ended, and the trees erupted into wolfish whistles and catcalls.

"Nice one, Prince Zuko!"

"That had to be a record, Sir!"

"How did you do that?"

"Where did you learn to get the ladies like that?"

Katara grimaced, but seized her opportunity. As the excited soldiers congratulated their prince, she ducked out of the clearing, following after Sokka and Aang.

There would be no end to their scolding, of course. Or the teasing. And Aang (she had realized his feelings, of course, though she pretended not to notice) would be upset for some time…

Oh well…Time heals all wounds.