Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar, nor his characters, only the will to write my ideas in a text editor. Avatar: The last airbender © Nickelodeon, Mike and Bryan.

Warning!My first language isn't English, please if you don't want to frustrate with all my grammar mistakes, DON'T READ! I'll do my best, though xD

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Memories

By J. B.

III. Acceptance.

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"Shouldn't we have told them?"

"Stop worrying, Zuko"

"They might think I took you captive as a hostage and then—"

"Shut up" Katara laughed, a second later she stopped. "Here we are"

Until then, prince Zuko realized where he was, it was a beautiful view with a small lake in the middle of the valley.

"I remember this" he said sadly "Uncle and I came here once… when we were looking for the Avatar…"

"Oh" she crossed her arms "You don't have to remind me those days"

"I'm sorry" he said down

Katara saw his sadness and apologized "Sorry, I didn't meant that… actually I want to believe that time passed, you don't have to blame yourself that hard"

"But I have betrayed too much people… my uncle and you are the most important, at least you guys forgave me… "

"I'm sure your uncle will understand" she said smiling, she took his hand and both went to the lake standing in some ice she bended "I'm sure you'll show him how strong and good you've become" She took a battle position "So, let's practice"

He smirked "Ready?"

"I'm waiting"

And so their battle began, attack and defended, strength and skill, security and confidence, sacrifice and commitment, flames and drops.

"You are a good opponent"

"Same as you" he added, "You have grown your skills so much"

"Um… you know? You sounded just like when you invaded the North Pole"

"I thought you didn't like to remember those days"

"You are the one that remind me that" she snapped "Besides, from time to time is good to remember you were not on our side from the beginning"

"You are still angry with me, right?"

"Of course not, I'm just being rational"

"Whatever you say" he said politely turning to leave

"Where are you going?"

"I think it's pointless" he sighed, "I guess I deserve it though"

Zuko walked a few steps when he heard her again.

"You are annoying"

"And an awful person too" he shout angrily.

"Yeah that too" she yelled.

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"Stupid" she cried to herself "you are the annoying one, Katara"

The waterbender girl created a huge and aggressive wave and bend it into ice and water whips. Then she used it to cut some branches, she was distressing physically but her feelings were hurt still.

"Do you even think of what you did to me??" She yelled "No, your highness, you don't! You just care about restoring your honor, find your purpose on life and helping the stupid avatar!!"

"I can't believe you think that" said a very disappointed voice in her back.

"Zuko!" She blushed furiously "What are you doing there? I-I thought you left"

"I came back to apologize… never mind, let's go back the camp"

Her reluctant tears finally appeared "A-aren't you mad?"

"No, if you think that is because of my stupid acts"

"Then why?? Why don't you even try to convince me otherwise?!"

"Why would you listen to me now? When I tried before, you splashed me out of your sight" he said frustrated, somehow he couldn't keep those feelings anymore. "Tell me! How could you even ask me to talk if you are the one who stay away from me?"

"Zuko…"

"Don't say my name like if you knew me, you don't know how hard it is for me…! how it was my banishment and my redeeming punishment… how it was for me to sailed the ocean searching for a lost hope… and how it is to do mistake after mistake disappointing everybody! No, girl. You don't know me, you can't judge me"

"I'm sorry"

"I'm sorry too. I betrayed you, more than anyone else here, you were kind and tried to heal me… but I guess not even your kindness could heal my past" He turned again

"Don't go"

"It's late, they'll worry"

"Let them" She took his hand "We have a lot to talk"

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They walked a while looking for a good place to converse; finally they found a nice cave hidden behind a waterfall.

"This is a very strange place, what if there's something inside?"

"Well, I thought it would be nice to chat somewhere like the cave where we talked first time"

"Fine"

They crossed the waterfall and Zuko lit up a fire, then they sat in the rocks facing each other. Soon after they told their own stories, Katara was crying and he felt odd.

"Please, don't feel sorry for me" he said

She cleaned her tears and approached him smiling, she sat next to him and rested her head in his shoulder "Thank you" she smiled and looked at the fire "I think your fire seems warm now, I can't see you as my enemy anymore"

He looked at her surprised "Well, your water is still cold to me"

"Well I won't be"

They met their lips slowly and melted into a sweet and short kiss.

"I think we should return now, Sokka will be worried" Zuko nodded and both left together the cave.

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Thanks for reading, please review!

Jill.