Realize

Summary: You'll never know what you have until it's gone. ZUTARA oneshot.

Disclaimer: I DON'T own Avatar. 'Cuz if I did, I'd change the pairings ;)

AN: I was bored so I decided to do this :) REVIEW! :)

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Katara still did not trust him.

Even if Zuko did everything to win her trust she still would not accept him. He tried countless times to show her that he really has changed and that he would never do anything to hurt her or the others.

But she still didn't listen.

She knew that deep down, Zuko has changed. But she just can't swallow her pride and admit it. She keeps on thinking that Zuko's change is temporary, just like what happened in Ba Sing Se in the caves. She couldn't help but wonder if it was all part of a big plot to win her trust then betray her again. He already broke her heart there, maybe he would do it again.

So that was it.

It was fear. She did not want to believe Zuko has changed because she was afraid. Afraid that she might get hurt again. Afraid he might betray her when she least expects it. So now she masks it with anger and rage, taking him forgranted. Pretending every second of her life -- acting like she never cared, and never will.

She has feelings for him.

She knows she does. She liked him ever since they really had a chance to talk back in Ba Sing Se. She has seen that he was hurt and confused, and that all he really needed was a companion.

And now he was with her.

He joined the group. Everyone now seems to trust him, forgetting all the horrible things he's done to them. And now she was the only one left who didn't trust him. The only one who didn't believe him. But after all the good things that he's done, she decided to give him one more chance.

She had forgiven him.

Now she was standing, watching in the sidelines as he was fighting an Agni Kai with his sister. He managed to sweep Azula off her feet and send her rolling back. But it wasn't enough. Azula stood up again and this time, hurled lightning at her. As she watched the lightning coming in her direction, her mind went blank, her legs went numb. She knew that once the lightning hits, she's a goner.

But he saved her.

He jumped and blocked the lightning, intent on redirecting it. But, something went wrong. He was not able to redirect it correctly, and now the lightning was passing throughout his whole body, sending unbearable waves of pain. She rushed to save him, but Azula still wasn't done fighting.

She had to help him now.

She used her waterbending and rushed to hide. When Azula caught sight of her, she tricked her into taking a step forward, placing her directly on top of her source of water. She froze both Azula and herself, and tied Azula to the ground using the chains she saw earlier, trapping her permanently.

Live.

He just had to be alive. He couldn't die; not now, not ever. He can't be gone. What would she do without him? He was already her friend. He has to live. She rushed to his side and pulled out some water,and used it to heal his wounds.

"Thank you." He muttered.

"It should be me thanking you." She said, a few tears streaming down her cheeks as she helped him get up. They both looked at his sister chained to the ground, struggling, trying to escape. She had fallen apart, and has finally accepted defeat.

She realized.

She should have cherished having him around sooner... because she'll never know when he would be gone for good.