Because Of You

"I don't like this."

"Katara, you've said that eighteen million times already. Just be quiet."

"You be quiet, Sokka! I know you don't like it either!"

"Well what are we supposed to do? Aang needs a teacher. You agreed to that remember?"

"Of course! I just wish it wasn't him. I don't like it."

The Water Tribe teens sat around the fire as the waterbender stirred tonight's dinner and the warrior stared hungrily at the stream rising from the cooking pot. Katara shot her brother a look and returned to watching the firebender and Aang. She sneered as he rolled his eyes at his student. Zuko.

"I swear if he rolls his eyes one more time..."

Her threat went unnoticed by Sokka who started to look at the swirling meat wlith his boomerang in hand. Katara smacked him with her wooden spoon.

"Katara you're gunna burn the meat!" Sokka whined.

Arching her eyebrow with a questioning look, Katara checked the dinner and started filling everyone's bowl.

"Zuko! Come here."

With a smirk, Katara watched as the firebender froze and slowly turned to her with his dinner in his hands. "Yes, Katara?"

"Where are you going?"

"Um, to my room."

She crossed her arms and cocked her hip to one side. "Really? Is the prince too good to be sitting with peasants?"

Zuko sighed heavily and looked memorized with something within his meat. "Of course not, Katara. I just feel that it is not my place to be sitting with you guys."

"Hmmm...True." Leaning against ancient wall, Katara watched him with a steady eye. He was tense. She smirked.

"Why are you here?" Back to business.

Zuko looked up from his food and stared at her with confusion. "To teach Aang. And to help you defeat Ozai." He went back to looking at his food.

The waterbender nodded and continued with her questioning. "Is there any other reason why you're here?"

The firebenders head shot up. She watched as he swallowed hard while staring into her blue eyes. Curiosity sparked inside her as Zuko gained his composure. "No. Why would you ask?"

"I don't need Toph to know that you're lying. Does Prince Zuko have a secret?" she said.

"Um, I'm going to bed. Goodnight, Katara and thank you for the food." With a rushed goodbye, he quickly walked to his bedroom.

"Not so fast! Zuko! Get back here!" Man, was he fast! She had to run to catch up to him as he chose to ignore her. He was hiding something. She knew it.

Stopping him from closing the door, Katara pushed her way in. "Why are you here? I told you if you did anything I would kill you! What are you planning?"

"What? Katara, I'm not planning anything! I swear! Why would I?"

"I don't know, maybe because you've done it before? Tell me!"

"I'm not that person anymore! Why don't you just trust me!"

She didn't answer. Gasping for breath, she launched herself at Zuko. He did not resist and ended up crashed into the wall.

"Tell me."

Blue mixed with gold as she glared and he simply stared. He held her gaze and after a moment, she realized how bright is eyes were..The way his emotions were

playing in his eyes...Regret...Adoration..

She jumped back and shook her head, disposing the unwanted thoughts. Glaring she repeated, "Why are you here?"

Zuko stared at her.

Frustrated (and a little confused), the waterbender punched him in the chest and with one last glance, opened the door and left.

With a slam, Zuko was finally alone. He sighed with relief and stared at the door where she had stormed out. Her scent still lingered and it filled his senses as he ran a hand through his midnight black hair. With a sigh, he whispered softly.

"I'm here because of you..."