Charred //ZUTARA

Chapter 50 - ''I hate you.''

Katara stormed into the cave, surveying everyone in there. Her father was sitting next to Sokka, bowls full of what looked like steaming soup in their hands. Aang situated himself in front of them, casually grinning at whatever they were talking about.

Her eyes fell on Toph and Zuko, both leaning against the stone wall. As soon as she ran in, Chan straight behind her, they straightened and turned her way.

Then there was Mai, completely ignoring her entrance and existance, fixated on the ground beneath her. As if it were more interesting or worthy of her attention than anyone else present.

''There you are!'' Aang used his airbending to pop up. Smiling softly, he walked in her direction. ''I was worried about you.''

Katara nodded stiffly. She heard Chan's sneer and she hoped the Avatar didn't think much of it. She would eventually have to talk to the Captain about his unwelcoming behavior.

The airbender grabbed her hands in hers. She didn't object, boring her eyes into Mai.

''Well, since we're all here, it's time to discuss our next step,'' Sokka decided, setting his bowl to the side. Their father followed, a strange expression across his face. ''Captain, would you be so kind and take Mai somewhere else?''

Of course, they wouldn't want her to overhear whatever they were planning on doing next.

Chan stepped next to Katara. For a moment, she thought she felt tips of his fingers grazing her lower back through the material. She barely contained the shiver running up her spine.

''I'd rather not be left alone with this witch,'' he admitted, faking the apologetic look. Katara suppressed her smirk. ''Spirits know what she has up those sleeves.''

Sokka cocked a brow. ''But she's tied up!'' he turned to Zuko as if he wanted him to jump in and order Chan to do it. The Fire Lord merely shrugged.

The Captain crossed his arms. Katara noticed his lip twitching upward. ''Precisely why she can't do much with the information we'd reveal anyway,'' he's said smugly. ''Not that there is anything worth listening to.''

Hakoda gasped. Sokka's jaw tightened. It seemed Zuko has realized they're not happy with his friend's responses so he cleared his throat, all eyes on him now.

Aang let go of her hands and she released a suppressed breath.

''I can take her. Someone will just fill me in later,'' the Fire Lord offered.

Katara snarled, stepping forward. His brows shot up, confusion written all over his face. 

''Katara?'' Aang's attention shifted between her and Zuko. ''What's going on?''

She waved him off, completely lost in the golden eyes that she desperately searched for the answers to her questions. Even after such a declaration from him, she found herself questioning everything. Once again.

Zuko gently shook his head. He hoped nobody but the waterbender would notice the gesture. He didn't want to risk them being exposed by her sudden outburst but she couldn't hear anything past the violent pounding of her heart.  

''You will do no such thing.'' 

It took all of three seconds for the firebender to scoff. ''You can't order me around.''

Her expression shifted to rage. ''No,'' she admitted. Ignoring everyone in the cave, she braved few steps left between her and Zuko. He seemed to have frozen to a spot as she approached ever so slowly. Like a hunter going after her pray. She formed a plan long before she arrived in the cave with Chan.  

''Spirits, what are you doing?'' Zuko whispered, gaze narrowing on her. 

Katara managed to wrangle up a smile that could only be described as unholy. She cleared her throat, to ensure everyone could hear her next words. ''It seems Mai has been under the wrong impression there is something going on between us,'' she said. She turned around, facing all of her friends now, all wearing the same expression; confusion. Only Mai looked at her suspiciously. ''Don't you all see? There is no need to plan how to get the information out of Mai because she will give it to us willingly.''

''How?'' Aang gasped. Katara noticed he's been clutching his pendant in his right hand. 

She had to do it now. There was no going back. For the better world, for the perfect balance and freedom of those long lost souls, she could sacrifice her happiness. She could sacrifice him. 

It was Chan who gave the Avatar his answer. ''She believes Katara and Zuko are lovers. Mai wants Zuko and she thinks Katara stands in her way.'' 

''But Katara is my girlfriend!'' There was a slight blush to Aang's cheeks that did not go unnoticed. 

Mai barely rolled her eyes, ever so watchful, ever so quiet. Neither agreeing nor denying the claim the Captain just made. 

''She needs proof,'' Toph chimed in. Her mouth in a thin line, clearly disliking the entire situation. Katara had a feeling her friend knew what she was about to do. 

Spirits would most definitely punish her for it. She had no doubt. After many deceptions and lies, she should've burned a long time ago. Perhaps she would after this. 

Clearing her mind of all the memories associated with the Fire Lord, she found herself hesitating. She allowed only two seconds to look into Zuko's eyes; full of shock and confusion, before she spoke again. 

Playing her role ever so right, she laughed. Her gaze once again landing on the firebender, but never meeting his eyes. 

''I can't even comprehend how Mai could think such a thing,'' Katara's voice did not falter. She conquered the last steps that brought her so close to Zuko, she could almost feel his chest brush her own. She put her hands on it. She needed it to ground her, but she knew it couldn't last long. So she pushed him back. He stumbled. ''I hate the way you talk,'' she started, her hands turning into fists. ''I hate your stupid smile,'' she threw a small punch which barely made him whimper. There was complete silence in the cave besides her own voice; everyone was too stunned to do anything. ''I hate how you stare at me as if I have all the answers, '' she swallowed the gulp in her throat, ''I hate the books you read and the way you describe them. I hate the way you do your hair. I hate the way you are.'' 

''Katara...'' the strangled voice above her crushed her remaining heart to pieces. 

''I hate you, Zuko, so much that it hurts.''

......................................................................................................................................................

Hey everyone!

I know I haven't been here for a while but here is a little bit of something. 

Kind of an unexpected words from Katara but hey, if you feel upset about it, just replace the words ''hate'' with ''love'' and it sounds so much better!

I'll see you all in the next one. 

Thank you for this continuous support and I appreciate every single one of you. 

Love, Ronnie.