Title: ZW04: Manipulative

Rated K+
Summary: She wasn't going to let him win, not this time. Zutara one-shot

Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender

A/N: I was rushing to post this again so I'm not sure how it turned out. At least I was able to post something for day 4 of Zutara week! No spoilers for anything this time and I'm not even sure if I consider it an AU of sorts. I'll have you readers decide that.

She was not going to let him win, not this time.

"Cut that out!"
"Cut what out?" Zuko asked, amusement twinkling in his eyes.

Katara frowned at her boyfriend. "I know what game you're playing. Stop it. This isn't the place nor time."

"Why Katara I have no idea what you're talking about."
"You're doing it again! I just told you to stop!" The water bender pouted as she shrugged Zuko's arm off her shoulders.

"Doing what?"

"Playing your favorite game, that's what!" She huffed. "You're acting all innocent as if you did nothing wrong just so you can get me to fall for your act. Then, when you've confused me you make me forget why I was ever mad with you in the first place!" She paused to catch her breath, glaring at him dangerously. "Suki already told off Sokka so don't think you're getting out of this so easily. Why didn't you two idiots tell us that you were going to be home late!? We were worried sick and then you trot through that door past midnight and expect us to not say anything!?"

"Katara, you're making this a big deal." Zuko replied simply, pulling his girlfriend into his lap as an attempt to calm her down. He kissed her forehead. "Sokka and I were finishing some last minute business. We didn't mean to scare you, and I'm sorry if we did."

"Forget it!" Katara snapped trying to struggle out of her boyfriend's firm and caring hold. "I told you, I'm not in the mood for you're games, I-wait." She stopped struggling and Zuko took this opportunity to pull her back against him securely. "You just apologized."

"I believe I just did."
"But-" Her mouth hung open slightly in shock as she tried find the words she needed. "You just apologized. You NEVER apologize without winning your game first! Ever. This has never . . ."

"Like I said," Zuko replied, kissing her hair softly. "You're making this a bigger deal than it really is. You must be tired, go to sleep now I've got you."
"N-no! You're planning something! I know this because you always win your game when you start it…" Katara's voice trailed off as she felt Zuko run his hand through her thick curls. "Up to something …" She muttered, trying to figure it out, trying to ignore her boyfriend's manipulative words as sleep took her. She closed her eyes and Zuko smiled to himself, knowing that even as his girlfriend slept, she was still trying to figure him out. His favorite "game" got him out of trouble once again.

-Fin-

A/N: Heh, I'm going to have fun with tomorrow's daily Zutara theme Mythology. So many ideas. . .HAPPY ZUTARA WEEK FELLOW ZUTARIANS! Thanks for reading!