Hehe, so how many people hate me for that chapter? Well, here's the next one!

Dedicated to w.i.t.c.h fan in ut for the funniest review ever!

Suddenly a strangled scream came from her lips as she caught the flash of silver come from Mai's sleeve pointed directly at Zuko's heart.

Time seemed to freeze for Katara as she watched the blade fling to Zuko, she watched the realization grow in his eyes as he followed her gaze to the blade, and she heard the startled cries of all the surrounding partiers who had also seen the attack.

"NO!" Someone shouted as a branch of flame seemed to envelope Mai, closing her off from the world.

Zuko quickly ducked his body, bending in a way Katara thought only Ty Lee could accomplish, and the blade missed him by centimeters, thudding into the back wall. He turned to face the wall of flame that kept Mai concealed and placed a hand on Uncle's shoulder asking him to lower the wall so he could see Mai.

"You have attacked a member of the royal family," Iroh roared as the fire was killed and several soldiers rushed forward to grab her, forcing her to the ground while everyone around her backed away.

Zuko had never seen Iroh as upset as he was now, his face was red and a vein was close to bursting on his neck. He remembered all the times he had deserved this kind of anger and how frustrated he had become when Iroh had remained calm and understanding; he shivered as he imagined what Iroh was capable of doing in his anger.

"Uncle, please," Zuko said softly trying to calm him like he had always calmed Zuko when his anger had gotten the better of him.

Iroh looked at him for a second and backed away taking a deep breath aware that everyone was watching him in awe and fear knowing that he rarely, if ever, lost his temper so completely.

"Zuko are you alright?" Katara asked running up to him fearfully touching his chest lightly searching for any new injuries.

"I'm fine," Zuko answered aware that everyone's eyes had just jumped to the pair of them barely aware of how Mai was led away even though she was struggling and screaming at the top of her lungs, while Ty Lee followed in concern.

"Did she hurt you?" Katara questioned her anger building as she imagined what that monster had tried to do, remembering the pain she had felt before when she had almost lost him.

"I'm not leaving you Katara," Zuko answered knowing where her thoughts were leading her.

He carefully pulled her into a hug, afraid to startle her by moving to quickly, he heard several people gasp as she pressed against him, but he tuned them out knowing that he would have to deal with their questions and opinions later.

"How long?" the two turned around to find Iroh watching them kindly, the anger having evaporated immediately after Mai had been dragged out of the room.

"Since the final invasion," Zuko answered his eyes widening as he saw a glare across the room form the last person imaginable.

"Sokka," Katara began also seeing the look her brother had been sending the Firelord, hoping to reason with him before anything got out of hand.

"No Katara I'm not going to let you be with him…" Sokka hissed running forward not noticing Suki who followed him apprehensively looking shocked at his reaction.

"And what about Aang, is he also unaware of this?" Sokka questioned watching the small figure of the Avatar halt, his muscles tightening as he was brought into this argument.

"I have been aware for a while," Aang whispered looking between Sokka and Katara's shoulders as if he was talking to himself.

"And you approve of this!" Sokka shouted barely noticing the comforting hand Suki had placed on his shoulder in an attempt to calm him down.

"It makes Katara happy, that's truly all I want. Isn't that what you should want as her older brother?" Aang answered watching him carefully painfully aware of the looks he was receiving.

"Sokka can we discuss this some other time?" Suki asked him tugging on his sleeve trying to pull him away from the Firelord.

Sokka glanced between his sister and the Firebender and finally shared a long look with Suki, it seemed his anger was suddenly bottled up for his features smoothed out and he straightened out of his stance.

"We will talk about this tonight, you come to Aang," Sokka demanded before he stalked away with Suki following in concern.

"He knows…"Aang said simply trying to make a joke to lighten the mood in the room, which had gone completely silent following Mai's attempted murder of the Firelord.

Katara smiled at the Avatar but it faded when she saw the pain that he was hiding behind the smile, "Aang I'm so sorry."

Zuko looked at the pair and saw how much Katara had meant to Aang. His hand went to his side and he was reminded of the pen ripping through his side when Aang had lost his temper and turned his room into a hurricane.

The movement wasn't missed by Aang whose eyes suddenly were filled with regret; luckily he didn't bring anything up.

"It's okay Katara; I want what's best for you. If Zuko makes you happy then that's enough for me," Aang replied this time forcing a wider smile.

Katara looked at him uncertainly before she smiled and gave him a small hug. She could feel Aang's heartbeat jump but she didn't bring it up not wanting to embarrass him.

"I need to go find Toph, she's been sulking in her room to often," Aang finally said before he turned and jogged out of the room ignoring those who bowed to him.

Zuko looked around and found that everyone had begun conversation again, purposefully not talking about what had just taken place, aware of the awkwardness and tension still present.

"We should leave," Zuko whispered into Katara's ear taking her hand lightly in his own pulling her over to a group of formal looking men who were watching them in barely concealed disgust.

"Thank you for a wonderful coronation celebration General Shanu but I am weary and would like to retire," Zuko said to the Firebender nearest him bowing.

(He was the one who brought up burning the Erath Kingdom to the ground)

"Of course Firelord Zuko," he responded respectively although his eyes narrowed for a millisecond as he looked at Katara.

Katara bowed to the men as well wincing as they did not follow the custom, and grabbed hold of Zuko's hand again needing to feel protected and safe.

As soon as they were outside of the room and away from the prying eyes of his guests, Zuko turned Katara around to face him and pulled her against his body holding her silently.

Katara finally allowed the fear that had grown as she watched the blade hurtling toward Zuko's chest, pointing directly towards his heart. She tried to hold in the sobs that started to rise from her throat as she realized that she had almost lost him again, and failed. Finally she allowed the tears to come freely running down her cheeks and staining Zuko's shirt.

"Katara what is it?" Zuko asked alarmed when he felt her small body shaking against his.

It took Katara a few moments before she had gained enough control to whisper out, "I almost lost you."

Zuko nodded and grasped her tighter against him remembering that day a month ago when he had very nearly lost his life.

Pain, that's all he felt as he twitched on the ground the remainder of the lightening coursing through his body and leaving through the ground. He knew he was going to die and he didn't regret it.

Then, just as he had felt his life bleeding out of him he had felt cold hands press against his burns and a force running through his veins and skin, healing the wounds to a point where the pain became bearable.

He opened his eyes to see Katara leaning over him, her hands pressed against his chest glowing brightly as they healed him, he saw the tears streaming down her face and was thankful that he had managed to deflect the bolt, aware of how he would have died had she been hurt.

"Thank you Katara," he whispered out wincing as the burn twisted under her hands, he suddenly realized that he loved her and always had since the first day he had seen her in the South Pole.

"It's okay Katara, I'm not going anywhere without you. I couldn't bear to be away from you," Zuko soothed rubbing her back in small circles trying to stop her crying feeling helpless.

"I know, but what if you weren't given the choice?" Katara asked looking up at him memorizing his features before the thought of losing him returned and she buried her head into his chest.

"Look at me Katara," Zuko commanded gently pulling her face to his, "I am not going anywhere without you, and you are not going anywhere without me…ever," Zuko said calmly wiping her tears with his thumbs.

"Do you promise?" Katara whispered knowing that it was a foolish question but needing to he him say it anyway.

"I promise to you Katara that I will not leave your side, but I need you to swear the same," Zuko whispered smiling slightly as he saw her face cheer up slightly.

"I promise," Katara said quietly kissing him on the cheek.

"Come on, Sokka will be calling on us soon and I need to visit someone," Zuko instructed wrapping his arm protectively around Katara's waist.

I hope you liked it! What did you think that I would harm Zuko, no…but if I don't get enough reviews….who knows! =)