Chapter Ten - Frustrations

Disclaimer: I don't own it :P

Remember that soft and supple feeling Zuko couldn't get enough about? The feeling Katara referred to as like sucking on clouds? Well, they were feeling it now.

Katara had no idea who started it. Neither did Zuko.

It was hard to tell. First they could barely see with Zuko's torchlight. But when it flickered down and turned off completely, they couldn't see anything else. But they both felt it. They could feel their lips pressed against each other.

Zuko's hand found its way to her back, while her hands reached for his chest.

Katara had the urge to fight back, but she pulled him into an embrace. She had no idea why. She couldn't resist. Zuko was kissing her back, or she was to him.

What she couldn't fathom was one thing. Sure she couldn't accept the fact he's kissing her or the other way around. She didn't even know who kissed who first. But what she couldn't believe was, she let out a soft moan out her lips. Was she enjoying this? She couldn't even answer herself.

And all of a sudden, the lights turned back on.

She realized she had her eyes closed. When she opened them, she saw Zuko's face before her. There was something in his reaction that bothered her, and she couldn't read it.

She no longer knew what to do. Before she could either push him away, or close her eyes again for another kiss. Zuko made the next move.

He moved away.

He stood up, eyes still on her. Clearly now, she could tell, Zuko couldn't believe what just happened.

"I..I-I'm sorry." the words quickly went out of his mouth. He stepped backwards before bumping onto the wall. He turned away from her before exiting her room and closed the door. He didn't wait for the elevator; he took the stairs and climbed up.

He entered his room with a loud slam on his door before plummeting down his bed. His hands moved up to his hair, slowly pulling it down, mumbling to himself.

He had no idea who moved first. Was it her? Or he only imagined it because he was too drunk? He couldn't say he's the one who came onto her, he had no visible reasons to do so... at least, that's what he think.

But even if he didn't, he kissed her back, he caressed her skin. He enjoyed it. Whether he enjoyed the sensation or he enjoyed her, he admitted that he found it, exciting, but regrettable as well. Not only that he kissed his friend for reasons he doesn't know, but he left her without saying anything else.

He decided to leave. Everything was too confusing so far. And seeing the others and her would complicate things even more. What's more, she knew where he was staying at. He knew had to leave.

Before more thoughts could gather in his mind, there was a knock on his door. He scrambled to his feet and opened the door.

"Katara, I'm really sorry I -" he paused midway.

"Why would you think I was Katara?"

Azula stood outside, with a questioning look.

"I..Uh, it's nothing." he sighed, "is there... anything you..?" clearly he couldn't think straight.

"The lights went out just a few minutes ago. I was worried about you." She answered.

Zuko forced out a laugh, "I'm fine."

"So, are you going back with us? We brought drinks." Azula smiled, taking his hand with her.

"Sorry, but I'm going to skip on this one." He switched the lights off and went out before closing the door.

"What? Why?" she asked, flabbergasted.

"I-I just need to leave. Okay?" He smiled, unconvincingly. He dragged his feet away.

"Zuzu, you can't leave just yet!" she said, grabbing one of his arms with both her hands. "You promised we're still going to party. Don't you remember about the dare? Don't make me spread the picture with you in-"

"Not now, Azula..." he gently interjected. He smiled at her one last time before going down the hall and entered the elevator. He went to the reception to check out, and even after the receptionist's endless persuasions to let him spend the night because the electricity failure will never happen again, he still left them with a tip.

There was a knock on the door.

But Katara was too angry to answer. She was angry. She was angry of many things. Because he kissed her. Because she kissed him back. Because she lost herself in it. Because she left him like that. And because she had no idea why this was happening. There were so many things. Others were unimportant, and altogether, it was fuming her.

There was a knock on the door again.

"Go away, Zuko!" She shouted from her place. She didn't bother standing up. She didn't bother opening the door. She was still in her night dress, and she had no intention seeing more of Zuko in it.

From the other side of the door, Azula froze.

Two days later, a meeting was held in the production's office. A few selected characters were there: Aang, Sokka, Katara, Toph (These four would never be missing) and the others: Mai, Ty Lee, Azula, Iroh, Yue, Ozai, Jet, Haru, the freedom fighters. Although Zuko wasn't there yet.

Katara was too frustrated to notice that she looking for him, just to be angry with him when she sees him.

Bryan was getting worried that Zuko wasn't there yet. His manager, Basco was there, trying to reach him.

"He said he'll be here in 5." Basco reported.

And after exactly five minutes, a car screeched to a halt outside. The office was only a on the second floor with large glass windows; they could see a red Ferrari car park in an empty lot. It was Zuko, Ty Lee had pointed out the minute he exited the car.

Katara scrunched her eyes the minute he entered.

"Sorry. Just got into a lil' accident." He said before going to his manager's side.

"What happened? You hit a mailbox?" Michael jokingly remarked.

"No, a mailbox hit me." Zuko answered honestly. He got a few giggles, but most were -"what"?

"Really." He supplied, "I was driving on the way here when a mailbox flew and crashed down my windshield I had to get it fixed. There were boys with baseball bats trashing the mails."

"So...what's with the Ferrari?" Haru asked from a corner. He was somehow admiring that thing out there.

"I bought it this morning." Zuko said.

"Well, we're glad you're alright." Bryan had said. Zuko muttered something about boys being not alright to Toph, but she only gave him a smile.

"So where were we? Oh yeah..." Michael started the meeting once again. Apparently, these short "Avatar shorts" will only go for a few episodes and will be aired in TV for a short time. But at the end of the meeting, Bryan had asked Katara's manager, White, and Zuko's manager to stay with their stars for a small talk.

Seven episodes.

Bryan and Michael offered seven non-canon episodes for a Zutara shipping.

Katara, who wasn't speaking at all since this morning, spoke in surprise. Their managers were surprised as well. Only Zuko remained still.

Michael took out an envelope. He took pieces of paper out, which seemed like the script and handed it to Basco before he handed it to White. According to Mich, someone had made the script already using a few characters from the original story, but with Katara and Zuko forming a love partnership publicly but non-canon. It was a public demand and someone paid a large amount of money to do this one.

For a while, Zuko suspected Toph, but disregarded the idea later.

They were allowed to check the script for a while before they could accept. But the managers were already thumbs up about it. Only Bryan was hesitating.

At the end of the meeting, Zuko left early, without any words sent to Katara. If he was trying to avoid her, he did a very darn well job unlike her. She wanted to avoid him and throw daggers at him with her eyes, but couldn't help it after the shocking news.

The day was so confusing for Katara that she was frustrated. She was trying to forget about the hotel incident. But she couldn't. She wanted to ignore Zuko and make him feel how angry she is, but it won't just get to him. She wanted him not to talk to her, but also want him to apologize for it. She wanted to apologize too, but refused to do it.

Ugh! Katara's mind was screaming. She couldn't take it all in. She needed to talk. She needed to fume this anger out. But how? Where? With whom?

There seemed too many options. But Katara took one.

The bell chimed when she entered Lunadelle bakeshop. Yue's family bakeshop wasn't too crowded that Wednesday afternoon. She even caught glimpse of Yue helping out in the counter.

Katara ordered two slices of cake and one dose of friendly chat. Yue promised she'll go to her table after a few minutes. So Kat took a seat at the far side of the shop. The counter and entrance was still in view. Finally, Yue came back with four slices of cake. Two for her costumer and two for herself.

"So what is going on?" Yue smiled as she placed the tray down the table.

"Well, nothing much..." Katara answered weakly. She poked the icing with a fork.

"You know, sweets can lighten up a depressed spirit. If only everyone else believe that." Yue smiled, then giggled, "But we might not have too many cakes to go around."

Katara chuckled and took a bite of her order.

"You didn't come back that night." Yue started recalling the party. Suddenly, Katara's face dropped to a frown.

Yue continued, "We came to your room, but you didn't answer."

"I was probably asleep." Katara answered unsurely, it was either they knocked and she shouted for Zuko to go away or she was really asleep. "What did you do when I was gone?"

Yue placed her elbows on the table and held her chin, "Well, it suddenly went boring. But Haru and Jet managed to get it entertaining with a little spin the bottle."

Katara laughed.

"It could have been more fun if there were more." Yue said.

"What do you mean?" Katara asked with her mouth half full.

"Well, after the electricity failure, you, Zuko, Toph and Azula were nowhere to be found. I didn't know what happened next. I even fell asleep in that room. I was supposed to share it with you and Toph, remember? But I just dozed off with Ty Lee."

"Sounds like you enjoyed the night." Katara smiled.

"Well, all in all, it was fun." Yue took a slice and gracefully slid it in her mouth. "So."

"So?"

"So what happened between you and Zuko?" Yue asked suddenly.

Katara couldn't really explain it. Her face showed mix confusion and anger and surprise. So many questions and theories rose in her mind. How did she know? What did she know? Did they saw them together? What should I say? And some other things.

"Kat?" Yue asked again.

"Nothing happened." She answered.

Yue gave her a confusing look, "What didn't happen?"

Realizing how weird she answered the question, Katara explained. "I mean: nothing! Like what is there to happen? Right?"

Yue's brows were in line with one another, "Katie, I don't know if you noticed, but you two took a moment in the bed that night."

Katara's cheeks heated up and her eyes grew bigger, "How did you know? I swear, I can explain!"

Yue looked confused, "Katie… we were playing and hide and seek and Zuko was like 'this is how Katara feels like and all'." Her creamy brows curled, "...wait. Do you mean..? Omigosh..."

Yue's hand snaked up her lips, covering that obvious smile.

"What? Wait, I didn't mean it like that. I just..." Katara paused; she didn't know how to answer back. "Really, it was nothing."

"You know you're my friend, Katara. But that lie isn't working with me." Yue smirked, "So I want details or I am not giving you this cake." She pulled away the other untouched plate from her.

"Hey, I ordered that." Katara said, reaching for it.

"I'm still not giving it." Yue teased.

It didn't took Katara too long before she shared all her rants to Yue about what happened that night. Except for the part where hers and Zuko's lips touched.

When the bell chimed again, Yue perked up.

"Don't look now. But there's a real hottie by the cashier." Yue grinned.

Katara turned to the direction, despite Yue's fake instruction. She found a tall guy with dark brown hair that she has been trying to avoid this morning. He was skimming through the cakes displayed before he made his order.

"You want me to call him?" Yue asked Katara excitedly.

"NO." Katara said back.

Ignoring her, Yue waved at him, hoping he would see. But then the bell chimed as the door opened and someone called his name.

"Zuko."

At the call of his name, Zuko turned. Yue dropped her hand and looked at the new patron.

It was a girl they never met before. She had a long curly brown hair. She was in a black one-piece dress and high heels. And she looked older than him.

First they assumed she was only a fan who wanted an autograph or something. But she pulled him for a hug and kissed him on the cheek. Both girls took another observation.

They didn't look like there were meeting in the shop. But they seem to know each other well.

"Who is she?" Yue asked Katara without moving her eyes.

Katara shrugged, also without taking her eyes away from them.

Zuko received his order just in a matter of time and both headed out. From the glass windows, Kat and Yue could see them going inside his new car.

"Wow." Yue let out they were gone.

Suddenly, Katara lost her appetite.

It wasn't hard for Katara to find her way back to her place. She just found it hard to excuse herself without finishing her food.

She couldn't understand what was eating her. She ignored everything else that day and just curled up on her bed.

That Saturday, Katara and Zuko were called in the office by their managers. They were meeting up with Bryan and Mike. They were going to settle the matter on the Zutara movie or short series before the shooting on the Avatar shorts.

Katara went towards the elevator just as it was closing.

"Hold the door." She called out as she quickened her phase. The doors opened, she halted before the door. Zuko was inside, although he wasn't alone, the elevator operator, who held the door, was also inside.

She fixed her demeanor and went inside.

The office floor was on the second floor. And the atmosphere in the elevator was to heavy even the operator felt it.

Ding.

Both Zuko and Katara prompted to move first, but paused as they noticed each other's movements.

Katara shot a look to Zuko, as if forming the word: "well?" in her face.

Zuko leaned backwards, "Ladies first."

Katara then stomped her way out the elevator. Behind her, Zuko and the operator shrugged at one another. Zuko followed after her since they were both going to the same place. They were passing an empty hall. Katara's heels rang in Zuko's ear. He could feel her anger in every step and -whoops.

Katara fell down awkwardly. She slipped in her steps and landed in a split.

"Katara!" Zuko jumped after her, he was ten feet away he didn't catch her in time. He went to her side and saw tears forming in her eyes. She was hurt and embarrassed.

"Can you stand?" He said, offering his hand.

Katara refused to answer. She was embarrassed in the whole situation she didn't want to lower her ego anymore than it already is.

"I can stand up myself." She pushed his hand away and prompted to stand. The instant her legs stood, pain quickly traveled in it, she couldn't help a curse escape her mouth. She didn't expect her to say one herself. She immediately turned to Zuko, observing how he would react.

She caught him surprised, but he smirked a bit. "Hey, it's okay to say something like that every now and then."

Somehow, Katara found it offensive. Something like that. What was he? A heavenly being with a pure mouth?

His mouth.

Her frustrations were all flushed down with a blush.

"Can you walk?" He asked.

She didn't answer but started walking as a response. Zuko followed closely after her. He noticed how she was covering the pain.

When they arrived at the office, Zuko opened the door for her and were welcomed by their managers and the producers. Katara hastily took a seat, and Zuko sat across hers.

Katara and Bryan lifted arguments on why there was such a need of such series. She was too angry to work with Zuko for the moment. While Zuko was quiet in the corner and was fine with the whole thing. When she was asked if she had any problems with Zuko, Katara said their was nothing and finally agreed into signing the contract. The meeting ended quickly as possible and they will meet once again with more people.

Katara, despite her frustration, noticed how unusual Zuko was. He was quiet. He seemed not himself. Like nothing happened between them in the hotel. Was this how Zuko would respond to the situation? To disregard the whole thing? Or was it because of his new girlfriend?

Basco and White made their leave. Bryan and Mike went somewhere. And the shoot for the first episode of Avatar short won't be in two more hours. So Katara decided to leave the place first rather than seeing Zuko. She exited the office with Zuko tailing her. She headed for the elevator, still Zuko was behind her.

When the elevator opened before them, there was no operator. Probably went to the loo for a while. Katara reluctantly stepped in. Zuko entered afterwards. He pressed for the lowest button and waited for the doors to close. Once again, silence filled the little space.

"Hey...Katara?"

She was surprised, "Huh?"

"Do you think...uhm...?"

As they reached the ground floor, they heard the 'ding' once more.

"..Never mind." Zuko said, his face looking more depressed than before. Of course, from behind, Katara didn't see him at all and she felt angrier than before. He left her expecting. She thought he was going to apologize or something.

She fell backwards, leaning against the wall. She was controlling her anger, because it seemed it was too unbecoming of her.

Zuko turned to her, concerned. "You okay?" he reached for just as the doors opened.

Flashes came one after the other. The media were outside as if simply waiting for them. And the photographers caught them in a weird position, with Katara leaning back and Zuko going after her hand.

"Zuko, Katara just in time are you-"

"-Is it true that-"

"-Are you really seeing each other outside the show-?"

"-You two are in a relationship?-"

Questions were thrown from left to right. Zuko and Katara weren't able to compose themselves. They went out, and the guard immediately came, blocking the media for their way out.

"Zuko, is it true that you are seeing Katara?" One reporter asked.

Zuko looked surprised, "What? Where'd you get..? No we're just-"

"Does this mean you're not in a relationship?" The same reporter asked again, this time to Katara.

"No, we're not..." Katara answered weakly.

Another reporter forced her way towards the duo, "How do you explain the photo of you and Zuko sleeping together?"

"Photo?" Same words escaped from their mouths. More questions were thrown at them. They turned to one another, both confused. Zuko took her arm and dragged her out of the building with him. They went to the parking area, with Katara willingly entering his car. The media were tailing them. Zuko started the car and left the lot.

"What the hell was that about?" Katara asked, puzzled.

"I don't know." Zuko said, "What do they mean about 'a photo'?"

"How would I know?" she said, looking for her phone. She thought she heard it ring. "Where it that..." she muttered.

"No, its mine." Zuko told her, getting the phone from his pocket. "Hello?"

"You can't use your phone while driving." Katara snatched it from him then eyed the caller. "It's your manager."

With a nod as his approval, Katara answered.

"Hello? It's me- - - yes, Katara." she nodded at nobody.

"What do they mean? No, I didn't see the news yet." She said.

"Me and Zuko..?" Katara's eyes met his. "But that's not true... Okay, we will." She hung up.

"What did he say?" Zuko asked, turning the wheel left.

"Any place we can find a newspaper?" Katara asked the teenage driver.

"Yeah."

They found paper boy running around the streets. Zuko bought one and parked the car in front of a cafe. They stayed inside, searching for a news about them. At the first page of the celebrity corner, Katara froze. The picture of Zuko and Katara in a tight embrace in the pool was posted in at the center.

"No. it can't be..." she said.

Katara had ordered Zuko to take her to her place. He obeyed quietly. When they arrived, Zuko stayed outside as Katara searched her room frantically.

"It's not here!" She panicked.

"What is?" He asked, closing the main door behind him.

"It's not here..." she cried, hugging her knees. Zuko walked to her side.

"What's not here?" he knelt in level with her.

"My camera. It's not here." Tears flowed out from her eyes. Zuko's hands trembled.

Yes, I updated. :D

I felt really guilty not posting for quite so long. I left you guys hanging. I hope I continued the story okay. I know things happened really fast and there are many details out. Like what happened to Toph or who the hell was the woman in black clinging onto Zuko like that. But they will all be revealed in the chapters to come, hopefully in the next one.

I really thank you for your reviews. But I apologize that it took me so long. Two computers of mine broke. One exploded, yes, exploded. So meaning bye-bye stories. Then the other was reformatted, so meaning: bye-bye back-up stories and other new stories. It really sucked I was depressed for weeks. :(

Hope I can make up for this. I am trying to update my works so hopefully you'll forgive me. Is there anything you want me to write about? Please leave me a review! I love your reviews.

Thank you for your support :)

-aCey