Title: When in the Forest...

Summary: "I will not think bad things, I will not think bad things, I will not-" "Katara, are you going to hide under the covers or face me like a woman?" Zuko whispered into the water bender's ear.

Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar or any of the characters :l

Author Note: this is just a quick story to get pass the writer's block :3 sorry for any typos/grammar errors.
I'm writing this on my iPad and it is 3AM. Major Insomnia.

Chapter One: The Choice

Katara looked up at the full moon that was currently shining in the sky. Another night, another long day of walking. Her mind wondered to the thought of a soft, silky bed with feather stuffed pillows, but the only thing she saw was a small tent held up by sticks. The group was beginning to turn on one another. Appa had a small cold which meant no flying for him and the lack of surveillance had caused the group to wonder aimlessly around the forest for days. Toph, who normally slept in her earth tent, was currently refusing tenants based on one night with Sokka.

She had protested that everyone refusing to sleep with him was rude. Needless to say, Katara was always her bunk buddy and Toph had never experienced Sokka's obnoxiousness. Later on, however, she had learned that Sokka had a hugging problem and continuously yelled Suki's name in his sleep. Aang, on the other hand, was fine sleeping anywhere, but chose to lay next to Appa. That left Katara with only two choices. One, she could sleep in Sokka's tent and risk the chance of her water whipping him or two, stay with Zuko in his tent.

She admit that her and Zuko's relationship had grown since their journey to find her mother's killer. She had accepted the fact that perhaps he did change and even grown to see him as a man. Zuko was currently 19 and only a year older than katara, but his body was much bigger. He was 5'11 and had defined his body with vigorous training. If they were back in the South Pole her friends would probably throw themselves at Zuko. Her eyes did a quick scan and saw the Fire Prince lighting a small campfire.

"Throw themselves..." She thought as her eyes stay focused on the Fire bender.

Zuko looked around and swore he felt someone watching him. As he turned around he saw a pair of blue eyes look at him. Katara. He knew that her feelings toward him were changing and had to admit he was glad. He would rather have her as a friend than an enemy every day and the fact that she was a water bending master reinforced that. Then again, there was another reason. He was 19 years old and she was 18. Her body had grown and mature. He could see her clothes hug her curves and whenever they trained together he could see her bindings give the right amount of cleavage. His father would kill him for thinking this way of a commoner, but titles and blood was no longer important to him.

"Katara," he said slowly, "You're staring at me... like what you see?"

Katara could see the smirk forming on the Prince's face as she turned her head and groaned.

"I was just looking at your poor excuse of a fire," she lied as she mentally thought 'nice save.'

"Tara!" Sokka yelled as he peeked out his tent, "are you coming or what?"

Katara made a small face toward her brother and sigh, "Sokka... I was thinking if Zuko didn't mind that I would share his tent instead. Let you have your own private moment with... Suki."

Sokka turned bright red as his dreams replayed in his mind. He gave a quick 'ah hem' and closed his tent. Zuko looked at Katara, his face blank, but his mind racing. She was going to be staying with him. Katara wasted no time slapping her poker face on as she mentally debated over her choice. Needless to say as she saw Zuko take off his shirt to reveal his muscle she blushed.

"Whatever happens in the forest can just stay in the forest..." The firebender and water bender thought at the same time.

Author's note: I always like getting the introduction out of the way because honestly (to me) that's the most boring part =P the next chapters will be filled with lemon. Hot smoking lemon which many of you reading probably came for anyways. ~