Little Soldier Boy

Day of black sun : part 1

"Hey," Katara found Zuko sharpening his dao blades as he wore similar water tribe armor as the southern tribe, he didn't wear the helmet though. Under the armor though he wore his deep red clothes still.

"Hey," he looked up at her surprised.

"Have you seem sokka?" She asked standing next to him close to the cliff.

"He said he needed some alone time, he's really upset with himself with earlier," zuko stood and put his blades away.

"I know I couldn't have done that, he was really brave for trying though," Katara gulped a little as she hugged herself.

She couldn't help but place a hand over her chest feeling how her heart thudded against, she didn't know if it was the anxiety of how the day would go or if she felt as if there was tension. Her cheeks burned embarrassed how nervous she was all of a sudden.

"I was a little surprised how well you handled that though, you didn't seem nervous at all," she smiled back at him as Zuko had a hand on his hip.

"What can I say, it's in my blood, I watched my uncle when he was a general, and I went to one war meeting," he shrugged a little.

"I guess you are a natural born leader," she giggled a little.

Zuko didn't have any emotion on his face as he seemed to zone out. There was a thought repeating in his head, it's been bothering him for days. 

"Im not going to have any parents after today," he pursed his lips. Kataras heart dropped hearing that. Katara forgot somehow that it's not just the fire lord that's going to die, it's a father. Zukos father. His only parent around.

She didn't say much not knowing how Zuko and ozais relationship was, if Ozai was ever a good father in zukos life, if Zuko had a fond memory of his past with his father... she didnt know if she should say sorry. She didn't know if he was grieving.

She leaned against her friend and wrapped her arms around his torso, hugging him even if he didn't want it. Zuko let a breath out, watching the waters and hugged her back. She smiled relieved and looked up at him.

"I got your back today," Katara told him kindly.

"I got your back always princess," Zuko brushed her hair off her face.

"Thank you, for all of it," he looked in her eyes, his face softening as they embraced each other.

Her face softened at that, she looked in his eyes and at his lips, her heart fluttered, did he feel some sort of way towards her. Did he know about her crush on him?

She let herself lean in on her toes.

"Zuko? Katara? You guys over here?!" Sokka called out and the two immediately jumped apart by a few feet.

"Yea we're finishing up," Zuko picked up his stuff he left on the ground and adjusted his blades on his back.

"Awesome, we're about to board, let's head out," Sokka found them, waving them to follow.

Katara covered her face embarrassed of her actions, how could she be so stupid to think about kissing at a time like this?!

Zuko glanced at her as they walked behind Sokka, seeing her flustered, he wondered what would be bothering her now? He couldn't help but smile at her as he had a hint of rose on his cheeks while they walked together.

"Alright get your head in the game, let's go," Sokka pushed them ahead to get on the ships.

—

The ships sailed towards the bay as no one was talking much, focused on today's mission. Zuko kept his eyes ahead but immediately recognized two large structures ahead.