Don't you people think they would have made Zutara a little more obvious if it is going to happen? Whenever Zuko and Katara interact, in the end, Aang and Katara always get closer.
"The Warriors of Kyoshi" focused on Katara's jealousy of all the female attention Aang recieved while Aang was vying for Katara's attention.
In "Bato of the Water Tribe" when Zuko and Katara interacted (even though they didn't even talk to each other or anything) in the end, Katara kissed AANG on the cheek. The hints of Zutara were only made by June and those hints were ignored.
"The Fortuneteller" was all about Aang vying for Katara's affections and her wanting to know who her future husband will be. No mention of Zuko; when Aunt Wu reappeared she only commented about Iroh, not Zuko.
When they fought in the Spirit Oasis, Katara was crying over Aang, not Zuko. She was fighting for Aang's sake and Zuko wasn't going easy on her. He violently knocked her back and then made a bully sort of remark.
In "The Cave of Two Lovers" Aang and Katara were together, Aang was desperate for her affections (yet again) and they were the ones to discover the legend of the two lovers. Meanwhile, Zuko met Song... and then left. Aside from Zuko also being in the same episode about love, there was no sign of Zutara. Remember the Kataang kiss (which may or may not have happened), Aang smiled in the end and Katara smiled and blushed about the kiss (which may or may not have happened).
In "The Crossroads of Destiny" when the two of them had a HUGE chance to be closer romantically, all they did was talk about their mothers and Katara suggested to heal his scar. That doesn't sound romantic and it didn't look romantic (aside from Katara's hand on Zuko's scar). At the end of the episode, Zuko was thinking about his uncle and Katara was focused on Aang. She's always been focused on Aang; she's stayed by his side, lent her shoulder for him to cry on, hugged him, and risked her life for Aang. Zuko and Katara became closer but that development blew up in their faces and Kataang even got smiles and hugs.
I'm saying that Avatar is sophisticated for a kids show, but it's still just a kids show, they're not going to pull a fast one on the kid centered audience and have Katara suddenly change her mind and be with Zuko despite two seasons worth of romance between herself and Aang.
Maiko was there when Zuko and Mai were children. They already KISSED. That seems pretty official.
Like I said before, Avatar is still just a kids show (but very sophisticated so all may enjoy), so Nick won't complicate the final season by having two seasons worth of romance suddenly tossed out the window.
Kataang will happen, frankly its rather obvious (no offense other shippers) and Maiko will happen (they kissed in the comics and on TV). Nick won't suddenly change these relationships; sure they have 19 episodes left but those 19 episodes of possible Zutara are still going against 31 episodes of Kataang and to a lesser extent Maiko.
Edited on 09/26/2007 4:32pm
Edited 2 total times.