The morning was hot, even by Fire Nation standards.
Well, there's no place like home. Zuko still hadn't gotten reacquainted with the intense heat, and with all the layers of his new Fire Nation Royalty garb. He was roasting.
Being Prince of the Fire Nation after a 3 year "vacation" still had a little getting used to. Zuko now had to monitor his behavior very carefully so as to regain completely his father's trust. Luckily for him, Azula was away, likely conquering more cities to add to the Fire Nation realm.
There have been some unsettling rumors about a revolution in some Earth Kingdom towns, though likely, it was nothing to worry about. However, in his experience the Earth Kingdom people are about as hot-tempered and stubborn as that water-wench he unfortunately knew.
Curse her. Zuko stared hard at the street he was traveling on. Curse her with her power and strength and determination to protect that kid. The Avatar: who had always managed to elude him with the help of that peasant (whom he recently realized the child had a crush on, not that it mattered to him).
Zuko's face became slightly warmer, and he unwittingly brought his hand up to his scar.
Agni, what's with this heat! Zuko knew it was a lame excuse to himself, but he was the Prince of the Fire Nation, the person who threatened the very existence of her friend, her worst enemy. She could never; not after what he had done to her in the catacombs.
I thought you had changed!
I have changed.
He had, hadn't he? Oh, who was he kidding? What he had done to her, his uncle, himself, had shown just what he was:
Unworthy of her.
This is all her fault! Making him show his feelings, making him want to trust her. Trust himself. And then, she let him take it all away from himself. Yes, this was her fault.
Zuko knew that this wasn't true, but he let his anger bubble up inside him. Soon he was close to overflowing and needing someone to let it out on, when a young woman shoved him aside with as much fury as he felt. Perfect.
"Hey! Watch it peasant! Have you no manners? Do know who I am?!"
The girl turned around, already spitting out an insult, but it fell upon deaf ears as Zuko's emotions swept over him, leaving him vulnerable. It's her! What's she doing here, of all places?! She'll bite my head off before I can even tell her what I need to!
"Katara?"
He watched as her delicate fingers curled into fists of rage.
Not a good sign. He cringed at her next word.
"You."