Zuko willed himself back to reality. It was late. Very, very late. Everyone had gone to sleep hours ago, himself included. But that dream- he guessed it could qualify as a nightmare; it had hit too close to home.

Telling that story about Azula had awakened old memories. It had taken him a good while to shut his wandering mind up to let sleep overtake.

But it seemed that his mind had continued wandering in it's sleep. His dream had been of the time Azula had burned a baby turtle duck in front of him. Zuko couldn't remember the reason anymore. The dream made the burning about a hundred times more intense. The quacks of the baby were louder, more haunting.

The pale boy rubbed his face harshly, trying to rub the thoughts away. He stood and walked out of the small room he was staying in. Might as well practice his firebending while he was up. Lately it hadn't been feeling exactly the same. But then again, nothing lately was feeling the same.

It really changed your whole life when you became allies with your sworn enemy, and when your father became your new sworn enemy. The one who you'd fought to prove your worth to your whole life.

But at the same time, life went on. He was getting into a routine here. Wake up early in the morning, meditate, wake the Ava- Aang up, instruct him for two hours, then it was time for breakfast. Everyone was awake by this point. Sokka, Toph, the Duke, and Teo would be dead on their feet. If you tried to ask them any questions, whatever food Katara and Suki had prepared would wind up in your hair. Haru was very much the morning guy. He and Aang would chatter all the way through breakfast. Katara and Suki would talk about... girl stuff (or whatever) the whole time. He simply ate breakfast and tried not to appear threatening in any way. That was usually his natural state. He was still a little terrified that Katara would knock him over the side of the temple if he so much as looked at the Ava- Aang wrong.

Well okay, that wasn't so true anymore. Katara didn't make him feel so terrible anymore. It seemed like maybe she would forgive him. He gained a little hope everyday.

By now Zuko had reached the outdoor area where he and Aang typically practiced. The moon was bright tonight, and the sky was clear. It seemed as though all the stars were out.

He stretched slowly to loosen up the muscles that had tensed far too much. He exhaled and got in position. And as he pushed his frame into the proper motions, fire flamed through him and out into the atmosphere. It was a release and he pushed through several more exercises. There was nothing but him and the fire. Something some people without the ability to bend did not understand was that bending is a part of the soul. He could feel fire in every part of his being. Without it, he didn't know who he was. Also, his quality of bending depended on the state of his heart, soul, and mind. With peace about who you were, came the ease of firebending. But if you were uncertain, your bending would suffer.

Zuko was starting to wonder if his changed heart would affect his bending. And as he had to focus harder with motions that had been mastered years ago, it seemed his worries might be well founded.

"Zuko?"

The boy in question started suddenly.

"Oh sorry, didn't mean to freak you out." Sokka stood in front of him, scratching his head in the middle of a yawn.

"Sokka? What are you doing up?" Usually the guy slept like a rock.

"Suki had to kick me to wake me up. Said she heard something out here. I think she spooked herself. For a Kyoshi warrior she sure can be a big chicken." Sokka rolled his eyes, but Zuko heard the affection in his voice.

"Oh I see. Well it's just me."

"Yeah that's pretty obvious. Why are you up?"

"Just had a weird dream."

"Oh. Probably had to do with that story you told us earlier, huh?"

Zuko looked at Sokka in surprise.

"Yeah, I can be insightful. It happens sometimes."

Zuko shrugged a little too offhandedly. "Everyone gets nightmares sometimes."

"You're sure right about that." Sokka got a weird look at that. "I dream about finding Katara after Mom was killed. She was wailing, asking for Mom, asking where she was, when she would be back." He stared at a spot on the ground for a moment.

Zuko watched him, unsure of what to say

A bird called out suddenly and Sokka looked up, startled out of his thoughts. He met Zuko's eyes and looked embarrassed suddenly, as if realizing who he'd just revealed his deep thoughts too.

"Sorry, didn't mean to do that. I guess our stories before bed got me all broody."

Zuko tried to laugh sincerely. "Yeah, you've all been hanging out with me for too long."

Sokka laughed also. "You've been hanging out with us for a while too. You're developing a sense of humor."

"I guess so..." It was Zuko's turn to stare at a spot on the ground.

Sokka hit him on the shoulder before turning back to walk to his room. "I better go before Suki thinks I got eaten. Night, jerkbender."

Zuko watched him walk away, more than a little bewildered by their exchange.

xxx

The next morning at breakfast, Sokka sat next to him and sheepishly said, "Yeah so I was really tired last night. Just forget everything I said, kay?"

"What did you say last night?" Katara said with a raised eyebrow as she handed Zuko his plate. Their fingers brushed and the plate almost dropped when Katara pulled away too quickly.

Sokka laughed too loudly and said, "Guy stuff, Katara. You don't want to know." He then shoved a huge bite of eggs into his mouth and focused solely on his plate.

"Whatever," She said quickly and went back to spooning food on to plates.

Zuko took a bite of his breakfast while contemplating the actions of both siblings. He shrugged it off when no answers came.

Must be a water tribe thing.

Well that got lengthy. I'm really proud of this chapter. I let Sokka out and do what Sokka does. I let you guys see a more mature side of him. I think he's more than just a goofy guy. It's part of his tough skin. Plus I did a POV besides Katara. I really enjoy writing Zuko's POV.