A/N: So, yeah, I still don't own ATLA. I hope this chapter will suffice, though. I am trying to get in the Christmas spirit, and I have been neglecting my Fanfic stories, and so I owe my loyal readers an apology, and in turn, would like some great reviews on what I could be doing better. Shout out to MiyuManiac and my fave KadenaPanther! Katara's POV again.

Gone Like the Air; the wind's too cliché

I can't hide anything from my dad. I continued to squirm in my chair as the Prince, a real Prince, of the Firenation, sat at my feet. Of course I couldn't eat! Who could! I only wish now that I could take back whatever cruel things I'd said and done to him, to start over again. But more than that, I want to know how he got here, why he would ever leave the Royal Palace and all its splendor.

"Katara, are you okay? You look a little…dazed" Sokka chuckled. I looked up from my plate of far-too-mashed potatoes and green beans that were being smothered by an overcooked slice of meatloaf, and noticed that everyone was staring at me. "What?" I asked, and my dad narrowed his eyes a little "Sweetheart, are you alright?" he seemed way too concerned. "Yeah, I'm fine" I assured him, glaring at the Prince as if he had purposefully distracted me. He stared up at me with those golden eyes and flinched a little when he caught my drift. I softened.

"Dad, can I be excused?" I squeaked, then cleared my throat. He nodded, and I made it to the doorway before he stopped me, rushing over to place a solicitous palm on my forehead. "Dad, I said I'm okay! And you're doing it wrong, you're 'sposed to use the back of your hand to check" I pointed out. I glanced again at the Prince to find he hadn't taken his eyes off of me. Creepy.

"Well, I'll send the slave out to his quarters, and he'll be ready for you in the morning" my dad sighed, taking his seat again. I threw my shoulders back "No, he'll sleep in my room tonight. On the floor, dad" I said, enunciating his placement after I saw his questioning expression. "Let's go, Prince" I whispered as said boy made his way behind me. "Yes, Master Katara" he said duly, but I couldn't help but think my name rolled off of his tongue rather smoothly…as if rehearsed…

I led him back to my room and the Prince slammed the door behind him.

VVvvVvvVvvVvvVvvv!!!ZUKO'S POV!!!!!!VvvVvvVvvVvvVvvVv

I smirked when I saw the girl's eyes wide with fear, if but only for a moment. "What are you doing?" she asks, trying to hard to sound calm and in control. Those days are over.

"I'm making my bed on the floor" I say simply, yanking off blankets and pillows from her ugly turquoise bed. Just as I thought, she got angry. "You are so stupid for to say you're a Prince! I only told my dad that so we could…get out of here without too much trouble." she said, whispering the last bit. I dropped the bedding and cocked an eyebrow.

"Couldn't you have just let me go back, get my things out of the shed, and come to fetch me when the time was right?" I asked. She blushed a slight magenta and started picking up her pillows. "Yeah, but like I said, it's easier this way." she reasoned. I smirked again, this taut skin over my scarred eye stretching a little. "I think you just wanted me here with you" I mumbled, more to myself. She heard me and scoffed.

"You would think such a thing, wouldn't you? If you must know, I just wanted to keep an eye on you so you wouldn't try and do something stupid, like run off by yourself" she insisted. I scowled.

"Why wouldn't you want me to go? You'd miss me or something?" I teased. She folded her arms across her chest, her light blue dress becoming more and more distracting as I caught a glimpse of her swollen skin beneath the bodice. I must stop doing that.

"No! And what are you staring at, anyway?" she growled. I gazed down as if fascinated with the floorboards. "Nothing. When exactly do you plan on leaving tonight?" I ask, diverting the focus of the conversation. She takes the bait. "I don't know. But you go ahead and get some rest, I was just playing about the floor, thing; you can use these sheets. And I already got you some clothes from my brother, too…what?" she stopped rambling when she noticed how close to her I'd gotten.

"I'm a man, a Prince, I'll do as I please, I'll rest when I want and I don't want you to get off thinking I need your help or anything." I snarled, leaning down a bit for emphasis. She recoiled slightly "I'm just trying to be nice!" she snapped, then turned and muttered something about me being a bastard son of damned nation. Great, at least now it'll be easier to ditch her knowing she already hates me.

I take the blankets anyway and get comfortable just as she shuts off the light. My eyes adjust to the darkness and I try to stay silent, pretending to sleep. I can hear rustling, and figure she's climbing into her bed. Just as I'm about to doze off, I barely make out her unusually soft voice.

"What's your name?" she whispers. I restrain a laugh. "It's…Prince Zuko." I tell her. She giggles, and I'm sure my eyes are bulging "Zuko, eh? Nice name. Sounds…regal. You really are a Prince, aren't you?" she drawls sleepily. I nod as if she can see me and then call out "Yeah, I am."

She yawns audibly and I sit up. "What's it like in the Firenation?" she asks, more like mumbles. I take slow, creeping steps over to her to confirm my suspicions. "Bumblebees" I whisper. "That's nice. Just like a fairy tale, huh?" she garbles, and I gaze down at her; just as I suspected. Her eyes are closed gently and her lips pulled into a smile. She's been sleep-talking, and this gave me an idea.

"What's my name again?" I asked, and her lips part "Zuko…Prince Zuko…" she giggles again, and tosses to her side, facing me. I perch on top of her linens. "You like saying that name, don't you?" I taunt, and to my surprise, she doesn't wake up and slap me. "Yes. It's such a nice name." she gushes a little, then stirs some. I don't take any risks, I slide down off of the bed and settle back in on the floor.

VVvvVvvVvvVvvVvvv!!!KATARA'S POV!!!!!!!!!KATARA'S POV!!!!!!!!!KATARA'S POV!!!!!!VvvVvvVvvVvvVvvVv

"Don't ever do that again!" I whisper-shout at Prince Zuko. How rude of him to just go shaking me awake like I'm some kind of animal! To think he was brought up in a palace, too. He ignores me and pulls on the white, clean undergarments Sokka usually wears and yanks down a rare black robe. Gran-Gran made one similar like it for me to wear to funerals and such, but I'm sure Sokka won't miss it too much. Angrily, I climb out of bed and tie my identical black robe around my waist. We head for the kitchen, where I raid around for some food before bagging it and scuttling out the door. Prince Zuko still hasn't uttered a word, and I don't complain. Nor do I feel the need to tell him how…appealing he looks in my big brother's clothes; that would just be weird, you know?

Not until we are far ahead of our starting point does he speak. "We need to go west now" he commands, and I frown. "Who made you leader?" I snap, but let him lead anyway. He slings the foodstuff over his shoulder coarsely, and I blush, because…because….oh, I don't know.

"What's wrong with you?" he asks, looking over his shoulder at me. "Nothing." I insist, and I can see from his profile that he's smiling. "What's so funny?" I bite, and he turns, stopping our steady tread. "Nothing. It's just…you were a lot nicer last night." he grins. My face blazes, and I fold my arms, knowing I must have said something embarrassing in my sleep. I'd hoped I had grown out of that a long time ago, but apparently not. I stomped off ahead of him, angry now. Before I can get too far, he grabs my arm.

"You hear that?" he whispers frantically, and I do; it's some kind of whizzing. Suddenly Prince Zuko drops to the ground, bringing me with him. I don't have time to fluster over our suggestive position, because an arrow flies by into a tree, directly in the line of path my head was just in. Prince Zuko pales and falls onto his back as a pair of fitted black boots step between us: The Yu-Yan Archers.

A/N: That's it for this chappyter, so let me know what you think! Did I switch it up too much? Am I moving too fast? Too slow? You review and tell me what's up, kay? Mwah! ;3