HEADS UP: This is the same chapter as before! I just took something out and I kind of forgot that there was a "replace chapter" option. My bad, guys. The chapter after this is new, however! If you feel like you read the first few paragraphs, you did. My mistake with this chapter was putting a bit of the next chapter in it. I know it's been a while since I've updated this story, but if you still want to read it I definitely want to finish it!


Zuko lay in bed, thinking about Katara. He thought of her hair, her eyes, the many expressions that graced her face. Even with cold indifference she was beautiful. He couldn't keep her off his mind. He needed to know what she thought of him, if she forgave him for everything.

He looked out the window. It was well into the night, but the young Firelord observed a full moon in the dark blue sky. He knew that Katara wouldn't be sleeping while her water bending was at its peak. Deciding to act upon his curiosity, Zuko got out of bed and headed down the hall.

A guard stood at his post near Zuko's bedchamber. "Your Majesty," he said, "would you like me to accompany you?"

"No, thank you. I'm just taking a little stroll." He gave the guard a slight nod, which the guard returned. Zuko continued on down the stone steps and outside. Turning a corner, he arrived at the back garden. It held the fountain nearest Katara's room. He figured she would most likely be there.


Katara crept out of Aang's room and closed the door gently behind her. The Avatar was left sleeping in his bed. Katara went in her room to dress more appropriately for the weather. It was a warm night out and she was wearing full Water Tribe garb. It was a bit warm. Zuko's lack of emotion must have gotten to her more than she thought. It was very unlike her not to be prepared.

As she entered the room, Katara saw a sight more dazzling than the one she had previously encountered. The walls were painted a shimmery gray with a border resembling waves, utilizing various shades of blue and green. The ceiling depicted a full moon in the night sky on one side, fading into daylight near the window. Instead of silk sheets decorating the space between the ceiling and floor, suncatchers and wind chimes were placed on string, criss-crossing throughout the room above. Her bed also had a canopy, in blues and grays but with maroon stitching. The colors seemed to belong together.

Katara approached the dressers. They were mahogany, like Aang's. In them were her clothes, along with an assortment of Fire Nation apparel. She pulled out a pair of light pants and a tank top. Putting them on as the breeze played a song above her, Katara saw that the top was very form-fitting and comfortable. She left the room, being careful not to make noise as she found her way outside. A guard was making his rounds but she shrank back into the shadows and waited until he left. When he was out of sight she continued searching for a water source. After a minute or so of wandering she stumbled upon a fountain. She felt the moon's energy wash over her as she drew water from the fountain and made it dance around her.


Zuko awoke from his resting place under a tree. The noise of someone approaching caught his attention. When he looked up he saw Katara holding water around her left hand and, with her right, pulling out bits of water, turning them into ice darts, and shooting them at a nearby tree. He got up and neared the waterbender, gazing upon her concentrated expression and the sweat that was forming on her brow. The moonlight gave her skin a bright sheen.

"I've seen you do some great things with water," he said to her.

Katara flinched, dropping the water she was working with. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize you were here." Katara blushed. "I'll just go back to my room." She made her way past the firebender with her gaze fixed on the ground.

Zuko wasn't ready for her to leave. "Wait," he protested as he reached for her hand. "I wanted to talk to you."

Katara stopped abruptly as their hands made contact. The way he held hers in his comforted her. She turned back toward him and looked into his light eyes. "What did you want to talk about?"

Zuko returned the eye contact, peering into dazzling blue orbs. "Are you mad at me?"

Katara appeared a bit embarrassed. "I'm sorry," she said. "I was thrown off by how distant and formal you were. I thought you didn't think of us as friends anymore." She looked away again.

Zuko was relieved at that last sentence. "I thought you still distrusted me or something."

Katara looked at him again with a slight smile on her lips. "Zuko, you taught Aang how to firebend and you saved me from Azula. We're good." She looked down and realized that they were still holding hands. She pulled away and said goodnight.

"Why are you leaving so soon?" Zuko looked seriously at the her as she turned back to him. "I was hoping to see you waterbend. That's why I came out here."

Katara stopped and turned back. She hesitated, but then began to pull up the water she had dropped when Zuko startled her. As she moved her arms, twisting them around her body, the water twisted with them. She moved the rope of water in a spiral motion until it was well above her head, then morphed it together. Quickly after doing that, she split them apart into a barrage of shards and hurled them into a field of grass near them.

Zuko admired her skill as he looked at the ice puncturing the ground. "Lethal," he remarked.

He turned to see the waterbender in concentration, her arms raised just above her shoulders. As she held them there, the shards began to melt. She raised her arms slowly and the water morphed together as it rose higher. Katara made a swift gesture and the water formed a wave, then froze.

"Can you do that under normal circumstances?" Zuko peered at her.

Katara whirled around. "What do you mean?" She scowled at him.

Zuko hid a smirk. "I mean, can you do that when there isn't a full moon out?"

"You've seen me do it." Katara turned away from him. She was hurt that he was doubting her abilities.

"You were angry then," Zuko replied. "Can you do it when there's no one angering you and when there's no full moon?"

"Well right now both are occurring so I couldn't really say," she snapped as she stomped off. Zuko attempted to follow her but she threw up a wall of ice in the way.

Zuko stopped behind the wall. He figured he should give her her space.


Katara rushed into her room and closed the door, sinking into it after it shut. She overreacted, she knew, but Zuko had doubted her ability. She didn't know why she should care so much, though. At the same time, she didn't want him to think ill of her. What should she care what anyone thought of her, though? She argued internally with herself, then decided to go apologize. If he was still there, he was worthy of an apology. If he wasn't there she would continue to be mad at him.

She ran back out of the room and into the garden, where she saw Zuko sitting against the fountain, which was still devoid of moisture. Katara siphoned the water off of the ground into the fountain.

Zuko looked up as he heard the water. He watched Katara as she moved toward him.

Once Katara finished bending, she sat next to Zuko. She looked ahead as she spoke, avoiding his gaze. "I'm sorry I was short-tempered earlier. It's just that you were right. I can't bend like that unless I'm angry or there's a full moon." She looked into her lap as she admitted this truth.

Zuko leaned forward and looked at Katara's ashamed expression. "Hey," he crooned. "It's okay. I know how it feels to wish you were better at bending. I felt that way for years. You're still a fantastic bender. I just think I can help you improve."

Katara turned quickly to look at him with that last sentence. "How?" she asked while furrowing her brow.

The two looked at each other for a moment before Zuko stood up. "Meet me here tomorrow after breakfast. I'll show you then." He turned back and reached out his hand. "Until then you should get some sleep."

Katara placed her hand in his and stood. She continued to look at him skeptically, then decided to go back to her room. She dropped his hand and walked away.

Zuko stared after her and waited until she was out of sight until he made his way back to his room.