The sun beat down hot and golden on the four travelers. The light peeked through the leaves overhead casting happy shadows everywhere.

"STOP!!" Toph said giggling uncontrollably, as Aang blew her hair about. He laughed and floated around her head. Soka smiled at them and continued polishing his water-tribe boomerang. Katara walked behind the others, her head down and her eyes glazed over. She had barely said a word all night and all this morning.

Aang set himself down on the path they were walking and eyed Katara interestedly.

"What's wrong Katara?" he said trying not to sound too worried. She looked up startled. A broad smile stretched across her face.

"What do you mean? I'm fine. Just tired…" she said still smiling.

"Well you haven't said anything to me all day!" Aang said flapping his arms wildly. "You didn't even laugh when Momo dropped half a melon on Saka's head."

"That's because it wasn't funny!!" Soka yelled.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Katara giggled, "That was so funny."

Aang smiled contentedly and ran ahead. Katara's smile faded. Toph turned her head toward Katara. "You sure you're alright? You've been weird ever since last night. I noticed you talked less, and when you did… Your voice sounds all funny… And not funny, ha ha." Toph said sounding concerned.

"Uhh, yeah. I'm just tired that's all. Everything's been happening so fast lately." Katara whispered. Toph looked angry for a moment but then sighed, and walked away.

Katara took several deep breaths. I need to just forget last night, pretend I didn't even see Zuko, she thought to herself.

An hour later the foursome arrived in a clearing, perfect for Appa to take off.

"Let's pack up our things and continue the rest of the journey on Appa," suggested Aang. The others agreed and began to place packs on the flying bison's back. Katara quickly looked around. Behind her back she poured out the water from her flask.

"Hey everyone, I'm out of bending water. I think I hear a stream a ways back there. I'll be right back!" Katara said smiling as she walked away. The others looked confusedly at each other as Katara disappeared into the trees.

Zuko didn't sleep very well that night. Thoughts of Katara's tear-filled eyes kept him tossing and turning. At midnight, he sat bolt upright.

"What's wrong with me?" he said again. He rested his head in his hands. "I was once a disciplined prince on a mission. What happened?"

He began walking at dawn. He didn't know where he was going or why, but he knew he had to start walking.

Around noon he heard voices from behind him. Instinctively he turned ready for battle. Through the trees he could see a party of four walking towards him, accompanied by a giant bison.

"Oh no." he said despairingly. He turned, and ran to the left. He kept running for a few minutes and stopped by a large creek. Bending down he splashed some of the cold water in his face. Why is fate so cruel to me, he thought wryly, as he sat down on the bank.