Hey guys, thanks for all the support! I really appreciate it.

Katara-

I guess if one good thing has come out of this mess, it's that I can say with a good amount of certainty that finding out your name won't be the last thing I do.

Besides that? There aren't many other good things left to say. I suppose I should mention that Uncle has never been happier, fighting for a good cause he believes in, and teaching the avatar himself to firebend. Not to mention, the avatar plays Pai Sho.

I was right all along it seems. That game really is older than dirt. No wonder Uncle was never offended when I said as much.

My uncle's happiness really should be my own. Everybody in this group is good to my uncle and I. We are truly lucky. But…I don't feel lucky.

Why do you hate me so much, Katara?

You have such an unusual name. I could say it a thousand times and it would still feel exotic and new on my tongue. Unfortunately, I have yet to say it once, because you hardly ever speak to me.

It is baffling, really. I expected that, upon coming to the four of you with nothing, your brother, the avatar, and the blind girl would turn me away, mock me, and hate me.

But they are most welcoming.

It's you that's confusing me so much, Katara, because, you see, I had expected that of all of your companions, you would be the kindest to me. I had expected that you would be the one to convince them to take me in; you would be the one to try and get them to accept me.

Funny, that I actually thought that would happen. Life has this annoying habit of never turning out the way I think it will. I should have realized this by now.

It's weird, but somehow, instead of closure, my first letter to you only made it harder for me to deal with your rejection now…if you could call it rejection. My last letter was so fatalistic. Now that I'm here, with you, with all of you, life seems so much more…

I don't know. Possible. I've lost that sick feeling that once this is all over, there will be nothing left. I've lost that feeling like everything around me just made me want to throw up.

I need to stop writing now, Katara, because it sounds like you're having a nightmare, and I'm going to go and get Sokka for you.

-Zuko

He hurriedly folded the letter and placed it in his waistband with its partner as he strode purposefully across camp towards Katara and Sokka.

Sokka slept like a log. A log that snored.

It took a great deal of willpower for Zuko not to look upon this with disdain. He was sure that some people just slept heavier than others; it really wasn't a reflection on their prowess as a warrior.

Of course, if Sokka were ever to become a truly great warrior, he would have to train himself to sleep with one eye open.

Zuko mentally slapped himself as he knelt at Katara's side. This was no time to critique Sokka's habits. He wondered momentarily if he shouldn't wake her. Then she rolled to face him, and he saw her face, its simple beauty marred by a scrunched-up look of terror. She was sweating, he noted, quickly taking inventory of her well-being, and making small, frightened noises in her sleep.

He reached out and lightly shook her shoulder, bringing her to awareness with a jolt. A small surge of pride went through him that he didn't completely understand. Yes, it was good that she was a lighter sleeper than Sokka, but why would that make him proud? He muttered to her softly and quickly,

"You were having a nightmare. I'm going to get Sokka for you now." He could only hope that it was explanation enough to not provoke her wrath. Through hazy, frightened eyes, he caught a flash of recognition. She nodded firmly, and rolled away from him. Zuko sighed mentally.

You always have to push me away.

He made his way over to Sokka's bedroll and nudged Sokka with his foot. The water tribe boy blinked and sat up.

"Whatisit?" he asked blearily.

"She's having a nightmare," Zuko said, not having to clarify just who 'she' was. Sokka immediately stood and walked quickly over to Katara. In a split second, she was in his arms, and he was whispering to her soothingly. Zuko frowned as envy gripped at his stomach.

To feel that sort of closeness with a sibling, with a girl, with anybody…

There were very few things Zuko would die for. He didn't like to dwell on them much. There was too much raw emotion to be sifted through, too many demons to face on that path.

And thus, he returned to his own bedroll, and sat, facing away from camp, where he would remain for another two or so hours before his uncle came to relieve him and he could sleep.

Sorry, this one was shorter, but it just seemed appropriate to end it there… I'm on a bit of a Sokka/Katara sibling bonding moment-y kick right now…I love it! It's so cute!

Anyway. Don't worry, it's not going to affect the Zutarian goodness of this story. Katara's up again next.