AN: Okay, so I completely lied when I said it would all be from Katara's POV. I was trying to think of a way to explain Zuko's behavior without making him seem like a total jerk, and this was what I came up with. I think most of the story will still be in Katara's POV but I might add a short little bonus chapter from another character's perspective from time to time. Obviously this was one, because 1) I felt bad about telling you guys that I wouldn't update for long periods of time, 2) I was in the Avatar mood today:)

By the way, I do not own Avatar.

Zuko felt kind of bad for what he'd said. Of course he didn't mean any of it. But the Waterbender had yelled at him for absolutely no reason whatsoever. He'd caught the smile she was giving him. But just when he was about to thank her, out of nowhere she began degrading him!

He was weak. He hated feeling this way. According to his father, weakness was the worst quality anyone could possess, and though he no longer looked for his father's acceptance, it still made sense to him. He didn't want to show weakness by asking the peasant for help, so for three agonizing days, he sat, enduring the excruciating pain his back was causing him. When Azula had whipped him for attacking her after killing Uncle…

Anyway, when that infernal squirrel monkey jumped on his back he'd been unable to suppress a cry. The waterbender was standing over him, and in that moment, he chose weakness over pain. So he'd asked for her help. When she used his formal title to mock him, he almost took it back. Then he straightened, and the pain was worse than ever. So he grudgingly admitted that he'd been wrong.

When she tried to pull his shirt away from his sticky wounds, it hurt so much that he'd involuntarily latched onto her wrist with the intent to burn her for the pain she was causing him. But then she told him to relax, and after a few moments, he released her.

When he felt a coolness against his wounds, it was all it took for him not to turn over and scar her like he'd been scarred. But then the pain began to ebb away, slowly, but surely. When she finished he relaxed. The pain had not disappeared completely, but it was much more bearable. Amazed, he spoke, more to himself than to her. " It… doesn't hurt…" He turned to her, about to thank her when he caught her smile. For a split second, he forgot what he was about to say.

Then, she'd stood and barked at him. He couldn't believe the change that had taken place in the blink of an eye. What she said made him angry. He was about to thank her! He was about to tell her that she had a nice smile…

"You're welcome, by the way."

He stared up at her, incredulous that she'd assumed that he would not thank her. Though he wouldn't admit it, his pride had been hurt and he had no other defense than to retaliate with harsher words.

Unfortunately he'd forgotten that she was a master waterbender and when the water whip hit him squarely in the face, he regretted what he'd said.

I thought of something kind of funny (maybe only I find it funny, we'll see what you guys think). AN is for author's note... but AN are also my initials! Cool! Umm... yeah, I'm a dork. Bye.