Chapter 7

After lunch, Zuko left me with Iroh, who kept me busy all day. I observed Lieutenant Jee and him play four games of Pai Sho before I played Iroh myself and won with the help of the Lieutenant giving me advice throughout the game. I truly came to like Lieutenant Jee he was a more of a quiet man to Iroh's who is more talkative and charismatic. Iroh also took me on a tour of the ship, but I knew he avoided some places, no doubt due to Zuko's orders. The prince certainly didn't want me to find a way out or somewhere to hide. To my relief all the guards that passed or Iroh briefly conversed with either ignore me entirely or were highly respectful, referring to me with the title of Lady. Which confused me I had always thought that term Lady was used in the fire nation to only women of nobility. But, I reframed from asking for fear of looking foolish. At dark Iroh walked me back to the windowed room for a late dinner.

"So, my dear did you enjoy being out of the room?" He asked while we waiting for our food.

"Yes, very much so," I smiled brightly, not bothering to contain my delight.

"I wish that there was more to do on the ship, I'm afraid it can be very repetitive at times."

"I can imagine."

"But!" He held up his finger with an excited gleam in eyes, "there are always a very interesting place to see and shops to visit."

Yes, I thought darkly to myself, I'm sure I would have found an interesting way to escape had I known the ship had docked. "Zuko told me the ship stopped late last night for supplies," I said dryly.

Iroh nodded, "my nephew thought it best not to tell you. He was adamant that you would attempt to escape."

"How very observant of him." At this point, it would be useless to hide my now ruined plans.

Iroh let out a deep chuckle while idly stroking his beard. "On the upside, I do believe Prince Zuko bought you a few items while in the village."

"What?" No, he has to be mistaken. I find it hard to believe that Zuko would be considerate enough to buy me anything. That would mean he had actually been listening to me when I subtly mentioned the lack of a few necessities. Due to his lack of expression, I figured I was just whistling in the wind. "Zuko never said anything about it."

"Maybe not then. Though it would have been rather nice of him if he had, do you not agree?"

"Yes, I suppose I would," I rubbed my hands nervously over the fabric of my pants, under the table. "But, I truly don't believe he would do that for me of all people."

Iroh raised a brow in an almost challenging manner, "Oh?"

"I wonder where Zuko is." I abruptly changed the subject, glancing back at the door, willing it to open and hopefully ending this conversation. "And dinner I don't know about you, but I'm starved!"

Iroh waved a hand dismissively, "Dinner is always-" He stopped mid-sentence, a mysterious gleam shining in his amber eyes. "Excuse me, my dear, I will see why our dinner is late." He slid his chair out and was out the door, moving faster that I have ever seen the man move.

"Okay…" My reply was only heard by the now empty room. Did he really just leave me, a prisoner complete unsupervised. Now would be the perfect time to escape, I gazed out the huge windows, all that greeted me was darkness, no moon to light the sky tonight. But, my voice of logic kicked in. I groaned, frustrated, my situation has not changed, I still haven't the slightest notion of how far land was. As much as I hate to admit it, it is more beneficial to stay, what with the Prince now actively searching for Aang again, his quest would bring me near to them. I am hoping he will gloat when has found them and then I will be able to make my escape. Not the best strategy, but hey, Sokka was always the plan guy of our small group. He would most definitely say my idea had too many uncertainties involved. The only other option I saw was to try and convince Zuko to abandon his quest Aang. Yeah…

On that thought the door opened, making me almost jump out of my chair. I sharply turned around to see Zuko in the doorway, his gaze sweeping the empty room. "Where is my Uncle?" He demanded I could see a two guards on both sides of the door. Well, looks like I wasn't unsupervised after all.

I was about to explain when the guard on the left spoke. "General Iroh left about ten minutes ago, sir, with instructions to guard Lady Katara."

"You are dismissed." He told the one who spoke, before turning to the other man on the right, still standing at attention. "Chen, as usual, you will help the cook bring dinner."

"Yes, sir." They both answered, setting off down the stairs.

My eyebrows knitted together, Iroh said dinner was late? But, Zuko just told that guard dinner should be ready in another ten minutes as usual?

"What?" Zuko asked sitting down in his seat, apparently having noticed my expression.

"It doesn't make sense." I shook my head.

"What doesn't make sense?"

"Iroh said dinner was late."

"Dinner is not late, it has been served at the same time, on time, every day." He explained shortly, with a tad narrowing of his eye at the wall.

I accepted his explanation, deciding that the retired general, must have just forgotten or something. A lengthy awkward silence settled over us, after a few more moment I finally blurted out a question that I had wondered on for some time. "How early do you get up in the morning? You are always gone when I wake up."

"I rise with the sun."

"You seriously get up and watch the sunrise every morning?" I questioned in a dead-pan tone.

"Did I say I watch the sunrise?" Zuko snapped, golden eyes flashing, "no, I take the time to properly absorb the sun's energy and then train until breakfast. My fire bending is strongest in the mornings."

I tried not to let my smugness show, I knew he would elaborate on his answer if I accused him of just idly sitting around. From what I have observed and what Iroh has told me, the Prince doesn't like being idle. We both turned when the door opened allowing Chen and the cook in.

I gasped, "I know you. You're the man who sold me that fruit in the market!" I pointed at the familiar lanky form of the cook. At least he had enough decency to look sheepish as he went about grabbing plates off of the rolling table, pushed by Chen. "Well, my compliments, your food is always delicious," I said to show him, I barred him no ill will. I'm sure Zuko forced the older man to do his bidding.

"Thank you, Lady Katara," he glanced my way with an embarrassed smile. "Prince Zuko, General Iroh ask that I tell you that his joints were bothering him tonight, he sends his apologies for retiring early, sir." I looked to Zuko, in concern for his Uncle. But, his eyes narrowed into silts as if he found Iroh's disappearance to be dubious.

"I hope Iroh is alright." I worried with the napkin in my lap, "I guess we shouldn't have taken such a long walk today."

Zuko scoffed, "he's fine."

"Lady Katara, General Iroh made your tea, he says it's the same kind you liked this morning." The cook placed the red with intricate golden designed teapot and matching cups in the middle of the table.

"Prince Zuko, would you like anything else, sir?"

To my surprise, Zuko looked at me in question. "Katara?"

"Oh, um- no, thank you. I'm good." I stammered.

"You are dismissed." Both Chen and the cook left the room as quickly as they had entered. When the door was shut Zuko shook his head. "So, you actually liked that tea?"

"Yes." I eagerly poured the tasty liquid into my cup, I was about to sit the teapot back down when proper manners kicked in. "Would you care for a cup?" I asked politely, although already anticipating him to turn the offer down.

"…I guess I will try it."

"Prince Zuko!" I couldn't stop the incredulous laugh, "you should be ashamed of yourself. You couldn't have been bribed to taste the tea this morning."

"It is best that I do not indulge him too much or he will start shoving it down my throat at every opportune moment." He held up his hands, defending himself, the corners of his lips twitching. "The man is a tea fanatic!"

"He does like his tea," I coincided with a fond smile.

"Yes, and I'm positive now that he knows you like tea he brings it to you every day, multiple times a day. Does he not?"

"Well, yes..."

"With that being said you do realize that you are not to breathe a word of this to him?" He stared me down from over the rim of his cup.

I chuckled, "I'll take your guilty secret to the grave."

"That's what I wanted to hear." He said sternly, although his eyes clearly showed his amusement. He took a sip of the tea, "Not too bad, it's tangy."

"I know, that's my favorite." I lifted the golden plate cover to reveal a red soup.

"I know you said that this morning, calming I believe too."

I tried to will the heat away from my face remembering how he had thrown me over his shoulder, at my falsely sweet tone. "Oh yes, I believe I did say that."

I tried my soup, and to no surprise it was wonderful! The chef did a great job on balancing out the of the garlic with the onion.

"This is really good, he balanced out the flavors perfectly."

"The chef is a skilled man."

"Yes, he is… In more than just cooking, it would seem. He makes a pretty good actor."

Zuko took a few swallows of the soup before finally answering with careful indifference. "He could use more work on the execution of his lines, I think made you a little suspicious."

"I did think he was rather odd." I paused, debating if should or shouldn't ask my next question. "Zuko, I could see the docks when I entered the village, but I never saw your ship."

"You didn't see my ship because it wasn't there, obviously."

"How did you get there then, if not by your ship?"

"That's unimportant."

I let out a deep sigh and tried very not hard not to roll my eyes. I guess he thinks it may danger his scheme if he tells me. "Well, did you take another boat?"

"I am growing tired of your questions, another and you will leave my presence," Zuko growled lowly.

There he goes again, his prickly and arrogant Crown Prince of the Fire Nation personality showing itself. "I may leave from your presence for a short time, but we still share a room, so sadly I will be back into your presence once again." I tried to say in a jaunty manner, but even I could hear the slight edge in the words.

An emotion flashed across his face far too quickly for me to name and then swiftly went to a look I most certainly recognized to be anger. Zuko exhaled loudly, I almost expected to see steam. "Why are you always so difficult?" He said between gritted teeth.

Gaping, I repeated, "me difficult? You are the difficult one!"

"I allowed you to be out of the room today, even after how you treated me this morning and this is how you repay me."

"How I treated you? What about how you treated me!" I yelled leaning toward him, unaffected by his glowering.

We were both breathing heavy from anger, his eyes gold eyes stared into my equally angry blue ones. Zuko suddenly leaned back in his chair, throwing his cloth napkin on the table, "it seems we can never sit down and eat peacefully. I had hoped to give you this small freedom, but I see now that will be impossible."

"No, it's not impossible," I said in a rush, already seeing that we had gone downhill at an alarming rate. "If you would just-"

Zuko cut me off raising his voice over mine, "from now on your meals will continue to be brought to the room!" He aggressively shoved his chair out from underneath the table and stalked to the door.

"Zuko don't-"

"I am not your idiot brother or the avatar, whom you may talk to anyway you, please. I will not tell you again, peasant, I am a Prince and will be addressed and respected as such. The guard, Chen, will escort you back to the room, you have fifteen minutes to finish dinner. Also, from now on you will once again sleep on your cot." Don't fret he is my most trusted guard." I knew he was willing himself to use a calmer tone if the clenching of his jaw was anything to go by. "Don't fret he is my most trusted guard."

Then he was gone, leaving me in a deafening silence. I sat staring out into the darkness of the night, a mixed number of emotions swirling inside me. But, one was more prominent that the others…Guilt. I wish we hadn't fought. It seems that all Zuko and I can do is argue. Not always, I thought, thinking of the pleasant conversation on the deck today and when he had given me the salve. I should have known it was too good too last, that I didn't have the patience it obviously requires to deal with him. Not that it matters, we are not friends, not even allies. It was a useless reminder; the guilt still ate at me. I kept seeing that unreadable emotion that had passed so fleetingly across his face before he had buried it with anger…Zuko did say he was banished, so I assume the Fire Lord, his father, for whatever reason, didn't want him around. I think talking about being around him all the time as an annoyance might have had something to do with him becoming so irate. All Zuko was trying to do was have dinner with me and I threw his kindness, no matter how small, back in his face. And deep down I knew I hadn't just wounded his pride. No, I had hurt feelings. I also knew that Zuko would rather die than admit it. And at this moment it mattered little to me that we were on opposite sides.

I glanced down at my half-eaten dinner, then at Zuko's looking much the same. I shoved my plate away I wasn't feeling hungry anymore, I stood with a sigh and opened the door. "I'm finished. I would like to retire for the night." I looked straight ahead, the mask that all guards are required to wear was a little disconcerting. I appreciated the walk in silence, it gave me time to ponder on what I knew I had to do.

I paced from Zuko's bed to his desk and back again, waiting for Zuko to arrive. The hour was late, he usually was already in bed by now. I breathed a deep sigh, sitting on the edge of my cot, this wasn't the first time we've fought, but he never avoided coming to the room. In fact, he liked to address that it was still his room no matter if I occupied it for the time being. Was he even coming back to our room? Or had he decided to sleep in perhaps Iroh's? What if he decided to no longer have anything to do with me until the time would come to use me against Aang? If this would have been my first few days on the ship, I would have rejoiced at the possibility. But, now- well, I just hope he doesn't do that. How would I be able to apologize if he did? I threw a dejected glance at the door before getting up and blowing, all but one candle out. I settled myself down for the night on the cot, burying my face in the pillow. I could smell the faint scent of sandalwood; it was the same scent that clung onto the fabric of his bedding, I noticed with heavy-lidded eyes before succumbing to sleep.

I clung to the last pieces of slumber, having not yet opened my eyes. I wanted to go back to into the peaceful dream, the beautiful garden, and mysterious man was far kinder than reality at the moment. I idly wondered if I would ever turn and see the flower offering man, something like familiarity always accompanied that dream as if I shouldn't have to turn to know who the man was. I cracked my eyes opened, only to go wide in fright, I immediately sat straight up. The room was pitch black! I placed my hand over my racing heart. Then it clicked, Zuko must be back. I flung the blanket off and swung my legs over the edge of the cot. Well, looks like being stuck in this room all the time is going to pay off, at least I can navigate it in the dark. I stood and started slowly making my way over toward the bed as silently as possible. I held my hand slightly out in front of me, so I felt when I came in contact with the silky bedding. I let my fingers skim the very edge, I made it to where I assumed the head was and…warmth? Warmth! My hand trailed over warm skin, I let out a startled scream when I found myself suddenly jerked down onto the bed, pinned underneath a heavy, hard body, the candles in the room springing to life. I blinked my eyes, trying to adjust to the sudden light, seeing the bleary sight of Zuko's face hovering directly over mine, his golden eyes dangerously blazing, mimicking that of the flame engulfing one raised fist.

"I wasn't trying to attack you!" I squeaked out between trying to catch my breath, I knew how this would look to him. I had planned to call his name and wake him, not this, definitely not this! "I waited up for you, but I fell asleep." Zuko extinguished the fire and slowly lowered his hand to rest on the other side of my head, allowing me to breathe easier when taking his body weight off me.

"Why?" I felt a shiver run through my body at the rasp to his voice, I found it far more appealing than I should have.

"I wanted you to know that I am grateful that you have treated me decently and that I'm sorry for the way things went earlier." Though my words were earnest it came out rushed; not at all the speech I had prepared to say, but I knew now was not the time to be long winded.

Zuko's face showed about as much expression as a rock. "You are only sorry for your lack of freedom."

"I would be lying if I said that I didn't want to be let out of the room. Wouldn't you, if you were in my place? But, that is not the reason for my apology. I truly did not deliberately try to anger you and ruin our dinner." I held my breath staring directly into his eyes, knowing they missed nothing, trying to get him to see my honesty. After a painstakingly long moment, he exhaled loudly through his nose and pushed himself off me. If it were not for the anxiety turning in my stomach, I am positive I would have been staring like an idiot, once again, at the sight of his muscled body. Although my eyes did track his every movement as he sat on the side of bed, rubbing a hand tiredly down his face.

"At present, your time here on the ship is undeterminable. Katara I want to give you small freedoms. I don't want to keep you locked away in a cell or a room. It is not as if I take enjoyment in holding you captive."

I got to my knees and moved to sit slightly behind him. "Why do you continue to do so, if it troubles you?"

"Do you not see this?" He faced me, aggressively pointing to the scarred left side of his face. "Given by the Fire Lord as a permeant reminder of my banishment!"

I gasped in horror as the realization hit me. His father- his father did that to him. "Zuko…" I started to get off the bed and reach out for him, but hesitated, staying put.

"I spoke out in war meeting," Zuko explained with his back turned to me, but I could see the clenching of his fists, his whole body becoming rigid. "A high-ranking general, appointed by my father, planned to sacrifice an entire division of new recruits against seasoned earth bending soldiers. I was against the idea and voiced my opinion, my father forced me to participate in a duel for disrespect. I agreed, I knew I could easily beat the older general. But, when I got to the arena it was my father I was to fight for I disrespected him and his choices when speaking out in the Fire Lord's meeting."

"That's how you got your scar by fighting your father?" Although the answer was plainly obvious, my mind kept wanting to dispute it, memories of my loving father surfacing.

"I would not fight my father. I begged for his forgiveness, but he said I was weak, that I needed to be taught a lesson, pain and suffering would be my teacher. The only way for me to go home and regain my honor is to capture the avatar. Then and only then will I be welcomed back." I blinked back the tears that had formed during his story. How could a father inflict so much pain on their own son? The man was a monster! Zuko slowly turned around and with one look at my face had him snapping, "I don't need your pity!"

I was rooted to my spot, debating on what to say or the best way to approach him. With a firm nod, I decided to throw caution to the wind and with hesitant steps I closed the distance between us. I would treat him no differently than I would anyone else. "You weren't in the wrong," I whispered softly, but sternly, "you were right. Your Father should have been proud to have a son who wasn't afraid to speak out against such an inhumane idea."

Zuko for once stubbornly avoided eye contact, instead, he tried to brush past me. "I was weak. So, he gave me a lesson that would never forget."

"It was cruel!" I yelled, surprising him and myself before I could stop I reached out and grabbed his arm pulling him to face me. He looked down at me the pain and anguish apparent in his beautiful eyes. I softly let my fingertips trail across the rough texture of his scarred cheek, fully expecting him to slap my hand away. Only he didn't. He shut his eyes the tension seemingly drained out of him with a deep breath. "Zuko you did not deserve any of it," I said conviction lacing through the words. He opened his eyes, for once we were both not bothering to hide anything. I don't know when, but my gaze slowly slid down to rest on his lips, vaguely it registered that I began to tilt my face up to his. Zuko leaned down until his lips were so close to mine I could feel his breath brush along my slightly parted lips.

BANG! The spell was broken, immediately we jumped away from each other.

"Prince Zuko!" The familiar voice of Uncle rang through the door. Zuko ran a hand aggressively through his ink black hair, his face showing none of the emotion he had just so recently allowed me to see. I could feel him staring at me, trying to will me to look at him, instead of the spot on the wall above him. With a soft sigh of defeat or frustration, I couldn't tell, he calmly opened the door.

"Is something wrong, Uncle?" Zuko questioned coolly, as though we hadn't just had an emotional moment that almost lead to a kiss. Between enemies…

"I came to see if everything was alright with you and Katara?" Iroh's worried words, finally broke through my slight daze, giving my head a good shake I went to stand slightly behind Zuko, so I could see the retired general better.

"As you can see, Uncle everything is fine."

"Ah, Katara!" Iroh exclaimed, relief coloring his tone. "I'm sorry that I disturbed the two of you. A guard came to my room saying he heard a scream and worried something may have happened. I thought it might be best to come and check."

Zuko turned his head slightly in my direction when an embarrassed giggle broke through my tightly pressed lips. "Well, um… I was trying to wake up Zuko, but it was dark and well, I am afraid I startled him."

When Iroh eyebrows shot to his hairline, Zuko quickly added, "I grabbed her, she screamed." I held in my another bout of laughter at his need for clarification.

"Thought she was attacking you, did you?" Iroh asked, amused.

"Like she said it was dark," Zuko gruffly defended.

"Are you feeling better, Iroh?" I asked remembering he went to bed early tonight.

"Oh, yes my dear," he waved off my concern. "Thank you for asking. Just not as spry as I once was."

"I'm glad you're feeling better; I was worried about you." At my words Zuko snorted, shaking his head, from my place behind him I couldn't tell, but I'm somewhat positive that he was rolling his eyes.

"There's no need to worry. I'm completely healthy," Iroh patted his belly. "Well, it is late, I'll let you two get back to bed. Have a goodnight."

"Goodnight!" I called through the already shut the door, I glared at Zuko's back for being so rude.

"Uncle is right. We should go to bed." He turned, our chests almost touching, I wordlessly retreated to my cot, sliding beneath the safety of the cotton blanket, I discreetly watched Zuko as he did the same. With a lazy hand motion, the room once again was engulfed in darkness, but it didn't nothing to extinguish the lingering awkwardness between us. I couldn't say how long the silence went on with only the sound of our breathing filling the room.

"Katara?" Zuko's soft whisper cut through the darkness.

"Yes?"

"…I bought a few things for you when we stopped at the port, everything is in the closet."

"Thank you. Good night, Zuko." I whispered, after a minute's pause.

"Goodnight, Katara."

I couldn't help but smile that is the first time we've ever said that to one another. Usually, we never said anything, unless he was ordering me to go to sleep and to stop talking. This change was…nice.