Katara gazed into the water basin on her dresser. It was an odd thing, to see it colored so deeply, a dark blue sheen dancing over brilliant golds, vibrant reds and rich blacks. Back home in the arctic, it was often a dazzling azure, or if it was deep water, conciliatory of murky greens. Never had she imagined that being transported across the world would have robbed her of the familiarity of even her own element.

It figured, she supposed. The Fire Nation had taken everything else away. Why not her water?

But that was not the problem at hand. She could feel the water calling her, however transformed it may have been. It was a thrill racing through her veins, a whooshing drive that pulled her in as inescapably as the tides. Bringing a tentative hand up, she answered her blood's cries.

A tiny droplet floated up first, hovering just below the apex of her middle and ring fingers. She let out an excited gasp, letting the sensation rush through her. Suddenly the whole basin flew up, exploding around her face. Startled, she lost her grip on the water, and it splashed violently back down, creating a puddle on the vanity. Her face and hair drenched, she looked up to the mirror to wipe herself off. She froze as her eyes met a pair of golden ones standing in the door. It was abruptly clear to her the danger she had put herself in. This was the skill that had hundreds of tribesmen systematically eradicated. This was the skill that had killed her own mother.

Prince Zuko slammed the door shut quickly, rushing forward to grab Katara's shoulders. "You're a- Why did you- You left the freaking door open!" he shrieked, shaking her, "Do you know what would have happened if somebody saw you? Did anyone see you?"

Katara's throat clenched shut; she could only stare wide-eyed at Prince Zuko. She was in shock, unable to comprehend his reaction. He shook her again, and she could only shake her head no. Angrily, he shoved her away, grabbing a fistful of his hair. "Of all the people I had to go and save," he muttered, punching the vanity.

"You didn't- But- I'm a Waterbender," Katara managed when she finally regained her senses, "Why would you want to cover that up?" She drew herself tall, crossing her arms in front of her chest.

"Agni!" Prince Zuko groaned, "Is it so hard to believe I'm trying to help you?!"

"Yes!" Katara screamed, her voice cracking. Zuko sat down heavily on the floor. He started to laugh.

"Ha. Haha. Hahahaha-"

"What's so funny?" Katara demanded uncomfortably.

Prince Zuko's eyes turned serious, and he punched a ball of fire at the wall across the room. A tapestry lit, and the flames licked out from the wounded center until they engulfed the entire thing in ash.

"Nothing," the prince replied.