Chapter 10

The weeks passed quickly; according to Zuko we will reach Whale Tail Island by late tonight. He had kept me busy that's for sure with all our training. My hand-to-hand combat had vastly improved, according to Zuko, though he said that he would continue to work with me on it after we rescue Aang and Sokka. Well, that is if Aang decides to stay and allow Zuko to become his fire bending teacher. Zuko would also need Sokka approval also- it was sure to be a rather strange conversation. On that note, my thoughts wondered to Iroh and his odd behavior these days. The only time I really saw my older friend was in the mornings for breakfast. Over the course of our journey, he ate dinner with Zuko and I but three times, preferring to dine in the comfort of his room. I had worried that he was ill or that I in some way had offended him, but last week my inquiries were answered. I had been about to open the door to our room, having returned from leisurely practicing my bending as a way to calm my nerves over our upcoming situation. But, paused at the sound of two very familiar voices, now I realize that eavesdropping is wrong, so I decided to leave. Well, that is until their discussion drifted through the metal and into my ear, which I pressed tightly to the cold door…

"Uncle, you need to start eating with us again, all you are doing is worrying Katara."

"Well, just assure her that I am perfectly fine just tired. You know I am not as young as I use to be, Prince Zuko. Besides you, young people don't want an old man around all the time."

Zuko sighed loudly in clear irritation, I could almost see him pinching the bridge of his nose. "Don't act as if you are so decrepit; you are forgetting I have seen you fight. The only one who believes your act is Katara."

"Such a sweet young lady."

"Uncle, if you are not going to eat dinner with us why don't you come around more in the day just to ease her worries."

"I simply cannot Prince Zuko; Jee and I have launched a Mahjong and Pai Sho tournament that will last until we reach the Island."

"How convenient." Zuko snapped sarcastically.

"Just enjoy having time alone with her."

There was a pregnant pause before Zuko growled out in frustration; that I haven't heard since he switched sides. "I just- I'm mostly likely boring her Uncle, you are more- I don't know… talkative." Was I giving off the impression that I didn't care for his company? I have enjoyed spending time with him. I mean he is right about not being that talkative, most of the time I start the conversation, but I don't mind, I understand that's just Zuko. Also, I don't mind our moments of where we have silence; it's never uncomfortable with him.

"Nonsense." Iroh chuckled, "Believe me Prince Zuko if a woman is bored with a man she doesn't continue to spend time with him." Zuko let out a disbelieving scoff. "Don't shake your head! You happen to be talking to a man who knows about women. Why back in my younger years I was quite a catch if I do say so myself. The ladies wouldn't leave me alone; not that I minded," Iroh chuckled. "I remember this one lady, well she wasn't really a lady of class if you know what I mean, but-"

"Uncle!" Zuko interrupted, I could hear the mortification for it matched the same level of my own.

Iroh continued on ignoring the protest of his nephew, "she was a kind hearted woman, though. She worked in a brothel-"

With my face beaming red, I leaned away deciding it was best to stop listening, I had a hunch Iroh was about to launch into a tale that I didn't want to hear and judging by a muffled groan piercing through the door I don't think Zuko did either. I very quietly walked away and went back up on deck, knowing the cool air would ease my burning face. Well, one thing Iroh said was true, I wouldn't be spending so much time with Zuko if I didn't enjoy it. After he showed me the almanac, he did as he said and showed me the world maps. He also let me read his scrolls of Fire Nation ancient literature, which he had to help me with because it was a tad different from the Water Tribes style of writing. I just don't see how he could think he was boring me.

I never told Zuko that I had overheard their private conversation and I lessened asking about Iroh. It was a little embarrassing for me to even think to myself, but I-I liked my time alone with Zuko. He's has become a friend and I can appreciate spending time with a friend. Right? Then the dream of almost kissing him came to mind. I was startled out of my thoughts when guard carrying a heavy bucket of water and mop came out onto the deck. Once again glad that the guards no longer wore their uniforms, so you could actually see their faces without those horrible helmets. I had been out here observing the sea; which has become increasingly choppy in the last twenty minutes or so. Grayish black storm clouds coming up from the East, which was exactly the direction we were heading. Wonderful.

I turned to the guard with a slight upturn of my lips, "mopping seems kind of useless with this storm approaching."

The guard Kuzon; who could not have been older than Sokka, glanced toward with big eyes. "Lady Katara, Prince Zuko, ordered the deck to be washed today and far be it from me to question order." He lowered his head back down in an awkward manner.

"Well, Kuzon, you just wait a minute while I go and talk to the Prince. I would hate for you to do all that work only for the rain to come and accomplice the same thing." I couldn't help but laugh at his almost comical expression of shock, before adding, "I'll be right back, I'm serious don't you start yet." After a moment he nodded his head hesitantly.

I gave him a large smile, trying to put the young man at ease, before jogging to the door of the deck. Usually, we were sparring at midday, but Zuko said that we should take a day off. I decided to check our room first, maybe he is taking a nap. I quickly made my way down the corridors to our room only to find it empty. I let out a huff, oh, where is he? Wait a minute! I heard some of the guards talking about doing inventory and I would bet my seal-jerky Zuko was down there helping. Don't know why I didn't think of that, to begin with! The man never sits still! I sprinted down to the last level of the ship, seeing two middle-aged guards carrying a heavy-looking crate; I stopped asking in a rush, "Have you seen Prince Zuko?"

"Yes ma'am," One answered in a strained voice, under the weight of the crate, "He's that-"the man grunted, "That way," jerking his head to left.

"Thanks!" I called out, before going around them in search of Zuko.

"Anytime," he grunted, before saying to the other guard, "Woo, this thing sure is heavy!"

"You're not joking!" the other man said in an equally strained voice, "Weighs as much as a komodo rhino!" I chuckled, once I was out of poor men hearing range, everyone had become so light hearted in the past weeks and I liked the change.

Finally, I spotted Zuko looking down a wooden clipboard, "Zuko!"

His head snapped up at the sound of my voice, before going back to his clipboard. Waiting to answer until I came to a stop before him. "Yes?"

I rolled my eyes, "Zuko, Kuzon was about to start mopping, but I told him not to- because."

Zuko interrupted me, his tone going from nonchalant to patronizing in a second. "Katara, the men still have their work to do, this is our day to relax not theirs."

I huffed, "I know that. If you would have let me finish!" Zuko glanced down looking slightly apologetic, before nodding at me to continue. I smiled softly, he really was trying to change. "Now as I was going to say; we are heading right toward a storm and it seemed kind of pointless for Kuzon to mop when it's about to rain. So, I told him not to start until I talked to you."

"A storm?" Zuko inquired in concern, he began a quick stride toward the stairs that would take us above to the corridors. "You, take this and continue where I left off," he passed off his clipboard to one of the very now winded guards, resting against the crate they had been lifting.

"Zuko, those men are tired."

"It's their job, they can rest later," I glared at him, before lightly slapping his arm, He looked down at me confused. "What? They will mainly be only doing inventory."

"You should give them a break; they were a carry a fairly heavy box," I chided.

"Katara," he sighed, shaking his head.
"Zuko."

He turned to his men, who had obviously been listening in amusement and amazement. "Fine, you two take a five minute-"I cleared my throat, and began tapping my foot. Zuko shot me a very disgruntled look that I found absolutely adorable. "Ten-minute break, then get back to work."

"Thank you, sir." Both guards answered, smiling at each other before trudging off to the back of the expansive room.

"You are so kind," I smiled sweetly, clasping my hands to my chest.

Zuko only was response was grunt and glare while ushering me up the stairs with a hand on my lower back. We quickly made it back on deck to see the wind had really picked up and the waves had become choppier than before. I must have taken to long for Kuzon had begun mopping, he stopped when he spotted us.

Zuko gazed out at the sea worriedly, before briskly addressing Kuzon. "I believe Lady Katara told you not to begin mopping."

"…Yes, sir, she did."

Zuko's glare had the young man looking at the floor, I placed a hand on Zuko's arm, whispering, "He didn't want to get in trouble, I'm sure that's why he went ahead and did the job you ordered to be done today."

Zuko spoke with finality, "Listen the next time Lady Katara tells you something. Now go tell Captain Lee to alter our course to the South toward the nearest port of call to ride out the storm."

"Yes, sir!" Kuzon snatched up the bucket and almost ran down below deck.

Zuko walked slowly over to the railing with a brooding frown, I cautiously put my hand on his tense shoulder, coming to stand beside him. "What's wrong?" I let my hand fall away when continued staring forward at the rough sea. With the scarred side of his face to me, he reminded me of the intimidating Prince bent on the capture of the avatar.

At last, he turned his face a fraction toward me saying in a tight voice, "that is a typhoon forming; we should be relatively safe from it at the village south of us."

"I'm glad we are not sailing on, a typhoon can capsize a ship."

"Yes, but it will delay us."

"Well, you said that we would reach the island a week before Zhao. So, don't worry I'm sure we will be there in plenty of time." I smiled, even though he still wouldn't look at me.

Zuko gripped the railing so tight his knuckles turned white, snapping, "Uncle informed me last week that Captain Lee miscalculated the distance."

I gasped in dread, "When will he reach the island?"

Zuko finally completely turned to face me with a look of extreme frustration, "Two days from now."

"Zuko!" I cried out in anger and disbelief, he shouldn't have kept this from me!

He continued on in a rush, "I didn't tell you because we were making such good time and it seemed we would have no problem getting to the island before Zhao." He gestured with his hand toward the ocean, "but, now this!" He dragged a hand roughly down his face, "I'm sorry Katara. I am trying to do the right thing. I need to do the right thing for once in my life and I want to, but everything is going wrong and-"
"Zuko!" I interrupted him, my fizzling out as quickly as it came. I reached out, grabbing the hand, he was about to rake down his face again. "One, I know you a trying and I want to get to the island just as much as you do. Two, let's think on the positive and say that we will make it to Whale Tail Island even if it's only minutes before Zhao. Three, in no way shape or form, can you control the weather, things happen." I stepped closer until our chests were almost touching and with a gentle smile I put my hand on his neck with my thumb resting right at the corner of his mouth. He closed his eyes at the contact for a moment, when he opened them again the gold burned like never before; I swear I almost felt my heart skip a beat. "Four, you just need to be a little more optimistic, not everything is going wrong; the world isn't out to get you." I was proud that my voice stayed steady and did not betray me. Zuko's gaze swept over my face very intently almost like he was looking for something, my heart began racing under his penetrating stare.

"Katara..." He whispered huskily, his head cautiously lowering in toward mine, his eyes watching to measure my reaction. I took in a rather shaking breath, my eyes wide, but I didn't try to move away. I couldn't if I wanted to and I most definitely didn't want to and for once I didn't want to look into the reason why. When the ship gave an unexpected lurch, surprising both me and Zuko, who had just enough time to move his head slightly to the side to avoid knocking heads with me, the rough movement sent him crashing into me. We would have both been on the floor had not one of his hands shot out to grab the railing and his strong arm wrapped tightly around my waist. My hand that had been touching his face fell to grip his shoulder and my other reached up to do the same in a desperate attempt to avoid falling. The ship made a sharp turn and sent us into the railing, Zuko grunted as his arm took the brute force of the hit, successfully pinning it between me and the railing. When the ship stopped turning I immediately pushed him back so he could get my weight off his poor abused arm, which I'm positive will be severely bruised, but to my surprise, he didn't unwrap it from me. I glance up to see him already looking down at me…wistfully?

The deck door was suddenly flung open, Kuzon shouting, "Prince Zuko, General Iroh request your presence in the captain's coop."

I became concerned when Zuko dropped his head to rest on my shoulder and emitted a deep groan. It must be his arm paining him. "Are you alright?"

"No." He completely pulled away from me with an expression so filled with mixed emotions I couldn't begin to truly decipher what Zuko was feeling before he stalked off.

Leaving me alone with my confusion and no comfort was gleaned from the nearness of my element. Thunder rumbled in the distance, the now black clouds were almost churning. I hugged my arms around myself, there was definitely a big storm brewing and in more ways than one.