It had been another two week on the island and the raiders still patrolled the shores day and night. Over a month had passed since I had left the South Pool and my heart ached for home. It would be the time for the new moon festival in just a few days. The streets would be filled with laughter and joy, my people would rejoice in our strength and hope for the future. The thought of the grand feast on the last night of the festival and the dance that would come after it filled my mind. I could see Sokka and Yue dancing together, the other girls who had just come of age hoping someone would ask them to dance.

I had asked Iroh how long a Fire nation ship of that size could go without the need to refuel. He said that they could go for almost two months. So depending on how long they had been at sea before coming to the island I could be stuck here for another month. I was sitting by the pound thinking about home when Zuko came over. His presence barely fazed me, I was sick of the Fire Nation heat and wanted the snow and ice of home. Summer was on its way and it was felt, the days were longer and hotter now. I had taken to just wearing my dress for my long pants kept me too warm. Zuko sat down beside me but I didn't look at him home was the only thing on my mind.

"What's wrong?" He asked. I laid down on my side as a little turtle duck swam up to me. I reached out and pet his soft fuzzy head. The grass was soft against my bare skin as I thought about what I was going to say.

"I miss my home." I said plainly. "The new moon festival is going to be happening in a few days. It's one of my favorite events of the year. I know you understand what I'm feeling better than anyone else." I looked over at him and he met my eyes. I could see his own longing to return home in his eyes.

"Tell me about the festival." He asked. I sat up and crossed my legs. Where to begin? I thought. I looked down at his hands resting in the grass, the poise of his body, relaxed but ready to move at the slightest noise. Being with Zuko made me very happy it was nice to have someone to relate to. I looked up at the midday sun and cursed it in my mind.

"Does it ever get cool here?" I asked. Zuko laughed and fallowed my gaze.

"Not in the summer." He replied, I sighed with defeat and turned to conversation back to the festival. I told him everything I could remember, which took an hour or two to do. We sat there in the grass talking about it he even told me about the sun festival of the Fire Nation. I thought about how he was stuck on this island and came up with a question.

"Zuko? Are you forced to remain just on the island?" He shook his head and gave me a curious look.

"No, I have the ability to go anywhere I want except back to the Fire Nation." I looked at the ground and played with the grass between my fingers. I knew what my heart wanted me to ask but my mouth didn't seem to want to work. A moment later I felt a hand under my chin lifting my eyes to meet his. "Come one, Katara. I know you want to ask me something what is it." I was about to speak but he didn't take his hand away he let it linger a moment longer than what it should have. I could feel the blush coming to my face as I spoke.

"Well I was wondering if you would want to come to the South Pool with me." His eyes grew wide. I knew that he hadn't been expecting that. "If you don't want to I understand that but I figured it would be better than being stuck here forever." He looked around at the gardens then back at me. He reached out and took my hand.

"When the raiders leave I would be honored to return you to your home." I smiled and wrapped my arms around his neck hugging him tightly. He seemed unsure but wrapped his arms around my waist hugging me back.

"Thank you Zuko. You are a truly wonderful friend."

It was several days later, I was sitting in my room relaxing thinking about the festival and how it was about to begin. My fingers played with Mom's necklace as I thought about how Dad had proposed to her at the new moon festival. I looked out the open window at the cherry tree that grew outside it. Beyond that were the garden walls that protected the palace from the forest. I sat on the open window sill enjoying to cooling evening air. Just then there was a knock on the door.

"Come in." I said. I wasn't expecting Zuko or Iroh it was still a little while before we had dinner together. But, Zuko came through the door wearing an expression that was impossible to read. "What's going on?" I asked he walked over as I stood up. We meet half way across the room.

"I have a surprise for you." He said plainly. I raised an eyebrow and but my hands on my hips.

"What would that be?" He smirked.

"If I told you it wouldn't be a surprise. Now come with me but you have to close your eyes." From his expression I knew that there was no arguing with him. I closed my eyes and felt his hands take mine. My feet moved unsurely as he led me blindly down the halls. I even stumbled a few time making both of us laugh. I had no idea where he was taking me, after several more minutes we went outside I could feel cool air and soft grass. We walked a little ways more when he stopped me.

"Alright," He walked around me so he was behind me. His hands rested gently on my shoulders. "Open your eyes." His breath puffed against my ear. My eyes open and I gasped. The trees were lite with a hundred lanterns some even floated on the pond. There was a band that began to play soft music, a table of food was set out I could tell even from here it was water tribe food. It was so beautiful, it was then I realized he was making a new moon festival for me. I turned around to face Zuko. He was smiling at me, it was a crocked half smile that I loved.

"This is amazing." I said with a smile and tears in my eyes, "No one has ever done something like this for me before." He took my hands again and looked towards the musicians.

"We'd better dance at least a little. Before Uncle drags us out there." I giggled as he led me out into the open space. He stopped in the middle and placed a hand on the small of my back and took my hand in his free one. I bit my lip as I placed my hand on his shoulder.

"Zuko, I don't know how to dance like you." I said softly he smiled at me.

"Don't worry just fallow my lead." I placed my free hand on his shoulder and he began to spin me around the space. I felt embraced that I didn't know the steps but Zuko kept his grip firm showing me how to move. Soon I was enjoying myself as the music came to an end Zuko pulled me back into a dip so one of my arms was looped around his neck the other flying at my side and one leg up in the air. At any other time I would have felt like I was going to fall but his strong arm was wrapped tight around my waist. I was breathing hard and could tell he was too. Our eyes meet and everything seemed to fade away from me. It was just him and me, his strong arm around me his eyes so full of fire. I felt the urge to reach up and kiss him but my day dream was interrupted by the sound of applause.

Iroh was clapping softly, I wasn't sure if it was for our dancing or the music. Zuko helped pull me back onto my feet. Once I was on them he didn't let go right away but lingered making me feel unsure. I pulled away and walked towards the table of food. There were all of my favorite foods, this made me smile when I thought about Gran and how I helped her prepare the feasts. The festival must have been in full swing by now and I thought about how everyone would be celebrating then I thought about Dad and how he must be worried to death about me not knowing where I was if I was safe. He might have sent search parties out for me probably lead by Hahn. Hahn what would he be thinking about all this. Did he think I was dead and only hated that idea because it would lose him a chance at being Chief? My stomach churned at the thought of it.

Zuko came up to me and looked at all the food. From the look on his face I could tell that he had never tried Water Tribe food before. I giggled and looked at him I stopped dead as I thought about how the food and musicians had gotten here. They had to come from another island and they had to come past the raiders. A horrible idea crept into my mind, what if Zuko was working with the raiders. He was looking at stewed sea prunes and I felt betrayal grip my heart. I couldn't do it I walked away quickly disappearing into the gardens.

I found a spot away from the music under a fire peach tree I slumped against the bark as I began to think of how he could be working with them waiting for me to trust him then trick me into going with him somewhere and bam I'm captured. There was a crack of a twig beside me I spun around to see Zuko. I was instantly on the defense.

"Zuko how did the musicians get on the island?" I asked he looked a little surprised and walked closer, I stepped back.

"Uncle sent for them they came on a ship." My guard was up and I was ready to attack at any moment.

"How did they get past the raiders?" He kept his eyes on me and then I saw him understand what I was getting at.

"Katara I'm not working with them. The ship we sent for was searched by them and they are not allowed on the island unless Uncle or I permit them." He took several steps forward and I didn't move I made sure my stance was strong. "Katara I saved you from them. If I wanted to I could have turned you over to them at any time."

"Or you just get a thrill out of messing with people." He looked really hurt. He came toe to toe with me and reached out taking my wrists.

"I don't want anything to happen to you. I want you to be safe, I don't want to see you go." He let go of my wrists as I saw the truth in his eyes. In a flash he reached up cupped my face in his hands and kissed me. I froze for a moment eyes wide as he held his lips against mine. I relaxed and began to kiss him back. He let one hand wrap around my waist as I put my arms around his neck. In my mind I thought how could this be happening a water bender and a fire bender. I pulled away as I thought about my duty to my people how I would probably have to marry Hahn. Zuko stood there looking at me.

"Zuko we can't. I'm…I'm going to be engaged as soon as I go back to the South Pole." He pulled me closer keeping my eyes locked with his.

"You said you had a choice." I turned my face away.

"That is if the meeting with the Fire Lord went well. If it didn't I have no choice. I have to protect my people." I turned and pulled out of his arms tears pouring down my face as I ran back toward the palace.