Prince Zuko sat atop a huge black horse, in full battle armor, but the hatred in his eyes was the most frightening detail of all. He was leading about two dozen hardened warriors of all shapes, sizes, and colors. He didn't look at Katara as he nodded for his men to circle around front. Katara could hear Arturo shouting angrily from the front of the wagon. He burst into the back where the cages still sat unopened.

"ZUKO!" he screamed, looking insane, "HA! You've come to steal my glory? Well you can't have it! THE AVATAR IS MINE!" Arturo ran to Aang's crate and unlocked it, dragging out the unconscious boy. He pulled out a knife from his belt, and held it to Aang's neck. "I've got him now and there's nothing you can do about it!" Aang stirred just a little, the affects of the crystal wearing off.

Zuko dismounted, and walked up to the edge of the wagon calmly. "Look at me Arturo. Does it look like I want the Avatar? Anyway," he said turning away, "I'm not the one you need to worry about."

As if waiting for the perfect moment, Aang awoke and spun the knife out of his captor's hand. In quick succession Arturo was hit with blasts of air and fire, from Aang's small hands. Aang's expression was of determined rage. Arturo flew backward as his clothes caught fire. He screeched wildly, then felt silent, lying in a heap. Zuko walked toward the twitching body. He stared down at the pathetic man at his feet.

"You're sick," he said venomously, as Arturo began to get up again. He roared and charged the emotionless prince. Without missing a beat, Zuko's foot made contact with Arturo's head. The lanky youth fell to the ground, but did not stir again.

Aang turned to his friends' crates unsmilingly. He blasted the three locks off and helped them all out.

"Aang… Aang can you ever forgive me?" Katara said, looking at the ground. Aang paused for a moment, then gave her a big hug.

"Katara, you're my best friend, and this doesn't even begin to cover the amount of times I've gotten us into trouble. Plus that guy was pretty cool before he got all crazy." Aang pulled a face, making Katara laugh fretfully. Sokka was staring out the back of the wagon at Zuko, who was conversing in hushed tones with his uncle.

"He's distracted maybe we should…" he broke off when he saw Katara looking at Zuko as well. However she stared at him in a very different way… "Wait," Sokka whispered, eyes widening, "When you were gone… When you were crying... when you said… about love…" he gaped as the pieces came together in his mind. Katara's eyes were tired from crying earlier but she felt a prickling at the corners.

She nodded, laughing weakly, her hand to her mouth. "He's not as bad as we thought…" she said breathlessly, "He's not bad at all. He's so sad… And I…" she looked at Sokka desperately, "I love him Sokka!" Sokka stood stunned for a moment, but then he snapped back.

"Don't tell me that… He's right there. I'd apologize too if I were you." He smiled jokingly. Katara beamed back at him, overjoyed that he approved. She jumped out of the wagon and walked toward Zuko. He glanced her way as she approached, but gave her no more recognition than that. He continued his conversation with his uncle and several benders. Katara was standing right next to him now, patiently waiting for the group to finish. After a moment the benders bowed and strode away. General Iroh looked Katara over appraisingly. He whispered something to his nephew.

"Now's your chance," Zuko heard him say into his ear.

Uncle Iroh smiled reassuringly at Katara, and walked purposefully toward the wagon. He wanted very much to meet the boy Avatar at last.