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Chapter 13(sorta)

Katara walked behind Iroh down an unfamiliar hall. He turned a corner and opened the second door on the left.

"I hope you don't mind," he said. "I haven't had a chance to clean up much." Katara walked into an office with books, maps, notebooks, and old-looking scrolls pile on a desk, a table, and the floor. There was a tall girl with long dark brown hair sitting on a chair with a book. She flipped a page, oblivious to Katara and Iroh. He finally cleared his throat and the girl looked up.

"Oh!" she gasped. "I'm sorry. I'll go." She began to gather her things.

"It's quite alright," Iroh said. "I just wanted you to be warned we were here." She shook her head, loosening a few long curls that tumbled in front of her face, giving her a flustered look.

"I have to go anyway…Thanks for the book, though." She shouldered a bag and hurried out the door.

"One of my more avid students," Iroh said to Katara. He walked to another door. "Shall we have lunch then?" He opened the door and let Katara walk in first.

"Thank you so m-" She stopped when she saw there was another person in the room. He turned upon hearing her enter.

"Katara, what are-?" Zuko started to ask. His eyes fell on Iroh. "Uncle…"

Iroh smiled pleasantly. "Hello, Zuko. This is-"

"I know her." Zuko said through gritted teeth. His uncle looked overjoyed. He turned to Katara.

"So you've already met my nephew. How magnificent." He smiled and pulled out a chair for Katara. She took a seat. "Yes," she answered. "We've already met."

They had a nice lunch, aside from Zuko glaring at his uncle and Katara being extremely confused. Iroh encouraged Zuko to talk to Katara and Katara to him more about herself.

When Katara left, Zuko went with her. "Thank you for lunch, Mr. Iroh," Katara said.

"Oh, no," said Iroh. "The pleasure was all mine. And please, just Iroh is fine."

Katara smiled and nodded. Iroh closed the door, leaving Zuko and Katara in the hallway.

They were silent for a while, then Katara said, "I don't know how to get back to the main hall."

"I'll show you," Zuko replied. He walked off down the hall and Katara jogged to catch up.

"Why are you mad?" she finally asked. Zuko stopped.

"I'm not mad at you, if that's what you think. I'm just upset with my uncle." He continued walking as Katara asked, "But why are you mad at him?"

"He was trying to set me up with you," he answered bluntly.

"Oh," Katara said, eyes wide.

"Don't worry," Zuko assured her. "He does this with every nice girl he meets. Whether I'm seeing someone or not. But he didn't give me the least warning this time." His scowl deepened a bit.

"Sorry." Katara looked at her feet.

"Hey," he said easily. "I don't blame you. I'm just sorry you got sucked into it."

He stopped walking and Katara realized they were in the main hall.

"I have to go this way," he said, pointing in the opposite direction.

Katara sighed exhaustedly as he walked away. "I need to do some bending."

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A/N:

Jade- Yay for extra chap! Now R&R. Please?