[Zuko's POV]

"But despite all that, I can't help but fall for you, Zuko…You'll be a great Fire Lord one day." Her voice sounded like velvet as she spoke. If I didn't know better I'd say that I was dreaming, but in my heart of hearts, I knew that I wasn't. She was really talking to me – really confessing her feelings. I tried to stay awake in case I missed anything else but being awake for two days was catching up to me. Reluctantly, I let myself fall into a deep sleep of dark hair and azure eyes.

When I woke in the morning I felt lightness in my heart that I hadn't felt in a very long time. Since my mother had left. I didn't get up right away, instead choosing to just soak up the warmth of the sun and watch the girl sleeping next to me. Her hair was a mess around her head and her face was peaceful. She was curled towards me slightly, taking in the warmth I gave off naturally. When she stirred my heart skipped a beat, thinking I was about to be caught. I held very still, trying not to disturb her further, but she just rolled over and continued sleeping. Instead of risking being caught I dragged myself out of bed and began my regular routine.

I sat in front of the open balcony doors, forgoing the table of candles that I usually use in meditation. My legs we crossed under me, my hands resting on my knees, and I started to breathe in…and out…in…and out. The energy of the sun filled my core with warmth I couldn't attain from the candles. Candles now remind me of my banishment. However, now I'm starting to think that my banishment was the best thing that could have happened to me. It brought me to her.

I was there for about an hour before she finally stirred. There was a hint of a smile on my lips as I heard her sit up.

[Katara's POV]

I felt a shift in the bed but dismissed it as I was too tired to open my eyes. It was probably just Zuko turning over in his sleep. I could feel the warmth of the sun on me but I embraced it as I sank back into a deep sleep.

"It's because of Zuko isn't it? You're leaving me for Zuko." Aang's voice sounded as if he'd just been hit in the gut. Breathless. And it wasn't even a question.

"What difference does it make? You'd react the same way. But if you really want to know, no. I'm not leaving you for him. I'm leaving for me."

I woke up with a start. Aang had been so angry, so hurt. He tried to take something from me. My mother's necklace? That part was kind of blurry but I remember the panic I felt – my heart was still pounding. The next thing I remember was feeling angry and decisive, glad of my decision. My heart beat faster and my cheeks flushed when I realized the object of my affection in my dream. It was Zuko, not Aang. It seemed that nowadays my subconscious was shoving me in his direction and oddly enough I wasn't complaining.

"Good morning," his husky voice greeted me. I looked to the balcony to see him smiling but his eyes were still closed in meditation.

"Good morning," I replied, tentatively. He opened his right eye to look at me before returning to his exercise.

"How about some sparring today?" he asked.

"Sounds good," I smiled. "Bending or swords?"

"Let's try your progress with the Dao blades," he smirked and stood from his seated position. I smirked right back at him and got up to change so that we could be on our way.

"Are you ready?" Zuko smirked; confidence rose off of him like steam. I nodded, keeping up with my 'slave' persona but my eyes had a fire saying 'I was born ready.'

Without warning he advanced, swinging his blades about him in a way meant to distract his opponents. I was ready for that though, having watched him train. I waited for him to come to me. He swung his right sword at my neck which I blocked with little effort, not giving up any ground from the force of his blow. And so the dance began. We worked our way around the arena, equally matched despite my inexperience. He had a flair that I did not because of his experience. My movements were predictable at first but as we continued I gained confidence and managed to surprise the Prince on a few occasions. In the end though, I slipped. Zuko had been careful to keep the sharp edge from my skin, but my mistake was trying to catch him off guard by striking his exposed ribs as I defended myself from his blow with the blade's twin. I barely gasped as his blade made a shallow cut on my collar bone, but it was enough to make him freeze.

"Are you crazy? What was the first thing I told you about being on the defensive! You can't do both," he fumed. I could see concern in his eyes but his voice was harsh and condescending, the model Prince.

"Forgive me," I knelt and inclined my head just enough to be respectful.

"Let's go." Zuko turned and picked up his sheath on his way. I rose and followed quickly. The breeze of my quick pace made the sweat dripping down my body cold. I was tempted to Bend it off but didn't dare in case someone saw. The blood from my cut started to drip down my chest as well. I could only tell because of its warmth.

We reached Zuko's room in a rush. He was clearly angry but I couldn't tell if he was mad at me or with himself. He left his door open for me to follow through. When I was inside I closed the door behind me. The Prince was looking over the city on the balcony so I went to the bathroom to clean the wound.

"Let me look at it," he said without turning around. I didn't argue, just set my blades down and went to the balcony. I stood next to him expectantly, but he still didn't turn. He just took a deep breath, held it for a moment, and let it out. Then he looked at me. "What were you thinking Katara? You knew better than that. What possessed you to be so reckless?" He was clearly frustrated with both of us.

"I don't know. I guess I just got competitive and thought I could handle it. I was wrong." I kept my eyes averted, embarrassed as heat rushed to my cheeks. I focused my eyes on the ocean instead. It always kept me calm. I felt his warm hand on my skin, pushing my wavy hair out of the way so that he could take a look. "I'm fine Zuko, really. It's barely a scratch."

"It didn't sound like nothing when it happened," he responded, concern laced into his voice.

"I was just shocked. You'd been so careful and I thought I was farther away so I was surprised when you actually caught me." He didn't respond, just stared intently as the blood started to clot.

"You're sure that you're okay?" he finally asked, looking up into my eyes. I sighed and nodded. "Are you hungry?" I nodded again. I saw him glance once more at the scratch before walking to the door.

After we found some breakfast in the kitchen and were headed back to Zuko's chambers a servant came towards us at a hurried pace.

"Prince Zuko. Generals have just arrived for an audience with your father. He requested your presence immediately." The servant was very composed despite his red cheeks.

"Thank you. You may go," he replied. The servant hurried away while Zuko and I continued to his room. He needed his armor if he was meeting with the Fire Lord and his generals. When we arrived I shut the door behind me without a word.

"I expect this might be a long meeting so you're free to wander. Just be outside the throne room when the sun is a hands breadth from the horizon," Zuko said as he pulled his armor on over his clothes. He was just about to put the symbol of the Prince in his top knot when I stopped him. He gave me a confused looked. I shook my head, an amused smile playing at my lips.

"I swear, you're worse than my brother," I explained as I pulled the ribbon, releasing his hair so I could put it back up, neatly this time. "You had hairs coming out everywhere. How could you not feel them?" I noticed his cheeks tinting a light shade of pink in embarrassment at my teasing.

"Thank you," he mumbled.

"You're welcome." He stepped around me, almost timidly, and walked to the door.

"I'll see you later. Don't get into too much trouble." His signature smirk plastered itself on his face. I couldn't help myself – I smirked back.

"Me? Trouble? Never." The Prince's smirk almost turned into a smile; only his eyes betrayed his amusement before he walked out the door, leaving me to myself.

I looked around the now empty room, pondering to myself and wondering how I would pass my time. There wasn't really anything for me to do. I didn't have any clothes to wash, or meals to cook, or children to look after. I could do anything I wanted. Well, almost. Deciding to try and relax, or rather, forget where I am, I went out to the balcony, lay on one of Zuko's meditating mats, and basked in the sun. I closed my eyes and smiled at the sensation. With the whisper of the breeze I could almost convince myself that I was on Appa's back with Sokka, Toph, and Aang.

I woke with a start, scared that I had overslept. A start that meant the sleeper had never intended to sleep. I looked around and noticed I was still alone. Judging by the angle of the sun I'd only been asleep for an hour or so. I sat up and stretched, contemplating what to do in order to wake myself up. I got up and walked back in the room, barely noticing the difference in temperature despite the room being in the shadow away from the sun. I looked around the room again and decided to reread one of the books on the history of Dao swords. I sat down on the day bed and started flipping through the pages, my mind barely registering what I was reading. I huffed in defeat and put the book aside.

Instead I went to retrieve my blades and proceeded to clean them. I started to clean and polish them exactly how Zuko had showed me. They were still sharp enough that they didn't need to be sharpened just yet. The rhythmic task helped to ease my racing mind about what was to come and what was going on between the Fire Prince and myself. I knew that the emotions stirring inside me were irrational, but I couldn't shake the feeling that they weren't. I felt conflicted about my feelings and how my family – how Aang – would react to them, especially after this morning's dream.

When I finished I put away the polish and cloth before carefully placing the blades in their sheath. I walked back over to the wardrobe to put the weapon away as well. I looked around the room, at a loss of what to do. I went out to the balcony to check how far the sun had descended. I put my hand out in front of me; the sun was a little over a hands breadth from the horizon. I turned around and started to make my way to the throne room.

I reached the entrance of the throne room. The doors were still closed and the guard stationed in front of it, just as before. I sighed and took my place across the hall. If I had any idea how long the meeting would be, I'd go back to Zuko's room but I wasn't willing to risk getting him in trouble. Instead, I knelt patiently. I concentrated on the remaining warmth that descended onto my back, and couldn't help the small smile that came. Soon enough I heard the guard move and open the door. Ozai exited first, followed by Zuko, and a glaring Azula. Obviously she wasn't happy about following Zuko. I stood and trailed behind the royal party until they broke off to their separate ways.

Zuko and I reached his room shortly. He seemed relatively calm, considering he had to spend a good part of the day seated next to his father. I was surprised when I closed the door and turned to see Zuko collapse onto the bed, letting out a tired sigh. I didn't make a comment when he looked my way, just cocked an eyebrow. He sighed again and returned his gaze to the ceiling.

"That had to be one of the longest meetings I've ever attended."

"Why?" I asked, intrigued.

"Well, for starters, I couldn't make myself focus. I almost made a fool of myself when I was asked my opinion about something or other; I hadn't been paying full attention. Thankfully I was at least half-listening. Otherwise it would have been a huge disaster. Although, the generals were talking about the upcoming invasion – the day of black sun. I made myself focus for that part. I got some useful information; maybe enough to make my own plans."

"That's wonderful! How long until then?" I asked excitedly.

"About two months," Zuko replied, sitting up. "That gives us enough time to get you ready and formulate a plan. Maybe I can even get my uncle back." There was a spark of hope mixed in with his calculating eyes. It encouraged the hope within me. I could get home, back to my family.

"Are you hungry?" the prince asked. I just nodded. "Would you mind bringing dinner here? I don't fancy eating with my family tonight. After sitting with them for hours, I think I'll pass." He smiled a small, charming smile. I returned it and left for the kitchen.

"Shelly?" I called. Her head popped up from a cloud of steam. "Prince Zuko requested dinner in his chambers please."

"Of course," she commented, almost to herself. I could see understanding written on her face. "I'll be with you in a moment!" I waited off to the side, near the door, until Shelly brought me a tray of food.

"Thank you Shelly," I bowed slightly when she handed me the tray.

"My pleasure. Anything for Prince Zuko." There was a knowing glint in her eyes that I didn't understand. Does she think he's planning of leaving? How would she know? I shook my head as I walked out the door, trying to rid myself of those thoughts.

The hallways were dark as I slowly made my way back to Zuko's room. The moon was full and reaching its peak. I felt a surge of power in my veins that always comes with the night. It was exceptionally powerful because of the full moon. I longed to bend. I might be able to convince Zuko to go after we eat. I was so wrapped up in the feeling of power from the moon that I didn't notice someone sneaking up behind me until they were a few paces from me, when they started running at me.

I dropped the tray and turned, automatically dropping into a fighting stance. I could only make out that the figure was male, and he held a knife. Two paces from me he lunged, trying to pierce my heart. I side stepped, forcing him into the light. Aleric! I tried swiping his legs while he was still off balanced but his movements were fluent. They were like Azula and Ty Lee together.

He lunged again, drawing another knife from his waistband. Oh, what I wouldn't give for my blades or some water. The air is too dry tonight! Even with these thoughts I was trying to find some form of moisture. I blocked Aleric's advances, managing to force him back. He went for my neck and my waist. I focused on my neck first, blocked it, and partially blocked my waist. I had a long, shallow cut there. That's when I felt it – moisture. Not thinking about where it came from, I reached for it.

Suddenly, Aleric when stiff as a board. His knives fell to the ground. I looked at him, mortified. I released the moisture – not moisture, blood – and ran. I was only a few hundred feet from Zuko's room. I sprinted hard, not caring if Aleric was following and too panicked to check. I burst into the bedroom, surprising Zuko, and quickly shut the door in Aleric's face and locked it. Apparently he recovered rather quickly. I burst into tears and made my way to the balcony while Aleric pounded on the door. I saw Zuko get up and go to the door. I wasn't sure what was about to happen so I hid with my back to the wall next to the balcony doors.

I heard the doors open and saw flames illuminate the room. Aleric screamed and metal hit the floor. I steadied my breathing enough to look into the room to see Aleric kneeling with Zuko grasping his wrists. Blisters were starting to form under Zuko's hands.

"What do you think you were going to do, servant?" Zuko was fuming; I don't think I've ever seen him this angry.

"Kill the Waterbending witch," Aleric ground out. That simple statement ignited my anger. I stood, wiped my eyes, and entered the room. When Aleric spotted me his eyes widened in fear.

"I'm sure your master put you up to it, didn't she?" Zuko replied with a voice that was cool and collected which is the opposite of the emotions raging in his eyes.

"Yes, I did," she answered - the devil herself. Azula rounded the corner into Zuko's room, a smirk firmly plastered on her face. Zuko released Aleric's wrists. Aleric returned the gesture by glaring at him with pure hatred.

"And what part of her being mine to do with as I wish did you not understand? If I wanted her dead, I'd kill her myself. I don't need your pathetic servant to dispose of her for me."

"It was for a bit of fun really. I saw something quite interesting though. She had no water, so do you know what used to bend? I'll tell you, dear brother. Your slave here is a Bloodbender." There was a sick admiration in the way Azula said it.

"Get out of here Azula. I have a slave to deal with." There was anger in Zuko's voice, but I couldn't figure out who it was aimed towards.

"Fine," she replied in a bored tone. "I can't wait to see the product of your wrath." Azula grabbed Aleric's collar up, dragging him to his feet. There was disgust written on her face as she did so. It seemed as though Aleric may be punished as well. I held a small, very small, amount of pity for him.

Zuko slammed the door shut and locked it once more. He rested his forehead on the door, taking deep breaths to calm his anger. I stood in the middle of the room, ashamed and terrified. I was absolutely mortified with myself. I had reached inside another person and controlled them, even though it was a matter of seconds.

"Do you realize what you've done?" Zuko asked, straightening. "You used your Waterbending against another person. Aleric! Azula's servant! And she saw it! There's no way around a punishment. You're going to make me hate myself. If I don't punish you for bending, my father will. That is something worse than you've ever experienced."

"Fine. What do you have in mind?" I replied, my tone braver than I felt, but guilt made me think it was reasonable.

"The most common punishment for bending is removal of the hands. I'm not a supported of that form of punishment – that would render you completely useless. I'd suggest prison without food. It's the least permanent."

"I've made it days without food before. I think I can handle it again." I was determined to show no weakness. I was remorseful for my actions. When I looked into Zuko's face there was a lot of grief, a lot more than I ever expected. "When?"

"Tomorrow."

I am so so so so so sorry that it's taken me almost a year to update! I got really busy with school – it is senior year after all. I really hope this chapter is worth the wait. Thank you all who have stuck with me. I hope to finish this story by the end of the summer, but I won't make any promises.

Yours truly,

Hazel Eyes