Chapter 2: Wilderness and The Wall

It felt a little bit like being back on the raft.

After Iroh and Zuko had reached Katara, the three of them escaped into the woods, heading away from the colony. They were technically in Earth Kingdom territory, but that certainly didn't mean they were safe from the Fire Nation yet. At one point, they came across a house with a few lines of clothes drying. It hadn't felt right to steal, but as Zuko had pointed out, their current clothing would only make them stand out to both the Fire Nation, and the Earth Kingdom. Zuko and Iroh both took plain green clothing, basic pants and a tunic. Katara swiped much the same, except that she also grabbed a longer tunic, which went down to just above her ankles. It was similar to what she was used to, except green. Iroh clearly did not approve of the theft, even though it was to better hide. The two Fire Nation royals had fixed their hair, Iroh evening out the hair which had been chopped off. Zuko had to cut it more drastically, using the dagger to carefully shave off the hair he'd grown in the middle of his head. Now completely bald, within a few days small shoots of hair began growing all over his head.

It was sort of strange to see Zuko without any hair at all.

Zuko kept the knife hidden, for the most part. But Katara had paid it a few short glances. It was sleek, and the handle was well-formed, but it looked mostly decorative. Katara noticed that there were words engraved on the blade itself, but she never got close enough, or looked long enough, to tell what they were. She didn't dare ask Zuko. Although he hadn't sought out a fight with her, it was still obvious that he didn't want to talk to her. Much like the first few days on the raft, Zuko spent much of the time sulking. On the occasions that he spoke, it was mostly just to his uncle. He was silent towards Katara, but he would sometimes cast a glance to her. His expression as he did so varied. Sometimes he would look rather curious. Other times, his look would be one of frustration. Only once or twice did he seem to be glaring at her. And she couldn't understand those occasions. She didn't think she'd given him any reason to be mad at her. She thought back, but she was sure of it. But then, she supposed that he could be upset that he was still stuck with her. After all, she reflected, it's not as though he wanted me here to begin with. He's probably just impatient for me to leave.

Which she was still going to. Her concern for Iroh and Zuko had resulted in her staying with them a little while longer, just to make sure they were safe from capture. Still, she missed Sokka and Aang more with every passing day. She would look up into the sky, staring at clouds, and wishing that one of those white puffs would be Appa. She'd dream about them.

She hoped they were okay.

She would just make sure that Zuko and Iroh were safe, and then she'd leave them for Omashu.

"Where are you going to go?" she asked Iroh one morning.

The old man raised an eyebrow, and put his fingers into his beard, rubbing it thoughtfully. "We cannot go to Fire Nation, or the colonies. That much is clear. Sadly, if we are to hide in the Earth Kingdom, we must also hide who we are."

"Do you think you can?" Katara asked. "I mean, I honestly can't picture Zuko living in the Earth Kingdom like any random person. It's just not in his character to give up and hide. Not to mention, you guys wouldn't be able to firebend freely."

Iroh considered her words. "It certainly won't be easy," he admitted. "And knowing Zuko, his frustration with our new situation will only make things harder. But I believe that I can keep him grounded, on the right path."

Katara smiled. "So…does this mean the two of you won't be hunting Aang anymore?" she asked quietly. She certainly hoped so.

"I do not believe it would be wise," he confirmed. Katara breathed a sigh of relief.

This changed everything. When she returned to Aang and Sokka, they would no longer need to worry about being chased by the Fire Nation prince and his uncle. And Katara wouldn't have to worry about fighting the prince she'd grown to respect as a good person. Not even when they would go to fight Firelord Ozai−Zuko and Iroh would be out of the way, safe in the Earth Kingdom.

Perhaps they would even denounce their relative, as he had them.

Katara could dream, couldn't she?

"Will you two be safe in an Earth Kingdom village, then?"

"Probably not," Iroh told her, and her heart plummeted. "Azula is undoubtedly in pursuit, even now. A mere village will not be able to withstand her." Katara furrowed her eyebrows.

"So what are you going to do?"

"There is one place that can withstand the Fire Nation. Ba Sing Se. The capital of the Earth Kingdom. Its walls are grand, and nearly impenetrable. Only once, have the walls been pierced. And even then, it was only the outer wall."

"I heard about that," Katara realized. "While we were passing through the Earth Kingdom. This was…what, six years ago?" Iroh nodded, confirming what she'd heard. "I also heard that the Fire Nation was close to breaking the second wall." She frowned. "You don't think the Fire Nation could do so again, do you?"

Iroh raised an eyebrow. "That would require no small amount of planning," he told her. "In the immediate future, at least, I believe Ba Sing Se to be safe."

"So…the old general won't try again?"

"No, I will not be trying again."

It took a moment for Katara to process what Iroh had just said. "It was you?! You were the general that nearly conquered Ba Sing Se?" It didn't seem possible. Iroh was just so friendly, and wise. It didn't possible that he had one besieged the Earth Kingdom's capitol so viciously. Then again, she reminded herself, he is the Firelord's brother. I suppose he can't be entirely spotless.

Noticing Katara's shock, Iroh elaborated. "I was a rather different person back then. I believed that it was my destiny to conquer Ba Sing Se. I intended to fulfill it." Iroh frowned, looking away from Katara. "I besieged Ba Sing Se for six hundred days, my son at my side…"

"Your son?" Katara blinked. "I didn't know you had children."

"Only one," Iroh told her sadly. "I thought that we would win, together, and take the Earth Kingdom capital. With the Earth Kingdom defeated, the rest of the world would follow." A chill went down Katara's spine. It was hard to imagine Iroh, who had spoken of the elements working together, who had mediated between her and Zuko, speaking of how closely he had come to allowing the Fire Nation to totally conquer the world. "After six hundred days, we were closer than anyone else had ever been…and then my son was killed." Katara gasped.

"I'm so sorry," she told him, reaching out and grasping his hand. He offered a small, sad smile, eyes slightly wet. Once again, Katara was reminded of how the war had been harming everyone. She wouldn't wish the loss of a child on anyone.

"Thank you, Katara." He sighed, shaking his head. "After the loss of my son, I…understood things differently," he told her carefully, slowly. "I immediately withdrew all of our troops, and returned to the Fire Nation."

"You could have won," Katara realized. "You still had the numbers, and the strategy. But you chose not to."

Iroh nodded. Katara had never realized just how close they were to losing the war. To think−if Iroh hadn't lost his son, or hadn't been so affected by his loss, he could have taken Ba Sing Se. The war would have ended by five years ago, she realized. And the Fire Nation's domination would be complete.

"I returned to the Fire Nation," Iroh continued. His eyes were now squinted, his eyebrows drawn down. "My son was dead, and I returned home to find that my father had also died."

Katara's jaw dropped. "Your son, and then your father, too? That's awful."

"And Ozai had taken the throne," Iroh added.

"Even though he's the younger brother," Katara said slowly. "I remember, you told me that before." She stopped for a moment. "That…doesn't sound right." She frowned. "So your son dies, your father dies, and then suddenly your younger brother is Firelord?" She raised an eyebrow. "I've got to say, that's some family you've got." Iroh didn't seem to mind the near-insult to his family.

"That isn't even all of it," Iroh told her. She raised an eyebrow.

"Do I want to know?"

He smiled. "That story, I believe, can wait for another time."

He got up, walking around the forest, searching through the bushes. "Zuko hasn't returned yet."

Katara frowned. "You don't think someone's captured him, do you?"

Iroh cast a smile at her. "I trust my nephew's ability to defend himself. No, I don't think he's in trouble. Although, I fear he may not have had any luck in finding us any food."

Katara nodded absentmindedly, following Iroh. She looked down to her feet for a moment. "Do you…have you ever wondered if Ozai stole the throne? I mean, it just sounds kind of weird, with everything that happened. Is it possible that you were supposed to be Firelord, still?"

Iroh paid her a glance, waiting for a few moments to respond to her. "I…prefer not to think about it, to be honest," he told her. "When I came back to the Fire Nation, I had no will to challenge Ozai for the throne. I was too broken by the loss of my son, and my father right after that. It shook my faith in everything I believed in. And I left the Fire Nation, on a spiritual journey. I found a new purpose in life. A new understanding of the world. And when I returned to the Fire Nation, I knew it was never my destiny to become Firelord."

Katara blinked. "Oh…" She didn't completely understand what he meant, and it would be weeks before she would begin to understand what Iroh was truly telling her. Still, she understood clearly that Iroh had no desire to be Firelord. Who will be Firelord after Ozai is defeated? She wondered. Zuko is nowhere close to ready to lead a country to peace, and Azula seems to be exactly the same as her father.

She was pulled from her thoughts by a loud gasp from Iroh. She turned to see him walking over to a large flower in a clearing. "What?"

Iroh walked closer to the bushy plant, eyeing it critically. He knelt down, looking all over it. "This appears to be a White Dragon Bush," he said, a smile forming, a twinkle in his eye.

"Okay…so?" It was a nice flower, Katara noted.

"It makes for an absolutely wonderful tea," he informed her. She raised her eyebrows.

"That's great, but don't you think we should be looking for actual food?"

He looked over to her, waving her off. "I believe there's a stream somewhere in that direction. Perhaps you could go help Zuko catch some fish?"

Katara nodded. "Of course." She began walking away, then hesitated for a moment, looking back. "You know, I don't know anything about tea plants," she admitted. "But I really think we should be careful with plants we find in the wilderness. I wouldn't recommend making tea out of strange plants."

Iroh nodded, not looking away from the plant. "Don't worry, Katara. I know what I'm doing." She slowly turned and walked away. I'm sure Iroh knows what he's doing−surely, he's more experienced than Zuko?

With Katara gone, Iroh took to sniffing the plant.

Katara walked to the stream leisurely, but remained vigilant of any sign of trouble. Reaching the stream, she heard Zuko before she saw him. She could hear frustrated groans and harsh splashes in the stream. She saw Zuko standing beside the stream, arms crossed, eyes glaring at the rushing water. In one of his hands was a long stick that was almost a spear. He was trying to fish—but he had never learned how, Katara recalled. His stick was devoid of fish. Zuko glanced at her as she approached him. Despite his clear irritation, the Fire prince made no move, allowing her to stand near him.

"How is it going?" she asked him. It seemed as good a lead-in as any.

"Fine," he snapped. She raised an eyebrow as the prince peered into the water, occasionally trying to stab into it with his makeshift spear. Katara stood by for a while, watching as he tried and failed to catch a fish. He scowled and growled as he became frustrated, and finally threw the spear on the ground. He turned around, pacing a few steps, and let out a bit of fire from his mouth. Katara remained where she was.

"What do you want?" he shouted. "Are you just here to watch me make a fool of myself? Is that why you stayed? I suppose you just wanted to see me humiliated? I bet you think this is real funny," he accused. Katara frowned at him, crossing her arms, but he continued. "Well, fine! Enjoy it. Just go ahead, and laugh. Prince Zuko, the banished prince who can't even catch a fish…" He shook his head, and sat down beside the stream, sulking. He put his head in his hands, muttering. Katara couldn't fully understand what he was saying, but she knew she heard "failure" in there.

It's all too much for him, she realized. The anniversary of the banishment, being named a traitor, the raft, this… Katara took a deep breath, unfolding her arms, taking a few steps towards Zuko, and sitting down by him. "Zuko, I'm not laughing at you. I swear it. And no, I don't want to see you humiliated."

"Then why are you here?" He looked to her, golden eyes confused. "Why are you still with us?"

"Why stay?" she asked. She shrugged. "Because I care. About you. About Iroh. I couldn't just leave the two of you…so I'm staying. For now anyways." Zuko's eyes widened.

"You…care? About me?" He sounded incredulous.

"We've been through a lot in the past few weeks," Katara admitted. "I couldn't just leave you and Iroh to your crazy sister."

Zuko frowned, looking over to the stream. "And I suppose you knew it was a trap? Uncle did, too." Suddenly, he stood up again, pacing. "Why am I so stupid? I know Azula always lies. Why did I fall for it?"

Katara frowned as she stood up. "It wasn't your fault. And quit calling yourself stupid. Your sister is manipulative, and she knows you. She offered what you wanted, and you took it."

Zuko swerved back to look at her, eyes narrowing. "What do you know?" he demanded. He took a few angry steps towards her.

She met his eyes, standing her ground. "Your uncle told me about your banishment." Zuko's eyes widened.

"How much did he tell you?"

"Enough. Look, I can't imagine being unable to return home," she told him. "And I imagine if I were, and someone came and told me that I could return home, I would throw caution to the wind, too. I'd have fallen for it, too. Does that make me stupid?"

Zuko scowled, once again sitting by the stream. He didn't say anything for a long time. Finally, when he did, his voice was bitter.

"You remind me of her."

Katara blinked. "What?"

"You remind me of Azula."

Katara's eyes widened, then quickly narrowed. "Excuse me?! Just what have I done to remind you of your crazy sister?" Katara was offended. Zuko's sister was cold blooded in a way that disturbed Katara. She did not appreciate the comparison.

"You're like her," Zuko explained, glaring at her. He stood up, once again, glaring into her from his taller height. "She's…perfect. At everything. At planning, with people…and she's far better than me at firebending." He brought a hand to his head, running his fingers of the small hairs that were growing. "I don't understand how she does it. She sees a move, and has it mastered in a day. It's not fair! She just does it, like it somehow just comes to her. She's a firebending master, and she's two years younger than me! I've been practicing for years, and I've only recently gotten past the basics!" Katara listened to his tirade, feeling less angry as he explained. She understood where this was going… "I remember you back at the South Pole. You couldn't even freeze the right people. I remember how you stole a waterbending scroll from a group of pirates, just to learn something. And now? You're nearly a master. Weeks," he hissed. "Less than a year of training, and you go from being clueless, to being able to best me in a fight. You're just like her," he accused. "It just comes to you…and I can't compete? Why can't I do it?"

Katara waited for a few moments as Zuko let it all out.

"I think I know where you're coming from," she offered.

"No, you don't!"

Katara looked down to her boots. "When I stole that scroll, a lot of it had to do with me being outdone by Aang," she admitted. "I was trying to teach him some basic waterbending, stuff I taught myself over the years. It took me forever to learn this basic stuff. Aang had it all figured out in moments. I drove me nuts."

Zuko looked to Katara, now paying attention. "Well obviously you still figured it out pretty quickly."

"Perhaps I did," she agreed. "I did learn pretty fast once I had an actual master. And I think a lot of it had to do with training beside Aang. But I do know what you're going through."

Zuko was quiet. He shook his head. "I just don't understand why I can't get past my basic firebending," he told her.

"Have you been practicing?"

He shot a quick glare. "Of course I've been practicing. Every day, hours on end, for nearly my whole life. But I practice for hours and hours, and it all feels like a huge dead end."

Katara frowned. "A dead end? What do you mean?"

"I practice my basics," he explained. "And I practice my breathing exercises. I call on my fire…and it's like there's this wall. A big, impenetrable wall, that stops me from advancing. That stops me from being able to rise to my potential." He shook his head. "Uncle Iroh believes that I can be a powerful bender. I want to fulfill my potential, but I can't."

"Because of this 'wall'?" Katara verified.

Zuko nodded. "I don't understand what it is, but it's like I just can't go any further than I have." He sat down, once again, grabbing his spear, and glaring at it. "I'll never be a master firebender."

Katara stared at him for a few moments, trying to understand what he'd just told her. She tried to imagine it. An invisible barrier preventing her from learning waterbending. She tried to imagine training with Pakku for years, unable to advance beyond the basics. It would be horribly frustrating. She sat down next to Zuko. "I've never heard of anything like that," she told him. She frowned. "It must be beyond frustrating."

Zuko let out a stressed breath. "You have no idea."

"Have you talked to your uncle about this?" Katara asked. "Maybe he'll know something about this issue."

Zuko shook his head. "No." He looked over to Katara. "Don't you dare tell him!"

"But maybe he can help," Katara insisted.

But Zuko was adamant. "The last thing I need is to humiliate myself in front of him. And this is humiliating. Who has ever heard of a Fire Nation prince with such a problem?"

Katara stared at him for a moment. A far better person than I used to think he was, she acknowledged. But not even a little bit less stubborn.

"Fine," she grudgingly agreed. "But I hope you reconsider." She touched his spear, running her fingers over the wood.

"Another thing I'm a failure at," Zuko said, glaring at the spear.

"Now you're being completely unreasonable. You've never fished before; you're not going to be an instant expert."

"Do you know how to fish?" he suddenly asked her. "I mean without bending."

She nodded. "Do you…want me to teach you?"

She tried to imagine someone telling her, one day before the raft, that she would someday spend an hour teaching Prince Zuko how to fish.

She'd never have believed them.

Zuko was an even worse fisherman than he was a cook, but Katara wasn't about to tell him that.

She was still somewhat in shock by what he'd confided to her−and that he wouldn't tell his own uncle. She would have figured he'd share his woes with his friendly uncle, rather than her. Just weeks ago they were enemies. Now, they were…

Katara wasn't entirely sure what they were.

Still, she saw now more than ever just how self-critical Zuko could be. Growing up with Azula and Ozai couldn't have helped in that. It was amazing how somebody as arrogant as Zuko could have such a side to him.

Then again, she supposed, Zuko frequently seemed to be the opposite side to his own coin. The Fire Nation prince was full of contradictions.

The two of them didn't talk on their way back to Iroh. They were silent, again, but this silence wasn't like the one they'd been having for the past several days. It was far more amiable.

Finally, carrying three fish between them, they stepped into the clearing where Iroh was waiting for them. He was still where he'd found that bush.

"Ah, Katara, Zuko," came Iroh's voice, without him turning around. "Remember that plant I thought might be tea?" Katara narrowed her eyes. He didn't…?!

"You didn't?!" Zuko said, mirroring Katara's thoughts.

"I did!" He turned around, revealing a large swollen rash over his face. "And it wasn't!"

Zuko let out a gasp, dropping the fish, and taking a step back. Katara swatted her forehead with her hand, shaking her head. "I told you not to mess around with plants in the wilderness! What were you thinking?"

"My apologies, Katara. In the future, I'll be more careful," he assured her. He turned back to Zuko. "When the rash spreads to my throat, I will stop breathing." Katara's heart dropped, as horror set in. He poisoned himself. She shook her head. He can't die like this! "But look what I found!" Iroh proclaimed, pulling out a branch full of red berries from behind his back. Katara's jaw dropped. Right after…he MUST be joking! "These are bacui berries, known to cure the poison of the white jade plant!" He smiled for a moment, and then it fell as the old man reconsidered. "That, or make'ole berries, that cause blindness."

"What?!" Katara could only stare as Iroh held another plant, which could poison him even more.

Thankfully, Zuko was ready to react. The prince quickly grabbed the branch out of his uncle's hands, yanking it out, as he ranted. "We're NOT taking any more chances with these plants!" Thank the spirits someone has some sense. Katara blinked. Never thought I'd be thinking that about Zuko. "We need to get help," Zuko admitted.

"But where are we going to go?" Iroh questioned as he scratched his rash. "We're enemies of the Earth Kingdom, and fugitives of the Fire Nation."

"I vote Earth Kingdom," Katara said, putting her hands on her hips and she stared at the two royals.

Zuko looked in her direction. "It's not so simple. If the Earth Kingdom discovers us, they'll have us killed." He had his fingers on his chin, forming a thoughtful expression.

"But if the Fire Nation discovers us," Iroh pointed out. "We'll be turned over to Azula." The two firebenders nodded simultaneously.

"Earth Kingdom it is," Zuko agreed. Katara eyed the remains of the tea Iroh had made.

"You used all of our water in that?" she asked Iroh as they began walking towards the nearest Earth Kingdom village they knew of. They had passed it earlier in the day. It was close, thankfully. Hopefully, somebody there would be able to help Iroh. Iroh shrugged, an embarrassed look on his face. Katara let out a breath, shaking her head. "I have healing abilities. But I don't know that trying to heal you with poisonous tea would be safe. And I've never tried healing effects from poison anyways," she acknowledged. "Just burns and cuts." The Earth Kingdom village was their best bet.

As they walked, Katara came up to Zuko, walking beside him.

"Here I thought Iroh was supposed to be the wise one," she said quietly. It was slightly humorous, but it held an edge of tension. She really was worried about him. "I told him not to do anything with that plant."

Zuko snorted. "He thought it was tea." He shook his head. "I'm telling you, his obsession with tea is dangerous."

She looked back to Iroh, who was walking just behind them. His rash was red, and he was still scratching. She shook her head as she turned back. "Can't argue there."

The silence between the three as they walked was companionable, and there was little awkwardness about it. It felt little different that walking with Aang and Sokka.

Katara paid little notice to how closely she and Zuko were walking, how the two of their hands would nearly brush against each other. She certainly didn't notice the appraising looks that Iroh would give them, nor the slightly pleased smile that he gave them.

Thankfully, they reached the Earth Kingdom village quickly, and without encountering any additional problems. Katara and Zuko kept glancing at Iroh, checking on his rash. He'd said he'd stop breathing when the rash reached his throat, but how long would that take?

It ultimately didn't matter. As much as Iroh scratched his rash, it hadn't seemed to do anything more than itch by the time they reached the village. There, they quickly found help.

"You three must not be from around here," the young woman treating Iroh said. "We know better than to touch the White Jade, much less make it into tea, and drink it." The girl was confident in her skill, calmly doing her work. She had a slight laugh in her voice as she spoke of Iroh's blunder. Iroh himself seemed to find it pretty funny, adding his own chuckle.

"Whoops."

Katara, who was sitting beside Zuko, could only shake her head. This was actually the sort of situation she could see Aang and Sokka getting into. They had had some close calls themselves—although she and Sokka had been taught survival skills by their father, it had been quite different actually having to find food when they were in the wilderness. They had tried to keep supplies so that they wouldn't have to do much foraging, but occasionally the need would arise. Katara, in those occasions, would not allow them to eat anything that they were uncertain about.

"So where are you travelling from?" the healer asked.

"Yes, we're travelers!" Zuko blurted, standing up. Katara's eyes closed as she remembered his awkward attempt to introduce her as his girlfriend. Zuko is the worst liar I've ever seen…here we go again.

"Do you have names?"

"Names?" Zuko echoed nervously. "Of course we have names! I'm…Lee! And this is my uncle…uh, Mushi!" He turned to motion to Katara, who quickly stood up to introduce herself.

"My name is Katara," she said before Zuko could say anything. I don't even want to know what he'd think of for me. Iroh had already been leaning over to give Zuko an incredulous stare. Mushi…what sort of name is that?

"My nephew was named after his father," Iroh began saying, a teasing smile on his face. "So we just call him Junior!"

Katara quickly put her hands on her mouth, trying to disguise her laugh as a cough. Zuko glared at her before the girl turned to look at them.

"My name is Song. You three look like you could use a good meal. Why don't you stay for dinner?" Katara brightened a little at that.

"I'd love to," she told her, looking over to Iroh and Zuko. It had been too long since she'd been able to sit down and talk with a girl her own age. And Song seemed like a very nice girl.

Zuko seemed to disagree. "Sorry, but we need to be moving on." Katara turned to glare at him, but before she could say anything, Song had responded.

"That's too bad. My mom always makes too much roast duck." Song was shrugging, while wearing a large bright smile.

Zuko wasn't won over.

Iroh, however, was. "Where do you live, exactly?"

Zuko let out a frustrated groan, walking off. Song looked over as he left, looking disappointed. Katara raised her eyebrow. After Song finished applying the treatment to Iroh, she told them where she and her mother lived. Iroh then left to find Zuko, leaving Katara alone with Song.

"Thank you," Katara told her, offering a smile. "After Ir-Mushi drank that stupid tea, Lee and I were really worried. Thank you for helping us."

"It's my pleasure, really. I'm happy to do my part. Though, I do hope Mushi has learned his lesson from this."

Katara snorted, shaking her head. "After he drank that tea, he found some berries that he thought may cure it."

"Bacui berries?"

Katara nodded. "But he thought it could also be some other plant that causes blindness."

Song's face lit up in recognition. "What color were they?"

"Red."

"Wrong plant." Her face turned to horror. "He didn't eat those, too, did he? If he did, he needs treatment right away!"

Katara shook her head. "Lee took the plant and threw it away. That was when we decided we needed to get help."

Song let out a breath of relief. "Good." A small blush appeared on Song's cheeks. "I'm glad Lee was quick to get rid of that plant."

Katara looked over at Song for a few moments. Oh spirits, is she…does she have a crush on Zuko? "Yeah," Katara said lamely.

"So…how do you know Mushi and Lee? You don't look to be related."

"We're not," Katara quickly denied. "We just…met a while back, and circumstances led to us travelling together. We're friends."

"Oh. So…are you and Lee…"

"No!" Katara practically shouted, and then blushed. "I mean, we're not…he and I…we're NOT together. Like that. I mean I like him, but I don't like him like that, and I don't really like him that much anyways…" Katara's blush turned deeper red. She raised her fingers to the bridge of her nose. "We're just friends. If you want him, be my guest!" The silence was sort of awkward after that. "So…I'll see you later, then."

Song smiled. "I'll see you at dinner."

She really was a nice girl.

Katara hoped she wasn't setting herself up for too much of a heartbreak.

Hours later, at night, Katara sat with Iroh, Zuko and Song as her mother brought food to the table. Song's gaze frequently fell over to Zuko. Katara had been in favor of having dinner with Song initially−but now that she thought about it, it was certain to be awkward. What with Song having a crush on Zuko, and then lying about who they were.

"My daughter tells me you are refugees. We were once refugees ourselves," the woman told them as she sat down. She was a smiling woman, graying brown hair kept back in a bun. It was easy to see where Song got her sweet attitude.

"When I was a little girl, the Fire Nation raided our farming village," Song explained. Katara balled her fist. It was a familiar story. So many people had been terrorized by the Fire Nation… "All the men were taken away. That was the last time I saw my father."

Katara stared sadly at the table.

It seemed she wasn't the only one who sympathized.

"I haven't seen my father in many years," Zuko said quietly. Katara frowned. Your father is the reason Song and I don't have ours.

"Oh," Song said, completely unaware who she was talking to. "Is he fighting in the war?"

It was silent for a moment, except for Iroh slurping a mouthful of noodles.

"Yeah," Zuko said simply.

"My father is, too," Katara added. She, at least, didn't have to lie or hide half of the truth. "My father is from the Southern Water Tribe. They've been helping the Earth Kingdom for the past two years." If Katara was entirely honest with herself, she did resent her father a little bit for leaving her and Sokka. It was necessary, she knew, and she was proud of him, but she and Sokka still needed their father.

"I've heard about them," Song's mother said, smiling in Katara's direction. "From what I heard, their numbers are few, but they've still been an enormous help in protecting the coast."

Katara nodded. "That's right. The Water Tribes are the best seamen in the world. Our ships are the best, and they don't pollute the sky with black smoke and soot. The men of my tribe could take on a ship twice the size of their own with ease," she said. It was nice to boast every once and a while−especially with Zuko right next to her, struggling to refrain from retaliating. After all, 'Lee' wouldn't exactly be going on about the superiority of the Fire Nation, would he?

With the conversation having quickly turned to the war and the Water Tribe, Zuko mostly just picked at his food, taking only a few bites. He was silent as the others spoke, before he finally stood up and walked out.

Zuko sat outside, quiet. Inside his mind, however, his thoughts were in a flurry. Thoughts of Song, the gentle girl who helped his uncle and gave them food, thoughts of the war, thoughts of the Fire Nation, everything he'd been taught, thoughts of children losing their fathers, in the Fire Nation, in the Earth Kingdom, in the Water Tribe, thoughts of Katara who was still there with them…

Footsteps drew Zuko out of his thoughts, and he turned to see Song sitting down beside him, offering a kind smile.

By the end of the conversation, Zuko was more lost than ever.

Later that night, Iroh, Zuko, and Katara were prepared to leave. They stood outside, expressing gratitude and saying their goodbyes.

Iroh and Katara both thanked Song's mother for the food, and she handed Iroh a small pack of supplies for their journey.

Zuko, not saying a word, turned to leave. "Junior," Iroh called out. "Where are your manners? You need to thank these nice people."

Zuko turned around quickly, bowing only a little, and quietly and shortly said, "Thank you." Then, he turned around again. Katara frowned at him. She knew he frequently had a bad attitude at times, but this was new.

"I know you don't think there's any hope left in the world," Song cut in. "But there is hope! The Avatar has returned." Katara winced, glancing at Zuko. I'm sorry, Song. You seem like such a lovely person, but Zuko is not who you think he is. And that comment was not helpful.

Katara hoped Song found somebody more appropriate someday.

"I know," Zuko growled out, walking off.

Katara sighed, looking over to Song. "Avatar Aang will put things right," she agreed with the Earth Kingdom girl. "Lee just…doesn't exactly believe that." He is, after all, the son the Firelord.

Even if Ozai hadn't earned Zuko's love and loyalty, it seemed the cruel man had it anyways.

Song and her mother turned and walked back into their home, and Katara walked quickly to catch up to Zuko and Iroh. Zuko had stopped, looking to the ostrich-horse owned by Song and her mother. He walked over, pulling its reins.

"What are you doing?" Iroh asked. Katara could hear the disappointment in his voice. Zuko got onto the ostrich-horse, walking it over to Iroh. "These people just showed you great kindness!"

"They're about to show us a little more kindness," Zuko told him. Katara put her hand on her hips.

"So you're just going to steal their ostrich-horse? I don't believe you!"

Zuko's nose flared as he grew angry. "You're one to talk−or have you forgotten about how you stole a waterbending scroll?"

Katara's face turned red. "That was—that was different! Those were pirates, and some noble in the Earth Kingdom had no use for a waterbending scroll anyways!" Katara threw her hand toward Song's home, raising her voice even more. "These people have been nothing but kind to us! They saved your uncle's life! They gave you food, and supplies! And now you're just going to turn around and steal from them?!"

"We need to be able to move fast," he told her, grinding his teeth. "Why can't you accept that we need to do this?"

"Why can't you accept that you are way out of line? Why can't you just trust that things will turn out alright?" The two of them were now glaring at each other. Katara could feel the moon in the sky, strengthening her bending. For the first time in weeks, she felt prepared to fight Zuko.

She had no doubt he felt ready to fight her.

"Because I'm not an idiot," he snapped at her.

"Enough!" Iroh quickly put an end to the fight. Shaking his head, he turned to his nephew. He sighed. "If you cannot be dissuaded, then I suppose this is how it will be."

"You're just going to let him do this?" Katara questioned incredulously. Iroh typically had more sense that Zuko. As the old man climbed onto the ostrich-horse, however, Katara couldn't help but think she understood. She crossed her arms, looking away.

The two royals didn't leave, and after a moment, Zuko spoke again. "Are you coming with us?" His voice didn't have as much anger in it now.

Katara glared back. "I doubt I could fit up there. And I still want no part in this anyways."

Zuko scowled back at her, directing the horse to turn. "Fine! I didn't want to be stuck with you anyways."

"Good riddance, then!" she snapped. "I've spent more than enough time for a lifetime with you as it is!"

The two glared at each other, gold eyes piercing blue. Neither backed down, trying to enforce their will on the other, trying to make them understand. Finally, the two looked away.

"Will you be alright, Katara?" Iroh's voice was calm and soft. He handed her one of their packages of supplies.

"I'll be fine," she assured him. "Don't let your idiot of a nephew get you into any more trouble."

He laughed as Zuko grumbled. "Don't worry, Katara. We'll be safe. Take care of yourself−and good luck on finding your friends."

She nodded curtly, still refusing to look at them. She heard the sound of the ostrich-horse running off. By the time Katara looked up, they were just a speck in the distance.

She sighed. She really shouldn't have been so surprised by this. And she definitely shouldn't have been so surprised by Zuko. After all, when had Prince Hothead ever really shown any decent manners? The truth was that she had gotten entirely too comfortable with them. She'd never intended to stay with them. She needed to get to Omashu, to reunite with Aang and Sokka.

"I never wanted to be stuck with those two in the first place," she muttered.

"Why were you with them, then?" the question was quiet and curious. Katara turned around to see Song standing a few feet away. Katara's heart sunk as she saw Song's sad expression.

Zuko, you idiot.

Katara shook her head. "It's a long story."

"Well your friends just stole my family's ostrich-horse. You're still here. Don't I at least get a few answers?"

"I suppose you do. Look, Song, I swear I didn't know Z-Lee was going to do that. And when he did, I tried to talk him out of it."

Song nodded. "I know. I saw."

Katara blinked. "You were watching us the whole time?" Song nodded. "But you didn't even attempt to stop them yourself?"

Song shrugged, looking to the ground. "Well, obviously I'm not happy that they took our ostrich-horse. They aren't exactly inexpensive, so it won't be easy to replace. Still, I know a person on the run when I see one, and I suppose, if they needed our ostrich-horse, at least it's going to good use."

Katara blinked, shaking her head. "Wow. I mean…you don't even know them. How are you not upset?"

"I am upset," Song told her. "I'm just not going to let it bother me for a long time." She looked down, a blush creeping to her cheeks. "I sort of liked him. Lee, I mean."

"I noticed. I don't think it really says anything good about your taste in boys."

"I suppose that's why you didn't want him?" Katara blushed. "So…how did you actually end up travelling with them?"

"They saved my life a little over a month ago," Katara told her. "I've been travelling with them ever since." She shrugged. "I didn't really intend on staying with them anyways. It's probably for the best that they're gone now."

Song's eyes showed concern. "Where are you going to go now?"

"Omashu," Katara said. "I got separated from my friends before Mushi and Lee saved me. Omashu is where my friends planned on going."

"That's a bit of a journey from here," Song said. She frowned. "Still, there's a fairly decent road leading there, going through plenty of towns along the way." She looked over to Katara, smiling. "It's probably the best way to get to Omashu from here. I know a travelling merchant−he'd be willing to give you a lift in his wagon. I think he departs tomorrow, so if we go to him…"

"That's not necessary," Katara quickly said. "You've already done so much, and what with the ostrich-horse…"

"Jing owes me a favor," Song explained. "I saved his daughter's life last year after she got a little too curious about a flower." She smiled. "He's not particularly wealthy, but he did promise me a favor if I ever needed anything. I haven't, but maybe he could lend you a ride for me?"

Katara's eyes watered as she surprised the girl with a hug. "Thank you so much," she said, backing away. "I know you have no reason at all to help, especially after what Lee and Mushi did." She frowned. "I promise, I'll pay you back for all of your kindness someday."

Katara slept outside Song's home, with a pillow and blanket provided by Song. Her sleep was nearly nonexistent, as she dreaded telling the kind old woman about what Zuko and Iroh had done. Thanks a ton, Zuko, for leaving me to apologize for your actions! She felt like kicking herself; how could she let herself get so attached to Prince Jerk? To think, she'd actually begun to trust him, to care for him, to think of him as a…

As a friend.

Dawn came, and Katara dutifully got up. She went into Song's house, and prepared breakfast for her and her mother−after everything, that was the least she could do. Song's mother's reaction was much like Katara thought it would be. The woman's eyes widening in shock as Katara explained and apologized. She sat down as Song held her hand, and helped Katara explain, backing Katara up when she told Song's mother that she had tried to talk 'Lee' out of it. The lady didn't seem angry, just very exhausted and sad.

"It won't be easy to replace the ostrich-horse," she said. Then she sighed. "But if we save our funds, we should be able to afford one quickly enough."

"I'll come back," Katara swore. "After I find my friends and we do what we have to, I promise I'll come back and help pay off the ostrich-horse."

"Considering that you came with the ones who took the ostrich-horse, it must seem pretty silly that I actually believe you," Song's mother said. "But then, you wanted no part in the theft, so I suppose there's no reason to hold it against you. In fact," she added. "If there's anybody who should be paying us off, it's them!"

"That's true," Katara agreed. "But I doubt Lee sees that. Mushi may agree. Still, I doubt they'd want to come back here. And I'm not going to hunt them down to make them pay you. All things considered, I don't particularly care to see them again." She gave a small smile. "I'll pay you back, someday."

Song's mother was far too kind in seeing Katara off again. Song herself led Katara to the merchant, Jing, a cheerful man who quickly agreed to take Katara to the next town over, only asking that she help load the wagon.

By noon, Katara waved goodbye to Song.

Watching trees go by, Katara smiled. For all the bitterness between her and Zuko in their last conversation, for all that she had gotten to know the Fire Nation royals, for all that she would, admittedly, miss Iroh, Katara couldn't help but feel just a little bit of excitement. After they reached the next town, there was a road which would lead her towards Omashu. Towards Aang and her brother.

She was finally returning to where she belonged.

Trees passed by swiftly on the ostrich-horse, taking Zuko and Iroh further and further away from Song's home, from her village, from Katara.

Zuko scowled as he thought of her again. The waterbender. The Water Tribe peasant. The girl who gave him and Iroh water and fish. The girl who blasted him off the raft. The girl he argued with.

The girl he had shown his weakness to. The girl who seemed to understand.

Katara.

"I'm glad she's gone," he suddenly vocalized. Behind him, Iroh raised an eyebrow. Zuko, of course, didn't see.

"I rather enjoyed her company," Iroh told him. "And it seemed to me that you two were getting along quite well just yesterday." He couldn't keep the disappointment out of his voice.

"I, no, no we…we were just both worried…about you. That's all." Zuko frowned. That wasn't true.

"Because I care. About you. About Iroh."

Ever since his mother had disappeared, Zuko had known fewer and fewer people who claimed to care about him. Even fewer actually did.

"I hope that she won't be in trouble," Iroh continued. "She was left behind, but she was travelling with us. What if she is held accountable for your crime?"

Zuko grit his teeth, recalling the glare she had given him. She may be a waterbender, but in that moment she had had pure fire in her eyes. "I asked her to get on. She refused. What happens next is her own fault."

That was what he was trying to convince himself, anyways.

Because, despite their argument, he knew that he had had…something with her. An understanding. And he had grown used to her presence.

Even after their argument, he had momentarily hoped that she would come with them.

"She doesn't belong with us anyways," he told Uncle Iroh. "She's not like us. She's a waterbender, and a friend of the Avatar's." He narrowed his eyes. "It was never going to last. It wasn't supposed to last this long to begin with."

They continued along through the forest. Iroh sighed, shaking his head.

He loved his nephew dearly. He loved him as he had loved his own son−and he truly thought of Zuko as his own. Ozai, after all, was hardly ever a father to Zuko. Still, there were times when Zuko truly did push at Iroh's patience. Stealing from people who had shown them kindness, and then leaving behind a friend was definitely one of those moments. Iroh looked back, even though the village was long gone. Looking briefly to the sky, he silently asked the spirits to watch over the girl. To keep her safe.

For all Zuko's denial of anything between he and Katara, Iroh was increasingly certain that their futures were joined.

Whether that was for better or worse was yet to be determined.