Zuko stood over his uncles' body. Side of his chest and arm where burnt. Zuko could smell burnt flesh and it made his stomach curl.

It wasn't until he heard footsteps that pulled him out of his worry.

"Get away!" He yelled. Bearing his teeth.

"Zuko, I can help" Exclaimed the water tribe peasant. He didn't know why she offered him such a thing. He's their enemy. She's his.

He was going to yell again, but he held his tongue. He glanced at his uncle. Iroh was taking heavy, exaggerated breaths. From the looks of it, barely conscious.

Zuko sat there and stared back at her, with one firm nod she pursed her lips. "Okay," She said carefully. As if he was a wild animal she slowly moved forward to the other side of Iroh.

He watched as she examined Iroh for a good eight seconds before reaching out. Zuko grabbed her wrist. In turn he felt the tension of the other three people behind him. The prince didn't care.

"What are you doing?" said Zuko, he almost spat the words as he talked. However he wasn't met with malice from her. She remained calm. Barely even alarmed that he grabbed her.

"I was just going to remove his shirt" She said softly. Looking directly into his amber eyes. "I need to clean, heal and wrap the wound. I can't do that if it's covered"

Zuko paused. He slowly let go of her arm and she resumed her work and started to pull down his shirt. It was bad. A large bubbling mess. Some of his skin was a little melted and if that wasn't bad enough some cloth had joined to his skin.

He held a gasp, but he's pretty sure she heard it because her eyes darted to him in a little worry. The girl then looked up at the rest of her traveling companions. "We need to move him"

"What?" Zuko snapped. Her attention drew back to him.

"Zuko please," She said simply. "We should get him out of the sun. There's a couple of abandoned shacks we can rest in. And I'll heal your uncle"

"If you don't attack us first" The water tribes man answered begrudgingly.

"Sokka!" She yelled. They were in a delicate situation here, Zuko was on edge and a little jab at him wasn't going to help matter. For La's sake he almost attacked just because she reached out to Iroh.

Sokka shrugged his shoulders, clearly not as bother as her but still-with the little girl and Avatar walked over and they all picked up Iroh. Carrying him to the nearest house.

About an hour later the sun had set and the rest of the avatar's friends had settled. The water tribes girl insisted on them leaving them for some privacy. And with some degree of hesitancy they agreed.

Zuko was a little mesmerized at how the water glowed and reflected up to her. Illuminating her skin in the darkness of the moon that seeped through the cracks on the wall of the shack. She was beautiful.

Soon though, the water halted and she yawned. Only when she looked up at him could he tell that she was spent. Hair a little frizzy and eyes heavy accompanied by eye bags.

"maybe.." Zuko spoke. His voice was soft. A harsh contrast from how he was an hour ago. "you should take a break"

Her eyes widened at the offer. The way her face scrunched up he could tell she was thinking about it. Of course, she was hesitant.

"No, just..give me a-" Another yawn escaped her lips. "second"

Zuko pursed his lips, expression eased. "You're exhausted. And you can't very well help my uncle in this state."

Her face shifted to an expression he's never seen her wear. Disappointment. She knew he only saw her as means to an end. And the second he was done with her, he would turn around and betray them.

But it wasn't his fault. She knows how this works. If anything it's her fault for putting them-herself-in the awkward situation.

"I see," She said softly. Almost a whisper. Eyes not meeting his' for a good while.

"What's going to happen" She suddenly asked, locking eyes.

"What?" Zuko questioned. Narrowing his eyes slightly.

"After-tonight. Am I going to wake up and see you've captured Aang and then demand for me to finish healing your uncle then run off with both of them or something?"

He blinked. "Uncle can barley walk. How would I..?"

She closed and opened her mouth over and over. Not quite sure what to say. He missed the point completely. Finally, regaining her clarity from her moment of shock, she elaborates. "How long will it take before you betray us?"

Zuko froze. He should lie. He should just say whatever he needs to, to pacify her so he can get what he wants. Agni, he's done it before. But, something about her doing this act of kindness for him..he can't help but give her the truth.

"I don't know"

Her face is unreadable. he can't tell if she is pleased or not with this conclusion. Then it turned. As if it took her a second for it to sink in-she almost scoffed and rose up. Heading for the door.

"Wait-peasent"

She looked back at him. Half of her body was washed with the light of the crescent moon. Eyes shown down at him with a slight disdain she didn't have ten minutes ago.

"I-I..I won't-" He searched for what he was trying to say. Zuko only took a deep breath. He flexed his nose on his exhale and whispered out his next words. Low and clear. "I won't. Attack you...or the Avatar. While we are in the limits of this town." He looked back up at her when he added. "Truce? For now?"

Her lips tugged upward. With one soft nod she said. "Truce" About to leave before she suddenly popped her head back in. "-And I have a name you know, Katara"

Katara

He rubbed the back of his neck at nodded. Which followed a pregnant pause, neither benders were sure how to move on from this.

"...Goodnight, Zuko"