The next day Katara walked into the shack. Bring a bowl of water. She paused when she entered. Of course she saw Iroh laying in the middle of the room. Small cloth under his head for support but what she didn't expect was Zuko sleeping, sitting against the wall. His arms were crossed but, face at ease from all the troubles he carried with him when he's lucid.

It was strange. Of course she knew that he slept just like everyone else, but there was something about seeing him in such a state that made her feel in awe. Head slightly cocked to the side and mouth parted. Hair brushing up against the wood of the wall. In all the rush of yesterday she even hardly noticed he has hair. She was so used to seeing the ponytail that anything else looked strange on him.

Though, not necessarily a bad kind of strange. His hair looked soft and so fluffy. And made him look years younger. He was only what-sixteen years old, a teenager just like the rest of them. Deciding to let him sleep, Katara began working on Iroh's shoulder again. Iroh still seemed exhausted and to her knowledge still hasn't woken up since yesterday, but this doesn't worry her. Knowing once he's a bit more healed up he should wake.

As she continued her work she glanced at Zuko again when he groaned a little in his sleep. Shifting his head for her to get a clearer look at his scar. She studied the edges. All the curves and bumps of it. It looked painful. In the back of her mind she often wondered how he got that mark.

He was from one of the most ruthless nations there is so that's not a big surprise but what doesn't make sense is that he's the prince. He's the prince. Why is he out here, surely they have enough soldiers. Why send their prince, their heir to the throne out here to capture the Avatar. She recalls his words from a previous encounter.

Try to understand, I'm trying to regain something I've lost. My honor

She didn't quite understand what he meant back then and truth be told she still barely this all for the sake of honor? Capturing the Avatar for nothing more than-bragging rights?

The thought alone makes her furious. Tui and La what was she doing here? The whole reason she left her tribe was to help stop the war. Now she's helping one former general and the crown prince? She glanced down at Iroh.

Though, from what she's seen (and from what she's heard from Toph), Iroh looks to be a kind man. So she can find tranquility in that. Zuko on the other hand. He's tried to capture Aang countless times. Fired flaming balls of hot fire at them more times than she could count. He's done nothing to earn her help but still, when she looks back: Seeing him so utterly distraught at the sight of his uncle lying almost lifeless on the floor her heart couldn't help but reach out to him.

She sighed. Her empathy was her greatest strength and weakness sometimes. Katara noticed that the wound was healing quite well and decided that enough skin had been healed today and began to clean out the cloth that had cemented itself. She did have to give Zuko some credit she supposed. He stayed true to his word.

Now that's she thought about it, even back at the tribe when Aang made a deal to go willingly with him-once again Zuko did not lie and kept up his end of the bargain to not harm her people. She's always seen him in such a one dimensional view, but perhaps there's more to him. As soon as the thought appeared she quickly pushed it away. No. It didn't matter that he's honest because he still is Fire nation and he still is the crown prince that is hunting her best friend.

Katara tried to make it stick that as soon as they left this town whatever happens here doesn't matter. This abandoned town is a mark of peace but only a temporary one.

"Katara?" Whipping her head around she saw Zuko stare at her. Whatever pleasantness that graced his features was gone now. Returning to the all too familiar scowl and distrustful look in his eyes.

Before she could even exchange pleasantries Zuko's voice rang through. "Why didn't you wake me up when you came in?" His voice tried to sound menacing and harsh but it was still laced with sleep that gave it an extra raspy twist to it that made It much softer.

"You looked tired-"

"Is that code for leaving me defenseless! With an enemy present!" he accused. His nose wrinkled as he spoke.

"Oh Come on, Zuko!" Why she hated him seemed to all come back to her now. "I'm not going to attack you! Can you even name one time I actually fought you unprovoked!" Zuko was about to bark back but he was at a loss for words. Looking as though he knew she was right. Which she was. He slumped a little on the floor.

"How's uncle doing?" She rolled her eyes. Apparently sorry was too much for him to muster.

"Better" she said in the nicest tone she could at the moment. "He has yet to wake but I believe he will. He's still a little weak but I believe he will be fit for travel soon. "

Zuko's brows raised a little, softening his gaze. "Thank you, Katara" One silent nod was all she gave in recognition. "Will…will it scar?" His voice was so wobbly she could barely believe it was Zuko talking. His eyes shifted to such concern she didn't know he could possess. It was clear just how much Iroh meant to Zuko.

"I was able to get to it rather quickly so I doubt it" She hoped he didn't notice that she glanced at his scar at least twice during the conversation. If he did, he didn't make it known. Perhaps he was just used to it by now. "You wanna…help me?" Zuko looked just as surprised as she was that she offered.

"I-I don't…I don't think I'll be helpful" he replied truthfully while rubbing his neck sheepishly. "I'd just mess it up"

"Well possibly, but I'm here to guide you." He still looked unconvinced. "Also, you might what to know this why you're on the road" Zuko pursed his lips but agreed.

He awkwardly sat next to her. It created a feeling-a vibe that was unlike anything they normally had in previous meetings. "Okay-" Katara picked up a roll of bandages. "So we're going to wrap this around his chest and shoulder." They continued to work methodically. Katara, giving him tips throughout. "Make it tight but not to constricting" About 10 minutes later Iroh's wound was fully cleaned and wrapped. Once again silence filled the room.

It wasn't like they were friends and not quite enemies-at least-not for now-they were in an awkward in between that made everything, well, awkward. "So…" Katara's voice trailed off and she tapped her thighs. "It's not as hot as it was yesterday"

"You're making small talk?" He chided.

She frowned. "What else do you want me to do? Toph's training Aang and Sokka went hunting. And we already finished treating General Iroh for the day-so-yes-Zuko, I'm making small talk…would you rather I leave you alone to mope in silence?"

Zuko frowned. "I don't mope"

She smirked. "You mope"

He huffed in annoyance and crossed his arms. "Anything else about me you'd like to critice?"

You mean, besides constantly trying to capture my best friend and throwing flames at our faces? "No" She decided, seeing he was already getting worked up.

She tapped her thighs again, looking around the room. A little dejected from his comment. She was just trying to break the tension and it only made it worse. Zuko clearly noticed and slowched a little before glancing away. He felt a little…guilty-that he made her feel like that. "Okay-Fine-maybe I mope a little" Looking back, surprised, a smile slowly growing. He pouted and looked at her. "What?"

"Nothing" Katara pulled her knees to her chest and rested her chin with a smirk. This time it was Zuko who started a conversation.

"Thank you for, you know, uncle" he gestured towards Iroh with his chin. "..you…you didn't have to do that…." She smiled genuinely.

"I- A cough broke into the room. Iroh curled upward into a small coughing fit.

"Uncle!" Zuko stayed by his side. Placing a hand on his back. Iroh breathed heavily and looked at Zuko.

"..Lu Ten?" he asked hoarsely. "Lu Ten is that you-?" He asked hopefully. Katara looked at Zuko curiously. Zuko opened and closed his mouth. Katara could see his Adam's apple bob.

"No uncle." he spoke so softly it was almost a whisper. "No, Lu Ten…He's not here" Iroh raised a brow.

"Where is he then?" he asked a little wobbly, laying down again.

Zuko croaked. "he-di-...he's home. Waiting for you." Zuko gulped. Feeling his throat tighten. "Waiting for you to get better." Iroh closed his eyes and smiled. Slowly falling asleep again.

"Ah, I see now. Let…let" Iroh yawned loudly. Stretching his unburned arm out. "Him know i miss him" Zuko closed his eyes and rubbed his uncle's shoulder.

"..i know uncle…"

Katara searched for Zuko's face. This is the most vulnerable she's ever seen him. After Iroh fell back asleep Zuko bowed his head. Seeping into downcast. Seeming to completely forget the place and time he was in. Or maybe he didn't, but the pain of the remeince of Lu Ten was just too much. If it was Iroh's son that made it Zuko's cousin. Katara hesitantly reached her hand out to his shoulder. His head spinned to her face. His face looked grief-stricken.

"Zuko, I'm…I'm sorry for your loss" She wasn't sure what had happened. Or the nature of his relationship with his cousin but she… she had no idea. He rolled his shoulder away from her hand. Suddenly upset

"It's-" Knitting his eyebrow. "It's-…" His shoulders slowly became limp as if all anger flowed out of him. He sighed. "It's not your fault"

"Where you close?" Zuko looked up at her through hooded eyes. He pulled his legs to his chest. Trying to hide a small smirk. "Yeah," he said with a small breath of a chuckle that almost escaped his lips. "Yeah, we were" His smile soon faded away.

"What is it?" She asked quickly, seeing his mood change.

"It's just-...nevermind, you won't get it" he responded, a little harshly.

Pursing her lips, Katara softly replied "I think i do"

He looked up at her a little confused. "I understand how it feels. To remember them and every joyful memory you have together, but…it's also sad too, because you're reminded that they're not there. That they will be no more. Because the one who gave you the best memories, became a memory" Zuko noticed her absentmindedly playing with her necklace. She closed her eyes. "I lost my mother to this war"

His eyes wided sincerely. He knows that pain. That heartache. How the one who's supposed to give you comfort, love, and protection just ripped away from you like that. The prince's mouth was parted slightly. "I'm sorry," he confessed. "...That's.. something we have in common" Katara gazed at his eyes softly.

And he did the same. He already felt like he opened up too much about Lu Ten. He didn't want to talk about his mother. So he redirected it back to Katara. "What was she like?" Zuko asked softly.

She smiled sadly. "Kind, funny and sweet" she broke into a smile while wiping a tear with her index finger. "Unless you stole the last piece of seal jerky." She chuckled.

"Seal jerky?" He asked with a raised brow. He almost looked grossed out.

Her jaw dropped. "Zuko! You can't judge something you've never eaten. It's like…" She tapped her chin in thought. "It's salty and chewy but really good"

"I dunno…" his voice trailed off playfully. He felt a faint tug of his lips when he saw her astonished expression. He clearly was trying to get her riled up.

"No, I won't accept it." She denied with a grin. "The next time I find some in the markets, I'll-" She stopped herself mid sentence. The realization hit her and she could tell it found him as well. They both got so wrapped up in the moment that she forgot….They were still enemies. On different sides of the war. They're wasn't going to be a time outside of the next day that they would probably ever have a civil conversation. For them. There wasn't going to be a next time. They both knew this.

Zuko licked his lips. "you should go"

Katara sighed. "Zuko-"

"Katara. Just go" He ordered her. While standing up. Looking down at her with clenched fists.

She knitted her brows. "Okay, fine," She said resolutely. Standing up and she turned to leave. Katara stood outside the shack and bit her lip. What was that back there? Katara actually was talking with him. They held a conversation and Zuko-Prince Zuko- joked around with her a bit. The water bender knew she would see strange things when she left her quaint little village but having a civil conversation with the Fire prince isn't something she'd expect. Not in a million years.

She had no idea that he lost his mother to this war. Feeling a little guilty. Katara always assumed that he was given everything in life. A single snap of the fingers and he could get a whole street named after him or something equally insane. But, no. He suffered too. The fire nation has lost just as much as it was trying to gain. She pulled some hair out of her face, trying not to get lost in the thought. She still had to train Aang later today.

Seeing her walk out he finally slummed back down on the ground. He grabbed his hair. Agni, what am I doing? Zuko could continue to tell him that the truce made the most sense.

That it's what's best. He tried telling himself it's what Azula would do. (Though he knew Azula would only pretend the truce was real and capture the Avatar behind everyone back and leave Iroh to die) He didn't know why he opened up to her like that. He never does-not even to uncle, but there was just something about her that made it so easy to talk too.

Zuko reminds himself about how dangerous that can be. He could potentially give away a weakness and she could use it to exploit him when this is all over and their paths cross again.

Though he still couldn't explain to himself what happened with Katara. It wasn't just pleasantries with her, it was…genuine kindness. He's still her enemy and she wasn't hesitant to try and comfort when he got lost in his unresolved grief. Zuko glanced at his uncle's sleeping figure. Did Not hesitate to try and save uncle. He scratched his chin. Perhaps water tribe women weren't that bad as he was led to believe.