Prince Zuko hoped that perhaps meditating would calm his thoughts. It was so confusing... His concentration on the candles was the only thing that kept his head from splitting from his headache. This was probably his fault, too... Had he aimed better, or dodged the staff... Why? Why him? Why not Zhao, or Fire Lord Ozai? Things had been going downhill, since the Avatar escaped... With the help of Katara, and idiotic Sokka, whom he actually didn't know the name of.
There was a knocking. Zuko had left his door open again... "What is it, Uncle?" he said in a pained, annoyed tone.
"I need to talk to you about something, Prince Zuko," said Iroh. "Something important."
The candles flared. "What?"
"...I saw the Water Tribe girl with her necklace."
Zuko went blank.
"You gave it back to her. Why?"
Zuko considered this question... "...It... was the right thing to do."
Iroh frowned. "Nephew, you have changed. What's wrong?"
"...This is all my fault..."
"Huh?"
Zuko felt like crying, But he couldn't. Not now. "This all is. I should have kept my mouth shut. I should've..."
He felt a hand on his shoulder. He glanced up to see Iroh standing beside him. "It's okay... It will be alright."
Zuko looked down. Iroh's support made him feel a little better. "I wish I didn't feel this way... I'm supposed to be strong... But I'm not..." Zuko paused. "I've never cared about anyone before."
Iroh's eyes softened. "I'll leave you to think about it, then."
With that, he left, shutting the door behind him.
Katara sat up in bed. She fingered at the charm on her necklace, thinking... Prince Zuko was acting different. He wasn't the Firebender she knew... In fact, she realized she didn't know him... Maybe she should. No... What of Sokka? He would not approve of her even interacting with him under her own free will... Aang would probably eish to stay neutral. But something about Zuko drew her to him... A longing, a want... Could she be falling for him, too?
No... Zuko could never love. He was born a Fire Nation prince... Even banished, he must abide by laws and morals. He was raised to be a tough fighter, to always win, no matter what the cost. Sokka would absoloutly kill her, as well. Aang wouldn;t like it at all, either.
What had she gotten herself into?
Zuko suddenly appeared at the prisonhold door. Katara held her breath. He walked in, and sat down beside her on her bed. He took in a deep breath. "Katara..."
Katara blinked. "...Yes?"
"I...I, uh... Are you happy here?" He just couldn't find the right words. He felt as if he were tripping over a thousand stones.
"...Sure, I guess... But I miss my brother, Sokka... And Aang sometimes..."
Zuko felt her pain. He missed his family, too. Everyone but his uncle, of course. His uncle lived with him on the ship, ever since he was banished... "I'm sorry..."
Katara looked down to the floor. "Hmmm."
Zuko leaned over and rested his elbows on his knees. He felt so awkward. "Umm... Are you hungry, or something?"
"...Have any pie?"
Zuko sat up and grinned. "Umm, yeah, I think we have some pie..."
He opened up the door, and the two walked to the galley together. Zuko looked at the chef and ordered, "I'd like... Umm... Two pieces of pie." Pie? Zuko had never said the word "pie" in a long time. It felt kind of weird.
The chef handed them two plates of pie, filled with some kind of strange, pink fruit, and the two sat down and ate. They avoided looking at eachother.