Chapter Sixteen

Katara awoke the next morning to find the cave empty. "Zuko?" she called sleepily. There was no answer. Katara walked over to the cave's entrance and peered nervously into the dense forest beyond. Where could he have gone? She wondered uneasily.

As if he had read her mind, Prince Zuko appeared in front of her. "Good morning." He said, smiling at her. "I have great news. I thought I saw smoke this morning so I went to investigate and sure enough I found Uncle Iroh and the crew sitting on the far side of the island. Uncle Iroh had decided to build a fire so he could fix something to eat..." Prince Zuko laughed. "Typical Iroh. I told him that I would come get you and then we would join them."

Katara sighed in relief. "Good. I was afraid I would have to fix breakfast and believe me you don't want to taste my cooking." Prince Zuko laughed and they turned and headed off in the direction of the crew's camp.

"Surely it can't be that bad." Zuko said, punching her playfully on the shoulder.

"Oh it is. Sokka used to say…." She trailed off suddenly and the smile faded as anger filled her eyes. "But Sokka's not important anymore. He doesn't understand that he's fighting for the wrong side and he never will."

Zuko glanced at her. He did not like the Avatar or his helper but he felt a twinge of guilt at turning Katara against her own brother. He knew what it felt like to have your own people turn against you. He started to say something but bit it back. Stop it Zuko! You're going soft!

Soon they could see the crew sitting around the fire and Uncle Iroh in the middle, chomping on a large piece of meat from some animal the crew had caught. Zuko started to step out into the clearing but Katara hesitated.

"What's wrong?" he asked, turning back to look at her.

"Don't you think this will look a little strange, me just waltzing in there with you? I mean, I am supposed to be your prisoner after all."

Prince Zuko glanced at the crew then held his head up in determination. "Let them think what they want. I'm sick of having to keep this a secret and they will find out sooner or later when they realize you're on our side now."

Katara still looked worried but she shrugged and followed him into the clearing.

What the two did not know was that Uncle Iroh, after witnessing their kissing scene on the ship's deck, had promptly let the cat out of the bag the next day and he and the guards had had a wonderful time betting on how long this pairing would last and having long and meaningful conversations about love.

A few of the guards glanced at the two teens as they walked into the clearing and sat down by the fire but no one said a word.

"I see you survived the storm." Uncle Iroh said between bites of food.

"Yes." Prince Zuko stared pointedly at the tasty looking meat in Uncle Iroh's hand.

"Did you have a good time?" Uncle Iroh asked pleasantly, juice running down his chin.

"Oh of course." Prince Zuko said sarcastically. "Though it would have been much better if we'd had some food."

"Oh I'm sorry. Are you hungry?" Uncle Iroh asked pleasantly. "Well I would invite you to eat something but it…er…seems we've eaten everything." He tried to look innocent as he said this.

"What!" Prince Zuko smack himself in the head. "Oh well, that's just great! Now what are we suppose to eat!"

"Well the way I see it we should be sailing out of her by this afternoon so I suppose you could eat then."

Zuko sighed, not sure he wanted to know the answer to his next question, "And how do you propose we get off this island?"

"Well you know that's the funny thing isn't it?" Iroh tried again, and failed, to look innocent.

"Uncle…"

"You see we have had the good fortune to run into some of our old..um…friends who have been kind enough to offer us a ride, seeing as they are heading for the fire nation this afternoon and should reach there in four days time."

"Uncle…."

"Now isn't that just good fortune? I think it that is just-"

"Uncle!" Prince Zuko shouted. "Who? Who did you meet? Who are we sailing with?"

His Uncle grinned sheepishly at him. "Well, Commander Zhao."

"What!" Zuko jumped up in fury but just at that minute Commander Zhao and his men appeared in the clearing.

"Well, well." Commander Zhao leered at him. "It seems you're having a bit of trouble, eh Prince Zuko?"

"Commander Zhao." Zuko said coldly. "What an honor to meet again."

"Indeed. We are leaving this afternoon so you and you're crew had better be ready or we will leave you behind. I letting you ride with us on one condition."

"Which is?" Zuko's eyes narrowed.

"Once we get there we will have a rematch. I was not in top physical condition the last time we battled. It was merely a lucky break that you won."

"You never give up do you. What's in it for you?"

"Well besides the fact that it will be quite entertaining to watch you lose, I have a little wager for you. If you win, then I will revoke your exile and you will be allowed to stay in the fire nation. But if I win, you will be banished forever and must turn over the hunt for the Avatar to me."

"That's ridiculous!" Prince Zuko snapped angrily.

"Take it or leave it. I could care less if you starve to death or not. But my ship leaves at noon and if you want to survive then I suggest you be on it." He turned and walked away.

Prince Zuko paced around the fire as he thought out loud to himself. "Why would he do that? I might as well accept his offer; I can always lie and look for the Avatar anyway. Not that I will lose. But why would he do all this just to fight me again? It's not like the Commander."

"I would be careful if I were you Prince Zuko." Uncle Iroh said as he stood up and brushed some crumbs off his shirt. "He mentioned none of this to me when I spoke with him earlier. I think he's up to something."

"Yes." Zuko nodded in agreement. "But it seems we have no choice so I suppose we'll just have to go along with him and keep our eyes open for any tricks he might be hiding."