Inutenshi: Hey peoples! Sorry about the wait. I had a family weekend with the other girls in my dad's side of the family. To top it off, I've had minor writer's block on and off.

Zuko: Nah. You're just lazy.

Inutenshi: Shut up! Don't make me strap you to a chair, tape your eyes open, and make you look at naked pictures of your uncle again!

Zuko:O.O NOOOoooooo! Not again! T.T...THE HORROR! (sobbing)

Katara: Aww...Poor little princey. (huggles Zuko)

Zuko: At least somebody loves me...

Inutenshi: Oh come on Zuko. You know we all love you...Not as much as Katara, but that's not the point.

Katara: Yeah...Why don't you start off the chapter?

Zuko: Okay...Kataras going to play doctor...and sneak out of the room again...Ahem. Anywho...On to the story!

Chapter 5: Smile of an Angel, Voice of a Goddess

The pair sat quietly in the dining hall, feasting on fish and an assortment of veggies. Both ate with a politeness that would've frightened the biggest neat freak on the known Earth. A few off duty soldiers were scattered about the hall eating their meals before their shift. Their chattering and laughter broke the silence, but gave it a comforting feel.

"They're very loyal to you." Katara stated.

Zuko nodded in response.

"They always will be as long as they never give up on going home. If I can't go home, then they can't."

The young woman poked at the almost bare fish bones.

"It gets lonely…being so far from home."

Zuko looked up and into her saddened downcast eyes.

"I haven't seen my grandmother in two years. Sometimes I wonder if she's still alive. You though," She set down her chopsticks and returned his gaze. "How long have you been away from home?"

It was Zuko's turn to stare at his food.

"It will be five years soon if you don't count those times I've chased you into Fire Nation boarders."

A soft 'hmm' was her reply.

She watched as he chased a baby carrot around his plate. Neither attempted to move. The small table had their knees already touching. No rubbing was needed.

"So…What am I allowed to do while you have custody of me?" she asked.

"You're allowed to leave the room at least, but not without me. Loyal they may be, I can't leave you with one of these soldiers. They're lazy idiots. Even your moronic brother could outsmart them."

This sent Katara into a fit of giggles.

"I see you two are feeling better."

The waterbender jumped about a foot out of her seat. Iroh laughed and sat down at the small square table. The two teens mumbled their good evenings and resumed eating the remainder of their food. Private Hyde approached them with a tray of tea for the old general. The cups and utensils clattered against it while his hands shook.

"Y-your tea, sir." He said timidly.

"Thank you. Have a seat my boy." Iroh gestured to the seat across from him.

The young soldier sat stiffly. Katara noticed the boy's nervousness whenever she'd look up at him. His hands were slightly pink and pruned like he'd been washing them for hours. Beads of sweat rolled down his face and he twiddled his thumbs.

"Tea anyone?" Iroh asked raising a small cup.

Each of them politely refused. Iroh merely shrugged and downed the cup himself.

"Um…Sir? Are you well?" The only girl asked.

The quivering soldier jumped at her question.

"Uh. Yes ma'am. Just a simple case of the jitters." He replied, giving her a weak smile.

"Oh. Are you new?"

He nodded.

"Yes ma'am. I was drafted about two months ago and I was enlisted with the prince's battalion just last week. I still need a little more training."

Katara gave him a comforting smile and Hyde relaxed a bit.

"I'm sure you'll do great. What's your name sir?"

"Private Teiru Hyde, ma'am."

"Katara of the Water Tribe." Her smile widened as they shook hands.

"You don't have last names in the Water Tribes?"

"No. Now a days, our tribes are so smallit's nearly impossible to meet someone else with my nationality outside my own tribe, let alone the same name."

Iroh watched as the young soldier and the waterbender conversed while Zuko ignored them. The talking continued for a few moments, until the prince yelped loudly and spat out a piece of fish that was stained red. His fingers were stuffed in his mouth, trying to dig something out.

"Ah! Your highness, what happened?" Teiru jumped over to his side assist him.

"Let me see." Katara leaned over the table, pulled Zuko's hand away, and peered inside his mouth. She couldn't see anything.

"Sir Iroh?" She asked. "Could you give me some light? I can't see."

"Surely, my lady." The old man smiled, lighting his fingertip, and held it above the distressed prince's mouth. He was resisting the urge to laugh at his nephew's annoyed expression as he sat there with his head tilted back and mouth wide open.

On the inside of his teeth, wedged in the gums near the top of Zuko's mouth was a small, yet painfully sized shard of a fish bone. It was too small for any of them to pull out with their bare hands.

"Teiru. Hand me those chopsticks please."

He wiped them off on a napkin before handing them to her. She accepted them gratefully. By now a few soldiers had gathered around to watch the commotion. Katara picked and pulled at the bone, cursing whenever the sticks slipped. Finally, the points gripped the shard long enough for her to quickly yank it out.

After inspecting the centimeter long fragment, she set the sticks aside and handed Zuko a cup of water. The soldiers clapped and cheered.

"Better?" Katara asked, as her patient set down the cup.

"Yes. Thanks." He said wiping away the water that had dripped down his chin.

Katara smiled sweetly at him. Not a forced one, an evil smirk, or one in pride. Just a genuine, happy…sweet, sweet smile.

"Like the smile of an angel…" He thought to himself.

After receiving a dismissal from Iroh, the crowded soldiers returned to their meals. Private Hyde left with them, bowing and mumbling his farewell. Katara waved as he left and asked Zuko if he wanted the rest of his food. When he shook his head, she grabbed both their plates and took them back to the kitchen.

"A nice girl that one is." Iroh said matter-of-factly.

"She's okay I guess." The prince mumbled, licking at the wound in his mouth.

"You never told me how you found her."

Zuko stiffened and turned his head towards the open counter where the chef passed out the meals. Katara was talking with the large burly man in his stained apron while she helped with the dishes. The angelic smile on her face confused him. Only yesterday had she been raped and beaten to the point her spirit should've been broken. He threatened her life and everyone she held dear. Also, a little over an hour ago she was trying to kill herself and yet…she smiled like she hadn't a care in the world.

"Take a good look at her uncle." He said as the cook's new friend removed the robe and set it out of the way. "What looks out of place?"

Iroh followed his nephew's eyes and his own widened in shock. The vest exposed the cuts and bruises on her neck and arms.

"Did the soldiers do this?" He asked, his mouth agape.

Zuko shook his head.

"There were a few bandits hiding on the island. She'd apparently gone out alone and those dogs sniffed her out." Malice was clear evident in his voice.

"Where are they now?" Iroh asked, gasping his tea cup.

"Dead…"

The old man nodded and poured another cup. This time Zuko snatched it up and downed it himself. It wasn't as strong as alcohol, but it would do. Uncle Iroh LOVED strong tea.

"So are you planning on using her to draw in the Avatar?"

"What else would she be for?" He asked, pouring himself another cup.

"A servant? A counselor? A friend? Someone to warm your bed?" His uncle burst into laughter as steaming hot tea shot out of Zuko's nose, thankfully, where he wasn't sitting.

Zuko held his nose, swearing up and down in his mind that the old man was going to die. As soon as his coughing finished, he got up to chase the retired general, but saw that he'd already escaped. For an old geezer, he sure was fast.

"Did I miss anything?" Katara giggled, picking up the tray.

Coughing once more, Zuko wiped his face, shook his head and sat once more. He turned just to see her walk into the kitchen. The cook took the tray, insisting the she'd helped enough for the night. The prince stood as Katara neared him while slipping her robe back on.

"It's late. We should get to bed." Zuko said, leaving the hall with Katara in toe.

They walked in silence, keeping to themselves. Katara fiddled with the seam of the robe. She had to ask.

"Um…Where will I be staying?" Not a cell! Please don't say cell!

"You'll be staying in my room."

The shuffle on footsteps behind him stopped. Turning, he saw the young woman with her face red enough to rival the red lining of her robe.

"But…but I can't…I mean…You're a guy…"

The confused prince cocked his eyebrow.

"Last time I checked, I always was…unless the world's laws have gone haywire and switched genders on us."

Katara kept her face downcast and turned away.

"But you're a guy…I'm a girl. O-only those who are married should share a room." Not that anyone will want me for a bride now.

Zuko let out a short laugh.

"Silly girl. We'll be sleeping on separate beds. They're not going to magically fuse into one, giving us no choice but to get close." He laughed again at Katara's embarrassed pout.

His door opened silently, no creaks or groans of protest. After raising a flame from the lantern on the ceiling, he held the door open for Katara and shut it behind him. His robe and hers were thrown onto the corner of the slightly open closet door. On the floor were two mats, both pressed side by side. Neatly folded on one was dark red shirt and matching pants with a note sitting beside it. Katara picked up the note and read it to herself.

-Ms. Katara,

I apologize. These are the only garments to be found aboard this ship that are sleep worthy. If you like, we could find more clothing for you once we reach Kasasagi Port. Until then, you may borrow a few of the prince's old clothes.

-General Iroh

Setting the slip of paper aside, Katara curiously picked up the one the appeared to be a shirt. A small unknown squeaking noise erupted from her throat. It looked like a tank top with see through red sleeves. Already she could see her stomach would be showing. And the pants were low cut, but at least had long, baggy, flaring legs. Her tummy was the only problem.

WRONG!

As soon as Zuko turned around, she slipped it on and discovered that there was much more to it. Her chest strained against the material and the pants hugged her hips. The silk material seemed to mold to her body, exposing every curve.

"Are you done yet?" Zuko huffed impatiently.

Katara had no idea what to do. This was highly indecent for her. She was sleeping in the same room with her best friend's stalker…who was a guy! A cute guy none the less, but that wasn't the point. She was still a lady and not some kind of tramp. Oh why couldn't Iroh find something less revealing?

Sick of waiting, the fire prince turned around anyways and his eyes instantly widened. Katara did her best to hide her tummy with her arms, but her tan flesh still found ways to expose itself.

"Well…um…" Zuko cleared his throat. "You can quickly wash up with the basin, and then go to bed. I'm going to meditate for a bit before I do so I'd appreciate some silence."

She watched as he threw off his shirt and sat on his bed before the altar and unlit candles. Goddesses, did he have a nice body! Not skinny scrawny or huge andbulging, but just right. Especially his arms, abs, and back. He didn't have a bad face either, even with the scar and near baldness.

Katara sighed wistfully, much like a love struck teen.

"What the hell!"

Katara shook her head fiercely.

"Oh no no no! I do NOT think Prince Zuko is cute! No! Ew!"

Her little voice popped in for a visit.

"You like him! Ha! I knew it! You like Prince Zuko. You want to hug him. You want to kiss him. You want to-." A giant boot came and squashed the little bugger.

Using her waterbending, she washed her hands and face, healing some of the cuts and brushes. Once that was done, Katara sat in front of the mirror and began untying her braid.After that was undone, she started brushing out the waves. She hated it when her hair was wavy and had to wet the brush multiple times before it all straightened out. Setting the brush back where she found it, she quietly stepped toward her bed. It wasn't super duper fancy or anything, but it sure was better than sleeping on the ground or on Appa's itchy fur.

For a few moments, she laid on her side, watching the flames on the candles raise and fall with the firebender's breathing. His rhythmic sighs were soothing none the less. She forgot about the past few days, about her incident, who's ship she was on, she even forgot about the war and just concentrated on Prince Zuko's meditation. The familiar warmth from her dream returned, wrapping around, and settling her in its sleepy embrace.

She didn't know what time it was when she woke, but the moon's glow from the window told her it must've been late. Zuko was already sound asleep on the mat next to hers. No smoke lingered from the unlit candles, nor any scent. Apparently Zuko had finished a while ago.

Something told her she was gonna be awake for a awhile. Then she remembered. Zuko hadn't locked the door before they came in. She had a chance to escape now!

……

No. She had no idea how far land was and there were probably guards wandering the decks on the night shift. Well, sneaking out for a quick walk wouldn't hurt anyone. As slowly and quietly as she could, Katara slid out of bed, grabbed a robe, and grabbed the door knob. As she turned it, the gears creaked and clicked, instantly freezing her. Zuko didn't move. He just kept sleeping peacefully.

Exhaling then drawing in a deep breath, Katara opened the door and slipped out. She didn't close it all the way, fearing it would make more noise and walked silently down the hall. All the guards she had passed were fast asleep.

Zuko was right. His soldiers were lazy. She easily got through the halls and even began singing. It was a gentle melody. It floated through the dim corridors and into the sleeping soldiers' dreams, making their sleep even more peaceful. She found the familiar door that led to the deck and gently pushed it open. The pale moonlight and its cool breezy lover, the wind, caressed her as she padded softly along the cold steel deck of the ship's bow.

A gust of wind blew into the room, causing the door to slam shut. Zuko instantly woke from the sound, jumping up with a fire ball glowing in his hand. Looking about the room he realized there was no danger and settled back into bed. It took a few more moments before he sat up again and looked at the empty mat beside him.

"Katara?" He called out, looking around once more.

She clearly wasn't in the room. One robe was missing, so he'd assumed she gotten up to use the bathroom. Then he remembered. He never showed her where the bathroom was. She was either wandering the halls or was trying to escape…But what if…Oh crap!

Zuko snatched up his robe and bolted out of his room running down the halls, passing the sleeping soldiers. He paused for a moment to see if he could pick up any signs of her or perhaps some kind of suspicious sounds.

There were none, but just as he was about to continue looking, he heard a voice. It was faint, muddled, and sounded like singing, but he could still hear it. He took off, the voice growing louder and louder as he came closer to the deck. The voice was just outside the door, but still he couldn't figure out what it was singing. The melody sounded familiar, but he couldn't remember where he'd heard it.

The deck door opened with a small creak as he stepped out into the chilly night. There on the railing, sat his missing guest, swinging her legs on the side of the ship and singing into the wind while it played with her loose hair.

"Nani yori mo Taisetsuna - "You are my angel, You are my everything

Itoshii Hito yo - You mean more than anything

Mujaki de Kegare no nai - When I see your smile so lovely and bright

Sono Egao- Makes the world seem right…

Nakimushi de Amaenbo - At times you can act like such a little girl

Watashi no Tenshi - But in my eyes you are the world

Hayaku Ookikunatte - I wish you health and happiness for all time

Genki ni Sodate - And may the world be kind.

Kanashii toki mo - Whenever you are feeling down

Kujike sou na toki mo - Whenever you are feeling blue

Kono uta wo Utatte - All you have to do is sing this song

Akaruku Ikite hoshii - Remember I'll be watching over you

Kibo to Isshoni - Please grow up with hope in your heart

Aruite hoshii - I will always be with you

Yume wo Wasurezuni - Please go on with a dream in your heart

Aruite hoshii..." - I will always be with you..."

Zuko knew that lullaby. His mother had sung it to him, but with a few changes in the lyrics. This was the first time in the seven years since his mother's death that he had been able to hear it. And coming for such a soft soothing voice like that of the Water Goddesses made it feel all the more comforting.

"Hey. Why aren't you in bed?" Zuko asked, approaching her from behind.

Katara look over her shoulder then swung her legs over the railing. Her face was shadowed by the direction of the moonlight, but still her icy blue eyes glowed. Her flowing brown hair danced with the breeze, curling and waving like the ocean surface. Her bruises and cuts on her neck were hidden against the shadow.

"I couldn't sleep. You forgot to lock the door so I went for a walk."

She took a deep breath of the night air, turning her face to the dark sparkling sky. The stars reminded her of pearls on the ocean floor. Stretching out her arms above her head, she felt like she could reach up and pluck one out. Zuko was watching her was utter fascination.

"Where did you learn that lullaby?" He asked.

Katara smiled towards the ocean depth floating above her.

"My mother used to sing it to us when Sokka and I were children. She had a gorgeous voice that would quell even the angriest polar bear. Even the mighty Umi Hebi, Shiori was weak against her song."

"The Umi Hebi?"

"She's my tribes legendary Sea Serpent. She's also one of the Water Goddess's underlings and the animal guide of the waterbending Avatars."

Her arms came down and rested in her lap. She looked him in the face and smiled.

"We look to her for protection and guidance, much like the Fire Nation looks to the Fire Gods and Avatar Roku's dragon."

Zuko nodded in agreement and sat beside her on the railing.

"All mothers know that song." He said quietly. "My mother did too. She sang it to me from the day I was born to the night before she died. I haven't heard it since."

Katara looked at his sad expression. She didn't know what to do for him. But then it came to her.

"Would you like me to sing it again?" She asked, leaning forward to catch his attention.

The solemn firebender returned the young woman's gaze. The corner of his mouth lifted when she gave him her sweet angel smile.

"Yeah…Yes. I would really like that."

Katara's smile widened as she turned her legs back over the side of the ship and sang again into the night air.

A dark hooded figure just underneath the water's surface watched and listened as the waterbender and Fire Nation conversed. When the girl began singing, the figure listened for a few moments before turning and diving down to the trench a few miles below the surface. It swam through the winding tunnels until it reached a large hidden temple.

The temple was large and seemingly made from crystal. The pillars held carvings of ancient sea creatures and hieroglyphics, telling of olden times. At top the tall stairs sat a small girl. But this was no ordinary looking girl. Her ears were pointed and webbed like fish fins, her hair was light blue, and her eyes a shimmering green. She also had a single bright red, finned tail that matched her ears and a band of cloth wrapped around her chest. She looked up, saw the hooded figure and with a squeal of excitement, swam toward it.

"Marina!" She cried and tackled her victim.

The figure laughed, patting the child's head and pulled back its hood. The figure turned out to be a young woman with black hair and red eyes.

"Did you miss me Larin?" She asked.

The little girl nodded excitedly. The older girl smiled and removed her cloak, shaking out her dark red fin. Draping the cloak over her arm she adjusted her chain mail tube top and shoulder armor, then swam up into the temple with Larin behind her. A few sea creatures were swimming about and greeted her as she passed.

At the end of the great hall was an old wooden door.

"Larin, why don't you go play with Heminly and Kidilon? The other Goddesses and I have something very important to talk about." Marina said placing a hand on the door.

"Is it about that pretty girl and that mean prince?" The child asked.

Marina nodded and shooed the child away, before entering the room behind the door. In the center of the room was a flower shaped crystal, surrounded by sea weed and small coral. The crystal was currently closed like a flower at night. Against the walls were more hieroglyphics, cushions, a bookcase, weaponry, and armor. She was not alone in the room. Two other women were sitting on cushions gabbing to each other.

"Ladies, we have a problem."

Karran, the youngest one had teal hair and orange eyes. Her ears and fin were light green. Her plate armor covered her chest and flared into a chain mail skirt around the fin. Nadia, the middle one, was a brunette. Her eyes were a pale yellow and her ears and fin were violet. The top half of her armor covered her chest and shoulders while the bottom half split into four pieces, surrounding her fin.

"What? Is it the younglings?" Nadia asked, a worried look crossing her features.

"No." Marina answered, placing her hand on the crystal and watching it open.

"We may be looking at a 'Crossing'."

In the sphere on the flower, the image of the two benders appeared. Katara was still singing and Zuko was still smiling.

"Are you serious!" Karran jumped up and put her face up to the sphere.

Marina had selected a book off the shelf and was sitting on a cushion, thumbing through the pages at a lightening speed. Suddenly she stopped on a page and read.

"You two remember five hundred years ago, before we became the Goddesses,when a firebender and a waterbender were wed and attempted to conceive a child?" She asked.

"Yes." Nadia answered, sitting on the cushion beside her. "What came from it was an abomination that threatened all the nations."

Karran sat beside the other two goddesses and continued.

"So the child's heart was cut out andshared by the two bender's seperate dieties.The Fire Gods removed the man's…'organ' and the Water Goddesses before us sent Shiori to devour the woman's womb."

Marina turned a few more pages.

"We should've known this was going to happen again. Combining half of one bender and half of another was never meant to be. Nature forbids the crossing of the elemental spectrums."

The youngest goddess gave her sisters a worried look.

"What should we do? We won't have to kill them will we?" She asked.

"Hopefully it won't come to that. Nadia, you will watch them for now."

Marina looked up as Nadia pushed away from the cushion and placed her hands on the orb, just above Katara's picture. The flower glowed against her touch.

"The girl…she holds no trust towards the Fire Nation's prince. Her people have been pushed to near extinction by his father's armies. Her father is fighting in the Earth Kingdom. Her mother was killed in a Fire Nation raid. Yet she sees something in the boy that could possibly change that."

The other two goddesses swam to her side.

"And what of the firebender?" Karran asked, watching Nadia's hand move from Katara to Zuko.

"He shows pity towards the girl as he has rescued her from a most devastating fate. He is planning on using her to lure the Avatar to him. There's not much else there, but a small bit of comfort when the girl talks and sings for him."

"The Avatar is not our concern. Let the firebender do as he wishes with him. Souten's comet has already been used. Therefore he has failed and is of no more use in the war." Marina said, closing the flower and returning the book to its rightful spot.

"The problem is the two benders. If another crossing occurs, it could mean the end of us all. Another abomination cannot be born!"

As the Water Goddesses formed their plot, another little spy had heard all that they'd needed to anddisappeared without any knowing.

Inutenshi: I hope that makes up for the wait. I'm not so positive the translations for the lullabye were right. I got them from a video game, Rhaphsody: A Musical Adventure. I noticed a few words weren't translated right from the site I found them on, but hey. What can I do?

Zuko:Do it!

Katara: No!

Zuko: Come on!

Katara: No!

Zuko: Please?

Katara: No!

Zuko: For me?

Katara: For the love of God, Zuko. I said no!

Inutenshi: What are you arguing about now?

Katara: He's trying to make me sing and dance for Music Night!

Inutenshi: That's a good idea! (starts typing)

Katara: What!

Zuko: Haha! You're gonna do it anyways!

Next chapter: Shopping and Music