AN: Still not exactly what I planned for...but oh well...

Chapter 10: The First Night

Zuko's nerves were worn paper-thin by the time the gang was ready to leave the village. They'd managed to find Zuko some outfits in dark red and black, which suited him much better than the white Anouk had given him and after stocking up on basic supplies, the four of them headed to Appa.

A few hours after leaving, Zuko sat at the back of the saddle, trying to ignore the overbearing weight of the Oath and the unimaginable height they were at. The others were going on about their business, but Zuko had it stuck in his head that somehow all of them were doing something directly to irritate him. Appa flew specifically high to aggravate his fear of heights, Sokka's stomach growled to annoy him, Katara was no doubt thinking of ways to annoy him later, and Aang would no doubt tell him something to do any minute and he would have no choice but to obey. Quite simply, Zuko was far from happy.

"Zuko," Aang's voice instantly set the presence of the Oath inside him on alert, but Aang had worked hard over the past few hours to change any demand into a request. "Would you mind coming up here for a minute?"

The presence died away, allowing Zuko to stand leisurely and make his way slowly to where Aang sat on Appa's head. "What is it Aang?" "I want to get to Kyoshi, and then we need to go to Omashu so I can learn earth-bending. But, I don't recognize any of this." Zuko sighed.

"Well, I doubt you've seen these waters before. The only time you've crossed them is when I brought you over and you were hardly checking out the landscape." Aang smiled, remembering. It was strange how your enemy could become your friend so quickly. Zuko pointed a little northeast of their current direction. "Kyoshi is that way, but I really wish we had a map."

"SOKKA, WE HAVE TO RATION OUR SUPPLIES! NOT GORGE OURSELVES!"

"I'M HUNGRY KATARA! I CAN'T HELP IT!"

Zuko and Aang rolled their eyes. "Another episode of the Boy Who Eats and the Girl Who Won't Let Him."

Aang burst into laughter at Zuko's comment, and Zuko turned around, his temper flaring. Katara opened her mouth to yell at Sokka but Zuko cut her off. "Let him have something to eat Katara, supplies aren't a problem." Katara turned her anger on Zuko, a very bad thing to do.

"Well, Mister Prince Pompous Ass, for your information, we need those supplies. If Sokka eats them all, we'll have to get more. And supplies cost money. Which we don't have."

Flames lit Zuko's clenched fists, but he managed to keep his voice calm. "Neither supplies nor is money a problem Katara. So let the damn boy have something to eat."

"Well, then, where are they supposed to come from? Are you some magician in disguise and you're going to wave your hand and have what we need appear? If that's true, I'd loved to see it."

Zuko's desperate attempts to control his seething temper failed instantly. He threw a fireball at her, and Katara yelped as she rolled out of the way. Opening her canteen, she opened her canteen and smacked Zuko smartly with a water whip. Zuko glared at her, a red mark growing on his arm where he'd blocked her whip. They were all set to kill each other when Appa decided he didn't like all-out fights on his back and swerved sharply. Both of the two fell to the edge of the saddle.

Zuko was the first one back up and it was clear by the look in his eyes that he'd be perfectly content to continue their battle, but Aang's voice drifted over them before Katara could accept his challenge. "Zuko, please come here." Zuko responded without hesitation.

Later that day, Aang and Zuko made the decision to stop at a nearby island for the night. Zuko was sure that it was uninhabited, so they could all sleep peacefully. Katara realized for the first time what it would be like without Zuko's ship constantly chasing them.

Once they had landed and chosen a camp site, Aang and Sokka went off in search of fruit, Zuko got their things off Appa, and Katara began to attempt to start a fire.

After several minutes, the only thing Katara had been able to start was her temper. She threw down the flint she was using and cursed, sitting back on her heels and glaring at the wood as if that would somehow light it.

"You know, you could just ask instead of making a big spectacle." Katara glanced up at Zuko, where he stood smirking at her. She had to think a minute before she realized what was funny, and she smiled, laughing at herself.

"Sorry, Zuko. It's going to take some time for me to get used to having a fire-bender on our side." She waited a moment, and finally glanced inquiringly at Zuko. He hadn't moved. "Well?"

Zuko's smirk transformed into a grin. "I didn't offer my services, and said you could ask." Katara's smiled vanished and she began muttering something about 'pompous princes.'

"Fine. Would you please help me start the fire? Now?" Zuko grinned but moved over near her.

He held his hands over the fire, flames forming at his open palms. In seconds, the flames had engulfed the dry wood and the fire was burning merrily. She rolled her eyes at him, but he was already gone. Placing a few more logs on the fire, she waited for Aang and Sokka to get back. Expecting Zuko to be just behind her somewhere, she quickly found out when Aang and Sokka got back that he wasn't.

"Where's Zuko?" Sokka peered around the campsite but there was no sign of the Fire Nation prince. Katara followed his gaze.

"I don't know he was just here."

"Zuko!"

A rustling sound came from behind them. "Right here Sokka."

"What were you doing?"

"Checking out the area. It's best to know which way to run if you have to." Katara scowled at him.

"You said this island was uninhabited."

"And so it is. Why? Are you questioning my word?"

"Hardly, Sir Prince."

Zuko glared at her, but she turned from his accusing eyes to fix supper for them. Despite Sokka's unending hunger and Aang's feeble attempts to help, cooking was one thing Katara enjoyed.

Supper went smoothly as always, Zuko eating less than half of what Katara rationed out for him, and Sokka had no qualms about finishing it for him. Zuko was also the last one to sleep. Katara had determined to stay awake until Zuko was asleep, but even as her eyelids fell prey to exhaustion, he seemed impervious to the sleep that now consumed them all. Finally, she managed to ignore her instincts long enough to fall asleep.

Once they were all asleep, Zuko crept away from the campsite. His first night truly roughing it hadn't really gone as he planned.

As he trudged through the mud and pushed branches out of his way, he mentally cursed himself. Had he expected them to welcome him with open arms? He was their enemy, always had been, and now this sudden change of heart, it was perfectly normal for her to be suspicious.

He shouldn't still have this immense pride, but when he looked at them, he felt it, knowing he shouldn't be here, that he should be in the Fire Nation, helping his father reduce the world to their rightful place at the Fire Nation's feet.

These were his thoughts, things he had meditated on for nearly three years. In one moment, three words had changed it all and rearranged his life beyond imagination. Ediera is dead. He knew it, and he believed it. Nothing could ever be the way it was. Nothing. He would protect the Avatar and restore peace to the world, for Ediera's sake. And for no other's, not even his own.

I love Zutara angst more than I love Zutara romance. Stay tuned for plenty of both.