Disclaimer: Do I really have to continue with this? ...Ah, crud. I just did.

I can never thank the reviewers enough. Anyone who takes time out from something else, if only a second, to comment on my fic is worthy of recognition.

Why the Caged Bird Sings

04

Of Sacred Herbs and Hummingbirds

Katara stirred a little in her comfortable wrapping as the first layers of awareness fell on her. Fighting back a yawn, the Waterbender brushed her hair to the side and rolled over onto her stomach to stretch. Once that was accomplished she slid her front half out of her bed and blinked, rubbing at an eye.

Her ears were immediately assaulted with the sounds of verbal squabbling. Groaning, Katara wondered if Sokka was squawking over something. Like breakfast. That's usually what it was about this early in the morning...day...whatever.

However she noticed there was another voice with Sokka's. She also noted that there was yet another... probably Aang.

When realization of what was occurring finally hit her she shot up, squinting into the sun before leveling her glare at the three boys before her.

"What's going on?!"

Sokka whirled around, his eyebrow twitching uncontrollably. "HE-" Sokka began, pointing accusingly at Zuko, "-has something to say about everything!"

"It's not my fault you're incompetent!" Zuko shot back just as vehemently.

"Make it stop!" Aang wailed, hands over his ears. He'd been listening to Sokka and Zuko's verbal assault since he'd woken up.

"All three of you, SHUSH!" Katara demanded, stomping her foot against the ground. For a brief second there was complete and utter silence, only broken by a lonely bird.

However, it was short lived. "I am not obligated to listen to you," Zuko declared angrily.

At the same time Sokka threw in a child-ish "I don't have to listen to you!"

After their harmonized outburst Zuko and Sokka then glared daggers, fireballs, and all other forms of painful things at each other.

Katara groaned. She'd nearly forgotten they had Zuko with them. Now Sokka had an excuse to complain and argue even more than usual.

Aang lowered his hands, grinning lopsidedly at the Waterbender. "Have a nice sleep?" he asked over Sokka and Zuko's growls.

"I did until I woke up," Katara muttered with a slight grin. Aang giggled to himself.

"Good one, Katara," he replied.

The girl knelt down and began folding her bed up again, preparing to clean up around their campsite. Appa groaned sleepily from a few yards away while Momo chirped and leapt off its head.

Seeing as Sokka was currently not doing anything, Katara straightened up and pat her bedding with a free hand. "Why don't you go scout around for us?" she asked her brother, trying to sound innocent enough.

"Yeah! And see if you can get some Leechy Nuts!" Aang chimed in.

Sokka finally took his scowl off Zuko and folded his arms huffily. "Why do I have to do it?" he whined.

"To give you something to do," Katara replied. Sokka blanched. "Or all you're going to do is just stay here and aggravate Zuko. Besides, we need to know if there's any danger around here."

Sokka couldn't really argue with his sister's logic. He turned around and stomped off into the forest, mumbling a few words and phrases under his breath. He could feel Zuko's triumphant smirk plastered on his back, which only caused him to stomp louder.

Aang watched Sokka disappear into the trees with a blink. The boy then turned his attention back to Katara before he began to help her get things cleaned up for a new day. "He's grumpy, huh?"

"Yeah, he hasn't had breakfast yet," Katara replied. "But we can't blame him completely." She took this opportunity to shoot an accusing look at Zuko. The prince replied by leaning his head back with a haughty smirk.

"Besides," Katara continued, "this is a great opportunity for you to tell me what happened yesterday without Sokka breathing down your neck."

Aang swallowed uncomfortably, folding his arms and kicking at their burnt-out fire. "...I don't know what you mean!" he finally exclaimed with an apparently clueless grin.

Katara stood, one hand on her hip as she raised her eyebrow at the Airbender. "Come on, Aang. You know, when you said you couldn't get any food?"

Aang coughed, rubbing at the back of his head. "Uh, well..." he glanced to Zuko, who seemed to have tuned them out. "Well, there was this old woman..."

"Mh-hmm," Katara replied, listening.

"Well, she had this store. And I went in to buy some food, right?"

"Mh-hmm."

"Well she had this really expensive vase, and... I kinda knocked it over..."

"Aang!"

"I don't remember knocking it over, but I saw it fall! It was an accident!"

"That's horrible..."

"And, well, the lady was really mad. And she said I had to pay her back. But I knew I couldn't stay then 'cause you guys were expecting me back, so... I said I'd come back today..."

"How much to replace it...?"

"A day's labor," Aang replied with an embarrassed shrug. "Can't be that bad, right? It's just a store!" he added light-heartedly.

Katara rubbed thoughtfully at her chin. "Well, Aang... if you feel obligated..."

"I do feel bad," the Airbender replied, looking to the ground.

"Maybe she'll let you buy some food after you work," Katara said with a small smile. Aang brightened.

"Then Sokka wouldn't be TOO mad with me!"

"Especially since Sokka's going to be helping you."

Aang blanched, nearly falling backwards. "Huh?"

Katara folded her arms, a worried look crossing her face. "Aang, we can't just have you wandering by yourself for an entire day!" She spared another glance at Zuko, who still had his eyes closed. "What if the Fire Nation is around?" she continued in a softer tone of voice. "What if they see you? You can't be by yourself."

"But Sokka won't want to work with me," Aang replied sadly. "Besides, what about you?"

Katara chewed on her lip, trying to form some kind of a plan. "Sokka can be convinced. He'll be working around food, after all. And I..." she sighed inwardly and outwardly in unison. "I guess I'll need to stay here to watch you-know-who..."

"I have a name," Zuko responded pride fully as he peeled open an eye. Katara 'hmph'ed while poking out her bottom lip.

"Eavesdropper..." she muttered. Aang, however, was still concerned over their plans. Knowing that Zuko was listening in anyway, the boy raised his voice back to its normal level.

"But Katara, Sokka wouldn't leave you alone with Zuko. We can't do that..."

"How much trouble can it be?" Katara replied cheerily, not liking the depressed and worried look on Aang's otherwise joyful face. "He's chained to a tree, after all."

Zuko growled from behind her. She shuddered internally, shifting her weight away. Yeah, not much trouble...

"Besides, if anything goes wrong, I'll have Appa," the girl added confidently, leaning over to give the large bison an affection pat on its furry side.

Aang bit his lip, looking up at Katara. "I dunno..."

"I dunno what?" Sokka spoke up, making his way through some nearby bushes. He brushed some leaves off his sleeves ad kicked some dirt off his shoes, making his way to the circle. He also tried his best not to acknowledge Zuko's presence.

"Sokka!" Katara exclaimed in mild surprise. She searched his face to see if he had been eavesdropping. The older boy only blinked and the girl determined he hadn't. He was clueless.

"Sokka, would you be willing to help me out?" Aang asked carefully, plastering a big grin on his features.

Sokka eyed the Airbender, immediately becoming suspicious. "Uh, it depends..."

Katara opened her mouth to explain things to Sokka, hoping to persuade him with her sisterly charm, when she was abruptly interrupted.

"The Avatar owes a storekeeper a day's work. You're to accompany him in doing so."

All eyes trained on Zuko who was sitting calmly, not even looking at the trio. He was busy gazing off into the brush.

"I don't need some pompous Firebender telling me what to do!" Sokka shot, waving his arms in franticly. "Especially not you! Why I-"

"So, will you?" Aang asked hurriedly, not wanting to give Sokka enough time to get really worked up. The boy paused, slowly swiveling his head to eye Aang.

"Why should I?" he finally asked, folding his arms stubbornly.

Katara slapped her forehead. Sokka (and Zuko's) tantrums were starting to rub her in all the wrong ways. She wasn't sure if she could take much more of this. "Sokka, be reasonable! If you help Aang your work will be done in half the time! Besides, the woman might be so grateful she'll give us food for free, if you do a good job."

Sokka's ears immediately perked. "Free food?"

"It's a possibility," Aang chimed in, seeing where Katara was headed. "She had some good stuff in there too..." The Airbender rubbed his stomach in exaggeration. "Warm bread... moist deserts..."

Sokka fought down his drool. "You know, I feel I'm being conned into this."

Katara reached out and grabbed her brother's hands, placing her most innocent, needy sister glare on him. "Sokka, that would really help us out. You need to be with Aang so nothing happens to him. You have to protect him."

Sokka blinked, looking down at his sister's hands before raising an eyebrow, looking back up at her. "Wait a minute, that means you would have to be alone with him," the boy declared, pointing another finger at the Fire Nation prince. He did a lot of pointing lately. It was rather addictive.

Zuko continued to gaze out into the woods, trying to look uninterested. Silently he prayed the stupid fool of a Water Tribe 'warrior' would listen to his sister and the Avatar's reasoning. It was all a part of his slowly unfolding plan to get his carcass out of this mess.

Of course, that was not for them to know.

"Sokka, I have Appa," Katara reasoned. The bison breathed a hefty sigh, halfway rolling onto its side. Momo chirped and quickly sprinted up onto Katara's shoulder, blinking its large green eyes. "And Momo, too."

Sokka narrowed his eyes before tightening the grip on his sister's hold. After a few seconds of quiet thought he finally responded, his voice low and soft--and concerned. "Fine, but I don't go willingly." The boy's face was the picture of seriousness as he continued. "We'll be back soon. And if that creep makes one move that doesn't look right, or even blinks wrong, you jump on Appa and get out of here, alright? Don't turn your back on him for a minute. And just because I didn't see anything suspicious when I scouted around doesn't mean there's nothing to worry about."

Katara smiled softly, genuinely touched by her brother's concern. For a big doof, he makes up for it sometimes... "I know, Sokka." She gave her brother's hand a squeeze. "Make sure Aang doesn't get into any trouble."

Sokka searched Katara's eyes for a minute before straightening up, loosing her hands. "Fine! I'll go help Aang."

Aang cheered, giving Sokka's arm a quick hug. Sokka pulled a face, shaking his limb warily. "Now don't get too happy..."

Meanwhile Zuko smirked to himself, breathing a silent thanks to the gods.

It hadn't been long since the Avatar and his flunky had left. Zuko shifted his weight, trailing his gaze over to the girl. She was picking about the campsite, and he could read nervousness in her movements. Obviously she wasn't so keen on watching over him as she had sounded earlier.

Good. She's not completely stupid.

Zuko shifted his weight again, his right foot having gone dead. He felt her gaze flicker over to him and her movements halt for a brief second. He turned his head away to cover up his amusement.

Then he heard her suddenly approach him, and as he rotated his head back he came face to face with her legs. She squatted down beside him, trying to keep her gaze steady on his.

"If you're not going to eat this, I'm going to throw it away," she said stoically. Prince Zuko frowned before glancing down at the plate of food to his side. Of course, it was still there.

Zuko's stomach growled hungrily and he cleared his throat, glancing away. This was embarrassing, demeaning. It was obscene.

"I might want it," he finally ground out. God, that was almost painless.

There was complete silence for a moment. Katara furrowed her eyebrows.

Well, at least he has a stomach just like the rest of us... she thought. This must be embarrassing for him. He is a prince, after all. The Waterbender took her time to float over that thought. This time I have the upper hand!

It was then Katara reached a dilemma. She glanced down at the plate, which somehow had been spared from ravenous ants or other forest creatures. How am I supposed to feed him...?

Katara then groaned, not liking where this was heading. She knew there was no way she could unchain his hands. That was suicidal!

There's no way I can...

"What is it?" Zuko asked in mild annoyance, trying his best to keep his temper in check. She had suddenly stalled, staring at the plate, as if under a spell. I don't need her freaking on me now.

Katara coughed, lifting up the plate and balancing it on a knee. "N-nothing. So, you're hungry?"

The Firebender eyed her wary movements before suddenly seeing the dilemma as well. He also groaned inwardly, though his was coupled with a defeated growl.

Under normal circumstances I would never allow this to happen... Zuko thought. However, there was simply no way around it. He couldn't wrench himself free and he couldn't eat for himself. He needed his strength.

"I will not enjoy it," Zuko muttered, "but I have no choice."

"Same here," Katara muttered as well, though in mildly more frustration. What's so bad about me feeding him, anyway? I'm not diseased!

Zuko couldn't stop a glare himself. What's so bad about feeding a prince? She should be honored!

Katara set her jaw and gingerly picked up the piece of bread between her two fingers. No sweat, just like feeding a kid... She glanced up and felt her gaze locked with Zuko's fierce golden stare. Or not...

"What's the problem?" Zuko demanded, feeling the Waterbender's nervousness rubbing off on him. Katara scowled, her uncomfortable-ness shifting and morphing into restrained frustration and anger.

"Nothing, your highness," she replied, shoving the bread at his face. Zuko only growled, his gaze still locked on Katara's bright blue eyes. He finally leaned forward and bit the bread from her grip, and a split second later Katara jerked her hand back to make sure she had all her fingers. The Firebender fought the urge to roll his eyes as he watched her rub her hand as he meanwhile chewed on the hardened bread.

Tastes like crap... the prince thought. Then again, can't expect much from these peasants.

Katara saw Zuko's slightly disgusted face and huffed, grabbing up another piece of bread. "It tastes bad because it's been sitting out all night because you wouldn't eat it yesterday."

Zuko was about to fire back an angry yet witty reply before pain flared in his head. He stopped his jaw movements for a moment to let it pass. His head still hurt like hell, and if possible, it hurt even worse a day later. Deciding it wasn't worth the agony, the Firebender declined to comment.

Katara held out the bread again, this time less angrily. She had seen the prince flinch and knew his head had to be hurting, if the large, bluish-purplish green knot didn't tell her anything. And as much as it made her feel good, she knew Zuko must be feeling very belittled by the situation. That was worth at least a little of her sympathy.

The said Firebender noticed a slight shift in Katara's demeanor but brushed it aside. He leaned forward and took the bread in his mouth again, chewing slowly and shallowly.

They continued like that for a few times, getting rid of the bread and some of the vegetables. Katara moved on to the meat, fish, holding it out to Zuko in a similar fashion. She wasn't quite as mortified anymore.

He leaned forward and gently bit at the meat. Katara felt his lips brushed over her finger and she felt a small shudder travel down her spine. A vague blush graced her cheeks and she looked to the side with a vague cough, wondering what was wrong with her.

Zuko chewed thoughtfully on the meat, carefully watching the Waterbender's expressions. He had to figure out how she operated before he could begin to work with his plan. And despite the situation, the fact that such a simple maneuver such as a simple lip brush could cause her to get so uncomfortable, well... it was enough to make him gloat inwardly.

However the incident had been accidental. As he finished the meat it didn't happen again, much to Katara's relief.

Then she faced the biggest dilemma of all--pudding. She glared down at the bit on the plate, wondering if she could just dump it off onto the ground and pretend it never existed.

How am I going to do this? she thought wearily.

"Um...you don't really want this, do you?" she asked instead, pointing at it.

Zuko glanced down at the desert. Pudding? He frowned, wondering what the big deal was before the reality hit him. Oh.

"You'd deny me my dessert?" Zuko demanded in restraint. Honestly he really didn't care for pudding, but he wanted to see how the girl would react.

Katara lowered her brows, setting her chin firmly. Why the little... he's making this difficult on purpose!

"Fine. Let me go find a stick or something..."

"A stick?" Zuko repeated, slightly aghast. "I refuse to eat off a stick like a common monkey!"

Katara tried to hide a triumphant grin. Hah. He just said "monkey"...

Instead she simply scowled. "I'll look for a spoon." She got up and began to make her way over to their belongings.

"Never mind," Zuko suddenly spoke up. "I don't like it anyway."

Katara turned on her heel, arms rigid, her eyebrow twitching slightly. "What?"

"I don't like it."

Katara ground her teeth before eventually calming. "Fine!" She marched over and picked up the plate, making her way over a few yards to dump the pudding. "Less trouble for me."

Zuko watched the Waterbender for a moment. He was always under the impression that she was relatively mellow, with hardly a trace of temper to be found, and undeniably forgiving. However the prince was beginning to change that opinion, as he now observed she had quite a temper herself. And it also seemed she was the one that took care of the Avatar and the other boy.

In a way, Zuko had a respect for tempers. He knew he had one himself, he had observed it numerous times and Iroh had commented on it as well. And it was also due to a temper that he had the scar on his head in the first place.

Zuko winced, straining at his wrist. The memory was fresh, emblazoned into the fabric of his mind. It was a black, fizzling spot on the tapestry of his life. It was unforgettable. And despite it all, that incident is what drove him onwards.

Katara glanced over, rubbing at her arm idly. Zuko seemed to be lost in thought, his eyes clouded in memory. She wondered what he was thinking about but decided she didn't care. At least, that's what she told herself.

Probably thinking about Aang, she thought bitterly. She exhaled slowly, brushing at her blue robe. She wondered what he and Sokka were doing...Hopefully nothing questionable.

Another flinch from the captured Firebender drew Katara from her thoughts. It was obvious his head was still hurting him, probably acutely. Sokka had really nailed him.

Pity reached for her heart again. Reluctantly Katara decided that if she was going to watch over Zuko, it would probably be easier on her if he were in a relatively good mood--whatever the phrase "good mood" constituted for him.

Zuko went rigid in alert as the girl suddenly began to walk away, off beyond the trees towards the beach. "Where are you going?" he called out in annoyance, ignoring the annoyed pain center on his head. She didn't respond, only disappearing from sight.

The Firebender grunted, slumping against the tree again with his gaze trained outwards. He felt utterly rotten. And for a moment, he admitted he missed Iroh.

Uncle would have something to say about this... Zuko thought despairingly. Undoubtedly his uncle would find his situation vaguely humorous, in his own way. The prince wondered where the old general was, and if he was still looking for him.

Of course he is, Zuko responded to his own thoughts. He's followed me everywhere, even when he didn't have to.

And despite how I act towards him... I appreciate that.

Zuko was snatched away from his thoughts as the Waterbender approached him again. He cursed at himself for not being aware she had come back.

Katara gingerly sat beside Zuko, placing a small basin in her lap. It was filled with water and she stirred it slightly with a finger.

"I thought I should tend to that," she explained at Zuko's questioning glare. She nodded toward his head. "It's cold, however..."

I'm too nice for my own good, she added mentally.

Zuko said nothing before lowering his eyebrow. "...Hold it out in front of me."

Katara blinked, wondering what he was up to. She eyed the Firebender suspiciously, but grasped the small basin and held it out.

"Closer," Zuko instructed. "below my mouth." Katara followed his lead but kept her muscles tense for any action that might occur.

Then, softly, Zuko breathed in air before blowing it lightly out between his lips. His breath stirred the water and passed over it. He reached farther inwards, coming into contact with the bundle of hot, kindling flame inside his chest, beckoning it forward. It obeyed and came in an almost searing hot breath.

Katara watched, somewhat fascinated. Firebenders really could call their element from nowhere. She felt the air heat up slightly around her and the warm heat pass over her hands as she continued to hold the bowl.

It's inside them, she realized.

Zuko pulled back, his head pounding with even the miniscule effort. Katara rested the bowl in her lap, amazed at the aura of heat emanating from it. At least it's warm.

Without a word she took a small cloth and dipped it in the water. From her robe she pulled out a few small plants and crushed them in her fingers before dropping them in the water. Zuko watched her actions from the corner of his eyes, his face complacent.

After stirring the water more, Katara raised the cloth to her nose and breathed in. These herbs would at least help with the pain, if not the healing. Not to mention they smelled minty.

Glancing over to Zuko, she slowly dabbed at his bruised head with the cloth. He set his jaw, pained at the slight touch, but swallowing it. Katara began to gently massage the afflicted area, dipping her cloth in more as needed. It wasn't as bad as she thought it would be, and Zuko made no word. Neither did she.

That was until Zuko uttered a low, but clear, "thank you."

Katara blinked, taken aback by the two words. She cleared her throat, feeling a heat rise to her cheeks.

"No problem."

She continued to rub at the bruise, lightly kneading with her fingertips. Zuko sighed inwardly. It didn't hurt as much with her touch as it had at first.

"My name is Katara."

Zuko slid his gaze over to lock with the Waterbender's. "What?"

"My name. It's Katara. I didn't know if you knew."

Zuko studied her for a moment before looking away. However, even as he did, he wrote that name down in his mind.

Katara bit her lower lip but continued her administrations.

What neither of them knew, however, is that they were being watched.

Wah! What's with me and long chapters? Well, I don't have time to answer all of you wonderful reviewers... but I'll send out a thanks to Hotspur, who IMed me and talked about nerdy Avatar andZuko things. And also a shout-out to spontaneousxhumanxcombustion. You insightful little reviewer, you! You should be happy with this chapter.