Okay, this is a chapter I don't feel to strongly about, I just kind of threw it together and I really think I should have taken more time on it, but time right now is something I can't really spare, so sorry if this sucks. Things have just been psychowith skool and more skool and trying to work. Plus I'm exhausted because I have been waking up a 4 in the morning despite my best efforts to get more sleep. Geez, I'm so out of shape. I hiked the grotto today and my legs were about to give out on me. Anyways, let's hear it for my dad and brother. Both of them bagged a deer this week in the archery hunt. I'm so jealous. Usually I practically spend my summers in the woods camping, but I haven't gone ONCE this year! No fair. Anyways.

Katara183: I'm glad you put me on your favorites list, it makes me feel so good inside. I liked the name you gave me. I don't think I'll use it on the uncle because I figure it's too late now, but keep your eyes open, I may use it on another character somewheres else.

Lovergal1227: Yeah, your genderis kinda obvious;-)

ZukoPunk: Ferrets rock!

Khazia: Yeah, I know you're a girl. Thanx for your ideas, they really helped. I'll drop you another email tomorrow.

starchild9876: Thanx

O-dragon: Yup, no problem. Wow, that's a weird coincidence. And thanx for your concern. I don't think I'm not pretty, I just don't think I'm gorgeous is what I was trying to say. I'm not someone that really stands out unless my hair is especially spiky.

Athenera: I would lurv to read your story when you post it. Let me know when and I'll give you gushing reviews. How about that. And you should use your idea. I don't think I would have been able to do it justice.

Plutobaby494: Yeah, everything does seem to be happening to my character. Let me know if it seems to be going over the top.

Okay, now here's a haphazordously thrown chapter. I'm sorry it's short and not that great, I just feel like a Syphillatic Rabbit right now.

Katie had never been happier in her life then when she saw the hull of Zuko's ship rising above the shops of the small port town. Iroh met them at the plank; he clasped hands with Zuko and gave Katie a fatherly hug. They bid farewell to Zuko's other uncle and boarded the ship. Iroh led Katie to the infirmary as she told him all about what had happened since she had followed Zhao into the forest six days earlier. The ship's doctor carefully unwrapped Katie's arm which had gone completely numb the day before. The blood began rushing to her hand once the bandages were removed and her fingers tingled painfully.

"Well, I think it's doing rather well. We won't have to put the splint back on, but we still need to keep it wrapped." The doctor said. He carefully cleaned the dried blood from around the stitches.

"How long do I have to keep the stitches in for?" Katie asked staring in disgust at the thick black thread.

"Hm, I would say about another week or two. How deeply did the blade go into your arm?" Katie twisted her arm so he could see the stitches on the other side. "Good Agni! How far was the boy when he threw the blade?" He cried inspecting the wound closely.

"About nine feet. It was a good thing his eyes were watering or else I think he would have gotten me in the back." Katie said with a scowl.

"Well, in this case it may be three weeks until the stitches can be removed. It's amazing that the knife didn't hit the bone or any major arteries is all I can say." The doctor said and began re-wrapping her bicep. "Can you move your fingers for me?" Katie did, but it was a very feeble wiggle and it shot a white-hot pain up her damaged muscles. "I will let you borrow these stress balls." The doctor said taking out a small box with two balls set inside resembling ping-pong balls. Katie pulled one out and inspected it. Her brother had a set of these; they were very heavy and had a sort of bell set inside them. "Roll them around in your hand everyday to help build the strength back. I know it will be painful at first, but it's better to keep those muscles working as they heal so you don't have a harder time about it later." Katie nodded and Zuko entered the room with his uncle.

"So, how is it?" Zuko asked walking up to her and gently touching her bandages. He still hadn't seen the actual cut.

"The mother and child are fine." The doctor said giving Katie a wink.

"WHAT!" Katie laughed at the shocked expression on his face and kissed his cheek.

"My arm is fine. I just gotta live with these stitches for a few more weeks." She looked over at Iroh who was watching her curiously. Zuko gently squeezed her hand and Iroh's suspicions were confirmed. Something had happened between them. The doctor fashioned a sling for her and helped her ease her arm into it.

"Miss Lin, you look very distressed. Perhaps you could join me over a cup of tea. It always is good for calming nerves." Iroh said when the doctor had finished.

"Yeah, sure." Katie said standing up from the bed. The sling was so much more comfortable than the splint.

"I need to speak with the helmsman about our course. I'll join you later." Zuko said and took a separate hallway. Katie followed Iroh into his bedroom and sat on a cushion next to a Pi Sho board that was often used as a table. Iroh picked up a teapot and heated the contents by blowing into the spout.

"So tell me about you and my nephew." Iroh said conversationally as he poured tea into two cups.

"Um, we just grew a little closer to each other in the last week." Katie said giving a shrug. She took one of the cups of tea from Iroh and blew away some steam before taking a sip. She wasn't the biggest fan of tea and this wasn't much different from other herbal blends she had tried, but she drank it anyways to be polite.

"Miss Lin. I think I should tell you something I've noticed since you arrived here. You see you-"

"I look like Zuko's mother. Yeah, I know."

"How did you know?"

"Shinja had a portrait of her in the library. What was Zerita like?" Iroh stroked his beard and took a sip of tea.

"Hmm, as you know she looked very much as you do. Her eyes and hair were darker and her skin was pale. She was also much smaller than you, in fact she was a very petite woman. She loved to sing and had a good eye for the arts. She was very soft spoken and my brother loved her very much. In fact she brought something out in him that I've never seen before or since."

"How old was she when she died?"

"She was nineteen." Katie sighed and stared into her teacup. She reached into her coat pocket and pulled out the blue book.

"Can you tell me what this says? Zuko has started teaching me to read, but I'm not good enough yet to figure out what it is." Iroh took the book and flipped it open carefully.

"Where did you get this?" he asked flipping through the pages.

"Shinja gave it to me. She said it belonged to Zerita."

"Yes, it did belong to her. This was her diary." Katie felt the blood freeze in her veins. "I told you she had an eye for the arts. These drawings and paintings were hers. She has written many poems and short stories in here." He read over a page and chuckled. "I had almost forgotten that she once called Ozai 'Funny face'." He grinned and handed the book back to her.

"Should I let Zuko know about this? Not my resemblance because he already knows about that, but should I give him this book?"

"I don't see why not. It is not a bad thing to remember those that have passed on. I believe it would be good for him to learn more about the mother he never knew."

"Thanks Iroh."

"Of course. And if you ever want to talk again go right on ahead. I'm always somewhere on this god-forsaken ship."

Zuko was really quiet that night when Katie told him what the little blue book was. He sat at his meditation table the entire night with a single candle flickering beside him so he could read. Iroh had purchased all the clothes Katie had found at the shop all those days ago. She put away all of their things before sinking happily onto the familiar mattress. She watched the lines of Zuko's face as he sat, his eyes moving slowly over each page. Slowly, she drifted off to sleep.
TWO AND A HALF WEEKS LATER

Katie and Zuko sat reading together at the helm of the ship. Iroh had let them borrow every book and scroll in his collection in the effort to learn how to read. Slowly but surely, Katie was beginning to understand the symbols on the page. Katie stretched and bent her arm happily. The ship's doctor had decided that her arm had healed enough and had taken out the stitches. Finally she could bathe! At the first place they docked after getting rid of the stitches, Katie had jumped headlong into the salty ocean. She yelled for Zuko to join her but to no avail. She finally had to walk out, grab him and drag him into the water. All of this had happened earlier that morning, now they sat warm and dry waiting for the crew to finish preparing the ship to shove off.

"Prince Zuko!" One of the soldiers ran up and saluted Zuko.

"Yes?"

"Sir. We have spotted the avatar." Zuko stood up immediately.

"How long ago?"

"Perhaps ten minutes ago my lord."

"Where was he? Was he already traveling or does he appear to be staying for a while."

"I believe they are staying. I saw them setting up camp just outside the city limits."

"Gather the soldiers. LIUTENANT JI! Prepare a scouting party, the avatar has been spotted." Soldiers began scuttling around to do their prince's bidding. Iroh walked aboard the ship and glanced around in mild interest.

"My my. What is happening here?"

"Uncle, the avatar has been spotted less than a mile away. Stay here with Katie until I get back." Zuko called to his uncle as he disappeared below deck barking out more orders.

"Hm, well my dear. How about a game of Pi Sho to pass the time?" Iroh said rubbing his hands together.

"Um, I don't think I'm feeling too well. Maybe I'll just go lie down." Katie said standing up. She headed down to her and Zuko's room, biting her bottom lip anxiously.

I should write more for this chapter, but my brain is beginning to grow numb from lack of sleep, so hate me if you want I'm just too much of a zombie right now to care. ZZZZzzzzzzz