A/N: Hey everybody! Sorry it took my so long to update…. Anyway, thanks for all your reviews! Keep them coming!

Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar or the characters, but if I did, Zuko would be MINE….

Chapter Three: Identity Crisis

Zuko was meditating in room and waiting for Katara to wake up. There was a knock on his door and a soldier entered. "I'm assuming you are either here to tell me the girl has awoken or you've spotted the Avatar." Zuko said calmly.

"Yes Sir, the waterbender is stirring, though not fully awake." The guard replied cautiously. He had seen what happened to people who disturbed Zuko without good reason. It wasn't pretty.

Zuko nodded and stood. "Take me to her." The guard sighed in relief. He would live to see another day….

When they arrived in the room where Katara was being kept, Zuko turned to the guard and said, "Where is my uncle? He was supposed to be watching her!"

"I believe he said something about going to get more tea… He assigned me to watch her instead."

Zuko sighed. "Very well. You are dismissed." The guard bowed and left the room.

Zuko walked over to the bed where Katara was lying. She was muttering something softly, but her eyes were still closed. He stood over her, examining her. What is her name..? Thought Zuko, Katara? Yes. I'm sure its Katara… She looked so weak and helpless. Zuko surprised himself by thinking how much he hated seeing her like this. He had seen the girl fight, alive and crackling with energy. She had much fire in her soul. Fire…. Zuko knelt down beside her and examined her face. "Why can't you be a firebender?" he whispered, a small trace of pain in his voice.

Zuko sighed. This was useless… He stood and started to leave when he heard Katara ask, "Where am I…?"

Zuko turned around and saw the girl try to lift her arm. Where am I? thought Katara. When she tried to move her hand, she was rewarded with a searing pain that shot up her side. She felt a throbbing pain in her head. She grimaced and then noticed Zuko. Katara flicked her gaze to him, studying him. He was tall and young, not much older then she was. He was bald except for a small diamond of hair and a ponytail. Hi skin was fair and his eyes were an amazing golden color. And, of course, Katara noticed the scar on his left eye. It was kind of hard not to. Red armor…Must be Fire Nation… thought Katara.

"Who are you?" Katara asked.

Zuko was slightly surprised by the question. He narrowed his eyes. "Don't play games with me…" he warned.

Katara furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "Playing games? I've never seen you before in my life. Who are you?"

Zuko was getting agitated now. "I'm growing tired of this, girl. You test my," non-existent, "patience."

Katara just stared blankly at him. Zuko balled his hands into fists and fire started swirling around them. What is she up to…? He thought. Katara glanced down at his hands. "Hm. I was right; you are a firebender." She said calmly.

There was something about the way she said that… The total indifference in her voice that made Zuko begin to think that something might be amiss…. All the previous times they had encountered each other, Katara was either furious with him or deathly scared of him. She was never this calm.

He walked around the bed, eyeing her suspiciously. "Of course I'm a fire bender. I'm Prince Zuko, heir to the throne of the Fire Nation." He said carefully. He decided not to mention the part about being banished. Katara's eyebrows went up slightly. "Royalty, eh? Well, uh, nice to meet you Prince Zuko."

Zuko gave her an incredulous look. "What? Sorry, ok? I'm not good with royalty…"

What is going on? Zuko asked himself, This is definitely the right girl. He'd never forget those eyes… The hatred they directed toward him that night…

Katara was putting on an air of indifference, but she was actually nervous. She didn't know where she was, who she was with or how she got so injured. She couldn't remember anything. All she knew was her head hurt like hell and some guy named Zuko was rambling on about something she knew nothing about. She was getting impatient.

"Would you please tell me why I'm here, where exactly 'here' is and what the heck is going on?" she asked. Zuko remained silent for a moment then said slowly, "If you are putting on an act, you will regret this." Even as he said it though, Zuko knew that she had nothing to gain from pretending not to know him. The Avatar would come for her whether she remembered anything or not.

Katara groaned in frustration. "For the hundredth time, I DON'T KNOW YOU. I don't know what is going on, why I'm here or where I am!" She tried to sit up, but all she accomplished was putting herself in more pain. She gave up the idea, but decided to grit her teeth and bear it, as she moved a hand to rub her sore head. "And why does my head hurt so badly?" she muttered.

Zuko was grim-faced and silent as he watched her. He was beginning to understand…

Realizing she wasn't getting any answers, Katara looked around the room. "Well, I guess I'm on a ship..." she muttered.

"Where is the Avatar?" Zuko suddenly asked.

Confusion clouded over Katara's face. "The Avatar…? The Avatar disappeared a hundred years ago. How would I know?" Was this guy insane?

"Just tell me where he is."

Katara gave him an incredulous look. "Look, I have no idea why you think I would know where he is, but I don't. Believe me, if I knew, I'd be more than happy to tell you." This guy IS insane… thought Katara.

"What is your name?" Zuko asked.

"WHAT! You have me on this ship, yours I presume, seem to think I know where the Avatar is and you don't even know my name?" Katara demanded.

"Of course I know your name," snapped Zuko irritably, "I wanted to see if you know it."

"Of course I know my own name! What kind of fool doesn't know their own name? My name is…" Katara stopped. "My name's…" she repeated quietly. Katara's heart started pounding and her blood ran cold. Oh my god… What IS my name? I don't know my own name… though Katara.

Zuko nodded grimly. His heart was pounding too. The girl really didn't remember anything. That meant she couldn't tell him anything about the Avatar... Zuko thought bitterly. But, it didn't matter. The Avatar would come for her.

"Just as I thought. That blow to the head must have affected your memory."

"My memory…" Katara whispered. There was no other explanation. "I don't remember anything…" A tear rolled down her face. "So…what is my name?"

Zuko was sure it was Katara. "Katara." He replied.

"Katara…" she repeated, as if trying it out. She thought for a minute. There were so many questions… Could she trust Prince Zuko? But, then again, did she have a choice? She thought of what question she wanted to ask next.

Although Zuko's face didn't betray it, he was very nervous. He was afraid of what she would ask him.

"So, what nation am I from?" she finally decided on.

An easy question to answer. Zuko knew the answer. It was on the tip of his tongue, yet he found himself hesitating to answer. This girl didn't know anything about who she was. He should obviously tell her the truth. Why wouldn't he? Tell her the truth… Zuko took a deep breath. Why was he behaving this way? Tell her…

"The Fire Nation." He replied.

A/N: Hello again! Hope you liked chapter three! I'll try to get chapter four up soon. Anyway, this is a Zuko-Katara centered story. Aang and Sokka are going to come in later chapters when they all meet up again, but I was wondering if you guys wanted to know what was going on with Aang and Sokka throughout the story? I wasn't planning on doing that, but if you guys want me to, I will. Please review and tell me! Thanks!