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A/N: Here's the long awaited chapter three! I hope you guys enjoy it and thanks to all for the reviews so far (chickendog, Iced Tea, RetaroO, Veglma, The Ultimate Warrior Jak27)! Also remember, if you have any questions I'll answer them either on my profile page or in an e-mail. . . unless more than one person has the same question, then it'll be in the next chapter's A/N.

A/N(2):(April 10th)Well, it seems that there were quite a few things that I missed when I went through spell check the first couple of times. Thanks to Dreams of Eternity for letting my know there were some mistakes. I still can't believe that I had some of them . . . anyway . . . This time, my dear reviews, I'd love it if you tell me around where the mistakes are. I think I'll go insane if I have to look at this document one more time with spell or grammer check because then I have to read it again afterward to make sure it makes sense . . . and then I still miss things.

I hope you guys will help me out a little like Dreams of Eternity. Thanks!

Chapter Three: A Lesson in Life

It seemed that this was indeed far from a dream. In dreams it was not required that a person need food. And this, Katara found just slightly annoying. For that meant that she would have to speak--which was what she was trying to avoid-- to get food from Iroh who she had learned was her uncle.

Or rather, Zuko's uncle.

It turned out that having 'amnesia' was good for something after all--less speaking on her part. Iroh appeared to enjoy reminiscing about his younger days. Katara gathered that there were other things, things that he was hiding, however. Whenever he reached one of those topics, he would always end it as lightly as possible and move on before anything went too far.

It bothered Katara somewhat. Why she did not know. It had only been somewhere between three and four days since she had woken up. The old man had been her only companion through those long, boring days.

And those days were long. She remembered the time she spent willing everything to return to normal; her voice to be calm and cool, her eyes to be blue, and her body, well, to be hers once more. The thought of Zuko going through the same thing in her body made her shiver.

"Ah, are you catching cold?" General Iroh poured a second cup of tea.

With a mumbled no, she allowed her new uncle to continue with his story; something about bad fish and a swarm of scorpion bees.

Back in her own thoughts she continued on her previous train, which then led to her thinking of the two people she missed the most: Sokka and Aang. She could only imagine how things were going if Zuko was truly in her own body. The thought of it almost made her want to laugh.

At least there were still some things that were entertaining, no matter how wrong they seemed.

-----

"It looks that you are getting along well in your recovery." Iroh spoke some hours later.

His nephew only nodded.

The old general had been glad to have the boy listen to him for a change without any short remarks, but he only wished Zuko would at least speak. Silence may have been golden, but it was certainly losing its value as of late. The lack of talking was beginning to wear on even Iroh's nerves.

"Perhaps you would like to join me for dinner then?" He noticed a certain light to his nephew's golden eyes. Iroh had hardly gotten a word out of the boy other than a couple of yes or nos. For some reason Zuko just refused to talk. Half of the time Iroh was sure Zuko was not even listen to the stories he told. I guess there's always a part of you that does not disappear even when the memory is gone.

"All right then." There was a smile on his face as he went to help Zuko from the bed. The prince had yet to regain all of his strength, but much of it had returned. A bit of fresh air would do more wonders in speeding up the process.

Slowly, the two made their way through the dimming corridors of the wooden ship. Even with the orange-yellow torches burning every couple of feet, there was still a coolness to it all that did not seem to disappear.

Making it to the main deck, the warmth of the sun moved across both old and young skin. It felt wonderful to feel the powerful rays of the sun even if they were setting.

Iroh looked to his nephew for a quick second and thought for sure he had witnessed one of Zuko's truly rare, truly pure smiles. For a moment, he looked almost two years younger. The old general sighed deeply bringing the salty ocean air into his lungs. The sea truly was their home now.

-----

Katara heard uncle breath beside her. In the brighter colors of the sun, she was able to see him more clearly than in the dim light of her room. The old fire general looked to be a kind person who defiantly had his quirks. Taking a sidelong glance she noticed his eyes had the same coloring as her own now.

He looks so tired. She could see the dark circles that had formed under his cheerful eyes. He must have not been sleeping well if at all. Katara wondered why, but then felt stupidity rise within her for doing so.

It's because of me. She recalled the first night she had spent--that she could remember--on board the strange Fire Nation ship. After she had passed out from the shock of her discovery, the former Waterbender had found her uncle, as she now saw him, watching the flames of the fireplace. He had remained with her to make sure she would be okay. The only thing was, he thought it was all for Zuko. Though technically it was, it also technically was not.

He must care a lot for Zuko. For some reason Katara did not find it hard to believe, nor the fact that Zuko himself probably cared a great deal for his uncle. From what she had been able to gather so far, they were really all that each other had left in the world. Although others might denounce Katara as a traitor for feeling such, she felt sad knowing such knowledge.

"Thank you." Came the whisper of Zuko's voice. Just those two words alone startled the general out of his sea gaze. All he was able to do was look on with a questioning gaze with a bit of surprise at who he thought to be his nephew.

"For watching over me for so long."

"It was--that is what uncles are for, are they not?" The old bender backed away from the railing of the ship indicating that it was time to eat.

"I guess it is." Katara gave the man a small smile. It may not have been very Zuko-like actions even around his own uncle, but he was not supposed to have any memories of his past. Katara wondered then what had made Zuko turn the way he was if Iroh seemed to be glad with how things were at the moment.

It certainly wasn't anything pleasant. That must be why Iroh won't talk about the last couple of years too much, at least not his family. You'd think that would be one of the first things you'd want to remember.

The fact was, Iroh was not trying too hard to get his nephew to remember anything. Katara let it go though. Zuko's life was really none of her business. When things went back to normal, it would be as if this whole mess never happened; if that ever happened.

"Come, dinner should be ready." Together, they made their way across the deck of the large ship and down into the mess hall.

As soon as the two entered the room, the talking of soldiers stopped immediately. Every head turned toward the main door to see their prince and leader enter. The silence was uncomfortable, as Iroh sensed it, he made a slight nod to all in the few groups and steered the young Firebender toward a table in the back corner.

"They are only surprised to see you joining them." Iroh made sure Zuko was seated then took a seat himself. "Normally you remain in your room for all meals."

"I guess I will just have to change that." Katara spoke softly and smiled. She may not have been in her own body, but it still felt uneasy to be around those you were supposed to have known . . . even if you were not.

Dinner had not lasted too long. There was little talk from Katara the new Zuko, but she had responded whenever she thought it necessary. Other officers had ventured over to the table asking for any new orders. Iroh had shown them away after reporting that the prince was still not feeling well. He must have thought that too much of a change would have ruined the image of respect Zuko had obtained from his soldiers over time.

That night, Katara was ready to sleep. Not that she had spent much time doing anything at all, but doing absolutely nothing could take its toll on a person as well.

Iroh made his way to the chair he had become familiar with over the last four days.

"You don't have to stay here, Uncle."

"Oh?" Iroh looked over to the bed. He had not expected anything to be said just as the other nights.

"You should get some real sleep." Katara placed Zuko's feet on the cold floor. "You'll get sick otherwise."

"Nonsense. I shall be fine. You should only think about resting yourself." Sitting facing the fire, Iroh made as if to drift off. "You will heal in no time, my Prince."

"But--" The calm reply came.

"Rest easy, Prince Zuko." And no more was said. Perhaps the old general was getting some sleep after all.

Katara still did not think so. He was putting on an act for the benefit of his nephew.

When I get better, he'll be able to sleep properly. Katara laid back onto the small bed and closed her eyes. Sleep was swift in claiming her that night.

-----

". . . that would allow us to make a point on many fronts--"There was a general sitting at the long table. He looked furious when someone cut him from speaking.

"You mean, you would just throw away lives as if they were nothing?" A young boy who looked to be no more than fourteen or so spoke up in defense of those who were at stake.

"You know nothing of the trials of war!" The angered general spoke out.

"I know that what you are wanting to do is no better than murder!" The young Zuko realized just what he had done all too late. He had been told by his uncle to not speak out, that there would be things discussed that had no place for him.

"Enough!" A greatly menacing figure stood up overshadowing all . . .

Katara watched as image after image was thrown at her. Where they were coming from, she could not say. There was something that just seemed to pull at her. She wanted to know more of what was going on. She could feel the young boy's--who looked not much older than Aang--thoughts and the fear that he felt when the older man stood up. Immediately, she knew him to be the Fire Lord Ozai she had been told of. Katara did not know how she knew. She just did.

Before she could make out what was happening next, the images began shifting again. The fast movement was beginning to make Katara's stomach turn. Then there was a sudden stop as if everything had been jolted forward.

"Father, please . . . " The young Zuko knelt before the shadowed figure. It was then that Katara realized it was the same dark figure as before. The Fire Lord Ozai.

"You have dishonored me." A great booming voice sounded out through the arena. "And so, you must regain the right to be called my son. Stand and face me."

"Please, Father! I've only ever had the Fire Nation's best interest at heart! I'm sorry I spoke out of turn!'' The boy had refused to fight. Katara could only watch with horrifying realization about on what was to happen. Zuko was to be punished for saving others. "Father, . . . no." The Waterbender watched as the Fire Lord brought forth the flame of his anger onto his son.

The images faded from Katara's mind as she heard a scream of agony.

"If you refuse to fight me, then you are no son of mine." Those were the last words that Katara heard as sleep was taken from her.

-----

Iroh was startled from a light sleep upon hearing an odd sound. He had never heard the like before, or at least not coming from the person he knew so well. Glancing around, he soon found the source he thought of. The rustling of blankets mixed with faint cries came from his nephew's bed. Before waiting another second, the old man went to the prince's side.

"Zuko." He placed a hand on Zuko's arm trying to quiet him. Unfortunately, he did not get the desired reaction. In fact, it was quite the opposite.

The Fire Nation Prince shot his arms up with one out straight defensively. After a few moments of waiting for the expected attack, finding nothing but a room full of dying light, he became calm but still wary.

"Relax, Prince Zuko. It is only your dear old uncle." Iroh spoke calmly, or as much as he could do so. It was as if his nephew was still very defensive even without past remembering; for as soon as Zuko had bolted forward, he had unleashed a stream of fire, however small it was, upon his uncle. Iroh was currently in the process of extinguishing the remaining burning embers of his robes.

"I'm sorry, Uncle." Zuko's voice held much emotion, far more than was needed when apologizing for setting one's uncle aflame. Iroh looked to his nephew expectantly.

"What for, if I may ask?" He spoke gently not wanting to cause the young prince to withdraw from him as he had done so many times before. Perhaps the dream had been more than a normal nightmare.

-----

"For everything." Katara had never felt such despair. She was more than sure that what she saw was only a dream, but to her it had felt so real. Was it possible for memories to stay with a body when the mind was not its own? Katara thought many things when her head returned to the pillow. But there was one that made her think if her judgements were placed correctly; Zuko was human after all.

A/N: How was that for an update? I don't think it was a 'horrible' chapter, but it could have been much better, especially the dream part. Review and let me know what you think. Sorry this one was slightly late (I almost forgot about it.).

Special Note: I haven't seen chapter 12 'The Storm'. I wish I could have, but I always seem to miss it. Let me know if there is anything that I can do to make this chapter better. I'm just happy for a little thing called TV (dot) com!

A/N(2):(April 10th)And remember to let me know of any mistakes, please! Of course, it would be wonderful to have a beta too . . .