This is all I can do for the night. I have more sand bags to look forward to. I hope they don't haunt me...anyway. Any feedback is appreciated. Thank you.

"Are you sure they won't notice us?" Sokka asked as he, Aang, and Momo rode Appa above the clouds.

"No. Actually, I'm positive he knows we're here. But what can we do? He knows we know Katara is there, so he's not afraid of losing us. He's waiting for us to make a move."

They had been following the ship for a few days now. They monitored the decks closely and were certain no one was thrown over board. From time to time they dipped close enough to recognize the people. They saw the solders moving. Katara would wonder above deck from time to time with the two children Aang had seen the Prince talking to. They even watched the Prince practice his bending once.

"We can't buzz the ship until something happens? We are so close!"

"Sokka, I don't know what to do. But Katara doesn't seem to be hurt."

"Yeah, but we can't see below deck."

Aang looked at Sokka. "I know." His eyes were round with fear.

The first day was hard. Katara didn't know what to do. She met the children Bree and Ronan at breakfast, and she fell in love with them immediately. They were full of energy and very smart for their age.

The first time they went on the top deck to take in air the next day, Katara noticed Appa right away.

"OH! Aang, Sokka what are you doing?" she asked no one in particular. Ronan moved to her side. The children knew she was a prisoner and didn't take much pity on her being captive, after all they were Fire Nation. But they did like her.

"Don't worry about your brother and the Avatar. Zuko won't do anything now."

"I know…but they are falling into his trap!"

Ronan turned his large dark eyes to her. "What else did you expect them to do? Abandon you?"

Katara was about to answer when her guard, Kai, came up.

"Bree, the cook needs you. He is setting up for dinner. Ronan, go help haul the chairs."

"Yes sir!" They ran off.

Kai turned to Katara. "I need to go report. There are plenty of people up here, so I'm leaving you alone. Don't do anything stupid." He glanced up at the flying bison. The message was clear. Do anything and your friends get it. He walked away.

Katara turned and looked up at Appa. He was ascending above the clouds again. When she lost sight of them, she turned and walked around the deck. I don't know what to do. Mother, help me. She came upon some stairs that lead to an upper deck she hadn't been on yet. Not paying much attention, she climbed the stairs. As she reached the top, she could smell smoke. Katara heard someone. Ducking behind some crates, she peeked around.

It was the Prince. He was practicing his fire bending. He's good. I wonder who taught him? Aang needs a fire bending teacher. She was going to turn to leave when she heard someone else coming. It was Iroh.

"Zuko, what is going on? The men, they are confused. We seem to be heading no where. And they are wondering about the Avatar. They wonder if you know he is right on top of us."

Zuko stopped moving. He hadn't told his uncle what the children had told him. "I know." He said quietly.

"Something happened. Tell me, Zuko."

Zuko walked to the side of the ship and looked out at the endless water. He took a deep breath. It was always easy to talk to his uncle.

"Bree and Ronan's father died in the battle I was banished for trying to prevent. They are orphans because of me." Zuko could feel the pressure behind his eyes, and he blinked. He never cried.

"Zuko that was not your fault. Your father…"

The prince turned. His face was red with anger. "I was NOT dishonorable! Those men TRUSTED my father! I had to say something!"

"I never said anything different."

"Now I'm stuck out in the ocean, chasing a 12 year old boy who I otherwise could care less about!" Zuko shot some fire out of his hands. From behind her crates, Katara was scared. I shouldn't be seeing this.

"He is my only chance! I have to have the thrown, Uncle! My father has gone out of control. This isn't for me anymore…our nation…" he lost control. A tear escaped. Angry at that he began his exercise again. Iroh stood there and watched.

That's why he was banished? He…has a heart? I have to get out of here! Thinking no one was looking her way, she turned to go down the stairs. But, as fate had it, she bumped into a crate.

Zuko stopped. Iroh turned. Katara held her breath. Iroh walked over and looked behind the crates. He broke into a smile when he saw her.

"Well, look Zuko! Katara has been admiring you from afar!"

Zuko's face turned from red to white. "How long were you there?"

"Not long…" her eyes got wide. This is bad. What will he do to me? There was silence. Iroh cleared his throat.

"I believe the preparation of dinner needs to be supervised. I think I will go do that."

The prince watched the man walk down the stairs, and then turned to look at the ocean again. He can't look at me. Katara didn't know what to do. Just when she thought the prince had forgotten she was even there, he turned to her.

"Well?"

"…Sorry?" She didn't know what he was asking. He still wouldn't look her in the eye.

"What do you think? You heard it. I know you did. The almighty, heartless Prince of the Fire Nation has a soft side."

She didn't know how to answer. She could lie. But she didn't know what'd he do to her. If I die, might as well die with no lies on my conscience.

"I think it's very…humbling. I never knew why you were banished. I always thought it was for doing something…bad. I guess it was bad in the eyes of the Fire Lord, but I don't think it was bad…" I'm rambling. I sound so stupid.

Zuko's look softened. "I suppose most people outside the Fire Nation would say that."

Seeing the prince so vulnerable like this made Katara brave. "Since you are banished, when it comes time for you to take the throne, will you still take it?"

Zuko considered this. "My father would be forced to allow me to. I have no siblings or close cousins. The monarchy would be up for grabs for anyone who has enough power to take it."

"So, the throne is yours no matter what. Why search for the Avatar? Why not just wait it out?"

The prince laughed. "Silly girl, this is not about the throne. I could care less about it. The less I have to worry about. This is about my honor. I did not speak out against my father because I had no respect for him. I spoke out because of my morals. I need to prove him this. But nice try on getting me to stop looking for the Avatar."

Angry about being called silly, Katara turned around and started down the stairs in a huff. Stupid Fire Benders and their honor. If it weren't for that, the world wouldn't be in this mess!

"Katara wait!" She turned to see the prince right behind her. He wasn't laughing. "Look, don't…I am at your mercy with what I told you and what you heard. I am sorry if I offended you. My men…"

She interrupted impatiently. "Don't worry, your precious reputation will be safe."

"Will you have dinner with me?"

She stopped moving. Why is he asking? Why doesn't he just force me too?

"With my uncle, and Bree and Ronan. We dine in my private quarters."

She nodded. He smiled.

He has a very nice smile…