Yea! The county is bringing us more sand bags! Sorry, again, about taking so long. I'm trying to keep up. There have been some comments about the kids Bree and Ronan. Their only purpose is so Zuko could meet someone who was directly affected by that one battle he tried to stop. I thought that it would really hit home with him. And they are based on my younger brother and sister...who are twins. And annoying. Anyway...on with the show!

"Appa is getting tired. We are going to need to land soon." A couple more days had passed. Aang and Sokka were getting irritated and impatient. "How much lead would Prince Zuko have on us if we rested?"

Sokka did the math in his head. This was something he enjoyed and was pretty good at. Tracking.

"If we rested for a day, it would take us at least two more to catch up to him. Unless…"

"What?"

"Well, we know that he knows we're right here. He is stringing us along. There is a trap waiting. He's not going to want to lose sight of us. If we landed, he could either dock and wait or slow down. My bet is slow down, because he won't want to give us a chance to seek on board and take Katara."

Aang digested this information. He was losing patience and common sense. After all, he was only a boy, and he hated waiting. Katara…I'm sorry. I'm coming as fast as I can. There has to be an opening! The prince isn't perfect. He has to mess up sometime…

"Aang, look at this." Sokka was looking over the side of Appa at the ship. There was a crowd of people on deck. "What is going on?"

Aang looked down. After studying the deck for a few minutes he let out a loud laugh.

"What?"

"They are setting up for something….it looks like a party! I guess even the almighty Prince Zuko needs some down time."

Sokka wrinkled his nose. "A party? Are you sure?"

Aang nodded. "I bet tonight. When the sun sets, let's fly closer. I want to see what it's about."

Sokka turned to look back at the ship. I think Aang has lost touch with reality…

But Aang was right. It was a party…of a sort. It was Uncle Iroh's music night. How Zuko hated those nights. Sure, he could sing, dance, and play a few instruments. All royalty were taught the basics. He was famous for being graceful on the dance floor at such a young age. But he didn't enjoy it. He never admitted it to anyone but it made him self-conscious of himself. Zuko didn't like to have the spot light.

"Oh, this will be so grand, won't it Katara?"

A few feet from where Zuko was watching some guards struggle with some lights stood Katara, Bree, and Ronan. Those kids really like her.

"I suppose." Katara replied.

"But we can dress pretty! Uncle Iroh gave us some dresses and ribbons to choose from." Iroh had become so attached to Bree and Ronan that he insisted they call him Uncle.

"Dances are silly! A man is wasting his time. It's for girls to giggle and gossip!" Ronan had also received some new attire, but he was not pleased.

"Boys dance too, Ronan" said Katara. "Most gentlemen dance well. Art can really define a man."

"Yeah, define him as a ninny!"

"Actually, Katara is right." Zuko walked over. The kids looked happy to see him. Katara looked surprised, blushed, and then tried to hide her expression. I wonder how she dances? Zuko thought.

"C'mon, you don't dance or sing or any of that artsty-fartsy stuff, do ya?"

Zuko looked at Katara and then looked away. "I sing, yes. And I dance. It was part of my schooling. Dancing has taught me a lot about gracefulness that helps me when I fight."

Ronan looked amazed. "You…dance?" Katara laughed.

Wow…her laugh is…beautiful. Zuko smiled at Ronan.

"I could teach you some tonight, but right now you need to go get ready. Don't be late!"

Ronan grumbled at being sent away. Bree caught on quicker though, and realized Zuko wanted some time with Katara. She giggled all the way down the stairs.

After the kids were gone, Zuko finally turned to Katara. She wasn't laughing anymore and had gone back to that silence she was careful to keep when ever she was around him. She looked him in the eye. He had meant for it to be a glance, but when she caught his eye he couldn't look away. Her eyes are so…innocent. He felt himself slip away. I could do this forever…

She was the first to look away. Of course, she is my prisoner. He snapped back to reality.

"I should go get ready as well, since my presence is requested." She turned to leave.

"Wait." She stopped. What am I doing? Zuko wondered as he took a breath. "Will you dance? With me, I mean." This is dumb. When did I lose control of what I said and did?

The pause was so long Zuko was starting to feel stupid. He was about to say never mind when she spoke.

"Yes."