Under cover of the moonless night, Sokka and Aang flew as close as they could to Prince Zuko's ship. They were so close they could hear the words that were being sung.

"What is that one soldier singing? I don't understand the language." Surprisingly, Sokka liked music. Aang had thought Sokka would make fun of the singing and dancing and culture. Aang was also surprised that the Prince was cultured. I guess culture is still valued today as it was 100 years ago.

"It's an old Fire Nation dialect from the highlands. I could translate for you if you want."

Sokka sat up. "You can speak an old Fire Nation dialect from the highlands?"

"I-I…guess I can. The Avatar before me was a Fire Bender. Maybe since he could speak that language, I can too."

Sokka rolled over to look at the deck of the ship. "Meh, you don't need to translate it. It's a nice song anywa…HEY! What…is that…look!"

Aang moved to the side of Appa. He could see Katara was dancing with a Fire Bender soldier. Wait…that's…Zuko?

"What is he doing? Oh, that son-of-a…that stupid…if he does ANYTHING to her…" Sokka was furious. Aang could see that he was ready to jump down on the deck and sock the Prince.

Aang was angry as well, but Sokka's reaction was funny. He chuckled. "I don't think the Prince is hurting her. Besides, the song is over. It's done." Aang watched the Prince and Katara stand there for a few minutes and then Zuko stormed away from her. What was that about?

Katara walked over to the kids and then the old General was there. Aang couldn't quite hear what was said, but he could tell Katara wasn't happy. Then he heard Iroh shout "Men, we have a special treat tonight. This beautiful young lady is going to grace us with her voice." He pushed Katara to the middle of the deck.

"Sokka, did you hear that? General Iroh wants Katara to sing."

"What?"

"Shh…I want to hear this." Aang had never heard Katara sing. When she started to sing it took Aang a minute to realize that Katara's accent had changed to fit the mood of the song. He listened to the words. The song was done. Everyone, everything, was silent. Aang was in awe. The song had a lot of power behind it. But he was more in awe of Katara. Sokka said something beside him.

"What?" Aang asked. He looked at Sokka. There were tears in his eyes.

"Our mother taught her to sing like that."

"It's a beautiful song, Sokka. But, I'm worried about Katara. The Prince wouldn't be too happy to hear a song like that."

Sokka didn't say anything. The tears were falling. He moved to the other side of Appa.

Aang looked back at the deck. Katara and the kids were going down below. The men were starting to talk and joke around again. Prince Zuko was by himself, starring out over the sea.

Katara's voice was still ringing in his head. It was beautiful. But the song…Why did she sing that? Zuko shook his head. Of course, she sang it because it needed to be sung. The party was well underway again. For a while the men didn't know what to think of the song. But when they saw Zuko didn't react to it, they just let it slide. Just a prisoner trying to get back at her captives, they all were saying. Nothing to worry about. It had been an hour now, and most men were drunk or getting there.

Zuko didn't listen to the songs. He ignored the stories. He didn't drink anything. He sat there, thinking. Iroh, noticing his nephew's lack of alcohol, brought him over some wine.

"Here, nephew, drink this. Don't think about the girl. The song means nothing. Just an old folk song from her village."

Zuko took the wine and set it on the table. But it does mean something…that's her pain. He stood up suddenly. She is the daughter in the song…dying. Because of us. Because of this.

"Zuko, what are you doing?"

"I must speak with her. Keep the men busy, Uncle." He went down below. His conscience was fighting again.

This is treason. Don't think like that, Zuko. You are doing what is right. The other nations are weaker than the Fire Nation and should be crushed quickly.

But…because of this war, families are destroyed! Ronan and Bree have no parents, I don't even know the status of Katara's family. As far as I know, it's just her and her brother. That pain isn't just in the song, it's not just hers…the WORLD is feeling that because of my people!

Don't forget your honor, stupid! Zuko reached Katara's room. He stopped and knocked. Remember who you are. Remember who you serve. God, Nation, Family, Self, in that order! Your father taught you this when you were just a boy.

That side of Zuko's conscience was winning him over. Katara opened the door. She had been crying, he could tell.

"What do you want?" Her voice was horse.

"I need to talk to you about that song." Zuko entered the room.

"It was nothing. Just a folk song from my village. It means nothing."

He looked at her. She is really brave. "Where did you learn it?"

"My mother."

"Where is she?"

"She's dead."

That blunt phrase stopped Zuko. I know who did it too. Katara was losing her calm mask. She was starting to cry again. And she got angry.

"She's dead because of YOU! You stupid Fire Bender. You are NO better than any of us. We, the nations, are supposed to work together! We are supposed to live together in harmony!" She started to walk closer to him. "You are greedy, you are a foul creature! Your people sleep in feather beds and eat pompous meals while millions are starving! Children go to bed hungry." She was right in his face. He was shocked at this, and his first reaction was to defend himself.

"My father is doing this..."

"Then change it! YOU are the heir. There has to be something you can do. Your people aren't men…they're MURDERS!" She threw herself at him, hands balled into fists. Zuko caught her arms, spun her around and pinned her back against the wall. Katara struggled, but realizing Zuko was too strong for her, she gave up and cried. She didn't just cry…she sobbed.

God, Nation, Family, Self…this is an honorable code…when ones intentions are honorable. Zuko's heart finally broke. She's right…we are murders.

Katara's sobs were softening to whimpers. He looked her in the eye.

"I am sorry." And a tear fell from his eye. He let go of her and sank to the floor. All the pain he'd felt from his father banishing him, all the unrealized sympathies he had harbored for the people of the world, all these feelings escaped. It was his turn to cry. Katara knelt beside him.

"Do you feel the pain now?" She asked. He nodded and looked at her. She bent closer and lightly touched his scar. Unable to control himself, Zuko leaned into her. Katara held him. They laid like this until morning, each afraid to sleep, each wondering what will happen next.