It was another gloomy day. Ever since that Music Night, it had been raining, foggy, or the cold wind was blowing. Katara didn't mind. She was used to the cold. It actually was comfort. It reminded her of home.

Things had changed on the ship. Katara wasn't told where they were going, but she could tell the soldiers didn't like the destination Zuko had chosen. Many times she had overheard conversations of how weird the prince was acting. The conversations were much like the one she was listening to now.

"…but he didn't answer…just told the Lieutenant to get back to work. I'd thought Zuko was starting to confide in him like he confides in his uncle." There were two soldiers talking in the mess hall. It was very early in the morning. The prince or the children weren't even up yet. These soldiers were just relieved of their night-shift and were having breakfast before turning in. Katara was entering the mess hall when she heard the soldiers talking. Not wanting to answer any questions on why she was up so early, she hid behind a stack of chairs.

"I don't really care that we are heading to the home land now. I'm tired of the sea. I miss my lady." said the younger one. He had only been away for four months, but his wife was expecting and he was hoping to be home in time to see his first child.

His friend shook his head. "Well, yeah, it doesn't bother me much either, but why? He wasn't called home. He's going to get himself in more trouble than he needs now."

"Ah, so you know what is best for me now, Private?"

The soldiers, and Katara, jumped at the sound of the prince's voice. From where he was standing, Katara was sure he could see her, but he didn't say anything. Just a glance from him said Stay there.

"Sir…I…"

"Of course, if you know what is best for me, you know what is best for my soldiers. And why stop there? Let's use your infinite wisdom to rule my future kingdom!"

The younger soldier stood up. "Sir, he didn't mean to challenge you. He was just speaking what we're all thinking. You haven't told us why we are heading home. It would be a great comfort to us all to have a little insight, at least."

Zuko looked at the young man. He was barely 5 years older than Zuko, but that one look made the man sit back down with a heavy thud. He couldn't believe he'd talked to the prince like that. Katara thought Zuko was going to hit the soldier. The room was very quiet. But after a moment, the prince smiled.

"I can't tell you why we are going there. Not yet. But I can tell you it is for a great purpose. Now, are you finished with your meal? I wish to eat…alone."

The soldiers, stunned at the prince's attitude, nodded. They stood, bowed, and walked quickly to the door. Zuko waited until they could no longer hear their footsteps.

"So, you have taken to eavesdropping? A nice trait in a girl."

Katara stood up. She was embarrassed at being caught like that. Now I'll have to explain. "I wasn't doing that on purpose. I came here to get something to help me sleep when I heard them talking. I didn't want to interrupt."

"You haven't been sleeping well lately?" Zuko sat at the table and motioned her to join him. She sat, but not next to him. Across. She was wary of him. This was the first time he'd talked to her since that night in her room.

"No…" She let the word float between them, hoping it would signal she didn't want to explain.

"I've noticed. You are tired when you wake. Bree has mentioned to me you don't look well. She is worried about you. She has grown to like you."

Katara shook her head. "It's nothing. Just…seasickness."

He smiled. Don't smile, please, she thought. It's too hard to find reasons to hate you.

"Don't lie, Katara. Seasickness…you are a water tribe girl! You were probably born on the water."

Katara looked away. Unknowingly, he'd pretty much said what was actually keeping her up. He stopped smiling. His tone was gentler.

"Katara, what's wrong?"

She swallowed. I need to confide in someone. "I've been seeing my mother in my dreams. Well, not actually seeing her. But she's there. I can hear her." Katara turned back to the prince. "Something bad is coming. You are planning something…what is it? What are you doing? She keeps saying that a destiny will be fulfilled soon, that nature and time will be put back on its right path. I know she is talking about you, Zuko, don't look like that." Zuko was starting to get angry.

"How do you know?"

"Please, Zuko, I just know. Your men are jumpy. Your uncle has become more serious. The children can tell something is wrong. What is this new mission you are so set on that it has to be secret? It has something to do with Aang, doesn't it?"

"What does your mother say about the destiny?" This made Zuko think.

"That something is going to happen. Something great is going to be done. Something that will cost a horrible price, but it will change the course of all that is happening. She…she even said this will help our Avatar greatly." Zuko stood at the name Avatar.

"She did, did she? And you are certain it is me she is talking about?" Zuko was suddenly angry, and Katara couldn't figure out why.

"Y-yes…"

"So, this plan…this thing I am going to do…it was destiny all along? You say I am going to betray my father, help the Avatar defeat him? Then I shall ascend the throne and turn the Fire Nation around for the good?"

"Well…I don't know…I don't know what you are planning, I didn't say any of that…but you don't need to get angry…"

"Angry? Katara, you are telling me words that your DEAD mother has said to you! You aren't the Avatar; you can't talk with the spirits." He started to pace the room.

"My mother being dead has nothing to do with you being destined to overthrow your father! I'm just telling you what she told me, and you are…"

"I'm what?" He yelled at her. "I'm what? Getting mad for no reason? All I'm asking is for my men to do their duties without question. I don't want to be challenged about this! It's hard enough to do it alone as it is…"

"Then ask for help!"

"That's what you don't understand, I CAN'T ASK FOR HELP! This is for me and me alone! How can I ask MY men, who trust me to not lead them to danger, how can I ask them to betray their country? How can I ask my uncle, who has cared for me and loved me like my father never did, to defy his brother? Ask your all-knowing mother that one."

Katara waited for Zuko to breathe normal again. "That's it, isn't it? You are going home to drop your men, Iroh, and Bree and Ronan off. There is something else you are doing."

Zuko looked at Katara from across the table. "How could you actually tell? Your mother couldn't have told you all of this."

She shrugged. "Something in you has…changed. You no longer look mad…you look…sad." She walked over to him. "I see you looking over the ocean, then up at Sokka and Aang, and then at a map. What are you thinking?" She stopped next to him. Zuko looked down into her eyes. Katara gasped silently. Oh no…

In his eyes she could see his future, what he was thinking about doing. She could also see the pain it was causing him to make this decision.

"You understand, now, why I don't want to get my men or Iroh involved?"

Katara nodded. She was over come with a great sadness for him. He is giving it all up…

Suddenly aware of how close they were, Katara started to move away. She turned to go into the kitchen to grab the food she had come down for.

"Katara"

Katara turned and walked back to Zuko. She fell into his chest and hugged him tight. His silent tears fell onto her face.

"I need to contact the Avatar."

She pulled back. "I can arrange that." Before she could stop herself, she brought her hand up to wipe the tears off his cheeks. Zuko leaned down so she could reach. The next thing Katara knew, she was kissing him. Neither teenager cared that the other was from a different nation. The fact that the world was at war vanished. For a few precious moments, time stood still, everything was simple and innocent again.

Somewhere in the spirit world, Katara's mother smiled.