A/N: Hey guys! Here's where the REAL fun starts! They wake up and confront each other! Expect a few incidences. I hope my chapters are getting longer as we go along! Have fun!

Disclaimer: Me: Nope. Not going to say it again.

Lawyers: Fine! Number 8i4623, bring the torture device!

Me: Hm?

Number 8i4623: brandishes a ladle full of cherry medicine

Me: stares in horror Uhh…lip trembles as said ladle moves agonizingly slow towards mouth Umm!

Lawyers: Say it.

Me: tip of ladle touches lip FINE! I'LL SAY IT! I don't own Avatar, Nickelodeon does!

Lawyers: Rats.

Thank you:

xx Painful Bliss xx: Yes! Somebody who agrees with me! Thank you! I will! Me too! And, if you like Zuko/Katara insanity, I think you're going to love this chapter! Ohhh, actually I didn't notice! I really thought your two different pen names were two different people. Eh heh, thankies for telling me!

Monito: Thank you! In my mind, yes, because he's focusing either on healing her or the Avatar. This is the first chapter when he actually takes a good look at her. I will! Thanks!

almostinsane: Thank you!

Chapter 5: Impressions

Day 2

Iroh woke to the sound of the waves crashing against the bow of the ship, the sun slanting in through a port hole on the eastern side. Of course, he imagined he'd be waking up to a scene a lot more normal than the dream he had just left, that had involved dancing teacups. Reality proved to be the stranger.

His nephew was practically falling off the edge of the bed in front of him, his facial features calm. The girl was still snuggled into the covers, the medicine replaced. The plate of food on the bedside table empty, save a few crumbs.

The retired general chuckled gently at the sight as he laid down the teacup, his eyes never leaving the two teenagers. He cleared his throat, leaned forward and poked his nephew's shoulder. "Prince Zuko."

Prince Zuko tried to retain his grip on the bed and on sleep.

Iroh's smile grew wider as he began to poke harder. "Zuuuuukoooooooooo…"

The prince groaned and buried his face.

"Prince Zuko!" One final jab to the stomach did it.

"WH-Ack!" The prideful Fire Nation prince fell off the bed, much to his uncle's eternal amusement, and Prince Zuko's eternal shame.

"Good morning, Prince Zuko."

Prince Zuko glared up from the tangled bed sheets. "Not a word of this to anyone, Uncle."

Uncle Iroh couldn't contain it any longer, he began to laugh.

The young prince rolled his eyes and got up, trying to retain his dignity and authority. He cleared his throat for attention, but immediately wished he hadn't. His uncle was staring at him with his face contorted with suppressed laughter and tears leaking out of the corners of his eyes.

"I would prefer you not to mention this again, not to me, not to anyone else."

"What happened?"

"I came in last night to feed the girl, change her medicine, and I fell asleep."

"Oh. Did you get her awake then?"

Prince Zuko drew himself up, a light flush coloring his cheeks. "No."

"Ohhh..." Uncle Iroh said in understanding.

"Well, shall we try to wake her again?"

"Whatever you want. She is your prisoner."

Prince Zuko moved to wake the girl up, but at that moment her eyes fluttered open.

"Hm?" The girl breathed groggily. Then the world came into sharp focus and she realized who she was in the company of. "Ah-Ahhhhhh!" Katara let out an ear piercing shriek, bringing the half-fallen sheets around her in a quick jerk.

These just happened to be the same sheets our dear prince was standing on. Was.

"Woah!" Prince Zuko yelped as he toppled over. This sight effectively stopped the girl's screaming but started Iroh on another round of raucous laughter.

"Oops!" Katara squeaked.

Prince Zuko growled and stood up ashamed for the second time that day. "So, what's your name?"

"Katara. And, where am I? Where's Aang and Sokka? What have you done to them?"

"Annoying as always, I see," Prince Zuko said as he brushed off imaginary dust from his clothes. "I have done nothing to them. I was pursuing the Avatar and you fell onto my ship when his flying bison dodged a cannonball.

"Oh…" Katara stared thoughtfully. "That's right. I got really sick and fell asleep."

"Yes. Anyways, my name is-"

"I already know your name. You're Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation."

"Correct, and you will address me as such," Prince Zuko started to make his way to the door. "I'll be going now. This is my Uncle Iroh. He'll be watching over you until I come back at sunset. He'll take care of your needs until I return," and with that, Prince Zuko left the room, striding purposefully toward his room to get ready for the day.

Katara took the pillow from the bed and threw it at the door. "He is so infuriating!"

Iroh laughed. "He probably just thought the same of you."

Katara crossed her arms. "He's almost worse than Sokka! Parading around like he's all that! He has no right to order me to stay in here!"

"Actually, since you are his prisoner, he technically does have that power over you."

Katara wildly waved her arm at the door. "He doesn't look much older than me!"

"How old are you?"

"Fourteen."

"Goodness, you two are close in age," Uncle Iroh smiled, a plan beginning to formulate in his mind.

"How old is he?"

"Sixteen."

"Jeez. Sixteen and already a complete jerk."

"That's actually not that uncommon."

A/N: bites finger nails Well? What do you think? Only constructive criticism and praise please! I hope you guys like this chapter! This is actually one of my favorites! Now, review! And I'll also try to get better at it…