A/N: Hey guys! Sorry I took long to update this time! I've been really busy, working and stuff. Don't worry, this is only a temporary thing! I'll be back to quick updates soon! But for now, enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer: Me: I don't own Avatar. But I do own this story! Mwa ha ha ha ha!

Lawyers: We can fix that.

Me: When you change 'we' to 'I', that's actually a good romance line! Too bad Holes already took it…Which I also don't own…

Thank you:

TrueLoveHurts: Yeah, you're right! Yup! Thank you! Eeep! Yes m'am!

XwildfiregirlX: Thank you! Thank you! Heh, no, I'm sure they won't hate you and diminish. Thanks, you're the first person to say that!

xx Painful Bliss xx: Yup! Yeah, well….Thank you!

Zukos Girl: Thank you, Thank you! More coming, and they are getting longer!

dragon's kitty: YES! Finally someone who understands! No, it's fine. Where did you get that from? I know! bounces up and down Yup! Pass the popcorn! Oh, wait, I'm writing…sighes Back to work…It's fine! I will!

starlightz1112: Hey! No, it's fine! THANK YOU! You don't know how much that means to me! Thank you! He's one of my three favorite characters to write! (Foaly and one of my original characters (a mix between Captain Jack Sparrow and Kenshin and something else that makes him unique) are the others). I will! Thank you!

1kenshinlover: Thank you! I will! (by the way, I love Kenshin too!)

(do you need to know?): Thank you! No! Don't kill him! I'll make sure it works! Maybe…Mwa ha ha ha ha! See! talking to lawyers See! You CAN'T sue me!

Lawyers: Let's sue them both.

Me: Any ideas?

WOW: Thank you! I'm working to get the chapters longer, but I'm not sure what you mean by the details. I'm just telling a story I got stuck in my head and the story will evolve and develop as it goes along. And I'm not trying to get to the point really quick (Katara and Zuko getting together is what you're talking about, I suppose?). Spice will be added as the story gets along, but I need to open the story up the way I want to. Thank you for reviewing!

almostinsane: Thank you!

Me2: Who knows? We'll both find out! Thanks for reviewing! Why did you review twice, by the way?

1likethat: Thank you. I'm sorry you didn't like that part. But when I put Zuko in that situation, that's the result that seemed to fit the most. I actually got the initial idea from Princess Mononoke, and I always thought that scene was weirdly and cutely romantic.

Arwey: I'm sorry you think that. Thank you for reviewing.

Monito: THANK YOU!

Chapter 6: Prisoner

"Hmm," Katara droned as she laid back on the bed her legs dangling off.

A few minutes passed by in silence, Iroh sitting calmly on a chair, Katara shifting every two seconds.

"How did he get that scar?"

"I was wondering when you'd ask that."

"Well, I've been wondering about it for awhile, but there's never been a right moment or even time to ask. And plus, asking him didn't seem too smart. Scars like that typically turn out to be touchy topics."

"You're right. It is kind of a touchy thing for him. And if you did ask him he wouldn't have told you the truth."

"Oh, so how did he get it?"

"His father gave it to him."

"Accident?"

"No," Uncle Iroh's voice became grave. "On purpose."

Katara shot up, her eyes widened. "Why?"

"Because Prince Zuko disgraced him."

"How?"

"Ah, well it happened two years ago. Prince Zuko-" Iroh began to recount the story of his nephew, Katara listening in rapt attention.

When he had finished, Katara found herself actually feeling sorry for the banished prince. "I'm so sorry."

"Just don't tell him I told you, at least, don't tell him when I'm around," Iroh proceeded to chuckle a little. "Well, enough of the past! How about a game?"

"A…game? Isn't there some rule against playing a game with your prisoner?"

"Ah, but you are not my prisoner. You are Prince Zuko's prisoner. Wait here please."

Katara nodded, a smile growing on her face. Perhaps all fire benders weren't so bad.

Iroh strode into the ship's cockpit where his tile game was held. He picked it up and was almost back to the room Katara was being held in, when Zuko spotted him.

"Uncle!" Prince Zuko barked.

"Yes, Prince Zuko?" Uncle Iroh answered good-naturedly.

"What are you doing out of the prisoner's room!"

"I thought a nice game of Pai-Sho would be nice to pass the time."

Prince Zuko growled, flames curling up from his fingertips. "Grrr…fine. Just don't leave her unattended again. It could cost me the Avatar."

"All right, all right. Don't get your ponytail in a twist."

Prince Zuko quickly turned around and stormed back to his duties, thinking again on how to get his Uncle to stop using those evil, wise-man statements of his.

Katara looked up as Iroh returned. "Have you ever played this, Katara?"

"No," Katara smiled.

"Well then, let's get started."

The two passed the day like this, playing the game, only stopping briefly to eat. Too soon, Katara noted, the sun had set and she began to dread Prince Zuko's return.

He did not disappoint. Prince Zuko entered the room a few minutes later, casting an indifferent glance at Katara. "Come on."

"Oh, Prince Zuko, can't you wait for one game? Katara's really gotten good at this."

"No, uncle, I have to get Katara cleaned up and back in her room so that I can rest. I also need to find her some clothes. Any ideas?"

Katara sighed, maybe she should try being civil with him. "I could continue wearing the clothes I have on right now, you know."

Uncle Iroh smiled, "No, you won't be comfortable in that garb. Maybe something of yours, Prince Zuko? You two are pretty close in size."

"All right, I'll take her to my room first then. Katara and I will be back-"

"You know, I'm standing right here!" Katara growled.

"I know that," Prince Zuko glared at her, his temper beginning to rise. "Now, the status report is-"

"So stop talking like I'm not here!"

Prince Zuko closed his eyes for a moment, trying to calm himself down, and turned his attention back to his uncle. "We are on course for the Fire Nation and there has been no sign of the Avatar yet. We should arrive in five days…"

'How dare he ignore me like that! He completely blew me off! I cannot believe him! How dare he treat me-' Katara felt his hand grab hers as he began to pull her to the open door. "HEY!"

"Do you ever listen? Come on," Prince Zuko grunted, dragging her off to his room.

"I'm coming all right! So let go!"

Prince Zuko released her and continued walking along, Katara speed walking to keep up with his long strides.

Katara looked up at him and winced slightly. That scar looked really painful. 'Grreeaat. Now I'm not angry at him anymore…' Katara looked away. '…I mean, I have every right to be…But…What did he say he could regain by capturing the Avatar? Oh yeah, his honor. And Mr. Iroh said he could also go back home to the Fire Nation. But why would he want to go home to a father who doesn't even care about him? I mean, if I was in his place I'd-' "Ooof!" Katara exclaimed as she bumped into him.

"Ack! What did you do that for?"

"I-uh...was thinking!"

"About what?"

Katara's eyes flicked quickly to the scar. "Um, nothing."

Prince Zuko's eyes widened in understanding. "So, my uncle told you," he said as he turned around to unlock his door.

"Yeah. I'm really sorry."

"Don't be," he opened the door and led Katara into his room. With a wave of his hand, Prince Zuko lit the two lamps in the room, casting the room into a dim, golden light.

Katara looked around. It didn't have much in it, but what was there was worthy of royalty. Which made sense. The walls were a kind of patch worked metal, the bed a dark chocolate brown with drawers underneath for storage. The bed was set to the left of the door against the wall, on which was a decorative Fire Nation emblem, with two industrial style lamps on either side giving a dark crimson tint to everything. In front of her was a place for meditation with a cushion on the ground and a row of candles on the low table.

"Let's see," Prince Zuko muttered to himself as he stooped and pulled open one of the drawers. Katara waited patiently in the awkward silence, shifting back and forth and trying to catch a glimpse of things she might soon be wearing.

After a few minutes the prince stood up again, "These should fit you well enough," he held them out and Katara gratefully took them.

"Um, why would I be uncomfortable wearing my own clothes?"

"This ship is a Fire Nation ship, in case you hadn't noticed, and we keep the rooms at a high temperature."

"Oh," Katara murmured as she examined the clothes. There were a pair of boots that matched Prince Zuko's, a brown belt, a red tunic, and dark brown pants, both made out of a light, soft material. "Thanks."

"Follow me," Prince Zuko ordered as he plunged his room into darkness again and returned to the dim halls of the ship.

"Wait a minute. Where am I going to bathe?"

"My uncle and I's private bath."

"Hm," Katara murmured as she followed Prince Zuko to a door at the back of the ship. Prince Zuko opened the door and stepped aside for her.

Katara wryly smiled, sarcasm coating her tone. "You're sticking me alone in a room with hot water and a small window. What? No in-bath guard?"

Prince Zuko smirked at her. "Do you want one?"

"No!" Katara exclaimed, disgusted as she shut the door in his face. She hadn't expected that reply. She looked around the dim room and realized she had a question she needed to ask. Feeling slightly stupid, she opened the door a crack. "Um…"

"What?" Prince Zuko turned around.

"Is this door going to be locked while I'm taking a bath?"

"The door will be locked from the outside, you can get out at any time, but nobody save me can get in."

"Oh, that's a comforting thought."

"Don't worry, you won't have to worry about me coming in unless the Avatar gets in there to save you."

"Hmph," Katara shut the door again, leaning against it. Feeling, despite the pain of dealing with Prince Zuko, more like a guest than a prisoner in her enemy's ship.

A/N: Hope you liked this chapter! I've gotta go now, though! Gotta go work again!