A/N: Ello everybody! How're ya'll? I'm doing just dandy. The mouse is running on his wheel, my cat is skulking around the house, my lil' stud muffin (kitten) is probably sleeping somewhere…all is well with the world. But that was probably way too much information…huh? Anywho, enjoy the new chapter!

Disclaimer: Me: Mee mee meeeeee!

Lawyers: simultaneously stick fingers in ears

Me: Purr-fect. sings in bad impression of Sound of Music I OOO-OWN AVATAR! AAA-AAND ZUKO AS WELLLLL!

Lawyers: removes fingers grinz You sued.

Me: Nooo! No no no NO! I DON'T own Avatar!

Lawyers: Aaand?

Me: And Zuko. sticks tongue out How do they do that?

Lawyers: Think we can sue her for impersonating Sound of Music?

Me: Now that's just wrong.

Thank you:

Areese: Thank you! And I'm sorry to say, that almost all good things must come to an end.

Julia: Thank you very much! Thanks! I will!

iloveprincezuko: THANK YOU! I will!

lyria of danceing flames: Thank you. Don't worry, it's coming. Lol. Thank you! Cliffies? Me? Don't know. Just like 'em. Oh dear…I will! Me too! Sugar will rule the world. Yes, yes.

NybCR: grinz Thanks for reviewing!

Goddess of love: Hi! I'm SakuraLuna (but you probably already knew that). Neat! Nice to meet you! Thank you! (awesome) Thank you! Wow, thanks! You should try them, they're a lot of fun and they help you develop your own style and get your footing! At least for me that's there purpose. Neat, me too! I wish you the best of luck! THANKS! That means a lot! Thank you! Will do! I agree!

Harpygirl91: Lol. Thanks! Um, shalI I introduce you to my punching bag? Or paper! Paper's good! LOL. I should probably clean my room too. Again.

PKsDancingGirl: Eeeks! Wow, thanks! I'm honored! And, Superstition is a great fic. Eh heh, thanks! I update as soon as I can. Now, it may not be everyday like it used to be, but I'm trying my best! Eeks…;

Monito: Thank you, thank you, will do!

starlightz1112: Hi! Thank you, me too! Thanks! I will! Yea!

dragon's kitty: Yuppers! Zuko was muy spiffy, guy's got skill. Yes. I agree whole heartedly. Uh huh! I loved the Fire Nation soldier's faces when the half-frozen frogs crawled out from under the door, that was priceless! Same with Zhao's face every time a frog hopped in front of him and ribbeted, as if mocking him! Uh huh, probably. And then we'll enjoy insanity between all five of them! Um…shifty eyes Maaybee…Uh huh! Oh yes…and only going to get eviler.

Beast Boy 4ever: Eeks! Sowy! Yup, I just saw an episode where Iroh showed some skill with Zhao and decided, he must still be really good. looks over at lawyers Nope. Not yet.

almostinsane: Thank you!

Zukos Girl: Uh huh! I DO like you guys! I do! Well, yes, I am slightly evil, but that doesn't mean I don't like you guys! Yup. You're right. No! I don't! NOOOOO! Please don't! Phew. Will do! Lol. Thanks for reviewing!

Chapter 11: Dance

Zuko stared at the girl standing in front of him. Him, and a waterbender? Practice together? His uncle must his drunk too much ginseng tea.

Katara's eyes flicked to the ground. "Um," they were clearly wondering the same thing. How to practice? "How about you do some firebending forms and I try to convert them to waterbending?"

Zuko shrugged. "Then maybe we could spare."

"Yeah."

They stared at the ground for awhile in silence.

"Well?" Zuko said.

"Oh, right," Katara scurried to stand beside Zuko.

"Can you reach the water from here?"

"I think so," Katara narrowed her eyes, concentrated.

"One," Zuko breathed as he slid into a stance.

Katara copied.

"Two," Zuko punched out, sending a flurry of flames.

Katara took a deep breath and quickly manipulated part of the ocean across the boat to her and past, a perfect water whip.

Zuko widened his eyes, the girl had gotten better. "Three," Zuko trailed off as he kicked forward.

Katara sent more water to rest in front of her, then kicked it, sending the water into a powerful spray. They continued through almost all the forms Zuko knew, Katara converting them with slight difficulty. But she was getting better.

Zuko had to silently marvel at the girl's waterbending. It must be hard to manipulate an element so unmanageable and heavy, an element normally refusing to move for anyone.

Finally Zuko returned to the starting position, Katara breathing hard, but trying not to show her exhaustion.

"So," Katara breathed. "Do you want to spare now?"

Zuko smirked. "As you wish."

They faced each other, both staring stubbornly into each other's eyes. Katara made the first move, twisting the water and sending a jet of water at Zuko. Zuko twisted his body around to give himself more momentum and launched a flaming kick, evaporating the water. Katara narrowed her eyes more, and moved forward with several water whips, Zuko always right beside her dodging her attacks, and her doing the same with him. They couldn't tell how long they went on, all they knew was that the sun was soon right above them. And they only noticed this for a few seconds, so lost were they in their own world.

'I was right, he is good. I can barely keep up,' Katara blinked, trying to keep her body moving and marveling at the way he could control fire. Fire was an element that must be extremely hard to control, always wanting to move the it wanted to move and hard to contain and be told otherwise.

'Amazing. I didn't think she could last this long,' Zuko thought as he took a step closer and lightly swept Katara off her feet, taking advantage of her moment of exhaustion.

Katara sucked in a breath, trying to think how she could get herself out of this one. She was surprised to find she didn't have to. She felt a strong arm wrap around her waist for the third time in only a few days. She stared up into Zuko's eyes and was surprised to see him smiling down at her, even though it was still slightly like a smirk.

"I win."

"For now," Katara smiled back.

Zuko looked at her suspiciously as he set her down and sat down himself, both of them breathing hard. "Is that so?"

"Uh huh."

"I hope you know I have two years experience more than you."

"I know, but that doesn't matter."

"Oh, really?" Zuko growled.

"Yep, because I never give up," Katara looked over at him and smiled, a certain glint in her eyes.

Zuko felt a twinge in his stomach that had nothing to do with hunger as he looked at her. "Neither do I."

"Good. Then we'll both do our best," Katara tried to keep her smile up, but the way he was looking at her…it was starting to make her feel funny.

"Yeah," Zuko trailed off. They laid beside each other for a while, both lost in their own thoughts.

"Prince Zuko! Katara! Lunch time!" Iroh called from the captain's coop where there were several groaning crew members, still staring in irritated disbelief at the Pai-Sho board.

Zuko quickly stood and after a moment's hesitation, offered Katara his hand.

"Um, thank you," Katara said, bewildered by this action.

"It's nothing," Zuko replied, already walking toward his uncle.

Katara gripped the hand he had touched, feeling slightly warm. 'He really isn't so bad….if only this war wasn't going on…maybe we could be friends…'

Zuko looked down at the hand he had offered Katara. And again felt the torn feeling of wishing either the war would end or he was born of a different nation. 'Then maybe I could be friends with her…'

…and maybe something more…

A/N: Now is where things will start getting good! Oh yeah…next chapter: Chapter 12: Wish. Zuko and Katara fluff!...or is there?