(AN: Oh boy, this chapter took a long time to write. I was vacationing in CA during the break, and while I was there I wrote this chapter, and then some. Actually this chapter was going to be so long that I had to cut it down A LOT when I came home and typed it up. Anyway, I hope everyone had a wonderful April, enjoy the chappie! )

Chapter Two: Plans

Zuko easily dodged the burst of flame an extended arm sent toward him, ducking and then rising to kick his leg into the air. He felt the heat race form his chest through his leg and finally reach his foot as he called upon his bending. Flames shot from his bare foot and licked though the air until they reached the young man's opponent. The other man stumbled back, blocking the flames with crossed arms, but Zuko wheeled and continued the stream through his fists. He loved being in control, loved to be the hunter.

"That's enough Zuko," The flames stopped immediately and Zuko's hands dropped to his sides. The man at the other end of the arena coughed as he dusted the soot from his clothes and then exited. "You're improving." Zuko simply nodded.

"I know, but I need to get better Uncle. I need to get better fast. How can I?" The old man chuckled.

"There's a secret for that Zuko, would you like to know?" His nephew nodded eagerly. Glancing around, the old man beckoned for Zuko to come closer before he cupped his hands around his mouth and whispered; "Lots and lots of… practice." The old man laughed loudly as Zuko pushed away from him angrily.

"You didn't see that on coming, did you Zuko?" The old man chortled. The boy just sent him a sullen glare from where had flopped down on the dusty training room floor in annoyance.

"I see we're all having a good time, aren't we?" The noise in the training room stopped as a tall man with sideburns entered. His large hands were clasped behind his back and he wore self-confident smirk. Zuko from his position on the ground merely gave the man a glare before he turned his face away and gazed at his own leather-clad hands.

"Zhao, to whom do we own this pleasure of seeing you again so soon?" Zuko's uncle greeted the tall man politely.

Not bothering with any greeting in return, Zhao waved his hand impatiently, as if to push aside the greeting before it could reach him. "Iroh, our Lord would like to see you in his conference room right now. He wants to discuss some up coming plans with you." He turned his back on the two and started to leave before he was stopped.

Zuko had stood suddenly, the leather of his pants dusty from the floor of the arena. "What about me?" he asked. "Doesn't Father want to see me too?" His voice was almost pleading, golden eyes full of child like innocence and hope. Iroh turned on his way out of the hall.

"Zuko…" Iroh's voice was soft and sad.

"Our Lord said nothing about you. If you'll excuse me, I must go and find your sister for the meeting." Zhao rolled his eyes as he turned his back on Zuko.

"Wait, maybe he wanted me to go with Uncle. He knew I would be training with him, he knew I would be here."

Iroh sighed, placing a hand over his face. Zhao whirled on the young boy and sent a stream of fire in his direction.

"Do you question what I say? Our Lord asked only for his advisors, his brother and his daughter. He said nothing about a son, especially about a son who can't follow orders. Don't you believe me?" He sneered mockingly as he caught Zuko's look of hurt disbelief. "Maybe you can go find out for yourself, and in response, he can decorate the other side of your face as well."

Something seemed to snap within Zuko and with a roar he flung himself at the older man, his hand bursting into flame. He was stopped, however, when a gentle hand caught his arm. "Zuko, don't." his uncle reprimanded gently.

That was all that needed to be said. The fir in the boy's hand disappeared and his arms fell to his sides, his head hanging in defeat. From across the room Zhao smirked.

"That's a good boy, listen to your uncle." Iroh let go of Zuko and followed the man out of the training hall. He turned just before the big red doors closed behind him and gave Zuko a sad smile.

"Why don't you go into town for awhile? Take the rest of the day off, you earned it." Nothing came from his nephew and so Iroh left, shutting the iron doors behind him with a soft click. Zuko shuddered, barely keeping the dry sob from breaking free of his throat. His legs gave out from under him and he didn't bother to try and catch himself, instead falling heavily to the floor. His hands fisted. H hated that man Zhao, his father's favored friend and advisor. From the moment Zhao had started working for his father, he had made Zuko's life a living hell. His hand reached up to touch his scar. Shame. That was what the scar stood for. Every time he saw his reflection, that burning guilt hit his stomach and Zuko would have to turn away. Sometimes he wished he could escape the confines of his family, his clan, his responsibility, but that would never happen. Not for him.

Azula had once told him hat it was ten times harder to be the daughter of the Fire Lord than the son, and though it had only been meant as comfort, it had haunted Zuko with the opposite effect. If it was so much harder, why had he failed so miserably? Why had Azula managed to become the favored one? Nothing was ever going to be fair in his life.

Zuko groaned and flopped back, his hands covering his face in despair. His life would never get better, he would stay the hated son of the Fire Lord, not able to live happily in his Clan, but never able to leave. The heavy creak of metal doors alerted him he was no longer alone. If he were lucky, who ever had come to train would not see him and then step on him or burn him to relieve him of his life. It would be a nice change, he thought casually. However, fortune did not seem to want to cut him any slack.

"…and the I said to her that she could either stay or get the hell… Zuko?" The voice was young and cheerful, a voice Zuko knew all to well. Sutto, one of Zuko's two closest friends cocked his head at the crumpled body on the floor. He looked up at his companion, a quieter older boy by the name of Akuro.

"Do you think he died?" Sutto asked as he bent over Zuko, bright, round face full of laughter. "Hey, now I finally have a chance to swipe these gloves, I've always loved leather." He skillfully dodged the punch Zuko aimed at his face as he chuckled, his loose brown hair swishing in front of his eyes. "Bummer, he's alive Akuro." He offered Zuko a hand up and Zuko grudgingly accepted it.

"I saw, thank you Sutto." Akuro's voice answered calmly from where he remained by the door.

"Some friend you are," Zuko mumbled to Sutto as he dusted himself off. "Trying to steal my things when I'm down."

"Me? You know you're like a brother to me Zuko," he draped an arm over Zuko's shoulders. "Right Akuro? Tell Zuko how much we love him."

Akuro sent Sutto an incredulous look before smirking at Zuko. "You should have heard him on the way over, he's like two people, going on and on about how much he hates you." Akuro said all this solemnly, but the corner of his lips quirked just so it was enough to prove was joking. Sutto gasped in mock hurt.

"Akuro, you weren't supposed to tell him that! Who will he tell are his deep, dark secrets too now that he won't tell me? I'll lose all my status in the Fire Clan." Sutto pouted.

"He'll tell his secrets to me of course," Akuro answered dryly. "And what status will you lose, you have none in the first place." Akuro brushed back a black piece of hair that had fallen from his topknot. His amber eyes fixed on Zuko and another smirk tugged at his lips. His face was long and lean, matching his tall figure.

Sutto growled in mock hurt at Akuro's comment and shot a stream of flame at Akuro, who neatly dodged one and sent one back. The friends' mock battled for a few minutes, a couple teasing remarks flew at Akuro from Sutto, but each was retaliated by a stronger burst of flame. Zuko was content watching from them from the side. He had known them since he was a child, known them as long as Azula had known Ty Lee and Mei. They had stuck with him when others had turned their backs on him and, along with his uncle they had kept him going.

Flopping to the ground, Sutto held up his hands in defeat. "You win Akuro, you win." He raked his messy hair out of his face and his amber eyes danced in amusement. Sutto was known as a jokester around the Fire Clan, always good-natured and had a smile for any fellow Clan member he ran across. He took insults easily, usually managing to come up with a witty remark in return. He was well liked by most, and though he was happy to be everyone's friend, he preferred his small group of Akuro and Zuko. Speaking of which… Sutto pushed himself off his back, resting his weight on his forearms and his bright gold eyes found the latter of his two friends comfortably sitting cross-legged and adjusting his fingerless gloves.

"So Zuko, why did we come in here to find you seemingly dead?" He cocked his head to the side as he waited for his friend to answer. Zuko didn't reply verbally, only shrugged his shoulders and gladly accepted Akuro's outstretched hand to pull him up.

"Why don't we go into town? I have to rest of the day off." Sutto got up and dusted himself off and Akuro nodded. Nothing more needed to be said.

xXx

Katara carefully made her way down the stair of her home, making sure she watched where she placed her preciously injured foot. It had been a few days since her fall and her sprained ankle was feeling much better. The strange boy had been right, it hadn't been too serious at all. Though Katara was grateful for his help, she couldn't help but be a little miffed at his cold front and rudeness. Maybe it was like her father said; the Fire Clan had arrogance and bad blood in their breeding. However, she did owe the boy for saving her, she had been taught that when she was very young. This kind of debt was big and Katara was unsure how she could repay it, if she ever saw him again, that was.

As Katara reached bottom of the stairs, a bundle of energy came barreling down the hall and nearly knocked her over before she managed to stumble out of the way. "Hey Katara, how's your ankle feeling?" Aang asked as he skidded to a stop. HE grinned and held up his arm for Momo to land on. Katara couldn't help but smile at her young friend's enthusiasm. Aang had quickly become part of her family. His smile and devotion gave him a wonderful younger brother quality that Katara absolutely adored.

"It's feeling better now, thanks Aang. In fact, I was thinking of going into the market to see what they have. I've been gone for so long that they must have changed a couple of things down there." Katara explained as she and Aang walked though the courtyard toward the dining hall. When Katara had been a child, her mother had always insisted on having family breakfasts. When her mother had died, she had Sokka had kept up the tradition.

As they entered the large dinning room, the smells of brewing coffee, hot, sweetened oatmeal and sizzling sausages wafted through the air and filled their noses, making their mouths water. "G'mornen" Sokka barely managed to get out as he drifted by. Sokka had never really been a morning person and in fact, Katara was willing to bet he was still asleep. The only thing that had dragged him out of bed was the sense of tradition… that or food. It was probably the latter Katara decided. Once the food was served, Sokka would lift his head just far enough off the table to shovel breakfast in with out even opening his eyes, and then his head would go back down. A little later, the caffeine would kick in and Sokka would wake up. Until then, Katara knew he would be dead to the world.

Katara and Aang took their seats next to Sokka (who was drooling on the table) and chatted about what they planned to do that day in town. "There's going to be a carnival tomorrow, we should all go, don't you think?" Aang chirped to both Katara and her brother. From Katara he got a nod and from Sokka he got incomprehensible gibberish.

At the end of the hall, the huge blue doors swung open and Katara's father strode in. His long beard was tucked into his belt and a bright smile split his face. The wrinkles around his eyes were more crinkled that usual in his excitement and his clear blue eyes sparkled out into the room. "Katara, I hoped I would find you here. Last night I realized that you have been gone so long that I am sure none of the Water Clan outside or our family can recognize you. I had a brilliant idea, why don't we hold you a formal welcome home ball? It can be instead of your coming of age ceremony since we missed that while you were at school. How does that sound?" Aang's grey eyes widened.

"Wow Katara, that sounds like a lot of fun, huh Sokka?" He nudged Sokka, still face down on the table who mumbled something about flying pigs and someone named Suki.

"What do you think, Katara?" her father asked again gently.

"That sounds wonderful, thank you so much." Katara nearly turned over her chair in her scramble to hug her father. Her father chuckled and patted her back.

"I'm glad you think so, it is decided then, it shall be held in three days time, the eighth day of the fifth month, does that sound acceptable?" Katara nodded eagerly. "Good, then you should take today to go and pick out an appropriate gown, I shall send a maid with you, since Sokka, Aang and I can not go with you. Come to my office after breakfast and I shall have enough money for your purchase." He smiled again at his excited daughter before he gave a nod to Aang and pat on the back to the sleeping Sokka and left the dining hall.

"Wow Katara, that sounds like a lot of fun. Hey, I'm sure I can join you in market and help you choose a nice gown." He offered as he bit into a piece of his toast. Katara shook her head smiling.

"Sorry Aang, but it's a tradition that no one can see the gown of the lady before the ball. Usually my mother would help out, but seeing as she died a long time ago…" Katara trailed off and busied herself with blowing on her steaming oatmeal.

"Oh… I'm sorry…" Aang murmured awkwardly "But," he brightened, "I'm sure whatever you choose will look beautiful on you." Aang blushed as he looked down at his toast.

"Aww, Aang, you're so sweet." Katara giggled softly before she took a sip of her coffee. She was truly lucky to have such a sweet friend.

Their conversation through breakfast ranged over the topic of the Fire Clan's heirs ("Both of them spoiled brats, evil just like the rest of their clan," Sokka had woken up,) to the art and movement of Water Bending, a topic Katara absolutely loved. As the time struck ten, announced by the chiming of bells in the courtyard, Katara rose from her seat and gave a wave to Sokka and Aang, who had returned to the topic of the Fire Clan and were deep in conversation, and left for her father's office.

Katara wondered vaguely which maid would be helping her out as she skipped down the light, airy halls. When she had been young, there had been an older woman who had helped Katara's mother take care of her, but upon her return from school, Katara had found out that woman no longer worked for her father. Katara reached the large door and knocked once before she entered. Though she had not often been in her father's office as a child, she had fallen in love with it the few times she had. The room though small was comfortable. A large plush carpet layered the stone floor and the walls were a deep blue. In the back of the room was a large desk, at which her father now sat. Beside him was a young woman dressed in green robes who looked about Sokka's age. Her short brown hair just reached her shoulders and though her face was pale, her cinnamon eyes were full of life.

"There you are my dear. This is Suki; she shall help you choose a gown that will be appropriate. This is for your gown," He pulled out a small bag full of coins, which jiggled merrily as they were passed between hands. Katara glanced at Suki, who gave her a smile, though it was small.

"Let's go, the market is going to get crowded soon." Katara said goodbye to her father and Suki followed her out of the room. They walked down the halls, Suki keeping slightly behind Katara until they reached the main gates. As they left the house, Katara heard the pit-pat of Suki's feet as she trotted a couple steps so she was walking next to her.

"It's nice to meet you Katara," Suki smiled and her brown eyes crinkled at the corners. She obviously had no problem with having herself heard Katara noticed. "Sokka has told me all about you, and he couldn't stop talking about you coming home again. It was all he could think about. I'm glad to finally meet you for myself." Katara raised her eyebrows.

"You seem to talk to my brother a lot. When was that?" she asked.

Suki's eyes widened for a second as if she had just realized what she had said. "Oh, you know… in passing?" She tried weakly. Katara couldn't help but giggle as Suki blushed and Suki laughed a bit too. "I suppose I shouldn't actually spend so much time with him?" Suki murmured softly looking away from Katara.

"No, I think it's fine, Sokka needs a good friend." Suki looked up at her and inspected her for a minute and then smiled.

"Yeah, we're good friends, he and I. I'm glad you feel it's alright."

The two girls continued to chat as they strolled through the town square. The shops were already open and the owners were discussing on where their next shipment was coming from and what they expected the weather to be like that day. The small shop that Katara and Suki stopped at was titled 'Gowns for All Occasions', the letters sketched in a light blue-purple color against the store front that was a deep dark purple that stood out beside all the light yellow or white houses and stores around it. The little the girls could see through the window was purple as well.

Suki glanced at the shop front for only a moment before she strode up and pulled open the door (which was the same color as the rest of the walls) and she and Katara stepped into the shop. A bell tinkled softly over the door as they stepped inside and Katara stopped in surprise. Everything in the shop was purple. Pastel purple silks hung from the ceiling, covering the lights so that the shop almost glowed. The curtains that kept the light from coming through the window were deep velvet and were the darkest purple imaginable. The walls were lavender and the soft carpet was a light lilac. Another set of curtains was hung in front of a door in the back these were a deep pink-purple. Even the air around them was slightly purple, the smoke from the burning incense placed all around the shop wafted in translucent purple waves around them and the sent of lilac filled the small shop.

"Someone likes purple." Suki stated simply as she and Katara looked around the shop somewhat skeptically.

"I think that's putting it mildly," Katara whispered. She had never seen so much of one color in her life.

"Good morning ladies, may I be of assistance?" A voice floated over the air just like the smoke and a woman emerged from behind the curtains covering the doors. Her long black hair had been pulled up and styled into loops that hung delicately from her head. Her face was pale and though she was obviously much older than either Suki or Katara, there was not a wrinkle upon her skin and she was quite beautiful. Her eyes were a brilliant shade of green that reminded Katara of emeralds and were large, giving off the appearance of a frightened doe. Her gown, like everything else in the shop was purple. It was simple and fell gently down the woman's figure, the cloth folding into itself in a couple of places. The two girls nodded dumbly.

"I," the woman continued softly as she glided towards them, "am Yachi, seamstress of gowns. That is what you two are looking for, am I correct?" Each step she took seemed to be carefully planed ahead of time and instead of walking a normal person would, she seemed to glide as if on water.

"Uh, yes, I need a gown," Katara said meekly at last find her voice, "but it can't be purple. If that's all you have that's okay and we can go somewhere else."

Yachi laughed softly, the laugh resembled the tinkling of a small fountain. "Of course my dear, you don't honestly think I would sell gowns of only one color do you? Oh no, no, I sell many colors, there is more to life than just the color purple you know."

"You don't say," Suki muttered under her breath but hid it as a cough as Yachi's emerald eyes fixed on her.

"Why yes my dear, there is for instance blue and red and green. And then there is lilac, lavender, amethyst, violet, grape, orchid, plum, pansy and we can't forget mulberry now can we?" she laughed softly again.

Suki opened her mouth to tell Yachi that except for blue, red and green, the colors she had named were all shades of purple, but Katara caught her eye and shook her head.

"Now my dear, what color of gown are you looking for?" Yachi asked as she began shepherding Katara to the back room

"Blue, thank you," Katara answered before she was gone with Yachi. Suki looked around and decided to amuse herself by counting all the shades of purple that were in the shop. This was going to take a while.

"What about this one?" Katara stepped out from behind the purple curtains and gave a small twirl of Suki to inspect the new gown.

"It's all right, but you'll trip and fall on the train coming down the stairs, and it doesn't really fit your figure." Suki finally said truthfully after she had looked Katara up and down. "Not a bad color though."

"Yeah," Katara let her hands fall to her sides and sighed. "I though you would say something like that, but I do like the color, I'm glad you think so too."

Yachi slipped out from behind the curtains and looked Katara over once. "So, what do we think?" She asked in her musical voice.

"A bit too long and a bit too wide," Katara held up her arms and turned once for Yachi before she slipped back to change into her other clothes.

"But she does like the color," Suki added quickly.

Yachi placed a thin hand on her forehead in distress. "Oh dear, I'm afraid I don't have anymore gowns in blue. Could I interest you in green, or red, or possible purple?" She looked hopeful but Suki shook her head. "No? Well I'm terrible sorry, but I'm afraid I can not fit your needs," she whimpered as her green eyes filled with tears. "I must not be the seamstress I once was."

"It's okay really," Katara hurried back out to sooth the upset woman. "You have lovely gowns, they just aren't what I'm really looking for, and especially for the formal ball that I need the gown for." She added.

Yachi's tearful eyes found her. "What kind of ball would that be, dear?" A long finger wiped a tear away from her cheek.

"It's a homecoming party. Katara's the heir to the Water Clan and she's only returned recently from school." Suki cut in as she waved away a puff of smoke that was threatening to float down her throat.

Yachi's large eyes grew even wider. "This is lady Katara? Oh my dear if I had only known I would have cleaned up a bit more around here. Oh and I am an absolute wreck today. My lady, I had no idea that it was you. Welcome home, dear, welcome home." She gave Katara a gentle graceful bow.

"Thank you," Katara murmured, slightly embarrassed about Yachi's reaction. "It's good to be home, but if you don't mind, we do have to find a gown, if you'll excuse us…" Suki gave Yachi a polite bow before she turned to follow Katara out of the shop when a thin voice drifted after them.

"Wait… I may have one more gown…"

The afternoon sun was hot and just beginning to descend in the western sky as Katara and Suki left Yachi's shop, thanking the woman on the way out. "Nice lady, nice gowns, thought I would go blind from all the purple." Suki summed out as they began to head back into the main area of the town, Katara's small package tucked neatly under her arm. Katara laughed in agreement, she had to admit that it was nice to breath fresh air again, the incense had given he a headache. She sighed contentedly, she loved being home and she felt so comfortable around Suki, he would make a nice friend Katara thought idly. She fished into her pocket and pulled out the small bag of coins her father had given her, the few coins remaining clinked together happily.

"We have a lot of time before we head home," She dropped a couple of the coins into Suki's hands. "I'm going to go check out the shops, you go and enjoy yourself, and we can meet back here in say, an hour?"

"Sounds good," Suki grinned, "Thanks," she added as she skipped off to a small market stall. Katara watched her go with a smile, and then headed off on her own. She hadn't had the chance to really get to know the town again since her return and she was glad for the opportunity. As she walked through she found old shops of her childhood memories that she hadn't thought about in years.

There was the bakery her mother used to take her to. They sold the best cookies Katara had ever tasted. Over there was a small bookstore. Katara remembered how most of the shelves were empty and filled with dust but the few books they did have had sparked her imagination and tickled her sense. And far off toward the edge of was the blacksmith. The ring of metal and smell of iron smoke wafted through her memories.

She spent her time ducking into the shops and chatting with the storeowners until she felt her stomach growl. She hadn't eaten since breakfast and as she stepped out of the small clothing store she had wandered into, she spied a cart of apples across the street. The amount of coins she had would be just the right amount for one of the tasty treats. She quickly darted over, barely noticing that someone else was also at the stall before her eyes roamed over the selection. They all looked so good, but there was one that sat on top if the pile, bright red and the light hit it just so… her hand darted out to take it just as someone else's did. As her hand clutched the apple, a hand in fingerless gloves landed over hers. She looked at the hand covering hers for a moment before she looked up and met bright amber eyes, the right of which was covered with a flame shaped scar. They both jumped back at the same time.

"You're the guy with the bad attitude,"
"You're the clumsy girl who tripped,"

They looked at each other for another moment and then Katara looked back at the apple.

"Did you want…?"

"No, no you go ahead and have it." The boy turned away with a huff as Katara paid for her treat.

"Wait." She called after him as he started to leave.

"What?" He turned back, his face annoyed but his eyes curious.

"Well, I suppose I should thank you for helping me out earlier. If you hadn't, I don't know what those men might have done." Katara admitted softly.

The boy just shrugged. "It was no problem really," he paused, facing away from her, but looking at her from the corner of his eye. "Katara right? Is that what that kid called you?" He asked finally.

"Yeah, Katara. You?" She asked as she offered her hand.

"Zuko." He replied and clasped her extended her extended hand in his own. As he shook her hand up and down, Katara noticed how good the leather felt against her skin. It was a new and strange texture; no one in the Water Clan wore leather, preferring the soft, flowing silk that allowed more freedom of movement, not the restriction that came with leather. However, Katara found she liked the feeling and as Zuko dropped her hand, she felt her hand following his to feel the leather again, as she realized this, she quickly pulled her hand back to her side.

There was another awkward pause and Katara suddenly remembered her debt she owed him. How was she going to pay it off to him? She clutched her apple.

"Zuko!" Katara looked over the boy's shoulder to see what seemed to be his friends hurrying over. The one in the lead looked slightly younger than Zuko and had a rounder face. His eyes were the same shade as Zuko's, fiery amber. He, like Zuko, wore leather too, but the style was different. His top had long sleeves that stopped just below his wrists and was a tawny brown. The second boy seemed like Zuko's age or a little older. A topknot had restricted his dark hair and the few strands that had slipped free hung over his eyes. His shirt was like Zuko's, sleeveless but it the collar did not drop as Zuko's did and flames did not dance over it in the design Zuko's had.

"Zuko," The first boy repeated, skidding to a stop in front of his friend. "We thought that you had gotten lost, and the kidnapped and then killed!" He panted, amber eyes looking up at Zuko through his brown hair. Zuko raised an eyebrow and looked at the other boy for confirmation. The other boy rolled his eyes.

"No, he means that he didn't know where you went and decided to overreact, as usual." He clarified.

The first boy whirled on the second. "I do not overreact, Akuro. I just have a very vivid imagination. You wouldn't know of course, you have none what so ever." Akuro smirked at the shorter boy, not bothering to reply.

Katara noticed that through out the encounter between friends, Zuko stayed quiet, but a small smile tugged at the edge of his lips as he watched his two friends bicker.

"Anyway Zuko," The younger boy had returned his attention to questioning his friend. "Why did you wander off this time?"

Zuko shrugged like he normally did when he wasn't in the mood to answer. The leather of his shirt tightened over his chest as he did so, and Katara couldn't help but notice the taut muscles underneath. "I was hungry, and you were too busy to notice when I left." Akuro pointed to the smaller boy.

"I noticed, Sutto didn't."

"You noticed and you let me get all worked up?" Sutto snapped at Akuro. "What kind of friend are you?"

"The same as the kind who doesn't notice when their good friends wander off."

There was a pause and then, "Touché." Sutto mumbled under his breath.

Katara shifted uncomfortably. She should leave now, but it seemed rude to slip away without saying goodbye to Zuko who she had been talking to. As she made the small movement, Akuro's eyes caught it and his gaze slipped from Sutto to her, cocking his head slightly to the left to see around Zuko. Noticing he was no longer the center of Akuro's attention, Sutto followed his gaze and found Katara as well.

"What's this?" He purred as he pushed past Zuko and towered over Katara inspecting her. He, like Zuko, was about a head taller than she was, and she had to tilt her head back to look up at him, especially since he was at such a close proximity. His amber eyes glimmered down at her as he inspected her, eyebrows turning down slightly and mouth drawing back into an unfriendly smirk. "Well, well, looks like a little Water Clan wench on our hands. What's she doing here Zuko?"

Zuko stepped between Katara and Sutto. "I helped her out the other day, and she was just here to apologize. Nothing more Sutto."

Sutto was silent for a moment as he looked from Zuko to Katara and then he smiled. "Well then," The gruff tone had left his voice, replaced by the teasing tone he had used with Akuro. "If Zuko's okay with it, so am I, you must be growing up, you never would have done this a while back." Akuro nodded from behind Sutto, who playfully bopped Zuko on the head, (who cursed and swiped at him,) before he looked Katara over again. "I hope you thank Zuko properly, it's not every day he goes out of his way to help people you know." He smirked Katara a nod and then turned and headed back to Akuro, who seemed to have lost interest in Katara. Zuko gave Katara a stiff nod and began to follow his friends. Katara swallowed, this could be the last time she saw Zuko and she was still indebted to him. She looked down at her hand and found she was still tightly clutching the apple both she and Zuko had wanted.

"Wait," Katara called to Zuko for the second time that day. All three friends turned back toward her, Zuko's single eyebrow raised in a question. Katara's feet pounded the down the road to catch up with Zuko, and when she reached him she grabbed his hand and pressed the apple into his palm. "There, now we're even, I owe you nothing now." If it was possible, Zuko's eyebrow climbed higher on his head as Katara turned and hurried off back up the street.

The three friends stared after her for a moment, Zuko's hand still holding the apple out in front of him. Sutto, being the first to recover from the strange behavior of the Water Clan girl, sauntered back toward Zuko, took the apple, polished it on his shirt and then took a bite. He looked back up to find Zuko glaring at him, his hand now only clutching air. "What?" he asked innocently, "I'm hungry."

He barely managed to tumble out of the way as Zuko shot a torrent of flames at him. Akuro looked on amused for a second and then turned away and began to leave his two friends to fight, blissfully ignoring Sutto's pleas for help.

(As always, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to review and ask me, and I'll make sure to post the answers with the next chapter.

-cookiesandmilk)