Katara turned restlessly on her futon bed. She was unable to shut her mind off. Her thoughts were fragmented as they bounced around her brain, dissipating before they ever fully formed. Anxiety, guilt, and fear coursed through her, causing a sheen of sweat to break out across her skin and her stomach to clench painfully. She tried to focus on the mission ahead of her and Zuko, and what it could mean for the world.

But guilt always took hold of her when her mind drifted to Aang. I can't believe I broke things off with him. And then I just...left.

Frustrated and unable to sleep, Katara kicked off her blankets and left her room, bare feet padding silently on the cold metal of the Fire Navy ship, making a left and venturing down another corridor before finding the stairs that ascended to the main deck. The smell of the sea and the light of the moon would soothe her.

She raked her fingers through her loose hair in case she ran into anyone, but at the late hour she didn't think she would. Katara had put on a tunic and loose pants Iroh had left for her, eager to be out of the party dress and the memories that lingered in the stitching. The new outfit was more comfortable and practical and she had hoped in vain it would help her sleep.

She slowly opened the door to the deck, wincing as it squeaked loudly. Katara hesitated, waiting to see if anyone had heard her. The only sound she could hear was the muffled purr of the engine below deck. Satisfied that no one did, she left the door slightly ajar and made her way out onto the wide deck.

Katara walked to the railing and leaned against it. The night was cool and the stars sparkled like prized jewels, but they did not compare to the beauty of the moon. She closed her eyes, feeling its calming touch on her skin and soul. Had it truly been only a few hours ago that she had been dancing with Zuko? At the thought her heart skipped a beat. But then she thought of Aang, and what their future might hold. Would they get back together when all of this was over? Did she want that? She sighed heavily. She felt tired all the way to her bones. She only wished she could sleep.

"Katara? What are you doing awake?"

She turned, startled. Zuko had appeared silently on the deck behind her. He had changed too, into an outfit similar to hers, and his shoulder-length hair billowed in the wind. She tried to ignore the way the black clothing hugged his chest and shoulders.

He walked over to where she stood and rested his hand on the railing. His hair was tousled, though judging by the shadows beneath his eyes it was due to restless tossing and turning, not sleep.

"I could ask you the same thing," she said coolly. She looked out over the open sea. "I couldn't sleep."

"Me either. I don't know if it's excitement or nerves or having too much on my mind. Probably both." He sighed. "But it's not like I've been getting a lot of good sleep lately anyway."

"Same here." She hesitated, wondering how much she should divulge. But she inherently trusted him. She hadn't told Aang about her dreams, but she felt like she could tell Zuko. "I've been having strange dreams."

Zuko's eyes widened fractionally, so small she nearly missed it. He tried to play it off casually. "About what?"

Katara growled in frustration. "That's the thing. I don't know what they mean. I see Tui and La at the Spirit Oasis. I think they're trying to tell me something but I don't know what." She decided not to say anything about her other dream. She wanted to figure that one out for herself.

"My uncle always said the spirits have their ways of communicating with us. Including dreams," Zuko said thoughtfully. "Maybe that's why you've been dreaming of the spirits."

"Maybe." She peeked at him. "Have you been having weird dreams, too?"

"Actually, yeah," he answered. He wouldn't look at her. "I don't know what it means either. I keep seeing this woman, and I feel like I know her, or that I should know her. But I don't."

"Maybe we'll find answers at the Air Temple," Katara mused hopefully. "Our dreams are probably connected to this, don't you think?"

Zuko nodded. "My uncle said that he and the other members of the White Lotus have been having dreams too. I don't think that's a coincidence."

They fell into silence, watching the gentle waves. Katara thought about her dreams, but she was too tired to consider what they could mean. Her thoughts drifted to Aang again. He had looked so stunned, so hurt. Guilt nipped at the anger she still felt toward him.

"I didn't get to apologize to him," Katara murmured, not realizing she was talking out loud.

"To Aang? I'm sure he'll be okay, Katara. Given the circumstances. It's not like you had time to go and say sorry."

She shook her head. Her hands gripped the rails as if to hold her steady. "No, Zuko, you don't understand. Our fight was...it was bad. I said some really hurtful things to him, and when I left him we were both so angry." She let out a shaky breath. "I...I broke up with him. He probably thinks I hate him."

"You did?" He sounded surprised. He swallowed. "I mean, Katara, it kind of sounded like things were heading that way, from what you told me. Wasn't it?"

"I wanted to tell him how I felt. I didn't want to break up with him." She frowned. "Or maybe I did. I don't know. I was just so confused, and upset." She barked out a laugh and glimpsed at him from the corner of her eye. "He was jealous of you, you know."

Zuko's eyebrow rose. "Me? What for?"

Katara shook her head. Aang was wise beyond his years in so many ways, but he was still just eighteen years old. "Because you asked me to dance before he did."

Zuko wasn't sure what to say for a moment, and a pause stretched between them. Finally, he said, "You'll figure this out, Katara. Whether you guys get back together or not, this is a good opportunity for personal growth, for both of you. What if you guys just needed some time apart? Maybe this will open his eyes."

"I appreciate you trying to make me feel better but I just can't." Katara sighed. "You remember the other night, when you said I've been spending all my time doing what he wants and not enough time doing what I want? Well, there's more to it than that. The truth is…" She hesitated, uncertain.

"You can tell me, Katara," he said softly.

She inhaled a shaky breath. "The truth is that I haven't been being honest with Aang, or myself. I wasn't happy in Yu Dao. I haven't been for a long time. But I pushed my feelings down and put Aang's first. I didn't tell him. And slowly, over time...I think I started to resent him." Traitorous tears leaked from her eyes and she wiped them away, but more continued to fall. "Maybe not Aang himself, but I resented his duties, his responsibilities as the Avatar and the last airbender. I always felt like I came second to him. And I'm mad at myself because I knew who he was, and what was expected of him. But it still bothers me."

"Katara, you're only human. I honestly don't think there's anything wrong with how you're feeling," Zuko said kindly. "He's the Avatar. It's a lot of pressure for a couple to be under."

"That's true, but there's more to it than just that, Zuko. I felt like...a background character in my own life. Like my hopes and dreams didn't matter anymore. Like my feelings didn't matter." She shook her head sadly. "I felt useless, like I couldn't help him. I'm not an Air Nomad. I don't know their ways, and when Aang tried to teach me, it just didn't make sense to me. Maybe I didn't really want to learn because I didn't want to erase my own identity. It's not like he tried hard to learn my tribe's customs."

Hot tears continued to spill down her cheeks. A painful lump had formed in her throat. "But I was too afraid to say anything. I didn't want to hurt him. I didn't want him to feel like he couldn't be himself, who the world needs him to be. But he couldn't be who I needed him to be. I couldn't even be who I felt like I should be." A bitter laugh escaped her. "This is actually the first time I've ever said any of this out loud."

He put a tentative hand on her shoulder. She could feel his warmth through her tunic. "I'm honored that you trust me enough to tell me," Zuko said quietly. "I understand how hard it is to open yourself up like that. But Katara, you don't have to live that way." He let his hand fall away.

"I'm beginning to realize that. I think that's why I was so eager to agree to this. For me it's about more than just saving the world." Katara wiped away the last of her tears. "It's about saving myself, too." She looked up at him, a ghost of a smile playing on her lips. "You know, when we got Sokka's letter, just the thought of travel and adventure lifted my spirits. I was so happy to come and see everyone. We all waited too long to see each other. It's what I've been missing all this time. I'm not meant to just stay at home."

"You're as untamable as the sea." A small smile curved his lips.

Relief washed through her. He understood. "Exactly."

He turned his eyes out to the water. "I understand what you mean, Katara. I spent my whole life preparing to rule my nation one day, but I still wasn't prepared for the sheer responsibility of it. I miss the freedom. Not having to worry about appearances, or rebellions, or reparations. Not feeling like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders." He let out a heavy sigh. "Being back on a ship reminded me of that. At home, I'm Fire Lord before I'm anything else. I have duties I can't turn away from. My people need me. And I feel like I have the most fragile grasp on being the one in control...like I could lose it at any time." As if he could hold onto his rule, his hand clenched into a fist in front of him. Katara watched him curiously.

"That's why those girls were there, wasn't it? Because you're trying to please your court."

Zuko hung his head, his dark hair obscuring his eyes as he pinched the bridge of his nose between his fingers. "I try to forge my own path and yet somehow, I always bend to the wills of others. None of those noble girls mean anything to me. And I don't mean anything to them."

"If it makes you feel better, I didn't think any of them were a good match for you," Katara told him. "They were way too shallow. I got the feeling they were only there to improve their own standing."

"Thanks for the heads-up." He lifted his head, his eyes on the sea once more. "But I wasn't going to marry any of them anyway. Like I said, I was really just trying to make my court happy. But I don't think I'll ever be able to satisfy them." It was his turn to sigh. "They're waiting for me to fail."

"Then they're going to be waiting for a long, long time." Katara put her hand on his arm. "You're doing an amazing job, Zuko. You were handed the hardest job in the world at just sixteen, a job even harder than Aang's. And look at everything you've accomplished." She gestured toward the water. "You just initiated the biggest trade deal in the history of the world. That's pretty impressive."

"I've made my fair share of mistakes, too." He looked down at his hands that were wrapped tightly around the railing.

"Nobody is perfect, Zuko. You're going to make mistakes. But what makes you different from anyone else is that you acknowledge them. You don't hide from them," Katara said gently. "You own them. That's very honorable."

"Thanks, Katara." His voice was soft. He turned to look at her. A hint of a smile danced across his lips. "We should get some sleep. No offense, but you look exhausted."

She bumped him playfully with her shoulder. "You look a little rough yourself there, Fire Lord."

Together they walked back into the ship. Once they reached their destination Katara paused at her door and studied him for a moment. "Do you think we'll be able to do it? Save the world, I mean."

Zuko looked away. "I hope so. It doesn't sound like we have much of a choice. Good night, Katara."

"Good night, Zuko."

The wind howled and the freezing rain sleeted sideways in the black night. She couldn't see anything in front of her, could barely open her eyes against the pelting raindrops and harsh wind. The cold icy air nearly froze her eyelids shut. But she could feel his hand wrapped around hers tightly, his warm fingers interwoven through her cold ones. He kept her going forward, plunging through the hellish winter storm.

She slit her eyes against the wind and rain, trying to see her protector. She needed to feel his molten gaze, to know she was safe.

The ground beneath her was slick with rain, ice, and snow. Her boots crunched through the frozen crust and she lost her balance. With a soundless cry she began to fall, her feet reaching for an abyss she couldn't see. The hand that had kept her tethered slipped then tightened its resolve.

Katara looked up into stormy grey eyes and gasped. It wasn't who she had thought it was at all.

She was looking into Aang's eyes.

Katara woke with a start. She shivered as gooseflesh crawled across her arms despite the warmth of her room and blankets. She looked around, confused and disoriented. Where am I?

The previous night came crashing over her. She was on a Fire Navy ship heading toward the Western Air Temple with Zuko. She had broken up with Aang...and then she just left. They were seeking out the Conduit, a figure of legends.

She rubbed her hands across her arms to ward off the chill. In her dream she had been so cold. It had transcended into her waking too.

Katara threw her blankets off and got to her feet. She looked at her reflection in the looking glass. Her face was haggard and pinched, with deep shadows beneath her bloodshot eyes. I look horrible. She ran a comb through her hair and decided to leave it down.

Katara left her room and went out onto the wide deck. Zuko and two of the crew members were having an early-morning sparring match in the center of it, oblivious to her arrival. Zuko had left his hair loose and it billowed in the cool breeze. Seeing him without his formal topknot made him look younger somehow, more carefree. Katara decided she liked that look on him.

He had stripped off his shirt, showing off his toned abs and broad shoulders. Katara flushed and tried to focus her gaze on the blasts of flame coming from his fists instead.

He's become quite the master, she thought as she observed him, recalling the teenage boy she had met all those years ago. In those days, his anger had dominated his personality and by extension, his bending. It hadn't been until he had looked beyond his rage and discovered the true meaning of firebending that he had truly mastered it.

She watched as the two crew members closed in on him, sending volley after volley of fire at him. They were good, she would give them that, but they were no match for him. Zuko brought his arms up, conjuring a fountain of flame, and pushed his arms outward, expelling it toward his mock-enemies. The firebenders jumped aside to avoid the blast. Her eyes widened. That's a waterbending move!

"I think that's enough practice for today," Zuko said, a victorious grin on his face. "Unless you want me to beat you again?"

The two crew members shook their heads, bowed respectfully, and took their leave before their Fire Lord changed his mind. They brushed past Katara and nodded reverently before disappearing into the ship. Zuko finally saw her standing there.

"How long have you been watching?" he inquired as he wiped the sweat from his face with a damp cloth.

"Long enough," Katara replied as she approached him. "That was some pretty impressive bending. Was that a waterbending move I saw?" She quirked a brow at him.

"It was," Zuko said. Color rose in his cheeks. "I got it from you, actually."

She was nonplussed. "From me?"

"Yeah, you used that move on me way back at the Spirit Oasis." He chuckled at the memory. "I remember I was so mad at you because I went in thinking it would be so easy to defeat you. Little did I know you'd found a master. Oversight on my end, really. But you really gave me a run for my money."

"Huh," Katara mused, a proud smile creasing her lips. "I guess I did, didn't I?"

"You did. But I never forgot the move. And once Uncle put it in my head that the most powerful benders draw inspiration from all of the nations, not just their own, I knew right away which move I wanted to try first." Zuko smirked at her. "I even used it against the Dai Li."

She lifted her eyebrows, impressed. "Well, your uncle is definitely right. I use earth and air techniques when I bend." She looked at him and pursed her lips thoughtfully. "I wonder how useful firebending moves would be for a waterbender?"

Zuko pondered that. "Probably quite a lot. Here, let me teach you a move and you can decide for yourself."

"Okay," Katara beamed, pleasantly surprised. She followed him out to the middle of the deck. In truth, she was also grateful for the distraction. She took a moment to limber up.

"The key to successful firebending is waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike your opponent. You observe them closely, looking for their weak points, and hit those weak spots hard once you have an opportunity," Zuko explained. "Firebending is grounded in balance and precision. Take that away from your opponent, and it shouldn't be hard to defeat them."

He dropped into position, feet planted firmly on the deck, back straight, arms up and ready to strike. With a quickness his arm shot out straight, and a ball of fire erupted from his fist, shooting out over the open sea. Zuko relaxed his position and gestured to Katara.

"Now you try," he said.

Katara uncapped the water skin at her waist, planted her feet shoulder-width apart, and brought her arms up, fists at chest-level, as Zuko had. The position felt odd to her; it was nothing like a waterbending form.

"That's good, but not quite right," Zuko told her. He came up behind her and squatted down, adjusting her feet. "Point your toes outward to plant your root. You want your weight spread evenly. Balance is key. And your arms are a bit too wide; leaving yourself open to attack like that is a perfect opportunity for an enemy to strike you down." He straightened and grabbed her elbows, tucking them into her ribs. He leveled out her forearms and turned her wrists so that the sides of her fists faced outward. Finally he placed one hand on the small of her back and one on the nape of her neck, forcing her spine into a straight line.

"This feels really weird," Katara remarked to him. "Waterbenders don't stand like this at all."

"That's because it's a firebending form," Zuko replied. "It's a basic move, but it's a good starting point. It's one of the first forms a firebender learns. Now, I want you to blast your water straight out like an enemy was standing right there ready to attack you. Ready?"

Katara nodded purposefully. "I'm ready."

He stepped back. "Now!"

Katara called the water to her and thrust her arm out as Zuko had done. The water obeyed her command, and a stream of water zipped through the air before disappearing over the railing of the ship.

"That was really good," Zuko said with a grin.

"It was almost like the water whip!" Katara exclaimed. She turned to him in excitement. "But it was like...like a punch!"

"Exactly."

"I'm going to try it again." A fierce grin spread across her face.

Zuko would never admit it out loud, but he was happy he could make her smile like that. He would have to do that more often.

Katara fixed herself in the position. This time Zuko only had to make minor corrections to her posture before she was ready. Katara repeated the move, feeling the exhilaration as the water, an extension of herself, forced its way through the air at lightning speed.

"That's incredible!" Katara enthused. "Waterbending is more about using your opponent's force against them. It's not about brute force."

"Firebending isn't either, but it draws some of its power from there," Zuko said. "Are you ready to learn another move?"

"Yes!"

Zuko smiled before he pursed his lips thoughtfully. "Waterbenders use their arms more than anything. It's a weakness, because if you restrain their arms they're almost entirely defenseless. That's why firebenders use their hands and feet. And, if they're talented enough, they use their mouths too—but breathing fire is a lot harder than using your limbs."

Katara grimaced at the thought of expelling water from her mouth. But she also knew he had a point: whenever her arms had been rendered useless, she had been helpless.

"Have you ever tried to bend water with your feet?" Zuko asked her, and she shook her head. He nodded, a smirk on his face. "Well, you're going to learn today then, Princess."

Zuko stood apart from her. He positioned his legs and feet similarly to the former move, but his legs weren't bent so deeply. His hands were still fisted at chest level. Zuko moved his left foot to the right and brought it up in an arc that leveled with his face, fire trailing from the heel of his boot. When his foot made contact with the deck again an explosion of fire trailed down the metal, leaving black scorch marks.

He straightened up and turned to Katara. "Think you can work with that?"

"Well, I've never actually tried to bend water with my feet before, so it might take me a few tries." She considered the move. "But I'm sure I can get it," she added confidently.

Katara sank into position. Zuko nodded approvingly at her form. She pulled the water from her pouch and puddled it onto the deck near her foot before she brought her leg up. The water barely followed at first, and she had to give it quite a few tries before gaining confidence.

Eventually, and with Zuko's guidance, she was able to get the water to follow her foot as it would her hands. Then she tried to move it in its entirety again. She brought her foot up, watching as the water trailed her heel, before she slammed her foot on the deck. Katara watched as the water sprayed outward and washed away Zuko's scorches.

"That was great, Katara," Zuko told her genuinely. "How do you feel about that?"

"I've never used my feet to water bend like that before," she mused. "It brings out a whole new style of bending. That's definitely going to be useful."

"Let's try a more simple kick then," Zuko said. He smirked at her. "I just wanted to challenge you first."

Katara's mouth dropped open in surprise, but she recovered quickly and resumed listening to her instructor. Her instructor...who still had no shirt on. Honestly, it was a miracle she could concentrate at all.

He stood with his body turned slightly to the side, knees bent, arms brought up close to his body to protect his core. With a quick move, he brought his leg in close before kicking outward. A jet of fire expelled across the deck.

"Wow," Katara said. "Imagine that move with ice daggers." Her eyes were wide and she clasped her hands in front of her chest as she tried to envision it.

"Give it a try," Zuko encouraged. He gestured toward the open deck.

She didn't need further encouragement.

Katara had expended the water from her skin. She called back what had pooled on the deck and readied herself. Zuko shook his head and came up behind her, planting his hands on her waist to turn her more sharply, and tucked her elbows in further.

"Weak spots," he murmured in her ear.

She ignored the chill that broke out across her skin where his breath touched it and imitated him, bringing her foot in close before letting go. The water followed her command and it spurted away from her. Katara exhaled, and the droplets turned into shards of ice that stuck into the deck.

"Very nice," Zuko told her, impressed. He planted his hands on his waist as he thought about what he wanted to try next. Katara forced herself to keep her eyes on his face. "Ok, now I want to teach you one more move that's saved my skin more than once, but I need to know if you're ready. This move works best with a partner to spar with."

He sounds excited about this. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

"Okay, let's do it," Katara said. Adrenaline was coursing through her veins. She felt powerful, unstoppable. "Show me what to do." And, between the sparring and her shirtless instructor, she was thoroughly distracted.

Zuko came up close to her. "Say you're locked in with an opponent with nowhere to go. They manage to knock you down and they think they've got you right where they want you."

Without warning his fists came up. Katara faltered backwards against the hot flames encasing them. Zuko hooked her ankle with the toe of his boot and Katara reeled backwards as she struggled to retain her balance. Before she fell he caught her by the waist with one arm and lowered her to the ground. Zuko pulled back but rather than standing up he stayed poised over her, one flaming hand ready to deliver the killing blow. She could feel the heat against her skin.

"You could try to attack with your hands, but that would leave you defenseless and they could deflect it easily. All you have to work with are your legs. Tell me, what should you do?"

Katara observed the situation. Zuko's feet were planted firmly on the ground, close enough to her to reach with her own legs. Moving quickly, she brought her ankle against his. Surprised, Zuko fell as his root was broken, landing on his back. Katara jumped to her feet and brought her arms up, ready for the next attack.

He grinned fiercely up at her. "That's exactly what you should do, Katara. Break their root."

She smirked in triumph as she offered him her hand and helped him back to his feet. "There's no bending involved in that move," Katara observed.

"Not every attack needs to—or should—rely on bending." He handed her a cool rag, taking one for himself. He wiped the sweat from his brow and offered a shrug of his shoulders. "Why do you think I mastered dual swords?"

"So if you couldn't bend you wouldn't be defenseless," she realized with a quiet gasp.

"Exactly."

Katara mulled that over thoughtfully. "I don't know how to fight without my bending."

"I'd be happy to show you a thing or two, but let's get something to eat first," Zuko said. He rubbed his stomach. "I'm starving."

Katara chuckled. "You sound just like my brother."

He elbowed her playfully. "Hey, you haven't been sparring out here since the sun came up."