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Chapter 8- Secrets and Plans

They left Cidade da Terra that night. All supplies had been purchased and all the men were on board by an hour past midday. The young prince had been glowering since his uncle casually mentioned he had watched the events of the morning, including, to Zuko's horror, when he was stubborn enough to walk into the ladies' undergarments shop. To blow off some steam, he began to practice his fire bending.

Right. Left. Right. Kick. Jump. Dodge. Repeat. It was all routine for him, his basics. He barely noticed when his dear uncle appeared on the deck to observe the prince's practicing. But he failed to notice the small, blue-robed figure following closely behind.

"He is quite skilled, isn't he?" Katara asked quietly, as she sipped the warm tea brought out by the old general.

"Quite skilled! He's one of the finest fire benders in the entire nation. A very powerful bender, very powerful…" he drifted off and Katara's mind suddenly flickered at the description and turned to watch the young man more closely. Aunt Wu… "Unfortunately, his sister is even more amazing. She's a year younger than Prince Zuko, and yet he has never bested her. She is a child prodigy. And a horrible little monster. My nephew is, or rather was, a kind boy. I almost wish that boy was here again. Although it was his kindness that won him that scar," he finished glumly.

"If you don't mind my asking, how did he get his scar?" Katara wondered.

"Oh, I don't mind you asking, but it's not my story to tell. It's the prince's. Ask him."

"Then I shall never learn. That pompous jerk wouldn't tell me the color of the sky, even if I paid him."

"He would tell a friend, if he had one. You know, if you want a friend, you must first be a friend. And before you even say it," he interrupted as he saw she was about to do the same, "he might not seem very friendly, so you'll have to make him. You must be the one to be the friend."

Katara regarded the old man, then turned her attention back to the warrior on the deck. "I guess," she sighed. As a cool sea breeze crossed the ship, she stood. "I'm going to head in. It's a tad chilly."

As she turned to go inside, the prince happened to finally notice the splash of blue that didn't belong to the sea. Katara reached the doorway and before stepping inside, turned and looked the prince straight in the eye. Even from a distance, her eyes burned with determination and god, what a blue… After a moment, she gave a small smile, and stepped through the doorway. Zuko suddenly noticed he had stopped his practicing and looked to his uncle, who was trying unsuccessfully to hide his uncontrollable giggling.

"What!" he snapped.

"Oh nothing, Prince Zuko. We were just admiring your form." Although some a little differently than others, I'm sure… The old man chuckled as his nephew turned a bright shade of red which he tried to hide as he returned to his basic maneuvers.

Dinner that night with Uncle Iroh and Zuko was quiet. As hard as Iroh tried, the only noise he could bring forth from the waterbender were simple answers, yes, no, thank you. But, inspiration hit him like a cold fish!

"Katara, I have just had a thought. We both already know Zuko's standpoint so I'll cut to the chase. We are nearing the fire nation. It would be odd for us to suddenly show up with a female passenger. Of course we could always pass you off as a prisoner-"

"Because that's what she is, uncle. She is a prisoner," the prince interrupted.

"Prince Zuko, show some courtesy to the young lady. As I was saying," he continued as Zuko settled back into a resentful silence, "we could pass you off as a prisoner, but there would be no reason for you to accompany us into the palace. You would be detained and thrown into those grimy cells in the dungeon." He cast a sidelong glance at his nephew. Try as he might, Zuko could not contain his disgust at the thought of the waterbender in the dungeon. He smiled inwardly. "So, my idea is this: my dear nephew will escort you into the royal courts as his… um… lady friend."

"Lady friend!" Zuko bellowed, standing forcefully, knocking over the chair.

"Yes. Lady friend. Katara can go places we cannot. And I'm certain Katara would like to help rescue her brother and the Avatar. Now sit down Prince Zuko. That's not very gentlemanly."

"Rescue! This isn't a rescue! I've got to-"

"Um, do I have a say in this?" Katara interrupted. Iroh and his nephew turned to look at the young waterbender. "I know I want to help, and I know I don't want to stay in those cells," she began slowly, "but I'm not so sure about this lady friend business. For one thing, won't someone notice a waterbender in fire nation halls? And how will we find Aang and Sokka? And-"

"All in good time, my dear. But for now, one question at a time. I'll answer the first question. They won't notice you because they won't see your face. They won't see anyone's face, actually." A confused look upon the girl's face prompted an explanation. "You see, it's a masquerade ball. Everyone will be wearing masks and no one is to remove them until midnight. No one knows who is who! It's a lovely surprise to see your dance partner. Usually. One year I attended, my dance partner turned out to be- well, how should I put this? She looked better with the mask on. And we'll have to teach you to dance and etiquette and the whole event is really quite enjoyable-"

"Uncle! We don't have time for this." Turning to the girl, he asked gruffly, "So, are you going in on my arm wearing bracelets or shackles?"

"Shackles? You wouldn't dare! I refuse to be shackled to anything ever again. I'll go in on your arm as your 'lady friend' and I will save Aang." Katara stood, turned and stopped at the door of the dining room. "Good night, gentlemen." With much finality, she left the room and went off to her cabin for the night.

"That was close, dear nephew," Iroh sighed after she left.

"What was, Uncle?"

"Well, you would have had to send her to that dungeon is she hadn't agreed to be escorted by you. A dungeon visit is not a good way to start out a relationship."

Oooooo! The plot thickens! Another chapter of CMWIF finished. (That looks funny.) Sorry this chapter is so short. Writer's block is absolute evil! And the chapter name really sucks. Help me out here. Got anything better? I just know Zuko is extremely OOC. I'm sure they all are. It is impossible to write a fan fiction convincingly. You don't actually know for sure what's supposed to go through a character's mind. It is quite frustrating. Although I have seen some very good stories where you could completely believe that sort of thing might happen in the show. I can't wait for more episodes!

I absolutely adore all the wardrobe suggestion you have given me! It lets me pretend to be a fashion designer. (And it's only pretending, cuz I really suck!)