Katara wondered through the halls that night. With information from the crew man, she found Iroh's room. She knocked and Iroh said to come in. She did. Iroh was delighted.

"Ah, Katara!"

"I remember you said that you liked ginseng, I made lotion and I am giving it to you."

Iroh slowly took it, silently contemplating. He knew who she was. He took her and hugged her. He had thought that maybe she was hurt in the war. She was a sweet girl. Katara, on the other hand, was surprised at the hug. When released, she looked at the elderly man and laughed heartily.

"You must really love ginseng!"

Iroh laughed also. She did not know, and neither did Zuko. He wondered how long it would take them to figure it out. This was going to be fun.

"Pardon me for crashing your lotion party."

The icy voice came from the open door; Katara had forgotten to close it. Zuko.

She made a move to leave, but Zuko grabbed her wrist.

"I have questions and you have answers."

"Whoever said that I would answer them?"

Katara released her wrist and ran from the room, Zuko behind her. Iroh smiled. This was going to be fun!

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Katara ran up to the deck. Zuko ran after her. Man! She was fast! Katara scrambled past the crew who looked at the pair. Some were on the verge of laughter. The two were jumping over chairs, dodging poles and going round the deck. All the while, Katara was screaming warnings to the crew.
"Look out! In coming! Banzai!"

All the while, Zuko was yelling at her.

"Get back here peasant!"

Zuko caught up to her and dragged her to the mess hall. No one was there.

"Now peasant, tell me were he is! Now!"

"You can curse, hurt, or torture me all you want! I will not betray those I love!"

Zuko looked at her.

"I am not going to hurt you. It is dishonorable to harm a woman or a child or the elderly."

Katara laughed mockingly.

"Is that why you are chasing a twelve year old across the world!? He is the only one who can save the world! Why are you doing this?"

Zuko was getting frustrated.

"It is none of your business, but it is honorable."

Again Katara laughed.

Zuko grabbed her shoulders and held her at eye length. Katara looked at him rebelliously. A stray hair crossed her face. She pulled it back. Zuko looked at her hand. On it was a ring, his mother's ring.

"Where did you get that?"
His voice had changed and Katara looked up at him.

"It is mine."

"It was my mother's."

"Impossible."

"Who gave that to you?"

Zuko's sudden change surprised her and she became defensive.

"Someone."

"Who?"

"A boy."

"What was his name?"

"I-I forget."

Katara looked like she regretted that she had not remembered and Zuko believed her. He took her hand which startled her even more. It was the ring. He then put her hand above the ring he was wearing. Katara looked down. Her eyes were wide.

"Where did you get that?"

Katara picked up his hand and studied it.

"From a girl."

"What was her name?"

"I forget."

Katara looked up at him.

"Fireworks?"

Zuko was shocked and dumbfounded at hearing his pet name. He looked at her.

"It is you."

Katara stared at him. She reached up to his scar and he drew away. Why did he have to look like this? Why did he have to look so ugly when she was here? His thoughts were turbulent and took his mind.

"What happened?"

This was too much. He knew he would break down and did not want to show weakness. He turned away from her and exited the room, leaving a confused Katara.

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Dun-dun-duh!!! Look out for chapter 13! It's comin! Thank you Red Blue Jay, Harlequin Jade, Nyx-night goddesss, Elle Elleb, Seya 492, and everyone who has reviewed! I really love review and it would make me really happy if everyone reviewed. I love feedback. ) Please review!

I know you all have questions; hopefully next chapter will answer some.

--Sahlili20