A.N. I'm so sorry for such a long wait. I have been suffering from stress-induced writer's block. But I did some pretty intense therapy (aka googling 'writer's block') so I pretty much over it. I have off from school this whole week so I plan to update soon. Enjoy. :)

Merry Christmas!!

Disclaimer: Let's just say that when I own Avatar: TLA, I'll tell you about it. How does that sound?

A week passed, rather uneventful. Katara became accustomed to Prince Zuko's daily routine, and to his presence as well. She would never feel completely comfortable around him, but at least now she didn't jump every time he looked at her.

There was something about him, she decided, that just made her uneasy, although she couldn't tell what. Sometimes just thinking about him gave her a knot in her stomach. It wasn't because of fear. She knew fear. The Prince was…intimidating, but she had been trained not to be afraid of her target. He would be able to sense her fear and use it against her. So, no. It wasn't fear.

Katara pondered this for awhile longer before the bells shattered her thoughts. She let out a sigh and rose out of her bed. It was still morning, but much later than the Prince's normal waking time. Katara was grateful for the extra time she had to sleep. Katara threw on a robe and went to see what the Prince wanted.

Katara knocked on the door and was immediately admitted to see an exhausted looking Prince Zuko. General Iroh stood off to the side, tea in hand. Katara bowed to both of them.

"Your highness?" she asked Zuko, who was currently pacing back and forth.

Iroh spoke for him. "Miss Katara, last night we were summoned by the Fire Lord for a conference. I called you-"

"For no reason," Zuko interrupted. "I don't need her now, Uncle."

Iroh took a sip of tea and shook his head. "I called you to tell you that the peasants are revolting up north. My brother has decided to put my nephew and I in charge of a small army. We will be leaving this afternoon, if you want to go pack."

Katara spent the rest of the morning getting ready to leave. She had no idea how long she would be gone for or even where she was going, but was too afraid to ask. Zuko seemed to be in a particularly bad mood that day. Whether it was from lack of sleep or plain annoyance, she had no idea.

Zuko was eating his lunch quietly in his room while Katara was finishing up packing his clothes. Iroh walked in with merely a knock to announce himself. Zuko looked at his Uncle quickly. "Not now, Uncle. I'm eating."

Iroh ignored his comment. "We are almost done packing up, Prince Zuko. Do you have your things?"

Zuko waved in Katara's general direction. Iroh nodded and then frowned at the amount of stuff Zuko was bringing. "How much stuff did you pack, Prince Zuko?"

"Less than you," Zuko muttered under his breath, afraid to imagine the strange things that his Uncle though would be of use to him. Iroh didn't hear.

The General turned toward his nephew. "Help Miss Katara with those things, Prince Zuko."

Zuko looked at Katara and mumbled something before grabbing two packs and dragging them out of the room. Katara followed, smiling at Iroh. He smiled back and winked at her.

Katara followed Iroh and Zuko to what she guessed was the soldier's barracks. Men in uniform walked around in a large courtyard, gathering things together. Katara's eyes widened at the strange creatures she saw. Sure, she had read about all of them in books, but seeing them was something completely different.

The courtyard was filled with komodo rhinos and mongoose dragons. The soldiers were loading them with packs filled with supplies. Iroh looked around and smiled. "It has been so long since I have had to prepare for battle."

Katara looked at him. "You're not fighting, are you?"

Iroh laughed at that. "Of coarse not, Miss Katara. But I prepare, all the same."

Iroh walked over to a rhino that was hitched up to a cart. He motioned toward it. "Throw the packs in there, Miss Katara, Prince Zuko. Let me go find our mounts."

Zuko flung the two bags he was carrying into the cart and stood there, looking mad and bored. Katara looked at him. She had several questions, but she valued her life so she kept them to herself.

Iroh came back to get the two teens and led them around to the other side of the barracks. When Katara saw what they would be riding, she nearly fainted. Before her stood two, large dragons. They had long, snakelike bodies with four stubby feet sticking out and large, batlike wings spread out to their sides. One was a deep red color, the other silver, like the moon. Zuko walked over to the silver one, stroking her side. Katara could see his mood had lightened a bit.

Iroh must have seen the shock on Katara's face. "I guess you have never ridden a dragon before, Miss Katara."

Katara could barely shake her head. Iroh laughed. "You ride with Zuko on Arian."

Katara looked at Iroh, who had already mounted his dragon, Siena. I think I'll walk there, thank you. "No saddle?" Katara managed to whisper.

Iroh shook his head. "You won't fall off. Prince Zuko, help her up."

Katara made her way over to Zuko, who was now also sitting atop his dragon. He offered her his hand. Walking sounds real good right now. Before completely realizing what she was doing, Katara grabbed his hand and was pulled up onto Arian. She slid into place behind Zuko. Katara looked over the side of the dragon and cringed. And we're not even off the ground yet.

In a second, Arian jumped and rose into the air. Katara winced and went to grab the closest thing to her, which so happened to be Zuko's waist. She closed her eyes and prayed with all her heart to Tui and La that she would survive this.

After a few minutes, Katara opened her eyes. She nearly screamed. They were so high up. Iroh was flying next to them, smiling sweetly, completely relaxed. He looked toward Katara and waved. She simply closed her eyes and buried her face into Zuko's back. Katara them continued to pray for all she was worth.

The whole time a scowl covered Zuko's face. He wasn't happy about riding with the servant girl in the first place, but this was ridiculous. From the second they left the ground, she insisted on holding onto him. Zuko sighed. Stupid peasant.

A.N. Sorry for the shortness and fillerness of the chapter. I just needed to get my thoughts straight. But now I know what I'm doing, so it'll get better next chapter. I promise. The more reviews I get, the faster I update.

So please review!!

P.S. I rewrote the summary. The old one was starting to annoy me.