Thanks for the reviews! Even though I probably already responded to everybody, just wanted to say it again. As promised, finally some Zutara goodness.

Disclaimer: I still don't own Avatar.

Katara stood tensed on the balls of her feet in the small moonlit clearing, water bending pouch at the ready. Her heart pounded madly and her body flooded with adrenaline as she scanned the surroundings. The only sound in the still night air was that of her own harsh breathing, until… Thump! "Son of a…!" She lunged blindly, snapping her water whip into the line of trees on her left.

A loud indignant cry resounded through the isolated woods, "Owww!" And to her utter astonishment, there appeared one of the last people she ever expected to see; Prince Zuko. He came hobbling out into the moonlight from the darkness of the forest, rubbing his upper right thigh and scowling fiercely. His countenance even managed to scare her a bit, despite his bedraggled and leaf-ridden appearance.

"What the hell was that for water wench?! You came close to castr…bruising important places!"

Katara barely registered his words, eyes still bulging at the sight of Zuko stumping out of the forest in the middle of the night. She might as well have thought herself capable of sprouting wings and flying.

"You!" she finally gasped.

"Yes me," Zuko countered evenly, still rubbing his sore thigh.

"You," she said again, this time sounding a feral growl.

The water bender's cheeks flushed in anger and without gaping another moment, lashed out with another water whip. Zuko quickly dive rolled to the right. "Wait," he said getting to his feet and raising a hand.

The girl reacted instinctively; throwing a blast of water directly into his chest, and sending the Prince stumbling. Before Zuko had time to counter she gathered another ball of water, and drove him back with enough force to knock him flying. He hurtled backward and slammed painfully against a massive tree trunk. Katara manipulated the water once again; pulling it into a long sheet, and wrapping it around the body of the young man, effectively pinning him to the tree. She gazed at him defiantly, one hand held up to keep Zuko trapped in a liquid prison. He stared back for a few long moments, their heavy panting filling the quiet forest.

"Fine you crazy peasant! Now will you listen?! All I wanted to do was talk."

"Talk!!" she screeched, "talk!" Zuko winced as the water pressure increased around his already sore body. "You've been tracking us for days, spied on me, and snuck up on me in the middle of some god's forsaken forest in the middle of who-knows-where, and you just wanted to have a nice little chat! Oh, and not to mention that little stunt in Ba Sing Se! I trusted you and you betrayed me!!! Why would I listen to anything you have to say?! Besides," she added almost scornfully, "you couldn't move to fight me. I've beaten you."

Briefly she wondered at actually having beaten him so easily. What is he trying to pull now?

He glared at her, firing up at once, and spoke just as scathingly, "As if I be searching for you. I was trying to make my way to your camp; to the Avatar, and speak with him.

Katara made a small sound of disbelief, but he continued as if he had not heard her.

"I didn't want to startle you when you were meditating, but you ended up walking in front of me when I tried to make my way around you. Then I tripped over a damn rock in the dark. And peasant," he added sneeringly, putting all the contempt and arrogance (which was quite a lot) he could muster into his Princely voice, "I could easily escape your weak element. I've remained passive to convince you of my intent. But anyone with half a brain would have realized that I didn't want to fight."

While Katara was spluttering in anger, too incensed to speak, Zuko took the opportunity to bend his head, his only free appendage, and take a quick sip of the water swirling round his chest and neck. Alright Uncle. He heated the water, swishing it around his mouth, and with a deep breathe released a burst of flame that would have made Iroh proud.

Stumbling back in surprise at the explosion of fire, Katara dropped her hold of the water. The resounding force of the blast knocked her off her feet, and she landed flat on her back, with the air whooshing out of her lungs. As she was gasping in surprise and pain Zuko leapt through the broken water barrier, droplets of water suspended through the air around his body. He landed on the ground in front of her and took a fighting stance; his hand flat and thrust forward, and one arm cocked back in a fist in front of her face. Just as astonishing to the young water bender was when that menacing fist turned into a helping hand. She stared at the extended hand for a few tense moments, breathing hard. But wordlessly brushed it aside, got to her feet under her own power, and retreated a few steps.

"I told you I didn't want to fight you. It would be pointless…Now do you believe me?" he asked simply, still regarding her warily. The girl said nothing and turned her back on him. "Look," he began to get impatient, "I already know where your camp is. I haven't tried to capture or harm you. You can't stop me from speaking with the Avatar."

"Wanna bet?" she countered snidely. "Look around Zuko. It's nighttime; the moon is out, or hadn't you noticed?" With difficulty Zuko swallowed an angry retort.

The master water bender took a few minutes to regain some composure, her mind racing, before crossing her arms and turning back to her would-be-enemy, eyeing him uncertainly. "Fine," she finally snapped. "But I'm warning you, if you try anything, I, Aang, Sokka, Toph, Appa, and Momo won't hesitate to bring you down."

Zuko looked at her strangely, being briefly reminded of his sister. Who the heck are Appa, Toph, and Momo?

"Wait," he said suddenly, as Katara had already begun to make her way back to camp. "I left my Uncle back with the horses. He said we needed to appear 'diplomatic' and 'non-threatening.' And Gods only know why he sent me," the Prince muttered ironically.

Horse? Katara thought quizzically.

"Okay, I'll wait here."

"Fine," and he added over his shoulder, "don't even think of running; it would be senseless."

Katara glowered at his retreating back; not accomplishing much, but making her feel a little better. When he had gone she harrumphed in anger. Just who does he think he is? She started to stomp off angrily. What am I doing? Leading the Prince of Jerks and his Uncle right back to Aang, I can't trust him. She quickened her pace, then stopped. But wait he does know where we're encamped. Screw him; I can still warn the others. She started back to camp again. Back and forth Katara went before finally throwing up her hands, growling in frustration, "Errggghh!" and stamping back to the place she was to wait for him.

The Prince smirked slightly when he returned, taking in her folded arms, tapping foot, and impatient frown. "Smart decision," he remarked softly.

Her heated reply died on her lips large when she caught a glimpse of the moonlight illuminated shapes that were following him. Katara left Zuko abruptly, her face changing from frozen anger to a look of wonder as she approached the stranger and mysterious creatures. "What in the name of Yue," she murmured.

Iroh chuckled. "They're horses my dear girl. Ancestor of the Ostrich Horse. Very rare and very beautiful, don't you think?"

She turned to him. Like Zuko, his clothes were slightly ripped and torn, and his hair and beard were riddled with leaves and brush. But in spite of his haggard appearance he had a friendly twinkle in his eye. She looked regarded him for a moment before returning her gaze to the horses; long lithe forms, delicate yet sturdy legs, arching necks, proud fine heads, and rippling muscles. They were indeed beautiful, stunning, yet decidedly large. They were all grace and power, two opposite qualities coming together in perfect harmony in one being. Interesting. The large black one, currently snorting and stamping, was particularly magnificent. He had spirit.

"Are they dangerous?" she asked, cautiously reaching out a hand to stoke his glossy black coat.

From behind her Zuko rolled his eyes. "No, we rode them here. What'd you think? Uncle jumped on my back?"

"How did you get them?"

"We stole them from the Earth King's stables," Iroh answered proudly. Katara frowned, but the wily old fire bender continued. "By the way, here we are talking and we have yet to be properly introduced. Where are my manners? Or should I say my nephews.' He should introduce us. I daresay you two know each other," he finished holding back a grin. The only response was a deadly golden glare, and Katara "hmphing," turning her nose up.

Iroh ignored this and bowed to Katara. "Retired General Iroh, Uncle of Prince Zuko, and now fugitive of the Fire Nation, and you are my dear?"

"I am Katara of the Southern Water Tribe, Master Water Bender, and companion of Avatar Aang." Katara, remembering her manners, dropped her head reluctantly.

"At last we meet formally. We've crossed paths a few times."

"Yes we have."

"Katara, what a beautiful name. It suits you," Iroh conjectured, taking a startled Katara's hand and brushing it with his lips.

"Uncle," came Zuko's aggravated voice.

Katara blushed and taking her hand back, stuttered a 'thank you.' This was the Dragon of the West?

Zuko came forward. "Don't mind my Uncle he's a bit ….eccentric," he ended uncomfortably. Great now my Uncle's flirting with underage girls. And peasants for that matter.

Iroh merely grinned, then chuckled. "Don't worry my dear. I'm just stating an obvious fact. Now will you escort an old fool to your camp? We should like to speak with the Avatar." And with that, Iroh offered her his arm. A bemused Katara smiled hesitantly and took his proffered arm, leading him back to the campsite with a frowning Zuko in tow.

As they walked, the reality of the situation seemed to dawn on Katara. The kind and friendly older man had thrown her off, and the situation had taken on some kind of normalcy. But now her mind was racing with doubts and alarm bells. Oh gods what am I doing?! I should have made a run for it before he came back. Too late now!! Katara stopped abruptly before entering the clearing where the gang was currently sleeping.

"What now?" Zuko asked irritably.

She swallowed. "Well I think it might…startle them to wake up to the sight of you both, especially Zuko. You saw my reaction."

"Ahh that explains the wetness then," Iroh interjected, grinning like a fool. "Who won?"

"I did," came the simultaneous response. They glared at each other.

Katara raised her hands, making to draw the water off of him. "I got it," Zuko grumbled. She gave him an offended look and dropped her hands as he inhaled, and then exhaled slowly, the water evaporating and steaming off of his body with each outward breath.

"Wait here and don't come out until I signal you. I'll try and explain…whatever it is you're doing here." Katara left a hard faced Zuko and a pleasantly expectant Iroh on the edge of the clearing. What oh what am I going to say?

Toph! She doesn't hate them like Aang and Sokka do. She even likes the old man.

She ducked into the little earth tent, but the younger girl surprised her. "Yeah I heard you Sugar Queen. I woke up when I heard you walking towards us with two other people. You okay?"

Toph didn't look too distressed by her rambling response. "Okay. But didn't angry jerk turn to the dark side and his uncle get locked up?"

Katara gave her a look. (Even though it didn't do any good) "I told you, it's complicated. Let's just get everyone up and then I'll explain."

Toph nodded and she breathed a sigh of relief. One down, two to go. Well maybe Sokka counts as more than one. Gods know how he'll take this. Katara gently shook her brother's shoulder while Toph merely bent over and yelled in Aang's ear, "Hey twinkle toes!! Rise and shine!!!!"

Katara rolled her eyes, "Toph…"

"Hey it worked didn't it?" Aang nearly jumped a foot in the air, clutching his staff and looking wildly around. "What!? What's wrong, what's going on??!!! Katara ok?!"

"Oh nothing really," Toph said obviously enjoying herself, "Katara just wanted us all to have a chat."

Aang looked to Katara, still gripping his bending staff. "It's really important Aang," she said earnestly. He nodded and went to sit with Toph by the remnants of their fire.

Meanwhile Katara was shaking the lump of blankets that was Sokka progressively harder. "Sokka! Sookkaa! SOKKA!" Finally she heard a mumbled, "Lemme alone 'tara."

With a roll of her eyes his sister opened her bending water, fully intending to drench him. But as she held an orb of icy water over him, she hesitated. This might not be the best way to wake Sokka up, considering what she was about to tell him. Oh well, he won't be in a good mood anyways; being woken up in the wee hours of the morning. And with that thought (and a little bit of mischievous pleasure) she dropped the ball of water on his unsuspecting head.

"Waaauuugggghhh!!! Kaaataaarrrrraaaaaaaaa!!!!!"

"Oh good, you're up."

Sokka continued to flail blindly around until finally, legs entangled in fur blankets, he sprawled face first into the dirt. From there he glared up at his baby sister who was gazing down at him smugly and holding back her laughter. Without a word she bended the freezing water off of her brother and into her pouch. "Sorry Sokka," she explained trying to look contrite, "but I needed you to get up." Suddenly her amusement vanished. "It's important, come on."

Still muttering and grumbling something about 'infernal show-off benders' Sokka picked himself up and followed Katara to the middle of the camp. He collapsed next to Aang, and then imitated the Avatar by looking expectantly at his sister, standing in front of them all.

"Right, well now that we're all gathered I guess I should explain why I woke you up in the middle of the night. "

"Again," Sokka added. Sparing him a glare, she continued.

"Well I guess Toph sort of already knows. But this might be harder for you two." She twisted her hands. "Okay I better start at the beginning."

"Go ahead Katara," said Aang encouragingly.

She shot him a nervous smile and took a deep breath. "After everyone had fallen asleep...so I pulled out my water and…well it wasn't some-thing it was some-one."

Sokka groaned, "Katara you need to be careful! I can't be around all the time to protect you!"

"I…well..." Katara floundered, flustered again. "This is so hard, try to understand."

Her brother's eyes flashed "Did someone hurt you Katara??...Because if they did I'll…

"Katara," Aang broke in, "whatever happened you can tell us. Just say it. We're your friends. And family." He smiled reassuringly. "Yup," Toph added for emphasis.

The young waterbender was touched, and courage surged through her. "Thank you Aang. Well see, that someone was Zuko. He stumbled out of the woods looking like he'd been wandering around for a bit." Sokka's jaw dropped, Aang's eyes bulged, and Toph, well Toph didn't move and nor did her expression change.

Katara hurried on,"Of course I started to fight him, but he didn't fight back. Then he went and got his Uncle who had these horse things they had ridden here. And they said that they'd been tracking us and that they needed to talk to Aang; to all of us."

"And you believed them!?" Sokka cried in incredulity.

"So I led them here," she finished lamely and looked expectantly at her friends. Moments of awkward silence passed, Katara fidgeting and waiting nervously.

"YOU DID WHAT!!!???" Sokka finally shrieked, skinny arms flapping wildly. Small winged animals took flight from the surrounding trees as his words echoed through the forrest, and two fire benders were also flushed out of hiding.

"I take it that was our cue?" said a smirking fire prince. Four heads whipped around simultaneously, all too stunned to speak a word.

"The stage is set, the players are met, now let the wonderful madness commence."

That was just some Shakespearian little thing that I made up, and was swirling around in my head. The story is going a little slower than I anticipated-loved it, hated it, thought it was 'meh'-tell me.