Disclaimer: Well, I'm back! Exams have been killer, but I was able to finish this chapter! The title has almost nothing to do with the story line, but Zutara fans will find a surprise in this one; what's a good romance without some tension and a confused male lead? Don't get your hopes up too high, though. Ha ha. This one has a bit more of that changing POVs, Mai to Zuko, Zuko to Mai and so on. I still don't own Avatar and I hope you enjoy!

The glow of the fire cast a myriad of shadows. There were eight seated around the flames, eating and drinking tea. Some were laughing, some were quietly chatting amongst themselves. Mai knew that the blush was coming as her fingers met his, reaching for her cup.

"Here, let me get you more." The prince stammered, rising from his seat. The raven-haired woman took to staring at her feet until he returned with a steaming cup of ginseng tea. Mai took it gently from his hands, pleased that Zuko sat back down next to her. To her right, on another cushion, were Iroh and the young earth bender, Toph. It was awkward, sitting there quietly while the others enjoyed themselves. Perhaps it was simply a matter of personality. It could have been that Zuko and Mai were not yet used to mingling with ex-enemies. Or maybe it was just that they both reveled in the reputation of being an introvert. In any case, the two watched as Aang stood, cleared his throat, and waited for the chattering to quiet. He smiled at them, that youthful look playing on his face.

"Okay everyone! We've got a plan." The pause of silence before he continued was just enough to allow Toph time to fail to stifle the snort that spawned from her giggle. This, of course, caused Aang to spiral into a fit of laughter. They were children, after all. Once the Avatar had stopped laughing, and crying, he continued.

"Right, the plan…" he wiped away tears and mirth from his eyes. "We're going to need to stay on Kyoshi for another week. First, I need more practice with fire bending." Iroh smiled, nodding his head. "Then Suki needs more time to heal if she wants to come with us, even if Katara does some healing. I'm sure everyone will be able to find something to do. A week's not that long, right?" He shuffled nervously.

"Yeah…let's not rush into things." Katara agreed, blue eyes flashing. Zuko looked at the water tribe girl, fighting the thought that came to his mind. Beautiful.

"Maybe Prince Zuko could help you with defending against fire benders." Iroh mused, his smile widening.

"That's a great idea!" Katara approved after a moment of thought, "I could use some practice." Mai frowned and took to fiddling with her stilettos. The way Zuko looked as this girl made her queasy. But why? It's not like she cared if Zuko liked her. Like-liked her. Why should she? It wasn't like they had anything going. Mai figured that last night, his touch, his words, were all explained by fatigue and desolation. He didn't actually think she was exciting or beautiful. She was boring, just like everything around her. Of course, that's what Mai had believed all her life. A tiny part of her screamed in rebellion. But she had groomed her mind to silence those cries.

"What do you say, nephew?" Mai's thoughts were interrupted by Iroh's query. Zuko swallowed, taking the idea into consideration. Did Katara really want to train with him? Or was she just trying to get even with him for what he did at Ba Sing Se? Or for some other reason? Surely not. That was behind them. The cave was behind them.

"I think I can do that." Zuko forced a nervous smile, directed towards the water-bending girl. Katara flashed a grin in return, leaning forward on her seat atop the log. She giggled lightly and returned her attention back to Aang. His palms sweating, Zuko wiped them on the sides of his tunic. He, of course, had felt the tension arise in the woman sitting next to him. The way she sat perched, alert. The way she refused to sway with the cool night breeze. It was strange how such subtle things of a woman's scorn could reduce a warrior to a blubbering pile of jelly. Not that she, in particular, did. Yet here he was again trying to cover up his thoughts. What was is about her? Zuko rose slowly to his feet, stretching his arms.

"Turning in already, Nephew?" Iroh raised a brow curiously. Zuko was shuffling towards the pathway back towards the village. The prince turned to respond, waving as he spoke.

"I think so, Uncle. Good night everyone." A chorus of 'Good night, Zuko!"s followed him down the pathway. As he continued towards their host home, thankfully no longer a barn, the warmth of the fire left him and the cool breeze played against his skin. A heavy sigh dropped from his lips as he made his way to his room. Their room. It had been suggested earlier that Zuko get acquainted with the Avatar and Sokka. Oh how he looked forward to it. But not really. Prince Zuko shed his tunic and looked at himself in the mirror. Sculpted shoulders, strong arms, lean chest. He sighed again and plopped down onto the mattress, arranging himself in his preferred position of sleep. Though the pulls of sleep nagged at him, Zuko couldn't tear his thoughts away from the day's events. There was no going back now, he supposed. He'd known that from the beginning of this mess, sure. Now it all seemed surreal. At least Mai was with him. A familiar face…a gentle touch…a… And Zuko was asleep.

Wake up. Get dressed. Eat. Endure Sokka's occasional pranks, usually aided by Toph. Stretch. Train Katara. Break. Train some more. Eat. Help the wounded Kyoshi warriors with Katara and Suki. Contemplate the dichotomy of good and evil. More training. More pranks. Eat. Bathe. Sleep.

The entire week, each and every day, went exactly the same. He had only seen Mai at meal times and she did not make the effort to speak to him. This bothered Zuko. Mostly because he knew why she was ignoring him, but didn't think she should be. So what if he was spending each and every waking hour with Katara? So what if she, Mai, happened to be walking past when he tripped the water tribe girl during practice and she'd toppled on top of him in an awfully promiscuous position? What did it matter to Mai? What indeed.

The first thought that came to Zuko as he sat up groggily was that today was the day that they would start the journey to the fire nation. He shoved his bangs from his eyes and observed the room's other occupants. Sokka was still in deep slumber; contorted into a position that Zuko wasn't quite sure he could manage while he was awake. Aang, however, was sleeping like a normal person, calm and serene. The prince tiptoed from the room. After a moment of contemplation, he decided to watch the sunrise from the rooftop. The morning breeze helped coax Zuko out of that 'I just woke up, so shut up' mood as well as clear his mind for the day ahead. The sound of shingles clacking together behind him peaked his curiosity. Prince Zuko turned to come face to face with Katara. She smiled genially.

"Mind if I join you?"

"Uh…no, you can if you want." He replied sheepishly. Katara shifted in her spot on the roof and cleared her throat.

"Zuko, about what happened…in Ba Sing Se…"

"No." he said firmly, raising his hand, not looking at her. "It doesn't matter now."

"Zuko, let me say my piece. Please." The sudden sensation of her hand, her cool skin, resting atop his hand surprised him. He turned to meet her blue eyes with his own, gold and warm. "I'm sorry I didn't heal you when I had the chance. Maybe things would have worked out differently." She squeezed the prince's hand. He shook his head.

"Either way, we would be together as a team. I'm here now, aren't I? Maybe it was better this way. I've learned some things because of this." Zuko smiled sadly. True enough, he distrusted Azula more than ever now. He also knew that he could never regain his honor via her or the Avatar. "And anyway, if all this hadn't happened, Mai would still be stuck with Azula. It's a plus for us, because, if she was, it would be one more threat to look out for." The prince chuckled. Katara gazed at him and in that moment, he felt somehow connected to her. He leaned towards the young water bender slowly and planted a light, feathery kiss on her cheek. It may have been impulsive, but his gesture brought a smile to Katara's face. She blushed, the light pink hue easily visible in the morning light. The young woman leaned in and returned the favor, kissing him on the mouth. Her lips were soft and sweet, but Zuko couldn't ignore the jab of guilt that stuck in his mind. The prince did not pull away, but his mind was somewhere else. Katara stood after a moment after turning her head.

"I'd better go help Iroh with breakfast." She said; Zuko could hear the smile in her voice. Katara was out of earshot before he could respond, so the prince just sighed and dropped his head into his hands. He was certain that if Mai had seen them, she would either never ever speak to him again or, which may be the better alternative, kill him. After a good fifteen minutes or so, Zuko could hear the others stirring and could smell breakfast. Slipping back down the hall, the prince was relieved to see that Mai was still in her room, slipping her shoes onto her feet. Maybe he could get by without her ever knowing, and he could have her forgiveness for not once keeping her company during the week.

Breakfast was just as it had been every morning. The party of eight gathered around the table and ate bowls of Iroh's famous jook accompanied by his equally appraised tea. Most days it went without incident, save one. Which was today. It was somewhat of a blur, though Mai knew the results. Half of those seated ended up covered with rice porridge and splinters of chopsticks. She suspected Sokka of starting the whole ordeal, seeing as he was the only one amused. Katara groaned and brought her forehead down on the table rather forcefully. Perhaps the jook cushioned the impact. In any case, it delayed their departure a good half hour. Mai could sense that Zuko was avoiding her and it damped her mood. He hadn't spoken to her all week, which made her rather put out as well.

Once the dishes were washed and put away and everyone began to prepare to leave, Mai returned to her room. When Suki knocked on the doorframe, Mai was brushing out her hair, taking advantage of the mirror. She did not turn, but glared at the warrior via the reflection. Her smile was bright as Suki entered the room. Mai noticed that she was holding something behind her back. The joyous girl leaned over the otherwise gloomy one and spoke.

"I know how much you hate all the green in Earth kingdom clothes, so I thought you might like…this." Suki thrust out the parcel from behind her and it took Mai by surprise. There in her hands were Mai's clothes. Her fire nation clothes.

"You kept them?" she asked slowly.

"Some of the other warriors thought they would make nice war souvenirs." Suki chuckled. "In any case, I figured you would want them back." Mai thanked her quietly and slipped back into her familiar robes after Suki had left. Unlike Zuko, she did not hesitate to don fire nation garb once again. It felt right. Like Zuko. She couldn't explain it. The prince, even though he irritated her so, entranced Mai. He always had, even as a child. He was dangerous and strong, yet vulnerable. She could see it in his eyes, hear it in his voice. His face, his hands, the way he walked, the way he breathed. Every movement spoke to her. I am interested in you. Maybe it was still all in her girlish fantasy. Not that he would admit it, if it were true. She wouldn't either. They were both stubborn as old men set in their ways. But Mai could not help the heaviness in her heart when she saw Zuko with that other girl. There had to be a way for her to tell him. Somehow, she would find it.

And Zuko, just the same, could not bring to an end to the guilt that wracked his mind each time he saw Katara and Mai. He was presently getting acquainted with Appa while helping the other men folk load the supplies into the bison's brand-new saddle. It was a decent distraction, meeting the rather cuddly beast. But it was a fleeting diversion at best. Why did his life have to be so blasted complicated? Family this, honor that; there was no end to it, it seemed. And even now, a whole new concept had disrupted what little sense of order he had developed. Love. Zuko did not like not knowing what he wanted; it had happened before as he faced Uncle when asked what he wanted his destiny to be. Frankly, it was a pain in the rear. Did he hold any feelings for Mai? Or was it that he simply was being nice? No, no, he felt that there was more to it than that. Katara had certainly thrown him for a loop. Zuko groaned and sank to the ground next to Appa, who grunted back.

"So, buddy, you think you can handle eight people?" Aang's voice was audible from the other side of the bison.

"Grrroooaaahhhmm." Was the response.

"Sure, we'll pack light and take breaks whenever you need. Why'd ya think other wise?" the Avatar giggled.

This was going to be a long trip.

Notes: What lies in store for the Gaang as they make their way across land and sea to the fire nation? Which will come out on top; Zutara or Maiko? Will Sokka ever discover the leftover jook planted in his boomerang holster? Heh, you'll just have to wait and see! Thanks for reading, please review!