This is sort of a short chapter, but here you go. I'm really surprised how fast I'm going with the chapters, since I only started posting them Tuesday. I had them already written out, though, so its been smooth sailing so far. I'm about to hit some holes.

Disclaimer: If I owned avatar, i'd make zuko keep a dragon as an animal guide. that'd be awesome.

It was Sokka. And with his hand still on Katara's doorknob, Zuko realized he was in quite an awkward situation.

"What were you doing in my sister's room?"

Zuko wondered why his mouth suddenly went dry.

"I heard a crash and got up to investigate. Since Katara's room is the closest to mine, I looked there first. Turns out it's just a lamp that must have fallen off her bed. She's still asleep." He didn't know why he had added the last part, as if to prove to Sokka that he had been careful not to disturb her. Sokka was giving him his "serious thinking" face, which at any other time would have made Zuko laugh. For some reason, it wasn't funny now. Sokka brushed past him and peeked into Katara's room. Sure enough, the lamp still lay on the floor, broken.

"Okay, but if I find that you are getting too close to my sister, I will . . ." he didn't finish, but took a deep breath. " . . . you'll be sorry."

Zuko gulped and nodded, although again, the thought of Sokka threatening him would have been hilarious at any other time. Sokka pulled away and started to walk back to his room. Zuko followed suite.

"Zuko?"

Zuko turned back around to face Sokka. "Yeah?"

"Thanks for checking on her. It means a lot, you know?"

Zuko just nodded.

"I'm Sorry." Sokka went on to his room and shut the door. Sorry for what? Threatening him? Thinking the worst of him? Why had Sokka threatening him seemed so familiar? Oh yeah, Katara talking on his first day. They really cared about each other here. Their loyalty ran deep. Zuko was surprised to find himself wishing that he had friends like that - the kind that would risk their lives for you. Somewhere deeper in his mind asked if the gang would ever think of him like that. If Zuko had heard it he would have thought, "I doubt it". Heck, his own sister wouldn't. Zuko ran his hand through his hair and padded back to his bed. Time to get some sleep.

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Katara opened her eyes. A warm breeze stirred her hair. She was sitting on the floor. Where her feet were in the shadows it was cool, but the mosaic beneath her hands was in the sun and felt warm. She studied the pattern: there were red, orange and white-checkered phoenixes, fire lilies, and suns. Her gaze traveled down the hall and finally up the wall to the high ceilings. Where was she?