Disclaimer: I don't own it.

Genre: Uhh... I don't know, but there is heavily implied Zutara.

Summary: This is part of a bigger fic I've been working on for like EVER but haven't posted yet. I've been writing it out of order, and never got around to chapter one. ANY WAY, this is supposed to take place LATE in the third season, when Zutara has been steadily building since Zuko joined tha gaang. Said gaang meets up with Hakoda and friends and they have a big happy reunion, which Zuko avoids like the plague until... BAM! Azula and a bunch of other Fire Nation baddies attack and there is a big battle and Zuko gets hurt along with Toph and Aang.

Hakoda was not sure he liked his daughter being near, let alone being alone with the Prince of the Fire Nation. Even though the said prince was currently unconscious and would probably remain so for a while, what if he woke up? It had been only yesterday when Hakoda had finally gotten to see his precious little girl, who was no longer so little, again. But their happy reunion was cut short by a battalion of Fire Navy ships that attacked their small fleet. He didn't even notice the firebender's presence until he emerged from the shadows and joined the fray, getting critically injured in the process. Hakoda was flabbergasted when his little Katara ran to the firebender's aid. It had been twenty four hours and Katara had not left the infirmary tent at all. She had stayed up all night healing those who were injured during the battle. This included several of his own men, the Avatar, the little blind earthbender named Toph… and that damned Fire Prince. Sick with worry, Hakoda practically ran to the tent, ready to snatch his child from the clutches of the Fire Nation. He burst through the tent, half expecting that firebender to be raping his daughter, but instead found a completely different scene, that was almost as disturbing. There was Katara, sitting by the still unconscious (thank the spirits) prince's bedside, without any trace of fear or nervousness, and holding his limp, sickeningly pale Fire Nation hand! For a few second's Hakoda stared at this shocking scene, utterly flabbergasted. Katara looked at him like he was crazy.

"Dad, you're pulling a classic 'Sokka' expression. What's wrong?" Hakoda found his voice.

"Katara, what in La's name are you doing?"

"Sitting with my patient."

"He's a firebender, let alone Prince of the Fire Nation! What if he wakes up?"

"I'll be happy because he's going to be okay, and I've done my job."

"What if he hurts you?"

"He won't. He's on our side now, dad."

"How can you say that? The last I heard, this firebender was chasing you halfway across the world with every intention to kill you! He and his sister single handedly brought the entire Earth Kingdom to its knees!"

"That's in that past, dad. Besides, you're leaving out the part that he was the one who defeated Azula and freed the Earth Kingdom!"

"In the past! Your mother was killed by firebenders in the past! How can you just forget that?!"

"Dad. I will never forget what firebender's did to mom. And I can't forget what Zuko did either. But I can forgive. I forgive him dad. He's changed!"

"He's a firebender!"

"So is Aang!"

"That's different!"

"No it's not! Tell me, have you ever even talked to Zuko?!"

"I don't need to!"

"Have you ever gotten to know him?"

"He's Prince of the Fire Nation!"

"He's my friend!"

"He's evil!"

"No he's not! He may be a little rough around the edges, but once you get to know him, he's a great person!"

"Katara! He is the Fire Lord's son!"

"It was the Fire Lord that gave him that scar!" Hakoda's eyes widened in shock and he was at a loss for words once more. His eyes drifted towards the horrible burn scar marring the left side of the firebender's face. For the first time, Hakoda got a good look at the infamous Prince Zuko. Hakoda was shocked to notice that he looked no older than his own son, Sokka. His son. Hakoda could not imagine doing something that horrible to his own son. It was unfathomable to him. He had always known Ozai was an evil monster, but this was just sickening. His own son! Katara spoke quietly.

"Zuko was forced to fight Ozai in a fire duel in front of hundreds of people because he dared to speak out against a plan to sacrifice innocent lives. When Zuko refused to fight his own father, Ozai gave him that scar. He was fourteen when his father banished him. The only way he would ever be allowed to return was if he captured the Avatar. That was the only reason he was chasing us. He just wanted to go home. He had never actually tried to kill any of us. He had me tied to a tree one time, and could have done a lot of horrible things to me, but he didn't. When we battled at the North Pole, after he beat me, he could have easily killed me if he wanted to, but he didn't. He could have left me just as scarred as himself on so many occasions, but every time, he held back. What does that tell you, dad?

"Katara…"

"All I'm saying, is just give him a chance." Hakoda looked at his baby girl, now practically a grown woman. If she could find it in her heart to forgive a firebender, maybe he could too. And after that spectacular display of waterbending yesterday, Hakoda knew that Katara could handle herself.

"Okay. But if he so much as-"

"Thank you dad." Katara hugged her father.

"You're welcome sweetie." Hakoda walked out of the tent.

A/N: Okay, so that kinda ended abruptly, but I couldn't think of anything good. Writing about prejudice is utterly facinating to me, so expect more about people's reactions and opinions about Zuko and others. REVEIW PLEASE!!!