A/N: Again I'd like to thanks everyone for the follows and positive reviews. I had quite the writers block so I took a 3 week break (i think). oops? heh heh, uh well I hope all is forgiven! Although to anyone who actually reads these author notes is there anything you'd like to see from me in the future, any tips?

Phases of the Moon


Zuko's P.O.V

There was nothing to be sure of with Katara. This could just be another trick of hers. The loss of memory seems to be episodic. Her memories being triggered by words or similar past situations. Healing would help the process and reenacting events could bring her back. For me there is nothing more important than finding the Avatar. Alive or dead I need to know if he survived.

It was dawn when the ship landed at the docks. The whole city was waking up to the sight of sun. The bakeries were just opening sending aromas of fresh bread and fire flakes through the air. A palanquin was waiting on the dock to bring us back to the palace. Ever since I've came back from living as a commoner it still surprises me what I've missed as a prince.

"Prince Zuko." A voice spoke belonging to Captain Terrance. Completely distracted from my trance of the royal life, I turn to see Katara still dressed in her fire nation attire from yesterday.

"Why are you still wearing that? I gave you dry clothes last night?"

"They're dry now. Besides the robe you gave me made me feel weird. I'm more comfortable in common clothing."

"I take it that's the first time you've ever wore fine clothing. You should look more presentable to my father even if you are my captive."

"That's not it. The longer it was on me the more I realized it belonged to you. It was like you were crawling all over my skin."

"I think it's just the bugs you've contracted from sleeping in the woods."

"I've heard it takes one to know one."

"I bet you worked on that one all night." The face she gave me said it all. "Let's go."

She rolled he eyes and eventually stepped on the palanquin. Most of the ride was silent as Katara secretly peeped through the curtain of the palanquin. I could tell she was hungry as we past all the bakeries. Her arm pressed against her stomach and switched between breathing through her nose to her mouth.

"This place is beautiful." She whispered. I was unable to decipher whether she was talking to herself or me. I pondered for a moment taking in the beauty of my city, but also taking in the shame.

"Looks can be deceiving." Katara surprised by my answer frowned closing the curtain to the outside. She casted some loose hair behind her ears and lowered her face.

"Zuko, what's going to happen to me?"

"I have to take you to see my father."

"That doesn't answer my question." It was my turn to lower my head.

"I don't know what's going to happen. When we meet with him do not speak. Not even when he permits it." The fact that Ozai was my father I really had no idea what was going to happen. She could be tortured, killed, used. One thing I knew for sure was I needed to keep Katara close. Nobody knew of Katara's memory loss except me. If I'm going to win this time I can't let my father or Azula beat me to the punch, not this time. This was going to be a battle of wits.

When we got to the place Katara was put in chains. She slowly walked behind me as I lead her to the throne room.

I was prepared for anything, but not this.


Katara's P.O.V

"Father, I have returned."

"My son, I see you have someone with you," The Fire Lord sat on his throne surrounded by flames. Some flames so bright I could only see a silhouette of him. Before we entered Zuko instructed me to bow my head to the floor and not to make any contact, but I couldn't help but look with the unidentified rage that was boiling inside me.

"I found her in Sylia. It seems she was part of the resistance."

What resistance?

"and who might she be?" The Fire Lord asked.

"She was the Avatar's waterbender."

"A master waterbender in chains caught by my son? Tell me waterbender, how does it feel to be in chains?"

A question, he asked a question. Zuko also spoke about keeping my mouth shut. I furrowed my eyebrows and shook my chains in anger.

"Why don't you come down here and find out!" Immediately Zuko forced me to the ground, the chains around my wrist underneath his feet.

"You and your resistance will burn. Without the Avatar you are nothing." The Fire Lord continued smugly.

"I apologize, Father. This peasant is undomesticated to our country. Apparently manners in the Earth and Water Kingdom are not top priority."

"Yes I can see, she almost like an animal. She actually looks like one. Tell me peasant, did you have showers where you come from? I can smell you all the way over here?"

Did he, did he just say what I think he said? I want to rip him apart, tear off his stupid crown and crush it beneath my "dirty, stupid, peasant feet". I want to shout and scream profanities I never thought I'd say. I bite my tongue till I even taste the rage in my blood. If my past had anything to do with Zuko's father I pray that I don't remember.

"Father I have captured her for good reason. Since the Avatar is dead we can now go ahead to win new territory, but since the world's savior has died people will retaliate. I know the peasant knows something of importance. While I was banished I spent time studying her resistance and her importance in it. If there is a plan to invade the Fire Nation she would know."

"Zuko, this matter is of little importance. What is a resistance if it is made of children? Do you think the Fire Nation will be defeated by people like her?"

"Father-"

"Enough, if this is a concern to you then we shall talk, without peasants. For now take her to the cells."


My nails bit into the chains all the way to the cells. My nails bit the chains till I lost count of the hours I've been in this tiny cell. The burnt house, Zuko taking me to the Fire Nation, the Avatar were the things I questioned myself. Zuko said the Avatar was dead, so how can he be alive? I slide my back down the cold concrete wall banging my head repeatedly against it. A leak from the roof sends drops of water between my eyes. The slow splash of water droplets is almost enough to make me go crazy. With the effort I could muster I raise my hands making a quick movement to bend the water.

Move water, why aren't you bending.

I go over the basic steps of bending through my head. Okay just raise your hands. Water is the element of change. With more effort I stand shifting my weight like the waves in seas. I raise my hands to the right but their restricted from going anywhere.

"Stupid handcuffs!"

"Katara," The outside door opened up revealing Zuko.

"Don't even speak to me. What I heard your father say earlier makes my blood boil." I make an effort to let Zuko know the cuffs were irritating me by pulling at them. "Are you planning to kill a resistance full of children? People like me?"

He pauses. "We are planning a counter attack for an upcoming invasion against us."

My eyes water, "How can you strip me of my honor, here of all places? Just let me die here; get it over now because I'm no use to you anymore. I won't remember."

"I'm not going to kill you."

"You're an idiot. This is the part where you tell me you're going to kill me because of my incompetence."

"I already planned on you resisting."

"Are you asking for a show then? Do you want me to fight for my freedom or sit quiet?"

"I'll help you."

"Help me my ass! I'll do whatever pisses you off the most."

"Struggling against me is just going to make this a lot worse."

"If that pisses you off the most fight and struggle it is then."

"Holy shit," Zuko half-heartedly smiles. "You really..." He cuts himself off letting out a sigh.

"You didn't foresee my "unruly" behavior too?"

"Oh no I did. You were always like this to me."

"Then I don't understand why you would put yourself through hell to get me to listen to you!"

Zuko nods in agreement while turning his back away from me.

"I'll come by later to bring you to the Pool of Majesties."

"I won't come."

"Then you'll just be a normal non-waterbending peasant."

I'm so surprised my mouth drops. I'm infuriated, no I'm beyond infuriated. I'm so mad I could be capable of making flame.

"When I get my bending back I'm going to bend your foot so far up-"

Zuko cupped his ear in back in direction, "Sorry what was that?"

He slammed the door behind him before I could even finish.

"Stop slamming the doors in my face!" I yelled pulling on the bars on the cell.