I do not own Avatar: the Last Airbender, or any of the names or characters of the show. I merely control them for my own twisted pleasure from this point in the story on.

Chapter 27: Company

Katara didn't remember falling asleep, but when she woke up the next morning she was back in camp and on Zuko's bed roll. She got up slowly, stretching and looking around for him, knowing he wouldn't wander far. Suddenly, she heard the sounds of fighting, and sprang to her feet.

Rushing off in the direction the sounds were coming from, she breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that it was just Zuko training under his uncle's watchful eye. Having never seen the training drill for a firebender, she got only a little closer and sat under a nearby tree.

His training drills were slow in a deliberate way, and each movement ended in a release of fire from either his fists or feet. Watching him, a thought occurred to her. If she could get her friends to trust him and his uncle, Zuko and Aang could master firebending together with Iroh as their teacher. She was sure the old man wouldn't mind having another student at all.

But even as the thought it, she knew it was probably the most unlikely thing in the world to happen. Even if she managed to get Zuko to come with her, she knew her brother would have some loud and well founded objections.

She gave herself a mental shake, remembering that she wouldn't think about it until the time came. She knew it was ridiculous to think that way, but with her promise to her best friend and Zuko's honor on the line, there wasn't any other choice.

When he was done, his uncle smiled and nodded. "You have improved a great deal, nephew," the old man said and Katara smiled. She didn't know anything about firebending, but from what she'd seen of his practice mixed with what she remembered from the North Pole, she'd bet all the copper pieces lost in Appa's saddle that Zuko was almost as proficient at firebending as she was at waterbending.

Zuko bowed to this uncle, which was apparently the signal that training was over even for firebending. He smiled at her as he made his way over to the small bit of shade she occupied. She moved over so he could sit next to her, and she smiled gently at him.

"So," Iroh said with a grin as he lowered himself to the ground, "you two were gone for a long time yesterday." The comment was innocent, but she blushed anyway.

Zuko put a hand on her lower back. "We were practicing remember?"

"Ah, yes," Iroh beamed and nodded his head. "I remember you saying that. Wasn't that your excuse for coming back soaking wet and exhausted last night?"

"It wasn't an excuse," Zuko grumbled and Katara could see the blush on his face. "We were in the river."

"In the river?" His uncle tugged at his beard and gave Katara a big wink. "I though you didn't like to swim? What were doing in the river?"

Katara realized then that Iroh was teasing them. They had come back late; she'd fallen asleep well into the night. She looked at Zuko and saw that he was redder than ever. She smiled and put a hand on his leg and he looked over at her.

But when he looked at her, she saw the deep look of longing in his eyes and realized that it was no longer night time. The sun had risen and that night had been their last. It was time to go back.

If Aang and the others left before she got there, she might never them again.

It was tempting.

Zuko had kept it out of his mind until now. He hadn't let it ruin their last night together; for the first time they'd been completely alone with nothing but themselves and the water and the moonlight. But as she smiled at him with her river-blue eyes, it was okay. He knew he'd never forget. It would never be enough, but the memory of it would suffice for now.

His uncle stood after a few more seconds, and dusted himself off. "Well, I'm going back to camp to make some breakfast." He smiled sadly at them and Katara gave him a small smile.

He'd come back last night with Katara asleep in his arms, only to find his uncle patently waiting for them to get back.

"We found the Avatar and his friends earlier today," Zuko'd said as he put her down on his bed roll.

"I see," his uncle said sadly. "That's quite a shame. It's time then?"

Zuko had looked down at Katara and felt darkness cover his heart. "Not until the sun rises. They can't have her until then." He'd reached down and lightly touched her check. She'd smiled at his warmth and nuzzled him hand, and he whispered that he'd come back for her one day. He swore he'd tell her again in the morning.

As he looked at her now, he intended to keep that promise.

"Am I making breakfast for two or three?" his uncle asked quietly, and Katara looked up at him in shock. Zuko could see the gears working in her mind and she gave him a sad look.

"I guess a little breakfast wouldn't hurt," she said and grabbed Zuko's hand tightly beside her. Uncle nodded and made his way through the trees. As soon as he was gone, Zuko pulled Katara close and kissed her

"I'll come back for you, you know that right?" he asked assuredly. "Someday when the adults are acting like adults again."

She smiled one of her bright smiles at him and he kissed her again. Only this time, he didn't keep the kiss chaste. He felt her smile before opening up to him and he took without hesitation.

The bushes the rustled and Zuko sighed, pulling away. "Uncle..." he started in a warning tone, and Katara laughed from beside him.

Her laughter didn't last long, however, as an orange and yellow blur flew out of the bushes past them and landed on the ground about ten yards in front of them. As Zuko stared on, it tried to stand, only to fall on an obviously wounded leg.

"Aang?" Katara's shock was evident as she rushed to the Avatar's side. Rage swelled inside of him as the boy looked up at her and hugged her close when she got to his side.

"Katara?! You're safe!" He was obviously relieved and looked over at Zuko with gratitude in his eyes. But as he tried to stand, the happiness was replaced with fear. "Wait," he said and pulled himself up by his staff. "Sho found us and we've been running all night. I managed to get them away from Toph and Sokka, but-"

"But you just led them straight to us!" Zuko didn't brother to hide how angry he was. The brat had not only interrupted, he was putting both Katara and his uncle in danger.

"Zuko…" Katara said soothingly and Aang paled.

"Zuko?" the Avatar repeated, and Katara suddenly looked shocked and then guilty. Aang looked at between them, before shaking his head and looking at Zuko. "Oh, no, where's your mask?" Zuko snarled at the worry in the younger boy's voice.

"I thought I wasn't going need it anymore." He said icily. "Apparently, I was wrong."

He marched over to where they two sat on the ground and waited until Katara healed the boy's leg before pulling him to his feet. "You'll regret it if they've hurt my uncle." he pushed him forward and grabbed Katara by the arm to keep her by his side.

She glared at him and sighed sadly. Aang looked back at them before running ahead.

"Why are you so angry?" she asked quietly.

"You're being taken from me," he said, rage filling every syllable.

She pulled at his hand, and he stopped to talk face her. "What do you mean? I was going back anyway."

"No," he said deliberately. "I was taking you back."

"I don't get the difference,"

"I was giving you to him until I came back for you." He said viciously and she stared at him, confusion in her eyes. "I'm sick of having things taken from me. Everything I've ever lost has been taken from me." He knew he was close to yelling but he didn't care. "I thought maybe this time would be different, but it looks like I was wrong."

He didn't wait for her response before pulling her along back towards camp and his uncle. They arrived moments later and Iroh was already packing up what little they had. Zuko walked over to him and his uncle looked from Katara to him to the airbending brat.

"I thought I was making breakfast for three," his uncle said with a worried grin, "not four."

"Uncle we don't have time," Zuko grabbed Katara's bag from his uncle and pulled out his Blue Spirit mask. "We have to get out of here. This stupid brat just led Sho right to us."

The brat looked up at the old man and smiled sadly, "Sorry." Zuko shook his head and helped his uncle packed what was left of their supplies.

"You were running." Iroh said with a shrug. "I don't think you led him here on purpose." He gave Zuko a look that said everything it was intended to; despite my nephew's reaction.

"It wasn't just him." The airbender said and turned to Zuko, "He had about thirty firebenders with him. They tried to surprise us when we went to bed, but Toph knew they were coming." he kept looking at Katara and she smiled back at him. Zuko dropped what he was doing to tie his mask on, not willing to let the boy see the jealously that he knew was plastered all over his face. He couldn't help it.

"Let's go find the others." Katara said and put a hand on the Avatar's arm. "When did you last see them?"

Zuko stopped listen after that. He just looked at her. Katara treated the Avatar like a little brother, but it was obvious the boy liked her. Zuko knew that Katara was his, but seeing her interact with the Avatar let him know that no matter what she would always care for the boy.

His uncle put a hand on his shoulder and Zuko looked back at him. "We should leave this spot and find another, quickly, Prince Zuko."

Zuko stared at his uncle, and gasped as something clicked. He was suddenly very glad, for the mask on his face hid the shame.

For his uncle to make the distinction between Zuko and Prince Zuko at that moment was earth shattering. He wasn't mad at the old man like before; he only noted the difference in title, and because he knew why it had been used, felt responsible for it's effects.

Being with Katara had changed him, but that alone wasn't enough. He knew he had to change himself, but felt like he was slipping two steps back for every foot forward. He nodded at his uncle, suddenly very grateful for the old man's company.

"Zuko," Katara's voice caught his attention, and he looked over at her.

"They weren't very far behind me," the boy standing beside her said, and Zuko nodded at them.

Zuko took out his swords, and turned to his uncle. "We should head to the river, that way we can all fight." He motioned at Katara and at the small supply of water she had in her flask.

"I won't let them hurt Katara," the airbender said and gave her a bright smile. "You don't have to protect her anymore, Zuko."

The prince wondered if the comment had been deliberate or just a shot in the dark that had pierced his heart.

He turned away from them. "Yes, I know."

This is where my Authors note's go. Enjoy!

God… I hate how my chapters are getting all angsty. –groans- but that's plot for you, especially if it involves Zuko in character. .

I actually wrote chapter 26 -yes the misname was on purpose- and then realized I couldn't post it because it would shoot up the rating from K to M.

-evil giggle-

Anyway, just in case you guys are paying attention to me when I'm like this, I found another song that I think fit this fanfic well. Yes, I am obsessed… leave me alone.

Don't Leave Home, by Dido. Please listen to it; it was the theme song for chapter 26.

The link to the video on youtube that made me make this connection is in my profile. Watch it, it's not by me but it made me cry. T.T

Oh and just in case you guys care, cause it's okay if you don't, Chii drew a picture of brigmistress Hanae. Check it out ( also in my profile if you get the chance) And speaking of Hanae, there's a drabble I posted last night here about her, its call Promotions and it's pre-sequel but still after the end of this fic. It's really funny too, so please check it out.

And as always, you guys make my day with reviews, so PLEASE PLEASE keep it up! –smiles-