Ch. 4

The next afternoon Zuko ordered all the soldiers off the front deck once again. He walked to his old bedroom's door, raised his hand to knock, but let it drop. He turned to go back up the stairs but before he could reach them he strode down the hall back to the door. His hand hovered before the door. He let his head fall against the cool metal as he tried to gather his wits.

"Hello?" Katara's voice drifted through the metal. His head had landed loudly on the door, sounding like a single knock.

"Damn it" He cursed under his breath. No backing out now. He pushed the door open and stood guardedly in the doorway. Katara stood beaming at him. Her blue eyes stood out stunningly against the red of his clothing as she peered at him around a curtain of hair. It looked soft as it billowed about her in dark wavy strands. He quickly averted his gaze to the door. Katara couldn't help but be mesmerized by him as well. The smell of wood smoke and rain was fading from the shirt she was wearing, but now it came crashing over her senses. She caught a flicker of warm gold as his eyes flashed to her and away. For some reason she felt a strong need to brush the soft black locks from his face and run her fingers gingerly over the pink puckered skin.

She felt her cheeks color and she knotted her hands nervously behind her back. "Thank you so much for yesterday, it meant the world to me. I know how busy you are and to take time out of your schedule for me… Well, thank you Zuko."

He avoided her eyes. "Sure." His voice was soft as it floated up to her. "Do you… wanna go up again?"

Katara surged forward ready to embrace him in a grateful hug but reined herself in as she caught the tense suspicion at her sudden advance. She stopped short and smiled at him apologetically. "I'd love to!"

"Come on." He said mildly, turning and making a quick wave so she'd follow as he closed the door behind him. The silence of the hall made their footsteps sound loud. Katara felt the need to break the quiet.

"So Zuko, do you ever… practice on the deck?"

"Sometimes."

His brief answer lapsed back into silence. The quiet of always being alone was driving her crazy and it felt even worse when it was even quieter still with someone there. "So what do you practice?"

Zuko hesitated a moment. He couldn't tell her he was a fire bender. She might not trust him then and using her as bait would become much trickier. "Sparing. And broad swords." He started up the stairs but stopped when he didn't hear footsteps behind him. He turned and was startled to find her staring at him in wide eyed awe. "What?" He asked shifting nervously under her gaze.

"That's amazing! I've always wanted to learn how to use a weapon, be able to rely on something other than my bending." Zuko stared at her mildly shocked. She was impressed? "Do you think… you could show me some?"

His face smoothed into a mask to try to hide his surprise. "You want a demonstration of the broad sword?" he asked, one eyebrow cocked as a small, tight smile appeared.

Katara climbed the stairs until she was on the one just below him. Her eyes pleading as she stared up at him. "If it's not too much to ask."

He turned his back and continued climbing. He said nothing until they were in the dazzling sunlight. With a sigh he turned to her. "Maybe a little." His voice was warm and then a hard look came to his face. "Stay here. I'll be right back." He warned in a harsh tone to which she nodded to in agreement.

She turned to watch the waves as Zuko went back down the stairs. She called some water into her hand and led it to weave in a thin ribbon before her. The heavy sound of footsteps returned and she let it fall back into the water. Zuko came striding forward and stopped in the middle of the deck. He looked at her and she smiled settling back against the rail as he gave her the slightest hint of a nod. He stood still for a moment before wielding the two broad swords, spinning them expertly in his hands. He continued with a dancer's grace, twisting and thrusting in a familiar pattern. Katara watched completely mesmerized. The sun glinted off the polished steel and a calm yet determined look was fixed to Zuko's face. He came to a standstill and with a final flourish, sheathed the swords. He stood quiet and still, slowly swinging his gaze around to fix upon her unblinking eyes. They stared at each other in silence for what seemed like eternity.

"That was amazing." It left her lips in hushed awe. Zuko merely shrugged and turned to look at the stairway. Quietly he walked to the table, removing the swords from his back as he sat at the small wooden table on deck, long relieved of its maps. Her eyes trailed him till he sat then flicked to the movement coming up the steps.

"It's good to see you out and about again today Miss Katara."

"Good afternoon Iroh. Can I help you with the tray?"

"Oh no, I've got it just fine. Go ahead and take a seat."

Obediently Katara took a chair next to Zuko. "Thank you Zuko, for letting me come out here again and for the demonstration. That was utterly astounding."

"Demonstration?" Iroh asked, one thick eyebrow cocked in question at his nephew.

"I just showed her one of the forms for the broad sword."

"Ah yes! My nephew is so talented!" Iroh beamed proudly at Katara.

"He really is." She turned her blue eyes to him with a warm smile and Zuko could feel the heat rising in his cheeks.

"Knock it off you two." He growled to cover his embarrassment and they both chuckled at him.

It was a pleasant lunch under the glowing sun, lightly swaying on the rocking deck. Zuko walked her back to her room after lunch as Iroh stretched in his chair to start dozing in the warm afternoon sun. Pausing outside the room, Zuko dug for the key.

"Thank you again Zuko for an amazing afternoon."

"Don't mention it."

"Will you be able to join us for dinner this evening?" She asked wistfully.

The barest hint of a smile touched his lips. "I'll see what I can do."

Katara couldn't keep the grin off her face. "I hope to see you there then." She said slipping behind the door and closing it quietly.

"I'll be there." Zuko whispered to the empty hall as he went back on deck.

Dinner was enjoyed by all that night. Zuko even participated in some of the conversation that night. Iroh was pleased to see the slow changes in his nephew; a more calm and peaceful expression had replaced the perpetual scowl; he was spending more time with Katara and opening up. In fact, the next two weeks Zuko had brought her to the front deck and spent lunch and dinner with both Iroh and Katara. He'd even allowed some of the soldiers to roam the front deck while they occupied it, so long as those soldiers weren't in full uniform; they had to appear without helmet, armor or fire nation insignia. Zuko had taken to practice fire bending in the morning when Katara was asleep and spar with one of the soldiers bare handed or with weapons while she would practice her water bending.

Katara tired to pretend she wasn't watching as Zuko sparred a man far larger than himself. The older man had to have one foot and at least 150 lbs on him, but Zuko was fast. The man would swing a ham sized fist, ready to knock him out cold, but Zuko was quick to dodge or block and counter with his own attack. After sending a water whip into the railing Katara turned and inhaled deeply in awe as Zuko rocketed through the air, his outstretched foot aimed for the larger mans sternum. The breath she'd taken caught as Zuko's foot was swallowed by his enormous hand and moved to hurl him into the ground. As his grip released to fling him, Zuko extended himself, arms pushing off the deck, he flipped himself to stand upright and charge for another assault. The held breath slowly left Katara in relief.

"He's alright." She reassured herself, tearing her attention from him once more. No matter how many times she saw it, his speed, strength and grace astounded her every time.

Zuko was darting in and out o the man's reach throwing punches, forcing the enormous man back until he was left pressed against the wall. Zuko went for a finishing blow, but the man ripped a spear from a stand of weapons and slashed at Zuko. Katara had completely abandoned her training to watch him skid across the deck on his back and brush his dark bangs sticky with blood before surging to his feet. The other man saw him coming and twirled the spear expertly between his fingers. Zuko bent while running and grasped his two broad swords without slowing. There was a clatter as the steel of the swords clashed with the steel of the spear. They had locked weapons and the larger man easily pushed him back and off balance. He came forward as Zuko stumbled and the tip of the spear caught and tore the front of his shirt, narrowly missing flesh and imbedding itself with a lethal thwack into the deck of the ship.

Katara tried to suppress a gasp, covering her mouth with both hands, her bright blue eyes widened. Instead of moving back further out of reach, Zuko dropped to his hands and knees and swung out a leg in a sweeping motion, bringing the big man hard on his back. Zuko was quick to leap atop him, bringing a sword to the man's throat until he went limp in surrender. Zuko slowly stood and offered the man a hand up. He hauled the large man to his feet and gave him a smug grin, blood dripping down his face.

"Well done Katu. I haven't had a work out like that in a long time."

"Yes sir. And I'm sorry about your head." He paused scanning down his bare torso. "…and your shirt." Zuko gave him a dismissal wave and the large man named Katu walked up the stairs towards the rear of the ship.

"Oh Zuko." The sound of her voice brought him around and Katara was staring at him worriedly. Her gaze suddenly fixed to his forehead and he touched it, his fingers came away red.

"It's fine." He said unconcerned. He could feel her big doe eyes drift over his bare torso. His pale skin shone with a fine sheen of sweat. Katara traced the well defined lines of his chest and abs with her eyes and she could feel her face warm. She came to a stop right before him and wiped away a thin stream of blood that had trickled down the side of his face with her thumb. The warm liquid pooled in her hand.

"Here." He pulled the remains of his shirt off and cleaned the blood off her deeply tanned skin. She pulled the ruined shirt from his grasp and leaned forward to dab at the blood before it had a chance to dry. Zuko closed his eyes and bowed his head, leaning into her gentle touch. He could hear the slosh of water and it was cool where the spear had grazed him. The smell of sea water and flowers, possibly lilac, drifted towards him and he opened his eyes when Katara pulled away. He touched his forehead and found it smooth and clean.

He turned his warm amber eyes on her. "Thank you."

"It was no problem. You did very well today. That big guy had me worried for a while there."

"Oh Katu? He's big and strong, but he's not so scary."

"Well he looked pretty scary to me." She said holding up the bloodstained shirt, shooting him a teasing smile.

He shrugged nonchalantly. "I still won in the end. Now I don't know about you, but I'm starving." He motioned her to relax at the table. "I'll be right back, I'll go find Uncle."

Katara sat quietly fiddling with her mother's necklace. It was times like this, when she was alone, that she would quietly dwell on her lack of memory. Her friends, family… who were they? What had she been doing in the middle of the ocean? Her vision of the calm waters blurred with the tears forming in her eyes. The sound of footsteps on the stairway snapped her out of her reverie and she hastily swept the tears away. A smile snapped into place as Iroh and Zuko emerged.

"Good afternoon Iroh." She said cheerfully.

"It's good to see you Miss Katara!" Are you hungry? For lunch today the chef cooked up some saber tooth -moose steaks! I also got him to make up some mixed fruit; I know how much you like it."

"Thank you so much Iroh." Both he and Zuko (who had found a new shirt) placed the meal on the table before sitting. Katara spooned a large amount of mangos, pears, oranges and apples onto her plate.

"So how has your bending been coming along?"

"Not bad. I enjoy being outside, but it's hard when you don't really have anyone to spar with."

"Why didn't you say so before? I could spar with you." Zuko offered.

"Really? But you're not a bender and when it comes to hand-to-hand or weapons, I don't stand a chance."

Zuko shrugged. "It could improve your skills against other kinds of fighters and I haven't spared with a water bender in a long time." He said with a mischievous grin thinking about the past times they had battled before. So much had changed since then. Now he was offering to help her get better.

"Well, I suppose…" Katara said thinking it over hesitantly.

"I think that would be a wonderful idea." Iroh gushed. "It will give you both some much needed practice."

Zuko ignored the possible implications and tore into his steak. He was famished from fighting Katu for about an hour. Throughout lunch the three of them discussed different techniques for weapons, bending and hand-to-hand combat.

After lunch Zuko walked her to her room, more out of polite habit than the need to make sure his prisoner stayed captured. At the door where they usually said goodbye until dinner when Katara turned on him.

"Zuko…" She started off strong, and then trailed off, losing her nerve. His look of surprise softened into a small smile.

"What is it?"

She straightened to her full height and squared her shoulders. "Tonight's a full moon and I want to be out for it."

There was a determined glint in her eye that told him she was going to get her way, no matter what. He exhaled already defeated. "Alright. After dinner, I'll leave the door unlocked and I'll wait on deck for you."

She flung herself at him, grasping him in an enthusiastic hug. "Thank you Zuko!" His eyes were wide in surprise and it took him a while to slowly and awkwardly pat her back. "Has anyone ever told you you're the best?" She asked pulling away and beaming up at him.

"Ha." Zuko let out a short dark laugh and let his shaggy dark hair shield his eyes.

"Zuko…?" Her voice softened as she reached out for him. He stepped away, waving her off.

"See you at dinner."

The moon shone brightly and the cool air kissed her skin. "This is when a water benders powers are at their peak." She whispered with her eyes closed to the warm body that stood near her.

"Show me?" He breathed into the still air.

Her eyes snapped open and she raised both hands above her head and twin waves rose on either side of the ship, towering at least three times as high as the helm. She spun, bringing her arms around and the enormous waves moved with her, twirling about them. On deck, they were surrounded in a spinning torrent of water. Katara brought her arms over her head, completely incasing them in a large bubble of spinning water. Katara's eyes eased shut, inhaling deeply through her nose. Then she exhaled slowly, spreading her fingers and pushing her arms away from her. There was a crackle and Zuko spun to watch in awe as the dome slowly solidified, ice creeping all around them. He walked forward, lightly brushing his fingers against the cool, smooth surface.

"Wow." He said in a hushed whisper as he turned to face her. The strong moonlight filtered through the prism of ice, cast rainbow sparkles about them. He looked down at his hands, turning them over as small splashes of color danced on his pale skin. He looked up to see it glinting off of Katara similarly. The breath slipped from him. She looked beautiful with the moonlight dancing on her skin and glowing in her hair. She looked absolutely radiant.

Katara couldn't help but study him as well. Her heart had sped up when he stood right behind her, the heat radiating off him as he whispered, "Show me". She had to keep her back to him and her eyes shut to regain her composure. When she had finished she couldn't help but watch him. The rare smile and his eyes shining in awe. She watched his usually guarded stance slacken as he examined the refracted light that sent small rainbows everywhere. Suddenly he turned and caught her eye and they stood on the deck across from each other, staring. Katara felt her throat close and her heart started fluttering. She watched as something, some thought flickered across his face and was gone. He had morphed back into the cool, guarded man she usually saw. She was filled with disappointment and she released her hold on the water, letting it turn back to a liquid and return to the ocean.

"How was that?" She asked flatly.

"Impressive." Came his neutral reply. Impressive didn't really begin to cover it, but he couldn't tell her the truth. She was still his prisoner after all.

"Well I was planning on staying out the rest of the night." She stated coldly, stung by his sudden disinterest.

He flinched internally, but it was for the best. "So be it." He said. He disappeared and returned with a lit candle and a stack of papers and sat at the table. He could feel her eyes on him. "Go on with your bending. I'm going to do work."

Katara felt a bit guilty at how she had treated him, but she was proud and the moon would only be up for so long. She felt powerful, to the point where she felt confident enough to attempt some of the more difficult bending moves. She practiced until the moon faded and the sun broke the horizon. She stifled a yawn and turned to find Zuko slumped in his chair asleep. She bent over and gently shook his shoulder. His eyes snapped open and he sat bolt upright, gripping her wrist. She gasped in surprise and his hold was tight. He blinked a few times before he released his grip and leaned back, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Sorry."

She rubbed her sore wrist. "It's fine. I just thought I should wake you so you can at least get some real sleep."

"Thanks." He mumbled blearily gathering his papers before following her below deck and they both went to their own rooms.

It's Sarahplainntall. Thanks to all my readers! I hadn't planned on posting this chapter just yet, but I had such AMAMZING reviews from AMAZING fans! Special thanks to Aipom4, Wolflover 235, moonwilow, sokkantylee (especially you for the rave review that made me unable to resist posting this next chapter), Shahina NightShade, music909 and loslote. You guys are the reason I do this! Thanks a lot for the "favorites" and the reviews! They really keep me motivated. Hope you enjoyed this chapter too. More to come soon-ish.