Eek! I haven't updated in a loooong time! I'm REALLY sorry for making all of you wait so long! I've been weighed down with so much homework and papers to write. Well, at least I updated now, right? I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 6

Dear Journal,

A storm is brewing. The air is getting moist, the ocean isn't as calm as it usually is, and the clouds are getting dark. I noticed this happens when it's about to storm. Not at the South Pole of course, but when I traveled with Aang and Sokka to the Earth Kingdom. I'm worried about the ship. It's swaying from side to side very slightly, but you tell it's moving and it's not setting well my dinner. I hope the storm would just pass by quickly so my stomach does not feel so queasy.

Zuko has been ignoring me since Music Night. I have been doing the same also. I can't risk being noticed with him and having someone (mainly Iroh) think something is going on. Like I would court the Prince anyway. I have more common sense than that.

Today I did nothing but sit on the deck and stare at the water. A few times I would bend it out of temptation when no one was looking. I ate dinner in my cell, but this time it was my choice. I know Iroh would bring up something about yesterday night and Zuko would go out of his way to avoid me. Not like I care or anything. It's just that I thought I'd make it easier for him and me and just not dine with him.

But I still wonder: What was Zuko thinking that night at Music Night?

Katara

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Dear Journal,

I knew it! A storm transpired sometime last night! Iroh woke me up and told me he needed my help out on the deck. I jumped out of bed and followed him out of my cell and onto the deck. I gasped when I saw the destruction done to it. Water flooded everything. "Katara, we need you to push the water back into the ocean. Can you do that for us?" Iroh asked me. I nodded, pushed my sleeves up, and took a deep breath. I tried to concentrate but the heavy rain pounding on my head, wetting my clothes and making it stick to me was a distraction. I lifted my hands and glided them to the right, making the water slide over the steel floor, some going over the edge and falling back into the ocean. I repeated this motion until all the water was gone.

"Thank you, Katara." Iroh said to me when I was done. "I must remember to reward you for your good deed as soon as I can." I smiled and said, "No, really. You don't have to reward me or anything." He smiled warmly and nodded but I could tell a plan was developing inside his mind. As I walked to the door that led inside, I started to bend the water out of my clothes. That's when I noticed Zuko was staring at me in the strangest way again. It took me a while to realize my clothes were sticking to me, and when I did, I folding my arms around me and walked faster to the door. Zuko looked away, blushing a bit.

That Prince, a pervert! I can't believe he'll stare at me like that! I'm going to give him a piece of my mind tomorrow. It must be around midnight tonight and I need my sleep first.

Katara

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Dear Journal,

I tried to confront Zuko about him yesterday, but our conversation went something like this:

"Zuko, I need to talk to you."

"…"

"Okay… Why have you been avoiding me lately? I mean, it's not I care or anything. I just want to know. And why were you staring at me like you was yesterday night?"

"…"

I went on. "I know it must have something to do with the 'incidents' we encountered the last few days. Is that what's making you so uncomfortable around me?"

"…"

"You could at least answer me, you know!"

"…"

"Just say something!"

"… Something."

I yelled out in frustration and stormed away. I know he rejoiced in getting rid of me so easily, but next time, I promise I will not be so easy. In the meantime, I have to keep an eye out for Iroh. I know he's cooking up a plan, and I have no doubt it's about me. And possibly Zuko.

Katara

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Dear Journal,

The breeze was so strong, and the water was so harsh, I was forced to stay in my room. The only time I was allowed out was when they needed me to push the water that washed onto the ship back into the ocean. Even though I was told to stay inside, it was a great opportunity to explore the ship and try to memorize it so I would know where to go when I make my second escape attempt.

The inside of the ship was full of very long hallways and secret doors that were locked. I didn't get to see anything interesting really, until I found the private sparring room. I found it on accident. I was walking from room to room, occasionally opening doors (Luckily I didn't stumble upon anyone naked), and I opened the door to the private room. I was surprised it wasn't locked. I poked my head in and saw the Prince himself practicing alone. He punched the air and fire flowed from his fist and collided into the wall. Breathing heavily, he sat down on a cushion by the corner where candles were and lighted the candles. He was sitting crossed legged, his back facing me; he didn't even know I was there.

I stepped in, careful not to make a noise, and froze when he said, "Close the door when you come in. No one knows what is in this room, except Uncle, and I intend to keep it that way." I stood there for a minute before closing the door. I didn't know what to do; should I continue exploring, or should I stay there and talk to the Prince, trying to pry information out of him about his obsession with Aang and he reason he has that scar? My feet made the decision for me and I started walking toward him. When I became close enough, I realized he was meditating. He eyes were closed and the look on his face was content.

"What do you want?" He asked me. "Oh, um. I was just exploring the ship, and I found this room," I said, still studying his expression. He opened his eyes and looked at me. Me, not wanting to be caught staring, looked away and pretended to be interested in the candles. I could feel him staring I me; my face was burning. I knew I was blushing. All of the sudden, the flames on the candles became larger. Now I was really interested in the candles. I looked at him and back at the candles. The flame became small again.

"How'd you do that," I asked, astonished. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. For the first few moments I thought he wasn't going to answer me, and I became angry. Just as I was going to argue with him, he spoke. "Control. That's how I did it. I had control over the fire. I let all my worries andproblems andremorseand anger go away and let peace consume me. That's how I gain control of my element, and not let it control me."

"So that's why you meditate?"

He nodded. Wow, all this time there was something deep and peaceful in Zuko. I had no idea. I sat down beside him, cross-legged, and closed my eyes. I was eager to try this meditating thing, if it was all Zuko claimed it to be. I could feel his eyes on me as he asked, "What are you doing?" I answered, "What does it look like? I'm meditating." I could hear a low chuckle, and then there was silence.

I tried to let all my worries and sorrows drift away from me, but I couldn't. Maybe I was doing it wrong. But I refused to let Zuko know I couldn't do something he could do. So I kept my eyes closed and tried to pretend I was meditating. Then I heard a deep, unfamiliar laugh. I opened my eyes. It was Zuko laughing! I couldn't believe it, I never heard him laugh before. And I kind of liked it. When I asked him why he was laughing, he said because I was making faces when I was trying to meditate. I couldn't help but laugh when I tried to imagine my expression. And, not to mention, Zuko's laugh was a bit contagious.

We laughed for several minutes until our laughter died down, and we went to dinner. It was weird seeing this side of Zuko, and yet, I really liked it. It's good to knowZuko is really human deep inside.

Katara

How'd you like that? I hope it makes up for not updating in a while. Since it's Spring Break, I'll update more often. Don't forget to review!

Nika