Yay! I updated much faster! Oh, and I realized when I was reading over the previous chapters, I haven't been adding the Disclaimer thing, so here it is.

Disclaimer- when you start seeing Zuko and Katara hook up, Aang move on and forget about Katara, and Sokka and Zuko start being shirtless more often, then that's when you know I own Avatar.

Okay, on with the story!

Chapter 7

Dear Journal,

Dinner was delicious as it always is, and Iroh didn't bring up anything about Zuko and I. Now that I mention it, he has been quiet lately. Too quiet if you ask me. I'm sure Zuko has noticed Iroh not being himself. Every time I ask Iroh what's going on, he answers with a, "Oh, nothing. There's just a lot on my mind. Nothing to worry about, Katara." In his normal cheery voice. But I know something is up, and, to tell the truth, I'm a bit scared. No doubt his plan has something to do with Zuko and I, and I scared he might do something drastic.

Guess what else happened yesterday? Iroh found out about this journal. See, I was writing in it yesterday night and he came to see me. Since Zuko is starting to trust me, he lets the door stay unlocked until a certain time. The door was unlocked and Iroh walked in, andsaw me writing in my journal. Then first thing that came out of my mouth was, "Please don't tell Zuko." I know if Zuko found out he would rid me of my journal, and I couldn't do without it. How else will I spend days inside when it's raining and storming, or when I get on Zuko's bad side and he decides to lock me up in my cell all day? I looked pleadingly up at Iroh, who only smiled and said to me, "Do not worry, Katara. My lips are sealed." I let out the breath I've been holding and told him thank you. After that, we chatted for a good half hour or so before he excused himself saying he wanted to have his last cup of tea before he retired to bed. I'm grateful to Iroh.

Zuko and I haven't talked today, but passed by each other on several times. In which I smiled a bit, and he almost let the sides of his mouth curl up into a smile. I don't think Iroh noticed, but if I know him well, he probably had. Other than that, Zuko and I had no contact whatsoever today. But I'm worried. Reading over previous journal entries, I realized I mention Zuko more and more. And in a good way! What is happening here? Why am I so suddenly talking (or writing) about this prince so much? Could I be that I am falling for him…? No. No, no, no, no. I couldn't be. I wouldn't. I would not betray Aang for a monster like him.

But whom am I kidding?

Deep down, I know Zuko isn't a monster. He kind of proved that in the private sparring room. No matter what, I vowed to keep Aang safe from the enemy. And crushing on him is not helping Aang one bit. So, starting right now, I vow not to get too close to Zuko. I will not betray Aang or Sokka or my entire nation. I can't.

Katara

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Dear Journal,

Today we stopped at another port. Zuko had started to lock me up in my room today, but Iroh told him it would be better if I'd stretch my legs and walk on solid ground. Zuko reluctantly agreed and we made our way to the deck and down the plank. Iroh walked off saying he wanted to buy more tealeaves, and left Zuko and I alone. He stayed close to me, of course, to make sure I wouldn't try to make a run for it. We didn't talk at all; there was an uncomfortable silence between us. It was strange. One day we're laughing together, and then the next we're lost for words. Just as we was about to go into a store I suggested we go in, a man with sideburns that run along the side of his face to his chin stopped us. He wore a frown that twisted into a smirk when his eyes wandered over to me.

"What's this, Prince Zuko? A concubine to satisfy your needs?" He let out a surly laugh at his own joke, which I didn't find funny. I was about to protest but Zuko cut me off. "What do you what, Zhao?" By the way the two men were giving the other death glares, it occurred to me they were not on good terms with the other. Not to mention, the name Zhao sounded familiar to me. But I forgot where I heard it before. Finally, Zhao answered, "I think you know. Have you decided you give up your ship to me now?" That triggered my memory. Zhao was the guy that caused me to stay locked up in my cell for two days! So I finally get to see him. "How many times do I have to tell you! I'm not giving up my ship, Zhao!" I could see Zuko scowl, but Zhao seemed merely amused by Zuko's reaction. "I will not take no for an answer," Zhao told him firmly. "I have to leave, now. Hand over the ship in a week, or I will have to take matters into my own hands." Then Zhao looked over to me. "And perhaps we can set a deal for the girl, too." I looked away and tried not to wince at how lustfully he said those words.

He walked away with his crew following after him. Zuko turned to me and said, "Are you going to go into the market or not?" I nodded and walked in. It smelled of something sweet, I couldn't place it, but it smelled familiar. The shop owner was nowhere to be seen but I decided to take a look around anyway. The shop mostly consisted of clothing, jewelry, and small glass sculptures. I walked through the aisles observing the merchandise, and one particular thing caught my eye: a light blue, glass miniature figurine of a momma platypus bear and her cub. I looked at it in awe as I picked it up to examine it. It was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my life.

"Looks like somethin' caught you eye there!" I jumped and almost dropped the piece of art when someone snuck up behind me. I turned around and saw an old, gray-haired woman smiling at me, showing the only few teeth she had left. "Is that young man going to buy it for ya?" Still a little shaken up, I asked dumbly, "Huh?" "That young man, darlin'. The Firebender," she explained. That's when I recognized whom she was talking about. When I started to answer, she cut my off. "Hi, I'm Ting." She said enthusiastically as she held out her hand. I reluctantly shook it. "I'm…I'm Lei," I lied. I didn't want this strange woman knowing who I really was. I was uncertain about her; she was so odd. "Nice to meet you, Lei. Now you going to buy that, or not?" She pointed at the little figurine in my palm. I forgot about it. "Um, no, sorry," I told her. I put it back on the shelf. "Well, what you doing in my shop if you isn't goin' buy somethin'?" She asked. Before I could answer, she said, "If you isn't buyin', then you isn't stayin'. Shoo!" I stood there for a second shocked and confused by this woman before I walked swiftly out of the market, Zuko right behind me. I turned to look at him and saw a amused smirk on his face. "What? That woman was crazy!" Zuko's face started to turn a bit red from him trying to hold in the laughter. I suspected he was about to burst because he pulled my hand and almost ran back to the ship.

So, that was all that happened today. I wish I'd bought that figurine, though. But I had no money. Oh well, maybe I'll see another one at the next port we stop at, then I might ask Zuko or Iroh to get it for me.

I know I haven't wrote about this in a while but, WHERE'S AANG AND SOKKA!

Katara

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Dear Journal,

Nothing much happened today. I talked to Iroh for a little while and he shared some of his tea with me. Zuko has been casting me strange looks, AGAIN. And my promise to Aang, Sokka, and my nation is not holding up well because I, too, find myself staring at the Prince. I fear I'm losing all my priorities and saneness on this ship.

May the Gods help me?

Katara

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Dear Journal,

Today Zuko did the one thing I never ever thought he'd do in a million years. I'll let you decide how I should go about this, Journal.

I was walking around the ship again, this time not to explore but to at least try to relieve my bored-ness, and I ran into Prince Zuko. He was looking nervous even though he tried to hide it. "Come with me," he simply said and started to walk away. I was confused why he was acting that way, but I followed him nonetheless. Turns out he lead me to his room. I was a bit curious, scared, but mostly curious because I have never seen his room before. He led my inside and his room dark and lit by candles. The walls were bare with the exception of the Fire Nation symbol hanging on the wall. There was a small bed in the corner, and a meditation mat and candles in the other corner across the room. It was not what I thought the prince of Firebenders would have as a room. I walked in and sat on the bed, since there were no chairs, which was very comfortable. Silky red covers covered the bed, and the pillow looked to be silk, too.

He sat next to me, but was far away, like I had a contagious infection or something. It reminded me of how the boys in the water tribe would act when we was younger. I still remember when Sokka went through that stage, and he still acts like it. I smiled to myself when I thought that thought and I think Zuko noticed it because he looked at me expectantly. A few minutes passed in tensed, uncomfortable silence before I asked Zuko, "So… why did you want me to come in here?" He looked at me and said irritably after a few seconds, "I was getting to that. Give me time!" "How much more time do you need? I've been waiting for over five minutes!" I scolded him. He mumbled something I couldn't comprehend. "What was that?" I asked. He shook his head. "Forget it," he said, annoyed. "Here." He took something out of his pocket and shoved it into my hands. I gasped when I saw what it was: the small light blue glass figurine of the platypus bear and her cub. When I looked up and was about to thank him, I saw Zuko head out the door and slam it shut. I didn't see him for the rest of the day.

Now, tell me journal. What should I do? I can no longer disregard the feelings I'm feeling now. As I write this, I'm holding the little figurine close to me. In fact, I haven't let it out of my sight all day. What does that mean? Maybe I do know what it means; I'm just scared to admit it.

I'm starting to fall for Prince Zuko…

Katara

I noticed I got less reviews for the last chapter. Are you all giving up on me since I didn't update faster? Come on, guys. Reviewing doesn't take up that much time. Don't forget to review!

Nika

P.S. You might get to see a little of Aang and Sokka next chapter...