I walked into my room to see Katara struggling against the chains. I chuckled and shook my head. I took off the shackles and put them away. "Those really started to hurt!" she complained. She got up and stretched herself out.

After trying to think of the most eloquent way to say what I wanted to say, I just decided to wing it. "So...that was good acting in front of Zhao. You really had him going." I said.

"Thanks." Katara sighed, sitting down on her bed. "Did he...really mean it? What he said...about your sister?" she said nervously.

I sat down next to her and also sighed. "She certainly isn't the best princess in the world..." I said. I was trying not to make her sound so bad; I didn't want to scare her.

"What's she like?" Katara asked. Yeah, there's really no way around it.

"Katara," I began, "There's no way I can make this sound good, so I'll just be honest. She's basically a mini of my father. Perhaps worse." Katara's eyes widened. "My father is willing to forgive me, and he'll most likely let me keep you in return. But Azula, that's her name, she'll always hate me unconditionally. And she'll never accept you. She's cruel, sneaky, and clever...I'm sorry." Katara was shaking with fear. I put my arm around her shoulder. "But we'll get through it together, and protect each other. I won't let her hurt you." I said determinedly. I smiled at her, and she gave a weak smile in return. "Now, come along, it's almost time for dinner." We got up and left our room. I sent Katara on ahead to get my uncle. I thanked him for his quick thinking about the spare room and we walked to the dining room together.

As we were just finishing up our meals, Iroh sighed and said, "We've finally made it to the Fire Nation! It'll only be a matter of days now until we are back home at last." I smiled, ready to finally be home.

"Excuse me." Katara said suddenly and went out onto the deck of the ship. I watched her go in confusion.

"It's a big deal for her, Zuko. She will never see the Avatar again and will have to begin living with the Fire Lord and Princess Azula. For Katara, it's very frightening to be getting to the Palace." Uncle Iroh explained. I realized he was right, and I wanted to go to her. I wanted to make her see it wasn't so bad, but I had no idea what to say. As if reading my mind, Iroh said, "Sometimes silence can be the most powerful words of all."

I got up and took a beautiful handmade blanket off the wall. It was made by my grandmother, Fire Lady Ilah. We merely kept it for decoration, but it was very warm and soft. I walked out to where Katara was leaning on the side of the ship. I wrapped my arms, and the blanket, around her from behind. She looked back at me and I saw the tears running down her face. She took the blanket and held it around herself as I was. We walked silently up to our room and I laid Katara on her bed with the hand-made blanket. Just as I was walking away, she croaked out, "Thank you." and I breathed a sigh of relief. I knew she'd be okay now.

I walked out and closed the door behind me. I didn't bother locking it; I knew I could trust her now to stay put. As I was walking down the stairs, Lieutenant Buijing walked up to me with Sokka firmly in tow. "Where shall I put him to sleep, Prince Zuko?" he asked. I now realized I had no place to put him! I decided to try clearing Sokka's room out again, only to find it was empty already. I almost laughed aloud, thinking of how much thought Uncle Iroh must have put into it.

Buijing and I chained him back up as he was before, and walked down to the deck so I could tell him what was going on. "His real name is Sokka, and he's Katara's brother. I originally had him as a prisoner and was going to have him sent off to become some slave, but Katara would have absolutely hated it." I had already told Buijing of my love to Katara, "So, I decided to disguise him as one of my guards to he and Katara could stay together. You are to call him Lee in front of anyone besides Katara, Iroh, and I. We are the only ones who know the secret. Got it?" Buijing nodded, but said nothing. He never questioned me aloud, but I've always wondered if he actually agrees with all the things I tell him. Perhaps he just listens and helps out of respect or loyalty. Or perhaps he actually likes and agrees with all my plans. I don't think I'll ever know.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a little flick of blue. I quietly sneaked over to where I saw it, and found Katara. Her back was to me, so she didn't know I was there, and she was looking at the trap door to below deck. "You little peasant..." I mused, as Katara quickly spun around, looking like a beaver-deer in lamplight, "You're trying to get to Aang aren't you?"

For a second, she almost looked like she was going to try to run (where to?), but she sighed and said reluctantly, "Yes." I quickly grabbed her wrist and yanked her towards me.

"So, you just trick me into thinking it's safe to leave the door unlocked, then sneak off to be with your beloved? That it?" I said, enjoying my little capture.

"No!" Katara said indignantly, "I really was sad, Zuko! I just saw the door was unlocked and took my chance!"

I loosened my grip slightly and said, "Well, I'm sorry you don't want to go to the Fire Nation. However, abusing my trust by sneaking out against the rules it not the way to get over that!"

Katara leaned against the wall, looking like all rebellious thoughts had left her mind. "I know, and I'm sorry. You going to drag me off to my room now?" she asked expectantly.

"Well, technically, no." I said. I went behind her and shoved her in the direction of the stairs. Katara rolled her eyes and started walking. I continued pushing her every few seconds, much to her anger.

"Will you cut that out? Ow! I'm going up there anyway, so why must you- Ow!"

We eventually reached out room, and this time, I stayed in with the door locked. We took turns putting our sleep clothes on and went to bed. With all the excitement, it sounded like Katara fell asleep pretty fast. I, too, fell asleep, fearing the job I'd have to do tomorrow.