Zuko was walking back to the palace, trying to figure out what had just happened. He'd seen Katara again, clearly hurting and strangely wild, plus she'd gained powers he'd never even heard of a regular water bender possessing, Master or no. She'd literally dissolved into the clouds above, and then the Katara-cloud had thinned, and whisked away, leaving no signs she'd even been there. Was he losing his mind? Plus, added the sneaky part of his brain, did she blush when I smiled at her? I'm pretty sure she did. What does that mean? He shook his head, trying to banish the thoughts. But all he could see was her standing there, blue eyes shadowed with secrets. Clearly there were many things she wasn't telling him. What should he do? He realized with a start he hadn't even considered telling Aang. He could at least contact the Avatar and try to ask him what was going on. But I don't want to. Why am I so opposed to that? Then the realization came to him, and he stopped dead in his tracks with the surprise of it. I'm afraid that would scare her away. And I really don't want her to go. I want to see more of her, in fact I'm really hoping that jack-ass firebug will start another fire soon so I can see her again. What on earth is wrong with me? He shook his head, and then smacked his palm against his forehead. "Stupid brain…" he grumbled at himself, and continued on towards the palace.
Katara drifted over Zuko as he made his trek back towards the Fire Nation's capital city. She watched as he stopped with a startled look on his face, then smacked himself in the forehead and muttered something low under his breath. She thought a smile, and wondered what it was he thought of. She told herself she was following Zuko so she could make sure he didn't contact Aang with pesky questions about her, but she knew in her heart that wasn't the case. She was following Zuko because she wanted to see more of him. She remembered back to the day of the comet, and how he had taken the Azula's lightning bolt meant for her, how brave he'd been. And she watched him now, and thought of his smile, and the mist that was her heart gave a flutter. Gah! she shrieked inwardly. What am I doing? I am attracted to him. Damnit! I will not do this again. There can be no good that will come of this. Besides, he doesn't like me. He's got that gloomy Mai girl. No! That's beside the point. I won't open myself up to pain again like that. As she moved with the clouds and argued with herself, Zuko moved on the ground underneath with the same argument.