Zuko

I put it off for a few days.

I fight the Avatar and Katara's brother when they come, offering to release her for the Avatar each time. But each time they stay out of reach of our capture, but they can't get close enough to get inside the ship and save her. It's a beyond frustrating stalemate.

I practice on my own, and try to get some of my crew to help me train. They follow my orders, but They're not really interested in teaching me anything. I'm not blind to the fact my men have no love for me. It's my fault they're stuck on this mission with me. If I hadn't spoken out in that meeting, their unit would have been used as fodder for the Earth Kingdom army, but they would have died in honor, and I would still be the crown prince of the Fire Nation, home and training to become a general myself in a few years. Now the only way to get back is to capture the Avatar, and I can't do that if I don't advance in my Fire Bending! So, begrudgingly after a couple of days, I go see Katara. Especially after they came to try and get Katara and almost made it down the stairs and into the ship when the Avatar hit me with a move that combined his water and air bending and put my flames out like they were nothing.

I relieve the guard of his duty and go inside her cell. She's sleeping when I walk in, so I close the door gently so as to not wake her. I watch her for a moment. She's beautiful, more than I'd like to admit. Her features are perfect, her skin is tan and her hair thick and a rich chocolate brown. Her eyes are closed, but I know under her heavy eyelids they're a deep sapphire blue. Her body curves in all the right ways to make a frustrated pent up sixteen year old even more frustrated. I groan and try to shake the thoughts out of my head and walk over to shake her awake as gently as I can.

"Katara. Katara, wake up." I say quietly. She groans and stretches.

"Sokka?" She mutters then blinks her eyes open. When she sees it's me, she gasps and sits up, quickly scooting away from me, making me inwardly sigh. I guess a scarred face of an enemy waking you up is something that's going to scare a young teenage girl. "What do you want, Zuko?"
"Have you not figured it out by now? You're not going to be hurt. You don't need to be scared of me."
"I'm not scared of you, Fire Prince." She says defiantly. I chuckle.
"Yes, you are. But I wish you weren't. You don't have to be."
"Just tell me what you want and get out."
"I want to play Pai Sho." I say, almost smiling with how silly that must sound.

"Are you out of your mind?"
"No, but my Uncle wants me to spend time with you."
"Why?"
"I don't know, something about it being educational and me needing to expand my worldview. I don't really care, except that he won't give me Firebending lessons until I spend an hour with you each day."
"And what if I refuse?"
"You can refuse to play Pai Sho, but you can't stop me from sitting in your cell for an hour. I figured it'll be less awkward if we have something to do." I say. She's quiet for a second.

"I have conditions."

"Let's hear them. But I can't promise I'll comply."

"You understand we're not talking about Aang in any way, shape or form. The second you ask a single question about him I'm laying down on my bunk and you can wait for an hour." She says. It annoys me, but I shrug.

"Fine."

"You keep your temper in check if things don't go your way. I've seen you throw and kick stuff when you get mad, I don't want to be on the receiving end of it."

"I told you I won't hurt you, Katara."

"If you ask a question and I answer, I get to ask a question and you answer too. We both leave the war at the door when we talk."

"Anything else?" I ask, getting frustrated.

"And I want to drink tea while we play."

"Tea?"

"Your Uncle allowed it."

"We're not really supposed to let water near you if you're unbound."

"What? Afraid I'll fight my way out? I'm not exactly a good water bender, Zuko."

"Prince Zuko." I say through gritted teeth. She rolls her eyes.

"I'm not Fire Nation. That means I'm not your subject. So you're not my prince, Fire Prince."

"Whatever. I'll bring the tea next time. For now, let's just play. Is that amenable to you, Water Princess?"

I say wryly. She scoffs.

"I'm not a princess. But yeah, that's fine. Let's just get this hour over with."

...