"You been awfully quiet," Sokka stated as he was walking a few steps from the prince who seems in his own world.

The prince couldn't stop thinking about the little girl from last night. How could he when she asked such a question.

He recalled every second of her just waiting for his response. Her eyes were directed straightly at him. And, he couldn't help but felt like he needed to answer her.

"Well," He stammered, "She's so kind and caring, it feels right to do this for her," He explained as his cheeks were somewhat flustered.

She shook her head, "That's such a generic response. Your heart wants to express something else that isn't going with what you just said."

He rolled his eyes, "My heart doesn't even know what it wants. If it did, I probably could of stopped this ongoing war,"

Toph took a step closer towards the prince, "The reason you don't understand your heart, which is the real reason for many actions is because your brain counters it. If you just for one second, eliminate all counter thoughts, doubts or anything that opposes your decisions. You will be able to understand what exactly you want to do," She explained fully before he released a sigh.

"Fine, I will give a try," He stated as he took a deep breath, and cleared his mind of anything.

Toph had a little smile on her face as she mentioned the girl's name, "Why do you care so much about Katara?"

The prince wants to question the girl how she knew her name but couldn't as he sought out an answer, "I have a soft side towards Katara. The moment I first laid my eyes on her, I knew she was different. Something foreign to me, and every time we talk I feel truly happy. She brings a different side of me that's been hidden for many years. It may sound selfish but, I think, I want Katara to myself,"

"Every human is selfish, but if I were you, I would do everything I can to please her," Toph stated as she was ready to leave. She had everything she wanted to hear.

"That's why I'm here, picking up someone she cares about," The prince finally admitted as Toph nodded before leaving as she gave him a wave.

That was all she needed to know.

"Fine, ignore me," Sokka huffed as he crossed his arms looking around his surroundings.

Zuko looked back at him, "Sorry, I just have a lot in mind," He explained as they both headed towards a town.

The prince took off his mask as he pulled out a red cape and placed it on. Sokka noticed how prepared he was when switching to different environments.

With the cape on, it was difficult to tell that he was royalty. Sokka still had a hard time believing that the prince had gone out to look for him.

"How is she?" Sokka questioned curiously about his sister.

"She's doing great, she very different compared to the other girls," Zuko explained as he remembered her stubbornness and determination.

"Yeah, that's Katara, " Sokka shrugged as a chuckled escaped from his lips, "Does she boss you around?" He teased.

As the prince lifted an eyebrow, "Not really, is she normally bossy?" He asked.

Sokka nodded, "You have no idea," He stated out loud as he began to list stories of the two.

Zuko didn't mind as he was interested in her attitude. He was surprised that Sokka talked about her as a different person. Which made him wonder-- Is she not showing her true self to him?

He always heard the stories between his uncle and Lin. The old women always complained about the lack of proper that Katara had. She made clear that Katara wasn't fit for the royal life, but what always sparked his attention is that she never stopped.

There was also the other time where Mai had told him that Katara spoke to Azula and put her in her place. He couldn't believe it when the girl told him. She was shocked too, and even went to say that she wouldn't be surprised that if Katara ended up being the next FireLady.

"There was this one time, she sent me to my room, like what the heck? I'm older than her," Sokka ranted as he remembered many occasions where he would be arguing with his sister.

"I haven't seen that side of Kat, but it does seem like she's an interesting person," Zuko admitted as Sokka stuck out his tongue in disgust.

"I'm going to pretend that you don't see her that way, " He reasoned before he ended up walking beside the prince, "So, she never acts like that around you?" He questioned.

Zuko shook his head, "She usually talks about you," He stated as the Watertribe boy looked surprised.

"Me?"

"She misses you, she has stated that you are the only family she has left, "Zuko explained to her brother while he seemed to be in doubt. It was true that they only had each other.

"What did she tell you about our past?"Sokka asked as the Prince remained silent trying to remember what Katara had told him.

"She hasn't really told me much, but its mostly how you guys left the Watertribed at such a young age," Zuko stated as Sokka nodded.

He felt somewhat bad as the prince seem to believe everything that Katara had said. He was tempted to clear it up but he knew couldn't, "I'm surprised Katara hasn't acted hatred towards you,"

Zuko stopped as he turned to Sokka, "What do you mean by that?" He asked.

"Our mother was taken away by the Fire Nation," Sokka admitted as Zuko's eyes widen in suprised.

He looked at the boy, "I think I know why she doesn't act hatred towards me because we have that in common," Zuko admitted as he seem bothered. "But, how did it happen?"

"Well back in the water tribe, she was about four or five, a raid occurred and attacked our village. I tried helping out but when it was all over, our mother was gone," He explained as Zuko nodded.

"I'm sorry that happened," Zuko apologized as he shook his head.

Sokka shrugged, "Wasn't your fault, you were like eight. It had nothing to do with you," He reasoned.

"I know, but I can't help but feel terrible that is ongoing war has been going on for so long, all because of my family," Zuko admitted.

Sokka looked at the prince confused, "You don't like this war?" He asked.

Zuko sighed, "Of course not, war means losing people you care about," He stated as he saw the palace from a distance.

"You are very different from what I heard about," Sokka said as he too saw the palace. The last time he had been there was when he dropped off his little sister.

"I just been hesitant and confused," Zuko admitted as he chuckled and motioned Sokka to catch up at a faster pace.

The two reached the enterance as the prince knocked on the doors. He took off his hoodie as the door opened revealing a guard, "Zuko? Where have you been?" The guard questioned as he widen the door.

Zuko motioned Sokka to come inside, "I went to pick up my personal guard. Why?" He questioned as the guard eyed the boy.

"Your uncle has been worried sick about you," The guard explained as the Prince nodded.

"I'll go see him, if can excuse us," Zuko stated as he began to walk with Sokka behind him. "You won't get to see Kat, til tomorrow since it seems dinner will be happening in about an hour. For the meantime, I will show you to your room,"

Katara sat quietly as her hair was being brushed by Zhilan, "How are we going to have dinner without the prince?" Katara questioned.

"It seemed that the General would be the one to sent five home," Zhilan explained as she sat down the brush.

"Five?" The waterbender asked surprised.

Zhilan nodded, "It seems Iroh is rushing the selection,"

Katara looked worried as that meant only seven girls will stay after tonight's dinner.

Peng knocked on the door as he was ready to escort the girl to the dining hall. Katara waved to Zhilan before she headed out. The walk was silent, and she was grateful for it since at the moment she couldn't concentrate at the current situation.

She entered the room where she spotted Suki, and sat down next to her. Jin was across as Katara waved to her and sent her a smile. She looked around as it was soon filling up. "Good evening," The prince greeted as he entered the room.

The waterbender was caught off guard and was happy to see him. If they had been alone she probably would of tackled him a hug.

"Before we start, I would like to speak to the following," He stated as he listed off names.

Everyone automatically knew that the five girls would be sent home. The moment he exited the room with them Suki looked over at Mai who was looking at her plate. "You look moody then usual," She stated hoping to strike a conversation.

Mai looked at her for a second before turning away completely ignoring her, Suki got annoyed as she grew tired of pleasing the girl.

"Do you guys know what we are doing tomorrow?" Varo asked as she looked around as the many girls shrugged.

"I think it's a date with the prince, since the other one was cancelled," Jin reasoned as she received many nods.

"Why did they send five girls home?" Marri questioned, it seems Katara wasn't the only one to question the bizarre act.

"All I know it's because that day with the sun being covered is coming soon," Varo explained in a mysterious tone.

"What does that have to do with us?" Hakura questioned as this was the first time she spoke to the girls in a while.

Katara looked unamused, "Did you mean the eclipse?" She asked for a clear explanation.

Varo nodded, "I can feel something big happening that day, and somehow it involves someone in this very table," She explained as her hand was lifted as she moved it slightly as if she was feeling any air around.

"Stop talking nonsense," Mai blurted out as Varo looked back at the girl surprised.

"Hey," Katara interrupted the motionless girl, "leave her alone," She stated firmly. As she sent a narrowed glare before returning her attention to Varo, "Can you explain how you know that?"

"Thing is, my mother is psychic and she has taught me a few things. I can't predict the future exactly but I do get certain feelings that explains what happens. They are very vague though," Varo explained as the other girls were interested.

"Honestly, once this is over, I hope we still stay in touch," Suki admitted as she looked over at Katara and a few of the other girls.

The door opened revealing just the prince with the general, "The princess won't be joining us today or for the next few days as she went out for a short trip," The general explained.

The two took a seat, and the meal was served, "I want to apologize for canceling the date that was planned," Zuko explained as the girls nodded in understanding.

Katara looked at the prince as she noticed he hasn't look towards her direction, "We plan to reschedule them tomorrow," The general explained.

A/n
Now that it's seven girls, I do plan to expand on their personality since the book isn't entirely about the selection. It's a small piece to the whole book. Letting you all know incase it feels rushed.